The Indian Weekender, 29 September 2023

Friday, 29 September 2023
Volume 15 / Issue 27
READY TO
BUY OR SELL
A BUSINESS?
WE HAVE BEEN BEEN
SELLING
BUSINESSES
SINCE 1972
Contact Hemant Gupta
Licensed Salesperson REAA 2008
027 279 9534
hemant.g@cmbusiness.co.nz
Read • Watch • Engage
www.iwk.co.nz /indianweekendernz /indianweekender
Licensed Agent REAA 2008
DAIRYSUCCESSFULLYRUN-30YEARS
Shop is located in a prime location with
ample shared parking available. With a
very low rent of approx. $870 including
GST per month.
Price$99,000plusstock.
The Kiwi on a mission to
revive Sanskrit in Aotearoa
NAVDEEP KAUR MARWAH IN AUCKLAND
Vote
Navtej
Randhawa
For Panmure-
Ōtāhuhu
GET PANMURE
ŌTĀHUHU
In a world where ancient languages often fade into obscurity,
Emilie Preston is among the few trying to keep these
traditions alive.
The Sanskrit teacher at Ficino School in Auckland is on a
mission to carry on the timeless beauty of Sanskrit.
“From the moment I was introduced to Sanskrit, I fell in love
with the sounds, the beautiful proportions of the symbols,
the systematic grammar and the rich variety of Sanskrit
texts: both spiritual and worldly,” Emilie shares, reflecting
on her affection for Sanskrit that was instantaneous
and unwavering.
Emilie’s Sanskrit journey began at the age of 15, and it
has been an enduring one. “I started learning Sanskrit
intermittently over the years since then."
• Continued on Page 7
Authorised by Navtej Randhawa, 107 Great South Rd, Epsom, Auckland.

Voting in the election is easy and
takes just a few minutes. You can find
out everything you need to know about
how to vote at vote.nz
vote.nz
0800 36 76 56

Read online www.iwk.co.nz Friday, 29 September, 2023
NEW ZEALAND 3
Cut the clutter: Election 2023
townhall on Gandhi Jayanti
RAVI BAJPAI IN AUCKLAND
Just days ahead of voting for
General Election 2023, an
upcoming event in Auckland
promises to be your one-stop
solution to cut the clutter around
all the campaign promises that
focus on Kiwi-Indians.
India has been front and centre
in the run up to the election, with
all the major political parties
announcing policies to appeal to
ethnic communities, including the
Indian diaspora.
You can expect a deep dive
into those promises at ‘Vote
2023: Election Townhall’, which is
scheduled to be held at Mahatma
Gandhi Centre on October 2, 2023,
from 5.30pm to 8pm.
National leader Christopher
Luxon, Labour’s Priyanca
Radhakrishnan and ACT leader
David Seymour are scheduled to
address the gathering, describing
their vision for a prosperous
and stronger New Zealand, and
representing a mix of parties that
are likely to send Kiwi-Indians to
Parliament.
The event organised jointly
by The Indian Weekender,
New Zealand Indian Central
Association Inc (NZICA) and
Auckland Indian Association Inc
(AIAI) is open to all and entry is
free.
Christopher Luxon Priyanca Radhakrishnan David Seymour
The gala coincides with the
birth anniversary of Mahatma
Gandhi, and celebrates the
values of democracy, says NZICA
President Narendra Bhana.
“The upcoming election
discussion with political leaders
is vital for informed voting,
representation, engagement,
accountability, integration, and
education, all of which contribute
to a more vibrant and inclusive
democracy.”
President Dhansukh Lal says
AIAI is “proud to host” the event,
and he expects the leaders and
representatives to talk in detail
about their promises and how
“We would like to
hear from all the
major political leaders
as to what and how
they will provide a
safer community,
better health system,
education and most
importantly a better
economic future for
the poeple of New
Zealand.” Dhansukh Lal
they plan to deliver on them.
“We would like to hear from all
the major political leaders as to
what and how they will provide
a safer community, better health
system, education and most
importantly a better economic
future for the poeple of New
Zealand.”
All major political parties are
pitching for stronger trade and
diplomatic ties with India this
election. National’s Chris Luxon
has promised a trip to the country
in the first year if he were to
become prime minister.
Labour’s Chris Hipkins has also
announced he will lead a prime
ministerial trade delegation to
India within 100 days if he were
re-elected.
ACT leader David Seymour
has also pitched for better trade
relations with India, because “it’s
a huge market with an abundance
of talent”.
All the three parties are also
promising visa solutions to
make it easier for parents and
grandparents of migrants to live
in Aotearoa for a longer period
of time, doing away with the
limitations that currently exist in
the visa processes.
The Labour Party has also
announced respite for overstayers,
promising regularisation for those
who have lived in New Zealand
for more than 10 years, a promise
Erica Stanford has described as
a vague blanket amnesty that her
National Party does not support.
Dev Nadkarni, Editor-At-Large
of The Indian Weekender, says,
“The politicians have promised
a lot for ethnic communities,
especially Indian New Zealanders.
It’s easy to get lost in the political
narrative. This event will be a
good opportunity for voters to
have the clarity they need to make
their voting decision.”
As a Green Acres business owner, you’ll come
home just as happy as your customers, with
flexible hours, amazing growth potential, and
excellent support and training.
Sound like your cup of tea? Call 0800 400 312 or
visit greenacres.co.nz/franchise to find out more.

4
NEW ZEALAND
Friday, 29 September, 2023
Minister’s visit boost for
Read online www.iwk.co.nz
India-New Zealand relations
MAHESH KUMAR
IN CHRISTCHURCH
In what can be seen as another milestone
in the growing ties between India and
New Zealand, Dr Rajkumar Ranjan Singh,
Indian Minister of State for External Affairs
and Education, arrived in New Zealand this
week.
His visits to Auckland, Christchurch
and Queenstown along with Indian High
Commissioner to New Zealand Neeta
Bhushan and Head of Chancery Mukesh
Ghiya were marked by interactions with the
Indian diaspora, meetings with local officials,
and discussions about bilateral cooperation.
The visit commenced on September 24,
with Singh’s arrival in Christchurch. A warm
and enthusiastic welcome from the Indian
diaspora greeted him. The event, organised
by community associations like IndianNz
Association of Christchurch Inc., Bhartiya
Samaj Canterbury, and Christchurch Bengali
Community, attracted more than 100
members representing the diverse Indian
community.
High Commissioner Bhushan hailed the
visit as a significant milestone in bilateral
relations. “In the past year, we have seen a
significant increase in high-level exchanges
between India and New Zealand.
This began with the visit of our Honorable
External Affairs Minister, Dr. Jaishankar, in
October 2022, followed by the visit of the
Honorable Minister Nanaia Mahuta, the
Foreign Minister of New Zealand, to India in
February 2023.”
Bhushan also praised the contributions of
Kharag
Singh
for Botany
Dr Rajkumar Ranjan Singh (seated second from the left) poses with other dignitaries at Mahatma Gandhi Centre in
Auckland on September 27
the Indian diaspora in Christchurch, calling it
a very special place “not just because of its
vibrant Indian community, but also because
of the way they have kept the flag of India
flying high through their work and their
promotion of India in Christchurch”.
In his address, Singh traced the historical
relationship between India and New Zealand,
noting, “The friendly and warm relationship
between India and New Zealand dates back
to the 1890s, when the first Indian immigrant
arrived in New Zealand.
“Since then, our shared Commonwealth
heritage, parliamentary democracy, English
language, and large Indian diaspora in
New Zealand supporting cultural links have
bound us together.”
Turning to economic ties, Singh expressed
enthusiasm about joint venture investments,
saying, “I am particularly excited about the
collaborative projects in the pipeline. This
is a testament to the strong relationship
between our governments and the trust
between our peoples.”
Cultural connections between India and
New Zealand were also emphasised, with
Singh highlighting the exchange of festivals,
Bollywood, and cricket as shared joys.
Talking about academic exchanges
between the two nations, Singh said, “I am
filled with pride to see the rising number
of Indian students choosing New Zealand
for higher education. This speaks volumes
about the mutual respect our countries have
in the academic arena. I envision even more
collaboration in research and academic
exchanges.”
The next day, the delegation met
Christchurch City Council members and
the mayor and discussed ways to enhance
cooperation in sectors like business,
education and tourism.
In the afternoon, the minister visited Ara,
the largest vocational training institute in
the South Island of New Zealand.
The delegation’s itinerary also included
a visit to Queenstown, where they met with
the local Indian community and also met the
Mayor of Queenstown, Glyn Lewers.
Both sides discussed opportunities
for promoting tourism, including film
production, sports, and cultural exchanges
between India and South Island.
The delegation then arrived in Auckland,
where Singh met community leaders at a
public event that took place at Mahatma
Gandhi Centre on September 27, where he
was accompanied by High Commissioner
Neeta Bhushan. Singh also participated in
India Business Summit on September 28,
organised by Auckland Business Chamber
and the High Commission of India.
The summit aimed to bring together
trade experts and business leaders from
both countries to discuss opening the
export-import trade gateway to India, digital
transformation, energy, climate change, and
resource efficiency.
NZ’s 1st-of-its-kind
real estate AI chatbot
IWK BUREAU
New Zealand’s first real estate chatbot
powered by machine learning is
promising to make the process of
renting a property easier, especially for firsttime
tenants.
Impression Real Estate’s customer-facing
messenger ‘Marcia’, launched last week
and named after their client relationship
manager for the last 15 years, is built to
deliver quick answers to common questions
like how to receive a bond refund or where
to find a copy of the lease agreement, says
chief executive Rishabh Kapoor.
Authorised by Rob Salmond, 187 Featherston Street, Wellington.
“It runs on machine learning,
which means as more and
more people interact with it,
the more it will learn, and be
able to deliver answers that
are not just better quality but
also span a wider range of
queries." Rishabh Kapoor
“It runs on machine learning, which means
as more and more people interact with it,
the more it will learn, and be able to deliver
answers that are not just better quality but
also span a wider range of queries.
“The groundbreaking initiative was made
possible with the technological expertise
of DUCO Consultancy, led by their CEO
Chandan Ohri, who have been our steadfast
partners in this transformative journey.”
The company that manages more than
1,000 rental properties, many of them in
Auckland CBD, launched Marcia to coincide
with its rebranding announcement held at
Sid At The French Cafe on September 22.
“We are very pleased to have entered this
new phase in our business. We are trying to
deliver better customer experience, keeping
people at the centre of all our services,” says
Rishabh.
He says with an uptick in demand starting
this year, the real estate sector is well
positioned to adopt technology to support
the tenancy process in far more efficient
ways, including offering virtual viewings of
properties.
“We have many requests from overseas
clients who are planning to arrive in Auckland
for the first time and want to lock a property
even before they are onshore. But current
regulations make that kind of arrangement
a bit difficult, we must review those rules.”

Read online www.iwk.co.nz Friday, 29 September, 2023
NEW ZEALAND 5
Kiwi-Indian
wins silver
medal at wushu
championship
VIHAN DALAL
Kiwi-Indian Pawandeep Singh has
won a silver medal at Oceania Wushu
Championship held at Auckland Netball
Stadium on September 2.
The tournament was organised by Oceania
Kung Fu Wushu Federation. The silver medalist
from Haryana, India, began his wushu training at
an early age.
“I learnt wushu when I was in year six in
India and my coach, Mr Surinder Pasi, taught
me wushu,” Singh says. The championship he
won recently was his first wushu tournament
in New Zealand. However, learning wushu in a
land where cricket tends to occupy the national
imagination was a challenge.
“Mostly, people laughed at us because they
hadn’t heard of Wushu,” he says. The sport
wasn’t recognised by Sports Authority of India
in 2001 when Singh had begun learning it.
Wushu is a form of martial art which
originated in China. Singh’s interest in the
sport was inspired by his family, which holds a
sporting legacy.
“Because my family background is in sports…
my father was a football player. I’ve watched
Chinese martial arts and kickboxing on
television, and I used to go to the stadium to look
for a coach who taught martial arts,” he says.
Singh has previously won national-level
wushu championships in India for eight years,
and has completed his coaching at
National Institute of Sports in Patiala.
It was Surinder who inspired Singh to
participate in the tournament held in
Auckland.
“I spoke to my coach and I told him
I was moving to New Zealand for work
and he…inspired me to learn wushu
in New Zealand,” he says. Singh was
reportedly the only person of Indian
origin at the tournament. “I felt
very proud because I was the only
one…representing my country here. I
encourage my people to participate in
these games.”
Singh currently works as a security
guard and has been in New Zealand
for the last six months, and he
aims to represent the country on an
international level as a wushu artist.
“I will be joining an MMA club in
Auckland next month…We will be
participating in national tournaments
and if I win a gold medal, I will move
to another level,” he says. Singh also
regularly practices wushu at his house
for an hour every day. The Oceania
Kung Fu Wushu Federation is a part of
International Wushu Federation based in
Beijing, China. It includes Australia and
New Zealand, among eight other Pacific
island members.
Pawandeep Singh. (Photo: Ravi Bajpai)
Number of heavy
freight vehicles
on the road rises
RNZ
The number of heavy freight vehicles
on the road has risen for the first time
in two months, bucking the narrative
of a marked slowdown, though the data
remained volatile.
ANZ Bank’s heavy traffic index for August
rebounded 6.2 percent on the month prior,
after data from the previous month showed
activity was threatening to fall into into
recessionary territory.
Meanwhile the light traffic index, often
indicitive of consumer demand, rose 1.6
percent month-on-month.
Chief economist Sharon Zollner said
volatility remained the theme of current
economic data, with the light traffic index
showing a mild upward trend.
“Anything other than an upward trend
would be remarkable given current strong
growth in the population,” she said.
“The fact that that growth is only modest
is consistent with consumers avoiding
unnecessary expenditure - not least on
petrol, which is considerably more expensive
now the fuel excise subsidy has ended.”
Zollner described the economy as
“patchy” with consumers experiencing a mix
of headwinds and tailwinds.
“Tourism is enjoying a strong rebound
and looking forward to a buoyant summer
season, whereas dairy and sheep and beef
farmers are looking at very constrained
profitability this season.
“It’s all creating winners and losers but
within the context of generally cooling
economic activity, as illustrated by a flatter
trend in heavy traffic than was evident
before Covid.”
NO CHANGE IN
OCR!
Rising interest rates!
This is the best time to
contact us and we can refix
your mortgage with the best
interest rates.
Competitive Interest Rates
Simple Application Process
Wide Range of Loan Options
CALL NOW
0800 386 362
www.fundmaster.co.nz

6
NEW ZEALAND
Friday, 29 September, 2023
Read online www.iwk.co.nz
‘Will ensure compliance against
overstayers’: Erica Stanford
NAVDEEP KAUR MARWAH
A
National government will ensure
immigration officials comply with
rules and make sure overstayers are
brought to book, Erica Stanford has said.
The immigration spokesperson was
responding to a specific question by The
Indian Weekender if her government will
actively pursue prosecution of overstayers.
“I can’t comment on the current efficiency
of immigration officials in this regard. We’ve
had Covid-19 pandemic and obviously that
restricted work in this direction.
“But I can tell you our government will
ensure full compliance from Immigration
New Zealand when it comes to overstayers.”
Over the weekend, the Labour Party
announced if it were to come to power again,
overstayers who have been in the country for
more than 10 years will be offered respite.
‘Unite Visa’ values skills,
family reunification
RAHUL CHOPRA
The party’s immigration spokesperson
Andrew Little promised a one-off visa to
people who had overstayed for more than a
decade, saying the offer was about making
good on Jacinda Ardern’s Dawn Raid
apology two years ago.
“They
haven’t used
the word amnesty,
but let me be clear -
what they are offering is
an amnesty. This could
very well mean an
offer of residency to
overstayers. "
Little promised
to enact what he
described as a “oneoff
regularisation
programme for
well-settled
overstayers”
within 100 days of
re-election.
Stanford pointed
out the Labour’s
announcement has
been vague and that they
haven’t provided details about what the
regularisation process will entail.
“They haven’t used the word amnesty,
but let me be clear - what they are offering
is an amnesty.
"This could very well mean an offer of
residency to overstayers.
“National is not considering any amnesty
for overstayers because they undermine
the integrity of our immigration system that
relies on the rules being followed.”
Stanford said the law already provides
for those who became overstayers for no
fault of theirs to appeal to the immigration
minister against deportation.
New Zealand boasts of a rich history
of immigration, with people from
diverse backgrounds contributing to
its growth and prosperity.
Migrants have played a crucial role in
bridging the skills gap while enhancing New
Zealand’s economy and society. However,
many face challenges in maintaining close
family ties.
ACT recognizes these concerns and aims
to address them through the introduction of
a new visa – the Unite Visa.
Challenges for Migrant Families
Migrants often struggle to connect
with their families due to existing
immigration policies.
The Labour Government’s immigration
reset and the closure of the Parent
Resident Visa category for six years
have sent a clear message about
how migrant contributions are
viewed.
As a migrant myself, I
understand the psychological
pressure this can create for those
who wish to contribute their skills
to New Zealand while fulfilling their
duties towards their parents and
seniors and providing opportunities for
them to connect with their grandchildren.
During my years of community work, I
have met numerous professionals who
had to leave New Zealand despite the high
demand for their skills here.
ACT’s Solution: Unite Visa
ACT’s Unite Visa seeks to provide a solution
by allowing parents and grandparents to
visit their children or grandchildren for up to
five years at a time, with annual renewals.
Public Health Fund: A sustainable
approach
ACT’s is the only immigration policy
that genuinely seeks to reunite families
while bolstering our economy with
much-needed skills.
As part of our Unite Visa program, ACT
proposes an annual fee of $3,500.
This fee covers potential healthcare costs,
which can amount to hundreds or even
thousands of pounds, ensuring the wellbeing
and financial stability of families.
The parent visa category has been a
contentious issue due to fiscal concerns,
including healthcare expenses and New
ACT’s Unite
Visa seeks to
provide a solution by
allowing parents and
grandparents to visit their
children or grandchildren
for up to five years at
a time, with annual
renewals. Zealand superannuation
costs.
As New Zealand’s population
ages, these pressures will intensify.
However, the Unite Visa presents an
opportunity to address these concerns.
By removing unnecessary restrictions on
parents’ entry while managing healthcare
risks, New Zealand can attract skilled
migrants and meet the rising demand
for healthcare services. Revenue from
the annual fee will be allocated to the
healthcare system, ensuring necessary
capacity expansion.
The Unite Visa represents a significant
step toward fostering family unity among
migrants in New Zealand.
By addressing the challenges faced by
parents and grandparents in maintaining
close ties with their migrant children and
grandchildren, ACT’s policy promotes
a more inclusive and supportive
immigration system.
ACT’s vision is to create a world-leading
immigration policy that balances benefits
and costs while prioritising the health and
unity of families.
(The writer is ACT Party’s candidate from
Mount Roskill, Auckland)
Labour will provide respite
for overstayers
KHARAG SINGH
There is lot of excitement in migrant
communities and in my community
since the announcement made in
New Zealand immigration policies.
When I speak to my community at the
temple and at their businesses, it is clear
that our community want changes to
New Zealand’s immigration system,
and the Labour Party has been
listening.
A re-elected Labour
government will pass
legislation in its first 100
days to deliver a one-off
regularisation of well-settled
overstayers who have been
in New Zealand for 10 years or
more.
About 14,000 to 20,000 people
already in New Zealand could be eligible
for regularisation.
It means they will have rights at work
and access to more government services
like higher education.
Regularisation will not be limited to any
particular group, meaning people from all
migrant communities will be able to apply.
A re-elected Labour government will also
GOT A BUSINESS IN SOUTH ISLAND?
DO YOU WANT TO GROW IT BY FOCUSING ON
THE INDIAN SUBCONTINENT CUSTOMERS?
TALK TO US.
introduce a 10-year multiple entry Super
Visa that allows grandparents and parents
of migrants to make successive visits of
between six months and five years.
Parents and grandparents will need to
be financially supported by a New Zealand
citizen or permanent resident child who is
living here, and have medical and public
A reelected
Labour
government will
pass legislation in its
first 100 days to deliver a
one-off regularisation of
well-settled overstayers
who have been in New
liability insurance.
Labour will also focus on
clearing the backlog of
Parent Residence Visa
applications.
These are just a few
examples of Labour’s
immigration manifesto
this election.
As a small business
owner and a Kiwi-Indian
immigrant with a large family in
India and New Zealand, I know my
vote for the Labour Party at this election
will be a vote for a balanced immigration
system that strengthens our economy with
decent jobs and wages, and provides more
opportunities for families today
and tomorrow.
(The writer is Labour Party’s candidate
from Botany)
Zealand for 10 years
or more.
Call us for a customised
advertising solution with
Indian Weekender.
Call at 022-3251630
Email sales@indianweekender.co.nz

Read online www.iwk.co.nz Friday, 29 September, 2023
NEW ZEALAND 7
‘Sanskrit's uniqueness
lies in its steadfastness'
• Continued From Page 1
Potential new debt-to-income
lending limits may dampen housing
market activity : CoreLogic
"I even sat an IGCSE exam, which
has enabled me to teach Sanskrit
at the primary school level.”
Sanskrit is unique among
languages, and Emilie elaborates
on its distinctive characteristics.
“Sanskrit’s uniqueness lies in
its steadfastness,” she asserts.
“Unlike modern languages,
Sanskrit has not changed over the
thousands of years it has existed.
Its structured systems for creating
words and highly organised
grammar make it an infinitely
versatile language.”
But why teach Sanskrit in the
21st century? Emilie offered a
compelling list of reasons for its
continued relevance at Ficino
School.
“Studies suggest that learning
a second language at the primary
school level enhances cognitive
function. Learning the Sanskrit
script wires the brain to learn
other scripts, such as Chinese and
Russian. Speaking the language
requires using five different mouth
positions, making it easier to
articulate other languages more
accurately.”
Beyond these cognitive benefits,
Sanskrit’s ancient roots have
significantly influenced Indo-
European languages. Learning
Sanskrit grammar facilitates a
student’s understanding of the
grammar of other languages.
“Unlike modern
languages, Sanskrit
has not changed over
the thousands of
years it has existed.
Its structured systems
for creating words
and highly organised
grammar make it an
infinitely versatile
language.” Emilie
Preston
“Additionally, students engage
with Vedic invocations and
immerse themselves in the rich
stories of ancient Eastern epics.
This holistic approach ensures
that students are well-equipped
for any language they may study in
the future,” explains Emilie.
At least 150 students aged five
to 13 years are under Preston’s
tutelage, highlighting the enduring
interest in this ancient language.
Outside of teaching, her life is
enriched by her adult children and
grandchildren. Additionally, her
deep interest in Eastern scriptures,
nurtured by her study of Sanskrit,
allows her to delve into profound
spiritual wisdom.
Despite her deep connection
with Sanskrit, Emilie has yet to
have the opportunity to visit India.
Lastly, revealing her plans, which
are simple but profound, she says,
“Keep studying and teaching
Sanskrit. This language is a
boundless ocean of knowledge,
and I want to share its treasures
with as many students as
possible.”
RNZ
िवश्वास का क्रू क्रसेड 7 पास्टरों के साथ
सभी उत्तर
The introduction of debtto-income
(DTI) caps on
mortgage lending could
make short order of a recent pickup
in the housing market.
Property research firm CoreLogic
said last month’s new mortgage
lending registered the first
annual rise in the past two years,
pointing to an increase in house
market activity.
However, CoreLogic chief
property economist Kelvin
Davidson said the dream of home
ownership could remain out of
reach for many, if the Reserve
Bank went ahead with formal caps
on DTI ratios.While the Reserve
Bank had not released any details
as to when it might introduce a
DTI, Davidson said there was a
reasonable chance the central
bank would impose DTI caps next
year, which would make it harder
for average income earners to
secure a mortgage.
He said mortgage lending would
likely be capped at seven times
इवेंट
the borrower’s income, which was
high by international standards,
but reflected the high cost of New
Zealand housing.
“I know in the UK and Ireland,
they have a DTI system and the
numbers are set at something
closer to four. It’s a pragmatic
number that just reflects the
reality in each country. If you set
it too low, you’re simply going to
completely scuttle the market.”
For example, a DTI set at seven
would require a borrower to have
an income of $100,000 to secure a
$700,000 mortgage.
“If imposed, they’d mean the
RBNZ is already ahead of the
curve for when interest rates do
eventually fall again and possible
financial stability risks from larger
new mortgages re-emerge,”
Davidson said.
DTIs would tend to tie house
prices more closely to incomes
and therefore also limit the number
of properties which anybody could
own until their incomes meet the
necessary threshold, Davidson
said.
वाचा
के सन्दू
न्दक के प्रवेश
वश के साथ
अिभिषक्त तेल की एक बोतल, इजराइल से जैतून
तेल के साथ िमिश्रत, मुफ्त दी जाएगी
अिधक जानकारी के िलए हमसे संपकर् करें!
फ़ोन: 021 501 271
रिववार
1st
अक्तू बर
मैं बीमारी से िघरी हुई थी, मेरे हाथों में गिठया रोग बहुत
ज्यादा रहता था और उसकी वजह से मेरी उंगिलयां हमेशा
सूज जाती थीं। मेरे सारे नाखून एक-एक करके िगरने लगे।
मुझे ऐसे कहीं भी जाने में शमर् आती थी. तभी मुझे UCKG
Help Centre में आयोिजत एक कायर्क्रम में आमंित्रत
िकया गया, जहां उन्होंने अिभिषक्त तेल िवतिरत िकया। मैंने
तेल प्राप्त िकया और प्रितिदन अपना अिभषेक िकया।
मैंने अपने िवश्वास का इस्तेमाल िकया और उसके िलए प्राथर्ना करते-करते धीरे-धीरे मेरे
हाथ बेहतर होने लगे। मेरे नाखून सामान्य रूप से बढ़ने लगे। आज मुझे िवश्वास है िक मेरे
िवश्वास से, परमेश्वर ने मुझे आशीष िदया है और मुझे ठीक िकया है। - शिश प्रभु
अभी अपनी सीट पंजीकृ त करें!
UCKG लोगों को ठीक करने का दावा नहीं करता है लेिकन उसका मानना है िक परमेश्वर िवश्वास की शिक्त से ऐसा कर सकता है। हमेशा अपने डॉक्टर के िनदेर्शों का पालन करें।
व्यिक्तगत अनुभव अलग-अलग होते हैं लेिकन हमारा मानना है िक परमेश्वर की शिक्त सभी के िलए उपलब्ध है। यूसीके जी सहायता कें द्र न्यूजीलैंड में पंजीकृ त एक चैिरटी है- CC31103
के वल QR कोड को स्कै न करें और अपना िववरण भरें और
अपनी सीट पंजीकृ त करें और अपनी अिभिषक्त तेल की बोतल
भी आरिक्षत करें। या हमारी हेल्पलाइन
021 501 271 पर संपकर् करें
और हम आपका रिजस्ट्रेशन करेंगे.

8
NEW ZEALAND
Friday, 29 September, 2023
Read online www.iwk.co.nz
Avish Sharma’s solo
show shines bright
NAVDEEP KAUR MARWAH
Kiwi-Indian singer-songwriter Avish
Sharma’s concert in Auckland had
been long-awaited by both the artist
and his devoted fans.
His first solo performance, which took
place on September 23, was a culmination of
dreams and aspirations as Avish embarked
on a journey to showcase his talent and
connect with Aucklanders.
The inspiration for this extraordinary event
at The Dorothy Winstone Centre came from
the heart of Auckland itself. He recalled,
“Every time I’ve featured in an Auckland
concert, the feedback has always been that
there should be a solo show. I felt like I was
finally ready to deliver.”
Despite Auckland’s unpredictable weather
challenges, a dedicated crowd gathered for
the evening, proving the city’s unwavering
love for music.
He covered a range of genres from pop to
rock, folk to Hindustani classical, and indie
music, keeping the audience engaged and
entertained. Avish mesmerised the audience
with a captivating mashup of ‘Teri Deewani’
by Kailash Kher and ‘Bheegi Bheegi Si Hain
Raatein’ by Pritam and James from the
movie ‘Life in a Metro’.
The moment was so enchanting that
Avish described it as “a dream where the
crowd pulled out their phone lights, creating
a surreal atmosphere”. Additionally, he had
the privilege of performing his original songs
RNZ
Bank profits have rebounded from an
18 month low as they reduced their
level of loan losses, and earned more
from financial dealings.
KPMG’s quarterly banking survey shows
sector profits for the three months ended
June were $1.74 billion, up 13 percent on
the March quarter’s $1.54b, and fractionally
ahead of the same quarter a year ago.
The key driver of the profit lift was a
reduction in the level of impaired assets,
amounts set aside for bad debts that
did not occur or have been recovered,
which more than halved to $143.7m from
$320.2m.
The other main contributor to the profit
improvement was increased non-interest
income - earnings from financial market
dealings - which grew by 30 percent to
$587.7m.
“It is important to note that although the
impaired asset expense has decreased,
it’s still the second largest impaired asset
expense since the start of the pandemic
and has driven a 2 percent increase in
provisions on lending,” KPMG head of
banking John Kensington said.
‘Phir Dikhi Tu’ and ‘Jaana’ for the first time,
a personal milestone that left him feeling
elated and fulfilled.
However, what truly surprised Avish was
the unexpected emotional journey of the
evening. He confessed, “I didn’t quite foresee
the occasion being something that would
impact me, but it did. I had to battle those
emotions on stage but was vocal about it. I
think it helped form a strong bond with the
audience.”
He informs that this connection with the
audience was further reinforced when he
received heartfelt post-show messages,
such as one fan’s words: “There were
moments where he made us smile, dance
with joy and made our eyes teary!!! Complete
package.”
Recalling her event experience, another
attendee, Shweta S Bajpai, said, “I attended
the show with my husband, nine-year-old
son and a teenage special needs son. All of
us loved the show right from the beginning.
“My older son, who is also nonverbal,
signed up and asked me to take him to meet
Avish after the show, which I did. It made my
son so happy! I loved every moment.
I look forward to the next ‘Avish Sharma -
Live in Auckland’.”
Bank profits rebound with survey
showing uptick for June quarter
“Secondly, there has been an increase
in non-interest income. This is a typically
volatile line and has risen this quarter due
to greater gains on trading and hedging
products.”
Kensington said he was surprised by
the profit improvement, but suggested the
banks were now revising the large amounts
set aside during the pandemic and looking
more at the current state of the economy,
which might be improving.
“It’s probably the removal of some
historic Covid type overlays that were
probably a little bit heavy handed, being
replaced - with hindsight - with more
realistic future economic facing ones.”
Bank lending, dominated as usual by
mortgages, increased less than 1 percent
on the previous quarter to $513.2b, but was
still down on the same quarter the year
before.
The growth in banks’ net interest income
- the difference between borrowing and
lending costs - increased 1.4 percent,
with bank interest rate margins largely
unchanged. Kensington expected bank
profits to fluctuate in the near to medium
term and reflect the prevailing economic
outlook.

Read online www.iwk.co.nz Friday, 29 September, 2023
NEW ZEALAND 9
Amritsar to Waikato: Kiwi-
Indian businessman wins
top community award
NAVDEEP KAUR MARWAH
An entrepreneur from Amritsar
who began his first company
from a garage in Waikato has
been awarded by Hamilton City Council
for his exceptional service to the
community.
Jujhar Singh Randhawa, fondly
known as Jay, won Hamilton Civic Award
on September 21, 2023. The annual
event acknowledges residents who
have made extraordinary contribution
to the city. The winners are nominated
by members of the community, with
nominations assessed by the local
council.
“I am a great believer in social giving.
My involvement within the community
over the past 24 years has been
rewarding, and I would like to continue
this further.
“I feel honoured with this award. It
means a lot to me, and I’ve received
congratulations from friends, family,
and the global community. The Civic
Award stands as the pinnacle of
recognition at the local government
and city level, underscoring the
profound impact of my contributions,”
says Randhawa, who won the award
under the category of Services to the
Communities.
His journey from Amritsar in northern
India to New Zealand began in 1998.
Since then, he has been actively
involved in various community groups,
dedicating his time and efforts to
making a positive impact.
He initially worked in Waikato as a
refrigeration engineer, starting his first
business, JSR Refrigeration and Air
Conditioning, from his garage in 2000.
“I am a great believer
in social giving. My
involvement within the
community over the
past 24 years has been
rewarding, and I would like
to continue this further.
When asked about his community
work, the 45-year-old shared, “I am
involved in multiple organisations, both
Indian and Kiwi,” he explained. “As a
devout Sikh, I regularly donate 10 per
cent of my earnings and try to help
others to support charitable causes.
Even through our businesses, my
wife and I ensure we give back to the
community.”
Randhawa, who also has three
other businesses in the Waikato
region–Zephyr Pure Air Ventilation,
JSR Management and Hillcrest Spinal
Centre–says, “I consider social giving
to be a basic service standard in my
work ethics. For this reason, I have
involved myself in many governance
roles over the years.
“For instance, our business JSR
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
has never charged any non-profit
organisation for chiller or freezer hire.
In addition, we run the Hillcrest Spinal
Center, where we provide free services
to children under 13, with the costs
covered by our profits.”
Randhawa, who resides in Tamahere,
Hamilton, with his wife and children,
acknowledges that every achievement
comes with its own set of challenges,
but stresses the importance of
persevering and moving forward.
For aspiring migrants in New
Zealand, Randhawa offeres valuable
advice. “Retain your cultural roots and
values while embracing and respecting
other cultures.”
He remains dedicated to serving the
community and has ambitious plans. “I
will continue to serve the community in
every way I can,” he declared.
Randhawa encourages others to
embrace community service. “I think
this is an innate quality,” he said. “If
it makes you happy to serve others,
please don’t shy away from it.”
Hamilton's Mayor Paula Southgate felicitating Jujhar Singh Randhawa.
NEW POLICY
Parent
Visa Boost
Making it easier for parents and grandparents of
migrants to reconnect with family in New Zealand.
NPN0014_IW_IMM
Read more at national.org.nz/plan
Authorised by J de Joux, 41 Pipitea Street, Wellington.

10 NEW ZEALAND
Friday, 29 September, 2023
Babbu Maan spreads Punjabi
magic at Auckland concert
NAVDEEP KAUR MARWAH
IN AUCKLAND
Punjabi singer Babbu Maan’s
concert in Auckland was an
unforgettable night that will
continue to resonate in the hearts of
the Kiwi-Indian community, reminding
them of the importance of cherishing
their cultural roots through music.
The September 23 event was a
vibrant celebration of Punjabi culture
and saw the audience having a gala
time. People from faraway places such
as Bay of Plenty and Waikato and the
Auckland community revelled in the
joyous celebration of Punjabi music.
The concert marked Maan’s
return to New Zealand after a hiatus
caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
His presence was eagerly awaited
since his last show in 2019, and
the audience embraced him with
open hearts, revelling in his soulful
melodies once again. Almost 2,500
music enthusiasts attended the event,
creating an electric atmosphere at Due
Drop Event Centre in Manukau.
Throughout the concert, the
48-year-old showcased his versatility
as an artist. From soul-stirring ballads
like ‘Saaun Di Jhadi’, ‘Mittran Di
Chhatri’ to foot-tapping tracks like
‘Telephoon’ and ‘Dil Ta Pagal Hai’, he
instantly captivated the audience with
his powerful voice and charismatic
stage presence.
Moreover, his ability to connect with
his audience on an emotional level left
a lasting impression on everyone in
attendance.
Beyond entertaining, the event also
played a crucial role in educating
younger generations about their rich
cultural heritage. As an attendee,
Manmeet Kaur said, “Such events
help our kids bridge the gap between
Western culture and our roots through
the medium of songs.”
As the night drew to a close, Maan
delivered a heartfelt thank you to the
Auckland audience.
“I immensely enjoyed performing
in Auckland. My heartfelt thanks to
all my brothers, sisters and elders
who have taken the time to come and
enjoy my show. Thanks for showering
me with your love. I am nothing
without your love and support. I am
indebted to you all.”
Big Brother Production organised the
concert in partnership with Blackstone
Production. One of the organisers,
Baljit Singh, said, “We are doing these
events for the entertainment of the
community. Everyone’s life is so fastpaced
that people forget about their
psychological needs. These events act
as food for their soul.”
Talking about the response from
community groups, another organiser,
Jagdip Matharu, said, “The Kiwi-
Indian community came out in full
force, and the cultural resonance was
remarkable. The joyful faces of the
attendees served as a testament to
the event’s success.”
Read online www.iwk.co.nz
Air NZ
launches bag
tracker feature
RNZ
Travellers flying with Air New Zealand
will now be able to track their bags.
The airline is updating its app to
include a tracker that keeps customers
informed about the status of their baggage.
The feature has already been widely
adopted by several international carriers,
including United Airlines and Singapore
Airlines.
“We’re always listening to our customers
to understand how we can make their
journey with us as smooth as possible,” chief
customer and sales officer Leanne Geraghty
said in a statement. We heard from them
that being able to track their bags’ location
would make their experience even more
stress-free, so we quickly began making that
customer request a reality.”
Geraghty said Air New Zealand had been
testing the programme since April, with
25 percent of domestic customers and 5
percent of international customers having
access to the feature during the last six
months.
“Since April, over 8000 customers have
successfully tracked their checked in
baggage in our trial phase with the in-app
feature,” she said.
“We’ve had overwhelmingly positive
feedback from customers who have tested
the feature too.”
She hoped the feature, which began on
September 27, would give passengers peace
of mind, allowing them to double-check that
their luggage was with them on their flight.
After dropping off their bag, customers
would see a “check status” option on their
app that would update each time the bag
was scanned.
Missing or damaged bags could be
reported directly from the app, Geraghty
said.
SUPPLIED CONTENT
New Zealand’s economy is
struggling and so are Kiwis. The
cost-of-living has skyrocketed
with rents, mortgages, groceries and
fuel unaffordable for many.
New Zealanders don’t feel safe in
their own communities thanks to
violent crime rising by 33 per cent,
gang numbers up by 70 per cent and an
average of two ram raids every day this
year.
This election is an opportunity for
change and the chance to get New
Zealand back on track. Christopher
Luxon and National will rebuild the
economy to lower the cost of living, and
restore law and order.
National will stop Labour’s wasteful
spending that you’re paying for – $1
billion more per week than when they
came to office in 2017 – and get the
books in order.
We will reward effort with tax relief of
up to $250 per fortnight, visit our tax
calculator to see how much better off
you’ll be. We will scrap Labour’s new
taxes hitting Kiwis in the back pocket
- like fuel taxes, the ute tax, and the
capital gains tax by stealth extension to
the bright line test.
A working economy means better
jobs, higher incomes, affordable
mortgages and a lower cost-of-living.
National will also restore law and
order to make our communities safer.
We will crack down on serious repeat
young offenders, like those committing
ram raids, with bootcamps to help them
turn their lives around with mentoring
and intensive rehabilitation.
We will back police to tackle gangs
and introduce stronger sentences
for convicted criminals.National will
also make it easier for parents and
grandparents of migrants to visit family
in New Zealand. We’ll introduce a
multiple entry Parent Visa Boost valid
for five years with renewal possible for
a further five years to offer a flexible
option for parents and grandparents to
visit their family in New Zealand.
MMP elections are always close and
this election will be too. So, if you want
change, you must vote for change. Don’t
leave it to chance.
Only a party vote for National can
change the government and get our
country back on track.
Authorised by J. de Joux, 41 Pipitea
Street, Wellington

Read online www.iwk.co.nz Friday, 29 September, 2023
NEW ZEALAND 11
National’s Muralidhar giving Swarbrick
run for her money in Auckland Central
RAVI BAJPAI IN AUCKLAND
National’s Mahesh Muralidhar is
giving Green Party’s star MP Chloe
Swarbrick a run for her money in
Auckland Central, latest polls suggest.
Swarbrick is barely ahead of the Kiwi-
Indian tech entrepreneur, and within the
margin of error, in a Taxpayers’ Union-Curia
electorate poll released September 26, 2023.
The race for the heart of Auckland is too
close to call now with the poll indicating 26
per cent electorate votes for Swarbrick, 24
per cent for Muralidhar, and nearly a
third of the electors still undecided
which way they will swing.
Labour’s Oscar Sims is
trailing a distant 12 points
behind Muralidhar, who
told The Indian Weekender
the poll “tells us what he
has been hearing from the
voters”.
“As the survey shows,
crime is the top problem in the
electroate. Kiwis from all walks of
life have the opportunity to get
our country back on track. But
they must come out to vote.”
Muralidhar pointed out the voters, many of
them Asians, must make sure they have their
say on the voting day.
“It’s really important that all residency visa
holders, permanent residents and citizens
from all communities cast their vote.”
The Taxpayers’ Union-Curia poll had a
sample size of 500 due to the lower voting
population when polling for an electorate
compared to the whole country.
It was similar to the methodology the
outfit has used for its other electorate polls,
Chloe Swarbrick
like in Ilam and Northland, but means there
is a higher margin of error, of +/- 4.9 per cent
at the 95 per cent confidence interval.
This and the fact it is a single poll rather
than a trend makes it less reliable than the
nationwide polling.
But it’s still a good early barometer at how
the campaigns are going.
Muralidhar was among the founding team
of the popular graphic design platform
Canva, and has been mentoring young
entrepreneurs in New Zealand lately.
He is vying to reclaim Auckland Central, an
electorate National held from 2008
to 2020, but lost to the Greens in
the last election.
Muralidhar belongs to the
southern Indian state of
Kerala, but has been on
the move since he was a
teenager.
He studied in Singapore
and New Zealand; and
worked in Japan and
Australia before returning to
Auckland to settle down, a city
he calls home.
“Auckland Central is the gem
of New Zealand. I’m biased, but
I think economically it is a strong argument
to make. If Auckland Central is not winning,
New Zealand’s not winning,” Muralidhar told
The Indian Weekender earlier in the election
season.
Employment
confidence
turns negative in
September quarter
RNZ
A
new survey of households shows
sentiment about the labour market
has turned negative for the fist
time in more than two years as people feel
increasingly concerned about prospects.
The Westpac McDermott Miller
Employment Confidence Index (ECI) fell by
7.4 points in the September quarter to 98.3.
A level below 100 signals more people are
pessimistic about the state of the labour
market than those who are optimistic.
The survey had a sample size of 1551
people.
It was the lowest reading for the ECI
since December 2020 and the first time
households had held a negative view about
labour market conditions since March 2021.
Westpac senior economist Darren Gibbs
said workers were feeling more competition
in the job market.
“The lower perception of job availability
likely reflects both the recent decline in new
vacancies and increased competition for
those vacancies since the re-opening of the
international border,” he said.
“This measure often provides a lead on
the direction of the unemployment rate. The
latest reading suggests that unemployment
will rise further over the remainder of this
year.”
It followed data from Seek NZ this week
showing the number of job applications per
ad were at record levels.
Despite the low reading, Gibbs said only
a small net proportion of respondents
considered that their job would become less
secure over the coming year.
Purva Mantri electrifies
Christchurch garba event
MAHESH KUMAR
IN CHRISTCHURCH
Bishopdale YMCA Recreation Centre
transformed into a vibrant and
energetic arena as a large number of
Indian community members got together for
a special garba night organised by Aroha
Event to create awareness about Sri Ganesh
Temple and to raise funds for the land and
construction.
The event on September 23 featured
a live performance by renowned singer
Purva Mantri, who especially flew down
to Christchurch to entertain the audience.
Mantri’s energetic renditions of popular
garba and Bollywood songs had the crowd
dancing and singing along.
Mantri’s voice and her crew’s thumping
drum beats created an unforgettable
experience for those present. Dressed
in colourful and traditional Indian attire,
participants swayed to the rhythmic beats,
creating a mesmerising spectacle.
The atmosphere was charged with
excitement from the moment the music
began to play. The event was successful
in bringing together people from various
backgrounds, transcending boundaries and
celebrating the essence of unity in diversity.
Not just Gujaratis but people from
Punjab, and other regions of India, came
together to celebrate the rich culture and
heritage of India. The event was also a true
representation of Christchurch’s growing
diversity and multiculturalism.
Rahul Dorugade, an attendee, expressed
his appreciation for the event, saying, “After
such a long time, I had an absolutely fantastic
time at the garba event. It was very well
organised by Aroha Events. The atmosphere
had positive vibes, and I congratulate Aroha
Events for their hard work in bringing such
joy to the people of Christchurch.”
The successful event was conceived
and executed by Aroha Events team, led
by Reshma Shetty, Hemant Chauhan, Nilay
Dhameliya, Dhrumil Desai, Piyush Lathiya,
and Deep Desai.
Sharing her gratitude, Shetty said, “The
participation from the community has been
overwhelming. Considering the event was
for a good cause, we all were delighted to
see the turnout and turned it into a night of
joy and celebration. I am also thankful to all
the volunteers and sponsors who helped us
make the event a success!

QUOTE OF THE WEEK
Women's Reservation Bill is a guarantee for equal rights,
respect of capabilities, and a developed Bharat... When women
come forward to develop the nation, no one can stop it.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Editorial
Sudden focus on
Kiwi-Indian issues
In the run-up to the New Zealand elections, political parties are bending over
backward to address the long-standing grievances of Indian New Zealanders.
It’s a curious phenomenon that repeats itself with a frustrating regularity during
election cycles.
Parties that have ignored, at worst, the pleas and protests of certain voting segments
or, at best, soft-pedalled them, suddenly leap into action, promising solutions to
issues they’ve previously known only too well.
The primary concerns that have always been in the spotlight for the Kiw-Indian
community for the past several years are immigration and law and order,.
Kiwi-Indians, like any other community, have not been silent about their concerns
in the past. They’ve called for change, they’ve demonstrated, submitted petitions, and
they’ve continually demanded the attention of politicians.
However, it seems that these cries fall on deaf ears until election time approaches.
Why is it that their concerns are met with indifference when parties are in power or
opposition? This is a question that demands a serious answer.
In the present election cycle, all major political parties—Labour, National, and ACT—
have rushed to announce policies that promise to address the long-known pain
points of Indian New Zealanders. Immigration policies have taken centrestage, with
each party vying to outdo the other.
The National Party, for instance, has unveiled the ‘Parent Visa Boost,’ a five-year
visa for parents and grandparents of migrants, which can be renewed for an additional
five years. This policy aims to bridge the gap that currently limits options for these
family members to visit their loved ones.
Similarly, ACT has introduced the ‘Unite Visa’, mirroring National’s proposal but with
a slight twist. It extends the visiting period for parents and grandparents of residents,
permanent residents, and NZ citizens, with an annual fee allocated to a public health
fund.
A convenient change of heart
While these policies may appear as genuine attempts to address the concerns of Kiwi-
Indians, they beg the question: why now? What has prompted these parties to suddenly
prioritise these issues that have long been ignored? The answer, unfortunately, is all too
apparent.
It's the election season, and political parties are keen to secure votes from this
significant segment of the population.
This sudden focus on immigration and law and order, including promises of
increased frontline police, raises concerns about the sincerity of these political
pledges. Will these promises be fulfilled, or will they be forgotten once the elections
are over?
The history of election-time promises does little to inspire confidence. The Kiwi-
Indian community has a right to be sceptical about whether these proposals will
translate into concrete actions once the ballots are counted.
The Kiwi-Indian community, like all others, deserves sustained attention from
political parties, not just during election cycles. Their concerns are real and have been
voiced repeatedly. It’s time for parties to break the cycle of election-time pandering
and address these issues consistently and comprehensively.
With just over two weeks to the NZ elections, there is one more pressing concern
that so far remains absent from the current electoral discourse–the urgent need for
an overhaul of the justice system.
This demand resonates not only within the Kiwi-Indian community but also among
conscientious Kiwis who recognise the imperative for a fair and balanced legal
framework.
In recent years, youth offending has surged, a trend exacerbated by the challenges
brought on by the pandemic.
These acts of brazenness have left communities grappling with rising crime rates
and mounting insecurity. It would come as no surprise if political leaders decide to
address this pressing concern in the coming days. Kiwis are yearning for a justice
system that not only rehabilitates but also ensures that the consequences for criminal
behaviour are proportionate and just.
It is heartening to see political parties finally acknowledge the grievances of the
Kiwi-Indian community.
However, their past inaction and the timing of these announcements raise legitimate
concerns about the sincerity of these promises. It’s high time that political parties
commit to addressing the long-standing issues of all communities throughout their
time in power, not just when they need votes. True representation means consistent
engagement, not just during election seasons.
IN FOCUS : Picture of the week
Indian President Droupadi Murmu visits an exhibition during the India Smart Cities
Conclave 2023 in Indore on September 27, 2023. (ANI)
This week in New Zealand’s history
September 29, 1862
New Zealand's first professional opera performance
Dunedin's Royal Princess Theatre was the venue for a performance of Donizetti's Daughter
of the regiment by the visiting English Opera Troupe, supplemented by local performers.
September 30, 1972
New Christchurch Town Hall opens
Designed by prominent Christchurch architects Warren and Mahoney, the Brutalist (blocky,
using lots of concrete) structure was officially opened by Governor-General Sir Denis
Blundell.
October 1, 1962
Government watchdog appointed
Sir Guy Powles was New Zealand's first Ombudsman. In a loose translation from Swedish,
the word means ‘grievance person’. The office was created to investigate complaints
about government departments and other national public sector organisations.
October 1, 1986
Goods and Services Tax Act introduced
Adding 10 per cent to the cost of most goods and services, GST was a key part of the
economic reforms of the fourth Labour government – dubbed ‘Rogernomics’ after
Minister of Finance Roger Douglas.
October 2, 1941
New Zealand pilot saves Scottish village
In October 1941, New Zealand Spitfire pilot Carlyle Everiss heroically sacrificed his life to
save the Scottish village of Cowie from serious damage
October 5, 2011
Shipwrecked Rena spills oil into Bay of Plenty
The German-built Rena is the largest ship ever wrecked in New Zealand waters. No lives
were lost, but in financial terms it was our costliest-ever shipwreck.
Indian Weekender : Volume 15 Issue 27
Publisher: Kiwi Media Publishing Limited
Editor: Dev Nadkarni | dev@indianweekender.co.nz
General Manager: Ravi Bajpai | 020 441 2233 | ravi@indianweekender.co.nz
Graphic Designer: Yashmin Chand | design@indianweekender.co.nz
Multimedia Specialist: Karan Bhasin | 022 0772 156 | karan@indianweekender.co.nz
Accounts and Admin.: 09-2173623 | accounts@indianweekender.co.nz
Auckland Reporter: Navdeep Kaur Marwah: | 021 952 246 | navdeep@indianweekender.co.nz
Christchurch Reporter: Mahesh Kumar | 021 952 218 | mahesh@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 NZME, Auckland, New Zealand.
Copyright ® 2022. Kiwi Media Publishing Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Send your suggestions and feedback to editor@indianweekender.co.nz

Read online www.iwk.co.nz Friday, 29 September, 2023
NEW ZEALAND 13
'Overseas students could
boost NZ-India trade':
National’s Penny Simmonds
VANDANA RAI
Principal applicants on the
Skilled Residence Pathways,
if overseas qualified, are
required to provide evidence of
their overseas qualifications
meeting the required level on
the New Zealand Qualifications
Framework (NZQF).
The New Zealand Qualification
Authority (NZQA) is the official
body to confirm this.
The overseas qualification has to
be either on the List of Qualifications
Exempt from Assessment (LQEA)
or International Qualification
Assessment ( IQA ) issued by
NZQA has to be submitted to meet
the eligibility.
Given the extensive backlog and
anticipated workload due to the
high volume of IQA applications,
there is a pressing need being felt to
streamline the NZQA assessment
process for new applicants.
To its credit, NZQA has recently
confirmed that it has tripled the
number of evaluation staff since
last year, and it is doing all it
NAVDEEP KAUR MARWAH
New Zealand’s efforts to
strengthen trade ties with
India could benefit from a
steady flow of students from the
South Asian giant, says Penny
Simmonds.
The tertiary education and skills
spokesperson for the National
Party, which polls predict could
form a government after the
October 2023 election, says India
must remain a top priority when it
comes to sourcing international
students.
“The Indian subcontinent
is a really important part…it’s
a democracy with a growing
economy. And so it certainly
features strongly in terms of
where we’re wanting to get
international students from,”
Simmonds told The Indian
Weekender.
“Of course, in wanting to
strengthen trade with India,
one of the natural ways is
to have those relationships
established when we have
students from India here.”
At the same time, adds
the National candidate from
Invercargill in South Island,
Aotearoa must also look beyond
the nine countries its international
students currently largely come
can to ensure that it meets the
applicant’s expectations to receive
outcomes within eight to 12 weeks,
depending on the type of IQA they
apply for.
In addition, The New Zealand
Qualification Authority (NZQA)
has recently made updates to
the List of Qualifications Exempt
from Assessment (LQEA) with the
intention of aligning qualifications
with the requirements for the
Skilled Residence Pathways.
These updates, effective from
September 29, 2023, will have
implications for individuals
applying for employmentbased
residence and work visa
from. All major political parties are pitching for
stronger trade and diplomatic ties with India this
election. National’s Chris Luxon has promised a
trip to the country in the first year if he were to
become prime minister.
Labour’s Chris Hipkins has also announced he
will lead a prime ministerial trade delegation to
India within 100 days if he were re-elected.
"The Indian subcontinent is
a really important part…it’s
a democracy with a growing
economy. And so it certainly
features strongly in terms of
where we’re wanting to get
international students from."
Penny Simmonds
ACT leader David Seymour last week also
pitched for better trade relations with India,
because “it’s a huge market with an abundance
of talent”.
Simmonds, who holds extensive tertiary
education experience for 23 years managing
Southern Institute of Technology, points out New
Zealand must expedite visa processing time for
students to send a word out that the country is
open to business.
“We are really focused on…letting other
countries’ leasing agents know that there will
be priority processing offered for students who
wish to pay to get that faster processing within
two weeks, because we understand how critical
applications, including Green List
Straight to Residence, Green List
and Sector Work to Residence, and
Accredited Employer Work Visa.
The updated LQEA will initially
include qualifications from the
following seven countries and
territories, namely Hong Kong,
Ireland, Malaysia, the Philippines,
South Africa, the United Kingdom,
and the United States of America.
Subsequent phases will include
additional qualifications from
various other countries and
regions into the LQEA, which
will include India, among other
countries.
It is important to note that anyone
relying on a qualification from a
country not listed on the new LQEA
(e.g., India) still needs an NZQA
assessment i.e. International
Qualifications Assessment (IQA),
prior to submitting their expression
of interest under the new SMC – at
least initially, and until the list is
updated.
However, if an applicant’s
qualification is listed on the
LQEA, they may be exempt from
submitting an IQA.
Other exceptions include
qualifications accredited under
the Washington Accord or
Sydney Accord, and qualifications
recognised by Engineering New
Zealand or IT Professionals New
Zealand for certain engineering
and IT roles, respectively.
How to submit decision ready
IQA applications
The applicants must note that
incomplete applications cause the
most significant delays.
They must read the updated
application instructions and
provide specified information and
supporting documents in the first
instance.
Prepare your IQA application
with NZQA for a quick decision by
following these key points:
• Understand the application
process and requirements.
• Review the NZQA guidelines
for specific qualifications and
getting timely processing is.
“We will offer those additional work rights
in terms of spouse being able to work and
also students being able to work longer hours.
And that puts us more competitive. At the
moment, Australia is much more competitive
than we are.”
Another thing that Simmonds has been
vocal about is her mission to disestablish
Te Pukenga - the new national polytech and
institute of technology conglomerate that was
formed through the merger of 16 institutes of
technology and polytechnics (ITPs) and nine
industry training organisations (ITOs) in 2020.
“We don’t agree with the merger …it has not
worked. It has been a very costly exercise. Over
$200 million has been spent on the merger. It
really has just caused chaos in the sector. And
we are finding now that institutions are in much
worse situations than they were prior to the
merger.”
Lastly, she has the following message for
the voters. “It is really important for us to have
the change of government and national led
government that can get our economy really
going again, and can get out there and be outward
looking in terms of those trade relationships
with the likes of India, because we have to be
very outward focused, we are an export country.
And so we have to be very focused on getting
those relationships.”
Navigating NZQA changes for employmentbased
residence, work visa applications
documents.
• Gather complete and up-todate
documents as evidence
of your qualifications.
• Confirm your eligibility for
evaluation.
• Double-check your application
form for accuracy.
• Provide authentic information
about your qualifications and
personal details.
• Include relevant evidence,
such as syllabi or course
descriptions.
• Seek professional advice if you
have any doubts or concerns.
By following these pointers,
you’ll increase your chances of
submitting a decision-ready IQA
application.
Applicants who have a specific
deadline (job offer, INZ and/
or professional registration
body request) to meet must
provide evidence in the form of
an attachment confirming their
deadline.
(The writer is Director at
Immigration Advisers New
Zealand Limited - https://
nzimmigration.info/;contact@
nzmmigration.info; visit 71
Symonds Street, Level - 6 at
Grafton, Auckland; phone +64 09
3790219)

14
INDIA
A
group of 182 IAS officers from the
2021 batch, currently serving as
Assistant Secretaries in various
Union Ministries and Departments, had the
privilege of meeting President Droupadi
Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural
Centre today.
Addressing these young officers,
President Murmu emphasized the unique
nature of their service, describing it as a
mission rather than a typical career, the
press release by the President’s Secretariat
read. She underscored their vital role in
propelling India and its people forward
within the framework of good governance.
President Murmu conveyed that their
destiny is intrinsically linked to serving the
nation and its people.
Their collective destination, she said,
is to transform India into an inclusive and
Friday, 29 September, 2023
'If you have something specific,
relevant…let us know': Jaishankar
on Canada’s allegations
Amid the ongoing India-Canada
row, External Affairs Minister
S Jaishankar highlighted the
“organised crime, related to secessionist
forces, violence and extremism” in
Canada, raising concerns over them
being “very permissive” due to political
reasons. Speaking at the ‘Discussion
at Council on Foreign Relations’ in
New York, Jaishankar said, “In the last
few years, Canada actually has seen
a lot of organized crime, relating to the
secessionist forces, organized crime,
violence and extremism. They're all very,
very deeply mixed up. So in fact, we
have been talking about specifics and
information.”
He further stressed that the Indian
government has provided the Canadian
side with a lot of information about the
crime, and there has been a large number
of extradition requests.
“We have given them a lot of information
about organized crime and leadership,
which operates out of Canada. There are
a large number of extradition requests.
There are terrorist leaders, who have
been identified,” he added.
The EAM raised concern over these
incidents of threats to Indian diplomats
and attacks on Indian consulates, stating
that these are “very permissive” because
Indian Army Chief Gen Manoj
Pande last week interacted
individually with Chiefs of
Armies who arrived in New Delhi
to attend the Indo-Pacific Armies
Chiefs Conference 2023, officials
said early this week.
According to the officials of
the Indian Army, the Army Chief
interacted individually with
them to deliberate on ways for
further enhancing the Defence
Cooperation between the
respective Armies.
"The chiefs he met included
Gen Morishita Yasunori of Japan,
Gen Simon Stuart, Australian
Army, US Army chief Gen Randy
George, Vietnam Peoples’ Army’s
Dy Chief of General Staff Lt Gen
Mguyen Doan Anh & Lt Gen Peter
Mbogo Njiru, Commander, Kenyan
Army," officials said. "Discussions
of political reasons.
“Our concern is that it's really been
very permissive, because of political
reasons. So we have a situation where
our diplomats are threatened, our
consulates have been attacked...A lot
of this is often justified, as saying that's
how democracies work. If somebody
gives me something specific, it doesn't
have to be restricted to Canada. But if
there's any incident which is an issue
and somebody gives me something
specific, as a government, I would look at
it,” Jaishankar further said.
Regarding PM Trudeau’s allegations,
Jaishankar assured that the Indian
side will take action if the Canadian
Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande interacts
with IPACC counterparts
on a collaborative approach
for strategic & constructive
partnership to promote peace &
stability in the Indo-Pacific region
were also carried out during the
interactions," they added.
The armies of India and the
United States will host the 13th
biannual Indo-Pacific Armies
Chiefs Conference (IPACC), the
47th annual Indo-Pacific Army
Management Seminar (IPAMS), the
9th Senior Enlisted Forum at the
Manekshaw Center in the national
capital from September 25-27.
The gathering is notably the
largest conference for land forces
(army, marines, etc.) in the region.
The objective of these meetings
is to promote peace and stability
in the Indo-Pacific region through
mutual understanding, dialogue,
and friendship.
side provides specific information
in connection with Khalistani leader
Hardeep Nijjar’s killing.
“We told the Canadians that this is
not the government of India's policy.
Secondly, we said if you have something
specific and if you have something
relevant, let us know. We are open to
looking at it...The picture is not complete
without the context in a way,” he said.
Notably, Canada has yet to provide
any public evidence to support the claim
about the slaying of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Early last week, Canadian Prime
Minister Justin Trudeau made an
explosive statement accusing the Indian
government of being involved in the
killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep
Singh Nijjar – a claim that India has
outrightly rejected, calling it ‘absurd’
and ‘motivated’.
India has suspended its visa services
in Canada, following Canadian Prime
Minister Trudeau's allegations of Indian
involvement in the killing.
Amid strained ties, India issued an
advisory for its citizens and those who
are travelling to Canada to exercise
“utmost caution in view of growing anti-
India activities and politically-condoned
hate crimes and criminal violence"
in the country.
Unveiling a 72-ft statue of Pandit Deendayal
Upadhyaya in the national capital on his
107th birth anniversary on Monday, Prime
Minister Narendra Modi said the figure carved from
stone would remind people of the need to ensure
"honesty" in politics.
Addressing the party workers at a grand event to
commemorate the saffron ideologue and the cofounder
of the BJP's forerunner, the Bharatiya Jana
Sangh, on his birth anniversary, PM Modi said Pandit
Deendayal Upadhyaya always talked about people in
the lowest rung of the society.
"In the last nine years, we have worked towards the
upliftment of those in the lowest rung of the society.
This statue will stand as a symbol of honesty in
politics and will remind people of the need to ensure
transparency and probity in public life," PM Modi said.
He urged people to take some time out to visit
the memorial of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya in
Rajasthan. "When BJP was in power in Rajasthan, we
had built a memorial of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya.
I had the privilege to spend some time there today
and would urge all of you to take some time out to
visit the place," he told the members in the audience.
The statue has been erected in a park opposite the
BJP headquarters on Deendayal Upadhyaya Marg in
the national capital.
Speaking at the event, PM Modi brought up the
historic passage of the women's reservation Bill in
Parliament, saying that there cannot be a democratic
integration without the involvement of women in
politics. "There cannot be democratic integration
developed nation. These officers have the
opportunity to empower their fellow young
citizens across various fields and contribute
to building a developed India by 2047.
President Murmu said, “This Amrit Kaal
is rightly being described as ‘Kartavya
Kaal’ for every Indian. This period also
covers the larger time slice of our remaining
window of demographic opportunity. You
can make a huge contribution by enabling
your fellow young citizens to realise their
potential in different fields. You have the
great opportunity to contribute to building
the developed India of 2047”.
Read online www.iwk.co.nz
Air India enters into
codeshare agreement
with AIX Connect
Air India on Monday said it has entered into
a codeshare agreement with AIX Connect
(formerly known as Air Asia India).
A codeshare agreement allows one airline to sell
seats on a flight operated by another airline, with each
airline using its own flight number.
Through this agreement, Air India will add its code
to over 100 flights a day operated by AIX Connect
on 21 routes. More routes under the codeshare
agreement will be added progressively. Bookings for
the codeshare flights are being opened across points
of sale, for travel starting this Wednesday.
“The scope of the agreement between the two
airlines enables guests to receive their boarding
passes at the first point of departure for all the travel
sectors on a single ticket and have their baggage
checked in through to their final destinations. Guests
connecting from international to domestic flights will,
however, need to clear customs at the first point of
entry in India, in line with government regulations,”
Air India said in a release. With the implementation of
the codeshare agreement, Air India has expanded its
domestic route network to 4 new destinations in India,
namely Bagdogra, Bhubaneswar, Ranchi, and Surat, in
addition to the common destinations between the two
airlines’ route networks. AIX Connect is a 100 per cent
subsidiary of Air India, which is in the process of being
integrated with Air India Express (another 100 per cent
subsidiary of Air India) to ultimately form a single lowcost
carrier within the Tata group’s airline business.
'Will remind people of need for honesty in politics': PM
Modi at unveiling of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya's statue
without the involvement of women in politics. The
passage of the women's reservation Bill marks the
victory of the BJP's ideology," PM Modi said.
Also invoking the success of the G20 summit and
the country's lunar landing mission, Chandrayaan-3,
PM Modi said, "Today, India is shedding its colonial
legacy and changing its global image by showcasing
its capabilities. After the success of Chandrayaan-3,
leading nations across the globe lauded the country's
strides in the field of science and marvelled at the
ability of the common Indians."
President Murmu encourages IAS officers to make India inclusive and developed
President Murmu noted that a
compassionate civil servant, whose heart
resonates with the poor and underprivileged,
distinguishes themselves as a true civil
servant rather than just a career bureaucrat,
read the press release.
She encouraged them to champion the
cause of marginalized sections of society,
making it a fundamental part of their
service. Understanding the connection
between "file to field" and "field to file" with
a people-centric perspective, she believed,
would enable them to engage with files
more meaningfully.

Read online www.iwk.co.nz Friday, 29 September, 2023
WORLD 15
Chandrayaan-3’s
measurements of
sulfur open the doors
for lunar science and
exploration
JEFFREY GILLIS-DAVIS
In an exciting milestone for lunar scientists around the
globe, India’s Chandrayaan-3 lander touched down 375
miles (600 km) from the south pole of the Moon on Aug.
23, 2023.
In just under 14 Earth days, Chandrayaan-3 provided
scientists with valuable new data and further inspiration
to explore the Moon. And the Indian Space Research
Organization has shared these initial results with the world.
While the data from Chandrayaan-3’s rover, named
Pragyan, or “wisdom” in Sanskrit, showed the lunar soil
contains expected elements such as iron, titanium, aluminum
and calcium, it also showed an unexpected surprise – sulfur.
Planetary scientists like me have known that sulfur exists
in lunar rocks and soils, but only at a very low concentration.
These new measurements imply there may be a higher sulfur
concentration than anticipated.Pragyan has two instruments
that analyze the elemental composition of the soil – an alpha
particle X-ray spectrometer and a laser-induced breakdown
spectrometer, or LIBS for short. Both of these instruments
measured sulfur in the soil near the landing site.
Sulfur in soils near the Moon’s poles might help astronauts
live off the land one day, making these measurements an
example of science that enables exploration.
Geology of the Moon
There are two main rock types on the Moon’s surface
– dark volcanic rock and the brighter highland rock. The
brightness difference between these two materials forms the
familiar “man in the moon” face or “rabbit picking rice” image
to the naked eye.
KIERAN HEGARTY
The internet is growing
old. While the roots of the
internet date back to the
1960s, the popular internet – the
one that 99% of Australians now
use – is a child of the 1990s.
In the space of a decade, the
internet moved from a tool used
by a handful of researchers to
something most Australians used
– to talk to friends and family, find
out tomorrow’s weather, follow a
game, organise a protest, or read
the news.
The popular internet grows up
This year marks 30 years since
the release of Mosaic, the first
browser that integrated text and
graphics, helping to popularise
the web: the global information
network we know today.
Google is now 25, Wikipedia
turned 21 last year, and Facebook
will soon be 20. These anniversaries
were marked with events, feature
articles and birthday cakes.
But a local milestone passed
with little fanfare: 30 years ago, the
first Australian websites started to
appear.
The web made the internet
intelligible to people without
specialist technical knowledge.
Hyperlinks made it easy to
navigate from page to page and
site to site, while the underlying
HTML code was relatively easy for
newcomers to learn.
Australia gets connected
In late 1992, the first Australian
web server was installed. The
Bioinformatics Hypermedia Server
was set up by David Green at the
Australian National University in
Canberra, who launched his LIFE
website that October. LIFE later
Scientists measuring lunar rock and soil compositions
in labs on Earth have found that materials from the dark
volcanic plains tend to have more sulfur than the brighter
highlands material.
Sulfur mainly comes from volcanic activity. Rocks deep
in the Moon contain sulfur, and when these rocks melt, the
sulfur becomes part of the magma. When the melted rock
nears the surface, most of the sulfur in the magma becomes
a gas that is released along with water vapor and carbon
dioxide. Some of the sulfur does stay in the magma and is
retained within the rock after it cools. This process explains
why sulfur is primarily associated with the Moon’s dark
volcanic rocks.
Chandrayaan-3’s measurements of sulfur in soils are
the first to occur on the Moon. The exact amount of sulfur
cannot be determined until the data calibration is completed.
The uncalibrated data collected by the LIBS instrument on
Pragyan suggests that the Moon’s highland soils near the
poles might have a higher sulfur concentration than highland
soils from the equator and possibly even higher than the dark
volcanic soils. These initial results give planetary scientists
like me who study the Moon new insights into how it works
as a geologic system. But we’ll still have to wait and see if the
fully calibrated data from the Chandrayaan-3 team confirms
an elevated sulfur concentration.
Atmospheric sulfur formation
The measurement of sulfur is interesting to scientists for
at least two reasons. First, these findings indicate that the
highland soils at the lunar poles could have fundamentally
different compositions, compared with highland soils at the
lunar equatorial regions. This compositional difference likely
comes from the different environmental conditions between
claimed to be “Australia’s first
information service on the World
Wide Web”.
Not that many Australians would
have seen it at the time. In the early
1990s, the Australian internet was
a university-led research network.
The Australian Academic and
Research Network (AARNet)
connected to the rest of the world
in 1989, through a connection
between the University of Hawaii
and the University of Melbourne.
Within a year, most Australian
universities and many research
the two regions – the poles get less direct sunlight.
Second, these results suggest that there’s somehow more
sulfur in the polar regions. Sulfur concentrated here could
have formed from the exceedingly thin lunar atmosphere.
The polar regions of the Moon receive less direct sunlight
and, as a result, experience extremely low temperatures
compared with the rest of the Moon. If the surface
temperature falls, below -73 degrees C (-99 degrees F),
then sulfur from the lunar atmosphere could collect on the
surface in solid form – like frost on a window.
Sulfur at the poles could also have originated from ancient
volcanic eruptions occurring on the lunar surface, or from
meteorites containing sulfur that struck the surface and
vaporized on impact.
Lunar sulfur as a resource
For long-lasting space missions, many agencies have
thought about building some sort of base on the Moon.
Astronauts and robots could travel from the south pole
base to collect, process, store and use naturally occurring
materials like sulfur on the Moon – a concept called in-situ
resource utilization.
In-situ resource utilization means fewer trips back to Earth
to get supplies and more time and energy spent exploring.
Using sulfur as a resource, astronauts could build solar cells
and batteries that use sulfur, mix up sulfur-based fertilizer
and make sulfur-based concrete for construction.
Sulfur-based concrete actually has several benefits
compared with the concrete normally used in building
projects on Earth.
(The writer is Research Professor of Physics, Arts &
Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis. The
article was first published in The Conversation)
30 years of the web down under: How
Australians made the early internet their own
Blacktown City Libraries, CC BY-SA
facilities were connected.
The World Wide Web was
invented by English computer
scientist Tim Berners-Lee and
launched in 1991. At the time, it was
just one of many communication
protocols for creating, sharing and
accessing information.
Researchers connected to
AARNet were experimenting with
tools like Gopher and Internet
Relay Chat alongside the web.
Even as a research network, the
internet was deeply social. Robert
Elz, one of the computer scientists
who connected Australia to the
internet in 1989, became wellknown
for his online commentaries
on cricket matches. Science fiction
fans set up mailing lists.
These uses hinted at what was
to come, as everyday Australians
got online.
The birth of the public internet
Throughout 1994, AARNet
enabled private companies to buy
network capacity and connect
users outside research contexts.
Ownership of the Australian
internet was transferred to Telstra
in 1995, as private consumers and
small businesses began to move
online.
With the release of web browsers
like Mosaic and Netscape, and the
increase in dial-up connections,
the number of Australian websites
grew rapidly.
At the start of 1995, there were
a couple of hundred. When the
Australian internet went public just
six months later, they numbered in
the thousands. By the end of the
decade there were hundreds of
thousands.
Everyday Australians
get connected
As everyday Australians went
online, students, activists, artists
and fans began to create a diverse
array of sites that took advantage
of the web’s possibilities.
The “cyberfeminist zine” geekgirl,
created by Rosie X. Cross from
her home in inner-west Sydney,
combined a “Do It Yourself” punk
ethos with the global distribution
the web made possible. It was
part of a diverse and flourishing
feminist culture online.
Australia was home to the first
fully online doctorate, Simon
Pockley’s 1995 PhD thesis Flight
of Ducks.
(The article was first published
in The Conversation)

16
ENTERTAINMENT
Friday, 29 September, 2023
Raghav Chadha, Parineeti
give major couple goals with
matching wedding ensembles
The wedding chimes rang
for actor Parineeti Chopra
and AAP leader Raghav
Chadha, in the midst of elegance
and romance.
The lavish ceremonies took
place at the Leela Palace in
Udaipur. Parineeti Chopra and
Raghav Chadha looked stunning in
their pastel outfit exuding timeless
beauty. Indeed, Parineeti and
Raghav gave major couple goals
with their matching outfits.
‘Ishaqzaade’ actor opted for a
hand-crafted wedding ensemble
designed by ace fashion designer
Manish Malhotra. Her royal
lehenga with intricate hand
embroidery was an excellent
example of craftsmanship, and left
everyone in awe of her beauty. She
wore the lehenga with a beautiful
veil featuring Raghav’s name.
She completed her bridal look
with stunning jewellery, including
a necklace with uncut emeralds,
earrings, a maang tikka, and
haathphool.
Raghav on the other hand,
complemented the bride with
his equally beautiful choice and
looked stunning in his pristine
Zeenat Aman to Amitabh Bachchan, celebs
celebrate 100 years of Dev Anand
Several
celebrities
remembered legendary
actor Dev Anand on the
occasion of his 100th birth
anniversary. They celebrated 100
years of Dev Saab.
From Zeenat Aman to Amitabh
Bachchan shared special posts
on their respective social media
handles. Veteran actor Zeenat
Aman shared stills from the film
‘Hare Rama Hare Krishna’ on her
Instagram handle and penned a
lengthy note, “Celebrating 100
years of Dev saab. Stylish, suave
and prolific, he was a dynamo
beyond compare. And what
generosity of talent! He sparked
careers (mine included), brought
together creative heads, and
made films that resonated across
ivory Sherwani.
The couple, who tied the knot
on Sunday in the presence of their
families and close friends took
to their respective social media
handles to share the first set of
wedding photos.
Taking to Instagram, Parineeti
dropped a series of pictures which
she captioned, “From the very first
chat at the breakfast table, our
hearts knew. Been waiting for this
day for a long time .. So blessed
to finally be Mr and Mrs! Couldn’t
have lived without each other .. Our
forever begins now.”
The duo got married in an
intimate ceremony in Udaipur on
Sunday. The wedding ceremony
was held at the Leela Palace. It
was attended by several wellknown
faces of the entertainment
industry and politicians. Delhi
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal,
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant
Mann, Tennis star Sania Mirza,
former cricketer Harbhajan Singh,
Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay
Singh, Shiva Sena leader Aditya
Thackeray, and Manish Malhotra
also marked their presence at the
starry wedding.
Priyanka welcomes ‘Jiju’ Raghav
Chadha to Chopra family, calls
Parineeti 'most beautiful bride'
While she couldn't be
with her bestie, cousin
Parineeti Chopra, at her
wedding with Aam Aadmi Party
(AAP) leader Raghav Chadha,
actor and global icon Priyanka
Chopra showered her blessings
on the newlyweds and penned an
adorable note for them as well.
Taking to Instagram, Priyanka
shared stunning wedding pictures
of the couple and tagged them
with a lengthy note.
Welcoming Chadha to the
Chopra family, Priyanka called her
sister, Parineeti a.k.a Tisha, as the
most beautiful bride ever.
Sharing the pictures, she wrote,
“Picture perfect.. sending so
much love to the newly weds on
their special day! Welcome to the
Chopra family @raghavchadha88
… hope you’re ready to dive into
the crazy with us.
"Tisha you are the most beautiful
bride ever.. we’re sending you and
Raghav all the love and blessings
for a lifetime of happiness. Take
care of each other and protect
this beautiful love.Love you little
one.@parineetichopra.”
generations.’ She continued, “It
gladdens my heart to see his
legacy honoured an entire century
since his birth.
In recent days, I’ve been
overwhelmed with requests for
comments about him but there is
little to add to what I’ve already
said. Though, I posted a three-part
series about him just a few weeks
ago, I can’t resist the nostalgia
of these two frames from our
earliest films together. They will
be instantly recognisable to my
older followers, but I’m not so sure
about you younger lot!”
Kajol took to Instagram story
and shared a portrait of Dev Saab.
She captioned the post, “Style
beyond compare onscreen and off
screen. Remembering Dev Sahab
on his 100th anniversary.”
Sharing the still of her mother
Sharmila Tagore and Dev Saab
from their film, Saba Pataudi
wrote, “Happy 100th Birthday
Anniversary #devanand ji.”
Megastar Amitabh Bachchan
also remembered the legendary
actor and posted a note on his X.
The note read, “After seeing
the success of Film Heritage
Foundation’s retrospective “Dilip
Kumar – Hero of Heroes” on the
occasion of his birth centenary
last year, I am delighted that four
iconic Dev Anand films will be
Read online www.iwk.co.nz
'Future will
be brighter':
Lara Dutta
hails passage
of women's
reservation bill
Actor and former beauty
queen, Lara Dutta
hailed the passage of
the women's reservation Bill in
Parliament.
The draft legislation, which
was passed by an overwhelming
majority in both Houses, provides
for a 33 per cent reservation for
women not just in the Parliament
but also in state legislative bodies.
At the success party of her
recent release 'Ishq-e-Nadaan' in
Mumbai on Monday, Lara shared
her excitement with ANI, saying,
"It’s brilliant. I was so excited to
see this entire (legislative) process
that went into the tabling and
passage of this Bill in Parliament.
I think the future can only get
brighter from here and it’s about
time.” Actor Patralekhaa, too,
shared her thoughts on the Bill.
“It marks a great leap for
our country, and especially for
the women. We are thankful
to our honourable members of
Parliament for passing this Bill,"
she told ANI. Union Law Minister
Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced
the Bill in the first sitting of the
Lok Sabha in the new Parliament
building, during the Special
Session that was convened
recently. The Bill was named Nari
Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam.
Introducing the Bill in the House,
the minister said, "This bill is in
relation to women empowerment.
By amending Article 239AA of the
Constitution, 33 per cent of seats
will be reserved for women in the
National Capital Territory (NCT) of
Delhi. Article 330A reservations of
seats for SC/ST in the House of
People."
The 'Nari Shakti Vandan
Adhiniyam' was the first Bill
passed by Lok Sabha after it
shifted to the new Parliament
building.
On September 21 (Thursday),
the Parliament passed the historic
draft legislation, with the Rajya
Sabha clearing it unanimously.
opening in cinemas across the
country today in a manner that
befits a legend of Indian cinema.
He signified something that was
endless, a continuity which we all
took as a given.

Read online www.iwk.co.nz Friday, 29 September, 2023
FEATURE 17
Healthy cooking every day
Five-spice roast chicken
Ingredients
• 1 kilograms chicken legs
• For Marination
• 1 tablespoon 5 spice powder
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoon ginger
• 2 tablespoon Chinese rice wine
• 1/4 cup virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoon garlic paste
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Method
• To prepare this amazingly delicious
chicken recipe, first, you need to prepare
the marinade.
• For the same, take a medium bowl and
mix together 5 spice powder, lemon
juice, Chinese rice wine, garlic paste,
grated ginger, garlic salt, soy sauce,
sugar, kosher salt and virgin olive oil.
• Next, when you are done with the
marinade, take the chicken leg pieces
and put them in a large bowl.
• Pour the marinade over these leg
pieces and marinate them using
your hands.
• Let these chicken leg pieces marinate
for about 2-3 hours.
• You can even cover the bowl with a foil
and put inside the refrigerator.
• Once the chicken leg pieces are
marinated, take them out of the
refrigerator and spread them on a
baking sheet in a tray.
• Place this baking tray in a preheated
oven and bake these chicken leg pieces
at 190 degree Celsius for about 15-20
minutes.
• After 15 minutes, turn them upside d
• own and bake once again for another 15
minutes at the same temperature until
golden brown in colour.
• Take out the chicken leg pieces after
they are done and transfer them to a
serving plate and serve warm along
with lemon wedges. Enjoy!
Vegetable and chicken skewers
Ingredients
• 400 gm chicken breasts
• 240 gm onion
• 240 gm yellow bell pepper
• 5 gm oregano
• salt as required
• 240 gm zucchini
• 240 gm red bell pepper
• 5 gm powdered black pepper
• 150 ml virgin olive oil
• lemon wedges as required
Method
• Soak the bamboo sticks in water for
about 10 minutes.
• Cut the chicken, zucchini, onion, red
and yellow capsicums (bell peppers)
into 1’’ square pieces.
• Take one mixing bowl and put olive
oil, salt, crushed black paper, oregano
herbs and mix properly.
• Marinate the chopped vegetables
and chicken. Ensure all the pieces are
Zucchini and cashew pasta
Ingredients
• 200 gm pasta spaghetti
• 3 tablespoon peas
• 1/2 cup finely chopped yellow
pepper
• 1 cup chopped cherry tomatoes
• 2 tablespoon chopped parsley
• 2 pinches salt
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 3/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1 dash sesame seeds
• 3 zucchini
• 1/2 cup finely chopped red peppers
• 1 chopped,peeled carrot
• 2 tablespoon chopped basil
• 2 teaspoon lime zest
• 1 dash black pepper
• 1 cup soaked cashews
• 1 clove chopped garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon coconut water
Method
• In a saucepan containing boiling water,
add the pasta, salt and a couple of
drops of oil.
• Boil them till tender.
• In a large bowl, peel one cm wide
coated well. You need not leave them
to marinate for long. 5-6 minutes is
enough.
• Insert the chicken pieces and veggies
into the bamboo skewers. Cook
the skewers on preheated grill until
vegetables and chicken are tender.
Keep turning the skewers to cook
evenly and prevent burning.
• Once cooked, your Vegetable and
Chicken Skewers are now ready to
be served. Serve with some lemon
wedges on the side. Enjoy!
strips of zucchinis so that it resembles
pencil shavings. You can do so using a
vegetable peeler.
• Take a pan over medium flame and add
peas, bell peppers, carrots, tomatoes,
basil, parsley, lemon zest, salt and
pepper. Toss all these ingredients well
into a salad and set aside.
• Prepare the sauce by using a blender
on high speed to mix cashews, water,
coconut nectar, garlic and lemon juice
into a smooth paste.
• Add a little salt.
• In a serving dish, lay out the pasta. Add
a layer of zucchini salad on it. Top the
salad with a layer of sauce.
• Garnish with the grated Parmesan
cheese and indulge in the goodness.
Ingredients
• 400 gm halved chicken breasts
• 3 tablespoon virgin olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 30 ml white wine
• 30 gm broccoli
• 20 ml red wine
• 3 tablespoon chopped thyme
• 1 1/4 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 pinch powdered black pepper
• 2 stick blanched asparagus
• 40 gm barbeque sauce
For The Main Dish
• 1 medium sliced thick
zucchini
Method
• Get the grill started on medium
high heat.
• While the grill is heating up, whisk together
half of the thyme, oil and 1/4 teaspoon of
the minced garlic in a shallow dish.
• Sprinkle salt and pepper on the chicken
and add it to thyme mixture. Leave it for
ten minutes.
• Saute garlic in a large
heavy-bottomed pan.
• Add zucchini and handful of chopped
thyme. Let it cook uncovered
Lighter Takes
& Easy Tips
Pepper chicken with braised zucchini
Chicken Momos
Ingredients
• 450 gm all purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon refined oil
• 2 large onion
• 1 inch ginger
• water as required
• 1 tablespoon chilli garlic paste
• 300 gm boiled chicken
• 5 green chilli
• salt as required
• 2 teaspoon soy sauce
• black pepper as required
• 1/2 cup red bell pepper
Method
• Chicken Momos is a dish that needs no
introduction. However, it is pretty easy to
prepare it at home without putting in much
effort. Here’s how you go about preparing
it at home: To begin with, rinse the veggies
and chicken with lukewarm water to
thoroughly clean them.
• Then take a clean chopping board, chop the
vegetables separately and keep them aside.
• Then take a pan or a pressure cooker and
boil the chicken, with a pinch of salt and
pepper. If you want to make it aromatic,
you can add a small teaspoon of ginger and
chilli garlic paste. If you like the flavour of
garlic, you can add some more garlic paste.
Once done, carefully mince the boiled
chicken. Keep it aside.
• Now, take a deep mixing bowl and add
refined oil in it followed by all-purpose flour
and salt. Mix well with enough water and
knead the mixture into a smooth dough.
on low flame.
• Heat a new skillet and add white wine.
Reduce it to half and add zucchini. Cook
for a minute and
remove the pan.
• Grill chicken until brown for approx 5
minutes on each side.
• Blanch the broccoli and asparagus in hot
water and keep them aside.
• Take barbecue sauce and dilute it with red
wine, and add black pepper.
Knead well and ensure that no lumps are
formed.
• Take another mixing bowl and add chicken
followed by chopped vegetables, mix well
and combine everything together. Then,
add soy sauce to the chicken mix and stir
well. Now take the prepared dough and roll
out small balls out of it.
• Using a rolling pin, flatten the balls in a
square shape and add the chicken and
veggies stuffing at the centre. Bring the
edges close and secure them to make a
momo.
• Repeat this step with the remaining balls.
Transfer the prepared momos to a steamer
and steam for 20 minutes or until they turn
soft and tender. Serve fresh and hot with
your choice of chutney or dip.
Tips
• The very first rule to make Chicken Momos
is that always roll your edges thin and the
centre should be thick. Many people miss
this part, which makes the momo break
apart.
• You can also freeze Chicken Momos for
20-30 days and boil them for 5 minutes and
they will be ready to eat.
• If you don’t have a steamer at home, you
can always use aluminium foil for steaming
your momos. Aluminium foil balls can
help you create that steam in any type of
container.
• You can also pan fry or deep fry your
chicken momos if you don't have a
steamer at home.

18
TIME OUT
i FreeDailyCrosswords.com
ACROSS-----------
1) "Brian's Song" star James
5) Comes out of one's skin
10) Self-congratulatory
14) Radius' comrade-in-arms?
15) Youngest-ever Oscar
winner
16) Folkestone farewell
17) "B 5!" "C 11!"?
19) Took_ (snoozed)
20) Downed
21) Typing type
22) Considers carefully
24) "Emma" author Austen
25) Hersey's bell town
26) Place or site
29) Transverse beam
32) Itsy-bitsy bits
33) "In_ tn1st"
34) Recipe word
35) Cravings
36) Emulate "Old Blue Eyes"
O, O!
1 2 3
14
17
20
26 27 28
32
35
38
41 42
CROSSWORD
37) Kid's "seat" on Santa
38) Alternative to .net
39) Less extroverted
40) TV's "Cosmos" creator
41) Author's explanation
43) Yuletide songs
44) Backup sounds
45) Random sampling
46) "Monkey Trial" teacher
48) Seafood choice
49) Josh
52) Door section
53) John Wayne character,
larger-than-life?
56) More than suggest
57) Recording studio alert
58) Water sport
59) Some antique autos
60) Family men
61) Bud holder
Richard Auer
11 12 13
7th June
DOWN
1) Island south of Florida
2) Dismounted
3) Archer or Heche
4) Endless faultfinder
5) Home of the John Deere
headquarters
6) Like beverages at barbecues
7) A 1 Capp character
8) Fielder's choice?
9) Trooper's warning
10) Wood-surface applications
11) Tropical fruit dance?
12) Great Salt Lake state
13) Adjusts, as a spark plug
18) Multicolored gems
23) "_ on Down the Road"
24) Traffic tangles
25) Eagerness
26)_ the land (how things stand)
27) Alamogordo's county
28) Kinshasa drum?
29) Australian bush call
30) Just right
31) Wonderlands
33) Southern breakfast dish
36) Auto despair site?
37) Marx or Benz
39) Pirate's knife
40) Town of many trials and hunts
42) Plains homes
43) Plays with crayons
45) Lecterns
46) Tim Duncan, for one
47) Kind of package
48) Cold spell
49) Nautical mile
50) Not going anywhere
51) Condemn
54) "Put_ Happy Face"
55) Photo_ (media events)
i FreeDailyCrosswords.com
Friday, 29 September, 2023
ACROSS-----------
1) "Brian's Song" star James
5) Comes out of one's skin
10) Self-congratulatory
14) Radius' comrade-in-arms?
15) Youngest-ever Oscar
winner
16) Folkestone farewell
17) "B 5!" "C 11!"?
19) Took_ (snoozed)
20) Downed
21) Typing type
22) Considers carefully
24) "Emma" author Austen
25) Hersey's bell town
26) Place or site
29) Transverse beam
32) Itsy-bitsy bits
33) "In_ tn1st"
34) Recipe word
35) Cravings
36) Emulate "Old Blue Eyes"
O, O!
CROSSWORD ANSWERS
37) Kid's "seat" on Santa
38) Alternative to .net
39) Less extroverted
40) TV's "Cosmos" creator
41) Author's explanation
43) Yuletide songs
44) Backup sounds
45) Random sampling
46) "Monkey Trial" teacher
48) Seafood choice
49) Josh
52) Door section
53) John Wayne character,
larger-than-life?
56) More than suggest
57) Recording studio alert
58) Water sport
59) Some antique autos
60) Family men
61) Bud holder
1M l.1 1 b
Richard Auer
ATA
N A p
I G H 5
0
T 30 1 3e
D D
E E
N
7th June
DOWN
1) Island south of Florida
2) Dismounted
3) Archer or Heche
4) Endless faultfinder
5) Home of the John Deere
headquarters
6) Like beverages at barbecues
7) A 1 Capp character
8) Fielder's choice?
9) Trooper's warning
10) Wood-surface applications
11) Tropical fruit dance?
12) Great Salt Lake state
13) Adjusts, as a spark plug
18) Multicolored gems
23) "_ on Down the Road"
24) Traffic tangles
25) Eagerness
26)_ the land (how things stand)
27) Alamogordo's county
28) Kinshasa drum?
29) Australian bush call
30) Just right
31) Wonderlands
33) Southern breakfast dish
36) Auto despair site?
37) Marx or Benz
39) Pirate's knife
40) Town of many trials and hunts
42) Plains homes
43) Plays with crayons
45) Lecterns
46) Tim Duncan, for one
47) Kind of package
48) Cold spell
49) Nautical mile
50) Not going anywhere
51) Condemn
54) "Put_ Happy Face"
55) Photo_ (media events)
Read online www.iwk.co.nz
SUDOKU SOLUTIONS
46 47
52
56
59
SUDOKU
1; 4c 0 p
Si>
E
A N E
S
5lJ R G E b N
S
R E 0 5 6'p A
S
b
E 1< 5 01
Mb N D 0
A I R 51> L 0
p A 5 E M
Your Weekly Horoscope: 29 September- 5 October, 2023
ARIES (MAR 21-APR 20)
It’s all about presence, Aries! Monday’s
Mercury-Jupiter trine helps you mindfully
notice what you need to notice in order to
see a situation differently. The annual Full
Moon in your sign on Friday is a powerful
benchmark that invites you to reset where
you need to as you step into your freedom and desires. A
Venus-Jupiter square on the same day helps you practice
your values for confidence.
TAURUS (APR 21-MAY 20)
Vulnerability is the answer, Taurus. Monday’s
Mercury-Jupiter trine wants you to speak
your emotion, fear, hope, or desire. Friday’s
Full Moon in Aries helps you find closure
from disempowering patterns and behaviors
that keep you stuck in fear so you can move
forward with more integrity. A Venus-Jupiter square on the
same day inspires you to shift your stance on belonging and
home in a powerful way.
GEMINI (MAY 21-JUN 21)
What do you need to accept about yourself,
Gemini? Monday’s Mercury-Jupiter trine
wants you to identify a part of yourself that
needs more compassionate acceptance.
Friday’s Full Moon in Aries helps you reunite
with your community and your friends in
exciting ways that helps you feel more connected. A Venus-
Jupiter square on the same day opens up new friendships
through conversation.
CANCER (JUN 22-JUL 20)
A little levity goes a long way, Cancer!
Monday’s Mercury-Jupiter trine breathes
new life into your friendships by helping you
not to take things so seriously. Friday’s Full
Moon in Aries is your career breakthrough
moment, especially if you own your desires
for more freedom and leadership. A Venus-Jupiter square
on Friday inspires you to put your values into practice for
career success.
LEO (JUL21-AUG 20)
Live into your values, Leo! Monday’s
Mercury-Jupiter trine wants you to identify
and implement your values professionally to
shift what needs to be changed. Friday’s Full
Moon in Aries expands your horizons through
new learning, exploration, and even travel, so
follow your curiosities for curiosity’s sake. A Venus-Jupiter
square on Friday changes the way you think about love for
the better.
VIRGO (AUG 23-SEP 23)
Think bigger, Virgo. Monday’s Mercury-Jupiter
trine wants to free you from cynical thinking
by helping you expand your vision and see the
big picture. Friday’s Full Moon in Aries turns
up the heat and helps you own your sexual
and erotic desires in a deeper way for sexual
satisfaction. A Venus-Jupiter square on the same day then
helps you experience the sexual healing you’ve been longing
for.
LIBRA (SEP 24-OCT 23)
Happy birthday, Libra! Monday’s Mercury-
Jupiter trine is a healing day that inspires
you to talk to yourself with a little more
self-compassion and kindness. Friday’s Full
Moon in Aries is very romantic so it’ll invite a
new relationship, deepen the dynamic you’re
in or, and/or complete relationships that have served their
purpose. Friday’s Venus-Jupiter square prioritizes your
romance and your friendships.
SCORPIO (OCT 24-NOV 22)
Trust is key, Scorpio. Monday’s Mercury-
Jupiter trine helps you understand who
in your friendship circle has earned your
trust and why. Friday’s Full Moon in Aries
inspires you to develop the habits that
move you forward in positive directions
towards holistic healing. Friday’s Venus-Jupiter square
highlights how these new habits inspire you to achieve your
professional goals.
SAGITTARIUS (NOV 23-DEC 21)
Ganesha says the Capricorn weekly
horoscope suggests that communication
will be important in your relationships. Take
the time to openly express your thoughts
and feelings, as well as listen carefully to
your loved ones. Nurturing relationships and
resolving conflicts through honest and compassionate
communication will strengthen your bonds. Financially, this
week encourages you to be prudent and strategic.
CAPRICORN (DEC 22-JAN 21)
As your circumstances change, you have the
opportunity to rise to the occasion and adapt.
Whether that means going with the flow or
fighting it, your capacity to respond with
intention is one that you should lean into this
week. Be willing to engage in heartfelt ways
that reflect what is not only true for you in the moment but
possible for you to grow into in the future. This is the time to
act with emotional maturity, Capricorn.
AQUARIUS (JAN 22-FEB 19)
Ganesha says the Aquarius weekly horoscope
suggests attending social gatherings and
connecting with like-minded individuals,
which can lead to meaningful connections
and valuable collaborations. Aquarius sign
people may face some challenges on the
career front. Staying focused and organized is essential
to overcome any obstacle that comes your way. Be open
to feedback and suggestions from colleagues, as they can
provide valuable insight..
PISCES (FEB 20-MAR 20)
Ganesha says relationships are highlighted
on the personal front. Whether it is a
romantic partnership, a friendship, or a
family relationship, it is essential to nurture
these bonds. Engage in open and honest
communication to foster deeper relationships.
Remember to listen carefully to your loved one's needs and
concerns. In terms of career, this week can bring some
challenges.when you need them most, Pisces.

Read online www.iwk.co.nz Friday, 29 September, 2023
FEATURE 19
VOTE 2023
ELECTION
TOWN HALL
POWER FOR ALL
Mahatma Gandhi once said,
“The spirit of democracy has to
come from within.” This Gandhi
Jayanti, hear Chris Luxon,
Priyanca Radhakrishnan and
David Seymour describe their
vision for a brighter New
Zealand.
Come, listen, vote.
ORGANISED BY
2 October 2023
Mahatma Gandhi Centre
5.30pm to 8pm
Light refreshment will be served

With Several years of
experience in the industry
We provide
END TO END
Immigration solutions
We provide a wide range of NZ
Immigration services covering...
Employer Accreditation & Job Checks
Accredited Employer Work Visa
Family Stream Visas
Special Immigration Matters
Skilled Residence Visas
Student Visas
Visitor Visas
Parents Residence visa
Meet our Licensed Immigration Advisers
Pawandeep Singh
Parth Poply
Avleen Kaur
IAA 201801110 IAA 202100582 IAA 202200657
(Principal Adviser)
(Licensed immigration adviser)
(Licensed immigration adviser)
Contact us for genuine and authentic immigration advice
022 095 5218, 022 328 8116, 022 405 0637, 027 7292 637
advisers@kiwianaimmigration.co.nz
Suite 13, Level 2, 72 Dominion Road, Mt. Eden, Auckland 1024