The Indian Weekender, 13 October 2023

Read • Watch • Engage 

Friday, 13 October 2023 

Volume 15 / Issue 29 

www.iwk.co.nz /indianweekendernz /indianweekender 

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Aye Halo! 

Get ready for Auckland's 

9-day Navratri festivities. 

• Full details on Pg8 

RAVI BAJPAI IN AUCKLAND 

Immigration advisors and lawyers are 

sounding a warning after several work 

visa holders have been denied onward 

flights to New Zealand from transit ports 

lately. 

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) say 

they have issued border alerts against 

several people holding Accredited Employer 

Work Visa (AEWV) following ongoing 

investigations against employers who 

might be involved in visa fraud. 

Immigration law specialist Alastair 

McClymont has called out the way such 

denials are being enforced. “They created 

a policy scheme that enabled massive 

numbers of job tokens to be sold to 

innocent victims on the black market in 

India. 

“But rather than the minister take 

responsibility for the failure, he has 

instead placed all the blame on others, and 

instructed INZ to punish the victims.” 

A work visa holder from Bhopal in central 

India, who requested not to be named, was 

barred from boarding his onward flight to 

Auckland from Singapore on October 1. 

• Continued on Pg7

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Read online www.iwk.co.nz Friday, 13 October, 2023 

NEW ZEALAND 3 

Senior citizens 

star of the show 

at Fiji Day gala 

Filimoni Vosarogo, Fiji’s Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources, presents a medal to 

senior citizen Shanti Singh. 

ARVIND KUMAR IN AUCKLAND 

The contributions of Fiji’s senior 

citizens were lauded in Auckland this 

week as Fiji Day and International Day 

of Older Persons was celebrated. 

The community came together for Fiji Day 

(October 10) throughout the country this 

week, coinciding with celebrations for the 

elderly. 

In Auckland, Fiji’s Minister for Lands and 

Mineral Resources, Filimoni Vosarogo, was 

a key guest at a function that celebrated Fiji 

Day and also the day for older persons. 

Vosarogo acknowledged the contributions 

of all who made Fiji’s independence 

possible, including senior citizens and the 

Girmitiya forefathers that came from India 

as indentured labourers. 

“Always in our minds we remember the 

toil, the hard work, the perseverance of 

those that have marched on together to 

get our independence so that we could 

become an independent country in the 

Pacific,” Vosarogo told the senior citizens at 

Maungakiekie Golf Club in Mt Roskill. 

“I am grateful to be among you today, you 

are also the seeds of the big tree that we all 

are part of back at home,” he told the senior 

citizens present. 

“And I thank you for your contribution to 

our home country,” said Vosarogo, who was 

born in Savusavu, but grew up in Labasa. 

“Today we celebrate the International Day 

of Older Persons, and I know that the coalition 

government back home emphasises the 

fact that we must not only remember them 

and celebrate them, but also listen to them 

because of the reservoir of wisdom that they 

have and would be able to guide us into the 

future.” 

Vosarogo stressed the importance of the 

various communities and their traditions 

and cultures that contributed towards a 

multiracial Fiji. 

“We all know the 

tapestry of our Fijian 

community and our 

nation; it is rich, rich with 

different cultures, rich 

with different traditions, 

and definitely rich with 

different languages. 

“Thank you very much 

to the organisers for 

inviting me here today.” 

The event, organised 

by Auckland Fiji Indian 

Seniors Association, was 

held under the auspices 

of Fiji Girmit Foundation 

New Zealand. 

Foundation National 

President Krish 

Naidu emphasised 

the importance of the 

community working 

together to look after the welfare of the 

senior citizens. 

“A lot of our seniors are facing hardship 

and health issues, we need to make sure 

these issues are not swept under the carpet, 

we will find ways to deal with it,” Naidu said. 

“It is through partnership and collective 

unity that we can propel our community 

forward.” 

He paid tribute to the contributions of 

the senior citizens, and thanked them with 

presentations of recognition medals and 

gift packs. Naidu thanked Vosarogo, and 

the coalition Fijian government for allowing 

more visits to New Zealand to engage with 

the community. Vosarogo was treated to 

entertainment by Jagdish Punja and Sapna, 

and also senior citizens who joined, followed 

by a delicious lunch. 

The minister flew out to Wellington later in 

the day for more celebrations in the capital 

where High Commissioner Ratu Inoke 

Kubuabola is based. 

Minister Vosarogo pictured with some of the senior citizens at 

Maungakiekie Golf Club on Sunday. 

Fiji Girmit Foundation trustee Sam Achary honours a senior 

citizen. 

Second secretary at Fiji High Commission Josua Tuwere (middle) does 

the honours. 

Fiji Girmit Foundation President Krish Naidu presents a plaque to Filimoni 

Vosarogo. 

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4 

NEW ZEALAND 

Friday, 13 October, 2023 

Read online www.iwk.co.nz 

Kiwi-Indian community unites 

in joyous Telangana festivity 

NAVDEEP KAUR MARWAH 

IN AUCKLAND 

In a dazzling display of colour, rhythm, 

and unity, New Zealand Telangana 

Central Association recently unveiled a 

grand cultural extravaganza in Auckland. 

The event on October 7 celebrated the rich 

heritage and traditions of Telangana. 

Against the backdrop of the prestigious 

Mahatma Gandhi Centre in Auckland, the 

event brought together a diverse community 

of hundreds, igniting the senses of prominent 

community members, cultural enthusiasts, 

and distinguished dignitaries alike. 

A ‘Purna Kumbham’ ritual marked the 

event's commencement, symbolising a 

warm welcome for New Zealand Prime 

Minister Chris Hipkins. 

The cultural extravaganza continued with 

engaging performances by prominent dance 

troupes, skillfully encapsulating the essence 

of Telangana's folk tunes and Bollywood hits. 

Hipkins himself partook in the observance 

of the ‘Bathukamma’ festival, where he 

witnessed women singing and dancing in 

the spirit of tradition. 

It was a heartfelt homage to Telangana's 

cultural treasures, from the rhythmic beats 

of Bathukamma to the grandeur of Dasara 

and the luminous spectacle of Deepavali, as 

well as the momentous Decennial Year of 

Telangana Formation Day. 

Labour’s Priyanca Radhakrishnan 

delivered a heartfelt address in Telugu, 

sharing her memories of a meeting with 

Telangana minister KTR in Hyderabad. 

She said, “It was lovely to pop into an early 

celebration of Bathukamma, Dasara and 

Diwali organised by the NZ Telangana 

Central Association. 

The event also featured the felicitation of 

Nita Vijay, the founder of ‘Brand Telangana’, 

with the prestigious ‘Pride of Telangana’ 

and ‘Star Woman - Inspire Award’. Hipkins 

received the ‘Rajanna Siri Pattu Shawl’, 

which was designed by Nita Vijay and 

intricately woven by Hariprasad, as a tribute 

to Telangana's rich artistic heritage. 

The event culminated with a heartfelt 

vote of thanks by Ram Mohan Danthala, 

acknowledging all those who contributed to 

the event's resounding success. 

The grand celebration concluded with 

a sumptuous lunch that delighted all 

attendees, leaving a savoury taste and a 

sense of cultural unity lingering in the air. 

Sharing his thoughts about the celebration, 

Honorary Consul of India in New Zealand 

Bhav Dhillon said, “It was such vibrant and 

colourful celebration of Bathukamma. 

"It was great to see PM of NZ Chris Hipkin 

attend it. It’s a time when communities 

come together to offer their beautiful floral 

arrangements to goddess Gauri. Let’s 

embrace this spirit of unity, culture and 

tradition.” 

Kalyan Rao Kasuganti, President of New 

Zealand Telangana Central Association, said 

the event served as a platform for diverse 

community groups to showcase their 

culture and traditions, fostering unity and 

camaraderie among attendees. 

“The enthusiastic participation and 

feedback from the Kiwi-Indian communities 

underscored the event's success in 

achieving its objectives. 

Students give education ministry insights into wellbeing 

JOHN GERRITSEN/RNZ 

School children want good 

teachers, access to clubs 

and sports groups and not 

too much homework. 

Some would also like more 

sleep. 

More concerningly, many 

LGBTQIA students do not trust 

their schools with data about 

their identity and some worry they 

might be "outed" to their family. 

The findings have emerged 

from an Education Ministry study 

involving nearly 10,000 school 

students from years 7-13 to 

inform new measures of student 

wellbeing. 

Participants were asked 10 

questions including how they 

wanted their school to show it 

cared for them, what made a safe 

school and what was important 

for students to learn successfully. 

Analysis of the results found 20 

commonly-cited themes starting 

with teachers. 

"For ākonga, it was important 

that there were positive 

relationships between ākonga 

and a teacher or trusted adult 

at kura/school," the report 

“The enthusiastic 

participation and feedback 

from the Kiwi-Indian 

communities underscored the 

event's success in achieving 

its objectives. Such events 

play a pivotal role in fostering 

unity, camaraderie, and 

cultural awareness among 

the Kiwi-Indian community.” 

Kalyan Rao Kasuganti, 

President of NZTCA 

titled 'understanding student 

wellbeing in the educational 

setting' said. 

Time was the second-highest 

theme with students saying they 

needed a manageable school/ 

life balance and time to complete 

schoolwork within and outside of 

school. 

Students told researchers 

they wanted schools to be "more 

understanding about stress and 

not having time to finish things 

on time" and "longer deadlines so 

we don't get stressed". 

They also said they wanted 

more breaks or down-time from 

learning. 

Elsewhere, students said they 

wanted more subject options, 

less work and less homework. 

Students also said they wanted 

clubs and activities to join in, and 

some wanted more fitness or 

sports.Friends, the opportunity 

to focus quietly on their work, 

and consideration of students' 

feelings were the next most 

commonly-cited themes. 

Students also asked for 

school rules to be rational and 

meaningful and to have a say in 

those rules. 

"When something happens let 

students have a say," said one 

student. 

"Being less strict on uniform 

rules so we can feel like 

ourselves," said another. 

Other factors included 

kindness, less stress, free and 

healthy food and feeling included. 

Students also cited sleep as a 

factor that affected their ability 

to learn. 

One student asked for "starting 

later for more sleep" while 

another suggested "letting us 

sleep in class". 

The report said Māori students 

were unique in expressing what 

the study summarised as Mana 

Motuhake - a sense of self-belief 

and perseverance. 

"I kind of love the strict rules 

and how because we have high 

expectations, we are able to go 

out and that," said one student. 

"I'm proud of the fact I've 

been almost always reaching 

the expectations. I am proud of 

the fact that I went from 13y in 

spelling age to 15y," said another. 

Ākonga Māori also valued 

whānaungatanga and 

manaakitanga and the use of te 

reo Māori in class. 

Nearly 20 percent of the 

respondents said they had 

a disability and while they 

expressed similar concerns to 

other students, they also cited 

a desire for independence and 

routine. 

Fourteen percent of 

respondents identified as a part 

of the Rainbow community 

"General comments we 

received from Rainbow-identified 

ākonga about data sharing 

reflected an overarching theme 

of distrust of their kura/school 

or teachers with their sensitive 

information," the report said. 

"One ākonga wrote that their 

teachers do not always recognise 

the Rainbow community at kura/ 

school, and another shared that 

they did not trust their kura/ 

school not to 'out' them to their 

family." 

One Rainbow student said: 

"Some schools are great, but our 

experience is that they aren't 

supportive." While another said: 

"students don't always trust 

their teachers with sensitive 

information".


NEW ZEALAND 5 

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out everything you need to know about 

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6 

NEW ZEALAND 



Police 'making changes' after 

damning bail review 

GUYON ESPINER 

An internal police report 

paints a picture of a broken 

bail system, with checks on 

offenders who are "convenient to 

check rather than high priority". 

The Bail Project Management 

Report, obtained by RNZ under 

the Official Information Act, shows 

police sometimes needlessly 

hassle low risk offenders while 

failing to monitor dangerous ones. 

The report says just 0.4 percent 

of offenders - one in 250 - are 

automatically flagged as high 

risk, not because the proportion of 

high risk offenders is that low, but 

because police IT systems are not 

fit for purpose. 

Police Deputy Commissioner 

Naila Hassan told RNZ the 

police IT system was "far underestimating" 

the proportion of high 

risk offenders. 

"We are aware of the flaws in 

the bail risk assessment. That's 

why we're making changes," 

she said. "Districts currently do 

workarounds in order to better 

prioritise the more high risk 

offenders. So we've got a plan to 

update the system. We accept it's 

not fit for purpose." 

The report was done in response 

to the fatal police shooting of 

Shargin Stephens in Rotorua in 

The system for police bail checks lacks national oversight, a review by police says. (Vinay 

Ranchhod/RNZ) 

2016. Stephens was shot after he 

smashed up an empty police car 

with a slasher. The Independent 

Police Complaints Authority (IPCA) 

said excessive bail checks may 

have tipped him over the edge. 

A system in disarray 

The review of police bail 

management, recommended 

by the IPCA in response to the 

Stephens shooting, shows a 

system in disarray. 

"There is no clear policy or 

guidance on how to conduct a 

reasonable bail check," it says. 

"Current bail checks tend to 

focus on quantity over quality, for 

example checking bailees that are 

convenient to check rather than 

high priority". 

The report says staffing is a 

"huge constraint" with most bail 

checks done by front line staff who 

were already busy, putting pressure 

on police and creating tension for 

the family of the offender. 

"Staff attitude during bail 

checks may be antagonistic and a 

disruptive negative experience for 

the entire household," the report 

says. 

"We don't get any pleasure 

in waking up households and 

disrupting whānau as we do those 

bail checks," Deputy Commissioner 

Hassan told RNZ. "We do the best 

we can to make sure that that 

offender is complying." 

 

Offenders often face bail 

conditions which make no sense, 

setting them up to fail and wasting 

police time on "needless arrests 

for low level bail breaches," the 

report says. 

"It is common for bail conditions 

to not be relevant to managing bail 

risk or not fit the alleged offence." 

It gives examples of an offender 

on night-time curfew who had 

only ever offended during daylight 

hours and a drug addict with a bail 

condition to not consume alcohol 

when there was no history of 

alcohol-related offending. 

Growth of electronically 

monitored bail 

The report describes a bail 

system creaking under the weight 

of a dramatic increase in the use of 

electronically monitored (EM) bail. 

The total number of people on 

bail has actually dropped from 

about 45,000 to 40,000 over the 

last five years. 

But the numbers on EM bail have 

exploded: from 230 in 2014 to more 

than 2000 today - with a further 35 

percent increase expected over the 

next 18 months. 

Offenders on EM bail were 

eight times more likely to breach 

their conditions than an offender 

on home detention. "Analysis 

indicates this is because an 

offender on EM bail is not provided 

support in the same way as an 

offender on home detention who 

has an assigned probation officer." 

The report is highly critical of the 

way bail is managed. "Monitoring 

is very limited. Compliance with 

policy and best practice is not 

actively monitored," it says. 

"There is no national oversight. 

Oversight at district levels varies 

but generally focuses on quantity 

rather than quality of checks." 

Corrections and police have 

jointly managed bail since 2014. 

Corrections is supposed to notify 

police if EM bail conditions are 

breached but "there are many 

examples of this process failing - 

both breaches not being notified 

and police not responding to 

breaches," the report says. 

"Volumes of breaches are not 

manageable and police do not 

have the resources available to 

respond to every EM bail breach." 

Undercount of 'high priority' 

offenders 

Police use a Bail Management 

Application (BMA) to calculate a 

risk score but this does not enable 

them to target a specific crime 

trend and the "offender's complete 

offending history is not taken into 

account".

8 

NEW ZEALAND 



Navratri: 9 nights of culture, unity 

IWK BUREAU 

Get ready to immerse yourself in 

the vibrant Navratri celebration at 

Mahatma Gandhi Centre beginning 

this Sunday, October 15. Aucklanders 

are eagerly anticipating nine nights 

of unparalleled joy, unity, and cultural 

splendour as the Indian community, along 

with friends from various backgrounds, 

comes together to light up the heart of the 

city. 

This year's Navratri festivities promise 

to be an even grander fusion of culture, 

dance, music, and unity, says Dhansukh Lal, 

President of Auckland Indian Association. 

The Mahatma Gandhi Centre, renowned 

for its central location and unwavering 

dedication to preserving and promoting 

Indian culture in Auckland, serves as the 

perfect venue for this eagerly awaited event. 

Over the years, the centre's Navratri 

celebrations have attracted people from 

all walks of life, transcending cultural and 

religious boundaries. 

RNZ 

Bungy enthusiast Mike Heard says he's thrilled 

to claim a new world record for number of 

jumps in 24 hours. Heard started the challenge 

at 7am on Tuesday and completed 941 jumps off 

Auckland Harbour Bridge–well above the record of 

765 bungies set last year by Frenchman Francois- 

Marie Dibon. 

The Auckland man held the world record in 2017, 

and this was the latest of several attempts to get it 

back. He also did it in the name of mental health, and 

the event's associated fund-raising campaign for 

Mental Health Foundation raised about $8,000. 

Heard had a target of 800 jumps, and was ecstatic 

to have smashed it. "You've never seen a man cry 

like it, I was pretty happy," he said. He averaged 

about 40 bungy jumps an hour, and was pulled up by 

winches each time. 

Heard said he was snacking the whole time and 

staying hydrated to keep himself going. "That was 

kind of the game plan, I snacked right through it. I ate 

three bananas while I was bungy jumping so I didn't 

lose any time," he said. 

"In 2017 when I did this 24-hour record, I only got 

The heart of Navratri beats with 

traditional dances like garba and dandiya. 

Beneath the enchanting glow of fairy lights 

and live music, everyone can join in the 

dance, whether you're a seasoned pro or 

a first-timer. Professional musicians will 

enchant the audience with traditional garba 

music, adding an authentic touch to the 

celebration. 

Beyond the music and dance, indulge in 

mouthwatering delicacies prepared fresh 

on-site daily, treating your taste buds to the 

flavours of India. 

With numerous photo opportunities, 

create and share memories on social media 

to cherish forever. 

“Mahatma Gandhi Centre's Navratri event 

warmly welcomes people of all ages and 

backgrounds, offering a unique chance 

to immerse in diverse cultures and create 

lasting memories. 

“You will also get to reflect on the 

teachings of Mahatma Gandhi, emphasising 

unity, peace, and love, in honor of the 

venue's namesake,” says Dhansukh Lal. 

Auckland man says he broke 

24-hour bungy jump record IWK BUREAU 

430, I was really happy with that, but it shows what 

mindset can do." 

VISITORS FROM INDIA 

HELP NZ TRAVEL REBOUND 

The number of visitor 

arrivals from India to 

New Zealand reached 

a record high of 70,100 in 

August this year, according to 

data released by the country's 

statistical agency. 

According to Stats NZ, India 

is the fifth largest source 

of overseas visitors to New 

Zealand, behind Australia, the 

US, the UK and China. 

India's ranking as a source has progressively risen from 19th in 2003, 

10th in 2013, and 9th in 2019. 

"About 6 in 10 visitor arrivals from India came to visit friends and 

relatives in the August 2023 year, compared with 3 in 10 in 2003," the 

agency's population indicators manager Tehseen Islam said. 

"This mirrors the growing Indian population living in New Zealand and 

connections with India." 

Overall, there were 206,800 overseas visitor arrivals in August 2023, or 

82 per cent of the pre-Covid level in August 2019. 

By comparison, overseas visitor arrivals in August 2022 were 129,800, 

or 52 per cent of the August 2019 level. 

About 14,000 more overseas visitors arrived from the US in July and 

August 2023, compared with July-August 2019, coinciding with the FIFA 

Women's World Cup 2023 hosted by New Zealand and Australia.


NEW ZEALAND 9 

A delightful celebration 

of melodies old and new 

DEV NADKARNI 

The much-anticipated ‘Dil 

Chahta Hai Returns’ show 

at the Dorothy Winstone 

Centre on October 7 was a musical 

spectacle that lived up to the high 

expectations set by the first edition 

last year. 

Designed by the gifted singer 

Rachit Bhatia, who also led a 

quartet of Auckland’s talented 

vocalists, including Kapil, Arpita, 

Ankita and Ritika, the show was a 

perfect blend of entertainment and 

melodious nostalgia. 

Rachit, with his versatility and 

vocal prowess, was the driving force 

behind the evening’s success. He 

effortlessly transitioned between 

songs from various genres and by 

singers both past and present. 

From classics by legends like 

Rafi (‘Ehsan Tera’ and ‘Chaudhvin 

Ka Chand’) and AR Rehman 

(featuring several of his iconic 

hits) to contemporary favourites 

by Arijit Singh and timeless 

gems by Lata Mangeshkar and 

Kishore Kumar, Rachit showcased 

his impressive range and 

musical nous. 

The ensemble backing 

Rachit and his fellow vocalists, 

consisting of Tomomi, Everard, 

Dilanta, Cloyd, Nigal, Hemant and 

Prashant, provided exceptional 

accompaniment throughout the 

performance. 

Cloyd surprised the audience 

with his remarkable cameo vocal 

abilities (unobtrusively providing 

vocal intros at least to a couple 

of songs). I, for one, would love to 

hear more of him in future. 

Nigal’s mastery of the drums 

and his rhythmic precision places 

him among the best on Auckland’s 

percussion scene. Chaitanya’s 

sound engineering was flawless, 

ensuring that every note and lyric 

reached the audience in perfect 

harmony. 

One of the standout moments of 

the evening was the execution of 

duets with finesse, as exemplified 

Rachit Bhatia at 'Dil Chahta Hai Returns' concert in Auckland. 

by the rendition of ‘Haal Kaisa 

Hai’. The chemistry between the 

vocalists and their harmonious 

delivery captivated the audience, 

leaving them swaying to the 

enchanting melodies. 

A notable highlight came postinterval, 

with Rachit’s performance 

of self-composed songs. Though 

very original, it did seem to me that 

there was some inspiration from 

the early creations of the Shankar 

Ehsan Loy trio. 

The first number, redolent of the 

musicscapes of ‘Dil Chahta Hai’, 

brought back cherished memories, 

while the second, a jazz-inspired 

composition, showcased Rachit’s 

creative depth. Dilanta’s mastery 

of the electric guitar was exquisite, 

adding a layer of richness to the 

performance. 

What truly resonated with 

many fans of the 1980s-90s 

music was the revisit to the thennascent 

experimentation of young 

musicians with avant-garde 

genres. 

The rendition of ‘Dooba Dooba 

Rahta Hoon’ brought nostalgia 

Man accused of forcing 

car off road, making victim 

drive to ATM to get money 

A 

man has been arrested 

in Northland, accused of 

forcing a vehicle off the 

road, stealing cash from the driver, 

and making them drive to an ATM 

and withdraw more money. 

Whangārei police said the 

robbery happened on Mangakahia 

Road in the town of Maungatapere 

on 14 September. 

They said the vehicle was 

tailgated before it was forced off 

the road. 

Police said the arrest was made 

this week, and the accused made 

an initial court appearance in 

Whangārei. 

He has been remanded in 

custody and is due to reappear in 

the Auckland District Court on 8 

November. 

Detective Inspector Al Symonds 

said police were aware of a 

number of similar incidents in 

the same area being reported on 

social media, and urged people to 

come forward. 

"Police acknowledge the 

Maungatapere community are 

understandably concerned by 

these incidents," Symonds said. 

"If you are the victim of this type 

of behaviour, please call 111 if it is 

happening now. 

"Additionally, anyone who has 

experienced this and has not 

yet been in touch with police, 

is encouraged to do so by 

contacting us via our 105 service." 

flooding back, reminding the 

audience of the time when music 

was being redefined. Rachit and 

his ensemble masterfully captured 

the essence of that era, leaving 

the audience with a sense of 

sentimental longing for the '90s. 

A special mention must 

go to Rachit’s brother, 

Sanchit, who made a 

remarkable comeback 

to the stage after many 

years. His rendition of 

‘Na Tum Jano Na Hum’ 

signalled him as the 

comeback kid. 

A special mention must go to 

Rachit’s brother, Sanchit, who 

made a remarkable comeback to 

the stage after many years. His 

rendition of ‘Na Tum Jano Na Hum’ 

signalled him as the comeback kid. 

His powerful vocals belied 

the fact that he had been off the 

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performing stage for such a length 

of time. It was a reminder of the 

incredible talent that often lies 

hidden within the folds of memory, 

waiting for the perfect moment to 

resurface. 

‘Dil Chahta Hai Returns’ was 

a musical journey through time, 

skilfully designed and delivered by 

Rachit with a bunch of vocalists– 

some excellent, some who could 

do better–and a bevy of very fine 

musicians. The entire event itself 

was flawlessly packaged, sold, 

managed, and executed. 

The show was a testament to 

the enduring charm of classic 

melodies and the ability of music 

to transport us to different eras. It 

was an exquisite ode to the past 

and a delightful celebration of the 

timeless beauty of music. 

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House prices 

stabilising, 

increased 

sales in Sept, 

REINZ says 

Housing market confidence 

is returning with prices 

rising and more houses 

being sold. 

The Real Estate Institute's 

(REINZ) September report shows 

market prices are stabilising, with 

increased sales and fewer days to 

sell a property. 

The House Price Index, which 

measures the changing value 

of properties, rose 0.7 percent 

in September, but was down 3.3 

percent on the year earlier. 

The median national sale price 

rose 2.3 percent to $767,500 from 

August, but was down 3.1 percent 

on last year. 

REINZ chief executive Jen 

Baird Photo: Supplied 

"Confidence is emerging in the 

property market, and we are seeing 

signs of an upward trend," REINZ 

chief executive Jen Baird said. 

"September shows the 'green 

shoots' from previous months are 

continuing to grow." 

National sales volumes rose 5.1 

percent on a year ago. 

"Marlborough had the highest 

increase in sales count, up by 66.7 

percent year-on-year," she said. 

"Other regions with increases 

were Northland (1.8 percent), 

Auckland (4.1 percent), Bay of 

Plenty (2.8 percent), Hawke's Bay 

(3 percent), Manawatu/Whanganui 

(22.6 percent) Taranaki (16.2 

percent), Tasman (16.4 percent), 

Canterbury (13.9 percent) and 

Southland (10.7 percent)." 

However, the overall number of 

properties for sale in September 

was down 9 percent on last year, 

but 3.6 percent up on August. 

"This month only four regions 

had a negative month-on-month 

shift in listings," Baird said. 

"Listings and the median days to 

sell are key areas to watch as they 

can indicate a shift in the property 

market cycle." 

Agents were reporting more 

inquiries and a stronger interest in 

open homes, Baird said. 

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10 NEW ZEALAND 



How will New Zealand handle 

the new war in Middle East? 

GEOFFREY MILLER 

The weekend's surprise and 

brutal attack on Israel by 

Hamas fighters has the 

potential to reshape the Middle 

East - and will only further 

increase global geopolitical 

instability. 

The initial 36 hours of the 

assault by Hamas on Israel 

have already taken at least 600 

Israeli lives - easily making it the 

bloodiest time for Israel since the 

1973 Yom Kippur War. In addition, 

dozens of Israelis have been 

kidnapped and taken back to Gaza 

to be used as bargaining chips. 

While there will be a range 

of motivations for why Hamas 

chose to act in the way it did now, 

the symbolic timing of Hamas' 

assault - almost 50 years to the 

day after Yom Kippur - is unlikely 

to be a coincidence. 

In recent years, Western 

countries such as New Zealand 

have largely taken their eyes 

off the Middle East to focus on 

the war in Ukraine and rising 

geopolitical tensions in the Indo- 

Pacific. 

A staple of New Zealand's world 

news diet in decades past, of late 

the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has 

only rarely made the headlines. 

When it has, New Zealand has 

preferred not to become involved 

to any real extent beyond 

expressing sympathy with the 

victims. 

For example, when conflict 

broke out over Gaza in 2021, 

Jacinda Ardern cut an image 

that resembled more that of 

an observer or commentator, 

rather than of a participant in 

international affairs. 

The new Hamas assault is 

a reminder of the continued 

power of the Middle East to 

shock and surprise. While it is 

too early to tell how the conflict 

will exactly unfold, one of the 

most concerning aspects will 

be the extent to which other 

nation-states become involved - 

particularly Iran, a close supporter 

of Hamas. 

In recent years, 

Western countries such 

as New Zealand have 

largely taken their eyes 

off the Middle East 

to focus on the war 

in Ukraine and rising 

geopolitical tensions in 

the Indo-Pacific. 

The risk is that the war could 

spiral out of control and become 

a wider conflict with an even 

greater global impact, in an echo 

(or, potentially, an even more 

dangerous version) of the Yom 

Kippur War of 1973. 

Determining New Zealand's 

response to the new war in the 

Middle East will be one of the 

new New Zealand government's 

first challenges - and as shown 

by the fierce reaction to the initial 

lack of direct condemnation of 

the Hamas assault by Nanaia 

Mahuta, it will not be an easy path 

to navigate. 

A sustainable and durable 

two-state solution is the only 

long-term answer to the Israeli- 

Palestinian conflict. But with 

Israel now defending itself against 

a vicious and horrific attack 

by Hamas, and planning a new 

ground invasion of Gaza, this will 

not be on the table in the near 

future. 

However, New Zealand should 

resist the temptation to lose 

hope or to see the war as simply 

someone else's problem. As a 

small democracy far from the 

epicentre of the conflict, New 

Zealand could eventually play a 

role in peacemaking efforts - if it 

wants to. 

We should not forget that as 

horrific as the Yom Kippur War 

in 1973 was, the Camp David 

Accords came just five years 

later in 1978. These led to Egypt 

signing a peace treaty with Israel 

in 1979, a settlement that has 

endured. 

The darkest moment can 

sometimes come before the dawn. 

There will absolutely be a need 

for de-escalation, dialogue and 

diplomacy in the days, weeks, 

months and years ahead - and 

countries will be sorely needed to 

lead and support these efforts. For 

now, these ambitions may seem 

like a pipe dream. 

(This story was first published 

by Democracy Project.) 

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NEW ZEALAND 11 

Wellington decks up for Diwali 

Festival of Lights 2023 

IWK BUREAU 

The capital city is all set to be adorned 

with the vibrant hues and eclectic 

sounds of the much-anticipated 

Wellington Diwali Festival of Lights 2023. 

Slated to return to TSB Arena and Shed 

6 on Sunday, October 29, 2023, from 

2pm to 8.30pm, the festival promises an 

enchanting mix of Indian culture, tradition, 

and celebrations. 

The public event, offering free entry, 

promises an unforgettable experience with 

a grand feast of Indian vegetarian cuisine– 

from delicious ‘aloo chole’, to tangy ‘pani 

puri’, crispy dosas and much more. 

A total of 17 meticulously curated food 

and retail stalls aim to elevate the festive 

experience, say organisers. Attendees 

will not only experience a gastronomic 

journey, with each stall offering an array of 

regional delicacies, street food, and gourmet 

offerings, but will also have exhibitions from 

retail spaces showcasing traditional attire, 

intricate jewellery, and handcrafted artifacts. 

Stalls adorned with arts, crafts, fashion, 

and henna will provide an opportunity for 

everyone to explore and take home a piece 

of this cultural extravaganza. 

For six hours, attendees will be mesmerised 

by a continuous stream of performances. 

Local and regional talents will showcase an 

array of acts ranging from traditional, folk to 

fusion dances. 

The performances will be a narrative, 

weaving tales of India’s diverse cultural 

heritage. From the rhythmic beats of 

Snapshots from an earlier edition of Wellington Diwali Festival of Lights. 

bhangra to the grace of classical dances 

and the lively energy of Bollywood, each 

performance will take the attendees through 

a journey of the country's eclectic art forms. 

Special activities, including Indian lantern, 

or ‘diya’-making, have been arranged to 

immerse children in a world of creativity and 

fun. 

As the day transitions into night, 

Wellington Waterfront is set to illuminate 

with a dazzling firework display at 8.45pm, 

weather permitting! 

This year, 

Diwali will be 

celebrated on 

November 12. For 

the Indian diaspora 

in Wellington, the fiveday 

long festival acts as 

a bridge connecting them to 

their cultural roots and traditions. 

It is a spectacle where light triumphs over 

darkness, epitomising new beginnings and 

the dispersion of ignorance. 

Murali Kumar, founder of Communities 

Action Trust NZ (CATNZ), the organisation 

producing the festival in collaboration with 

Wellington City Council says, “Cultural 

festivals such as Diwali are pivotal in 

bringing the Indian diaspora together at one 

level and the wider communities at another, 

contributing to social cohesion.” 

In essence, Wellington Diwali Festival is 

not just a celebration of lights, but also a 

vibrant display of the colours, tastes, and 

sounds of India. 

It promises every attendee a journey 

through the mesmerising sights, 

sounds, and flavours of 

India, serving as a bridge 

that connects cultures 

and communities, 

fostering unity in the 

heart of Wellington. 

Wellington 

Diwali Festival 

of Lights 2023 

is more than 

an event; it is 

an experience 

that promises to 

leave attendees 

with cherished 

memories and a deeper 

understanding of Indian 

culture. 

For more information, stay tuned 

to The Indian Weekender, the official media 

partner for the festival, Wellington Diwali 

Festival of Lights 2023, and Communities 

Actions Trust NZ Facebook page. 

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK 

“Your talent determines what you can do. Your 

motivation determines how much you’re willing to do. 

Your attitude determines how well you do it.” 

— Lou Holtz 

Editorial 

IN FOCUS : Picture of the week 

Accredited 

Employer Work Visa 

continues to play 

havoc with lives 

The New Zealand government’s ill-conceived and hurriedly implemented 

Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) scheme continues to play havoc 

with some hopeful immigrants who were awarded the visa but are finding 

that they cannot travel to NZ. 

It is a matter of great concern that several work visa holders have been denied 

onward flights to NZ from transit ports. 

This disturbing trend once again points to the complex web of issues in the 

country’s immigration system that needs urgent attention. 

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has raised the alarm over some ‘accredited’ 

employers who have exploited the situation by hoodwinking hapless applicants, 

relieving them of large sums of money for helping them obtain visas to work in 

NZ. 

In what appears to be another knee-jerk reaction, the INZ has been issuing 

border alerts against several individuals holding AEWV. These alerts come in the 

wake of ongoing investigations into employers suspected of involvement in visa 

fraud. 

Immigration law specialist Alastair McClymont asserts that a policy scheme 

enabled the illegal sale of job tokens on the black market in India, implicating 

numerous innocent victims. 

While it’s crucial to address visa fraud and maintain the integrity of 

NZ’s immigration system, it is disheartening that the blame seems to be 

disproportionately shifted away from those truly responsible. 

Instead of the Minister of Immigration taking responsibility for the system’s 

shortcomings, it appears that the burden is unfairly placed on the victims. This 

leads to questions about the fundamental principles of fairness and accountability. 

The personal stories of those affected by these denials are heart-wrenching. A 

work visa holder from Bhopal, India, was recently barred from boarding his onward 

flight to Auckland from Singapore. 

The emotional and financial toll on these individuals and their families cannot 

be underestimated. 

They invest significant amounts of money and dreams in their journey to NZ, 

only to find themselves stranded and humiliated. 

These situations could have been handled more compassionately and efficiently. 

If INZ decided to bar entry, why were the visa holders not informed in advance? 

Such a simple act of communication could have saved individuals from these 

distressing experiences. 

A wider investigation is underway, with INZ officials scrutinising the 

circumstances of at least 140 migrants who arrived on AEWVs and were found 

living in squalor in Auckland without employment. 

This raises questions about the oversight of these visa applications and the 

ability of INZ to prevent such situations before they escalate. 

It is evident that there is a lack of clarity and transparency in INZ’s procedures. 

Some visa holders are reporting vague behaviour from INZ officials, with 

interviews that feel more like interrogations. More concerning is the fact that some 

visa holders are being interviewed after their visas have already been approved, 

raising questions about the initial approval process itself. 

The emotional cost of these visa denials is immeasurable. The individual from 

Bhopal who was denied entry to NZ, is reported to have returned home to face the 

shame and disappointment of his community. 

These are stories that go unheard and unreported, but their impact on the lives 

of those affected is significant and long-lasting. 

It is essential that the NZ government and INZ take a closer look at their 

policies and procedures, ensuring that they prioritise fairness, transparency, and 

compassion. 

A more open dialogue with affected individuals and their representatives is 

needed to address the concerns and issues that have arisen. 

This situation demands not just a fix but also a re-evaluation of the system in 

place to prevent such distressing incidents in the future. 

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacts with Indian athletes who 

participated in Asian Games 2023, at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New 

Delhi on Tuesday. (ANI) 

This week in New Zealand’s history 

15 October 1877 

Former Governor Grey becomes Premier 

Sir George Grey was a dominant figure in 19th-century New Zealand politics, serving two 

terms as governor before becoming premier on 15 October 1877. 


New Zealand coastwatchers executed by the Japanese 

Seventeen New Zealand coastwatchers and five European civilians captured in the Gilbert 

Islands (now Kiribati) were beheaded at Betio, Tarawa. 


Jean Batten reaches Auckland after epic solo flight 

Jean Batten left for New Zealand from Kent, England, at 4.20 a.m. on 5 October 1936. 


First trans-global radio transmission to London 

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

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

London-based amateur operator Cecil Goyder. 


New Zealand’s day with LBJ 

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

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

was primarily to shore up support for the war in Vietnam. 


Equal Pay Act passed into law 

After much activism and negotiation, the Equal Pay Act passed into law. The legislation, 

which aimed to end the gender pay gap in the private sector, followed the Government 

Service Equal Pay Act 1960 which addressed the pay gap in the public service. 

Indian Weekender : Volume 15 Issue 29 

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


FIJI 13 

India optimistic about its relations with Fiji 

The Indian High Commissioner to 

Fiji, Palaniswamy Karthigeyan, is 

optimistic that Fiji and India can 

achieve more in the future through their 

diplomatic ties. 

Karthigeyan says that India is satisfied 

with the progress it has made in Fiji, but it 

believes more can be done. 

He adds that India is looking forward 

to bridging gaps and making up for the 

momentum lost. 

“We have been able to bridge the gap 

constantly between the potential and the 

actualization, but I’m even more enthused 

by the support and the moment we have 

been getting.” Karthigeyan says that India is 

confident that in the future, they will be able 

to accomplish far more than what they have 

Gavoka eyes Indian investors 

The government plans to attract 

investors from India to invest in Fiji’s 

tourism industry. 

Minister of Tourism, Viliame Gavoka says 

some prominent Indian hotel groups are 

being targeted for this particular venture. 

Gavoka says he intends to accomplish 

these plans during his tenure as Tourism 

Minister. 

“For me, with my tourism hat, I’d like to 

see some big Indian chains here. 

"Two that come to mind are the Oberoi 

and the Taj. They would be as big as the 

brand we have here in Fiji today.” 

Gavoka says flight connectivity will be 

an issue between the two countries to 

accommodate visitors from India. 

The Minister says that Fiji needs to have 

five connecting flights weekly to Singapore 

to accommodate the Indian market and is Fiji's Minister of Tourism Viliame Gavoka [right] with Indian High Commissioner to Fiji Palaniswamy Karthigeyan. 

[India in Fiji/Facebook] 

hoping that our national carrier, Fiji Airways 

considers this option. 

optimistic that the two countries will Festival as India commemorated the 75th 

Indian High Commissioner to Fiji, 

achieve more together in the future. 

anniversary of its diplomatic 

Palaniswamy Karthigeyan says he is 

Gavoka attended the Friendship 

presence in Fiji. 

Nepal committed 

to working together 

with Fiji 

Nepal is committed to working closely 

with Fiji in global peacekeeping 

and security, particularly in United 

Nations peacekeeping missions. 

The new non-resident Ambassador of 

Nepal to Fiji, Kailash Raj Pokharel, paid 

a courtesy call to Assistant Minister for 

Foreign Affairs, Lenora Qereqeretabua. 

The two parties discussed development 

cooperation, particularly in areas of defense 

and security, people-to-people links, and 

cultural diplomacy. 

Pokharel says he looks forward to his new 

role, which will further advance diplomatic 

relations between the two nations. 

He conveyed an invitation on behalf 

of the Nepali Army to the Republic of Fiji 

Military Forces to attend the Multinational 

Peacekeeping Exercise to be held in February 

next year. 

Fiji backs climate justice 

forum in bilateral talks 

Office of the Prime Minister Assistant 

Minister Sakiusa Tubuna has 

conducted a bilateral meeting with 

the Sri Lankan Minister for Environment, 

Naseer Ahmed, at Shangri-La Colombo. 

The two ministers during the meeting 

discussed the impact of the current 

climate crisis on island nations, such as 

Fiji and Sri Lanka. 

During the meeting, Tubuna emphasized 

the importance of prioritizing food security 

in response to climate-related humanitarian 

disasters. 

Minister for Environment Naseer 

Ahmed agreed to a request from the Fijian 

delegation to provide training for Fijian 

agriculturists in Sri Lanka to strengthen 

Fiji’s coconut industry. 

Fiji also reaffirmed its continuous 

support for President Ranil 

Wikremasinghe’s initiative to establish a 

Climate Justice Forum. 

Human trafficking looms large in Fiji 

Over the past five years, Fiji has seen 

with new contracts upon their arrival, often 

a prevalence rate of 0.60 percent in 

in a language unfamiliar to them, and with 

human trafficking cases, equating to 

conditions vastly different from their original 

approximately 5,208 hidden victims. 

The Pacific Trafficking in Persons Report 

and the Fiji National Trafficking in Persons 

Prevalence Survey Results Report and 

Methodological Reports, have shed light on 

the alarming prevalence of human trafficking 

in the nation. 

One of the most concerning aspects 

revealed in these reports is the trafficking of 

individuals for forced labor. 

This exploitation often occurs in service 

industries, construction, agriculture, fishery, 

and forestry sectors. 

Foreign workers who are lured to Fiji with 

promises of legitimate employment often 

find themselves subjected to forced labor, 

performing tasks different from what they 

were initially promised. 

Shockingly, some are even presented 

agreements. 

The recruitment of foreign workers occurs 

through various channels. 

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic 

has further exacerbated the problem. 

The economic strain brought on by the 

pandemic has led to a rise in the number 

of children leaving school in search of 

alternative means of support. 

This unfortunate situation has pushed 

many vulnerable children into street selling, 

where they are exposed to the risk of 

commercial sexual exploitation and other 

forms of abuse. 

achieved in the last 75 years. 

The High Commissioner believes that 

it will depend on full support, assistance, 

cooperation, and involvement in the 

diplomatic relationship between the two 

countries. 

Tourism Fiji 

receives award 

for Oceania 

Tourism Fiji has received recognition 

at the recent Global Spa Awards 2023. 

The event was held at The St. 

Regis Mumbai last month which celebrated 

excellence in spas, wellness centers, and 

beauty brands. 

Over 80 prestigious awards were 

presented at the event. 

Fiji was recognized as the Reader’s Choice 

Favourite Wellness Destination – Oceania 

for 2023. 

The event featured prominent Bollywood 

figures like Rekha and Manish Malhotra, as 

well as other stars like Raveena Tandon, 

Bhagyashree, and former Indian Tennis 

player Sania Mirza. 

Spike in 

cyberbullying 

cases in schools 

The escalating issue of cyberbullying 

in primary and secondary schools is 

raising alarm. 

A staggering 256 cases of cyberbullying 

was reported to the Substance Abuse and 

Advisory Council in the past two years. 

Head of Substance Abuse and Advisory 

Council Josua Naisele says the Ministry 

follows their standard operating procedure 

in addressing these concerns. 

He adds while the statistics are concerning, 

the Ministry reassures that prompt and 

decisive action will be taken whenever such 

incidents are identified. 

“If a child commits any crime in school, 

the parents are normally called in, and then 

we normally engage social welfare and the 

relevant police department; if it is cybercrime 

or cyberbullying, then a cybercrime unit will 

be called and an online safety commission.” 

Acting Commissioner of the Online Safety 

Commission, Tajeshwari Devi, points out 

that the occurrence of image-based abuse 

is increasing. What’s particularly concerning 

is that, in most cases, children themselves 

are found to be the perpetrators. 

“We have seen that a lot of children are 

facing online abuse in schools and outside 

schools as well. Maybe a focus can be set 

in the future. It is sad, but definitely we’ve 

heard a lot of issues around image-based 

abuse.” 

Meanwhile, Minister for Children, Lynda 

Tabuya, emphasizes their collaborative 

efforts with relevant stakeholders to 

implement effective responses. 

She underscores the vital role that the 

new department for children will play in 

addressing the issue of cyberbullying.

14 

INDIA 



IAF airlifts civilians stranded 

in Sikkim floods 

The Indian Air Force 

airlifted civilians stranded 

in Lachen and Lachung 

villages of Skikim's Mangan 

District this week, according to a 

press release. 

The airlift came after six days 

of Glacial Lake Outburst Flood 

(GLOF) in South Lhonak Lake, 

which created havoc across the 

Teesta basin in Sikkim and North 

Bengal, said the official statement. 

The airlift was carried out by 

Indian Air Force using M8, F4, F7, 

C2, MI 17 and Chinook helicopters 

after the weather in North Sikkim 

cleared on Monday, added the 

Indian archers 

receive warm 

welcome in 

Delhi after 

Asian Games 

medal haul 

Indian archers received a grand 

welcome on their arrival at Delhi 

Airport this week following 

their success at 19th Asian Games 

in Hangzhou. 

Abhishek Verma, who bagged 

the silver medal in the compound 

men's individual archery, while 

speaking to ANI, said, "We have 

had a great performance so far. 

107 medals have been won. And 

archery has contributed nine 

medals. And we are feeling proud 

that we are also able to contribute 

to this." 

When asked what the main 

reason is behind so many medals, 

he said that along with the help of 

the government, the enthusiasm 

of the youth, and the support of 

the family are necessary. When 

these things come together, such 

performances are seen. 

Compound archer Aditi 

Gopichand, who clinched a 

bronze medal at Asian Games in 

the women's compound archery 

women's individual event, told 

ANI, "I am feeling proud that I have 

contributed to the success of the 

country at the Asian Games. India 

has won more than 100 medals. 

We will perform like this in the 

Olympics too." 

Archer Ojas Pravin Deotale, who 

bagged a gold medal in compound 

archery men's individual event, 

said, "India has won 107 medals in 

the Games... 

"It was our 6 years of hard work 

that has paid off. My next aim is 

the Asian Championships and the 

way I have performed in the Asian 

Games, I will perform the same in 

the Championships." 

The 19th edition of the Asian 

Games in Hangzhou, China, 

concluded on Sunday with a 

glittering closing ceremony in 

which the star-studded Indian 

contingent participated as well. 

India finished their Asian Games 

2023 campaign with a record haul 

of 107 medals, 28 gold, 38 silver, 

and 41 bronze. 

official statement. 

According to the press release, 

the rescued airlifted civilians 

included people from Chaten 

Village in Lachen, while many 

were rescued from the 

Lachung village. 

The official release further 

mentioned Lachen-Mangan MLA 

Samdup Lepcha also reached 

Chaten on Monday along with 

Mangan District Magistrate Hem 

Kumar Chettri and Superintendent 

of Police Sonam Dechu Bhutia, 

where they met Lachen Pipons 

and village elders. 

According to the official release, 

the Mangan SP further said that 

the people in Lachen are facing 

LPG cylinder shortages and there 

is no electricity supply. 

SP Bhutia further informed 

two civilians in Zemu village, a 

husband and wife working as 

General Reserve Engineer Force 

(GREF) guards, were missing 

and there is a possibility that 

they might have been swept by 

the GLOF but still the search and 

rescue mission for the couple was 

ongoing. 

The Trishakti Troops of Indian 

Army also rescued civilians 

from Rabom Village, northwest 

of Chungthang, said the press 

release. 

An idol of Goddess Durga being carried out by devotees during a procession ahead of Durga Puja in Mumbai. (ANI) 

President Murmu meets Tanzanian counterpart Hassan 

Indian President Droupadi 

Murmu this week met her 

Tanzanian counterpart Samia 

Suluhu Hassan and her delegation 

at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. 

The national anthems of 

both India and Tanzania were 

played at Rashtrapati Bhavan as 

the Tanzanian delegation was 

welcomed. After that, both the 

Indian and Tanzanian delegations 

got seated at the dinner table. 

The Indian delegation also 

included Chief Justice DY 

Chandrachud, External Affairs 

Minister S Jaishankar, Union 

Education Minister Dharmendra 

Pradhan and several other leaders. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi 

and President Hassan held a 

bilateral meeting and the two 

leaders exchanged multiple 

Memorandum of Understanding 

(MoUs) between the two nations. 

He called Tanzania India's largest 

and the closest development 

partner of India in Africa, noting 

that today marks a historic day in 

India-Tanzania relations. PM Modi 

also stated the two nations have 

decided to work together to form 

a five-year roadmap in the defence 

sector. 

In a post shared on X, formerly 

Twitter, Modi stated, "Had an 

excellent meeting with President @ 

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu exchanges greetings with Indian counterpart Droupadi 

Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. (ANI) 

"We reviewed the full 

range of India-Tanzania 

relations and have 

elevated our timetested 

relation to a 

Strategic Partnership. 

The areas of our 

discussion included 

trade, commerce and 

people-to-people 

linkages." Indian PM 

Narendra Modi 

SuluhuSamia. We reviewed the full 

range of India-Tanzania relations 

and have elevated our time-tested 

Tourists evacuated by Indian Air Force from flood-affected Lachung arrive at Pakyong Airport 

near Gangtok. (ANI) 

relation to a Strategic Partnership. 

The areas of our discussion 

included trade, commerce and 

people-to-people linkages." 

Samia Suluhu Hassan said 

India and Tanzania are growing 

in terms of trade and investment. 

The Tanzanian president, who is 

in India at the invitation of Murmu, 

was received by Union Minister 

of State for Education Annapurna 

Devi at the Delhi airport on Sunday. 

President Hassan was accorded 

a ceremonial welcome at the 

forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhawan 

and participated in the wreathlaying 

ceremony at Rajghat. 

She also appreciated the 

excellent existing relationship 

between the two countries. 

Kerala woman 

injured in 

Israel-Hamas 

conflict 

A 

Kerala woman working as 

a caregiver in Israel has 

been injured in the ongoing 

Israel-Hamas conflict. 

According to her family, Sheeja 

Anand (41) who was working for 

a family in Israel was injured in a 

rocket attack. 

Anand contacted her family 

after the attack started in Israel 

and informed them that she 

was safe. 

She called her family at noon, 

the second time, but her call got 

disconnected while speaking to 

her family. 

Later in the day another Indian 

citizen hailing from Kerala called 

and informed the family that 

Anand was injured and had 

undergone surgery. 

However, she further informed 

that she is being shifted to 

another hospital for another 

surgery. Anand's family is 

awaiting more information 

from her. 

Anand has been working in 

Israel for the last seven years. Her 

husband and her two children are 

in India. 

On Saturday, Hamas launched 

a surprise attack on Israel, firing 

a barrage of rockets into the 

southern and central parts 

of the country. 

Several Israelis were taken 

hostages in Gaza, the Times of 

Israel reported citing officials. 

Israel launched 'Operation Swords 

of Iron', striking a number of 

suspected Hamas hideouts in the 

Gaza Strip. 

Prime Minister Benjamin 

Netanyahu said Israel's response 

to the Hamas incursion will "exact 

a huge price" on the terrorist 

group. 

Earlier, in retaliation, Israel Air 

Force launched a powerful and 

lethal air strike in Gaza Strip with 

dozens of fighter jets attacking 

the areas used by Hamas 

terrorists. 

Israel has declared a state of 

war in the country after infiltration 

by Hamas fighters and missile 

attacks from Gaza.


WORLD 15 

Hamas has achieved what it 

wanted by attacking Israel 

MICHELE GROPPI 

In many ways Hamas’s attack on Israel 

sums up the essence of terrorism. The 

group’s mass incursions have seen its 

operatives storming Israeli towns, killing 

and kidnapping hundreds. This appears 

to have been done by the book when it 

comes to creating feelings of terror and 

escalating the situation. 

Among the many observations 

that could be made, three are 

worth flagging. First and foremost, 

terrorism is in its nature a highly 

developed form of psychological 

warfare. Number-wise, terrorism kills 

far fewer people than malaria, car 

accidents and cardiovascular diseases, 

but polls consistently show that many 

people remain highly concerned 

about terrorism. 

Terrorism is built upon secrecy, 

deception and surprise. Whenever feasible, it 

should be spectacular, lethal and indiscriminate, 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu because terrorism is like a stage for seeking 

media attention. 

Second, as prominent counter-terrorism 

researcher Boaz Ganor has argued, the likelihood 

of a terrorist attacks depends on the motivation 

and capabilities of terrorists. 

In spite of the ceasefire agreed at the end of 

the 2014 Gaza war, Hamas clearly still has an 

uncompromising, partly religious motivation. Its 

violence is in line with its founding charter, which 

states: “There is no solution for the Palestinian 

question except through jihad. Initiatives, 

proposals and international conferences are all a 

waste of time.” 

But not only does Hamas have very strong 

motivation that justifies mass killing, it also 

has much capability, including weapons, funds, 

intelligence and diplomatic coverage, much of 

which comes from Iran. 

The group’s arsenal includes rockets, drones 

and small arms, but also less conventional ways 

to maximise casualties, such as bulldozers to 

tear down fences and paragliders to elude more 

technologically sophisticated defence systems. 

Third, the attack reiterates terrorism’s lust for 

overreaction and escalation, especially in the face 

of waning domestic and international support for 

the group that commits it. 

In a twisted way, Hamas arguably needs this 

escalation. In the past weeks, growing numbers of 

Gazan residents have reportedly been protesting 

the group’s leadership, accusing it of corruption 

and failing to improve living conditions. But 

most importantly, the growing possibility of an 

agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia would 

be a tremendous blow to Hamas’s credibility 

within the Islamic world because it would directly 

contradict its anti-Israel position. 

Now that it has successfully provoked Israel, 

with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowing 

“mighty revenge”, Hamas can divert Palestinian 

attention away from its problems and score 

points in its competition with the rival Palestinian 

Authority (PA). 

If Israel attacks, Hamas will silence criticism 

coming from PA and others in the West Bank, who 

will never side with Israel, rallying the Palestinian 

population around its flag. The Israeli-Saudi deal 

is likely to collapse. 

(The author is Lecturer in Defence Studies, 

Defence Studies Department, King's College 

London. This article was first published in The 

Conversation.) 

The most visited 

Indian news 

website in New 

Zealand 

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options, email at 

sales@indianweekender.co.nz 

Contact: Ravi Bajpai: 

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TOM HARPER 

Artists perform during the inauguration of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple in Robbinsville, US on Monday. (ANI) 

5 things West doesn’t understand about China’s foreign policy 

Chinese President Xi Jinping 

China’s capacity to surprise Western 

politicians was demonstrated recently, 

when Chinese leader Xi Jinping 

was unexpectedly absent from the G20 

summit. But often western reactions to a 

Chinese decision can come from a lack of 

understanding of Beijing’s motivations. With 

this in mind, here are five things the West 

often gets wrong about Chinese foreign 

policy. 

1. It’s not a grand scheme 

In the western media, Chinese foreign policy 

has often been seen as a grand scheme to 

secure world leadership. Such an image has 

been popular with Western politicians, such 

as South Dakota governor Kristi Noem, who 

claimed that China had a “2000-year plan to 

destroy the US”. 

However, Chinese policy is not quite the 

labyrinthine plot that it has often been 

presented as. 

An example of this can be seen in ‘Wolf 

Warrior Diplomacy’, which has often 

interpreted as a long-term, calculated 

strategy of Chinese aggression to Wleaders. 

But another way of looking at Wolf Warrior 

is as an opportunistic response to the 

bellicose rhetoric of the former US president 

Donald Trump’s administration as well as a 

need to cater to nationalism at home. 

2. China deals with democracies 

Another common fear is that Beijing 

has encouraged the rise of political 

authoritarianism in other countries. But, 

some of the biggest advocates of the China 

model have been the political elites in 

developing nations, many of whom have a 

colonial history, and who appreciate that 

China offers an alternative to the West in 

attracting investment. 

Overall though, Beijing generally takes 

a laissez-faire approach towards the 

internal politics of its partners, with China 

being willing to deal with democracies and 

dictatorships, rather than forcing its partners 

to fall in line with its own political system. 

3. China’s role in the world order 

One of the most common depictions of 

China in recent years has been of it as a 

revisionist power that seeks to overthrow 

the liberal rules-based world order and 

international bodies. 

However, while China wishes to amend 

certain areas of the post-Cold War system, 

most notably it being centred around the US 

and liberal values, it does not wish to fully 

overturn the whole system. For instance, 

China has played a significant part in 

established international bodies, such as the 

United Nations. 

4. China’s historical experience 

One of the greatest challenges posed by 

Chinese foreign policy is that it questions 

many of the dominant understandings of 

international relations, which have been 

grounded in the experiences of the West. 

But China draws on a different history, 

one that includes its own dominant position 

internationally, but also its defeat and 

occupation. Beijing references this past when 

talking of the “Century of Humiliation” (1839- 

1949), a period when China was dominated 

and occupied by colonial powers. 

5. The appeal of Chinese aid 

China’s financial aid and investment 

projects in developing countries are 

sometimes portrayed as simply bribing 

corrupt states or ensnaring them with “debt 

trap diplomacy”. 

While these images have been popular in 

Western media coverage of Chinese foreign 

policy, they overlook the role of the country 

receiving aid to choose to accept Chinese 

finance and how this also appeals as an 

alternative to western aid packages which 

traditionally come with many conditions 

relating to governance. 

(The author is Lecturer in International 

Relations, University of East London. 

The article was first published in The 

Conversation)

16 ENTERTAINMENT 


'Stop making adult films': Ektaa Kapoor hits back at trolls 

Producer Ektaa Kapoor is an 

avid social media user. She 

knows best how to deal 

with trolls online. On Monday, 

she replied to many users of X, 

formerly known as Twitter. 

When one of the netizens asked 

her to stop making 'adult movies', 

Ektaa dropped a savage reply. She 

responded, "No I'm an adult so I 

will make adult movies." 

Later, another user wrote to her, 

"Shame on you." She wrote back, 

'Aarya 3' teaser: 

Sushmita 

Sen is back 

in ferocious 

avatar 

The teaser of Sushmita Sen-starrer 

'Aarya 3' is out and it has taken fans' 

curiosity one notch higher. 

In 'Aarya', Sushmita portrays a resilient 

woman who crosses boundaries to shield her 

family from the world of crime. In the teaser, 

she pointed out how she never wanted to be a 

powerful gangster, but was forced to become 

one owing to circumstances. From fighting 

goons to wielding a sword, Sushmita definitely 

looked deadlier than ever. 

Sharing the teaser's link, Disney+ Hotstar 

took to Instagram and wrote, "Jiske sar pe 

taaj hota hai, nishaana bhi uss hi pe hota hai. 

#HotstarSpecials #Aarya Season 3, streaming 

from 3rd Nov only on @disneyplushotstar 

Aamir 

Khan and son 

Junaid with 

Salman Khan at 

the premier of 

'Dono'. 

"Ok shame on me." Another user 

claimed Ekta Kapoor and Karan 

Johar have "ruined the nation." 

#AaryaS3OnHotstar." 

Sushmita feels honoured to step back into 

Aarya's shoes for 'Aarya 3', which also stars 

Sikandar Kher. 

"Aarya Sareen has now become a very 

integral part of my life. Her experiences 

across seasons have touched my heart. It's an 

honour to step back into her shoes for 'Aarya' 

Season 3. 

“This season explores the profound power 

of Aarya, as she strikes down her enemies 

and begins to create an empire of her own, 

while grappling the threats to her loved ones. 

Aarya's story is a testament to a woman who 

defies life's constraints and will go to any 

lengths to protect the ones close to her." 

Celeb Spotting 

Kangana 

Ranaut spotted 

at Bandra. 

The tweet read, "Aap [Ekta 

Kapoor] or Karan Johar ne pure 

India ko bigada [You and Karan 

Johar have ruined the nation]." The 

filmmaker replied, "Hmmmmmm!" 

The user, in a follow-up tweet, 

added, "Aap dono [Ekta Kapoor 

and Karan Johar] ki wajah se 

India me jyada divorce hone lage 

[You guys are responsible for the 

rise in the number of divorce]." 

Once again, the producer wrote, 

"Hmmmmmmm hmmmmmm." 

Mrunal Thakur and Abhimanyu Dasani 

during the promotion of their upcoming 

comedy film 'Aankh Micholi'. 

Meanwhile, on the work front, 

Ektaa Kapoor has recently come 

up with a women-centric film 

'Thank You For Coming', which 

features Bhumi Pednekar, Kusha 

Kapila, Dolly Singh, Shibani Bedi, 

and Shehnaaz Gill. The movie also 

premiered at the 46th 2023 Toronto 

International Film Festival (TIFF). 

'Thank You For Coming' revolves 

around five friends and their tryst 

with the concept of female sexual 

pleasure. 

Creator, co-producer and co-director 

of 'Aarya', Ram Madhvani said: "After the 

immense love that we have received from 

audiences over the last two seasons, we 

present to you a new era of Aarya where she 

leaves no stone turned. 

“Season 3 will keep audiences on their toes 

with the exciting journey of Aarya to emerge 

as the ultimate don. Aarya will shock you. The 

emotional graph of her journey is exhilarating. 

She will own her power. Is this her final 

chance? You will soon find out." 

The third season will be out on November 3. 

Sushmita was last seen in Jio Cinema's ‘Taali’, 

where she played the transgender activist 

Shreegauri Sawant. - ANI 

Paloma 

poses with 

mother Poonam 

Dhillon during the 

premier of her film 

'Dono' in Mumbai. 


'Rocky Aur 

Rani Kii Prem 

Kahaani' 

screened at 

Busan Film 

Festival 

Alia Bhatt and Ranveer 

Singh-starrer 'Rocky Aur 

Ranii Kii Prem Kahaani' 

was recently screened at 28th 

Busan International Film Festival. 

Filmmaker Karan Johar's 

production banner Dharma Movies 

took to Instagram and posted 

images from the screening. 

Karan Johar virtually 

appeared at the festival via a 

special video message. "The 

prem for their kahaani takes 

over the #BusanInternational 

FilmFestival2023 - with hoots, claps 

& cheers echoing throughout the 

open theatre! It was a full house for 

#RockyAurRaniKiiPremKahaani," 

a post read on Dharma Movies' 

Instagram page. 

'Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem 

Kahaani' released July 28, 2023. 

The film emerged as a hit at the 

box office. It crossed Rs 150-crore 

mark in India. 

The film revolves around Rocky 

Randhawa (Ranveer), a Punjabi 

businessman, and Rani Chatterjee 

(Alia Bhatt), a Bengali journalist, 

who fall in love despite their 

differences and family objections. 

They decide to live with each 

other's families for three months 

before getting married. 

Veteran stars Dharmendra, 

Shabana Azmi and Jaya Bachchan 

also starred in Karan Johar's 

directorial. On the film's success, 

Karan penned an emotional note 

on Instagram. 

He wrote, "Prior to the release of 

this film, I felt that at any point of 

time I would need an IV drip and 

was near collapse!! The question I 

asked myself was - is it the long 7 

year gap? Or the anxiety built over 

the last 3 years. 

“Or the fact that we live in 

an ambiguous box office time. 

Whatever the real reason is - I was 

a bonafide mess!" 

Dharmendra’s shout-out 

for grandson Rajveer Deol 

Actors Rajveer Deol and Paloma who made their debut with 

the film ‘Dono’ are currently celebrating their launch in the 

film industry. 

Rajveer’s grandfather Dharmendra took to Instagram to heap 

praise on the film 'Dono.' Along with a video of himself, he wrote, 

"Friends, 'DONO' a good film....let us pray for its success." 

Dharmendra said in a video that he has heard great things 

about the film. He hopes and prays that the film does good and 

praises his darling grandson for his debut. 

He wore a brown shirt and matching pants in the video. He 

accessorised his look with a black hat and a wristwatch. 

Talking about the film, 'Dono' marks the acting debut of Sunny 

Deol's son Rajveer Deol and actor Poonam Dhillon's daughter 

Paloma. It is directed by Sooraj Barjatya's son Avnish. 

'Dono' is set against the backdrop of a lavish destination 

wedding, Dev (Rajveer) - a friend of the ‘dulhan’, meets Meghna 

(Paloma) - a friend of the ‘dulha’. Amidst the festivities of a 

big fat Indian wedding, a heart-warming journey commences 

between two strangers who have one destination," reads the 

film's description. 

The film promises to be an "urban tale that celebrates 

romance, relationships and matters of the heart. The film 

released in cinemas on October 5. 

Dharmendra was last seen in director Karan Johar's film 'Rocky 

aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani' alongside Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, 

Jaya Bachchan, and Shabana Azmi in the lead roles.

Read online www.iwk.co.nz Friday, 

Friday, 25 

13 

August, 

October, 



FEATURE 17 

Read online www.iwk.co.nz FEATURE 17 

Kung pao chicken 

Ingredients 

• 1 cup capsicum (green pepper) 

• 250 gm chicken boneless 

• 1/2 teaspoon sugar 

• 1/2 cup schezwan sauce 

• 1/2 cup onion 

• 1 tablespoon garlic 

• 3 tablespoon corn flour 

• 1 cup red bell pepper 

• 1 cup carrot 

• 1 teaspoon vinegar 

• 1/2 teaspoon soy sauce 

• salt as required 

• 1 teaspoon ginger 

• 2 tablespoon refined oil 

• 1 cup broccoli 

• powdered black pepper as required 

• For Garnishing 

• 1 handful chopped spring onions 

Method 

• To prepare this main dish recipe, take a bowl and 

add cornflour to it. Pour 1 cup water into it. Mix 

these two to prepare a slurry and keep it aside for 

a while. 

• On a chopping board, chop the ginger, garlic, onions 

and carrots finely, chop the chicken into chunks, 

broccoli into florets, capsicum and red bell pepper 

into cubes. Add these in separate bowls and set 

these aside. Now, apply salt and black pepper to the 

chicken pieces and set them aside for some time. 

• Place a pan over medium flame and heat 

refined oil in it. When the oil is hot enough, add 

ginger and garlic. Saute until they turn aromatic. 

Sesame chicken 

Ingredients 

• 1 egg 

• 2 tablespoon virgin olive oil 


• 1/2 cup soy sauce 

• 1/2 cup chicken stock 

• 1 tablespoon corn starch 

• 1/4 teaspoon ginger 

• 2 teaspoon sesame seeds 

• 3 tablespoon corn starch 

• 400 gm chicken boneless 

• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 

• 2 tablespoon apple cider 

• 3/4 teaspoon sesame oil 

• 1 teaspoon garlic 

• 3 tablespoon brown sugar 

• 2/3 cup rice 

Method 

• In a small bowl, whisk together 

soy sauce, vinegar, sesame 

oil, cornstarch, brown sugar, 

minced garlic, sesame seeds 

and chicken 

• stock for the sauce. Set aside. 

Then cook rice and steam 

vegetables. Set aside. 

• In a small bowl, whisk an egg 

with cornstarch, salt and pepper 

and add chicken pieces to the 

Ingredients 

• 100 gm chicken breasts 

• 1/2 cup boiled chickpeas 

• 1 thinly sliced red bell pepper 

• 1 avocados 

• 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil 

• 1 teaspoon finely chopped ginger 

• 1 1/2 tablespoon black sesame seeds 

• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 

• 1/2 cup boiled rice 

• 1/2 cup shredded purple cabbage 

• 2 thinly sliced red onion 

• 1 handful arugula 

• 1 tablespoon soy sauce 

• 1 teaspoon finely chopped garlic 

• 1/2 teaspoon red chilli powder 

• For Marination 

• 2 teaspoon lime juice 

• 2 teaspoon powdered black pepper 

• Himalyan salt as required 

batter. Stir well so that the batter 

coats the chicken properly. 

• In a large pan, heat 1 tablespoon 

of olive oil and place chicken 

pieces one by one in it. Cook on 

all sides until they are golden 

brown. Do it in batches to cook 

the chicken properly. 

• Once the chicken is done, pour 

sesame sauce mixture over 

it and simmer on mediumlow 

heat. Cook until the sauce 

thickens and then remove from 

heat. Serve delicious sesame 

chicken with rice and a side of 

steamed vegetables. 

Next, add in the chicken chunks. 

• Fry these until they are no longer pink in the centre. 

• Next, add the onions in it and saute them 

until they become translucent. Once 

done, add the carrots, capsicum and red 

bell pepper. Saute these for some time 

and keep stirring. Cook until they are tender. 

• Now, add the schezwan sauce, soya sauce, sugar, 

vinegar and cornflour slurry to the mix. Give the 

mixture a stir and toss the vegetables. 

• Make sure that the sauces evenly 

coat the vegetables. 

• Sprinkle salt and black pepper powder over these 

and mix it again. Cook for 5 more minutes. Once 

done, take it off the flame and transfer it to a bowl. 

Garnish with chopped spring onions and serve it 

hot with noodles or rice to enjoy! 

Method 

• To prepare this delectable Buddha bowl 

recipe, wash the chicken breast and pat 

dry with a kitchen towel. 

• Then, rub some lime juice, Himalayan 

salt and black pepper powder over the 

chicken breast and let it marinate for 

about 30 minutes. 

Egg spinach salad 

Ingredients 

• 4 egg 

• 150 gm small potatoes with 

skins 

• 2 handfuls coriander leaves 

• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 

• 2 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil 

• 4 cloves garlic 

• 1 cup spinach 

• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese 

• 1 teaspoon dry red chili 


• water as required 

Ingredients 

• 6 taco shells 

• 100 ml salsa sauce 

• 150 gm cheese sauce 

• 50 gm lettuce leaf 

• 50 ml virgin olive oil 

• 5 gm white pepper powder 

• 225 gm paneer 

• 50 gm capsicum (green pepper) 

• 50 gm jalapeno 

• 50 gm coriander leaves 


• 1/2 teaspoon taco seasoning 

Method 

Creamy chicken veggie wrap 

Ingredients 

• 1 cup boiled chicken 

• 1/2 cup tomato 

• 1/2 cup low fat mozzarella 

cheese 

• 1 cup hung curd 

• 1 teaspoon paprika 


• 1 teaspoon chili oil 

• chilli flakes as required 

• 1/2 cup cucumber 

• 4 lettuce loose-leaf 

• 3 tortillas 

• 2 tablespoon lemon juice 

• 1 handfuls coriander leaves 

• black pepper as required 

• mixed herbs as required 

• 2 tablespoon butter 

Method 

• To begin with this easy recipe, 

wash and chop the veggies. 

Now, take a bowl and add in 

some lemon juice, paprika, salt, 

pepper and mixed herbs, whisk 

it well and add in the veggies, 

toss them up and keep aside. 

• Meanwhile, take a pan and heat 

the tortillas. Once done, spread 

some butter and layer some 

lettuce leaves. 

• Take a bowl and add in hung 

curd, chili flakes, salt and 

pepper, whisk it well with 1 tsp 

chili oil to make a homemade 

spread. 

Method 

• Take a pan and add 

water along with a dash 

of salt, add the eggs 

and cook them till they 

turn hard boiled. In the 

meantime, take a pan and add 

in olive oil. 

• Once the oil is hot enough, 

add in garlic chopped sauté 

for a minute, then add in small 

potatoes. Once done, add the 

spinach leaves, spices, cheese 

• Marinate paneer with salt, white 

pepper powder, olive oil & keep 

aside for 10-15 minutes. 

• Heat the griller with some oil 

and grill the Paneer until done. 

• Heat some oil in a pan, add 

taco seasoning, and then add 

capsicum and onions. Sauté 

nicely for 3 to 5 minutes, then 

remove from heat. 

• Place Taco shells on boat and 

line them with lettuce. Top them 

with grilled paneer and sauteed 

mixture, coriander leaves and 

• Meanwhile, line a baking tray with 

parchment paper. 

• And once the chicken is marinated, place 

it on the baking tray and grill it in the 

oven for about 15 minutes at 180 degree 

Celsius. 

• When the chicken is done, take it out and 

transfer in a bowl. (Note: You can even 

brush a little oil over the chicken.) 

• Next, you need to prepare spicy 

chickpeas. For the same, place a skillet 

over medium flame and heat extra virgin 

olive oil in it. 

• When the oil is hot enough, add chopped 

garlic and ginger in it and saute them 

for a few seconds. Once the raw smell 

goes away, add the boiled chickpeas and 

stir frequently so that the oil is smeared 

well over them.Then, add soy sauce 

along with Himalayan salt, black pepper 

• Take the lettuce layered tortillas, 

add in the veggies followed 

by hung curd dip, spread it 

across the wrap, add grated 

cheese. Fold it up and bake or 

microwave it for 3-4 minutes to 

enjoy. You can also heat it on 

a pan and allow the cheese to 

melt and enjoy! 

and give it a nice toss. 

• Turn off the flame, transfer the 

salad to a serving plate, add in 

the boiled eggs by cutting them 

into half, season with salt and 

pepper. Garnish with coriander 

leaves and enjoy! 

Cornitos grilled paneer tacos with salsa dip 

jalapeno. 

• Then, spread cheese sauce and 

salsa dip evenly on top and 

sprinkle taco seasoning. Serve 

Tacos with salsa dip. 

Grilled chicken and rice buddha bowl with spicy chickpeas 

powder, red chilli powder, garlic powder 

in the skillet and mix well. 

• Cook until the chickpeas are tender for 

about 5-10 minutes. 

• Once done, transfer them to the same 

bowl of grilled chicken. In the same pan, 

add another teaspoon of extra virgin 

olive oil followed by the shredded purple 

cabbage, red bell pepper along with black 

sesame seeds and lightly toss them for 

about 2-4 minutes. 

• Once done, transfer them to the 

same bowl as the grilled chicken and 

chickpeas. 

• Next, cut the avocado into thin slices and 

place them in the same bowl. 

• Finally, add the boiled rice in the middle 

of the bowl and place the sliced red onion 

in the bowl. Garnish with black sesame 

seeds and serve immediately!

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 


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) 


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: 13 October - 19 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.

Mortgages 

Helping you to achieve 

financial freedom. 

Khush Sidhu | Nathan Miglani | Sid Bhogal 

Mortgage Advisers 

Contact us today: 

Contact us today: 

www.nzmortgages.co.nz 

hello@nzmortgages.co.nz 

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0800 100 300 

0800 100 300

The Indian Weekender, 13 October 2023

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