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Read • Watch • Engage<br />
Looking to buy<br />
or sell a business?<br />
Friday, <strong>22</strong> <strong>March</strong> <strong>2024</strong><br />
Volume 15 / Issue 50<br />
www.iwk.co.nz /indianweekendernz /indianweekender<br />
Awarded ABC’s Top Trusted Advisor 2021<br />
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Serving the <strong>Indian</strong> community for the past<br />
15 years. Contact us for expert advice on:<br />
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ENGLISH<br />
VINGLISH<br />
New campaign wants<br />
English test axed for truck,<br />
bus drivers' residency<br />
RAVI BAJPAI<br />
A<br />
new campaign lobbying for truck<br />
and bus drivers to be spared the<br />
English language proficiency test<br />
while applying for residency is gaining<br />
momentum.<br />
New immigration rules brought in<br />
last year replaced earlier provisions that<br />
allowed an easier pathway to residence<br />
for tradespeople like drivers that did not<br />
require them to clear a test like IELTS.<br />
<strong>The</strong> rule change in May 2023 has meant<br />
many drivers who have been working<br />
seamlessly in New Zealand are now finding<br />
their dreams of residence impacted heavily,<br />
says Shaneel Kumar, who is spearheading<br />
the campaign.<br />
“We are trying to convince the<br />
government to waive off the English test<br />
requirement.<br />
"At least 750 drivers have joined the<br />
movement over the last few weeks that we<br />
have travelled through Auckland, Hamilton,<br />
Tauranga, Wellington and Christchurch,”<br />
says Shaneel Kumar of SNK Consultancy,<br />
an Auckland-based immigration service<br />
provider.<br />
He points to an <strong>Indian</strong> truck driver who<br />
has been working in Aotearoa for nearly<br />
two-and-a-half years to illustrate his point.<br />
“Under the transport sector’s work to<br />
residence rules, this man became eligible to<br />
apply about six months back.<br />
• Continued on Page 9<br />
IN CINEMAS<br />
NEAR YOU
FESTIVE GREETINGS FOR YOU AND YOUR<br />
LOVED ONES FROM IMPRESSION FAMILY<br />
Happy<br />
PROPERTY & BUILDING<br />
MANAGEMENT SINCE 1999<br />
430 QUEEN STREET, AUKLAND CBD<br />
0800 IMPRESS (0800 4677 377)<br />
www.impression.co.nz
Read online www.iwk.co.nz Friday, <strong>22</strong> <strong>March</strong>, <strong>2024</strong><br />
NEW ZEALAND 3<br />
How a $14-billion man<br />
from India took over<br />
NZ mortgage market<br />
RAVI BAJPAI<br />
Sitting across the table from me,<br />
as Ajay Kumar reaches out for a<br />
handshake, he exudes an air of<br />
unassuming intrigue.<br />
Sporting a plain shirt neatly tucked into<br />
a pair of simple trousers, the man from<br />
Bareilly isn't trying too hard to impress.<br />
His mortgage and life and health insurance<br />
portfolio of more than $14 billion, one of<br />
the biggest among Kiwi-<strong>Indian</strong> companies,<br />
speaks more for him than any bells and<br />
whistles could.<br />
"Customer is king," he tells me, his lips<br />
puckered and a pause so long it's hard to<br />
tell if he is allowing me time for that thought<br />
to sink in, or waiting for a response. Kumar<br />
takes exceptional pride in servicing the<br />
customer well, an approach he says has<br />
served him successfully for 25 years now.<br />
Global Financial Services Ltd, or Global<br />
Finance, the company Kumar founded in<br />
1999 celebrated its silver jubilee on <strong>March</strong><br />
5, <strong>2024</strong>.<br />
<strong>The</strong> company has six offices across<br />
Auckland today, but it started from his<br />
home garage.<br />
"Back then, banks in New Zealand didn't<br />
have too many <strong>Indian</strong> customers coming in<br />
for loans," explains Kumar. "Many of these<br />
migrants came from rural areas and with<br />
little or no English proficiency they found it<br />
difficult to talk to bankers to get a loan."<br />
Back in 1996, Kumar was himself new to<br />
New Zealand, having moved after working<br />
for nearly 20 years in banking back home.<br />
He worked as a contractual mortgage<br />
broker for local banks before deciding to<br />
launch his own business. Knowledge of<br />
financial processes wasn't the only thing he<br />
had going for him.<br />
"I knew Punjabi. That's why many of my<br />
early clients found it easy to work with me. I<br />
could understand their needs and then take<br />
their case to the banks here."<br />
Kumar's pride in a trademark product his<br />
company offers, the secret sauce that he<br />
says sets him apart from the competition.<br />
"Banks here offer a 30-year home loan in<br />
most cases. But with our understanding of<br />
banking processes, we can help you wrap<br />
up the installments sooner than that."<br />
That claim may sound too good to be<br />
true, but it has stood the test of the law.<br />
A competitor took Kumar to a business<br />
tribunal over that claim several years back.<br />
"We know not every mortgage broker<br />
understands the procedures as we do. We<br />
explained our product to the jury and they<br />
ruled in our favour," Kumar says.<br />
Over the years, Global Finance has won<br />
several accolades for its stellar work in the<br />
country, including honours from leading<br />
banks like Westpac, ANZ and ASB.<br />
"In 2016, we were also featured in Deloitte<br />
Fast50, which is a list of New Zealand's top<br />
50 fastest-growing companies. It's rare for<br />
a company from our industry to get into<br />
that list," Kumar points out.<br />
Beyond the realm of business, Kumar has<br />
regularly helped the Kiwi-<strong>Indian</strong> community.<br />
He has offered his services to several<br />
religious institutions in times of distress,<br />
helping set up some of Auckland's<br />
pioneering Kiwi-<strong>Indian</strong> landmarks.<br />
Kumar believes his single-minded focus<br />
on customer journey<br />
and satisfaction has<br />
held his company in<br />
good stead over 25<br />
years.<br />
"We now even<br />
have secondgeneration<br />
customers, and it's<br />
a matter of great<br />
pride for us. Many<br />
of our customers<br />
who left us for other<br />
mortgage brokers<br />
have returned to us<br />
because they know what's best for them."<br />
"We now even have<br />
second-generation<br />
customers, and it's a<br />
matter of great pride for<br />
us. Many of our customers<br />
who left us for other<br />
mortgage brokers have<br />
returned to us because<br />
they know what's best for<br />
them." Ajay Kumar<br />
Road works<br />
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4<br />
NEW ZEALAND<br />
Maharashtrian boost<br />
for Auckland World<br />
Friday, <strong>22</strong> <strong>March</strong>, <strong>2024</strong><br />
Read online www.iwk.co.nz<br />
of Cultures Festival<br />
RAVI BAJPAI<br />
Auckland's diverse communities are<br />
gearing up to showcase the richness<br />
of their cultures in the upcoming<br />
World of Cultures festival, an extravaganza<br />
spanning three weeks across the city.<br />
<strong>The</strong> multicultural festivities from <strong>March</strong><br />
23 to April 14, <strong>2024</strong>, organised by Auckland<br />
Council promise an array of more than 70<br />
free or low-cost activities and events that<br />
celebrate the vibrant tapestry of the city<br />
and its people.<br />
From Korean kimchi classes to donning<br />
authentic Thai attire and immersing oneself<br />
in the essence of Thai culture, the festival<br />
invites participants to embark on a journey<br />
of cultural discovery.<br />
Kiwi-<strong>Indian</strong> Anju Desai is championing<br />
the <strong>Indian</strong> showcase at the festival. <strong>The</strong><br />
Maharashtrian who moved to New Zealand<br />
24 years ago is organising six events, some<br />
of which put the spotlight on <strong>Indian</strong> culture.<br />
You can find her at the Ayurvedic<br />
workshop on healing with spices—a<br />
testament to her deep-rooted connection<br />
to her <strong>Indian</strong> heritage. Drawing on her<br />
familial knowledge of Ayurveda, Anju has<br />
been conducting these workshops for over<br />
a decade, offering participants insights into<br />
holistic health and wellness practices.<br />
She is also organising a teaching<br />
workshop on <strong>Indian</strong> street food on <strong>March</strong><br />
27, where she will be taking participants on<br />
a culinary journey through the nooks and<br />
corners of Mumbai.<br />
“People have already booked slots for this<br />
"But seeing the impact it<br />
has on people—especially<br />
migrants who find solace<br />
and pride in their cultural<br />
identity—that’s what<br />
keeps me going." Anju<br />
Desai<br />
event. I have already provided participants a<br />
list of spices for cooking at the workshop,”<br />
Anju says.<br />
She is also involved in putting together<br />
a Bollywood dance workshop, a women’s<br />
forum, an art exhibition and a world cultural<br />
fashion show.<br />
World of Cultures is expected to be a<br />
multicultural celebration. Kicking off the<br />
festivities is the ‘Celebrating Cultures in<br />
Howick’ event on <strong>March</strong> 23 featuring dance<br />
performances, culinary delights, bustling<br />
stalls, and engaging workshops.<br />
For sports enthusiasts and those seeking<br />
a sense of global unity, FootballFest in<br />
Māngere East on April 13 is not to be<br />
missed. As teams representing nations<br />
from across the globe take to the field,<br />
spectators can cheer on their favorites<br />
while reveling in the shared joy of sport.<br />
Meanwhile, Freemans Bay beckons<br />
families and friends to join in the Play<br />
Festival on April 6.<br />
Traditional games, music, and culinary<br />
delights from myriad cultures await<br />
tamariki and adults alike, offering a day of<br />
fun and discovery.<br />
Culminating the festivities is the grand<br />
finale: Mt Roskill War Memorial Park's<br />
annual CultureFest on April 14, where<br />
more than 70 communities and cultures<br />
converge in a celebration of colorful<br />
performances, cultural music, traditional<br />
and contemporary dance, enlightening<br />
discussions, and mouthwatering cuisines.<br />
For Anju, the World of Cultures<br />
celebration is not merely about showcasing<br />
her own culture but also about fostering<br />
understanding and appreciation for cultures<br />
from around the globe.<br />
Reflecting on her journey, Anju shares her<br />
motivation for spearheading these cultural<br />
initiatives. "I do this because when I started,<br />
I wasn't 100% sure this is what I want to<br />
do," she says.<br />
"But seeing the impact it has on people—<br />
especially migrants who find solace and<br />
pride in their cultural identity—that’s what<br />
keeps me going."
Happy Holi<br />
<strong>The</strong> ACT Party celebrates<br />
alongside you.<br />
David Seymour MP<br />
Authorised by David Seymour MP, ACT Party Leader,<br />
Parliament Buildings, Wellington.<br />
act.office@parliament.govt.nz<br />
act.org.nz
6<br />
NEW ZEALAND<br />
Friday, <strong>22</strong> <strong>March</strong>, <strong>2024</strong><br />
Read online www.iwk.co.nz<br />
Economy slips into<br />
recession as GDP falls 0.1%<br />
Health authorities warn<br />
over ayurvedic remedies<br />
RNZ<br />
RNZ<br />
Medsafe has warned the<br />
public to be vigilant when<br />
consuming Ayurvedic<br />
remedies after several cases of<br />
poisoning have been reported.<br />
Ayurveda is a traditional form<br />
of <strong>Indian</strong> medicine based around<br />
herbs and massage.<br />
"In the past few months, there<br />
have been eight notified cases of<br />
lead poisoning in people taking<br />
Ayurvedic medicines in New<br />
Zealand," Medsafe said.<br />
"Some of these people have been<br />
extremely unwell, with symptoms<br />
including abdominal pain, nausea,<br />
vomiting and constipation,"<br />
Medsafe said. "Investigations are<br />
underway to identify the products<br />
concerned and where they were<br />
obtained."<br />
<strong>The</strong> cases of lead poisoning<br />
were reported in Auckland and the<br />
Bay of Plenty, Health New Zealand<br />
said.<br />
"Some patients have also been<br />
admitted to hospital many times,<br />
with two of the patients found to<br />
have such high levels of lead in<br />
their blood that they were at risk of<br />
critical illness and death," Health<br />
New Zealand said.<br />
"Thankfully the patients have<br />
recovered. However, all reported<br />
taking Ayurvedic remedies prior<br />
to becoming unwell," Health New<br />
Zealand said, adding that the<br />
patients took Ayurvedic remedies<br />
to counter such problems as<br />
severe abdominal pain, infertility,<br />
impotence and chronic pain.<br />
Medsafe has warned consumers<br />
to purchase Ayurvedic remedies<br />
only if the ingredients are clearly<br />
labelled and come from a reputable<br />
source.<br />
"If you become unwell after<br />
taking an Ayurvedic medicine, seek<br />
urgent advice from your doctor or<br />
pharmacist. Help is also available<br />
by calling Healthline on 0800 611<br />
116," Medsafe said.<br />
"We have received samples of<br />
some of the products identified in<br />
the lead poisoning cases," Medsafe<br />
said. "<strong>The</strong>y were reported to have<br />
been brought into the country by<br />
a traveller who purchased them in<br />
India. Laboratory testing identified<br />
very toxic levels of lead."<br />
Medsafe is working with other<br />
agencies to identify these products<br />
and remove them from circulation.<br />
"<strong>The</strong>re are no approved<br />
Ayurvedic medicines in New<br />
Zealand," Medsafe said.<br />
<strong>The</strong> National Poisons Centre is<br />
available to provide advice for any<br />
cases of known or suspected lead<br />
toxicity at 0800 764 766.<br />
<strong>The</strong> economy fell back into<br />
recession in the fourth<br />
quarter of last year, driven<br />
by weak consumer spending and<br />
wholesale trade.<br />
Stats NZ data showed<br />
seasonally adjusted gross<br />
domestic product (GDP) fell 0.1<br />
percent in the three months ended<br />
December, taking the annual<br />
growth rate to 0.6 percent.<br />
It was the second consecutive<br />
quarter of contraction, following<br />
the previous quarter's 0.3 percent<br />
fall, meeting the technical<br />
definition of a recession.<br />
GDP per capita decreased by<br />
0.7 percent, on the back of higher<br />
net migration, and real gross<br />
national disposable income fell<br />
1.4 percent.<br />
"Wholesale trade was the<br />
largest downwards driver this<br />
quarter, led by falls in grocery and<br />
liquor wholesaling; and machinery<br />
and equipment wholesaling," Stats<br />
NZ national accounts industry and<br />
production senior manager Ruvani<br />
Ratnayake said.<br />
Retail trade activity also fell,<br />
driven by furniture, electrical and<br />
hardware retailing, and food and<br />
beverage.<br />
Retail trade and accommodation<br />
fell 0.9 percent, while wholesale<br />
trade fell 1.8 percent.<br />
Stats NZ said eight out of 16<br />
industries saw increased activity,<br />
including rental, hiring, real estate,<br />
public administration, safety and<br />
defence.<br />
<strong>The</strong> 2023 general election led to<br />
growth in public administration, it<br />
said.<br />
<strong>The</strong> primary sector posted<br />
growth of 0.3 percent, after<br />
shrinking in the September<br />
quarter.<br />
Manufacturing rebounded<br />
slightly, but fell 0.4 percent,<br />
following the previous quarter's<br />
3.5 percent fall.<br />
AK<br />
HAVE<br />
YOUR<br />
SAY<br />
Let’s make our budget<br />
work smarter<br />
<strong>The</strong>re are big choices to make for our<br />
Long-term Plan <strong>2024</strong> - 2034 and we<br />
need your feedback to help us decide.<br />
Go to akhaveyoursay.nz/ourplan<br />
or scan the QR code.
Read online www.iwk.co.nz Friday, <strong>22</strong> <strong>March</strong>, <strong>2024</strong><br />
NEW ZEALAND 7<br />
Kiwi-<strong>Indian</strong>, top<br />
Harcourts agent,<br />
bags $20m church<br />
deal in Papatoetoe<br />
RAVI BAJPAI<br />
Kiwi-<strong>Indian</strong> Aman Gulia<br />
and David Findlay from<br />
Harcourts have ended a<br />
three-year wait for a church in<br />
the southern Auckland suburb of<br />
Papatoetoe to sell its land, with a<br />
deal close to $20 million.<br />
<strong>The</strong> 31-year-old from Haryana,<br />
recently named Harcourts’ topselling<br />
agent in Auckland and<br />
northern region, also stars in an<br />
upcoming reality show on New<br />
Zealand’s high-end property<br />
market.<br />
Aman and David are making big<br />
moves in what has traditionally<br />
been a tricky playing field of the<br />
$15m+ market, both in high-end<br />
properties and development<br />
spaces.<br />
“We were surprised to see<br />
interest from nearly 50 buyers<br />
for a deal that would ultimately<br />
require around $50 million to<br />
achieve completion, including<br />
buying the land and then<br />
developing homes,” Findlay says.<br />
Harcourts 32Aman Gulia with<br />
David Findlay from JK Realty<br />
Group based out of Mt Albert.<br />
(Supplied photo)<br />
<strong>The</strong> Pacific Islanders Samoan<br />
Presbyterian Church owns the<br />
property in question at Wyllie<br />
Road in Papatoetoe.<br />
It was listed for sale back in<br />
October 2021, and despite very<br />
large interest from buyers it<br />
couldn’t sell.<br />
“<strong>The</strong> church wanted to sell to<br />
the right person, it wasn’t just<br />
about the price,” says Gulia,<br />
<strong>The</strong> church has only 300<br />
parishioners from 43 Samoan<br />
families and its representative<br />
says they wanted to utilise the<br />
land to fill the housing shortage in<br />
the southern suburb.<br />
<strong>The</strong> construction company<br />
that bought the land hasn’t<br />
been named yet, but it plans to<br />
build around 100 homes on the<br />
piece of land. A church and a<br />
community facility is planned on<br />
the remaining portion.<br />
Gulia and Findlay have other<br />
“<strong>The</strong>re are a lot of<br />
Kiwi-<strong>Indian</strong>s out<br />
there doing amazing<br />
things in the real<br />
estate space. I'm<br />
just so privileged to<br />
be able to help on<br />
that journey”. Aman<br />
Gulia<br />
similar deals currently, one of<br />
them being 520 Great South Road,<br />
Papakura, a three-hectare site<br />
with RC for 101 residential titles.<br />
<strong>The</strong> feedback they have received<br />
so far is $20m and currently have<br />
a few buyers off-market.<br />
Gulia is the first Kiwi-<strong>Indian</strong> set<br />
to feature in ‘Rich Listers’, a real<br />
estate reality show that captures<br />
the drama and rivalry among topselling<br />
agents in New Zealand’s<br />
high-end property market.<br />
<strong>The</strong> show’s producers say they<br />
picked Aman because of his rather<br />
short yet remarkable journey in<br />
the industry. He became a fulltime<br />
agent in 2020, and in about<br />
three years he made some big<br />
sales, including a few that set<br />
industry records.<br />
"My journey was quite<br />
unexpected and unplanned,”<br />
Aman says. “I arrived in New<br />
Zealand in 2011 with no real plan<br />
or direction, but quickly pursued a<br />
mechanical engineering degree at<br />
Manukau Institute of Technology."<br />
In the year 2021-<strong>22</strong>, Aman was<br />
reportedly the 11th top-selling<br />
Harcourts agent globally, and is<br />
said to have achieved $150 million<br />
in sales in what was his first full<br />
year as a real estate agent.<br />
He says his engineering degree<br />
brought him closer to the property<br />
market.<br />
"Before I knew it, I had done<br />
a subdivision and made some<br />
money. I loved that process and<br />
wanted to help others, so before<br />
I knew it, I was speaking to<br />
people about development and<br />
subdivision and then got told I<br />
should sell as an agent.”<br />
Aman’s attitude and ambition<br />
got him the role in the second<br />
season of Rich Listers, say the<br />
producers of the show that has<br />
yet to be aired.<br />
<strong>The</strong> first season launched on<br />
the Bravo television network, but<br />
media partners for the second<br />
edition have yet to be announced.<br />
Before immersing in the<br />
property market as an agent,<br />
Aman managed a company that<br />
helped people subdivide their<br />
properties, a time when he bought<br />
his first house, in Massey.<br />
He says the experience<br />
intrigued him so much he decided<br />
to enroll in a professional course<br />
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Now, Aman is passionate about<br />
helping Aucklanders achieve their<br />
real estate dreams, no matter how<br />
large or small.<br />
“<strong>The</strong>re are a lot of Kiwi-<strong>Indian</strong>s<br />
out there doing amazing things<br />
in the real estate space. I'm just<br />
so privileged to be able to help on<br />
that journey”.<br />
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8<br />
NEW ZEALAND<br />
Friday, <strong>22</strong> <strong>March</strong>, <strong>2024</strong><br />
Read online www.iwk.co.nz<br />
Accredited Employer Work Visa<br />
flaws spread to health sector<br />
BLESSEN TOM/RNZ<br />
About 20 nurses holding accredited<br />
employer work visas claim to be<br />
jobless at a time when the country<br />
is struggling to deal with a shortage of<br />
healthcare workers.<br />
<strong>The</strong> healthcare workers were recruited by<br />
a company operating in Canterbury, which<br />
promised them jobs and a valid visa if they<br />
relocated to New Zealand.<br />
However, some workers claim the<br />
recruitment company has left them<br />
stranded without employment, and they<br />
are now facing difficulty securing work<br />
in the country. <strong>The</strong> labour hire company<br />
responsible for recruiting the nurses denies<br />
the allegations. <strong>The</strong> nurses are likely the<br />
most recent casualties of the beleaguered<br />
accredited employer work visa (AEWV)<br />
scheme, which has faced intense scrutiny<br />
since being unveiled in 20<strong>22</strong>.<br />
<strong>The</strong> case is also believed to be the<br />
first instance in the health sector where<br />
AEWV holders have made allegations of<br />
exploitation.<br />
<strong>The</strong> health sector has been suffering<br />
nursing shortages for many years,<br />
particularly after the Covid pandemic<br />
impacted staffing levels that were<br />
reportedly already stretched thin. Te Whatu<br />
Ora believed the country was short about<br />
4800 nurses in July 2023.<br />
According to Immigration New Zealand<br />
statistics as of 1 December, almost 50<br />
percent of trained nurses who have<br />
registered to work in New Zealand since<br />
the country's borders opened in 20<strong>22</strong> have<br />
arrived from India.<br />
Overseas nurses seeking to relocate<br />
to New Zealand are eligible to work in<br />
the health sector if they receive a skilled<br />
NAME CHANGE<br />
I, Narinder Singh, also known as<br />
Narender Singh, s/o Harnek Singh,<br />
r/o 17A Mahara Avenue, Birkenhead,<br />
North Shore, Auckland, 0626. Passport<br />
number RA474168 declare that the name<br />
'Narinder Singh' and 'Narender Singh'<br />
refers to the same person.<br />
migrant visa, resident visa, straight-toresidence<br />
visa or an accredited employer<br />
work visa. Thirty-seven skilled migrant<br />
visas have been issued since 11 November<br />
20<strong>22</strong>, with <strong>Indian</strong> nurses accounting for<br />
16 of these. A total of 1761 straight-toresidence<br />
visas have been issued since 15<br />
December 20<strong>22</strong>, with <strong>Indian</strong> nurses also<br />
topping the list at 923 approvals.<br />
A total of 2401 nurses possess accredited<br />
employer work visas, with 1783, or 74<br />
percent, of them hailing from India.<br />
"<strong>The</strong>re have been a lot of enquiries from<br />
nurses regarding jobs in the past few<br />
months and what surprised me was that<br />
they were looking for a job with a valid<br />
AEWV visa," said Sumesh Maharaj, director<br />
of FITMED Recruitment International in<br />
Wellington. <strong>The</strong> healthcare recruitment<br />
company in the capital helps internationally<br />
qualified nurses with registration and<br />
migration to other countries such as<br />
Australia.<br />
In late 2023, Maharaj observed a<br />
significant uptick in inquiries from newly<br />
arrived <strong>Indian</strong> nurses in New Zealand,<br />
prompting numerous red flags.<br />
"If they are on a work visa, why are they<br />
asking me to help them find a job?" Maharaj<br />
said. "<strong>The</strong>y would have an employer<br />
already." He said nine nurses had reached<br />
out to him in the past three months seeking<br />
assistance. Originally from South India,<br />
the nurses are currently residing in various<br />
parts of New Zealand.<br />
Maharaj said the nurses' visas stipulated<br />
that they were only permitted to work in a<br />
particular region.<br />
"<strong>The</strong>y were reaching out to me from<br />
Auckland, Hamilton and Wellington, actively<br />
seeking employment, but their visas were<br />
issued solely for work in the Taranaki and<br />
Canterbury regions," he said.<br />
<strong>The</strong> nurses claim they had been told by<br />
the recruitment company that no healthcare<br />
positions were available, and they were<br />
advised to seek employment independently.<br />
"I suspect they were brought to New<br />
Zealand by a labour hire company and the<br />
enquiries were mostly about healthcare<br />
assistant roles," Maharaj said.<br />
"From my conversations with these<br />
nurses, it appears that over 20 nurses from<br />
Kerala, India, are already in the country and<br />
I think many are on the way as we speak....<br />
"<strong>The</strong>y [nurses] are afraid to complain or<br />
talk to the media because the company that<br />
brought them here has threatened them<br />
with visa cancellations and deportation,"<br />
Maharaj said.<br />
<strong>The</strong> AEWV process has attracted intense<br />
media scrutiny since reports emerged in<br />
early 2023 that migrant workers on such<br />
visas were finding themselves destitute and<br />
jobless after paying large sums of money to<br />
relocate to New Zealand.<br />
Stephanie Greathead, national manager of<br />
Immigration Compliance and Investigations,<br />
said Immigration New Zealand was<br />
unaware of the <strong>Indian</strong> nurses' plight. <strong>The</strong><br />
Nursing Council of New Zealand also said<br />
it had not received a formal complaint from<br />
any nurses. What's more, the council said<br />
it was not involved in the recruitment of<br />
internationally qualified nurses.<br />
On 28 February, Immigration Minister<br />
Erica Stanford told reporters she planned to<br />
bring proposals for immediate changes to<br />
the accredited employer work visa to<br />
Cabinet within a couple of weeks.<br />
Help shape the future<br />
Hamilton Kirikiriroa<br />
Share your voice on the<br />
<strong>2024</strong>-34 Long-Term Plan<br />
Every three years we develop our Long-Term Plan.<br />
It sets our major projects, budgets and financial<br />
strategy for the next 10 years.<br />
We're focusing on:<br />
⋅ looking after what we've got<br />
⋅ delivering the essentials<br />
⋅ balancing the books.<br />
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Read more information and share your voice.<br />
hamilton.govt.nz/futurehamilton<br />
Feedback closes 21 April <strong>2024</strong>
Read online www.iwk.co.nz Friday, <strong>22</strong> <strong>March</strong>, <strong>2024</strong><br />
NEW ZEALAND 9<br />
Vishal-Sheykhar<br />
deliver pulsating<br />
evening in New<br />
Zealand debut<br />
IWK BUREAU<br />
Music has a magical ability to bring<br />
people together, and this was<br />
evident in Auckland recently when<br />
Bollywood music duo Vishal and Sheykhar<br />
took the stage by storm.<br />
<strong>The</strong>ir concert, held at the Trusts Arena<br />
in Henderson, Auckland, on <strong>March</strong> 16, was<br />
nothing short of spectacular, leaving the<br />
audience mesmerised and wanting more.<br />
<strong>The</strong> duo's three-hour performance was a<br />
rollercoaster of emotions, featuring a mix of<br />
their popular duets and solo hits.<br />
From soulful melodies to foot-tapping<br />
beats, Vishal and Sheykhar showcased<br />
their versatility and talent, captivating the<br />
hearts of the 2700-strong crowd.<br />
What truly set this concert apart was the<br />
• Continued from Page 1<br />
He has taken the language test thrice in<br />
that time, and hasn’t been able to score<br />
more than 5.5, against the immigratoin<br />
requirement of 6.5.”<br />
Shaneel says the man–in his early<br />
40s–has more than 10 years of trucking<br />
experience in India, and has been able to<br />
work perfectly well in New Zealand with his<br />
English proficiency.<br />
“He is faring poorly mostly in the writing<br />
section of the test. It doesn’t seem fair that<br />
someone like him who has worked hard<br />
here and has a family to support is having<br />
to face such a crisis,” Shaneel says.<br />
Under the previous work to residence<br />
scheme, before the Accredited Employer<br />
Work Visa was introduced, drivers and a<br />
few other categories of tradespeople didn’t<br />
have to take an English language test to<br />
apply for work to residence, Shaneel says.<br />
Swapnil Shah and Vinay Mehta with the organising team. (Supplied photo)<br />
audience's enthusiastic response. Nearly<br />
60% of the attendees were on their feet,<br />
dancing and singing along throughout the<br />
entire show. It was a testament to the duo's<br />
ability to connect with their fans and create<br />
an unforgettable experience.<br />
For Vishal and Sheykhar, this concert was<br />
not just another stop on their Australia-NZ<br />
tour. It was their first-ever performance<br />
Truck, bus drivers lobbying for<br />
change in immigration rules<br />
“<strong>The</strong> assumption presumably was that if<br />
they have worked smoothly for two years,<br />
they must have been reasonably proficient<br />
in English to get by. Also, bear in mind that<br />
New Zealand faces a shortage of drivers<br />
and the immigrations settings for these<br />
workers must be lucrative enough to get<br />
them interested in moving here.”<br />
A change in the language rule will most<br />
likely have to go through the Cabinet and<br />
Parlimant. For now, Shaneel says he is<br />
helping drivers submit individual petitions<br />
to the immigration minister seeking waiver.<br />
“<strong>The</strong> immigration minister does have<br />
the authority to grant concessions on a<br />
case-to-case basis. While a law change<br />
could take time, we can surely request the<br />
government to consider individual cases<br />
that are genuinely authentic.”<br />
<strong>The</strong> charity project is offering to file<br />
individual petitions free of charge, asking<br />
drivers to submit their request for help by<br />
the end of this month through this link.<br />
“<strong>The</strong>y simply have go to our Facebook<br />
page and fill a form with their name, date<br />
of birth, passport number–same details<br />
of their family if they have one. Once<br />
we get their details I prepare a statutory<br />
declaration on their behalf and send it back<br />
to them.<br />
“<strong>The</strong>y need to print the form and sign it in<br />
front of a Justice of the Peace and send the<br />
form back to us-we will present the form to<br />
the immigration minister as the applicant's<br />
request,” Shaneel says.<br />
in New Zealand, and they made sure to<br />
leave a lasting impression. In a post-show<br />
interview, they expressed their gratitude to<br />
the Auckland audience, calling it one of the<br />
best shows of their tour.<br />
Behind the scenes, the hard work and<br />
dedication of the event organisers made<br />
this concert a success.<br />
Swapnil Shah, Vinay Mehta, and Pranshi<br />
Group Ltd. deserve special mention for<br />
their efforts in bringing this musical<br />
extravaganza to Auckland.<br />
 <strong>The</strong> community's response to the<br />
concert was overwhelming, with many<br />
attendees expressing the need for more<br />
such events.<br />
For the Kiwi <strong>Indian</strong> community, concerts<br />
like these are not just entertainment; they<br />
are a way to stay connected to their roots<br />
and culture, even in a foreign land.<br />
As the concert came to an end, the<br />
audience was left with a sense of euphoria,<br />
grateful for the opportunity to witness such<br />
a memorable performance.<br />
Vishal and Sheykhar's Auckland concert<br />
was more than just a show; it was a<br />
celebration of music, culture, and the power<br />
to unite people from all walks of life.<br />
HAVE A HAPPY<br />
HOLI<br />
Hon Jenny<br />
Salesa<br />
MP for Panmure–Ōtāhuhu<br />
0800 677 253 | 09 274 9231<br />
panmure.otahuhump@parliament.govt.nz<br />
/jenny.salesa.labour<br />
Authorised by Hon Jenny Salesa MP,<br />
Parliament Buildings, Wellington
10<br />
IWK BUREAU<br />
NEW ZEALAND<br />
Air New Zealand issued an<br />
apology to two passengers<br />
who claim they were<br />
removed from a flight because<br />
of their size, News portal Stuff<br />
reported.<br />
Angel Harding described feeling<br />
traumatized by a flight attendant<br />
on the Napier to Auckland service<br />
on <strong>March</strong> 8. She was returning<br />
to Northland with friends after<br />
attending a hui in Hastings.<br />
According to Harding, while<br />
the plane was taxiing, she felt a<br />
sharp pain in her left arm as a<br />
crew member forcibly lowered the<br />
armrest onto her arm.<br />
"I was in shock, and I moved<br />
forward. She started yelling at<br />
me that the pilot can't take off<br />
unless all the armrests were down,<br />
and she was quite aggressive.<br />
I just couldn't believe what was<br />
happening," Harding told 1News.<br />
She was told she should have<br />
booked two seats, despite having<br />
no issues on the flight from Kerikeri<br />
to Auckland and then Auckland to<br />
Napier.<br />
<strong>The</strong> plane eventually returned to<br />
the gate, and all passengers were<br />
told they would have to leave due<br />
to an "inconvenience." However,<br />
Harding and a friend were not<br />
allowed to reboard.<br />
"I believe they took me off<br />
because of my build, because of<br />
my size. <strong>The</strong>y didn't explicitly say it<br />
was because of that, but they said<br />
it was an inconvenience," Harding<br />
expressed.<br />
Air NZ reportedly offered them<br />
accommodation and meals, and<br />
the airline paid for their seats.<br />
However, the next flight wasn't<br />
until two days later. Seats became<br />
available on a later flight on Friday.<br />
<strong>The</strong>ir story has been picked up<br />
by global media outlets, including<br />
the New York Post and <strong>The</strong> Mirror.<br />
Alisha Armstrong, Air New<br />
Zealand's General Manager<br />
Customer Care, stated that the<br />
Friday, <strong>22</strong> <strong>March</strong>, <strong>2024</strong><br />
Air NZ apologises for<br />
removing passengers<br />
due to their size<br />
airline "will continue to work with<br />
the customer directly to address<br />
their concerns."<br />
"We are committed to treating<br />
all customers with respect and<br />
dignity, and we apologize that<br />
these customers received an<br />
inconsistent experience.<br />
"We strongly recommend<br />
customers who require additional<br />
space get in touch with us before<br />
their flight to ensure a safe and<br />
comfortable journey. If there is<br />
space available on the aircraft and<br />
a customer requires extra room,<br />
our teams will reaccommodate<br />
them with an empty seat next<br />
to them. We work to ensure<br />
every customer has a safe and<br />
comfortable journey."<br />
Read online www.iwk.co.nz<br />
Woman burned<br />
during beauty<br />
treatment: 'It was<br />
really terrifying'<br />
DANIELLE CLENT/RNZ<br />
A<br />
mother of three says she<br />
was left humiliated and<br />
unable to hold her baby<br />
after a simple beauty treatment<br />
left "checkerboard" burn marks<br />
to her chest.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Wellington woman, who<br />
RNZ has agreed not to name,<br />
said she wanted some minor sun<br />
damage removed from her face<br />
and chest.<br />
It was meant to be a little treat,<br />
but instead, the 35-year-old<br />
was left with first- and seconddegree<br />
burns, according to a<br />
doctor who saw the woman<br />
following the treatment.<br />
<strong>The</strong> clinic told RNZ it accepted<br />
an error made during the<br />
treatment resulted in the burns<br />
but said all health and safety<br />
protocols were followed.<br />
"It's scary in this industry,<br />
which is so prevalent in today's<br />
society, I mean I don't know a<br />
woman who's not going to see<br />
a beauty therapist," the woman<br />
said.<br />
"Myself, I have come to the<br />
game very late in life and been<br />
literally burned. You're playing<br />
Russian Roulette with your skin."<br />
<strong>The</strong> woman approached<br />
House of Beauty Medi Spa near<br />
Paremata in October after a<br />
recommendation from a friend.<br />
Before meeting her in person,<br />
the clinic booked her in for<br />
several courses of intense<br />
pulsed light (IPL) on her face.<br />
<strong>The</strong> woman told RNZ she<br />
experienced no adverse reaction<br />
as a result of those treatments.<br />
<strong>The</strong> woman had two<br />
treatments on her face before<br />
her first appointment for her<br />
chest on 8 February.<br />
She claimed the beauty<br />
therapist was running late, asked<br />
her to sign a consent form with<br />
no consultation about working<br />
on her chest, failed to do a patch<br />
test or clean her skin and did not<br />
wear safety glasses.<br />
<strong>The</strong> beauty therapist also used<br />
the machine on a higher setting<br />
with no explanation and targeted<br />
moles on her chest, the woman<br />
said.<br />
Experts spoken to for this<br />
story said targeting the woman's<br />
moles created an increased risk<br />
of skin cancer.<br />
House of Beauty Medi Spa<br />
confirmed the machine was used<br />
on the wrong setting.
Read online www.iwk.co.nz Friday, <strong>22</strong> <strong>March</strong>, <strong>2024</strong><br />
NEW ZEALAND 11<br />
<strong>The</strong> price<br />
of empire :<br />
<strong>The</strong> moral<br />
obligation of<br />
reparations<br />
Reparation is not an act of charity, rather an act of expiation, for the heinous crimes committed, based on both moral and legal principles.<br />
ANANDITAA<br />
In a seismic shift towards<br />
sovereignty, Barbados<br />
declared itself a republic and<br />
bid adieu to the monarchy on<br />
November 30th, 2021.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Prime Minister, Mia<br />
Mottley, ever since has been<br />
at the forefront of the push<br />
for reparations from European<br />
countries. She has vociferously<br />
called for a total of $4.9 trillion for<br />
historical injustices wrought upon<br />
the Barbadian people, especially<br />
through the transatlantic slave<br />
trade.<br />
While British Prime Minister<br />
Rishi Sunak dismissed<br />
suggestions of paying reparations<br />
for its complicity in slavery,<br />
arguing against "unpicking<br />
history", <strong>Indian</strong> Member of<br />
Parliament, Shashi Tharoor<br />
posited reparations as a moral<br />
obligation upon the Western<br />
powers towards their erstwhile<br />
colonies.<br />
This obligation does not serve<br />
as a panacea for the atrocities<br />
inflicted by colonialism, as the<br />
scars of such suffering can never<br />
be wholly assuaged through mere<br />
monetary compensation, nor can<br />
Mumbai-based producer and actor<br />
Ananditaa. (Supplied photo)<br />
the value of lives lost ever be<br />
adequately quantified.<br />
In the analyses of economic<br />
historian Utsa Patnaik, the British<br />
colonial regime pillaged nearly<br />
$45 trillion from India between<br />
1765 and 1938, which is about 15<br />
times the annual GDP of the UK<br />
today.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Koh-i-Noor, a 109-carat<br />
diamond, stands as a symbol of<br />
the egregious plundering during<br />
their two-century-long reign,<br />
which itself could be valued at<br />
$400 million.<br />
<strong>The</strong> book ‘Anarchy’, written<br />
by British historian William<br />
Dalrymple, examines the<br />
corporate coup executed by <strong>The</strong><br />
East India Company using its<br />
‘privatised’ military force. India's<br />
subjugation commenced not<br />
with the British government but<br />
with a for-profit enterprise that<br />
spread its wings across Asia. This<br />
expansionism fostered the British<br />
Empire into a global hegemon ‘on<br />
which the sun never sets’.<br />
As of <strong>2024</strong>, there are 15<br />
Commonwealth realms with<br />
Charles III presiding as their<br />
monarch, which includes New<br />
Zealand, while Antigua and<br />
Barbuda, poised to follow in<br />
the footsteps of Barbados. As<br />
nations such as Barbados chart<br />
their course towards sovereignty<br />
and rectitude, King Charles's<br />
acknowledgment of slavery's<br />
enduring impact underscores the<br />
importance of open dialogue and<br />
reparative justice in our shared<br />
history.<br />
Again, reparation is not an act of<br />
charity, rather an act of expiation,<br />
for the heinous crimes committed,<br />
based on both moral and legal<br />
principles, that are established<br />
in International Criminal Law<br />
stipulated in Article 75 of the<br />
Rome Statute.<br />
Modern-day trade, tax and<br />
debt policies have resulted in<br />
the continued impoverishment<br />
and dependency of many former<br />
colonies.<br />
"We must recognise that upon<br />
attaining independence, nations<br />
received no developmental<br />
aid, educational provisions, or<br />
healthcare support. We must<br />
acknowledge that the Industrial<br />
Revolution was built on the backs<br />
of these nations.<br />
It behoves us, to dismantle<br />
racism in all its shapes and forms.<br />
And, this extends beyond legal<br />
statutes, where people obstruct<br />
democracy, deprive individuals<br />
of their rights, or have prejudicial<br />
attitudes solely based on skin<br />
colour or ethnicity. We must<br />
deconstruct this mentality.<br />
It is only by taking responsibility<br />
for our actions and committing<br />
to restitution that the seeds<br />
of a more equitable and<br />
compassionate world are sown.<br />
Disposable vapes to be banned, more restrictions on retailers announced<br />
RNZ<br />
<strong>The</strong> coalition will ban<br />
single-use vapes as part<br />
of a crackdown on youth<br />
vaping, aiming to have all the<br />
changes in place by the end of<br />
the year - moves supported by the<br />
vaping industry.<br />
Other measures include<br />
much bigger fines for selling<br />
vapes to under-18s, further<br />
retailer restrictions, and a better<br />
enforcement system to ensure<br />
they are following the rules.<br />
Associate Health Minister Casey<br />
Costello announced the changes.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Smokefree Environments and<br />
Regulated Products Act would<br />
go through the normal legislative<br />
process - not under urgency - with<br />
an aim to have it implemented by<br />
the end of the year.<br />
However, requirements for<br />
reusable vapes to have removable<br />
batteries and child-proofing<br />
mechanisms will be delayed until<br />
October.<br />
She said reusable vapes were<br />
a key smoking cessation device<br />
and would remain available, but<br />
too many teenagers continued to<br />
use disposable vapes, which can<br />
be thrown out after running out of<br />
juice.<br />
"<strong>The</strong>y're cheap and remain too<br />
easy to get, despite changes under<br />
the previous government. That's<br />
why these cheap, single use vape<br />
products will be banned outright,"<br />
Costello said.<br />
Fines for retailers caught<br />
selling vapes and other regulated<br />
products like cigarettes to minors<br />
would increase from $10,000 to<br />
$100,000, with infringement-level<br />
fines increasing from $500 to<br />
$1000 for individuals and $2000<br />
for businesses.<br />
Licencing and compliance<br />
regimes would be reviewed, with<br />
stronger enforcement of those<br />
penalties, Costello said, and<br />
officials would consult on tighter<br />
restrictions on storefront displays<br />
and staffing requirements.<br />
"<strong>The</strong>re must be clear<br />
consequences for retailers<br />
found supplying vapes, or other<br />
regulated products like cigarettes,<br />
to minors," Costello said.<br />
"<strong>The</strong> coalition government<br />
is committed to tackling youth<br />
vaping and to continue to drive<br />
down smoking rates to achieve<br />
the Smokefree goal of less than 5<br />
per cent of the population smoking<br />
daily by 2025."<br />
She said new regulations set<br />
to take effect from Thursday -<br />
Christchurch<br />
man jailed for<br />
14 yrs over US<br />
porn videos<br />
CHARLIE DREAVER/RNZ<br />
Christchurch man<br />
Matthew Isaac Wolfe has<br />
been sentenced to 14<br />
years' jail in the United States,<br />
after he helped a friend deceive<br />
and coerce young women to<br />
appear in porn videos.<br />
Wolfe's co-defendant and<br />
fellow New Zealander, Michael<br />
Pratt, who owned the website<br />
GirlsDoPorn, made his first<br />
appearance after being<br />
extradited from Spain, following<br />
more than three years as an<br />
international fugitive.<br />
According to a statement by<br />
the US Attorney's Office in the<br />
Southern District of California,<br />
Wolfe recruited victims, many<br />
of them college students<br />
at the time, using internet<br />
advertisements for clothed<br />
modelling jobs.<br />
Even after the victims learned<br />
the job involved an adult<br />
video shoot, Wolfe admitted to<br />
persuading women to appear in<br />
the videos, telling them that the<br />
videos would never be posted<br />
online.<br />
He also told them that the<br />
videos would never be released<br />
in the US, and that no one who<br />
knew the women would ever find<br />
out about the videos - something<br />
he knew to be untrue.<br />
Wolfe told another codefendant<br />
<strong>The</strong>odore Gyi, the<br />
cameraman on hundreds of<br />
GirlsDoPorn video shoots, that if<br />
asked, he should also lie to the<br />
women.<br />
Most of the video shoots took<br />
place at local hotels and shortterm<br />
rental units in San Diego.<br />
Some of the women were<br />
allegedly forced to perform<br />
certain sex acts, which they had<br />
earlier declined to do.<br />
After the victims returned<br />
home, still believing that they<br />
would remain anonymous, clips<br />
of the videos were posted on<br />
heavily trafficked adult film sites,<br />
like Pornhub.<br />
including a ban on vapes with<br />
cartoon or toy imagery, and<br />
limiting flavour names to generic<br />
descriptions - would continue as<br />
planned.<br />
Related changes for reusable<br />
vapes to have removable batteries<br />
and childproofing, would however<br />
be delayed until 1 October "to<br />
ensure sufficient availability<br />
of appropriate resuable vaping<br />
products to continue to support<br />
people to quit smoking".<br />
<strong>The</strong> Vaping Industry Association<br />
of New Zealand, (VIANZ), which<br />
said it had no connection with the<br />
tobacco industry, welcomed the<br />
planned changes.<br />
"We hope that as part of this<br />
announcement government<br />
is giving thought to how the<br />
regulations will be enforced<br />
and what resources need to be<br />
invested."
QUOTE OF THE WEEK<br />
Your present circumstances don't determine<br />
where you can go; they merely determine where<br />
you start." – Nido Qubein<br />
Editorial<br />
Peters sets stage<br />
for better NZ-<br />
IN FOCUS : Picture of the week<br />
India relations<br />
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters’ recent visit<br />
to India, intended to bolster ties between the two nations, has ignited both praise<br />
and controversy. Amidst discussions spanning trade, security, and cultural<br />
exchange, Peters’ remarks on the sensitive issue of a Sikh leader’s killing in Canada<br />
have stirred debate.<br />
However, rather than viewing this incident as a setback, it presents an opportunity for<br />
a nuanced re-evaluation of India-New Zealand relations.<br />
<strong>The</strong> focal point of contention arose when Peters, in an interview with <strong>The</strong> <strong>Indian</strong><br />
Express, expressed scepticism regarding conclusive evidence linking <strong>Indian</strong> agents to<br />
the assassination of a Sikh separatist in Canada.<br />
His cautious stance, perceived by some as questioning the credibility of Canada’s<br />
allegations, raised eyebrows because it potentially alluded to New Zealand not singing<br />
from the same song sheet as the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, of which Canada and<br />
New Zealand are members.<br />
Others saw it as something that might be music to India’s ears amidst the mostly<br />
veiled accusations it has received from Canada.<br />
On the contrary, Peters’ remarks, though initially interpreted as provocative, signal a<br />
commitment to transparency and accountability within the Five Eyes alliance.<br />
His insistence on tangible evidence before drawing conclusions exemplifies the<br />
principles of fair judgment and impartiality—values fundamental to effective diplomatic<br />
discourse.<br />
Peters’ subsequent clarification, reaffirming New Zealand’s unchanged stance on the<br />
matter and stressing the importance of allowing ongoing criminal investigations to run<br />
their course, demonstrates a commitment to international norms and legal processes.<br />
By urging restraint and patience, Peters underscores the significance of preserving<br />
diplomatic integrity amidst complex geopolitical dynamics.<br />
<strong>The</strong> reactions to Peters’ comments underscore the intricacies inherent in diplomatic<br />
relations, particularly in matters concerning security and international cooperation.<br />
Indeed, the controversy surrounding Peters’ remarks presents an opportunity for<br />
introspection and recalibration.<br />
Rather than viewing it as a diplomatic misstep, it should rather be seen as a catalyst<br />
for deeper engagement and understanding between India and New Zealand. By<br />
addressing contentious issues with candour and diplomacy, both nations can foster a<br />
relationship grounded in mutual respect and cooperation.<br />
Peters’ visit to India, characterised by high-level meetings and discussions spanning<br />
various sectors, signifies a broader commitment to enhancing bilateral ties. From<br />
discussions on strategic security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region to exploring<br />
opportunities for economic partnership, the visit underscores a shared commitment to<br />
mutual growth and prosperity.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Foreign Minister’s engagements with <strong>Indian</strong> officials, including External Affairs<br />
Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, reflect a<br />
mutual recognition of the strategic importance of India-New Zealand relations.<br />
By emphasising collaboration on issues ranging from climate change to trade and<br />
cultural exchange, both nations signal a desire for a multifaceted partnership rooted in<br />
shared values and aspirations.<br />
Peters’ interactions with representatives from the dynamic state of Gujarat highlight<br />
the importance of engaging with <strong>Indian</strong> states to maximise economic cooperation and<br />
strategic alignment.<br />
A large part of the <strong>Indian</strong> diaspora in New Zealand hails from this western <strong>Indian</strong> state<br />
and many have made their home here for more than a century, while yet maintaining<br />
deep ties with their places of origin in the state. In that sense, choosing Gujarat as part<br />
of his India visit was eminently sensible.<br />
Also, as India continues its trajectory of economic growth and development, tapping<br />
into regional opportunities becomes imperative for fostering robust and sustainable<br />
bilateral relations.<br />
Winston Peters’ comments may have sparked controversy, as they have done many<br />
times throughout his long political career in this country, but they also offer a valuable<br />
opportunity for reflection and dialogue especially with India.<br />
Relations between the two countries have flatlined for at least a decade particularly<br />
during the Labour years. With Winston Peters’ statesmanship, seniority and Mana,<br />
there is every chance that the relationship will now grow.<br />
By navigating the complexities of international relations with diplomacy and<br />
pragmatism, both India and New Zealand can chart a course towards a more resilient<br />
and dynamic partnership.<br />
As Peters aptly stated, “New Zealand and India are two countries that can, should,<br />
and will be doing more together.”<br />
Calcutta University students play with colours ahead of the Holi festival and Basanta Utsav,<br />
at campus in Kolkata on Tuesday.<br />
This week in New Zealand’s history<br />
24 <strong>March</strong> 1989<br />
RainbowYOUTH formed<br />
RainbowYOUTH was conceived at a Gay and Lesbian Conference held in Auckland on 24<br />
<strong>March</strong> 1989. Set up mainly to provide a safe place where young lesbians and gay men<br />
could come together, the group was named Auckland Lesbian and Gay Youth (ALGY).<br />
25 <strong>March</strong> 2020<br />
NZ enters nationwide lockdown in fight against COVID-19<br />
At 11.59 p.m. on Wednesday 25 <strong>March</strong> 2020, New Zealand entered a nationwide lockdown<br />
designed to prevent the spread of the deadly COVID-19 virus around the country.<br />
27 <strong>March</strong> 1883<br />
<strong>The</strong> 'Sallies' come to New Zealand<br />
On 27 <strong>March</strong> 1883 two young English Salvation Army officers, Captain George Pollard and<br />
Lieutenant Edward Wright, arrived at Port Chalmers.<br />
28 <strong>March</strong> 1923<br />
Forest and Bird founded<br />
<strong>The</strong> New Zealand Native Bird Protection Society was formed at a meeting in Wellington<br />
called by a local conservation advocate, Captain Ernest ‘Val’ Sanderson. Former prime<br />
minister Sir Thomas Mackenzie was elected as the first president of the new body, which was<br />
intended to complement the work of the New Zealand Forestry League in protecting native<br />
forests.<br />
28 <strong>March</strong> 1955<br />
NZ cricketers skittled for 26<br />
In recent years most test matches between New Zealand and England have been keenly<br />
contested. This was not the case in 1955.<br />
29 <strong>March</strong> 1901<br />
Skippers Bridge opened<br />
At 96 m long and 91 m above the river, the Skippers suspension bridge over the Shotover<br />
River near Queenstown in Central Otago is one of the highest and most spectacular in<br />
New Zealand.<br />
<strong>Indian</strong> <strong>Weekender</strong> : Volume 15 Issue 50<br />
Publisher: Kiwi Media Publishing Limited<br />
Editor: Dev Nadkarni | dev@indianweekender.co.nz<br />
General Manager: Ravi Bajpai | 020 441 <strong>22</strong>33 | ravi@indianweekender.co.nz<br />
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Views expressed in the publication are not necessarily of the publisher and the publisher<br />
is not responsible for advertisers’ claims as appearing in the publication<br />
Views expressed in the articles are solely of the authors and do not in any way represent<br />
the views of the team at the <strong>Indian</strong> <strong>Weekender</strong><br />
Kiwi Media Publishing Limited - 133A, Level 1, Onehunga Mall, Onehunga, Auckland.<br />
Printed at NZME, Auckland, New Zealand.<br />
Copyright ® 20<strong>22</strong>. Kiwi Media Publishing Limited. All Rights Reserved.<br />
Send your suggestions and feedback to editor@indianweekender.co.nz
Read online www.iwk.co.nz Friday, <strong>22</strong> <strong>March</strong>, <strong>2024</strong><br />
NEW ZEALAND 13<br />
Mortgage rates drop:<br />
What it means for<br />
first home buyers<br />
RAVI BAJPAI<br />
Banks have been slowly<br />
lowering mortgage rates<br />
and it has got us all tied up<br />
in knots, but a leading mortgage<br />
broker says the message is<br />
simple–it’s all good news for<br />
first-home buyers, hopefully from<br />
here on.<br />
New Zealand's property<br />
market is experiencing a surge<br />
of optimism despite recordhigh<br />
interest rates, says Nathan<br />
Miglani of NZ Mortgages, which<br />
has helped hundreds of Kiwi-<br />
<strong>Indian</strong> clients across Auckland,<br />
Wellington and Christchurch<br />
among other towns and cities.<br />
“All major banks have made<br />
a strategic move by reducing<br />
their long-term interest rates,<br />
offering potential homebuyers<br />
an unexpected glimmer of hope,”<br />
Miglani says.<br />
<strong>The</strong> current market trend<br />
indicates a significant shift<br />
towards affordability, particularly<br />
11-year-old<br />
among group<br />
who stole car<br />
and crashed<br />
into series of<br />
vehicles<br />
RNZ<br />
Six young people have been arrested<br />
in Auckland after stealing a car<br />
and crashing into three others in<br />
central Auckland.<br />
Officers were called to a crash at<br />
the intersection of Great North Road<br />
and Ponsonby Road about 6.45pm on<br />
Wednesday.<br />
<strong>The</strong> car, allegedly stolen earlier in Parnell,<br />
had been seen speeding through the<br />
intersection before crashing into a vehicle<br />
waiting at the traffic lights.<br />
Inspector Grant Tetzlaff said the car also<br />
crashed into two other stationary vehicles<br />
before coming to a halt. <strong>The</strong> occupants then<br />
fled on foot towards Karangahape Road.<br />
No one was injured, but the vehicles<br />
involved were badly damaged.<br />
Two 16-year-olds, one of whom was the<br />
driver, were arrested.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y will appear in the Auckland Youth<br />
Court on Thursday, and police will be<br />
opposing bail for the driver.<br />
<strong>The</strong> other four youths, aged between 11<br />
and 17, have been referred to Youth Aid.<br />
Inspector Tetzlaff said police were<br />
astounded.<br />
"This was a fast-moving incident,<br />
which could have ended in many different<br />
scenarios."<br />
He hoped the quick arrests would reassure<br />
the community that such actions would not<br />
be tolerated.<br />
for first-home buyers, he points<br />
out, adding that the reduction<br />
in long-term interest rates is an<br />
indication that short-term rates<br />
may also reduce over the next six<br />
to nine months.<br />
“<strong>The</strong>re are loads of discounts<br />
going around and banks are<br />
offering plenty of cashback<br />
deals, providing buyers enticing<br />
incentives. All different banks<br />
have all different rates and pricing,<br />
especially when the deposit is less<br />
than 20 per cent.<br />
“We have a lucrative<br />
environment for those looking<br />
to make their first property<br />
investment. This move is expected<br />
to draw more prospective<br />
buyers into the market and ease<br />
the financial burden on those<br />
grappling with the impact of<br />
the recent economic downturn,”<br />
Miglani says.<br />
Despite the prevailing highinterest<br />
rates, New Zealand's<br />
housing prices have experienced<br />
a notable correction, Miglani says,<br />
with Auckland and Wellington<br />
seeing a decrease of up to 20 per<br />
cent and Christchurch reporting<br />
a drop of 10-15 per cent in house<br />
prices from the peak of mid to late<br />
2021.<br />
“This correction has led to a<br />
more balanced market, making<br />
it an opportune time for firsthome<br />
buyers to enter the property<br />
ladder since there are hardly any<br />
investors around.”<br />
Miglani predicts current<br />
interest rates are likely to remain<br />
stable for the next six months.<br />
However, with retail sales on the<br />
decline, a struggling hospitality<br />
sector, and an increase in<br />
unemployment rates, there are<br />
indications interest rates may see<br />
a downward trajectory towards<br />
the end of Q3 and the beginning<br />
of Q4.<br />
Looking ahead, Miglani<br />
forecasts a positive outlook for<br />
the housing market. Despite the<br />
current challenges, he predicts a 5<br />
per cent increase in house prices<br />
ONE WAY FROM<br />
$799*<br />
12 months from now, emphasising<br />
the current situation presents a<br />
unique opportunity for first-home<br />
buyers to secure their dream<br />
homes at a more affordable rate.<br />
“It's important to note that<br />
each bank is adopting multiple<br />
policies, and interest rates vary<br />
among them. Prospective buyers<br />
are advised to carefully consider<br />
the offerings of each bank to<br />
maximise the benefits available.<br />
RETURN FROM<br />
$1499*<br />
“<strong>The</strong> dynamic nature of the<br />
current market emphasises the<br />
need for potential buyers to act<br />
swiftly to take advantage of these<br />
unprecedented opportunities,”<br />
Miglani says.
14<br />
INDIA<br />
'Women of this<br />
country stand<br />
like a rock with<br />
PM Modi': Amit<br />
Shah hits out<br />
at Rahul over<br />
'Shakti' remark<br />
Union Home Minister Amit<br />
Shah responded to Rahul<br />
Gandhi’s ‘Shakti’ remarks<br />
and said that the Congress leader<br />
knows nor respects our tradition.<br />
Speaking at the News 18 Rising<br />
Bharat Summit <strong>2024</strong>, Amit Shah<br />
said that the women of the country<br />
stand like a rock with PM Modi<br />
“He (Rahul Gandhi) does not<br />
know what he is doing. Women<br />
power in this country stands like<br />
a rock with PM Modi. Nari Shakti<br />
has decided that this time they<br />
will show Rahul Gandhi their true<br />
strength in the elections. Rahul<br />
Gandhi neither knows nor respects<br />
our traditions. Maa Shakti has<br />
been considered the greatest<br />
power in our country for thousands<br />
of years. <strong>The</strong>re can be no greater<br />
blessing than the blessings of a<br />
mother and no greater affection<br />
than the affection of a sister,” he<br />
said.<br />
"<strong>The</strong> policy of Congress is that<br />
this country should be divided<br />
into two parts, South India and<br />
North India. But Rahul need not<br />
worry, now BJP is so powerful that<br />
Congress will not be able to divide<br />
the country for the second time.<br />
We will not let the country break<br />
into pieces" he added.<br />
Further, speaking on the<br />
Electoral Bonds, the Union Home<br />
Minister pointed out that the BJP<br />
has received Rs 6,200 crore, while<br />
Indi Alliance has also received<br />
more than Rs 6,200 crore.<br />
PM Modi dials Putin<br />
after landslide win,<br />
reiterates India's position<br />
on Ukraine-Russia war<br />
PM Modi congratulates<br />
Putin on re-election,<br />
discusses strengthening<br />
India-Russia partnership and<br />
regional cooperation.<br />
Prime Minister Narendra<br />
Modi and Russian President<br />
Vladimir Putin held a telephone<br />
conversation today, during<br />
which PM Modi extended his<br />
congratulations to President<br />
Putin on his re-election.<br />
Modi conveyed his best wishes<br />
for the peace, progress, and<br />
prosperity of the Russian people,<br />
according to the Prime Minister's<br />
Office (PMO).<br />
“<strong>The</strong>re is an allegation against<br />
us that we have received a lot of<br />
donations, this is false. We have<br />
received Rs 6,200 crore. Whereas<br />
Indi Alliance led by Rahul Baba has<br />
received more than Rs 6,200 crore.<br />
While we have 303 seats, we have<br />
governments in 17 states, but how<br />
many seats does the Indi Alliance<br />
have?” he asked.<br />
Shah also asserted that after<br />
Narendra Modi became the Prime<br />
Minister, swift action was taken<br />
against black money.<br />
“Out of all the properties<br />
attached by ED, only 5 per cent<br />
belong to people associated with<br />
political parties, the rest belong<br />
to people with black money.<br />
Although the properties that have<br />
Friday, <strong>22</strong> <strong>March</strong>, <strong>2024</strong><br />
been confiscated are of people<br />
associated with political parties<br />
and are also black money, but<br />
they want that no action should<br />
be taken against them,” Amit Shah<br />
said. He also emphasized that<br />
whoever commits corruption will<br />
face strict action and will go to jail.<br />
“Rs 51 crores are received from<br />
Mamata's minister's house, Rs<br />
355 crores are received from the<br />
Congress MP's house and they<br />
say that no action should be taken.<br />
Can Rahul Baba tell the people of<br />
the country where this money is<br />
going to go? <strong>The</strong>y should answer<br />
this,” he added. <strong>The</strong> Union Home<br />
Minister further added that the<br />
BJP's target in the Lok Sabha polls<br />
is to cross 400 seats.<br />
EAM Jaishankar terms upcoming Lok Sabha polls<br />
as 'largest electoral logistics exercise on planet'<br />
External Affairs Minister S<br />
Jaishankar on Wednesday<br />
said the upcoming 18th<br />
edition of India's national elections<br />
is the largest electoral logistics<br />
exercise that the planet has ever<br />
witnessed<br />
Delivering the National<br />
Statement virtually on behalf<br />
of the <strong>Indian</strong> government at the<br />
Third Edition of the Summit for<br />
Democracy organised by South<br />
Korea in Seoul, Jaishankar said<br />
the theme "Democracy for Future<br />
Generations," resonates not just<br />
within the borders of India but<br />
echoes across the globe.<br />
<strong>The</strong> foreign minister said that,<br />
"With 968 million registered voters,<br />
<strong>The</strong> two leaders<br />
agreed to make<br />
concerted efforts<br />
towards further<br />
strengthening the<br />
partnership between<br />
the two countries in<br />
the years to come.<br />
“We agreed to<br />
work together to<br />
further deepen and<br />
expand India-Russia<br />
Special & Privileged<br />
Strategic Partnership in the years<br />
ahead,” Prime Minister Modi said<br />
in a post on X.<br />
<strong>The</strong> two leaders also reviewed<br />
15 million election officials, and<br />
1.2 million polling booths, the<br />
upcoming 18th edition of India's<br />
national elections is the largest<br />
electoral logistics exercise that<br />
this planet has ever witnessed."<br />
progress in various issues<br />
of bilateral cooperation and<br />
exchanged views on regional and<br />
global issues of mutual interest,<br />
the PMO said.<br />
Underscoring the importance of<br />
a transparent democratic process,<br />
he said that the introduction<br />
of electronic voting machines<br />
stands testament to the country's<br />
commitment to transparency,<br />
efficiency, and the sanctity of the<br />
democratic process.<br />
"This shift not only aligns with the<br />
principles of a modern democracy,<br />
but paves the way for greater civic<br />
engagement, especially among<br />
the youth who will inherit the<br />
responsibilities of our democratic<br />
legacy," Jaishankar said.<br />
India's commitment to<br />
conducting free, fair and inclusive<br />
elections underscores the<br />
resilience and adaptability of its<br />
PM Modi reiterated India’s<br />
consistent position on the<br />
Ukraine-Russia war in favour of<br />
dialogue and diplomacy as the<br />
way forward, it added.<br />
democratic machinery, illustrating<br />
that even amidst complexity, the<br />
voice of every citizen matters.<br />
He further said that the goal<br />
is to leave no one behind and let<br />
everyone fully participate in the<br />
electoral process.<br />
"While indeed this is a<br />
celebration of democracy, the<br />
mammoth exercise involves<br />
navigating through urban<br />
sprawls, remote villages and<br />
challenging geographical terrains,<br />
incorporating measures to enable<br />
our senior citizens and differently<br />
abled persons to participate fully<br />
in the electoral process, with the<br />
singular goal of leaving no one<br />
behind," he said.<br />
Read online www.iwk.co.nz<br />
BJP will<br />
cross 400<br />
seats, Modi<br />
will become<br />
PM for third<br />
time: Nitin<br />
Gadkari<br />
Union minister of road<br />
transport and highways<br />
Nitin Gadkari said every<br />
project of the government was<br />
executed in a transparent, noncorrupt<br />
and time-bound manner<br />
Union minister of road transport<br />
and highways Nitin Gadkari on<br />
Tuesday dismissed the allegations<br />
of corruption in electoral bond<br />
scheme and said that the<br />
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will<br />
return to power in the upcoming<br />
Lok Sabha elections.<br />
Speaking at the News18 Rising<br />
Bharat Summit, Gadkari said<br />
he did not want to make any<br />
comment on the electoral bond<br />
scheme as it would amount<br />
to contempt of court since<br />
the matter is sub judice in the<br />
Supreme Court. However, reacting<br />
to the allegations that the BJP had<br />
engaged in corruption through<br />
the scheme and a large share<br />
of donations to the party came<br />
from infrastructure companies,<br />
Gadkari said the government had<br />
not awarded a single tender for<br />
infrastructure projects without<br />
e-tenders.<br />
“I have awarded work worth 25<br />
lakh crores in 10 years. In water<br />
issues, in shipping, and later in<br />
the roads sector, ropeways, cable<br />
cars, tunnels, express highways,<br />
we have not done even one work<br />
without e-tenders. [..] Every<br />
project was executed in a manner<br />
transparent, non-corrupt, timebound<br />
and committed to quality,”<br />
he said, and claimed that he was<br />
ready to face the punishment<br />
if even a single person came<br />
forward and said that they had<br />
been asked to pay money to get<br />
work from the government.<br />
Looking back at his ministry’s<br />
work in the last 10 years, Gadkari<br />
said that although there had been<br />
great strides in the building of<br />
tunnels, bridges, expressways and<br />
more, the achievement he was<br />
personally most proud of was<br />
bringing e-rickshaws to replace<br />
cycle or hand-drawn rickshaws.<br />
“One crore people who were being<br />
exploited have been freed, and<br />
they are driving e-rickshaws,” he<br />
said.<br />
He said he was certain that<br />
the upcoming elections would<br />
see three “hat tricks”—the BJP<br />
winning 400 seats and becoming<br />
the first party other than the<br />
Congress to have a third term in<br />
power, Narendra Modi becoming<br />
Prime Minister for the third time,<br />
and Gadkari himself winning the<br />
Nagpur seat for the third time.<br />
He claimed the INDIA bloc<br />
would be defeated, but said<br />
that he believed in emphasising<br />
the achievements of the NDA<br />
government in the last 10 years<br />
to win the people’s support rather<br />
than negatively targeting the<br />
Opposition.
Read online www.iwk.co.nz Friday, <strong>22</strong> <strong>March</strong>, <strong>2024</strong><br />
WORLD 15<br />
UAE extends visa-on-arrival<br />
policy for these 87 countries<br />
UAE's Ministry of Foreign<br />
Affairs stated that citizens<br />
from 110 nations will be<br />
required to obtain a visa before<br />
arriving in the country.<br />
<strong>The</strong> United Arab Emirates (UAE)<br />
updated its visa exemption policy<br />
to allow nationals from 87 more<br />
countries to seek entry into the<br />
country without requiring a preentry<br />
visa.<br />
UAE's Ministry of Foreign Affairs<br />
stated that citizens from 110<br />
nations will be required to obtain a<br />
visa before arriving in the country.<br />
In 20<strong>22</strong>, the UAE allowed visaon-arrival<br />
for about 73 countries.<br />
<strong>The</strong> initiative is meant to bring<br />
ease to travel and simplify the<br />
visiting process for tourists, Gulf<br />
News reported.<br />
However, India is not on the list.<br />
<strong>The</strong> visa-on-arrival facility<br />
is only available for citizens of:<br />
Albania, Andorra, Argentina,<br />
Austria, Australia, Azerbaijan,<br />
Bahrain, Barbados, Brazil, Belarus,<br />
Despite war, Israel ranks 5th in world happiness report<br />
Despite five months of war with<br />
Hamas, Israel ranked fifth in the <strong>2024</strong><br />
World Happiness Report, which was<br />
released on Wednesday.<br />
<strong>The</strong> annual report ranked the happiness<br />
of 143 countries based on life evaluation,<br />
positive emotions, and negative emotions,<br />
among other factors. Anat Panti, a happiness<br />
policy researcher at Bar-Ilan University<br />
University in Ramat Gan, explained, "Even<br />
this year, which was one of the most difficult<br />
in the country's history, Israel is ranked in<br />
Belgium, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada,<br />
Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica,<br />
Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic,<br />
Denmark, El Salvador, Estonia,<br />
Finland, France, Georgia, Germany,<br />
Honduras, Hungary, Hong Kong<br />
(Special Administrative Region of<br />
China), Iceland, Israel, Italy, Japan,<br />
Kazakhstan, Kiribati, Kuwait,<br />
Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania,<br />
Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives,<br />
Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco,<br />
the top five of the international happiness<br />
index. <strong>The</strong> reason for this lies in the fact<br />
that life satisfaction, the index by which the<br />
level of happiness is measured, is a stable<br />
index over time and refers more to the<br />
characteristics of the country itself such as<br />
the strength of the economy, the degree of<br />
social involvement, and the health services<br />
in the country, than to fleeting feelings."<br />
Finland was ranked as the happiest<br />
country for the seventh consecutive year.<br />
Israel finished behind Denmark, Iceland and<br />
Montenegro, Nauru, New Zealand,<br />
Norway, Oman, Paraguay, Peru,<br />
Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic<br />
of Ireland, Romania, Russia, Saint<br />
Vincent and the Grenadines, San<br />
Marino, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles,<br />
Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia,<br />
Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South<br />
Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,<br />
<strong>The</strong> Bahamas, <strong>The</strong> Netherlands,<br />
UK, US, Ukraine, Uruguay, Vatican,<br />
Hellenic, Bosnia and Herzegovina,<br />
Armenia, Fiji, Kosovo.<br />
International citizens, interested<br />
in visiting UAE, can either see the<br />
list of exempted countries and the<br />
required visa processes on the<br />
Ministry of Foreign Affairs' official<br />
website or contact the Federal<br />
Authority for Identity, Citizenship,<br />
Ports Security, and Customs (ICP).<br />
UAE Digital Government has<br />
stated that the Gulf Cooperation<br />
Council (GCC) citizens did not<br />
need a visa or any scholarship to<br />
visit the country. Upon arrival at<br />
UAE ports of entry, they can either<br />
gain entry by showing a passport<br />
by the GCC state or an identity<br />
card.<br />
Those meeting the criteria<br />
can acquire a valid entry visa<br />
for 30 days upon arrival, with<br />
an additional grace period of 10<br />
days. Additionally, citizens from<br />
specific countries can obtain a<br />
visa for 90 days upon arrival, Gulf<br />
News reported.<br />
Russia, Ukraine see PM Modi role as peacemaker,<br />
invite him to visit countries after polls<br />
<strong>The</strong> separate telephonic<br />
conversations that Prime<br />
Minister Narendra Modi<br />
had with Russian President<br />
Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian<br />
counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy<br />
is being seen as a fresh<br />
affirmation of how PM Modi is<br />
being seen as a peacemaker<br />
between the countries that are<br />
locked in a protracted military<br />
conflict, sources said.<br />
During the telephonic<br />
conversation, PM Modi received<br />
invitations from Russian<br />
President Putin and Zelenskyy to<br />
visit the two countries amid the<br />
ongoing conflict, according to<br />
sources.<br />
PM Modi also held a telephonic<br />
conversation with Russian<br />
President Vladimir Putin and<br />
separately with Ukrainian<br />
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy<br />
and reiterated India's stand on<br />
dialogue and diplomacy as a way<br />
for the resolution of the ongoing<br />
war against Ukraine, said an<br />
official release.<br />
In conversation with the<br />
Ukrainian President, PM Modi<br />
reiterated India's people-centric<br />
approach and called for dialogue<br />
and diplomacy as the way<br />
forward in the Russia-Ukraine<br />
conflict. <strong>The</strong> Prime Minister noted<br />
that India supports all efforts for<br />
an early and peaceful resolution<br />
of all issues between the parties.<br />
He added that India would<br />
continue to do everything within<br />
its means to support a peaceful<br />
solution.<br />
After the telephonic<br />
conversation Zelenskyy posted<br />
on X " I spoke with Prime Minister<br />
Narendra Modi to express<br />
gratitude for India's support<br />
for Ukraine's sovereignty and<br />
territorial integrity, humanitarian<br />
aid, and active participation<br />
in Peace Formula meetings. It<br />
will be important for us to see<br />
India attend the inaugural Peace<br />
Summit, which is currently<br />
being prepared in Switzerland.<br />
We discussed the development<br />
of our bilateral relations, which<br />
should include a meeting of<br />
our teams and a session of the<br />
intergovernmental commission<br />
on cooperation in New Delhi in<br />
the nearest future. Ukraine is<br />
interested in strengthening our<br />
trade and economic ties with<br />
India, particularly in agricultural<br />
exports, aviation cooperation, and<br />
pharmaceutical and industrial<br />
product trade."<br />
A PMO release also said that<br />
the two leaders discussed ways<br />
to further strengthen India-<br />
Ukraine partnership in various<br />
spheres. President Zelenskyy<br />
appreciated India's continued<br />
humanitarian assistance for<br />
the people of Ukraine. <strong>The</strong> two<br />
leaders agreed to remain in touch.<br />
<strong>The</strong> two leaders agreed to<br />
make concerted efforts towards<br />
further strengthening the Special<br />
& Privileged Strategic Partnership<br />
between the two countries in<br />
the years to come. <strong>The</strong>y also<br />
reviewed progress in various<br />
issues of bilateral cooperation,<br />
and exchanged views on regional<br />
and global issues of mutual<br />
interest.<br />
"While discussing the Russia-<br />
Ukraine conflict, PM reiterated<br />
India's consistent position in<br />
favour of dialogue and diplomacy<br />
as the way forward," a PMO<br />
release said.<br />
Meanwhile, the Kremlin also<br />
shared details of President Putin's<br />
conversation with PM Modi and<br />
said that the former informed the<br />
latter about the ongoing situation<br />
in the war-torn region of Ukraine.<br />
President Putin also<br />
emphasised Ukraine's refusal<br />
to take political and diplomatic<br />
steps to settle the conflict.<br />
"<strong>The</strong> President of Russia gave<br />
his assessment of the current<br />
state of affairs in the zone of the<br />
special military operation. He<br />
emphasised Kiev's categorical<br />
refusal to take political and<br />
diplomatic steps to settle the<br />
conflict," the President of Russia<br />
said in a statement.<br />
"In connection with the events<br />
of June 24, Narendra Modi<br />
expressed understanding and<br />
support of the resolute actions by<br />
the Russian leadership to protect<br />
law and order and ensure stability<br />
in the country and security of its<br />
people," it added.<br />
Sweden. Afghanistan edged Lebanon as the<br />
least happy country.<br />
"In order to give a more accurate picture<br />
of the state of happiness in all countries,<br />
the editors of the report refer to the average<br />
life satisfaction in the last three years when<br />
calculating the ranking. <strong>The</strong>refore, Israel's<br />
ranking in fifth place in the happiness report<br />
marks the stability in life satisfaction in<br />
Israel over the last few years, and not only in<br />
this one," Panti explained.<br />
"For example, even during the Corona<br />
Dubai<br />
International<br />
Chamber<br />
supports<br />
expansion of<br />
two companies<br />
from Dubai<br />
in global EV<br />
market<br />
Dubai International Chamber,<br />
one of the three chambers<br />
operating under Dubai<br />
Chambers, has successfully<br />
supported the international<br />
expansion of two Dubai-based<br />
businesses that provide innovative<br />
electric vehicles (EVs) in new<br />
markets.<br />
<strong>The</strong> chamber's efforts<br />
contributed to the completion of a<br />
strategic partnership between ONE<br />
MOTO and Global Synergy Trading<br />
DWC LLC that capitalises on global<br />
growth in demand for sustainable<br />
mobility solutions, particularly in<br />
the two-wheeled EV sector.<br />
<strong>The</strong> chamber facilitated<br />
the partnership between ONE<br />
MOTO, a Dubai-based business<br />
specialising in the field of EVs,<br />
and Global Synergy Trading, a<br />
company from the emirate that<br />
operates in international trade,<br />
warehousing, logistics, and aftersales<br />
support. <strong>The</strong> partnership<br />
resulted in the launch of ONE-<br />
MOTO Technologies Private<br />
Limited, a new company that will<br />
manage joint overseas operations<br />
in the two-wheeled EV sector for<br />
the <strong>Indian</strong> market.<br />
Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah,<br />
President and CEO of Dubai<br />
Chambers, commented, "Dubai<br />
International Chamber is keen to<br />
highlight emerging opportunities<br />
in promising overseas markets<br />
for companies operating in the<br />
emirate.<br />
"We are committed to nurturing<br />
impactful partnerships that<br />
export the expertise of Dubaibased<br />
businesses to the world.<br />
<strong>The</strong>se efforts help to accelerate<br />
economic development and further<br />
consolidate Dubai's position<br />
as a leading global gateway for<br />
opportunities and growth."<br />
Adam Ridgway, Founder and<br />
CEO of ONE MOTO, said, "Dubai<br />
Chambers has been instrumental<br />
in the progress of ONE MOTO's<br />
international expansion and has<br />
contributed to the success of our<br />
partnership with Global Synergy<br />
Trading.<br />
"This strategic step will play an<br />
important role in advancing our<br />
business activities in key global<br />
markets."<br />
period, which was traumatic all over the<br />
world, it was still possible to see that the top<br />
ten of the global happiness ranking includes<br />
more or less the same countries every year."<br />
<strong>The</strong> annual report is based on data from<br />
US market research company Gallup, and<br />
analyzed by international experts led by<br />
the University of Oxford. In addition to selfassessed<br />
evaluations of life satisfaction,<br />
analysts also assess each country's healthy<br />
life expectancy, freedom, GDP per capita,<br />
social support and more.
16<br />
TIME OUT<br />
i FreeDailyCrosswords.com<br />
ACROSS-----------<br />
1) "Brian's Song" star James<br />
5) Comes out of one's skin<br />
10) Self-congratulatory<br />
14) Radius' comrade-in-arms?<br />
15) Youngest-ever Oscar<br />
winner<br />
16) Folkestone farewell<br />
17) "B 5!" "C 11!"?<br />
19) Took_ (snoozed)<br />
20) Downed<br />
21) Typing type<br />
<strong>22</strong>) Considers carefully<br />
24) "Emma" author Austen<br />
25) Hersey's bell town<br />
26) Place or site<br />
29) Transverse beam<br />
32) Itsy-bitsy bits<br />
33) "In_ tn1st"<br />
34) Recipe word<br />
35) Cravings<br />
36) Emulate "Old Blue Eyes"<br />
O, O!<br />
1 2 3<br />
14<br />
17<br />
20<br />
26 27 28<br />
32<br />
35<br />
38<br />
41 42<br />
CROSSWORD<br />
37) Kid's "seat" on Santa<br />
38) Alternative to .net<br />
39) Less extroverted<br />
40) TV's "Cosmos" creator<br />
41) Author's explanation<br />
43) Yuletide songs<br />
44) Backup sounds<br />
45) Random sampling<br />
46) "Monkey Trial" teacher<br />
48) Seafood choice<br />
49) Josh<br />
52) Door section<br />
53) John Wayne character,<br />
larger-than-life?<br />
56) More than suggest<br />
57) Recording studio alert<br />
58) Water sport<br />
59) Some antique autos<br />
60) Family men<br />
61) Bud holder<br />
Richard Auer<br />
11 12 13<br />
7th June<br />
DOWN<br />
1) Island south of Florida<br />
2) Dismounted<br />
3) Archer or Heche<br />
4) Endless faultfinder<br />
5) Home of the John Deere<br />
headquarters<br />
6) Like beverages at barbecues<br />
7) A 1 Capp character<br />
8) Fielder's choice?<br />
9) Trooper's warning<br />
10) Wood-surface applications<br />
11) Tropical fruit dance?<br />
12) Great Salt Lake state<br />
13) Adjusts, as a spark plug<br />
18) Multicolored gems<br />
23) "_ on Down the Road"<br />
24) Traffic tangles<br />
25) Eagerness<br />
26)_ the land (how things stand)<br />
27) Alamogordo's county<br />
28) Kinshasa drum?<br />
29) Australian bush call<br />
30) Just right<br />
31) Wonderlands<br />
33) Southern breakfast dish<br />
36) Auto despair site?<br />
37) Marx or Benz<br />
39) Pirate's knife<br />
40) Town of many trials and hunts<br />
42) Plains homes<br />
43) Plays with crayons<br />
45) Lecterns<br />
46) Tim Duncan, for one<br />
47) Kind of package<br />
48) Cold spell<br />
49) Nautical mile<br />
50) Not going anywhere<br />
51) Condemn<br />
54) "Put_ Happy Face"<br />
55) Photo_ (media events)<br />
i FreeDailyCrosswords.com<br />
ACROSS-----------<br />
1) "Brian's Song" star James<br />
5) Comes out of one's skin<br />
10) Self-congratulatory<br />
14) Radius' comrade-in-arms?<br />
15) Youngest-ever Oscar<br />
winner<br />
16) Folkestone farewell<br />
17) "B 5!" "C 11!"?<br />
19) Took_ (snoozed)<br />
20) Downed<br />
21) Typing type<br />
<strong>22</strong>) Considers carefully<br />
24) "Emma" author Austen<br />
25) Hersey's bell town<br />
26) Place or site<br />
29) Transverse beam<br />
32) Itsy-bitsy bits<br />
33) "In_ tn1st"<br />
34) Recipe word<br />
35) Cravings<br />
36) Emulate "Old Blue Eyes"<br />
O, O!<br />
Friday, <strong>22</strong> <strong>March</strong>, <strong>2024</strong><br />
CROSSWORD ANSWERS<br />
37) Kid's "seat" on Santa<br />
38) Alternative to .net<br />
39) Less extroverted<br />
40) TV's "Cosmos" creator<br />
41) Author's explanation<br />
43) Yuletide songs<br />
44) Backup sounds<br />
45) Random sampling<br />
46) "Monkey Trial" teacher<br />
48) Seafood choice<br />
49) Josh<br />
52) Door section<br />
53) John Wayne character,<br />
larger-than-life?<br />
56) More than suggest<br />
57) Recording studio alert<br />
58) Water sport<br />
59) Some antique autos<br />
60) Family men<br />
61) Bud holder<br />
1M l.1 1 b<br />
Richard Auer<br />
ATA<br />
N A p<br />
I G H 5<br />
0<br />
T 30 1 3e<br />
D D<br />
E E<br />
N<br />
7th June<br />
DOWN<br />
1) Island south of Florida<br />
2) Dismounted<br />
3) Archer or Heche<br />
4) Endless faultfinder<br />
5) Home of the John Deere<br />
headquarters<br />
6) Like beverages at barbecues<br />
7) A 1 Capp character<br />
8) Fielder's choice?<br />
9) Trooper's warning<br />
10) Wood-surface applications<br />
11) Tropical fruit dance?<br />
12) Great Salt Lake state<br />
13) Adjusts, as a spark plug<br />
18) Multicolored gems<br />
23) "_ on Down the Road"<br />
24) Traffic tangles<br />
25) Eagerness<br />
26)_ the land (how things stand)<br />
27) Alamogordo's county<br />
28) Kinshasa drum?<br />
29) Australian bush call<br />
30) Just right<br />
31) Wonderlands<br />
33) Southern breakfast dish<br />
36) Auto despair site?<br />
37) Marx or Benz<br />
39) Pirate's knife<br />
40) Town of many trials and hunts<br />
42) Plains homes<br />
43) Plays with crayons<br />
45) Lecterns<br />
46) Tim Duncan, for one<br />
47) Kind of package<br />
48) Cold spell<br />
49) Nautical mile<br />
50) Not going anywhere<br />
51) Condemn<br />
54) "Put_ Happy Face"<br />
55) Photo_ (media events)<br />
Read online www.iwk.co.nz<br />
SUDOKU SOLUTIONS<br />
46 47<br />
52<br />
56<br />
59<br />
SUDOKU<br />
1; 4c 0 p<br />
Si><br />
E<br />
A N E<br />
S<br />
5lJ R G E b N<br />
S<br />
R E 0 5 6'p A<br />
S<br />
b<br />
E 1< 5 01<br />
Mb N D 0<br />
A I R 51> L 0<br />
p A 5 E M<br />
Your Weekly Horoscope: <strong>22</strong> <strong>March</strong> - 29 <strong>March</strong>, <strong>2024</strong><br />
ARIES (MAR 21-APR 20)<br />
You will be preparing to enter into a new<br />
chapter of your life this week, Aries, with<br />
the sun moving into your sign. You may be<br />
developing personal goals, or you could be<br />
met with exciting opportunities. In addition,<br />
you might be uncovering new hobbies and<br />
interests. With the lunar eclipse in Libra, you may be reaching<br />
a turning point in a relationship. You could be taking a big<br />
next step with your partner, or you may be letting go of a<br />
relationship that isn’t working.<br />
.TAURUS (APR 21-MAY 20)<br />
You will be making time to be by yourself<br />
this week, Taurus, with the sun moving into<br />
Aries. You may be more emotional than usual,<br />
or you could be low energy and need space<br />
to recharge. You may also be confronting<br />
repressed fears or emotions, and working<br />
to actively heal mindsets that are holding you back. With<br />
the lunar eclipse in Libra, you may experience changes at<br />
work, or you could hear about a job opportunity. You may be<br />
making adjustments to your daily routine too.<br />
GEMINI (MAY 21-JUN 21)<br />
You feel support coming from other people<br />
this week, Gemini, with the sun moving<br />
into Aries. Friends might be reaching out,<br />
or you could be organising a group activity.<br />
You may also be attending commitments<br />
for other people, like a birthday party or<br />
a wedding. In addition, you may feel optimistic about the<br />
future goals you’re working towards. With the lunar eclipse<br />
in Libra, you may be developing a creative project, or you<br />
could be discovering hobbies that bring you joy.<br />
CANCER (JUN <strong>22</strong>-JUL 20)<br />
You will be thinking strategically about your<br />
career goals this week, Cancer, as the sun<br />
moves into Aries. You might be applying to<br />
new jobs or taking on greater responsibilities<br />
within your current role. You may also be<br />
figuring out what type of work you want to be<br />
doing in the long term. With the lunar eclipse in Libra, you<br />
will also be busy with home and family related activities.<br />
LEO (JUL21-AUG 20)<br />
You will be ready to try out new experiences<br />
this week, Leo, as the sun moves into<br />
Aries. You might be thinking of the bigger<br />
picture in life, and you could be travelling<br />
or feeling more connected to your sense of<br />
spirituality. You may also be learning about<br />
new subjects, and you will want to share your knowledge<br />
with people. With the lunar eclipse in Libra, you may be busy<br />
meeting up with friends or attending events in your city.<br />
VIRGO (AUG 23-SEP 23)<br />
You will be introspective this week, Virgo, as<br />
the sun moves into Aries. You may be facing<br />
patterns and behaviours that are no longer<br />
serving you, or you could be working on how<br />
to better communicate within your close<br />
relationships. On the other hand, you may<br />
be spending quite a bit of money, or you’re looking to save<br />
for your future. With the lunar eclipse in Libra, you may be<br />
preparing to launch a big project at work, or you’re thinking<br />
about starting your own business.<br />
LIBRA (SEP 24-OCT 23)<br />
You will feel good about your relationships<br />
this week, Libra, as the sun moves into Aries.<br />
You may be spending time with a good friend,<br />
or you could feel closer to your partner. You<br />
may be more confident when dating too,<br />
and you could be getting clear on what your<br />
expectations are in a relationship. With the lunar eclipse in<br />
your sign, you may make important realisations about your<br />
personal goals and how you might prioritise those more.<br />
SCORPIO (OCT 24-NOV <strong>22</strong>)<br />
You will be sticking to a routine this week,<br />
Scorpio, as the sun moves into Aries. You<br />
might be making an effort to take care of your<br />
body through regular exercise and eating well.<br />
You may also feel more organised at work, or<br />
you’re being met with new job opportunities.<br />
With the lunar eclipse in Libra, you will also need to carve<br />
out time to rest and be by yourself. You could take a greater<br />
interest in spiritual activities, like meditation, journaling, or<br />
even astrology.<br />
SAGITTARIUS (NOV 23-DEC 21)<br />
When you got into this new creative project,<br />
you didn't know how long it would take for you<br />
to come to a conclusion, and you're going to<br />
find that what you're involved with may just<br />
take a lifetime. Knowing this puts things into<br />
perspective for you, and in a way, it's exactly<br />
what you need. What's meant by this is that you are a speed<br />
demon; you get things done fast. This week shows you that<br />
some things really take time...if they are to become true<br />
successes.<br />
CAPRICORN (DEC <strong>22</strong>-JAN 21)<br />
This week has you going over a few memories<br />
that leave you feeling great about your life. Yes,<br />
you've made a few mistakes, but every single<br />
mistake has lead you to this place. <strong>The</strong> people<br />
and experiences that took you down are the<br />
same people who gave you opportunity to<br />
change, when change was required and here you are today,<br />
feeling good about every single move you've ever made. This<br />
is a huge week for personal healing, Capricorn, and you'll be<br />
doing much of it, as the universe has prescribed.<br />
AQUARIUS (JAN <strong>22</strong>-FEB 19)<br />
You will be on the go this week, Aquarius,<br />
as the sun moves into Aries. You might be<br />
meeting up with friends, attending events,<br />
taking a trip somewhere, or exploring a new<br />
area of your city. You may also be developing<br />
communication based work, like a website,<br />
newsletter, or podcast. With the lunar eclipse in Libra, you<br />
will be considering your core life beliefs, and you may feel<br />
connected to your spirituality.<br />
PISCES (FEB 20-MAR 20)<br />
Calm and peace come to your rescue, as you<br />
know the world around you is tearing itself<br />
apart, but that you need to remain as calm<br />
and collected as possible. That's not to say<br />
you are in any danger; you aren't. You are just<br />
a passive observer to the world's crazy antics,<br />
and you notice how those antics make other people in your<br />
life on edge. You'll be the person who shows others that<br />
having a Zen attitude might be the best method if one wants<br />
to live a life in peace.
Read online www.iwk.co.nz Friday, <strong>22</strong> <strong>March</strong>, <strong>2024</strong><br />
FEATURE 17<br />
Paneer special recipes<br />
Paneer is rich in protein and calcium and is the best source of nutrition for vegetarians. Not just that, the<br />
richness of vitamin B-complex and magnesium can result in a healthy pregnancy and controlled blood<br />
sugar levels. Leaving aside its nutritious side, you can enjoy paneer as it is with a little salt & pepper. This<br />
is the easiest way to consume paneer and enjoy its various health benefits.<br />
Paneer 65<br />
Ingredients<br />
• 250 gm paneer<br />
• 4 tablespoon rice flour<br />
• 1/2 teaspoon garam masala powder<br />
• 1 tablespoon garlic paste<br />
• 2 tablespoon yoghurt (curd)<br />
• 1/2 cup water<br />
• 1 onion<br />
• 2 green chilli<br />
• 2 tablespoon tomato ketchup<br />
• 2 teaspoon lemon juice<br />
• 2 tablespoon corn flour<br />
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper<br />
• 1 teaspoon red chilli powder<br />
• 1 tablespoon ginger paste<br />
• 1 cup refined oil<br />
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds<br />
• 1 stalk curry leaves<br />
• 2 tablespoon red chilli sauce<br />
• salt as required<br />
• 1 tablespoon spring onion leaves<br />
Method<br />
• In a bowl, add cornflour and rice flour with 1 tsp<br />
of salt and 1/2 tsp of black pepper and red chilli<br />
powder, ginger-garlic paste, cumin powder, garam<br />
masala, 1 tsp of lemon juice.<br />
• Now, add your paneer to this batter and coat it well.<br />
Deep fry the coated paneer in a kadhai and keep<br />
them aside.<br />
• Heat some oil in a pan and add the cumin seeds<br />
to it. Now roast the garlic with the cumin seeds<br />
and add finely chopped onions along with chopped<br />
curry leaves. To this, add chilli sauce and tomato<br />
ketchup and salt. Mix it all well on high flame.<br />
• In the end, add some curd with 2 tbsp of water. Let<br />
it bubble and turn the flame to low and add the fried<br />
paneer pieces to this. Coat and combine well, top<br />
with some lemon juice, garnish with spring onion<br />
greens and serve hot!<br />
Cornitos grilled paneer tacos with salsa dip<br />
Ingredients<br />
• 6 taco shells<br />
• 100 ml salsa sauce<br />
• 150 gm cheese sauce<br />
• 50 gm lettuce leaf<br />
• 50 ml virgin olive oil<br />
• 5 gm white pepper powder<br />
• <strong>22</strong>5 gm paneer<br />
• 50 gm capsicum (green pepper)<br />
• 50 gm jalapeno<br />
• 50 gm coriander leaves<br />
• salt as required<br />
• 1/2 teaspoon taco seasoning<br />
Method<br />
• Marinate paneer with salt, white pepper powder,<br />
olive oil & keep aside for 10-15 minutes.<br />
• Heat the griller with some oil and grill the Paneer<br />
until done.<br />
• Heat some oil in a pan, add taco seasoning, and<br />
then add capsicum and onions. Sauté nicely for 3<br />
to 5 minutes, then remove from heat.<br />
Kung pao paneer<br />
Ingredients<br />
• 1 1/2 tablespoon corn flour<br />
• 2 dry red chili<br />
• 1 medium chopped capsicum (green<br />
pepper)<br />
• 1 handful chopped spring onions<br />
• 1/4 cup crushed peanuts<br />
• gm salt<br />
• water as required<br />
• 1 1/2 tablespoon red chilli sauce<br />
• 2 tablespoon vegetable oil<br />
• 1 1/2 teaspoon chopped garlic<br />
• 1 medium thinly sliced onion<br />
• 1/2 tablespoon soy sauce<br />
• 1 teaspoon red chilli powder<br />
• gm black pepper<br />
Method<br />
• In a bowl, add paneer cubes along with<br />
chili powder, salt, pepper, and 1 tbsp<br />
cornflour. Mix everything well.<br />
• Heat oil in a pan and then add paneer<br />
cubes. Shallow fry them till they turn<br />
golden brown in color. Once done,<br />
transfer them to an absorbent paper.<br />
Now, saute garlic on the same pan.<br />
• Now, add onions and red chillies. Saute<br />
• Place Taco shells on boat and line them with<br />
lettuce. Top them with grilled paneer and sauteed<br />
mixture, coriander leaves and jalapeno.<br />
• <strong>The</strong>n, spread cheese sauce and salsa dip evenly on<br />
top and sprinkle taco seasoning. Serve Tacos with<br />
salsa dip.<br />
them until the onions turn translucent.<br />
Next, add capsicum. and saute it for<br />
2 mins. Once done, add chili sauce,<br />
peanuts, soy sauce, and 1 tbsp cornflour<br />
(mix 1/2 tablespoon of cornflour in 1<br />
tablespoon of water). Mix to combine<br />
everything well. Cook for 3 mins.<br />
• Finally, add fried paneer cubes along<br />
with salt. Mix everything well and cook<br />
for about 1-2 mins.<br />
• Garnish it with spring onions. Your Kung<br />
Pao Paneer is ready. Enjoy.<br />
Paneer veg rolls<br />
Ingredients<br />
9 chapatis<br />
• 1 1/2 teaspoon red chilli powder<br />
• 18 leaves coriander leaves<br />
• salt as required<br />
• water as required<br />
• 1 teaspoon cumin powder<br />
• 3 teaspoon dry mango powder<br />
• 3 tablespoon vegetable oil<br />
• 2 cup flour<br />
• For Filling<br />
• 300 gm paneer<br />
• 3 onion<br />
• 2 capsicum (green pepper)<br />
Method<br />
• In a large pan, heat oil over a<br />
medium flame. Add chopped<br />
onions to it and stir fry them till<br />
it turns golden brown. Now, add<br />
capsicums, chopped paneer<br />
cubes and saute for sometime.<br />
• After sometime, add cumin<br />
powder, salt and red chili<br />
powder to it. Mix well. After a<br />
minute add dry mango powder,<br />
coriander leaves and stir the<br />
whole mixture again properly.<br />
Switch off the flame and keep it<br />
aside.<br />
Palak kaddu paneer<br />
Ingredients<br />
• 4 cup spinach<br />
• 4 tablespoon refined oil<br />
• 2 tablespoon garlic<br />
• 1 cup milk<br />
• salt as required<br />
• 200 gm pumpkin<br />
• 2 teaspoon garam masala<br />
powder<br />
• 4 pieces green chillies<br />
• 2 medium onion<br />
• 1/2 kilograms paneer<br />
Method<br />
• To begin with, in a bowl, add<br />
water and ice cubes. Over<br />
medium flame, place a sauce<br />
pan and boil water in it. Now<br />
add washed spinach leaves<br />
in it. Once the spinach leaves<br />
have boiled, drain the water<br />
and transfer spinach into the<br />
cold water bowl. Meanwhile,<br />
chopped pumpkin and paneer<br />
into cubes. Chop spinach<br />
leaves, garlic cloves, and onion<br />
too.<br />
• In a blender, add pumpkin<br />
cubes, chopped spinach leaves,<br />
milk and blend it to a fine puree.<br />
Coriander paneer<br />
Ingredients<br />
• 250 gm paneer<br />
• 1 onion<br />
• 1 tablespoon ginger<br />
• 1 teaspoon red chilli powder<br />
• 1 teaspoon coriander powder<br />
• 2 tablespoon refined oil<br />
• 1 bunch coriander leaves<br />
• 2 green chilli<br />
• 2 cloves garlic<br />
• 1 teaspoon garam masala powder<br />
• 1 teaspoon powdered turmeric<br />
• 2 teaspoon lemon juice<br />
Method<br />
• To prepare this delicious side dish recipe,<br />
dice the paneer into cubes and transfer the<br />
pieces into a large bowl.<br />
• Add the red chilli powder, coriander<br />
powder, garam masala powder, salt and<br />
lemon juice to the paneer cubes and coat<br />
them evenly. Keep aside for a while.<br />
• Meanwhile, take the coriander leaves and<br />
wash them properly. Chop them roughly<br />
and add them to a food processor along<br />
with the green chillies and a little water.<br />
Blend into a smooth paste.<br />
• Now knead the flour using<br />
water and make 8 chapatis out<br />
of it. One by one, start filling<br />
the mixture prepared in the pan<br />
above in between the chapatis<br />
and start rolling it tightly from<br />
the sides. Your Paneer veg rolls<br />
are now ready to be served.<br />
Over medium flame, place a<br />
pan and add 1 teaspoon of oil<br />
in it. Now add paneer cubes<br />
in the pan and fry them. Once<br />
fried, transfer paneer into a<br />
bowl and keep aside. Saute<br />
chopped garlic and onion in the<br />
remaining oil that's left in the<br />
pan.<br />
• Next, add the pumpkin puree.<br />
Pour 1 cup of water and season<br />
it with salt. Let the gravy cook<br />
for 3-4 minutes. Add fried<br />
paneer cubes, and stir once. Mix<br />
in garam masala. Let it simmer<br />
until a thick gravy is formed.<br />
• Serve hot with tandoori roti or<br />
naan!<br />
• Heat oil in a pan over medium flame. <strong>The</strong>n,<br />
add ginger-garlic paste and saute them.<br />
Now, add the onions and cook them until<br />
they turn light brown.<br />
• Once done, add the coriander paste<br />
and let it cook for a while. Sprinkle the<br />
remaining spices and salt as per your<br />
taste. Remember the paneer is already<br />
marinated with some spices. Don't add<br />
too much.<br />
• <strong>The</strong>n, add the marinated paneer cubes and<br />
cook for a few minutes. Transfer the dish<br />
to a serving bowl and serve hot.
18<br />
ENTERTAINMENT<br />
Ratna Pathak spoke<br />
for other female actors<br />
in the industry: From<br />
Deepti Naval to Deepika<br />
<strong>The</strong> actor has been vocal<br />
about gender roles in the<br />
film industry and the lack of<br />
opportunities for women.<br />
Ratna Pathak Shah has always<br />
been candid and open in her views<br />
of the Hindi film industry, be it<br />
talking about the lack of better<br />
roles for female actors or the<br />
issue of ageism. Here are a few<br />
times when Ratna spoke about<br />
female actors in the industry and<br />
called for better roles for them.<br />
On Deepika Padukone<br />
In an interview, Ratna talked<br />
about the lack of challenging parts<br />
for female actors in the industry<br />
and said, “<strong>The</strong>y can barely write a<br />
good part for Deepika Padukone,<br />
so how are they going to write a<br />
good part for me? Poor girl, she<br />
has been around for several years<br />
now and she just got one decent<br />
part, something that is really<br />
going to stand the test of time.<br />
India is getting educated and<br />
it is changing in a big way. When<br />
this bunch of kids grow up and<br />
they look back at the kind of films<br />
that were made, they will find it<br />
ridiculous.”<br />
'Family is the<br />
greatest bond...':<br />
Amitabh Bachchan<br />
On Waheeda Rehman<br />
In an interview with Film<br />
Companion last year, Ratna spoke<br />
about Waheeda Rehman after<br />
she was conferred with the<br />
Dadasaheb Phalke Award. She<br />
said, "I'm sorry that a Waheeda<br />
Rehman in our country doesn't<br />
get the parts that she deserves.<br />
What a fabulous woman, and<br />
what a fabulous actress she is! All<br />
Megastar Amitabh<br />
Bachchan's<br />
latest post on his<br />
blog is all about his love<br />
for his family members.<br />
From extending<br />
greetings to his daughter<br />
Shweta and son-in-law<br />
Nikhil Nanda to talking<br />
about family love, Big B<br />
poured his heart out in the<br />
post.<br />
"A day filled with the<br />
love of family and the<br />
greetings and the hilarity<br />
of the 'progress reports' ..<br />
Birthdays galore .. Shweta , the first born, and Nikhil her<br />
husband .. within a day of each other nd the bringing in<br />
of the GOLDEN age -50 years," he wrote.<br />
"At Prateeksha , she was brought to the home , our<br />
first home of our own, when she was barely 2, and<br />
Abhishek a few months old .. and today to see them<br />
celebrate the day in the same home on the same table<br />
and surroundings .. LIFE IS A WONDER ..Children and<br />
grandchildren all together ..Family is the greatest bond<br />
.. of love togetherness and the joys of each other .. may<br />
it ever be in lasting .... and the family at the GOJ .. ? they<br />
are supreme," he added.<br />
He also dropped pictures from his weekly Sunday<br />
ritual. In the pictures, he can be seen happily greeting<br />
fans outside Jalsa. Abhishek Bachchan also made a<br />
special appearance.<br />
Big B was recently spotted cheering for his team<br />
Majhi Mumbai's <strong>Indian</strong> Street Premier League final<br />
match against Tigers of Kolkata at the Dadoji Kondadev<br />
Stadium in Thane.<br />
Big B is associated with the <strong>Indian</strong> Street Premier<br />
League (ISPL) as the owner of team Mumbai. <strong>The</strong> ISPL<br />
is India's tennis ball T10 cricket tournament.Big B's<br />
team 'Majhi Mumbai' lost the final game to Saif Ali Khan<br />
and Kareena Kapoor Khan's Tigers of Kolkata.<br />
they want to do is give her a little<br />
award and stick her in one corner.<br />
Really? Give her a good role, for<br />
Christ's sake. Keep the award.”<br />
On Deepti Naval<br />
Ratna also shared how<br />
wonderful actors like Deepti<br />
Naval were never given their due<br />
in the parallel cinema space.<br />
During a conversation with<br />
Siddharth Kannan last year,<br />
she said, "Aap us zamane ke<br />
filmein dekhe, Deepti Naval jaise<br />
wonderful actress ko kitne role<br />
mile us tarah ki filmon mein? Wahi<br />
chaar the na bande - Naseer, Om,<br />
Shabana, Smita! (Take a look at<br />
the films from that era, how many<br />
films could a wonderful actress<br />
like Deepti Naval do? <strong>The</strong>re<br />
were only four figures, Naseer<br />
(Naseeruddin Shah), Om (Puri),<br />
Shabana (Azmi), Smita (Patil)!)."<br />
Ratna Pathak Shah was last<br />
seen in the film Dhak Dhak. She<br />
has acted in several noteworthy<br />
films in her decades-long<br />
career, including Mirch Masala,<br />
Mandi, Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na,<br />
Khoobsurat, Lipstick under my<br />
Burkha, and Kapoor & Sons.<br />
At the trailer launch of Rajesh<br />
Krishnan’s Crew, Kriti Sanon<br />
opened up about how the Tabu<br />
and Kareena Kapoor-starrer is pure<br />
comedy and nothing more. Actor Kriti<br />
Sanon spoke about her upcoming film,<br />
Crew, at the trailer launch in Mumbai<br />
recently.<br />
She also spoke about the stereotypes<br />
surrounding a women-centric film,<br />
but how this one co-starring Tabu and<br />
Kareena Kapoor Khan breaks barriers by<br />
being a pure comedy.<br />
Talking to the press, Kriti said, “I feel,<br />
jab bhi koi women wali film aati hai,<br />
ladkiyan hain, to sab sochte hain ki<br />
serious hai bahot, ya phir kuch mudda<br />
hoga, ya phir men bashing hogi, all that.<br />
Aisa kuch bhi nahi hai as you can see<br />
women can do comedy very very well. (I<br />
feel when there’s a women-oriented film<br />
and it’s about the girls, everyone thinks<br />
it’ll be very serious, or tackle with an<br />
issue or bash men and all that. But this<br />
film does none of that and women can<br />
do comedy very well.)”<br />
Actor Ayushmann Khurrana, who<br />
is on roll, opened up about how<br />
he always wanted to be a risktaking<br />
actor to make the country proud.<br />
Ayushmann made his Bollywood<br />
debut with 'Vicky Donor' (2012), a film<br />
set against the background of sperm<br />
donation and infertility, themes that are<br />
often seen as taboos in <strong>Indian</strong> society.<br />
<strong>The</strong> film was highly appreciated,<br />
and so were Ayushmann's acting and<br />
singing skills.<br />
From then on, he chose to be a part<br />
Friday, <strong>22</strong> <strong>March</strong>, <strong>2024</strong><br />
Animal star Triptii Dimri,<br />
who turned showstopper<br />
for Shantnu & Nikhil at the<br />
ongoing Lakme Fashion Week,<br />
says it was an honour for her to<br />
walk the ramp for the designer<br />
duo whose latest collection<br />
projects women as confident<br />
Kriti also called working<br />
with Kareena and Tabu ‘refreshing,’<br />
stating that they often usually work with<br />
men but this was a different experience.<br />
“We usually get to work with men, it was<br />
very refreshing to work with women.<br />
<strong>The</strong>se women are so talented, I have<br />
admired them for years.<br />
We all look up to them in what they<br />
bring to tbe table and for how they’ve<br />
reinvented themselves,” she said,<br />
adding, “<strong>The</strong> way this film was written<br />
and these characters are, there’s such<br />
life and chemistry between these three.”<br />
Diljit Dosanjh also stars in Crew, and<br />
tells the story of three flight attendants.<br />
<strong>The</strong> trailer showed how the company<br />
they work for, Kohinoor Airlines, is<br />
bankrupt and the trio come across a<br />
man with gold bars attached to his<br />
chest.<br />
Crew is produced by Ekta Kapoor and<br />
Rhea Kapoor, and will see Kapil Sharma<br />
in a cameo. <strong>The</strong> film is slated for release<br />
on <strong>March</strong> 29.<br />
Read online www.iwk.co.nz<br />
<strong>The</strong>re's nothing more<br />
beautiful than a confident<br />
woman: Triptii Dimri<br />
'Women can do comedy very<br />
well': Kriti Sanon on film 'Crew'<br />
of and constantly handpicked such<br />
content films that stood out and spread<br />
a positive message to society.<br />
Some of these social comedies include<br />
'Shubh Mangal Savdhaan', 'Badhaai Ho',<br />
'Article 15', 'Bala', 'Shubh Mangal Zyada<br />
Saavdhan' among others.<br />
Talking about his journey, Ayushmann<br />
said, "As an actor I have always<br />
attempted to walk the road untraveled<br />
and this involved a risk! But then there<br />
is no fun without risk. Like for all you<br />
journalists you take a risk while breaking<br />
individuals.<br />
<strong>The</strong> actor took to the stage on<br />
day four of the fashion gala where<br />
the designers showcased their<br />
clothing line titled "You".<br />
At the post-show press<br />
conference, Dimri said<br />
collaborating with brothers<br />
Shantnu Mehra and Nikhil Mehra<br />
was an "amazing" experience.<br />
"Being confident and being<br />
inherently powerful in their own<br />
beautiful version... <strong>The</strong>re is<br />
nothing more beautiful than a<br />
confident woman and I think this<br />
show stands for it.<br />
"I felt confident in what I was<br />
wearing. I have always been a<br />
fan of Shantnu and Nikhil. It was<br />
truly an honour for me to be the<br />
showstopper," she told reporters<br />
on Saturday night.<br />
<strong>The</strong> actor was dressed in<br />
a black lace-corset bodice,<br />
long steel-grey figure-hugging<br />
sequinned skirt and a pair of black<br />
lace gloves. She kept her look<br />
minimal with smokey eyes, sans<br />
jewellery.<br />
According to the designers,<br />
the collection is "a testament<br />
to the power of resilience, and<br />
celebration of the indomitable<br />
spirit of women grounded in<br />
individuality and fortitude".<br />
Nikhil Mehra, one-half of the<br />
designer duo, emphasised the<br />
importance of teamwork in life<br />
and work.<br />
'Trying to still be most risk-taking actor': Ayushmann<br />
exclusive stories and I enjoy bringing to<br />
the forefront, stories that are taboo, are<br />
risky. I feel life is a sum total of all the<br />
risks you take and here I am today trying<br />
to still be the most risk-taking actor<br />
wanting to make my country proud."<br />
Ayushmann was felicitated by the<br />
Maharashtra Press as the Star of the<br />
Decade on Monday.<br />
Expressing gratitude to the members<br />
of the press for helping him through his<br />
journey and then today, acknowledging<br />
his achievements.
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