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July 27, 2012 Volume 4, No. 7

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This will be an experience to witness one of the very few living legends perform live in Auckland.

Indian

Alka Yagnik live in concert next month NZ Punjabi Foundation formed

Friday, August 17, 8pm Logan Campbell Centre, Greenlane, Auckland. Tickets out now at major Indian outlets. For information: Prakash Mani 021888528 Vineet Sharma 0274752522.
Alka Yagnik, the Melody Queen of Bollywood, is coming to the shores of Auckland for a live in Concert performance next month. Alka Yagnik has reigned supreme in the world of playback singing in India for a long time. She is among the best-known playback singers of Hindi cinema with a career spanning for more than three decades. She is a record seven-time winner from a record of 35 nominations of the Filmfare Awards for Best Female Playback Singer and a two-time recipient of the National Film Award as well as several other music awards. The Ek Do Teen girl has been pushed even further into the limelight since the nightingale of India, Lata Mangeshkar, took a partial break from singing. Being the premier female playback singer in India today, Alka has achieved what few can hope to do. Alka shares the title with Asha Bhosle for the greatest number of Filmfare Awards won (seven) by a single female playback singer. She has also been the judge of various Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge shows, and Star Voice of India. Alka Yagnik, born in Kolkata, India, had started her singing career at the tender age of six for All India Radio. As a classically trained singer Alka has been one of the leading playback singers in Bollywood since the 1980s. She got her big break with the song "Ek Do Teen" from the film Tezaab in 1988. The song turned her into a star overnight and went on to become a pop hit, also winning her a Filmfare Best Female Playback Award for that song. Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak was also another career maker for her, as she along with Udit Narayan became household names. She has sung in many languages other than Hindi, including Gujarati, Punjabi, Nepali, Rajasthani, Bengali, Marathi, Telugu, Tamil, as, Milenge Milenge, Ringa Ringa (Slumdog Millionaire), Hum Tum, Lagaan, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (Gazab Ka Hai Din), Akele Hum Akele Tum (Raja Ko Rani Se), Dil Chahta Hai, Deewana (Aisi Deewangee), Baazigar (Baazigar O Baazigar), Kal Ho Naa Ho, Karan Arjun (Jaati Hoon Main), Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke (Ghunghat), Khamoshi (Bahon Ke Darmiyan), Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, Raja Hindustani (Pardesi Pardesi), Taal (Taal Se Taal), Khalnayak, Khuda Gawah, Tezaab, Refugee (Panchi Nadiya and many many more. Alka has created several chartbuster hits over the years and perhaps its only fair to say she is truly the legend after Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle. She has completed numerous hits as lead female singer throughout her career creating hugely popular scores. Alka gave Himesh Reshammiya his first break in the movie Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya. Thereafter, the duo has worked together creating poplar scores in several movies such as Hello Brother, Kahin Pyaar Na Ho Jaaye, Humraaz, Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya, Kyon Ki, 36 China Town, Milenge Milenge to name a few. This will be an experience to witness one of the very few living legends perform live in Auckland. Alka is coming for one New Zealand show in Auckland with top Bollywood musicians; stand-up comedians and support male playback singers. So gear up New Zealand, Alka is ready to warm up the stage this winter. Friday, August 17, 8pm Logan Campbell Centre, Greenlane, Auckland. Tickets out now at major Indian outlets. For information: Prakash Mani 021888528 Vineet Sharma 0274752522.

Alka is coming for one New Zealand show in Auckland with top Bollywood musicians; stand-up comedians and support male playback singers. So gear up New Zealand, Alka is ready to warm up the stage this winter.

New Zealand

The Punjabi community in New Zealand is coming together with a vibrant vision for the future generation. The NZ Punjabi Foundation has been formed to celebrate, and encourage excellence in the field of Punjabi art, culture, and sports etc and recognise outstanding academic achievements by our youngsters here, foundation spokesperson Parminder Singh said. The Punjabis in New Zealand have been here for nearly 135 years and have their due share in pioneering this beautiful country. The NZ Punjabi Foundation would like to liaison and seek close co-operation with all sections of the Punjabi community here-both individually and organizationally. Our aim is to empower the next generation in meeting the challenges in the social, political and economic spheres and integrate them fully in this great New Zealand multi-cultural society of ours, Singh said.

and Malayalam. She has worked with Indian composers such as AR Rahman, ShankarEhsaan-Loy, Laxmikant-Pyarelal, NadeemShravan, Anu Malik, Himesh Reshammiya, Sajid-Wajid, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and many others. She has lent her voice for three generation of on screen actresses ranging for the likes of Hema Malini, Rekha, to Sridevi, Madhuri Dixit, Juhi Chawla, Kajol, Rani Mukerji, Karisma Kapoor, Aishwarya Rai to Kareena Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra, Sushmita Sen, Bipasha Basu, Katrina Kaif and many others. Alka has had hits after hits, such

The Punjabis in New Zealand have been here for nearly 135 years and have their due share in pioneering this beautiful country.
The proactive team will come up with the vision and programmes to meet these aims. For more information, the foundation can be contacted at 09 9489270 or email us on [email protected]

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No plot to kill Fiji PM, says Rajesh Singh

ARVIND KUMAR

Second round of Christchurch Earthquake Awards

The Christchurch City Council is seeking nominations in a second round of the Christchurch Earthquake Awards to recognise people who may have been missed previously. The earthquake awards were presented for the first time in February 2012 and are being held a second time to give people who were previously unaware of the awards as an opportunity to nominate a worthy candidate. The awards are to honour people who undertook acts of kindness, service or heroism during the earthquakes. Nominations opened July 23, and will close on September 21. Mayor Bob Parker says there was a great response to the awards in February and this second call for nominations would ensure people who missed out last time were recognised for their acts of service, kindness or heroism. Our community has been through an extraordinary two years and we want to ensure that all those that acted selflessly to help others are aware of how much we appreciate their actions. The nomination period will run for two months this time so that there is enough opportunity for everyone deserving to be nominated. Individuals, associations, organisations and businesses are eligible for the Christchurch Earthquake Awards and nominations are open to people of all ages. There is a requirement that the services or acts presented for civic commendation have been performed in direct relation to the earthquakes. The nominations will be considered by the Council and awards presented at a special ceremony to be held in November 2012. People who have been nominated previously cannot be nominated again. For further information or to nominate someone visit www.ccc. govt.nz/civicawards or pick up a nomination form from your closest Council Service Centre.

Rajesh Singh

A FORMER Fiji Government Minister now living in Auckland says he has filed a complaint with the Ombudsmans Office following a raid on his home by the New Zealand Security Intelligence officials. Aucklander Rajesh Singh was among Fiji nationals whose homes were last week raided by NZ SIS officials investigating an assassination plot against interim Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama. Singh, who was Sports Minister in the deposed Laisenia Qarase Government, said he was told there was "credible evidence" that exiled Fiji army colonel Tevita Uluilakeba Mara and New Zealand national Anthony Fullman had plotted Bainimarama's killing when the pair were in New Zealand a fortnight ago. Mara lives in Tonga and escaped Fiji last year ahead of his arrest. He was facing charges of conspiracy to overthrow Bainimarama, who seized power in a coup in 2006. Singh said the Ombudsmans Office had accepted his complaint and was going to act on it. It is such a ridiculous accusation, Singh told the Indian Weekender this week. Just plain stupid talk, why would anyone talk like that, doesnt make sense. Singh, who runs a dairy in Richardson Rd, named a woman who said she was from the SIS and had a warrant to search his place. He asked for a copy of the warrant but was told it was classified and he could not have it. Three plain clothed police accompanied her. They took away the computer and cell phone and gave him a blank receipt for it. "They said: 'We heard Mara came here' and I said: 'Yes, Mara comes here every time, we have been friends for 40 years'."

Aucklander Rajesh Singh was among Fiji nationals whose homes were last week raided by NZ SIS officials investigating an assassination plot against interim Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama.

Singh said there was no assassination plot and they had never talked about killing Bainimarama. However, he and other Fiji Democracy and Freedom Movement members were calling for a restoration to constitutional democracy. Officers returned the computer and cell phone later in the day and thanked him for his co-operation. "They said 'don't talk to the media, don't talk to anybody', because the Fiji regime doesn't know anything," Singh said. Speaking from Seoul, South Korea, Bainimarama told Radio Tarana that a plot did not surprise him: "That is the work of cowards." He said groups like the Coalition for Democracy in Fiji, that operated in Australia and New Zealand and were linked to Mara, were trying to stop Bainimaramas work in Fiji. Asked whether he knew New Zealand authorities were investigating a plot, he said he did not know. "I would think the New Zealand government would do something about terrorists in their homeland." Bainimarama said he hoped New Zealand would send the alleged plotters to Fiji. Last week, Prime Minister John Key would not comment on the SIS raids. "This is an operational matter. We have no comment on security and intelligence matters." Coalition for Democracy in Fiji executive Nik Naidu this week clarified that his organisation was not involved in the SIS investigations involving Singh. The New Zealand media has got it wrong, Naidu said.

Individuals, associations, organisations and businesses are eligible for the Christchurch Earthquake Awards and nominations are open to people of all ages. There is a requirement that the services or acts presented for civic commendation have been performed in direct relation to the earthquakes.

DDI: 09 366 7792

Indian

New Zealand

Divorce or Separation: A Review

When a married couple or couples who have entered into a marriage or a civil union decide to separate, it can be the first step towards dissolution (divorce) of the marriage or a civil union. There are a lot of things to consider at every stage of this journey. Children should be at the top of the list, then the couple needs to sort out finances, family home, and who gets to keep what. Family Court in New Zealand provides various services like counselling which can be helpful to the couple. Counselling can help the couple deal with the issues in their relationship. The couple may decide to work on their marriage or civil union together, or may choose to separate and live apart. Whichever option they choose, counselling can make the decisions easier. Family Court provides 6 free sessions of counselling whereby they appoints a counsellor and the couple can discuss their issues with the counsellor. A separation means the couple is still legally married or in a civil union but have agreed to live separately. The couple can arrange a Separation Agreement or apply to the Family Court for a Separation Order. A SEPARATION AGREEMENT is an agreement that can help to avoid any misunderstandings later. It may cover issues such as day-to-day care of and contact with children, division of any property, and record the date of your separation. A separation agreement may be verbal or written down. If the agreement deals with how to divide your property, it has to be in writing and a lawyer has to certify that you have both received individual legal advice A SEPARATION ORDER is an order made by the Family Court. If the couple has a Separation Order, they are free of any obligation to live with each other. However, if the couple has children, they both still have legal responsibilities as parents. for the couple. The couple or one partner may not have to attend counselling if other partner has used violence or the couple has attended counselling in the last 12 months. The only way to get a divorce is to prove that the marriage has broken down irreconcilably and is at an end. The only way of proving that the relationship has broken down irreconcilably is by living apart for two years. Only then can the Court dissolve the marriage or civil union. The two year period cannot be shortened, even if both the parties agree to the dissolution. Once the couple have been separated for two years they can contact the Family Court to get a divorce. They then need to apply for dissolution of marriage. The couple can apply together with a joint application, or one party can apply alone. The couple can live together for a total of three months within the two year separation period if they can satisfy the Court that the main reason for this was to get back together ("reconciliation"). They can get back together more than once, as long as the total time together is not more than three months. The couple must meet the following criteria for divorce: 1. At least one of party must live in New Zealand with the intention to live here indefinitely 2. The couple is living apart 3. The couple have been living apart for at least two years 4. The couple agreed to separate at least two years ago 5. The couples marriage or civil union has broken down irreconcilably If the couple have children who are under 16 years old (or, in special circumstances, 16 years or older) the couple will need to satisfy the Court that they have made arrangements for their day to day care, maintenance, and other aspects of their welfare, or, that there is a good reason why no arrangements have been made. The granting of a dissolution order does not make these arrangements into a Court order or determine what the parenting arrangements will be in the future. The Court does not consider issues of relationship property when granting a dissolution order. If you need more information regarding the issue of Separation or Divorce, please contact: RAJ PARDEEP SINGH/ ASHIMA BUDGOOJAR Barrister & Solicitor Kenton Chambers Lawyers Ph: +64 9 358 1900 Fax: +64 9 358 1903 EMAIL: [email protected] / [email protected] www.kentonlaw.co.nz

If the couple agree to separate, a Separation Order is not necessary. However, if one partner wants to separate and other partner does not, one partner can apply to the Family Court for a Separation order. After you apply for a Separation Order, the Family Court will arrange counselling

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Auckland Pacific trade mission gets big tick

The first trade mission to the Pacific organised by Auckland Council has been hailed as a success by the businesses and organisations who attended. The Mayor has been leading a group of Auckland business and community leaders to Samoa, Tonga and the Cook Islands with the aim of developing closer economic and political relationships with three of Aucklands Pacific partner countries. Auckland is the city with the largest population of Pacific people in the world. This was a great opportunity to link Auckland companies to businesses in the islands and support economic development, says Len Brown. Delegates included selected executives and leaders drawn from the education, infrastructure and food & beverage sectors. The trade mission has been constructive for Aucklands F&B sector, says Fresha Export Ltd director Don Claasen. Weve engaged with a number of companies in the islands as we look to expand our exports. The Mayor and his team have led a professional delegation and opened doors we might not normally get through. During the trip, a variety business agreements were signed that will mean increased two-way trade between Auckland and the islands. New Zealand exports approximately $280 million to the three countries, while we import $9 million in return, a fact described by attendees as both an issue and an opportunity. We see these trade missions as an investment and were happy to cover our participation because of the benefits and opportunities they create, says Friendlypak managing director Kevin Graham. Auckland Council has strong links with a number of businesses and governments in the pacific region and we were able to leverage that to create new opportunities for our company. Massey University took the opportunity during the Samoan leg of the mission to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the National University of Samoa. Project Manager for Pasifika@Massey Ben Taufua says that the trip allowed his institution to strengthen relationships with counterparts in the islands. By working together we are able to increase educational opportunities with students in the pacific and in our institutions back home. This memorandum of understanding is a platform for us to maximise promotion, marketing and recruitment for the university and that will benefit Samoa as well as Auckland, says Mr Taufua. Engagement with the Pacific Islands was highlighted as an important goal by members of the delegation in order to ensure regional development continues. New Zealand needs to maintain its focus on the Pacific, says chief executive of Computer Clubhouse Mike Usmar. Auckland has an important role to play in providing linkages between the private and public sectors of New Zealand and the Pacific. Mayor Brown has done a great job leading our regions engagement and created opportunities for success. Commenting on the need to focus on export-led growth, Alrite International Ltd managing director Bhaskar Sharma says Auckland Council should maintain a programme of international trade-focused missions.

Indian Weekender | July 27, 2012 | www.iwk.co.nz

Indian

New Zealand

Janmastami celebrations Uncovering the stories behind Dominion Rd to be held Aug 10

Artstations latest exhibition, Dominion Road: Stories of the shifting urbanscape, is a photographic exhibition by King Tong Ho that reveals the multicultural stories tied to Dominion Road. King Tong Hos exhibition, which opens on Tuesday 7 August, takes an insiders look into Dominion Road by photographing the interiors of businesses and recording the stories of business owners.

that live and work on Dominion Road both visually and verbally. Through this project, King Tong Ho, as a migrant, found a way to connect to the Auckland community. Capturing memories of their daily life directed me to find the cultural root of my second home. Thus, my photographs are another form of cultural inheritance. To the Chinese, inheritance has the commitment to carry on to the future, says photographer King Tong Ho.

Sri Krishna Janmastami, Maha Kalash Abhishek Ceremony of Sri Sri Radha Giridhari on Friday, August 10, in Kumeu, Auckland. Janmashtami is generally celebrated over a period of two days. While some people celebrate it after midnight when the Lord is said to have been born, others celebrate the festival on the first day before midnight. Midnight Celebration of Janmashtami Lord Krishna is believed to have been born during midnight amidst heavy rains around 5000 years back in Dwapur Yug. The festivity

ceremony of giving holy bath to lord Krishna with Panchamrit- A mixture of gangajal, honey, sugar, ghee and curd. This mixture is later distributed as 'Prasad' among the devotees. Cleaning of the Lord is followed by offering food to him. While some temples offer what is known as 'Chappan bhog' - an offering of 56 dishes to Lord Krishna, other temples offer as much as 108 dishes to Lord. Rocking the Cradle Rocking of Lord Krishna's cradle is another important ceremony of the midnight celebration. It is believed that anyone making a wish while rocking the cradle is granted it. Devotees pour in the temple from all over to welcome their beloved BalGopal. Birth of Lord Krishna takes place amidst singing of devotional songs in praise of the Lord. This continues for a period of 1-2 hours. Devotees break fast after the midnight pooja is complete. All are personally invited to participate in the Maha Kalash Abhishek Ceremony of Sri Sri Radha Giridhari on Friday - 10 August 2012. This rare opportunity to bathe Lordships on the most auspicious day of Sri Krishna Janmastami is personally available to you and your family should you desire to sponsor a gold kalash.
Hollywood Dairy, Dominion Rd. photo: King Tong Ho, Capitol Cinema.

King Tong Hos exhibition, which opens on Tuesday 7 August, takes an insiders look into Dominion Road by photographing the interiors of businesses and recording the stories of business owners.
This solo exhibition is a continuation from a photographic series documenting Dominion Road that started in 2011. King Tong Ho now focuses on the Dominion Road locals to reveal the stories behind the urbanscape. Accompanying the photographs are transcripts which uncover the stories of the locals

As a form of inheritance, King Tong Ho intends to gift the photographs back to locals who participated in the exhibition. Join King Tong Ho and guest artists who live and work on Dominion Road as they discuss the significance of this road in their art, on Saturday 11 August, 1-2pm. The guest artists are ceramic artist Peter Lange, mural artist Simon Stockley and John Schroeder from the Digital Darkroom. King Tong Ho was a professional photographer in Hong Kong and is currently a senior lecturer at AUT University. Exhibition: Dominion Road: Stories of the shifting urbanscape Artist: King Tong Ho Exhibition dates: 8 to 25 August 2012 Opening: Tuesday 7 August 2012, 5-7pm Exhibition talk: Saturday 11 August, 1-2pm Gallery hours: 9am to 7pm Monday to Thursday, 9am to 5pm Friday, 10am to 4pm Saturday. Artstation is the Auckland Councils community visual arts facility located in the old police barracks at 1 Ponsonby Rd, Newton.

of Janmashtami reaches its peak at this time. During midnight, Lord Krishna is welcomed by blowing of Shankh (conch), arti performed by pujari (brahmins) of the temple. The temple echos with slogans like 'Jai Shri Krishna'. Devotees shower flowers on the idol of Bhagwan Krishna. This is followed by the

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As a graduate of Computer Power Plus, Service Desk Analyst Arun Kumar Korada attributes his success to the job placement programme which helped build essential work preparation skills and the confidence to secure employment. I have had tremendous support from Computer Power Plus especially by attending the employment preparation workshops and field site training (gaining work experience). For Arun, up skilling was a decision made to help him gain the skills needed to become an Information Technology (IT) professional, and to achieve his dream career anywhere. Having completed a Bachelor of Technology in Computer Science from India and being actively involved in the field as a Usability Engineer, Arun undertook the search for new knowledge which led him to enrolling in the Diploma of Systems Technology (Level 5) at Wellingtons Computer Power Plus. As an international student Arun was attracted to study at Computer Power by the self-directed learning, flexible timings and career orientated course structure. Computer Power is different from many other providers. I was afraid that as an international student it would be really hard to cope with the new environment. Fortunately the Instructors and staff help to explain any doubts, and really go further; for example, guidingus to create a study plan and organising workshops too said Arun. Students follow a unique student-centred learning model. There are no formal lectures to attend, as students study at their own pace under the facilitation of qualified and industry experienced Instructors who provide students with personalised tuition, support and guidance throughout each step of the training. Students learn one subject at a time, fast-tracking through easier courseware and spending more time on more challenging courseware. The programme is the first step in qualifying international students for work rights, so the flexibility of the programme allows students to gain valuable work experience. For over 40 years, Computer Power has been transforming individuals from diverse backgrounds into successful ICT professionals. The Professional Development Programme that has helped to place Arun in full-time employment has also placed over 90 per cent of Computer Power graduates. The placement team at Computer Power Plus actively work with students and graduates to assist them in gaining suitable industry employment and promoting individual qualifications, skills, and experience. Having chosen Computer Power Plus for its unique student-centred learning and with the support and facilitation of the instructors, I am now focussed and successful. - Arun Kumar Korada

Powering students to greater heights

San Diego, US: In a recent interview, Profes- Pillai postulates that the human mind cannot sor Peter Higgs expressed his inability to pin- exist without language or sounds. Dr. Pillais premise is that Sound equals point any practical implications of the breakIntelligence. Ordinarily, intelligence is recthrough discovery at CERN. God Particle can enhance intelligence But, Dr. Baskaran Pillai, a US-based inter- ognized only as a psychological process. national recent interview, founderPeter Pillai Center He further clarifies that specific sounds can San Diego, US: In a teacher and Professor of (http://www.pillaicenter.com), has come Dr. Baskaran Pillaia unique kind of intelligence that can up access Higgs expressed his inability to pinpoint any practical implications of the breakthrough discovery atto use the strengthen primary funcwith a sound way CERN. tions of life such as career, Higgs Boson particle for enhancBut, Dr. Baskaran Pillai, a US-based international teacher and founder of Pillai Center intelligence. finances, health, and relaing human (http://www.pillaicenter.com), has come up with a sound way to use the Higgs tionships. These sounds Dr. Pillai introduced this Boson particle for enhancing human intelligence. also correspond with a lomethodology in the year 2010 Dr. Pillai introduced this methodologychannel (http:// cation in the brain and in on his YouTube in the year 2010 on his YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/pillaicenter). the body. www.youtube.com/pillaicenter). Dr. Pillai talks about Pillai talks about the methThe quantum sounds Dr. the methodology, By repeatedly thinking about or intoningBy repeatedly thinkusing the words Higgs odology, quantum sounds that use the words Higgs Boson, you can gradually acquire the Boson can significantly characteristicsing about or Boson particle - which of the Higgs intoning quantum alter the intelligence level of sounds that use represents unlimited intelligence. the words Higgs Dr Baskaran Pillai the different parts of the brain. When spoken He has been Boson, you can gradually acquire the charac- US and Asia. Hundreds of sharing this methodology for the last 2 years in seminars across teristics of the Higgs Boson particle which in a specific manner, the quantum sounds can people, who attended these seminars, reported to have experienced -positive psychological benefits such as greater focus represents unlimited intelligence. happiness, and overall well-being. coordination between the left and and concentration at work, feelings of peace and improve the He has been sharing this work at the quantum level - right brains, and also activates the frontal methodology the a deep and subtle According to Dr. Pillai, quantum sounds are sounds that level of mind, where mind and matter are in seminars across US and the occipital for the last 2 years one and the same. Quantum sounds are more powerful thanlobes, he shares. spoken sounds, which operate only at a very gross level. who attended Dr. Pillai believes that the scientific comand Asia. Hundreds of people, munity will mind, these seminars, has been researching the link between sounds and the human find his methodology very useful For more than 20 years, Dr. Pillai reported to have experienced which he sums up as -psychological benefits such as greater comprised of vowelspurposes. He suggests studying positive Mind is Sound. It is evident that sounds, for practical and consonants, group together as words, which in turn create language. Dr. Pillai postulates that the human focus and concentration at work, feelings of brain waves of someone before, during, and mind cannot exist without language or sounds. after their use of the quantum sounds using the peace and happiness, and overall well-being. Dr. Pillais premise is that Sound Dr. Pillai, quantum sounds words Higgs Boson. These quantum sounds According to equals Intelligence. Ordinarily, intelligence is recognized only as a psychological process. He further clarifies that specific sounds can access a unique kind of intelligence are sounds that worklife such quantum level health, and relationships. These at the as career, finances, - a can potentially activate the so-called junk that can strengthen primary functions of DNA, if scientists can find a way to deliver the deep and subtle level of mind, in the body. sounds also correspond with a location in the brain and where mind and matter are one and the same. Quantum soundsalter sound directly to the DNA. The quantum sounds using the words Higgs Boson can significantly the intelligence level of are of the powerful than spoken sounds, which the different parts morebrain. When spoken in a specific manner, the quantum sounds can improve the coordination between theonly at the verybrains, and also activates the frontal and theBaskaran Pillai, Founder, Pillai Center, Dr. occipital lobes , operate left and a right gross level. he shares. For more than 20 years, Dr. Pillai has been is an international teacher, humanitarian researching the link between find his and the and entrepreneur Dr. Pillai believes that the scientific community will sounds methodology very useful for practical based in the US. He is a purposes. He humanstudying brain waves of sums up as -during, andis suggests mind, which he someone before, Mind after their use ofReligious Studies from the University PhD in the quantum sounds using the words Higgs Boson. These quantum sounds can potentially activate the so-called Sound. It can find a way to deliver the sound directly to the DNA.Pittsburgh. He has been a speaker for the is evident that sounds, comprised of junk DNA, if scientists of vowels and consonants, group together as United Nations Conference of World Reli* Dr. Baskaran Pillai, Founder, Pillai Center, is an international teacher,Dr. gions entrepreneur words, which in turn create language. humanitarian andand the World based in the US. He is a PhD in Religious Studies from the University of Pittsburgh. He has been a
speaker for the United Nations Conference of World Religions and the World

God Particle can enhance intelligence

One of the most memorable days of your life at one of Aucklands most iconic venues

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Get traffic updates live and online with new website

Wondering what the traffic is like? Now before you hit the road you can check the traffic live and online. My Street maps is now live on the Auckland Transport website: http://www.aucklandtransport.govt. nz/moving-around/traffic-congestion-map/Pages/default.aspx This is a new Auckland traffic site which gives you information at-a-glance to help you plan your journey. You can use it to see how traffic is flowing on the motorways, as well as on some of the main arterial roads in Auckland. Over the coming weeks Auckland Transport will add more routes to the map, giving average travel speeds and an indication of congestion on key routes. Auckland Transports Chief Operations Officer, Greg Edmonds, says Using this website Aucklanders can plan their journey based on live traffic information. Our aim is to keep Auckland moving and to offer people choices whether using private vehicles or public transport. The service is a joint initiative between Auckland Transport and NZ Transport Agency, building on NZTAs current services providing information to drivers on our motorways and state highways. We will be using the resources of Auckland Transport and NZTA to bring motorists the latest road information, including shots from motorway cameras and road maps which refresh every minute. So youll always have up-to-date information to help you decide whether to hit the road, stay put or choose a public transport option, Mr Edmonds says. Auckland Transport has also erected more electronic signs to help you manage your journey on important routes.There are six travel time signs on the arterial roads between the CBD and the Airport. There are also six signs between SH1 and SH16 along Greenlane, Balmoral and St Lukes Roads to provide information for motorists on this busy east-west link. Plus there are six electronic signs around Eden Park to manage traffic and provide information about special events. The NZTAs acting State Highways Manager for Auckland and Northland, Steve Mutton, says the service compliments the NZTAs electronic signs, motorway cameras and maps: http://nzta.govt.nz/traffic/ current-conditions/webcams/auckland/traffic.phtml This is a good example of AT and the NZTA collaborating to extend the reach of roadside information to give drivers more choices. It not only makes best use of the Joint Transport Operations Centres technology, but is also making the best use of Aucklands existing motorway and roading infrastructure, he says. All the new signs, along with existing motorway overhead ones and the estimated travel time signs near on-ramps, can be managed from the Joint Transport Operations Centre (JTOC) and be used to alert motorists to incidents or congestion. On the website, motorists will also be able to view services from NZTA like the motorway camera images, motorway overhead signs and the estimated travel time signs we see near the on-ramps.Most information on the map refreshes every minute so motorists will always have up-to-date information to help them decide if they should hit the road, stay put until traffic is flowing better or choose an alternate public transport option.

Ahoy there, swimmers!

Landlubbers of all ages are invited Survivor Discounts to those registo become pirates for the day and tering for the swim. There will be fantastic prizes on brave the icy waters of Mission Bay offer as well, but one local family for Winter Splash 2012. The free, fancy-dress themed doesnt need any incentive to take annual swim has become a favourite part. Peter Marks, his wife Ruth Hill, on the local calendar and the Orakei Local Board is promising plenty of and children Nathan (12), Hannah fun and entertainment at this years (10) and Ben (8), from Glendowie, event on Sunday, July 29, from have braved the cold for the past six years in a variety of guises. midday to 3pm. We have been dressed as everyBoard chair Desley Simpson is encouraging all Aucklanders to thing from The Incredibles to the dress up as characters from Pirates of the CaThe free, fancy-dress themed annual swim ribbean for a mid-winter has become a favourite on the local calendar dip or enjoy the range of activities planned on and the Orakei Local Board is promising dry land at the Selwyn plenty of fun & entertainment at this years Reserve. event on Sun., July 29, from midday to 3pm. The Orakei Local Board is proud to support this popular event. It is another great opportunity for local Big Kahunas and his Hula Honeys people and businesses to demon- and we have so many great photos, strate what a special place Mission says Ruth. The Winter Splash is Bay is to the many visitors we are a great event and we have loved sure will come along, says Ms getting to know people who come Simpson, who will start the race to back year after year to join the fun. Registration starts at midday, the sound of cannon fire. Face painting and a pirate ship followed by the splash at 2pm and bouncy castle will be among the entertainment until 3pm. other attractions, which also include For more information go to: roving shark and penguin characters http://www.aucklandcouncil.govt. from Kelly Tarltons and the event nz/EN/newseventsculture/events/ Events/Pages/Home.aspx crew from More FM. Mission Bay cafes, bars and res- Special discount details can be taurants have entered into the spirit found at www.missionbay.co.nz or of the event by offering a range of www.facebook.com/missonbay.

Rates are changing

Your rates work hard all around Auckland Now theyre fairer all round
From July this year, the way your rates are worked out is changing. There is now a single rating system, that over time will mean properties across Auckland of a similar value and use will be charged a similar amount of rates. Your rates pay for many things, such as transport, events and parks that make Auckland a great place to live. As one council, for the year ahead weve agreed on the biggest capital investment in Aucklands history, while saving $121m in operating costs, keeping service levels the same and the average rates rise to 3.6 per cent. However, some ratepayers will experience a larger increase or decrease either side of the average, which is why there is a transition adjustment to smooth the impact of any change. Check out an estimate of your new rates today. Visit www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/rates or call us on 09 301 0101.

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World Hindi Preparations for Raksha conference to be Bandhan well under way held in South Africa
The Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India with the support of Hindi Shiksha Sangh, South Africa and other stakeholders, will be holding the Ninth World Hindi Conference in Johannesburg, South Africa, from September 22-24. The conference will be held at the Sandton Convention Centre, Maude St, Sandton-2196, Johannesburg, head of chancery at the High Commission of India in Wellington, SK Verma said. Minister of State for External Affairs, Preneet Kaur, launched the logo and website of the forthcoming conference in New Delhi on July 19. Mr Verma said the theme of the WHC this year will be "Bhasha ki Asmita Aur Hindi Ka Vaishvik Sandarbh" and it will deliberate on a series of traditional and contemporary themes related with both classical and modern aspects of Hindi. The conference would also have nine academic sessions on such subjects as Mahatma Gandhi's linguistic vision; Hindi and modern technology; role of Indian epics in propagation of Hindi; contribution of foreign scholars in dissemination of Hindi; Mass media and Hindi, etc. The tradition of the World Hindi Conferences began with the first conference in Nagpur in the year 1975. Since then, these conferences have achieved a global profile and momentum of their own. The subsequent eight World Hindi Conferences were organized in different cities, namely, twice in Port Louis (Mauritius), once each in New Delhi (India), Port of Spain (Trinidad and Tobago), London (UK), Paramaribo (Suriname) and New York (USA). All these conferences have always attracted a galaxy of renowned scholars and followers of Hindi. In keeping with the growing reach and popularity of this event, the Government has decided to organise the next conference in Johannesburg, South Africa, which would also be an apt recognition of India's historic, close and growing ties with the whole of the African continent. South Africa also carries the profound memories of Mahatma Gandhi's association with that region. Information about the registration for the conference and other details can be obtained at http:// vishwahindisammelan.gov.in
& ICAL CLASS ANCES D FOLK

As part of Raksha Bandhan Over 1000 people are expected and the New Zealand Hindu Temple 2012 celebrations, there will be a to gather at the Mahatma Gandhi Society. Hindu Swayamsewak Sangh, a 3-hour cultural programme. Raksha Centre in Auckland on Saturday, August 11, to celebrate the Hindu not-for-profit community service or- Bandhan celebrations by the HOTA festival of Raksha Bandhan 2012, ganisation, is the host of the HOTA forum have always provided an excellent opportunity a festival that promotes for talented practitiouniversal fellowship and HOST 2012 Hindu Festival of Raksha Bandhan ners of classical, tradimarks the veneration of Nritya Swar Vaadhyam omanh tional and folk dances womanhood. oo of W ion da at nd er from all around the The festival will be inen U V HAKA he KAPA DANC world to showcase augurated by Len Brown, E VO INSTR CAL their skills to present the Mayor of Auckland city. FREE UMEN TAL RAKHI & SWEE TS their culture, tradition This annual festival is and stories through organised by the Hindu For enquiries & stage performances. Organisations, Temples Date: Saturday, August 11, 2012 RSVP contact: Coordinator: Shrikant Bhave In the previous and Associations (HOTA) Time: 3.00 pm to 6.00 pm 021 646 887 Mahatma Gandhi Centre Bhave years, classical and Forum. Every year, one Venue:145 New North Rd, Kingsland, Auckland Reservations: Shibani 5395 021 233 Neesha Mistry traditional performers of the members in HOTA Entry: 021 130 8173 FREE Booking essential Email to: [email protected] from Aotearoa (New Forum gets an opportunity Sponsors & Supporters Zealand), China, to host the programme on a Japan, Middle East, rotation basis. Welcome! and various regions The host for the year of Bharat (India) have then carries with them the performed for the Ekta Shankh, a carving made for the HOTA forum by the Forum this year, and will pass the public. This year we have Maori and Maori-Hindu sculptor Tane Singh- Ekta Shankh to the next years host Samoan performing artists on at the festival. Lagah. The Raksha Bandhan festival board, said Sundara Subbiah, culThe host also convenes an annual meeting in February, where has the powerful yet simple message tural programme coordinator for the all HOTA members discuss the of Hindu philosophy the world Raksha Bandhan festival. The festival will be celebrated in strengths of and opportunities for is one family (Vasudhaiv Kutumthe Hindu community on the uni- bakam), said Srikant Bhave, co- a smoke-free, alcohol-free and meat fying platform of HOTA. Previous ordinator of Raksha Bandhan 2012, free (strictly vegetarian) family athosts of the HOTA forum have been and General Secretary, Hindu Sway- mosphere. Entry to the festival is free to members of general public. the Hindu Council of New Zealand amsewak Sangh.
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Governments tertiary education policy questioned in Waitakere ethnic forum

ThAKUR RANJIT SINgh
Waitakere Ethnic Board (WEB) hosted an informative forum evening in Henderson early this month on the Governments new policy on Tertiary allowance, restrictions and conditions placed by the changes. National MP Simon OConnor (MP) attended on behalf of Steven Joyce (Tertiary Education Minister), to explain governments reasoning and rationale on the changes. He stated that the government was committed to tertiary education, but there needed to be a balance. Comparing internationally, OConnor highlighted that New Zealanders were better off. Our system is generous where we still have interest free student loans, whereas Australia has interest. In United Kingdom and USA, no allowances are given to students studying at University, he told the audience at Auckland Council Chambers at Henderson Central. Student representative from Auckland University accused the government of being unreasonable by removing bonus or reward for payment of students loan if paid before time. OConnor retorted that such incentive did not really work in practice. In an audience question, government was accused of being unfair to new migrants for requiring them to have two year grace period before they were entitled to student loan. On this OConnor told the forum that migrants owed some responsibility for themselves. When they migrate here, they should have some resources to carry them through before seeking help, he said.

(Left to right Waitakere Ethnic Board (WEB) President Kudakwashe Tuwe, WEB vice-president Francis Peters, Simon O'Connor, National MP for Tamaki, and Phil Twyford, Labour MP for Te Atatu.

Comparing internationally, OConnor highlighted that New Zealanders were better off. Our system is generous where we still have interest free student loans, whereas Australia has interest. In United Kingdom and USA, no allowances are given to students studying at University
restrictions placed by the policy change. Despite the fact it was mid week night, the forum had a packed audience. It included ethnic mix of like-minded people sharing the same concerns from the Asian, Indian, Middle Eastern, African, European, Maori and Pacific Island countries. Waitakere Ethnic Board is known to host such regular forums for people of ethnic origins to bring them abreast of issues and concerns affecting them collectively. The next forum to be held in the next quarter is expected to be on changes to immigration policies. Thakur Ranjit Singh is an executive of Waitakere Ethnic Board

Martin Graham from the Auckland University Students Association and Kizito Essuman, President of the Student Association for the Auckland University of Technology (AUT) kept the government representative on his toes with point of view on behalf of the students and their concerns. They stated that students of higher education were the only group of people in New Zealand forced to borrow in order to live. Those people who had completed postgraduate qualifications were usually the source from where the innovators come from and helped the country advance. They also reiterated that education should be free and accessible to all, not just for those

who could afford it. Many students with student loans are struggling to repay and continue to study part time, especially for those with low incomes and it is becoming increasingly difficult to upgrade their qualifications, even though they would like to, Graham told the forum. Students representatives asked: How could people make quality changes in life when your choices were limited? They added that governments new policies had a huge impact on young people pursuing higher education, especially students who had completed an undergraduate degree. They said it was a concern to these students and their families to continue to study at post-graduate or doctoral level, with

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Coordinator: Shrikant Bhave 021 646 887 Reservations: Shibani Bhave 021 233 5395 Neesha Mistry 021 130 8173

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NZTCs Chief Executive visits India

NZTCs Chief Executive visits India

ayor Len Brown Muslim M message to theamadan ommunity for R c

yk um, of Ramadan. As-Salamu Ala for the month ur family well d yo to wish you an e world. It is my honour d and around th lims in Aucklan r Mus rtant month fo st rengthen This is an impo their faith and ther, celebrate toge people to come It is a time for n ou r cultu res. ee ionthe bonds betw onomic, educat ities and the ec lamic com mun ake to the region. oud of ou r Is Auckland is pr or ting cont ributions they m l and sp d ul-nabi are al, cultu ra l Hijra and Mila , Eid ul-Fitr, A an , such as Ramad cultu ral calendar. Islamic events ed tes in ou r shar all important da isor y Panel to ic Peoples Adv they blished an Ethn rse ethnic com munities and il has esta uckland Counc on issues facing ou r dive A cil inform the coun tic job. unie doing a fantas ar Islamic com m e nt ribution that ak e the positive co working alongside you to m successfulis important we recognisd I look forward to It r region an ties make to ou place to live in. tter Auckland a be . ating Ramadan in you in celebr am happy to jo I Len Brow n and Mayor of Auckl

Selena with NZTC Indias staff team

New Zealand Tertiary Colleges Chief Execu- on their arrival in Auckland and to supporting tive Selena Fox completed a successful mar- them and watching them achieve their goals keting trip to Malaysia, Vietnam and India last alongside our outstanding NZTC staff teams. She also had the opportunity to acquaint month. At NZTCs Mumbai office in India, Selena herself with new staff and to support the planassisted prospective and current with their ning of NZTC Indias second graduation cerealand post-study pathway queries. She gifted them emony toSelena Foxyear. Tertiary Colleges Chief Executive be held later this completed a In August each a unique NZTC Chocolate Fish USB last month. and September, NZTCs Marng trip to Malaysia, Vietnam and India drive which have been given to students in keting Manager Sanil Haria will travel to five Selena 30th anni- cities staff team New Zealand to celebrate NZTCs with NZTC Indias across India to meet with prospective students who are interested in hearing more versary year. It was office in India, Selena assisted prospective and TCs Mumbai a privilege and a pleasure to meet up what NZTC has to offer.and current with their post- Thank you. For those interested in studying a specialist with NZTC students their families, many of queries. making plans them each early childhood program with NZTC Fish pathwaywhom are nowShe gifted to join us for a unique NZTC Chocolate in New USB drive the commencement of their ECE qualifications Zealand, please call us on (09) 520 4000 or inave beenearly August in New Zealand,New Zealand to celebrate NZTCs 30 th anniversary year. in given to students in Selena says. [email protected] I look forward to welcoming them personally

a privilege and a pleasure to meet up with NZTC students and their families, many of are now making plans to join us for the commencement of their ECE qualifications in August in New Zealand, Selena says. I look forward to welcoming them personally r arrival in Auckland and to supporting them and watching them achieve their goals alongside our outstanding NZTC staff teams.

had the opportunity to acquaint herself with new staff and to support the planning of ndias second graduation ceremony to be held later this year. st and September, NZTCs Marketing Manager Sanil Haria will travel to five cities ndia to meet with prospective students who are interested in hearing more what as to offer.

e interested in studying a specialist early childhood program with NZTC in New please call us on (09) 520 4000 or [email protected]

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11

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Pawar a valued colleague: PM

New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh last Friday called Union Agriculture Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar as a 'very valued colleague' amid reports of fresh conflicts between the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government and its key alliance partner. "Sharad Pawar is a very valued colleague of mine whose knowledge, wisdom and experience are a great asset to our government," Singh said in a statement. Amid reports that union ministers and NCP leaders Sharad Pawar and Praful Patel have resigned, Patel on Friday said they are an integral part of the government and his leader Pawar is not jockeying for number two slot as spread by a section of the Congress through media. Patel also did not specify if they had indeed resigned saying that they sent a communication to the Prime Minister, though reports said they indeed stepped down. "The issue of number two [position for Pawar after Pranab Mukherjee's exit to contest the Prez polls] has been blown out of proportion," Patel said. Patel said the issue of Sharad Pawar eyeing number two position is absurd since his stature is far above and "Pawar brings much more to the table that just where he sits." He said he even sits next to Sonia Gandhi in parliament. Patel named a section of Congress leaders for the press speculations and said "those people who are raising these types of issues are petty themselves." Earlier, there were reports that the two NCP stalwarts resigned in a huff triggering a fresh coalition crisis to the government already roiled by troubles from other allies and "policy paralysis". Pawar and Patel had reportedly sent their resignations to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and later Pawar met UPA chairperson and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi briefly on Friday morning. Reports said Pawar met Sonia Gandhi at her 10 Janpath residence for about 20 minutes. According to reports quoting unnamed sources, NCP is peeved with Congress and accused it of not knowing the thumb rules of running a coalition government. Media reports said Pawar is upset that a new seating arrangement following the resignation of Pranab Mukherjee to contest the Presidential poll, has not been informed to them and his seniority was ignored. After Pranab Mukheree stepped down, Defence Minister AK Antony has been seated next to the Prime Minister at cabinet meetings. While after Pranab Mukherjee's exit for two meetings Sharad Pawar sat next to the Prime Minister, in the next two meetings Antony got the honour and since the change was made without any information, Pawar was angry, reports said. The move of resignation, according to some political circles, is also seen as a muscle flexing by NCP ahead of an imminent cabinet reshuffle, though Patel rubbished such ideas.

Mumbai Crime Branch gets Jundal's custody

Mumbai: A Mumbai court on Saturday gave the custody of arrested key plotter of 2008 Mumbai attacks Abu Jundal to Mumbai Crime Branch till July 31. Jundal, the 26/11 handler who was extradited from Saudi Arabia last month, was produced in a court in Mumbai on Saturday after he was flown to the city from New Delhi under heavy security. In Mumbai, Jundal is being kept at the Kalachowki Police Station of the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS). A New Delhi court last Friday gave the custody of arrested key plotter of 2008 Mumbai attacks Abu Jundal to the Maharashtra's ATS. The ATS will quiz Jundal on his alleged role in the Aurangabad arms drop case, Pune's German Bakery blast case and Nashik police academy case. The Tis Hazari court in New Delhi has not fixed any time frame for the questioning Jundal but directed the ATS to bring him back to Tihar jail after the interrogation is over. The court denied the 14-day extension of Jundal's custody as was asked by the Special Cell of Delhi Police. The Tis Hazari court on July 5 had granted a 15-day custody of Jundal to the Delhi Police after his custody ended on the same day. Sayeed Zabiuddin Ansari, also known as Abu Hamza and Abu Jundal, who has confessed to be among the six men tasked with guiding the ten Pakistani terrorists during the three-day-attack on Mumbai, was arrested at Delhi airport on June 21 on his arrival from Saudi Arabia.

Patel said they have raised certain issues with the UPA since it is entering the last two years of its being in power before the 2014 elections and those issues should be addressed ahead of polls. "Pawar did send a communication to the Prime Minister raising these issues. Unfortunately there has been tremendous speculation. There are some sections of people in the Congress which has been fuelling unnecessary speculations," Patel said. "They are saying Pawar wants number two slot. These are absolutely unreasonable and unnecessary comments by some sections of Congress party in the name of sources," he said. Patel said the Prime Minister on receiving Pawar's communication [he did not specify it as resignation letter] did speak to him on phone yesterday, and met Pawar last nite itself," he said. Patel said with Sonia Gandhi also the same issues of functiong of government was discussed on Friday when she met Sharad Pawar.

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Indian Weekender | July 27, 2012 | www.iwk.co.nz

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Obama the underachiever: Indian mag

New Delhi: Taking a dig at at American magazine Time dubbing Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as an 'underachiever', Indian mag Outlook has tagged a similar phrase with US President Barack Obama in its latest edition. The cover page of the magazine carried Obama' image with the caption The Underachiever. "A m e r i c a needed a reboothe promised hope and change. Four years on, President Barack Obama's sheen is gone. Can his lofty rhetoric carry him home again?" reads the blurb on the cover. The edition is expected to hit the news stands on July 30. Time magazine in a cover story has called India's rupee-free-fall embattled Prime Minister an underachiever in its latest edition for Asia. The cover of the iconic magazine features the Indian Prime Minister, who was once projected as the man behind India's economic liberalization, and the story on him is titled The Underachiever.

It also called Singh "A Man in Shadow" in the magazine and criticized him for his "unwillingness to carry out reforms" and said the PM actually "wasted the past three years". "The laws that could help create growth

and jobs are stuck in Parliament, sparking concerns that politicians have lost the plot in their focus on short-term populist measures that will win votes," the article bylined to its correspondent Krista Mahr said. The magazine said the UPA government of Singh is fending off corruption scandals and has been accused of not showing economic direction. It said the "investors at home and abroad are beginning to get cold feet." "Voters too are losing confidence, as rising inflation and a litany of scandals chip away at the government's credibility," the magazine said. "In the past three years, the calm confidence he (Singh) once radiated has been absent. He seems unable to control his ministers and his new, temporary portfolio at the Finance Ministry notwithstanding unwilling to stick his neck out on reforms that will continue the process of liberalisation he helped start."

Guwahati: Gaurav Jyoti Neog, the reporter of the news channel News Live who was accused of fomenting a mob to carry out molestation of a teenaged girl on July 9 night, was arrested last Friday, police said. Police said there are enough evidence to show that the reporter, who earlier had resigned from the channel, was part of the mob molestation of the girl as he filmed the humiliation and atrocity. Neog, who had captured the brutal attack on the girl by a large number of men, was first accused of complicity in the crime by RTI activist Akhil Gogoi. Gogoi had alleged that the reporter had a role in the continuing molestation and that he can prove that with the unedited footage in possession. Gogoi said in the unedited video a voice asking the mob to bring the girl to a well lit place should be tested by forensic experts. He said he would hand over the unedited footage to National Commission for Women (NCW). Neog had denied fomenting the crowd to molest the girl. In a signed statement he said allegations levelled against him are malicious and wild. His channel also stood by him initially, but he had to resign subsequently. Several arrest have been made in the case but the main accused, a man in red T-shirt identified as Amar Jyoti Kalita, is still absconding. It was also suspected that Kalita is a friend of Neog though he died the same.

Guwahati molestation: Reporter arrested

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Pranab Mukherjee: First among the equals

SUJOY DhAR
Bengalis, they say have their few holy cows beginning with Rabindranath Tagore and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and their city Kolkata and Mohun Bagan club to present day icons like Sourav Ganguly. In modern day politics, while late Jyoti Basu with his patriarchal stature in Indian politics commands great respect despite having a political tenure not free from criticism by the "bourgeois media" and Opposition, he missed the ultimate glory in 1996 when he was held back from taking over as the Prime Minister by his own party CPI-M. In recent times, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is another leader who has touched almost the pinnacle of success by ousting a 34-year-old Left regime in the state, making her entry in Time magazine and being written about in international media as the mover and shaker of Indian politics. But while Mamata Banerjee is being tested now and Jyoti Basu failed to become the Prime Minister with that one "historic blunder' of his party, Pranab Mukherjee finally succeeded to great extent. Mukherjee may always be referred to as the best Prime Minister India never had, but he would go down in history as the first Bengali to ascend the throne of President. Mukerjee's election as the 13th President of India is a moment of glory for the Bengalis true, but it is also a joy shared by political leaders and communities across the length and breadth of India cutting across party lines. Even those who did not vote for him has a sneaking admiration for the man of the moment, such is his acceptance in Indian politics. A party faithful and a loyalist of the Gandhi family on equal terms except for a period during the initial regime of Rajiv Gandhi, Pranab Mukherjee indeed emerged as the holy cow of Indian politics and with his win in the Presidential race, it is a journey that had began in a non-descript West Bengal village many decades back which has come to a full circle. The chief trouble shooter of the Congress, the close confidant of Indira Gandhi and the man for all seasons in the party with an unparalleled astuteness will be the 14th President of India and the 13th man to hold the titular post. Pranab Mukerjee, who on July 25 will take over as the new man in Raisina Hills, is a pious god-fearing Hindu with an image so secular that Muslims, Christian and Sikhs have embraced his ascent in Indian politics with equal happiness and grace as people from his own community. Mukherjee was born in Mirati village near Kirnahar town, Birbhum, West Bengal, on Dec 11, 1935. Son of Kamada Kinkar Mukherjee and Rajlakshmi Mukherjee, Pranab Mukherjee got his initiation in politics from early days since his father was active in the Congress party from 1920, was a member of AICC, and West Bengal Legislative Council (1952-64), and President, District Congress Committee, Birbhum (WB). union cabinet minister in the 1990s. He served as the Minister of External Affairs from 1995 to 1996 in Rao's cabinet. While for years after the Rao regime, it was the BJP rule at the centre, Pranab Mukherjee had come close to Congress president Sonia (Samajwadi Party) supported him. While many Bengalis would still feel that Pranab Mukherjee could have been the first Bengali Prime Minister of India, for his family, the position as President would finally bring them closer to the man married to politics. Pranab Mukherjee is married to Suvra Mukherjee since July 13, 1957 and has two sons and a daughter. According to wife Suvra, the man in the thick and thin of Indian politics does not discuss politics much at home though. The new President of India prefers to eat Bengali dishes but not with much oil and spice. Mukherjee finds little time for the family. So when his name was nominated for the post of President, his daughter Sharmishta Mukherjee appeared elated since a break from the regular rough and tumble of coalition politics will bring her father perhaps closer to her. One of his sons, Abhijit Mukherjee, is an MLA in West Bengal now. An emotional Mukherjee on the last day of his office as the finance minister in June said he is 'ready to embark on a new journey'. "Standing on the brink of such an honour, I also feel a tinge of sentiment at the thought of leaving behind my life as a political activist spanning over four decades," he said. Pranab Mukherjee as president would be the first among the equals in Congress party, while his long political career as an architect of many a decision in governance taken in the backrooms of power, the office of President will surely get a new dimension with his assumption.

Mukherjee attended the Suri Vidyasagar College in Birbhum, then affiliated with the University of Calcutta. He passed double M.A, one in History, another in political science. As his sister recalls, he was mischievous as a child and had once wanted to be born as the President's horse because they are so well kept and bred. An Union Minister since 1973, Mukherjee was the Minister of State for Finance first in 1974-1975. It was between 1982 and 1984 that he was the senior Union Minister of Finance first during the rule of Indira Gandhi as Prime Minister. While Pranab Mukherjee was the closest colleague of late Indira Gandhi, he was sidelined in the initial days of the Rajiv Gandhi era. Pranab Mukherjee because of his proximity to Indira was seen as the political successor of Indira Gandhi but dynastic politics in India saw Rajiv Gandhi taking over with a mammoth support and sympathy wave in the wake of the assassination of his mother. A disgruntled Mukherjee then had formed the Rashtriya Samajwadi Congress which later merged with Congress in 1989 and since then he was back in the limelight in Congress politics after a rapprochement with Rajiv Gandhi. Mukherjee's political career got a new lease of life when Prime Minister Narasimha Rao made him the Deputy Chairperson of the Planning Commission and subsequently a

Gandhi in between and the Italian born widow of Rajiv Gandhi became heavily dependent on Mukherjee for political advice and trouble shooting in the party and later in coalition governments that have become a reality in Indian politics. Pranab Mukherjee was Leader of the House in the Lok Sabha from 2004 to 2012. He served as the Minister of Defence from 2004 to 2006 and again served as the Minister of External Affairs from 2006 to 2009. He was the Finance Minister from 2009 till in June 2012 he resigned to contest the Presidential polls. Interestingly, Pranab Mukherjee despite his over four decades of political career at the helm, first contested the Lok Sabha elections and won from Jangipur in West Bengal only in 2004. He was re-elected from Jangipur in 2009. When the name of Pranab Mukherjee was announced by Congress, a broad consensus emerged even among the various opposing parties to support him. It is only Pranab Mukerjee perhaps who can garner the support of parties with as opposing ideologies as the communists and the pro-Hinduvta Shiv Sena. So from Shiv Sena and Janata Dal (United) to the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), support for Mukherjee kept pouring in. Even Uttar Pradesh politics rivals like Mayawati (BSP) and Mulayam Singh Yadav

India lost opportunity to choose tribal: Sangma

New Delhi: Defeated presidential poll candidate PA Sangma on Sunday said India lost an opportunity to choose a tribal President in his loss and even slammed the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) for using inducements and threats to get Pranab Mukherjee elected. "The nation also lost an opportunity to show its solidarity with a tribal," he said. Sangma said all sorts of inducements were used while some were threatened with ongoing cases against them. Sangma, however, congratulated Pranab Mukherjee.

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Guest Editorial

T H O U G H T

O F

T H E

W E E K

The peoples President

Pranab Mukherjee joins the league of extraordinary gentlemen (and women after Pratibha Patils reign), as the 14th President of the Republic of India. After four decades in active politics and being a PM-in-waiting for long, this has come as a befitting reward to him at the end of his political career. This Pesidential election has been one of the most politically fierce battles ever conducted for the top seat. Not only was PA Sangma being hailed as a non-Congress candidate but he was also canvassing his win to be Indias only opportunity to take a tribal leader to the top level. Even Mamta Banerjee was vehemently against Pranab and in the end agreed to support him, due to lack of options. With Pranab winning with 713,763 electoral votes from across the political spectrum and even from North East states, he has shut his opponents with a master stroke. The seat of president has seen many distinguished people come and go from educationalists to scientists, social workers, etc. But not many have had the experience of real party politics and executive leadership like Pranab. With him having been the Finance Minister and Foreign Minster of the country, Pranab is an experienced parliamentarian who understands the nuances of parliamentary democracy well. Thus many would agree that as the head of the state, he would be well positioned in the high office. He would add a lot more steam and significance to the office of the President after the lack-lustre phase of Pratibha Patil who hasnt added any major credibility to the office, except for being the first woman President of India. In fact, the many allegations of corruption against her family, created a new low in the image of this esteemed office. With a man of Pranabs stature coming to Raisina Hill, the prestige of the office will be intact for sure. But what people are waiting to see is if Pranab can grow from being a master politician to a master statesman, which this office demands. Till now he has been a loyal Congress man and has worked under the influence of the Gandhi family - be it Indira Gandhi, Rajiv, Narsimha Rao or Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh. He has always been the No.2 in the party and has had to take directions from the high-command. But now his career presents an opportunity to him where he can rise above the politicking and make a mark as a great statesman. With Pranab having friends in every political party and given his wide experience he is sure not going to play a puppet President for Congress. Everyones eyes are already at the next general election (which will come in his tenure), where a hung Parliament is most likely and Pranabs decisions will be the all important one. The real test of his mettle will be to prove that he is the President of all Indians. - Gaurav Gupta

If I am killed, I can die but once; but to live in constant dread of it, is to die over and over again. Abraham Lincoln

A tsunami of outrage caused by the water rights claim

POOJA SUNDAR When the State Owned Enterprises Act (SOEA) was introduced in 1986, it is very unlikely that David Lange foresaw the debate and controversy that the section 9 introduction of the Treaty Principles would cause. The planned sale of 49% of the Mighty River shares has once again brought this infamous section to the forefront of the media. The Maori Council recently approached the Waitangi Tribunal citing both the SOEA and the Second Article of the Treaty of Waitangi, which states that Maori have governorship over their land and other properties, claiming that the Maori people own the water rights in New Zealand. When asked why this issue was not previously raised, the answer explained that formerly the water was being controlled in a way that was for the general benefit of the nation. This however, it was said, would change with the partial sale as 49% would no longer be managed with the taxpayers and the good of the nation in mind. It was our Prime Minister, John Key, who really escalated this issue by trying to assuring the general public that water belonged to no one. He also pointed out, many times, that decisions of the Tribunal are in fact not binding. These remarks really did not do the current government any favours. Their irritation with the procedure of the Tribunal and the claim itself is understandable; however, in a time where the general asset sales are being disputed by the majority of the nation, it really was not in their best interests. Not to stand quietly, Tariana Turia believes that Key gave the rest of New Zealand permission to say damaging things about the Maori. The Maori Party refused to confirm their support for the current National government and is being encouraged by Labour and Mana party leaders, David Shearer and Hone Harawira, to end its support agreement with National. Firstly, if the decision is made adversely to the Maori, while the decision of the Tribunal cannot be reviewed in court, the procedural aspect of the decision making can be. It could be argued that the Tribunal was influenced by the comments of the Prime Minister and that these lead them to take into account irrelevant considerations. In the more likely scenario that the Tribunal recommends that the Crown and the applicants come to an agreement over the issue, the Crown will have to decide how to go forward and whether to accept or decline the recommendation. If the latter, it is likely that the Maori Council will approach the courts for an injunction of the sale where they may consult legal precedent; which states that the Crown must, where possible, consult with the Maori in matters which affect them and involve the Treaty. From history it can be seen that these negotiations are likely to drag on for a number of months by which time it would be cutting it dangerously close to the referendum initiated by the citizens on the general topic of the asset sales. Being a strong believer in fairness and justice, the establishment of the Waitangi Tribunal was the best thing that ever happened in New Zealand, after the All Black winning the World Cup of course. Its establishment gave the Maori a forum and a voice to address the grievous wrongs that they were committed by the Crown in the 19th Century both against their property and person. The number of genuine land claims it has addressed are monumental and is a stepping stone is New Zealand being able to move past grievances. While, the involvement of the Tribunal in the Fisheries dispute and the Foreshore and Seabed dispute can be justified through cultural purposed, the water dispute is taking the spirit of the Tribunal too far. Nowhere in the Treaty does it say that water was also under Maori protection. In addition to this, the Maori have no history with water issues. While fixing the mistakes of the past is necessary, the water claim is simple just taking advantage of a system that is already in place. The Maori also have no cultural, Tikanga (Maori legal system), spiritual meaning or significance that will be lost with the sale. Though their efforts are first class, they are reaching and need a more effective strategy. * Pooja Sundar is a law and politics student at the University of Auckland

Indian Weekender Volume 4 No. 7 Publisher: Kiwi Media Group Limited Managing Editor: Giri Gupta | [email protected] Editor: Arvind Kumar | [email protected] Chief Technical Officer: Rohan Desouza | rohan@ indianweekender.co.nz Design: Sanket Sonar | [email protected] Advertising & Business Development Manager: Gaurav Gupta M: 021 292 4519 l [email protected] Accounts and Admin.: Farah Khan - P 520 0922 l [email protected] Views and comments: e-mail at: [email protected] Views expressed in the publication are not necessarily of the publisher and the publisher is not responsible for advertisers claims as appearing in the publication

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Comment

The Sabarimala Ayyappan

PADMINI gAUNDeR
The Sabarimala Ayyappan temple, situated in the southernmost state of India, Kerala, is the only one of its kind. From the beginning it attracted people from all over India though it was very difficult to reach there in the past (even now it is not easy). Besides, the devotees had to practise so many austerities before undertaking the pilgrimage. It was unique in many ways. Women are not allowed to visit the temple except young girls under10 years and older women past age 50. The male devotees who were going to Sabarimala practised austerities for 41 days like sleeping on the floor, practising abstinence and not shaving. During those 41 days they wore black so people recognised them as devotees going on a pilgrimage to Sabarimala and were careful not to go near them and pollute them in any way. Though it is not open to women Sabarimala is one of the few Hindu temples in India that is open to all faiths. Here, the emphasis is on secularism and communal harmony. Sabarimala upholds the values of equality, fraternity and also the oneness of the human soul; all men, irrespective of class, creed or race are equal before Lord Ayyappan. Near the Ayyappan temple, there is also a shrine dedicated to Vavar, a close Sufi Muslim friend of Ayyappan, Ayyappan is Hari Hara Putran the son of Hari (Vishnu) and Haran (Shivan). The story goes like this: The Devas (angels) and Asuras (demons) both wanted to get the Amrit (nectar) from palazhi (the that was Sasta and Sri Ram walked towards him. He stood up to greet the Prince of Ayodhya. It is believed that every year Ayyappan breaks His meditation on that day in January (Makaravilakku) and blesses His devotees. Another thing that makes Sabarimala different from the rest of the temples is that it is not open throughout the year. It is open for worship only during the months of November, December and january (Makaravilakku) and Chitra Vishu (April 14). Sabarimala is situated on the Western Ghats among mountains and thick forests. There are eighteen hills to pass through and in the past, one had to walk barefooted through these jungles where wild animals lived, to reach the temple. As they walked in a group they shouted 'Ayyappa Saranam; (we take refuge in Ayyappan). The devotees had to sleep on the ground and the belief was that at night the leopards came and took away anyone who had failed to follow the rules strictly leaving the others alone. Now there are buses that go up to the Pampa River. From there one has to walk to the major shrine which is about 9 kilometres through mountainous regions. Eighteen is a magical number. You pass the 18 hills and reach Sabarimala and then you have 18 steps to climb to have a darshan of Ayyappan. Sabarimala remains one of the most remote temples but its fascination remains as is indicated by the large numbers undertaking the pilgrimage every year.

ocean of milk) where Vishnu lived. They decided to churn the ocean using the snake Vasuki. The Devas were at one end and the Asuras at the other end. Finally when they got the nectar the Devas and Asuras had a fight as to who should have how much. Then Hari (Lord Vishnu) came in the form of a beautiful woman (Mohini) and offered to distribute it to them if they sat down and closed

their eyes. The asuras were enraptured by her and did as they were told. Meanwhile, Mohini disappeared with the pot of nectar. When Lord Siva heard about it he wanted to have a vision of Mohini. It is believed that Ayyappan is the product of that union between Sivan and Mohini. Another name for Ayyappan is Sasta. Sabarimala gets its name

from Sabari, a tribal devotee of Sri Ram who lived there. When she heard that Sri Ram and Lakshman were coming that way while looking for Sita, she picked fruit to offer Sri Ram and tasted them and kept the best for Him. Sri Ram did not mind that she had bitten them before offering Him and accepted them happily. Sri Ram then saw a young man sitting there in meditation and asked Sabari who that was. Sabari said

Law and Order a priority for National

KANWAlJIT SINgh BAKShI, NATIONAl MP
Last weekend I attended the 76th annual conference of the National Party in Auckland. This event bought together well over 500 delegates and observers from across the country, including our senior Cabinet ministers and my caucus colleagues. Delegates heard addresses from Finance Minister Bill English and other ministers on Nationals priorities to responsibly manage the Governments finances, build a stronger economy, deliver better public services, and rebuild Christchurch. The Prime Minister concluded the conference with his address about the next steps in Nationals mixed ownership model. Law and order was also a central theme of the conference, and an area that is important to me, and our Indian community. Recorded crime continues to decrease under Nationals leadership, with a decrease of 4.8% for 2011 a 15 year low. Thats because we know a lot about crime where it tends to occur, who it tends to affect, and the underlying factors that contribute to criminal behaviour. Now were taking what we know, and turning it into comprehensive action across the justice and social sectors Police, Corrections and the Ministry of Justice will be working closely with Child, Youth and Family and the Ministry of Health. Criminal justice accounts 80 for per cent of justice sector spending from crime prevention, response and investigation; through the courts; and on to sentence management, rehabilitation and reintegration. Were helping agencies to work together, better, and theres been a real focus on prevention. Justice sector agencies are collaborating more closely than ever before, with the Chief Executives of Police, Justice and Corrections making joint decisions as the Justice Sector Leadership Board; and the new Justice Sector Fund a first for the public service which lets savings be transferred between agencies and across years to where they will make the biggest difference. This means the sector can be more efficient and flexible. The justice sector has 22,000 staff and a budget of $3.8 billion each year, as well $1.8 billion of capital spending over the next five years. As a part of our plan to build better public services in New Zealand, we have also set have targets to reduce prisoner reoffending by 25% and reduce the rates of overall crime by 15%, violent crime by 20%, and youth crime by 5%, all by 2017. National make no apologies for setting demanding targets in the area of Law and Order. Were committed achieving these targets, and overall, build a brighter future for all New Zealanders.

Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi

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India

I'm ready, says Rahul

New Delhi: Under criticism by his own party members for not plunging in Congress politics full-fledged, the party's general secretary and poster boy Rahul Gandhi says he is ready to take the call for a greater participation finally. Speaking to NDTV, Rahul Gandhi, who only recently faced embarrassment after party leader Salman Khurshid purportedly called his role that of a cameo, told the news channel that he would play a more pro-active role in the party and in the government. "The decision has been taken, the timing is upto the leadership," he said after voting for Pranab Mukherjee for the post of president. "The decision depends on my two bosses - the Congress president and Prime Minister," he told the national news channel. Recently, Congress senior leader and union law minister Salman Khurshid created a fresh controversy by calling the role of Rahul Gandhi in the party as a cameo role in a newspaper interview, but went on to call a press conference later to clarify that his words should not by misinterpreted. Khurshid was quoted in the Indian Express saying: "Until now, we have only seen cameos of his thoughts and ideas...but he has not weaved all of this into a grand announcement. This is a period of waiting." Khurshid said Rahul "has not taken up the mantle or accepted a functional responsibility. He is so far not willing to accept the Number Two position." Rahul Gandhi also recently accepted the responsibility of the failure of the party in Uttar Pradesh election for which he had worked hard to promote the Congress as a viable alternative in the heartland state in governance, though finally Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav walked away with the honours and became the chief minister.

New Delhi: The Patiala House court last week granted bail to former Army chief V K Singh and four other top serving officers in connection to a criminal defamation case filed against them by Lt Gen (Retd) Tejinder Singh. VK Singh, Major General S L Narshiman (additional director general of public information), vice chief of Army Staff S K Singh, Lt Gen B S Thakur (DG MI), and Lt Col Hitten Sawhney appeared before the court on Friday. Metropolitan Magistrate Jay Thareja granted bail to them on a personal bond of Rs. 20,000 each.

Defamation case: VK Singh gets bail

Tejinder Singh had named in his complaint Narshiman, S K Singh, Thakur and Sawhney besides Singh, alleging that they had misused their official positions, authority and power to make false charges against him. Tejinder's name was dragged in the defence bribery offer controversy after Singh said he was offered a bribe of Rs 14 crore by a defence purchase lobbyist [pointing at Tejinder without naming him] for clearing the purchase of 600 substandard vehicles.

Cpt Lakshmi Sahgal's body donated

Kanpur: The body of Captain Lakshmi Sahgal, who was a woman officer in the Indian National Army and Minister of Women Affairs in the Azad Hind government, was taken to the GSVM Medical College in Kanpur on Tuesday where it will be preserved for medical research. Sahgal's daughter Subhashini Ali said the eyes of the freedom fighter have been donated. Her body was taken in a procession from the McRobert Hospital where she died on Monday. Union Minister Vyalar Ravi, senior Communist Party of IndiaMarxist (CPI-M) leader Brinda Karat, Sahgal's grandson and filmmaker Shaad Ali paid tribute to her on Tuesday. Large numbers of people assembled for her funeral procession. Ending a chapter in the history of India's freedom struggle, Captain Lakshmi Sahgal, who was a woman officer in the Indian National Army and Minister of Women Affairs in the Azad Hind government founded by freedom struggle hero Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose to fight the British, breathed his last in Kanpur on Monday. Sahgal, who had played a crucial role in India's freedom struggle against the British, passed away at the age of 97 after suffering from a heart attack. She was in coma after the attack.

Anna to fast, team attacks Pranab, PM

New Delhi: Social activist Anna Hazare would begin an indefinite fast from July 29 joining his compatriots like Arvind Kerjiwal who are starting a fresh agitation here from Wednesday, while the group of civil society activists demanding a strong Lokpal Bill launched a scathing attack on the Prime Minister and President-elect Pranab Mukherjee. Anna said the goals of the fresh agitation are a strong Lokpal Bill since the government went back on its promise to enact the anti-graft ombudsman bill. Anna's main comrade Arvind Kejriwal continued his attack on the Prime Minister, the President elect and the lawmakers in general. "Criminals and rapists can be lawmakers in this country," he said again, and attacked both Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President elect Pranab Mukherjee saying, "if you have indulged in corruption, you can be a Prime Minister or a President in this country." Anna earlier said hundreds of people would take part in the indefinite fast at New Delhi's Jantar Mantar from Wednesday. Hazare reached Delhi on Tuesday to support Team Anna's fast protest. He also threatened a Jail Bharo (Fill the Jail) protest if their demands were not met. Anna will be squatting at Jantar Mantar and though it was initially told that he himself will not be fasting owing to poor health, later the social activist said he would join the fast on July 29. Anna said Pranab Mukherjee was one of the leaders who was not keen to see the passage of the Lokpal Bill. With his party colleagues like Arvind Kejriwal are already firing on all cylinders against the Prime Minister and President, Anna Hazare also made his disapproval of Mukherjee known.

"Criminals and rapists can be lawmakers in this country," he said again, and attacked both Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President elect Pranab Mukherjee saying, "if you have indulged in corruption, you can be a Prime Minister or a President in this country."
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India

Sachin, Rekha join Parl standing committees

Ramdev aide arrested

Dehradun: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) last Friday arrested yoga guru Baba Ramdev's close aide Acharya Balkrishna after a non-bailable warrant was issued against him by a Dehradun court in a fake documents case. The CBI on July 10 had filed a chargesheet against Balkrishna in the case before a special court on the basis of its investigation. The probe agency alleged that Balkrishna submitted fake educational certificates in order to get a passport. The CBI also accused Balkrishna of violating provisions of the Passport Act. A case of cheating and criminal conspiracy was earlier registered by the CBI against Balkrishna for buying fake degrees and also violating section 12 of Indian Passport Act. The probe agency took the decision after Sampurna Nand Sanskrit University Registrar Rajnish Shukla told it that university records did not feature the two degrees mentioned by Ramdev's aide. Balkrishna's degrees reportedly showed he had passed two courses'Purv Madhyma' and 'Shastri'- from the university. Shukla said the CBI found the enrollment numbers as mentioned in Balkrishna's degrees belonged to another student.

New Delhi: Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar and Bollywood actor Rekha, who took oath as Rajya Sabha MPs, have been included in standing committees of Parliament. Tendukar has been made a member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information and Technology last Thursday. The committee deals with matters related to the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, the Ministry of Infor-

mation and Broadcasting, Department of Posts and the Department of Telecommunications. The committee, which is comprised of 31 members, is examining the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Second Amendment Bill, 2011 at present. Rekha, on the other hand, has been made a member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Food, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution.

The panel is comprised of 31 members and it is examining the Bureau of Indian Standards (Amendment) Bill, 2012, the National Food Security Bill, 2011, the Consumer Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2011 and the Warehousing Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2011. Indian President Pratibha Patil approved the names of Rekha and Tendulkar for nominated seats in the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian Parliament earlier this year.

Strides Acrolab to market generic cancer injection

Bangalore: Indian pharmaceutical company Strides Arcolab last week announced it had received approval from the U S Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) for the its generic anti-cancer injection Fluorouracil Injection. The companys wholly-owned subsidiary Onco Therapies Ltd received two approvals from the USFDA for the injection in the strengths of 50 mg / ml, packaged in 10ml and 20ml single-dose vials and 2.5g/ 50 ml and 5g / 100 ml pharmacy bulk packages, Strides Arcolab said in a statement It (Fluorouracil) is part of the oncology portfolio licensed to Pfizer for the US market and expected to be launched shortly, the statement said. Fluorouracil is used to treat cancers of colon, rectum, head and neck.

Fire in Mumbai's India appeals for peace in Maldives Oberoi Mall

New Delhi: India has appealed to maintain peace and tranquility in Maldives, said the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). In response to a question on the situation in Maldives, the official spokesperson said: India has been closely monitoring the situation in the Maldives following the transfer of power on 7 February 2012." "We have noted that the Government of Maldives has constituted a Commission of National Inquiry, to look into the events surrounding the transfer of power in the Maldives in February 2012, which was later reconfigured by including a retired judge from Singapore as a Co-chair and a nominee of the former President of Maldives, Mr. Mohamed Nasheed," he said. "India and Maldives enjoy close ties of friendship and cooperation. We are concerned at the recent reports indicating increased political tension in the Maldives. The Government of India appeals to all political parties to exercise restraint and to refrain from actions that might adversely impact on the atmosphere of peace and tranquility in the country," said the spokesperson. "India remains committed to extending the fullest support and cooperation to the Government of Maldives in its endeavour to engage the leaders of various political parties in resolving the current situation for the continued progress and prosperity of the people of Maldives, he said. Maldives witnessed political turmoils recently when Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed on Feb 7 resigned after public protests disrupted the island nation for weeks over the President's order to arrest a senior judge of the country. He announced his resignation in a TV address to the nation. The nation witnessed violent street protests over the order given by Nasheed to arrest the chief judge of the Criminal Court, Abdulla Mohamed. Nasheed had ordered to arrest Mohammed after had directed to release a government critic. He had called the arrest as illegal. Mohamed Waheed was named the new President of the nation.

Maoist leader killed in Jharkhand

Chatra, Jharkand: Security forces have gunned down a top Maoist leader late Thursday night in Jharkhand's Chatra district, police said. Ajay Ganju, alias Parasji, was reportedly shot dead last Friday during a joint operation by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the Jharkhand Police. Ganju, who was carrying a bounty of Rs. seven lakh on his head, was the regional commander of the CPI (Maoist). According to reports, he was facing charges of being involved in the killing of two police officers. Superintendent of Police (SP) Anup Birtheray said a 9 mm pistol and two hand grenades were recovered from Ganju. In a separate incident, a gun battle took place between CRPF jawans and the Maoists in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district on Friday. Acting on a tip-off, jawans of CRPF 192 battalion raided Kaneri forest in the district. The rebels started firing at the security personnel when they spotted them in the forest. The forces also open fired at them in retaliation. Mumbai: A major fire broke out at Oberoi Mall in Mumbai's Goregaon area on Wednesday. Eight fire engines and water tankers rushed to the spot to bring the flames under control. According to reports, the cooling operations started by noon. The fire reportedly broke out at the food court, which is located at the third floor of the five-story building. The mall was evacuated after the fire broke out in the morning. No causalities had been reported. Initial reports suggest the fire was caused by short circuit. The fire in the shopping mall has resulted in traffic jams around it on the Western Express Highway.

Indian Weekender | July 27, 2012 | www.iwk.co.nz

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Indian

Fiji
consuming. It will take long and persistent efforts to even partially eradicate an entrenched culture of baksheesh, loloma or ghoose. But the very presence of such a watchdog entity acts as a strong deterrent to those inclined to seek and bestow favours, illicitly and in secret, for cash or other considerations. Helping poor His economic and social reforms have been targeted to help the poor. Free school bus services, increased welfare payments, changes to the tax system and reforms to the land tenure system are significant measures towards creating an equitable and just society. Among his many bold and historic reforms, the creation of a single common name for all citizens and thus giving our people an internationally recognisable national identity must be singled out as his greatest achievement. It gives all Fijians a sense of belonging and instills in them national pride. It will foster, one hopes, a more cohesive and united civil society. It should gradually purge politics of the curse of racial divide. On the negative side, the Governments imposition of press censorship and a blanket ban on public assembly were ill-conceived. They proved counter-productive as bloggers and other critics of the regime went feral on the internet and other social media such as Facebook and Twitter. The Governments message, however positive or well-intentioned, got lost amid a sea of wild accusations, rumours and chatter that dominated cyberspace. Belatedly, the Government has lifted these restrictions but still seeks to impose some form of control on the media. It must realise that a free and vibrant media is the fourth pillar on which the mansion of democracy rests. Responsibility For its part, the media has a responsibility to be truthful, fair and balanced in its news reporting, and not assume the role of an opposition political party. Fiji has been devastated by a series of natural disasters during the past three years which placed severe strains on the economy. The suspension and cutbacks in aid from traditional foreign donors have also hurt growth. Despite these setbacks, Fiji has not become a basket case. On the contrary, its economy is still growing at a modest 2.7 per cent. As the nation begins registering voters for the next general election and the Constitution Review Commission undertakes the task of public consultation to draft a new Constitution, people should feel buoyed by the winds of change blowing over the country. Prime Minister Bainimarama has demonstrated through his actions his commitment to return the country to parliamentary democracy and one hopes he will, like Jerry Rawlings, continue to serve Fiji and eventually win a similarly honoured place in its history. Vijendra Kumar is one of the most respected journalists Fiji has produced. He was the first Fiji-born editor of The Fiji Times and ran the newspaper during its heyday. He then had a successful media career in Australia - Fiji Sun

How Commodore Bainimarama could be Rawlings of the islands

OPINION By VIJeNDRA KUMAR
As the Fiji Government prepares to draft and adopt a new Constitution and return the country to democratic rule, it might be useful to take a leaf out of the history of the West African state of Ghana. It is today one of the few stable and prosperous democracies on the African continent, thanks largely to an air force officer named Jerry Rawlings. Like Voreqe Bainimarama, Rawlings emerged on the Ghanan ian political scene at a crucial time and launched a radical and ambitious reform agenda. The lives of these two leaders bear remarkable similarities. Rawlings enlisted in the Ghananian Air Force and rose to the rank of FlightLieutenant; Bainimarama chose the Fiji Navy and rose to become its Commodore. Corruption, cronyism Both were reluctant politicians and seized power because they were appalled by the level of corruption, cronyism and general maladministration that had become endemic in their countries. Just as Commodore Bainimarama survived an assassination attempt, so did Fl-Lt Rawlings survive a death sentence during their first forays into politics. Fl-Lt Rawlings led a group of air force officers in a coup attempt against the corrupt regime of Fred Akuffo on May 15, 1979 but was arrested, court-martialled and sentenced to death. Before the sentence could be carried out, his fellow officers mounted another coup on June 4 and succeeded in freeing Rawlings and his colleagues and toppling the Akuffo government Rawlings and company formed the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council and began a housecleaning exercise where large sums of stolen government money were retrieved into government coffers. The same year, Rawlings and his council organised a free and fair general election which was won by the Peoples National Party led by Hilla Limann. But on December 31, 1981 Rawlings and the revolutionary council deposed the Limann government and assumed power, with himself as chairman of the Provisional National Defence Council. He ruled Ghana as a military dictator from 1981 to 1992 and then as elected president of the fourth republic from 1993 to 2001.He founded the National Democratic Party and was popularly re-elected in 1997. He retired at the end of his term and endorsed his vice-president John Evans Atta Mills to succeed him in the 2000 election but this time the Opposition New Patriotic Partys John Kufuor won. Rawlings was the joint winner of the World Hunger Award in 1993. He used this money as seed capital in establishing the University of Development Studies in northern Ghana. Today, he is regarded as an elder statesman and is held in high esteem by his people. Unlike Commodore Bainimarama, Fl-Lt Rawlings resorted to some harsh and brutal measures during the first few years of his rule to bring to book those responsible for widespread corruption and malfeasance throughout the country. But his lasting legacy is a country that enjoys democratic rule and economic prosperity. That the Opposition is currently in power is testimony to the solid roots of democracy that he helped to plant and nurture. Commodore Bainimarama embarked on a similar radical reform agenda when he deposed the Qarase Government and seized power. However, his method of enforcing change was not brutally repressive but severe and authoritarian. At worst, he could be accused of being a benevolent autocrat. Vision, mission His vision and mission were clear: to reform a political system that divided the country into racial blocs; to root out corruption; abolish some of the anachronistic institutions and thus clear the decks of the last vestiges of the old colonial power structure, and, finally, to charter a course for a free, democratic and prosperous Fiji. The establishment of the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) has already claimed a few big scalps but the war on corruption is both complex and difficult, not to mention time-

By Rachna lal

Another Bollywood film production decided to use TappooCity in Suva for the shooting of their upcoming film. The movie, Table No. 21, which stars famous Bollywood comedian, Paresh Rawal, along with upcoming

Table No 21 at Tappoos Journalism study calls for more collaboration

actors Rajeev Khandelwal and Tina Desai, was shot in TappoCitys level 6 last Sunday and Monday. The floor, still not fully occupied, was just fitting for the thriller movies night scene. Executive director of TappooCity, Remal Tappoo, said they were delighted the director and producer of the film chose TappooCity as one of their locations to shoot their movie. We would like to show to the world that TappooCity is not only a shopping experience but it is an unparalleled sensory experience and a pride of the Pacific and to the people of Fiji, he said. Mr Tappoo said showcasing building such as TappooCity to the world through the medium of a Bollywood movie would bode well for Fijis tourism industry as well. Almost a month ago, another Bollywood film, 3G, produced under the same banner of Next Gen Films (Fiji), used TappooCity for the shooting of the film. With a number of films already scheduled to be shot in Fiji for the entire year, this might just be the tip of the ice berg for TappooCity as our film industry seems to have an even brighter future ahead. Meanwhile, Mr Rawal is expected to leave for India this Saturday. The rest of the film crew, along with Mr Khandelwal and Ms Desai, is scheduled to wrap up the shoot by next week. Fiji Sun SUVA: Research evaluating the general state of investigative journalism in seven Pacific Island countries proposes collaboration between media, civil society organisations, academia, and other social institutes to help strengthen capacity. The author, Shailendra Singh, is former divisional head of journalism at the University of the South Pacific and former editor of The Review news magazine. He points out that lack of resources in newsrooms, lack of training for journalists and repressive environments pose major constraints for investigative journalism in the Pacific. Singh, who has widely researched and written on corruption and governance issues in Fiji and the Pacific, is a current doctoral candidate at the University of Queensland. His paper, "Investigative journalism: Challenges, perils, rewards in seven Pacific island countries", was published in the latest Pacific Journalism Review, a media research journal based at Auckland University of Technology's Pacific Media Centre. The paper looked at the environment for investigative journalism in Fiji, Cook Islands, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu. It found a discouraging trend of harsher media legislation, harassment and beatings of journalists and

By Parijata gurdayal

false charges and lawsuits levelled against journalists and media organisations. Singh writes that the Pacific media can overcome constraints by working with the competition on major stories and collaborating with other institutions central to Pacific Island life, such as communitybased civil organisations, academia and religious bodies. Opposing persecution Churches, the study states, can speak out against the persecution of journalists and provide sanctuary when necessary since they wield a fair amount of moral authority and influence in the islands. But despite the challenges, Pacific media has some comparative advantages, he suggests. While newspapers may find it difficult to engage in investigative journalism due to daily deadlines and resource constraints, monthlycirculated magazines may have an advantage in this specialist area due to lower overhead costs and more time to work on stories. Singh said Fijis Review magazine rose from obscurity and boosted its circulation with some major exposes, such as the National Bank of Fiji scandal in the 1990s. This gives magazines strong incentives to carry out investigative journalism to boost their circulations. More recently, award-winning

Fiji-journalist Stanley Simpson had exposed several suspect corporate dealings in the local magazine, Mai Life. But one drawback was that other Fiji news media did not pick up his stories. Also, the study suggests transborder cooperation between local media and overseas counterparts to expose issues suppressed by Pacific governments, such as the Samoa Observer and Television New Zealand joint investigation into Samoas baby adoption fraud involving American couples. In places where journalists are shackled by harsh laws, Singh pointed out that information could be passed onto overseas news media for publication. - Pacific Media W

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Indian

Travel

Responsible change to travelling green in Thailand

RAMA gAIND
THAILAND is a prized hotspot for Indian filmmakers and tourists alike. It is the number-one location destination for Bollywood films and a top venue for shooting Hindi television commercials. Another appealing facet of travel to this kingdom is the initiative shownand enacted to promote a responsible change to travelling green in Thailand. First up, however, is the question of why Indian filmmakers are drawn to this kingdom? The answer is simple: for many reasons including exotic locales, sparkling beaches, rich cultural heritage, attractive film production costs and incentives from the Thailand Film Office. Some of the films shot in Thailand include the Housefull 2; Salman Khans Ready directed by Anees Bazmee; Kaho Naa Pyar Hai; Anthony D'Souza's directorial debut Blue; Wanted; director Zoya Akhtars Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara with Hrithik Roshan; Rascals starring Sanjay Dutt; Game; Nikhil Advani's Chandni Chowk to China; Loot; and Golmaal: Fun Unlimited and Golmaal Returns. Amazing Thailand was the backdrop for PepsiCos mango drink, Slice, in which actress Katrina Kaif celebrates the thought of Sabr Ka Phal Meetha Hota Hai as the first chapter in Aamsutra. This is the land of smiles where visitors become enamoured of the natural beauty and historical riches, not being able to resist the countrys fascinating culture and its friendly people. Today India is the biggest sourcemarket for visitors from south Asia and one of Thailands fastest growing markets overall. Over the past decade, tourist arrivals from India have grown rapidly due to such factors as affordability, improved accessibility, facilitation and Indias growing economy. In 2011, India became the sixth largest source market for Thailand with total arrivals of 916,787, up an equally impressive 20.27% over 2010 and close to double the 536,356
Photos: Rama Gaind Take in the best views of the scenic banks of Bangkok from the Chao Phraya River.

Climbing up coconut trees is painstaking work in the whole process of natural sugar production.

arrivals in 2007. The Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Mr Suraphon Svetasreni, says, We project Indian arrivals certainly will cross the onemillion mark by 2012. Effectively, they will have doubled in just five yearsa remarkable achievement indeed. ATTRACTIVE GREEN INITIATIVES Not only are the Thai authorities working tirelessly to attract more visitors, but they are utilising to advantage a valuable incentive with worldwide focus now on responsible travel where the environment is conserved and the well-being of the local community is improved. With concern turning to climate change and global warning, there has been a dramatic change in con-

sumer attitudes, travel seasonality, outlines and tendencies. Conscious of the importance of ecotourism, the Tourism Authority of Thailand initiated the green initiatives in an effort to maintain the delicate balance between tourism promotion and environmental protection to ensure long-term sustainability. One of the tour specialists Royal Silk Holidays offers an enlightening Flavours and Fragrances tour package of the Central Plains to Samut Songkram and Petchaburi. Here are the 10 must-see highlights, starting with a luxurious stopover in Bangkok and ending with total recreation in Hua Hin and Kanchanaburi. 1. Rejoice in deliciously lazy days or ones that are filled with adventure cushioned by indulgence

at the Anantara Bangkok Riverside Resort & Spa. It redefines the meaning of space, style and luxury accommodation in a tropical oasis edging the Chao Phraya River. 2. On arrival in the province of Samut Songkram, a visit to coconut plantations at Amphawa is a must, seeing how villagers produce traditional coconut sugar. 3. An early morning visit to the Tha Kha Floating Market sees innumerable boats piled high with fresh tropical fruit and vegetables and local delicacies cooked from floating kitchens. 4. After visiting the Salt Learning School, youll be impressed with the work of the Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand at the Wild Animal Protection Centre, in Amphoe Thayang. 5. The sprawling Maruekhathai-

yawan Palace, fronting Cha-Am Beach, is designed by an Italian architect and built with golden teak during the reign of King Rama VI in 1923. 6. Explore wines from new latitudes at the Hua Hin Hills Vineyards before you wallow in the beauty of Cape Nidhra Hotel Hua Hin, where each of the spacious 59 suites has an inground swimming pooland more! 7. The 98sqkm 'Three Hundred Peaks' Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park features the dazzling Phraya Nakhon Cave, at 130 metres. 8. Take a poignant leap back in time to World War II to relive moments from history at the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery and JEATH (acronym for Japanese, English, Australian, American, Thai and Holland) War Museum. 9. About 130km west of Bangkok is the famous Bridge over the River Kwai and an Australian-built complex, the Hellfire Pass Museum, where you get the true story of the Thai-Burma Railway. 10. Bask in the harmony of nature as you unwind in the Jungle Rafts hotel on the River Kwai this is paradise in the heart of the jungle. Thailand is simply amazing. www.tourismthailand.org Rama Gaind was a guest of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Anantara Bangkok Riverside Resort & Spa and Cape Nidhra Hotel Hua Hin.

YOUTH FORUM FOR PERSONAL GROWTH

CLASS TIMINGS
Chinmaya Yuva Kendra (CHYK) empowers young minds. CHYK is about dynamism and personal transformation. CHYK provides a relaxed forum of discussion, workshops, camps, exploration and practice of Spirituality. This is an ideal group for high school students, university students and young professionals. CHYK offers the support and company of a dynamic group where youth learn the knowledge and practical means of achieving:

Junior CHYK (Ages 14-17) Chinmaya Nikunj, Mangere

Sundays - 2:30 - 4:00pm

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Thursdays - 8:00 - 9:30pm

clarity of vision

knowing and working on strengths

equipoise and creativity

The CHYK motto is "Harnessing Youth Potential through Dynamic Spirituality"

THE YOUTH ARE NOT USELESS. THEY ARE JUST USED LESS. - Swami Chinmayananda

Register now for Chinmaya Missions Youth Group - CHYK Contact: Br. Adarshji on (09) 275 6954 www.chinmaya.org.nz

Indian Weekender | July 27, 2012 | www.iwk.co.nz

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Indian

Sports

Indian boxers' fearless Tough road ahead for Indian hockey: Chief coach attitude should not be mistaken: Gurbux
London: India's chief boxing coach Gurbux Singh Sandhu said Saturday that the fearless attitude of his boxers should not be mistaken as being pompous. Sandhu said his wards are fearless and aggressive and talk the common language of world boxing. The coach feels their tremendous self confidence and self belief that could work wonders for them during the 2012 London Games. "This generation of Indian boxers are different, they are aggressive, they look into the eyes of the opponents and they have tremendous self confidence and belief. They now use the language which other boxers use all over the World. I see nothing wrong in it," Sandhu said during an interaction here at the Olympic Village. "Earlier our boxers used to get overawed by their rivals. But now if they give it back to their rivals in the same language why should they be called pompous or boastful. This is the way boxers talk world over," said Sandhu. Sandhu said that boxers have realised that millions of fans are praying for them back home. "The boxers realise that millions of Indians are now watching and praying for them. They no longer belong to insignificant sport and they are here on their own merit after competing with the best of the world," he said. Sandhu said the seeding system, which is being used in the draw for the first time, has reduced the luck factor to some extent The top eight ranked boxers in the competition will be divided into two halves. The top two seeded fighters will not meet each other before final, similarly first four will not face each other before semi-finals and first eight clash with each other in quarterfinals. The seeding system has been introduced to prevent lop sided draw. Sandhu is happy that Indian boxing is getting its due attention in the media. "Our boxers have consistently performed well in the international arena in the last five-six years. We won unprecedented four bronze medals in the 2009 World Championship in which five boxers took part. Before that we had won only two medals in all the World Championships in which we took part," he said. Our boxers are good and capable of giving a fine performance but nature of performance in boxing is subjective," he said. London, July 21 (IBNS) India's chief hockey coach Michael Nobbs said Saturday that instead of looking into the team's poor performance during its European tour it was time to look forward for the 2012 London Games that starts next week. Nobbs said India, eight-time Olympic champions, have a tough road ahead but asked everyone to be patient. "I would not have taken this job, if I had no faith in the boys. It is tough road ahead and I am willing to stick my neck out but people need to have patience and I need time," said Nobbs after arriving at the Games Village. Nobbs said there is lot of passion about hockey but people need to be patient. "I know there is a lot of emotions and passion for Hockey in India but one has to be very realistic, I am rebuilding the team. Country has the talent and I want to make best use of them," he said. Nobbs admitted that the Indian team, eighttime Olympic champions, failed to find the desired results during the tour of France and Spain but it has helped them to spot the grey areas. "Well don't go by the results, we used this tour as a learning process. It was like find and fix exercise. Tried to find out what are our grey areas and what are the things we need to do," said Nobbs during the welcome ceremony of the team at the Games Village. "We used all the players in these matches (test series against Spain and South Africa and in tri-series). Except South Africa, other teams Spain and England are much higher ranked then us. The tour taught us the importance of playing against strong teams," the Australian said. Nobbs said all the teams, who played on the blue turf had problems in converting the penalty

corners. The hockey event in London will also be played on a blue turf at the Riverbank Arena. "We played on blue turf and let me tell you some interesting facts, none of the teams we played in the tour could convert most of the penalty corners (including ourselves). "The turf though made by a same company with same colour played differently at different places. Each turf has different character depending on the climatic conditions. We could convert only three of the 33 penalty corners. "In France we played on green turf which was fast while blue turf was slow and bouncy. I don't know why this turf has been introduced. I can only guess that Blue being the one of the Olympic colour, they have introduced it," he said. Nobbs said Indian team lacks good finishing but if they can convert the chances things may look bright for them. "If only we are able to convert the chances that come our way, the story will be different and I am not talking of half chances here. This team has good attackers, our attack rate is superb but we still lack good finishing and that is the big problem," he said. About the field in the Games, Nobbs said: "If you take out two teams Australia and Germany (No.1 and 2), there is not much difference between the remaining 10 teams. Mind you in these Games you have 12 best hockey teams of the planet." Nobbs, however, refused to predict a result for his team. "No coach worth his salt will be able to predict the result. That is beauty of the sports. But I hope we finish somewhere in the middle of the pack, anything better will be simply great. Boys are fired up. I promise they would give everything possible in the match," he said.

Kapil Dev back in business

Mumbai: Former India captain and legendary all-rounder Kapil Dev was back in the mainfold of cricket after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) lifted his five-year ban Wednesday. BCCI's took the action after the 1983 World Cup winning captain sought amnesty saying he has resigned from Essel Sports Private Limited, promoters of the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL). The 1983 World cup winning captain met BCCI president N. Srinivasan at Cricket Centre here and in his letter said he will support the board. "Kapil Dev has informed the board that he has resigned from the Essel Sports Private

Limited/ICL. He has also stated in the letter that he has always supported the BCCI, and will continue to do so in the future," Srinivasan said in a statement. "The BCCI acknowledges Kapil Dev's immense contribution to Indian cricket, and looks forward to a fruitful association with him in the years to come," Srinivasan added. Kapil will now be eligible for a one-time benefit payment of Rs.1.5 crore and a monthly gratis of Rs.35,000 from the board. "BCCI is like a parent and we are like its children. Even during my earlier association, I have contributed for welfare of cricket and cricketers and even now I aim to do so," Kapil told reporters at the BCCI headquarters.

Out of turn promotion for sportspersons

New Delhi: The Union Cabinet on Friday approved a policy to promote sportspersons for excellence in international sports events, by giving upto three out of turn promotions in their service career for winning medals in Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and World Championships. The sportsperson winning a medal or more than one medal in a Game/Team Events/Championships in a particular year will be eligible for an out of turn promotion in that year. Further record-breaking medal winning performance in National Games will also be considered for one out of turn promotion during the service career. Two out of turn promotions will be given for performance as a Coach, if he/she has trained a sportsperson who wins a medal in international sports events. This would be in addition to the monetary reward scheme of the Government already in

existence for all medal winners in international sports events and their coaches where the quantum of monetary rewards for individuals is upto Rs. 50 lakh for medal winning performance in Olympic Games, Asian Games and World Championships. The scheme for out-of-turn promotion to Sportspersons/Coaches will be framed by Department of Personnel and Training (DoP&T). The scheme will be helpful in improving the performance of individual sportsperson and will play a big role in promotion of sports among the masses. The out of turn promotion to a coach will encourage formation of pool of talent within government organizations which can be effectively utilized for training sportspersons. The proposed policy will cover all the sportspersons working with Central Government Ministries and Department.

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Indian

heritage Fiji

Temples and Idols in this age of reasoning

RAM lINgAM

The Indian terms for temple are mandir, ambalam, koil or kovil, deool, devasthaanam, devaalaya etc depending on the regional language. The commonly used word Mandir comes from the Sanskrut root Mandat, which means to be filled with transcendent emotion, to delight or to shine.
Temples in the age of reasoning In Sanaatana dharma (Hinduism), GOD or supreme reality is invoked, contemplated upon and worshipped in three abodes depending on the mental capacity of the seeker. In the dharma traditions of India, GOD is worshipped in 1. ones own self 2. at an altar in our homes and 3. in a temple or holy place out in the community. There are numerous instances of saints who have got their complete insight (darshan) of the Absolute Truth, which have now become holy pilgrimage places. While the enlightened person realises God in all the three abodes, the sceptic struggles to find GOD in any of them. In our age of reasoning, questions like why should I visit a temple or why we use idols in temples' are but natural, to which even the temple goers or pundits fail to give contemporary answers. Rational answers for practices in dharma can be found in the teachings of Master from the wisdom traditions of India where reasoning has a firm foundation. The wisdom traditions of India particularly Vedanta (end portion of Vedas) allows inquiry into truth. There is no place for blind faith and the questions on dharmic religions are answered in a free atmosphere of investigation. Why temples? If God is all-pervading but why do we have to worship at temples?. To this a Vedanta teacher explains, In a democracy, the government of a country is present at every point within the frontiers of that nation. Yet when I want to invoke the government for permit or for help, I must reach the capital city, approach the right departmental head, and invoke governments protection or patronage. Though the Lord is all pervading, to invoke Him we need an altar. He adds, You know that the essence in the cow is in her milk and it pervades her entire vital body. Yet, if I want to milk the cow, though milk is all pervading, I cannot get it has the likeness of you and brings you to their minds though the picture is not you. In the same way, the image in the temple brings to the mind of the devotees their chosen attribute of God. They do not worship the wood, stone or earth of which the deity is made from. The idol remains an idol but the worship goes to the Lord. Swami Vivekananda added further, A symbol is absolutely indispensable for fixing the mind. The mind wants a prop to lean upon and cannot have a conception of the Absolute in the initial stages. Without the help of some external aid, in the initial stages, the mind cannot be centralized. The people of the whole world, save a few Yogis and Vedantins, are all worshipers of idols. They keep some image or other in the mind. Sanatana dharma with its diverse approaches to divine life and God symbolisms starts at the level of the seeker. There seems to be a reason for every dharmic practice and in its discovery lies the meaning. Ram Lingam blogs his insights on India and Indian culture at www.indiasutra.co.nz

by squeezing her horns or tail. We must go to the udder. Think! Why idols or sacred images? An anecdote from Swami Vivekanandas life explains the concept of sacred images or idols. Mangal Singh, a Maharaja of Alvaar in western India was once visited by Swami Vivekananda. While talking about religion and faith,

the Maharaja said he had no faith in idol worship and that he could not worship wood, stone or earth. Looking around, Swami Vivekananda spotted a picture of the Maharaja on the wall. Taking it down he asked the courtiers to spit upon it. Shocked at the request, they declined to do it. Swami Vivekananda turning to the Maharaja said, See, your courtiers declined because the picture

Prayers: Do they work?

BRAMhAChARI ADARSh ChAITANYA

mind remains at peace. It gets purified and steadily reaches its destination.

Are our prayers becoming merely a transaction with God? In the name of prayer we often we prey on God! This is when we use Prayers and trust... God as a means to fulfill our various But there are few who have greater desires. This is when praying is trust in His will and see the current a transaction. The result of such happenings as a perfect scenario for prayer is neither purification of our our improvement and growth. With thoughts nor is the devotion shown, the higher identity thus established, pure or divine. But its a start. This they strive forward with little fear mind. The principle of prayer when is not to criticize or judge another but great belief. They go ahead and Prayers are a common means understood correctly and imple- but to understand how our own achieve greatness. They reflect the of worship in all religions. It is a mented diligently, gives us a Higher minds behave under the influence of strength of true prayer. powerful psychological tool which by Brahmachari Adarsh Chaitanya identity (a belonging). At the same a strong passion. Often, out of pure is used to channelize our negative But the ultimate devotee Br.Adarshji is the resident teacher of Chinmaya Mission New Zealand based @ of the time prayers helps us purify our sentimentality, we pray to God only Lord is one in whom; the Lord is no emotions, our anxieties so that they 63 McKenzie Road, Mangere, Auckland. thoughts in the mind by resetting when convenient and we tend to longer up in the sky above, neither is dont weaken us while performing the right values and knowledge to be our actions. He different from The need for spirituality in our life's is unclear, hence the peopleHe realhow around used in our activities. The beautiful metaphor is given him. In his understanding, and of that of a river gushing through izes that the Lord nothing but when to practice it is also unclear. The battlefield settingisin whichthe The reasoning behind prayers... with force and dynamism. Our very energy that flows through his As explained Holy Geeta - one of our greatest spiritualbody, the was given out,his minds are no different as the conthe by Swami Tejomatexts thoughts that arise in yanandaji, all religious practices of stant flood of thoughts keep flowing clearly shows us as to when the spiritual mind and the peace is most all knowledge that passeth worship are to be done for the folthrough it. These thoughts represent understanding. lowing reasons. Normally,how can we then assume or Such a dignified state of being our desires, goals, passions, knowleffective it is unrecommend such derstood that such pujas will save us edge, likes, dislikes, values, judgis the true ensign of one who has spirituality to be best pursued after retirement? from difficulties, sorrows, problems ments and even our identity. merged his lower limited identity and miseries of life. When that does with the infinite potential within to not happen we feel what is the use The two main types of thoughts in This clearlyis is not? incorrect understanding live aits very purpose. is an of dynamic and full life. This of all pujas and prayers, it our mind are: BRAMhAChARI why we pray to be peaceful and full, True, archanas or pujas do as alter 1. Our Identity thought as to who Spirituality, not shown in the Geeta, is to be heard, understood dont we? or change situations arising due to we are and and applied in done most difficult circumstances, so that we do not our individual or collective actions 2. The rest of the thoughts as menBramhachari Adarsh Chaiin the past. Then why should we do tioned above. get lost in our journey in life. tanya serves as the Resident by the situations in our lives. When all these? To develop love for the Acharya of Chinmaya Mission When we have a small identity we have a large identity but the Lord. When that happens His grace Auckland and conducts weekly but large goals, we feel pressured, wrong values or incorrect judgments flows and creates an umbrella in our complain about how things are difYet, then of us wait for our retirement to unaffected, just as ficult, of this Divine doesnt spiritual that for children, stressed and even incompetent at mosttoo the outcome isnt positive. lives. We remain learn the secrets times are bad and why text. Alas! By classes time, we adults. For more intimes. The classic example is of aburdened with too many regrets of our pastthe clouds God our ego is so stubborn youth andis unwilling to are Don't we see this when CEOs of big although the rain from actions, or fix it? They always question formation about the Chinmathat it child who is performing on stage corporates take short cuts to make may be pouring down, one who has destiny or just complain about His ya Mission and Bramhachari for the first time. The reasonuplift itself profit, they often lead the an umbrella formed. But So plan? It is like dopeople who work being a quick due to the earlier habits is totally protected. even if we the understand and appreciate the Adarsh Chaitanya please follow also, when we pray and chant the at a company but always complain the child gets overwhelmed by the company in turmoil. principles of the scriptures, we name of the Lord, wemuch to change, we would have to start link:our next life... feel there so are protected. this in www.chinmaya.org.nz crowd as his/her self-belief (identity) This is where the principle of about its management! Again, the or contact him at 2756954 How prayer comes to the rescue this Due to the love for is weak. This is when we get crushed convenient, this is - of our reincarnation? the Lord, the

What is a prayer? Do prayers work? Is there is any reason to pray? Are there any principles for praying? Why have devotion to God? Why do we start praying only when we are really sick or going downhill in life? Adarshji explores these common questions asked about prayers.

mind remains in agitation and never finds peace as their identity of God is fluctuating, so even though they are regular in their worship, the purity and peace of mind isnt translating in their transactional world.

Is spirituality only for retired people?

Adarshji

Due to the love for the Lord, the mind remains at peace. It gets purified and steadily reaches its destination. Swami Tejomayananda

The main reason for such an idea is that we see Spirituality as a means for securing a safe future after death either for ourselves or for our loved ones who have left the earthly plane.

Indian

Wellness

Female Diseases

WELLNESS by HOMOEOPATHY

Dr. (Mrs.) Pushpinder

DHMS, EFT & Reiki Master

Homeopathy is becoming increasingly popular throughout the entire world. Homeopathic medicines cannot take the place of surgery but can be of great help to the patients who do not want to go for surgery or cannot be operated upon due to various medical reasons or where financial factors play a major role in deciding the options for treatment. IRREGULAR MENSTRUATION - Menstruation is a healthy experience of a womens life, and it must come habitually every 28 days, for a period of 3-4 days and the blood loss should correspond to about a quarter of a cup. For a woman, menstrual cycle is a virtuous indicator of her overall wellbeing.Irregular menses is typical in early puberty. Women should be alarmed when periods are spaced out for more than two months, as this may suggest hormonal imbalance and ovulation problems. If a woman fails to ovulate, her ovaries will not receive a signal to produce a hormone called Progesterone. Progesterone is essential in regulating the Uterine lining called endometrium, which is discarded during menstruation. Causes: Puberty, birth control pills, stress & anxiety, poor diet, breast feeding, Anaemia, Menopause, excessive production of Androgen (male hormone), Uterine fibroids, Cysts, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, Endometriosis, Pelvic infection, Ovarian Cancer, etc. Symptoms of Irregular Menses: Inconsistency in the length of menstrual cycle, Acne, bloating, low energy levels, sore breasts, fever, infertility, depression, changes in sexual desire, endometrial hyperplasia (excessive cell growth). Dysmenorrhoea- is painful menstruation that prevents women from performing normal activities. It may be accompanied by other symptoms, including diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, headache, and dizziness. Menorrhagia is the term used to describe menstrual disorders characterized by regular bleeding with more than 80 ml blood loss per cycle or prolonged menstrual bleeding more than 7 days. Many conditions can be associated with menorrhagia: pelvic pathology, myoma, adenomyosis, foreign bodies such as intrauterine device (IUD), systemic diseases (coagulopathy, hypothyroidism); and dysfunctional uterine bleeding. Amenorrhea is known as absence of menstrual bleeding which is categorized either primary amenorrhoea (no history of menstruation) or secondary amenorrhoea (cessation of menses after a variable time). Secondary amenorrhea is most often due to chronic anovulation or due to any Hypothalamic dysfunction, Ovarian failure, Pituitary origin, Androgen excess or Primary uterine disease. Fibroids and Ovarian cysts Uterine fibroid or myoma is a non-cancerous, benign growth in the uterus. They are also called fibromyoma, myofibroma and fibroleiomyoma. Fibroids vary in

size and in location, they may be Intra mural (inside the cavity), Submucosal (in the wall of the uterus), Subserosal (on the outer side of uterus) or in the cervix at times. Growth of Uterine Fibroid depends on increasing oestrogen hormone levels. Genetic factors are known to include development of Uterine fibroids. Suppressed sexual desires and functions are often found to be one of the reasons in many patients. Symptoms of Uterine fibroids: While most fibroids are asymptomatic, they can grow and cause some symptoms depending on their location and size, like: heavy, irregular or prolonged bleeding, heaviness or pain in the lower abdomen, bloating, Infertility, urinary frequency, constant urge for stool etc. The diagnosis is primarily done by an Ultrasound (USG) abdomen. Ovarian Cysts- They occur for several reasons and are of many different types. When a woman suffers from ovarian cysts, everyday life becomes a little harder. Abdominal and lower back pain can be almost unbearable. Leaving cysts untreated can result in a variety of conditions such as endometriosis, ovarian cancer and even cystic teratoma. The most common types of ovarian cysts are the following: Follicular Cyst, Corpus Luteum, Haemorrhagic and Dermoid. They can also twist around (a condition known as ovarian torsion), compromising their blood supply and causing severe abdominal pain. Polycystic-appearing ovary: is diagnosed based on its enlarged size - usually twice that of normal with small cysts present around the outside of the ovary. Polycystic-appearing ovary is different from the polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), which includes other symptoms and physiological abnormalities in addition to the presence of ovarian cysts. Homoeopathic Treatment: Homeopathy offers an extensive range of options than conventional medicine. Homeopathic treatment for Irregular Menstruation, Dysmenorrhoea, Menorrhagia & Amenorrhea is very competent, non-invasive, safe and inexpensive. Homeopathy treats the patient as a whole and promotes the immune function to maintain uterine health by eliminating the causative factor. Homeopathic treatment is based on the holistic approach & stimulates the natural hormonal balance without administering any harmful hormone preparations. Mild or moderate cases of Uterine fibroid often respond well to homeopathy. Large and multiple fibroids may take little longer.The selection of the remedies needs to be evaluated on the most characteristic symptoms of the patient. It is important to prescribe based on the ovarian pain description and the menstrual cycles. For appointment Contact: Dr.Pushpinder or Dr. Kuldip Singh at Mt.Roskill or Papatoetoe . Call on: 09-6205800 09-2785800 021 2175800

RAKSHA BANDHAN @ Shahnaz Husain

Relationships are the essence of any festivity and it holds true for any Indian festival. Each occasion brings the family together which calls for a celebration. Raksha Bandhan is a celebration of one such relation - that of a brother and a sister. Raksha Bandhan is a festival which celebrates the bond of affection between brothers and sisters. It is a day when siblings pray for each others' well being and wish for each others' happiness and goodwill. The name 'Raksha Bandhan' suggests 'a bond of protection'. Sisters tie the silk thread called Rakhi on their brother's wrist and pray for their well being and brothers promise to take care of their sisters and offer them presents to express their love. So brothers, if you are confused on how to make your sisters feel special and looked after, leave it to us. We at Shahnaz Husain can make your sister feel Cherished, Special and Pampered. All you need to do is gift her a GIFT VOUCHER from Shahnaz Husain. We have Gift Vouchers for any value from $35 onwards upto $ 200 or above.

A few more specials are as below;

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You can buy this offer up to 15th August since we celebrate India's Independence too. Buy gift vouchers now and redeem it later.

24

Indian Weekender | July 27, 2012 | www.iwk.co.nz

Indian

Wellness
Tips for healthy weight

Tips for healthy cooking

Check whether you are in the healthy weight range for your height. You could ask your doctor or health professional to help you work this out. You can also check your waist measurement. For women this should be below 80cm and for men below 94cm. If you are overweight, use the following tips:

Food habit tips

dont skip meals. Make sure you have breakfast to kick start your day have plenty of vegetables and salads but keep to the servings of protein and starchy foods recommended in this booklet use as little fat or oil as you can in preparing food, including roti, and at the table Fat (including oil) is the most concentrated source of calories in our diet and makes a big contribution to people being overweight. see if you can reduce the amount of oil or ghee you use in cooking. Depending on the number in your household, for example for two adults and two children, two litres of any fat or oil should easily last for a month or more. Refer to page 9 for the best oils to use avoid deep frying food for both meals and snacks pressure cooking, boiling, steaming, microwaving, grilling, stir frying, tandoori, or barbecuing are better cooking methods than frying or sauting. Non stick pans or using an oil spray help to keep the oil down as ghee is a saturated fat, its use (or that of butter) should be kept to a minimum when spreading, for example, on roti or paratha coconut milk is high in saturated fat. Reduce the amount you use in a curry or use lite coconut milk use herbs, spices, lemon or ginger to flavour your food rather than adding extra salt or oil. Home made chutneys and pickles like coriander/mint chutney, garlic and red chilli pickle or tomato chutney are healthy accompaniments if prepared with minimal salt. These can be made in large quantities and frozen or refrigerated for use later raita (yoghurt salad) is a healthy way to add salad to meals when eating out, choose tomato or vegetable based sauces or curries rather than creamy options such as kormas or masalas

if buying take-aways, look for low fat options e.g. stir frys, kebabs, salad filled rolls and sandwiches, soups and salads dont have sugary drinks e.g, juice, cordial, fizzy drinks gur/jaggery or honey have the same calories as sugar use sparingly if you drink alcohol, limit your intake as alcohol is high in calories

10

Snacks
Healthier choices

Best avoided
Idli served with coconut/peanut chutney Vada / pakoda Paratha, puri / bhatura Farsan, bhuja mix Burfi, gulab jamun / rasogulla Lassi with icecream / kulfi falooda Kheer / basundi Pattice/ tikki- deep fried Paani puri / batata puri Dahi vada /dahi boondi Fried samosa / kachori Coconut / dried fruit barfi

Idli served with vegetable chutney Dhokla Roti, grainy bread or roll Popcorn (little oil or fat) / dry bhel Chikki, till ladoo Fresh fruit lassi with yoghurt Low fat flavoured yoghurt Baked pattice Bhelpuri / missal (legume bhel) Raita Baked samosa/ kachori Fruit, especially fresh

If you are vegetarian, your food may be low in iron, zinc, calcium, vitamin B12 and/or protein. This could cause anaemia and osteoporosis (weak bones) in later life. Alternative food sources are listed below:

Sources of:
protein
legumes & pulses nuts soy milk, soya chunks tofu textured vegetable protein (TVP) cows milk, cheese & paneer

iron
legumes & pulses breakfast cereals with added iron soy milk (iron fortified) dark green leafy vegetables wholegrain bread poha (rice flakes) dried fruit

calcium
legumes & pulses almonds broccoli, spinach soy milk (calcium enriched), tofu cows milk, cheese & paneer

zinc
legumes & pulses nuts & seeds wholegrain bread & cereals yeast spreads cows milk & cheese

Choosing drinks
Aim for 6 - 8 cups of fluid each day.

It is important that you:

drink tea away from meal times as tea reduces iron absorption from food include a good source of vitamin C at meal times; for example citrus fruit, berries, tomatoes, kiwifruit, tamarillos, feijoas, capsicum, lightly cooked dark green leafy vegetables. Vitamin C helps iron absorption if on iron supplements, do not take them with milk or calcium supplements as this limits absorption include a wide variety of legumes and pulses, wholegrains, soy and milk to make sure that you have enough protein Vitamin B12 is only found in meat, fish, chicken, eggs, milk and milk products and fortified plant products, e.g. yeast extract spreads, textured vegetable protein (TVP). A vitamin B12 supplement or injection is therefore sometimes necessary for vegetarians especially vegans. If you are vegan, ask your doctor to check your vitamin B12 blood level.
11

Tips
tap water is the best drink and it is safe to drink in New Zealand chai (Indian tea) is usually milky and sugary. It is best to use reduced or low fat milk and avoid sugar or limit to 1 teaspoon per cup or use artificial sweetener choose herbal teas including lemon leaf, jal jeera (cumin seed water), diet drinks or soda water instead of sugary drinks such as fruit juice, fizzy drink and cordials encourage children over two years and teenagers to drink reduced fat milk (1-2 glasses/day)
12

E ati ng

Many favourite South Asian snacks are high in fat, sugar and/or salt. The following table will guide you to healthier choices:

Healthy eating for vegetarians

healthy
13

limit snacks and nibbles as it is easy to eat lots more of these than you need

Indian

entertainment

India's first superstar Rajesh Khanna dies

Rajesh Khanna, India's first Bollywood superstar whose popularity touched the sky in the early 1970s after he scripted a history of unbroken hits for years, died last Wednesday. He was 69. Khanna, with a romantic hero image whose winsome smile in the films of his era had women swooning over him, left behind his actor wife Dimple Kapadia and two daughters- Twinkle and Rinki. "I have come to inform you that my father-in-law Rajesh Khanna is no more with us," his son-in-law Akshay Kumar told reporters. Khanna breathed his last at his Mumbai residence on Wednesday after prolonged illness. Reports said he was battling cancer. Khanna was admitted to hospital several times recently, but when he waved at his admirers from the balcony of his house recently it appeared that his condition was improving. He was discharged from Mumbai's Lilavati Hospital on Tuesday. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has condoled the death of the superstar. Bollywood also mourned the death. Actor Shabana Azmi tweeted: "He was d SUPERSTAR like no other Did 10 films with him Met him last at Apsara awards Pale shadow of himself but smile as winsome." His old heroines remembered him. "He was a big, big superstar," said Asha Parekh, who was Khana rage among the youth of the early 1970s and whose on screen pairing with Sharmila Tagore or Mumtaz produced a clutch of hit movies with immortal songs composed by S D Burman to his son R D Burman and sung by Kishore Kumar. While Sharmila Tagore and Rajesh Khanna with their superhit 1969 film Aradhana forged one of the most successful Bollywood pairs, bolstered by the directorial skills of Shakti Samanta, Khanna had a very successful pairing with other stars like Asha Parekh, Mumtaz and later with moderately successful chemistry with Zeenat Aman, Rekha and Shabana Azmi. But nothing perhaps equalled his paring with Sharmila and the Toy train song of Aradhana- Mere Sapno ki Rani Kabhi Ayegi Tu- remained a symbol of romance a la Bollywood. Rajesh Khanna made his screen debut in 1966 with Aakhri Khat. He was one of eight finalists in the 1965 All India Talent Contest organised by United Producers and Filmfare from more than 10,000 contestants. Aakhri Khat was directed by Chetan Anand, followed by Raaz opposite Babita, directed by Ravindra Dave. He then did films like Baharon Ke Sapne, Aurat (1967), Doli, Aradhana and Ittefaq, the thriller starring Nanda as a killer. Later Waheeda Rehman suggested Asit Sen to take Khanna for the lead role in Khamoshi, a remake of Tollywood film Dwip Jele Jai. But with Aradhana, Rajesh Khanna the superstar emerged. Rajesh Khanna also left an indelible mark in some Hrishikesh Mukherjee films like Anand, where he drove the audience for generations to tears playing the role of a happy-go-lucky cancer patient who lived life to the full till the end came. While Amitabh Bachchan later pipped Rajesh Khanna as the next superstar of Bollywood, the latter's onscreen chemistry with Bachchan also was exploited to the hilt by directors like Hrishikesh Mukherjee who made them share screen space in films like Anand and later Namak Haraam. Khanna's other notable films in his long career are 'Kati Patang', 'Amar Prem', 'Shehzada', 'Apna Desh', 'Mere Jeevan Saathi', 'Aap Ki Kasam', 'Ajnabee', 'Namak Haraam', 'Maha Chor', 'Karm', 'Phir Wohi Raat', 'Aanchal', 'Kudrat', 'Ashanti', 'Agar Tum Na Hote', 'Awaaz, Hum Dono' , 'Anand' and 'Alag Alag'. Pertinently, he had 15 consecutive solo superhits between 1969 to 1971, which is still an unbroken record in Indian film history, but then suddenly he lost his stardom and his comeback effort as a Casanova and serial killer in the film Red Rose met with a disaster. But he did make a comeback later and went on to act in many films besides having a stint in politics as a Congress MP.

na's co-actor in many films, including Kati Patang. Remembering Khanna, Hema Malini, who also paired with him in many films, said: "He was the best at his time." Actor Anupam Kher wrote: "Rajesh Khanna gave us a crash course in Romance. He introduced us to a special twinkle in the eye that

made us feel good about ourselves. RIP. Rajesh Khanna taught us how to smile. He added dignity to our concept of Romance." Filmmaker Shekhar Kapur said he was a candle that burned brighter than any star for two short a time." Rajesh Khanna will always be remembered as the first superstar of Bollywood whose hairstyle became

Mumbai: Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan condoled the death of superstar Rajesh Khanna and said he will miss him. "To live with intention & walk to the edge. Play with abandon, choose with no regret. Smile & made us do the same.Sir,u defined our era.RIP," Khan tweeted last week. "Mom & me use to sit & watch Mr.Khanna's films back to back. Whenever life felt tough u made us feel how love could change it all. will miss u," Khan said. Khanna

He will be missed: SRK

gave India several memorable films that included 'Kati Patang', 'Amar Prem', 'Shehzada', 'Apna Desh', 'Mere Jeevan Saathi', 'Aap Ki Kasam', 'Ajnabee', 'Namak Haraam', 'Maha Chor', 'Karm', 'Phir Wohi Raat', 'Aanchal', 'Kudrat', 'Ashanti', 'Agar Tum Na Hote', 'Awaaz, Hum Dono' , 'Anand' and 'Alag Alag'. Pertinently, he had 15 consecutive solo superhits between 1969 to 1971, which is still an unbroken record in Indian film history.

Rajesh had crazy female following: Sharmila

Mumbai: Veteran actor Sharmila Tagore, who was Rajesh Khanna's most popular heroine, remembered Bollywood's first superstar and said he should have acted more. In her tribute published in HT, Tagore said: "After Shammi Kapoor and Dharmendra, my most successful and popular co-star was Rajesh Khanna. My career's biggest hit, Aradhana, was with him in 1969." "He did not have the regal looks together again by director Shakti Samanta in 1971 in Amar Prem - a remake of the Bengali film Nishipadma. In the film, Rajesh Khanna had an emotional dialogue which he delivered to me after I completed the song Raina Beeti Jaye: 'Aap ruk kyun gaye, gaaiyye na (Why did you stop? Please sing on)'. He delivered the dialogue with so much emotion and sensitivity that it left me spellbound." "In the last scene when he bids goodbye to me and Vinod Mehra, saying, 'Pushpa', he mingled smile and tears like no other actor of that period could," Tagore said in her tribute in HT. Tagore said Khanna had crazy female fan following that no actors had at that time. "I have very fond memories of him. One of them is the premiere of Aradhana. There used to be no film promotions at that time but we used to have gala premieres. I was completely overwhelmed to see the crazy female following he had. Girls had lined up the streets and were screaming his name," she said. "No other actor rose to such heights of fame within a span of a few years as Rajesh Khanna did. He indeed was the original superstar," Tagore said in her tribute in HT. Khanna and Tagore together gave numerous superhits like Daag, Chhoti Bahu, Raja-Rani, Maalik, Amar Prem, Aradhana, Safar and Avishkaar.

ifficult to believe Kaka D no more: Amitabh

today, "At his home earlier h Mega-superstar Amitab up and told me, Mumbai: se came ute to his someone clo e up ho gaya Bachchan paid a rich trib his last words were 'tim jesh Khanna. said. peer Ra Twitter - pack up," he chchan, Bachchan in a post on In a blog post too Ba for him Big B, showt it was ver y dif ficult said tha popularly known as s no more. tributes to Khanna to believe that 'Kaka' wa his still ered glowing nd mute in front of "I sta ted his encounters with ssing my and recoun body, with nothing cro and a rever- the actor. magamind ... just disbelief, I first saw him in a film the arted soul," Bachence to his dep haps Filmfare. He was zine, per d. mfare-Madhuri chan sai the Fil was in- win ner of "The word 'superstar' a contest that I had it shall Talent Contest, coming year and for him, and for me vented to in the others ..." he applied wrote. ever remain his, and no been rejected, Bachchan o worked with added. Bachchan, wh the gent "His generation and Anand, said being cas never be Khanna in miracle. ns that follow, shall eratio him was a erstand his opposite people changed, able to describe, or und Times mention ena .. Just the mere nces changed, phenom circumsta anna' sent changed, anna always remained of his name 'Rajesh Kh awe, and but Rajesh Kh d images of fanfare, my ria elegant, regal self, he Bachchan his quiet, reverential mention," blogged. twe 26 eted.

of Dev Anand or the height and blue eyes of Shammi Kapoor, but had the charm of the boy next door with an endearing smile." Tagore said Khanna was the master of emotions. "Rajesh Khanna expressed emotions straight from his heart. He also lip-synced very well. When he lipsynced Kishore Kumar's songs, it appeared that he was singing them, she said. Remembering his expertise at emoting, Tagore said: "We were cast

Indian Weekender | July 27, 2012 | www.iwk.co.nz

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entertainment

Shatrughan Sinha 'fine' Dara Singh: Bollywood's after bypass surgery first he-man

Mumbai: Actor-politician Shatrughan Sinha, who underwent bypass surgery at a Mumbai hospital last week, is now fine, doctors said. He underwent the surgery at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital on Monday. "Shatrughan Sinha is fine now. We shifted him from the ICU (Intensive Care Unit) to a room yesterday. It will take him a few more days to recover completely," said a senior doctor of the hospital last Friday. He was admitted to the hospital in Andheri

on July 2 after he complained of breathlessness. Medical examination revealed he had a severe allergic respiratory reaction due to the ongoing painting work in his house. During medical tests, blockages were found in his coronary arteries for which he had to undergo the surgery. The 66-year-old's wife Poonam, daughter Sonakshi and sons Luv and Kush are taking care of him.

Naseeruddin Shah turns a year older

Mumbai: Actor Nasseruddin Shah, who straddled both the worlds of mainstream and parallel cinema for decades, turned 62 on Friday. Shah was born in Uttar Pradesh in the year 1950 and graduated from National School of Drama in Delhi. One of the finest actors of the industry, Naseeruddin Shah, received the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan awards from the Government of India, for his outstanding contribution to Indian cinema. Shah starred in films like Mirch Masala, Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro, Masoom, Ijaazat, A Wednesday, The Dirty Picture, 7 Khoon Maaf and others. His international projects include Monsoon Wedding (2001) and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003), where he shared his screen space with Hollywood actor Sean Connery. Best known for art cinema, the actor has been successful in commercial films also. He is one of the few actors of the industry, who performs with equal elan in both art cinema and commercial cinema. The actor has won three National Awards for films like Sparsh, Paar and Iqbal. Shah tied the knot first with Parvin Murad with whom he has a daughter named Heeba

Shah, who is an actress and theatre personality. Shah later married actress Ratna Pathak Shah in 1982 after the death of his first wife. The couple has two sons Imaad and Vivaan, who are also actors.

Long before Bollywood heroes made going shirtless and flaunting their pumped up muscles a monotonous norm, a Punjabi wrestler had appeared in the Indian silver screen in his brawny glory effortlessly and won several hearts with his innocence and macho bearing. Dara Singh, the wrestler turned actor or rather a wrestler cum actor, entertained audience with his acting skills for over nearly five decades and famously played the Hanuman in India's epic teleserial Ramayan. In India, generations grew up on the films and feats of Dara Singh. He straddled both the world of acting and wrestling in his long career. So when the end came on Thursday, July 12, it was end of an era in Bollywood. The original superman of Bollywood, who starred in numerous entertaining but low-budget action and thrill movies in the 1960s, mostly opposite the sizzling Mumtaz before she went on to become a top heroine, finally called it a day at age 84. The robust Punjabi, who would often play cameos in later years besides having substantial presence in TV soaps, would be remembered, however, for his impeccable gentleman image. As choreographer Farah Khan, whose father Kamran worked with Dara Singh as a successful stunt film-maker in over 25 films, says: "He was the gentlest person above the image as he-man." Tweets Amitabh Bachchan: "A great Indian and one of the finest humans. An entire era of his celebrated presence gone." "He truly was the only human being who could not be pulled apart by even airplanes," he said. And it is not just the world of cinema but also the sports world which mourned his death besides top politicians of India. Boxer Vijender Singh to wrestler Satpal Singh, all are saddened by his death just like Bollywood stars like Salman Khan who play glowing tributes to the actor. The end came at home in the wee hours of Thursday after his family decided to take him back from the hospital to his residence. The actor, who made his entry in Bollywood in 1960s, was on ventilator for the past days in Mumbai's Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital where he was admitted on July 7 after a cardiac arrest. Dara Singh played every role from hero to the large-hearted grandfather like in his last film Jab We Met in 2007 starring Kareena Kapoor and Shahid Kapoor. He played the grandfather of Kareena in the film. Father of six, Dara Singh was an iconic figure in Indian celluloid who acted in over 140 films.However, with the role of Hanuman in Ramanand Sagar's Ramayan, Dara Singh became immensely popular in every household of India and people would eagerly wait to watch him every Sunday playing the mythological character. Singh, who was born in 1928 in Dhar-

moochak in Amritsar district of Punjab, was encouraged in wrestling due to his strong physique. He had a glorious career in professional wrestling besides showcasing his acting talent on the silver screen. Singh was popular in wrestling tournaments in the country. He also wrestled on invitation of kings of Indian princely states and wrestled frequently in haats and melas (fairs and carnivals). Singh successfully competed against some of the greatest names in the world of wrestling and professional wrestlers in the United States. Dara went to Singapore in 1947 and became the Champion of Malaysia in Indian style wrestling by defeating Tarlok Singh in Kuala Lumpur. He has toured almost all fareast countries as a Professional Wrestler. Dara Singh returned to India in 1952 and became the Indian Champion in 1954. The strong wrestler toured all Commonwealth countries and defeated Oriental Champion King Kong, George Gordienko (Canada), John Desilva (New Zealand). Singh became the Commonwealth Champion in 1959. He defeated Lou Thesz of America and became Champion of the World on May 29, 1968. He again visited countries world-wide and defended title of the World Champion. Singh retired from the world of wrestling in 1983 as an undefeated wrestler. He had won the title of 'Rustam-E-Punjab' and 'Rustam-e-

Hind' for his wrestling skills. Interestingly several Indian Prime Ministers including Jawaharlal Nehru, Chaudhary Charan Singh, Morarji Desai, Chandrashekhar, Rajiv Gandhi. visited his fights. However, Singh not only captivated his fans with his wrestling moves in the arena but also charmed them with his performance as an actor. Popularly called as Bollywoods he-man of the 1960s, he acted opposite to yesteryear actresses like Mumtaz . He became quite popular as an actor in the 1960s and was seen in films like King Kong, which were inspired by Hollywood movies. He was nominated member of Rajya Sabha by Bhartiya Janata Party during Aug 2003Aug 2009. Singh had a successful career in television also and was a popular face in many of the TV serials since the 1980s. His films in the 1960s included titles like Toofan (1969), Jawan Mard (1966), Thakur Jarnail Singh (1966), Boxer (1965), Hum Sab Ustad Hain (1965), Khakaan (1965), Lutera (1965), Mahabharat (1965, played Bheem), Raaka (1965), Rustom-E-Hind (1965), Sher Dil (1965), Sikandar E Azam (1965) , Tarzan and King Kong (1965), Tarzan Comes to Delhi (1965), Teen Sardar (1965), Aandhi Aur Toofan (1964), Aaya Toofan (1964), Badshah (1964), Darasingh: Ironman (1964), Dara Singh Hercules (1964), Samson (1964), Veer Bhimsen (1964), Faulad (1963), Rustom-E-Baghdad (1963) and King Kong (1962). He also played in critically acclaimed commercial Hindi films like Anand and Mera Naam Joker. R.I.P Dara Singh.

28

Indian Weekender | July 27, 2012 | www.iwk.co.nz

Indian

entertainment

Cocktail delivers heady start

Break-in at Amitabh Bachchan house

Mumbai: A thief entered the bungalow of superstar Amitabh Bachchan in Juhu last Friday night and tried to escape with cash but was caught and handed over to police, delayed reports said on Monday. According to media reports, the thief, who is around 20 and hails from Madhya Pradesh, had managed to enter one of the bedrooms of the actor's bungalow Jalsa. He took Rs 8000 from a drawer but was caught by the domestic help of the Bachchans as he tried to make good with cash. The thief, who had climbed a tree to enter inside the premises, was identified as Deepak Kewat. Amitabh Bachchan lives in the house with wife Jaya, son Abhishek, daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai and grand-daughter Aaradhya.

Mumbai: Hindi film Cocktail, starring Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone and debutant Diana Penty, has been declared a hit at the box office. The gross opening weekend box office collection was Rs. 65 crore worldwide. The film has grossed over Rs. 50 crore in India (net collection: Rs. 35 crore) and Rs. 15 crore overseas, said an official spokesperson. Commenting on the films performance, Nandu Ahuja, Senior VP Distribution India, Eros International Media Ltd, said: Cocktail is a young urban film and has taken the metros and multiplexes by storm. This heady Cocktail complemented by its chartbusting music has scored very well with the

plexes. "We are anticipating youths to drive the momentum through the week and maintain the good numbers." Director Homi Adajania said, I feel what has clicked for Cocktail is that this film belongs to everyone who has ever experienced love and friendship. Its hip, contemporary and very identifiable. If you have had these experiences, go watch it, if you havent, then go fall in love instead. The movie portrayed a story involving the lives of three strangers in London who become best friends and start living together. The film was released worldwide on July 13.

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SAAG CHICKEN
INGREDIENTS
3 boneless thighs of chicken, skinned and cubed 4 bunches of spinach 2-3- green chillies 2tsp- garlic paste 2tsp- ginger paste 1- large onions extremely chopped 2- large tomatoes chopped cup- plain yogurt 1/2tsp- red chilli powder 1tsp- coriander powder 1/2tsp- turmeric powder 1tsp- garam masala powder 1- big cardamom pod 1- whole clove cup- milk or cup- cream Salt according to taste 2tbsp- butter 2tbsp- oil

METHOD
Fry the chicken pieces in 2tbsp oil for around 3-4 minutes until lightly browned and set aside. Put the spinach and green chillies in a pan with cup of water, bring to the boil and remove from heat. When its cool grind it into a paste with the hand mixer or in a blender. Heat butter in a non stick pan add cardamom pod, clove followed by onion, when onion is light brown add ginger, garlic paste. Fry until light brown. Add tomatoes and stir, add red chilli powder, turmeric powder, garam masala powder, salt and yogurt fry until the butter has separated. Add chicken cover and cook for 5 minutes until the chicken is tender. Add spinach to the chicken cover and cook until the spinach starts sticking to the pan. Add milk if spinach seems too dry or add cream. Serve hot with rice or naan.

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