Indian

Indian June 12, 2009

Log on to www.indianweekender.co.nz Volume 1, No. 7
New Zealand’s first Indian weekend magazine
For free distribution

Meira Kumar | 7 Eating Out | 22 Romancing the

India’s first woman Thai Exotica on world | 26
Speaker Broadway Meet Nalini Singh

At a glance
Knowledge basket
Indian Weekender joins one of New
Zealand’s largest news and informa-
tion databases even as Knowledge
Basket launches its new South
Pacific database coinciding with the
launch of our online edition.
Page 4

Guru Granth Sahib in Braille

Indian Weekender meets Ragi Gur-
mej Singh, who sang Kirtans at the
Golden Temple, Amritsar for many
years and is now working on the first
ever Braille edition of Sikhism’s holy
book.
Page 13

Charity? No thanks
Before you open your purse strings
as the appeals of organised chari-
ties tug at your heartstrings, stop
and take another look. Many of them
may actually have hidden agendas.
Page 15

Why make a will...

Indian Weekender’s personal finance
expert explains why it is important to
write your will and clears many com-
mon misconceptions that surround
this important document that many of
us tend to put off writing.
Page 25

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Indian Weekender | June 12, 2009 1

Indian
New Zealand

A rare honour for an inspiring leader

DEV NADKARNI

Accomplished businessman and dedicated com- and success, Nauhriaji found the time, energy,

Photo: Dev Nadkarni

munity leader Roshan Lal Nauhria’s long time funds and commitment to contribute handsomely
contribution to both the Indian community in New to community initiatives. His involvement in com-
Zealand and the country’s economy has been justly munity work almost sgoes back to the time he
recognised with the conferment of the honour of started out in business.
Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit by In the 1980s, Nauhriaji along with a few others
Queen Elizabeth-II on June 1. felt the need for a proper place of worship for all
When Indian Weekender visited him on the people of Indian origin who followed the Hindu
day to convey the congratulations and best wishes faith. It was a desire of many but it was only the
of our readers, Nauhriaji said, “I am truly humbled dedication with which he championed the cause of
by all this. I acknowledge all the help and co- the project from 1986 that the Bharatiya Mandir
operation I have received from all sections of the became a reality in 1993 after spending seven
community in my endeavours. I think it is in fact years and $2 million on the project.
recognition for every Indian’s effort of contribut- The temple on Balmoral Road, which is indeed
ing to making New Zealand a better place.” a landmark today in the central Auckland, attracts
Nauhriaji came to New Zealand in 1972 as a more than 4,000 devotees every week and on
young man of 28 with his wife and lots of dreams. festive occasions over 3,000 visit it on a single day.
A professionally qualified engineer from the presi- The project is a continuing one and recently some
tigious Birla Institute of Technology and Science, properties close to the temple have been acquired
Pilani, he gained experience working as an engi- with a dream of building a community hall to cater
neer in his newly adopted country. to the growing Indian community. The projected
In late 1976, he started his own construction cost is around $5 million and it is expected to be
company and soon earned a name for himself not completed by 2011–12.
only in New Zealand but also in Fiji where among He has also helped other religious organisa-
other major projects, he helped build the the Mo- tions like the Hamilton Gurdwara, Otahuhu Gur-
nasavu power station – Fiji’s biggest hydro power dwara and Kolmar Road Gurdwara in Papatoetoe.
station. A few years later, he diversified into the He has been an active member of the well known
manufacture of construction products. Hare Krishna temple (ISKCON) at Riverhead.
He now runs two factories – one in High- He was deputy Chairman of the temple’s trust for
brook Drive East Tamaki and other in Hobill Ave many years. He has actively supported many other
Manukau – making reinforced steel, mesh, precast temples that have come up in Auckland.
concrete panels, beams, flooring and other materi- Nauhriaji was chosen as the President of United Roshan Lal Nauhria: Says he dedicates the award to the community whose co-
als for the construction sector. He employs more Indianz when it was created by more than 20 com- operation and support have played a major role in his service to it. Pictured below are the
than 60 people and his enterprise holds about 20% munity groups to organise a joint program to cel- hospital he has built in his native village in Punjab and with his grandchildren.
market share in Auckland. ebrate the 60th Indian independence day in Auck-
What is most commendable is that while land. The function in August 2007 was attended and many other dignitaries. Later this group con- This project was completely funded by him.
putting his businesses firmly on the path to growth by the Governor General, the then Prime Minister tinued as a representative of Indian political am- The Foundation stone of this hospital was laid by
bitions and conveys the community’s view point Rt. Honourable the Late David Lange, New Zea-
across the political spectrum. land’s former prime minister. It has all amenities
Though New Zealand is his Karma Bhoomi, he and employs about 20 staff.
has never forsaken his Janma Bhoomi. He has ex- Nauhriaji is a dedicated family man and has a
tended his philanthropic activities in his country of daughter and a son. Daughter Vicky is married and
birth, too. A place of worship has been made by his settled in India. Son Rakesh is a young business
contributions in the town Dharam Kot in Punjab graduate from Auckland University of Technol-
where he was born. ogy and works with him in his companies. When
He has donated funds to build additional facili- Indian Weekender visited him Nauhriaji was busy
ties to the school where he had his own education. spending quality time with his little grandchildren.
He has also given his hometown a charitable hos- Despite his busy schedule, he is still active in
pital which currently has 28 beds and is planned to various Indian associations and always finds the
be grow into a 50-bed facility with modern ameni- time to help out with matters concerning the com-
ties. It already has an operating theatre, diagnostic munity and building business links between New
laboratory, X-Ray and ultra sound facilities. The Zealand and India as a prominent member of the
Hospital has started functioning since December India Trade Group. Indian Weekender wishes him
last year. all the very best.

Listen to Nahuriaji’s interview online on www.indianweekender.co.nz

2 Indian Weekender | June 12, 2009

Indian
New Zealand

Your favourite Indian Weekender is now online!

Ever since Indian Weekender made its splash in the We hope to grow the online edition into a
market in March this year, readers’ requests for an balance between form and functionality bringing
online version have been growing with each new you not just an enjoyable but a useful and gainful
issue of New Zealand’s fastest growing Indian pub- multimedia experience to which you would look
lication. forward to returning every so often, for the online
Heeding your requests, dear readers, we at edition would be updated far more frequently than
Indian Weekender, over the past few weeks, the present fortnightly schedule of our print edition.
teamed up with the talented content and informa- Also, if you ever happen to miss picking up a
tion technology team that put together the cool copy of the print edition of your favourite maga-
Indian community website www.sandesh.co.nz, zine from any of our countrywide distribution
also in March this year, to bring you the all new centres (over 140 are in the Greater Auckland area
www.indianweekender.co.nz. alone) on every other Friday, log on to www.indi-
The initiative combines a proven talent pool anweekender.co.nz to download an online copy to
with tremendous creative, journalistic and tech- read at your leisure.
nical skills and decades of combined experience We invite you to visit www.indianweekender.
in creative industries, business and commerce to co.nz and explore its many features. You can read,
bring our readers an unparalleled experience never listen to and watch several Indian and international
before seen in the ethnic Indian media space in radio and television channels, interact with our
New Zealand. writers and columnists and do much more. And in
Rather than merely shovel our print content on the coming weeks, you will be able to do even more
to the web as most publishers tend to do, our aim as we launch our many new online offerings.
is to both complement and supplement our print Meanwhile, please register to receive alerts and
effort with an online component using all the at- announcements for special offers and contests with
tributes that new information and communication loads of prizes as well as to receive our forthcom-
technologies bring with it: multimedia, interactiv- ing newsletter in your e-mailboxes.
ity, content delivery over mobiles and of course a And please do continue your dialogue with
host of e-business opportunities that would benefit us, as you always have. Write to us, give us your
both readers and our advertisers. feedback, tell us about a forthcoming event in
Many of our print stories will have the added your community that you wish to be covered, tell
dimension of multimedia, with video and audio us anything you’d like the world to know. Indian
versions. In addition, the new innovative e-busi- Weekender and indianweekender.co.nz is your
ness features we will be rolling out shortly will also voice.
offer avenues to enhance our valued advertisers’ much-appreciated initiative to bring you a range of When Indian Weekender launched, the instant – Indian Weekender team
business by offering new opportunities to connect viewpoints by a growing band of talented writers feedback we received was appreciation about its
directly with their target audience in a number of rather than push stories by a single writer going varied content, its bold, new contemporary layout
creative and innovative ways that are designed to through the entire publication from the front page and graphics – and its superior paper quality. We Visit our website and join
bring great results. to the last. We will enhance the variety we have have built on those high standards that we set for our newsletter to go in the
Our team will work with our advertisers closely offered you over the past seven issues of our print ourselves at the very beginning in bringing you in-
to achieve this over the coming months. edition – but with the added dimensions of interac- dianweekender.co.nz, which we are sure you will draw to WIN exciting prizes
On the content front, we will continue with our tivity and multimedia on the website. notice when you browse the website.

Indian Weekender | June 12, 2009 3

Indian
New Zealand

New South Pacific news and info database launched

Indian Weekender signs up with Knowledge Basket, one of NZ’s largest news and info database services
Knowledge Basket, one of New Zealand’s leading
subscriber-based news and information database
and archival services has announced the launch of
its South Pacific database this week and invited its
growing clientele to trial the service.
“We are very pleased to announce the launch
of The Knowledge Basket South Pacific,” direc-
tor Dave Keet told Indian Weekender. Knowledge
Basket has been operating since 1994 and is a
partnership between consumers and suppliers of
information.
It provides database services to universities,
polytechnics, schools, large corporations, the
New Zealand Parliament, several government de-
partments and media researchers.
The Knowledge Basket’s main databases
provide a huge volume of information relating to Managing knowledge: Dave Keet, Lindy Winterburn and Dev Nadkarni
legislation and legal matters as well as aggregated
searches to Fairfax New Zealand newspapers, terial. including New Zealand, Australia, Fiji and the For more on The Knowledge
APN’s New Zealand Herald newspapers, The Na- Much of the material is unique to The Knowl- Pacific islands region. Basket South Pacific, visit
tional Business Review (NBR), The Independent, edge Basket and extends back further and more Lindy Winterburn, Dave Keet, and Dev Nad- http://www.knowledge-basket.com.fj
Radio New Zealand news, Rural News and many comprehensively than any other archive resource. karni are directors in this venture. Dave and - Indian Weekender Team
New Zealand magazines covering business and The Fairfax newspapers go back to 1995; NZ Lindy are former librarians with a great deal of
industry news. Indian Weekender has now joined Herald from September 1998; and RadioNZ 1999 experience in library and information manage-
the database as a content provider. onward. New Zealand Index has science material ment as well as information technology.
The Knowledge Basket is a useful service for indexed as far back as 1840, and indexed records Besides being the editor of Indian Weekender,
serious researchers who understand the processes of newspapers and journals going back 25 years. Dev is publisher of Pacific Business Online,
and scope of full text database searching. Data- Its “E-clips service” provides the client with writer and sub editor at the National Business
bases are carefully structured and maintained; timely alerts to important news. A profile of the Review (NBR) – New Zealand’s leading business
updated daily, sometimes several times a day, and user’s interests is run in real-time against any da- weekly, a regular contributor to the New Zealand
there are rules and tools for effective searching. tabase, and the user is electronically mailed any Herald, contributing editor with the Fiji-based
Publishers supply The Knowledge Basket items that match that profile. The E-clips remains Islands Business International publishing group
with data in all sorts of formats and at varying active unless requested to be stopped. A unique and Pacific affairs columnist for media outlets in
frequencies. The company concerts the data using Legal E-clip has been particularly effective in Australia and Europe. He is also a regular com-
automatic conversion programs that result in a notifying users of any new legislation passed, mentator on South Asian and Pacific affairs on
uniform style of presentation so that clients can drafted or discussed by Parliament. TVNZ and other international TV channels.
conduct searches across a wide range of sources Knwoledge Basket South Pacific will have
and be sure of retrieving relevant and timely ma- similar databases from the entire Pacific region

4 Indian Weekender | June 12, 2009

Indian
New Zealand

Citizens voice supercity Government must get Auckland

right, says mayor Brown
concerns to leaders
Calls for multicultural representation were again
Manukau Mayor Len Brown has said that the gov-
ernment must get the new structure for Auckland
right.
process, and I continue to strongly encourage our
communities to make sure their voices are heard.”
The mayor is also of the opinion that the govern-
raised on a new Auckland Super City proposal at a Mr Brown was backing comments made by the ment should make provisions to cover much of the
public meeting in Papatoetoe last night. chair of the Royal Commission on Auckland Gov- costs of Auckland’s amalgamation into a single city
More than 70 locals gathered at the Papatoetoe ernance, Justice Peter Salmon, who has criticised structure.
Cosmopolitan Club to meet and discuss Super City the government for adopting 20 to 30 local boards “Over the next two years, Auckland faces con-
concerns with National’s Manukau East MP Kan- rather than the comission’s recommended six local siderable costs merging eight different councils and
waljit Singh Bakshi and John Carter, Associate councils. a number of other organisations into a single body.
Minister for Local Government. “The new Auckland structure is too important The costs for this will be substantial,” he says.
Veer Khar, general secretary of the New Zealand not to get right. And at the moment, it is not right. “The government has told Auckland that there
Indian Central Indian Association, kicked off ques- The commission’s recommendations were well will be savings from the amalgamation, yet they also
tions from the audience by saying that while they thought out, and provided the way for communities tell us there are no costings for their proposal.
backed the Super City, a greater representation of to be involved in local issues and local democracy “Having observed previous amalgamations, I
the diversity of the population must be reflected in through the six local councils operating below the am wary of the government’s claims of savings,
the composition of the new council. Auckland Council. The system the government and believe many Manukau ratepayers, along with
Mr Khar said the association backed calls for adopted removes that,” says Mr Brown. ratepayers from throughout the region, may face the
Maori seats on the super council, and also called for “Justice Salmon has said the government’s prospect of major rate increases.
other community groups to be represented.
Supercity: John Carter, Associate structure of 20 to 30 local boards will be more costly, “The information technology bill – which is just
“New Zealand is no longer made up of just one Minister for Local Government ad- disruptive and less effective,” says Mr Brown. “He one aspect of the amalgamation – will be substantial.
or two ethnic groups, and every group deserves dresses the gathering also says they are too small to provide local services The new body has to move to an integrated com-
some form of representation.” and to engage effectively with the new Auckland puter system, which can combine all the information
He also raised concerns about being represented seats in council. Council which will result in the Auckland Council held by the eight councils. Anyone with experience
on the new council by the same people who were He said now was the time for the people to have acting locally instead of regionally. of past major IT projects – remember the Police
currently running the councils in Auckland. their voices heard through submissions which could “Mr Hide says he wants to be known as the INCIS project – knows the complexity of the chal-
“Fresh faces were needed,” he said. be made to the various committees set up to garner ‘Minister for Ratepayers’. Instead of sticking rigidly lenge.
Mr Khar’s plea was backed by the Manukau public views. If you want your voices to be heard, to the Government’s decision around 20 to 30 local “Aucklanders will be paying considerable costs,
Indian Association, which also asked for greater then make a submission, he said. boards, I’m sure Auckland’s ratepayers would prefer but should not foot the bill alone. The government
Pacific Island and Asian voice on the new council. Mr Carter said to make a submission, people he acted on their behalf and provided them with a is the main driver of the single-city project. It says
Various other speakers voiced their concerns should write to the Clerk to the House at Parliament system which gives them strong representation on it is in New Zealand’s interests to push through this
about increased costs in terms of higher rates, in Wellington by June 26. More meetings have been local issues and the ability to deliver locally. amalgamation and I agree. But if there is a bill to
a downgrade in the delivery of services with a planned in Auckland. “The Royal Commission consulted widely and pay – as we believe there will be – central govern-
smaller council, transport issues, boundary con- Mr Bakshi said he was pleased with the turnout then produced its report, and it provided a decent ment should carry a good share of the burden.
cerns, weakening of the community boards, etc. despite it being a wet and cold night. basis for a new city. The government ignored key “We will be watching the Budget with interest
Mr Carter told the meeting that the issue of Greater Auckland currently comprises Auck- details and has come up with a structure that denies to see what sort of support the government will put
more Maori seats was “on the table” and that a par- land City, Waitakere City, North Shore City, communities a voice. in place for the super city project. Building the new
liamentary select committee would be visiting the Manukau City, Papakura District Council, Rodney “Aucklanders deserve a new structure that will structure is a difficult enough challenge for Auck-
communities to discuss the concerns. This follows District Council and Franklin District Council. work for them. The government has said they will land without also lumbering the region’s ratepayers
a recent hikoi which called for compulsory Maori - Arvind Kumar listen to Auckland through the Select Committee with all the associated costs.”

Indian Weekender | June 12, 2009 5

Indian
New Zealand
Labour congratulates India’s Congress party on election win Mt Albert casts
The New Zealand Labour Party has congratulated
the Congress Party on its overwhelming victory in
the Indian election results, and said it hopes that the
its vote Saturday ered the least violent in recent times, is a credit to
the strength of India’s democratic institutions and
the good organisation of its officials.”
new Indian Government will continue to build on “Links between India and New Zealand are Residents of the Mount Albert electorate will
the trade and human linkages which connect India growing and Labour hopes the new Congress-led poll their votes to select their Member of Par-
to New Zealand, Chris Carter has said. Government will make progress on the Free Trade liament tomorrow (June 13) to replace former
“The Congress-led coalition must be congratu- negotiations which were initiated by former Trade Prime Minister Helen Clark who resigned from
lated on winning 260 seats in India’s 543-seat Par- Minister Phil Goff and India’s former Minister of Parliament on April 17 to take up a position
liament, just 12 seats short of a clear majority. Commerce and Industry, Hon Kamal Nath when he with the United Nations in New York.
“This is a remarkable victory, and Prime Min- visited New Zealand in May 2008. The electorate has always been favoured by
ister Manmohan Singh as well as Congress Party “Over 120,000 Kiwis have Indian heritage, Labour voters and the party has held the seat
leader Sonia Gandhi must be delighted to now be in and their contribution to the special relationship since its inception in 1946. Recent polls in the
a position to form a strong government with such a between India and New Zealand is enduring. lead up to this by-election also indicate that
powerful election mandate. sion deserve high praise for the successful staging “I know Indian Kiwis are proud of their Indian Labour has a 38 point lead over the National
“Labour wishes Congress well in its coalition of the world’s largest democratic poll, spanning the ancestry and modern India’s progress. Yesterday’s Party.
negotiations with other parties and individuals rep- expanse of the Indian subcontinent, involving 700 election result demonstrated that India deserves Though Labour is widely expected to win
resented in the new Indian Parliament. million voters and spreading over a month. The fact its title as the world’s largest democratic country,” the seat, the by-election has been viewed as a
“Indian officials and their electoral commis- that this election has been free and fair, and consid- Chris Carter said. litmus test for the ruling National Party because
of some of the big issues directly affecting the

Budget is road to recovery, says Bakshi

electorate that have been thrown up over the
past couple of months.
Two of these are the controversy over the
Waterview connection along the route of the
SH20 motorway extension on its way to join the
Budget 2009 will lift economic growth and help New tive surgery rates, and an extra $103.5 million for ma- Northwestern motorway (SH16) and the issue
Zealanders through the recession and strengthen the ternity services,” Mr Bakshi says. of the Auckland super. It is these two issues that
government’s books says National List MP, Kan- “The Government is also boosting education. In have almost completely dominated the cam-
waljit Singh Bakshi. the current year, and over the next four years, we’re paign throughout.
“It takes significant steps towards meeting key allocating $1.68 billion to help schools deliver quality Labour candidate David Shearer, a former
election commitments and introduces new initiatives. frontline services. senior official at the UN is the favourite of the
“We want to ensure more Kiwis live in warmer, “We’re putting $900 million into justice initia- opinion polls. National candidate and former
drier homes. This is why we’re going to help fit homes tives aimed at improving public safety. This includes television presenter Melissa Lee raised many
built before 2000 with insulation, heat pumps and ap- 600 more police on the streets, 246 more probation Indian eyebrows when she was selected over
proved wood burners,” he says. workers to improve public safety and 26 psycholo- two-time Indian candidate Ravi Musuku es-
About 180,000 homes will be eligible for grants of gists to improve the quality of parole and home de- pecially after he had improved his showing
up to $1,800 regardless of their income. People with tention management. against as eminent a candidate as Clark in the
community service cards will be eligible for grants of “There will be also increased investment of 2008 poll.
up to $3,000. The scheme begins on July 1 this year. $1 billion over the next three years into our state future budgets. Russell Norman of the Green Party and
“We’re investing an additional $3 billion into highway network. “We are focusing on rebuilding business confi- John Boscaven of ACT, besides eleven other
health over the next four years, with a strong focus “The serious economic conditions we are facing dence to help preserve and create jobs, and ensuring hopefuls will contest Saturday’s election. The
on improving frontline services. This will cover 800 means the tax cuts scheduled for 2010 and 2011 are that young people remain connected with the work- results will be declared on June 25.
extra health professionals, which will increase elec- currently unaffordable. This will be reassessed in force and improve their skills” he concludes. - Indian Weekender team

6 Indian Weekender | June 12, 2009

Indian
India

Singh takes up Aussie India gets first woman speaker

racial attacks with Rudd
Meira Kumar, daughter of the late Babu Jag- and traditions. She said the assumption of the
jivan Ram, was on Wednesday unanimously office of Speaker by a woman was a historic
elected as Lok Sabha Speaker. Two years after occasion in the 57 years of Parliament, and
India created history by electing a woman as its maintained it had come at a time when the Lok
President, another Con- Sabha had elected a record
Concerned over increasing attacks on Indians in “It was conveyed to the High Commissioner stitutional post which number of women members
Melbourne, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that continuing the sense of unease and insecurity had so far remained the — 58.
today raised the issue with his Australian coun- for Indian students in Australia can have an adverse preserve of men made its Ms.Kumar said that her
terpart amid stepped up effect in a sector that holds much way to a woman priorities would be to ensure
diplomatic activities by promise,” Prakash told reporters. Prime Minister Man- that the House was able to
India which cautioned of its “Australian authorities have mohan Singh describ- transact its business for
“adverse effect” on the prom- conveyed their clear commitment ing her elevation to the more number of days, and
ising sector of education. to ensuring the safety and well- post as “a truly historic” that there were fewer disrup-
Singh, who received a being of Indian students in Aus- moment, he hailed her tions and adjournments. “I’ll
call from Australian Prime tralia,” Prakash said. contributions as a dis- speak to leaders of all politi-
Minister Kevin Rudd to con- In Melbourne, India’s High tinguished diplomat, cal parties to ensure more
gratulate him on assump- Commissioner to Austra- parliamentarian and as sittings,” she added while
tion of office for a second lia Sujatha Singh and Consul an able administrator. speaking to newspersons
term, used the opportunity to General Anita Nair met John He hoped that the ex- later in the day.
convey India’s concerns over Brumby, the premier of Victoria periences gained from When questioned on
the attacks on Indian students state, and his ministers and con- all these position would whether like her predeces-
there. veyed to them the need to rebuild hold her in good stead. sors she would also resign
External Affairs Minister students’ confidence in the host The 64 year old from the Congress, she said
S M Krishna pressed for suit- country. former diplomat re- “A Speaker should be above
able steps to stop such incidents when he received “It was conveyed to them that Indian students ceived endorsement board and impartial. I’d be
a call from his Australian counterpart Stephen have been feeling that vicious attacks against them from all political parties. completely neutral’.
Smith. have been increasing and that there is an urgent UPA chairperson Sonia
Amid outrage and concern in India at the wave need to reassure them,” Vishnu Prakash said. Gandhi, Leader of the House, Leader of the Op-
of allegedly racist attacks on Indian students, the Meanwhile the Indian high commissioner in position, his deputy Sushma Swaraj, Mamata For some it was still Speaker Sir
Australian government assured India that a slew of Canberra as well as the consuls general in Sydney Banerjee (Trinamool Congress), T R Baalu CPI(M) veteran Basudeb Acharia continued to
steps, including increased patrolling and setting up and Melbourne have also taken a slew of cautionary (DMK), Arjun Charan Sethi (BJD), Sharad address Meira Kumar as ‘Sir’ instead of ‘Madam
of a hotline, have been taken to ensure the safety of measures and put a list of dos and don’ts on their Yadav (JD-U), Mulayam Singh Yadav (SP), Speaker’ throughout the day on Wednesday. He
over 80,000 Indian students in the country. websites. Lalu Prasad Yadav (RJD), Ram Sundar Das was repeatedly reminded by the members of the
The Ministry of External Affairs summoned The websites advise students on how to report (JD-U), Sharad Pawar (NCP), Farooq Abdul- treasure and the Opposition to correct himself
Australian High Commissioner John McCarthy incidents, even of a minor nature, to enable the lah (NC) and E Ahamed (Muslim League) pro- and address the Chair as ‘Madam Speaker” and
to register India’s concerns and press for concrete Indian officials to take up their specific complaints posed and seconded her candidature. it took some time by the time he got down to ad-
steps to stop such incidents. with the concerned Australian authorities. Ms Kumar said she was humbled by the dressing her correctly.
“Our concerns at attacks on Indian students A guide for prospective students planning to go honour showed to her by members and that it Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh
were conveyed suitably in the respective telephonic to Australia is also under preparation. would be her principal duty to conduct the Lok Yadav also referred to Kumar as ‘Mohoday’
conversations,” External Affairs Ministry spokes- - India stories by Shobha Rao, Sabha in keeping with the Constitution, rules instead of ‘Mohodaya’.
man Vishnu Prakash said. India correspondent

Rainbow cabinet sworn in

After innumerable rounds of intense discussions and negotiations over the past few days, Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh’s new government was finally unveiled. Besides the 19 ministers who were inducted
last Friday, the Prime Minister and Congress president Sonia Gandhi finalised an additional list of 14
ministers, seven ministers of state with independent charge and 38 ministers of state, were sworn in on the
morning of 28 May at the Rashtrapati Bhavan’s Ashoka Hall.
Leader of Opposition L.K. Advani was conspicuous by his absence at the ceremony. The Bharatiya
Janata Party (BJP) leader had attended the first instalment of ministerial inductions last week.
The magnum 79-member strong council of ministers of the new UPA government includes 19 members
from the allies- seven each from the DMK and the Trinamul Congress, three from the Nationalist Congress
Party (NCP) and one each from the National Conference and the Muslim League.
As the ceremony proceeded with clockwork precision, the others quickly followed suit. Some fumbling
a bit, like Congress’ Jairam Ramesh who forgot to sign the register after his oath and V. Narayansamy who
asked the president to wait a bit while he settled his papers. But Saugata Ray of the Trinamool Congress
was a man in a hurry and started off even before the President could prompt him, leading to laughs all
around.
Agatha Sangma daughter of former Lok Sabha speaker P.A.Sangma was the cynosure of all eyes as
she is the youngest minister in the Manmohan Singh cabinet. Wearing a traditional stole and sarong in
beige and white, 28-year-old Sangma fumbled twice mid-sentence but the whole hall was in applause and
smiles when she finished taking the oath.

Civil Rights activist Binayak Sen freed

New Delhi: A day after the Supreme Court my personal ordeal is over. The decision to grant
granted him bail, noted human rights activ- bail to Sen has bolstered the faith of people in
ist Binayak Sen walked out of jail Tuesday, 26 the judiciary and the country’s system,’ Ilina told
May evening after a more than a two-year-long reporters.
confinement, amid jubilation by dozens of rights Earlier in the month a group of British MPs
activists. on Friday signed an Early Day Parliamentary
An award-winning paediatrician and a civil motion expressing concern over the continued
rights activist, Sen, 59, was jailed May 14, 2007 detention of Sen. The motion, sponsored by
for his alleged links with Maoist guerrillas, a Labour Party MP Jeremy Corbyn, called Dr.
charge he, his family and friends vehemently Sen’s incarceration a “grave case of violation of
deny. human rights,” stating that he was being held on
Sen’s wife Ilina, their two daughters, family “politically-motivated and trumped-up charges
members and dozens of activists of the People’s Rights campaigners from across Britain took
Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), welcomed part in a protest outside the Indian High Com-
Dr.Sen outside the Raipur jail. mission in London on May 14 organised by the
‘I will continue to fight and struggle for peace, “Release Binayak Sen Now Campaign” to mark
any sort of violence whether it is by the military the second anniversary of his detention.
or by the Maoists, I condemn. I will try to resolve It called Dr. Sen’s arrest “a manifest evidence
the conflict through political engagement, mili- of an increasing trend worldwide to silence
tary engagement is not a solution,’ reiterated Sen peaceful dissent by imprisoning lawful humani-
as he spoke to reporters. tarian activists on charges of terrorism.”
‘This is one of the happiest days of my life,

Indian Weekender | June 12, 2009 7

Indian
India

Gold heist at Mumbai airport BRIEFS

Now a woman to guard the Cowherd in orissa excels in
PM and family std 12 exams
After the first woman president, first Arabinda Sethi, a cowherd from Orissa
woman speaker now it is the turn of was a proud father last week when the
the first woman IPS officer to guard the results of the Orissan junior college exam-
Prime Minister of India. Binita Thakur inations were announced, his son Ramak-
an IPS officer from the Rajasthan cadre ant (18) had stood 16th in the Humanities
of the 1996 batch will be the first woman stream with 80 per cent marks. Ramakant
to join the elite Special Protection Group till two years ago was a school dropout
(SPG), which is in charge of the secu- who would tend cows all day along with
rity of the Prime Minister. Thakur will his father.
join the SPG, the security shield around Ramakant belongs to a poor, landless
Manmohan Singh and his family, as well family who earn their livelihood tending
as former Prime Ministers — as super- to cows all day and bringing them back to
intendent of police, heading one unit of the owners in the evening. When he com-
the crack squad. As superintendent of pleted Std VII at his village school, his
police in Karauli, Thakur is known for father urged him to quit school and lend
Mumbai: In a daring daylight heist three masked men brandishing revolvers barged into Air India’s cargo her crackdown on druglords, dacoits him a helping hand.
booking terminal at Mumbai airport and left with a huge consignment of gold and silver coins worth an and the efficient handling of the violent Ramankant found support in his uncle,
estimated Rs 55 lakh. While escaping, they ran the security guard over with their car. farmer’s agitation. who urged the boy’s father to let him con-
The consignment was from National Refinery, a gold refinery unit, and was being sent to Hyderabad. tinue studies. After attending school and
Police said the three robbers entered the terminal around 11.30am and hit refinery official Dilip Borkar working with his father, Ramakant was
with a revolver butt. Other refinery officials were held at gunpoint. able to study only late in the evening. He
The trio loaded four of the six trunks, containing 96-100kg of gold and silver coins, into a waiting car 200 Pairs of twins in this still managed to obtain a respectable 59
that had a fourth, masked man at the wheel. When the guard on duty, D.S. Bhosale, tried to stop them, the Kerala village per cent in his Class X examination.
car rammed into him and dragged him for a few metres. Bhosale later died of his head injuries. After completing class X he again gave
The airport police suspect the Rs55 -lakh heist at the Air India (AI) cargo complex on Monday to be an Kodinhi village in Kerala boasts of a up studies and took to tending cows. His
insider’s job. They are making sketches of the four men who looted four boxes of gold and silver from the phenomenon that even the villagers uncle Ajay says “I could see he had poten-
complex on Monday. “Someone knew that the consignment would be brought to the complex at 11.30am. themselves had not realized till recently. tial, I brought him away from his village
The person informed the robbers,” Somnath Ghuge, senior inspector of the airport police station said The village has over 200 twins and some and with the help of some friends, got him
The involvement of the underworld in pulling off the daring heist at the Mumbai airport yesterday has more are on the way. admitted into a junior college in town.
emerged as a strong possibility, revealed police sources. . Kunju Marikar, president of the Nan- Now Ramakant has done us all proud.”
Preliminary investigations revealed that dozens of hardcore criminals, owing allegiance to gangster- nambra panchayat says “ None of us was Ramakant was recently felicitated
turned-politician Arun Gawli, have managed to make deep inroads into Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji aware of this phenomenon and now many by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at a
International Airport in the past few months. have started thinking about this. There special function. “Though we have elec-
Gang members have managed to infiltrate the airport masquerading as loaders in the absence of a is also a new association for these twins.” tricity in our village, our house does not
foolproof screening system. Kodinhi village which approximately have a connection so I studied by lantern
Meanwhile, city cops are planning to install dozens of Closed-Circuit TV (CCTV) cameras on all has a population of 2000 is the only ward light.” Said the beaming Ramakant to re-
roads leading to the airport to keep tabs on activities in the high security zone. in the panchayat that boasts of this record. porters after the function.
Detailed plans to install cameras across the city, including the airport, have been submitted to the Twins and Kins Association (TAKA) Ramakant’s ambition now is to clear
government. an association exclusively for twins the UPSC and become an IAS officer.
and their parents , was formed by If you want to help:- Ajay Sethi, uncle of
P.Bhaskaran, himself father of twin boys. Ramakant’s, mobile no is 0-9437981662.
Says Bhaskaran “ We have started
registration of twins. So far we have
zeroed in on 230 pairs of twins and now New Home Minister rules out
are trying to rope in all the twins irre-
spective of their age.” talks with Pakistan
Details collected by TAKA reveals
that 85 year old Mohammed Haji is the New Delhi: India on Tuesday ruled out
oldest living twin with his sibling having resumption of talks with Pakistan until it
passed away a few years ago. 65-year-old showed more evidence of, and commitment
twins Pathukutty and Kunju Pathukuty to, action against terror groups responsible
are the oldest livings twins. The latest to for the Mumbai attacks.
join the twin groups is a pair of boys born “That is the policy we are pursuing as
on May 6. Another interesting fact found of now,” External Affairs Minister S.M.
by TAKA is that most of the twins are Krishna said. Asked by a TV channel
girls. They plan to come out with more whether there was any possibility of ‘out-
statistics soon. of-box’ thinking and negotiations resum-
Meanwhile a team of scientists from ing with Pakistan in other sensitive areas,
the Centre for Cellular and Molecular he said: “We have taken a position that
Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad and the unless this is resolved, there could not pos-
Centre for Human Growth and Develop- sibly be any dialogue with Pakistan.”
ment, Pune met several pairs of twins of On the new US aid package for Pakistan,
the village last November. Among other Mr. Krishna said: “We have no comments
things they examined their food habits, except that it should not be used against
special climatic conditions in the village, India.” He noted that Pakistan earlier used
water sources etc. But the village has not such aid against India and New Delhi drew
heard of them since. Washington’s attention to this.

Monks walkathon for environment

Monks and nuns of a 800-year-old Buddhist sect have begun a marathon padyatra to propa-
gate environmental conservation and spread awareness about the indiscriminate use of plas-
tics and motor vehicles.
Led by their spiritual leader the Gyalwang Drukpa, 600 monks dressed in deep red robes
would travel across the snow-clad Himalayas in a month long ‘padyatra’ that will culminate
in the Hemis Festival in Ladakh later next month.
“The yatra is a way of embracing the ‘walking life’, which is beautiful and stress free.
Why should we quit walking for cars and helicopters, when they cause so much damage to
nature,” the Gyalwang Drukpa told reporters here before commencing the journey on May
25.
The ‘walkathon’ is expected to gather more volunteers and fellow Drukpas along the
400-km stretch.
The Drukpa leader says he is expecting upto 1000 followers to join him en route the
journey where they would talk to villagers about the environment and also distribute pam-
phlets and canvas bags.
“We want to spread the message of environmental protection and are not marching for
Buddhism. The aim is to interact with people living in the remotest corners of the Himalayas
and get to know nature more intimately,” the spiritual leader said

8 Indian Weekender | June 12, 2009

Indian
India

USA issues travel Kamala Das Hat trouble for

passes away Arunachal MP
advisory, India angry Sanjoy Takam, MP from Arunachal Pradesh
while attending the first day of the Lok Sabha
The US has said in a travel advisory that there is landed in controversy literally head first.
a “high threat from terrorism throughout India” The Member of Parliament attended the
and has urged its citizens to be vigilant and main- session wearing the traditional headgear of the
tain “a low profile” evoking a strong reaction state’s Nyishi tribe, to which he belongs. Many
from New Delhi which said that the country is of his fellow MPs admired the piece embel-
completely safe and such an advisory is not justi- Noted poet and writer in English and Malayalam lished with a hornbill beak and feather.
fied. Kamala Das, passed away on May 31 at a private One person who was not amused was
The “Urgent Warden Message” posted on hospital in Pune, after a prolonged illness. She is Maneka Gandhi, a BJP Member of Parlia-
the embassy website said: “The United States survived by three sons. ment and animal rights activist. She reminded
Mission in India wishes to urgently remind all Her body was brought to Thirvananthapuram Sanjoy the hat was illegal. He later clarified the
US citizens resident in or travelling to India that on Monday night after being taken to Thrissur, beak was artificial but was evasive about the
there is a high threat from terrorism through- Kochi, Alappuzha and Kollam, where thousands feather.
out India.” “As terror attacks are a serious and of her admirers paid their last respects, many with Animal rights activists and conservation-
growing threat, US citizens are urged to always tears in their eyes. ists are aghast at the “display of animal body
practice good security, including maintaining Das, who was born in a conservative Hindu parts” in Parliament as pictures of the MP were
a heightened situational awareness and a low Terror fears: The US thinks India is Nair family with royal roots, controversially em- splashed in all newspapers the next day.
profile,” it said. American citizens have also been braced Islam in 1999, when she was 65, assuming Anuradha Sawhney of People for the
unsafe and has issued travel advisories
asked to consider the level of security present the name Kamala Surayya. She was known for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) says
when visiting public places like religious sites, or ticed in Delhi. The advisory appeared on a day openly writing about issues concerning female “we expect the people in power to lead the way
hotels, restaurants ,entertainment and recreation that Delhi police arrested a suspected Lashkar- sexuality. in dissuading such practices. Tradition cannot
venues. e-Tayyaba operative, identified as Mohammed Born to VM Nair and Balamani Amma on be an excuse for such blatant displays; hiding
Home minister Mr P Chidambaram said India Umer Madni, from near the Qutb Minar in the March 31, 1934, Kamala Das spent most of her behind tradition is the worst form of offence
is “safer than many other countries in the world” capital. Madni, 50, was not carrying weapons or childhood in Kolkata where her father worked. In- for parliamentarians”
and New Delhi will try to persuade Washington ammunition, the police said. He operated from fluenced by her poetess mother and uncle Nalap- The government has banned hunting of
to withdraw the advisory. “I don’t think there is Nepal, they added. The Pakistan-based Lashkar patt Narayana Menon, a prominent writer, Kamala hornbills in Arunachal Pradesh, where only
any justification for the advisory... India is a safe is blamed for the November 26-29 Mumbai started writing at the age of 17 under the pen name about 500 birds are estimated to be alive. .
place,” he said. attacks. Madhavikutty. Wearing headgears embellished with the bird’s
Hours after his remarks, the advisory, posted In addition is Washington’s deafening silence Kamala’s first literary success came at age of 42 beak was also made illegal. The Wildlife
on the American embassy website since June 2, on the release of Hafiz Saeed, chief of Lashkar with her autobiography “My Story”. Trust of India has also introduced fibre glass
was removed but the websites of the US consul- and its front Jamaat-ud-Dawa, by a Pakistani Her popular English works include “The beaks to save the bird from extinction.
ates-general in Calcutta and Mumbai continued court on June 2. Sirens” (Asian Poetry Prize winner), “Summer in Any regulation does not seem deter the
to carry it. Islamabad had put Saeed, prime accused in Calcutta” (Kent’s Award winner), “The Descen- headgear fetish among the Nyishi tribes.
The US embassy claims such advisory is a the Mumbai attacks, under house arrest days dants” (poetry), “Alphabet of Lust” (novel), and
routine matter, but the timing has not gone unno- after the carnage following global pressure. “Yaa Allah” (poems).

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Indian Weekender | June 12, 2009 9

Indian
ICC T20 World Cup 2009

Twenty20 World Cup in

England – The real show is on!
Prashant Belwalkar
As the curtains came down on IPL2, all eyes were on the game to New Zealand, who seized the opportu- and elected to bat against the West Indies who had England and Pakistan was played at the Kensington
the real show of strength at the next event of the latest nity with both hands. just lost a one day series to England. A fiery opening Oval and England had to win the match to remain
form of cricket – the Twenty20 World cup! England Australia, on the back of turmoil as Symonds spell by J Taylor had the Aussies on the back foot, but in contention for the next round. Pietersen was back
which missed out on hosting the IPL2 was looking was sent back on disciplinary grounds, was trying to they recovered largely due to Warner (63), Haddin for England and he delivered with a quickfire 58 and
forward to holding this important event after the come up to terms with this new format. It won the toss and Hussey brothers down the line. West Indies were was ably supported by Wright (34) and Shah (33).
1999 World cup. chasing 170 to win and Chris Gayle played one of the England posted 185 in their allotted 20 overs, the
The tournament is being played in 3 stages; 1st finest innings of any format to demolish the Aussie second highest score of the tournament. Pakistani
round, super eights and then the knockouts. There attack. He scored 88 runs of 50 balls which included fielding was at its worst with 4 dropped catches and
are 12 teams in the fray divided into 4 groups. Apart six 6’s and an equal number of fours. He was ably couple of runout chances going haywire. Younis
from title holders India, test playing nations – Aus- supported by Fletcher who scored 53 and West Khan played a captain’s knock of 46 but the rest of
tralia, South Africa, England, West Indies, New Indies managed to overhaul the Aussie total in just 16 the Paki- stani line up failed to deliver
Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh make overs. The group of death was living to its billing and a n d Pakistan lost by 48 runs. Stuart
up the main list; ICC associate members Netherlands, Aussies have to now beat Sri Lanka handsomely to Broad with 3 wickets re-
Irelands and Scotland have also qualified to play in have any chance to go to the next round. deemed himself after his last
this edition of the Twenty20 world cup. Given that Title holders India were next; playing their bogie over bungling against Neth-
there were 4 groups and 9 test playing nations, one team Bangladesh, who knocked them out of the One erlands. The result has given
of the groups was going to feature all three of the test Day world cup in West Indies. However, India have a huge lifeline to England; and
playing nations. Group C with Australia, Sri Lanka a strong T20 side and M S Dhoni on winning Pakistan now has to beat Neth-
and West Indies received the dubious distinction of the toss promptly decided to bat and put erlands handsomely (at least by 60
being labelled the group of death. Only 2 teams from pressure on Bangla tigers. Gambhir and runs) to have any chance of going
each group will qualify for the Super eights! R Sharma got off to a flyer, but once through in the next round.
The fickle English weather was once again in full the openers were back in the pavil- The tournament has already
force and the planned opening ceremony was canned ion and Dhoni came to bat, Ban- thrown some surprises and is
after the clouds and rain persisted at the Mecca of gladeshis got back into the game living upto its prediction of
cricket – Lords. After a delayed start, England hosted thanks to some brilliant bowling “unpredictability”. One
Netherlands in the first match at Lords. England and fielding. But the danger man bad day is enough for
batting first, set a modest target of 163 for the Nether- Yuvraj Singh once again proved why the teams to lose the
lands. This was courtesy some fine opening batting he should be feared in this format as plot altogether. It’s
by Bopara and Wright. However, England lost the he tore apart the Bangladeshi bowling anybody’s game from
plot in the middle overs and Netherlands came back to allow India to host 180 runs on the here on!
to restrict England to a manageable total of 162. K board. The Bangladeshi team chased
Pietersen pulled out at the last moment for England the target furiously but were always on
and his absence was felt in the middle order. Nether- the back foot and wickets kept falling at
lands came out to bat in a positive frame of mind and regular intervals and a four wicket haul by
despite losing a couple of wickets before the power- P Ohja was mainly instrumental in a 25 run
play was over, they never lost the sight of the target. victory for India. Bangladesh now has to beat
Thanks to some lofty hitting by de Grooth, Borren Ireland to qualify for the next round.
and ten Doeschate Netherlands scampered home of South Africa, the other favourite to
the last ball of the innings. Stuart Broad who bowled win this tournament, was playing against
the last over had 3 chances in the over but made a Scotland. Given the performance of
mess of it all the three times, including an over throw Scotland against New Zealand, it was
off the last ball which sealed it for Netherlands. interesting to see how South Africa
England now had to win against Pakistan to remain approached this game. Scotland
in contention for the next round. won the toss and chose to field
The second match between New Zealand and as they had confidence in their
Scotland was a 7 over match courtesy the persistent batting. South Africa mauled
rain at the Oval. New Zealand was without their the hapless Scotland bowling,
captain Daniel Vettori, who injured his bowling with Smith (38), Kallis (48)
shoulder in practice. He was sorely missed as and de Villers (79) being the
Brendon McCallum sent Scotland in to bat after main contributors. They posted
winning the toss. He had no clue to the storm that the first over 200 total (211) of
was to follow. In the allotted 7 overs Scotland ham- the tournament. Chasing 211
mered 89 runs and set New Zealand an improbable was always going to be difficult
90 to win. It was looking like another upset on the for Scotland and they capitulated
cards just 18 hours after the first one by Netherlands. to a meagre 81/10 in 15.4 overs
But those ghosts were laid to rest by a resolute New handing South Africa a huge
Zealand side with quick runs by McCallum, Ryder victory by 130 runs.
and Taylor. Some sloppy fielding by Scotland gifted The crucial match between

10 Indian Weekender | June 12, 2009

Indian
Fiji

Interim government US should assist Fiji

extends emergency like China does, says US
Fiji’s military government has extended public
emergency regulations for the third month after
abrogation of the constitution by President Ratu
Congressman
Josefa Iloilo in April. This includes censorship American Samoa’s delegate to the US House of Representatives Eni Faleomavaega says the United
of the media. States has to provide real assistance like building roads, ports and bridges in Fiji just like China, ac-
Lieutenant-Colonel Neumi Leweni, the cording to news website Fiji Live.
spokesman of the military regime has said that Given China’s increasing influence in the Pacific, Faleomavaega said the US has to step up its
the decision to prolong the emergency regula- presence and not be overly reliant on Australia and New Zealand when charting its foreign policy.
tions was made by the defence ministry follow- He said the US, with an estimated Budget of 2.2 trillion dollars a year, has done nothing for Fiji
ing an assessment of the security situation. and the Pacific.
The stamp of approval on the extension was “The US has done zero and to tell you quite frankly I am embarrassed about the fact that we are the
given by confirmed in a decree signed by Pre- most powerful country in the world,” he said following his two-day visit in Fiji this week.
sient Iloilo last week. “We do care but we don’t have the time. Well how about making time for a change?
Under the censorship rules, media have been “I mean the real kind of assistance not just the Mickey Mouse two week little symposium or little
barred from publishing or broadcasting any news meeting here and there and thinking that’s really a big help. I’m talking about actually building roads,
or commentary that may serve to portray the building sea ports.
regime led by Commodore Frank Bainimarama “The kind of things the Chinese are doing now that has never been done before in other island
in a negative way. countries.”
It was Bainimarama who initially introduced Meanwhile, a delegation of 60 Chinese entrepreneurs and government officials led by China’s
emergency regulations for the first time imme- Vice Minister for Commerce Jiang Zengwei is in Fiji this week as part of bilateral efforts to strength-
diately after the abrogation of the constitution en Sino-Fiji relations.
and the sacking of the judiciary on April 10. The The delegation also includes officials from China’s Export/Import Bank, who are expected to hold
move was in response to a court ruling that his going about their usual friendly and accommo- talks with Fiji’s Housing Authority regarding a $70 million loan for housing developments in Suva.
government was illegal. dating way of life which Fiji is renowned for.” Also coinciding with the event is the arrival of Pacific Islands Trade Representative in China,
Meanwhile, Military spokesman Leweni has “Government is guided by its intentions to Samuela Savou, who deliver presentations in Nadi on the opportunities in China as an emerging
hailed the benefits of media censorship. direct the nation towards a more peaceful and market in the Pacific.
“The absence of politics from the national harmonious society that is free from all forms of

Land Force Commander

agenda, for instance, is contributing positively discrimination and corruption,” he said.
to the peace and stability of the nation,” Lt Col Lt Col Leweni said it is to be expected that
Leweni said. the initial period of the re-building process will
“People are now more focused on their lives, naturally be difficult for some members of the

warns ‘troublemakers’
families and work without being distracted by public to understand.
the divisive and fragmentary views that were “But, government will continue to appeal for
prominent in the period before the emergency the public’s understanding and active support.
regulations were implemented.” “Ultimately, government must take responsi-
He claimed tourism was benefiting from the bility for the nation and especially to ensure that
“more positive reports about tangible develop- it successfully completes the work it had initially Fiji’s Military Forces has warned anyone plan- about the welfare and social well being of their
ments throughout the country and about people set out to do,” he said. ning to cause instability while the public emer- members,” he said.
gency regulation period is still on. “Politics is none of their business,” Colonel
Land Force Commander Colonel Pita Driti Driti firmly stated. He said the military council
told the Fiji Sun newspaper they are prepared to came up with the decision to cancel the annual

Fiji to open third university

come down hard on those who would try to de- meeting after they saw that the political discus-
stabilise security in the country. sions on the planned agenda were deemed “ad-
“We are prepared for any uprising,” he versarial” to Government policies.
warned yesterday. “Also keep in mind that under the public
Fiji is set to open its third university – the Fiji National University, which would include Fiji “And this time we will be more firm and de- emergency regulations political discussions at
Institute of Technology’s journalism school – next year. termined with our actions. We will be tougher, public gatherings are prohibited.”
The FNU would see the merger of the public tertiary institutions: Fiji School of Medicine focused and swift in our reaction to any uprising. As the largest denomination in the country, it
(FSM), Fiji Institute of Technology (FIT), Fiji College of Advanced Education (FCAE), Fiji All plans have been drawn up to counter this. So is expected that the cancellation announcement
School of Nursing (FSN), Fiji College of Agriculture (FCA) and the Lautoka Teachers College my advice is: Don’t think about it.” may not go down well with some members, who
(LTC). Col Driti said the security situation in the have spent the last several months preparing for
The university will have an interim council running the administration of the university with country is calm and those who decide to shake the conference. It was scheduled to be held in
a Vice-Chancellor to oversee the whole system, according to a Ministry of Education statement. things up would be dealt with severely. Rewa.
The heads of these institutions, the Permanent Secretary for Education, a representative each His comments also come as the Methodist Police spokeswoman Ema Mua said at the
of the Higher Education Commission and the Fiji National Qualifications Authority are members Church’s annual conference planned for August moment they had their normal operations.
of the Council, it said. has been cancelled. Colonel Driti said it was the However, they would take necessary security
Each individual institution will remain administered by their respective heads of administra- church’s agenda that resulted in the cancellation. measures if some members of the public decide
tion. The Secretariat to the Higher Education Commission is currently assisting in the drafting of He said the church had political issues on its to cause trouble.
the Fiji National University Act. There are currently two universities based in the country – the conference agenda. The military and police in an unsigned state-
University of the South Pacific and University of Fiji. Both USP and the FIT have journalism “It is the agenda that will cause instability. ment in the Fijian language announced their de-
schools, with USP offering degrees and postgraduate journalism study. Church conferences shouldn’t see the discus- cision to cancel the annual meet last Saturday
sion of political issues. They should instead talk night.

For all your

legal needs
Aaron Kashyap
BA, LLB
Barrister and solicitor
Level 1, 351 Manukau Road, PO Box 26-596, DXCP 32513, Epsom, Auckland
Mobile: 0274 857 302 Phone: (09) 6238277 Fax: (09)6235177
Email: [email protected]

Indian Weekender | June 12, 2009 11

Indian
Gurpurab Special

Guru Arjan Dev ji – an unparalleled cosmic sacrifice

Harbhajan Singh
The tradition of martyrdom in the Sikh faith was Guru’s elder brother, Prithi Chand planned to During the torture, Guru Sahib was made unique nectar, the nectar of the bliss of martyr-
started by its fifth Guru Arjan Dev. The great- harm and harass Guru Sahib in association with to sit in a cauldron with water and a fire was lit dom to the followers of Guru Nanak. It was an
est contribution he made to the Sikh faith was to the fundamentalist elements who were jealous underneath. Thereafter he was made to sit on inspiring beginning, an exemplary commence-
have had the utterances of all preceding gurus of the Sikh community and Guru Arjan Dev hot iron plates. The Guru did not utter any cry ment, a signal for life eternal.
collected in one anthology, known as the Guru Sahib. After the death of emperor Akbar the new of pain – instead sat in blissful meditation and Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib along with his
Granth Sahib. head of state emperor Jahangir was also resented ecstatic equipoise on the hot iron plate while most beloved Sikhs, Bhai Mati Das, Bhai Sati
This is the main religious book of Sikhs and Guru Sahib’s propagation of Sikhism. burning sand was poured on his head in an un- Das and Bhai Dyala, then offered themselves
has the status of a Guru. The holy book conveys He prompt- ending stream. unto the Lord in this tradition of supreme cosmic
the message of spiritual improvement and the ly obliged the With no sacrifice. Sri Guru Gobind Singh Sahib offered
spread of truth and virtue to humankind. enemies of feeling of ill- everything nearest and dearest including his
Unlike any other religious book in history, Guru Sahib will, with beloved sons and countless Sikhs before install-
Guru Arjan Dev included the compositions of and accepted no word of ing and annointing Sri Guru Granth Sahib as the
both Hindu and Muslim saints, which he con- the many base- rancour and Eternal Guru.
sidered consistent with the teachings of Sikhism less allega- condemnation Guru Arjan Dev’s sacrifices in the history of
and the gurus. According to numerous historians tions levelled and with a soul- Sikhs stand unparalleled to this day. He taught
and scholars, the Guru Granth Sahib is the most against Guru stirring glow of the followers of Guru Nanak how to love death
modern and scientific of all the world’s religious Sahib – one the sweet will in tune with the divine. He blessed them with the
texts and promotes equality and the oneness of of those was of the Lord, boon of divine intoxication in agony and death.
God. helping the writ large on He transformed the suffering and death into holy
Having accomplished the primary mission rebellious his holy face, worship, a welcome rare divine blessing.
of his holy life – the compilation of Sri Guru Khusro. Guru He blissfully Immensity, depth and unlimited magnitude
Granth Sahib and its momentous installation Arjan Sahib underwent the of Guru Arjan’s grace, compassion, mercy and
in Sri Harimandir Sahib (Golden Temple) – Sri was arrested brutal torture, sacrifice is yet to be befittingly acknowledged in
Guru Arjan Dev Ji then set the pace for a unique and brought to agony and suf- the modern world.
cosmic sacrifice. Lahore where fering. Today, Sikhs all over the world mark the an-
On June 16 every year since 1606, the Sikhs he was charge- When his niversary of Guru Arjan Dev’s martyrdom by
have commemorated the martyrdom of their first sheeted and body was blis- carrying on the tradition of distributing cold
martyr, the fifth Guru, Guru Arjan Dev Ji. implicated in the false cases. tered, he was chained and thrown into the river sweetened buttermilk called Chhabil to people
During the Guruship of Guru Arjan, many The Governor of Lahore was assigned the Ravi. Thus Guru Sahib embraced martyrdom. irrespective of their religion or faith.
thousands of people began to follow the teach- task of his execution. He handed over Guru The martyrdom of Guru Sahib changed the
ings of Sikhism and both Hindus and Muslims Sahib over to Chandu, a petty businessman of entire character of Sikhism radically. The Sikhs
embraced Sikhism, which preached equality, Lahore city. He tortured Guru Sahib for about naturally looked upon this as the bigotry and Indian Weekender pays
compassion, love, dedication, hard work, worship three days in a manner of cruelty unknown in cruelty of the theist Muslim state towards the humble homage to the
of one God and the commitment to peace and recorded human history. It is said that Mian Mir newly born, peace loving Sikh faith.
harmony for all the peoples of the world. This (a Muslim Sufi Saint and friend of Guru Sahib) Having presented the nectar of immortality martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev
upset the leaders of both these communities who tried to intercede on behalf of Guru Sahib but the in the form of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, to ad- ji and to the tradition he began
soon hatched a conspiracy against him. latter forbade him. herents of the faith, he now passed on another

12 Indian Weekender | June 12, 2009

Indian
Gurpurab Special

The Guru Granth Sahib in Braille – a world first

Gurmej Singh, the well-known blind Ragi from Das’s verses along with the Nit Nem.
Punjab who also served for nearly three decades Currently he is working on a project to
at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab, is in translate the entire Sri Guru Granth Sahib into
New Zealand these days. Braille. Jagjit Singh, who is the son of Avtar
Interestingly, he has a strong connection with Singh Andrew, a senior community leader and
New Zealand that goes back almost exactly a social worker of Auckland, is assisting him in
hundred years. In 1906, his maternal grandfa- this exemplary task.
ther migrated from India to Fiji and then on to Gurmej Singh has been awarded the Shiro-
New Zealand in 1909. His family still lives in mani Ragi Award by the Chief Khalsa Diwan in
Auckland. 1988; by Sikh Gurudwara Prabhandak Commit-
Gurmej Singh was born in Village Bajidpur tee in 1991; by the Bhasha Vibhag of the Punjab
in Punjab in the year 1940 and at a tender age of Government in the year 1997. He was also con-
8 years the dreaded disease small pox rendered ferred the Ujagar Singh Sekhwan Shiromani
him blind. A village elder convinced Gurmej’s Ragi Award in 1998.
father Parsa Singh to send his son to the Central This is Gurmej Singh’s second visit to New
Khalsa Orphanage in Amritsar which also oper- Zealand and he has performed Kirtan in most
ated a wing for blind students and imparted them Gurudwaras in the country.
vocational training in Kirtan, cane weaving and - Indian Weekender team
also taught them to read Braille.
This was the turning point in Gurmej’s life
where he was trained under the guidance of the
legendary Bhai Vir Singh, a famous Sikh per-
sonality who ran the Central Khalsa Orphanage.
Gurmej was exceptionally good in Kirtan and
aspired to be a Ragi.
Unfortunately Bhai Vir Singh died when
Gurmej was only 17 years – but he left a deep
impression on Gurmej – who performed Kirtan
Gurmej Singh: Dedicated 27 years of his life to the Golden Temple in Amrit-
at the bhog ceremony of Bhai Vir Singh. sar and (right) a page of the Braille document.
Because of his extraordinary accomplish-
ments even at the young age of 18, Gurmej was Ragi” at the Golden Temple. Gurmej dedicated which is the written language for the blind and is
appointed as a Ragi in Nanaksar Gurudwara in the next 27 years of his life in the service of God a combination of 6 dots. He has worked tirelessly
Verka, where he further perfected his skills for at the Golden Temple from where he retired in throughout his life to publish the various Sikh
another two years before landing a job in the Gu- 1998. scriptures in Braille – so that blind people can
rudwara at Dehradun where he worked for the He has travelled the world spreading the also read and benefit from the teachings of the
next 11 years. message of Gurbani and mesmerised the faithful Sikh Gurus.
In 1971, Gurmej was hand picked and invited in the United States, Canada, Dubai, Thailand He translated the Holy Sukhmani Sahib in
to be the Ragi at the Golden Temple – the highest and New Zealand with his soul stirring hymns Braille in the year 1969. In 1975 he complet-
seat of the Sikh religion. This was a rare honour and kirtan. ed translation of the verses of Sri Guru Tegh
for Gurmej who was installed as the “Hazuri Gurmej is highly accomplished in Braille – Bahadur and by 1979 he completed Guru Amar

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Indian Weekender | June 12, 2009 13

 Indian
Indian
Letters
NZICA’s response to violence against Indian students in Australia

New Zealand Indian Central Association strongly condemns the ‘racist’ violence
against Indian Students in Australia and appeals to the Rudd government to imme-
From the Editor diately apprehend the offenders and provide relief to the affected innocents.
Australia must do more to stop the NZICA requests the government of New Zealand to open doors for relocation of
those students who find it difficult to cope with inhumane treatment in Australia.
continuing attacks on Indian students Ratilal Champaneri, President NZICA plans to meet the Indian High Com-
mission officials in Wellington to register the community response about Indian
government’s weak handling of the situation. Government of India needs to act in
The viciousness and frequency with which Indian students have been at- a more responsible manner when it comes to safety of its citizens abroad.
tacked in Australia over the past few months has inevitably brought back NZICA will also write to Human Rights Commission to investigate the matter.
memories of a time not so long ago when it had the appalling White Austra- This kind of behavior is totally unacceptable in a modern country which is com-
lia policy. It is a blot that the country has tried hard to erase but has never prised of mainly immigrants of all ethnicities.
really succeeded, what with reports of racial intolerance making world
headlines every once in a while.
Racially motivated or not, the violence must stop. The kind of heartless Veer Khar, General Secretary, NZICA
brutality that the students have been subjected to as seen from the viral
videos – and described in their own words by victims – in the global instant We have received dozens of letters congratulating Dr Guna Magesan after his
media cannot be justified under any circumstances. And the Australian au- appointment as Justice of the Peace. Here are some:
thorities must face up to what has happened and most unfortunately contin-
ues to happen as we speak.
It is heartening to note this accomplishment of yours, Dr Magesan. This speaks of
At nearly 100,000 in its tertiary institutions, Indians comprise a formi-
dable chunk of the country’s foreign students in its $A12-15 billion dollar
the fairness of the system that recognizes people on their merit not on the basis of
education industry. Not only is that big money at stake, but its reputation religion, language, clan, culture, colour of the skin, etc. Can such things happen in
as a destination for higher education, and even tourism for that matter, is other parts of the world, specially in India, the country of Magesan’s birth?
equally in jeopardy especially in the eyes of India’s education hungry middle
classes that are getting wealthier by the day to be able to afford overseas - By Dr. G. Narayanasamy
education anywhere in the world.
It is hardly surprising that the Chinese government too has expressed
concerns for its own students in the wake of the attacks. Australia cannot Congratulations Guna - a mostworthy and respected member of the Rotorua
afford to risk its reputation especially in two of the world’s fastest growing Community, an inspirational leader for members of the NZ Federation of Ethnic
economies, which for decades to come have the potential of sending hun- Councils. Well Done
dreds of thousands of not just students but also professionals, workers and
tourists to keep its economy ticking. - Superintendent Wallace Haumaha
Indian Weekender joins the NZICA and other Indian organisations in
New Zealand and elsewhere in lodging our protest at the shameful events
across the Tasman and urges both the Indian and Australian governments
to deal with the problem forthwith and restore confidence in both students Dear Dr. Guna,
and their parents.
The past couple of weeks have been interesting for us at Indian Weekend- I am delighted to know about the rightful recognition of your contributions to en-
er. As well as putting together this seventh issue, our expanding team has vironmental causes and to NZ society. I am sure this is only the beginning. I enjoy
been super busy with a host of activities backstage. As you’ve probably read reading your mails and about your work. Best wishes,
in the earlier pages of this issue, indianweekender.co.nz – our online edition
– launched earlier this week and we’re simply amazed at the response we’ve D.L.N.Rao
begun to receive within just a a matter of days.
This means Indian Weekender is now much more than a periodical pub- Meet Indian Weekender’s new team members
lication. With our new team members, Arvind, Rohan and Reggie – who we
are very pleased to welcome – we will be working turning Indian Weekender Arvind Kumar, Web Editor
into an interesting, engaging and useful multimedia experience primarily [email protected]
for Kiwi Indians, with new content and features being added on a schedule Arvind is a veteran journalist with more than 20 years in the indus-
that is far more frequent than this publication. What’s more, if you miss out try - first as a news and sports reporter and later as a Sub-Editor
on a hard copy, you will be able to read it online starting with this issue. and Chief Sub-Editor on some of the biggest newspapers in the
With this issue, we are also pleased to welcome two new, experienced region, including the Fiji Sun and the Fiji Times. He also served
columnists – Farida Master who has earlier been the editor of such high as Editor of the Pacific Islands Monthly in Suva. In New Zealand,
celebrated Indian publications as Stardust and Rakesh Krishnan who has Arvind has been a Sub-Editor with the New Zealand Herald, the
begun this week with a thought-provoking piece. Waikato Times and is currently Chief Sub-Editor of NZ Rural
Our new partnership with Knowledge Basket (see page 4) will make our Press, the agricultural arm of Fairfax Media NZ, the country’s larg-
content available to a host of its high profile clients on a regular basis on
est print media organisation.
demand for years to come.
Last but not least, we proudly congratulate Mr Roshan Lal Nauhria on
his honour as Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit conferred on him Rohan DeSouza, Chief Technology Officer
by Queen Elizabeth-II. [email protected]
Rohan has over 14 years experience in the IT industry working in
various roles from Graphic/Web Design through to Web Marketing
and Web Development. He has worked with some of the biggest
multinational companies and has over 6 years experience in the
Indian Weekender Volume 1 No 7 online news industry. He is presently working as an Interactive
Publisher: Kiwi Media Group Limited Producer and manages some of NZ’s most visited websites in-
Group editor-in-chief: Dev Nadkarni [email protected] cluding TV3’s 3 News website, Radio Live and BSport.
Web editor: Arvind Kumar [email protected]
India Correspondent: Shobha Rao [email protected]
Chief Technical Officer: Rohan Desouza rohan@ indianweekender.co.nz
Design: Tanmay Desai [email protected] / www.desaign.co.nz Would you like your copy of
Advertising: Reggie Singh - 021 160 6704, [email protected] Indian Weekender delivered to
or Giri Gupta - 021 221 1131
your mail box?
Please email original editorial contributions, community notices and pictures to
[email protected] Please send us your name, street address and phone number along
with a cheque for $30 payable to Kiwi Media Group and mail it to Unit
Indian Weekender is published by Kiwi Media Group, Unit O, 8 Bishop Lenihan Place, O, 8 Bishop Lenihan Place, East Tamaki, Manukau 2013. The amount
East Tamaki, Manukau 2013 and printed at APN Print, Ellerslie, Auckland would cover the costs of mailing and handling 26 issues.
Copyright 2009. Kiwi Media Group. All Rights Reserved.

14 Indian Weekender | June 12, 2009

Indian
Comment

Charity? Thanks, but no thanks

Rakesh Krishnan

Before you open your purse strings as the appeals of organised charities tug at your heart-strings stop and
take another look. Far from being as effective as they would have us believe, many of them may actually have
hidden agendas.
These days you can’t sit through an hour of TV Malawi and Vanautu (countries where life expec- 35 million people are facing chronic starvation. fourth largest air force and fifth largest navy;
without being subjected to a barrage of ads from tancy, per capita income and calorie intakes read These are official data provided by the US De- which has 15 million new mobile phone con-
sundry organisations that claim they’ll eradi- like the scores of The Netherlands cricket team partment of Agriculture and experts say the real nections each month; which launches satellites
cate poverty and improve healthcare in Africa, after an encounter with Brett Lee) figure could be higher. “We will soon have the in lunar orbit; which has five of the world’s 10
South America, Asia and Eastern Europe– pro- World Vision isn’t the only one that is riding most food stamps recipients in the history of our richest persons; which has the world’s first billion
vided, of course, you open up your purse strings. the Slumdog wave; there is at least one more country,” says Jim Weill, president of the US’ dollar home (actually $2 billion), doesn’t need
Strangely, the frequency of these ads seems to charity that rolls out a similar spiel on prime time Food Research and Action Center. All across charity or aid.
be in inverse proportion to the bad news on the television (using the “poor Indians” bait) to grab the country, from LA to Detroit to New York, India is the second largest investor in Britain
economic front. It’s hard to believe that these or- our attention and make a lunge for our dollars. the soup kitchen lines are getting longer. “Right after the US; in the past couple of years it has
ganisations are soliciting funds at a time when Isn’t it ironic that people belonging to a $90 now they are really fighting for their lives,” says bought steel giant Corus, Land Rover and Jaguar,
Kiwis themselves are reeling under a prolonged billion economy are global economic analyst and has donated millions of dollars to Oxford and
economic recession. being asked to donate to Alan Bragman. Cambridge Universities.
Welcome to the world of New Zealand chari- people in a $1000 billion However, such a Kiwi money is better spent locally – in
ties, a market where the easy money has long economy? Frankly, tragic situation is under- Mangere, Manurewa, Hastings, Invercargill.
since been pocketed but where organisations are India doesn’t need aid or reported in the American However, if you are easily parted with your
now looking for innovative ways to generate cash. charity. What is happen- media and glossed over money and still want to send it to India, read
Call it the Slumdog Spinoff, a new phenomenon ing in India is economic by Washington DC. this extract from a paper prepared by professor
that these outfits have chanced upon to make you gentrification on a scale In contrast, in August Shyam J. Kamath of California State University
part with your dollar – hard earned or not. that’s unprecedented in 2001, in the face of clearly for the CATO Institute: “Foreign aid to India has
Take the World Vision advertisement on TV3. human history. Every unsubstantiated (and been an unmitigated disaster. It has acted as both
The same person that conducts those impromptu year dozens of millions scaremongering) reports a catalyst and an encouragement for the politici-
tastings of Heller’s Bacon in European cities can of people are joining the in the Indian media of sation of the Indian economy. It has also encour-
be seen exhorting you to donate freely for buying ranks of the middle class starvation among some aged corruption, rent seeking, and graft. Foreign
school desks for children in India. Coincidently, that’s double the size of nomadic and reclusive aid has been – and continues to be – predicated on
the ad started appearing days after the movie, America’s – 600 million. tribesmen in the thick an outdated and false theory of development eco-
Slumdog Millionaire, became big news in New Plus, there are over 50 Helping hand? forests of eastern India, nomics that assumes that only capital and access
Zealand. However, what’s shocking is that dona- million rich folk who the Indian government – to technology are needed for economic develop-
tions are being solicited under the banner of the lead a lifestyle that the elite class in any country despite denial by local bureaucrats – activated ment.”
‘40 Hour Famine’, giving the impression to the would envy. the food supply system. Soon trains from the gra- After the tsunami in India a few years back,
lay public that there is famine in India. In fact, the number of wealthy Indians is naries of Punjab and Tamil Nadu were whizzing charities worldwide collected a few hundred
According to World Vision New Zealand rising faster than any other segment. For instance, east carrying millions of sacks of wheat, rice, million dollars in aid. But since many of the char-
CEO Lisa Cescon, in 2008 more than 120,000 when the Mumbai stock market went north after millets, barley and pulses. ities were fronts for evangelistic organisations,
people raised over $2 million. “It’s extraordinary last month’s general elections, it created 143 bil- After the warehouses in the nearest railhead the end result has been that the eastern Indian
that even in a recession when family budgets lionaires in three minutes of trading. And that’s were full, the trains deposited the grain on the coastline now has a church every 500 metres,
are tight, Kiwis reached deep into their pockets during a global recession. railway platforms and finally they just idled at the causing considerable social upheaval.
and acknowledged the worse plight of others in So does that mean that the rest of the popula- platforms because there was simply no space to Before you send off that cheque, just pause
places they’ll probably never, ever go,” she told tion of 550 million is poor? Hardly. There is an unload. And finally, the truth came out (which the to think: charities have been working for over a
the media last year. “This will help make a huge aspiring 350 million lower middle class that’s officials had maintained all along): eight tribes- hundred years yet have barely made a dent in the
difference in World Vision projects in Malawi, rapidly merging with the true middle class. The men had died because they munched on a poi- poverty in Africa. On the other hand, hard work,
Honduras, Cambodia, India, Bangladesh and poor would number around 200 million, but sonous seed, which resembled their regular wild private enterprise and heavy investment in roads
Vanuatu – to name a few.” wait, these are poor not because of lack of op- staple. and industry has transformed the economies of
A country like India gets a double whammy portunities but because of social problems and What’s happening in New Zealand and some once poor countries such as Malaysia, South
here. First, they splash a big ‘Famine’ logo on government inertia. However, there is no famine western counties is of a similar nature. Charities Korea, Singapore, and of course India.
your TV screen, implying that there are people in India, which is able to feed all its 1.2 billion are ratcheting up the scaremongering to collect - Rakesh Krishnan is a Features Writer with
starving in India. Then they bracket India (which people – and is a net food exporter. larger and larger amounts from the public. But Fairfax New Zealand
is planning a manned moon mission in 2015) with Compare that to the United States where over a country that has the world’s third largest army,

President’s promise to India – can it work?

Srihari Gudipoodi
The Oscar winning ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ must that says “every BPL family in the country will be a bang. It tasted great public support both at the In a recent survey conducted by a Singapore
have stirred the conscience of the ruling UPA and entitled to get 25 kg of rice or wheat every month at time of formation of government and also soon based organisation, India is listed as the most
made politicians to sit up and watch, at least on the Rs 3 a kg.” Another one is enactment of ‘Women’s after the presentation of this agenda to parliament. corrupt country in Asia. Irrespective of its grading
screen, the plight of children living in slums. The Reservation Bill,’ providing for one-third reserva- All these goals can be achieved only when there validity, India is neck deep in corruption that begins
plan of action read out to the joint session of the tion in Parliament and State legislatures for women is peace and tranquillity around, which needs in- with the politicians and ends with aam-aadmi. Ev-
Parliament by, President Pratibha Patil, includes and fifty percent reservation to women in the Pan- ternal security as priority. Internal and external erybody operates in his own sphere. The right to
removal of all slums in these five years of rule. chayat level of administration, covering the rural terrorism are worrying factors. The President’s Information act (RTI) that is already brought into
“My government’s effort would be to create sector. mandate addressed this problem too. India’s North force, proved inefficient to control this menace.
a slum free India in five years through the Rajiv The oft-heard clichés like internal security, Eastern states are a separate category to be tackled The government should create a moral way for
Awas Yojana”. Thus the government has given a communal harmony and zero tolerance for ter- differently. accountability according instant punishment to the
five-year time frame after the award-crazy film- rorism are also part of the priority agenda. “My Bangladesh’ resolve not to allow its territory to guilty. The names of the corrupt and cheats must
makers portrayed utter poverty and ugly living government had already prepared a detailed plan be exploited for hostile activities is not an easy task be circulated to banks and government offices
conditions in slums. No politician talked about to address internal security challenges to be im- to achieve, because of the links the terrorists have through a network that effectively prevents them
slums earlier, as they are vote banks. plemented in a time-bound manner”, she reveals. with ISI of Pakistan. The militancy in the North from indulging in any economic offences.
Pratibha Patil’s mandate for inclusive growth ‘police reform’ and early approval of the preven- East is also partly sponsored by them. Added to As pleaded by the leader of the opposition L.K.
of secular and plural India is more an extension of tion of ‘communal violence’ bill too are a priority that the China syndrome is developing with its con- Advani, there is a need to probe into sources where
party manifesto. In one word the agenda presented now, like they were in the previous term. Sachar nections with Sri Lanka, as supplier of arms; Nepal black money is stashed. For example the Swiss
was pro-‘aam aadmi’ (those below the poverty Committees’ report forms the base for the appease- with support for its Maoist movement and Burma, banks. President Pratibha Patil said revealing her
line – BPL). Most of the projects are a continu- ment of minorities. “Communal harmony shall be providing sanctuary and arms to the militants. agenda that her government was fully seized of the
ing process that brought the congress led UPA to preserved at all costs. The mandate that my gov- New Delhi hardly goes deep into the problem of issue of illegal money of Indian citizens outside the
power. The National Rural Employment Guarantee ernment received was unmistakable in that the Naxals, Bodos and other outfits, saying that is the country in secret bank accounts and would vigor-
Act has proved to be what it promised – an effec- people wanted the country’s secular fabric to be responsibility of state governments. ously pursue with the countries concerned.
tive social protection measure and the largest pro- protected,” she says. The other malaise that plagues the country is It is a matter of satisfaction that the Indian eco-
gramme in the world for rural reconstruction. As these flagship programmes need funding, the rise in criminal activities like kidnapping for nomic scene has not suffered the kind of shock that
There were ten broad areas of priority all to it is imperative to focus on infrastructure develop- ransom and all sorts of violence against women. has been witnessed in almost every other country
be achieved in the next five years including slum ment, allowing foreign investment. If the sensex It is necessary for the government to instil confi- of the world. India’s immediate priority must be
clearance. The most dramatic promise is the Na- pole-vault is any indication Prime Minister Man- dence in the law-abiding people and fear of punish- to focus on management of the economy that will
tional Food Security Act, which implements a law mohan Singh commenced his second innings with ment in those who break the law. counter the effect of the global slowdown.

Indian Weekender | June 12, 2009 15

Indian
Comment

India must tell Australia it means business

dev nadkarni
Indian students have been violently attacked, that its members would refuse to work in Australia served to perpetrate an “us versus them” mindset mainstream media in several countries across the
mugged and robbed in public places, commuter until the attacks on ceased. One Yash Raj film and within India. world including China, which also has thousands
transport and even homes in Melbourne, Sydney another by a different production house that were to Indians living in Australia have different per- of students in Australia – and therefore harbours
and to a lesser extent in other Australian towns over be shot in Australia this month have indefinitely put spectives being closer to the scene of action and similar concerns.
the better part of the past one year. off their schedules. don’t believe race is as big a factor as Indians in The Chinese embassy counselor in Australia,
In the past month alone nearly a dozen students As well as its revenue from the huge Indian India do. G. Vijay, a long time Sydney resident, a Liu Jin, said his government was actively interven-
have been brutally attacked, with one of them, student segment coming under threat (Over 90,000 senior manager with a global firm and father of a ing to ensure the safety of their nationals, although
Shravan Kumar, a student from Andhra Pradesh, Indian students are enrolled in Australian tertiary university-going son told Indian Weekender, “Stu- he declined to list the number of attacks and where
remaining critical after being stabbed with a screw- institutions – a segment that brings in billions of dents from India tend to stand out because most they had taken place. “There are over 130,000
driver by a group of teenagers. dollars to the 12-15 billion dollar Australian tertiary of them here are obviously from well off families, Chinese students in Australia. They have on the
While the Australian authorities were quick to education sector), Australia risks losing millions of sport good clothes and possess expensive gadgets whole had good study and living environment in
dismiss the attacks as not being racially motivated dollars from Bollywood as well since an increasing like laptops and fancy phones that they carry with Australia, but attacks on Chinese students also oc-
at the outset, they have now begun to acknowledge number of films are being shot in Australia. them. curred in recent years,” Mr Liu said.
that some of them may have been racist attacks. In Last month, when Australian Prime Minister “Their newfound freedom in a new country far While the Indian government has set the ball
any case, the footage of some of the attacks cap- Kevin Rudd rang his newly re-elected Indian coun- away from parental and other traditional societal rolling in drafting out a long term policy for dealing
tured by close circuit video surveillance cameras terpart Dr Manmohan Singh to congratulate him control induces them to lower their guard and take with the racial abuse of its citizens in Australia and
has reinforced racial motives because of the sheer on his reappointment as India’s prime minister, risks, travelling at all sorts of odd hours and gener- other countries, it must put strong pressure on the
brutality of the beatings. Dr Singh took the opportunity to express India’s ally tending to throw caution to the winds. I have Australian government to come clean on its investi-
The videos spread virally on digital media at concern on the attacks on the students. But the also personally witnessed unruly street behaviour gations as to how big the race factor has been in the
such a pace that it raised immediate concern in nature of the attacks being what they have been and to my very own surprise. attacks and force it to take immediate action and
India and the Indian diaspora across the world. because of the sheer numbers, India should have “This definitely attracts the attention of local demonstrate what steps it has taken to assure poten-
The outrage in India has been so great that come on much more strongly on the Australian have-nots and since an overwhelming number of tial students that Australia is indeed a safe place for
Australians seriously risk being branded racists – a leadership. foreign students is Indian, it’s easy to see it as ra- higher studies.
shameful tag that they have tried hard to shake off in The premiers of both Queensland and Victoria cially motivated, which it well might be in some of Whatever the motives for the violence might
the international arena since the days of the White states have been hard put to control the damage to the cases but most certainly not in all.” have been, the Indian government must make it
Australia policy, when it was institutionalised. This the country’s reputation and have been trying hard Meanwhile Australian universities have assured clear that Australia risks losing a major chunk of
is something that has never really been forgotten to deflect any references to racial overtones. Long that they would do everything to ensure safety of its tertiary education revenue coming from India if
especially by Australia’s neighbours in the Pacific time Indian settlers Indian Weekender spoke to in their students by issuing advisories, putting in place it does not show seriousness in tackling the issue.
region and South East Asia including India. both cities said that it was hard to say definitely whatever security measures possible and working If the Indian government were to officially declare
On hearing of the attacks, Amitabh Bachchan whether race was the primary factor. with the law enforcement machinery. Australia as a risk for Indian students to pursue
rejected an honorary doctorate from the Brisbane- The Indian media has gone overboard on fo- But the violence doesn’t seem to have abated. higher education in, it would cost Australia billions
based Queensland University of Technology Uni- cusing on the race issue. While it is certainly im- As this issue went to press, reports of 20-year-old of dollars not just in fees but also in business and
versity saying, “My conscience does not permit me portant, there are other underlying reasons as well Amrit Pal Singh from Haryana, who is pursuing a tourism.
to accept this decoration from a country that per- – and certainly not all attacks could have been ra- course in community welfare in Melbourne, was
petrates such indignity to my fellow countrymen.” cially motivated. This isn’t a case of xenophobia – assaulted near a McDonald’s outlet when he was On the web:
Soon after Amitabh’s public announcement, far from it. By harping too much on the race angle walking to the place where he worked part-time. Do you think the attacks on Indian stu-
Bollywood’s biggest labour union, the Federation instead of the violence per se and what may be done Australia’s reputation has taken a severe beating. dents in Australia are racially motivated?
of Western India Cine Employees, said last week to reverse the situation, the Indian media has only News of the violence made top headlines in the Have your say on indianweekender.co.nz

16 Indian Weekender | June 12, 2009

Indian
Community

Come on guys, shake a leg Tamil ministry celebrates

Arvind Kumar
12th anniversary
A lack of exposure for young male dancers is
behind the birth of the Indi King – a repertoire Reena
featuring all-male performers set to shake up
the Dorothy Winstone Centre on July 11. The New Zealand Tamil Christian Fellowship
And the team behind the show, Yogesh and held their twelfth anniversary celebrations in
Mumta Gounder, say the outstanding success Auckland on May 30. The interdenominational
of the first show last year is what has propelled Christian group, founded in 1997, marked its an-
them into doing it again. niversary with a night of music, dance, drama
Yogesh, the show founder, himself fea- and fellowship. Reverend Ian McCleary, retired
tured in many dance performances. He always Anglican minister who has lived and worked
wondered how mostly females were the lead extensively in India, was the guest speaker. His
dancers assisted by a host of males in the back- message on transforming oneself was filled with
ground. practical tips on being Christ-like. He used ex-
“Yogesh thought the male dancers in the amples of living and teaching in southern India
background were extremely talented, but to illustrate this.
would never get the same exposure as the The NZTCF was started by a group of five
leading female dancers,” Mumta told Sandesh. families who got together to worship in Tamil.
“Hence, the Indi King series was born.” It is the first Tamil ministry in New Zealand.
Although only males are the lead dancers, “For the future, we see ourselves growing stron- them taking over leadership roles in the fellow-
they are allowed to have females as back-up ger as a charitable group and hope to carry out ship. “Getting together this way and integrating
performers. many more outreach activities throughout Auck- two cultures is a very good idea,” says Rev Mc-
Both holding full-time banking careers land,” says John Abraham, one of the founding Cleary.
in Auckland, Yogesh and Mumta, have been members. While the other four original members The group aims to integrate better into the
working late into the nights to make the show evening, Latin entertainer Gina T will doing are not in this group any more, the fellowship has wider Auckland community in the future, says
a reality. a salsa dance and last year’s Kaun Banega grown to over 25 families that get together each Godwin. Some of the regular community ac-
This year’s programme has attracted eight Superstar champ Abhas is also expected to month for worship at St Margaret’s Anglican tivities that this group engages in are bi-monthly
entrants – Azhar Khan, Azhar Adam, Shak feature in a guest role. Church in Hillsborough. “This fellowship has visits to Auckland and Waitakere hospitals,
Romeo, Shaneil Verma, Shaneil Singh, Raja Winner gets to take home a $1000 cheque become like our family,” says regular member, prison worship sessions, visiting rest homes, cul-
Sandhu, Vicky Pillay and Ashril Singh – two as the King of the Dance Floor, first runner-up Grace Godwin. “We do not miss out any oppor- tural events, and supporting Christian Missions
more than last year. $500, and second runner-up $250. tunity to celebrate – we get together for birth- Charitable Trust in Chennai through sponsor-
Among guest performers this year is well Tickets ($10) have been selling fast, says days, anniversaries, and on any other special ships. The group has regularly hosted a number
known Auckland entertainer Viraf Todywalla Mumta. “We wanted to keep it affordable for days of our members.” of evangelists and pastors from all over the world.
of V4U Entertainments, who will also be one families in these hard economic times.” Children and youth are an important part of NZTCF is a registered charitable trust and is
of the judges. Fifty per cent of voting will be Event details: Indi King 2009, Dorothy this fellowship. There is an active youth ministry looking for support for their many local and in-
by the audience. Winstone Centre, Auckland Girls’ Grammar that has evolved out of the fellowship. The group ternational outreach activities.
Nav Chand, the winner last year, will also School, Howe St, Auckland. For details, uses music, dance, drama and Bible studies to To get in touch with the group, check out their
feature in a guest performance. To spice up the Yogesh or Mumta 021 408833. encourage the youth to be participative and this website on http://nztcf.wordpress.com or email
has produced an excellent response with a lot of [email protected].

Indian Weekender | June 12, 2009 17

Indian
Community
SPROUT presents ‘BOLYWORX’ – Elders’ confer-
ence coming up
a workout for families in October
A few months after incorporating SPROUT, loss, nutrition and health and is the author of Hindu Elders Foundation, a division of Hindu
and several activities later, SPROUT is several best-selling books. Council of New Zealand Inc., is organising the
here with a hands-on initiative to get the Bollywood music is the new cultural sect first New Zealand Hindu Elders Conference on
Indian community up on their feet, literally! in India and was quietly enjoyed by young Saturday, October 3, 2009.
SPROUT’s next project is set to the catchy people of Indian descent living overseas. The theme of the conference is “Old is
tunes of Bollywood music. The hidden agenda However the craving for Bollywood-style Gold” and the conference will be held at the
however is to beat cholesterol and diabetes dance classes has led to a mushroom growth Hindu Heritage Centre, Mangere, Auckland.
through physical exercise. However hard to of these classes in various regions of western This conference intends to provide a platform
believe – there is much evidence worldwide countries where Indian cinema is now con- for all the organisations who work with elders/
that music, dance and exercise is a fun and sidered “hip”. senior citizens to showcase their contributions to
successful way for participants to become Aptly named “BOLLYWORX”, SPROUT’s the New Zealand society through their social and
more physically active and stay fit, while at new venture is an Indian-music based fitness community work.
the same time staying within the comforts of program, designed for people of all age and This also gives an opportunity to share their
familiar music and dance form. fitness levels. What better way to get the kids knowledge and experience, and at the same time
If one is not familiar with the wave of exposed to Indian music and its magic? learn from others. The conference is open to all
Bollywood music that has taken the fitness The Workout will be carried out by quali- and everyone is welcome to register for the con-
industry by storm, then you are living on a fied fitness trainers. Specifically, it introduc- ference.
different planet. The only dance form that es high energy Bollywood dance movements Space courtesy Indian Weekender After the inaugural session, there
has warmly embraced all other dance moves in an easy-to-follow fitness format. With the will be a panel discussion on govern-
from various cultures, picked sounds of dance choreography directly inf luenced by ment agencies’ assistance to Hindu elders.
music both ingeniously as well as interna- the music and dance of modern Bollywood When: 27th of June 2009 (3 pm -6 pm) The post lunch session will have three interest-
tionally, and embossed its own trademark is dance styles; The BollyWorX is a fresh and Where: Allan Brewster Recreation Centre, ing workshop sessions: Legacy of inheritance:
Bollywood music simply explained. The term exciting addition to the world of fitness and A social awareness; Health and wellbeing of
Tavern Lane, end of Cambridge Terrace,
Bollywood, of course comes from Bollywood dance AND is for the whole family! elders and Constructive engagement for soci-
being the eastern cousin of Hollywood, or al- Papatoetoe. ety’s benefit through experience and energy.
ternatively the Hindi Film industry. SPROUT believes that the dance cum (Plenty of parking available) The foundation would like to know from po-
Undoubtedly, this form of music and fitness program will be fairly easy and fun to Dress code: Sports / Gym wear tential participants the following information:
dance is globally asserted as catchy, feet- do because of three main reasons. Registration: Call 09-2504509 whether they are interested in a) being on the
stomping and pulsating and the least it does 1. One: All instructors are easy-going and /2711161/6241721 or e-mail us info@ organising committee; b) speaking at the confer-
to its listeners is take them by rage. Thanks to have a fun loving attitude sprout.net.nz ence and c) helping with other conference/work-
So You Think You Can Dance, Slumdog Mil- 2. Two: The whole program is broken up into Ticket: $10.00 donation per family. shop arrangements.
lionaire and Feist, Bollywood dance is now a different sections that will last 3 hours in Food: Traditional Chana chaat (a healthy “If you have passion in working with Elders,
hot trend. Bollywood fitness was voted one total snack made with lightly spiced and and would like to be part of this conference, we
of the top fitness trends for 2009 by, ABC, 3. Three: The moves are easy to follow and is garnished black peas) and drinks can be would like to hear from you,” says Guna Magesan
CBS, and Johnny Bowden, PhD, C.N.S who an opportunity to feel good about yourself in purchased at the venue. General Secretary, Hindu Council of New
is a internationally known expert on weight the company of your family and friends Zealand. Please email him at guna.magesan@
scionresearch.com

18 Indian Weekender | June 12, 2009

Indian
Community

Sally enthralls audience Young brothers excel

with Bhool Gaye Saawariya at Taekwondo
Sally sang Saawariya and captured the hearts of hun- the heart of Indian music,” Sally told Sandesh in an
dreds of music lovers at the Dorothy Winstone Centre earlier interview.
on Saturday, May 30. “The tone and quality is just so beautiful.” Young brothers Gurkunwar Singh Bedi (14) and
Aucklander Sally Stockwell, a Kiwi actress, was Sally’s Indian stage debut was the highlight of Sartaj Singh Bedi (9), have both been awarded
the only non-Indian performer out of the 27 taking a grand musical evening brought together by Amit Bronze Medals at the 2009 Annual National Tae-
centre stage in the Old is Gold Part 3 show in Auck- Sengupta of the Mohammed Rafi Academy of Music. kwondo Championships held at the Alan Brewster’s
land. The evening also featured another Shortland Centre, Papatoetoe on May 30.
Her song, Mohe Bhool Gaye Saawariya, was Street actor Monish Anand, who also left his mark Gurkunwar and Sartaj are both Red Belts and
from the hit 1952 film Baiju with the audience with two delight- won the medals in their Red Belt category. The
Bawra, one of the all-time greats ful numbers, one of them being brothers have been in training at Teugam - Dae Club
of Indian cinema. Sally’s perfor- Mujhko Apne Gale Lagalo. in Botany since September 2006.
mance drew a standing ovation All singers put in an outstanding How did the boys get introduced to Taekwondo
from the 1000-plus audience performance. Although it would be at such a tender age? “One of our family friend’s
and later many made the effort hard to single out one particular star son was in training and we went to see the coach,
to congratulate her on deliver- of the evening, great performances Mr Philip Neal and the training that he and his wife
ing beautifully such a difficult were delivered by Om Srivastav, Kayo were giving their students and we were im-
number. Effat, Akhila, Rajesh, Peter Paul, pressed,” proud father Savinder Bedi told Indian
“What a generous audi- Rohitesh, Chaitra, Simi, Simran, Weekender.
ence,” an excited Sally, who was Vishnupriya, Sneha, Vina, and Once introduced, he and his wife saw the boys’
dressed in her first Indian outfit Vishnu. keen interest in Taekwondo and encouraged them to
(salwar kameez), told Indian The charity show raised more train and excel. “Taekwondo practice enhances con-
Weekender after her perfor- than $7500 for the Starship Foun- centration and discipline which are indeed the most
mance. “I am so overwhelmed dation and Sengupta made a live important attributes to have in pursuing studies well
by the response from the audi- presentation of the cheques to Star- and in day to day activities too,” says Savinder.
ence.” ship executive Andrew Young, Both Philip and Kayo are Black Belts and are
Many in the audience told who was overwhelmed by the gen- excellent trainers, says Savinder. “We realised that
her to keep singing Indian songs in future stage erous gesture. this would be a great opportunity for our kids at this
shows. Sally, who has featured in the local soap So far, Sengupta, well known in the Auckland age to get them on to this,” he says.
Shortland Street, is currently shooting for a Kiwi Indian music circles as the “guru”, has donated well The boys have training sessions twice a week
film After the Waterfall in which she stars opposite over $20,000 to Starship. and about a couple of months before the tourna-
Anthony Starr of the Outrageous Fortune fame. An ardent bhakt of the legendary Mohammed ments they have extra training sessions as well.
Sally, who now lives in Titirangi, said she had Rafi, Sengupta puts on at least two shows every year. “We as parents have always tried to encourage
always been drawn to world music, and had a lot of One down, one more to go this year. Watch this space. them by giving them full support during their train-
Kiwi friends who sang European songs which con- - Arvind Kumar ings and practice as well. The kids have really put in
tained a touch of another culture. hard work and are now aiming and training for their
“So, although I have been generally influenced by View the video on Black Belts,” says Savinder.
friends, I fell in love with the freedom, the spirit and www.indianweekender.co.nz

Indian Weekender | June 12, 2009 19

Indian
Bollywood

The International Indian Film Academy Awards

The International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA awards) event for 2009 is being held in Macau, China this
month. The event, which is now in the arc lights of the international film world is gaining a higher profile with each
passing year, closely on the heels of the Oscars and Cannes. Winners will be announced at an award ceremony on
June 13. The rest of the weekend will feature a film festival and other special ceremonies.

Here is a list of nominees for Hrithik Roshan - Jodhaa Akbar Anil Kapoor- Race 11. Best Lyrics:
Naseeruddin Shah - A Wednesday! Rajpal Yadav – Bhoothnath Javed Akhtar - “Jashn-E-Bahara” (Jodhaa Akbar)
the 13 major categories for Shah Rukh Khan - Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi Tejpal Singh - Jodhaa Akbar Javed Akhtar - “Socha Hai” (Rock On!!)
IIFA 2009: Shreyas Talpade - Welcome to Sajjanpur Anvita Dutt Gupta - “Khuda Jaane” (Bachna Ae
4. Best Actor in a Leading Role (Female): Tusshar Kapoor - Golmaal Returns Haseeno)
1. Best Film: Asin - Nominee for Best Female Actor in a 8. Best Actor in a Negative Role: Jaideep Sahni - “Haule Haule” (Rab Ne Bana Di
A Wednesday! – The gripping psychological Leading Role Imran Khan - Kidnap Jodi)
thriller-drama about an about-to-retire police Aishwarya Rai Bachchan - Jodhaa Akbar Akshaye Khanna – Race Sameer - “Pehli Nazar Mein” (Race)
commissioner Asin – Ghajini Paresh Rawal - Oye Lucky Lucky Oye! 12. Best Playback Singer – Male
Dostana – Bollywood’s answer to Chuck and Bipasha Basu – Race Pradeep Rawat – Ghajini Farhan Akhtar - Rock On!!
Larry Katrina Kaif - Singh is Kinng Vishwas Badola - Jodhaa Akbar Atif Aslam - “Pehli Nazar Mein” (Race)
Ghajini – An action-romance-thriller inspired by Priyanka Chopra – Fashion 9. Best Story: Javed Ali - “Jashn-E-Baharaa” (Jodhaa Akbar)
Christopher Nolan’s Memento 5. Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Abhishek Kapoor - Rock On!! KK- “Khuda Jaane” (Bachna Ae Haseeno)
Race – A comedy-thriller based on the 1998 Hol- Abhishek Bachchan - Sarkar Raj Haidar Ali - Jodhaa Akbar Sukhwinder Singh - “Haule Haule” (Rab Ne
lywood movie, Goodbye Lover Irrfan Khan - Mumbai Meri Jaan Kangana Ranaut - Fashion Bana
Rock On!! – Heartwarming flick four friends Vinay Pathak - Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi Madhur Bhandarkar, Ajay Monga, Anuradha Di Jodi)
struggling to start their own band Sonu Sood - Jodhaa Akbar Tiwari – Fashion 13. Best Playback Singer - Female
Jodhaa Akbar – An opulent period film about Arjun Rampal - Rock On!! Neeraj Pandey - A Wednesday! Bela Shinde - “Man Mohana” (Jodhaa Akbar)
Muslim Mughal Emperor Akbar the Great Shiraz Ahmed – Race Monali - “Zara Zara Touch Me” (Race)
2. Best Director: 6. Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Shilpa Rao - “Khuda Jaane” (Bachna Ae
A.R. Murugadoss for Ghajini Bipasha Basu - Bachna Ae Haseeno Farhan Akhtar - Nominated for Best Male Play- Haseeno)
Abhihek Kapoor for Rock On!! Ila Arun - Jodhaa Akbar back Singer Shreya Ghoshal - “Teri Ore” (Singh is Kinng)
Ashutosh Gowariker for Jodhaa Akbar Kiron Kher – Dostana 10. Best Music: Sunidhi Chauhan - “Desi Girl” (Dostana)
Neeraj Pandey for A Wednesday! Shahana Goswami - Rock On!! A.R. Rahman - Jodhaa Akbar
Madhur Bhandarkar for Fashion Tusshar Kapoor - Nominated for Best Actor in a A.R. Rahman – Ghajini
3. Best Actor in a Leading Role (Male): Comic Role Pritam – Race - Log on to www.indianweekender.co.nz for the
Aamir Khan - Ghajini 7. Best Actor in a Comic Role: Vishal Shekhar – Dostana results of the IIFA awards on Sunday, June 14.
Abhishek Bachchan – Dostana Abhishek Bachchan – Dostana Shankar Ehsaan Loy - Rock On!!

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20 Indian Weekender | June 12, 2009

Indian
Bollywood
Today star power is lacking
Post the action-packed grand finale of the Dance India Dance show, the dance reality show on Zee, the undisputed
disco king turned dance guru, Mithun Chakraborty is clearly elated with the kind of attention and curiosity his show
garnered. In an exclusive interview after the finale, Mithun spoke about the show and the challenges it involved.
It was a tough job being the judge of a reality
show. That is because it was an impromptu show,
without any script whatsoever. We were in for
surprises throughout the show as none of us had
any idea what would happen the next minute.
However, I guess it was this very element of spon-
taneity that made the show a huge success on tele-
vision.
I clearly told the Zee authorities that I was
not a game to doing theatre antics and hi-pitched
melodrama in order to boost TRP ratings. I have
always been honest to the core in everything I do,
right from the time I first made my debut in acting
33 years ago in Mrinal Sen’s Mrigaya. I also told
them categorically that I would not in any way
create any drama for the show. They also agreed
when I told them that emotion should not come
in the way of judgment of talent in the show. I
decided from the very outset that the USP of the
show was ‘Ek aam aadmi ko star banana’ (to make
a common man into a star).
I believe that life is a big fight and each of us
has to fight his own battles. That is what I told my
son, Mimoh when his maiden film, Jimmy failed
to click at the box-office. That is also the way I india dance: Choreographer-judge Remo, Mithun and Salman, the winner
boosted the morale of the participants on the show. Salman Khan’s Veer, which has also been written that I witnessed the kind of super stardom that few What more do you think I could have asked for as
I told the participants in the show that they should by Salman. The film is about a conflict between other stars got to experience in their times. Even an actor?
not give up their fight when they lost their spirits. a father and son. I could not say no to the project today, people swing to the tunes of my numbers in The difference between stars then and now is
I have not really slowed down my film assign- because Salman’s father Salim Khan had been of Disco Dancer not just in India but also in Russia, that we were the real stars at that time. Today star
ments due to my demanding schedule as a judge on great help in my life when I was a nobody. where I shared a tremendous fan following only power is actually lacking, because of marketing
the show. I have a few very interesting films lined Looking back, I feel quite contented about the next to Raj Kapoor. The three National awards I policies and except for one or two stars, we have
up, among them being 9 a.m. for Ashu Trikha, kind of success that I have achieved in my career. won for acting, also ensured that my work won not been able to create heroic stars for the simple
Soham’s Luck, which is a masala action flick and Without sounding boisterous I would like to state critical acclaim besides the commercial following. reason that we have started selling packages.

Indian Weekender | June 12, 2009 21

Indian

His career is
rocking all the way
Anil Kapoor is on a high these
days what with his career literally
going places. The well-deserving
veteran actor has been flooded with
international offers after the success
of Slumdog Millionaire. The latest is
that he has joined the cast of 24, the
famous American television show
as a series regular for season eight.

Indian

22 Indian Weekender | June 12, 2009

Indian
Personal skills

International business etiquette

RAJESH KRISHNAMURTHY
International Business……the mere mention of it is appropriate to bow a little. to offer her hand, if she does then shake with a a “Salam Alaikum” (which is their traditional
these words conjures up visions of far off lands On the negotiating table the Japanese tend to light grip and quickly let go. It is also custom- form of greeting) than with a “Good Morning”
with people of varied colors, traditions and life- listen more than talk, so be brief and to the point ary to touch your right hand to your heart after or “Hi!” Or “Hello”. When dealing with males
styles…….infact, a world totally different from as the Japanese prefer to make their point only shaking hands as this is a sign that you value his/ a greeting followed by a handshake is accept-
the one that we are used to. after having heard you through. Like wise do not her friendship/association with you. able. While dealing with females (in parts of the
The revolution in the Information Technol- interrupt while they are making their presenta- While talking choose your words with care gulf) shaking hands is not appropriate. During
ogy & Communication sectors has brought about tion, you can speak your mind out after the pre- because words like “maybe” constitute an the course of a business discussion it is also ad-
an enormous deluge of information across coun- sentation is completed. implied promise to do or not visable to shift your gaze from the lady you are
tries and continents. Globalization has well and If invited for a Japanese ‘High to do something. When any talking to , to her personal assistant/male com-
truly transformed this world into a global village. Tea’ do not miss the opportunity food stuff is offered and you panion so as not to appear to be staring at the
In such a scenario it becomes paramount for as the tea drinking ceremony is do not want it then one must lady. Women executives are encouraged to dress
the students and practitioners of International both a fine art and a ritual that touch the plate while declin- modestly and conservatively.
Business to know and understand the myriad forms an integral part of the Jap- ing the offer. Business discussions are normally con-
cultures and people that form part of this global anese way of life. It is something ducted in offices or in hotels, however if you
village and with whom they have to cut winning not to be missed. In spite of being a tropi- are invited to a person’s home, it signifies the
deals, all in the course of a normal business day. Also remember to take your cal region a light business host’s trust in you. Offering the traditional drink
shoes off before entering Japa- suit is an accepted attire for “Kawa” (a thick arab tea without milk) also sig-
United States / United Kingdom nese homes. men. A shirt and tie without nifies that the host has taken you to be his equal
a coat will also suffice. and is willing to do business with you. Refusal
A business suit with a tie is a must for a business South Pacific Women may wear a busi- to partake in the “Kawa” drink is taken as an
meeting…unless it is at the golf course. Take an ness suit, trouser & top or affront, and the person will no longer be inter-
appointment and stick to the time schedule if you The island countries lay a great a sarong with a top. Taking ested to do business with you.
want to tie up business. amount of stress on protocol. In your spouse along for a busi- Punctuality is not a very valuable trait and
When offered food, refuse only if you really Fiji for example it is customary ness meeting is an accepted it would be safe to factor in half hour delays in
don’t want it. Unlike India, your refusal will be to offer a bowl of “Yaqona” to practice. appointments.
taken on face value and you will not be asked the guest and refusal to drink it During the fasting month of “Ramzan” or
again! Do not be too critical about the food, if without good reason can some- While dining with “Ramadan” as it is called in the Middle East,
you do not like something say that it has an inter- times be interpreted as an affront Chinese principals or clients all locals fast during the day and break their fast
esting taste and that you would like to try it later. that can kill the potential deal. The use of the at their residence, push the plate away from you only in the evening. Eating, smoking and even
If you are given a gift, accept it , unwrap it “Talking Chief” is very important when dealing and get up from the table once you have eaten. To chewing gum in public during these 30 days is
in front of the host or the person who has given with the High Chiefs or royalty in the islands. continue sitting at the table signals that you have prohibited. Business meetings during the day
the gift and compliment his/her excellent choice. not had your fill and would like to have more. will be without normal courtesies of water, tea
South East Asia /coffee, soft drinks etc,. During this period it is
Japan Middle East also common to hold business meetings late in
In the Islamic countries that form part of the evening after their fast is broken for the day.
Punctuality and dress code are extremely im- South East Asia, like Malaysia, Brunei and In- This region comprises of Arab countries
portant while dealing with people from the ‘land donesia a “Good Morning” and a handshake is where religion pervades over everything else.
of the rising Sun’. While addressing the Japanese normal. While dealing with ladies wait for her Local business men prefer to be greeted with

Financial markets update

SUNIL KHEMLANI looks at what’s happening in the
money markets
The economic downturn of recent time led to nant currency regardless of ratings or funding
an over-saturation of the US Dollar. A huge concerns purely because of the liquidity the
amount of funds were plowed into U.S. dol- US markets provide. The US treasury auction
lar-denominated investments as they were of last week will have provided some insight
considered a safer alternative to most over- on the demand for further US debt issuance.
seas holdings. Many dollar-based investments Considering that countries such as Japan and
have however been heavily diluted, so returns China seem to have no option but to continue
have been minimal. This dilution has come to buy US Dollars to fund their demand for
from US companies, especially financials, US treasuries, it appears highly unlikely for
issuing large quantities of new shares in order a US Dollar crisis to occur in the short term.
to raise needed capital
and the US Treasury Direct +64 9 308
issuing huge amounts 0787 | Fax +64 9 308
of new debt to finance 0789 | Mobile +64
corporate bailouts and 21 678 645 | Email:
economic stimulus sunil.khemlani@stone-
packages. bridgegroup.co.nz

The US Dollar’s StoneBridge

decline of late comes Group is an Austra-
as the market search- lian-owned trading
es for alternatives to house (accredited with
dollar-denominated investments. Risk appe- the ASX and NZX exchanges) providing advisory and
tite has increased on the back of better-than execution services on Foreign Exchange, Commodi-
expected global economic releases and cur- ties, Futures & Options, Shares & CFDs.
rencies such as Euro Dollar, Japanese Yen
and to a lesser extent the British Pound have “This publication has been prepared on behalf
benefited. An increase in final demand and a of and issued by StoneBridge Securities (NZ) Limited
possible buildup of global inflation concerns (“StoneBridge”). This is not an offer to deal in any
have favoured the commodity-based curren- financial product and is not specific advice for any
cies such as Australian-dollar, New Zealand particular investor. StoneBridge believes that any in-
Dollar, Canadian Dollar etc. formation or advice (including any recommendation)
contained in this publication is accurate when issued
Having staged impressive rallies recent- but does not warrant its accuracy or reliability, and
ly, most currency crosses (against the U.S. is not liable for the future performance of transac-
Dollar) have however corrected from techni- tions or for any loss or damage arising in connection
cally overbought levels, leading to US Dollar with this publication. A full Disclosure Statement in
appreciation. It has been widely reported that accordance with the Securities Markets Act 1988 is
Asian market participants (including govern- available free of charge on request. ”
ments) still consider the US Dollar as a domi-

Indian Weekender | June 12, 2009 23

Indian

NIPPON AUTOS LTD

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The Performer

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24 Indian Weekender | June 12, 2009

 Indian
Finance / Law
Why should you make a will? What happens if you don’t?
ravi mehta
I have chosen this topic as I come across many will go to parents or surviving parent of deceased Still it is suggested that everyone over the age of is one who executes the will after your death. The
people who ask me the above question as to what person. 18 should have a will, the question arises as to why? reason for not charging to make a will is that they
will happen to their house, other assets if one of 4. If there is no issue and no parents, surviving Because it is the best way of ensuring that your will charge at the time of execution which may be
spouses or both of them die. Many of the people spouse will get everything. loved ones will be taken care of after you are gone. very expensive.
are under wrong impression that the family will not 5. If there is no spouse (sometimes both can die to- It is not only about how your financial assets should So you can decide to pay for preparation of a
get anything and everything goes to the govern- gether) everything will go to issue. be divided but it can also be about guardianship of will and appoint your family member or friend as
ment if someone dies without having made a will 6. If there is no issue and no surviving spouse, the your children, gifts you will like to leave etc. executor. But there are risks involved. He or she
during his/her life time. The fact is that if someone whole of estate will go to parents of deceased. The biggest advantage is that it saves time and may not be very capable, may be grieving over your
dies without leaving a valid will, (in legal term it 7. If there are no parents, no issue, no spouse left, money for survivors. death, and may get involved in family disputes. On
is called dying intestate) his estate will be divided the estate will go to brothers and sisters of deceased. If a person dies without making a will, the law the other hand using a lawyer or trustee company is
among his near and dear ones. If the house is owned requires that next of kin will apply to the High though more expensive, it avoids above problems.
jointly (as it would be in most of the cases), it will go There are further rules if even brothers and Court for an order. It is a time consuming and ex- You may choose to name a friend or relative as
to the surviving spouse. Other than that, the main sisters are not there, which I am not getting into for pensive affair. The court will appoint someone who executor and a professional as reserve executor. If
rules are as follows- the purposes of this piece. The point is that the New will distribute the estate. On the other hand, if you the relative or friend is unable or unwilling to act
Zealand legal system makes every effort to distrib- had made a will, the executor will be of your own after your death, the roll passes on to professional.
1. The surviving spouse (husband or wife) will get ute the estate of a person who died without making choice. It is for you to decide which option you choose.
personal chattels, plus $121,500. a will to his/her relatives in fair manner. Only if no This process is relatively short and simple. The
2. Out of the balance, the spouse will get 1/3rd. one can be found, the estate goes to the Crown. executor can be your friend, family member, a - Ravi Mehta is an Auckland based Financial
2/3rd will go to issue of deceased person. (Issue Another point worth mentioning is that when trustee company, your solicitor or anyone you like. Advisor and can be contacted on ravi.mehta@pfsl.
means children plus the children of child who has any children or grandchildren are unmarried and The making of a will is not very expensive. Differ- co.nz
died before death of the deceased) are under the age of twenty, their share (as discussed ent law firms charge around $100 to $150 to make A disclosure statement under Securities
3. In case there is no issue of deceased, the sur- above) is held under trust and is made available for one for you. Some firms do not charge anything Markets Act 1998 relating to his services is avail-
viving spouse will get 2/3rd of balance and 1/3rd their proper maintenance and education. provided they are made executors. The executor able on request and is free of charge.

What is legal aid, what are your obligations?

NEELAM MCDONALD
Legal aid is the government programme which a prison sentence. out your repayments. That will depend on your lawyer. It doesn’t happen very often.
pays a lawyer to represent you if you are charged Your lawyer can help you to complete the income and assets, and the cost of your case. More information.
with an offence or when you instigate or defend legal aid application. When you answer the Charge over property. You can get more information about legal
a matter at Court and you cannot afford a lawyer. questions and sign the form, you are confirming If your repayment is more than $750, the aid at www.lsa.govt.nz or from an office of the
If you are granted legal aid, be aware you may that the information you have given is accurate Agency will take a charge over your or your agency. You can also ask your lawyer, a duty so-
have to pay back some or all of it. This is a debt and complete. It is illegal to sign the form when partner’s property, which may include a house, licitor, or a Community Law Centre.
to the Legal Services Agency. you know something is not true or you have on land or a vehicle. A charge over property means
Legal aid can be granted for criminal, civil purpose left out something important. that when your property is sold, your legal aid - If you have any questions about criminal or
and family matters which can range from Tribu- Your application is confidential. However, will be repaid before you receive money from traffic law, please write to Neelam McDonald at
nals to Appellate Courts. Legal Services Agency may check the informa- the sale. [email protected].
I am now going to explain about criminal tion with others like Work and Income NZ or Can you change your lawyer? Please indicate if you would like your name and
legal aid. your employer. If you are not satisfied with your legal aid address to be printed.
Will you get legal aid? Your obligations. lawyer, try to talk to them about why you are The information contained in this article or response
The Legal Services Agency decides who gets The information you provide must be accu- not satisfied. If this does not help, then contact is intended to provide general information. The contents
legal aid, based on the law and the information rate and honest. You may have to repay some or the Legal Services Agency office looking after do not constitute legal advice and should not be relied on
provided in your application. Grants of criminal all of your legal aid. Signing the application form your legal aid. If you have good reasons, and the as such. Readers should seek independent legal advice in
legal aid are generally to people who could face means you agree to this. The Agency will work Agency agrees, you can change your legal aid particular matters.

The benefits of having insurance

OLIVER PEREIRA

The case studies below highlight the ben- focus on his health and recovery. $43,000 directly to the medical providers in- with a psychiatrist was recommended. The
efits of having insurance. These Case studies volved with the treatment of Annie’s cancer, closest practices were in Auckland, so John
highlight the distinct benefits and advantages Case Study #2: and she has not had to contribute financially was f lown there to have a full assessment
of Income protection & Health Cover towards any of these costs herself. done, the costs of which were covered by
The events described in each case study Annie - Design Engineer diagnosed with his Income Protection through his Insurance
are based on similar claims. To respect the bowel cancer Case Study #3 Company. The outcome was that his medica-
privacy of each individual their detail like tion needed to be completely changed, and
names, age etc have been amended. In August, an examination by Annie’s John - Self-employed Accountant suffering that he needed to continue with sessions with
doctor noted hemorrhoids and referred her to from anxiety and depression the clinical psychologist in Tauranga.
Case Study #1 : a specialist for surgical intervention. Annie After several weeks following his change
visited the specialist in early April and was In March, John filed a claim for Income in medication and continued counseling ses-
Bob - Auto technician who underwent an- required to undergo a sigmoidoscopy as part Protection as he was suffering from anxiety sions, John’s mood improved dramatically,
gioplasty of her examination to check for tumours. The and depression due to a work place incident. and his GAF score was up to around 65. He
specialist noted what he believed to be a small He went to see a psychiatrist and his GAF began a return to work programme shortly
In March, Bob was rushed to the hospital due rectal carcinoma. Having no medical history (Global Assessment Function) score was di- afterwards and was back at work full-time 6
to severe chest pain. He had to undergo an an- of this condition and given that Annie was agnosed around 55; a normal person scores months afterwards.
gioplasty (surgery that restores normal blood only 34 years old, the diagnosis came as a usually 75 to 90. Under his psychiatrist’s Being off work during this period of time
f low through a clogged artery), but contin- huge shock. Action was needed immediately recommendations, John began to take medi- really would have a huge blow financially
ued to have ongoing pain despite his treat- to treat her condition. Annie had tests the fol- cation and started sessions of cognitive be- to John and his family. But fortunately the
ment. Normally, Bob could have expected to lowing week which confirmed that she had havioral therapy. However, his psychiatrist Income protection insurance provided John
be back at work within weeks following his bowel cancer. became unwell himself, and John was left on with a regular source of income. This was
surgery, but because of complications, his re- She underwent major surgery in mid-May his own for some months with his condition one less thing to worry about during his treat-
covery was not as quick as he’d hoped. Ten and the procedure went well. Due to the deteriorating. ment.
months following the initial event, Bob was nature of the cancer, Annie needed to undergo John and his wife relocated to Tauranga as
still unwell and deemed unlikely to be able to further surgery, and over the next 12 months, they felt a change of pace would benefit John’s
return to his career as an auto technician in she will be required to have many follow-up health. However, there were very few mental - For further information please contact
the near future. His Income Protection Cover consultations to ensure that the cancer has not health treatment providers in Tauranga at the Oliver Pereira – OPM Insurance Services
provided him with a regular income while un- returned. When Annie took out her Health time. After some enquiries, John obtained Limited
derwent further tests and treatments. Cover policy, she opted to have the Optional a referral to a nearby clinical psychologist. Ph: 0800 66 77 92, Mob: 021 66 77 92
The benefit Bob received from his Income Specialists Visit and Diagnostic Procedures His latest GAF score was staggeringly low – Email: [email protected]
protection alleviated the financial stress Benefit with no policy excess. The Insur- around 35 and he was significantly disabled,
caused by his illness, and enabled him to ance Company has so far paid approximately even suicidal at times. An urgent assessment

Indian Weekender | June 12, 2009 25

Indian
Eating out

Nickie’s: Thai exotica on Broadway

DEV NADKARNI
Nickie’s is quite simply Broadway’s Thai icon. and a specially concocted dish for my vegetarian
Sitting pretty on one of New Market’s busiest companion based on tofu, fried rice and vegeta-
thoroughfares for almost a decade now, it’s turned bles cooked in some fine Thai sauces, which he
out to be the place to go if you’re after an authentic got Som Sak, his expert chef from Thailand, to
experience in Thai cuisine in Auckland. It’s defi- put together after consulting my friend.
nitely not the oldest Thai restaurant in the city but The flavour, as usual, was exquisite and very
in the space of a decade it certainly has grown to different from what I have essayed elsewhere.
become among the most popular ones today. And as we tucked into our meal, Naresh regaled
Passionately run with great personal involve- us with anecdotes of the many celebrities he has
ment by the husband-wife team of Nickie and had the pleasure of serving as well as telling
Naresh Singchareonchai, the restaurant has built us about the finer aspects of Thai cuisine, even
up a hugely loyal clientele that has grown over giving me some tips on the best way to debone the
the years by sheer word of mouth, according to snapper on the platter.
Naresh, who started the restaurant just months Nickie’s has a well stocked bar and a substan-
after he migrated to New Zealand from Bangkok. tial menu with soups, starters, mains, desserts and
“Nothing can beat word of mouth when it beverages. The tangy soups with dominant lime-
comes to building reputations,” he says. “We’ve and-lemon grass notes are an excellent way to set
continuously concentrated on quality and the the pace for the meal ahead.
authenticity of Thailand’s versatile and varied The starters are all delectable but my personal
cuisine and paid close attention to what our clients favourite and one that I can’t tire of recommend-
have to say – I think that approach has served us ing is the Tulip Chicken, chef Som Sak’s signature
well.” offering: tangy, spicy – and oh so crunchy.
Converting what was then a dark, damp and The most popular mains at Nickie’s are
run down Chinese restaurant into the happy, bus-

photos: dev nadkarni

tling place it is today has not been an easy task,
says Naresh. Starting out life in a new country,
settling down a young and growing family and
working long hours both in the kitchen and
looking after customers was hard work and
weighed him down for years. But in the end it has
paid rich dividends: “there is no greater reward
than to see off a satisfied customer at the end of
his or her meal,” he says.
Naresh credits his wife Nickie’s culinary skills
in building the restaurant’s well-loved menu. “She
is a great cook herself and has a knack for pack-
aging flavour, taste and presentation to deliver a
memorable experience to the diner’s palate,” he
says.
Born and raised in Thailand, both Naresh and
Nickie are ethnic Indians who trace their ancestry
to the northern Indian state of Punjab. Naresh is Chicken cashew nut, the all time Thai favourite
as much at home speaking Punjabi as he is with Pad Thai and its own innovation curiously named
Thai and English. Nuclear Beef, which is Sirloin steak marinated
Nickie spent long weeks experimenting with and cooked in some “very special Thai sauces,”
ingredients and sauces to come up with the right according to Naresh. “Diners just love it.”
mix that would tickle the Kiwi palate. “The real Equally popular on the seafood menu is Three
trick is to balance the different flavours of the Buddies – a sizzling platter with king prawn,
range of spices, sauces and oils,” he says. But they scallop and squid in Nickie’s specially made
have never compromised Thai authenticity – and Thai Adventure: (Clock wise from sauces. “That’s what makes us different – the
that was a veritable challenge. top) Chef Som Sak prepares a sizzler; sauces. We make them all here with the best Thai
Naresh has built a personal rapport with most ingredients. Their proportion in these concoc-
Nickie’s friendly and cheerful hosts;
diners and many of his loyal clientele simply tions is what does the trick – and that’s our spe-
leave it to him to suggest the fare for them since owner Naresh; the tofu based dish; ciality,” he says.
he knows and remembers their preferences so spicy steamed whole snapper. By far the most ordered dessert is Black Lava,
well. “Many of my clients just leave the selection the chocolate fudge cake with a special Nickie’s
to me,” he says. “And we know how to tweak a weather and current affairs to the intricacies of touch. Of course there are lots of other options as
particular dish to their specific liking.” how the meal that the diner is tucking into was well.
In between managing the different chores of prepared. Nickie’s has a cover of 100 and is open all week
the busy restaurant and communicating with his We’ve been longtime diners at Nickies and I (Monday to Friday both for lunch and dinner and
dedicated kitchen staff, Naresh finds enough time am one of those who leave it to Naresh to suggest only dinner on Saturdays and Sundays). Spread
to chat up with his diners and you can see his the fare. After a brief conversation as usual, this on two levels it’s as great a place for group lunches
friendly visage going around the tables holding time around he suggested a smoked snapper in a as it is for a quiet repast with family and friends.
brief conversations on everything from the spicy chilli-ginger-garlic based Thai sauce for me

26 Indian Weekender | June 12, 2009

Indian
Personality

Romancing the passion, living the dream

FARIDA MASTER

She is a story book example of how marvels of But what if we were suddenly able to access that
modern technology can literally take you places. unused remainder ?” She seems excited by the very
How else can you explain the fairy tale success story thought and it’s the ‘what if’ factor that prompted
of the Fiji born Kiwi-Indian romance writer Nalini her to make the dramatic cross-over to Paranormal-
Singh who lives in Auckland, New Zealand, has an Romance.
agent in Los Angeles and is making international The lady who has packed in quite a punch in her
waves in the US as she adroitly marries paranormal thirty-two years on the creative firmament confesses
romance with urban fantasy. to working nine to ten hours a day on her laptop.
Nominated for a RITA award by the Romance She has tried her hand at different professions as she
Writers of America which is probably the biggest in- has practised law, been an English teacher in Japan,
dustry award in Romance, the world over, the thirty- worked as a librarian, bank temp and a candy factory
two year old has been published in eighteen languag- help! She calls it grist for the writer’s mill.
es, including Japanese,Swedish, German, Italian What is it being an Indian writer in the interna-
and Korean. She’s had twelve full length novels tionally celebrated world of romance? “Though I
published so far, plus three novellas and is commis- don’t know too many Indian writers who work in the
sioned to write four more Psy/Changeling books and genre fiction world, I think it’s probably the same as
two more Guild Hunter books! Nalini also has two being any other kind of writer,” she replies modestly.
books and one novella releasing later this year. “I’ve read a number of writers from the Indian sub-
Described by her critics as being “on the fast was always her favourite subject in school. However affairs of the heart, did find its way to the desk of continent, including Vikram Seth and Monica Ali
track to becoming a genre giant!” Nalini has an what made her stand out from the rest of her ilk was Harlequin-Mills & Boon. The young writer still feels and enjoyed them.”
incredible fan following as she plots her way to that while every other teenager found herself lost the rush of hot blood on her face as she can clearly So has this romance writer found her knight
success. between the passionate covers of a Mills & Boon, at remember how her heart started thumping loudly in shining armour or is she waiting for one of her
I met the petite but feisty writer on the eve of the 18, Nalini decided to write one herself! And though when she nervously ripped opened the envelope and heroes to carry her off into the sunset? “Getting
release of her novel ‘Branded by Fire’ at her home in it didn’t quite turn out to be the sensational page- read it’s contents that fateful morning. It changed her carried into the sunset can happen in different ways,
Mt Albert, Auckland. turner she had imagined it to, it did inspire her to life. “Nothing ever can top that feeling. It was one “ she deliberates.” Sometimes, it might as simple as
It’s not everyday that you come across a prolific attend the Romance Writers of New Zealand con- day before my birthday. I couldn’t believe it had hap- a smile across a crowded street. Who knows when
Indian writer who writes about Angels and Demons ference that gave her pointers on how to write more pened. It was something I wanted so much!” it’ll happen? “ Nalini shyly rounds up, leaving room
and has happily winged her way to the top rung of than three chapters in a book. Life has indeed come Six novels later, Nalini decided to add a new for another exciting chapter to be deftly woven into
the New York Times and USA Today’s Bestseller a full circle now as Nalini Singh is going to be one twist to her story. “I’ve always been fascinated by her life.
list. What’s more, she was recently nominated for of the speakers at the next Annual Conference of psychic powers, by the idea that we might have un- - Former editor of `Stardust’ magazine, `Society
the Sir Julius Vogel Award in New Zealand and even the Romance Writers of New Zealand to be held in awakened abilities within us, “ says the celebrated Fashion,’ `Citadel’ magazine and `Pune Times,’
won it for her novella, ‘Stroke of Enticement.’ Auckland from 21st to 23rd of August ‘09. writer who has left readers enthralled and in awe of Farida Master has been a part of the mediascape for
So how did it all begin? When it comes to the Ms. Singh’s tryst with fame began unexpectedly her prodigious talent. “Experiments have shown that the last 27 years. She is now associated with ‘The
love of the language, Nalini recollects that English when her second attempt at writing about the torrid human’s use only a tiny percentage of their brains. Aucklander’ magazine.

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Indian Weekender | June 12, 2009 27

Indian
HA!
A woman went to a stud farm to buy a
horse.
“Is your horse well behaved?” she
asked the owner.
“Oh, yes,” said the owner. “When we
come to a fence, he stops and lets me go
over first.”

OFFBEAT PROFESSIONS

I
MAGINE a job in which but what about the stain the
one needs no tea break! beverage leaves on the teeth?
Where a break would, in It is an unavoidable
fact, be away from the professional hazard. Teeth
cuppa. If you had the job have to be treated regularly.
FAMOUS FIRST you would just sip tea all To become a tea taster, one
INDIA’S first ‘Toy Club’ was started by day and get paid has to work in a tea farm or
Virendra Andhia in 1965 under the handsomely —around gain a thorough knowledge of
auspices of the Share Your Toys Rs 50,000 a month for tea farming. Science students
Foundation in Mumbai. It closed down it. Tea tasters are are preferred for the job but
after a couple of years and today, the professionals who are everyone has to go through
oldest toy club in the country is much in demand. rigorous training. There are
Mumbai’s Chacha Nehru Toy Library, What does the tea institutes for training tea
started by Kumudini Batra and the taster do? He takes a tasters all over the world.
Bombay Arts Association. spoonful of tea, puts There are some
it in his mouth and universities which offer tea
slurps it at an tasting as a subject.
incredible speed of
201 km per hour. He
then spits it out. In Did you Know?
The Cup and the Sip
this spit-second lies the fate
of the brew. He passes „ Taste buds are most
judgement on whether it is sensitive early in the morning
everyone's cup of tea or not. hotels. cups a day. and from 3 to 5 p.m, which is
Tea tasters work for A good tea taster can tell To be able to get the right usually tea time for most of
manufacturing companies, which country the tea is from taste, aroma and strength of the us.
brokers and buying firms. with just a sip. brew, the tea taster has to cut „ Tea is second only to
TRIVIA They also work in During the peak season, a down on smoking, drinking water as the most consumed
CELIO DE OLIVEIRA, a bar owner in restaurants and five star tea taster tastes more than 200 and spicy food. That is good, beverage.
Brazil, has built a house using only
empty plastic soft drink bottles. Even its TIMEPASS
light switch is made of a bottle top. He 5. Why did the orange stop? EASY DRAW
started collecting the bottles to clean the Draw a kettle by following
6. A man wanted a log cut up.
Mage beach in Rio de Janeiro. When he He asked the labourer how these simple steps.
had collected 10,000 bottles, he got the
idea. Now a local school has asked for a
Riddles much he would charge to cut
it. The man said he would
similar bottle house. charge 5 rupees to cut it into
two pieces. The man had the
log cut into four pieces. How
1. Why did the one-handed man much did he have to pay the
cross the road? labourer?
2. Who gets the sack as soon as
he starts work?
pieces.
times to get four
3. In which game can you jump has to be cut three
over three men without
bothering to get up?
15 rupees because the log
6. The man would have to pay
4. Which driver can
never be By Nishant
4. Screwdriver 5. It ran out of juice!
arrested for
shop 2. The postman 3. Draughts
speeding?
Answers: 1. To get to the second-hand

SEE ‘N’ SMILE By Nishant

NZ-9.1 / © 2009 Amrita Bharati, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan; e-mail: [email protected]

28 Indian Weekender | June 12, 2009

Indian
THE LIGHTER SIDE SPARKLER

Starry Eyed The Clue “Extraordinary! Most

extraordinary!” exclaimed

T S
HE great detective Sherlock that it’s not going to rain.” IR ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE the creator of Sherlock
Holmes and his sidekick Dr. “Anything else?” alighted from a taxi in Paris and was Holmes. “You had no other
Watson were on a camping “Dash it, Holmes! What else can a taken aback when the taxi driver evidence to go upon?”
expedition. When night fell, they put up man deduce by looking at the stars? I’m addressed him by his name. “Nothing,” said the taxi
their tent, had a frugal meal of beans, not an astronomer or astrologer. I’ll eat
“How did you know who I am?” asked driver modestly, “except
and went to sleep. my hat if you can tell anything more than
the writer. the name tag on your
Towards midnight, Holmes nudged I did by looking at the stars!”
luggage.”
his friend awake. “Is that a promise?”
“It was easy, monsieur,” said the driver.
“Look up at the sky, Watson,” he “Yes!”
“I read that you were
said. “You can see the stars. What can “I can tell that our tent has been
arriving today from
you deduce from that?” stolen.”
the South of France.
“Quite a lot, quite a lot,” said Dr.
This joke was voted the most popular From the look of
Watson, peering at the sky. “I can tell
in an experiment conducted over the your hair it is evident
that the night is not yet over.”
Internet by the British Association for that it was last cut by
“Anything else?”
the Advancement of Science. The a barber from the
“The fact that we can see all those
participants, drawn from more than 70 South of France and
stars means there are no clouds in the
countries, had to choose from I can see that you’re
sky, which indicates
10,000 jokes. an Englishman.”

BAHUROOPI
TRY THIS SOAP, MADAM. ...OR THIS ONE IF
CAN YOU SUGGEST
THIS WILL HELP YOU LOOK YOU WANT TO LOOK
SOMETHING WHICH
LIKE KATRINA KAIF... LIKE MADHURI DIXIT.
WILL HELP ME TO LOOK
LIKE MYSELF?

NZ-9.2/ © 2009 Amrita Bharati, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan; e-mail: [email protected]

Advertisement

New Zealand Indian Central Association (Inc.)

PO Box 1941 - Wellington, New Zealand

President: Ratilal Champaneri Gen Secretary: Veer Khar

Phone: 021 383 859 Phone: 0274 417 654
Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Sale and Supply of Liquor runui) and Wellington, where there was a size-
able population of Indians residing. The Indian
15, will have to consider every application relat-
ing to a grocery of this size, even if it is unop-
ness operator can’t meet the extra expense.
3. Distance of 10km radius is totally an un-
Enforcement Bill: NZICA’s community throughout New Zealand at that
time in its history, felt the need for a single body
posed) is satisfied that—
• The principal business of the grocery is the sale
wanted requirement. We do not want to encour-
age people to drive to supermarkets for every
Submission: to represent them in their fight against oppres-
sive legislation and discriminatory immigra-
of main order household foodstuff requirements;
and
small item. This proposal encourages big super-
markets and it will kill small businesses.
Background tion policy, and to promote harmony between • There is not within 10 km of the grocery a su- 4. There are already strict rules regarding
In New Zealand the concept of corner dairies Indians, the Maori people, and the dominant permarket with a floor area of 1000 m2 or more, selling of the liquor and operator must follow
facilitates small item shopping. The dairies are European population in New Zealand; and to or premises whose principal business is the man- the rules to eliminate the abuse of alcohol. There
usually visited by shoppers from the surround- respond to misleading propaganda concerning ufacture or sale of liquor; and should be harsher penalty for the operators who
ing area who find it convenient to walk to buy the Indians living in New Zealand. The Central As- • It would not be economic to establish within 10 do not follow the rules.
item rather than drive a kilometre or more to the sociation was also formed to advance the cause km of the grocery a supermarket with a floor area 5. Small businesses already facing far too
supermarket. Due to low sale volume the charges of all Indians, be it political, educational, health, of 1000m2 or more, or premises whose principal many compliance cost and this additional re-
at the dairies are slightly higher but the shoppers welfare or cultural identity. business is the manufacture or sale of liquor. striction will damage their livelihood.
are happy to pay the premium for convenience. Today the three branches have grown into - NZICA understands that this will be effective 6. Size of the shop is irrelevant to the alcohol
Local councils in their ‘District plans’ usually ten independent, self governing, incorporated for new licenses and will not affect license re- problem. Most of the small businesses are run by
provide for lots for such business use within a branches throughout New Zealand, all affiliated newals. responsible family units. The operator should be
residential area. The size of the lots is often kept to the New Zealand Indian Central Association 1. “Three strikes and you’re out” policy of good character and person of integrity who
small in view of the nature of business. (Inc.) and there are other affiliated branches rep- for managers who have 3 adverse findings re- are ready to assist authorities to address alcohol
Drinks like juices, soft drinks, wine and beer resenting various Indian ethnic groups. Associa- lating to people under 18 (young people) made problem. Stronger enforcement of Law by the
very much form basic ingredients of our social- tion has about 60,000 members as on today. against them within 2 years. It will have the Police is more important than anything else.
ising. Be it a gathering in Parliament, a sports effect of preventing them from being a manager,
match or any other community gathering, the NZICA’s Understanding of the Sale and temporary manager, or acting manager for 5 Conclusion:
consumption of wine and beer along with other Supply of Liquor Enforcement Bill:- years after the third conviction. – NZICA sup- NZICA on behalf of the Kiwi Indian com-
non alcoholic drinks is absolutely normal. • The Bill tries to take an integrated approach ports this. munity assures the government that we will
Dairy owners/operators are mainly the to issues related to drinking by minors by putting fully support the move to check the alcohol
Kiwis of Indian origin; who tune themselves to more onuses on parents. It addresses improve- NZICA’s submission: abuse (as a root cause of deteriorating law and
working hard in a monotonous environment to ments required in the area of advertising. Also 1. New Zealand government should not in order problem) in every possible manner. At the
earn living. Usually the spouses contribute as drivers aged under 20 years who do not have a any way directly or indirectly favor big business- same time it is very important for government
part time relievers for the usual 12 hours x 7 days full licence will have an alcohol limit of zero es and put small dairy owners at a disadvantage. to understand that there shouldn’t be any attempt
working. If a dairy includes sale of liquor, it is promotes safety on roads. NZICA welcomes this 2. Existing businesses with off license and by the government to dislodge small business
off-license in 100% of the cases. action by the government. under 150sqm area; should not be asked to go for owners. This will be a gross violation of basic
• Groceries with a floor area of less than 150m2 unaffordable expense to extend the shop beyond human rights and seen as a ploy to help large
New Zealand Indian Central Association will now not be able to be granted an off-licence 150sqm at the renewal time. Most of them businesses.
NZICA was formed in 1926 with three unless the Licensing Authority (which, by virtue operate under the lease and landlord will demand - Released to the media by Veer Khar
branches Auckland, Country Section (Tauma- of the amendment proposed to be made by clause upfront money and additional rent. Small busi- (General Secretary, NZICA)

Indian Weekender | June 12, 2009 29

Indian
Horoscopes
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Garlic Baby Potatoes Tuscan Tomatoe Soup

Ingredients: Tuscan Tomato Soup 2 Portions visit http://media.pho-
tobucket.com/image/tuscan%20tomato%20soup%20 • Heat olive oil and sweat garlic and onion
olive%20oil%20and%20cheese/lynnylu/TuscanTomato- over medium-low heat until softened
•0 250g-baby potatoes, boiled. If baby po- Soup2-rz.jpg for picture idea only
tatoes are not available, please use normal • Add tomatoes and basil leaves, and simmer
potatoes cut them in chunks. covered for 10 minutes.
Recipe by Ruby Dhillon Ingredients Recipe by Shri Desai • Add the stock and bread. Season to taste
For the masala paste: with salt and pepper. Bring to the boil and
•0 1-green chilli ground to paste Soup simmer over low heat until the soup is thick -
•0 2-red chilli dried ground to paste •0 120 g Stale Bread about 25 minutes.
•0 3-garlic flakes ground to paste • On a lightly greased baking sheet place the
•0 25 g Onion
•0 oil for frying parmesan cheese into an overlapped layer
•0 15 ml Olive Oil in an attractive shape. Bake in a pre-heated
•0 450 ml Chicken Stock oven at 180°C until crisp and golden – about 8
For the sauce:
•0 30ml- soya sauce •0 2 Garlic Cloves minutes.
•0 15ml-vinegar •0 340 g Tomatoes Serve
•0 15ml-oil • Place soup into pre-heated serving dishes.
•0 3 Basil Leaves
•0 30ml- Tomato ketchup Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with parsley.
•0 Salt and Pepper Serve with parmesan wafer (available from a
supermarket) on the side immediately.
Method: Serving suggestion Garnish Serving suggestion Important Points
•0 10 ml Olive Oil
• Prick the boiled potatoes with a fork and keep them aside. •0 5 g Italian Parsley (Canned whole peeled tomatoes can also be
used)
• For the sauce, mix all the ingredients in a bowl and then mix Method / Mise en place
potatoes in it. Equipment
• Slice the bread thickly, remove crusts if desired, and
• Marinate the potatoes for about an hour stirring occasion- bake in toaster oven until crisp and lightly browned. Heavy based pan or pot can be used
ally ensuring that all the potatoes get coated evenly. • Put toasted bread through food processor and chop
coarsely using the pulse button. Presentation Ideas
• For the masala paste, heat oil in a pan and saute green chilli • Finely dice onion and garlic.
paste, red chilli paste and then garlic paste while putting a • Blanch tomatoes, refresh and peel off the skin. Have some fresh parmesan cheese that can
few spoons of water in it. Then add the marinated potatoes in • Scoop out seeds and dice coarsely. be sprinkled on top before serving
the pan. Cook until the moisture is dried. • Roughly cut basil leaves. Serve with fresh bread and olive oil for dipping
• Grate parmesan cheese. the bread into
• Serve with chopped coriander on it. • Roughly cut Italian parsley. Add 10 g of cooked haricot beans per person
• Cook when adding the stock

30 Indian Weekender | June 12, 2009

Indian
Heritage

Tera Kya Hoga Kaaliya

RAm Lingam

Lights, Camera, Action on Indian Cinema and its deep ancient roots
Most of us movie buffs remember the ‘Tera Kya besides Hindi movies from Bollywood. In fact one • The first Indian to produce a film was H.S. Bhat-
Hoga Kaaliya’ dialogue from Ramesh Sippy’s movie could even say that regional cinemas are the keys to wdekar in December 1889.
‘Sholay’. For many reasons, ‘Sholay’ has been etched the Indian cinema industry as it is reported that Hindi • The first ever female role depicted by a male
in the history manuals of Indian cinema as a mega- movies account for only 20% of Indian films. artiste was played by Salunke for the film Raja Har- century CE) who wrote many Sanskrit plays. Their
blockbuster, since its release in 1975. It’s supposed For nearly 60 years, the Indian cinema has been ishchandra released in 1913. plays were adapted in many ways in Indian movies
to have grossed in at least $ 60 million USD and ran the central form of entertainment in India, and with and television serials. The Indian storylines, which
for five years consecutively in the Minerva theatre in its increased visibility and success abroad, its popular- Yeah right! But its true: The longest kissing scene usually involve song, dance, superheroes, daredevil
Mumbai. ity has reached countries like Germany, Switzerland, till date in an Indian movie has been picturised in the thrills and comedy, are in subliminal ways influenced
Rear-view mirror on Indian Cinema… Russia, Sweden, the Middle East, Afghanistan and film Karma (released in 1926), a silent film. It was by these Sanskrit plays which were usually filled with
Indian film industry is one of the oldest and now Japan – and even the distant Pacific Islands. between Himanshu Rai and Devika Rani for about serious plots and loads of twists and turns.
the largest film industries in the world. Though India’s Did you know? 4 minutes on the screen, almost 4 times lengthier In addition to Sanskrit plays, we have the great
first movie was released way back in 1898, drama Search ‘History of Indian cinema’ on Google for than the kissing scene of Dayavaan (released in 1989) Tamil dramatic epic ‘Silappadikaram’ (The tale of the
and theatre were prevalent even in ancient India more on some of the interesting information sum- between Vinod Khanna and Madhuri Dixit. Anklet) by the prince poet Ilango (2nd century CE),
and enjoyed royal patronage. The first short films in marised below. there are detailed descriptions of setting of the stage,
India were directed in 1898 by Hiralal Sen who was Here are some stats on the Indian film industry. Bollywood and Ancient Indian drama role of music and dance on stage.
a Bengali photographer and generally considered one • Indian cinema today produces approximately Drama and theatre forms have been around in Technically speaking…
of India’s first filmmaker. Sen made over 40 silent 1000 films a year (twice that of Hollywood’s output) India for centuries. In ancient India dance and rituals Technically there were 10 types of Sanskrit plays.
films in his inspired years up to 1913. The first talkies • In 1931 a modest 28 films were produced in India. were always a part of Indian mode of entertainment. The theory and practice of dance (Nritya), drama
movie (with sound) was Alam Ara (1931) - a love story In 1947 that figure reached 280. The origin of the Indian theatre (rather folk theatre) (Nātya), theatre (Nātak) and acting (abhinaya) was
between a prince and a gypsy girl, based on a Parsi • 14 million Indians out of more than a billion and dramatics can be traced to sacred ritualism of the told to us in an aptly dramatic manner by Sage Bharata
play marked the beginning of filmi music in Cinema people go to the movies on a daily basis ancient Indians. (4th century) through his shāstra called ‘Natyashas-
of India, as noted film director Shyām Benegal said, • India sells approx 4 billion movie tickets each year The great epics of India – the Rāmayana and the tra’ which is an ancient Indian text on dance and
“It was not just a talkie. It was a talking and singing whereas the US sells about 2.9 billion tickets Mahābhārata have been dramatised since ancient drama. Bharata explains that ‘Abhinaya’ which we
film with more singing and less talking. It had a • Bollywood employs more than 6 million people times. Even today many films have plots which are know as ‘acting’ as ‘that which carries performance
number of songs and that actually set the template for and grossed US $8 -10 billion a year similar to that in Mahabharata or idealise the values of towards the spectator’. In fact, Natyashastra defines
the kind of films that were made later”. • Hindi Cinema star Shah Rukh Khān has 1 billion Lord Rama. The epics also provided the inspiration to nine different emotions as themes that can be por-
Bollywood not just in Hindi… fans worldwide and a higher popularity with the op- the earliest Indian dramatists and they do even today. trayed through theatre, dance and music.
Today, Indian cinema famously known as Bol- posite gender more than Brad Pitt (For those die-hard In Thailand, especially it has been a tradition from the Though the Indian film industry today uses
lywood has major film studios in Mumbai, Kolkata, Shah Rukh fans, Shah Rukh’s interview on the Paul middle ages to stage plays based on plots drawn from modern technology to produce films and has multi-
Chennai, Bengluru and Hyderabad and they churn out Holmes show in 1997 is worth a watch). Indian epics. plexes to show them, the art of film making in India
more than 1000 films a year to audiences around the The first takes… The chief classical contributors to dramatics, still has its roots in the fine arts of ancient India. This
world. Movies are made in Hindi and other regional • The first movie – a silent movie for 10 minutes was dance, theatre and acting in ancient India were un- has been confirmed even by media studies that the
languages like Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Oriya, produced by Lumiere brothers on July 7, 1897. It had doubtedly the top seven playwrights like Kālidāsa very bases of the culture of Bollywood movies are tra-
Marathi, Konkani, Bengali, Bhojpuri, Punjabi, Gu- only 6 scenes! All it had was an arrival of a train, a (340 BCE), Asvaghosa (1st Century CE), Bhāsa & ditional. Indian performing arts like Sanskrit theatre,
jarati, Kannada, Assamese and even Manipuri. There sea bath, demolition of a building, workers leaving the Shudraka (2nd century BCE), Viśākhadatta (4th folk theatre, dance and music still echo in the themes,
are over 14 languages in which Indian films are made mill and ladies and soldiers on wheels. century CE), Harshavardhana & Bhāvabhuti (7th plots and aesthetics of modern Indian cinema.

The significance of Gayatri Mantra

Ravinder Grover

The Gayatri Mantra is the universal prayer enshrined WHEN TO RECITE THE GAYATRI
in the Vedas, the most ancient scriptures known to MANTRA
mankind, which is as follows: The Gayatri Mantra is usually repeated at
dawn, noon and dusk. God is beyond time,
Om and it is a result of our limitations that we talk
Bhur Bhuvaha Swaaha of dawn and dusk. When we move away
Tat Savitur Varenyam from the Sun then it is dusk and when we
Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi move towards Sun then it is dawn. So you
Dhiyo Yonaha Prachodhayath need not be bound by the three points of time
to recite the prayer. It can be repeated always
and everywhere, only one has to ensure that
“We meditate (Dheemahi) upon the Spiritual the mind is pure. I would advise the young
Effulgence (Bhargo) of THAT Adorable Supreme people to recite it when you take your bath.
Divine Reality (Varenyam, Devasya), the Source Do not sing cheap and defiling film songs.
(Savitur) of the Physical (Bhur), the Astral (Bhuva) Recite the Gayatri Mantra. When you bathe,
and the Heavenly (Svaha) spheres of existence. the body is being cleansed and let your mind
May That (Tat) Supreme divine Being enlighten (Pra- and intellect also be cleansed. Make it a point
chodayat) our (Nah) Intellect (Dhiyo), so that we may to repeat it when you bathe as well before
realise the Supreme truth.” every meal, when you wake up from sleep and
when you go to bed. And also say “Shanti,
“O Existence Absolute, Consciousness Absolute, Shanti, Shanti” at the end, for that repetition
and Bliss Absolute, Creator of the three dimensions, will give ‘shanti’ or peace to the three entities
we meditate on Thy transcendental light. Illumine in your body, mind and soul.
our intellects”
Never give up Gayatri. You must recite
There are three parts to the mantra: the Gayatri mantra at least a few times a day.
The Gayatri Mantra may be considered as having It will protect you from harm wherever you
divided into three parts having all the three elements are, in a bus or car, train or plane, in a bazaar
that figure in the adoration of God: Praise, Meditation or on the road. Westerners have investigated
and Prayer, such as: the vibrations produced by this mantra. They
have found that when it is recited with correct
1 - Praise pronunciation as laid down in the Vedas,
Om Bhur Bhuvaha Svaha (The Divine is praised) the atmosphere around becomes visibly il-
lumined. So, Brahmaprakasa (the efful-
2 - Meditation gence of Brahma), the personified Absolute,
Tat Savitur Varenyam, Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi. that which is truth, endless, all knowing,
(Divinity is meditated upon in reverence) will descend on you and illumine your intel-
lect and light your path when this mantra is
3 - Prayer chanted. Gayatri is the mother, the force that
Dhiyo Yonah Prachodayat (An appeal is made to the animates all life. So do not neglect it.
Divine to awaken and strengthen the intellect, the dis-
criminating faculty of man.)

Indian Weekender | June 12, 2009 31

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32 Indian Weekender | June 12, 2009