Issue 43 - Volume 2

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nian Wkn | December 3, 2010 | www.iwk.c.nz 1

Indian

IndianDecember 3, 2010

Volume 2, No. 18

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Community | 17Rangoli makes AIA Diwali

all the more colourfulKatrina dolled up,

finally

India | 10 Bollywood | 21

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Indian

As director of JK Organisation one of Indiasmost respected corporate groups and ViceChairman and Managing Director of one of its

most high prole companies, JK Tyre and Indus-ries, Dr Raghupati Singhania is one of Indiasoremost industrialists.

Dr Singhania, a member of the well-knowninghania family, one of Indias most prominentnd long standing business families was in New

Zealand earlier this month.The groups business interests are vast and

ange from cement to rubber and from agri-ulture to textiles, with several other sectors inetween thrown in for good measure.

JK Tyre & Industries are pioneers of radialechnology in India and leaders in the Indian tyrendustry. Dr Singhania is also Chairman, FennerIndia); Director, JK Lakshmi Cement Limitednd JK Agri-Genetics Limited; President, Harihankar Singhania Elastomer & Tyre Researchnstitute (HASETRI); Member-Managing Com-

mittee, Pushpawati Singhania Research Insti-

ute (PSRI); and director of various other publicimited companies.

Apart from achieving all time high salesarlier this year, JK Tyre recorded excellent prof-tability and stepped up the dividend to share -olders. The company is in the process of greatlyxpanding its production capacities by millionsf tyres a year to keep pace with Indias boomingutomotive sector, which is seeing record growth.

While in Auckland, Dr Singhania took timeff from his busy schedule to speak exclusivelyo Indian Weekender on a range of topics from

matters as mundane as business opportuni-ies between India and New Zealand to moreomplex ideas relating to Indias future as a eco-omic powerhouse.

Dr Singhania is as erudite a thinker andpeaker as he is astute as a businessman. He gaveis incisive views and perspectives in replies tour questions:

What brings you to New Zealand and what areour impressions of the country?

was here to attend the annual meeting of theAsia New Zealand Foundation of which I havebeen an honorary adviser for many years. Wemeet once a year in a different country and thisear it happened to be here. I am back in New

Zealand after quite a few years and am impressedby the all round progress it has made. New

Zealand has a great reputation and is viewedavourably by Indians. In Wellington, I had thepportunity to meet Prime Minister John Key,

Governor General Anand Satyanand and ForeignAffairs Minister Murray McCully.

As you know, New Zealand is actively pur-

uing a free trade agreement with India, asre many other countries around the worldecause of the fabulous potential for trade thatndias fast growing economy offers. Does therospect of an FTA with comparatively tiny

New Zealand hold real interest for India?

think it does. India now realises that everyountry, no matter what its size, has somethingnique to offer and in the case of New Zealand,ndia knows fairly well on how it could possiblyenet from its innovations not only in the agri-ulture and dairy sectors but also in light engi-eering technologies, besides other elds. Theres much that Indias technological prowess inhe IT and telecommunications sector that New

Zealand can look at. I think there is a good chanceor both countries to benet from the future FTA.

Are there any misgivings in Indias farmingnd dairy sector about teaming up with New

Zealand such as the greater use of technol-gy and automation putting more people outf work and things like that

ndia is a vast country and there are bound to be

all sorts of opinions. But there is a general reali -sation in all sectors how much the countrys pro-ductivity has lagged by not adopting technologyand automation early. So, though you might en -counter some fringe elements furthering extremearguments, by and large, people are willing totake a far more sensible view and approach thanever before. India has come a long way in thatsense.

Which are the areas that New Zealand has thebest opportunities? One logical area would bepost harvest preservation infrastructure andtechnologies? What do you think?

This is exactly what I was telling people in Wel-lington. Thats the area to concentrate on. Indialoses a huge percentage of its agricultural pro-duction because of poor storage facilities, han-dling and transportation. Centralised planning,outdated inventory management systems, bad in-frastructure and of course corruption cause unaf-

fordable losses in food production at a time whenfood security is a huge issue worldwide. I wouldsay this is the right area to begin with. Food pro-duction offers the biggest potential because ofgrowing economies but also brings in challengesbecause of pressure on space, climate change anda host of other problems. Technology, manage-ment, efciency and the evolution of new typesof nutritious food superfood, if you will willbe key to survival. Partnership with New Zealandcan help India usher in a new green revolution.

[Editors note: After last months FTA talksin New Zealand, Indian ofcials focused on thequality of New Zealand produce and the strengthof the New Zealand cool chain, according to a NZtrade ministry media release.]

What about creative industries like post pro-duction, software and so on?

Why not? India has a huge lmmaking base,which is becoming increasingly internationaland New Zealand has made a name for itself asa post-production and animation hub. There aretremendous opportunities here and need to beexplored. I see great scope for partnership inother technology businesses like software andtelecommunication.

As a leading industrialist in an economygrowing as fast as it is , what would you say arethe three biggest problems working in presentday India with all its great potential that isoften matched with the enormity of multipleproblems?

For one, we now are paying the price for delayinginfrastructure development so unconscionably.

Our infrastructure growth is simply not able tocatch up with the growth rate of the economy.Thats one of the biggest challenges. The otheris age-old bureaucratic thinking. Red tape is amajor factor to contend with and the plethora oflaws, many outdated, and the tendency to stick totheir letter rather than spirit in clearly changedcircumstances causes frustration. For instance,environmental clearance for large projects andextremely outdated labour laws are holding backindustrial progress in no small measure. Then ofcourse there is there is the corruption to contendwith.

Is all this not blunting Indias edge on catchingup with China?

Of course it is. This is the utte r failure of our suc-cessive governments. We are being turned into ahigh cost economy. China is continuously ne-tuning to reduce costs. Our costs are increasing and for all sorts of irrational reasons.

Yet, there has been growth and millions ofIndians are reportedly being alleviated fromthe clutches of poverty. But the rich-poor gap

seems to exist as it always has been. Do you seethat narrowing?

Narrowing, yes. Disappearing, no. Poverty anddisparities are universal and simply cant bewished away. They exist in every economy. Yousee it in the US, in Europe, everywhere. Its thescale. In India everyth ing is about the scale. So itall looks magnied. But yes, there are problems.Our political system is largely to blame. We havehad a planning system for sixty years since inde-pendence. Just 10-12 per cent of planning ex-penditure is believed to have percolateddown to the masses. You can imaginehow much in terms of resourceshas been lost in the six decades which is what is responsiblelargely for the poverty andlack of public infrastructure.Economic growth, however,will continue to lift millionsof people out of the morass

in coming years. But it isa long, hard, uphill road,everyone agrees.

Nw Zalan

NZ partnership can help India usher in anew green revolution

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An Auckland based auction house is offering auperb collection of photographs with a strongndian connection.

The 60 vintage photographs from the estate ofworld renowned photographer Brian Brake (1927-988) includes a suite of images from his famous

Monsoon series shot in India in the early 1960s andwhich rst appeared in LIFE magazine in 1961.

The series of photographs taken in Bombay,Benares, Jaipur and numerous other locationsharts the Monsoon season and had such impacthat Indian Prime Minister at the time JawaharlalNehru wondered how the photographer, got tonow India so well.

The signature image of the series entitled IndianGirl in Early Monsoon Rain shows the youngctress Aparna Sen experiencing the rst drops ofhe monsoon rain and has gone on to become onef the signature photographs of the 20th century.his photograph is included in the auction cata-

ogue along with others showing Crawford Marketn Bombay, devotees in the Ganges and farmersraying for rain.

According to ART+OBJECT managing direc-or Hamish Coney, this collection is one of the mostignicant ever offered for sale in New Zealand,

all of these works come directly from the artistsstate.

Brian Brake was a major gure from theolden age of photo-journalism and the quality ofhese prints is vivid and pristine. Collectors willave a rare chance to purchase a classic vintage

print by New Zealands most famous photogra-her, said Hamish.

We anticipate strong interest.In addition to the works on an Indian theme

here are also photographs of New Zealand picto-al subjects and taonga, images taken in China,apan, Hong Kong and Thailand and a complete

suite of his famous series Picasso at the Bullghtfrom 1955.

The complete catalogue will be offered atauction on December the 9th and is at exhibition atART+OBJECT from December 2 until auction day.

The vintage photographs carry auction esti-

mates of between $2500 and $10,000, which saysConey, represents tremendous value, internation-ally signed vintage photographs by major guressell for many tens of thousands of dollars. Theseworks by Brian Brake are priced at a level acces-sible to many collectors.

To celebrate this major event ART+OBJECThas published a superb colour book illustrating allthe works which can be purchased at the auctionhouse during the pre-auction exhibition.

For more information contact Hamish Coney,managing director ART+OBJECT on 09 354 4646.

Indian photos part of vintage collection

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The Mayor today released a businessase for the underground CBD rail link thatighlights major economic and transport

benefits for Auckland.

The independently prepared businessase investigates the economic viability of

a tunnel that would improve rail links intohe city. It would include three stations atey locations to ensure most of the central

business district is no further than 500metres from any CBD station.

A variety of alternatives were consideredas part of the business case, includingmproving bus capacity, an expanded Brit-omart rail station, and a central city busunnel with three stations.

The report ranks the rail link highest forost effectiveness and impact because ofhe way it would unlock unused capacity

across the whole rail network, says LenBrown. The link would double the numberof trains that can go through Britomart, letAucklanders get around the region moreeasily, and reduce congestion on ouroads. The report cant be ignored.

The potential urban redevelopment andadditional growth derived from investment

in this infrastructure would make the proj-ect transformational not just for Auckland,but for New Zealand as a whole.

The report suggests there is a strong casefor proceeding with three stages of theproject immediately.

Those stages are protecting the route; thefunding of the protection process; andfurther investigation of funding the tunnelitself.

Within two years, the report also high-lights, most of the useable train pathsin and out of Britomart will be in use,providing virtually no room to add futureservices.

This comes as road congestion intensifiesand Aucklands population continues togrow.

Without the link, the CBD would requiretwin or triple bus lanes in both directionson most road corridors, says the report.The rail link is quite possibly the mostcritical element in Aucklands transfor-mation into a globally competitive urbancentre, and this report confirms that, saysLen Brown.

Compelling business casefor rail loop: mayor

The taskforce convened by Auckland MayorLen Brown to deal with issues raised after therugby league double header at Eden Park hasagreed to take immediate action.

The taskforce includes the chief executivesof Auckland Council, Auckland Transport andEden Park as well as senior police, councillorsand local board members.

Meeting for the rst time today, the groupagreed on a number of steps to avoid a repeat ofprevious problems.Those steps includel Better communication and enforcement ofliquor bans and acceptable levels of behaviourboth in and outside of the groundl Better coordination of communicationbetween the various agencies and local residentsl Better screening of patrons going into theground to ensure liquor is not smuggled inl Greater numbers of security staff at Eden

Park who will be both more proactive and morevisiblel Higher police visibility outside the ground

These measures will be in place in time for thenext major test of crowd management in theEden Park precinct, the Black Caps PakistanTwenty 20 game on Boxing Day.

Every time we hold a major sporting eventat Eden Park, Auckland is on show to the world.We need to put our best foot forward to ensureevents are as successful as they possibly canbe, says Len Brown.

Major events at Eden Park need to be a cel-ebration for patrons and residents if we are tomove forward as an events capital.

The steps announced today and othersin development are designed to ensure thishappens.

Taskforce acts onEden Park Issues

A ministry of foreign affairs and trade news release says good progress wasmade at the third round held in Wellington between October 26 and 29.

With texts tabled by one or both sides across many of the key areas, discus-sion was able to build on the initial exchanges, which took place at the lastround around those texts, the release says.

There was also further discussion about each others respective approaches tothe treatment of competition policy, intellectual property, government procure-ment, trade and environment and trade and labour.

Discussions across all issues are still at a relatively early stage but, while thereare difficult issues to be worked through, it is encouraging that in various areasthere continues to be a good measure of convergence at the level of principle.

Additional to the negotiations themselves, Indias negotiators stayed in NewZealand for an extra day to have a first hand experience of some of the impor-tant sectors of the New Zealand economy.

The day included visits to: Fonterras Te Rapa factory; the SAITL laboratorywhere 25,000 milk samples are tested each day; Pickmee Apple Orchard,

coolstore and packhouse; and Patton Refrigeration. The overall focus of theday was on the quality of New Zealand produce and the strength of the NewZealand cool chain.

The next round will be held in New Delhi in early 2011.

India-NZ FTA talksmakes progress

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AN exhibition showcasing the spirit of India hasbrought the Wellington Indian community to-ether and uncovered hidden talents within it.

Mystique Beyond Comprehension, anxhibition organised by the Wellington Hindichool, marked the start of Diwali festivities.

The name for the exhibition could not havebeen more appropriate, says project manager

Ratnabali Bose.

In the search for the mystique, elusivendia, we found ourselves, she says. Ordinaryeople with extraordinary talents, all within ourmall community.

We are the people who carry the spirit ofndia within us and this exhibition just helpedeinforce that.

Exhibition co-ordinator Sunita Narayan sayshe aim of the exhibition was to two-fold.

It gave visitors an insight into Indian culturebeyond Bollywood and butter chicken, whileiving those with an Indian background a con-ection to their roots.

Visitors had a glimpse of Indian home life,

traditional Ayurvedic medicine, yoga andIndian languages spoken in New Zealand.

Tribal-style paintings by students from theWellington Hindi School depicted traditionaldaily village life.

Proles of Indian New Zealanders showedtheir part in the economic, social and culturalfabric of New Zealand.

Governor-General Sir Anand Satyanand,

one of the Indian New Zealanders proled,opened the exhibition.He said it was a window into Indian culture,

heritage and the Indian communitys contribu-tion to New Zealand society.

New Zealanders of Indian descent havecontributed much to our countrys economy andsociety in a number of ways through participa-tion in many disciplines including business,medicine, the law, sport and academia.

The exhibition was a powerful message forthe power of diversity for enhancing culturalunderstanding, he said.

- Hanna Butler

Beyond Bollywood and butter chicken

Although opening with dancing, the exhibition showed there is more to Indian culture.

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Orcon has extended its unlimited xed-line callingffer, adding India to its list of international loca-ions.

From this week, Orcon customers who add Indias an international calling location will be chargedt a at monthly fee of $13 for all calls made

making it even easier to keep in touch with familynd friends.

The offer enables customers to make an un-mited number of xed-line calls to India for up ton hour long. Those who want to speak longer canimply hang up before the hour is up then call back

and continue chatting.Existing Orcon customers can add India as an

international calling destination to their Silver+,Gold+ or Platinum+ plans for $13 per month*. Forcustomers already on the Platinum+ plan, one inter-national destination already comes included.

Our unlimited international calling offer hasbeen hugely popular with customers. With 15 coun-tries already on the list, were pleased to be able toextend the offer to customers who have friends andfamily in India, says Taryn Hamilton, head of salesand marketing at Orcon.

Mumbai: AirAsia X, the Malaysian-based long-aul, low-fare airline, on Wednesday announceds latest international route from Kuala Lumpur to

Christchurch, New Zealand.This will be the fteenth destination for the

irline after locations in Australia, India, Taiwan,China, UK, Korea, Japan, Tehran and soon France.AirAsia X will extend its network deep into the

outhern hemisphere with four non-stop weeklyervices between Kuala Lumpur and Christchurchrom 1 April, 2011.

To mark the opening for sale of the new route,AirAsia X is offering an unbelievable promotionalll-in fare from as low as INR 2,989 one way from

Kuala Lumpur to Christchurch for the bookingeriod from 3 to 5 December (Booking star ts 04.30m India time and 07:00 am Malaysia time) for theravel period from 1 April to 10 November, 2011.

Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive KevinBowler said: AirAsia X ights will open up routesnd connectivity to New Zealand not just from

Malaysia, but from India, Thailand, Singapore, In-

donesia, China and London via AirAsia Xs KualaLumpur hub.

This announcement is great news for AirAsiaand AirAsia X customers and great news for NewZealand. We have strong growth in demand from

South East Asia and this new service will go a longway to fullling this increased interest in visitingour stunning country, Bowler said.

In the last 12 months until Oct2010, NewZealand welcomed 28,421 Indian visitors (up 16%),20,784 Malaysian visitors (up 6.9%), 30,839 Singa-porean visitors (up 7.1%), and 21,052 Thai visitors(up 7.1%).

Dato Tony Fernnades, Founder of AirAsia X,said We anticipate that this new route will be ableto tap rst-time travellers to and from Christchurch,which will signicantly contribute to tourismgrowth both in New Zealand and Malaysia.

Air Asia X currently operates ights toKuala Lumpur from nine cities in India, includingMumbai, New Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore,Hyderabad, Kochi, Tiruchirapalli and Trivandrum.

AirAsia opens newIndia-New Zealand route

Unlimited calls to India with Orcon

AIS St Helens, Aucklands largest and mostinternational independent degree grantinginstitution held its Diwali Celebrations at itsAsquith Campus last week.

The crowd, of well over 200, was en-tertained by student performers from thediverse nationalities on campus. Theevening sparkled with Bhangra, Bollywoodand Pasika dances and a fashion show.

Highlights of the evening were prizes,distributed by Saida Parveen, an AIS StHelens faculty member, for best perfor-mances and there was a surprise luckydraw of a domestic sector air ticket. Stallsselling a variety of food items were popular between scheduled events. The eveningended quite late with a jam session andgroups of students eager to get on the oorwith their partners.

Mr. Y S Hsieh, Chairman AIS St Helensopening the event said The lights of Diwaliand its colourful exuberance symbolise thetriumph of light over darkness, good overevil, and a renewal of life. The universalmessage of peace, reconciliation, justiceand family values appeals to people of allfaiths.

Marketing Manager , Freddy Variava,concluded the evening by thanking the or-ganisers, the Indian Sub-Continent Stu-dents Association, the sponsors: ANZ ,Eco Travels, Relianz Forex, Yogi Institute,Kaysons, Shefco, and Spice Supermarket,and all participants for making the event ahuge success.

A Bhangra, Bollywood and

Pasika Diwali at AIS

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When Otahuhu metal worker Dewan Chand lefthome for work three weeks ago, little did he knowhat he would end up with a shorter right hand by thend of the day.

The 57-year-old former Fiji mans hand waslmost amputated at the wrist after it got crushed in aowerful machine at the East Tamaki factory where

he worked.And Mr Chand has only praise for surgeons at

Middlemore Hospital who performed a marathon4-and-a-half hour operation to save his hand. It isnly the second such operation to have been per-ormed in New Zealand to reattach a hand so badly

damaged.A second operation on Tuesday saw his thumb

emoved and replaced with the index nger, whichwas rotated 180 degrees.

In total, Mr Chand lost almost 12 bones, andnumerous tendons, blood vessels and nerves wereevered. Mr Chand, who hails from Taveuni in

northern Fiji, said November 8 for him started off asnormal day as he prepared to go to his 6am shift.

Every day starts with pooja for me and thatday was no different, Mr Chand told the IndianWeekender this week. I still dont know how it hap-

ened, said Mr Chand from his hospital bed.I was operating a 60-tonne folding press

machine where you press the pedal with the leg. Hishand was inside the machine when the press camedown and crushed his hand, all but cutting it off.

I screamed and screamed as my hand was leftdangling and I tried to hold it together with my otherhand, said Mr Chand. All my workmates cameunning and tried to stem the ow of blood and ev -ryone tried anything to help.

And the ambulance then arrived and I wasushed to Middlemore. The surgery team, led byplastic and reconstructive surgeon Stanley Loo, or-hopaedic hand surgeon Wolfgang Heiss-Dunlop,

worked in shifts to reattach Mr Chands hand in anovernight operation.

The injury crushed the cluster of bones in thewrist, the bone in the base of the thumb, half of thenext thumb bone, half of the bone in the base ofthe index nger, and fractured both of the forearmbones.

The bones in the base of his middle and ringngers have been permanently xed by two metal plates and screws to the larger forearm bone, theradius; the resulting hand, which can no longer exat the wrist, is shortened because of the bone loss.

Doctors said the reattached hand now had a

good chance of survival, although it would never be normal. When the Indian Weekender visitedMr Chand in hospital after his second operation, hewas gushing in his praise for the outstanding effortsmade by the surgical team to save his hand. I justcannot thank them enough; thanks to their efforts Istill have my hand although it is shorter.

I would also like to thank everyone who helpedme my workmates and bosses everyones justbeen wonderful.

Mr Chand, who migrated from Fiji four yearsago, is expected to spend more time in hospital un-dergoing physiotherapy and other recovery proce-dures.

Patient all praise for doctorshelping hand

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India opens LankaConsulate GeneralHambantola, Sri Lanka: Indias ExternalAffairs Minister S.M. Krishna on last Mondaynaugurated the Consulate General of India,

Hambantota in this Sri Lankan coastal city inhe presence of his Lankan counterpart Prof.

G.L. Peiris.Speaking at the inauguration, Krishna said

hat opening of Consulate General of India inHambantota was reective of Indias desireo strengthen its linkages with a region of Sri

Lanka with which India shares deep historicalonds.

Krishna recalled that during the 2004sunami, India, which was impacted itself,

was the rst to come to Sri Lankas assistance.ndian Navy ships with food, drinking water and

medical attention on board were at Sri Lankanhores within 24 hours, delivering much neededuccour to many affected communities who live

within a few kilometres of here.The EAM highlighted that India has also

aken up the reconstruction of the damagedouthern railway corridor from Galle to Matara

and the work was progressing on schedule.Krishna emphasized that President of Sri

Lanka himself has plans for developing Ham-bantota and its environs as a major regional hub.

It is therefore, natural that when we decidedto open a Consulate in the South, we haveopened it in Hambantota, he said.

Given the optimism we have of the futureof this region, the inauguration of the ConsulateGeneral in Hambantota is intended to build onIndias linkages with this region in the eld oftrade and commerce, investments, culture andtourism, he said.

The EAM was condent that India will takeadvantage of the industrial and commercial po-tential in and around Hambantota and would en-courage private sector to participate in Hamban-totas development by seizing the opportunitiesfor investments.

The EAM made a special mention of theextraordinary cooperation received from theSri Lankan Ministry of External Affairs, andthanked his counterpart Prof. G.L.Peiris.

Expedition down the Brahmaputra successfulKolkata: An international expedition downhe Brahmaputra, from its source in Tibet tohe delta in the Bay of Bengal, for the firstime has traversed some 3000 kms both onoot and by motor powered boats criss- cross-ng the downstream river that covers threeations - China, India and Bangladesh.

Team leader Andy Leeman, a Swiss,rrived here by three inflated boats along

with his team members from Bangladeshwaters via the Sundarbans. He said on Thurs-

ay that the expedition was aimed to focus

the revering ecology, as well as the liveli-hood and culture of the people, who live bythe sides of the river.

The journey starting from its source nearMount Kailash in Tibet on Oct 1 took about55 days to reach in the delta of in the Bayof Bengal in Bangladesh. The first phase theexpedition from the

southern Tibet plateau where the YarlungTsangpo (Sky River) originates in the Che-mayung-Dung glacier in remote moun-tain mass near Mount Kailash (6,638 mts),

making it the highest r iver in the world.After leaving the plateau it flows around

Mount Namche Barwa (7782 mts), into theworlds longest and the deepest gorge - theYarlung Tsangpo Gr and Canyon.

The first section was traversed, takingthe team over some very challenging highaltitude treks and rafting in inflatable boatsdown some of the most punishing rapids inthe world, 56-year-old Leeman said, whoalso led a Ganga exped ition last year.

In the second phase the expedition re-

joined the river again in Assam and traverseddownstream through Bangladesh right up tothe Bay of Bengal, making it the first of itskind on the watery roads in the world, saidLeeman, who is a pr ofessional sailor.

Bramhmaputra is the worlds highest riverand three times bigger than the Ganga, theexpedition team said.

Seven Indians, three Czechs, a New Zea-lander, an American and a German were inthe team.

Inia exnal affai Mini s.M. Kihna wih Pim Mini f si LankaM. d.M. Jayaan a Clm (26 Nvm 2010)

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India exhorts Pak to act against 26/11plotters on second anniversaryMumbai: India on Friday remembered the

ictims and martyrs of the deadly terroristttacks carried out across Mumbai on this daywo years ago, while calling for concrete a ctiony Pakistan against the plotters of the 60-hourttack on the countrys nancial capital.

Prime Minister Minister Manmohan Singh,n New Delhi, pledged to redouble efforts toring the perpetrators of the crime into justice.

On this day of remembrance, we salutehe courage, unity and the resolve of ordinary

Mumbaikars and the brave and seless action ofur men in uniform dur ing the attack, the PMaid in a statement.

It is this spirit and strength of character ofhe Indian people that will defeat such forceshat seek to threaten our social fabric and wayf life. We will never succumb to the designs ofur enemies, the PM said.

Two years ago this day, Mumbai was sub-ected to a brutal terrorist attack that claimed

he lives of hundreds of innocent people. Theation joins the bereaved families in remember-ng and mourning those who perished in thisarbaric attack.

The Parliament also paid homage to the6/11 victims a nd observed silence as the nationemembered the day with respect to those gotilled in the deadly terror attacks.

Mumbai, the scene of the 26/11 terror attack,aid homage to the dead and martyrs with Ma-arashtra Chief Minister Prithibviraj Chavannd Union Home Minister P Chidambaram at-ending various programmes and paying trib -tes.

Prithviraj Chavan and his deputy Ajit Pawarwere present at the parade by the Maharashtra

Police from the Oberoi Trident Hotel, one of thetargets of the Pakistan-based terrorists.

Elsewhere in Mumbai, Chidambaram paidtribute to martyrs of the 26/11.

He placed a wreath at the mar tyrs memorialat the Police Gymkhana in south Mumbai andrecalled the sacrice of the policemen.

Pakistan made many promises to us thatthey will bring to justice masterminds of 26/11but that has not been done so far, said Chidam-

baram at the marty rs memorial.Mumbai organised a host of other functions

all day to remember the black days of Nov 2008.Meanwhile in New Delhi, External Affairs

Minister SM Krishna told Pakistan categorical-ly that the perpetrators, who killed 166 peoplein Mumbai in 2008, must be punished.

On the second anniversary of the barbar-ic terrorist attack in Mumbai, the nation paysrespectful homage to its sons and daughtersand foreign guests, whose innocent lives were

cruelly snuffed out. The day is a stark reminderthat no cause can ever justify terror, either bystate or non-sate actors, Krishna said in a dip-lomatic note on Thursday.

He said substantive and veriable progresshas not been made in the probe into Mumbaiterror attacks cases in Pakistan.

Stating that India was committed to resolv-ing all outstanding issues through diaologues,and was in favour of peaceful, stable and co-operative relations with Pakistan, the Exter-nal Affairs Minister said he had travelled toIslamabad last July for talks and also invitedhis counterpart Mahmood Qu reshi to visit NewDelhi for further discussions.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton onThursday remembered the killing of innocentlives in Mumbai on the eve of second anniver-sary of 26/11.

As the people of the United States gatherwith family to celebrate Thanksgiving, we

pause to remember the horric attack on inno-cent men, women, and children that occurredin Mumbai two years ago. Now, as then, theAmerican people stand in solidarity with thepeople of India and honor those who lost theirlives, said Clinton in a statement.

On November 26, 2008, pockets of Mumbai,including the iconic Taj Mahal hotel, were at-tacked by 10 Pakistani terrorists.

The strike lasted for over 60 hours and leftat least 166 people dead and over 200 injured.

The lone surviving terrorist Ajmal Kasab,who was later arrested, has been sentenced todeath.

His appeal against the conviction is nowbeing heard by the Mumbai High Court.

26/11 reminder of perilous neighbour:

AntonyNew Delhi/Mumbai: Defence MinisterAK Antony on Friday said the 26/11mayhem is a grim reminder of Indiasperilous neighbourhood.In a message on the second anniver-sary of the terrorist attack on Mumbai,he reiterated the nations resolve not toallow a repeat of 26/11-type mayhem byterrorists in the country.Clear hinting about Pakistans involve-ment in the Mumbai Terror Attack,Antony said, It is a grim reminder ofthe volatile and perilous state of ourneighbourhood, and thereby, the needfor constant vigil.The Minister said his thoughts go out tothe families to the victims and the ex-

traordinarily brave security personnel,who lost their lives in the carnage.On November 26, 2008, pockets ofMumbai, including the iconic Taj Mahalhotel, were attacked by 10 Pakistaniterrorists.The strike lasted for over 60 hours andleft at least 166 people dead and over200 injured.The lone surviving terrorist AjmalKasab, who was later arrested, hasbeen sentenced to death.His appeal against the conviction is nowbeing heard by the Mumbai High Court.

Two years ago this day,Mumbai was subjected toa brutal terrorist attackthat claimed the lives

of hundreds of innocentpeople...

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IndianInia

XXX

PM salutes small entrepreneurs,admits corruption

Nitish Kumar begins secondinnings as Bihar CM

New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singhon Saturday saluted the drive of small entrepre -neurs in India who he admitted have to deal witha corrupt and unresponsive government.

With the ruling United Progressive Alli-ance (UPA) mired in scams that even saw theSupreme Court rebuking the Prime Ministerhimself for alleged inaction, Manmohan Singhspeaking at the Hindustan Times LeadershipSummit Saturday said: We must also salute thespirit of adventure and the spirit of enterpriseand the creativity of the small businessman andwomen, the rst generation entrepreneur and thesmall farmer, each of whom has to deal with adifcult world environment often includingan unresponsive, inefcient and corrupt govern-ment.

He said in celebrating our economic successwe must look beyond the success of our largeand visible corporate entities.

It is the individualism of the Indian, the

entrepreneurialism of our people, the energy ofevery student preparing for one test after anotherand the dreams of our young men and womenin our small towns that is taking this countryforward and that will take this country movingonce again, he said.

A challenge that tests us all the time is thatof making our growth process more inclusive; ofimproving our social and economic infrastruc-ture; of reducing regional imbalances; of increas-ing the social and economic opportunities for thedisadvantage sections, the Scheduled Castes andScheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, ourMinorities, Women and Children, the PM said.

He said India is determined to address theseproblems.

Indeed, our effort has been and will beto walk on two legs. To accelerate economicgrowth, on the one hand, and to make thatgrowth process more socially inclusive, on theother, he said.

Patna: Buoyed by a landslide victory thatsaw the decimation of the Opposition,Nitish Kumar began his second suc-cessive innings as the Chief Minister ofBihar after he was sworn in on Friday tohead a 30-member ministry.Around 2-50 pm under heavy securityarrangement, he was administered theoath of office by Governor DevanandaKonwar at Gandhi Maidan here.He thus became the CM for the thirdtime after a landslide election victory thismonth.Alliance partner Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP)s Sushil Kumar Modi also tookoath as a cabinet minister. He will be theDeputy Chief Minister.Besides them, 18 MLAs from JD-U and

10 MLAs from BJP took oath as minis-ters.Nitish Kumar was on Thursday electedthe JD(U) legislature party leader andretained his position as the state ChiefMinister being member of the seniorpartner in the alliance with 115 legisla-tors.The 91-member BJP legislature partyalso elected Sushil Kumar Modi as itsleader a day ago, paving his way to bethe Deputy CM.The winning alliance bagged 206 seatsof the total 243 seats, while the RashrityaJanata Dal (RJD)-Lok Janshakti Party(LJP) could manage 25 between them.The Congress fared even worse, pickingmere four seats.

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Indian

Inia v p 20h nclapw plan

New Delhi: The fourth unit of the KaigaGenerating Station (KGS) fired up earlyon Saturday, making it the countrys 20th

atomic power reactor, the Nuclear PowerCorporation of India (NPCIL) announced.The plant reached criticality the startof a self-sustaining nuclear fission chainreaction in the reactor core at around8:07am, NPCIL said. The unit will besynchronised to the southern grid, andwill supply power to Karnataka, TamilNadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh andPudducherry, after carrying out certainmandatory tests early next month. Withthe Kaiga-4 unit becoming operational,India is now elevated to the sixth rankin an elite club of nations, after the U.S.,France, Japan, Russia and South Korea,to have twenty or more nuclear powerreactors currently in operation, NPCILsaid in a statement.

rahl call Mi MaZng

Ahmedabad: Congress leader RahulGandhi on Saturday comparedGujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modito Chinese communist leader MaoZedong. Many an evil leaders havedone great developmental work. MaoZedong developed China, but he causeddestruction to the country too. Similarly,Modi has done developmental works in

the state, and also caused some issuesfor the country Gandhi said, indirectlyreferring to Gujarat riots. Gandhi wasaddressing a seminar of young partyleaders here, as a part of his three-daytrip to Gujarat. The infamous Gujarat riotsof 2002 left hundreds of Muslims dead,

injured and tortured and came as a blot inthe Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rule. Theriots followed an incident of train burningin Godhra in which Hindus returning fromAyodhya were killed by a Muslim mob.

Aia: Gln l fInia in kaai

Guangzhou: India completed a goldendouble by winning the gold medal inboth the mens and womens kabaddicompetition in the Asian Games hereon Friday. The womens team won 28-14against Thailand in the finals to win the11th gold for India on the 14th day of theongoing Asian Games in Guangzhou,

China. The Indian women dominated thematch from the very beginning, leadingby 17-7 at half-time. The second halfhad also the same result with the Indianwomen pinning the Thailand players onthe ground. Later in the day the mensteam won gold for the sixth consecutive.

They beat Iran 37-20 and maintainedtheir winning streak in the sport since itsintroduction in 1990. Their win took Indiasgold medals tally to 12.

Inia g uNsC ackingfm Wahingn

Washington: A resolution introducedin the U.S. House of Representativeshas called on the United Nations totake conscious steps to make India apermanent member of the United NationsSecurity Council (UNSC). ReiteratingPresident Barack Obamas stand whenhe backed Indias membership to UNSCduring his India visit earlier this month,a resolution by Congressman GusBilirakis has appealed for necessarysteps required to establish New Delhismembership. The resolution notes Indiaas the worlds largest democracy withthe second highest population where allpolitical views are freely expressed andrespected. Apart from contributing theone of the largest contingents to the UNpeacekeeping missions, the resolutionrecognised India as strongly committedto global peace and the development ofSouth Asia.

Inia

India BriefsIndia finally getsMobile NumberPortabilityRohtak: India will nally get its Mobile NumberPortability (MNP) service on last Thursday.

MNP enables mobile users switch from onenetwork operator to another without changingtheir old number.

After years of waiting, Indias MNP servicewill go live in Haryana on Thursday. Themobile service providers in the state at presentare Airtel, Idea Cellular, BSNL, Aircel, Loop,Vodafone, Etisalat and Videocon.

However, the rest of the country wil l have towait till March 2011 to avail the service.

The circles dont change. If you are inKarnataka, you are a Karnataka subscriber. Ifyou shift from one state to another, roamingkicks in, just like it does right now, said Di-rector General, Cellular Operators Associationof India (COAI) Rajan Mathews, as quoted byCNN-IBN news channel.

The mobile users (both pre-paid and post-paid) have to shell out a maximum of Rs 19 tochange from one network to another.

Heres how you can shift. Send an SMS

from your phone to 1900. Your presentcompany will reply with a unique porting code.Use that code while lling out a detailed formfor the company you want to shift to. Within 48hours, that company will take over all your cellservices, said a CNN-IBN report.

Meanwhile, a Telecom Regulatory Au-thority of India (TRAI) statement said: Themaximum time period for porting wouldbecome seven working days except in Jammu& Kashmir, Assam and North East licencedservice areas, wherein it would be 15 workingdays.

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Business

8/8/2019 Issue 43 - Volume 2

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Indian Fiji

Car hire and 7 nights accommodationrom $399.*

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With your own car to roam around Fiji, its your turn to be the tourguide. Explore beaches only the locals know about or just enjoy a

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*Sales until 31 Dec 2010, travel commenced prior to 30 March 2011. Price is per adult only for combo pass and does not include airfares to/from Fiji. Accommodation is based on twin share in Nadiat Wailoaloa Beach Resort, Travellers Holiday Apartments and 1 night free in Downtown Hotel; in Suva at Ananndale Hotel Apartments. Accommodation must be booked in advance. Rental car for7 days, is based on a Corolla AE100. Subject to availability and special conditions apply.

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The Friends of Fiji Health (FoFH) proj-ect has got off to a busy start in west-ern Fiji earlier this week. Foundation

trustee and leader of the delegationDr Sunil Pillay told Indian Weekenderover phone from Lautoka that the teamhad performed over a dozen elaborateprocedures in the first two days alone.The response has been amazing, DrPillay said. Patients have been liningup for appointments and I am hop-ing we will be able to do justice to allthose who have registered and are stillregistering.During their two-week mission, 33 vol-unteer medical professionals from NewZealand are providing much neededrelief to Fijian patients, including somewomen who have been waiting over ayear for gynaecological procedures,which have been the cause of discom-

fort and distress.Gynaecological operations are carriedout in Lautoka and our fellow doctorsin Fiji are still doing good work. Thisis to supplement and complement theexisting services, Dr Pillay told IndianWeekender.The team includes five specialistgynaecologists, four anaesthetists, 18nurses, two technicians and a physio-therapist.

FoFH is a completely independentnon-governmental organisation (NGO)with humanitarian aims and no politi-

cal affiliation. The Fijian governmentis accepting of the helping hand thatFoFH is offering to the Fijian peopleand is making their facilities availableto FoFH.The first mission is costing about$150,000, all of which has been raisedby the trustees of the foundations whoare professionals originally from Fijiwho now live in Auckland.The mission has been meticulouslyplanned and professionally managed.Dr Pillay told Indian Weekender thatthe process had been thought outcarefully in terms of the medico legalaspects and any post-operative follow-ups on the local patients after the teamreturned to New Zealand.

There would be detailed paperworkabout the handover of the patientsfrom the team of visiting doctors to thelocal medical team, he said.The first medical mission that beganits work on November 27 will run up toDecember 12. Indian Weekender willpublish a detailed report on the mis-sion in our next issue.

Friends of Fiji projectoff to a good start

Eidomoni Spa opens at MatamanoaFurther underlining Fijis reputation as the Spa capital of the South Pacific, MatamanoaIsland Resort, in Fiji has officially opened its new Veidomoni Spa. Built on a hilltop over-looking the beautific Mamanuca Islands chain, the spa features a whole host of specialtreatments. These include a Bua Frangipani cleansing ritual, a Qaqalo and YavaIndulgence treatment, a Veiwatini Honeymoon Pamper Pack and a Lomani BridalPackage.

The opening of the new spa is part of a major refurbishment currently taking place at

the resort. This includes new tapa and masi cloth and shell decorations in all rooms,new king size beds that can be split into two singles and furniture specifically designedusing local Mahogany Wood. The restaurant will undergo an extension with the addi-tion of a new Sunset Deck and furniture. For more information on Matamanoa IslandResort visit www.matamanoa.com.

Suva: The 2011 National Budget was well bal -anced but the increase in Value Added Tax to 15per cent was expected, the Fiji Commerce andEmployers Federation said.

Chief executive Nesbitt Hazelman saidthe poverty alleviation policies announced bythe Government would balance the negativeimpacts of the VAT increase.

We are hopeful that government throughFIRCA will strength the Vat refund mechanismto allow businesses to better manage their cashow through timely vat returns.

We are encouraged that government contin-ues to maintain its focus on Enhancing Eco -nomic Growth, its request to commercial banksto relax its lending policy toward SMEs andMicro businesses is also welcomed. We believethat it is these sectors that will provide much ofour economic growth and the creation of newjobs in the immediate to medium term.

We again welcome the continued and levelof funding assistance to Tourism Fiji and thechanges in the tourist VAT refund scheme, this

will make Fiji an attractive destination for visi-

tors as tourist may now claim VAT for shoppingdone over a number of days as opposed to asingle day, Mr Hazelman said.

FCEF also expected to see more direct

foreign investment in the country with thestreamlining of investment approval processes.

The private sector is also pleased with theextension to 2012 of the Employment Taxationscheme, employers are encouraged to take fulladvantage of the 150 per cent tax deductiongiven when employing a rst time job seeker.

In terms of Fijis food security strategy, thefederation welcomes governments increasedscal duty on fresh and chilled vegetables from15 to 32 per cent.

We believe that this will provide theimpetus to our local farmers and consumers togrow and buy locally grown fresh fruit and veg-etables.

There will however be some impact on boththe tourism industry and consumers for fruitsand vegetables not grown locally or when out ofseason, Mr Hazelman said.

- Elenoa Baselala, Fiji Times

Suva: The Fiji National Provident(FNPF) is faced with investmentchallenges after it recorded $219.53million in its 2010 investmentincome total - a decrease of $7.86million from last years figure of$227.39 million.

FNPF CEO, Aisake Taito admits thatgiven the large size of the fund, it isfaced with various challenges.These include; limited investmentopportunities locally apart from thegovernment securities, (investment)restrictions by the Reserve Bankof Fiji and the challenge of non-performing investments, particularlyMomi (Bay). Taito said.

While announcing FNPFs audited fi-nancial results for the year, Mr Taitosaid they are looking at ways toovercome these challenges includ-ing making submissions to RBF tolift overseas investment sanctions

currently imposed on them.

We have had talks with RBF forthe last two years and weve beenmaking our submissions to them

regarding these sanctions. Mr Taitostated.

The former Deputy Secretary for theMinistry of Finance also highlightedsome of the Funds various invest-ment rehabilitation projects. One of

these projects includes the Nat-adola Intercontinental Hotel Group(IHG) which is now fully operationalfollowing completion of club villasin May.The hotels financial performanceso far is encouraging and we havereceived $2million already from thehotel as owners.

Other projects, Mr Taito added,include the transfer of all Momi Bayland titles to the Fund as a result ofthe Momi Decree.

Despite these setbacks, Mr Taito as-sured members that theyre fundsare safe and that the Fund is in a

position to achieve its long termgoals.

- Indian Weekender news desk/Pacnews/ Fiji Live

Fiji Budgets balancegets the thumbs up

FNPF facesinvestment challenges

8/8/2019 Issue 43 - Volume 2

13/32


Indian Fiji

See more o Fiji.

Car hire + 7 nightsor only $399.*

With your own car to roam around Fiji, its your turn to be the tourguide. Explore beaches only the locals know about or just enjoy a

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places you never knew existed, but may never forget.

Contact Awesome Holidays today and fnd Fijis best parking spots.Phone 09 974 3815 or email [email protected]

*Sales until 31 Dec 2010, travel commenced prior to 30 March 2011. Price is per adult only for combo pass and does not include airfares to/from Fiji. Accommodation is based on twin share in Nadiat Wailoaloa Beach Resort, Travellers Holiday Apartments and 1 night free in Downtown Hotel; in Suva at Ananndale Hotel Apartments. Accommodation must be booked in advance. Renta l car for7 days, is based on a Corolla AE100. Subject to availability and special conditions apply.

FIJITRAnspoRT

WARRANTOF

FITNESS

2010

1

2

3

4

5

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7

8 9 10 11 12

1

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cturini

Bisvit

nonesonsecea

Date

BCF5759

Suva: Ophthalmologists, doctors andnurses from around the Pacific willnow be able to get eye care t raining

in a state-of-the-art facility in Fiji.

Jointly funded by the Australianand New Zealand Governments, thenewly constructed $2 million (NZ $2.7million) Pacific Eye Institute (PEI)buildings in Suva meets an urgentneed for an improved training andtreatment facility.

Australian Foreign Minister, KevinRudd said the old campuses sawover 20,000 patients last year incramped conditions.

The new buildings house trainingrooms for eye-care nurses, doctorsand technicians from across the

region, along with operating theatres,a laser-treatment room, an opticallaboratory, offices and a resourcecentre.

New Zealand Foreign Minister, MurrayMcCully said that up to 80,000 peoplein the Pacific were blind, and a further250,000 visually-impaired.

Making a major improvement toa persons sight is often not espe-cially expensive or difficult if there

are qualified health professionals onhand to diagnose and treat people viasimple surgical procedures, Mr Mc-Cully said. Research suggests thatthrough better access to eye healthcare and treatment 75 per cent ofblindness cases are preventable.

In 2010 PEI outreach teams under-took 5108 consultations and 1101surgeries including 878 cataractremovals in Solomon Islands, Vanu-atu, PNG, Samoa and Fiji.

This funding is a key component ofFred Hollows New Zealands A$13.5million Pacific Regional BlindnessPrevention Program (PRBPP), which

is funded by the Australian and NewZealand Governments in partnershipwith the Fred Hollows Foundation.

The Australia Government has con-tributed $9.8 million over three years(2008-0 9 to 2010-11) to the PRBPP,and the New Zealand Governmenthas contributed $3.7 million.

New facility boosts eyehealth in the Pacic

8/8/2019 Issue 43 - Volume 2

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Indian

Indian

From the Editor

ndian Weekender is published by Kiwi Media Group, 98 Great South Road, New Marketand printed at APN Print, Ellerslie, AucklandCopyright 2010. Kiwi Media Group. All Rights Reserved.

nian Wkn Vlm 2 N. 18Plih: Kiwi Media Group LimitedGp i-in-chif: Dev Nadkarni [email protected] i: Arvind Kumar [email protected] Cpnn: Shobha Rao [email protected]

Chif tchnical offic: Rohan Desouza rohan@ indianweekender.co.nzdign: Tanmay Desai [email protected] / www.desaign.co.nzAviing: Giri Gupta - Ph: 520 0922, Mob: 021 221 1131. Email - [email protected] email original editorial contributions, community notices and pictures to

[email protected] expressed in the publication are not necessarily of the publisher and the publishers not responsible for advertisers claims as appearing in the publication

Letters

Ten top stories on iwk.co.nz1. Health and wellbeing community day2. Dietary Myths v/s Realities3. Auckland student presents contemporary temple design4. Community grieves for lost miners

5. What Guru Nanak Dev taught6. Jagjit Singh to perform in NZ next year7. Bank of Baroda bags Best Bank 2010 Award8. Rescue for trapped NZ miners delays9. Next ethnic affairs minister will probably pass Paul Henry test10. Proud sons of Fiji give back to mother country

As the nation pays homage to the Pike River 29 and recovery teams nd ways and means of

trying to bring the fallen miners home, the government has appointed a high level enquirycommission, which Prime Minister John Key has upgraded to a Royal Commission.The commission headed by west coaster Justice Graham Pankhurst will have wide-

ranging powers including those of subpoena in a bid to get to the heart of the matter in thequickest possible time.

While the immediate priority of the recovery team will be to bring home the fallen men,it is equally urgent to nd out what went wrong and how to prevent such incidents in thefuture.

Reuniting the departed men with their families to enable them to carry out last rites andknowing the reasons for their sad end would bring a sense of closure for their loved ones.

ACC is to make one of the biggest single payout to the affected families soon. But ques-tions still remain about how the region will cope with the suspension of mining activity foran indenite length of time even though interim payouts to those whose jobs will be on theline are being worked out.

Meanwhile the questions surrounding conditions at the mine, which has an Indian con-nection a lot of the coal mined there heads for India and the mine itself has part Indianowners with Gujarat NRE Coke having a 10% stake and Saurashtra Fuels owning 8.5% are piling up.

Some of these are commonsense questions and if the answers to them have anything todo with business or work practices such as cost cutting, incompetence or negligence, those

responsible must face the full brunt of the law.For one, how did the lethal build up of gas go undetected until the rst explosion?

Surely, the gas was building up over several hours before the Friday shift began, unless itwas a sudden torrent gushing through the mine that left no time for the workmen to takeevasive action.

If the build up was slow, which could well be the case, why did any gas assaying equip-ment within the mine not detect it, which if it would have, would have prevented or warnedthe men before they went in? After all, the explosion took place early into their shift so themethane and the carbon monoxide must have been building up for a while.

Second, according to international best practice, we are told, every mineworker wearsa sensor that gives their location to monitors above ground. In brieng after briengat news conferences, the authorities gave conjectured locations of the miners scatteredthroughout the mine on schematic maps and diagrams. Nobody seemed sure where theminers were. Does this mean the miners had not been wearing the locator devices and werenot being monitored from above ground? If so, why?

The high concentration of methane and carbon monoxide seeping out of the drilledborehole and the second explosion ultimately seemed to justify the decision not to launch arescue mission into the mine but the question does remain whether there was at all a timewindow immediately after the rst explosion when the gas levels are relatively depleted?

The robots too were a disappointment. The rst one came a cropper in wet conditions,prompting the question that has now been ashed across the media: why they didnt drapeit in glad wrap before they sent it in?

This robot, we are told, is the one used for bomb disposal. One shudders to think whatwould happen if it sputtered to a halt and failed while on a mission to defuse a bomb on awindy and rainy day, God forbid, on Aotea Square or the forecourt of the Beehive.

Its speaks poorly of those responsible for designing it, especially in view of the DefenceForces chief design scientist resigned after a news channel unearthed highly questionableclaims on his CV.

The second robot took a few pictures, sent them back but ground to a halt after its bat-teries went at about half way up the 2.2 kilometre ramp, adding zilch to any informationwithin the mine.

In sum, there was a complete information blackout, which prevented the rescue team now re-designated as the recovery team from making any informed decision aboutmounting an operation. The decision not to do so was solely based on playing safe some -thing that seemed to have been vindicated by the second blast and the continuing build upof gas.

But the biggest question is whether in our overzealous stand on environment andconservation issues, we have indeed put the life of the miners in danger. The Pike Rivercoalmine could well have been an open cast mine that would have been the case if it were

situated in most other countries.But here, to reduce the environmental impact and reduce its footprint, it was left under-

ground with a long access tunnel which the miners found impossible to cross to safety intheir last moments.

Dev Nadkarni

Compelling business case for rail loop

Without a doubt the rail link to the airport is a must for Auckland and for New Zealand. It is a

shame it has been delayed this long, and still being debated....

Gopal

Why do people need God?

I do not have any reason for having God. Why do many people need God? Asking is answer-

ing, Because they do not believe in themselves. It is an unfair idea that there is supper power

that rules everything. Man, this stupid idea existed when people was living in caves, it should bestopped in this democracy era....

Dharmma

God is not the supernatural power that ruules everything - that is the concept of God that some

religious organisations would like you to believe. Study the holy books of any religion and you will

nd God is not like that at all. The people in charge of religion have misled the masses for centu -

ries. God is omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent - nothing else. God exists, whether you believe

in God or not. Learn to love and stop hating and God will be known to you. Nothing else matters....

Nalinesh Arun

Degei Dari in West Papua (Paniai)

Degei was also present in West Papua (Indonesia) they have 2 villages. And the 2 villages

were located in Paniai district, Papua. The villages were named (Ekadide and Mapia). The village

people have a clan Degei. They believe that they originated from a Big Snake (headman and his

snake). And the belief was almost similar to the one held by people of Fiji and India.

Mape Degei

Pike River Mine Tragedy

Cant agree any further. It is good to hear that the international mining experts believe the same

and looking carefully into the investigation. A thorough investigation is paramount to bring the

facts out....

Neelam Choudary

We pray to the Almighty that their souls rest in absolute peace.We also pray that the grieving fami -

lies be given all the support,courage,comfort and the determination to go forward in life....

Muni Ratnam

Modi Mao Zedong, Rahul says

It is a pity that train burning at Godhra does not attract same criticism as that of Gujarat roits. It

is Indians who have suffred a lot and left many many Indians dead, injured and tortured in roits in

various states at various point of time.... Prasad Kailaje

Friends of Fiji Health

It is indeed a great pleasure for the people of Fiji for the FOC services provided. It was long

overdue and I am sure that that it would benet a greater sector of unfortunate people who are not

able to seek medical services overseas. We look forward to similiar assistance in the near future.

God bless

Ashwin Chandra

What Guru Nanak Dev taught?

Your last paragraph beautifully captures the gist of Guru Nanak Dev Jis message. Well done!

The Gur-shabd Kaahe rae ban khojan jaaee is by Guru Teg Bhadur ji (9th Sikh Guru/ 9th Guru

Nanak)) in Raag Dhanaasree on page 684 of the Guru Granth Sahib. Happy Gurupurab and bless -

ings of Waheguru to all of you.

Kirpal Singh

Thanks for your comments and the correction about the Gur-shabd Kaahe rae ban khojan

jaaee. Its indeed given to us by Guru Tegh Bahadurji. Given this fact, its rather strange that

this song in many websites is attributed to Shri Guru Nanak Devji including the music album

I referred to. The song and album is available online- http://ww.smashits.com/ashram-bhaja-

navali/songs-9514.html. The lyricist it says is Nanak. Certainly all the ten Holy Gurus echo the

teachings of the Guru Nanak Devji.

Ram Lingam

Mining inquiry will have much to unearth

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The leaked Wikileaks les about New Zealand doot reveal much of the US plans for the Pacicegion at least not in those released so far. Therere believed to be several such documents relatingo Fiji as well, the details of which are quite scanty athe time of writing.

But irrespective of whether the whistleblowerite will in coming months publish more documentsn the US concerns in the region or not, recentevelopments speak enough for themselves as to

where the its newfound love for New Zealand andhe Pacic Islands will lead to.

For the past three years the United States hasather desultorily talked of increasing its engage-

ment in the region. Its deepening commitmentn the Middle East and the global nancial crisisave left little time and resources for it to rm upny concrete plans in the area despite having maderand statements about serious involvement fromime to time.

Even the project to relocate the armed forcesbase from Okinawa in Japan to Guam at US$15illion, the largest ever project in the Pacic has

been progressing at a slower pace than originallylanned.

But Secretary of State Hillary Clintons visito New Zealand and Australia last month and theone and content of her statements about the regionlearly signal a renewed resolve to step up this en -agement that has long been talked about but fol-owed up with little action.

The US has clearly been watching the growingnuence of the Asian powers in the worlds nalnd largely unexplored frontier for natural and

marine resources. That is what has caused the pe-iodic statements from Washington reminding ev-rybody about its interest for a stake of the state offfairs in the Pacic.

Soon after she was appointed to her job in theObama administration, Secretary of State Clinton,during a regional visit in early 2009, had said theUS was not ceding the Pacic to anybody. Thatwas the most denitive indication that the super-power had well and truly realised that its inuencewas waning in the region and it needed to pull upits socks. There was a clear sense of urgency in thatstatement.

In 2007, the US hosted the Pacic Islands Con-ference of Leaders a triennial meeting of headsof government and senior ofcials from the Pacicislands region in Washington. Traditionally held inthe countrys island territories like Hawaii, that wasthe rst ever time that the meeting had a mainlandvenue signicantly, too, in the national capital.Weeks before the PICL conference, a senior ofcialsaid the country wanted to reverse any perceptionthat it had withdrawn from the Pacic.

The US reminded the leaders and the world thatit had named 2007 as the Year of the Pacic. Withthat theme, the US sought to bring the importance itgives to the region into sharp focus within its ownpolicy-making machinery as well as to get variousgovernment departments and agencies including

Defence, Coast Guard, Interior, the Peace Corps,among others to work together in a whole of gov-ernment approach to make the countrys presencefelt in the region.

That year the US sent then Assistant Secre-tary of State Christopher Hill to attend the PacicIslands Forum Meeting where he went on recordsaying his boss, then Secretary of State CondolezzaRice, Clintons predecessor, wanted to attend toobut couldnt because of the situation in North Korea.

Hill also used the opportunity on that occa-sion to see around the region, visiting Honiara andWellington where he famously asked for New

Zealands eyes to view the Pacic praising thecountry for its long and friendly relationships withthe Pacic island states.

Shortly thereafter he also announced scalingup the US diplomatic presence in the region withan extended facility in Suva a reality today, withthe large new building in the heights of upscaleTamavua.

Clintons November visit to New Zealandremoved the last vestiges of any misgivingsbetween the two countries on New Zealands hith-erto rigid and non-negotiable stance on the issue ofaccess to nuclear powered vessels into its territorialwaters. The thaw was perceptible with both coun-tries agreeing to joint military exercises in the SouthPacic about once a year.

It is hoped that the newfound love between thetwo nations will also pave the way for better traderelations, even a possible free trade agreement inthe not too distant future the possibility of whichhad been in the doldrums because of New Zealandsstrident anti-nuclear stand.

But what is most signicant is Clintons an-nouncement in Hawaii that the US would reopenSuva based Pacic Agency for International De-

velopment ofce at the cost of US$ 21 million. Thepolitical reality in Fiji did not seem to matter to theSecretary of State or her government.

This is a major departure from her predecessorRices stand on Fijis military regime who had criti -cised the Fiji situation saying the Pacic could notevolve into an area where strongmen unilaterallydecided the fates of their countries and destabilisedthe democratic foundations of their neighbours.

The change of stand three years down the lineclearly indicates that the US has realised that NewZealand and Australias isolationist tack with Fijihas not only not worked but is now proving coun-

terproductive to western interests. This tack hasobviously given the impetus for Fiji to forge closerrelationships with Asian powers, notably China andmade it a major player in the region.

The redrawing of continental shelf boundariesof sovereign island nations because of changes inthe United Nation Law of the Sea, which has sig-nicantly expanded their exclusive economic zonesgiving them greater control over harnessing naturalresources, makes the islands region hot property forthe worlds fast growing economies.

It is natural that in this scenario, the west doesnot want to miss out and it realises that its stand andongoing policy on one of the regions most signi-cant players, Fiji, which is also the geographical andlogistic gateway to the region, has gone nowhere,drifting rudderless in an increasingly alienatingmanner.

In attempting a serious comeback, the US hasbeen careful to state that its renewed interest in Fijiand the Pacic immediately through its investmentin reopening its Fiji ofce has more to do with de-velopment co-operation and to help climate change.Such benign and altruistic ideals are decidedly non-controversial and on the face of it acceptable in all

quarters. Besides, they sit rather well with NewZealands much touted commitment to the environ-ment.

And one last thing: Perhaps the ultimate upshotof increased US involvement in the region in unisonwith seasoned regional allies New Zealand andAustralia may yet be to hammer out some sortof solution to the Fiji situation over the mediumterm a brokered deal with a formula acceptableto most players including a face saving measurefor the regimes leadership. The US is a past masterin concealing an iron st within a stars-and-stripesspangled velvet glove.

Cmmn

deV NAdKArNI

This time, Uncle Sam means business

A Faade of Democracy?PAdMINI GAuNder

rofessor Asesela Ravuvu, writing about Fiji,laimed that what Fiji had after it became In-ependent was a faade of democracy. Othersike Stephanie Lawson after him have also usedhe phrase but while they agree on the term theeasons they have in mind for saying it was aaade are not only different; in fact, they arepposed to Prof. Ravuvus reasons.

An Indian scholar who was not a supporterf the Alliance government under Ratu Mara

which ruled from 1970 to 1987 noted that forhe local people Fiji was not a paradise as theourist brochures claimed but until 1987 it was

homeland where they could go about theiraily chores in peace and without feelings of in -ecurity and fear of discrimination (Naidu, V.,988). This showed that it was much more than a

aade of democracy.Some say there was no democracy because

here was no change of government. The reasonor not having a change of government washat the opposition National Federation Partyailed to attract enough Fijian votes, as the NFP,fter the death of its founder leader A.D. Patel,ecame reduced to an ethnic Indian party.

Under Patel, though the NFP had littleon-Indian support, it was not an Indian partyecause its policies were not for just one ethnicroup. It was against colonialism and exploita-ion and worked to help people who were beingxploited. It fought against the CSR Companynd so its power base became the sugarcanearmers who were being exploited by the CSR.ince the sugarcane farmers were almost exclu-ively Indian it had very little support from non-ndians.

In 1968 NFP looked at the plight of themineworkers at Vatukoula. Since his ght forhe sugarcane farmers was coming to a success-ul end Patel was looking at other people who

were facing exploitation and he had identiedhe mineworkers. He had decided on taking uphe ght for the exploited workers at Vatukoula

who were mainly Fijian. This featured in themanifesto of the NFP in its 1968 by election.Unfortunately Patel died in 1969 and his succes-sor, Siddiq Koya, was not interested in the mine-workers or in stopping exploitation that was stillgoing on.

Koya considered being the leader of the op-position as a part time job. Most of the time hewas not in parliament as he was busy with hislaw practice. He had no policies for his party.There were no debates over issues in parliament.For example, when government announced itseducation policies for integrating the nationand wiping out inequalities they were acceptedwithout a murmur. But when elections came thesame policies were attacked.

The Westminster system still worked in

the early years because there were those fromPatels time like R.D. Patel, K.C. Ramrakha andMrs. Jai Narayan who were in Parliament. I re-member a radio debate before the 1972 generalelections (there was no television then) betweenRamrakha and Vijay (later Sir Vijay) Singh ofthe Alliance. I still remember some of their ar-guments and counter arguments as they werewell matched and did not touch on race or issuesthat affected only one race.

At election times Koya focused on what wasattractive to the Indians and that was the begin-ning of the change of the NFP. But it was gradualso hardly anyone seemed to have noticed it. In1975 R. D. Patel resigned from the party sayingthat it had changed beyond recognition fromwhat it was under A.D. Patel. The followingyear there was a split in the party about theleases for sugarcane farmers. Under the newOrdinance, which needed a two third majorityin Parliament, farmers were to be given thirty-year leases. Koya opposed it saying that it wasnot long enough while the others felt it was animprovement on the existing ten-year leases.

In 1977 there was a change in leadership butthe problem was that the party no longer had any

policies. Colonialism was over and so was ex-ploitation of the sugarcane farmers. Stopping theexploitation of the mineworkers was what Patelhad in mind next but a fter Patels death the mine -workers were forgotten. Since the party had noconcrete policies the difference between the twomajor parties became reduced to ethnicity.

The hope at independence was that schoolswould become multiracial and a new generationof voters would emerge who would have their primary loyalty to the nation and not to theirethnic group. The Alliance policies, if they hadbeen implemented properly, would have wipedout communalism from schools (with the gov-ernment takeover of schools run by communalagencies) and it would have produced a new gen-eration of voters who were brought up in multi-

racial schools and spoke Fijian and Hindi.There was also hope that the union move -

ment, which had emerged without ethnic divi-sions, would also help the country become trulydemocratic as the unions brought the workersof all races together and they would support a party that is pro-worker rather than looking atethnicity.

The Fijians were given the franchise only in1963 so democracy was new to them and theywere not for it. The majority of them had wantedcolonialism to continue until they were readyto take back the country that they had ceded toQueen Victoria. Then they wanted it to be givenback to the chiefs who had ceded it. They reluc-tantly agreed to independence when their chiefspersuaded them to accept it. So they needed timeto get used to the idea of an elected government.

Meanwhile they were happy that the Alli-ance led by their chiefs was ruling the country because the chiey system was their culturalcapital (Norton, 1990). However, Butadrokaand his Fijian Nationalist Party tried to warnthe common Fijians against the Alliance Partysmultiracial policies, which they claimed workedagainst the Fijians. But Butadroka and his Na-

tionalists could have been overcome if the NFPhad supported the Alliance in implementing itsmultiracial policies. Instead the NFP supportedthe Nationalists at election times against the Al-liance.

In 1977 when the chiey led Alliance Partylost the election to the NFP the Fijians wereconvinced that the majority rule worked againstthem. So it was important to tread carefully andbuild up their faith in democracy.

NFP was careful and hesitated to assume power and in the next elections a few monthslater Fijians who had earlier supported the Na -tionalists voted for the Alliance Party and it wonagain. But their suspicion of Alliances multira-cial policies and where that would lead them re-mained. Meanwhile the chiey system remained

their cultural capital and criticism of theirchiefs before the 1982 elections incensed them.

The absence of a strong opposition in the1980s led to the emergence of the Fiji LabourParty. If the FLP had become an effective op-position for even a term, they might have beenable to form the government without being seenas an ethnic party and make the Westminstersystem work.

However, when it went into a coalition withthe NFP before the 1987 general elections itmodied/abandoned some of its policies. Asa result, many of the Fijian members left theFLP. In the 1987 elections less than ten percentof Fijians supported the NFP- FLP Coalition.So again the difference between the two majorparties became ethnicity and the Fijians saw it asa victory of the Indians over them. Now they hadno doubt at all that democracy worked againstthem.

Until 1987 Fiji had democracy (not just afaade) as the people enjoyed all the freedoms.They lived without any fear of being harassedor discriminated. What was a faade was theWestminster system.

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Book launch bringsback memories

outh Africa bornndian writer Myanubrayan launched his

atest book at a func-

ion in West Aucklandarlier this month.

Subrayan launchedis latest book,Born a Hindu, DieHindu? at the City

Church Waitakere inHenderson on Novem-

er 6.The book is based

n his early liferowing up throughhe racist times inouth Africa and cap-

ures the journey ofis forefathers fromouth India to South

Africa and then hismigration to New

Zealand in 2000.The launch wasMCd by former Manu

amoa and Auck-and half back, TuNuualiitia, who is ariend of Myan. It started with a minutes silenceor Myans mum who passed away on October 7,he day he received the rst copy. Incidentally,t was her words that inspired the title, Born a

Hindu, Die a Hindu?Myans wife, Jolene, ofcially welcomed the

udience and was followed by their daughter,Atarah, who led the audience with the SouthAfrican anthem. Their other two daughters,Waiora and Tebitha, joined in to lead with the

New Zealand anthem.Talented Indian

musician Peter Ravelagave the audience a

lesson in the tabla andrendered an item onhow it was to be played.The audience was en-thralled at his talent in playing this traditionalSouth Indian instru-ment.

Guest speaker,former All Black, IngaThe Winger Tuiga-mala, had the audiencein laughter when heshared about his ex- periences playing inSouth Africa for the AllBlacks, and also relat-ing to his relationshipwith Myan as friend,

and author to his recentautobiography.Myan ended the list

of the speakers for thatnight by sharing howthe book came to be.

He also paid tribute to his late mum, to whomhe has dedicated this book.

Pastor of City Church Waitakere, SanjaiKandregula, ofcially dedicated the book andMyans church pastor, Brent Douglas, of En-counter Christian Centre, closed the meeting bypraying a blessing over the Subrayan family.

For more info visit www.hope2overcome.org

s Jhn fin cycli in nWhen Aucklander Canute DSouza saw a cyclist suddenly collapse on the roadahead of him, he didnt hesitate.

I hopped out of the car in the middle of the road and was able to resuscitate

him, and then hand him over to ambulance officers when they arrived, saysCanute.

While more used to taking a back seat in patient care, Canute is neverthelessno stranger to emergencies.

He has done many shifts in Auckland City Hospital as a St John Friends of theEmergency Department volunteer.

When fitting these around his shift rosters with Air New Zealand became a bittoo much, Canute stepped back and now devotes his spare time to arrangingFriends of the Emergency Department volunteer rosters.

The St John Friends of the Emergency Department (FEDS) volunteers pro-vide comfort and support to patients and their families in hospital emergencydepartments. In times of distress, people need more than treatment; they alsoneed information and support. Thats where St John Friends of the EmergencyDepartment make such a difference.

My training with St John meant that I was able to help. I was really pleasedthat I was prepared. The cyclist was too!

The cyclist made a full recovery.Help add another ambulance in the community. St John is the Indian Week-enders Charity of Choice. Join our Indian Weekender Make A Difference for StJohn Appeal today.

Donate to St John by completing and sending back the donation couponfeatured in the Indian Weekender, calling 0800 ST JOHN (0800 785 646) at anytime; or via the St John website www.stjohn.org.nz or https://www.stjohn.org.nz/donate/donate.

Documents

Issue 43 - Volume 2