The end of the last Millennium saw the beginning of a new era in journalism.
The first issue of the Indian Newslink was published as the Diwali Millennium Edition in November 1999.
It was a colourful publication, capturing the spirit and vibrancy of the occasion, with a cover price of $2 per copy. It also served as the Introductory Issue for Indian Newslink, giving an opportunity for owners Indiana Publications (NZ) Limited to test the waters and take the plunge.
Managing Director & Publisher Ravin Lal never looked back and the ascent of the Newspaper has been stable, gradual and its market foothold unshakable.
Its Opening Statement said, “To mark the New Millennium, Indiana Publications (NZ) Limited is launching a tabloid size newspaper in English language for the people of Indian origin.”
The Diwali Millennium Edition extensively covered the significance of the Festival and the visit of then Fiji Prime Minister Mahendra Choudhary to New Zealand almost five months earlier. Riding on the crest of popularity, he assured his elated audience that his Government was committed to fulfilling the promises that they had made in their election manifesto.
Family violence discussed
Ronald Singh, the first Editor of Indian Newslink dealt with the problem of family violence that hounded the Indian community. Janet Lake, Director of Auckland-based Saftinet Domestic Violence Centre highlighted the plight of Indian women who chose to suffer in silence. Most were reluctant to contact the authorities for fear of further verbal or physical abuse by their partners or consequent humiliation within the community.
However, the trend was changing and more women were speaking out and alerting the authorities to the range of violence and abuse directed to them.
Objection to Gurdwara
Some of the other local issues raised included the objection of the Auckland Regional Council to the construction of a Sikh temple in Mangere. This was later solved.
Pukekohe was christened “Auckland’s prime market garden locality,” history of Fiji recounted following independence in 1970, the Sikh community supplement marking the 530th Birthday of Guru Nank Dev, focus on Mt Roskill, and Sports News.
In World News, the edition revealed the unfolding military coup in Pakistan and the emergence of General Pervez Musharraf on the turbulent political landscape of Pakistan.
While the Sun set on the democratically elected Government of Pakistan, neighbouring India had Prime Minister (Atal Bihari Vajpayee) who headed the newly elected BJP Government.
The following (December 1999) issue highlighted the tragedy of Manukau resident Nilesh Bhika, who had lost his 14-year-old brother Jainesh in Fiji, becoming a victim of a firecracker that exploded in his face.
Eid-in-Park was a grand event for the Muslim community.
Asian of the Century
The issue carried news about Mahatma Gandhi, who was declared Asian of the Century by Asia Week magazine; Former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was named the ‘Greatest Woman of the Past 1000’ by BBC News Online.
India and the US engaged in serious dialogue on nuclear non-proliferation and it was, according to Mr Vajpayee, starting to show results.
On a lighter note, bandit queen, MP Phoolan Devi was robbed at gunpoint in Delhi by three youngsters and she told the reporters that their reporting would be embarrassing!
Everyone called 1999 the ‘End of the Millennium’ (although it was not) and the Prophets of Doom lived to witness the dawn of the 21st Century, as the world sighed with relief that there was no global catastrophe activated through computer malfunction in planes or those that were the medium for activation of nuclear weapons. Y2K was OK.
Editor’s Note: The above analysis of the news covered by Indian Newslink during its initial months, appeared in our Anniversary 2010 Special.
