Venkat Raman
Auckland, April 17, 2022
The past fortnight leading up to Good Friday and Easter Sunday was one of the busiest for journalists in New Zealand. As well the new ‘freedom of movement’ culminating in the changed (to Orange) Traffic Lights Setting and the removal of all barriers (save for some Covid-related, unvaccinated people) were reasons to celebrate. And are New Zealanders celebrating!
Most bars and restaurants are reporting increased business, and the hospitality industry is buzzing again with people with valid work visas allowed to travel to New Zealand.
Dr Biman Prasad’s bitterness
One of the most interesting moments that journalists had during the past week was the media brief by Fiji’s Member of Parliament and National Federation Party Leader Dr Biman Prasad.
He was bitter, frustrated and angry at the government of Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, which he says, ‘is indulging in all forms of undemocratic methods.’
“Fiji is suffering from an economic downturn, inept policies and an unfriendly government. Bainimarama does not hold any hope for our people. His government has been in power since December 5, 2006, when he ousted a democratically elected coalition government. Since then, Fiji has been sliding on the economic scale. We are in dire straits,” he said.
Describing the Constitution of Fiji, adopted in 2013 as ‘draconian,’ he said that several provisions of the document are detrimental to human rights and freedom of speech.
“There are human rights breaches, media cannot operate freely and even the Opposition is also allowed to function as per democratic standards,” he said.
Fiji follows a Single, Nationwide Constituency method of electing members to its Parliament through the Open List Proportion with an electoral threshold of 5%. The House had 50 Seats that are allocated using the D’Hondt method. Also known as the ‘Jefferson Method’ or the ‘Greatest Divisors Method,’ it allows for the allocation of seats in Parliaments among federal states or in the Party-List Proportional Representation system. It belongs to the class of Highest Average Methods.
The method was first described in 1972 by future US President Thomas Jefferson and was reinvented in 1878 by Belgian Mathematician Victor D’Hont and hence the name.
The Election Office in Fiji has not set the date for this year’s election but said in an announcement on March 17, 2022, that it will be held during November this year. Candidates can begin campaigning on April 26, 2022 but must conclude two days before the polling date.
Please read our April 15, 2022 issue for further details.
Festivals of South India
Federation of South Indian Associations: We have also carried a story on the formation of the Federation of South Indian Associations New Zealand, the first umbrella body to bring together the five States of South India, along with their representative associations.
We are happy to announce that five Associations representing the five States of South India have jointly established the Federation of South Indian Associations New Zealand (FSIANZ) Inc to promote the culture and heritage of South India.
We have announced that the Second Annual Indian Newslink Festivals of South India will be held on Monday, May 23, 2022, at Mahatma Gandhi Centre, located at 145 New North Road. The event is open to everyone above the age of 12.
Mana Andhra Telugu Association New Zealand, Telangana Association of New Zealand, Auckland Tamil Association, Auckland Malayali Samajam and New Zealand Kannada Koota, which are constituents of FSIANZ, are organising the event, which for the first time has the Wellington-based Indian High Commission as the Title Sponsor of the Festivals of South India, also to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of India’s Independence.
The highlight of the evening would be traditional music and dance; we have determinedly retained the traditional aspect of music and dance, for they are the true forms of performing arts that have sustained for centuries, inspiring many of our young people to practice them.
We salute parents, teachers and elders in our communities for conscientiously encouraging children to learn these forms of arts, practice and present them on stage.
Festivals of South India would be a tribute to their patronage.
Ticket Details
Tickets for the Programme, priced at $34.50 per person and tables seating ten persons each at $345 (including GST) are now available with the officials of the Associations. Please see the advertisement appearing on this page and on page 23 of this issue. For further information, please call 021-836528 or Email: venkat@indiannewslink.co.nz
There is more to read in our April 15, 2022 issue: Current Affairs, Politics, Education, news from Fiji, Business, Opinion and Open-Eds, Business, Community, Entertainment and Sports. We also have a Special Report on Vaisakhi, which heralds fresh hope and confidence.
Please read and share with your colleagues, associates, partners, family and friends.
