Venkat Raman
Auckland, December 22, 2023
Christmas is a time to give, love and promote goodwill and understanding.
In the Western world including New Zealand, it is the beginning of the holiday season. Millions of New Zealanders, irrespective of their otherwise religious and social beliefs, would mark the occasion with gaiety and fun.
Christians would of course observe the birth of Christ with piety as well. As streets and buildings wear a colourful look with decorations and lights, it would inaugurate a new era of hope; with hopes comes a positive attitude and with a positive attitude comes the urge to work, which in turn begets prosperity.
We offer our choicest greetings to our advertisers, sponsors, readers, contributors and well-wishers and wish them Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
We look forward to the New Year with renewed vigour and determination to provide you with more investigative stories, analysis, pictorials and other issues of interest.
A Milestone Year for INL
The year 2024 will be a milestone year for Indian Newslink. The publication will mark 25 years as an Institution, while also marking the 15th Anniversary of the Indian Newslink Business Awards, Fifteenth Annual Indian Newslink Lecture, and Tenth Annual Indian Newslink Sports, Community, Arts and Culture Awards.
To repeat our earlier editorial, 25 years may be a wink in the vast canvas of time, but it becomes a milestone in the history of a newspaper. These years brought with them challenges, hardships, struggles, mishaps and a mixed bag of bouquets and brickbats.
Twenty-five years of constant battle with the ends, to make them meet, so that a publication keeps ticking in its attempt to reach its readers.
Twenty-five years of anxiety coupled with excitement and despair, accompanied by hope.
Twenty-five years of professional pursuit to reach up to the expectations of its audience.
These short 25 years seem like a millennium for a small community newspaper that ventured out of the mind of a sole individual whose penchant for the media industry played with a passion for marketing.
Our Salutations
We salute Ravin Lal, our Founder and pay homage to his vision and leadership and the current owner, Managing Director and Publisher Jacob Mannothra for his commitment to quality and independent journalism, business acumen and quality stewardship.
Refreshers
Indian Newslink steps into its Silver Jubilee Year
Indian Newslink Anniversary Special 2019
Indian Newslink Anniversary Special 2018
Indian Newslink Anniversary Special 2017
Holiday Season in New Zealand
New Zealand is gearing up for the festive season and even as lights go up on street buildings and Christmas Trees are decorated in shopping malls and homes, the weather threatens to misbehave bringing down unwanted rain at this time of the year.
The Police and community groups are also concerned over the rising incidence of crime and violence both at home and in public places. But notwithstanding these, New Zealanders look forward to a period of fun, laughter, parties and of course holidays that mark Christmas and New Year.
Despite the cost of living crisis, the retail sector comprising textiles, garments, fashion clothes, gem and jewellery, skincare products, perfumes, linen, books, wines and spirits, electronic goods and a host of other goods, is reporting a busy schedule.
Shopping malls would be open for extended hours on most days of the week leading up to Christmas, while the ubiquitous Santa is already seen in several public places, handing out gifts to children. Hundreds of people would queue up before the counters offering free gift-wrapping service available in most malls. Festivities have begun already, with commercial organisations and corporates hosting Christmas and year-end parties for staff and customers. Legends and traditions come alive. Towns, villages, communities and the entire country are in a festive mood.
The traditional parade of Santa Claus held in various cities across New Zealand was a festive affair as the parade of Father Christmas brought anxiety and fun earlier than expected. Each of these was a fun-filled affair as Santa waved to thousands of people, cruising high above the street in his sleigh. Thousands of children participated in the parade as jesters, while many others stood and watched.
Scores of performers including those on brass bands, pipe bands, Asian dancing troupes, swooping dragons, stilt walkers, clowns, bubble-blowers, several dogs and two donkeys were on the floats that moved along main streets of cities and towns.
Lunch, Dinner and Laughter
Christmas dinner in New Zealand is a mixture of Western and South Pacific traditions. Many still have turkey and plum pudding but are often served with salads. The traditional feed is cooked on the barbecue outside and may include a variety of typical Kiwi treats, such as lamb chops and Christmas fare. The festive food is incomplete without a large, fluffy but light Pavlova, our own dessert, made with whipped egg whites and sugar, cooked in a slow, low oven and decorated with fruit (often Kiwifruit) and cream.
Maori traditionally celebrated the month Hakihea (which begins on or about December 15) as one of ease, before the Christian missionaries exercised their influence. The ‘Maori Hangi’ is a big hole in the ground, heated with hot rocks and then loaded with baskets of food, covered and allowed to cook underground. The food items include tender pork, chicken, kumara, pumpkin, potatoes and stuffing. The ‘Hangi’ is usually served around 5 pm followed by carol singing.
Whatever the political issues and other problems rocking the country’s polity or economy, Christmas is a season for goodwill and friendship. People from all walks of life decide to become a little more human, showing concern for their fellow beings and fostering goodwill, kinship and universal brotherhood. It is a time to give love, gifts and understanding and a time to forgive.
