Indian March 12, 2010 Log on to www.iwk.co.nz Volume 1, No. 25 New Zealand’s first Indian weekend magazine Indian FOR FREE DISTRIBUTION New Zealand | 6 India | 10 Bollywood | 20 Helen Clark A song in 125 Vivek Oberoi in India languages as Prince Indian Weekender launches FREE online business directory... Let customers find you through their computers and their mobiles – FREE! Visit www.iwk.co.nz for details Read more on page 5 Highly Competitive Rates Safe & Reliable Exceptional Service Want to save thousands of dollars in unnecessary Global Financial Services Limited interest on your mortgage & insurance premium? 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A Sikh businessman in Auckland, who was Walsh said Singh wasn’t refused service refused service at a golf club bar recently at the bar but rather “questioned about his because he was wearing a turban, is happy headwear”. the matter has been resolved amicably. “It was an unfortunate incident which Kharag Singh, 45, owner of the Ever- has been dealt with,” Walsh told the Indian glade 4 Square supermarket and keen golfer, Weekender. says he was refused service at the Avia- He said the matter had been dealt with im- tion Country Golf Club bar in Auckland on mediately as it was viewed seriously. “The Sunday, February 28, after the day’s pen- barman in question had been following the nants competition, which his Manukau Golf club policy on headgear in place at the time. Club team won. “The barman has been spoken to and club As is normal after-match tradition, the policy changed to ensure similar incidents team members made their way to the club’s don’t happen again.” bar for a few drinks where he was told by Although normal golf club rules say that the bar manager that he couldn’t serve Singh headgear may not be worn inside the bar, the because of his headwear. turban is a traditional headgear worn at all Singh, who has been playing golf in New times by Sikh men to cover their heads and Zealand for more than 10 years, told the also to hold their long hair in place. Indian Weekender that he was even more The Singhs’ passion for golf is reflected embarrassed by the situation as his teenage in a sign across the top of a doorway at the son was standing right behind him, bewil- Everglade 4 Square Supermarket in Manukau dered by the situation. Teghbir Singh, 15, which reads: “People Work Because They also a keen golfer, also wears the traditional Don’t Know How to Play Golf”. Punjabi headwear. It is just an introduction to a hoard of “We had never come across a situation signs, posters and photos which follow in like this before so when we asked whether Kharag Singh’s office, which is plastered we could talk to someone else as the turban with photos and memorabilia with leading was not normal headgear but part of a reli- golfing personalities including Michael gious headwear, the bar manager said that he Campbell. was in charge and that he made the rules in KHARAG SinGH wiTH THE LETTER OF APOLOGY Singh says he is happy the matter was re- the bar.” solved quickly because the officials viewed Singh said he then asked his fellow Brian Cronin emailed the Auckland Golf barrassment our bar manager caused you on it seriously. club members to “let’s go and celebrate at Club about the situation who then contacted Sunday over your headwear (turban) worn in “My son is a keen golfer and there are our club” but one of their senior members, the Aviation club officials. the bar/lounge. other young people like him around who Albert, stepped in to talk to the barman, who Aviation Country Golf Club general “Unfortunately, we had not set up a stan- want to be treated properly. then eased up. The golfers then left the Avia- manager then took prompt action by writing dard for people who wear headwear based on “Such behaviour should not be a deterrent tion Country club. an apology letter dated March 1 to the Singhs. their religious/cultural beliefs, but this has in their golfing careers.” The next day Manukau Golf Club manager “We apologise to you both for any em- now been as a result of what happened at the 2 Indian Weekender | March 12, 2010 | www.iwk.co.nz Indian New Zealand Only one guilty in Navtej killing Only one of the six viously admitted aggravated robbery. Sentencing men accused killing is at the High Court on April 23. South Auckland There was standing room only in the public liquor store owner gallery as around 50 people, including Mr Singh’s Navtej Singh in 2008 widow Harjinder Kaur, waited for the verdicts. has been found guilty Close family friend Daljit Singh said Mr In a perfect of his murder. Singh’s widow was still in shock. Only the man who The jury spent more than 18 hours deliberat- fired the fatal shot, ing. They began discussions about 2.35pm on world, everyone Anitelea Chan-Kee, Monday after Justice Graham Lang concluded his 22, was found guilty summary of the case in the month-long trial. of murder during a Manukau City councillor Daniel Newman told would speak robbery by a jury in the High Court at Auckland. the Herald one guilty verdict in the trial for the Five other accused - Myron Felise, 22, Tino murder of Mr Singh would not bring closure to that Felise, 19, Eti Filoa, 25, Walter McCarthy, 19, and case, or address the social cost of the availability of Jason Naseri, 21 - were found not guilty of both alcohol in Randwick Park. your language. murder and manslaughter. “A family has been denied a husband, father Mefiposeta Chan-Kee, 26, was discharged and son. An entire community has been tarred by after being found not guilty of being an accessory the entire sorry episode,” said Mr Newman who In the meantime, we’ll do our after the killing. represents the suburb where Mr Singh was shot. Tino Felise, Filoa and McCarthy were all found - Indian Weekender news desk best to make New Zealand guilty of one charge of aggravated robbery, while Anitelea Chan-Kee, Myron Felise and Naseri pre- See Page 4 for related article. feel like home. Fun day for race relations The Hindu Youth Foundation is organising a carom board to face painting, bouncing castle Family Fun Day on Sunday March 21 to cel- and tug-of-war, planned for families to par- ebrate the 2010 Race Relations Day and bring ticipate and enjoy,” said Darsha Patel, one of families and communities together. the co-ordinators of the event. The activities will be held at 2-30 Bukem All interests – competitive and social Pl, Mangere East, Manukau. Entry to this (with family teams) – would be equally event is free. catered for. To ensure there are no disap- Race Relations Day is a major event in the pointments in matching a team to your level, Human Rights Commission’s calendar and is registration is important. People are also en- marked in a number of different ways around couraged to take part in more than one activ- the country. It is a step closer to bridging the ity organized on the day. gap between the different races that make up There would be a number of food stalls the multi-cultural New Zealand. available to try out Indian vegetarian delica- Discrimination is an issue that is preva- cies, but a family picnic to soak in the atmo- lent in the society across all cross-sections sphere will be most welcomed. Just before the and the answers on how to reduce it constant- completion, people will have an opportunity ly baffle stakeholders. to play with Holi colours similar to Rotorua One solution is to reduce the degree of Holi Festival. separation between the different communi- The vision of Hindu Youth Foundation is ties and increase interaction and understand- to bring together like-minded youth and set ing of each other. Hindu Youth Foundation up a HYF Recreational Centre. Race Rela- has taken up a small task of trying to make a tions Day celebration will become an annual positive step in this direction. event. Hindu Youth Foundation is a division of To enjoy this day, bring your family, your the Hindu Council of New Zealand and since friends, your neighbours and celebrate Race its inception in January 2008 it has been using Relations Day 2010 the Fun Way, the HYF opportunities to bring not only the youth, but Way. families together on a platform and encour- For more information about the day or age understanding of different communities. registration contact hinduyouth.nz@gmail. The day will cater to all ages and physi- com or Nitika Sharma – 0211 579 129; Komal cal abilities of people. “This free event has Shah – 021 035 3591 a range of activities organised from soccer, cricket, netball, volleyball, table tennis, And no one’s more at home in the New Zealand branches.