Friday January 24, 2014 www.fijitimescanada.com “Serving our Community SUNIL DESAI for over 30 years” Sales Manager B: 604-987-5231 C: 778-868-5757 1 800 AUTOMALL DR NORTH VANCOUVER NORTH SHORE AUTOMALL [email protected] CANADA'S WEEKLY NEWSPAPER SINCE 20061 January 24, 2014 Fijian Woman Badly1 Bashed Up In New Zealand A FORMER Fiji resident now living in New Zealand is worried about her safety after being attacked in broad daylight near her Papatoetoe home last Thursday. Praveet Singh, 40, who moved to New Zealand in 2003, had gone for a walk when she encountered her attacker on the street near her home. The attack left Mrs Singh with fractured eye sockets, a broken nose and bruises. The mother of two had reportedly tried to seek help from one of her neighbours but the man continued to wash his car while Mrs Singh was being assaulted. The New Zealand Herald quoted a man who said he was reluctant to intervene as he had thought it was a domestic assault. Another neighbour was also interviewed and he stated he was afraid that he might be charged with assault if he had been involved. A 26-year-old man appeared in the Manukau District Court charged with one count of common assault and another of injuring with intent to injure. In a post last Friday on a social networking site, Mrs Singh questioned the unity of Fiji-Indians living in the Papatoetoe area and said she will never be able to feel safe in her own home and street. Mrs Singh posted that an intoxicated man punched and physically abused her "in front of more than 15 Fiji- Indians who stood and watched the entire ordeal like they were watching Praveet Singh After The Attack some show, while I screamed and is very clear. If a woman is being and do not report (it), they can be taken "TheContinued victim should onbe protected,"Page 3 said yelled for help". attacked and there are people watching to court. 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Khaiyum and Minister for Foreign In the highlight of his visit that saw Affairs and International Cooperation, him meeting participants of the China Ratu Inoke Kubuabola. Executive Leadership Academy in Mr Hongjun said China was happy to Pudong (CELAP) in Shanghai, he see the progress Fiji was making in reminded Fiji’s top officials of the path its preparations to hold elections in and commitment they had made to September this year and it was keen to develop their country. assist in whatever way it can. “We respect the right of the people Ratu Inoke welcomed the offer and of Fiji to choose their development appraised the Vice Minister on the role consistent with their own national Fiji was playing in the international as characteristic and believe the people well as the regional arena. The $80 million Nadi International aircraft which will substantially give Airport upgrade is slowly taking shape more space to redesign the entire area with works gaining momentum says and introduce a diversified shopping Airports Fiji Limited (AFL) Board experience with a range of food outlets chairman Faiz Khan. selling food freshly prepared on the With special emphasis on new and premises. improved passenger facilities such as He said the changes would also improve retail shopping and dining, Mr Khan passenger facilitation by creating more says there could be a delay in the space for passengers to be comfortably completion of works because AFL processed when arriving or departing wanted works to be done to the best from Nadi. standards. Mr Khan stressed a significant and While works are projected to complete progressively major source of income by mid-April next year, Khan says the for AFL was through its commercial magnitude of these works may delay activities at the airport. the completion dates. “They are vital to the financial health “Well work is slowly picking up of the company and, in turn, bolster momentum and things are shaping up AFL’s broader activities to support well so we are still on schedule but we developments at Nausori Airport would not rush it,” he said. and the 13 outer island airports AFL Many of the changes would be manages on behalf of the Government,” integrated into a new, larger departure he said. lounge extending out to the edge of Once complete, Nadi Airport will be on the passenger walkways that provide par with international airports around Driver Released On $1000 Bail access to and from departing or arriving the world. Dhirendra Ram, the 52-year-old driver charged with two counts of causing who allegedly caused the death of death by dangerous driving by the 37,000 Benefit From Bus two people in a car accident along the Police. Kings Road last week, was released on Inspector Subhan Ali was the Police a $1000 surety bail. prosecutor who appeared for the case. Fare Subsidy The Australian citizen appeared before In a statement by Police, the post More than 37,000 Fijians including processes all the applications for the Magistrate Charles Ratakele at the mortem examination conducted on the senior citizens and persons with bus fare subsidy, those applying for this Nausori Magistrates court. deceased revealed the two victims died disabilities are benefiting from the assistance must provide two passport Ram, who was represented by Sunil of injuries sustained consistent to a government’s bus fare subsidy. photos with their birth certificate and Kumar, was also ordered to surrender motor vehicle accident. The Ministry of Social Welfare, Women we will process the Identification Card his travel documents to the court The case has been adjourned to and Poverty Alleviation permanent (ID) cards. The elderly carry a yellow registry. February 13 and will be heard at the secretary Dr Josefa Koroivueta said ID card and the permanently disabled He was cautioned, interviewed and Tailevu Magistrates Court in Korovou. that 36,280 elderly Fijians who are they are given a red ID card. 60 years and above, and 1331 persons He said that the recently established living with disability who are the National Council for Older Persons New Army Commander By March 1 beneficiaries of the bus fare subsidy. (NCOP) is looking at programs that The Republic of Fiji Military Forces his political party for the September In 2011, an agreement was signed promote an inclusive and enabling (RFMF) will have its new Army election by the end of March as well. between the Fijian government and Fiji society for the senior citizens in Fiji. Commander by March 1, 2014. Bainimarama in an earlier interview Bus Operators Association (FBOA) The NCOP is spearheaded by the Prime Minister and current commander, had mentioned that his party will that allows elderly persons with age of Ministry of Social Welfare and has Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama comprise of educated and committed 60 years and above to pay half the fare received a budgetary allocation of confirmed this during the first quarter people who will take Fiji forward and while persons living with disabilities $200,000 to carry out its plans within parade of officers at the Queen he was more than confident about his are eligible for free bus fares.