Table of contents for 2024-01-10 in Post

THE film’s title comes from the so-called donkey trail that unemployed and often uneducated people from India took in the 1990s through many countries to illegally migrate to Western countries in the hope of making it big there and sending money back to their village relatives. But more than the theme, the plot director Rajkumar Hirani explores is the suffering that the migrants go through on the way there and in the country of their final destination, especially with the treachery, banditry and corruption along the route that leaves their dreams shattered. Among a group of migrants attempting this are Manu (Taapsee Pannu), Balli (Anil Grover) and Buggu (Vikram Kochchar). All of them are facing financial crises at home. They get support and leadership from Hardy (Shah Rukh Khan), an…

AMID reports of Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna getting engaged next month, sources close to the actors on Monday termed them “false”. A media report stated that the two were getting engaged. However, their representatives denied the report. The actors are dating, but have not made their relationship official. The two have starred together in movies such as Geetha Govindam and Dear Comrade. Meanwhile, Mandanna is basking in the success of the recent action thriller Animal, in which she stars opposite Ranbir Kapoor. She next has Pushpa 2: The Rule, Rainbow, The Girlfriend and Chaava. Deverakonda was last seen in Kushi. He has Family Star and VD 12 in the pipeline.…

ACTOR Anshuman Jha and his athelete-writer-chef wife, Sierra, have announced that they are expecting their first baby in March. Jha is known for his works in movies such as Lakadbaggha, Love Sex Aur Dhokha, Yeh Hai Bakrapur, Chauranga, Angrezi Mein Kehte Hain and Mastram. Much like their wedding in October 2022, they threw a very private baby shower with their close friends before jetting off to New York for Christmas and New Year. The baby will be born in America because Sierra’s mother is there. Jha, who lost his parents in 2020, stressed on the importance of having grandparents around in childhood. He said: “Having your mom around is critical at this time – for the mother and the child. I wish my mom was around. And Sierra is blessed…

RICHA Chadha has expressed her concern about the lack of awareness and representation of Kathak, a classical dance style, in the film industry, especially in comparison to the prominence of Bharatha Natyam among actresses from the South. As a trained Kathak dancer, Chadha has been dedicated to the art form since her childhood. She said: “Classical dance is not just a form of artistic expression; it’s a representation of our rich cultural heritage. While actresses from the South often shine in Bharatha Natyam, I am sometimes shocked to see the limited recognition that Kathak receives in our film industry. Kathak holds a special place in my heart, and my journey as a dancer has been a parallel pursuit alongside my acting career. “It’s crucial for us to celebrate and preserve…

ACCLAIMED chef Vishnu Manohar is all set to mark the prana pratishtha of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya with a special “Bhog Prasad” offering of a delicious, hand-prepared “Ram Halwa” at one go in a mammoth cauldron. Manohar will cook a staggering seven tons of Ram Halwa for Ram Lalla on January 29 in Ayodhya to be savoured by about 150,000 devotees and other dignitaries attending the historic event and its subsequent programmes, at the temple and in the pilgrim town. Manohar has ordered a gigantic steel cauldron (kadhai) weighing around 1.3-1.4 tons with a capacity of 12 tons – it can be lifted only by a crane – in which he will cook the holy specialty. Manohar, 52, said the cauldron measured 1.5m by 4.5m, and was made of…

NEARLY 50 000 copies each of the religious books Hanuman Chalisa and Sundar Kand will be distributed among prisoners in all the 72 district jails, sub jails and central prisons across Uttar Pradesh, India, before the “pran pratishtha” ceremony of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya on January 22. State Prisons Minister Dharamveer Prajapati said that live streaming of pran pratishtha events will be done at all jails for prisoners. “The practice of providing devotional and religious books to prisoners is very old. Fifty-thousand copies of Hanuman Chalisa and Sundar Kand have been ordered from Gita Press, Gorakhpur, after an immense rise in demand for the books among prisoners recently.” He said the recitation of these hymns and books would help prisoners to improve themselves and live a better life after completing…

THE recent CCTV footage which captured a man being brutally attacked and robbed by knife-wielding men at a medical practice has sparked fear and concern about safety at doctors’ rooms. However, according to general practitioners, opportunistic criminals have been targeting doctors and patients for years due to their vulnerability. Dr Sanjay Nandlal, whose practice is in Tongaat, said it was impossible for medics to fully protect themselves. “For many years doctors have been targeted by criminals, mainly because it has become so easy for criminals to get into a practice. “They will fill out a form pretending to be a patient and once inside the doctor’s room, they pull out a gun or knife, and rob them. “While there may be CCTV cameras, automated gates or even security guards, these…

AS we’re bound to socialise more during the holiday season, the chances of being body-shamed will probably increase. Despite the awareness about body-shaming, the reality is that it often occurs. Body-shaming is when a person makes comments and remarks about another person’s body or physical appearance. This includes comments about weight, skin colour and texture, changes in physical appearance and what one is eating. Such comments can lead to self-consciousness, shame and inadequacy When we make comments about another’s body, we create the impression that physical appearance is an important quality. We may also be deepening an insecurity that the person is struggling with. Body-shaming has often been equated to fat-shaming. However, it is a lot wider than that. Skinny-shaming is also common – this is when someone makes inappropriate…

positive progress IN THE recent annals of Bollywood, a remarkable transformation has taken root, one that has seen the celluloid tapestry donned with threads of empathy and enlightenment. A veritable renaissance has unfolded, as tinsel town, long enraptured by the allure of youth, has pivoted its gaze towards the wisdom etched into the wrinkles of the elderly. In a heartwarming symphony of sentiment and sagacity, Bollywood has unveiled a tapestry of tales that resonate with the universal chord of filial piety and responsibility, intertwining narratives with the golden strands of age. From the poignant Goodbye to the heartwarming Piku, and the uproarious 102 Not Out to the heartening Bhagban, the cinematic canvas has unfurled a treasure trove of stories, all echoing the same profound refrain: the venerable souls who raised…

THIS story is one of my pleasing childhood memories. I remember my paternal grandmother telling me this story at bedtime by heart. Due to the indenture period, many Indians had very low-level education so they found it difficult to read or write English hence this story has a mixture of English and Hindi. From the ground-breaking book, The Indian Africans (2023), by Paul David, Ranjith Choonilall, Kiru Naidoo and Selvan Naidoo, I quote, David, P. et al, Page 195, “The provision of quality education for indentured workers was almost non-existent for thirty years from 1869 to 1899 with only limited primary schooling on offer at a fee. “The census of 1904 shows that only 5 211 (5%) of 100 918 of the Natal Indians were literate in English. In the…

CHALLENGES are a reality of life, they have been from time immemorial. Attitude not aptitude determines altitude (source unknown). Positive mindset is the requisite attitude to deal with these challenges. Faith and spirituality are the door to that positivity and hope. Faith in a higher being, a source of guidance and light, is an individual choice and cannot be imposed for a decision made out of understanding, introspection, reflection, meditation and inner belief is infinitely more sustainable than dogmatic imposition. Humanity is in a crisis, facing a plethora of problems from the very mundane to the most dehumanising, yet none of these are insurmountable or (something that) cannot be fixed. There is hope, there’s always hope but that hope can only be driven by ‘God Consciousness’ accompanied by spirituality, morality,…

THE home is supposed to be the safest place, filled with love. It is meant to be a place of refuge where peace and serenity prevail; a place where you can rest, regroup and re-energise to go out and do great things. Home is where you pray together as a family and sit down to eat dinner together as a family. It is where you store your treasures; your hard-earned life’s possessions – jewellery, clothing, appliances and works of art. The everyday goal is to get home safely because that is where the threats end. At least that is how it is expected to be. But no more. Our homes have become a soft target for brazen, violent criminals. Almost daily we hear of people being attacked or killed in…

MBONGENI Ngema has sadly and tragically died following a vehicle accident in the Eastern Cape, while returning from the funeral of an associate. This is devastating news that puts a big damper on the festive season. The Verulam-born genius was a world-renowned and highly-acclaimed playwright, producer and multi-talented artistic persona, who made his indelible mark locally and internationally, achieving various awards and bringing honour and glory to Mzansi. RIP Madlokovu. You may no longer be with us physically, but your distinguished and unrivalled achievements will prevail for posterity, notably Sarafina! – starring Leleti Khumalo (Mntungwa) and Whoopi Goldberg, with the Struggle song that there will be freedom tomorrow – and others such as Asinamali. Thanks for blessing us with your God-given gifts and sharing the same with us. May the…

IT IS WITH great pleasure that I congratulate the POST newspaper on its new format and editorial content. As a reader, I was thoroughly impressed with the latest edition and the way it captures the pulse of the community. In the age where digital media reigns supreme, POST has done an excellent job of producing a must-read newspaper that caters to a diverse audience. One of the highlights of the paper is its broad spectrum of interests. From the latest news in politics, entertainment and sports to informative articles on health, beauty and lifestyle, POST has something for everyone. The recipes section is an excellent touch, and many readers, including myself, have already cut out some of the recipes to try at home. I commend POST for its role in…

IT IS ironic that what the ANC failed to achieve when it was in “Struggle” mode it has succeeded in accomplishing since 1994, namely, making the country ungovernable. It’s a remarkable achievement considering the establishment of infrastructure and institutions, the hallmark of a functioning South Africa, were the product of more than 80 years of development and enterprise. On the basis of that signal achievement, which the ANC is seeking to embellish further through re-election in 2024, a brief outline of that trajectory seems timely. All state-owned enterprises are financially crippled with Eskom being the worst. Law and order has been eclipsed by lawlessness. With more than 70 murders per day, crime is at record levels. Between 2018 and 2022, 1 300 detectives resigned from the SAPS. As reported…

DESPITE the tough economic times and many families struggling to make ends meet, parents say they have to sacrifice and fork out thousands of rand on uniforms, stationery and fees, ahead of the reopening of schools on January 17. Last week, the POST visited Gem Schoolwear in Juniper Road, Overport, which stocks locally-made uniforms for more than 200 primary and high schools. The queues were endless as parents tried to get everything their children needed for the school year. Keshnee Sukdeo said she spent about R1 000 on uniforms for her daughter, Danika, 5, who will start Grade 1, at the Kenville Primary School. She said she would also spend about R500 on stationery and R1 300 on school fees. Sukdeo said her savings of between R200 and…

THE water crisis affecting the Phoenix community was a poor reflection on the municipality’s ability to provide a basic need, human rights lawyer and activist Previn Vedan said. He added that access to clean water was a fundamental human right recognised by South African law. “While I acknowledge the challenges faced by municipalities in managing water supply, any decision to restrict access must be approached with extreme caution. On the one hand, municipalities need to balance the demand and supply of water to ensure sustainability,” Vedan said. “On the other hand, the impact on residents, who rely on this basic necessity for their daily lives, cannot be ignored. It is crucial for the authorities to explore alternative solutions, prioritise infrastructure improvements, and engage with the community to find a sustainable…

SERIAL goalscorer Mohamed Salah has conquered the world, Europe and England with Liverpool. Now he dreams of leading Egypt to African glory. He has come agonisingly close twice with his country, being part of the teams that lost the 2017 and 2022 Africa Cup of Nations finals to Cameroon and Senegal. In-between reaching those title deciders, hosts Egypt suffered a humiliating last-16 loss to outsiders South Africa that left a 70 000-strong Cairo crowd speechless. Egypt are among the favourites for the 2023 title in the Ivory Coast as they seek a record-extending eighth title in the premier African sporting event. Drawn with Ghana, Cape Verde and Mozambique in Group B, it is widely expected that Egypt will finish first and qualify for the round of 16. But captain Salah…

RANA Daggubati, who attained pan-India fame after he played Bhallaladeva in Baahubali, has said that the film introduced India as a single cinematic nation to the world. The Telugu star was at the press event for the pan-India superhero film Hanu Man in Mumbai on Monday. Daggubati was present with the cast and crew of the film, and introduced the lead actor, Teja Sajja, to everyone. He said: “We all are from Telugu cinema and if we talk about Telugu cinema, it is incomplete without our mega star Chiranjeevi. Teja played the role of a child artiste in his iconic film Indra, which made him a huge star. “In Telugu cinema, everyone is a huge fan of Teja. He has been working in films since he was two-and-a-half years old.”…

AMID the row over the Maldives politician Zahid Rameez criticising India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Lakshadweep, Amitabh Bachchan said India was aatmanirbhar, self- reliance, and admired the locations of the Lakshadweep and Andamans. Rameez, a council member of the Progressive Party of Maldives, had mocked Modi’s visit, and said India would never be able to compete with Maldives in regards to tourism. Bollywood celebrities on Sunday urged their fans to explore Indian islands, and took to their social media accounts to promote the islands. Bachchan re-shared former cricketer Virender Sehwag’s tweet and wrote: “This is so relevant and in the right spirit of our land, our own are the very best. I have been to Lakshadweep and Andamans, and they are such astonishingly beautiful locations, stunning beaches,…

Aurets is a healer, psychic medium, intuitive mentor, masseuse and regression therapist. She also teaches meditation and breath work. She is passionate about holistic care and offers a small range of holistic products. Aurets practises in the Upper Highway, KZN. Find her on https://www.facebook.com/healing 1920. ARIES (March 21 – April 19) There is much love to be shared from self for self, for others. Release it freely so it flows abundantly back. As you share love, share kind communications. Heed caution to each word spoken, remaining positively love based. Love energy shifts everything for all. Magic number: 5. TAURUS (April 20 – May 20) Prayers are answered. Remain open, accepting unexpected answers. Healing is flowing as requested. Claim it. You are being guided to the perfect healing modality, practitioner.…

A 108-feet-long (32.9m) incense stick is being taken to Ayodhya from Vadodara in Gujarat, to fill the Shri Ram temple with divine fragrance. The incense stick reached Fatehpur Sikri and Kiravali in Agra on Monday where hundreds of people reached the highway. After seeing the incense sticks,they chanted Jai Shri Ram. The journey that started from Vadodara has turned into a procession. A large number of people gathered to see the incense stick weighing 3.610 kg. The stick will remain lit for about one-and-a-half months, spreading its fragrance in an area of about 50km. Gujarat resident, Bihabharbad, who manufactures incense sticks, said that the giant incense stick was his offering for the “pran pratishtha” of Shri Ram temple in Ayodhya. Many types of herbs, including desi cow dung, desi…

Dr Raj Kolapan of Pretoria is one of only 50 people invited from outside India to participate in the historic and sacred consecration ceremony of the installation of the Ram Lalla murthie at the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra in Ayodhya, India, on January 21 and 22. He will be accompanied by his wife, Premla Kolapan. The site of this temple – which was demolished during the Mughal rule – marks the birthplace of Shri Ram. After numerous efforts by archaeological, spiritual and political leaders, permission to reconstruct the Ram Janmbhoomi temple was granted in 2019. Its official opening will take place in the presence of spiritual masters, dignitaries, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Dr Kolapan, 67, is the founding member and spiritual leader of the Pretoria Bhajanai Mandram,…

AMBASSADOR at Large for BRICS and Asia, Professor Anil Sooklal, was recently honoured with two prestigious awards for his excellent work in fostering international relations. The first was an honorary doctorate from China in recognition of Sooklal’s contribution to building economic development relationships between China and South Africa, through the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing. Sooklal, 66, will fly to Moscow at the end of January to receive the Order of Friendship award, after Russian President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin signed an executive order for bestowing the honour on him. This is for Sooklal’s contribution to strengthening bilateral and multilateral co-operation with the Russian Federation, in particular in BRICS. BRICS is an intergovernmental organisation now comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and…

BEING an early riser could increase the risk of anorexia nervosa – an eating disorder characterised by low weight, food restriction, body image disturbance and fear of gaining weight. This is according to an international study which found having anorexia nervosa could lead to an earlier wake time. It also found a link between anorexia nervosa and insomnia risk. Published on Jama Network Open, the study showed anorexia nervosa was based on rising early, unlike many other disorders that tend to be evening-based, such as depression, binge eating disorder and schizophrenia. Previous research has suggested a possible connection between eating disorders and the body’s internal clock, or circadian clock, which controls a range of biological functions such as sleep, and affects nearly every organ in the body. In the new…

THE year 2023 will go down as dreadful and catastrophic for many people dealing with stressful situations of unemployment, and high inflation whilst adapting to load shedding and the water crisis making the dilemma of suffering unbearable. Hopefully 2024 will be a positive year for all of us. Despite these hurdles I would like to demonstrate my appreciation to the POST team who must be complimented for the responsible manner in which they have been compiling and ensuring we receive our relevant and authentic news every Wednesday morning. Over a number of years the POST has gained a distinguished voice of being objective and reliable, becoming a cornerstone of our community. It is our responsibility during this holiday season as POST readers to take the opportunity to say…

FORMER Deputy Chief Justice, Dikgang Moseneke, has been appointed as an ad-hoc judge to join the 15 regular judges of the International Court Of Justice (ICJ) to hear South Africa’s application for Israel’s military assault on Gaza to be declared as genocide. Judge Moseneke has the superb qualities to be our legal supremo at the ICJ. He is known to capture the people’s imagination like no other judge in our land and has spawned a fan following that can be the envy of a rock star or screen diva. Judge Moseneke has litigated in cases which set the architecture of safeguarding the Constitution from desecration. His legal career as an eminent jurist and a distinguished judge can be characterised as one that is a commitment to ideals, and dedication to…

THERE is an old saying: “Do not judge a man until you have walked a mile in his shoes.” The recent hurtful insults and memes around the pictures taken at Club 386 in uMhlanga (see story on Page 1) should make us, as a community, hang our heads in shame. Have we become so depraved that we get joy and entertainment from ridiculing others for no reason? What right does one have to poke fun at unknown people – and on a public platform at that? Criticism and insults about looks, complexion and clothes can be damaging because they hurt people’s feelings, lower their self-esteem and create a negative atmosphere. Do not use hurtful words about anyone. Don’t mock someone for whatever it is they may be going through. If…

THE front page article in the POST newspaper (December 20-24, 2023) regarding the acquittal of five men accused of public violence and murder in the Phoenix area in relation to the July 2021 unrest, is a welcome and much-needed exposé of the serious injustices that have occurred. As a society, we need to appreciate the extraordinary courage of these individuals who acted in self-defence and defence of their properties, and who subsequently endured considerable pain and hardship. At the time, I stated that the State was more concerned with apprehending and jailing people who protected their lives and property and cared less about the perpetrators of the unrest and looting. I was also at most of the court appearances providing whatever assistance I could render to the Phoenix accused. The…

JANUARY is recognised as School Safety Awareness Month in South Africa. But with safety being an ever-growing and all-year concern for parents, there is no better time to remind your child about the importance of their safety and to evaluate their environment. Bullying constitutes a significant challenge to school and child safety. It is arguably one of the most underrated and enduring problems in schools today. While adults are often unaware of bullying, research shows that it is a reality in the lives of most South African children, whether they are bullies, victims or witnesses. Bullying is not something educators should, or have to, accept. It is not a normal part of growing up. It goes against every child’s and young person’s right to respect, safety and education in a…

FRUSTRATED residents of Trenance Park in Verulam, who have been without piped water for months, are demanding immediate intervention from the eThekwini Municipality. Scores of residents took to the streets last week to air their grievance over the ongoing water crisis. Lexie Pillay, 37, of Madrona Drive, in Trenance Park New Phase, said residents living along the main road were without water for more than 80 days. Pillay, who lives with her mother, Samantha, 59, said they were forced to rely on tankers which were scarce, and had to purchase water for drinking. “In 2021 we moved to Trenance Park when I purchased my house after many years of renting. At the time, I thought that it was a good area to live in; little did we know that we…

WARD 50 councillor, Lyndal Singh, says being subjected to nightly water cuts for more than two years, is totally unacceptable. “Now, residents have water supply for only about six hours a day. “We urge the municipality to rethink its call for the disconnection of residential static water tanks in the areas affected by constant water outages and the city’s inefficiency, ” she said. “The call to disconnect Jojo tanks in areas facing constant water outages appears counter-productive, particularly when the municipality itself has contributed to the problem through infrastructure neglect and billing inconsistencies. “The inefficiency in responding to infrastructure damage caused by the floods, and the substantial loss of purchased water due to leaks and illegal connections, are alarming issues. “The city’s explanation for disconnecting the tanks are both ironic…

WHEN you have had to watch players of the calibre of Hashim Amla, Dale Steyn, Faf du Plessis and JP Duminy announce an end to their long and successful careers, all within a five-year time frame, any cricket structure in the world would be sent into a state of shock. It becomes an even more dire situation when experienced heads such as Quinton de Kock and Dean Elgar follow in the same retirement trail only two years apart, leaving behind less than a handful of Proteas with at least 50 Tests under the belt. In response to the retirements, the next logical step is to rope in domestic players with a decent number of first-class games into the national set-up, and when even those players make themselves unavailable for the…

ACTRESS Deepika Padukone who celebrated her 38th birthday on January 5, was seen at Mumbai Airport departure with her husband, actor Ranveer Singh, on Monday. The industry’s power couple were going for a vacation to an undisclosed location. A paparazzo brought a cake for the Piku actress, and requested her to cut it. Singh was seen holding the cake, while Padukone cut it. She held out the cake to the cameraperson, and also fed a small piece to Singh. The actress tasted the cake, and hugged the paparazzo. The couple then posed for the cameras. They even extended New Year greetings to the paparazzi. Padukone wore a long black dress with a hoodie and black sunglasses. Her hair was tied in her signature bun-style. Singh wore a white T-shirt, black…

TWO men, claiming to be fans of Salman Khan, attempted to sneak into his countryside home in Panvel, near Mumbai, last Thursday. Ajeshkumar Omprakash Gill and Gurusevaksingh Tejsingh Sikh went to Arpita Farms claiming to be Khan’s fans, and sought to meet the actor. However, Gill and Sikh, both aged 23, hailing from Fazilka in Punjab, reportedly provided false identities to the security guards,and were told to leave the area. They had claimed to be Mahesh Ramnivas and Vinod Radheshyam from Uttar Pradesh's Ballia district, and later their ID card photos were also found to be false. The men then went around the farm’s boundary, climbed on the wall, snapped the barbed wire fencing and tried to enter the property. When the security personnel noticed their suspicious activities, they called…

I love meals that have short cuts and are easy to make, so I created a cheat’s version of lahmacun, which is best described as a thin-based pizza dough spread with mincemeat and baked until crispy. I used what I had in the freezer to create this version. 4 pita bread 3 burger patties olive oil to drizzle Slice the pita bread thinly in half. Leave the burger patties to defrost, so it is easy to spread on the pita. Preheat the oven. Place the pita on an oven tray and spread the burger mincemeat. Drizzle with olive oil and bake for 8 to 10 minutes. The pita will get crisp and the meat will brown. To serve, top with a salad. I made a dressing of yoghurt, harissa…

4 chicken pieces 1 tbs chicken tikka marinade 2 tbs plain yoghurt 2 tsp melted butter ghee Wash and clean the chicken pieces. Make incisions to both sides of each piece of chicken. This will allow the spice marinade to get into the chicken pieces. Mix the yoghurt and tikka masala well to form a marinade. Place the chicken pieces into the marinade and rub it into the chicken on both sides. Cover and leave for 45 minutes to an hour or longer if possible. Set the airfryer on the airfryer mode for 30 minutes at 180ºC. Melt the ghee in the microwave, so it is easy to spoon over the chicken. Once the airfryer has heated, place the chicken pieces inside and add a teaspoon of melted ghee…

WITH the Ram temple being the flavour of the season, weavers in Varanasi are set to make a fashion statement on the temple theme. Weavers are already working on beautiful drapes ahead of the Ram temple “pran pratishtha” ceremony, and artisans are expressing their enthusiasm for the temple through special creations. Many of them have received customised orders for various patterns on the saris, including Ram temple motifs on the pallu, designs detailing the life of Lord Ram from his childhood to his slaying of Ravana, and “Shree Ram” inscriptions on the borders. Weaver MH Ansari. “We are preparing saris on the Ram temple theme and these will soon be part of the fashion statement. “We have orders from different parts of the country,” he said.…

FOR Hindus across South Africa the consecration ceremony of the Ram Lalla murthie at the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra, in Ayodhya, is an emotional celebration. Pravesh Hurdeen, general secretary of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad – South Africa, said the organisation, which has branches across the globe, was one of the role-players that had advocated for the land to be given back to the Hindu community. “As Hindus, we have been robbed for such a long time. Over the years, thousands of people lost their lives as they fought for the temple. As devotees, this is an emotional time.” Hurdeen said they were also excited because the Ramayan, which related the life story of Lord Ram, always brought comfort in difficult times and the temple consecration had re-energised them. Ashwin…

PREM Balram, the head of Reaction Unit South Africa, says doctors’ surgeries are seen as soft targets by criminals for various reasons. “First, patients are generally ill and won’t fight back. They are also in possession of cellphones, wallets or purses making them easy targets. “Furthermore, while many medical practices have become cashless facilities, there are still some, like in the low-income or rural areas that do accept cash. “In some of the areas that we service, you will find that drug abuse is a big concern, and these opportunistic criminals loiter around medical practices and centres ready to attack,” he said. Balram said they have been approached by doctors to upgrade or install security systems. “Many are calling us to install panic alarms or to check if…

BOTTLED water contains tens of thousands of identifiable fragments as well as previously unknown nanoplastics, posing significant health risk, a US study has found. In recent years, there has been rising concern that tiny particles known as microplastics are showing up basically everywhere on Earth – from polar ice to soil, drinking water and food. However, in the study, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the researchers focused on nanoplastics – the spawn of microplastics that have broken down. For the first time, the team from Columbia University in the US could count and identify these minute particles in bottled water using newly-refined technology. They found that on average, a litre contained some 240 000 detectable plastic fragments – 10 to 100 times greater than…

when someone has put on or lost weight, they know. They dress in the morning, see themselves in the mirror and are fully aware of how their body looks. They don’t need you to single them out at socials or family gatherings, or even online, to comment about their weight. We all know it well: someone has put on or dropped weight, and there’s always a comment. Someone has to draw attention to this person, putting them in the spotlight in front of everyone to talk about something they really don’t want to discuss. Most times they laugh it off or poke fun at themselves to avoid embarrassment. For many, the topic of weight gain or loss is rather uncomfortable. When it becomes the centre of conversation at a family…

DR PRASHANTH Subramaniam, the head of Medical Affairs, South Asia, Korea and Taiwan, Diabetes Care, Abbott, says that this year, people with diabetes must commit to managing their condition well. “Therefore, people living with diabetes must promise themselves that they will regularly monitor their glucose levels, make lifestyle modifications, and try their best to stick to goals. “Many new technologies will help support these goals. For example, continuous glucose monitoring devices that are compatible with smartphones can help you stay on top of your glucose management even while on the go.” An expert recommends five resolutions to control diabetes: Prioritise strategic meal planning: Have a plan in place for what you are going to eat throughout the day. Pick foods that won’t increase your blood sugar levels drastically. Consume small…

SHE was just a poor fisherman’s wife. She lived with her husband and her two grown-up sons in one of the poorest parts of Chatsworth – bordering Bangladesh – in a tiny, cramped flat with just one bedroom, kitchen and a toilet. She died peacefully in her sleep just a week after her 37th wedding anniversary. A simple, humble woman who had no claim to fame or fortune. She was deeply religious and followed all the Hindu traditions and rituals. Just a few weeks before she died I was surprised to see a Bible next to the god lamp. I asked her why she had the Bible in the room. She said she worshipped all religions. Her funeral wasn’t a colourful, glitzy affair like a Bollywood show to impress the…

FOR the first time, a country has decided to file a case against Israel before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), formerly known as the World Court (WC), alleging that Israel is guilty of genocide. In this sense, South Africa’s decision is a historic one. As for Israel, it’s been before this forum on a number of occasions but never to face a heinous offence such as genocide. For example, as I recall, in 2004, the court rendered “an advisory opinion” in the case concerning the “legal consequences of the construction of a wall in the occupied Palestinian territory”. So even though that opinion had a moral legitimacy, Israel was not legally obliged to dismantle the wall, which still stands despite it being over land illegally occupied by…

Oh no not again Two years in a row - fail Relatives advised dad so: Stop him from school and to seek work What they would say now, I don’t know Against advice Dad gave me a second chance That much faith in me But I couldn’t make him proud One last look in the mirror A blurred face, who are you? Never mind who I am, I heard your thoughts – no hope What a coward! Looking for an easy escape - the rope It’s not your fault you failed. The system let you down They style the same six or seven subjects for every learner No provision made for learners like you - talented Listen, you are born with a unique talent Search and find it. What do…

THE title of a famous early 1960s West End and Broadway musical, Stop the World – I Want to Get Off, may seem more relevant as we tread with trepidation from the tumult and turmoil of 2023 into what by all accounts will be a turbulent 2024. Media headlines scream about poverty returning to the UK (did it ever leave? … Ask minorities and immigrants), no doubt compounded by the kamikaze Brexit decision. The US – which variously parades itself as a bastion and custodian of democracy – appears bankrupt … at least from a political leadership perspective … so much so that failed leaders (who treat law, order and the judiciary with contempt) may well return to the helm. Geopolitical power shifts to Asia. Megalomaniacs like Elon Musk loom…

THIS letter has particular relevance to Pastor Bobby Pukreesamy who was a guest speaker at a congregation of a church in Queensburgh, in December last year. Nature has produced many races with diverse traditions that embrace beliefs and practices with a primary objective of creating order, harmony and peace through the medium of co-existence. Religion also helps us, as individuals, to advance from a world of divided consciousness with its varied discords and dualities to a world of tolerance and acceptance. That is true religion. Regrettably, religion of the day is no longer a panacea for such social cohesion, and those who purport to be religious have systematically reneged on these basic tenets. So scanning the world today, religion can no longer be considered a unifying force but just a…

THE new year has arrived, and as we anticipate a better year, we prepare ourselves and our children for a new school year. The new school year is about to begin, and children are expected to adapt to new routines, possibly a new school, and often a new environment. Other children return to their familiar school settings but have to adjust to new academic content, accompanied by new teachers in a higher grade who have a different approach to teaching and learning pedagogy. These adaptations that a child has to make are often not discussed and vocalised appropriately, and often, as parents, we are still determining how to assist our children in adjusting to a new academic year. This stance is based on the premise that society expects every child…

TUESDAY, January 16, will witness Lord Muruga devotees converging in large numbers on the precincts of South Indian temples to participate in the annual, much-awaited Thaipoosam Kavady festival. The 10-day observance culminates in the colourful, spiritually charged day of the actual Kavady procession on January 25. Many devotees carry the Kavady after being healed from illness while others embark on this spiritual journey praying for relief from sickness, problems and other challenges. Other bearers of the Kavady simply demonstrate love, devotion and gratitude to the Lord for well-being, success and achievement. Inherent in all forms of Kavady offerings are the devotees, quest for atonement from sins and, of course, the celebration of Lord Muruga as the redeemer of mankind. The vel (spear) with which Lord Muruga confronted and eventually destroyed…