Vol.

2 Iss

ue 3

2II

May 2

1-

June 2

0,

2011

FREE F

ort

nig

htl

y18 J

um

ada II -

18 R

aja

b

ww

w.b

lackandw

hit

eom

an.c

om

Hope & Hope & Help Help p32

4 May 21- June 20, 2011

Media renaissanceBy Adarsh Madhavan

Forget a decade back. Even some months back,

one wouldn’t dare write about a small protest march

by the students of the Sultan Qaboos University

(SQU). The local papers never wrote anything

about it. I remember stringing for an agency (many

years ago) and they were always very keen to get

anything on protests. Agencies have a fetish for

such reports and they always had a standard way

of featuring them. If you have read agency reports,

you will find the story being treated in a different

way. For instance, Oman will be referred to as a

‘sleepy country’ being woken up the strident roars

of protests and the like.

REWRITTEN SCRIPT

The reports that I used to send would come back

(in print), totally different. I would not be able to

recognise even one line in the reports that they

would publish because it would be given that

special agency treatment. I wouldn’t be able to

match up to them. Not just in style, but in the sheer

manner in which a line would be changed to have

an almost different meaning and extra power punch!

That is agency writing!

FREEDOM FOR THE MEDIA

But, that is not my point here: look at the media

scene. Especially the English newspapers! For

the first time in the history of the newspapers

here you see almost any and every story being

published, even if it happens to be a crime story

or citizens rallying for reform. This is the true

media renaissance! Where in the world could you

write about angry citizens wanting ministers to

be removed? I once wrote a straight report about

how a powerful man here was rallying to send

an ambassador of his country back home using

political influence and I almost got booted from the

office and from this country. Remember, I was only

reporting on something that was happening. Small,

irrelevant issues that I wrote got me more enemies editor@blackandwhiteoman.com

than I could count. I always used to wonder why.

Maybe, I was fated to suffer for things I never wrote.

IF THIS FREEDOM HAD COME EARLIER

Today, I relish the stories being written by the

newspaper scribes here and at the same time

wonder what it would have been like if this freedom

had come a little earlier.

What if Oman had the same media freedom, which

we are enjoying now, a decade or so back? Yes, but

it does not mean that you can misuse the freedom

and write anything you please. It does not mean

that you criticise everything that moves. It doesn’t

mean that we should call every single person in

an influential post as corrupt and bay for the blood

of those in power. That is not what protests are

all about. That is not what protest journalism is all

about. That is not how the ‘crookie’ crumbles. Those

enjoying the new taste of media freedom should

not attempt to do something that would leave a

bitter taste in everyone’s mouth. But, I guess most

of them at the helm know the borderline of the

freedom they are enjoying and would not think of

straying. Because, why spoil this wonderful freedom,

especially, when it is given on a platter?

PAYOLA

There are also dangers in a free media world. During

my daily reporting days, I came to know of one or two

scribes who used to do unobtrusive type of articles

for small favours given by middle level businessmen/

officials. It all starts innocently though. You might

make a good contact with a source and he might

pretend to be your friend, wooing you to his home

with good food, small presents, little favours and then

when you are hooked on to him, he suddenly tells

you to run a piece on his company/his boss/his wife/

his child. Oh, you are suitably rewarded afterwards.

But, that would be the beginning of your moral

downfall. Not a thing to aspire for, right?

All a

bout

X,

Y &

Z

6 May 21- June 20, 2011

You Don’t Understand…(Issue 31) was a remarkable

article with great depth of knowledge about autism. Black

& White magazine is surely contributing to the cause

through various campaigns (Sudoku being one of them).

The three parents who shared their distress were quite

bothered about less medical facilities and treatment for

autism. I would like to give a suggestion to all parents who

have autistic children – make a move, go out and form a

club of your own where you all could meet once a week

and share experiences. The children can also have a day

out, enjoy and make more friends. I am sure it will help!

Once there is awareness, the situation will be a lot better.

Also, the article focussed on the fact that autistic children

are good with numbers. So, parents please go ahead and

utilise that gift! Kudos!

Charu Pant, Khasab

Daniel Tammet and Sheikh Khalfan Al Esry were nothing

short of a miracle on stage. Their words still ring loud and

clear in my ears, my mind and my heart. Thanks for helping

me witness and be part of a wonderful event (Sudoku

for a cause: autism event held on May 12 at Al Bustan

Palace hotel). I have no words to describe the simple

words that unveiled so many enormous truth(s), which

was given out by Sheikh Khalfan, a man who is known

for his wisdom and ready wit and extensive knowledge

of life and living, and the true story of triumphing over a

dreaded disorder like autism, which was revealed by the

world famous savant (Daniel). The engrossing Sudoku

competition, which followed the illuminating speeches,

was equally impressive and I repeat: such great events

are hard to come by and I sincerely hope that your efforts

make a difference in building more awareness on autism

in Oman. All the best!

Nalini Rajgopal, Seeb

Try to understand autism

An event that made a difference

6 May 21- June 20, 2011

Mail your views and opinions at

editor@blackandwhiteoman.com

I was witness to a very touching scene at the impressive Sudoku for a cause

event by B&W held recently. Having come late, I was sitting at the back seat of

the Oman Auditorium of Al Bustan Palace hotel. During the interval, I heard one

of the members of the organising committee of this event coming and speaking

to a father and a child on the right flank of the auditorium. The organiser was

urging the father to go and sit closer to the stage as there was still some space

there. But the father gently refused the offer and said he could view the event

quite well and he had no problems. When the organiser, who apparently knew

the father well, insisted, the latter quietly told the former: “I actually want to sit in

the front, but my child (he indicated his daughter) is autistic and she can create

quite a noise; it will disturb the proceedings; I am okay here and she can also be

free!” The organiser got the point, patted the energetic kid and went away. I was

quite touched by the whole scene and I also understood that several parents

brought their autistic kids along for the event. Now, that is a great work B&W.

Azeez Mohammed, Qurum

“Please think of your life as a very precious gift from God and you will never

give up on it…” I was struck by these words of Laila Al-Ghabri (Just travelling –

Issue 31). I think her simple column ended on a very positive and inspiring note.

Let us all take a leaf from this piece of inspirational words and apply it to our

own lives. Let us think of our life as a very special and precious gift from God.

Imagine how we treasure any gifts given to us. So, why can’t we treasure and

nurture this unbelievably precious gift from the Almighty?

What is stopping us from taking our life to great and pure heights? What more

do we need? The gift of life is given to us – free. Let us take it and climb on to

greater heights!

Abdul Samad, Al Khuwair

Touching scene

Let us treasure this precious gift

7Black & White

8 May 21- June 20, 2011

Published by: Muscat Press & Publishing House SAOC

Black & White

Postal address: P O Box 86, PC 115, Madinat Sultan Qaboos

Office location: Hatat House, Office no: 212, II Floor

Ph: 24565697 Fax: 24565496

Website: www.blackandwhiteoman.com

Editorial: editor@blackandwhiteoman.com

Printed at Mazoon, Muscat, Oman

Xclusive

Autism is not a barrier to success or happiness

Autism is a lifelong condition

from which there is no cure and

one has to learn to manage the

condition as much as possible.

Autism is not a barrier to success

or happiness, says Daniel

Tammet

32

Editor-in-chief Mohamed Issa Al Zadjali

Managing editor Priya Arunkumar

Work editor Adarsh Madhavan

Design & production Beneek Siraj

Photographer Najib Al Balushi

Advt. & marketing Swithun Fernandes

Ali Raisi, Priyanka Sampat

Conte

nts

Bitter Batter

Man of the front seat

He wants the front seat at all

of the shows he attends. He

does not care that there is a

chief guest, guests of honour

and other dignitaries that

automatically obtain the front

seats of any event...

1448

Sleepless and accident prone

Why am I so tired?

The single biggest complaint

doctors receive from female

patients today is fatigue. If you

are getting a healthy seven to

eight hours a night and you’re

still tired, then you need to go for

a check up, local doctors say.

Are most of the male drivers who

commit accidents on the road, sleep

deprived?

58

Cover Photo: Najib Al Balushi

9Black & White

10 May 21- June 20, 2011

Pla

ygro

und

11Black & White

CSR makes good

business sense

Is CSR (corporate

social responsibility)

nothing more

than mere window

dressing?

Martin Neureiter,

Ceo, The CSR

Company, believes

otherwise. Neureiter,

who came on a

lightning visit to the

Sultanate recently to

promote the concept

of CSR, gives us

an entirely different

perspective.

12 May 21- June 20, 2011

Pla

ygro

und

CSR IS ABOUT BUSINESS, NOT ABOUT FEELING GOOD

Neureiter agrees that there are many critics for and against CSR.

Many believe that CSR distracts from the fundamental economic role of

businesses… “Most of us feel that CSR is about donating funds to the

needy, but, that is charity, not social responsibility.

“Charity is totally a different story. It is widely believed that CSR is all

about giving, but it is not true. Actually, CSR is about good and responsible

business sense. It is a business-driven process. It is a business tool to

guide your corporate to do profitable business and reach sustainability

in the process. The CSR can make a significant contribution towards

sustainability and competitiveness,” Neureiter said, in a brief interaction

with the media at the Chedi recently. Dana Sarhan, who coordinated the

briefing, was also present.

The CSR is a management concept whereby companies integrate social

and environmental concerns in their business operations and interactions

with their stakeholders, he said.

“Organisations around the world, as well as their stakeholders, are

becoming increasingly aware of the need for socially responsible

behaviour. And the aim of social responsibility should be to contribute to

sustainable development, including health and the welfare of society.”

But shouldn’t businesses focus on making money instead of spending

funds in the name of CSR? “We are again speaking of corporate

philanthropy, where corporations make donations to charity. Critics here

note that they are giving away their shareholders’ money. But, it should

be understood that this can be done only if they see potential profit in it.

This may be because they want to improve their image by associating

themselves with a cause. Whatever, there is always an underlying

financial motive, so the company benefits more than the charity.”

Neureiter wears many hats. He has headed the Implementation Task

Group of the ISO 26000 standard and is also a member of the Austrian

CSR-Experts group. He is also an adviser to the UAE government, a

supporting expert to the Austrian Standards Institute, a senior partner

at The CSR Company and a consultant to Hyundai and other major

corporates.

ISO 26000 CSR CERTIFICATION

Why ISO certification? “The business world understands certification and

standardisations. Most of them in the corporate world strive to standardise

the processes and CSR being part of the business community requires a

standarised pattern. What does CSR involve? It is all about environmental

management, eco-efficiency, responsible sourcing, stakeholder

engagement, labour standards and working conditions, employee and

community relations, social equity, gender balance, human rights, good

governance, and anti-corruption measures and most importantly it is about

how you make your profit!”

According to Neureiter, a properly implemented CSR concept can bring

along a variety of competitive advantages, such as enhanced access

to capital and markets, increased sales and profits, operational cost

savings, improved productivity and quality, efficient human resource

base, improved brand image and reputation, enhanced customer

loyalty, better decision making and risk management processes. There

are business houses and customers out there in the market who

look at your products in a telescopic manner. Are your products CSR

produced? Is the product developed with child labour or environmentally

destructive processes? How positive are the products? The CSR is

business driven and it will drive your business to profitability in the long

run!”

CSR IN TOURISM

The CSR is a broad subject and is present in all ways and means

from the hardcore business sector to the leisure and other fields too,

Neureiter noted. “I had a funny call one day, from a British tour operator,

who asked about the availability of CO2 neutral hotels in Austria!

"I was absolutely clueless, but I looked around and found that there

were hotels who were eco friendly and CSR right. So, what does it

imply, good CSR is a means to bring in and keep your customers loyal

too. It is about sustaining business and customer relationships. Good

CSR strategies reduce risks linked to any potential and sudden damage

to the company’s reputation and sales. Building a genuine culture of

‘doing the right thing’ within the company offsets these risks.”

INVOLVE LOCAL SOCIETY

“CSR is about running your business positively and creating a

reflection of your own society. It differs country wise and culture wise.

What is right for Oman’s society may not be applicable elsewhere!

Just ask yourself this question: If all healthy people are going to

sit down and plan for the empowerment for the handicapped, how

successful are they going to be? It won’t work. Involve the socially and

physically challenged; integrate them in to the business cult,” Neureiter

said.

THE EFFECTS OF CSR

The perception of an organisation’s social responsibility performance

can influence:

• its reputation

• its ability to attract and retain male and female workers and/or

members, customers, clients or users

• The maintenance of employee‘s morale, commitment and productivity

• The view of investors, donors, sponsors, and the financial community

• its relationship with companies, governments, the media, suppliers,

peers, customers and the community in which it operates.

(Neureiter graduated in law; he was the head of Task Group

Implementation ISO 26000, member of Austrian CSR-Expertsgroup,

lectures at Vienna University and St Gallen Management Institute,

adviser to the Government of the United Arab Emirates, supporting

expert to the Austrian Standards Institute. The CSR Company was

established in Vienna in 2007, and currently has partner offices in

Vienna, Dubai, Kiev, Innsbruck, Bucharest, Sofia, Seoul, and Brisbane.

In a short period of time, the CSR Company has developed an

outstanding reputation and is now recognised as an international player

in the field of CSR)

It is widely

believed that

CSR is all about

giving, but it

is not true.

Actually, CSR

is about good

and responsible

business sense.

It is a business-

driven process.

It is a business

tool to guide

your corporate

to do profitable

business

and reach

sustainability in

the process

14 May 21- June 20, 2011

SLEEPLESS and

ACCIDENT prone

Are most of the male drivers who commit accidents on the road sleep deprived?

Men h

ealt

h

14 May 21- June 20, 2011

15Black & White

Also, it has been found that as people

age, the likelihood of sleep disorders

increases. A good percent of people

65 years old and older live with the

effects of sleep disorders, such as

sleep deprivation symptoms, sleep

apnea and periodic limb movement

disorder.

In older adults, sleep disorders can

lead to serious health consequences.

Hypertension and sleep apnea are

linked, for example, and problems with

breathing during sleep can contribute

to heart problems. Older adults who

take sleep medications or experience

sleep deprivation symptoms may

also be at an increased risk of falls or

accidents.

Weight changes, especially weight

gain, are common sleep deprivation

effects.

There are those who claim that sleep

deprivation can even cause cancer.

Compared to better rested patients,

those who sleep less than six hours

a night are likely to get dangerous

polyps in their colon or rectum.

Polyps–the abnormal growths

detected during a colonoscopy—

can progress to become cancerous

tumors. Studies and tests that were

conducted earlier noted that this is

exactly what happens in about 10

percent of cases. More polyp patients

reported sleeping much less than six

hours, while few said they slept more

than seven, researchers noted.

NO NEED TO PANIC

But please do not panic: This

doesn’t necessarily mean that all sleep

deprived patients are at colon cancer

risk. What it indicates is that people

who don’t sleep much at night might

have the same chance for developing

colorectal cancer as other high-risk

groups, such as people with a close

relative who has been diagnosed with

the disease or those with a diet high in

red meat.

Hope these facts would not have the

reverse effect with people losing more

sleep worrying over this. Ideally, all of

these facts should make you get a little

bit extra dose than six hours. Sweet

dreams.

(Disclaimer: The above medical

information provided is, at best,

of a general nature and cannot

substitute for the advice of a medical

professional -- for instance, a qualified

doctor/physician, nurse, pharmacist/

chemist, and so on).

THAT MAY SOUND LIKE an easy excuse to hinge on by reckless and careless motorists in town, but studies do note

that driver fatigue contributes to a certain portion of vehicle related accidents annually in any country. Drowsy driving

is one of the most common effects of sleep disorders and sleep deprivation, and basically, one of the most dangerous,

experts note. Driver fatigue has been determined to be the cause of some accidents, but most often this aspect goes

unreported. Sleep deprivation and other sleep disorders can not only have a serious effect on health, it can affect

people badly when on the road. It also spills forth irritation and road rage.

Doctors have always noted that inadequate rest impairs a person’s ability to think, handle stress, maintain a healthy

immune system and control emotions. Sleep disorder effects include mental and physical impairment.

Without adequate rest, the brain’s ability to function can quickly deteriorate. The brain works harder to counteract

sleep deprivation effects, but operates less effectively, and a person’s ability to focus and complete tasks is impaired.

Insufficient rest can even cause hallucinations and contribute to anxiety disorders and other psychiatric problems.

Other possible effects of sleep

deprivation include:

• Depression

• Heart disease

• Hypertension

• Irritability

• Slower reaction times.

• Aged are more prone

16 May 21- June 20, 2011

ALPHA MALES ARE NOT just those

who look very confident and have an

animal appeal. They are more than that.

Confidence and appeal is really good,

but only on the superficial front. For,

the non-alpha male does not have what

it takes to confront the real thing. And

when trouble comes a calling, the non-

alpha male might just turn tail and run or

slip away unobtrusively.

Alpha males are those who take the

bull by the horns and win. An alpha

male takes on a real fight when it is

necessary, and only if it is necessary,

but he won’t think twice taking on

someone far bigger/stronger/better-

situated than he is if the matter being

decided is serious. And due to his fierce

drive, he will win, behavioural experts

claim.

Of course, all of that is easier said than

done. But, the tragedy is that today we

are confronted by fake alpha males; the

ones that are loud and aggressive and

worse still, bullies.

BULLY YOU

Bullies are different from alpha males

in every way: “The bully seeks the

limelight and tries to dominate every

scene. He is also known to use loud,

abusive language and would also try

to intimidate the other person. This is

quite often the case. For the bully, it

is all about himself and his successes

because all that he is bothered about is

whether he is impressing people. He is

too worried about keeping an image.”

In stark contrast, alphas don’t need to

impress anyone; why should they? Life

is not about impressing people.

COWARDS

Most bullies are cowards hiding

behind an aggressive façade. Look at

how an alpha male and bully runs into

opposition. The alpha male is always

known to pay attention to what’s going

on; he is alert to ways to make the

things happen the way he wants them

to. He regards the world as a place he

can influence by paying attention and

acting whenever he sees opportunity.

He does this naturally; it doesn’t occur

to him that he can fail once he’s headed

toward his goal. It may take more than

one try, but he won’t give up until he

achieves his goal or else assesses the

situation and decides -- himself -- that

he needs to change what he’s doing in

order to achieve what he wants. Then,

when he’s sure of his course, he’ll try

again and again until he succeeds.

ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES

If he makes a mistake, an alpha male

takes note of what he should have

done, learns what he needs to learn

and moves on. Unlike non-alpha males,

he doesn’t go over and over his mistake.

Life has endless possibilities for success

to an alpha male. He loves to win and is

good at it. When he makes a blunder up,

he simply takes note of the lesson to be

learned and goes on. While other males

– Bullies, especially, because they care

so much about their public image -- keep

going over and over their mistake, an

alpha male never wastes time beating

himself up after the fact.

ALPHAS NEVER BETRAY

Here are a few quick takes on the fine

qualities of the alpha male:

• An alpha male never betrays a

member of his pack.

• An alpha male isn’t a liar.

• An alpha male takes responsibility

for his own actions.

• An alpha male always thinks before

he acts.

• An alpha male doesn’t suck up

to anyone. He is the leader.

BULLIES

Men r

ead

Alpha males vs

17Black & White 17Black & White

18 May 21- June 20, 2011

By Adarsh Madhavan

O

ff th

e wall

Am I a 'criminal'?

adarsh@blackandwhiteoman.com

There is a phrase somewhere that

goes like this: if there was a law

against the thoughts in our heads,

many of us would have long been

executed (for the same).

I agree.

I think I would have been.

I am not sure whether I have a

criminal mind or whether I am

a criminal itself. Maybe, I am

somewhere in between. I don’t know.

But, I am glad that there is no

connection with what I think and

what I do most of the time. Because,

if there was, I would have long

been put in the slammer or would

otherwise be fertilising daffodils, as

they say.

For my thoughts are that heavy

packed with many intent, and not just

criminal alone.

No, it does not mean that I am

plotting to rob a home, or jump upon

someone in some dark alley. Don’t

get confused and drag me to jail,

please. Don’t move court against me

because I am saying that my mind is

filled with criminal intent. I am not that

type. What I meant was something

else, more so about anger, more so

about emotion, more so about want

and needs and desires, unachieved

goals, frustration, pain, the need to

be understood…

More about instant anger, instant

irritation, instant flaring up, instant

intense emotional mood swings,

Off

the w

all

mutterings and thoughts of great

wants and needs…

Someone recently annoyed me

with his blunderingly silly and

irritating statements and I almost

went overboard, springing up

from my diabetes-ridden weary

posture, push and bang him onto

the wall and smash his face (like

someone almost did to me sometime

back, long ago).

He was that annoying. And a flurry

of thoughts went on in my head,

each wild and angrier than ever…

honestly, I am glad when the raging

thoughts in my head don’t connect

with my actions because I have killer

thoughts running in my head so wild,

I guess they all end up massacring

themselves.

The more I think about it though, the

more I am amazed that not even a

miniscule portion of our thoughts are

ever featured outside. What I think I

am maybe, but, what people see or

hear is what I am to them…I am that

what I portray, even though my mind

is busy somewhere and my heart

is…my heart is…well, forget where

my heart is. I have got no use for it

anyway.

Even the ones whom we call ‘straight

forward”, “open”, “frank” etc are

actually tight-lipped about their

inner thoughts... Because that is the

way it is. How can you reveal your

innermost thoughts? That is nigh to

impossible. And if we dare reveal

them, will the world be able to take

it? Will the ones close to you be able

to digest your revelations? There is

a secret world running inside us; in

our brains; in our minds; in our hearts

and most of us take it to the grave

letting only a sliver of our feelings

out. Just imagine if we let all our

feelings out…it would be chaotic.

Yes, it would be truth. And everyone

says that we need to be true.

But, won’t we all drown in a tsunami

of truth? Well, let me speak only

about myself. I don’t want to paint

everyone with the same brush saying

that we have all got something to

hide. It is not about that. We may not

have skeletons in our cupboards,

but, we may truly have some secrets

that we don’t want to reveal to the

world. And when we think about

these secrets, we make sure that we

don’t blurt them out for fear of being

laughed at; or for that matter, for fear

of shocking others.

Or, look at it this way: Imagine

meeting people we don’t like. In our

minds, we would have winced at their

mere sight yet, you have no choice

but to greet them, pass some inane

small talk and try to sneak away. But,

imagine you just stood there and told

them exactly what is on your mind!

You wouldn’t dare!

I think I just know what you are

thinking now…

Let's understand Autism

Thank You Sponsors

Major Sponsors:

Presenter: Indian School Al Ghubra

Co Sponsors:

Social media support:

20 May 21- June 20, 2011

New censorship rating logos to be

unveiled soon

Universal: for all Parental Guidance For 12 years and over For 15 years and over For 18 years and over

An irate Omani father called up the censorship department of the ministry

of information (MOI) sometime back to complain about a movie he had

taken his eight-year old son to. Apparently, it was not a movie for eight-

year olds; some of the scenes were slightly graphic and not suitable for

that age children.

What was wrong there? How was the movie allowed to be played in the

theater?

“There was nothing wrong with the movie. The only problem was that

the father took his son without checking the movie rating – it was clearly

written that it was a 15-rated movie and somehow, the kid slipped into

the theater along with his father. No one is at fault here,” officials of the

censorship department counter.

But, even problems like these are going to be a thing of the past with the

exciting new plans of the censorship department to launch new rating

symbols that are simple, direct and clear, on every movie, games and

audios launched in the market.

This was announced by Abdullah Al Shueili, director, Nasser Abdullah

Nasser Al-Hashami, head of cinema department and Nasser Al Wahaibi,

employee, censorship department (movies, audio/video cassettes,

games), of the MOI, recently.

Om

anw

atc

h

21Black & White

EYE-CATCHING CENSORSHIP RATING LOGOS

“New logos, visually captivating, colourful and communicative will be

introduced in Oman soon. The rating symbols will be displayed at the local

theatres to educate the public and would also be put in every movie, games

and audios covers and poster soon...

We are going to start a nationwide awareness campaign that will educate

and create awareness to the public as well as win them some exciting prizes.

The campaign will be soon launched in the local media and communication

channels,” Abdullah, Nasser Hashami and Nasser Wahaibi jointly told the

Black & White magazine.

The trio also spoke at length about the importance of censorship, especially

in a country like Oman, which takes pride in holding on to its cultural and

traditional values despite the march of modernity.

Abdullah Shueili and Nasser Wahaibi also took the Black & White team to a

preview of an English movie at the Shatti Cinema and also gave as an inkling of how

the censorship department officials went through the whole movie with eagle eyes

and sharp ears and senses to catch anything untoward being propagated in the

movies and anything that would hurt the Omani senses.

Ashraf Mohd. Abdul Majeed Farath, public relations manager, Al Shatti and City

Cinema was also present at the pre-release viewing. “We don’t leave any aspect

out. The movie is viewed thoroughly and we rate it accordingly. We have a mature

viewing audience here, but, each segment is clearly demarcated and rated,”

Abdullah and Nasser said, post viewing of the film, Limitless.

Censorship is not created by morality - it is the product of fear. “A better ratings system is needed, whereby the viewer is aware of the points that will make a movie have an 18 certificate

Abdullah Al Shueili Nasser Al Wahaibi

22 May 21- June 20, 2011

WHY IS CENSORSHIP IMPORTANT?

“Censorship is not about banning, it is about a self inflicted control to contain

the negative impacts of audio visual media on the society. For as long as

theater has existed, there have been critics who are wary of its power to

negatively influence its audience. Theater, movies, games and audios can

have a dangerous impact on citizens, especially children, by establishing a

weak or immoral role-model. The younger generation is today exposed to

technological impacts of the audio visual world,” Abdullah said.

Today’s society now watches and accepts far more graphic depictions than

those of past eras. What was once considered shocking and morally wrong is

now considered mainstream because of the world wide usage of the Internet.

“When we were kids we were not exposed so much as the kids are today,”

Nasser Wahaibi noted.

NOT MUCH AWARENESS OF RATING

Censorship is not created by morality - it is the product of fear. “A better

ratings system is needed, whereby the viewer is aware of the points that will

make a movie have an 18 certificate. “We recently had an angry parent calling

up an audio-video outlet and complaining that they sold dangerous games

to kids. We visited the outlet and found out there was no rating on the game.

Now a game is imported in to the Sultanate through couriers.

And it is those materials that are being sold out to the general public. We

then decided it is time to put in regulations and save the parents the trauma of

exposing under-aged kids to unwanted violence, visual and audio. It is a must

that every responsible parent sees the rating on the movie, game or an audio

CD before they purchase. A voluntary effort can reduce the infiltration of non

rated and offensive audio visuals doing the rounds in the market,” Abdullah

and Nasser Wahaibi said. “Though we all talk about censoring and ratings, a

Theater, movies, games and audios can have a dangerous impact on citizens, especially children, by establishing a weak or immoral role-model

Nasser Al-Hashami

Om

anw

atc

h

23Black & White

lot of awareness is required to clean up the system. We have no say in the

television channels! We all know that it is censored in some sort of way;

television is widely open with regard to many issues, which may not be

suitable for some,” they added.

DO WE PAY ATTENTION TO THESE WARNINGS?

The censorship department officials were also open to the question

whether people actually paid attention to these warnings. “That is a million

dollar question,” they said, but added that they hoped that this new set of

rating logos would be effective enough. “At the censorship department, we

have a very strong desire to help protect the values and morals of society.

And we strive as much as possible to keep it intact by not allowing unwanted

elements to creep in through these movies and games.”

A proper society must carefully monitor what art it permits. People are

naturally impressionable, and if they are exposed to violence, hatred, or

fear, “they’ll feel neither shame nor restraint at imitating these actions”. It

is generally believed since time immemorial that movie directors, games

creators, poets and playwrights should not be allowed to influence children,

because they are unqualified to be teachers of virtue.

Because film was a relatively new art form, it was not initially protected by

the same provisions that protect free speech in books. Just as the stage had

been regulated for thousands of years, censorship boards were set up in

many countries to ensure that films shown or produced there did not violate

their particular ethics. Outraged audiences had demanded censorship when

they were offended by the immoral content of the films or licentious lifestyles

of the actors.

Ashraf Mohd. Abdul Majeed Farath

24 May 21- June 20, 2011

Word

pre

ss

Summer’s here and soon the sun will be belting us down. Time to start

thinking about the perfume accessories that are appropriate for the

outfit you choose to wear.

Rasasi offers a wide range of options for those seeking a suitable

perfume to match their summer season outings.

Summer with Rasasi

Damas, announced zero credit card charges on gold and diamond

jewellery purchases from all of its 21 stores in Oman starting

May 6. “This is a great advantage for Damas customers, as

most of the retailers will charge you when using credit cards to

purchase jewellery, and this can make a significant impact on the

price when buying jewellery. Since the gold price is increasing,

why pay even more for swiping your credit card? We believe in

giving our customers the best shopping experience, so when you

shop at Damas stores with a credit card, there will be no additional

credit card charges levied,” said Rajesh Govindan, Damas country

manager – Oman.

Contact: 24780036/84

Zero credit card charges on Damas Jewellery in Oman

Mercedes-Benz has launched a new season for its iconic CLS, the four

door coupé that made fashionable jaws drop when it first debuted in 2003,

and quickly established itself as the ultimate must-have style statement for

chic drivers across the Middle East. “Customers across the Middle East and

the globe have rewarded us for our courage in launching a completely new

vehicle concept onto the market,” explains a delighted Frank Bernthaler,

director, sales and marketing, Mercedes-Benz Cars, Middle East & Levant.

“And with its exciting design and refined sportiness, the new edition of the

CLS also benefits from the fact that we are a whole generation ahead of the

competition with our four-door Coupé.”

Mercedes-Benz launches iconic CLS

New English FM station soon

SABCO Media, has confirmed its plans to launch a new English

station, Merge 104.8 in the next few weeks.

Merge 104.8 will reflect the diverse cultures and tastes of Oman’s

population. Reaching different segments of society, the radio

station will offer a mix of music, culture and fun, to deliver rich

content and served with a fresh local flavour.

25Black & White

Khalid bin Mustahail Al Mashani new chairman of BankMuscatShaikh Khalid bin Mustahail Al

Mashani, who served as deputy

chairman for the past 12 years,

has been appointed chairman of

BankMuscat.

Shaikh Khalid possesses astute

leadership skills in financial

management and strategic planning.

He served as deputy chairman of

the bank since March 1999 and is

currently the chairman of the bank’s

risk committee.

Among the varied roles, he is the

deputy chairman of BankMuscat

International, Bahrain. Commenting

on the new appointment, Shaikh

Khalid said: “I am honoured to

be appointed as chairman of

BankMuscat, the leading banking

institution in Oman. My priority is

to fulfill the trust and confidence

reposed in me by the board of

directors, shareholders and all

stakeholders to sustain and

strengthen the leadership position of

the bank.”

The bank’s board of directors

recently approved the financial

results for the first quarter of 2011.

The bank posted net profit of

OMR27.8 million for the three months

ended March 31, 2011 compared to

OMR24.5 million reported during the

same period in 2010, an increase of

13.5 per cent.

Mazda Zoom- Zoom Club has recently tied up with Muscat

Panitball represented by Xtreme Sports LLC’s paintball division.

Located in Shatti Al Qurum, the 45 by 45 metres paintball

field layout is the same as the one used for the World Cup

championship with international standards.

Annurag Chawla, head of marketing and communications, Towell

Auto Centre, says, “It has always been our endeavour to get

closer to our customers through innovative and different ways.

Through this partnership, it is our earnest attempt to encourage

the members of our Zoom-Zoom club to lead a healthy and active

lifestyle vis-à-vis sports and adventurous activities. We will be

organising more fun initiatives of this nature in the future for the

Zoom-Zoom Club members and other Mazda patrons.”

Mazda Zoom-Zoom Club ties up with Muscat Paintball

Oris SA and Williams F1 confirmed the upgrading of their partnership for the

forthcoming Formula One racing season. In addition to the current on-car

locations, the Oris name will be seen also on the F1 drivers’ gloves. Alex

Wurz will join Nico Rosberg as an ambassador for the brand.

At the same time the new Oris Williams Day Date was launched. Its black

dial is made of genuine carbon in pure Formula One style. Even the bezel

serves as a display, with an hour scale from 13 to 24 hours.

As a further feature, the hands and numerals under the scratchproof

sapphire glass shine in dark orange Superluminova. The racing-style rubber

strap reflects the vertical tread of a Formula One car’s tyre. Clearly visible

through the watch’s skeleton back is the red Oris rotor – the mechanical

heart of this powerful watch.

(Oris Williams Day Date was given away to the winner of the Black & White

Sudoku for a cause event by its local dealer Khimji's Watches)

Oris steps up its relationship with WilliamsF1

26 May 21- June 20, 2011

Word

pre

ss

Park Inn Muscat has announced some

special mind, body and soul revitalisation

deals for its clients.

Customers can avail of the hotel’s

health club, which boasts state-of-the-art

equipment as well as sauna and steam

rooms. In addition, they can get a fun

workout at the temperature-controlled

open air pool, swimming in the cool

blue waters or lounging by the poolside,

observing the city drift by below. Members

can choose from the eclectic range of

Swedish and Thai massages, reflex zone

therapy, aroma vitality massage and back

massages.

The gym is open daily from 6.30am to

10pm, while the pool is operational from

7pm to 9pm. During the offer (from May

1 to September 30, 2011), the pool and

Revitalise the mind, body

and soul at Park Inn

gym membership packages per

month are offered at OMR30 per

person, OMR50 for a couple and

OMR60 for a family. For the pool-

only packages, customers are

charged OMR 20 per month with

couple and family memberships

costing OMR30 and OMR40

respectively. The hotel is also

offering special deals on meals

served at its Palm restaurant and

the RBG Grill. “Whatever your

preference, bring a group, because

patrons in groups of four or more

will get a 20 percent discount on

the total food and beverage bill

at both outlets. This offer is valid

from June 1 to July 31, 2011 and is

applicable on lunch and dinner on

the a la carte menu only.

Ramniklal B. Kothary & Co LLC

invited management guru, Dr

Pawan G. Agrawal, from the

world famous organisation called

“Mumbai Dabbawalas” for a

presentation.

The presentation was on supply

chain and logistic management”

which was held at their head office

in Darsait. Almost all employees

from sales, finance and logistics

department were invited to attend

this unique view on supply chain

and logistics. Mumbai Dabbawalas

are the people who provide

logistic services in providing food

containers (Tiffin) to the residents

of Mumbai (India). They deliver

200,000 tiffin boxes per day with

the help of 5,000 employees.

They are doing this service

flawlessly since 1890 and in

time without any IT software or

technological support. Eighty

per cent of the staff cannot

read or write, but they work

flawlessly together. The success

is the ownership attitude of

the employees towards the

organisation. Their annual turnover

is around 72 to 80 crore Indian

rupees (OMR6.9 million).

RBK presentation on supply chain and logistics

The creative team behind the

successful Save Energy Oman

campaign is celebrating after winning

one of the UK’s top accolades at this

year’s Drum Marketing Awards.

Edinburgh based branding agency,

navyblue picked up this sought

after award at a glitzy ceremony in

Manchester, England this month,

in recognition for its creativity in

the hugely successful Save Energy

Oman campaign, which ran from May

to September last year.

They won the ‘Best Cause Related

Marketing Campaign’ category. This

is the first award of its kind for the

energy saving crusaders. Launched

a year ago by Oman’s Electricity

companies lead by Electricity Holding

Company (EHC), Save Energy

Oman campaigned for residents

and businesses in the Sultanate

to reduce the output of their air

conditioning systems during the hot

summer months by simply raising the

temperature to 23 degrees.

Save Energy Oman

‘Bangs the Drum’ for the cause

27Black & White

The evolution of a youthful demographic will lead the way for the property sector as it

rebuilds itself in the AGCC. With 2011 GDP slated to hover around the 5.9 per cent mark

in the AGCC (as compared to 4.5 per cent in 2010 and 0.7 per cent in 2009), the real

estate markets are once again looking at a growth cycle that feels more tangible, less

speculative and is predicated on several drivers that are spurring the climb, according

to a report released this morning by Al Masah Capital, a progressive, Dubai based

alternative investment house. “Perhaps the most vital growth driver is the region’s

expanding population, most of which is young and has the ability to create exponential

investment in the property sector. It is this young, upwardly mobile demographic that has

the potential to dissolve the current fear over high vacancy rates and concerns about

oversupply,” said Shailesh Dash, founder and chief executive of Al Masah Capital.

AGCC Real Estate–back on growth track?

Ross Cormack, chief executive

officer of Nawras, has been named

'Outstanding Leader of the Year' at

the third TMT Finance & Investment

Awards Middle East, held in Dubai.

This accolade for Oman’s customer

friendly communications provider

follows a year in which Nawras

became a public company after the

largest IPO in Oman since 2005

and also began offering broadband

services to corporate and residential

customers. “It is a great honour

for me to represent Nawras at this

prestigious regional event and I am

even more thrilled that as an Omani

company, Nawras has won this

award and been shortlisted in two

other categories,” Cormack said after

receiving his trophy.

“I would like to extend my sincere

thanks to the entire Nawras family

and I share this award with every

member of our team. Together

we promised to enrich the lives

of people in Oman through better

communication services and it is

my privilege to work with so many

dedicated professionals who continue

to share this strong commitment to

our customers.”

Nawras was also shortlisted in the

category of ‘Deal of the Year’, in

recognition of its successful IPO.

Nawras was listed on the Muscat

Securities Market on November 1,

2010 as the fourth largest company

in Oman by market capitalisation,

after only five years. Qtel, Wataniya,

Zain and Viva Kuwait were named in

this category too.

Nawras Ceo named outstanding leader of the year

The OMASCO recorded the largest haul of trophies

in the Panasonic CIMA awards. Teams from across

the Middle East, the CIS and Africa compete for

these awards every year and a total of 11 trophies

were won by OMASCO for 2010.

Overcoming the strong challenge from several

agencies across this wide market, Panasonic Oman

bagged golds for eco related activities, model

showroom, showroom event, plus card event, plus

card sales and plus card membership growth. It was

also awarded silver for top market share and bronze

for agent of the year. In the Technical Olympics,

which tests the technical proficiency of the after-

sales care and the retail teams, the star appreciation

OMASCO sweeps awards at Panasonic CIMA summit

award was conferred to Panasonic air conditioning servicing

for overall customer service. Both Mohamed Badrul Islam

and Jerry Montemayor were awarded individual golds, for

AC and Blu-Ray repair respectively. As George Alexander,

general manager for retail engineering and distribution says,

“The Panasonic Oman team has done us, and the nation,

proud. These awards establish the customer-oriented focus of

OMASCO, reflecting our endeavour to offer the best products

and extend the best services to all our customers.”

28 May 21- June 20, 2011

Word

pre

ss

Omani women are continuing to foray in the world of fashion.

While some are keen to model, others like Wajiha Al Barkath,

are making the fashion dreams of young Omani ladies come

true with her new boutique, Noor Boutique, near the Shell

filling station in Wadi Kabir.

“For me, this boutique is a dream come true,” Wajiha said,

adding that once she completed her graduation from the

Sultan Qaboos University, she wanted to provide young

Omani ladies with something new and fresh related to

fashion.

The opening of my Noor Boutique has turned this vision into

reality. “Today’s Omani youth is always looking for something

that is unique, and we are here to deliver the goods. Our

evening gowns and tops are beautiful, unique and yet

affordable.

Our jewellery and sandals are something that you won’t find

anywhere. It is always charming to introduce something new,

in designs, styles, and fashion that’s what this boutique aims

to do for its clients,” Wajiha said.

Contact: Noorboutique25@yahoo.com

A special student of the Sri Lankan

School Muscat held a unique

photography exhibition ‘Spirit Within’

at the school premises recently.

Oshadie Senanayake, an 11th grade

science stream student of the school,

has a hearing impairment.

But, this has hardly deterred the

boy’s determination and drive to

excel in the field of photography.

The 64-photographs exhibition not

only drew a big crowd, but it also

showcased a young boy’s silent yet

meaningful journey, which he has

managed to capture through the

lens.

“Oshadie is a special and

unique child, whose non-verbal

communication mode comes from

the deepest trenches of his sensitive

heart,” said Somabandhu Kodikara,

principal, Sri Lankan School.

“He sees beauty in things that others

take for granted and captures the

beauty with his lens and produces

work of art that fascinates the world,”

the principal added.

“Oshadie has earned recognition

as the most talented young

photographer in the community

earning praise and respect from

the young and the old alike,” noted

officials of the Sri Lankan Community

Club, who also promoted the event.

“We identified his ability when he

was just two and so presented him

with a good camera, quite early on.

Not only school activities, but

Oshadie has also covered events,

which has managed to find its

way in local newspapers,” Kumari

Senanayake, his mother said.

Oshadie, who has just appeared for

his London exams, has a collection

of more than 6000 photos.

Noor Boutique opens in Wadi Kabir

‘Spirit Within’ photographic exhibition of Sri Lankan School boy

IDentity MANagementBy Dr CK Anchan

Dr Anchan C.K.

managing director,

World Wide Business House

Identity management is a broad

administrative area that deals with identifying

individuals in a system (such as a country,

a network, or an enterprise) and controlling

their access to resources within that system

by associating user rights and restrictions

with the established identity. The driver

licensing system is a simple example of

identity management: drivers are identified by

their license numbers and user specifications

(such as light vehicle) are linked to the

identifying number.

The identity management landscape has

seen profound changes in the last few years.

In the simple settings establishing one’s

identity was never a problem. Authentication

is a simple task, as everyone knew everyone

else. But in today’s flat world where most

communication happens over the wire, we

deal with people whom we have not seen or

even talked to.

One way to think about identity management

is by imagining an enormous blueprint of an

office building. It shows the rooms into which

each person who works in the building can

enter. The blueprint also shows what kind of

key each person would need to open the door

to get into that room, and what that person

can do once they are there.

Like building security, identity management

is the most essential form of information

protection that agencies use. Yet, it also is

among the information security practices that

are least used or properly implemented.

Identity management is more than simply

permitting a user to log on; it controls what

that user can do, similar to putting boundaries

on where a person can go once in a

building. A systems administrator assigns a

credential of some sort, usually a number, to

a worker. That number allows the employee

or contractor access to the network and

determines what resources can be accessed.

It also can flag the administrator through a

monitoring tool if the user somehow gains

access to forbidden areas, or if the user

is performing actions that may indicate an

attempt to gain entry to prohibited areas.

Identity theft and fraud have been consistently

on the rise in the past years costing billions

to companies and their customers. In fact,

consumer identity has become a major

enterprise asset in some industries where

identity management practices aim to protect.

Defining an identity boils down to specifying

the minimum information that need to be

maintained about a person without disturbing

privacy of the individual

Establishing trust becomes a complex

and difficult proposition. Authorities like

the government, employers, universities,

insurance providers, banks or even the local

retailer have the same problem. Each one of

these entities needs to know different things

about a person to perform their job.

The scope of the identity risk management

profession is broader today and requires

a new and evolving set of skills to properly

manage and safeguard all identities

whether they are created and used for

accessing enterprise systems or collected

as part of business transactions. These and

other external factors such as regulatory

requirements are some of the evolving and

new identity risks that we must collectively

address.

To be continued…

Managem

ent

talk

29Black & White

30 May 21- June 20, 2011

Bizarre. But true. Related by an involved party.

This forty four year old man, married 17 years,

comes home one evening and asks his wife to

get into the car because he wants to take her

for a drive.

It has been a wearying marriage these past

few years, no romance, no warmth and she is

pleasantly surprised.

At one point he stops the car and picks up this

woman. Now he introduces her to the wife as

his girlfriend and explains that the marriage is

over, all washed up and this is the new love of

his life.

The reason I got you into the car, he says, is

because my girlfriend won’t believe I have told

you how I feel so I wanted her to witness it.

Then, since it is all over, he requests his wife to

get out of the car and take a cab home.

I hope that by the time I come in you have left

for your parents, he says, all civilised and cool.

She leaves.

Next morning, as the shock begins to wear

off she realises the house is hers not her

husbands and there is no reason why she

should leave, let him get out.

So she goes back home and tells him to take a

hike. He protests and says, I don’t have a place

to go to, you can stay with your parents, be

reasonable, where will I go?

Male chauvinistic logic at its best. He is actually

upset that she won’t understand his plight.

Out, she says, now.

So he calls his aging parents and complains

that his wife is being a stick in the mud and is

throwing him out and can he come live with

them.

They agree and are quite put out that their

daughter in law is being so uppity.

Look, don’t blame me, this is exactly how the

story goes…and it goes even more wacky.

Now, the husband has a sister who lives

abroad and she is pro the wife so she gets into

the act and tells her brother what a twit he is

and then calls Mum and Dad and ticks them off

too.

Now, the wife goes over to her in laws and

says, look the reason I threw him out was to

make him see sense, you don’t end 17 years of

marriage because he suddenly has a crush on

some girl, as parents you should work towards

saving our marriage not wrecking its chances.

Sorry, say the parents, but after 17 years

we have got our son back and we are not

interested.

So, the parents move out of their house for

sake of son’s comfort and move into foreign

based duaghter’s house since she doesn’t

need it.

Okay, in case you have lost me what we have

is: one wife in her own home. One husband

with new girl in Mum and Dad’s home and Mum

and Dad in daughter’s home and the daughter

is abroad.

Right.?

Now, the Fates, who have ostensibly been

watching this theatre of the absurd decide to

get into the act and the sister’s husband loses

his job abroad and they have to come back

home.

Except that they do not have a house. Stand by

for this bulletin. The wife offers a section of her

house to her sister in law.

So, they arrive and move into the brother’s

former house where the rejected wife lives

alone.

Somewhere around here you’d think the

brother’s love affair falls apart and all repentant

and contrite he comes weeping for forgiveness.

Sister gets her house, girlfriend is cast out and

husband and wife live happily ever after.

No. He is still with his girlfriend. His sister

stays with his wife. Mum and Dad are in their

daughter’s house and everything is right with

the world.

I wonder what they do when they meet for a

family get together?

The modern family…

By Bikram Vohra

Bikram Vohra, internationally-known Gulf based scribe

Sunny s

ide u

p

30 May 21- June 20, 2011

31Black & White

THE SPIRIT WITHIN THEM – MAY IT NEVER DIE

Two people made a major impact in my life recently.

One was Sheikh Khalfan El Esry and the other

Daniel Tammet. The first, is a motivational expert

and speaker, and the other, the celebrity guest at

the Black & White You Play Sudoku Open to all

competition 2011.

Their speeches were not just extraordinary and

out of the world, they were more than that – they

were moving; they brought a lump in the throat of

many who were present at the magnificent Oman

Auditorium of Al Bustan Palace hotel, and it made

all of us think and also open our eyes to a dreaded

disorder called autism.

I always used to say that it is easy to speak about

something and it becomes an entirely different task

when we set about to do something. But, both these

speakers knew exactly what they were speaking,

and both had the ability to move people with words.

This can only happen when the words come straight

from the heart.

On that evening, once again I learnt some words

of wisdom that I had almost forgotten. Speak from

the heart and then the world will listen. And this

was true of these two great souls, both who are as

different as chalk and cheese, but the truth was that

their speeches complemented each other.

While Daniel’s speech lent an insight into the difficult

world of autism that he had traversed on many

years back, Sheikh Khalfan spoke about the need to

integrate the autistic children into the mainstream.

Speak from the heart and then the world will listen. And this was true of these two great souls, both who are as different as chalk and cheese, but the truth was their speeches complemented each other

Mohamed Issa Al ZadjaliEditor-in-chief

In Black...

& White

In B

lack &

Whit

e

Basically, the speeches opened the eyes of all of those

present to the problems faced by an autistic child, his/her

family and also made us understand that we cannot stand as

mute or ignorant observers when our own country’s people

are suffering in this manner.

At the Black & White, we are always on the forefront of social

causes and this autism charity and awareness drive is a

cause that we have adopted because of the sheer need it

presented. If ever we faltered in our path; if ever we needed

some push to continue on in this path, we were given that

essential spark again that evening to light the fire in our

hearts again to move ahead in our drive. I write these few

lines to thank these two stars that brightened up our event

and would also like to humbly bow my head to the spirit

within them – may it never die!

Before I conclude, let me also say that the winners of the

Sudoku for a cause, especially the new Sudoku champion,

Vishwanath, gave a sterling performance. The ladies,

Premlatha and Jade Periera would have surely run off with

the trophy, but for a patient Vishwanath who painstakingly

held on to his nerve till the end and stole the trophy from

under the ladies’ noses. Congratulations Vishwanath;

congratulations to all the winners! See you all next time!

31Black & White

B&

W X

clu

sive

32 May 21- June 20, 2011

AN EARLIER documentary on

the autistic savant Daniel Tammet

shows him being hugged by Kim

Peek, a world famous savant (who is

currently no more). Peek hugs Daniel

and tells him: “Some day you will be

as great as I am!”

Peek’s words could not have been

more prophetic. Daniel is a genius.

Although he is hesitant to display his

usually mind-boggling mathematical

skills, he is the man who could

figure out cube roots quicker than

a calculator and recall Pi to 22514

decimal places.

Besides this, he has written

two novels. The first one, an

autobiography, ‘Born on a Blue Day’,

which sold half a million copies. One

would think that was it, but he startled

everyone again by writing a second

book, 'Embracing the Wide Sky', in

which he goes further than anybody

had imagined possible in explaining

how his mind works, and putting

forward his own theories on how

normal and autistic brains function,

which top scientists have said was

astounding. Besides all this, Daniel

can also paint, mostly the numbers

that adorn his mind.

We were witness to the special

genius of Daniel at the Sudoku for

a cause: autism event at Al Bustan

Palace hotel, recently.

GIVE UNCONDITIONAL LOVE

Many in the audience were touched

by a video of his life and also his

speech where he spoke of his

childhood. Daniel, who was one

of nine children, got tremendous

support from both his parents and

siblings.

“We were poor. But, the difference

was that my parents offered

unconditional love. And that made a

difference,” Daniel later tells B&W in

an informal chat. “They always made

me feel special. I was the oldest and

I always felt I was special, not only by

my parents, but by my siblings too.”

At four he suffered epileptic

seizures, which he subsequently

outgrew following medical treatment.

He was later diagnosed with

Asperger’s Syndrome.

“Diagnosis helped me to mostly

understand myself; to better manage

my condition. It also gave me the

inspiration to help others with autism

and also their families.

“The basic message that I used

to spread was that: autism is not a

barrier to success or happiness!”

LOVE AFFAIR WITH NUMBERS

Daniel’s love affair with numbers

started young. “When I was a child,

I found it difficult to play with other

Autism is not a barrier to success or happiness

33Black & White

children; I played with numbers.

These numbers became my

friends. In my mind, numbers have

colours, shapes, and some numbers,

especially Pi, a number that is infinite

and has no end.”

PAINTING NUMBER 29 FOR OMAN

Daniel holds the European record

for reciting Pi from memory to 22,

514 digits in five hours and nine

minutes on March 14, 2004. “I recited

this in front of mathematicians from

Oxford University.” Daniel says

he sees numbers. “I can not only

verbally describe these visions, but I

have also created artwork, including

a watercolour painting of Pi.”

In one of the paintings, he painted

the first 20 digits of Pi and the picture

he sees in his head follows these

numbers. “I called the painting the

‘landscape of the Pi! There are only

50 copies in the world and we have

sold these copies all over the world.”

Daniel was generous enough to

donate one of these paintings –

number 29 out of 50 – to the autism

cause in Oman. (*)

29 LOOKS LIKE A WATERFALL

Daniel considers 29 as a “very

beautiful number – because it is

a prime number, which makes it

divisible by itself and one (1).”

He further describes 29 as “round”.

“It has a falling motion, like a

waterfall. It has purple and blue hues

and goes well with the landscape

of Pi!” And the Pi apparently is as

“beautiful as Mona Lisa”.

LEARN TO MANAGE AUTISM

Daniel also spoke quite candidly

about autism: “Autism is a lifelong

condition from which there is no cure.

One has to learn to manage the

condition as much as possible.

“People with high functioning autism

should avoid stress and try and learn

all the necessary social skills to

navigate through life!”

BREAK THE PRISON WALL

“Autism is a condition in which a

person is trapped in his/her own

self. With the right help and the

opportunities, such a person can

escape from the prison and be in

a better position to relate to other

selves.”

Daniel notes that there are some,

who after connecting and being

able to better navigate through the

complex social puzzles, might still go

backwards. “But, this happens only

when they don’t attain the support

they need.”

DON’T SET SELF-IMPOSED LIMITS

Daniel spoke about the impressive

and moving speech made by Sheikh

Khalfan El Esry at the Black &

White sudoku for a cause event

and referred to the comment on

“unconditional love”. “I would say that

it is unconditional love that autistic

children in Oman also need,” he

stressed.

“My parents gave me unconditional

love – and I firmly believe that limits

are often what we have put on

ourselves,” he added.

“We should always hope in the

great possibilities of what life can

give us – life is full of opportunities

and autistic children need hope and

help to realise these possibilities.”

AUTISTIC CHILDREN WILL MAKE

OMAN PROUD ONE DAY

The Muscat Autism Centre

(MAC) has received praise from an

unusually high quarter. The world

famous autistic savant, Daniel

Tammet himself. “I visited the

centre and found their work quite

excellent. The staff there are very

dedicated and professional; serious

and committed to what they do. I

salute the dedication of all the staff,

especially the centre’s director,

Masha'er, whose tireless devotion to

the cause of autism in Oman is an

inspiration to me and many in Oman.

“The children there are full of life

and I think with the right help and

necessary resources, this children

can make a lot of progress and

contribute to the future success of

Omani society.

“I am sure that autistic children

in Oman will also have wonderful

gifts and both the parents and the

educators are able to discover that.

Autistic children in Oman will also

make this country proud!”

(*) The painting, which is currently

with Black & White, is put on auction

and those interested in owning

this special work of art can get

in touch with the Black & White

office – Phone: 24565697; email:

blackandwhiteoman@gmail.com

B&

W X

clu

sive

34 May 21- June 20, 2011

Supporters

enlightened about

autism in Oman

Post event we were tempted to ask the ‘powers that be’, who supported this cause, as to how they found the event and if such efforts really made a difference. We also

asked these venerable friends of the autism charity event to give their take on CSR in Oman. Here is what they have to say:

An eye opener!

Hassan Shaban,

Chief marketing officer

National Bank of Oman

What was the best part of the Sudoku for a cause: (autism) event?

What about the event did you like the most?

Before this event, most of us knew very little about autism in general,

and in Oman in particular. It has been a shock to most of us to know

that there are so many autistic children in the country.

The audience was also treated to a super show and they were all

praise for the wonderful talent exhibited by the participants of the

Sudoku competition too.

Do you think such efforts can make a difference in bringing more

awareness to the autism cause?

Of course, such events are the best way to throw light on this issue. In

fact, this will help and support the government to encourage its health

service institutions to accept this segment as a group that also needs

professional care.

Should corporate(s) in Oman be more proactive on the CSR front?

What is your take on CSR in Oman?

The CSR or Corporate Social Responsibility is an evolution towards

Corporate Sustainability. The CSR is no longer an afterthought or a

mere handout. It is about corporate taking full responsibility towards

environmental issues, economical issues and social issues of our

country and for the betterment of the world at large.

It is about aligning one’s CSR strategy with the business strategy. So

yes, corporate Oman, I believe, is moving away from being reactive

and moving towards thinking and acting more proactively in the

communities where we conduct our businesses.

35Black & White

Fortune we earn is not ours alone

A combo of entertainment, spirit and knowledge

Kiran Asher,

Group Managing Director,

Al Ansari Group of Companies

(Oman/UAE/India)

Hala Srouji,

Corporate Communications Manager,

Renaissance Services SAOG

Best part:

I feel the best part of the event was the presence of Daniel Tammet himself

on the stage. His speech, in particular the words shared about his early life

as a child diagnosed with autism, were touching and something special to the

audience.

Make a difference?

Of course it can. However, a more elaborated awareness reaching to the

common man in the society is required for people in this part of the world to

understand that there are people with special needs that have not even much

heard here so far – autism being one.

Your take on CSR:

I’m of the opinion that CSR is the responsibility of everyone who earn for his/

her livelihood, irrespective of the class to which one belong. The fortune we

earn is not ours alone, it is to be used to pay three debts: to our families,

society and planet.

Best part:

When you look over at your friends and see their jaws dropped and eyes filled

with amazement, and it’s the same expression on the faces of people in the

rows around you, it’s an incredible moment – and that genuinely happened

more than once at the Sudoko for a cause event: from the speech on human

compassion given by Sheikh Khalfan El Esry, to the movie clipping about

Daniel Tammet and the announcement that he was in the crowd, to Daniel’s

touching speech, to watching the sudoko challengers work through the grids

with unbelievable speed, there were many inspiring highlights at this event.

All around it was a combination of entertainment, spirit and new knowledge,

which created a powerful momentum for human connection.

Make a difference?

Certainly, because the sort of human interaction that was present at the event

leaves an impression on the audience that goes beyond articles in papers and

other media. I saw families exchange their stories, hopes and hardships, and

for some audience members they had never heard of a savant, so the event

platform makes a real difference in going beyond the headline.

Your take on CSR:

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is definitely still occurring and it’s not

new for the country’s top businesses as CSR has been applied for decades.

At Renaissance Services the motto under our CSR programme is “genuine,

not just generous” and there is a noticeable shift in how Oman’s companies

are evaluating their CSR investments and moving towards programmes that

are sustainable, create employment and really generate a better quality of life.

B&

W X

clu

sive

36 May 21- June 20, 2011

It made a difference

Cause and the competition

a great leveller

Farid Al Lawati with Daniel Tammet

Madhu Jesrani,

General Manager,

Khimji’s Watches

Best part:

I was totally impressed by the speeches, especially the

celebrity guest’s speech and that really touching video clip

of Daniel Tammet.

Make a difference?

Yes, all these efforts would help indeed. In addition the

following could add more mileage to convey educational

and awareness information and editorials:

• Leaflets and literature (handouts; Arabic and English)

for mass distribution (particularly to residences): Scientific

information (facts and guidelines for educating the parents)

• Facts and figures on what is the situation in Oman in this

regard

• Progress and success stories

• Convoy – for spreading the message, knowledge,

guidelines and general awareness on availability of

dedicated team (and centre) who would help, plus, perhaps

a helpline…etc

• Involving the ministry of education and ministry of social

development and sharing the knowledge for their internal

day-to-day considerations; especially when dealing with

Best part:

The best part was to see the confluence of a variety of people from various

nationalities congregate for a common cause. Like the Black & White had

said in its pre-event campaigns, it was the Sudoku competition and the

autism cause that brought in various communities without any language

barrier under one roof. The event also helped us understand that although

autism cannot be cured- the best part is that for all those who are autistic,

be it children or adults, the emphasis should be on their strength, rather

than spend too much time correcting their weaknesses.

Make a difference?

Efforts like this can actually make a difference. Moreover, the presence

of geniuses like Daniel Tammet is indeed a blessing. Celebrities like him

encourage such events by their mere presence.

Your take on CSR?

We believe that the most effective way to establish and sustain a successful

business in Oman is to genuinely become a good corporate citizen and

make lasting contributions to the communities that each company operates

in. Organisations need to identify, create and execute cost effective CSR

programmes that have both an immediate and long-term impact on the

societies in which they belong.

students and families with autistic children

• Organising events for autistic children to come

out from their confined places (public events –

sponsorships – speeches …etc)

Your take on CSR:

Yes CSR can add a great value (financially).

37Black & White

B&

W X

clu

sive

38 May 21- June 20, 2011

Sudoku for a causeFor those who have missed out on the prelims (held at the Indian School Al Ghubra) and the grand finale of the Black & White You Play Sudoku open to all competition 2011, which was held at the Oman Auditorium of Al Bustan Palace Hotel recently,

here are some glimpses.Photos by Najib Al Balushi

39Black & White

Social media support:

Major Sponsors:

Co Sponsors:

B&

W X

clu

sive

40 May 21- June 20, 2011

Sudoku final at Al Bustan

41Black & White

B&

W X

clu

sive

42 May 21- June 20, 2011

43Black & White

B&

W X

clu

sive

44 May 21- June 20, 2011

45Black & White

Social media support:

Major Sponsors:

Co Sponsors:

From left: Premalatha (Ist Runner Up), Daniel Tammet, Vishwanath (winner), Jade Periera (IInd Runner Up)

46 May 21- June 20, 2011

Daniel Tammet's painting on

Landscape of the Pi Daniel Tammet has created an artwork, a

watercolour painting of Pi. He painted the first 20 digits of Pi. There are only 50 copies of this

painting in the world. This, the 29th painting, was a generous donation by Daniel to the autism cause.

Those interested please call: 98675976

Seyad Farook, ophiologist/

field herpetologist at the

Sultan Qaboos UniversityBy Seyad Farook

I remember a snake biting incident when I was in Sri Lanka many years

ago. A young man, who was known to us, was bitten by a Mole Viper,

a venomous snake. Although he lived to tell his tale, it was a harrowing

story that he presented. The young man dramatised as to how his

pupils dilated and how his face got almost paralysed. But, luckily, quick

intervention saved his life. At that time, I was not sure of what would

happen when such snakes bite, but, now I know. And I also know that

the poor young man was not giving a tall tale about the after effects of

the bite.

An Arabian cobra, the Burrowing asp (Mole Viper) or the False-horned

viper have neurotoxic (nerve-affecting) venom and a bite victim should

be treated promptly. This is a fast-acting venom and it is potentially life-

threatening.

A bite results in a tingling and mildly painful sensation starting at the bite

site and spreading. The eye lids become heavy and the pupils dilate, the

victim has difficulty in breathing and finds it difficult to swallow. Facial

muscles become partially paralysed.

The patient loses balance and is unable to speak properly. Asphyxiation

is the common cause of death in the case of neurotoxic bites due to

paralysis of the diaphragm muscle or heart failure. Neurotoxins affect the

central nervous system, causing major organs or muscles controlled by

those nerves to malfunction.

When you are bitten by a mole viper…

Natu

re's Q

uest

47Black & White

48 May 21- June 20, 2011

He walks into our office like he

owns the place (hello, this is not

John Galt or Howard Roark of Ayn

Rand book’s fame). And, then

he asks for the managing editor.

Unfortunately, managing editor

is out of the office and so, Mr So

& So angrily asks the polite man

who greets him why the managing

editor is always out. She is not

always out, the staff member

responds very pleasantly.

“I will wait 'for her',” the uninvited

guest declares and plonks, again

uninvited, on to a chair and

sat there as though someone

committed a huge crime on him.

Our staff member, goes the extra

mile, offers him tea, which the

latter accepts with a superior

air and then sips the hot and

sweet concoction with shows of

discontent. When he realises

that none of the office members

present were interested in him

and his problems, he decided that

he must indeed seek attention

and then began to berate the

company loudly, punctuated with

how and why the managing editor

was too busy to see him.

“I’ve important things to discuss

with her, but she is always busy –“

he ranted and raved. It reached a

point where the patience ran thin

among the young staff members

who were already gnashing their

teeth and clenching their knuckles

at this unwanted diatribe from a

stranger in their own office and

they would have thrown him out

in the next minute. Thankfully,

the uninvited guest realised that

things were heating up against

him and he quickly slipped out

apparently fuming. Why do

people indulge in such acts which

show themselves in poor light?

Beats us!

He wants the front seat at all of the shows he attends. He does not care

that there is a chief guest, guests of honour and other dignitaries that

automatically obtain the front seats of any event because of their stature

in society. He does not understand and does not want to understand

that. Nope! He is only one man, and he needs only one seat and that

has got to be in the first row. Umhhh, er, sorry Sir, we can’t give you

the front seat Sir, the front seats are all booked for the main dignitaries

and also the sponsors – the ones who paid money for the show and the

ones who are instrumental in making all these shows happen. If they

are mistreated in anyway, then they will just drop us like hot cakes and

we will end up paying for the event from our own pockets…Drop the

plaintive story, he says. He is not in the mood to shed a tear over our

loss. You are inviting me? Yes. Then give me a front seat or forget it.

So we forgot it!

Uninvited guest

Man of the

front seat

Nit

tern

att

er

We have been thinking of it since quite sometime now. Fi-nally, we have taken the plunge to bring home to you some offbeat stuff. Here goes, if you like it, give us the green signal for more; if not, just take it with a pinch of salt. For this fort-night, here is some nitter natter for the B&W Bitter Batter:

A lady, who prefers to be anonymous, wrote to us recently about

‘Teacher in detention’ Bitter Batter bit (Issue 31): “I am writing with

reference to your article about the ‘cold shoulder treatment being given

to a teacher’ in the last edition of your magazine. “Teachers are the

roots or the foundation of the society. However, gone are the days

when teachers were deified. In spite of working with a lot of zeal

and dedication, teachers nowadays are sandwiched between the

management, peers and the students. They have to bear the brunt

from both sides. In view of the mentioned case, it is very essential that

the school management listen to both sides of the story. I urge them

to do so at the earliest. The teacher also should be given a patient

ear. Only then, justice can be done. This will not only iron out the bad

elements in the education system, but also encourage the dedicated

teachers to work harder with more confidence. This in turn will help

shape the future of the nation and the world in a better way.”

Give the teacher

a patient hearing

(Note: Readers who have something bitter to chatter about can either email on editor@blackandwhiteoman.com or call 99218461)

AJAY ENTERPRISESPO BOX 54, PC 100. TEL : 24815485 FAX : 24815490

E-MAIL: marketing@albahja.com website: www.albahja.com

50 May 21- June 20, 2011

Kid

stuff

50 May 21- June 20, 2011

Snails range in size from 30 centimeters to 15 inches in length.They will die if they consume either salt or sugar

51Black & White

The largest land snail recorded weighed only two pounds and was 15 inches

long.

As snails move they leave behind slime.

The average life span of a snail is approximately 15 years. However, it is

believed that some species live up to 25 years depending on their habitat.

Snails are considered to be one of the slowest creatures though on the

entire earth

They are nocturnal animals, which means most of their movements take

place at night.

Snails range in size from 30 centimeters to 15 inches in length.

Snails don’t like the brightness of sunlight, which is why you will find them out

more on cloudy days. If you keep one in an aquarium you want to make sure

that too much sunlight doesn’t filter into the room. This can cause the snail to

stop eating and to spend most of its time inside of the shell.

Snails will die if they consume either salt or sugar. Make sure you don’t offer

these types of items to them when you see them or when you have one in

captivity because their bodies can process these items.

The giant african land snail is known to eat more than 500 different types

of plants.

Snails are very strong and can lift up to 10 times their own body weight in a

vertical position.

It is believed that there are at least 200,000 species of mollusks out there

including snails. Many of them haven’t been found and classified yet.

Snails don’t see very well so they have to rely upon their good sense of smell

to help them find their prey. And, they can't hear.

Tongue twistersSix slimy snails sailed silently

Fun facts about

SNAILSSnails are one of the earliest known types of animals in the world. There is

evidence that they evolved more than 600 million years ago. They are able to

adapt to a variety of living conditions and they don’t require large amounts of food.

They have been able to continually evolve to survive the conditions around them

which many researchers find to be very fascinating.

Here are some facts about snails…

51Black & White

52 May 21- June 20, 2011

Sudoku is a number-placing puzzle based on a 9x9 grid with several given

numbers. The object is to place the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so that

each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once.

SOLUTION:By Thomas Snyder

An active week ahead;

your major focus will be on

materialistic matters- gains and

financial security. Attunement to, and

appreciation of, the physical world of

the senses is the focus, and this is

a time to start fresh in terms of how

you arrange your life in order to feel a

sense of value and worthiness.

A hectic week ahead with

lots of social activities. You will be

associated with networking, making

contact, group activities, and income

earned from business.

With the New Moon here, focus is

on making contacts and reaching

out to others in both a social and

professional sense.

It is time to re energise.

Formation of new moon in your sun

sign represents new beginnings.

This is a personally busy time of

year, when you feel energetic and

enthusiastic. It is important now to

focus is on your overall personality

and habits to improve your

confidence in yourself.

A busy two to three weeks

ahead, increasing your sensitivity

to your standing in society and your

goals for constructive progress.

It’s a good time to develop new

business plans and goals, and a

sense of renewal and reinvigoration

with regards to your career goals is a

potential.

This is the period when you

like to take a pause after busy period.

It is also a period of review, letting

go, and recharging one’s spiritual

and, in effect, physical energy.

Focus, now, is on fulfillment through

service, empathy, and awareness of

other’s needs; but it can also be a

time of withdrawal.

Your spirit will grow, explore,

and expand beyond the regular

experiences in life. Make an effort

to initiate new projects or activities

that expand your mind. You may feel

renewed by a new perspective on

your life, something philosophical or

spiritual that you read or learn, or an

adventure that takes you away.

March 21-April 20

June 22-July 23

April 21-May 20

July 24-August 23

May 21-June 21

August 24-September 23

Your starsARIES

CANCER

TAURUS

LEO

GEMINI

VIRGO

Horo

scope

You will be enthusiastic to

fulfill your duties however, obstacles

in communications is experienced.

Holding off on important discussions,

interviews, or contracts is probably

wise right now, as thinking is foggy

and misunderstandings are likely. It is

also possible that your responsibility

may get increased with new project.

Romantic inclinations

are highlighted, as are any kind of

celebratory, playful, and just-for-fun

endeavours.

You will be especially aware of your

need for approval and feedback from

others, deriving pleasure from the

ways your own creativity impact the

world around you.

This is the time when you

may redefine the existing relations

or may enter into a new one. If you

find yourself sensitive to the feeling

of lacking support from partners, this

may be a good time to ask yourself

how companionable you are, and

work on developing yourself in this

area of life.

On a personal,

developmental level, this is a time to

not only listen to what is in your mind,

but to forgive and forget. This is the

time to explore and develop a sense of

inner security. Activities of home and

its surroundings will be highlighted. It’s

an excellent time to come in touch with

your feelings and needs.

A smooth week ahead that

makes you aware of your health or

work schedules. It is possible that

you may make changes in both of

these areas of life to make your

environment smoother than before.

It is also a good time for analysis of

any sort, as critical thinking is now at

its peak.

It is time for learning

something new, feeling at ease

in social situations, taking care

of the details of daily life, and

developing a mental rapport

with others. It is a time when

you will be more aware of your

environment, and when you

experience increased alertness.

September 24-October 22

December 23-January 20

October 23-November 22

January 21-February 19

November 23-December 22

February 20-March 20

LIBRA

CAPRICORN

SCORPIO

AQUARIUS

SAGITTARIUS

PISCES

MARILYN MONROE (BORN NORMA JEANE MORTENSON, JUNE 1, 1926 – AUGUST 5, 1962)

was an American actress, singer and model. Monroe began a career as a model, which led to a

film contract in 1946. Her early film appearances were minor, but her performances in The Asphalt

Jungle and All About Eve were well received. By 1953, Monroe had progressed to leading roles.

She received a Golden Globe Award for her performance in Some Like It Hot (1959). In 1999,

Monroe was ranked as the sixth greatest female star of all time by the American Film Institute. In

the years and decades following her death, Monroe has often been cited as a pop and cultural icon.

AJAY ENTERPRISESPO BOX 54, PC 100. TEL : 24815485 FAX : 24815490

E-MAIL: marketing@albahja.com website: www.albahja.com

FREE 20,500 copies (being audited)

Circulation Enquiries: 98675976/24565697Advertisement Enquiries: 97679290/24565697

www.blackandwhiteoman.com

AVAILABLEall over Oman on 7th & 21stof every month

First Free Fortnightly magazine

55Black & White 55Black & White

By Praba Iyer

Praba Iyer is a graduate of the

California Culinary Academy

in San Francisco. She was

the Associate Chef at Greens

Restaurant in Fort Mason, SF.

She teaches custom cooking

classes in the bay area

Cookin

g

55Black & White

A Maizeing CORNNative Americans call it the food of the Gods that created the earth. Yes, corn has an

important place in history. Its origin dates back to 5000 years and takes us to Mexico. Corn

is high in vitamin B and a very good source of dietary fiber, phosphorus, zinc and iron. It

helps lower cholesterol and increases digestion. Fresh corn is popping up in all farmers

markets and grocery stores. Corn on the cobb is the favoured snack for my boys. I roast

the corn on the stove, for about five to seven minutes and brush it with butter and sprinkle

salt and pepper. I make an Indian version with lime juice, cayenne and chaat masala for

myself. Yum! Here are some corn recipes you might enjoy!

Ingredients

Corn meal -11/2 cups

Unbleached flour-½ cup

Baking powder-2 tsp

Baking soda-½ tsp

Fresh corn kernels-11/2 cup

Red bell pepper-1/3 cup(chopped

into small squares)

Green chili-1 small (chopped fine)

Cilantro-1/4 cup (chopped)

Buttermilk-2 cups plus 1/3 cup water

Oil-½ cup

Salt-1 tsp

Sugar-1 tsp

This appetiser is tasty and filling and

can be whipped out in the last minute.

Ingredients

Corn meal -½ cup

Unbleached flour-1 cup

Baking soda-1 tsp

Fresh corn kernels -1 cup

Shallots-½ cup (chopped fine)

Red curry paste-¼ tsp (Thai time

brand)

Cilantro-1/3 cup (chopped fine)

Green Onions-1 Tbsp (chopped fine)

Salt -To taste

Sugar-a pinch

Water-½ - 1 cup

Oil -For shallow frying

Method

Mix all dry ingredients in a bowl and

add fresh corn, shallots, red curry

paste, cilantro and green onions and

add water to make the consistency

of pancake batter. Heat a flat pan on

medium flame and add a tbsp of oil

and spread it all around. Place about

four to five dollops of the batter on

the hot pan and let the fritters cook

for about one to two minutes on

each side, or until golden brown on

both sides. Remove and place it on

a paper towel to remove excess oil.

Serve warm with sour cream and

chives.

The colours and taste of this salsa

are equally vibrant.

Ingredients

Black bean-1 (15 oz) can

Fresh corn kernels-2 cups

Vine ripe tomatoes-1(chopped into

cubes)

Red onion-1 (small, chopped fine)

Green onion-2 (chopped )

Cilantro -½ cup ( chopped fine)

Jalapeno pepper-1 (small, seeded,

chopped)

Cumin powder-1 tsp

Garlic clove-1 (chopped fine)

Lime juice-2 Tbsp

Salt -to taste

Pepper-to taste

Method

Mix all the

ingredients and

refrigerate for a

few hours until

the flavors blend.

Enjoy!

EGGLESS CORN BREAD

CORN FRITTERS

BLACK BEAN AND CORN SALSA

Method

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brush

a bread pan with butter. Place all

the dry ingredients in a bowl and mix

well. Add the corn, bell pepper, green

chili, and cilantro and mix.

Whisk the oil, buttermilk and water

together in a separate bowl and then

add the dry ingredients to it. The

mixture should be of cake batter

consistency. Pour the batter into the

bread pan and bake for an hour at

350 degrees. The corn bread is done

when a tooth pick inserted to the

middle comes out clean. Serve it with

a dollop of crème fraiche.

Laila, Omani graduate student of Nizwa University

The queen of everyone’s heart

It is true mother...No one else can be what you have been to us. You are

the queen of everyone’s heart. We all know that loving you is like food for

our souls therefore, we cannot stop loving you. And we are all sure that

paradise is under your feet. So, you deserve to be more than a queen in our

hearts!

I sincerely don’t think we need a single day to show you how much we

love you and care about you. So, forgive me if I say that you are my queen

every single day of my life. However, Mother’s Day (which was celebrated

recently) is like every day to me and the only thing new is that all people

over the world are celebrating this day for their mothers. So, I decided to

say thanks to you in a special way.

However, our true feelings are always in our hearts and we have real

feelings for our mothers. And we pray to God to keep her (our mothers)

beside us because she is the only person that the world seems impossible

to do without. All of us think what we can do to be blessed by our mothers

and there are thousands of answers to this question but there is only way to

do it. That is to pray for her and never ever let her down.

It is really hard to find enough words to say to a mother on such a special

day. But it is not that much hard to give your heart space to say something

that is true, like ‘I love you mom’. Always remember that although there are

thousands of stars in the pretty sky and hundreds of lovely dewdrops to

greet the dawn, we have only ONE MOTHER in this whole wide world.

These lines are not enough to express my gratitude to my dear mother,

who is indeed greater than mere words. This is just a short message to you

sweet mom: I am very proud to be your angel and to belong to such a great

woman. I am so thankful to God to live with you and be blessed enough to

learn from you.

You are the open school of all the seasons for me. And you are the piece

of diamond that I would never let go any day. You are my peaceful shelter

every time I need one and you are the love I have inside my heart. My

prayers are always for you, my sweet mother.

Even when I get old, I will always remember that you are the one, “who ran

to help me when I fell; and would some pretty story tell, or kiss the place to

make it well. My Mother” (Anne Taylor).

By Laila Ibrahim Obaid Al-Gharbi

lalgharbi@yahoo.comLearn

ing c

urv

e

56 May 21- June 20, 2011

Recently I had a crash course in luxury. That too from a saint who had

relinquished his extremely wealthy lifestyle to become a wandering

saint from city to city with just a single piece of clothing and not a single

possession in the world. So luxury and sainthood…hand in hand…

SAINT IN GUCCI OR LOUIS VUITTON.

He told me that he never has to look after anything in his life, because he

has no possessions, he has no home, but has one house in practically

every city in India, more than what Mukesh Ambani can boast of.

These homes are well maintained and he does not have to worry about

their maintenance; he does not have to even bother with their running

efficiently, he eats only when hungry so no storage, to top it all, his

devotees invite him home and each of them makes about seven to 10

dishes and he always have a feast of 40 to 50 dishes per meal to choose

from.

Wow! Again more than even what the richest can speak about. He never

puts on weight because he walks everywhere, hence no diseases, he

only wears white, which is always in vogue so he’s a fashionista, he

sleeps at sundown so no need to leave a big carbon footprint.

I heard this in amazement and wondered whether I was chasing a

mirage, because he sure is on the right path and he doesn’t have a care

in the world.

He looks fresher and younger than me and is at peace with himself.

So where am I going wrong? I think all of us know the answer we are

running after things that are transitory and stuck in a vicious cycle

of acquisition with little dispensation, our little worlds of meanness,

hierarchy, bossing over the poor and we then get our comeuppance from

someone who has a bigger better deal from someone more powerful.

Look at ahem. Lalit Modi(where is he now?), Shashi Tharoor, the list is

endless...

But I hope we learn and move on to the real luxuries…the loin clothed

saint had got it right.

Luxuries…Bring it on

Vandana, award winning author (‘360 Degrees Back to Life')

By Vandana Shah

It's m

y lif

e

Vandana Shah, Author 360 Degrees Back To life, editor of Ex-Files. www.vandanashah.com.

Email me what you’d like to say on 360degreesbacktolife@gmail.com

Follow me on twitter Vandy4PM

57Black & White

58 May 21- June 20, 2011

shape n

sound

Why am I so

TIRED?The single biggest complaint doctors receive from

female patients today is fatigue. If you are sleep

deprived and having only around five or six hours a

night, then, it is going to catch up with you, but if you

are getting a healthy seven to eight hours a night

and you’re still tired, then you need to go for a check

up, local doctors say.

If you feel symptoms of fatigue for more than two

weeks, even if they are mild, get a blood test. Once

you have ruled out critical concerns and anaemia,

you can begin to make some positive lifestyle

changes that can help reverse fatigue and give you

your energy back.

While occasionally fatigue may be a sign of a

serious illness, experts say most often it’s caused by

a minor problem, with a relatively easy fix.

Let us quickly check if you are anaemic, or

having an underactive thyroid etc:

ANAEMIA

Doctors note that if you are in your reproductive

years, and particularly if you experience heavy

menstrual cycles, have fibroid tumors or uterine

polyps, or if you’ve recently given birth, the blood

loss may have caused you to develop anaemia -- a

leading cause of fatigue in women.

To confirm a diagnosis of anaemia, your physician

will give you a blood test. Treatment, usually

consists of iron supplements if iron deficiency is

the cause, and adding iron-rich foods -- such as

spinach, broccoli, and red meat -- to your diet.

UNDERACTIVE THYROID (HYPOTHYROIDISM)

If you are generally sluggish, run down, and even

a little depressed, chances are that the problem may

be a slow thyroid, also known as hypothyroidism.

The thyroid is a small, butterfly shaped gland that

sits at the base of your neck and controls your

metabolism, the speed at which your body operates.

Blood tests known as T3 and T4 will detect thyroid

hormones.

CAFFEINE OVERLOAD

Many of us grab a coffee or cola for a quick burst

of energy, but for some women, caffeine can have

the opposite effect. Caffeine is a stimulant, but if you

take too much, the tables can turn and continuous

intake can result in fatigue.

Quick steps to take:

SLEEP

There is nothing like a good night’s sleep in a

dark room to regulate hormonal output, particularly

melatonin. Adults need seven to nine hours of sleep

per night for sleep to have a restorative effect. And

they must get enough deep (REM) sleep, which

is compromised by sleep apnea and other sleep

disorders. School-age children and teenagers need

at least eight to ten hours of sleep.

EMOTIONS AND STRESS

It is quite possible that your fatigue has both a

physical and emotional component. Many of us have

a constant stream of chatter going on in our heads

— a kind of stress implant from our earliest years —

that requires a great deal of subconscious energy to

manage. Learning what your private litany is — be it

chants of self-criticism, despair, anger, grief, shame

or fear — may be the first step toward turning down

its volume and reversing the spiral of fatigue.

DIETARY HABITS

Often the first thing missing in our high-paced

lifestyle is good nutrition. Stress and adrenal fatigue

can lead to binge eating and carb cravings. A

body that is running on the stress hormone cortisol

needs a readily available source of energy, so your

brain sends out craving signals for substances

like nicotine, caffeine or sugar that will head

straight for the bloodstream. But these are only

temporary reinforcements that eventually send your

body crashing down, along with blood sugar and

serotonin levels.

58 May 21- June 20, 2011

59Black & White 59Black & White

60 May 21- June 20, 2011

I AGREE ON ONE FACTOR THOUGH: women

are more likely to express themselves more in

relationships than their male counterparts. But

silent love is also love. Love burns in the heart

of men, but we are not good at expressing

ourselves, that is all.

PILLARS OF SUPPORT

It is worthy to understand that women go

into relationships looking at the man as a pillar

on which they could lean on. But, this may put

in lot of stress in a man who now feels he has

to be the ‘pillar’ no matter what, because that

is the basis on which the relationship stands.

Every man – macho or not – gets a high

when a woman, especially his woman, runs

to him for support. So this means that there

is a constant pressure on the man. But,

imagine if men start showing similar emotion

like women. What if we all start crying and

weeping at the shortest notice? Would you

(women) like it? I wouldn’t think so.

HIDE FEELINGS

So, we hide our feelings, pain and worries so

that you can be comfortable.

When you run to us with problems and

expect us to solve all of them, have you ever

paused for a moment and wondered whether if

he is okay to delay with your problems.

No! You want to be consoled, and you want

consolation right now and you don’t care

whether we are in the right frame of mind to

deal with it.

to womenBy a man

An

OPEN LETTER

Ladies, forgive me for saying this,

but, don’t you think that you are

always getting away with it? Most of the

time you have it quite easy and I would say that it

is the same when it comes to relationships.

Why is it that only your heart bleeds? You think our hearts are

any different? They don’t pump blood? God didn’t make our hearts?

Some miserly mechanic made it? Sorry, no. I believe that our hearts are

in no way different from yours.

And, how can our own male tribe make this mistake of saying that only a

woman’s heart can bleed? That is so biased, and if it were not only female

writers writing this statement, I would have said: “So, like a woman!”

61Black & White

Sorry. You don’t like to hear this, but you

have got to: men are humane beings like

you. Blood run in our veins. We feel pain;

we get hurt and sometimes we feel insecure

too. Yes, there are times when we also get

scared. It doesn’t sound macho, but there

you are.

And that is when we are forced to do

the silent act, well, not an act, but we go

down the silent drain, quietly drowning our

sorrows in whatever we know best to do

and hoping we can sort of numb that pain.

Tears don’t roll down our cheeks, but our

hearts wring in untold agony.

LOVE IS HERE

And when you (women) hurt us, we

also hurt badly. Our heart weeps. But our

tongue, unlike yours, is silent.

We can’t articulate our pain like you do.

You are an expert at that; we are duds at

this, so we go into silence mode.

Yes, that angers you. You go wild, because

silence is insulting and you go on an anger

campaign against us, blind to the fact that

what we need is not criticism, complaints,

comparisons…what we need is a bit of

appreciation for the way we are.

Listen, we are not perfect (and neither

are you) and if you look at relationships like

this, you will realise that the love you seek

is already there. Waiting for you.

Run, it’s a snake; he screamed and sprinted

out in front. All of us ran for our lives.

None of us have ever seen a snake, other

than in a movie; it was a pitch dark and

the path we took to flee, was much more

dangerous than the snake itself!

But, what the heck, my brother was leading

the gang, though he never fancied any sports

or games all his student life, we followed

blindly!

We reached home and while catching our

breath, one of the cousins asked, how big a

snake was it?

No answer...!

The one who called ‘tiger’, stammered

and said pretty long, “it fell on me and was

dangling on my shoulder, reaching my foot!”

We thought he was brave, but as my dad

came in, he told the staff to go up to the place

and check out on the snake.

We followed thrilled in anticipation of seeing a

snake being caught live.

It was an incident that happened during

one of our short vacations we spend with

dad during the summer break. My dad was

posted at one of the remote railway stations

and we joined him at his workplace during

our holidays.

Some four to five staff took up the search,

with lights and weapons, but after a long one

hour search we returned disappointed. No

sign of any snake anywhere.

The night we spend was filled with whispers

of fear and thrill, all about a snake that was

going to gobble us all up!

My brother was bragging that he stamped

on the snake and crushed it with his boots

and we knew he was far away from truth and

equally scared as well.

We slept planning to wake up early and

capture the snake alive the next morning.

Dad did ask us to stay away from the railway

tracks, but in broad sunlight, everything

looked normal and safe. We searched around

till afternoon, and found out a black electrical

cord in the tracks, which looked very similar

to that of our music recorder.

It took us a few minutes to retrace and

come out with the right version. My brother

had taken the music player, along with the

electrical cord attached to it. He had the

player hooked under his arm pit, with the

wire dangling down behind. The wire hit his

legs and in the eerie dark night scenario,

panic caught up with him and his fear played

games with his mind. He stamped the cord

down and threw the player away and ran for

his life. We were chattering away just behind

him and heard only his scream!

We followed suit.

We laughed our vacation away. Till date we

bully him on his snake episode…

The only thing to fear is fear itself, he had

said casually recently explaining to his

kids… he fears for them now. Often we fear

situations that are in no way life-or-death.

When you are in deep sleep, a snake may

glide close to you, but you are not afraid

because you don’t know there is a snake

beside you. On the other hand, when you are

awake, the sight of even an electrical cord or

a coiled piece of rope can fill you with fear,

because you think that the rope is a snake.

He laughs at it today, saying, fear, my dear

is a fear! When you fear, you run, and he

is quite a fearless man today. But in those

childhood days he remained pretty mad.

He sometimes believes it ‘could’ have been

a snake.

What is this fear of fear? The fear of

the future, the fear of losing, the fear of

performing, the fear of hurting, the fear of

acquiring, the fear of establishing, the fear of

future, the fear of old age, the fear of solitude,

the fear of death… ?

Life is going to be a very long run…

Now, what do we do to get a mind without

fear?

By Priya Arunkumar

priya@blackandwhiteoman.comHooked

The fear of fear