Black & white mag issue 61

SAMI YUSUFSAMI YUSUFlive in Omanlive in Oman p38p38

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Back to school p19

Infin8 clicks p12

Sami Yusuf, a British singer-songwriter, composer, producer and

multi-instrumentalist musician of Iranian-Azeri origin will perform

in Oman on August 30. In 2003 Yusuf released his first album

"Al-Mu`allim" at the age of 23, selling over two million copies.

Today he is considered the most popular Arab artist who can pull

crowds with his soulful singing in several languages.

3August 7 - September 6

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Published by: Muscat Press & Publishing House SAOC

Black & White

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

Office location: Hatat House A, II Floor, Suite No: 212, Wadi Adai

Ph: 24565697 Fax: 24565496

Website: www.blackandwhiteoman.com

Editorial: [email protected]

Printed at Oman Printers

Xclusive

Editor-in-chief Mohamed Issa Al Zadjali

Managing editor Priya Arunkumar

Work editor Adarsh Madhavan

Editorial Khadija Al Zadjali

Design & production Beneek Siraj

Photography Haitham Al Balushi

Advt. & marketing Priyanka Sampat

Conte

nts

The general belief is that women are

more prone to suffer from phobias

than men. Depression and anxiety,

generally, are more common in

women than men

V. M. Sathish, an Indian journalist

in Dubai, has unveiled the many

distressing encounters faced

by expatriates in the Gulf with

his magnum opus, Distressing

Encounters – Real Life Stories from a

Reporter’s Diary

52

24

12 Infin8 clicks

Women more prone to phobias

Sathish unveils his“distressing encounters”

Top Omani businessman, Khalid

Al Wahaibi, and his friend, a

globetrotting British photographer,

Robert (Bob), have united to form

Infin8 Creative, a photo studio, which

the dynamic duo believe can bring

about change in the photographic

scene in Oman

Sami Yusuf Live in Oman38Black & White in association with Bandera Events is jointly bringing the famed British singer, Sami Yusuf, to perform at

the SQU Grand Hall in Oman. This is his first ever appearance in Oman.


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These days, when you go to a clinic…By Adarsh Madhavan

This friend of mine visited me after he recently took

his wife for a checkup at a local private clinic.

He was standing on one leg and swearing against

the clinic. I told him if he continued in that manner

he would soon be perambulating on the ground

and his verticality would be horizontality. And he

would probably need to go back to the clinic again.

My friend was in no mood for humour. He was not

feeling one bit funny and so I made a dour face to

suit his black mood. Even if I die, I will not go there,

he declared and the pun effect was not lost on me

so I guffawed. To which he protested: you never take

anything seriously.

So, I made a very very serious face, looked like the

doctor has just pronounced me dead and I said ok I

am all ears. Spit it out!

So he spat it out: he had taken his wife to the

gynaecologist and since the appointment was at

2pm and even at 3.30pm the queue before them was

still standing, the hubby, my good friend, decided

that instead of wasting time, it was good to get

himself a quick checkup.

And, as there weren’t too many patients there, the

husband was quickly shuttled into the GP’s room.

The GP, apparently, a dry old boring doctor, who

had no room for any niceties of any sort, quickly got

into the heart of the matter, or rather, succeeded in

puncturing it. “If he was not an old man, I would have

done him in,” my friend muttered. You are not telling

me what happened, I told him. “Yes, to cut a long

story short, I told him that I was feeling a bit down

under the weather and he made me strip and do all

tests…” Like what?

“Well, all of them. By the time, my wife got out of

her appointment with her doctor, I was still doing an

ECG.”

ECG? Why did he make you take an ECG?

“The doctor felt that it was better that I took it. So I

did it. I guess it must have been my comment that I

had trouble climbing stairs, lately.”

[email protected]

Ok, I don’t know about that, and then what happened?

“Now, I have to see a cardiologist with the ECG results!”

Oh.

And did you get the ECG result? “Well, yes, I did, but

although the GP said it is ok, he insisted that I should see

the cardiologist. It was always better.”

And your wife?

“Oh, my God, other than conducting a surgery, they did

everything to her.”

Since it was a lady’s issue, I could not probe, nor, even

ask further details, but I understood that consultations

alone on both fronts cost him and the other tests tore into

his pocket and now both were asked to take further tests.

And this had nothing to do with my poor friend who

accidently walked into the GP’s office for a mild check up

and got a tad bit poorer. Since he and his wife had not

registered at the clinic, that had to be done and then the

consultation fees. In the meantime, the GP had suggested

that he should also undergo an X-ray.

But, what are you having; what did he say was wrong with

you?

“That is what they are trying to find out,” my friend retorted

angrily.

Don’t get angry, I am just wondering what exactly is

wrong. Why did you go to the GP in the first place?

“Well, I was feeling a bit down under and that day since

I had a lot of time to kill, I took the road quite often

travelled,” my friend explained.

But, then you got ‘roadrollered’ by the clinic, I laughed.

“Don’t laugh -- it is not a laughing matter.”

I stopped and then continued in a serious vein: but, do you

think these many tests were required?

“I don’t know, but the doc said that I should do these tests

to rule out all possibilities…”

And after all these tests, are you feeling better now?

“No. Worse!”

Uh oh, I thought, that would mean another trip to the clinic

and another field day for the latter. But, I did not laugh.

What if my friend got upset and rupture a spleen and then

it would be back to square one.

All a

bout

X,

Y &

Z


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Teaching values

Great job Dar Al Atta’a

Readers

colu

mn

Mail your views and opinions at

[email protected]

There was indeed a time when learning was held under

trees (issue 60). It was a time when genuine knowledge

was taught and the kids who benefited from such an

experience have considered it to be life changing

because it indeed made them into leaders of their time.

The Holy Quran schools of that time and today hinge

on one singular theme: the knowledge and the values

it taught the children. This is the underlying strength of

these schools and the only difference today is that the

amenities of the schools teaching the Holy Quran have

become modernised.

Abdullah Al Harthy, Seeb

Dar Al Atta’a has done a commendable job in restoring

the over 100 year old Bani Rabia Holy Quran school

in Al Khabourah. In the early days, this school used to

teach students in just one room. Today, it is a three

room building with other necessary facilities and it will

prove to be a boon for students of that area. Great job

Dar Al Atta’a!

Tanveer Mohammed, Suweiq


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Pla

ygro

und

Get to know them and you understand what they have

in common and why they have linked up in a brand

new project set to change the face of photography in

Oman. Both Khalid and Bob share an unusual passion

for photography and this is the simple reason why they

seemed to have ‘clicked’. And their joint passion has

resulted in a multipurpose photo studio, which is located

in the basement of the Amideast

building in Ghala.

They have called their labour

of love, Infin8 Creative, a

photo studio, which the

dynamic duo believe

can bring about

change in the

wasteland of

photography

in town,

seed it

with

new ideas that would ideally spring forth a new dimension

for photography lovers in town and bring about a new

breed of photographers who will look at images in Oman

in a different light.

“There is no end to creativity!” declares Khalid, who

switches from the role of the managing director of

Assarain Group of Companies to a photographer

enthusiast in his trademark nonchalant manner. Khalid

and Bob appear totally relaxed and at ease in their

huge underground studio, which hosted an array of

professional, top quality cameras and state-of-the-art

equipment.

INFIN8 – LIFE AT A CLICK

Infin8 is a photographer’s dream house. This is

the D-age studio with technology oozing from

every pore of the building and yet remains an

ocean of serenity thanks to the cheerful and

relaxed outlook of its two main protagonists.

In fact, Khalid and Bob seemed to look too

relaxed in their swank, modern and well-

equipped photo and design studio. But

neither of them is even remotely

laid back. As the interview

progressed we realised that

they were totally passionate

about photography and

Infin8 Creativity was a

right platform for them to

bring their photography

dreams to reality.

Though the duo, along

with their team of

INFIN8At a glance, Khalid Al Wahaibi and Robert McCaffrey

would seem to be as different as chalk and cheese. Khalid is a top Omani businessman with his base firmly entrenched

in the Sultanate as the head of a major Omani business conglomerate, while British photographer, Robert (Bob), a

globetrotting photographer, who, after happily clicking around the world, mainly for sporting events and doing international

shoots for major corporations, is now eager to break new grounds in Oman.

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August 7 - September 62 0 1 3


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three photographers and designers and many others on

reserve around the globe, are able to combine elements

from design, web design and corporate branding through

to wedding, family portraits, location and advertising

photography, they hope to take it on an entirely different

level. “Yes, we will do any type of photography, but

do bear in mind that we want to give an entirely new

experience for our clients,” Khalid said. He also added

that the other prime area they were looking into was to

develop local talent. “The Infin8 team believes that there

is no end to creativity as long as the mind is young

and active. There is no dearth of talent in the Omani

youth and we hope to bring out their best by

involving them locally and creating workshops

that will enhance their natural talents and skills.

What Oman lacks is a professional set up

and exposure. Infin8 will ensure to provide a

common platform and train the local talent,

while bringing out the best in them,” Khalid

enthused. “Creativity is not anyone’s

copyright! It is the language of the mind.

A common, simple, day-to-day topic can

be presented in an entirely captivating

manner if the right dose of creativity

is applied to it... life becomes

colourful and fascinating when you

look at it from your mind’s eye...

photography always fascinated

me, in fact images did, either in

film, on lens or on mother nature’s

canvas! The brown mynahs on the

green grass, the black raven, the brownish mountains,

the green turtles, the flowing wadis, the yellow sands,

the list is endless in Oman. Nature has endowed Oman

with natural beauty unlike any other country in this region.

My affair with the images started 10 years back when

I picked up a camera of my own and started capturing

the images. Photography became my hobby, and when

I met Bob I realised it was more

than just a passing phase,

I wanted to start off a

unique platform that

will bring likeminded

professionals

together and offer

the local market

quality

13B&W


Khalid and Bob at

their studio


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photography, production services

and nurture talent.”

BRIDGING THE GAP

Khalid also raised a thought

provoking point: “Lot of local

corporate head to the UAE for

professional and creative services

for their brands and communications.

Why does this happen? Why can't

we keep our rials here in the local

market? Oman has progressed so

much in the recent years and why

can't we offer good quality creativity

for our local market? This thought

brought us together and we created

Infin8 Creative agency, which has

a unique studio floor, cameras and

equipments to meet the requirement

and a team of creative professionals

that will put together great ideas

in a different manner. Why go to

other markets and countries and let

business and economy flow out of

the country?”

USE AND THROW SOCIETY!

Bob averred. Infin8 will work on

these aspects and they hoped to

develop a new culture that would

take photography seriously and give

it a better status. For this, the team

will start at the grassroots level and

slowly take it up on a higher plane.

Bob also stressed on the need to

develop local talent, which was there

in plenty.

Yet, the advent of smart phones

posed a different scenario as it

brought forth a “use and throw

society” as far as photography was

concerned: “Anyone can buy a

camera... in fact with the overflow of

smart phones in the market today

everyone is a photographer.

“We live in a use and throw

society today. In the earlier days,

photography was a hobby of the

rich and it was a complicated affair

too. You needed to own equipment,

a dark room and know how to mix

chemicals etc...The processes

involved were cumbersome enough

to make photography the profession

of a genius. Then the images had

to be printed, cut and photos and

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ygro

und

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negatives stored in an organised

way. Today it is easy. Life is made

easy with the discovery of digital

technology, the advent of Photoshop

and image manipulations.

“You click hundreds of images on

a whim and store them as long

as your memory card can hold

them. Affordability and availability

of various digital cameras and

phones have changed the way we

look at photography. Today, what

differentiates a real professional

photographer is not the camera he

uses, it is his ability to visualise an

ordinary image to an extraordinary

canvas.”

Recalling a recent incident at one of

their workshops, Bob noted that there

were young Omanis with talent and

the ability to visualise in a different

manner: “I remember a very young

Omani kid who attended one of

our workshops recently. He walked

in with a normal smart phone and

started clicking photos and images.

He had a totally different point of

view; he expressed himself well...and

it was reflected in the images that he

created for they were totally different

from the rest of the lot.”

The Infin8 team believes that there is no end to creativity as long as the mind is young and active. There is no dearth of talent in the Omani youth and we hope to bring out their best by involving them locally and creating workshops that will enhance their natural talents and skills

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Men r

ead


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Men are not ashamed when it comes to building muscles.

The beef their cake and eat it too. But, anything that has

been the long held privilege of the fairer sex is now slowly

being encroached by men and perhaps some of them are

feeling bad about it. Perhaps, that explains, in parts, why

men feel so bad to admit that they are on a diet.

An earlier survey had revealed that although the majority

of men wanted to lose weight one in three men would

not divulge it to family and friends. Some said it was

embarrassment that prevented them from sharing their

fitness goal, while others noted that they were anxious

that they would be seen as vain if they confessed. Yet,

some other admitted that they were worried that close

ones would tempt them to break their diet by offering

sugary and fatty treats.

Meanwhile, recently published reports say that in the

last 12 months, 32 percent of UK males have gone on

a diet in an attempt to lose weight. However many feel

embarrassed to admit this to their friends or family or

seek out diet-related products when shopping. Findings

from a new survey from Canadean Custom Solutions

reveal that dieting is still seen as a social taboo by men

and something predominately associated with females.

Of the one third of male adults who have dieted in the

last 12 months, only 22 percent say that they have

successfully stuck to their plan to lose weight. When it

comes to weight loss, men believe that changing what

they eat and drink is more effective than exercise. Forty

six percent say that they have changed their dietary plan,

whilst 44 percent said that they have reduced the portion

sizes of the food they eat. In comparison, 26 percent said

they had started to exercise and 27 percent said they had

increased the amount they exercise. However, it is clear

that a stigma still exists among men when it comes to

dieting. A total of 21percent of male dieters said that they

find it embarrassing buying weight-loss related groceries

in store. This was particularly true among male dieters

aged 18 to 24 years old, with 67percent saying this is

the case. This embarrassment will result in male dieters

spending less time in grocery stores searching for what

they perceive to be the right food and drink.

The survey also finds that a significant number of

male dieters wish to keep their diet a secret. One

fifth (21percent) of male dieters say that they find it

embarrassing talking about weight loss with friends and

family. Again, this attitude was most prevalent among

dieters aged 18 to 24 years old (34 percent).

Emma Herbert, research manager at Canadean Custom

Solutions comments “dieting is still seen as a social taboo

among some men and a trait associated with females.

This is particularly true among younger males where

image is of particular importance, and dieting can prompt

feelings of inferiority and embarrassment.”

According to Herbert, men’s reluctance to share tips such

as recipes are likely to have a negative effect on their

dietary plans. “If there is any chance of the prevalence of

obesity among males to decline, they will have to be more

open about their dietary regime.”

Herbert calls for a change in the industry. “The industry

can also do more, reducing the embarrassment

associated with dieting among males through the way

diet-related products are positioned.” (About this survey:

This Canadean Custom Solutions survey is based on

interviews with 980 UK-based males. The interviews were

conducted in July 2013, [email protected])

Men EMBARRASSED to admit they are on a DIET

Is it wrong to admit it, or do men think it is kind of sissy to say they are dieting? Somehow it beats reason but men are increasingly shying away from such aspects, which they feel are dolling themselves up. In a metrosexual world this bashfulness is

unnecessary.


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50 shades of black…in an unfair worldBy Adarsh Madhavan

O

ff th

e wall

[email protected]

“Hee hee hee,” my dark-skinned college-mate burst with

unconcealed mirth. His pearly whites gleamed on his black

face as he guffawed to glory. “Fair & Lovely,” he burst

out. “My brother has a Fair & Lovely stashed away in his

cupboard, hee!”

I remember the unashamed glee that my dark skinned friend

in college had in repeating how he discovered a battered Fair

& Lovely cream tube hidden in his equally dark skinned elder

brother’s cupboard. His brother was deep into college politics

and usually maintained a very stern and strict bearing and

so my little big-brother-bullied friend was quite happy that he

could burst the bubble. “All this time he was secretly applying

Fair & Lovely,” he wickedly giggled. We all laughed with him.

I laughed the loudest. My skin then and now actually looked

like it needed a fair share of Fair & Lovely, but at that age, I

was invincible, didn’t think I would need cream to look fair. I

felt fair.

As a baby, I must have been different. Chubby and even fair

skinned. So says my mum. Mums never lie. Awright, awright,

I have got some snaps to prove that too. But, then as a kid,

I was skinny and dark. As an adolescent, I was skinny and

dark. As a full fledged man, I was skinny and dark. And as a

diabetes-ridden middle ager, I am still skinny and dark. I will

die, skinny and dark and oh yes, wrinkled too.

And all the Fair & Lovely’s and even the Fair & Handsome’s

in this world would not have made me either fair, nor lovelier

or even handsome. Yet, when I look back, I wonder, did

I miss the boat because I looked the way I looked? I may

sound as though I am an honest, straightforward man, but

don’t you read a skein of regret in between these lines;

can’t you detect a thin whisper of a dirge that hankered for a

‘fairer’ fate?

It is a heartbeat that I am going to miss, but I guess I am no

better than any of the mindless out there who are slave to the

fair and lovely’s in this world for I was and am still a closet

lover of all things fair. One can’t escape this desire, I guess.

Yet, I have chosen all things dark and black. Not because

of compromise though. I chose so because I realised in this

twist and turns of desires in me, the truth was I loved

the colour black and also the colour brown.

But in my youth, except for some skirmishes with

some who found me dark and told me so in black and

white, no one teased me for my colour although many

did rag me to death about my skin and bone structure.

My colour, like my caste, was never in question until I

got into a job and came to this part of the world. And

then suddenly it hit me, gosh, I was not just skinny,

I was dark too! I remember a lady who laughed and

asked me whether all south Indians were dark and

I gave an angry retort that would have singed her

soul. Like the ad showing the skinny runt who gets

teased on a beach by beach bodied bums, I wanted

to pump Fair & Lovely and become instantly fair, but

better sense prevailed and I stuck on with coconut oil,

Kerala ishstyle!

I know I have sort of escaped the travails of a brown/

black man thanks to my good fate, but I really wonder

what would have been the case if I were a girl. Would

life have been that easy if I were a skinny dark girl?

Even in this iPad era, where you have the world at a

wave, I belong to a society that still thinks twice if my

skin is of a darker hue. And we have the otherwise

morally addicted Bollywood stars who promote this

without even lifting an eyebrow. The desire for lighter

skin has reached an epidemic in India and there is

even a belief that those with dark skin are either of

low standing or second-class citizens. They really

wonder what it would have been like if they were

light or fair skinned. Would the world have treated

them differently? I don’t know. I had never felt small

or inferior just because I was several shades darker

than my fairer counterpart, but I am wondering, just

wondering…

Off

the w

all


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WITH A SMILEMost children return to school with a spring in their step these days. But, naturally! Gone are the days when children drag their feet, cook up excuses, have imaginary

illness, in fact anything to escape the first day when they have to return back to school, something some children view with trepidation.

But, today, the dynamics are slightly different primarily to an array of school-related goodies that are not only widely available but also colourful and enticing enough to set the pulse racing of many a student. Children have a fantastic dream land to get

into and choose goods necessary for their post-holiday stint in school.

The items, nay goodies, vary from pencils to uniforms, but the best part is that the market rises to the occasion, competing with each other to give the best product

for the discerning kid. With cartoon characters, super heroes and heroines coming into play in the world of education, kids have a whale of a time shopping for these essentials and then they are most eager to display them when the school reopens.

So, this is the time for school books, pencils, pens, uniforms, shoes, inner wears, socks, school buses, tuition, music and dance classes…this is the time that the

activities of parents and students go on an overdrive and so would business on this front.

Here we take a quick look at some companies that have highlighted their back-to-school wares and unveiled their promotions:


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Al Khamis Shoes, which has 10 outlets (Hamriya, Al Khuwair, Al Hail, Seeb 1, Seeb 2, Barka, Sur, Sohar, Salalah and Nizwa) in Oman, have reported excellent sales. Their exciting back-to-school promotion seems to have been a big hit, a spokesperson from the company said.

Showcasing some of the most loved and favourite from

the world of action-heroes and animation, the vibrant

collection is designed for style and something that kids

would like to keep as part of their collection. Kids can now

own school bags, water bottles, stationary pouches and

lunch boxes that sport their favourite cartoon characters.

The ‘back to school’ collection includes interesting options

for boys and girls of all ages. While Micky, Lalaloopsy,

Winnie the Pooh and Disney Princess ranges are

ideal for any girl, boys will enjoy flaunting their bags

and accessories including water bottles, lunch boxes

stationery items etc. featuring Ben10, Lamborghini,

Manchester-United, FCB, G-Ride, Beyblade, Moshi

Monster and Adventure Time.

The ‘back to school’ promotion this year not only offers a

great collection to choose from but customers are entitled

to a free stationary set on every purchase of OMR20

on any of the ‘back to school’ merchandise. The unique

colorful set includes a pencil, eraser, sharpener and a

notebook. An essential school kit for every child making a

new start.

Shopping at REDTAG can be a fun experience for

families as kids can select their favourite cartoon

characters. The ‘back to school’ range is sure to help

make a positive start to the new school year.

So gear up for the new academic year with the latest

‘back to school’ collection which is up for grabs across all

REDTAG outlets in Oman. Discover a whole new range

of school essentials for your little ones!

The brand offers the latest in fashion and accessories for

men, women, kids, infants and newborns also providing

ranges of merchandise for the home like dining, bed, bath

as well as home décor items and toys. Adding to the one-

stop shopping destination concept, REDTAG becomes a

compelling proposition in the retail market.

Contact: 24478316 (Al Khuwair), 24181705 (Markaz Al

Bahja) and 26941255 (Sohar).

REDTAG launches

brand new ‘back to

school’ collection

Excellent promotion and sales at Al Khamis Shoes

Want to look smart and make a cool comeback to your school? Look no further as REDTAG has announced their exclusive range of ‘back to school’ collection that

boasts of a wide range of attractive products for age groups three to 18. The ‘back to school’ collection offers a unique combination of style, comfort, durability and

affordability expected of children’s essentials.

Back t

o s

chool


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Yet this pretty much sums up a

weekend sundowner at your trusty

retail store, Sultan Center. The retail

chain’s outlets at Qurum store and

Al Khoud and Al Amerat wholesale

centers come alive with festive and

fun activities designed to lure the

country’s youngest customers and

key decision makers in the family

expense account – children of all

age groups. Various kids’activities at

TSC’s Qurum outlet and Al Khoud

and Al Amerat wholesale centers are

held on Friday and Saturday.

Every weekend, between six and

nine in the evening, those outlets

are transformed into more than

just your upper crust top shop,

becoming a versatile backdrop for

some amazing entertainment. Their

sprawling floor spaces and counter

corners alternate as stage props and

podiums for magic shows, balloon

art, face painting, henna design and

ubiquitous cartoon characters that

stroll around surprising, sometimes

startling their toddler fans.

Commenting on the events,

Mahmoud Musbah Al Sheikh,

marketing in-charge at the TSC says,

“Our endeavour is to make shopping

at Sultan Center an experience the

whole family can enjoy. We want

our customers to know that they

can have groceries and weekend

entertainment under one roof.”

Sure you can take that long overdue

vacation to Disneyland to see your

toon legends. But when you can

peg it down as another item to tick

off your list on a shopping errand,

you can’t pass up the chance. Mini

Mouse, Goofy, Sponge Bob, Donald

Duck and the rest of the cartoon cast

are TSC’s weekend VIPs sneaking

up on the unsuspecting preschooler

with an affable ‘hello’ or a `Hi’ and

ever ready to strike a pose for

posterity. The little people hardly

recover from their shock, when other

exciting activities sweep them away

on a journey of imagination and fun.

The TSC also has special offers

on their bags, notebooks, pencils,

erasers, which are quite affordable,

officials said.

Amazing weekend entertainment for kids at TSC

It’s not often that you see a classic Disney icon milling about shopping aisles on a regular grocery errand. Or bump into your favourite cartoon character in the fresh fruit section of a supermarket. Nor is it every day fare to see rabbits pulled out of a magician’s hat for that

matter.

Back t

o s

chool


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The carefully thought out promotion

gives you the best deals on a wide

array of products like school bags,

water bottles and lunch boxes in the

latest and popular themes, essential

stationery items, school uniforms

and shoes, laptops, tablets and

other IT accessories. With all the

popular brands and themes like

Caty, Princess, Ben 10, Hello Kitty,

Barbie, Mickey and football clubs

like Barcelona and Real Madrid,

Lulu has something available for

every imaginative kid. And no Lulu

promotion is without a rewarding

experience. For their Back to School

promotion, Lulu is conducting a

special drawing competition for kids

aged between 7 and 12 years. The

100 winners selected will get a cool

iLIfe tablet each!

A name to be reckoned with not only

as a retail giant but more as a brand

that everybody relies upon and trusts,

Lulu Hypermarkets has become a

symbol of quality and trust in Oman.

While Lulu has firmly captured

the spot for the preferred place to

shop, it has also, since inception,

demonstrated swift responsiveness

to seasonal shopping trends. With

over a decade’s presence in Oman,

Lulu has become a shopping

destination that has integrated all

conceivable needs of the consumer

under one roof. With its pleasant

and novel variation from the usual,

run of the mill super markets, Lulu

stands out for its extensively laid out

counters, sprawling parking space,

children’s play area, food court,

money exchange and the array of

international and regional brands at

affordable prices.

With the opening of their latest outlet

at Ibri, Lulu now has more than 106

outlets in the region and has ensured

that quality shopping for the people

of Oman is just a short drive away.

Lulu Hypermarkets is not only the

largest retail chain in the region but

is also heralded as one of the fastest

growing retail brands in the world.

With wide recognition and various

awards tucked firmly under its belt at

both national and international levels,

it has fortified its image of being a

trendsetter by offering variations

from the usual run of the mill super

markets.

Lulu’s back-to-school

promotion

As everyone bids goodbye to the long and joyful summer holidays, the students are busy preparing themselves to head

back to school and continue the academic year. Keeping their needs in mind, Lulu

Hypermarkets has launched their ‘back to school’ promotion across all their outlets in Oman. The promotion started on the

August 25 and will continue till September, 14, 2013.


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“distressingencounters”

unveils his

The lifespan of most news stories could be ephemeral

– perhaps less than 24 hours. V. M. Sathish, an

Indian journalist in Dubai, who had worked in Oman

before with an English daily, begs to differ. He

has managed to preserve most of his hard-hitting

news breakers in the Gulf, including Oman, in a book format, which is today the

talk of most cities in the Gulf and beyond. Sathish,

who is a hardcore news gatherer, known for his

fearless pursuit of the truth against all odds, and

suffering for it, slapped with defamation cases,

brushes with the law and spending sometime in the

penitentiary, is breaking new ground with his

Distressing Encounters – Real Life Stories from a Reporter’s Diary, which

is a random collection of his 665 selected stories

that have been published in various newspapers

across the Gulf spanning over two decades.

Sathish

Excerpts:

HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE

IN THIS NEW AVATAR AS A

WRITER/NOVELIST?

Ever since I wrote my first English

article for a souvenir published by

the department of international

relations, Mahatma Gandhi

University in Kottayam, Kerala about

25 years ago, I have been a writer

(not an author) for many academic

journals, newspapers, the Internet

and my Facebook page.

Journalism is literature in a hurry,

said Arthur Miller. True. Journalists

do it every day. While most of our

news stories die even before 24

hours, some stories and the people

featured there remain close to our

heart. When I put together some

of the very best news stories of

yester years, in the form of a book,

Distressing Encounters (DE), Real

Life Stories from a Reporters Diary,

I feel proud, elated and satisfied.

For the first time, a writer is being

recognised as an author!

If they have applauded me when

these news stories were published

first in leading English newspapers,

now after DE, the applause is louder

and the recognition wider.

Many have said that the real life

stories in my book are the first

of its kind by an Indian journalist

working in the Middle East. There

is ample reason for me to feel

delighted because compared to the

long struggles, confrontations and

obstacles that a journalist face in

day to day reporting, it is a unique

experience to be acknowledged as

an author. Some readers are now

coming forward to share their woes

and issues. As an active journalist,

I have always been in the news, for

the right or wrong reasons. Thanks

to this book, the level of media

coverage in the Gulf and abroad

has been unprecedented and

unexpected.

GIVE US AN IDEA AS TO WHAT

DE IS ALL ABOUT

The DE, published by KPS Menon

Chair for Diplomatic Studies at the

School of International Relations,

Mahatma Gandhi University

Kottayam Kerala is a random

collection of 665 selected human

interest stories reported by me in

10 major English dailies— Khaleej

Times, Gulf News, Daily Star/

International Herald Tribune,

Emirates Evening Post, 7DAYs,

Oman Daily Observer, Emirates

Today, Emirates Business 24|7,

Emirates 24|7 and The Indian

Express – which highlight the plight

of distressed and marginalised

expatriates from different countries

and cultures and the role played by

the media, especially the English

media, in extending a helping hand

to such people. The 820 page book

is the first volume and the university

published it because the author

was a former Masters student (who

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topped the university exam with a first rank). Dr K M

Seethi, who helped me to write my first article, has written

the foreword to the book.

HOW LONG DID IT TAKE TO WRITE AND BRING

IT OUT?

I have been thinking about authoring a book for quite

sometime and during the severe recession when I was

on the verge of losing my job again, the process got

momentum. However, I kept the project going and it

took more than three years to complete the book. The

delay occurred due to my hectic schedule as a full time

journalist, and my busy schedule as the vice president

of Indian Media Forum in the UAE, an association of

Indian journalists, as a social worker campaigning against

suicides, as a commentator on radios and television

channels and other community events. I have also acted

in a short movie, Bibi, about family values.

When my fellow journalists like KM Abbas, editor of Siraj

Daily published their own books, I decided to speed up

the process. Collecting all the old stories from newspaper

archives and even the closed down newspapers were

a major challenge. Finding a good publisher/distributor

remains the major hurdle for a new author because

established media and publishing houses have their

own business interest to promote. There were logistic

problems in doing the technical work, typesetting work.

The printing etc was done in India to keep the production

cost minimum. I am trying to arrange a distributor who

can reach the book to an international audience. The final

product came out on my birthday, May 24, 2013.

HAS IT BEEN WELL RECEIVED?

Distressing Encounters has been receiving tremendous

response from the media and the Indian community.

The Indian ambassador to the UAE, M K Lokesh, who

launched the book in a public programme in Dubai,

ordered 10 copies of the book to be given as gifts to

other diplomats. A lot of Indian community associations

have requested copies of the book in addition to lot of

people featured in the book. All the major FM and AM

Malayalam radio stations from the UAE –Radio Asia (Ras

Al Khaimah), Voice of Kerala (Dubai), Asianet Radio

(Dubai), Gold FM (Ajman), RadioMe (Dubai), Super FM

(Dubai), Hit 96.7 FM (Dubai, Arabian Radio Network),

aired special interviews about the book. Hisham

Abdulsalam of Radio Asia (which reaches all the AGCC

countries and parts of Middle East) interviewed me as an

author in their Mukhamukham (Face to Face) interview

programme – one hour each -- for two consecutive

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weeks. Similarly, RadioMe featured me in their First

Person interview with Krishna Iyer (Kris). Gold FM

interviewed me for one hour on the world reader’s day.

Similarly, eight major television channels have done

special stories about DE and me as an author. Reporter

TV, Indiavision, Mathrubhoomi TV, Media One, Jai Hind

TV, NTV UAE, Manorama TV, all gave special interviews

about the book. All other Malayalam channels covered

the book/author. Malayalam and English newspapers

too carried special stories about the book, but there has

been a very lukewarm response from the mainstream

English media. As you can see from the media coverage,

it is mainly in the vernacular Malayalam media of UAE,

but the coverage in the English media is confined to just

Khaleej Times and Gulf Today. The book is a collection of

stories from 10 English dailies where I have worked in the

past, but the value of a journalist is not acknowledged by

these editors.

However, I am enthused by the support from the English

media outside the UAE, especially the Times of Oman,

the Peninsula (Qatar) Deccan Chronicle (India), the

Financial World (India), 4PM News (Bahrain). Hussain

Ahmed, editor of the Peninsula, AV Anilkumar from

the Deshabhimani, Abdul Wasey, resident editor of the

Financial World helped with very good reviews of the

book. The Press Trust of India too reported the story,

which was carried by leading English dailies like the

Times of India, Economic Times, Malayala Manorama

etc. As a journalist who has spent over 20 years in the

English media, I am pained and hurt by the response

from the mainstream English dailies, because the book is

full of stories published by them!

DOES THE BOOK FEATURE STORIES FROM OMAN

ALSO?

As you are aware, I started my journalism in the Gulf from

Oman and I have kept my experiences in Oman for a

separate book in the near future. The DE contains some

touching stories from Oman, especially about the major

flood in April 2003 when several people died. There are

some stories about the flood related deaths and accidents

in Oman that I reported when I worked in Oman; a horror

story revealed by 11 survivors of a ship wreck in Oman,

due to the cyclone Gonu; story of an aborted passenger

ship service from Oman to India planned by Sohar

Shipping (Raju Abraham, general manager); changes in

the Indian school there during the time when KM Meena

was the Indian ambassador there, a few stories about

expatriate tractor drivers etc are included in the book.

The most thought provoking news from Oman included in

DE is the story of a Bangladeshi farm worker who faced

a very distressing experience. This story revealed the

horrific experience of a 37 year old Bangladeshi, who

came to the Badr Al Sama’a polyclinic with an eight inch,

2.5 diameter Pepsi bottle that had pierced into his rectum.

This story is included in the book, because it was one

of the most interesting stories that I remembered from

Oman.

Then there is the crime story of how the human traffickers

were luring and trapping newly recruited housemaids

into prostitution. This story, reported in August 2001,

was about two Keralite ladies who came to work as

housemaids in Khasab and then were kidnapped and

sold by the racketeers. The story also tells how ladies

were sold across the boarder, and the latest trend of

human trafficking from Oman to the UAE.

The most touching stories from Oman included in the

book are related to Valiya Veettil Vasukuttan, an illegal

Indian painter, who lived there for 18 years in Salalah.

Biju Abel Jacob, from the Asianet Television spotted him

through his Gulf Round Up programme and repatriated

him. Biju tried to reunite him with his wife and daughter,

who came to know about his plight form the Gulf Round

Up story. The sad part is that the couple who got

separated a month after their marriage 18 years ago

could not see each other, even though he reached Kerala

safely, but died a few hours before his wife and daughter

could see him! This is one of the most touching stories

that I have included in the book from my fellow journalist

friends.

WILL YOU BE PENNING MORE BOOKS?

I will definitely bring out the second volume of Distressing

Encounters very soon. The first volume could not

accommodate many stories. I hope to publish a few

more books touching the life of expatriates from different

countries and cultures in the Gulf region.

A Malayalam translation of Distressing Encounters and

an e-book version are also my dream projects. I will start

creative writing once the pressure of daily routine work is

eased. My journalistic experiences in Oman will definitely

be put together in the form of a book. I wish to include

more stories from fellow journalists in the forthcoming

book.

IS IT BEING SOLD IN THE UAE, IN INDIA AND OMAN

ALSO? SOME DETAILS

As I mentioned earlier distribution is a major hurdle. In the

UAE the book is available from Ansar Book Stall Dubai

(00971505650181/00971504618815) and in India from

the University (00919544121846/ 00919447230643 Dr K

M Seethi). After sometime the book will also be available

through amazon.com. The book is priced at Indian Rs

1200.

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Marking the conclusion of Bank

Sohar’s three month credit card

campaign aimed at `rewarding Bank

frequent credit card users in the

Sultanate, the bank has announced

the names of the final 30 winners of

the ‘Mystery Sahara’ promotion.

Launched in April, the campaign

gave 90 lucky Bank Sohar customers

the chance to win high value gifts

over a three month period.

For every purchase of OMR30 or

more using Bank Sohar Excel Credit

Cards (Internet, Classic, Gold and

Platinum), customers got a chance

to win a ‘Mystery Sahara gift’ in a

monthly raffle draw.

The bank gave away a total of 60

gifts to the lucky winners until June

as part of the promotion, and the final

30 customers won rewards which

included smart phones, tablets, smart

TVs, laptops and smart cameras.

Commenting on the success of the

campaign, R. Narasimhan, DGM

and head of retail banking at Bank

Sohar said, “I would like to take

this opportunity to thank all our

customers for their trust in the Bank

and congratulate the recent 30

winners of July.

Bank Sohar’s credit cards are one

of the easiest ways to conduct

transactions, whether they are over-

the counter or online purchases.

Bank Sohar ‘Mystery Sahara’ credit card campaign winners

Sharing the spirit of Ramadan with people from different walks

of life, alizz Islamic bank in collaboration with Dar Al Atta’a

has provided iftar meals for 1,200 muslims in Wadi Al Kabir.

Over the course of four days, alizz employees volunteered

to work hand in hand to help create a welcoming setting for

people to break their fast. “As an Islamic bank, our principals

are founded on the very values of the Omani society and we

wanted to share this month with the people who matter the

most, our community. It was rewarding to see our future bank

managers reaching out with simple acts of kindness” said

Jamal Darwiche, acting Ceo of alizz islamic bank.

alizz islamic bank provides iftar meals

LG Electronics (LG) announced that its premium 4G

LTE smartphone, Optimus G Pro, has received the Best

LTE Device/Handset Award at the LTE World Summit

2013. This award comes in recognition of the device’s

superior LTE capabilities, wide range of consumer-centric

features, ease-of-use, seamless inter-device connectivity

and elegant design.

The LTE World Summit, held this year in Amsterdam from

June 24 to 26, is now in its ninth year.

“We are honoured and delighted to have been recognised

with this prestigious award,” said Dr. Jong-seok Park,

president and Ceo of the LG Electronics Mobile

Communications Company. “The Optimus G Pro is a

clear example of how LG is offering consumers the very

best in mobile technology and user experience. Far

from resting on our laurels, we are already hard at work

developing the next generation of advanced LTE devices

and network technologies.”

Jayanta G Borpujari, general manager, Khimji Information

& Communication Technology said, “The LG OPTIMUS

G PRO is expected to be available in Oman by the end

of July and it will be available through all the major retail

outlets. Customers can call our customer care toll-

free number 800-75000 to get more information on LG

products.”

LG Optimus G Pro


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FRiENDi mobile has received the prestigious “customer

service excellence” award in the telecom sector-MVNO

at the 2nd Oman Customer Service Excellence awards

event which was held recently. The award was a fitting

recognition for FRiENDi’s outstanding customer service

that conforms to the highest international standards.

FRiENDi mobile is the first company in Oman to have

a contact center that provides customer service in six

languages with well-trained courteous staff attending to

customer issues and queries.

Held under the patronage of the Ministry of Commerce

and Industry and the ministry of tourism, the 2nd Oman

Customer Service Excellence Awards 2013 took place at

the Grand Hyatt Muscat where winners from the public

and private sector received recognition for excellence in

customer service within different categories.

On the occasion, Ahmed Al Mahrazi, customer service

director, FRiENDi Oman, was quoted saying “We are

extremely delighted to win the award in the Customer

Service category for MVNOs and it clearly demonstrates

the commitment of the FRiENDi mobile management to

treat their customers as more than just a connection.”

FRiENDi customer service excellence 2013

Balaji Sundararaman was recently

appointed as the business head -

advertising of makala advertising and

publicity. Balaji has over 13 years of

experience in the field of advertising,

production and events across various

industry verticals.

Brands that he has been associated

include Citibank, N.A., MRF Tyres, Maruti,

Coke, AirTel, Taj Group of Hotels, WH

Smith, Mott MacDonald, Nando’s, Second

Cup, BreadTalk, Oman International Bank, Abu Dhabi

Islamic Bank, Union National Bank, National Bank of

Oman & Mumtaz Mahal Restaurant across

agencies such as Rediffusion DY&R

(Chennai, India), Advertising International

(Muscat), Accurate Advertising (Abu

Dhabi), Euro RSCG Muscat. Prior to this he

was the Business Head at “Be Positive 24

Communication Design” in Chennai, India

makala | advertising & publicity is a full-

service advertising agency offering ATL /

BTL solutions, graphics, animation, print

solutions, directory compilation, billboards,

multimedia, websites, TVC, corporate films, events and

presentations.

New business head at makala advertising & publicity

Muscat Grand Mall, Oman’s newest and most dynamic

shopping and leisure destination, announced that it

has welcomed over half a million visitors in June 2013.

Home to over 120 international brands, many of which

have entered the Oman market for the first time - Muscat

Grand Mall has increasingly become the retail destination

of choice among the people of the Sultanate.

Hassan Jaboub, general manager of Muscat Grand Mall

explained, “Muscat Grand Mall’s record-breaking footfall

elevates its position as the nation’s most visited tourism

and shopping destination.

The Mall has demonstrated the demand in Oman for

a retail destination and we are confident to hit higher

milestones before end of the year, shortly after the official

launch. This achievement also illustrates the reasoning

behind our expansion plans we have to further increase

the largest lifestyle, retail and entertainment destination in

the Sultanate.”

Muscat Grand Mall records over half million visitors in June


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Mitsubishi, represented in Oman by

General Automotive Company, was

the host of a live radio show at the

brand’s showroom in Athaiba the

day before yesterday. The show was

conducted by Hala Fm and featured,

for the first time, a live interview with

Mesehar Sa’ud. The lively brand

ambassador also spoke to families

present at the showroom promoting a

healthy lifestyle during Ramadan and

distributing dates and sweets to the

children. The radio show follows the

recent launch of Mitsubishi’s exciting

Ramadan promotion and marks the

return of Mesehar Sa’ud.

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Millennium Resort Mussanah

will host Oman’s first mini golf

championship as local and

international golfers, including

PGA professionals, compete for an

invitation to the National Bank of

Oman Golf Classic in October. Each

player will have two rounds on the

resort’s 18-hole mini golf course to

record a winning score and take

home the trophy.

Leon Sassen, general manager of

Golf World, said: “We are delighted

to bring Oman’s first Mini Golf

Championship to the Millennium

Resort Mussanah.

The tournament will be run exactly

like a normal golf tournament and

administered by professional golfers

and the resort’s cultivated course and

challenging holes will test even the

most experienced of golfers. We are

looking forward to a high standard

of competition at a superb

venue and a lot of fun for

competitors and spectators

alike.”

Maurice De Rooij, general

manager of the Millennium

Resort Mussanah, added:

“This is an exciting opportunity for

the whole family, amateurs and

professionals, to put their putting

skills to the test on our fun greens

and custom-designed holes.

The holes present new obstacles

to overcome with creative stroke

play and using the unique bumpers

and angles to their advantage to

complete the course in the least

shots possible.

The day promises to be a fun

occasion with activities throughout

the day for guests and a chance

to enjoy our assortment of

restaurants and the full range on site

facilities while taking in the idyllic

surroundings as part of a fun packed

day of competition.”

The 18 hole mini golf course at

Millennium Resort Mussanah was

recently inaugurated as part of a

day of festivities held under the

patronage of Sheikh Hilal bin Said Al

Hajri, governor

of Al Batinah South and Dr Yahya bin

Bader Al Mawali, undersecretary of

the ministry of social development.

The upcoming competition will be

the first to be held on the course,

presenting competitors with a brand

new and exciting challenge.

Millennium Resort Mussanah to host Oman’s first mini golf tournament

Mitsubishi hosts Hala FM live show at showroom

Ending its maiden voyage from

Brazil, ‘Vale Shinas’ has docked at

Vale’s deep-water jetty to unload

400,000 tons of iron ore. Measuring

a length of 360 meters and width of

65 meters, the arrival of one of the

world’s largest vessels at the Port

of Sohar was commemorated by

the community of Shinas and Oman

Shipping Company. ‘Vale Shinas’

is the fourth very large iron ore

carrier built for Vale’s operations in

the Sultanate through its strategic

partnership with Oman Shipping

Company. To celebrate this

milestone, Vale hosted a special Iftar

followed by a site visit at its Industrial

Complex in Liwa under the auspices

of Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed

bin Salim Al Futaisi, minister of

transport and communications and

deputy chairman of Oman Shipping

Company, and the company’s board

of directors along with members of

the Shinas community.

Vale shinas docks


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Reinforcing its longstanding

commitment to environmental

sustainability, Muriya – the developer

of signature integrated tourism

complexes in the Sultanate – has

unveiled a unique campaign in

support of the Environmental Society

of Oman (ESO). Dubbed ‘together

we can make a difference’, the

campaign has been initiated by

Sifawy and Juweira boutique hotels

that anchor Muriya’s Jebel Sifah and

Salalah Beach lifestyle developments

overlooking the pristine Oman coast.

For as little as OMR 1, the hotels’

distinguished clientele comprising

a mix of business guests, tourists

and other connoisseurs of its superb

offerings, now have the opportunity

to demonstrate their commitment to

preserving Oman’s singular natural

heritage. This token contribution will

not only go a long way in providing

funding for ESO’s diverse portfolio of

projects and activities, but equally,

it will signal broad popular support

for the society’s exemplary work in

environmental stewardship.

“Although symbolic in monetary

terms, this gesture connects our

multinational clientele with the ideals

championed by the ESO through its

many activities and projects. In effect,

our guests become stakeholders

in the collective national goal of

preserving Oman’s unspoiled natural

beauty,” commented Mr Daniel

Fanselow, GM for both properties.

Muriya’s boutique hotels supports ESO

As the second leg of the caring

initiative kicked off, Nawras Goodwill

Journey volunteers travelled to the

Omani Women’s Association in

Ibra to support local families with

donations of household equipment.

Alia Nasser Al Maskari, president

of the Omani Women’s Association

in Ibra said: “We thank the Nawras

volunteers for their initiative in

supporting local families. We will

make sure those in most need

receive the items that best suit their

requirements and the donations that

can have the greatest positive impact

on their daily lives.”

Volunteers then made their way to

Al Qabil to install gym equipment to

benefit more than 1,000 women in

the community as Nawras continues

to enrich the daily life of people

in Oman. Afterwards, the Nawras

Goodwill Journey visited the Omani

Women’s Association in Ashkarah to

donate refrigerators, air conditioning

units, water coolers, washing

machines, kitchen equipment and

televisions.

Fatma Al-Barawani, a Nawras

Goodwill Journey messenger on the

trip, said, “The gym equipment will

have a huge impact by offering new

activities within the local community.

The donation of household

appliances will help with the services

offered to local people and assist

with ongoing support programmes.”

Nawras Goodwill Journey messengers

Nespresso, the worldwide pioneer in premium portioned

coffee, achieves another milestone in its Middle East

expansion plan with the opening of its first boutique

in Oman. The luxury coffee brand selected the iconic

location of the Opera Galleria in Muscat for its first

boutique in Oman, bringing the ultimate coffee experience

to even more customers across the region. The unique

cultural setting brings together a fusion of distinct

Omani traditions and coffee expertise and innovation of

Nespresso. Nespresso marked the launch of its boutique

with an invite-only event under the patronage of Dr

Ali bin Masoud Al Sunaidy, minister of commerce and

industry. Many other local business partners and media

attended the launch in the luxurious Opera Galleria.

Hamza Mohamed Abdul Hussain Bhacker Al Lawati,

managing director of Highland & Bhacker Suleman LLC,

the exclusive distributor for Nespresso in Oman, said,

“Nespresso is a truly global brand with a very special

appeal to the people of Muscat. The diverse range of

personal coffee machines and gourmet coffee from

Nespresso will bring a new experience to coffee lovers

in Muscat, enabling them to make the perfect cup of

espresso every time, from the comfort of their home.”

Nespresso Boutique opens


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Following 37 years of unprecedented

global success, the seventh

generation Golf GTI has arrived in

Oman with Wattayah Motors. The

legendary compact sports car is

powered by a turbocharged petrol,

direct-injection engine (TSI) with 162

kW / 220 HP coming as standard

and accelerates to 100 km/h in 6.5

seconds, reaching a top speed of

244 km/h.

Wattayah Motors, the official dealers

of Volkswagen in the Sultanate,

launched the Golf GTI at the Oman

Automobile Association, where fans

in Oman were given the exclusive

opportunity to test drive the all new

car for the first time.

Hemant Bhat, general manager

at Wattayah Motors was delighted

to announce the availability of the

Golf GTI in Oman; he commented

“The new Golf GTI is sportier than

ever and has been one of the most

eagerly anticipated new models for

2013. The Golf GTI has long been

a favourite amongst automotive

enthusiasts across the Middle East

and last year accounted for 60 per

cent of all Golf model sales in the

AGCC.”

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As part of the ‘Safer kids... Safer Oman’ road safety

campaign, Oman Road Safety Association (ORSA) held

its awareness activities at the Traffic Educational Village

event in Muscat City Centre recently with the aim to

shed light on the use of roads as pedestrians, cyclists

and passengers in vehicles amongst children and their

families. The activities included colouring for children,

distribution of flyers, awareness talks about the dangers

of speeding and the importance of seat belts and child

restraints as well as the dangers of using mobile phones

and the importance of adhering to traffic rules and

regulations. ORSA also partnered up with Safety First to

raise awareness on the use of child restraints in cars.

Shaima Murtadha Al Lawati, chief executive officer of the

ORSA commented, “We are actively promoting ‘Safer

Kids... Safer Oman...’ campaign through the Traffic

Educational Village which helps in demonstrating the

right road safety practices to children and their parents.

We continue to reach out to all the citizens in Oman to

educate them and the general public on the best practices

in road safety based on the latest global methods to keep

our children safe while using roads.”

Oman road safety association continues its road safety awareness

Photocentre, the official dealers for Fujifilm in Oman,

organised a day long photography workshop for

professional photographers and photography enthusiasts

at the Bait Al Zubair museum recently. The special guest

speakers at the event were Skyle Burt and Bob McCaffrey

who shared insights into the art of photography. Skyle

is a co–founder of Yellow Street photos and strives to

create dynamic images which give his viewers a deeper

connection with his subjects. His photography has been

used by clients and publications such as Forbes Traveler,

Lonely Planet, The National, Time Out, Hallmark,

Shangri-La Resorts, British council and Sony. Bob is

a photographer with more than 25 years experience

and during that time he has covered many large global

sporting events and worked on international shoots for a

wide range of global corporations. He has recently started

a creative business here in Oman (Infin8Creative) with a

modern and well equipped photo and design studio and

together with his team they combine all elements from

design, web design and corporate branding, through

to wedding, family portraits, location and advertising

photography. “Fujifilm organised this workshop for the

local community of photographers to show solidarity with

the art form that we all love,” said Mohammed Farei,

managing director of Photocentre.

Photocentre photography workshop

The all new Golf GTI arrives


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Lulu Hypermarkets, ended their biggest annual

promotion, Dream Drive recently. The end of the two

month long promotion was marked by a gala event and

prize distribution for all the winners. The promotion began

on the June 20 and conducted a total of 10 lucky draws

across various outlets in Oman. Running for over a

decade now, Dream Drive has become a promotion that

reflects dreams, hopes and aspirations which coincides

with the holy month of Ramadan. Every year, Dream

Drive boasts of the best rewards and this year too was

no different. Each draw’s grand prize was a Toyota

LandCruiser 4x4 luxury SUV followed by 10 of the latest

products from Sony.

Speaking at the event, Ananth AV, regional director of

Lulu Hypermarkets, Oman said,” We have successfully

concluded one more edition of Lulu’s Dream Drive.

Dream Drive has snowballed into one of the biggest

and most successful promotions that Oman has ever

witnessed and this year too saw incredible levels of

Keys to the Lulu Dream Drive winners handed over

IFTAR at Radisson Blu

IFTAR for Al Noor organised by Muscat Unique Diamond

IFTAR at Al Bustan by Khimjis

participation. 10 lucky customers of ours drove back in

a luxury SUV while another 100 took home the latest in

electronic gadgets. We would sincerely like to thank each

and every customer of ours for all their support and for

choosing us as their preferred retail brand.”

“As a completely customer centric organisation, all our

promotions are designed around the customer with their

needs in mind”, said Shabeer K.A, general manager,

Oman. “We also time these promotions to coincide with

an apt time such as a season or a festival so that our

customers get the maximum benefit. With the last two

months being the month of joy and giving, it was but

natural for Lulu to ensure our customers get the best; be it

rewards, products or prices,” he added.

Glimpses of iftars – hosted by companies during the Holy Month of Ramadan


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Managem

ent

talk

Stressed out...check on Energy ManagementBy Dr CK Anchan

Dr Anchan C.K.

managing director,

World Wide Business House

Most people are expected to maintain peak levels of

mental and creative performance for at least eight hours

each day, but then they realise that it simply can’t be

done. As a result people are continuously burnt out,

stressed and functioning far below their peak capacity.

Energy works in a similar system as a currency like

money. In other words, after you’ve spent it, you need

to regain some more before you try to spend again.

Otherwise you end up going into a deficit. Energy deficits

aren’t pretty. You know you are in an energy deficit when

you are tired, irritable, stressed, frustrated and generally

unenthusiastic. Ultimately a check and balance must be

made.

The cycle of perfect energy management is one where

you are fully engaged and using all of your resources for

maximum productivity, followed by a period of intensive

recovery where you regain all of your energy for the

task ahead. When your body, mind, emotions and spirit

finally declare bankruptcy, you crash and burn out as the

eventual price of poor energy management. The

key to effective energy management is to install habits

into our life that promote cycles of deep engagement

followed by recovery. Without this balance in the cycle,

the system becomes unstable. Creating these habits

means developing a ritual for recovering your energy.

This could be as simple as sitting back and relaxing for 15

minutes or doing some light exercise.

The key to energy management is more than just

managing the energy you currently have, it is in

increasing your supply of energy. Being able to devote

more energy, concentration and flow to an activity is the

primary goal of energy management. To increase your

energy, you must stretch it beyond its current capacity,

and then recover it. This stretching of capacity is what

most people refer to as stress.

Energy is more than just the physical energy you use

from exercising. There are other levels of energy that

work in similar fashion but are equally important.

PHYSICAL – Physical energy is still incredibly important.

This is the primary and most fundamental source of

energy. Physical energy is regulated by diet, exercise

and sleep. This energy is tapped regardless of whether

the task is physical. Most of us do not do particularly

physically demanding jobs.

MENTAL – I believe that mental energy is essential the

focus or direction of the energy we have. Mental energy

can be increased through the stress and conditioning

method, through challenging mental study and tasks,

deep learning and creative activities. Mental energy is

our ability to concentrate, analyse and be creative. These

higher level faculties basically describe the quality and

clarity of your thinking. Mental energy is necessary for all

of us, despite our career or hobbies.

EMOTIONAL – Emotional energy is our ability to control

and maintain our emotions. People with a high amount

of emotional energy will be positive, enthusiastic and

happy. Low amounts of this energy are the manifestations

of anger, despair and frustration. If physical energy

represents capacity, mental represents direction, then

emotional represents quality. A high degree of energy

that is directed in a negative manner with hateful or angry

emotions is incredibly draining and destructive.

SPIRITUAL – Spiritual energies not as being a religious

or metaphysical type of energy but the energy we get

when we are associated with purpose. Regardless of

your spiritual beliefs, purpose seems to be a necessary

ingredient to live successfully. With a strong sense

of purpose, energy can be created even when there

is barely any physical, mental or emotional capacity.

Spiritual energy represents the power or force of energy.

Energy management continues to be a subject that

will fascinate many. By undertaking conditioning and

progressive increments of stress followed by deep

restoration we can even expand our capacity for energy.

I am quite confident that, by recognising the multi-

dimensional aspects of energy we can really take control

of a force that guides our life. Take a break... And get

back with Cash Rich Energies.


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THAT SPIRITUAL CONNECTION…

Sometimes great music emerge right out of the blue

when you least expect it. Great singers weave their

magic through your ears and finally into your heart

and you don’t even realise it. Sami Yusuf’s music and

songs did just some years back. I don’t know who

gave his audio CD to me, and since I haven’t had the

chance to listen to him before, I was keen to hear him.

But somehow, it didn’t happen immediately, but a few

days after I got it, I finally played it in my car on a long

drive.

And right there in my car, I was hooked on to his

songs. I don’t know how, was it his soulful voice,

was it the purity in his singing, was it the words, was

it the thought behind them…? Maybe it must be a

combination of all that, which quickly helped me

connect with him and something beyond. And it is this

musical rapport, this spiritual element that he shares

with his listeners, which is most endearing; you get

a feeling that he is singing about something very

significant and he is singing it just for you.

I realised then and there that this was not an ordinary

singer. Yes, you cannot call a singer who is proficient

in five or six languages and is able to switch on and

off from one to another in one flow an ordinary one.

MESSENGER OF PEACE

Sami, who is a British Muslim, is one with his music

and he has devoted his entire life to singing Islamic

Sami will sing his soulful songs in a beautiful setting, the 5000 capacity Grand Hall equipped with world class facilities and stage, which is rated as one of its kind in the Middle East

Mohamed Issa Al ZadjaliEditor-in-chief

In Black...

& White

In B

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songs in not just one, but seven or eight languages.

One CD and I was hooked for life. Soon, thanks to the

net, I learnt more about his versatility and his immense

reach. I learnt that he had a record breaking show in

Turkey where a 250,000 strong crowd thronged to hear

him...and he was quite young at the time! Sami has

earned the name of ‘Ambassador of peace’ and he was

also hugely into charity and raising awareness on socially

relevant issues.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

The Black & White is lucky to have an exclusive interview

with Sami about his first ever live concert in Oman on

August 30 at the prestigious Sultan Qaboos University

Grand Hall. In fact, this is the cover story.

Sami will sing his soulful songs in a beautiful setting,

the 5000 capacity Grand Hall equipped with world class

facilities and stage, which is rated as one of its kind in

the Middle East. Don’t miss this opportunity hear and see

Sami Yusuf live! And let us all take pride in the fact that

we have got yet another opportunity to highlight Oman

with the music and songs of a world renowned artist.

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Simple SamiHe was ‘raw’; he was ‘cooked’; he was ‘consumed’…

British singer-songwriter, Sami Yusuf, 33, sums up his life in these three simple statements.

This is the code by which the great Persian mystic and poet, Maulana Jalaludin Balkhi (*), lived by and Sami hopes to follow suit.

“The only thing that consumes me is my love of the sacred,” the multi-talented Spiritique (a philosophy and a style of music that evolve around spirituality and a sense of bringing people together) singer tells Black &

White in an e-interview.

Sami, a self-confessed lover of spirituality, having been immersed in both spirituality and music from a very young age, adds that music is an

extension of who he is and he has channeled his very being into it.

Sami, whose albums sell by the millions, said it was difficult to think about a life sans music. To a query he says: “It is very difficult!” And then adds: “Life itself is a kind of great musical symphony,” he noted.

The singer, who is a composer, producer, and an accomplished musician opened his heart to a variety of issues and replied to the B&W queries in his traditional, soft, simple and peaceful manner. His songs are an extension of himself, his thoughts, his ideas, his spirit and most

importantly, his pure simplicity.

Sami is known for his extensive involvement in charity work and his songs have also delved on the plight of the underprivileged. But, he

is not an activist, he says in the same breath, adding that he is “just a human being with a conscience”.

He also distanced himself from the confusing labels that some sections of the media have slapped on him. Notorious among them is Time Magazine’s tag of “Islam’s biggest rockstar”, which Sami feels is

erroneous on their part and said that although he had no problems in people using it, he was not a rock or a pop star, but simply a traditional man and basically a musician with a message. “Honestly, I am not okay with such labels as rock or pop star. My listeners actually consider me

their brother or a member of their family…”


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Excerpts:

Sami, you are a singer-songwriter, composer,

producer and an accomplished musician; you are

also hugely into charity…but, we are looking for the

real Sami Yusuf; is he all of this or someone else,

someone entirely different?

Thank you so much for the kind words! I think most of

what you have written is correct. Well, if you are asking

about the ‘real’ me then I would say I am quite traditional

(as opposed to being modern) and love simplicity. I am

a lover of spirituality and have been immersed in both

spirituality and music from a very young age. I also have

deep respect and love for the great world religions. I

believe they are all expressions of the same Truth.

You are a soul Spiritique singer, young, handsome,

and many consider you to be one of the biggest

messengers of love, hope and peace in the Islamic

world -- do you think you are in this world for a

special reason/purpose?

Thank you for the very kind words again. The message(s)

of Spiritique (my self-coined genre of music) are perennial

and not for any one particular tradition. Though much of

my humble works are influenced by faith and my Islamic

tradition, anyone and everyone can relate to my music

since it is there to celebrate the sacred and spread the

realm of spirituality.

What are your songs all about? It is not music

for music’s sake, but much more, spiritual and

delivering…what do you hope to achieve with

your music? Some of your songs are poetic and

always spiritual, and you have managed to inspire

a generation of people, but where do you draw your

inspiration from? What is the secret?

Principally, to sing about and celebrate the sacred. To

promote the idea of outward multiplicity and inward unity”

(using the words of Ananda Coomaraswamy (*1) and

others).

To ultimately bring people closer to the realm of the

spirit. Outwardly, the religious forms may differ (which

should be seen as a gift) but inwardly there is unity on the

plane of truth.

Does music mean everything to you? Your life, your

vision, your passion, everything…is music?

Music is an extension of who I am. I channel my ‘being’

into it.

250,000 fans thronged to hear you sing in Turkey –

how do you explain that kind of magic?

It is hard to explain the sheer events that have taken

place ever since the release of Al Mu’allim in 2003

paving the way for others. I see it really more as “Maya”

(vedantic term for ‘divine-play’ or ‘illusion’) and never

let it take over or get to me. I think there are practical

as well as intellectual reasons for the ‘success’ of my

humble works which would take up too much space for

this interview. Suffice it to say that many people around


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the world wished (and still wishes) to hear spiritual music

because spirituality matters. Many parts of the world

(including India, Middle East, parts of Africa) have not

experienced modernism the same way that England or

France have. Spirituality matters a lot for these people.

Indication for this is existentially manifested through the

love of such type of music (sacred music, spiritual music).

We even find it in the West. Just look at how an album

like the 'Buddha Bar' has done? It has sold more records

than most A-list artists put together!

Can you think of a life without music? If not music,

would you have been doing anything else?

It is very difficult. Life itself is a kind of great musical

symphony. Though I must tell you, I am much more

interested in traditional music (whether Islamic, classical

Western or Hindu Ragas etc).

We live in an angry world, where a small spark

can lead to an explosion of anger and pain and

unhappiness – is this where your role as singer and

a musician come in, to soothe the hearts of those in

pain?

Yes, this is very true. I believe we are living in a ‘dark’

time so to speak. However, I am hopeful that things

will get better. It will not (or cannot) remain like this for

long. If you think about what we are doing to the planet

(environmental crisis, wastage, war etc) and to ourselves,

we have no choice but to make things work otherwise

we may not be here for that much longer. I remain

hopeful and optimistic. My humble role is to make music

and remind myself and others of higher truths beyond

materialism and a consumerist mindset. I have set up

a foundation called The Spiritique Foundation which is

aimed at developing closer friendship and fostering a

better understanding of the major traditions of the world.

(You can find out more on the aims and objectives here:

https://www.facebook.com/SpiritiqueFoundation)

What pains you Sami Yusuf; what pains, annoys and

hurts you and what angers you the most?

It’s not easy to make me angry as such. However, it

saddens me that the so-called 'post-enlightenment'

era has brought more ignorance and anti-intellectuality

than any time before. We need more love, peace and

understanding, which can only, in my humble opinion,

come about through mutual respect and adherence to

truth.

You are promoting your fourth album…what next?

Would you be looking for a more diverse and different

audience in the next album?

We have recently launched Andante Studios (www.

AndanteStudios.com), which aims to provide the highest

standard audio-visual, production, publishing as well

as consultancy services in the region and, God-willing,

around the world. One of Andante’s branches is Andante

Records, which aims to support up-and-coming (as

well as established) artists in and across the region.

The records side is my personal passion as it aims to

support and guide many talented artists who simply need

guidance and a platform. I am also delighted to be able to

support and invest in more traditional music -- a personal

passion of mine.

Regarding the latter part of your question, I honestly have

never ‘looked’ or ‘sought’ anything. Things just seem to

happen. Also, it’s important for an artist or musician to

always maintain his/her integrity and never succumb to

commercial demand.

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Text: Adarsh Madhavan & Priya Arunkumar Photos: Supplied

You are called Islam’s ‘biggest rockstar’ – how real is

this title with your own aspirations in music? Are you

okay with such labels?

Honestly, no. Throughout the years it has created both

‘opportunities’ (or opened doors) as well as confuse

people. I am a traditional person who really isn’t that

interested in ‘rock’ music or modern music per se. This

title or label came about simply because of the sheer

magnitude of the support my albums received -- which

for the average journalist equates to 'rock mania' or 'star

idolatry'. Yes, the support has always been overwhelming

in terms of numbers but extrapolating this and making

‘Justin Bieber’ type comparisons has been a gross

error on the part of some journalists (including Time

Magazine). My listeners, by and large, consider me their

brother or a member of their family. To this day, I find my

concerts to be a rare spectacle and treat because you

will find three, if not, four generations of people present.

It’s always a moving experience for me. I feel very

grateful and fortunate for all these blessings. In the end,

I think the Time Magazine article was -- no matter how

generous and flattering in their intentions -- ultimately an

error on their part. However, I don’t mind people using

it, as I understand the realities of the modern world and

the fact that it is difficult for many to see things beyond a

commercial and worldly mindset.

Your songs talk a lot about the plight of the

underprivileged…are you a campaigner; an activist?

I’m not an activist. Just a human being with a conscience.

Are your nearing your goals or is there more that you

seek? What is your biggest wish in terms of music

and also for the world?

Perhaps this can be best summed up by alluding to a few

lines from my song Salaam (from the SALAAM album):

“I pray for a day when there will be justice and unity

When we put aside our difference, fighting makes no

sense

Just a little faith to make it a better place

We are here for a day or two. Let me show my way

Salaamu alaik, Salaamu alaik, Salaamu alaikom (“Peace

be upon you all”).

What type of music do you listen to and enjoy when

you are not singing/performing?

Traditional/classical music.

Do you have other interests or passions that

consume you (other than music)?

What do you think of Oman; its people, its music? Is

it a country that you wanted to visit for some time?

Your comments.

I cannot wait to visit Oman and meet everyone there. I

love traditional Omani style clothes and have heard so

many nice things about the nature there. We are all very

excited.

Regarding my hobbies and passions; I love reading --

particularly of philosophical nature. The only thing that

‘consumes’ me is love of the sacred. As the great Islamic

mystic and poet Maulana Jalaludin Balkhi (Also known

as “Rumi”) said: “My life can be summed up in three

statements: I was raw; I was cooked; I was consumed.” -

Maulana Jalaludin Balkhi.

(*)Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Balkhī (also known as Jalāl

ad-Dīn Muhammad Rūmi) and more popularly in

the English-speaking world simply as Rumi (30

September 1207 – 17 December 1273), was a 13th-

century Persian poet, jurist, theologian, and Sufi mystic.

Iranians, Turks, Afghans, Tajiks, and other Central Asian

Muslims as well as the Muslims of South Asia have

greatly appreciated his spiritual legacy in the past seven

centuries. Rumi’s importance is considered to transcend

national and ethnic borders. His poems have been

widely translated into many of the world’s languages

and transposed into various formats. In 2007, he was

described as the “most popular poet in America”.

(*1)Ananda Kentish Coomaraswamy (22 August 1877

− 9 September 1947) was a Ceylonese philosopher

and metaphysician, as well as a pioneering historian

and philosopher of Indian art, particularly art

history and symbolism, and an early interpreter of Indian

culture to the West. In particular, he is described as “the

groundbreaking theorist who was largely responsible for

introducing ancient Indian art to the West”.

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It is difficult to get money out from the market, a company

official tells us. Although there is money there, companies

are so reluctant to pay, even if they owe someone for a job

or a work done. This poor official was dealing with a major

agency for whom his company had done work a year or

so back and his payments were still pending. Yes, we can

say that again, more than a year and payments are still

pending. We spoke to several others and they were also in

the same waiting boat and sinking with the burden.

Some were waiting for six months, others eight, some for

over a year. And the pending amounts are huge. Why can’t

you sue them, we asked and then realised the foolishness

of the statement. It was a virtual Catch 22 situation. They

could neither spit nor swallow. If they made a case, then

it would take its own sweet time to see the case to realise

and moreover they would have made an enemy for life.

Besides, if you are in the business, you can’t sue in such

situations and you will probably end up on the street

having sued everyone in their wake. We can only request,

we cannot even demand for what is rightfully ours, the

official said. How can one get out of such a tight snare?

Wham, bam, no thank you Sir!

Waiting for Godot

We have been thinking of it since quite sometime now. Finally, 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 fortnight, here is some nitter natter for the B&W Bitter Batter:

Nit

ter

natt

er

There was this big shot who said he

will get into an official deal with us if

we get the right documents for that,

plus a proper proposal. We made a

neat proposal, fished out the right

documents and emailed them to him.

He scrutinised them and gave us the

green signal. Okay, it can be done.

Come over at a suitable time and date

and we will proceed, he said. Great,

we thought.

But when we went on the said date

he seemed to be in a particular bad

mood. Maybe he got on the wrong

side of the bed, or maybe he must

have fought with his wife, or maybe

someone ditched him because he

was not only in a foul mood, he was

foul.

He was firing his minions left, right

and centre and he was also abusive.

We sat through that and when our turn

came, he was curt, incisive, abrupt

and rude. We took it because we had

taken it before and so we let it ride.

Someone has had a bad day, let it be,

we thought. But, when we showed

the documents and were waiting to

proceed to an agreement with him, he

suddenly turned nasty: what about this

document, he said, waving at us and

demanding a document, which he had

not asked for before. Well, Sir, you did

not ask for it and so we did not bring

it, but if you insist, we will bring it, we

said. I also want one more document,

he said, demanding other papers that

were totally classified. We managed

to get the other new document he

wanted but said that since the other

matter was classified we could not

divulge the contents. Nope, said the

big man, I want them all or no deal.

But, that is something we cannot

reveal, we said citing official reasons.

Nope, said the man, then there is no

deal. We sighed, took our documents

and left the place with a no thank you.

He whammed us, bammed us, but we

said no thank you!


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We are not going into the cost of living scene here but did

the market fleece us during the Holy Month? Somehow

we felt that the cost of certain items went up during the

just concluded Ramadan. Consumers normally go on a

buying spree during the month and that is the right time

for many in the market to jack their prices. Now is this

price rise official or is it something that is decided upon by

the supermarket/hypermarket/shop owners themselves?

If so, are they authorised to do so, buyers ask. Many

consumers were complaining that the rates of many items

had suddenly increased without any rhyme or reason.

But, unfortunately, this happens every season. That is the

tragedy.

Airline fares to a particular destination are also touching

the ceiling and this has also thrown a spoke in the Eid

travel plans of many a traveller. Are these hikes in fares

necessary? Yes, it is necessary to make money, but, at

whose cost? The poor passenger’s?

Some weeks back, one of our readers

who was walking on one of the

beaches in Muscat and was aghast

at the site that met him. The whole

area was littered with fish. There

were hundreds upon thousands of

fish washed on to the beach area,

some still alive. This is not an unusual

sight, but what was pitiable about this

was the fact that some people were

actually walking on the fishes, taking

particular delight on stamping them.

There were a couple of men who even

drove over the hapless lot as though

it was still sand. The only redeeming

factor was that some of the people –

including kids – on the beach were

trying to throw the live ones back into

Rise without rhyme or reason

Walk on fish

(Note: Readers who have something bitter to chatter about can either email on [email protected] or call 99218461)

the water. They were washed on to

the shore due to some phenomenon

– natural or otherwise – but what we

did not understand is why were some

people so callous enough to walk and

drive or them?


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Embrace the challenges

which this time brings, they will only

serve to make you stronger. The

recent dramas that you underwent

will only make you stronger. So much

stress is evident in your chart and yet

you’ve been doing, and continue to

do, a very good job of trying to cover

it up.

Keep a cool head when

challenged about a past relationship

over the coming weeks. It would

seem that certain signs seem to

know exactly what to say and do

to get a rise out of you. Be patient.

You have what it takes to rise above

others’ words and actions, so don’t

let anybody else tell you differently.

Try to take a step back

and look at the bigger picture this

month. You of all signs should know

that attention to detail is the key to

longevity in your success. Keep a

close eye on a rival in work and on

your spending which is rather erratic

to say the least over the coming days

and weeks.

Trust your instincts at this

time and don’t accept gossip as

gospel. Don’t put on an act, but let

others see you for how you really are.

This is the beginning of the rest of

your life and you don’t want to give

the impression that you’re someone

you’re not or you won’t get the

feedback or reactions.

You’ve had to do a lot of

growing up over the last few weeks and

this has led to you looking at yourself

from a new angle. Don’t let jealous

friends stop you from striving towards

your goals. What you want can be

yours with a little bit of forward planning.

You know what you are capable of and

how far you have come.

It’s no use living your life

as others see fit but it’s time to think

about what you want to do with your

future. There are big plans ahead

for a bash, which can put you in the

limelight and in the path of the perfect

sign. Let the social side of your sign

come to the fore and dress in clothes

you know you look good in.

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 ARIES

CANCER

TAURUS

LEO

GEMINI

VIRGO

Horo

scope

SIR THOMAS SEAN CONNERY KBE (BORN 25 AUGUST

1930) is a Scottish actor and producer who has won an

Academy Award, two BAFTA Awards (one of them being a

BAFTA Academy Fellowship Award) and three Golden Globes

(including the Cecil B. DeMille Award and a Henrietta Award).

Connery is best known for portraying the character James Bond,

starring in seven Bond films between 1962 and 1983 (six Eon

Productions films and the non-Eon Thunderball remake, Never

Say Never Again). In 1988, Connery won the Academy Award

for Best Supporting Actor for his role in The Untouchables. His

film career also includes such films as Marnie, The Name of the

Rose, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Indiana Jones

and the Last Crusade, The Hunt for Red October, Highlander,

Murder on the Orient Express, Dragonheart, and The Rock. He

was knighted in July 2000. Connery has been polled as "The

Greatest Living Scot" and "Scotland's Greatest Living National

Treasure". In 1989, he was proclaimed "Sexiest Man Alive" by

People magazine and in 1999, at age 69, he was voted "Sexiest

Man of the Century".


2 0 1 3B&W

If you can see potential in

every opportunity, you will feel the

rewards that each opportunity brings.

Get over your past hurt and get on

with your future before admirers tire

of vying for your attention. Don’t lose

out on showing those who really

matter to you how much you care, as

the chance is not likely to come.

There is more than one

way forward in life. If you have

trouble on one path then try creating

a new one. Be discreet concerning a

friend’s mistake or it could rebound

on you. You can at times be the best

keeper of secrets and at others the

worst, but this is one month where it’s

imperative.

This is your most

important working month of the

year. You can succeed where you

had previously failed and you can

also start to associate yourself with

professionals rather than those

who are simply killing time with

their work. You’ve always been an

ambitious sign.

You are always striving to

be the best you can be and all too

often give yourself a hard time when

you don’t come up to scratch. Aim for

progress this month, not perfection.

Nobody’s perfect, so don’t put

pressure on yourself to achieve the

impossible. Enjoy who you are with

all your imperfections.

The only problem with a fire

sign such as you is that as quickly as

you tell one lie, it can be tempting to

tell another to cover it. Step up your

act though when important faces

enter your life who are willing to help

you take a step up the career ladder,

but who will require total truth from

you.

Don’t let old problems get

in the way of new opportunities now.

You would be far better to put the

past behind you, even if it means

distancing yourself from those who

bring you down but who you feel such

an emotional tie to. You’re growing

and changing so much at this time

though, those around you notice it.

September 24-October 23

December 23-January 20

October 24-November 22

January 21-February 19

November 23-December 22

February 20-March 20

starsLIBRA

CAPRICORN

SCORPIO

AQUARIUS

SAGITTARIUS

PISCES

Top notes

Middle notes

Base notes

X SPRAY

E-MAIL: [email protected], Website: www.albahja.com

For men

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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:

854

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2 0 1 3B&W

Seductive, sensuous, slithering into my consciousness the F-O-U-R

letter word has permeated the fibre of my soul. Every time I think of it I

start fantasizing about it and my entire body goes into raptures thinking

of what it will do for me, my wardrobe, my look, my life. It dominates my

conversations with my friends who I’ve discovered more or less feel the

same. It’s a dream wrapped in reality. I’d choose it over an evening with

Brad Pitt,George Clooney… Lovely ladies, any guesses, guys I’m sorry I

think this one’s not for you, no gender bias, but really, it’s not for you.

The loaded four letter word is...

S

A

L

E

The blue and pink neon signs in dazzling colours smilingly beguile me till

my will power crumbles like a sandcastle and I fall prey to their charms. I

enter their haven which feels like heaven and then go through their wares

hungrily like a starving child at Mc Donalds and keep coming back for

more. I talk to myself and say, “Because I need it, it’s required, it’s the

next big thing, it’ll be a big motivation for me to lose weight, my sister can

also share it so in the long run it’ll benefit everyone. I’m doing the sensible

thing by being here because it’s so economical it is as good as free and

ultimately it will pay for itself”.

The only battered one in S-A-L-E s’ is my poor wallet which has gone from

a size 20 to a size 0, but I’m confident that once I wear all the beautiful

things I’ll forget about that as I’ll have all the Clooney’s in the world lining up

to date me and to take me for all the latest sales in town.

Gotta go…another sale beckons.

Till next time

Love and Hugs.

My favourite four letter word

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 [email protected]

Follow me on twitter Vandy4PM


2 0 1 3B&W


2 0 1 3B&W

Cookin

g

Cooking withMAYONNAISE

Mayonnaise is one of the safest products you can take along for your home planned picnics or special occasions. Mayonnaise can also be part of a healthy diet for your heart. Mayonnaise contains Vitamin E and heart-

healthy oils… here are a few simple recipes your kids will love…


2 0 1 3B&W

Ingredients:

200 g: broccoli, chopped

1 medium onion, chopped

1 red bell pepper, chopped

60 g Parmesan cheese, grated

120 Cheddar cheese, grated

1 clove(s) garlic, minced

120 ml sour cream

120 ml mayonnaise

Freshly ground black pepper

Method

Preparation time: ca. 10 min / grade of difficulty: easy / Calories per portion: n/a

Chop broccoli, onion and bell pepper and place in a bowl. Add Parmesan cheese and add to vegetables along with

remaining ingredients, mixing well. Set aside 2 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese for garnish. Heat mixture over low

heat until hot but not boiling. Sprinkle remaining 2 tablespoons Parmesean cheese over top and surround with Pita

Chips.

Ingredients:

250 ml mayonnaise

60 ml milk

1 tsp sugar

1/2 tsp white vinegar

1 large cucumber, sliced

salt and pepper, to taste

Method

Preparation time: ca. 10 min / Grade

of difficulty: easy / Calories per

portion: n/a

Combine the mayonnaise, milk,

sugar, and vinegar and mix until

smooth. Place cucumber slices in

the bowl and toss to coat. Season

with salt and pepper and chill for 30

minutes before serving.

Hot Broccoli Cheese Dip

Creamed Cucumbers


2 0 1 3B&W

Eves

dro

p

There are millions of people out there with real, live and crazy phobias, which

are in effect an intense, irrational fear when they face a certain situation,

activity or object. Yes, you know it is ridiculous to believe that phobias have a

life-paralysing grip, but that is the way the cookie crumbles.

While there are hundreds of different phobias, experts divide them into

three categories -- agoraphobia, an intense anxiety in public places where

an escape might be difficult; social phobia, a fear and avoidance of social

situations; and specific phobia, an irrational fear of specific objects or

situations.

Here is the usual list of phobias and let us see the ones that you are

terrified about:

AGORAPHOBIA: FEAR OF PUBLIC PLACES

Someone with agoraphobia is afraid of being trapped in a public place or a

place like a bridge or a line at the bank. The actual fear is of not being able

to escape if anxiety gets too high. Agoraphobia affects twice as many women

as men. Untreated, it can lead to someone becoming housebound. With

treatment, nine out of every 10 people who follow through are helped.

SOCIAL PHOBIA: BEYOND BEING SHY

Someone with a social phobia is not just shy. That person feels extreme

anxiety and fear about how he or she will perform in a social situation. Will her

actions seem appropriate to others? Will others be able to tell she is anxious?

Will the words be there when it’s time to talk? Because untreated social

phobia often leads to avoiding social contact, it can have a major negative

impact on a person’s relationships and professional life.

CLAUSTROPHOBIA: NEEDING A WAY OUT

Claustrophobia, an abnormal fear of being in enclosed spaces, is a common

specific phobia. A person with claustrophobia can’t ride in elevators or go

through tunnels without extreme anxiety. Afraid of suffocating or being

trapped, the person will avoid tight spaces and often engage in “safety

seeking behavior,” such as opening windows or sitting near an exit. That may

make the situation tolerable, but it doesn’t relieve the fear.

BRONTOPHOBIA: FEAR OF THUNDER

The Greek word bronte means thunder and brontophobia means fear of

thunder. Even though people with brontophobia may realise thunder won’t

hurt them, they may refuse to go outside during a thunderstorm. They may

even hide indoors by crouching behind a couch or waiting out the storm in a

closet. An abnormal fear of both thunder and lightning is called astraphobia, a

phobia shared by people and animals.

Women more prone to

PHOBIASResearch on this subject

keeps changing, but the general belief is that women are more prone

to suffer from phobias than men. Depression and anxiety, generally,

are more common in women than men, but this may also be

because women may be more likely to report and seek treatment for their

mental health issues, reports note.


2 0 1 3B&W53

August 7 - September 62 0 1 3B&W


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Pink.

A bunch of pink flowers was pinned on

her hair.

Bright pink colour that would put candy

floss to shame!

While she crossed the road in front of

me, I realized all eyes were on her,

staring at her pink flowers.

I was not different. I was doing the

same thing, staring shamelessly at

a woman who was minding her own

business and living her life, oblivious to

all other things happening around her.

She was walking swiftly, speaking on a

phone, and while she crossed me and

I was still gazing at the pink flowers; it

was not eye candy, it was hilarious. I

was laughing too, at the pink flowers,

a big bunch of them, and suddenly I

realized that those flowers she adorned

in her hair were artificial, plain plastic.

How stupid of me, I thought, there

cannot be any natural pink large flower,

how could I think those were fresh and

pleasant? And to not realize that in this

hot summer morning, plastic flowers

may not actually be fragrant.

While I drove past her, the visual of the

lady all dressed up in light pink dress,

pink sandals tightly holding on to a dark

pink handbag, looked altogether very

out of place.

What would have made her look for

pink flowers and buy, only to wear it

along with a matching dress? Flowers

are worn to enhance the beauty of

your face, while leaving a lingering

fragrance…? At least I thought so. I am

always quick to judge, so my judging

mind went ahead and thought of all

possible reasons why a woman would

pick up bright pink flowers to adorn her

hair, that too plastic!

Maybe she could not afford fresh

By Priya Arunkumar

[email protected]

Plain plastic

flowers, maybe she didn’t find fresh

flowers, and maybe someone dear to her

told her that she looks beautiful in pink?

Maybe, could be…but common sense

was missing.

Perfumes and body products have

replaced natural elements far behind,

from food to our thought process. We

hardly have anything natural and fresh

left with us… I am not being negative, but

sometimes, a long drive becomes very

painful within city limits.

Pink had caught on to me hard and I was

still thinking… Did someone gift that to her

or did she actually plan and purchase? I

am still thinking of what makes people do

odd things to look good.

Everyone wants to look good, no matter

what age, gender, class or creed they

belong to, spending hours to make up

the face, select and stitch that exclusive

dress, that will make them look out of this

world. Designer pieces, brands, labels,

sometimes you think you are a loser left

far behind the live ramp, everyone walks

upon with fervour to outrun others in the

game. Everyone looks plastic, made up

and beautiful. Sometimes too good to be

true! I love seeing beautiful things, people,

and am positive that others do too. But

when you look around and see people run

after instant beauty, cool stuff and made

up looks, you see them as toys walking

past you, animated talking in phones, with

no time to take a deep breath from the

free fresh air nature is offering us all. Toys

that work on schedules preset for the,

programmed to eat at specified intervals,

dress as the market style demands, smile

briefly at people stranger than fiction, and

claim to know all around them...

What has made us, all plastic, when each

dawn holds a new hope, a new plan, and

a new life?

Hooked


2 0 1 3B&W

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