D C—39 C TODAY PUZZLES LIFESTYLE OROSCOPE The Amitabh ...

Sunday, May 6, 2018Sha’baan 20, 1439 AH

CommunityDoha College collaborates with

American School of Doha and Musiqaa to hold a music weekend.

P9 P16 CommunityAl Garabia, an exhibition by Doha-based

Latin American artists, opens at Katara.

The Amitabh Bachchan interview

COVERSTORY

P4-5

DOHA 28°C—39°C TODAY PUZZLES 12 & 13D LIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE 14LP

Sunday, May 6, 20182 GULF TIMES

COMMUNITY ROUND & ABOUT

Community EditorKamran Rehmat

e-mail: [email protected]: 44466405

Fax: 44350474

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USEFUL NUMBERS

Quote Unquote

PRAYER TIMEFajr 3.32amShorooq (sunrise) 4.55amZuhr (noon) 11.31amAsr (afternoon) 2.59pmMaghreb (sunset) 6.09pmIsha (night) 7.39pm

Setting goals is the fi rst step in

turning the invisible into the visible.

— Tony Robbins

Naa Peru SuryaDIRECTION: Vakkantham VamsiCAST: Allu Arjun, Boman Irani,

Sarath KumarSYNOPSIS: Naa Peru Surya - Naa

Illu India is a Telugu movie starring Allu

Arjun and Anu Emmanuel in prominent roles. The movie also stars Arjun Sarja and R Sarathkumar. Surya is an Indian Army offi cer, who has serious anger management issues. Although he is a brilliant offi cer when anger takes

control of him he is impossible to subdue. So, what happens to Surya? Does he get the better of his anger.

THEATRES: Royal Plaza, Landmark, The Mall

102 Not OutDIRECTION: Umesh ShuklaCAST: Amitabh Bachchan, Rishi Kapoor, Jimit TrivediSYNOPSIS: A 102-year-old father Dattatraya Vakharia

(Amitabh Bachchan) decides to send his 75-year-old son Babulal (Rishi Kapoor) to an old-age home. He does that because he believes his son’s morose and almost melancholic

outlook towards life will come in his way of trying to break the world record of the longest living human. The unique and refreshing concept of 102 Not Out is its strength. This fi lm like most other Hindi fi lms is about relationships, but thankfully here the story spins around the bond between two people aged 102 and 75.

THEATRES: The Mall, Landmark

The Mall Cinema (1): I Feel Pretty (2D) 12am; Naa Peru Surya (Telugu) 2pm; 102 Not Out (Hindi) 5pm; I Feel Pretty (2D) 7pm; Overboard (2D) 9pm; Naa Peru Surya (Telugu) 11pm.The Mall Cinema (2): The Incredible Story Of The Giant Pear (2D) 12:30pm; The Incredible Story Of The Giant Pear (2D) 2:30pm; The Incredible Story Of The Giant Pear (2D) 4:15pm; Avengers: Infinity War (2D) 6pm; Avengers: Infinity War (2D) 8:45pm; Avengers: Infinity War (2D) 11:30pm.The Mall Cinema (3): Swathanthryam (Malayalam) 11:30am; Swathanthryam (Malayalam) 2pm; Avengers: Infinity War (2D) 4:30pm; Qosty Byogaani (Arabic) 7:15pm; 102 Not Out (Hindi) 9:30pm; Beyond The Edge (2D) 11:30pm.Landmark Cinema (1):

Swathanthryam (Malayalam) 2:30pm; Here Comes The Grump (2D) 5pm; I Feel Pretty (2D) 7pm; Beyond The Edge (2D) 9pm; Naa Peru Surya (Telugu) 11pm.Landmark Cinema (2): The Incredible Story Of The Giant Pear (2D) 2:30pm; The Incredible Story Of The Giant Pear (2D) 4pm; Avengers: Infinity War (2D) 6pm; I Feel Pretty (2D) 9pm; Avengers: Infinity War (2D) 11pm.Landmark Cinema (3): Avengers: Infinity War (2D) 2:15pm; Naa Peru Surya (Telugu) 4:45pm; Qosty Byogaani (Arabic) 7:45pm; 102 Not Out (Hindi) 9:45pm; Swathanthryam

(Malayalam) 11:30pm.Royal Plaza Cinema Palace (1): The Incredible Story Of The Giant Pear (2D) 2:30pm; The Incredible Story Of The Giant Pear (2D) 4:30pm; Avengers: Infinity War (2D) 6:15pm; I Feel Pretty (2D) 9pm; Avengers: Infinity War (2D) 11pm.Royal Plaza Cinema Palace (2): Naa Peru Surya (Telugu) 2:30pm; Qosty Byogaani (Arabic) 5:30pm; Overboard (2D) 7:30pm; Tully (2D) 9:30pm; Swathanthryam (Malayalam) 11:30pm.Royal Plaza Cinema Palace (3): I Feel Pretty (2D) 2:15pm; Swathanthryam (Malayalam) 4:15pm; Beyond The Edge (2D) 6:45pm; The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society (2D) 8:45pm; Naa Peru Surya (Telugu) 11pm.

3Sunday, May 6, 2018 GULF TIMES

COMMUNITYROUND & ABOUT

Compiled by Nausheen Shaikh. E-mail: [email protected], Events and timings subject to change

EVENTS

Drumming WorkshopWHERE: Bin OmranWHEN: May 12TIME: 5pm-6pmA one-time event, Drumming/ Percussion

Workshop, is connecting and to learn the ethnic side of percussion. It will help learn the basic beats using Djembe and African percussion.

Beautiful to Eat, Good to Look AtWHERE: KataraWHEN: Till May 13TIME: 10am-10pmAn exhibition, featuring artist Elisabetta

Farina, is presented by Cultural Village Foundation – Katara in co-operation with the Embassy of Italy in Qatar.

HEC Paris Executive MBA Info Session:WHEN: May 8Time: 4:30pm – 6pmWHERE: 14th Floor, Tornado Tower, West

BayHEC Paris invites the interested peple to the

next information session for Executive MBA that will take place on May 8 2018. Learn more about this world-class executive programme. Discover the international diversity of participants, blended learning and international mobility options. Find out how it will help in transforming oneself and one’s career.

Next intake will be in February 2019. For more information, please contact Debra Lech at [email protected] or call or +974 4454 6079.

We are the Daughters of QatarWHERE: Company House, Msheireb

MuseumsWHEN: Ongoing till May 9The exhibition tells the stories of Qatari

women, whose lives were transformed as

a result of the discovery of oil. ‘We are the Daughters of Qatar’ showcases the perspectives of grandmothers, mothers and daughters of Qatar, and what has changed and remained in their lives. At the heart of this exhibition are the personal encounters of three generations of Qatari women as they share their memories and ideas concerning education, career, fashion, crafts and art.

The 2nd Aspire Embassies Futsal Tournament

WHERE: Aspire Zone WHEN: Untill May 12TIME: 5pm-8pmSixteen teams are taking part in the 2nd

Aspire Embassies Futsal Tournament. The teams represent Algeria, Djibouti, Ethiopia, France, India, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Qatar, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sudan, Syria and the United Kingdom. AZF has also lined up its own team to participate. The Qatari team will include members from the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs, and two diplomats from each embassy will take part in the competitions. Matches will be held every Friday and Saturday starting from April 13 until May 12.

Victorious Teenagers WorkshopWHERE: Hilton Hotel, DohaWHEN: May 12Mission20 Knowledge brings to Qatar for

the very fi rst time a series of transformational youth empowerment workshops for teenagers by a renowned international trainer, life coach, and motivational speaker, that will snap them out of uncertainty, confusion, low self esteem, fear of failure, stress, and lack of confi dence; and turn them into Victorious Teenagers. Three sessions for separate age groups of limited size.

Explore your talent with usWHERE: Mystic Arts Centre behind Al

Hilal Focus Medical CentreWHEN: Wednesday to MondayMystic Art Centre, is a holistic performing

arts institution and a one-stop solution for adults as well as children looking to explore their talents in various art forms. We off er classes in Carnatic Music, Hindustani Music, Karate, Yoga, Zumba, Classical Dance, Salsa, Hip Hop, contemporary and Bollywood dance forms. Personalised lessons, effi cient mentoring and exposure to stage helps our learner to walk out as a confi dent performer at the end of their course. For further details, call 44723680 | 33897609.

Dance and instrument classesWHERE: TCA Campus, Behind Gulf Times

BuildingWHEN: Wednesday-MondayCome and learn the movements of dance

styles in Bollywood, Hip Hop and also the musical instruments such as Piano, Guitar, Keyboard for adults as well kids and move in the world of music. Classes will run on a regular basis on weekends and weekdays. For details contact 66523871/ 31326749.

Al Bidda Park Spring BazaarWHERE: Al Bidda Park WHEN: Ongoing till May 8Al Bidda Park, in collaboration with

Qsports, officially opened the first “Al Bidda Park Spring Bazaar” on March 15, 2018. The Spring Bazaar is the first public event to be held at the newly opened park where over 60 exhibition booths have been set up along with 15 food court kiosks and a variety of children’s games that include a 1,000 square metre outdoor trampoline park, bike rentals, trackless train and a 15-metre-high giant inflatable slide. The event will run for seven weeks until May 8, 2018.

Extreme Desert ShowWHEN: OngoingTIME: 1:30pm - 6:30pmExperience the desert in a real traditional

way. It includes a desert safari, dune bashing and a trip to inland sea. Watch a thrilling Extreme Desert Show only for QR170 per person. Call 3339 3323 for more inquiries.

Remote-controlled car racing trackWHERE: Aspire ParkWHEN: Thu, Fri, SatTIME: 4pm-10pmAspire Zone Foundation has created a

custom-made track specially designed for remote-control car racing, for car lovers across Doha. Interested motorsport enthusiasts can try the race track opposite the Aspire Academy, from 4pm to 10pm on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.

Outdoor and fi ve-a-side football pitches

WHERE: Aspire ZoneWHEN: DailyTIME: 7pm-11pmAspire Zone’s fi ve-a-side football outdoor

pitches opposite Al Waab Street are available every day from 7pm until 11pm from Sundays to Thursdays, and on Fridays and Saturdays from 7am-11pm.

Mahaseel FestivalWHEN: Thu, Fri, SatWHERE: KataraTIME: 9am-10pmVisitors to the festival can expect a variety of

products from local vegetables, fl owers, honey and meat, poultry and diary items. For those of you looking for traditional Qatari food, there will also be stalls selling homemade foods such as Machbous. Farm-grown goods include aubergines, peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, courgettes, caulifl ower, herbs, and chilies. There are also animal products such as chicken, milk, cheese and eggs from Qatari companies like Baladna and Al Waha Poultry Company.

B.Square Mall Grand EventWHERE: Al Thumama, DohaWHEN: OngoingTIME: 6:30pmThe only mall in Qatar dedicated to

entertainment, B.Square Mall will occupy a total space of 26,000 sq.m and 250 car parking spaces, as well as provide a range of shopping, services, and entertainment options.

Torba Farmers MarketWHERE: Education CityWHEN: OngoingTIME: 9amQatar Foundation (QF) has partnered with

Torba Farmers Market, a Qatar-based initiative that aims to deliver organic and locally-grown food and homemade products, to host a weekly market in Education City. Open to the public, the market be held at QF’s Ceremonial Court, accessible from gate 2, every Thursday from 9am-4pm and every Friday from 8am-11am and 2pm-5pm.The name ‘Torba’ is derived from Arabic, and means “the pure soil that feeds, nourishes, and nurtures.” A wide range of fresh, locally-grown items will be on off er, including organic fruits and vegetables, homemade preserves, syrups, and butters, as well as handicrafts and gardening supplies.

Breakdance ClassesWHEN: Sunday-WednesdayBreakdancing is part of the Hip Hop culture

that originated in New York and has since spread all over the world. Breakdancing is an athletic and acrobatic style of dancing, which can often appear to defy the laws of physics. This extreme dance-sport uses tremendous upper-body strength for tricks and poses and a great way to get into shape and have fun. Register now by calling 33003839 or e-mail [email protected]

Salsa NightsWHERE: The Irish Harp-Sheraton Grand

Doha WHEN: Every WednesdayTIME: 9pmGet ready for some Latin beats every

Wednesday night, where all the salseros and salseras in town meet and party all night. Entry is QR50 for gents. Ladies enter free. For details call 4485 3000.

Off -Road biking tourWHERE: ZekreetWHEN: FridaysBlue Pearl Experience Qatar is off ering the

country’s fi rst off -road biking tour. Ride in the desert on a fat bike to explore the local fl ora and fauna spot desert wildlife, hike up jebels, chill in the magic of the Richard Serra statues and this unique landscape. Participants will get to cross the desert riding fat bikes from Zekreet to the Richard Serra statues, on a route of approximately 13kms. The route is easy to ride and suitable for people with average fi tness. You must be able to ride. Kids aged 9 and older are also welcome. The fee is QR 220 (QR190 for ages 9-14) and includes bike and safety equipment. The activity lasts about 2.5 hours.

Arab and German Tales Exhibition WHERE: Qatar National LibraryWHEN: Until August 18The exhibition is organised within the

framework of Qatar–Germany Year of Culture and provides an insight into the history of Arabic and German fairy and folk tales, and how the two traditions infl uenced each other. It aims to show the transcultural value of narrative traditions as a shared intangible cultural heritage and highlight mutual infl uences, shared ideas and cultural transfer between the Arab world and Germany through storytelling and tales.


COMMUNITY COVER STORY

“I have no legacy to leave behind”

— Amitabh Bachchan, Bollywood legend

I was always the son

of Dr Harivansh Rai Bachchan, eminent poet,

litterateur, having public presence far

greater than mine

SUNDAY CONVERSATION

By Sugandha Rawal

The world knows him as Bollywood’s “Shahenshah” (king), but he prefers to be known as the son of late eminent

poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan.

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan says he has been in public life from the day he was born, but has no legacy of his own to leave behind.

The actor, who has successfully transitioned from Bollywood’s “Angry young man” to its “Shahenshah” to its most globally known ambassador during his over four decade-old career, says

his father’s “public presence is far greater than” his.

“It is coming on to 50 years in public life... That is as far as I am personally concerned... But I have been in public life from the day I was born. I was always the son of Dr Harivansh Rai Bachchan, eminent poet, litterateur, having public presence far greater than mine,”


COMMUNITYCOVER STORY

Amitabh said in an interview.“I have no legacy... My father’s

legacy is what I am interested in, and I shall try always to further it.”

Amitabh, who is looking forward to the release of his next fi lm 102 Not Out, has time and again penned his feelings and thoughts about his bond with his father in his elaborate blogs. Earlier this year, he had also expressed displeasure over the stipulation in the copyright law which allows exclusive rights to heirs of original literary work for 60 years after the author’s death.

The 75-year-old, who also enjoys reciting his father’s works, especially Madhushala at public events, hopes he has passed on his father’s wisdom to his son and actor Abhishek.

“Memories with my father and time spent with him are personal...

But, yes lessons learnt from him would certainly be passed on to Abhishek,” added Big B.

Asked how these were being passed on to the grandchildren, Amitabh said: “These are family oriented. Each family has their own conduct and behaviour, and they are executed in a manner where the next generation continues the legacy of the past. One prays and hopes that this

temperament continues for posterity, too.”

Amitabh started his journey in showbiz as one of the seven protagonists in Saat Hindustani, and then went on to feature in the Rajesh Khanna-starrer Anand. But once he got noticed in 1973 with Zanjeer. There was no looking back.

Some remember him as the towering lead in fi lms like Deewar, Zanjeer, Don and Sholay; some

appreciate his work in Black, Paa and Piku, and some just love to watch him bring characters of myriad shades alive on the silver screen and the small screen.

From touching the pinnacle of stardom to facing failure to his days of bankruptcy to bouncing back in the game and seeing a meteoric rise — Big B has seen it all.

“I never dreamt of being where I am today, not that I am in some

special space now, but dreams of the young are never constant, at least mine were never. We keep imagining according to prevailing circumstances. And circumstances keep changing rapidly,” he said.

The cine icon feels it is very important to taste failure to value success.

“Criticism,” he says, “is healthy. If not, we would all be living in a Utopian world, and we know that, that is not possible. Abuse, negativity, criticism is a most important element in our growth. We must know what the rest of the world is thinking of us and our work, and learn from those outputs. It’s like failure; unless you fail, you will never know what success is.”

In Umesh Shukla’s 102 Not Out, Big B is seen as centenarian father to his 75-year-old son — essayed by Rishi Kapoor — who wants to break the world record of being the oldest man alive. The record is held by an 118-year-old Chinese man. The old man feels his son’s morose attitude would not help him achieve the target and takes step to move his son to an old age home.

Produced by Sony Pictures Entertainment Films India, Treetop Entertainment and Shukla’s Benchmark Pictures, the fi lm opened on Friday.

“Our experience comes from the design of the story and the script. We tried to do what the script demands, and we hope it has been done to audience’s satisfaction,” said the actor, who will also be seen in Thugs of Hindostan.

Clearly, there is no slowing down for Big B as he listed the projects in the pipeline.

“There are a few. Ayan Mukerji’s Brahmastra, Sujoy Ghosh’s The Guest (tentative working title or Badla), R Balki’s next and a few more... Then there is Kaun Banega Crorepati,” he said. — IANS

I never dreamt of being where I am today, not that I am in some special space now, but dreams of the young

are never constant, at least mine were never. We keep imagining according to prevailing circumstances. And

circumstances keep changing rapidly

TRANSFORMATION: From being the ‘angry young man’ of Bollywood to its king, Amitabh Bachchan has come a long way.

By Subhash K Jha

FILM: 102 Not Out DIRECTOR: Umesh ShuklaCAST: Amitabh Bachchan, Rishi Kapoor

RATING: ****

If you overlook the deliberate staginess of the presentation with just two characters aided by a third catalyst who is invited into the fl amboyant fi lial fold only to allow both the protagonists to have their

say out loud, 102 Not out is a deeply satisfying father-son story set in the heart of Mumbai.

No, make that in the heart, period.The emotions that glide in and out of the

extensively chatty plot initially off er some exasperating theatrics from the two principal actors. But then you realise director Umesh Shukla favours the stagy fl avour with a ferocious fervour. There is no attempt to conceal the fi lm’s theatrical antecedents.

For its 102-minute running time 102 Not Out accesses that rare theatre-on-celluloid mood which I thought had gone out of style with B.R. Chopra’s Kanoon. More recently Umesh Shukla had mined the theatrical tone most

successfully in Oh My God and disastrously in All Iz Well.

Here in this heartwarming of tale of a never-say-die (and never-say-dye either) father and stuff y grumpy sullen son Shukla brings to the table the undying spirit of an able fable. Credibly Arjun lets father Bachchan and son Kapoor work out their own karmic graph, barely interfering with their ongoing domestic skirmishes witnessed by a bewildered/amused/disturbed/moved chemist’s assistant, played with reined-in hamminess by Jimit Trivedi that is at one inviting and annoying.

Cleverly, Saumya Joshi’s story adapted to the screen by Vishal Patil builds the baap-beta bonding organically, relying on the two actors’ considerable emotional resources to bring to the screen a sense of imminent eruption.

Together Amitabh Bachchan and Rishi Kapoor explore the father-son relationship with a gurgling gusto best described as a landmine that has known better days.

Bachchan has great fun playing the 102-year-old fun father. He doesn’t hold back the emotional outpourings a heart bursting with a paternal pride which won’t allow the

son to snivel grovel plead and whine before a son who has migrated to a foreign land leaving his father to pine for that one phone call every 3 months.

Rishi Kapoor plays the old emotional fool with a restrain that wouldn’t be a problem on stage. He makes his character’s transparent emotions swell up to crescendo and then pulls back just time before gets excessively maudlin. As the mischievous father, Amitabh Bachchan is so clued to his character’s eff ervescence it felt like he was fl oating on a substance that man has yet to produce.

The two super-accomplished actors ensure the interest-level never drops. On the contrary, the dynamics of the drama-on-fi lm are supremely controlled allowing the characters to expand their emotional spectrum without losing the core of humanism that grips the morality tale. With resounding melodramatisation this fi lm questions a son’s claim to his father’s aff ections and wealth, no matter how emotionally and geographically distanced the son may be from his familial home. Don’t grovel before your child for that one tri-monthly phone call. It is meaningless. 102 Not Out teaches us to fi nd that one rare moment of truth that binds two people together even if they are not meant to be together for keeps. — IANS

102 minutes of unalloyed emotional bonding with Rishi

TWO OF A KIND: Rishi Kapoor, left, with Amitabh Bachchan in a scene from 102 Not Out.


COMMUNITYDPS-MIS felicitates students for academic excellenceDPS-Modern Indian School (DPS-MIS) recently organised the ‘Scholar Badge Ceremony’ to recognise academic excellence of the students of Grade V to IX and XI in the academic year 2017-18. Around 450 students were awarded with the scholar badges and certificates.Asna Nafees, Principal DPS-MIS, in her address, said that the school stood for a diff erence and

provided innumerable opportunities for the holistic development of its students. She commended the eff orts of the students and advised them to think diff erently, explore various other promising streams available rather than sticking to age-old beliefs and bring a meaningful change in the world.

BPS organises workshop on leadershipBirla Public School (BPS) recently organised a workshop on leadership for school leadership teams belonging to all the schools from the Qatar chapter of the CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education, India) aff iliated schools in the Gulf countries.Titled as ‘Shouldering Higher Responsibilities’, the workshop took up diff erent challenges and situations faced by the schools. The higher echelons of leadership from the Indian schools took up diff erent case studies where the school authorities confronted very sensitive situations from various stakeholders. The participants simulated delicate and sensitive situations and went through a re-visit of the challenges they face in every day school life.

Lukose K Chacko, Chairman of BPS, while inaugurating the session said, “A true leader is one, who takes a little less than his share of his credit for achievements and successes while he takes a little more than his share in the failures he experiences.”A P Sharma , Principal BPS, and Rakesh Thomar, Principal Cambridge School Doha, animated the sessions with living examples and incorporated the leadership traits.Lukose added, ‘It is important that you as leaders have to turn the arid lands of lifelessness into thriving swathes of activity and turn dullness in the schools into zones that pulsate with life.” All participants received the certificates given by Gope Shahani, Vice Chairman of BPS.

TRAQ wins 1st ISC inter organisation cricket tournamentTRAQ became the champions of the first ever inter organisation cricket tournament 2018, recently organised by Indian Sports Centre (ISC) at old Ideal Indian School floodlit cricket ground. TRAQ, an organisation of expatriates hailing from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, defeated KMCA (Karnataka Muslim Cultural Association), in the final match. Put into bat first, KMCA scored 85 runs at the loss of four wickets in eight overs. Chasing the moderate target, TRAQ won the match in 5.3 overs due fine batting by Sajeeva.

Sajeeva from TRAQ won the man of the match award. Thanveer from KMCA bagged the best bowler award, Mufiyaz from TRAQ won the best batsman and Sandeep from KMCA secured the man of the series award. Twelve teams took part in the seven-day-long league.The prize distribution ceremony was attended by Chief Guest Sanaullah Abdulrehman, MD Gulf Lights – the title sponsor of the tournament; Neelangshu Dey, President of ISC; Azim Abbas, Head of Cricket Committee ISC; and Suhail Bukhari, Chairman Corporate & Business Development ISC.


COMMUNITY

Quantum Global Solutions wins cricket leagueQuantum Global Solutions recently won the cricket tournament organised by Doha Chapter of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (DCICAI). The Doha chapter holds the cricket league for its members every year.Six teams participated in the tournament. The tournament also introduced a women’s cricket match. The tournament was conducted over a period of one month.Team Quantum was led by Aneesh Kuruppath and players included Rajesh Singh, Gopal Balasubramaniam, Singa Raju, Pankaj Singvi, Rajeesh Nair, Sanjay Das, Dhiraj Sankhi, Rajesh Chopra, Tom Kaitharam, Dewaki Tibrewal, Kiran Kumar and Vijay Saradhi. The final match was held at the old Ideal Indian

School. Team Mosafer won the toss and scored 165 runs in 20 overs. Quantum Global Solutions achieved the target in 19.1 overs. Rajesh Singh and Rajeesh Nair played sensible knocks to secure the victory. Man of the match award was given to Rajeesh Nair from Quantum team. The man of series was awarded to Rajesh Singh from Quantum for his batting performance through out the tournament. The chief guest at the prize ceremony was Raman Subramanian, an Olympian, gold medallist in Common Wealth Games and Arjun Award recipient for table tennis. The guest of honour was Peter Murphy, Managing Director of Quantum Global Solutions.

PIS students showcase projects at iEARN-Qatar 2018

MES student wins sports excellence award

RECOGNISED: Misnad K Muneer with his award.

Misnad K Muneer, a student of MES Indian School, recently won the prestigious ‘Sports Excellence Award 2018’ instituted by Indian Sports Centre (ISC) Qatar. Representing the school in various domestic and international sports events, Misnad K Muneer has got several achievements to his credit.He won four golds in School Olympic Program in 2014-15 and 2017-18. In the CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education, India) National Athletic Meet 2015-16, he won silver in 4x100m relay. In 2016-17, two bronze medals in 4x100m relay and 4x400m relay and in 2017-18, he won a bronze in 4x100 relay. He participated in Qatar Cup conducted by Qatar Athletic Federation and won a gold in 100m and Medley Relay, besides clinching a silver in 400m. He was a part of the winning team of CBSE National Athletic Meet. He also won the relay race in IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations) Diamond League and Asian Indoor Championship for schools. Hameeda Kadar, Principal of MES, congratulated him for his achievements. He was presented with the award by P Kumaran, ambassador of India to Qatar, in the award ceremony held at Radisson Blu Hotel on the occasion of the ISC sports excellence day 2018.

Every year teachers from Pakistan International School (PIS) Qatar take up ‘iEARN (International Education and Resource Network)-Qatar Projects’ which aims at the teachers’ professional development and benefits students’ educational process.The motto of iEARN is learning with the world not just about it. While the students work on their projects, they collaborate online with schools from 140 countries around the globe.The projects are chosen from a list of iEARN Projects and the students research, design activities and set work for producing the project outcome.During the Session 2017-2018 again, five teachers from PIS took up four iEARN Projects and engaged 39 students from the primary and senior level in the projects.As many as 55 projects on a wide range of topics were recently displayed during the ‘iEARN-Qatar Open House 2018’ which was hosted by Reach Out to Asia (Rota) at Qatar Foundation.The four projects of PIS were as follows namely, ‘Don’t laminate the Earth- Everyday is Earth Day’, ‘Smiling World’ (Let’s spread peace, smile and joy), ‘Solar Explorer iEARN Project (Solar

Powered Backpack), and ‘Extending Hand Coated in Gold Trash’.All the projects of PIS were fantastic. ‘Don’t laminate the Earth-Everyday is Earth Day’, prepared by Saba Mujib, won the category of Distinguished Projects for Preparatory Level, sharing the first position with Amna Bint Wahab Preparatory Girls School. Saba Mujib is off ered a travel grant to attend the iEARN International Conference, 2018 to be held in Virginia, USA from July 8 to 24.Saba Mujib, Shagufta Riaz, Summayyah Hameed, Huma Wasim and Syeda Erum Naz were the in-charges of the projects. They engaged all the students in collaborative projects using the Internet and other communication technologies. Riff at Tahir and Razia Sardar facilitated the teachers during the development of the projects. All projects from PIS were highly commended by the iEARN facilitators and organisers.The teachers and students were also appreciated by Nargis Raza Otho, Principal of PIS. Afshan Shahid, Vice Principal Girls’ Wing, also attended the event and appreciated the projects.


COMMUNITY MARKETING

Australia, a global leader in halal meat productionT

he halal marketplace is emerging as one of the fastest growing segments in the world food business today.

The global halal food market is now worth an estimated USD667 million, representing close to 20% of the entire global food industry. It is anticipated to reach USD 2.55 trillion by 2024.

According to economists, the halal food industry will become a major market force in the near future based on four prevalent trends. Firstly, Islam is now the fastest growing religion in the world thus fueling a global demand for halal products. The annual growth in consumption of halal food is estimated at 16%. The Muslims represent an estimated 23% of the global population or about 1.8 billion consumers with an average growth rate of 3% per annum. If this growth trend continues, the Muslims are expected to make up about 26% of the world’s total projected population of 2.2 billion in 2030.

Secondly, the increasing trend of consuming halal food products for ethical and safety reasons by the non-Muslim consumers. Halal products are gaining wider recognition not only due to meeting Shari’a requirements, but also hygiene, sanitation and safety aspects. Third is the rising halal consumer power as a market force in tandem with the growth of the Muslim population and their rising disposable income. Finally, there is greater awareness among the Muslims on the need and necessity to consume only halal food.

The Middle East and the GCC halal market

The Middle East imports about 90% of the beef and lamb it consumes. The total imports of these red meat and red meat products were estimated at USD5.1 billion. In tandem with the expected rise in the region’s population by 40% by 2030, the consumption of food in the Middle East may well reach 51 million tons by 2020 to record an annual average growth of 4.6%.

The GCC’s halal sector is now worth $50 billion. The region’s annual food imports are expected to double from USD25.8 billion in 2010 to USD53 billion in 2020 with total imports of halal meat exceeding 1 million metric tons on an annual basis.

Halal integrity from farm to table

Australia, with a local Muslim

population of about half a million, has become a world leader in the processing and production of halal meat and meat products. The continent is a long trusted supplier of halal beef and lamb to over 100 countries in the world, including the Middle East.

Australia has one of the strictest halal programmes in the world. The Australian Government Authorized Halal Programme (AGAHP) is undertaken in collaboration with the Australian government’s department of Agriculture & Water Resources, and Australian Islamic Organisations. Together, they enforce the best practices of production standards, which have contributed to the worldwide recognition that Australia’s halal programme is amongst the most rigorously enforced halal system in the world.

The country has invested millions of dollars in research and development in meat science and understands that healthy, well fed and stress free livestock produce the best quality meat for all consumers to enjoy.

One of the important halal requirements is that animals are treated properly their entire life and that they have easy access to food and water and are free to roam. Australia, with its natural environment and world’s highest animal welfare standards, easily meets these requirements.

Additionally, all processing facilities in Australia employ only registered and trained Muslim slaughtermen. All slaughtermen are practicing Islam and comply with their religious slaughter training. They also comply with personal hygiene, operational sanitation and animal welfare requirements. Slaughter is carried out by sharp knifes in accordance with the Shari’a principles.

The halal systems and production facilities are regularly audited by approved Islamic organisations, internal quality assurance systems, Australian government departments and importing country representatives.

The Australia halal markThe Australian halal mark is a

stamp of integrity and assurance underpinned by the Australian government. The halal mark also assures consumers that the product has been certified as halal by a recognised Islamic organisation.

This is why the integrity of the Australian halal system is recognised and appreciated worldwide including all of the

GCC countries.Such integrity of the Australian

meat processing systems ensures a cycle of trust, from farm to plate, which has allowed Australia to remain a consistent and reliable supplier of lamb and beef to the Middle East.

Tarek Ibrahim, the first master chef from the Middle East, in summing up his opinion about Australian halal meat, states, “You can confidently enjoy your food knowing that that when you buy Australian halal beef and lamb, you are getting clean, safe and 100 percent guaranteed halal meat!”

For more information about the Australian halal programme, please visit www.AustraliaHalal.com

Meat & Livestock AustraliaMeat & Livestock Australia

(MLA) is a producer-owned company which provides marketing and research and development services for the Australian cattle, sheep and goat industries.

MLA in the Middle East - North African region works with retailers, foodservice operators, importers, manufacturers and Australian exporters to maintain and increase the demand for halal red meat and livestock to the region.

MASTER CHEF: Tarek Ibrahim, the first master chef from the Middle East.

FARM: Image of an Australia farm.


COMMUNITY

Doha College holds music weekend with ASD, MusiqaaA

collaboration of musical talent saw Doha College join forces with the American School of

Doha (ASD) to put on a spectacular musical recital, in what is hoped to be the beginning of a series of ongoing, meaningful cultural exchanges between the two schools.

A small group of talented musicians from both schools took to the stage of the ASD Fine Arts Theatre and delighted the audience with a varied repertoire. The students, aged from 14 to 18,

played violin, cello, piano, a variety of woodwind and percussion instruments. The programme also included a stunning soprano aria from a Doha College student. Three of the performers also featured recently with the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra at the Qatar National Convention Centre in March.

Steph Gomaa, Director of Music at Doha College, and Mark Seay, ASD Instrumental Music Instructor, collaborated to create a signifi cant enrichment experience for aspiring musicians from both

schools. Steph Gomaa summarised the evening by saying, “It is important for me to engage with the wider community to embed a real sense of belonging and team ethos with music colleagues, in addition to supporting our students with their endeavours within the fi eld. We feel that there is a real breadth of talent in our respective schools and that this is something worth highlighting and celebrating.”

To continue with the celebration of musical talent, in the same weekend, Doha College hosted the students of Musiqaa, who

took to the stage in their Al Waab Auditorium. Musiqaa is an instrumental music academy that was launched in September 2017 and works closely with Doha College to bring music tuition to the students of Doha College and the community. The students, some of whom had also taken part in the Doha College - ASD recital the night before, presented a programme of individual and group performances on a variety of instruments.

Over 50 students from six schools performed to a full-

house and displayed some of the academy’s fi nest instrumentalists. The successes of Musiqaa are numerous, listing two fi rst places and one third place in the Qatar National Music Competition, excellent results in the ABRSM and Rock School examinations, as well as students and teachers being regularly invited to perform at various prestigious events around Qatar.

To fi nd out more about the music curriculum on off er at Doha College and its affi liated academy Musiqaa, visit www.dohacollege.com

AMWAJ holds annual staff welfare programme

PARTICIPANTS: AMWAJ off icials and guests at the annual staff welfare programme.

AMWAJ Catering Services celebrated its annual staff welfare programme ‘AMWAJ GOT TALENT 2018’ at Mesaieed Global Village-1 recently with multiple events performed by employees form various operation sectors based at Dukhan, Ras Laff an, Doha, Mesaieed and Off shore.The event was inaugurated by Imad Tarabishi, GSD Manager, and was followed by cultural

activities. Several embassy off icials, QP dignitaries and various client representatives attended. The event ended with honouring the best performers, who were awarded mementos.“The event turned out to be a memorable occasion and reflected AMWAJ’s continuous eff orts in promoting the welfare of its employees,” a spokesman for the company said.


COMMUNITY QUIZ

The postage stamp is a relatively modern invention. In 1837, an Englishman named Rowland Hill first

proposed fees based on weight and prepayment in the form of stamps. The reason: same as incoming phone calls becoming free — let the sender pay the price.

At that time, mail in the UK was paid for by the recipient, a system that was associated with an irresolvable problem: the costs of delivering mails were not always recoverable.

And thus, on this day in 1840, was born the British Penny Black stamp. It allowed pre-payment of postage of up to 1⁄2 ounce (14 grams) to be delivered at a flat rate of one penny, regardless of distance.

The Penny Black, the world’s first adhesive postage stamp, features a cameo portrait of Queen Victoria. (William Shakespeare became the first non-Royal to feature on a British stamp in April 1964.)

On the 178th anniversary, we bring to you some little-known stamp facts. Whether or not you are a passionate philatelist or just consider stamps to be excellent pieces of miniature art, these will definitely spark your interest.

Welcome to the world of ‘Nutty’s Infotainment. YAYS!

Great Britain is the only country to not print its name on stamps issued. First Mover Luxuries!!!

The glue on the back of the US Stamps is vegetarian, and by licking it you consume 1/10 of a calorie.

With the birth of the first stamp came the hobby of stamp collecting, known today as philately. People around the world started being interested in this miniature pieces of art, mainly because of their beautiful design and later on because of their increasing value as collectible items.

The 1c British Guiana postage stamps of 1856 are supposedly the world’s rarest and most valuable stamps. These postage stamps are now estimated to value over £1 million.

The issuance of special commemorative stamps in 1893 contributed to the popularity of philately. The first was commemorating Columbus discovery of the New World. The

most popular to date has been the 1993 stamp honouring the young Elvis Presley, selling more than 124 million copies.

Postal offices around the world are making efforts to bring stamps and generally the hobby of stamp collecting closer to the younger generations of email senders. With cool and creative ideas of new designs and materials, it seems that this strategy works well. Australia issued postage stamps that look like just gems, diamonds, pearls etc. Some bling for those letters!!!

In 1973, Tonga released a design commemorating Captain Cook’s first arrival on the islands, that when peeled revealed a ship’s outline. USA came out with the first circular stamp — a picture of the globe. Sierra Leone and Tonga have also issued stamps in the shapes of fruit. Malaysia once released glow in the dark designs featuring nocturnal animals.

And how about stamps for your senses: In 1973, Bhutan came out with stamps which were actually phonograph records. These could play its national anthem on record player. India came out with sandalwood stamps which retained aromas for long. Belgian chocolate stamps from 2013 smelled, looked, and tasted like dark, milk and white chocolate.

With the proliferation of WiFi and cell phones, you don’t send postcards anymore to your family and friends? Want to do something unique on your next vacation? Try sending a card from an underwater post office. Yes, they do exist. Stay tuned!

Your time starts NOW!

What is common to Chubby Hubby, Half-Baked and Vermonty Python?

Three of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream flavours.

Who is attributed with this famous quote, “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. His hands can’t hit what his eyes can’t see.”?

Muhammad Ali said this before his duel with George Foreman in 1974.

The Mahabharata is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India. But in which country will you find the Mahabharata Range?

Nepal.

Shrewdness is a group of what?

Apes. A group of apes can also be referred to as a Troop.

Fredric Baur, the man who invented the tubular shaped Pringles packaging system died aged 89 in 2008 after suffering from Alzheimer’s. He had a certain wish regarding his ashes. This was fulfilled by his children after his death. What was it?

To seal and bury some of his ashes in a Pringles can.

Which are the only places on the human body where hair does not grow?

Palms of the hands, soles of the feet, and lips.

What is common to Hideaway Island (Vanuatu), Risor (Norway) and Sea Floor (Bahamas)?

Underwater post offices. The one in Bahamas closed in 1941.

Name the only politician to have won the Noble Prize for Literature.

Winston Churchill.

What is ZIP, as in ZIP code, an acronym for?

Zone Improvement Plan

Identify this middle-distance athlete (No. 41) who, on this day in 1954, became the fi rst person to run a mile in under four minutes. He once said, “I just ran anywhere and everywhere — never because it was an end in itself, but because it was easier for me to run than to walk”

Stamps: Keeping you posted

UNIQUE: The underwater Vanuatu post off ice.TOP GROSSER: The 1993 Elvis Presley stamp, which sold over 124 million copies.

LAST WEEK’S ANSWER: The Norwegian flag, which contains flags of six countries.

What’s the Good Word?

1. Clepsydra: (a) low value (b) trend

(c) unsettling (d) water clock

2. Disposition: (a) mood (b) awkward

(c) hatred (d) zoolatry

3. Yegg: (a) soft-boiled egg (b) nice

soul (c) burglar (d) funny beliefs

4. Agon: (a) above (b) conflict (c)

homely (d) monstrous

5. Placid: (a) calm (b) wrangled (c)

weakened (d) agitated

6. Vanward: (a) sluggish (b) about (c)

inferior (d) advanced

7. Lugubrious: (a) mournful (b)

unprecedented (c) cheerful (d)

boondoggle

8. Akrasia: (a) enkrateia (b) weakness

of will (c) summary (d) honest eff ort

9. Grudging: (a) predictive (b)

approve (c) reluctant (d) task

10. Reverie: (a) day dream (b)

nauseating (c) sirimiri (d) nightmare

Answers: 1 (d); 2 (a); 3 (c); 4 (b); 5 (a); 6

(d); 7 (a); 8 (b); 9 (c); 10 (a).


COMMUNITYINFOGRAPHIC


COMMUNITY CARTOONS/PUZZLES

Adam

Pooch Cafe

Garfield

Bound And Gagged

Codeword

Wordsearch

Every letter of the alphabet is used at least once. Squares with the same number in have the same letter in. Work out which number represents which letter.

Puzz

les

cour

tesy

: Puz

zlec

hoic

e.co

m

Sudoku

Sudoku is a puzzle based

on a 9x9 grid. The grid is

also divided into nine (3x3)

boxes. You are given a

selection of values and to

complete the puzzle, you

must fill the grid so that

every column, every anone

is repeated.

Good ...

AFTERNOON BOOK CHEER CONDUCT EVENING FAITH FELLOW

FRIDAY GRIEF HOPE LIVING LOOKS LUCK MORNING

NATURE NIGHT SPEED TIME TURN WILL


COMMUNITYPUZZLES

Colouring

Answers

Wordsearch Codeword

ACROSS1. Marked “Police” when in

action (7)

5. Keep up with Mark and us in

it (7)

9. A green pot (5)

10. Making up for the one the

chaps entered in a race (9)

11. Fat for a time, you grant (6)

12. Shout to one child outside in

the garden (8)

14. As an example, make up a

story about a foreign city (5)

15. How many on the A50, doc,

break across? (6,3)

18. Inside, asks foolishly “Was it

making signs?” (9)

20. Note the meal maid out and

look radiant (5)

22. Removes the hoop and it

goes to pieces (8)

24. Notes you make an effort (6)

26. Part of Government House?

(9)

27. Am I shot, chum? (5)

28. Forwards the back numbers

containing the last episodes

(5,2)

29. An Italian poet who wrote

slowly (7)

Super Cryptic Clues

Yesterday’s Solutions

Across: 1 Virginia Woolf; 8 Gallops; 9 Offhand; 11 Vanity; 13 Decrease; 15 Nasty; 16 Acolyte; 18 Breaker; 19 Hydro; 21 Decretal; 23 Boring; 25 Alluded; 26 Elitist; 28 Airworthiness.

Down: 2 Islands; 3 Goo; 4 Nose; 5 Above-board; 6 Offer; 7 Leafage; 8 Given an idea; 10 Dreadnought; 12 Thyme; 14 Back-hander; 17 Yahoo; 18 Bacilli; 20 Dailies; 22 Endow; 24 Mesh; 27 Inn.

DOWN1. The figure, a fifty, is written

on the drug (9)

2. Cleaner having a romance

with a man (7)

3. It’s not fair giving the

charmer faked notes (9)

4. Describe as a raffle (4)

5. Haze resulting from imbibing

too much whisky? (6,4)

6. Read laboriously for a while

(5)

7. Daniel out with a girl...(7)

8. ...and out without money

(3,2)

13. Singled out to be reduced

(6,4)

16. See shore and lights,

perhaps, as well (5,4)

17. Does it look sour when

caught? (5,4)

19. Don’t get the hand dirty (7)

21. The tail wags when one runs

out, with joy (7)

22. They go round to play and

talk about us (5)

23. Says first we work at the mill

(5)

25. Put half of them at half-mast,

lady (4)


COMMUNITY LIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE

ARIESMarch 21 — April 19

CANCERJune 21 — July 22

LIBRASeptember 23 — October 22

CAPRICORNDecember 22 — January 19

TAURUSApril 20 — May 20

LEOJuly 23 — August 22

SCORPIOOctober 23 — November 21

AQUARIUSJanuary 20 — February 18

GEMINIMay 21 — June 20

VIRGOAugust 23 — September 22

SAGITTARIUSNovember 22 — December 21

PISCESFebruary 19 — March 20

An increased focus, clarity of mind, and sense of concentration could lead

to success in career matters and increased income, Aries. Intuition can

provide practical guidance to help you advance. A male friend might give

you some good advice with regard to savings plans, investments, or a

more eff icient use of resources. This could be a fruitful day that opens new

doors for you. Make the most of it!

A date with a significant other could bring up discussions about plans for

the future, Cancer. Talk could run the gamut of all your concerns, from the

practical to the artistic to business to philosophical matters. The overall

impact of this might be that it brings the two of you closer together. You

might decide to partner on some kind of creative project.

A talent for interior decoration that you may or may not have been aware

of could inspire you to do some work on your home. You’ll probably

consider a lot of diff erent options and make long lists of possibilities, Libra.

Discussions with friends and family members can bring new ideas to mind.

You might want to take a chance and try something a little diff erent. Go to

it and have fun.

Stimulation that you could receive today from group activities might open

doors to a wealth of rich experiences, Capricorn. Your innate organising

talents may be called upon. Discussions with others lead to a new

understanding of social, spiritual, or political philosophies and expand

your intellectual horizons. An increased ability to concentrate can lead to

success with whatever you try to accomplish. Go for it!

Invitations to attend social events, perhaps business related, could bring

surprising results, Taurus. You might meet more than one person who

shares some of your interests, and these people could become friends.

Expect some interesting practical and philosophical discussions. An

opportunity to travel abroad or to a distant state might open up for you.

This could prove to be a most exciting and stimulating day.

A number of visitors could come to your home today, Leo, and a number

of fascinating subjects could come up in the course of your conversation.

Some interesting ideas might come directly or indirectly from these

discussions. You might want to put them to use formulating plans of action

to make your future more fulfilling. Professional, financial, and spiritual

opportunities could all open up for you. Go for it!

Spiritual and intellectual matters may be very much on your mind, Scorpio.

A lot of ideas could have come your way, although until now they may

not have been very focused. Today, however, your mind should be clear

enough to write down your thoughts and read the works of others in order

to gain more insight. The possibility of a short trip out of town could also

arise. Enjoy your day.

Uncertainty about professional matters can lead to an increased

determination to get ahead, Aquarius, despite confusion as to how to

do it exactly. It might be wise to do some research, organise all your

information, and use that to formulate a plan of action. The resulting

advancement may be slow moving, but it’s sure and steady. A wealth of

experience that enriches your life should follow.

While you may not have been feeling quite your usual self over the past

day or two, Gemini, today you’re likely to be feeling mentally and physically

stronger and more focused. You could discuss new ideas for future

projects, either personal or business, and formulate plans of action. Your

financial future could be on your mind. This is the day to look into ways to

ensure it. Enjoy your day.

Some short trips in your neighbourhood and contact with neighbours or

visitors to your community could bring some interesting information your

way, Virgo. It gets you thinking about ways to improve your socioeconomic

status and probably your professional standing. Spiritual and philosophical

discussions could also take place. In addition, your insights can prove as

valuable as any outside information.

Although your mind may have been a bit clouded over the past few days,

today the fog should clear and you’ll feel more focused. Money matters

might need some attention, Sagittarius, and you’re in just the right space to

dig in and take care of them. Once practical matters are settled, however,

this is a great day for spiritual studies or meditation. Creative projects can

also benefit from your increased concentration.

The opportunity to travel, perhaps with friends or a group you belong

to, could come your way today, Pisces. Discussions with others could

lead to the confirmation of practical arrangements. You might also seek

to advance your education, as your intellect is especially active now.

Whatever new experiences come your way could lead to new paths,

interests, and opportunities. Don’t let doubts or fears get in your way.

So why is modern life so incredibly annoying? By Nury Vittachi

A man raised by wolves in a forest says he misses his old life. Living as a wolf cub in a Spanish wilderness was much

less stressful than modern life, Marcos Rodríguez Pantoja told the BBC recently.

Journalists expressed surprise at his declaration, but I totally get his point.

Last week, my book ran out of batteries!

I know Socrates is looking down at me from heaven and laughing, waving his “always on” scroll.

Meanwhile, at home, my child is outraged. Why? “My snacks are so crunchy I can’t hear the TV,” she complains, furious.

This is literally the worst thing

that has ever happened to this child. I mean, how is she going to cope with real life, during which massively tragic things happen, like they forget to put mayo in your sandwich, a devastating incident that totally spoiled this columnist’s day yesterday?

I told her that in my day, the only TV was a window facing a brick wall and the only snacks our fi ngers. She said brick walls were probably better than what was on TV these days and she’s probably right.

Back at work, I was moaning about my dead e-book when a colleague told me about another tech problem. The trend spreading across Asia is to have a Roomba machine, a wheeled disk that quietly vacuums your fl oors in the middle of the night.

Unfortunately no-one told these machines that a) Koreans and Japanese people often sleep on thin mattresses on the fl oor; and b)

sucking up hair on the fl oor is not a good thing to do if it is still attached to a human’s head. On one recent occasion, fi refi ghters had to be called to remove a ravenous Roomba vacuum cleaner from its Korean owner’s head.

East Asian owners are junking their cleaning robots for superior technology: Broomsticks.

Police offi cers in the Indian state of Odisha recently demonstrated how they use pigeons to get messages across a vast portion of the state in just 20 minutes. During fl oods and power cuts the police pigeon service is the only functioning communications system.

So, basically, if their conversations are anything like mine, you send a bird across the state with your message, such as “LOL” and 40 minutes later, you get the bird back with a message saying “LMAO”.

Oh well, at least no-one can complain about information overload.

A colleague showed me an angry text that had been sent by a young person from an aircraft recently. “There’s so much leg room in business class that I can barely reach the touch screen TV,” she complained. What suff ering!

The odd thing is her inability to realise how the rest of us, sitting in economy class seats with our noses mere millimetres away from the

seat in front, will take her message. Where’s her brain?

Uh-oh. I would canvass readers, contributors and colleagues for more examples to fi ll this column with, but the main functional section of my own brain — which is housed in a smartphone in my right hand — is about to run out of batteries. So I have to stop here.

Socrates! Stop laughing! — IANS

Nury Vittachi is an Asia-based frequent traveller.

Sunday, May 6, 2018 15GULF TIMES

COMMUNITYSHOWBIZ

COMMITTED: Akshay Kumar.

By Arundhuti Banerjee

Whether it is standing up for the rights of stuntmen in the Indian film industry or training

girls for self-defence, supporting the ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’ or narrating the story of a man who took up the cause of menstrual hygiene — National Award-winning actor Akshay Kumar has dabbled in it all. He says his social work is a result of compassion towards humanity.

“I am really fortunate that God has given me fame, money and a celebrity status, and many youngsters get influenced by what I do. So I think my whole idea of standing for any cause is to utilise

the power in a responsible manner. My social work comes from pure compassion. I talk about issues that I feel for,” Akshay said.

Once known as the poster boy of action dramas in Bollywood, over the past few years Akshay has associated himself with films with patriotic themes — like Airlift and Rustom — and those with a social message, like Toilet: Ek Prem Katha and Pad Man. While Toilet... was about the need of toilets, Pad Man was aimed at spreading awareness on menstrual hygiene — both hardly spoken about subjects.

He says though he can make a lot of money from films, he also feels responsible to help in building the society.

“If I want, I can make a Singh Is Kinng part 2... I know I have an audience for that. I know I can make

millions of money from such a film. Not that I am not interested... But as a celebrity, I should be changing one thought. I should be influencing youngsters to contribute to a good cause. That is how we can build a society. I am doing it in my way,” he said with a smile.

The actor, 50, has become the brand ambassador of the New India Conclave 2018, which will recognise rural achievers of the country.

He says change will be visible in the society when people start focusing more on solutions than problems.

“What is the point of endlessly talking about our problems? We know what is the issue that our society is going through. The ideal thing would be find out the root cause and try to resolve them.” — IANS

My social work comes from pure compassion: Akshay

Misconduct allegations against Ali Zafar meaningless: Aqsa By Sugandha Rawal

Pakistani model-singer Aqsa Ali was surprised at the physical harassment allegations made by actress-model-singer

Meesha Shafi against Pakistan’s premier musician-actor-composer Ali Zafar and said these were absurd.

Defending Ali, she says he is a genuine person and treats everyone around him with respect and honour.

Last month, Meesha took to Twitter to allege that actor-singer Ali had physically harassed her on more than one occasion. This sparked Pakistan’s #MeToo moment. Ali has categorically denied all such claims, saying he will take the legal route to resolve the matter.

Aqsa has come to his defence.“It took me by surprise, because

apparently both of them are friends and they know each other from their university days. I, myself, am from the fashion industry and I have been working as a model. Now, I am following my passion to be a singer as well.

“I don’t think these allegations make any sense, there are so many loopholes in them. I am all for women empowerment but at least things should make some sense,” Aqsa told IANS in an email interview from Lahore.

Recalling one of the incidents — wherein Meesha said she was harassed, Aqsa said: “When I read about Meesha telling the world that

Ali harassed her at a jam session, I did not want to stay quiet as I was there as well with everyone else in the band.

“Her manager and the event manager were there as well. I was astonished, as nothing happened at all! We all have pictures, and we all were sitting together. It was a great jam session, everything was great

— we also performed in Islamabad after the jam and all went really well.”

She says, “It is a serious matter, and we must be really clear on everything and not make it sensational announcing your accusations on social media.”

Aqsa has known Ali on a professional level.

“I have been working with Ali for a few years and been travelling with him for concerts as well. It’s always been a great experience. The exposure, the love and the learning are unconditional. I feel very comfortable while working with him and I always learn something new,” said Aqsa, one of Ali’s band members.

She described Ali as a genuine person, who treats people around him nicely.

“I don’t think there’s any basis to these allegations, they are pretty empty and meaningless for me.

“I also don’t think it is right to attack me for speaking up and telling the truth about what I witnessed — lots of Meesha’s supporters tore down my witness testimony by saying ‘Oh, it doesn’t count as she is Ali’s band member...’ or ‘she was asked to write this’.

“My message to those ladies is simple: Don’t tear one woman to show your support to another woman. That is really not empowerment for me.”

She feels Meesha has misused a very noble #MeToo movement — which came into existence with an intention to raise awareness about sexual harassment.

“#MeToo is a great platform. Meesha’ attitude is known in the entertainment industry and I don’t think she really needs the #MeToo movement. She has a voice already and has never been scared to use it on anyone. I can’t comment on why she did this, but for me she misused #MeToo.”

She has a word of advice for Meesha.

“#MeToo is a strong movement. Yes, it is to empower women, but with great power comes great responsibility... We should be clear on the allegations before putting up this hashtag.

“If we want justice and want to empower the world, then we should understand the responsibility of every life being aff ected by our words too.” — IANS

CANDID: “I don't think these allegations make any sense, there are so many loopholes in them,” says Aqsa Ali.


COMMUNITY

ART WORKS: Diff erent art works by Latin American artists based in Qatar on display at Katara. VISITORS: Large numbers of people visited the exhibition on the opening day.

Doha-based Latin American artists display work at KataraA

l Garabia, an exhibition of paintings and other artworks by a group of Latin American artists based in Qatar was recently opened at Katara

Cultural Village Building 18.Ahmed Abdul Rahman al-Sayed, Deputy

General Manager of Katara – the Cultural Village and Rossana Cecilia Surballe, ambassador of Argentina to Qatar, jointly opened the exhibition in the presence of the ambassadors of several Latin American countries and the other dignitaries and visitors. The exhibition will run until May 14 from 10am to 10pm.

The exhibition is titled Al Garabia, after a linguistic expression, rich with cultural and historic meanings.

The term algaravia or al-arabîya is complex in signifi cance giving its many layers, ranging from its colonial origins to

the modern Spanish expression Algarabía, meaning a sudden loud situation or troupe of people creating confusion and bewilderment.

This defi nition is also often used to describe the Middle Eastern and Latino American peoples, which aside of the cliché highlights the similarities derived from long standing cultural ties between the two worlds.

“We call ourselves Group of Seven ( G7), meaning seven Latin American artists based in Qatar. Three more have joined this exhibition and we may change the name to G10,” said Maria al-Badr, one of the participating artists, originally from Uruguay, married and settled in Qatar.

“To be a member of our group you have to be born in a Latin American or Caribbean country, that are members of GRULAC ( Group of Latin American and Caribbean

Countries),” she added.Al Badr said that the basic idea behind

the exhibition was to show “what the Arab cultures have given to our countries,” through Arab immigrants, who came to Latin America several centuries ago.

About 40 paintings and art works illustrating the cultural link between Arabs and Latin American countries are on display at the exhibition.

The exhibits include a painting by al-Badr, titled ‘Bustle of Lights’ which evokes joyful memories of the Muslim Holy month of Ramadan.

“It shows a group of chandeliers moving graciously at the compass of the wind. The lights come announcing it is Maghrib (dusk) time in Ramadan, time to rejoice, no matter where you are,” said al-Badr.

Another painting titled ‘Hubbub of Views’ represents herself, al-Badr said. It shows

two feminine human faces, with the eyes closed. “The two faces represent the East and the West. The painting carries my past and present. The eyes are closed as a symbol of toleration to each other,” said al-Badr.

Juan Miguel Ramirez from Mexico has showcased a blend of photography, installations and paintings, depicting three Qatari ‘boats’ and colourful paintings set in the backdrop of Qatari life and environment.

“Having lived in Qatar for 12 years, I have done this to show my love and support for Qatar,” said Ramirez.

Other participating artists include Alma De La Barrera from Mexico, Melina Da Moura from Brazil, Angeles Ollarburo from Argentina, Johnathen Machado Tepper from Venezuela, Leonora Benavides from Chile, Maria de las Nieves Ahuad Goya from Mexico, Oscar Mantilla and Sebastian Betancur, both from Colombia.

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