black & white mag issue 50
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Oman's first free fortnightly magazineTRANSCRIPT
Foods men could Foods men could ideally avoidideally avoid p8p8
Women need to Women need to change their bad change their bad habitshabits p52p52
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4 September 7- 30, 2012
Published by: Muscat Press & Publishing House SAOC
Black & White
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Xclusive
Editor-in-chief Mohamed Issa Al Zadjali
Managing editor Priya Arunkumar
Work editor Adarsh Madhavan
Design & production Beneek Siraj
Advt. & marketing Shannon D'Souza
Priyanka Sampat
Conte
nts
It is a fact that women, despite
having lesser bad habits than men,
are prone to not weaning themselves
from them once they have been
bitted by the ‘bad-habits’ bug.
Serial SMSer bites the dust
A serial SMSer (one who sends too
many short messages on the mobile)
got into a real situation after a lovey-
dovey message he sent to one of his
‘lady loves’ ended up with the wrong
person
52
38
8 Foods that you could ideally avoid
Women need to change their bad habits
Bitter Batter
There are some foods that you could
avoid. These include fatty meats,
enriched flour, fried foods etc. Also
avoid daily products, enriched flour,
fried items etc
The Hermit atopJebel Khawr24
Here is a tale of a man who left
everything to find himself atop a
mountain. What is he? A saint? A
man who has connected with his
soul on top of a rugged jebel? Or
someone who has escaped from
it all?
5Black & White
To copy or not to copy?By Adarsh Madhavan
I almost lost my job as a reporter once when,
after doing a long piece on a well known diver, my
editor questioned me on the veracity of that report.
I was flabbergasted by the thought that anyone
could question my integrity as far as doing a story
was concerned. I went back to my seat, took my
notebook to the editor and showed him the complete
interview taken in longhand. The editor sniffed and
frowned at the notebook, and waved me off.
Only a quarter of the interview was used and most
of the quotes were rephrased. I had no clue what
happened there and 15 or more years later, today, I
still wonder why the editor did that. Some are able to
give colourful quotes and fact is indeed better than
fiction on most occasions and I am sure any writer
would confirm that. I had further run ins with the
editor in question but never on my integrity because
he knew by then that I would lose my job post raising
such questions and casting such aspersions, but he
would lose something more valuable than a rickety
job at a daily!
I, of course, confess: I have used so many quotes
and so many lines off the net, but have always given
the source and attributed them to the author. Why
should I take something that is not mine and pass
off as my own? What pleasure will that give me?
Why should I take the applause for someone else’s
victory? I know I am no great shakes as a writer
but nothing would make me pass off someone’s
work as my own, unless I am that careless enough
not to attribute a quote, which is what this media
personality, Fareed Zakaria, might have done
unwittingly thereby inviting accusations of plagiarism.
Zakaria’s career almost went on an abrupt standstill
after bloggers discovered that his column, which he
wrote recently, for Time magazine had “passages
lifted almost entirely from an article by the historian
Jill Lepore (this appeared in The New Yorker in
April)”!
Although Zakaria looked as though he was going to go
out of oblivion for this minor transgression, it was soon
found that there was “no evidence of plagiarism” and
although he was suspended from Time magazine, he was
as quickly reinstated.
I have been in the thick of such controversies concerning
many in the past. One was with an Indian correspondent
of our newspaper, then with a lady columnist and
then again with an educationist who was accused of
plagiarising matter from another teacher’s book and
so on. These controversies were always a mess but it
managed to shake me awake from the reverie of writing.
Sometimes you are so caught in the maze of beautifying
lines, that the thin line of fact and fiction gets so blurred
that even you are fooled despite crafting them.
There is something starkly beautiful in being original.
Something so refreshing and alive, which you can never
get from pulling off some lines from someone else! I have
tried using quotes of many famous people, but they never
ever really felt good, especially when readers manage to
remember only the famous quotes and never caught your
drift. Somehow truth often gets lost in the transmission
and the translation from mind and heart to paper!
And when you desperately try to put the initial, unfettered
and pure message across, just as you had felt it when it
broke into your thoughts, you realise that it is but in vain
for you have to be fast to capture the essence before it
gets lost in the collective thoughts of many and becomes
just that – a mere collection of words and ordinary. Now,
even as I write this, I am compelled to mention that I did
go over some articles on plagiarism, which has helped me
form the thoughts penned here. But, I am in a dilemma
as to whether I should call them my own? Are these
actually my words and my thoughts? Since they claim that
“everything that is written actually reflects something that
came before it”, I am not fully sure whether I have copied
all of this from somewhere or actually written it? Let me
ask Zakaria.
Mail your views and opinions at
The hijab (issue 49) is a shield of protection, a modesty that
protects them from any type of assault, which other women
(who does not wear a hijab) are subjected to around the
world. The hijab gives the women an air of authority, dignity
and respect and well, it makes them equal to men.
Hijab, therefore, has great benefits and serves to guard
against any assault, provides equality with men, brings
about an air of respect and honour and most important of
all, obedience to the Almighty!
Whenever you are in doubt, dear Muslim women, ask
yourself whom you want to serve: some friends of yours
who do not believe or the Almighty? The whole nature of our
existence is to cultivate love and affection for the Almighty in
our heart and not for anything else. How can we create that
love when we disobey Him?
Adoration and affection come from the heart and those who
truly love Almighty Allah will not do anything contradicting
this. A woman of dignity and having respect will not conduct
herself in a manner that will disgrace her in her own as well
as other’s eyes! Also, if there is peer pressure among young
Muslim women who are often laughed at because they
observe the hijab, let me tell them that they should not feel
down or shaken by such derisive laughter. As they say, he
who laughs last laughs the longest!
Ali Abdul Hatim, Muttrah
You can’t speak (or write) about a genius called Khalil
Gibran, without mentioning his quotes. One of the best
quotes that I always cite is this: “You talk when you cease
to be at peace with your thoughts.” Then he said: “Trees are
poems the earth writes upon the sky, we fell them down and
turn them into paper that we may record our emptiness.”
I am honoured that I am alive to be present for his play.
Although I am a great fan of this artist and poet, I never had
the chance to see his play and I am saying with great pride
and joy that I am now getting this unique opportunity to see
it. Thank you!
Abdul Mateen, Seeb
A shield of protection
You talk when you are not at peace
Reader's
colu
mn
6 September 7- 30, 2012
You will not believe the amazing manner my life changed when I began to
wear the hijab during my college days back in India. There was instant respect!
I realised that people began to take me extra seriously, and I somehow felt
protected and confident whenever I stepped out alone – in fact, the hijab was a
companion! I was never ever alone once I started wearing it.
Zubaida Tanveer, Ruwi
I began wearing a hijab when I was a child. I still remember my father asking
me whether I would like to wear a hijab or not – but I was too young to really
make a choice. Still, my choice was automatic: I chose to wear it, although I
was just eight and a half years old. Since then I have been wearing it and it was
only when I became a college-going girl that I realised when it actually meant:
it gave me an identity of a Muslim. And yes, it makes me safe and protected
and it also gives me lot of confidence. But the most important thing is that it has
brought me closer to the Almighty! I wouldn’t trade it for anything in this world!
Jameela Azeez, Qurum
Khalil Gibran’s play (issue 49)? That is the best thing I have heard in a long,
long time. I am a great fan of Gibran and value and treasure his masterpiece,
The Prophet. It is indeed a work that has made him the third best selling poet of
all time. This is a book, which contains 26 poetic essays and was quite popular
during the 1960s. Since it was first published in 1923, The Prophet has never
been out of print. Having been translated into more than 40 languages, it was
one of the bestselling books of the 20th century in the United States, reports
say. By bringing this unusual play of the renowned poet, artist and writer, your
magazine, will help many have a firsthand view of the master artist. I am going
to be there for this grand event! And so will many!!
Kassim Jamil, Sohar
Brought me closer to the Almighty
Master’s masterpiece
My hijab, my companion
7Black & White
Men r
ead
AVOID JUNK
They did not invent a bag of chips during those days
when man paraded their locks or lived on its strength a
la Samson! Once again, the answer is staring at you:
Junk food! This is said to be a major cause for hair loss. If
you consume commercially processed foods, like potato
chips, over a lengthy period of time, say good bye to hair.
Yes, as bad as that!
This happens because junk food succeeds in producing
excess cholesterol, which in turn brings about something
called the pregnenolone that causes high levels of
dihydrotestosterone or DHT. This three-lettered word
is the prime reason for male hair loss, and is related to
androgenetic alopecia, which causes thinning of hair and
eventual baldness, experts note.
THE BOTTOMLINE
They also add that hair loss depended on genetics. But,
the unfortunate fact was that even though it relied on
genetic make-up, it is not purely based on your DNA.
Ultimately, the bottom-line is that your diet is a major
contributor to beautiful locks of hair. You could do one
simple thing: cut out on the junk food.
PROSTATE CANCER
It is wise to note that not only junk, there are other items
on the list that men should be wary of. For instance,
it is not great to know that your favourite male food –
hamburger – is also a problem poser. Going by research,
a few burgers a week upped the risk of getting prostate
cancer. In fact, reports say that the chances are like 40
percent, which is not a joke. Although it is nothing new,
the fact is that cooking meat at high temperatures create
cancer causing chemicals that damage DNA. Those who
ate meat cooked in pan were found to be at the biggest
risk, and those eaters of red meat to be really pushing it!
Research has found that those men who ate baked
poultry had lower risk of prostate cancer as compared to
those who pan fried it. Even fish that was pan fried posed
graver danger. As researchers probe the reasons, they
still maintain that although they don’t have the answers, it
was wise to avoid pan fried stuff.
DIFFERENT DIETS
The diet requirements of men and women are slightly
different. Men require more calories, carbohydrates
and protein owing to their larger muscle mass. But, that
doesn’t mean you can eat anything to supplement these
in your body. There are certain foods that you should
avoid because of their potential harmful nature to your
health.
AVOID, AVOID, AVOID
While it is quite often maintained that one should look
at a healthy and balanced diet, which includes fruits,
vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins etc., many men
don’t really bother about it. Some of the foods that men
should avoid include fatty meats, enriched flour, fried
foods and added sugars. Also, avoid dairy products,
enriched flour, fried items, lavender etc.
AVOID
FOODSthat you could ideally
By Michael Pauluke
Hair today, gone tomorrow? This is one of the biggest fears on the cosmetic front for men. Hair loss, balding, receding hairline and total hair loss are indeed hair-raising prospects for many men. In fact, look around: You see more bald men than hairy
ones today. And there has to be a reason for that.
8 September 7- 30, 2012
11Black & White
How to eat your way out of a
STROKEWhat you eat is what you are. And eating healthy food makes you healthy. This is not too hard to understand, yet, many men out there are bound to get into trouble despite all the advices floating around. When you consume a diet high in fat, cholesterol and salt, it can increase the risk of stroke, health experts say while adding that there are
also foods that men can eat to get healthy hearts and thereby avoid strokes.
MORE FRUITS, LESS STROKES
The first step to take if you even remotely suspect of
any heart related ailments is to see the doctor. In the
meantime, if you focus on food, it is time to eat a well-
balanced diet that contains fresh vegetables, fruits,
lean, clear protein foods and whole grains. “Fruits
and vegetables contain antioxidants that counteract/
prevent the damage from free radicals,” a health expert
noted, adding that frequent fruit consumers had much
lesser incidences of strokes. The benefits of fruits
and vegetables are two fold: they are not just rich in
antioxidants, they are also having good supplies of
vitamin B6 and folic acid. It is known that B vitamins
reduce levels of homocysteine (which again has shown to
increase the risk for stroke).
EAT YOURSELF BLUE AND PURPLE
Experts identified a diet rich with blue and purple fruits
and vegetables, grapes, eggplants and red cabbage.
Start consuming fruits that are high in antioxidants,
vitamin C,
potassium and magnesium, such as apples,
pomegranate, cranberries, apricots, kiwis, oranges and
blueberries on a daily basis. These nutrients help enrich
the blood and support healthy cells, they said.
BE A BUGS BUNNY
Being a ‘Bugs Bunny’ works! Help yourself to a good dose
of carrots too, other experts noted. Carrot consumption
works not just for the cartoon character, but also for you.
The more servings you have, the more the chances for
reducing a stroke.
STEP UP THE ANTIOXIDANTS
Time and again, experts have stressed the importance
of consuming fruits that are high in antioxidants, vitamin
C, potassium and magnesium. These include fruits like
apples, apricots, blueberries, cranberries, kiwis, oranges
etc.
HOOK UP ON THE OMEGA 3
The importance of fish cannot also be reiterated.
Consume fish that are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which
can help prevent cholesterol clots and thereby leading to
stroke. These include salmon, mackerel and herring. In
fact, eat plenty of fish. Regular fish eaters have a lower
rate of stroke than those who don’t.
WHAT FOODS TO AVOID
Avoid saturated and hydrogenated fats. Eliminate
dairy products (except for small amounts of the
low-fat varieties), red meat, eggs, margarine,
shortening, tropical oils such as coconut and palm
oil, and all fried foods. Saturated and hydrogenated
fats raise cholesterol levels, especially that of LDL
(“bad cholesterol”). Also, avoid a daily meat diet. It
has been found that a worrying percentage of those
who consumed meat daily had strokes. It is better to
‘foodwise’ than meat foolish, as a health expert noted.
12 September 7- 30, 2012
MAJOR DHYAN CHANDIndian legend and hockey wizardBy SAS Naqvi – Sports Consultant
August 29 is a hallowed day in the history of sports because it was on this day that the Indian legend and ‘wizard of hockey’ was born at the Prayag Allahabad in the
Indian state of Uttar Pradesh to Sameshwar Dutt Singh, in 1905.In honour of Major Dhyan Chand, the government of India has declared August 29 as the national sports day when leading sportsmen of the country are honoured by the President of India. I was personally associated with Dada Dhyan Chand, as he was respectfully called. I joined Western Railways in Bombay in 1952 and played in two of the most prestigious tournaments – the Gold Cup and the Aga Khan Hockey
Tournament, both held in Bombay then. The Dhyan Chand Cup in Delhi, the Beighton Cup in Calcutta were the other two top hockey tournaments at that time. I gained
name and fame in 1953 as the Western Railways figured in almost all the finals of all leading tournaments including the Inter-Railways and Obaidullah Cup held in Bhopal.
Our team of promising youngsters was led by none other than the experienced Kishen Lal, the Indian hockey captain of 1948 Olympics.
Om
an w
atc
h
13Black & White
Kishen Dada played as inside-right
with me at the right-out position. I
had developed perfect understanding
and had imbibed the styles of Kishen
Dada and my first mentor KD Singh
Babu, the hockey captain of the
1952 Olympic team. I was given the
nickname “pocket sized Kishen Lal
and/or KD Singh Babu”.
We had a wonderful attack led
by centre-forward Siddique who
performed brilliantly against
Pakistan’s Lahore Independents
comprising of several Olympians
from Pakistan. However, led by
Kishen Dada, we defeated them by
1-0 margin in the semi-finals of an
Invitation Gold Cup held in 1953 in
Bombay but had lost in the finals to
HAL, Bangalore 1-0 in the finals. We
had earlier wrested the Obaidullah
Gold Cup at Bhopal.
The press was euphoric and our
victory over Lahore Independents
received wide coverage all over the
country. The 1953 Dhyan Chand
Cup held at Delhi later, therefore
received great attention as leading
teams were in the fray including the
Independents from Pakistan. We
won the Dhyan Chand Cup also
defeating Pakistan’s Independents
once again in the semi-finals by 2-1.
We beat Kirkee United in the finals by
a margin of 3-1 and Dada was highly
impressed with our team. A grand
function was organised to celebrate
this victory and Dada Dhyan Chand
was specially invited to join the
celebrations. It was here that I was
introduced by Kishen Dada to the
good friends. In 1960 when I shifted
residence to the Matunga Railway
Colony in Bombay, Kishen Dada
became my next door neighbour and
it became a regular affair for Dada to
visit us at home whenever he came
to Bombay. Dada was also very fond
of my collection of press cuttings
of hockey matches, photos and
trophies and he loved to go through
my collection whenever he visited us.
In one of his rare letters to me, Dada
appreciated my collection (see pic).
I will also never forget that it was
Dada who personally visited the
Railway Sports Control Board to put
in a word for me and ensure that I
was nominated from the Railways for
training as a qualified hockey coach
from the Netaji Subhash Chandra
Bose Institute of Sports (NIS), Patiala
in 1975. Dada was earlier the chief
coach at NIS Patiala with Balkishen
Singh as his understudy. I completed
the year long course at NIS Patiala
with flying colours.
Indeed I am most fortunate to have
shared such close moments with
the legend and wizard of hockey
and I am even more blessed that he
recommended my name for the NIS
training, which laid the foundation
for my future career as a hockey
coach and a sports administrator
and consultant. Nothing remains of
the golden era of hockey in India but
sweet memories, especially of Dada.
legend and wizard of hockey.
Incidentally, earlier KD Singh Babu
had also spoken highly of me to Dada
and my performances during the
year had already reached his ears.
It was the greatest moment of my
career when Dada first shook hands
with me and was full of admiration for
my performance. He predicted to all
present there that ‘Naqvi’ had a bright
future in Indian hockey.
Dada invited Kishen Dada and me for
lunch at his residence in Safdarjung.
The vegetarian food prepared by him
comprised of vegetable, dal and rice
– cooked in pure ghee – was served
piping hot. It was a rare honour to
dine with the legend and is one of the
best memories that I carry of Dada.
Being from the army, Dada was the
coach of the Services XI hockey team
and I often met him at the Nationals
and various All India tournaments.
Kishen Dada was invariably with me
when we met Dada as they were
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15Black & White
By Adarsh Madhavan
O
ff th
e wall
Patient on the run
I am wanted: Dead or alive! Preferably alive, but dead still
so that I don’t fidget when they try to scan me! There is
this nice gentleman technician at the IMC (International
Medical Centre) who wants me: an escaped patient who
was to go under the MRI scan some time back. Biju is
pretty nice and decent. I have met very few medical
technicians who are that. In fact, when my son had to go
under a MRI scan and they sent us to a well known private
clinic, we met with some of the most obnoxious technicians
and doctors alive in this industry. I can’t believe that
people with such apathy exist and no one has done them
in. It is hard to believe that every patient, or every patient’s
dad, is as forgiving as I am. Now I am not forgiving; but
when faced with such situations, I am impotent in my rage.
Unlike the silver screen, where the heroes bash up such
obnoxious ones to pulp, I, in reality, in the gray screen,
just fume with impotent anger and pain. But, Biju was the
epitome of kindness and understanding. When I removed
my shoes and my watch, my many rings et al, he told me
that it was going to be a painless episode and all that I
had to do was to lie still so that he manages to get a good
reading of my left shoulder, which has been frozen for the
last six months (doctors from Apollo Medical Clinic advised
me to get a MRI done at the IMC). I wonder why they call
it ‘frozen’ because the pain that rips my innards can melt
all my resolve and pretence at being a tough guy and
can throw me down on the floor, writhing like a weakling.
Typically, I walked in for the scan sans preparations.
Friends have given me firsthand account on the travails of
being enclosed in a closed machine for durations between
half an hour and more. Yet, I, with my usual stupidity,
thought it would be a piece of cake. I had no clue. It was
only when Biju made out this somber statement that it was
going to be painless and there was no reason whatsoever
to fear going under the scan and that there was no side
effects for the same that realisation dawned on me. As for
the side effects my friend who had gone under this scan
believes that the radiation from the MRI can cause cancer
a decade or so, later. Biju, however, quietly noted that
the test was not only non invasive, but also the magnetic
fields and radio waves were not strong enough
to cause permanent damage to my body. At that
moment, my friend was not near me, so boo to her
and hail Biju! But, suddenly when my back hit the cold
innards of this dead machine, my confidence and my
ignorance melted and a sudden wave of panic hit me.
Biju added to my woes when he asked, “Adarshji,
I hope you are not claustrophobic?” Suddenly, all
my ailments, a bit of diabetes, asthma, suffocation,
aches, a dose of nervousness and panic and the dull
ache on my left shoulder came to the fore. It was a
panic attack and I wanted to get up and run. What
the heck, I told myself angrily, closed my eyes and
let myself slide into the centre of the MRI machine.
The opening was very small and from then on my
problems began to compound. Biju tells me that I
have to lie still for at least half an hour. I think I lasted
for three minutes and then began to fidget; my left
arm began to involuntarily twitch while I hoped that
neither Biju nor the machine saw it. I tried to suck in
air at a small opening in the machine and I told myself
that I should not hyperventilate. When-was-it-going-
to-end-when-was-it-going-to-end-when-was-it-going-
to-end-when-?!
Biju walks in suddenly and says that I had moved
several times and that we had to do it again. So, to
my utter dismay, we tried again. I was okay with the
thumping and humming sounds it made, but there
was no way I could lay still, I kept twitching, twitching
and twitching …Finally we gave it up! We will fight this
battle again another day, Biju said, avoiding my eyes.
He kept calling me afterwards, but, like the many
things I avoid in my usual escapist nature, I ignore
and am on the run…
16 September 7- 30, 2012
Word
pre
ss
American Tourister, the luggage
brand from the makers of Samsonite
recently conducted a raffle draw
for choosing 101 winners for its
American Tourister ‘Buy & Win’
promotion. The draw was held
at the Khimji Megastore, Ruwi in
the presence of the officials from
ministry of commerce and industry.
Anil Khimji, director, Khimji Ramdas,
Vivek Pande Ceo, Lifestyle Group,
Ravi Kumar, business development
manger were also present on the
occasion.
This promotion was held throughout
Oman during the period June and
July 2012. Anil Khimji, said: “The
value for money, after sale service
facilities and new attractive designs
have made American Tourister one
of the favourite luggageware for
travellers across the world. American
Tourister ‘Buy & Win’ promotion
has created a lot of excitement and
customers from different regions in
Oman actively participated in this
promotion with enthusiasm and
fervor making it a grand success.
Customers can call our customer
care toll-free number 800-75000 to
get more information on American
Tourister products.”
American Tourister bags, including
suitcases, uprights, briefcases,
laptop bags, back packs and beauty
cases available at Khimji’s luxury and
lifestyle stores and across all major
outlets Oman.
American Tourister Buy & Win promotion winners
Travel
City LLC
and Travel
Point LLC
announced
the
repositioning
of Sunil
Prabhakar, group general manager
as the Chief Executive Officer of
the Travel Group, recently. Known
for reliability and “getting the work
done” through persistence and strong
work ethic, Prabhakar is a highly
motivated, creative and versatile
individual in the travel industry with
more than 27 years of experience in
Oman.
In 2008, he took over the reigns
as group general manager of the
company from where he continued to
achieve one milestone after another
and in only four years time enhances
the business network from only two
branches, to 38 fully operational
branches spread across the whole
of Oman today. The company
has augmented from only a nine
member workforce to a team of over
200 efficient and skilled personnel,
dedicated towards delivering
travel products and services par
excellence.
Sunil Prabhakar, currently heads
the Travel Consortium comprising
Travel City and Travel Point LLC
and Al Araimi Travel & Cargo LLC.
Travel City LLC & Al Araimi Travel &
Cargo LLC are IATA (International
Air Transport Association) approved
Passenger Sales Agents. Travel
Point LLC represents all other travel
solutions such as international
product franchises, high quality
leisure and hospitality products.
Chief executive officer of Travel Group
Travelex Oman has launched exciting new tourism
ambassador awards that will reward individuals and
businesses for outstanding achievements in the
promotion of tourism in Oman – providing prizes for those
who are often the “unsung” heroes of the Om ani tourism
industry and have gone above an beyond in delivering
first class service and tourism products.
An independent panel of judges taken from leading
organisations in the tourism industry in Oman, including a
senior representative from the Ministry of Tourism itself,
will decide on the winners of these awards that Travelex
Oman plans to become an annual event. The awards
are open to any individual or business that is currently
operating within the tourism industry in Oman.Ten
separate awards will be presented:
Commenting on the awards Graham Flannery, Travelex
Director of Business Development for the Middle East
said: “We are very proud to be launching these awards
at an exciting time for both the industry as well as the
Travelex business, as we approach our tenth anniversary
in Oman in 2013. As a company who deals with travellers
and tourists every day we recognise the vital importance
of outstanding customer service and delivering the
personal touch the personal touch when dealing with
visitors.”
Application forms for the awards are available from www.
travelexomanawards.com and Travelex’s stores. The
closing date for applications is October 31, 2012.
Travelex Oman launches new tourism ambassador
17Black & White
Redtag has opened its first store in Oman recently amid
fun and excitement. Strategically located in Al Khuwair,
allowing easy access to its customers, the new store was
inaugurated by Sayyid Faisal Turki Al Said, Coo director
general of marketing and media, The Public Authority
for Investment Promotion and Export Development in
the presence of Redtag management, staff, media and a
large gathering of customers.
After the inauguration ceremony, the chief guest was
taken on a visit of the store and he was also provided with
an overview of the products & services that the customers
will now be able to enjoy in Oman.
Spread over an area of 2,200 sq mt , the store layout is
attractive and so are the items on display, adding to the
all-round appearance.
Large aisles and a bright and spacious setting accentuate
the feel-good factor. Shoppers can look forward to a wide
array of trendy clothes and accessories under one roof,
which make it truly a one-stop shop for all their shopping
requirements.
Commenting on the launch of Redtag in Oman, Ernest
J. Hosking, Ceo of the Redtag Group said “We are
excited to have opened our first store in the Sultanate
and look forward to sharing our long-standing traditions
of exceptional customer service, great value and a broad
assortment of merchandise with the Omani community
and we are certain that the Sultanate will have a fresh
shopping experience at our Redtag store in Muscat.”
REDTAG opens its first store in Oman
Six top flame grillers from Nando’s Oman competed
against each other recently in an effort to qualify for the
‘Africa Awaits 2012 – International Grillers Challenge’
scheduled for September 19th to 24th. The aim is to
provide an opportunity for Nando’s staff from all around
the world to compete for the title of ‘Grand Master Griller’,
by grilling the best quality chicken and delivering on the
Nando’s promise to customers. Yousuf Saber Al Balushi
who won recently is an Omani Nandoster that has been
working for Nando’s Oman for the last three years.
Nando’s Master Griller competition
Park Inn by Radisson
Muscat announced
recently the appointment
of the new executive chef
Ajay Dhoundiyal, to lead
its culinary team. “Ajay
has over 15 years of
experience in the culinary
industry, and we believe
that he is a master in
what he does. As the
new executive chef of
the hotel, he will lead the
culinary team, preparing and managing the operations
of the hotel’s dining outlets and M&E”, says Fahad Al
Wahaibi, executive assistant manager.
Ajay, who specialises in International cuisine, has
had the experience of leading the kitchen team.
He has experience in a diverse well-known hotels
establishment.
“We are delighted to have Ajay as our new executive
chef at Park Inn by Radisson Muscat,” says general
manager Rabih Zein. “We look forward to invite our
guests and clients in to taste Chef Ajay’s ingenious
dishes and enjoy new and fresh culinary experience.”
New executive chef at Park Inn
18 September 7- 30, 2012
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A sumptuous new carvery buffet menu featuring the ‘Sunday favourite’
of a full roast with all the trimmings was launched at the Almouj Golf
Academy restaurant, adding to the wide range of offers at the oasis on
the course. Available every Friday from 12 noon to 4pm, the new menu
adds the perfect taste to the weekend for both golfers looking to fuel up
with a hearty meal after a round and non-golfers spending time within
the relaxing surroundings of the Almouj Golf course. Michael Blumberg,
food and beverage service manager, Almouj Golf, said of the new
addition: “We are really pleased to see yet another favourite taste added
to our Academy restaurant menu. The carvery buffet will be an occasion
not only for golfers, but for all the family, and promises to become one of
the firm favourite academy restaurant deals.”
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) has
awarded a group of 15 students of the German University
of Technology in Oman (GUtech) with three week study-
scholarships for RWTH Aachen University in Germany.
“Congratulations for your achievements – a scholarship
is a reward for your good performance; but we also
want you to be ambassadors of our university when you
travel to Germany,” said Juergen Werner, deputy rector
for academic affairs at GUtech during an info-evening
with the students and their parents. The 15 students of
different study-programmes had to apply with a letter of
motivation that was followed by an interview. They were
chosen out of 42 applicants.
The group of Omani and international students and two
Omani GUtech staff members will travel to Germany
after the Eid holidays. They will study German at RWTH
Aachen’s Language Centre in the mornings and in the
afternoons they will have a cultural programme that
includes visits to The Netherlands, Belgium, Cologne
as well as an Omani evening. “For most of the students
this is the first trip to Germany. We want the students
to get to know more about life in Germany, experience
the classroom situation in our German parent-university
and learn more about their department at RWTH Aachen
University,” said Nicola Huson, head of the German
language department and representative of the DAAD in
Oman.
Almouj Golf launches its newest taste
DAAD awards 15 GUtech students with study-scholarships
Salma’s Chocolates, the latest
Intajee product launched by Omran,
has become an overnight YouTube
sensation. The video that depicts the
voyage of founders Salma and Aisha
Al Hajri to becoming world class
chocolate connoisseurs has now
received more than 32,000 views
in just 24 hours alone. The launch
of the handmade Omani chocolate
brand was recently held at the Sultan
Center under the patronage of Eng.
Ali bin Masoud Al Sunaidy, minister
of commerce and industry.
As part of its Corporate Social
Responsibility (CSR) agenda, Omran
provided the necessary investment
for training, equipment, packaging
and marketing to enable the products
to reach the shelves of Sultan Center
and become available to the wider
general public. Omran also provided
assistance with sourcing authentic
Omani ingredients necessary to
Salma’s Chocolates becomes overnight
YouTube sensation with over 32,000 views in 24 hours
create their inventive delights from
local producers. The video can be
viewed on Omran’s official YouTube
channel: http://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=6qXyLKJyhTA
19Black & White
Mountain Dew announced that
its partnership with Warner Bros.’
and Legendary Pictures’ summer
blockbuster “The Dark Knight Rises,”
which opened in theaters here
recently, will engage Dew and Dark
Knight fans in nearly 20 countries
across the Americas, Europe, Asia
and the Middle East this summer
as part of Mountain Dew’s first-ever
global campaign.
“Dew fans in the U.S. and around the
world have incredible passion for the
Dark Knight franchise. With Dew’s
first-ever global campaign we are
giving fans the exclusive opportunity
to experience Gotham City like
never before,” said Brad Jakeman,
president, Global Beverages
Group, PepsiCo. “Mountain Dew is
a tremendously successful brand,
and we are excited about continuing
to find unique and authentic ways
to connect with Dew fans and fuel
the growth of the brand around the
world.”
The promotion in Oman will invite
eager DEW fans to “Go Inside
Gotham City” and to experience
“The Dark Knight Rises” campaign
in a variety of ways, including: The
packaging of 1.25 Liter Mountain
Dew bottles and 6-pack Mountain
Dew glass NRB bottle carriers which
will come in attractively designed
limited edition packaging in which
the hero’s character of the famous
“Batman” movie will be featured.
In addition, a “Collect and Win”
campaign will be launched in a
number of modern retail outlets
which will give buyers the chance to
win premium prizes.
Mountain Dew global campaign
The Nawras Goodwill Journey 8 team members
concluded their voyage of compassion and sharing at a
homecoming and recognition ceremony held under the
patronage of Maitha Saif Al Mahrouqi, undersecretary
of the ministry of tourism. The event at Muscat Grand
Mall marked the return of the Nawras Goodwill Journey
volunteers who visited those in need within communities
across the length and breadth of Oman.
Following a video screening of the main highlights of the
journey, the under secretary presented each volunteer
with a certificate of recognition. Over the recent past,
Oman’s customer friendly communications provider
donated numerous gifts including laptops, mobile
phones, televisions, air conditioning units, washing
machines, iPads, sewing machines and wheelchairs and
headphones.
During the final event in Muscat, Saleh bin Nasser Al
Riyami, Nawras board director, said, “Fasting Nawras
volunteers have travelled across the country to help those
attending and running charitable organisations during
the Holy Month of Ramadan. By working together in
harmony, the teams have shown they can have a more
powerful and greater impact in enriching people’s lives.”
The eighth Nawras Goodwill Journey has seen 20
volunteers visit branches of the Omani Woman’s
Association across the country showing support for the
great work being carried out every day by those working
hard to enrich the lives of people in the Sultanate.
Starting in Muscat on July 28, the Nawras convoy visited
Nizwa, Dhank, Al Buraimi and Al Mussanah, Al Suwaiq
and Al Rustaq where donations will kick start a new
tailoring business for women in the community.
Eighth Nawras goodwill journey
20 September 7- 30, 201220
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National Bank of Oman’s (NBO) employee volunteers
continued to spread joy among families in the different
regions of the Sultanate by distributing Iftar Sa’im Boxes
to the needy during their concluding trip in Salalah.
This final NBO “A’ Rahma Iftar Sa’im Road Trip” in
Salalah, was led by Abdul Qadir Ahmed, NBO’s assistant
general manager- branch sales and distribution, assisted
by Hassan Kashoub, NBO’s regional manager, all NBO
Salalah branch managers and their teams.
The goodwill trip started at Al Sa’ada in Salalah, where
NBO employee volunteers visited a number of houses
and spent time with the needy families, listening to their
daily challenges and spreading happiness among all.
Besides distributing Iftar Sa'im Boxes, goodies were also
distributed – much to the delight of all the children.
The trip thereafter moved towards to Mirbat, and then
onto Al Hafa and eventually concluded in Taqa. Hassan
Kashoub, NBO’s regional manager – Salalah and his
team were responsible for locating the homes of the
beneficiaries and ensuring smooth distribution of the
boxes to the families.
Aisha Al Kharusi, NBO’s head CSR and corporate
communications said: “We are indeed delighted that our
Iftar Sa’im Road Trips helped us to cover most of the
country. Our Employee Volunteers are truly humbled and
grateful for the opportunity to contribute their time and
support, within their communities where NBO conducts
its business. NBO’s management and staff remain
committed towards supporting CSR programmes for the
better good of our community and for our nation”.
NBO “A’ Rahma Iftar Sa’im Road Trips” concludes
Muscat City Centre and Qurum City
Centre created a buzz this summer
with fantastic deals of up to 75 per
cent off and a season-wide promotion
that included RO 100 worth of gift
vouchers being given away daily –
and one lucky shopper driving away
in a brand new Chevrolet Tahoe.
Amira Salim Al Siyabi was the lucky
winner of the grand prize raffle draw,
which was held at the end of the
promotion. During the campaign,
which took place this summer
shoppers who spent OMR30 across
any of the combined 200 stores at
Muscat City Centre and Qurum City
Centre would be eligible to enter
the draw. Presenting the key of the
beautiful new 4x4 Tahoe, was Watfa
Humaid Al Harthy and Husam AL
Mandhari, both senior mall managers
for Qurum City Centre and Muscat
City Centre respectively.
Muscat City Centre and Qurum City
Centre’s summer promotion was
hosted over a five week period and
in addition to shopping deals, the
malls offered a calendar of family
entertainment throughout the season.
Lucky shopper drives away in a brand new Chevrolet Tahoe
Bank Muscat ‘borrow wisely’ educational campaign launched
as part of its social responsibility
initiatives, serving Omani society and
striking the right financial balance
between the customer’s actual needs
and their payment capabilities. The
campaign offersadvisory services
to customersto show them how to
take a loan within their financial
capabilities.The ‘borrow safely’
campaign will be instrumental in
organising a number of educational
and awareness events/activities,
including seminars and educational
evenings in all the governorates
and wilayats of the Sultanate.
Speaking on the occasion of the
launch, Said bin Ahmed Al Badai,
AGM branches with bank muscat,
said: "The launch of ‘borrow safely’
campaignis one of the plans bank will
reveal to consolidate its role in the
area of social responsibility, aimed
at supporting vital sectors in the
community.”
Bank
Muscat
recently
launched
its ‘borrow
safely’
campaign
aimed
at educating the general public to
carefully control their borrowing.
The launch of this new campaign is
another commitment by bank muscat
21Black & White
TALE OF A MOUNTAIN RECLUSE
Think of a life without your mobile. Or without internet
connection? Or, without a car? Can you even think of
a life without coffee or tea? No! A big ‘NO’!
Today’s man (and woman!) cannot live without these
‘basic necessities’! Man is more of a social animal
today than ever and he/she cannot live in isolation like
before. Today’s individual is made of the society he is
born and lives in and before he dies, he proposes to
live by enjoying everything that society can give him.
This cannot be obtained if you live in isolation and cut
off from life.
In short, he is dependent on society and vice versa
because society is peopled with men and women who
are like him and think like him. Moreover, they cannot
be separated from their devices. Some of us are so
dependent on our mobiles, net and the like, that we
feel totally handicapped when we are away from
them!
So, when the B& W team expressed their desire to
hike up the second tallest mountain --the Jebel Khawr
-- to meet up with an Omani recluse who shunned
society and lived in his own world – a world filled with
silence and nothing more – I was more than delighted.
This was not an ordinary story. It was a tale filled
with adventure, thrills, and for once, a chance to look
Why is Salim up on a mountain top all by himself? And why are these villagers hiking up once in two months to meet him, to ensure that he is alright? He has given up on everyone, but these villagers have not given up on him Mohamed Issa Al Zadjali
Editor-in-chief
In Black...
& White
In B
lack &
Whit
e
beyond and within ourselves. So, the team took up the
challenge and scaled the mountain to find a man who
gave up everything to find himself.
We understand that all human qualities, including the
ability to learn a language, enquire and think, play and
work, help or harm others are developed in human society
only. These capacities grow through social interaction
with others. One cannot develop into a normal person
in isolation. Meeting the hermit, Salim Al Hinai, was an
intriguing experience. But, more than that, this adventure
was also a reaffirmation that Oman is indeed a land
of hospitality beyond compare. Why is Salim up on a
mountain top all by himself? And why are these villagers
hiking up once in two months to meet him, to ensure that
he is alright? He has given up on everyone, but these
villagers living in the foothills of the mountain he is on
have not given up on him.
Our sincere thanks to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin
Said, who ensures that every living being on his land
is taken care of. Kudos to the committed officials of the
directorate general of police aviation also for the great
efforts to reach essentials to even the remotest places in
Oman. The B& W team would also like to thank every one
concerned – especially the helicopter team, the guides,
the interpreter and all of those who made this mission up
the mountain to meet a mysterious recluse, possible.
25Black & White
Omanis living in the foothills of the jebels have various tales to say. Of mysterious happenings, of strange people and unusual events. One such tale is that of a young Omani who went up a mountain many, many years ago and never came back; of how he found his ‘abode’ in the swathe of rocks up where only the eagles cry and how he lived all alone, content because he seems to have found himself there.
We, the Black & White, decided to follow this ‘tale’ to its roots and found it to be as true as the stories that abound on this strange hermit living atop the Jebel Al Khawr. A tale of a man who left everything to, perhaps, find himself atop a mountain…
What is he? A saint? A man who has connected with his soul on top of a rugged jebel? Or someone who has es-caped from it all? Was he, in terms, someone who has rebelled against the normal dictates of life and decided to live it entirely on his own terms? We don’t know. We tried to find out by getting atop this lonely mountain in an area, which nature continued to bless with enough sunlight, to meet a man, who although time forgot, was still remembered by many below.
I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately,
to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could
not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came
to die, discover that I had not lived. I did not wish to
live what was not life, living is so dear; nor did I wish
to practise resignation, unless it was quite necessary. I
wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life, to
live so sturdily and Spartan-like as to put to rout all that
was not life, to cut a broad swath and shave close, to drive
life into a corner...”- Henry David Thoreau – Walden
25Black & White
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The man on the mountain
Amidst that cacophony of unused supplies dropped there
some recently, and others, years back, a dark, black
bundle of a man sat on the ground, unmoving. As we
neared, our guides yodeled out a greeting in Arabic and
we followed, slightly hesitantly as though we were not
sure of what to expect. What could we expect on top of a
mountain like this: someone like Henry David Thoreau (*)
who went to live in the woods alone?
But unlike Thoreau, who lived alone in his experiment for
just over two years, this old man atop the mountain, must
be there for the last 50-odd years (around 52) and in this
case, it is not an experiment!
We found a dark, tiny, emaciated figure in tattered
clothes spewing out some form of greeting of which we
had no clue. His dark leathery feet was bare and if he
stayed motionless for sometime, he would merge with
the surroundings, another dark, weather beaten, sun
scorched entity in that bowl above the mountains, which
this ageless Omani hermit calls his own.
We were in the abode of Salim Al Hinai, a man as
ageless as the mountain he lived on and as mysterious
and perhaps as dignified in his own way. And as silent
save for the occasional strange words that he emitted.
Otherwise, he could be seen muttering on his own,
or, as the legends say: he was holding an animated
conversation with a Jinn (a benign spirit). Even during our
nearly one hour session with him, he would suddenly veer
off in silence punctuated with his one-sided conversation
The helicopter flattened everything in that area and sprayed dust and little pebbles wild in every direction. We stepped out into that golden-sun-lit but barren ground,
like mercenaries out on a mission to ‘kill’. Armed with cameras, notepads, pens, and thousands of questions, we ducked out of the helicopter and ran to a safe distance as
it took off again for another mission. We squinted to see if we could find the subject of our risky adventure trip up the inscrutable jebels. For some moments, we could
see nothing moving, not even leaves of the shrubs next to a tangled heap of goods, a semi cave, a tent-like structure, loads of water containers and the like.
27Black & White
It didn’t seem sad because, he seemed utterly content
with himself and his fate, which he had chosen for
himself. He had shunned society to live in solitude. He
also shunned all the trappings of life: just imagine a world
without toothpaste, soap, shampoo, hair brush, water…
just imagine being without cereal, eggs, chicken, rice,
sweets, ice cream…imagine, not having to shower, clean,
cut your hair or beard…imagine not having a bathroom,
or a bed, or a roof above your head…imagine not having
to work, not going for a nine to five job, or earning,
spending and saving money…imagine not having any
money or wanting to buy something with it…imagine not
having a family, a wife or a child and imaging not having
any possessions or having anything that would invite
trouble…imagine having no responsibility, or the need to
worry or be anxious about anything…imagine a life that
had no morning or night…imagine where time, literally,
stood still…
Imagine a life where you had no one to call your own, a
with his Jinn friend. Then, we would see him muttering
and his hands gesticulating to some reply to his unseen
companion. But, it didn’t seem eerie, or even sad.
For, here was a man who gave up everything and
was not just living all on his own, but also away from
everyone, everything. Far from the madding crowd…and
beyond!
Maybe he was not looking at living deep or “sucking
out all the marrow of life”, but Salim Al Hinai did lead a
Spartan’s life in the deep entrails of one of the tallest
jebels in Oman. Still, he was isolated, cut off from
everything and away from anything remotely human.
Imagine
a life
that
stood
still
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life where the desire to live or even die is non existent,
but you are still self contained and happy. That is the kind
of life Salim Al Hinai was living amidst a swirl of rocks.
NO ROOF ABOVE HIS HEAD
Salim’s roof kept changing: when it was night, it went
dark, and sunny in the mornings, and occasionally the
skies broke to shower him with ice cold rain. But, up
where he belonged, he had no qualms about being under
the sun or the rain. This small, five foot, wiry man who
when he moved, looked as though a cave man statue
was brought back to life, could take the elements in his
stride. He had built a small stone house many years
ago, but when the roof collapsed, he stayed out of it,
sometimes in a small semi-cave, or, a tent of sorts or
under the canopy of a pine tree.
ATOP FOR THE LAST 50-ODD YEARS
He seemed to have lost all sense of time. To a query,
which we put across through our friendly guide, Hamoud
Hamad Rashid Al Hinai, he replied that he came alone
above this mountain a decade or so before His Majesty
Sultan Qaboos bin Said took over as the ruler of Oman. “I
must be here for the last 10 years,” Salim says innocently
as we all stifle a laugh. We try to tell him that was some
42 years ago and therefore he must be atop here for the
last 50-odd years. Salim cannot believe that. “No way,” he
says. “I think I am here only for the last 10 years…” We
let him be.
NO KAHWA
Even above the mountain and with almost nothing to his
own, Salim has not lost the legendary Omani hospitality
as he tries to see what he could give us, the uninvited
guests. We decline and he says a trifle apologetically that
he is out of coffee/kahwa. “I don’t have enough (kahwa)
to give you all,” he says.
TALL MOUNTAIN TALES
We sit opposite him and stared like he was someone
from outer space. The cameras clicked incessantly as
we tried to take that quintessential cover shot. All of us
have a commercial purpose for living. And we, sort of,
look down upon those who have no purpose. But, when it
came to Salim, despite not being able to understand why
he took this stance to get away from it all, we still did not
feel as though he was wasting his time. He ‘must’ have a
purpose.
The story goes that many years back, he was living in
Saudi Arabia when he suddenly disappeared. He was
later found in a cave and since then, he was submerged
in his own eccentricity. After returning from Saudi Arabia,
he went up Jebel Khawr. And then the legend began…
some tales as tall as the mountain he is on.
Salim had built a small stone house many years before, but when the roof collapsed, he stayed out of it
29Black & White
FIVE FEET TALL
Salim is just five feet and nothing.
Perhaps lesser, as his age and the
elements seems to have shrunk
him further. He would not weigh
more than 40kgs. Draped loosely
on his skeletal body was a tattered
brownish black fur coat, which had
the left shoulder popping out like as
though a bullet had torn into him.
He had a coloured musr and he
was permanently squinting against
the sun. We thought he had some
problem with his left eye because it
seemed to be always closed, but at
some stage we saw it fully open.
IT IS THE HOLY MONTH
We pounded him with queries.
Sometimes he answered, sometimes,
he just veered the conversation to
something mundane and irrelevant,
or like at one point, he suddenly
realised we were all under the
scorching sun and so he got up in
the middle of a question and told
us that we should shift our position
under the shade of a pine tree. We
moved there and he drifted into his
own world for sometime, talking to
himself.
“He is talking to his Jinn,” Hamoud
quietly told us, while we corrected
him and said that the poor man was
only talking to himself.
Our meeting with him was during the
Holy Month of Ramadan and so we
ask him about the month. He seemed
happy to know that it was Ramadan,
but reserved comments on the same.
NEEDS A ROOF ABOVE HIS HEAD
He did not have any answers as to
why he chose to live alone and why
in a remote place like this. “But it was
green,” he says suddenly. “Green…
when I first came here, it was green,
silent and peaceful.”
We look around, other than the mess
of the things strewn around there,
there were still patches of green and
when we leave it was going to be
quiet and peaceful.
The story goes that many years back, he was living in Saudi Arabia when he suddenly disappeared. He was later found in a cave and since then, he was submerged in his own eccentricity. After returning from Saudi Arabia, he went up Jebel Khawr. And then the legend began…some tales as tall as the mountain he is on
A small semi-cave, where Salim often spends his nights
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“I was young then,” Salim reminisces. “And healthy...
I built a small rock home, but the roof always caved in
and so I gave up the pursuit. If someone could help me,
I could build the roof…” he trails off sans emotion. He
points to his current tent-like structure made of wood and
old clothes. “Too cold…I prefer a cave,” he adds.
Later on, after much probing, he admits he likes silence,
which the mountain seems to offer in plenty. But he is
neither alone nor lonely. Without touching on his silent,
unseen partner, he says that there are others like him
scattered around the mountain realm. “Sometimes, I see
them,” he says. This ‘sometimes’ is measured in terms of
years.
ONLY KAHWA
Doesn’t he want anything? Hasn’t he got any desire?
Yes, he wouldn’t mind a roof above his unfinished rock
home. He wouldn’t mind some coffee/kahwa!
Nothing else?
Nothing else!
UNDER THE PINE TREE
Whatever provisions that he require is supplied to him.
He is content; desires nothing. “Many years ago, I used to
go down the mountain and bring back essentials with the
help of a donkey. Now, neither do I have the energy to go
down, nor, do I have the inclination,” Salim confesses.
He is not bothered about the elements or the ravages of
the climate; extreme heat; extreme cold, storms et al, he
lives through it and survives. “Whenever it rains, I get wet,
but then it dries. It is not so hot at the top and in fact, it is
cold than warm, which is why I wear this jacket.”
He points to the pine tree, which always offers shade
and is cool. What would a day in the life of Salim be like?
Hours under the pine tree; eating and drinking when he
felt like, sleeping whenever he felt the need…there was
no schedule, no clock ticking its constant disapproval.
He took life as it came by in the seeming monotony of a
mountain top dwelling.
Sometimes, he allowed himself the pleasure of snacking
on a delicacy – some qubus/kubz rolled around dates and
milk, which is given to him by passing goat-tending folks
atop the mountain.
The only exercise he has is when he goes to collect
wood, which again was infrequent.
Has he fallen sick; has he broken any bones, we ask
rudely. He is non committal about this part, but admits
that he had fallen sick at times. “I have had stomach
problems!”
Salim Al Hinai in a meditative pose; close to his pine tree
31Black & White
NO FEAR, EXCEPT…
Didn’t this mountain dweller fear anything? Wasn’t he
afraid of anything? He says no at first and then adds
quietly that he did fear wild animals. What wild animals
resided atop the mountain, we wondered? “Foxes, wild
donkeys,” he says.
He has little information about his background, or about
his parents or his next of kin. He reveals that his sister is
somewhere there, living like him, alone and atop some
mountain. He is not sure where (but that is another
story…). Otherwise, he has no clue of his other relations.
ADDICTED TO HIS OWN SILENCE
But, sometimes, in the stark raving nights of solitude,
didn’t he feel alone, lonely? When nothing stirred and
even the winds didn’t keep him company and the one he
often used to speak to never replied? He did not seem
to be bothered about such a thought. Salim was not
consumed by the desire to have any human contact or
any need of such warmth. He was addicted to his own
silence and his own need for solitude.
And during the rare occasions that people came to see
him, he made small conversations in that slightly quaint
mountain dialect. He almost seemed relieved when he
bade us goodbye and as the copter lifted us out of that
almost surreal yet serene atmosphere, we saw Salim
sitting crouched there like before, alone and unmoving.
Perhaps, after we are all gone and the dust settled, he
would start his conversation with his unseen companion.
And, he would still continue his life atop the jebel, living
a life made entirely of his own and perhaps waiting for
something to happen…
What would that be? What would Salim, the hermit, be
waiting for?
Precious, these bags The hermit, Salim Al Hinai, may harbour many a secret. There are many things he would not reveal to us or anyone.
But, among these are two most priced precious possessions of Salim’s: two plastic bags, which he seemed to guard
over. Of course, he did not make a fuss about it, but, we saw him discreetly move the bags to a safe corner after we
came, a point noted to us by our guides. These not too lumpy bags were with him when we went, but after sometime,
when we moved to the shade of the pine tree, we saw him go back and inspect the bags. Satisfied that they were
intact and did not face any damage in the short span he spent away from them, he set them down in a safe spot and
with a satisfied look came back to us. What were in those bags? We did not ask; no one knew. These two innocuous
looking bags add to the mystery that Salim and his solitary life continue to be shrouded in.
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What is love?
Few really have an answer for this complicated four-letter
word. But, if we can try to decipher one form of love, it is
this one which some of the villagers down below the Jebel
Khawr have for their native son living all the way up there!
The villagers and Salim Al Hinai share a special bond,
which the latter would not realise or understand fully. But,
it is a sweet tale about the love that binds the two. Some
of these brave villagers have scaled up the treacherous
mountain just to be with Salim and youngsters like
Hamoud Hamed Al Hinai who served as our guide cum
interpreter during our meeting with Salim is one such man
who has risked his life to just meet this man who loved
anonymity and solitude. How, he managed to scale this
impenetrable rocky edifice is a question that really has no
answer but he and some others like him have done that
– climbed up just to spend some time with their beloved
hermit.
Love it is…or perhaps, it is more than just love by the
benevolent ruler and the government of the Sultanate of
Oman for its beloved people. For, who would ever think
of sending up provisions to people like Salim, whom
time has forgotten? Supplies are regularly reached up
to people like Salim, despite being in such far flung and
remote areas.
Bound by love
A villager ensuring the goods are safely packed
33Black & White
He was not only part of the trip to meet the hermit, Salim Al Hinai,
but it was thanks to him, the whole exercise was made possible.
Mohammed, who has not had the chance to meet the lone man on
top of the mountain, said he was excited at the prospect of meeting
him: “I love hiking and have done plenty of trips like this. Sometime
back, I learnt of the story of Salim who lived on one of the tallest
mountain ranges of Oman. I was totally intrigued and always wanted
to meet him. Meeting him would be a dream come true!
“I have heard that he lives all alone and his family members and
villagers reach food and other essentials to him once in three
months or so. He is said to be totally harmless, but his life alone,
atop the mountain, is one shrouded in mystery. Why is he living all
alone and away from everything? That is one question I would like
to ask him when I meet him.” Mohammed, who assisted the B&W
team up the mountain in their attempt to meet the hermit, notes
that there was a tough hiking trail, which began from the end of the
Bahla village and would easily take over five hours to reach the
hermit. We took the easier way out.
Adventurer’s dream
to meet the hermit
The village of Ma'abas, from where essentials were airlifted to Salim's mountain abode
Mohammed Al Azri, 33, is a young adventure expert and instructor, who has traversed across various remote and inaccessible locales of Oman and lives to talk about it.
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34 September 7- 30, 2012
Hamoud is one of those who is not only gifted with high
spirits, but also has the pluck and the strength to scale
the near-impenetrable mountain wall and reach to solitary
folks like Salim Al Hinai. “All of us in the Ma’abas area
and the nearby villages know about Salim, who is part of
the region’s folklore.
Salim actually belongs to a village here called Hail Al
Khadra. We do not know why he stays up the jebel all
alone. We have heard from relatives and other villagers
how he landed up there.
Salim was working in Saudi Arabia in the 60s when on
one fateful day he disappeared. His relatives and family
members searched for him for almost a week and found
him finally in one of the caves there. They brought him
back to Oman. Within weeks, he disappeared again and
was later found to be living up on the Jebel Khawr. We
have tried our best to bring him down, but he feels safe
and happy to live alone up there. Now it is over 45 years
plus; we have lost count!
Two weeks back, my father went up the mountain and
gave him some food and basic amenities. He is not
interested in anything, lives alone, walks alone and is
always silently mumbling to himself. There are many,
who think he has lost his mental stability, but no, he is
quite alright, but for the fact he talks to himself. Some
of the villagers believe he is living up there on top of
the mountain with a jinn because he keeps talking to
someone. We don’t think he is unsound; in fact, he also
does remember many things.
It is part of the Islamic tradition to take care of your family
and tribe members and we villagers take care of Salim in
whatever way we can. Once in a month someone from
the village visits him and talks to him, gives him fresh
food etc. But, he makes only scant use of food and water.
Although he is frail and thin, he is still quite healthy.
Two years back we tied him up and tried to bring him
down, the reason being that villagers felt he is old and he
should be here with people and community. But he ran
back. He walks all the way up to the tallest point in Jebel
Khawr taking some difficult donkey tracks. It is not easy
It’s Salim’s choice to live aloneHamoud Hamad Rashid Al Hinai, who volunteered to be our guide cum interpreter,
hails from the nearby Nadan Village, in the Ma’abas area. Although he works in Salalah, he rushes back to his village during his vacations and offers his services to
anyone in need.
35Black & White
Mohammed Moosa Al Balushi, 28, crew member of the helicopter that took us atop Jebel Khawr, has never met the hermit, Salim Al Hinai. “I have heard of him, and in fact, seen him from
above when we air dropped supplies – food and basic materials
– to him, but never had the chance to meet him, talk to him,”
Mohammed Balushi tells B&W. “I have only seen him from a
distance!”
Mohammed has been part of these supply trips on three
occasions. “We drop off food, supplies and also animal fodder,”
he said, adding that they engaged in such drop offs once in three
or six months. Mohammed, a product of the Airforce Technical
College and further trained in Malaysia, noted that his job
primarily entailed in monitoring the load, hauling and dropping,
checking the electrical circuits and the like.
Suleiman Al Hinai, also from Nadan village, has been living with Salim Al Hinai’s tales since a long time: “We have been hearing of Salim since our childhood. He
must be pretty old by now – maybe around 80 or 90… he was in his
late 30s when he was in Saudi Arabia doing some sort of business.
The story is that he went missing for a week and he was found to be
hiding or living in a cave and they brought him back. Then he went up
Jebel Khawr.
But, his family is also known to be one of loners. His sister Zahia Al
Hinai is also living in one of the mountains in this region alone for the
last 30 to 40 years. But, she is more social and communicates too.
She rears a herd of goats and is self sufficient. But again we don’t
know why she lives alone.
“Salim used to be a normal young man when he was working and
trading in Saudi. How he suddenly became a silent recluse is a
mystery. But he is not dangerous or mentally unstable. We respect
his need for silence and solitude and we all keep away from him.”
Seen the hermit
from above
We respect the hermit’s
need for solitude
to reach there; we need to walk some seven to 12kms
uphill from Ma’abas. During summer it is pretty hot in the
day and cool in the night. But at the point where he is
living, it is cold. In fact he always wears thick clothes and
sweaters. The ROP/army and RAFO authorities help us
reach food and amenities to him at regular intervals, but
the expense is too much for just one man up there. But
it is his choice to be there; we have never managed to
convince him to come down.”
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36 September 7- 30, 2012
The Jebel Khawr is Oman’s second highest mountain. It is said to be around 2730 m above the desert flatlands.
Although not as widely known as its popular counterparts (Jebel Akdhar and Jebel Shams), Khawr is one of a cluster
or peaks, located west of Jebel Shams (the highest peak at over 3000 m) and east of Ibri. The officials who took us
above the peak on the helicopter told us that we were going atop Bahla. Reports note that the Jebel Khawr conceals
the third largest cave in Oman.
(*)
Henry David Thoreau (July 12, 1817 – May 6, 1862) was an American author, poet, philosopher, freemason,
abolitionist, naturalist, tax resister, development critic, surveyor, historian, and leading transcendentalist. He is best
known for his book Walden, a reflection upon simple living in natural surroundings. He built a small home on Walden
Pond and spent a little over two years there living alone -- from everyone and everything else.
THANK YOU
(We are grateful to the officials of
the directorate general of police
aviation who helped us make this
story possible; special thanks to
Mohammed Al Azri, an adventure
instructor, who was instrumental in
getting us the lead.)
Second to none
Text: Adarsh Madhavan & Priya Arunkumar
Photos: Ben
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36 September 7- 30, 2012
38 September 7- 30, 2012
A lady was waiting in her car outside a video shop in Ruwi when
two bearded expatriates, dressed in kandooras approached
her. “We are seeking donation for a school. Would you donate
please?” they asked in good English. The lady found them to
be a bit suspicious looking so she asked whether they obtained
permission from the ministry of education to conduct such a
donation drive? They were taken aback, but they quickly
averred. Then, later as an afterthought, they added that it was
not for a school in Oman. They mentioned an Asian country’s
name. The lady responded saying that she was not interested to
donate. “Why not?” they demanded. “Don’t you want to support
such a charitable cause?”
“If I wanted to donate, I would donate for a school in my country.
Why would I want to donate for a school in some other country?”
the lady, who was from another Asian country, asked. “So, you
don’t believe in helping this school?” the duo asked, suddenly
looking a bit hostile. No, said the lady and then she felt as though
the two were looking at her rather menacingly. She immediately
honked at her child who was inside the video shop and zipped
out of the scene. “Somehow, it didn’t look and feel alright. They
looked strange and they behaved strangely! They were not
sending out good vibes and so I felt I didn’t want to have any
part with it,” the lady told Bitter Batter.
Serial SMSer
bites the
dust
No donations please!
Nit
tern
att
er
We have been thinking of it since quite sometime now. Fi-nally, we have taken the plunge to bring home to you some offbeat stuff. Here goes, if you like it, give us the green signal for more; if not, just take it with a pinch of salt. For this fort-night, here is some nitter natter for the B&W Bitter Batter:
A serial SMSer (one who sends too many short messages on the
mobile) got into a real situation after a lovey-dovey message he
sent to one of his ‘lady loves’ ended up with the wrong person
(another elderly woman by the same name). What had happened
was in his utter carelessness, the trigger-happy mobile man,
who was in the habit of sending SMSes to all his friends and
acquaintances on a variety of issues, including personal and
intimate, sent a real confidential message, declaring not just
his ardour for his lady friend, but in his excitement, he sent it to
another lady with the same name on the list. This lady was not
just a friend of his mother’s but was also someone who always
looked down upon him. Since the outpouring in the message was
quite an overwhelming one and also revealed quite a lot of intimate
stuff, the sender realised that he was going to be in deep trouble.
Moreover, the lady who received the wrong message began to
call him non stop, most probably to shout and berate him for the
message. The serial SMSer’s problems are only just beginning!
39Black & White
Supermarket ladies need a real education in manners.
Three colleagues who bought just six or seven items in
total stood in the limited ‘five’ items counter queue at
a well known hypermarket in town. Suddenly, the lady
at the counter stopped her job, stood up and told the
trio very rudely that they should not be in this queue.
She raised her voice when she said this and the three
were shocked. One of them gathered himself and told
the woman that they were three different individuals and
they had altogether only around seven items, so what
was the big deal? The lady herself had no clue. She sat
down, rather subdued when she realised her mistake
but still went on muttering under breath to which all of
the three customers lost their cool and threatened to call
the management. This shut her up but she made sure
that her anger was felt in her bad service to the three.
It is sad that such prestigious hypermarkets keep such
badly trained and ill-mannered staff to serve their loyal
customers!
In another related SMS mistake, a man sent a
very confidential message, making a very personal
request to someone wrongly. Like the above
incident, the sender did not realise that he had sent
his personal message to the wrong man, but with
the same name, until the latter began to call him.
When he saw the name blinking on his mobile, he
realised his blunder. He cut the line and checked
his message and yes, by God, it was sent to the
wrong person! Why are people increasingly being
trigger happy with their mobiles? Should these
SMSer’s get a BlackBerry, where the chances of
making such mistakes were relatively less?!
ill-mannered
hypermarket staff
Another SMS blunder
(Note: Readers who have something bitter to chatter about can either email on [email protected] or call 99218461)
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:
©T
hom
as S
nyder
©T
hom
as S
nyder
40 September 7- 30, 2012
41Black & White 41Black & White
Be a part of management
By Dr CK Anchan
Dr Anchan C.K.
managing director,
World Wide Business House
Any organisation, whether new or old, whether small
or big, needs to run smoothly and achieve the goals
and objectives, which it has set forth for itself. For this
to happen, they must develop and implement their
own management concepts. There are basically four
management concepts that allow any organisation to take
control of its destiny:
PLAN
It is the foundation pillar of management. Although every
organisation or association is different, there must be
some sort of plan implemented to achieve specified
goals and objectives. It is the base upon which the all
other areas of management are built. Planning requires
administration to assess where the company presently is
and where it would be in the upcoming years.
Strategic planning can be the overarching management
concept that sets the direction the 'future of business'
will take. Planning will involve all the various factors that
may affect business or organisation operations. There
are many different areas of planning, such as financial,
general assets available, employee pool and selection
process, and so on. The management concept of
planning should be practical and efficient.
ORGANISE
Organising at the level of the organisation involves
deciding how best to departmentalise, or cluster jobs
into departments to effectively coordinate effort. There
are many different ways to departmentalise, including
organising by function, product, geography, or customer.
Organising at the level of job involves how best to design
individual jobs to most effectively use human resources.
The organising function of management impacts
many levels of a business’s operations. First of all,
the organising function of management addresses the
manner in which people with the organisation will interact.
Who will report to who. The organisational chart and the
lines of authority. Many jobs are now designed based on
such principles as job enrichment and teamwork.
DIRECT/LEADING
Leading involves influencing others toward the attainment
of organisational objectives. Working under this function
helps the management in controlling and supervising the
actions of staff. This helps them in assisting the staff,
to achieve the company’s goals and also accomplish
their personal or career goals, which can be powered by
motivation, communication, department dynamics, and
department leadership.
It is very important to maintain a productive working
environment, build positive interpersonal relationships
and engage in problem solving. If managers are effective
leaders, their subordinates will be enthusiastic about
exerting effort toward the attainment of organisational
objectives. To become effective at leading, managers
must first understand their subordinates’ personalities,
values, attitudes, and emotions.
CONTROL
Control - includes establishing performance standards,
which are aligned to the company’s objectives.
Controlling involves ensuring that performance does
not deviate from standards. Controlling consists of three
steps, which include establishing performance standards,
comparing actual performance against standards, and
taking corrective action when necessary.
Controlling also requires a clear understanding of where
responsibility for deviations from standards lies. Two
traditional control techniques are the budget and the
performance audit. Although controlling is often thought of
in terms of financial criteria, managers must also control
production/operations processes, procedures for delivery
of services, compliance with company policies, and many
other activities within the organisation.
The concept of management has acquired special
significance in the present competitive and complex
business world. Efficient and purposeful management is
absolutely essential for the survival of a business unit.
Different concept and revolutionary strategies has been
getting evolved and will continue given the way today’s
businesses excel.
41Black & White
Managem
ent
talk
43Black & White
Tongue twisters:Tie twine to three tree twigs.
Trees are the longest living organisms on earth. Trees keep our air supply fresh by absorbing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen.
They provide shade and shelter, and improve water quality by slowing and filtering rain water as well as protecting aquifers and watersheds. They lower air temperature by evaporating water in their leaves. Here are a few fun facts about trees:
The world’s tallest tree is a coast redwood in California, measuring more than 360 ft or 110 m.
The world’s oldest trees are 4,600 year old Bristlecone pines in the USA.
There are over 23,000 different kinds of trees in the world.
In one year, an acre of trees can absorb as much carbon as is produced by a car driven up to 8700 miles.
The average tree in metropolitan area survives only about eight years!
One large tree can lift up to 100 gallons of water out of the ground and discharge it into the air in a day.
Trees cut down noise pollution by acting as sound barriers.
Trees provide protection from downward fall of rain, sleet, and hail as well as reduce storm run-off and the possibility of flooding.
Trees provide food and shelter for wildlife.
Trees located along streets act as a glare and reflection control.
The death of one 70-year old tree would return over three tons of carbon to the atmosphere.
One of the tallest soft wood trees is the General Sherman, a giant redwood sequoia of California. General Sherman is about 275 ft or 84 m high with a girth of 25 ft or 8 m.
44 September 7- 30, 2012
It’s all about rebooting
and restarting this week so forget
the past and focus on the future.
Its time to change tactics at both
work and play, so step outside your
comfort zone and you’ll catch others
off guard. Keeping them on their
toes will keep life exciting for you
and that’s what you need.
Home is where the heart
is usually rings true for you, but this
week home and hearth seems like a
lonely place. The moons move into
Aries mid week jolts your attention
over work matters, so attend to them
first then maybe you’ll get the respite
you need when you return to your
abode.
No matter how hard you
work or how much effort you put in,
it seems you’re the only one who
misses out on the rewards, and
you’re getting fed up with it. Edgy
conversations could lead to a stand
off but think long term before making
major decisions about work or love.
Calm down.
Filter the wild off the wall
ideas out of your mind over business
matters and concentrate on the tried
and tested ones that you know will
work. If a friend needs a shoulder to
cry on this week, be there for them.
They’ve been supportive of you in the
past and got you through some hard
times.
Trust your inner voice to
give you the guidance you need over
an emotional situation this week,
even if you have to work hard. You
haven’t played fair in the past and
now need to work out how to make
amends. Its only fair, especially if
you’ve been a taker and not a giver.
Sort it out.
Mercury your ruling planet
enters Aries this week and makes
you more outspoken about money,
but try to be sensitive to those with
less than you as you can be rather
brusque in your delivery of the facts
at times. Allow your softer side to
break through. You’ll get your own
way anyway.
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
DAVID COPPERFIELD (BORN DAVID SETH KOTKIN;
SEPTEMBER 16, 1956) is an American illusionist, and has
been described by Forbes as the most commercially successful
magician in history.
Copperfield's television specials have won 21 Emmy Awards
of a total 38 nominations. Best known for his combination of
storytelling and illusion, Copperfield’s career of over 30 years
has earned him 11 Guinness World Records, a star on the
Hollywood Walk of Fame, and a knighthood by the French
government; and he has been named a Living Legend by the
US Library of Congress.
Copperfield has so far sold 40 million tickets and grossed over
$3 billion, which is more than any other solo entertainer in
history. He currently performs over 500 shows a year.
When not performing, he creates experiences for his chain of
11 islands in the Bahamas – Musha Cay and the Islands of
Copperfield Bay, which has completed a $35 million renovation
under his supervision.
It’s not only you who has
problems and issues this week, so
stop being such a martyr and see if
there’s anyone in your circle you can
help. Embrace the unexpected and
see where it takes you over work
and love, and you might be happier
with the new direction you’ve been
pushed into.
Although you know you’ve
got commitments to meet this week
your heart’s not in it. That’s not to
say you wont do your bit, you will,
but grudgingly. You need something
major to happen in your life that’ll
restore your faith and optimism in
everything and everyone. Make it
happen.
Your emotional energy
needs to be controlled this week to
ensure your decisions are effective
not chaotic. Money still seems to
be an edgy issue but focus on work
and health matters before thinking
of your cash flow. It’s a weekend to
separate fact from fantasy and truth
from exaggeration.
Home and family need your
full attention at the weekend.
If loved ones are feeling vulnerable,
you’ll need to be patient with them,
even if they stretch your last nerve
to the max. You don’t seem to be
getting the results you want from
work situations, but make the best of
what’s going on.
A growing inner confidence
in your decision making skills puts
you in the mood to experiment, but
don’t take too much of a chance or
you’ll feel out of your depth. The suns
move into Taurus on Thursday asks
you to focus on health matters, so up
your activity levels and get moving.
Don’t feel impatient and
restless. Try to get a focal point to
direct your energy because if you
scatter your focus, as you’ve been
doing, nothing will get done and you’ll
have wasted time and energy on
nothing. Try to see the best in others
at the weekend. They’re trying their
best.
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
E-MAIL: [email protected], Website: www.albahja.com
For men
46 September 7- 30, 2012
WADI KABIRBait al Zubair Bait al BarandaMarina Bander Al Bustan Palace HotelOman Dive club Shangri-La- Barr Al JissahSri Lankan School NHIPencil Building (Stationery shop)Al Maha bunk –Wadi Kabir Ajay Enterprises (Khimji) – (Next to Jingles nursery) Hotel Golden OasisSana FashionsAl Maya markets – (Old Rawasco) Scientific pharmacy – Opp to al Maya market ( Arab Udipi Rest)
CBD AREA TO DARSAITAl Amana Building materials – Opposite Jawad SultanAl Omaniya Financial Services office Oman oil bunk Khimji mart shopping mall – (Old shopping & saving)Khimjis Bait al Ahlam- CBD areaPizza Muscat (Opposite ministry of manpower)Pizza Hut/TFC – CBD areaCentre point-SplashMuscat Securities market Times of OmanShell petrol Bunk (Next to Sheraton)OCCI Library – Oman Chamber of commerce (OPP MSM)KFC – Ruwi Oman International Bank – RuwiPalayok Restaurant – Filipino restaurant Ever ready supermarket New India Assurance OfficeAl Fair – Ruwi high street Lakhoos Money Exchange, Ruwi High streetDamas Jewellery/office – Ruwi Oman UAE Exchange – OCC CentreAir Arabia Office- Shanfari TravelsRuwi HotelGulf air building – Gulf air officeSaravanabhavan Restaurant Sarco – Samsung showroom Khimji Megastore – Swarovski showroomOTEMoosa Abdul Showroom – next to al JadeedToshiba Showroom Al Jadeed shoppingBadr Al Samaa Samara video (next to Talentz, old bait al ahlam) after 5pmMinistry of Education – Opp Wearhouse – Ruwi Future management consultants -(opp Toshiba showroom)Haffa House HotelAl Falaj Hotel Muscat Bakery- Near church Pakistan School (after temple & church Darsait)Naranjee Hirjee office (before Hotel Golden Oryx)Hotel Golden Oryx Bank Muscat corporate office (Opposite Hotel Golden Oryx)Kamat Restaurant Uptown Restaurant Turtles Book shopAl Rima Clinic Lama Polyclinic
Oman Air – CBD NBO- CBD areaBank MuscatBank SoharHSBCStandard CharteredOman Arab BankHarmony Music Centre – Next to OAB Bahwan Travel Agencies – CBD banks areaOTTB – Oman Travels BureauAir India office – CBD next to Costas CostasPapa John Supa Save – CBDWoodlandsBank DhofarHorizon Restaurant – (Next to Moon travels)Oman post office Lulu DarsaitKhimji Ramdas Head office, Muttrah (Kanaksi Khimji & pankaj Khimji) Majan College – Darsait junction (canteen)Indian Social ClubMelody Music Centre – Next to ISMGerman Embassy – Hamriya roundaboutApollo Medical CentreComputer Xpress – Hamriya Roundabout Atlas Travels (Wadi Adai Roundabout (next to polyglot)Hatat HousePassage to IndiaBest carsHyundai/Subaru/GM showroomAl Asfoor FurnishingAhli BankShell marketing officeSEAT car showroom- Wattayah DHL office- Wattayah Honda ShowroomSabco Head office wattayahNTT travels WattayahToyota Bahwan Advertising – Ist floor – Toyota showroomLexusFord showroomShanfari AutomotiveWattayah Motors- VW showroomKhoula HospitalInstitute of Health sciences – opposite KhoulaKia showroom- wattayah
QURUM AREA TOWARDS AL KHUWAIRAl Harthy Complex- Pizza Muscat – next to Sultan Center in al Harthy complexSultan Center Nissan showroomBMW showroom Muscat Private School Qurum city centrePizza Hut – Qurum Capital StoreAl Asfoor PlazaKFCHardeesFono showroom next to Sabco centreShah NagardasSabco Centre- Barista coffee shop onlyAl AraimiPanasonic ShowroomNBO QurumAl Khamis PlazaAl Wadi commercial centre – Coffee shopMercedes showroom
CCC- StandCCC Al FairBollywood chatPizza Hut – Qurum Second CupNandos McDonaldsSalman StoresJawahir OmanHamptonsBusiness Services & Travel Amex office Ernst & Young buildg (OUA Travels) StarbucksHawthorne institute- ELS Fahud Street, opp Qurum parkMumtaz Mahal Left bankOman Association for the disabled Ministry of education (20 +20=20)Muscat Intercon Jawaharat Al Shatti complex- standOasis by the sea - crepe café standLNG OfficeAl Qurum resortBareek Al Shatti ComplexAl Qandeel head office -, Entrance of Bareek al Shatti Al Shatti Cinema - Dunkin DonutsAl Sahwa Schools– principal’s office next to Ramada hotelHotel RamadaAl Muriya Offices- next to Al sahwa schoolsGrand Hyatt MuscatAl Masa MallRadio ShackAl Sarooj ComplexShell Petrol Bunk- Al Sarooj Al FairRamee GuestlineRock BottomClassic Institute of Arts- next to Asas OmanAsas Oman ApartmentsCrowne PlazaCoral hotelQurum Pvt schoolPDORas Al Hamraa ClubOmanoil head office
AL KHUWAIR/MSQ TOWARDS AZAIBAELS – Al khuwair service roadBritish School Muscat – MSQBritish Council Oman oil- Madinat Qaboos Pizza HutKhimjis mart – MSQ Kargeen Café Al fairFamily Book shop- MSQ Tavola – Al Noor Hall buildgStarbucks Hana slimming centre – Ist FloorFotomagicAl Noor Hall Al JadeedEqarat office Above Welcare Clinic – al KhuwairDomino Pizza Oman mobileSafeer Hypermarket Mustafa SultanSouk TechniaOmantelOman international Bank – Al khuwair main officeIbis Hotel
Park inn HotelFriendi OfficeMuscat Bakery Tropical Ice creams SubwayPizza Hut service road Ice Skating RinkNational Training InstituteGolden spoon RestaurantShell Select- Al KhuwairMcdonaldsMct holiday Inn HotelOman Bowling Center HalliburtonCafé VergnanoKhimji Mart – Next to Verganano Safeer suitesAxa insurance (opp assarain Al khuwair)Zakher shopping MallPAN Furnishing Harley DavidsonThriftyAl Amal Medical Centre – Dr BashirHotel RadissonPizza Hut Al KhuwairOzone Video Shop(Next to Pizza Hut)American British School Omar Khayyam Restaurant, next to V kool Grill House (next door)V KoolTAISM Centre for British Teachers – CFBT Baushar Complex CaféAviation Club Restaurant
AZAIBA TOWARDS SEEBLulu Hyper market – BausharOman Medical collegeCollege for Business & financial Studies opp Oman medical, bausharAzzan Bin Qais school - BausharMuscat private HospitalDolphin Village – BausherRoyal hospital Ghala industrial area – NTINational mineral water – Tanuf ( next to Al Madina Holiday Inn)Oman oil AzaibaSpicy Village – Rusayl Pizza Hut – GhalaOman oil – GhalaTowell head office – Enhance & Ist floorMazda showroom Mcdonalds – Azaiba Select shell AzaibaOman Tribune – Al Watan officeNew India assurance Azaiba office Safeer HypermartNawras head office Zubair showroom and Yamaha corporate office(two places)- Yamaha Showroom – close to Zubair showroom – 1st floor Polyglot InstituteGU Tech – Beach road AzaibaChedi Muscat The wave Muscat corporate officeNACA – national cancer Awareness AssnMCC – Crepe CaféAl Bahja– Mood Café & food CourtAl Maya Super market Oman air Seeb office (Below Flyover, before Golden Tulip)Oman Tourisn College Golden Tulip HotelAir portSelect Shell – SeebPizza Hut airportKFC
PICK-UP POINTSPICK-UP POINTS
MUSCAT
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47Black & White 47Black && White
SHOPPING MALLSLulu shopping centerAl- Istaqarar shopping center (Salalah)Dhofar shopping centerBab Al- Salam marketAl- Mashoor (Salalah)Al- Mashoor (Saada)Al-KhareefK.M TradingAl-Isteqarar (Saada)Al-Hoq super marketHamdan commercial marketFresh super market (Al-Sarat)Union Salalah MarketFamily bookshop
HOTELSCrown PlazaHilton Salalah Hamdan plazaDhofar HotelSalalah hotelHaffa HouseRedan HotelAl- Hanaa HotelBAMSIR hotelAl- Jabel hotelAl- Nile suite (Saada)Salalah Mariott
MINISTRIESMinistry agriculture & fisheries Ministry of educationMinistry of defenseMinistry of housing & electricityMinistry of waterMinistry of tourism Diwan of Royal court (Salalah)Ministry of primary court and justiceMinistry of Commerce & industryDhofar municipality (Baladia)Ministry of man power
PETROL STATIONS, BANKSShanfari filling Stationshell select, al saadaOman oilShell SalalahBank MuscatOmantelOman Arab BankPizza hutDhofar UniversityAl Maha souk
OIB, NizwaOIB, FirqBankMuscat, NizwaBM main branch, NizwaBankMuscat, FirqNBO, NizwaNBO, FirqBank AbudhabiToyotaOTEOmantelNawrasKhimji, NizwaKhimji, IzkiMuscat Bakery, NizwaPizza HutDiscount centreFamily shoppingAl Diyar HotelSafari hotelAl-Nif shopping, IzkiHungery Bunny, NizwaCollege of ScienceCollege of TechnicNizwa Medical CollegeBusmath ClinicThalal ClinicOmanoil, IzkiOmanoil, FirqOmanoil, NizwaOmanoil, MarfaShell, IzkiShell, FirqShell, NizwaAl-Maha, FirqNizwa university -Dept of foreign langAl-Maha, Marfa
Lulu hyper marketSafeer CentreAl Nahda resortAl Maha SoukOman Oil RumaisOman College of managementOIBNBOBank MuscatShellOTESARCONissan showroomOmantel
MUSCAT continued...
MUSCAT, SALALAH, SUR, SOHAR, NIZWA, BARKA, KASAB
SALALAH NIZWA
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SURAl-HasharLNGLNG, Club SurSur Beach HotelSur UniversityOTE, SurMitsibushiRawaya coffee shopToyotaNissanSur Plaza HotelMazdaKhimjiOmantelPrivate Hospital, SurBankMuscatSur HotelNBO, SurBank Dhofar, SurELS, Sur
Muscat golf hills, SEEBKOMSQU – SQUH hospital , SQUH 2- canteen, 3- Diplomatic Club, 4 – College of Commerce, 5 – Students banking area)Pizza Hut – al Khoud Sultan School al hail service road – principals’ officeCaledonian college – principal’s officeOman Foot ball association
RUSAYL AREARusayl Industrial EstateOman CablesSadolin PaintsJotun PaintsAl waqia shoesMehdi FoodsAreej veg oils
MINISTRIES AREA – AL KHUWAIRMinistry of tourism(Ghala, next to ISG)Ministry of social Development(next to Regional municipalities, Bank Mct)Ministry of foreign affairs
Spicy Village RestaurantLulu HypermarketJumeirah Shopping CentreKhimji’s MartAl Salem shoppingCentrepointMoosa Abdul Rahman – GMCToyotaNissanMitsubishiLG showroomSohar BakerySohar UniversityBank MuscatHabib BankBank SoharOman International BankAl Raffah HospitalBadr Al SamaaOman Arab BankBank DhofarHSBCTravel CityNational Travels and ToursUniversal Travels and TourismDHLDhofar InsuranceAl Ahlia InsuranceTaeeger Finance CoOmantelAl Jazeera GroupNarenjee Hirjee (International)
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47Black & White
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49Black & White
“My name is Sherlock Holmes and it is my business to know what other
people do not know," said one of the greatest detectives of all times.
If you became Sherlock Holmes who looked only at the good in people,
then imagine a situation where someone has a different way of thinking
from yours. Let’s say you believed in being extravagant and he believed
in being thrifty, which is the only clue you had in this mystery case and
you had to look for positive in this. How would you get to the bottom of
this? You would definitely do research to understand more about them.
The net result of this would be learning and understanding a different
point of view. Another positive outcome would be having a bevy of
friends, that’s because constantly on the lookout for negatives in people
are stumbling blocks to getting to know them in the real sense.
Besides, who are we to decide what is negative? Don’t we also have
our own shortcomings, right from having a fiery temper, to being a
workaholic to having fixed views about things.
People are akin to indecipherable exciting mysteries displaying a wide
range of traits like love, hatred, passion, intrigue, kindness, evil and
goodness. The change in perspective of focusing only on the positive
and eliminating the negative will make us the greatest and most
successful detective of all times, as we will have cracked the mystery of
‘being a person who embraces only the good in people’.
Tough? Easy?
You decide but as Sherlock Holmes would say, “Elementary, my dear
Watson”.
It’s my birthday month, so do drop me a line, I am definitely choosing to
be the positive Sherlock Holmes and I hope you are too!
Till next time love, hugs.
Sherlock Holmes -Part 2
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
49Black & White
50 September 7- 30, 2012
Cookin
g
Eating fish is good for you. Fish has fabulous health benefits and are a great source of protein. They contain healthy fats that will reduce your cholesterol and improve
your health. Fish also contain omega-3 fatty acids that help keep your heart healthy and may even improve your mood. Fish have been shown to be an important diet of
many… here are a few quick and easy fish recipes…
Ingredients
125 ml (4 fl oz) whipping cream
300 g (10 oz) curd cheese
675 g (1 1/2 lb) smoked mackerel or trout, boned and
skinned
3 stalks celery, chopped
50 g (2 oz) canned sweet pimientos, chopped
15 ml (1 tbsp) lemon juice
salt and pepper
Method:
Whip the cream and fold it into the curd cheese. Add the
fish, flaked, and the remaining ingredients, combining
them all gently so as not to break the fish up too much.
Refrigerate until required. You can put the salad into a
ring mould and turn it out onto a bed of shredded lettuce.
Decorate it with the rest of the can of pimientos, cut into
thin strips.
SMOKED FISH SALAD
50 September 7- 30, 2012
Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds salmon fillets
Lemon pepper to taste
Garlic powder to taste
Salt to taste
1/3 cup soy sauce
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup water
1/4 cup vegetable oil
Method
Season salmon fillets with lemon pepper, garlic powder,
and salt. In a small bowl, stir together soy sauce, brown
sugar, water, and vegetable oil until sugar is dissolved.
Place fish in a large reseal able plastic bag with the soy
sauce mixture, seal, and turn to coat. Refrigerate for
at least 2 hours. Preheat grill for medium heat. Lightly
oil grill grate. Place salmon on the preheated grill, and
discard marinade. Cook salmon for 6 to 8 minutes per
side, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork.
Ingredients
2 cups dry potato flakes
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon seasoning salt
1 tablespoon ground black pepper
2 teaspoons cayenne pepper, or to taste
4 (6 ounce) fillets cod
2 cups butter flavored shortening, for frying
Method
In medium bowl, combine the potato flakes, flour, garlic
powder, seasoning salt, black pepper, and cayenne
pepper. Soak fish filets in bowl of cold water.
In a deep skillet or deep fryer, melt and heat the
shortening to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Dredge fish filets in dry mixture and fry in the hot oil for 5
minutes or until fish flakes apart easily. Remove from oil
and place on paper towels to absorb excess oil.
GRILLED SALMON
CRISPY FISH
52 September 7- 30, 2012
Opin
ionate
d
Women need to change their
BAD HABITSIt is a fact that women,
despite having lesser bad habits than men, are prone to not weaning themselves from them once they have been bitted by the ‘bad-
habits’ bug.Women may be less
indulgent in bad habits like smoking, eating fattening
foods, and not getting proper exercise. But, if
they have been habituated to such bad habits, it is
more difficult to get them out of it, research says. In fact, it has been found that even women with a family history of heart disease
are less likely to do proper exercises and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Why? It has something to do with their mental makeup, it
seems.
LIMIT YOUR HEEL’S INCHES
Women also have other bad habits, slightly related to
health, which need to be curtailed. One understands the
passion women have for high heels, but the risks of high
heels are plenty, ranging from arthritis, hammer toes,
back pain and tendon injuries. They need to know that the
higher they carry themselves on stilettos, the bigger and
harder their fall. If they can limit the inches for daily wear,
and also wear insoles to help reduce pressure on joints,
it will be beneficial in the long run. But are these women
listening?
STOP WORRYING – BE HAPPY
Women are also known to be big-time worriers: they
are known to harbour regrets, which slowly eat them
from within. It is a fact that stress is damaging to both
our physical and mental health, but despite knowing this
women still get high strung on stress as though they
are addicted to it. Research notes that women are twice
as likely as men to suffer from stress-related disorders.
They are also known to be afflicted with higher rates of
depression and anxiety. Is there a biological reason for
this? That could be but it pays to note that worrying about
53Black & WhiteE-MAIL: [email protected], Website: www.albahja.com
For women
the future and dwelling on regrets can also only add to
the problems. Statistics reveal that women are more than
twice as likely as men to having regrets because of lost
loves and broken relationships.
NO COMFORT EATING
Another unhealthy side of women is that they are also
prone to taking refuge in comfort eating when distress
visits them. Yes, both men and women indulge in
comfort eating, but how and what they eat makes a lot
of difference. Women, unlike men, hit the wrong note by
grabbing sweet, high-calorie foods. It is a fact that women
crave for sweet when they are blue, but ideally, they
should try to boost their endorphins and health by other
means. Why not exercise (exorcise?) the blues?
GET SOME GOOD SLEEP
By no means are we saying that women are bad because
of these bad habits; women are more emotional and of
course more caring than men, which is why they get the
bad name. Of course, there are other bad habits that put
women on the other negative bracket, but, here, we are
discussing about what they should avoid to enjoy better
health. Women have this habit of not getting proper sleep,
owing to various factors. As a woman, you do know that
you have to look good and there is even societal pressure
for you to look good, even if you don’t feel good, so why
avoid sleep because it can make you look the worst.
Over and above that, lack of sleep has been blamed for
everything from accidents, high calorie consumption and
risk of heart disease. Here also, research suggests that
women suffer from sleep related problems than men. Bad
sleeping habits fluctuates blood pressure and mood too.
NEED FOR SOME ‘ME’ TIME
The other side of the story is that many women – mothers
– tend to compromise their sleeping habits to care for
children and others. In other words, they put them last on
the list. Not only are women more likely to compromise
their sleeping habits to care for children and others, they
are also prone to putting their own wants and needs at
the bottom of a hectic to-do list of chores and obligations.
To avoid running yourself into the ground, learn to
sometimes say no to those requests and commitments
that are less than essential, and make sure you set aside
some 'me' time each week to do something enjoyable
just for you. It is not an exaggerated fact to see fathers
snoring off to glory while their poor harassed wives
tend to their crying baby in the middle of the night. The
time has come for the women to take a stand and find a
balance in all this. Specifically speaking on the fact that
they compromise sleep to care for their children, it is
time for women to wake up their men to do their role as
fathers too. Also, women should also make it a point to
take particular care and also reserve some ‘me’ time for
themselves. It is imperative or all these bad habits are
going to come back and attack at the wrong time in their
lives when they are too vulnerable.
She had immense faith in me.
Not once in my entire graduation years,
she doubted my integrity, honesty or ability.
She was protective and always thought I
needed some protection from all the other
evilness around me.
Even when I failed in her expectations
she would convince herself and me that it
was beyond my control that I faulted. I will
perform better the next time.
Every time I missed her class, she would
be worried and ensure that I got the special
coaching.
And like any other tactless student, I
thought I was lucky that I had an innocent
face and a trusting head of the department.
I thought the teacher was absolutely crazy
to have faith on me.
I still remember she had high hopes on me
and believed that I was ‘scientist’ material.
She would spend extra hours on me, give
me special books and guides and made
me the class monitor and in charge for all
responsible occasions.
Recently I met her at a railway station near
my home town and she recognised and
remembered me.
She introduced me to her daughter and
said, here is the girl who was one of my
favourite students.
Very proudly she commented that she
always knew I will shine in any field I
chose!
Every September when everyone
remembers their teachers, I pray for her.
She taught me two of the best lessons in
life.
Trust and positivity!
A subject totally out of the curriculum;
which I learnt well, after my college days,
of course.
I cannot boast of many qualities today, but
yes, I am trusting and an incurable optimist!
Thanks to her and her faith on me.
I was an impatient and naughty kid most
of my student years; but was one of the
most fortunate students who got the best of
teachers in all aspects of learning.
Teachers who taught me the lessons of life,
rather than those printed on text books.
A physical education teacher who taught
me the true sportsmanship, a mathematics
teacher who made it easy for me to face
problems in life, a physics teacher who
taught me the physical impact of biting
nails, an English teacher who pushed me in
to a world of books, a Sanskrit teacher who
created a fantasy of creativity thorough
the pages of great Indian epics, a social
studies teacher who taught me to smile
through the society, a science teacher who
taught me how to poach 100 eggs in three
minutes, a SUPW teacher who taught me
that a stitch in time saves nine...
Today when I sit with my child with her text
books, I feel lost and sad.
Not one text book will teach her how to live
her life.
Not one lesson will she learn, from all that
quagmire of formulas and numbers.
No inspiration, no experiences, but loads of
tensions and inhibitions.
Maybe I am cynical, but what are the young
kids learning today?
Instead of being taught to be hard working
they are trained to find shortcuts to
everything.
Instead of being taught to be honest they
grow up watching lies all around.
Instead of being disciplined they are
prompted to break the rules.
They are taught to be affectionate and they
grow up practical in all sense!
Pages, books, text books, references,
home work, examinations… I think it is time
to give them something real to take home!
By Priya Arunkumar
Learning it right!