black & white mag issue 54

January 7 - February 62 0 1 3B&W

Are men losing confidence? p10

Women need to exercise more p52

Vol.

4 Iss

ue 5

4IIJ

anuary

7 -

Febru

ary

6,

2013

FREE F

ort

nig

htl

y25 S

hafa

r -

25 R

abi'

I

ww

w.b

lackandw

hit

eom

an.c

om

A brush with stamps p24

FREE 20,500 copies (being audited)

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

www.blackandwhiteoman.com

AVAILABLEall over Oman on 7th & 21stof every month

First Free Fortnightly magazine

5January 7 - February 6

2 0 1 3B&W


2 0 1 3B&W

Published by: Muscat Press & Publishing House SAOC

Black & White

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

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

Ph: 24565697 Fax: 24565496

Website: www.blackandwhiteoman.com

Editorial: [email protected]

Printed at Oman Printers

Xclusive

Editor-in-chief Mohamed Issa Al Zadjali

Managing editor Priya Arunkumar

Work editor Adarsh Madhavan

Design & production Beneek Siraj

Advt. & marketing Priyanka Sampat

Conte

nts

Get away from stress. You need to

first find a spot in your home, away

from people, away from sound and a

place where you can be totally private

and totally alone and at peace.

Cloth was the single largest import in

the18th century, and tailoring was the

largest trade in any city until the 20th

century. Almost every other colonial

trade also used a needle...

50

40

12 Control and reduce prostate cancer risk

Beating Stress

Trivia for Kids

Worldwide, prostate cancer is

considered to be quite common

among men. While the numbers vary

among countries, one salient fact is

that not all – or rather, not many –

who get prostate cancer, die from the

disease

A brush with stamps24A stamp is a nation’s pride; it is a nation’s identity…it is not just a small bit of paper – it is almost like an

identity card of a nation, says Oman’s best known Omani stamp designer.


2 0 1 3B&W

Who moved my news?

By Adarsh Madhavan

You work your back off for a story; make a lot of

compromises, sacrifices, step on so many toes, take

ultimate risks…put your neck on the line…all for a

story, for breaking hot news…you hardly sleep the

night and then feverishly wake up the next morning

to discover that the columns where your sensational

story should have been is filled with a yawning

corporate dribble.

What the heck happened? Where is your story? It

was supposed to appear on the front page…you

saw it there this morning at 1am (when you left the

newspaper office) and now some mumbo jumbo has

happened and it is no longer there! Did they shift it

to some other page? Some important story (although

in the back of your mind, you are telling yourself

what could be more important than YOUR story?)

must have come in at the last minute; just after you

left the office and/or some protocol news must have

come in with a strict instruction that it is meant for the

front page and so there would have been no choice

but to move your earth shattering news breaker to

another page or perhaps if the editor felt it has to be

on page one, to another day…but, why didn’t your

editor bother to call you and tell you that such and

such a thing has happened or perhaps sent you a

message…

You check your mobile to see if such a genuine thing

has happened and there is nothing; no ‘missed’ call;

no messages.

Somewhere inside, your dark heart voices the darker

fear in you that your story has been trashed by your

editor. At the last minute it was pulled out because

they were afraid of the consequences; the fallout of

this ‘nuclear’ explosion that the news breaker would

create. But, the fact that the ‘bomb’ of a story just

went ‘pftttttt’ does not fully register in you, or perhaps

the mask that you are wearing still tries to camouflage

the sinking truth in your heart that in the dead of

night or in the crack of dawn, people, well meaning,

serious, editorial staff who swear by the truth, the

[email protected]

whole truth and nothing but the truth suddenly

develop cold feet and drop the hot story because

in a last minute revelation they are struck by the

realisation that it was going to burn them; harm them.

But, but, but, these points were discussed, argued

upon and everyone had come to a consensus that

the story would go and we were all ready to face the

consequences. And, after all, you were the only one

who has to bear the burden of the fall out; you were

the only one who was going to be abused, beaten and

would have to suffer if the story was published. Even

the editor would not have to bear the brunt of any

fall out; only you, just you, so what was the big deal?

Who made the last minute switch and why? What is

there to fear? A zillion thoughts burn in your head but

your limbs are limp and you don’t feel anything as you

slouch in whatever position you are in as the weight of

a failed attempt to bring justice out to the fore crashes

down on you with an extreme force.

Still whirling under the impact of a ‘no show’ story, you

slowly trudge up to your editor, your face betraying

the disappointment of being cheated of a good story

and the dread that it will never see the day of light

clearly dissolving your resolve. Standing there, bent,

before the editor who suddenly preaches what he

does not practice, you take it on your chest that your

story is not going to go. It was scrapped! Management

decision! Owner feels that it will create problems and

you realise that at the crack of dawn a decision was

made to pull out a story which had all prior approval

and precautionary measures in place. And on a dark

desolate day like the one you are in, stories, which

took months to find, weeks to do and done with such

honesty of purpose and sheer effort are suddenly

sharing the same space as sandwich remains, biscuit

covers, shredded matter…with a lot of rubbish. A

dream can be razed to ashes in a matter of time and

yet, you have to take the beating in your stride and

stand up for yet another day; yet another story, which

again will be fed to the hands of fate…

All a

bout

X,

Y &

Z


2 0 1 3B&W

Omani women are really a class apart! They go about

their lives in a quiet and dignified manner and many of us

don’t realise that they are such achievers! The story about

the silver lady (issue 52) is a case in point. Look how, to

paraphrase your story, Nadia bint Said Ahmed Al Rawahi

was “brave enough to take the road less travelled” and

became a woman of her choice. Of course destiny played

a game and luck did shine on her, but she is a woman of

grit who worked her way up! Today, she is a success story!

I sincerely believe that there are plenty of such success

stories in Oman! I also believe that Omani women are part of

Oman’s success story!

Edward Rosario, Seeb

Ever since the Renaissance, Omani women have made

remarkable strides and are today present in almost all fields.

Proud of you, Omani women! Here is my hope and wish that

you climb to greater heights and bring about bigger changes

to our wonderful country.

Suleiman Al Kindi, Al Khuwair

Dr Rajesh Nayak’s (issue 53) letter may stir a hornet’s nest. And, why not, he has said it right! We are all increasingly

facing a problem of bad service from everywhere. And not just the supermarkets, hypermarkets, quick shops, retail

outlets alone. Everyone, from small shops to big, to taxi drivers to airlines – everyone is giving us bad service. This is

my opinion. If you do not like it, fine, but we are not living in a very customer-friendly environment and more and more

incidents and cases are coming through. I personally feel that we are now getting so thick skinned that we don’t even

bother about the small incidences (insults, uncaring attitude, unprofessional behaviour etc) that we encounter at the

hands of sales staff per se on a daily basis. We seem to be so used to it that we are now moved only when we confront

big issues. So, a currently utopian scene as pictured by Dr Nayak where he envisioned a day “when customers get to

prepare their own bills and manage their payments into the cash register at the billing counters of the hypermarkets”

may become a reality. In actuality, that will certainly bring down all complaints. The day we get rid of these bad sales

personnel, the world will be a better place to live in!

John D’Cruz, Seeb

Omani women are part of Oman’s success story

Proud of you!

May stir a hornet’s nest

Reader's

colu

mn


2 0 1 3B&W

Paul Sheldon (Readers forum, issue 52) has a point. But,

he is only right in parts. He is right about the need for

‘adequate’ space in the homes that have dogs. Yet, does

this mean that only people with big homes (read ‘rich’) can

buy dogs? Dog lovers can be poor too!

So, does this mean if you are poor you can’t own a dog?

If you buy a dog and keep it in horrible conditions, it is

a different story. But, if the dog in a small one bedroom

flat is well looked after and loved and is part of the family,

then where is the problem? I personally know of many

labourers who have adopted stray dogs and keep them

in their rooms. Of course, some of them have problems

because they often stay together in bachelor pads and

not everyone is a dog lover in the group and this would

lead to many altercations between dog lovers and haters.

But, in flats where there is harmony, the pets also thrive. I

agree with Paul that we need to check which breeds suit

our requirements and the facilities that we have at home.

Unfortunately, some of the lesser privileged households

often take strays because they rescue them from appalling

conditions on the street. In such cases, they are forced to

look after them and despite lack of space, are unable to

dump them like many in bigger homes and richer houses

do. There are two sides to every story!

Anitha Rajagopal, Ruwi

Mail your views and opinions at

[email protected]

Dr Nayak (issue 53) is absolutely right! I have been doing this at all the major hypermarkets; either the staff are

unavailable, or you won’t believe it, they may just stare at us and act as though it is not their job to do it. I don’t want to

paint everyone with the same brush, but I have found incidents of uncaring acts by the sales teams of many a shop who

are slowly becoming a menace – the authorities concerned at these outlets; and, perhaps, even the municipality can

play a role here wherein their staff can do random rounds to check the behaviour of the sales teams employed in outlets.

Sushma Rajagopal, Al Khuwair

Facebook can really connect (issue 52)! I have established

contacts with all of my old school friends and we have now

an exclusive network of our own. For sometime the world

was shrinking because of the net and then it stopped.

With the advent of facebook it is shrinking non stop. But,

then facebook also invades into your privacy! My friends

had many issues with privacy issues. Friends can post

anything about you on the page and it is going to be read

by many others too. Many personal, private issues were

brought out and it hurt my friends to such an extent that

they are off the facebook for good!

Grace Daniels, Qurum

Authorities need to look into bad sales personnel

Facebook – boon and bane

Two sides to every story


2 0 1 3B&W

Om

an w

atc

h

Taking stock of your

CONFIDENCE

CLOTHES MAKETH…

You must have heard of the clichéd ‘clothes make the

man’ adage. Well, here goes. It is a fact that what you

look will always affect your confidence. So, watch out for

your everyday appearance. This could be the root of your

problem. Change your wardrobe, make your hair look

better than always seeming to have a bad hair day and

in fact, invest in your appearance with new and better

clothes, newer hairstyle and a visit to the men’s salon and

gym for even a brush up of your face and also the body.

Feel the difference, after!

INNER FEEL GOOD

Since we spoke on the exterior, let us also look at giving

the works for your interior. Say, why not adopt the whole

holistic feel good factor? Get positive and begin from the

mind. Think positive. Go for yoga, or any suitable soul

measures like breathing exercises etc. Also get active on

the social front, become socially responsible, learn to give

and also let go. Begin to understand that there are people

out there in need more than you would ever visualise and

try and help them out. Feel the positive glow already?

MIX WITH POSITIVE PEOPLE

Once you engage in positive thinking and positive

behaviour, try to mingle among others of the same ilk.

Get into a crowd that hinges on positivity and be with

them.

Being around positive people will rub off on you. Within

minutes you will get into a positive frame of mind! When

you are surrounded by happy, smiling faces and laughter,

you will automatically be happy, smiling and laugh!

It is always good to have positive people around you;

those that give you the right advice, push you in the right

direction and therefore, if the people whom you mix with

are bringing you down, time now to push off into another

direction. Get some new ‘positive’ friends!

LIST YOUR GOOD POINTS

As they say, even the worst have some good in them.

From that premise, let us take off on another course. List

out your good points! Of course you are good at some

things or may be many things and so, let us list them out,

brother! You know why we need to list and actually write

them down? Because, whenever you are feeling down,

you can boost your spirits with a little reading of your

own personal ‘I am good’ book, which includes the good

you have done and also your achievements or personal

milestones. Read them and you will find your spirits

soaring. Enjoy!

MAKE YOUR OWN DECISIONS

If you have lately been moody, silent and not displaying

the real you in social situations, work and otherwise,

then it is time to drop that sulky pose and start becoming

assertive. Assertiveness has a way of boosting your

confidence and also this feeling will be shared among

others who look up at you. The time has come for you

to take control of situations and this will help you gain

confidence.

No, this does not mean being rude or bossy. Just make

yourself feel tall and brimming with confidence and

decide that from now on, it is you who make the everyday

decisions in your life, including your home, your work

place and in social situations. Do as your innermost

self wants you to do and stop being passive and then

experience the difference!

Are men losing their much vaunted confidence as women have begun to be equally competent in all spheres? It is a question to ponder although there are quick knee-jerk answers. Yes or no, something is beguiling our men. The fact that women have

been over the years proven themselves to be better decision makers maybe troubling them…but, instead of getting into the usual man vs women aspect, let us look at

some simple facts: there are times when even the most confident amongst us feel that they are losing their self confidence. There could be a variety of reasons for that.

But, what men need to do if they feel like that is to first spruce up their image.


2 0 1 3B&W

Men r

ead

CONTROL AND REDUCE RISKS

Many reasons are attributed for men getting this

disease, but these days there are many more ways

and methods in which you can control and reduce the

risk.

Recent reports state that men who drink “one normal-

sized soft drink per day are at greater risk of getting

more aggressive forms of prostate cancer”. The

reports quote Swedish studies that reveal a 40 percent

increased risk of prostate cancer among those who

drank plenty of soft drinks or other drinks with added

sugar. Reports also suggest increased risks of getting

milder forms of prostate cancer, which in most cases

does not require treatment. Like they say it is better to

avoid any form of cancer than to try and treat it after it

has appeared, let us also look at preventing it.

SOME TIPS

• Try and avoid being overweight by resorting to a

healthy diet. Try to introduce a daily regime of walking

and swimming.

• Infusion of water is a necessity as it is vital for health.

It prevents hunger and flushes out toxins.

• Induction of Lycopene, mainly found in tomatoes is an

antioxidant and has shown to provide beneficial effect

on prostate health. Increase of tomato sauce, paste

and even Italian dishes having tomato!

The Isoflavones found in soy beans and its products

such as soy milk or tofu has a balancing effect on the

body’s hormones and can counter excess testosterone,

which can lead to prostate cancer.

Intake of beta-carotene found in carrots and other

brightly coloured vegetables, which can stimulate

T-helper cells which prevent the development of

cancer.

Avoid stress, anger and depression; resist from getting

into damaging emotions. Practice relaxation exercises

or learn yoga.

Control and reducePROSTATE cancer risk

Worldwide, prostate cancer is considered to be quite common among men. While the numbers vary among countries, one salient fact is that not all – or rather, not many – who get prostate cancer, die from the disease. Earlier statistics reveals that although one in six men will get prostate cancer, only one in 34 will die from it. The reason for this is simple: prostate cancer is mostly slow growing (but, there are cases when it

has been fast growing too).

TOP CAUSES OF PROSTATE CANCER

AGE

Your risk of prostate cancer increases with age,

particularly among men over 65 years old.

FAMILY HISTORY

If a close relative (father, brother) had prostate cancer, it

will increase your risk.

DIET

Men who eat a lot of processed meat, bad fats and

refined grains have an increased risk of prostate cancer,

particularly if they don’t eat a lot of fruits and vegetables.

EXERCISE

Exercises are known to reduce the risk of all types of

cancer and men over 65 who exercise vigorously have

been found to have a lower risk of prostate cancer.

ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICALS

Exposure to pesticides has been linked with an increased

risk, as has in-utero exposure to the plastics chemical

bisphenol A (BPA) and other hormone-mimicking

environmental contaminants.

CADMIUM

Cadmium exposure will increase prostate cancer risk.

Cadmium is found in foods (shellfish, liver and kidney

meats have the highest levels), cigarette smoke, and

contaminated air and water (particularly if you live near, or

work in, a facility that manufactures batteries, pigments,

metal coatings or plastics).

VITAMINS TOO MANY

Men who consume vitamins excessively could be

increasing the risks of prostate cancer.

…too less and too much

Also, too much, or too little vitamin D – both increased the

risk.


2 0 1 3B&W

2 0 1 3B&W

Sunny s

ide u

p

WHAT IF TOMORROW NEVER COMES

By Bikram Vohra

The most disturbing thing about this end of

the world stuff on Dec 21, 2012 is that I have

a cheque given to me for Dec 22nd and that is

really unjust. What if I cannot cash it?

So, let’s not get too carried away with the

abrupt end of the Mayan calendar I want to

cash that cheque. Maybe they ran out of ink

or papyrus or simply got bored with the whole

thing, like an unfinished painting. Perhaps

the Mayan calendar boss thought okay, that’s

a lot of years, we're cool, let’s go hunting

instead, I am starvin' like Marvin, enough

already.

For all you know, it was his birthday Dec

21st and he thought, that’s neat I’ll make it a

red letter day though there is some lingering

doubt that Mayans would not have known

much about red letter days.

Maybe he wanted to just end the year with the

standard Dec 31 but carved it wrong as a '21'

and threw the tablet in the waste bin and we

are all getting sweaty for nothing.

My interpretation is that the same fellow fell

in love and then she cheated on him and he

came to know and Cupid’s arrow bit deep into

his heart which then broke as hearts are wont

to do when you are smitten and it was Dec

21st the morn of which she 'dear johned' him

and therefore as far as he was concerned, the

world ended. You know the feeling.

After that he took up farming and though the

Mayan king ordered him to carry on the good

work his heart was not in it and I think it is as

valid a story as all those tales of doom and

gloom and at least it has a touch of romance

and has it ever struck you that maybe the

rest of the calendar got lost or burnt in a

fire(Mayans had fire I looked it up on Google)

or simply stolen and kept for ransom and

some day someone will find it and we’ll have

to pay out on our credit cards again.

So, don’t start packing yet. Pretty silly you’d

look when the sun comes up on Dec 22 and

I am cashing my check and you are inside

unpacking the furniture.

Why did you pack the furniture in the first

place? Good question just in case you did.

Where did you think you were you taking it?

And look at the bright side. All those banks

who aren’t going to get your monthly credit

card payment and what a great time to max

all the cards (that’s only good if the day after

its all kaput, otherwise you are in big trouble.)

Also, don’t be reckless. Like, don’t tell folks

what you actually think of them, especially

your boss because he might still be your boss

Saturday so however tempting it is, hold the

thought. And if you are married it could be

rather hasty to tell your partner all the things

that are wrong with him or her because there

could be a lot of bridge building to do next

week and once said cannot be taken back,

yadda, yadda, yadda.

And have fun Friday because you aren’t going

anywhere…see you Saturday.


2 0 1 3B&W

By Adarsh Madhavan

O

ff th

e wall

Leopard cannot change its spots

[email protected]

There was this ugly, rude and dismissive counter sales guy

at one of the filling station quick shops-- near my office --

whom I really wanted to whack. Every occasion that I went

there to get a coffee or some bite, I would be tempted to

really sock this dirty rude man in the eye, get myself arrested

for bodily harming an ‘innocent’ (ha, innocent?) man, do

time and get deported. I was ready to go through hell just

to have the pleasure of walloping such creatures that really

destroy a company because of their ugly, uncaring non-sales

behaviour. Why do they take up such jobs in the first place?

Because they are desperate for a job; but, then slowly over

the period of years as they get used to the idea that they are

going to be around and are not going to lose their jobs, their

desperation sinks in a sea of complacency and arrogance

sets in. Their earlier meek, ever-to-please behaviour soon

evaporates into an unpleasant, boorish attitude and they

don’t care whether customers come in or not and at times

behave as though they were doing the customers a favour.

What they don’t realise is the huge sacrifices that the owners

of such outlets (or any organisation for that matter) to get it

up and running; the loans taken; the risks, the challenges

and daily competition they have to face and the uncertainty

of not knowing whether the wind of luck would blow in their

direction. In their endeavour, they take some people to

journey along with them and as the daily financial jugglery

keeps their hands full, they slowly begin to forget to check if

the team they had taken was doing it right or not. Like this

quick shops for instance. Since it was attached to a filling

station, there was no problem in the footfalls and real-time

customers buy. There was a flow and since the commodities

they sold were in the region of essentials, need and

necessity kept the business going and there was no hard sell

required; there was no need to woo anyone in.

But, there is a need. Such outlets, which had a good public

flow need to keep personnel that are pleasant, nice and

polite, decent and hardworking and with a mission and

purpose to serve. This bulk of a sulking monstrosity had

no such qualities. He strutted around as though he

owned the place and in fact was not even bothered

about any service aspects; he often acted as though

he despised anyone coming in to the shop and

his frowning countenance served as a deterrent to

anyone with any enquiry of sorts. Say, for instance,

you ask: is there a free supplement along with this

paper? He would not even look at you. You repeat

the question and then he would look elsewhere with

an angry face and shrug his broad shoulders. If it

was me whose question got such a shrug, I would

tear the paper to one thousand bits and give him a

confetti shower. Once I remember asking if there was

a particular brand of chocolate and he smirked and

replied before I could even finish my question saying

that if it was not found there, it would not be there!

When I demanded what he meant by that, he just

shrugged and went in. I had one or two interactions

with him and all of them made me reach my boiling

point. Many others succumbed to his whims and

treated him with deference. I couldn’t stand the

sight of him and so, I began to avoid going there. I

heard many others complaining about him and many

told me to complain about him to the management.

I was tempted, but I couldn’t do it because I did

not have the heart to think I made someone lose

his job, however bad he was. But, soon he was

moved elsewhere and I also moved from that office

and the years passed wherein I completely forgot

about him. Then, the other day, maybe after 15 years

or so later, I walked into one of these outlets next to

the filling station and yes, he was there! I couldn’t

resist the temptation and I asked him the time and he

did his famous smirk and shrug. I went home happy!


2 0 1 3B&W

The Audi RS 4 and RS 6 with the Avant body style will be

available for the first time ever in the Middle East when they

arrive in the first quarter of 2013 and 2014 respectively. Prices

and specifications have not been announced yet.

Their character and uncompromisingly sporty tuning is the work

of quattro GmbH, a wholly-owned subsidiary of AUDI AG. The

company’s RS models with their powerful engines form the

dynamic spearhead of the model programme. The abbreviation

“RS” stands for the most powerful version of a model series, for

quattro permanent all-wheel drive, for extreme handling, for an

understated appearance and for full everyday utility.

New Audi RS 4 Avant and RS 6 Avant

Big Bus Tours, the largest operator of open-top

sightseeing tours in the World, and Travel Point LLC,

Oman’s single largest Travel Company, have brought

the Big Bus Tours into Muscat. The operation of these

buses was flagged off by Maitha Saif Majid Al Mahrouqi,

undersecretary, ministry of tourism, who was the chief

guest at the launch, which took place at the Royal Opera

House Muscat.

The Big Bus Tours which operates sightseeing tours

in 13 cities across three continents was welcomed

enthusiastically into the Arab Tourism Capital 2012 by

the ministry of tourism, which has been the fortitude to

this venture. “The ministry is working with the government

and private sector agencies to ensure the sustainable

development of tourism in accordance with Oman’s

Vision 2020 which sees the tourism sector making a

significant contribution to Oman’s economy as well as

a platform to showcase Oman’s rich cultural heritage,

protect and enhance environmental values, and build

international peace through cultural linkages."

The objective of introducing the Big Bus Tours in Oman is

to endorse the beauty of this country to the people of the

world, Maitha said. "We are very happy to introduce Big

Bus Tours to Oman, which will elevate Oman’s standing

as a touristic attraction on the world map, thereby

escalating the influx of tourists/visitors to Oman.”

Big Bus tours in Muscat


2 0 1 3B&W

Haya Water – the company responsible for designing, constructing,

and operating water reuse projects throughout Muscat Governorate,

officially inaugurated their modern new headquarters – Bait Haya.

Held under the auspices of Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Mohammed Al

Shihi, minister of regional municipalities and water resources, Haya

Water celebrated the completion of 10 years of activity.Centrally

located, in close proximity of its major STP and Al Ansab wetlands,

Bait Haya will be the nucleus of all major projects undertaken by

Haya Water. Haya Water’s vision is to enable Muscat to become

one of the top cities in the world by building and operating a world

class water reuse system that connects at least 80 per cent of

the residential properties by the year 2018 and brings enormous

environmental benefits to the Muscat Governorate area.

Haya Water 10th anniversary celebrations

The marina and the marina town

are at the heart of the integrated

tourism complex that Muriya Tourism

Development is establishing. The

waterside setting adds to the

character of the place, transforming

it into an exotic locale. The

stunning 100-berth marina

at Jebel Sifah is set on the

shores of the Gulf of Oman

and provides a gateway to many of

nature’s splendours.

“The marina not just offers berthing

facilities but also presents an

opportunity to explore destinations

that are located at close proximity.

The natural beaches along with the

majestic mountain backdrop add

to the overall allure of the place,”

states Philip A Jones, CMM, senior

director, Marinas. For those who

have a love for nautical adventure,

there is a special offer until the end

of the year. The first 10 early birds

to book berthing space will get two

years of free berthing and the next 10

bookings will get one year free.

In the coming months, the marina

will offer 360º services such as boat

management, engines maintenance,

repairs and much more.

An option of dry or wet berthing

facilities will also be available. At

the same time, the Jebel Sifah

waterfront has served as the venue

for a number of scintillating events on

special occasions and will continue

to serve as a hotspot for recreational

activities in the future as well.

Jebel Sifah offers free berthing

Oman Dental College (ODC), the

first and only dental college in Oman,

held its first graduation ceremony

at the Crowne Plaza last month.

Forty- seven successful candidates

received their Bachelor of Dentistry

(BDS) certificates.

Dr Abdullah bin Mohammed Al

Sarmi, undersecretary, ministry of

higher education was the chief guest.

The ODC’s Dean, Dr Rahul Arora,

said, “We are immensely proud of our

first batch of graduates. We salute

them for having the commitment

and dedication to work through this

exacting course successfully. We

also acknowledge the role of their

families in being so supportive of

their education over these six years.”

Dr Mohamed Al Ismaily, chairman

ODC commented, “It has always

been ODC’s intention to play an

active and informed role in achieving

the long sighted vision of His Majesty

Sultan Qaboos bin Said, for both the

higher educational and healthcare

sectors in Oman.

Oman Dental College graduates


2 0 1 3B&W

Nawras is setting a new standard for telecoms in

the Sultanate with the unveiling of its new concept

flagship store on the ground floor of Muscat Grand

Mall. The vibrant new store is a one stop shop for all

communications needs, providing handsets, devices,

SIM cards, recharge and payment options as well

as specialised services for the home and office. The

colourful, lively design brings the brand to life with an

interactive style designed to provide an unforgettable

customer experience.

After a countdown to 12 minutes past 12 o’clock on 12-

12-12, Ross Cormack, Nawras chief executive officer,

unveiled the exciting interior and said, “Our flagship

store introduces a new energetic retail environment

showcasing the fun and innovation we are offering as

well as a dedicated business area. The dynamic and

interactive displays invite customers to play games, surf

the web or experiment with the latest products. Our brand

ambassadors make this store all the more special and

give customers a unique experience.”

The new flagship store is open from 10am until 10pm

every day except Friday when it will operate from 2pm

until 10pm.

Nawras unveils new concept flagship store

Word

pre

ss

For the fourth consecutive year, Omran, extended its

support to Muscat Youth Summit, one of the country’s

most highly anticipated annual events. The summit was

hosted at Omran’s first hospitality venue, the Millennium

Resort Mussanah, where the company also held an

exhibition to showcase a number of its latest corporate

social responsibility initiatives which included the Intajee

program; Intajee Al Mussanah and Salma’s Chocolates,

‘A Journey in Time through the Wilayat’, a book by Maher

Al Zadjali, a promising author and its partnership with

Injaz Oman’s signature programme ‘‘Sharikati’. The

exhibition was held to expand the horizons of 200 youths

attending the summit from across the globe through

exchanging and sharing creative and business ideas.

Eng. Wael bin Ahmed Al Lawati, Omran Ceo said, “The

Muscat Youth Summit has successfully created a safe

space where young people can voice their opinions and

concerns on what matters most, it also empowers them to

make a change that will contribute to the continued social

and economic development of the nation.”

Omran supports Muscat Youth Summit 2012

Sayarti – Oman’s fastest growing

auto care brand recently opened the

doors of yet another state-of-the-

art service centre. The latest outlet

for the Sayarti brand is prominently

located at the Qurum City Centre.

Highlighting the convenient location

at Qurum City Centre, Mohammed

Suleiman Saleh Al Balushi, manager

of Sayarti Autocare said; “Customers

Sayarti Autocare opens in Qurum City Centre

really identify with the Sayarti

promise to ‘love your car’ as our

experts bring state-of-the-art car

care to each and every customer.

This means friendly and professional

service with our commitment to a

quality job well done. At Sayarti,

our growth strategy is to continue

our network expansion in customer

friendly areas, so customers will find

our newest outlet at the Qurum City

Centre to be a handy location.”


2 0 1 3B&W

National Bank of Oman (NBO) has once again

reaffirmed its commitment to serving the nation by

launching 'Mustaqbali' (which means ‘my future’) - a

special savings account for youth.

The savings account is especially designed to

respond to the banking needs of young individuals

in the best possible way. Mustaqbali will not only

encourage and prepare the youth for a better

tomorrow, but is also a ‘friendly account ’ that will

encourage them to achieve their higher education

plans and career objectives.

Mustaqbali is a direct reflection of His Majesty Sultan

Qaboos Bin Said’s vision towards empowering and

educating Oman’s youth. It also reaffirms the bank’s

tagline ‘ For You. For Our Nation.’, especially since

almost 55 per cent of the total population of Oman is

under the age of 25.

Mustaqbali is offered to all Omani and expatriate

youngsters between the ages of 18 to 25 years.

All youth account holders will receive a free debit

card, credit card, discounted education loans, free

travel insurance for up to $10,000 and free access

to all NBO e-banking services. Upon maintaining

Mustaqbali – NBO’s youth savings account launched!

a minimum balance of RO 100, customers are also

automatically entered into the bank’s Al Kanz prize draw. The

higher the savings balance and the longer it is held, higher

are the chances of winning the Al Kanz daily and quarterly

prizes.

Hanaa Al Hinai, NBO’s head - product development, retail

banking said: “NBO’s youth account aims to build a rewarding

savings habit and develop early financial thrift that will help

our youth manage their money better as young adults.Those

seeking a higher education are offered an educational loan at

discounted rates which can help pay for all expenses relating

to their education.”

In a hotly contested international branding forum Ajay

Ganti, Ceo, Sarco (Al Seeb Technical Establishment) was

awarded the much acclaimed ‘Brand Builder of the Year’

in the Individual Awards Category, at the ‘Global Awards

for Brand Excellence 2012’ which concluded recently in

Mumbai, India.

The World Brand Congress is the single largest

rendezvous of the best brains behind some of the world’s

most successful and sought after brands. Participants

from a hundred different countries vied for the top

honours, including entries coming in from the USA, the

UK, Germany, Saudi Arabic, Singapore, Hong Kong and

Oman, besides the other nations representing every

single continent in the globe.

In this major international event over 500 honchos of

the world’s best marketing, branding, advertising, public

relations, brand strategy and corporate communications

put their heads together to pick and choose the

very best in the business across various categories,

companies, countries and brands. Ajay Ganti was

unanimously chosen as the ‘Brand Builder of the Year’

for the phenomenal transformation that he spearheaded

towards the total conduct of business in the company

comprising various divisions like consumer electronics,

home appliances, watches, I.T., office automation,

telecommunication, service / customer care, commercial

air conditioning and projects.

His guidance and leadership fuelled explosive growth in

revenues of 73 per cent between 2006 to 2011 and the

same trend is likely to continue in 2012. Since his taking

over the reins of the organisation in the year 2006, Ajay

Ganti is credited for the turning the organisation around

into one of the most impressive and profitable success

stories of recent times in the marketing and business

landscape of the Sultanate.

Ceo of Sarco ‘Brand Builder of the Year’


2 0 1 3B&W

Word

pre

ss

Omantel has been recognised

for its continued outstanding

business performance and has

been voted once again as the best

performing listed company in the

Muscat Securities Market (MSM)

at a prestigious business debate

organised by Oman Economic

Review (OER Debate 2012 ).

Omantel was named as the leading

company in Oman for the seventh

consecutive year in the annual OER

top 20 companies – demonstrating

once again the vital role that the

telecommunications giant plays in

the Omani economy, its development

and creating prosperity.

On receiving the award, Dr Al Rawas

said: “We are proud to receive

this award once again and for the

seventh consecutive year.

This recognition from the analysts

and investors is the fruition of a clear

vision, sound financial performance

and our focus on providing an even

enhanced customer experience year

on year.”

Omantel recognised as best in Mucat Securities Market

The Women’s Guild in Oman( WGO) held its 10th Crystal

Ball last month at the Al Midan Amphitheatre at the

Shangrila’s Bar Al Jissa Hotel. Addressing the 850 strong

crowd gathered there, Sally Sleep, the president of the

WGO mentioned that in addition to giving support to

ladies who have recently arrived in Oman, the aim of the

Womens Guild in Oman is to raise funds for local charities.

The WGO dates back to 1973 when it started with just

13 ladies and now has 1928 members from 91 countries.

Continuing with her speech Sally said, “Most of us aren’t

rich and famous but we are all beautiful in our own way.

We are also all in the privileged position of being able to

read and write, which is something that we often take for

WGO holds 10th Crystal Ball

granted. Take a minute to think about those who don’t

have this ability and what an immense impact it has on

their lives and especially what it prevents them from

doing. This year the Crystal Ball will be supporting the

Lets Tread Mobile Library/Book Bus.”

AMOUAGE MARKS 3OTH YEAR

H.H. Sayyid Kamil Fahad Mahmood Al-Said, assistant secretary-

general for the cabinet of the deputy prime minister for the council

of ministers, inaugurated Amouage’s new, state-of-the-art factory

and visitors’ centre in Muscat. The event also marked the start of the

House’s 30th year as it continues to expand its international footprint.

“Amouage today sells in 52 countries and has 4 regional sales offices

across Europe, the Far East and the Gulf. We have 12 international

shops, with the latest openings in Kuala Lumpur, Bahrain and Jeddah,

and countless shop-in-shops around the world. We have seen our

manufacturing levels increase dramatically year-on-year and this is

why we needed to build a facility fit for future expansion plans,” said

Amouage CEO, David Crickmore.


2 0 1 3B&W

BADR AL SAMAA

voted as the best Badr Al Samaa group of hospitals

has been voted as the best brand in

the popular choice for 2012 survey as

in the previous years.

The board of directors P.A Moham-

med, V.T Vinod and Abdul Latheef

expressed their gratitude to all those

who voted for Badr Al Samaa as part

of this years’ survey. “We deeply

acknowledge the support and en-

couragement extended by everyone

all these years. This acceptance is a

reflection of our commitment towards

building a healthier society”, they

said. Badr Al Samaa’s Ruwi centre

was set up in 2002, within a span of

few years it was able to position itself as the largest private healthcare group

in the Sultanate, expanding its horizons to Al Khuwair, Sohar, Salalah, Al

Khoud, Barka, Sur and Nizwa. Badr Al Samaa also expanded to other coun-

tries of GCC by starting its facilities in the Kingdom of Bahrain in 2007, Dubai

in 2010 and Sharjah in 2012. Badr Al Samaa completed ten years last year in

the Sultanate.

Diane von

Furstenberg and evian celebrate life evian’s latest limited edition bottle

by Diane von Furstenberg will be

available in the Middle East from

November for a limited period, and

reflects a playful celebration of life

and features a nod to the designer’s

iconic mantras with, “Water is life is

love is life is water is…,” gracing the

bottle in her distinct handwriting. Von

Furstenberg drew inspiration from her

personal relationship with evian water

and her own love of life. The result

is a unique design that combines

evian’s commitment to purity with

DVF’s youthful and optimistic

philosophy.

“Diane von Furstenberg is a globally-

recognised pioneer in the fashion

industry through her eponymous

DVF brand and has also established

herself as an icon through her

philanthropic ventures and

mentorship as president of Council

of Fashion Designers of America

(CFDA)”, says Martin Renaud,

president of evian.

Mitsubishi Lancer

Fortis launchedGeneral Automotive Company,

the exclusive dealer for Mitsubishi

vehicles in Oman, launched the latest

star to join the Mitsubishi family – the

Lancer Fortis, at the Motor Show

Oman 2012. The Lancer Fortis,

with its new 1.8L engine, bridges

the current gap in the Lancer range

and is perfectly specified to lead the

C-Segment in Oman; featuring class

leading performance that sets is

aside from its competitors in the mar-

ket. " General Automotive Company

has emerged as a leading player in

the Omani automotive market as a result of being able to offer customers the

functionality and comfort they desire in a vehicle while still making it attain-

able,” explained, Mark Tomlinson, general manager of General Automotive

Company. “The Lancer Fortis is the first all-new car from Mitsubishi in over

two years, equipped with a 1.8L MiVEC engine, this new car offers class-

leading performance at a very competitive price. This is the first in a long line

of all-new models that Mitsubishi plan to launch over the next few years.”


2 0 1 3B&W

Word

pre

ss

Panasonic, has officially launched

‘ePlus’ - an online portal for

customers in Oman. The move marks

Panasonic as the first electronics

company to launch an online portal

in Oman. The shoppers will have

to log onto the ePlus website http://

eplus.panasonic.om and register

themselves following a simple

process, to avail of the great offers

on site. Once live; the site will provide

some great introductory offers to the

registered shoppers.

“The Sultanate has become one of

the most important destinations in the

Middle East region to attract foreign

investments, and there is a consistent

rise in disposable incomes as well”

said Mr Masao Motoki, managing

director, Panasonic Marketing Middle

East and Africa.

“With the launch of ePlus, Omani

customers can now get immediate

access to Panasonic products online.

OMASCO is proud to be associated

with a dynamic, progressive and

innovative brand like Panasonic.

ePlus adds to the sales channels

The first book in Indian language in Malayalam that sheds light on His Majesty’s

life, his values and principles, his unmatched qualities that steered the Sultan-

ate of Oman from success to success, is now in Tamil titled “His Majesty Sultan

Qaboos bin Said al Said- Tholainokku Arashiyal Deerghadarshi”.

His Highness, Sayyid Faisal bin Turki al Said launched the 200-page book at

the Bank Muscat Head Quarters after the book was handed over to him by His

Excellency J S Mukul, the Indian Ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman. Justice

A.R Lakshmanan, a special invitee from India presented the book to AbdulRazak

Ali Issa CE, Bank Muscat, and to Dr Ibrahim al Kindi, CEO, Oman Establishment for Press, Publishing and Advertising.

Dr V. R Sampath, chairman of Chennai Development Authority spoke about the relations between the two friendly na-

tions. Written by Chithra Narayan and Kabeer Yousuf, author of the first Indian book on His Majesty in Malayalam, the

book brings about a plethora of latest information and a range of old and new pictures that portray HM’s life in black

and white and colour in one of the mostly widely spoken languages of the world.

The book presented by Muscat unique Diamond Ent, is supported by Bank Muscat, Bahawan Cybertech, Petron,

Oman Air and many other well-wishers. The glossy, hard- bound book is printed and published by Oman Establish-

ment for Printing, Publishing and Advertising.

Zahara Tours was named the ‘Best Tour Operator of the Year’ at the high-

profile Travelex Oman Tourism Ambassador Awards ceremony held recently.

The company was among 10 entrepreneurs and tourism service providers

that shared the spotlight at the inaugural edition of the Awards, recognising

outstanding contributions to Oman’s tourism industry. Attended by the mov-

ers and shakers of the tourism industry, the event was held amid the splendid

settings of Bait Al Nahda, part of Muscat’s famed Bait Al Zubair landmark.

Lending prestige to the event was

the presence of Her Excellency

Maitha bin Saif Al Mahrouqi, Under-

Secretary of the Ministry of Tour-

ism that joined hands with Travelex

Oman in celebrating the pursuit of

excellence in Oman’s rapidly grow-

ing tourism sector.

Commenting on the win, Gautam

Broota, CEO of Zahara Travel Group

said, “This award is a testament to

the Zahara team’s commitment to

provide our tourists with a memora-

ble and enriching experience during

their stay in beautiful Oman. As

the Sultanate’s leading destination

and leisure management company,

Zahara Tours is committed to playing

a contributing role with the Ministry

of Tourism in promoting Oman as a

distinctive holiday destination.”

BOOK launch

ZAHARA TOURS named the best tour operator

PANASONIC ePlus

already in place across Oman to

reach customers and helps those

customers who are enabled through

the internet to purchase,” said

Michael Hansen, managing director,

OMASCO.


2 0 1 3B&W

TANGIBLE REMINDERS OF YEARS GONE BY…

Almost each and every one of us would have had our

own collection of stamps at some point in time. But,

we can’t say the same for the current generation.

They say you cannot collect something which you

don’t know of, but when it comes to stamps, every

child used to be a collector. Those days are gone and

you don’t see the youngsters of today showing the

same inclination.

Stamp collecting has simply lost its appeal among

the youngsters of today. They are content with

running around with their iPods, iPads and advanced

software. A mere touch can reach them to their near

and dear ones, so who would sit down and pen a

letter, seal an envelope, go to the post office to stick

a stamp and drop it in the boxes? Why go through all

this trouble, they would think. But, we all forget that

this is how it used to be years ago. I still believe that

the old charm of sitting down to write a letter and post

it will never die. Like a piece of art, stamps will still live

on…

Despite the lack of interest, stamps today remain as

tangible reminders of years gone by. Stamp collecting

dates back to 1840, when the first stamp was issued

in England. And for many years stamp collectors were

good sources of revenue for post offices.

Stamps today remain as tangible reminders of years gone by. Stamp collecting dates back to 1840, when the first stamp was issued in England. And for many years stamp collectors were good sources of revenue for post offices

Mohamed Issa Al ZadjaliEditor-in-chief

In Black...

& White

In B

lack &

Whit

e

My tryst with stamps began when we were in the Gulf

states and my father used to get letters from Oman. He

used to tell us how to remove those stamps from the

envelopes and collect them without damaging them. Put

the envelope in water for a few minutes, my father would

say… when it is soaked, you can get the stamp out from

the envelope without tearing it. It was fun then. Playfully

we used to collect quite a number of stamps from Oman.

I don’t know what happened to them, but I don’t see my

children collecting any…

The B&W team met one of the first Omani stamp

designer, who made a career out of designing stamps

for the nation for the last 27 years. A real time artist and

painter Mohamed Nidham lives in a beautiful world of

stamps, arts and history, collecting every little bit of data

he can… Stamps are a nation’s identity, he tells us.

I only wish the authorities concerned would take

necessary steps to preserve the dying stamp art,

introduce it in the schools for the young kids to learn

about history and culture of not just our nation, but also

the world… otherwise stamps would just be a picture with

a photo caption in a school textbook!

2 0 1 3B&W

B&

W X

clu

sive

24 December 7, 2012 - January 7, 2013


25Black & White

A brush with

StampSStare at a stamp and you are staring at history.

You are staring at the culture, tradition and history of a country; you are staring at some of the most

precious moments in time captured on a small rectangular piece of paper and preserved for

posterity. A stamp is a nation’s pride; it is a nation’s identity…it is not just a small bit of paper – it is

almost like an identity card of a nation, says Oman’s best known Omani stamp designer.

Mohammed Nidham Al Balushi is bent

on his work table. Clad in white, a kummah

on his head, round silver-rimmed glass on

his nose, a pen in his hand, he is lost in

a colourful world of his own. Behind him,

the wall emanates an orange hue. The

scene looked quite ethereal and striking. If

Mohammed Nidham had painted the whole

scene himself, he would have grudgingly

approved of it.

2 0 1 3B&W

B&

W X

clu

sive


We have been standing before him for sometime but

he has not noticed us as yet. A pretty white cat glides

by miaowing to itself. Otherwise, the room is silent. We,

including his wife, Laila Zidjali, wait patiently. The man

is lost in thought. And, we did not want to tread on his

dreams.

After sometime, he lifts his head and gently smiles at us.

It is quite a disarming smile. Like the man himself, his

easy, simple and affable smile strikes an immediate chord

in us.

A painter, stamp designer and philatelist, Mohammed

Nidham has taken several responsibilities on himself.

Yet, he has found a way to juggle them and still enjoy the

process.

OMAN’S FIRST OMANI STAMP DESIGNER

Titles such as ‘Oman’s singular Omani stamp designer’

and ‘accomplished painter’ sits easily on Mohammed

Nidham. He shrugs them off and declares that it is not

easy being a painter or a stamp designer; both took

the most out of him and left him so drained that titles,

accolades, money seemed to have no value during and

post creation. The only thing that seems to drive this man

of stamps and colours is the end result. He has put in so

much of painstaking effort in creating a stamp design or

a painting and he is ready to do anything to bring out the

best. “It has to be good; it has to have that right balance

– it has to strike a chord in people. Everything else is

immaterial!”

TRUE ESSENCE AND SPIRIT

This is the simple philosophy of a simple man who

has picked a paint brush from childhood and is still as

passionate as ever, despite spending more time as a

stamp designer today. But in his simplicity lies the true

essence and spirit of a real artist who will one day wow

not just Oman, but the rest of the world. While other

artists of his ilk are busy packaging their art, selling,

showcasing and exhibiting their ware, Nidham (as he

is fondly known) is busily creating. Currently, he is off

painting, because he is a fulltime stamp designer, but he

plans to pick up his brush soon.

THE LIBRARY OF STAMPS

We were there at his home in Al Ma’awaleh to learn

more about not just his paintings, but his equally strong

passion – stamp designing. His home is a mini gallery

with his modern paintings covering almost every inch of

the walls. Even the staircase leading to his home studio –

he called it the library, not wrongly though, because of the

huge collection of stamps, personal documents on stamp,

literature, paintings and the like. The ‘library’ itself spoke

volumes about Nidham’s passion as well as his abundant

skills. Socially or otherwise, he kept a very low profile;

was totally unassuming and free with his work as well

as his demeanour. He had that almost self-deprecating


27Black & White

view of his work not because he thought less of it, but,

because as he honestly avers, he had miles to go… “I am

just at the first rung of the ladder – I have a long way to

go; I am still a small student of art, sipping at the edge of

a vast ocean. I need to do a lot more before I can even

attempt to talk like an artist,” he laughs. His laughter is

also infectious.

We went around the tastefully decorated living room

where his fabulous art were adorned on the walls.

Each work drew attention and were live pieces of art

– some betraying his emotions, others portraying his

philosophies, but all, vibrant, and full of life. Embedded

in each painting were his own personal features, his

particular styles and the one that he himself declared as

his favourite among the ones hung there was an exquisite

piece on a luminescent Buddha.

Although diverted by the unusual pieces of art that

adorned the walls of his home, we zoomed in on our

purpose. We were there to learn more about the man,

his stamps and his designs. But, Nidham was not just a

designer of stamps; he was also its most avid collector,

or rather, a philatelist. “Collecting stamps is not child

stuff – it is science!” both Nidham and Laila chorused.

Laila, who has made her mark as a top health official

in town, plays an able assistant, helping her husband

research, document and file his valuable collections.

Most importantly, she plays the role of a patron, always

encouraging her husband to do well in both worlds –

stamp designing and painting. “He has not touched his

brush since some years now as he was totally engrossed

in the world of stamp designs, but I am hoping that he

picks up from he stopped,” Laila said. Their eyes meet

and their lips part slightly in a small smile. Their ardour for

each other also seemed contagious.

A STORY TO TELL

Talk about anything else and Nidham may show very little

interest. But, talk about stamps and his face lights up.

This man is a walking, talking encyclopaedia on stamps.

He knows its history; its culture, tradition and he knows

the story behind each new stamp being issued today,

because he has, in most ways, designed it, or been

instrumental in its design.

We walked around the large work room, library or study

of Nidham as he explained the need and necessity for

each nook and corner. Everything was laid there with

a purpose. He shows one of the oldest stamps in his

collection and as we stood and trilled over it, he pointed

to a simple stamp nearby, which was on a cover: “Look

at this postage stamp. What do you see? If all that you

see is just a small adhesive label that is sold in various

denominations to be affixed to items of mail as evidence

of the payment of postage, then you are not really seeing

a stamp!”

It is much more than a mere hallmark or an imprint,

Nidham emphasised. That usually little rectangular

shaped piece depicting a portrait of a well known

2 0 1 3B&W

B&

W X

clu

sive



29Black & White

personality of that country has more importance than just

being an item of mail service.

Each and every stamp bears the culture, tradition and

history of a particular country. It has a specific story to

tell.

STAMP AMBASSADOR

“When that stamp is sent to a foreign country, it acts as

an ambassador. And there are many fine details that you

can learn from the quality and the theme of the stamps;

they reflect the growth and development of a particular

country. The stamp might be put on an envelope carrying

a particular letter, but few realise that the stamp itself has

a particular message, and a story to tell,” says this most

passionate stamp designer of Oman, one of its very first.

Slowly he unveils to us the stamp design tale as he takes

us through the history of stamps here and also highlights

how each stamp was a mini storehouse of culture,

tradition as well as the history of Oman.

WORLD OF COLOURS

Nidham is a serious and passionate man about his

stamps. His sudden irreverence and his full throated

laughter may divert your attention from the fact that this

is an intense man who means business. Give him a

project – painting and stamp designing and he gets totally

immersed in it for hours, days, months. Unless and until

he finishes his work, Nidham remains immersed in this

world of colours.

TRYST WITH STAMP DESIGNS

But, ask him how he got into the world of stamps and

he is quick to say: “By mistake!” The laughter follows.

Of course, we don’t take it seriously. Many years ago,

Nidham used to be employed with the ministry of

education and at that time the then ministry of transport

and communications was looking for an artist to design

stamps. “I joined the postal department at the ministry of

transportation and telecommunications and thus began

my tryst with stamp designs!”

Nidham was already a known painter then and his

artistic flair did help him in the world of stamp designing

to a certain extent, but he added quickly that it was not

something he would recommend. “I don’t want to make

anyone think that if you are a painter or an artist you can

automatically become a stamp designer,” he warned,

adding that both were actually diametrically opposite

worlds.

FIRST OMANI STAMP ISSUED IN 1966

For Nidham it was an entry into a brand new sphere of

life. “There was a senior Egyptian designer who was

there with the ministry since many years. I joined the

department, under him, in 1985.

“Though the postal service in Oman goes back some 150

years, records say that the first Omani stamp was issued

in 1966. Over the years, Oman has brought out hundreds

of stamps, highlighting various national, regional, cultural

and other related themes. New stamps are issued on

every national occasion, festivals and other occasions.”

ART ON SMALL CANVAS

Before the 60s, Oman used stamps of the UK, which

were printed in India and later started using the stamps

from India, until the country started issuing its own in

1966. Stamps and seals are part of a nation’s history and

culture and is a piece of document that can be used to

trace years of communication and correspondence. “It is

like an identity card of the nation,” Nidham noted.

“As an artist, we sketch things, paint, create, recreate and

stretch our thoughts’ limits. But while creating a stamp,

you have to remember that unlimited data and information

has to be captured in limited space and a design has

to be put in place. The image is first drawn on a large

2 0 1 3B&W

B&

W X

clu

sive



31Black & White

2 0 1 3B&W

B&

W X

clu

sive



33Black & White

canvas and then reduced to a stamp size. The sizes differ

according to the theme and essence of the year or with

the ministry that is involved in bringing out the stamp that

year,” the stamp designer said, explaining his metier.

A RESPONSIBILITY

But, wasn’t it quite challenging for an artist like him to

work on a small canvas? Nidham smiled, vigorously

nodding his head. “Most often I am limited to choose a

single important characteristic detail as the centre of the

design and work around it. Sometimes it takes weeks to

create one theme, sometimes more. The art of postage

stamp designing is a responsibility!

I always provide options of a design before it is accepted.

The shortlisted design may undergo several rounds

of modification before production. The life of a stamp

design is optional and could be even limited to a few

weeks sometimes. Like I said, the design of a stamp is

dependent upon the nation from where it is created, the

region where the nation is located and is also dependent

on the international affairs and events governing it at that

moment of time.”

NIDHAM’S FIRST STAMPS

Like most artists, Nidham has not forgotten his first ever

stamp creation. “The initial few designs of the year are

still very vivid in my memory. I had designed a stamp on

Jibreen castle as well as a kids’ theme for Unicef. As an

artist, designing a stamp is not easy. No one teaches you

the art of stamp making. You have to learn everything by

yourself. You have to do a lot of research and understand

the theme of the design, to illustrate it right. Stamp

designing is very serious business. Though the basic

purpose of a stamp is to indicate the prepayment of

postage, a theme is followed based on the significance

of the year of creation, or based on the theme, national,

regional or international.

This work was a different experience for an artist like me.

Though I stumbled on to a career in designing stamps, I

stayed on to learn and create many designs by myself, or

with a team. Not many in the public know what it takes to

create a stamp, and how it is done,” Nidham said.

EVOLUTIONARY PROCESS

Over the years, stamp design has undergone a gradual

process of evolution, traceable both to advances in

printing technology and general changes in taste.

However, the younger generation today may not even

remember seeing or using a stamp as they belong to the

email generation.

While modern tastes tend to favour simpler designs, the

current trend is a return to the old classic style.

“When I started designing, I did it as a career option. I

never thought that a stamp could be so much steeped in

history; and that it had volumes to tell about the culture,

tradition and history of the nation it is created in. It took

2 0 1 3B&W

B&

W X

clu

sive



35Black & White

me nearly a decade to understand the sheer intricacies

of designing a stamp the right way with the right essence.

For a collector, stamps are real treasures!” Nadhim

enthused.

REAL WORKS OF ART

Since the 80s, the postage stamp design has grown

far beyond the prepayment mark. It has become a real

work of art, inspiring for philatelists, stamp collectors and

those interested in art on the whole. There are a group

of philatelists, who consider stamps more valuable than

anything else in the world. In the Middle East region,

the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has an association

for stamp designers and they organise exhibitions

bringing the likeminded together to display and share the

developments in the field. “Two years back, I attended an

exhibition in Sharjah and it was a mind opener for me. A

small stamp is created with a theme, which is depicted

elaborately in six to10 sheets of display, money, energy

and talent utilised to tell the story of the stamp creation.

Internationally, the field of postage stamp designing is

taken very seriously and professionals work together to

create stamps of value in all aspects pertaining to the

interests of not just a nation, but also that of a collector.”

STAMP ON ARAB POSTAL DAY

Oman won a regional competition when a stamp was

created for the Arab Postal day and was used by 22

countries in the region. “Not many in the public will know

about these competitions and exhibitions, unless it is

reported in the philatelic press.

The prize winning stamp bears Oman’s flag, a map of the

Arab World, logo of Arab League and a carrier pigeon.

The picture of the pigeon refers to the way of sending

messages in the past, while the map of the Arab World

indicates the importance of maintaining communication

among Arabs nations in the field of information and

communication technology. “The stamp, designed by

me, won the first place among eight other Arab stamps

submitted to the Arabian Postal Committee in Cairo,”

Nidham said.

BRAILLE STAMP FOR THE VISUALLY CHALLENGED

Oman has always shown remarkable understanding

and care for the lesser privileged. And this is seen in the

stamp making field too. “In 2010, on the White Cane Day,

we designed an absolutely different stamp for the visually

challenged. It was black in colour and was of a bigger

size than the normal stamps. It did not have much of

design, there were no words, only on Braille, some dots

and dashes... It was dedicated to the visually challenged.”

A COLLECTOR OF STAMPS AND KNICK KNACKS

While the artist in Nidham shone through his work,

the collector in him was clear in the array of neatly

documented stamp issues, albums and a host of other

related items. A much travelled man, Nidham has self-

posted letters with stamps from that particular country he

was visiting then. Other than this, he was also keen on

mail art, wherein he had drawn quick visuals of a place he

was in and sent it back to his address and he was also a

collector of other knick knacks like chocolate wrappers.

“Do you know that there are so many varieties of KitKat?”

he laughed displaying several unheard varieties. We

laughed along. Like we said earlier, his laughter was also

equally infectious.

2 0 1 3B&W

B&

W X

clu

sive


Mail art is art on postcards or envelopes that you can

send through the postal service. It is a worldwide

cultural movement that began in the early 1960s

and involves sending visual art (but also music,

sound art, poetry, etc.) through the international

postal system. Mail Art is also known as Postal Art

or Correspondence Art. Unlike regular post, this form

of art actually great distances and bringing smiles to

faces in other places. Imagine how loved you would

feel to find a homemade postcard in your mailbox.

You can get as creative as you’d like with mail art, but

you need to make sure you follow a few simple rules

so the post office doesn’t send it right back to you.

Mail art bring smiles on faces


37Black & White

Text: Adarsh Madhavan & Priya Arunkumar Photos: Ben

The postal service began in Oman in 1856 with the

opening of the first post office in Muscat. The stamps

used at this post office were Indian stamps, without

any overprinting, and these continued to be used until

December 19, 1947.

From December 20, 1947, Indian stamps were used with

the word “PAKISTAN” overprint on them, following the

transfer of the postal service to Pakistani administration at

this time. These stamps were used until March 31,1948.

However, on the November 20, 1944, two sets of postage

stamps overprinted with “AL BUSAID 1363” were issued

to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Al Busaid dynasty in

Oman.

On April 30, 1966, Oman post was taken over by the

Omani government. The first set of 12 Omani postage

stamps was issued bearing the name “Muscat and

Oman”, the national crest, and the great forts. These

stamps were then overprinted with the present name

“Sultanate of Oman”, the name, which was adopted

in accordance with the announcement by His Majesty

Sultan Qaboos, on August 9, 1970.

Then Omani stamps continued to be issued for various

national and international occasions. Various postal

services incorporating the latest technical procedure have

spread at an ever accelerating rate to the farthest corners

of the Sultanate with the result of (94) post offices now in

operation and (427) postal distribution agency extended

to many inhabitants throughout the country. Local mail is

transported by plane and fleet of vehicles for operation

between the wilayats and the capital to accelerate

collection and delivery

(Source: internet)

History of

the postal

service in

Oman


2 0 1 3B&W

It's m

y lif

e

Great Bosses do things differently

By Dr CK Anchan

Dr Anchan C.K.

managing director,

World Wide Business House

38 November 7- December 6, 2012

Bosses are often the primary reason for

people either loving or leaving their jobs. A

boss is the umbilical cord that connects em-

ployees to an organisation. When I look back

today, I feel great that I had great bosses who

inspired me from time to time.

What makes a great boss really? It’s a tough

question to answer because different people

will define it differently. I thought of sharing

my learning curve.

Great bosses see business as a symbiosis

where the most diverse firm is most likely

to survive and thrive. For them business is

an ecosystem; they create teams that adapt

easily to new markets and can quickly form

partnerships with other companies, customers

and even competitors. A great boss is direct,

but sensitive. He or she realises that com-

munication is essential to build a great and

effective team.

Great bosses believe that company is a

community and not a machine; they see

their company as a collection of individual

hopes and dreams, all connected to a higher

purpose. They inspire employees to dedicate

themselves to the success of their peers. A

great boss sits down with an employee right

from the beginning and identifies priorities.

Discusses the performance review, and holds

discussions regularly in regards to expecta-

tions from that point on.

A great boss views his position as both a

leader and a coach, someone who educates

and encourages, who leads the team by

example.They set a general direction and

then commit them to obtaining the resources

that their employees need to get the job done.

They strongly believe that management is

service and not all about control.

Great boss stops by and says hello. He

makes himself available. No matter what he

is doing, when employees speak he will stop

and give them full attention.They treat every

employee as if he or she were the most im-

portant person in the firm. They have this firm

belief that "My employees are my peers, not

my children".

They inspire people to see a better future and

how they'll be a part of it. As a result, employ-

ees work harder because they believe in the

organisation's goals, truly enjoy what they're

doing and of course know they'll share in the

rewards. A great boss observes his employ-

ees to find out what they do best. He talks

to them about what aspects of their job they

enjoy the most. A great boss taps into and

leverages the instincts and skills his employ-

ees have.

They see change as an inevitable part of life.

While they don't value change for its own

sake, they know that success is only possible

if employees and organisation embrace new

ideas and new ways of doing business. An ef-

fective boss encourages his employees not to

be scared of making mistakes along the way.

It is about opportunity, trying something new

and different, and pushing personal limits.

They see work as something that should be

inherently enjoyable–and believe therefore

that the most important job of manager is, as

far as possible, to put people in jobs that can

and will make them truly happy.

I am thankful to all my bosses from whom

I learned the way we can make difference,

hope this article helped give you some ideas

about things you can do to make a positive

impact in the lives of the people around you.

Wishing you all the best and be a "Great

Boss."


2 0 1 3B&W

536742198

942185736

718639425

387264519

629851374

154397682

471528963

893476251

2659138472012 C

onceptis Puzzles, D

ist. by King F

eatures Syndicate, Inc.

Difficulty Level7/07

925814763

617239584

384657912

841572396

759346821

236198475

562783149

198465237

4739216582012 C

onceptis Puzzles, D

ist. by King F

eatures Syndicate, Inc.

Difficulty Level7/06

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:

1

3

5

3

46

7

2

4

5

96

23

8

7

5

7

31

9

8

6

3

2012

Con

cept

is P

uzzl

es, D

ist.

by K

ing

Feat

ures

Syn

dica

te, I

nc.

By Dave Green

Difficulty Level 7/06

3

9

42

8

73

6

9

7

5

2

7

4

6

5

8

93

7

25

6

4

2012

Con

cept

is P

uzzl

es, D

ist.

by K

ing

Feat

ures

Syn

dica

te, I

nc.

By Dave Green

Difficulty Level 7/07©T

hom

as S

nyder

©T

hom

as S

nyder


2 0 1 3B&W

Trivia on

shirts &

t shirts


2 0 1 3B&W

Tongue TwistersDoes your shirt shop stock short socks with spots?

Cloth was the single largest import in the18th century,

and tailoring was the largest trade in any city until the

20th century. Almost every other colonial trade also used

a needle. Blacksmiths used a needle to make bellows,

shoemakers and saddle makers used a needle to make

shoes and saddles…

It takes six miles of yarn to make one t-shirt.

Men have buttons on the right hand side and women

on the left because in the olden days men dressed

themselves but women were dressed.

The word 't-shirt' first appeared in the Merriam-Webster

dictionary in the 1920’s.

Tailors only began using buttons as fasteners on shirts

during the 13th century. Before then cuffs were held

together with pins, lacers or fasteners.

In 1939 the first promotional t-shirt was printed for the

movie 'The Wizard of Oz'.

Around 1904, the famous Parisian shirtmaker Charvet

invented the silk knot; typically they are now made from

elastic.

A men’s suit jacket has two back vents because back in

the days this was designed for comfort; you wore your

jacket while riding a horse

John F Kennedy wore a two button suit to a televised

debate with Richard Nixon and overnight it emerged as

the look that expressed youth and youthful thinking.


2 0 1 3B&W

Attendees to a recent concert reported to Bitter Batter

recently that they were pretty upset by the organisers

policy of locking the gates once the event began and not

allowing people wanting to go home, out. “Normally the

gates are shut to prevent people without tickets getting

in; but, in this case, people who have paid for their tickets

and merely wanted to get out before the event got over

were rudely told to stay put until the show ended. This was

very upsetting and we think it is quite an unprofessional

behaviour from the part of the organisers,” irate members

of the public who had attended the concert told Bitter

Batter.

“There were people wanting to go home; there were some

others saying that they wanted to take a sick child out,

but the bouncers would not budge! We couldn’t believe it!

We demanded them to open the gates, but they refused

saying that the organisers have ordered the gates to be

closed and opened only after the event got over. We

could not understand why they took such a stance. It was

pretty upsetting!”

After much arguing and once it became a real mess with

loads of people demanding them to immediately open

the gates, the bouncers finally relented. Is there any rule

that once you enter a show/event you have to stay until it

finishes and only then go?

Cases of hit and run are not too many in Oman, but

sometimes the odd ones do creep in. The other day,

one of our readers in Al Khuwair reported a street lamp

being knocked down when they all woke up to a cloudy

rain drenched morning. But, who knocked it down? Since

heavy rain poured down, the natural assumption was

that it could be due to natural causes. But, how could

rain – which poured down, albeit heavily, but only for a

short period – uproot a rock steady street lamp? As many

mulled over this, someone said that it was not the natural

elements that knocked it down, but a vehicle. Apparently,

early morning a speeding vehicle, lost control, hit the pole

on the run and then disappeared without even stopping.

But, even the one who said that confessed he did not

actually see it happen. So, what exactly happened to the

poor street lamp? No one really knows. We have heard

of trees being uprooted in heavy winds, but street lamps?

Sorry, you can’t leave

until it is over

Mystery of the fallen

street lamp

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:

Nit

ter

natt

er


2 0 1 3B&W

Driving deaths have been the bane of Oman. That not withstanding,

there is a stark need to look into the safety of children on the

roads, in buses, in cars…everywhere. The recent tragic death of

a poor Indian student on the road in a school bus accident brings

these issues into sharp focus. It is not about bad drivers alone.

You have to tackle the problem from the source. Weed it out from

the grassroots level. There is a need to bring about a new order

in the scene of driving; among drivers; among the transportation

facilities available for students and there is a stark need for a law

to come into place that will slow down all school bus drivers.

As some parents suggested, the authorities concerned should

start monitoring school buses as a separate entity and stopping

the drivers if they increase the speed even slightly. Stringent laws

are the need of the hour to bring down the spate of accidents and

a new order to be put in place which will save our children on the

roads. This is the fervent plea of all parents in town.

Since we are on the subject of driving and being careless on the

roads, here is a twist to a serious story. A lady whom we know has

reported that she is constantly been the target of attention of a not

to harmless form of eve teasing on the road. No, not when she

is walking but when she is driving her car. The attention is being

thrown on her by the younger lot of drivers, she claims. “Well, not

just by honking alone, but there are some who make funny faces

at me, foolishly wave out, raise their hands in mock salute or do

some type of clownish antic or the other.”

More than an irritation, it is a matter of concern because she feels

that such clowning with one hand on the wheel and the other

employed for such silly action was actually putting the driver as

well as others on the road at risk.

“I often stop my car and blast them! But, they just honk and drive

away!”

However, when enquired about this, many other ladies say that

they have never ever experienced such type of eve teasing on the

roads. “Yes, there might have been some rare occasions when

a tearaway comes behind and chases you off the speed track to

a lower one – but no one has bothered us with such antics (as

described above)!” they said. Well, to each their own! Let better

sense prevail among the youngsters who drive on the road!

Save our children

on the roads

Road teasers

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


2 0 1 3B&W

You’ve learnt a lot of hard

lessons in life already this week but

you’re stronger and better for it.

Be aware of the hidden agendas

and motives of others when making

plans for the future at work this

week. Team spirit is sadly lacking

these days. Others will always put

themselves first.

Someone’s jealousy, envy

or resentment will spoil your creativity

and enthusiasm over trying to make

this week a fun time for everyone.

Misunderstandings over work or

health put the tin lid on it. Cheer up,

Christmas is coming.

Don’t pretend to work.

You’re wasting as much time with

this game playing as you would if you

were really doing what’s required.

Test and exams loom and you’d be

a fool to turn your back on them;

they’re likely to be easier than you’d

dreamed.

There’s no way you can

please everyone this week, so just

please yourself and let them all get

on with it. The new moon at the

latter end of the week puts you in

the party mood, and you’ll be happy

to celebrate others good news with

them.

Take a long hard look

at your career and sort out the

worthwhile from the wasteful. It’ll be

hard to be so brutally honest with

yourself, but it has to be done. Try

not to over react when you realise

you’ve been quite wasteful in the

past.

A better working week is put

in place and this could be to do with

the more approachable area the stars

are placing many of the signs in. Is it

wrong to mix business and pleasure?

Not this week, go ahead and take a

chance. Plans which are laid down

this week can make for your most

prosperous year ahead

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

NICOLAS CAGE (BORN NICOLAS KIM COPPOLA;

JANUARY 7, 1964) is an American actor, producer and

director, having appeared in over 60 films including Raising

Arizona (1987), The Rock (1996), Face/Off (1997), Con

Air (1997), Gone in 60 Seconds (2000), Adaptation (2002),

National Treasure (2004), Lord of War (2005), Ghost Rider

(2007), The Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans (2009),

Kick-Ass (2010), and Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance (2012).

Cage has been nominated twice for an Academy Award,

winning once for his performance as a suicidal alcoholic in

Leaving Las Vegas. His other nomination was for his portrayal

of real-life screenwriter Charlie Kaufman and Kaufman's

fictional twin Donald in Adaptation.


Although you’ll find it hard

to concentrate this week, do your

best to pay attention to what’s going

on around you. Stay alert and on the

ball and don’t let anyone pull the wool

over your eyes. Stress is evident in

your chart but there is much you can

do this week to get rid of it for good.

What you hear or say

seems to be more wishful thinking or

clouded judgement than actual fact,

so don’t base long term decisions on

how you’re feeling this week. Find

a quiet place to think things through

before stating your case.

Try not to lose your temper

if a partner or child has overspent

their budget. You have finally

realised that a certain road you have

been travelling down is not working

and you seem to be more worried

about the embarrassment that

admitting such a fact will bring.

Your goals and objectives

seem to have become quite blurry

recently, mainly because you’ve had

so many responsibilities to tend to

that plans have lost their edge. Don’t

worry. Everyone is caught up in the

Christmas bandwagon. Start again

after new year.

This week is not really

shaping up in the way you envisaged

it, especially if finances or matters

of the heart are not going according

to plan. Its not a good time to make

firm decisions. Wait until after the

weekend as stress will ease.

Energy levels are all over

the place. You must try to stop talking

in riddles and start telling your friends

the facts, or you are never going to

get the right advice. Don’t believe all

your hear on the career front or you’ll

make yourself quite ill as you think

too deeply about what’s and if’s and

but’s of a situation.

September 24-October 23

December 23-January 20

October 24-November 22

January 21-February 19

November 23-December 22

February 20-March 20

starsLIBRA

CAPRICORN

SCORPIO

AQUARIUS

SAGITTARIUS

PISCES

Top notes

Middle notes

Base notes

X SPRAY

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

For men


2 0 1 3B&W

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

Cir

cula

tion


2 0 1 3B&W47

January 7 - February 62 0 1 3B&&&&&&W

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

BARKA

SOHAR

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)

Circulation enquiries: 98675976/24565697

FREE FORTNIGHTLY MAGAZINEAVAILABLE ALL OVER OMAN ON 7TH & 21ST

20, 500 COPIES (BEING AUDITED)

2 0 1 3

www.blackandwhiteoman.com

Read our magazine ONLINE

Log on to

BLACK AND WHITE MAGAZINE, OMAN

Like our page on facebook


2 0 1 3B&W

The world was supposed to have gone kaput on December 21, but here we

are and another year ahead of us. How about that? We still have the world

to us, we are still alive and kicking and enjoying another day in this beautiful

Universe.

Maybe this is the best time for us to crack open the safe vaults of our heart

and bring out all our good intentions of helping those who need our help and

there are so many out there.

Some of them we know within our family and they may be vocal about their

problems and ask us to support them. Some in fact are silent and we could

volunteer to bail out. I know that I tried for 13 months of trying to patch up with

my sister who was very angry with me for a various reasons and you know

what changed the tide in my favour? I genuinely helped her about 2 weeks

ago when an opportunity arose. I put aside my anger, hurt and that stupid ego

and went all for it and no prizes for guessing the outcome .She was one of

the first few people to call me and wish me on New Year’s and it’s like the ugly

past never happened.

What about extending a helping hand to strangers for a small or a large

cause? India has in the past two weeks been shaken, stirred and saddened

by the bravery of a young 23 year old girl (coined Nirbhaya-the fearless one-

by the press). Absolute strangers, have accepted her as their own, have put

their lives on hold and taken to helping her cause and have succeeded in

make her voice heard.

Maybe it is our good intentions that have saved the world and debunked the

doomsday prophecy. So let’s act on those and have many more ‘’ New Years’’

to come.

E-r-r-r we are still around

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


2 0 1 3B&W

Opin

ionate

d

– so can you!

I beat

STRESSBy Mandelene Bogata

If you have struggled with stress like I have, then, you will probably know what I am talking about. My previous bout with anxiety and stress makes me a little more qualified than many to drive home some essential points about stress and how to

beat it. My experience may now be the same as yours but my simple methods have helped many and so I wanted to stress (oh, why should we use this word?) on some

age-old, time-tested defense mechanisms to keep stress at bay.


2 0 1 3B&W


2 0 1 3B&W

Do you suffer from stress? Well, admitting that you

are stressed is the first obstacle to tackle as some

of us don’t admit it, or don’t know that we do have

stress. Like I did, for instance! At that time I got

stress, I had just broken up with someone whom

I knew since a long time and it was like tearing a

precious part of my life out and I sank into the stress

world without a trace. But, I had no clue this was

what was happening until I actually broke down in

the middle of a silly fight in my office and everything

went crazy. It was only when my senior friends

analysed my behaviour for the last few weeks before

this breakdown that I was gently told that I was

suffering from immense stress and I needed a break

– not a break down!

So, I took a break from it all, in fact, moving out of

town and took up a new job; complete change of

scenery. But, this is not what I would advise you.

Within a week or two, I was totally back to normal

and in fact, I realised what was the key points one

should adhere to if you are stressed out. I did it, I

beat stress, so can you!

SOUND OF SILENCE

Yes, get away from sound and anything remotely

connected to it. What I mean is that you need to

first find a spot in your home, away from people,

away from sound and a place where you can

be totally private and totally alone and at peace.

Once you find that corner, then let yourself free

from everything. Empty your mind and relax. Try

to meditate for an hour or two. Try some simple,

slow breathing. If you already know some breathing

techniques, try that out, or, otherwise, just close

your eyes and breathe. It may feel silly, it may feel

difficult, but after sometime, you will slowly begin

to feel at ease. But, try to keep sound out as far as

you can. If it is too much for you to meditate for a full

hour and more, then, stick to at least 20 minutes. It

will slowly do you good!

FINDING YOURSELF

Where has all your self respect gone? Are you

forever saying yes to everyone and have you

lost your drive and passion to work? Yes to all!

Unfortunately, people around you are not as helpful

as you may think. If they are, well, you are lucky!

But, if not, it is time to put a stop to people taking

you for a ride and not bothered about you.

Say no, when you have to say no. Say it without

guilt!

Open your eyes; open your mind to what YOU want!

Don’t take the burden of the world on your shoulders

– let go! Don’t try to do everything! Most importantly,

try to find time to do the things you want to do. And

for that you are going to cut down on all useless,

unwanted meetings and work. Organise yourself

and cut out the frills and then look at all the time you

have with yourself, with you want to do. Enjoy!

PROBLEM SOLVING MANTRAS

Now, there are times that some kind of problems or

challenges would still come into your life. I mean,

there is no escape from problems, challenges and

issues. It will happen, and it has to be faced, there

are no two ways about it. But, then, there are easier

ways to face them than you have before. Self talk

and self affirmations can really work. While you

may come across many self affirmation words and

mantras, I would think that the best approach would

be to think one up yourself. Something on the lines

of, “yes, I can do this; I can overcome this; I am

going to be calm and let this storm pass…” if you

find a line that suits you and if you learn to repeat

it like a little prayer, you will find that most of the

challenges can be overcome. What really happens

is that because of the anxiety you face, you are

tensed up the moment a problem confronts you.

But, if you treat a problem with the understanding

that it deserves, you will be able to confront it better.

What is the biggest problem that you are going to

have? Will you drop dead because of it? No way!

Let it happen! You will find a solution. Keep yourself

mentally tough and nothing will shake you from your

resolve to be strong when confronted by a problem!

YOU ARE POSITIVE!

What I meant by the above is the little secret of

being positive. It is high time that you understood

the sheer power of positive thinking. Let the

negative clouds come and rain down on your

parade. But, blow these clouds away. It is very

simple. Switch off when negative thoughts hit you

and slowly, inch by inch, you will find that you have

the power to ward off your negativity and replace it

with positive thoughts. Go on and on thinking about

positive means to your life and it will work out. I am

positive!

Thanks to the number one best seller ‘The Secret’,

the power of positive thinking got a bad wrap, but it

worked for me. By turning the negative thoughts I

was having about myself into positive affirmations

I started feeling better about myself. The simplicity

of: “I am an intelligent and valuable person” is very

powerful. Find one that suits you and write it down.

Read it as often as you need to.


2 0 1 3B&W


2 0 1 3B&W52


Opin

ionate

d

Womenexercise

In general, women tend to exercise lesser than men. And this is cause for concern among some. It could probably be a gender issue. Some say women are unable to lose weight easily because of their slow metabolism and this is why they tend to exercise less. These women tend to lose interest in exercise because, as they

complain, “no matter how much I exercise, I just cannot seem to lose weight”. And when they try to lose weight and don’t, they begin to despair.

Also, exercise makes all of us to want to eat more. Unfortunately, this affects women more than men and as we said earlier, a woman’s metabolism is slower – actually almost a third slower – than a man’s and this combined with their increased food

intake could lead them to the brink of despair. But, this does not make them exercise better or even propel them to begin exercising.

MANY HEALTH PROBLEMS

But, women need to take care as lack of exercise is going to not only make

them gain weight, it will bring about cardio-respiratory problems, lack of

flexibility and stamina, plus the risk of diabetes and other chronic conditions.

Now, this affects women in a different way than men and this is what this

article is all about.


2 0 1 3B&W


2 0 1 3B&W

Top notes

Middle notes

Base notes

Poem

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

For women

NOT 30 BUT 60

Studies have found that high activity levels leading up

to middle age meant that women gained less weight per

year than they would if they did not exercise. Men also

gained weight (per year), but dramatically lesser than

men. However, to quote reports, “researchers have found

out that once you actually hit middle age and have not

been active before, the suggested 30 minutes a day of

physical activity may not be enough to shift the weight in

women, and even 60 minutes a day may not be enough

to shift the weight in men, based on earlier studies”.

ACTIVE ONES GAIN LESS WEIGHT

Also, it has been found that women are known to benefit

more in the long term from greater physical activity than

men. “Active women were shown not only to gain less

weight but also fewer inches around the middle,” reports

note.

PULL UP YOUR SOCKS

All of these simply prove that women need to pull up their

socks and start exercising in earnest.

New studies have also shown that women need at least

an hour’s moderate exercise a day to prevent weight gain

as they age. These studies are opposed to earlier ones

which said moderate half an hour exercises five times

a week were sufficient. In fact, these studies note that it

was better for middle aged women to exercise 60 minutes

a day, or 420 minutes a week, so as to prevent weight

gain.

However, women at a normal weight who consume a

normal diet can beat middle-age weight gain by working

out intensely for 30 minutes a day, whether by running,

cycling, swimming laps or working out at a gym.

Weight gain can also be prevented with 60 minutes of

moderate activity, such as walking, a leisurely bike ride

or playing catch, reports said. In short, women need to

get an hour of moderate exercise daily to maintain control

over a healthy body mass index (BMI).

An hour, you would say. But, don’t press the panic button.

It mean an hour of ‘moderate’ exercise, which means,

brisk walking. But, if you are doing more intense exercise

then you may drop down the time to about 30 minutes/

half an hour. Yet, make it a daily commitment. You just do

it because it is your life and with young kids around, you

need to do it as a responsibility – for them. To be around

them when they need you the most!

EVEN 60 IS NOT ENOUGH FOR OBESE

And for overweight or obese women, even 60 minutes of

exercise a day wasn’t enough to maintain weight, thereby

pointing out to the fact that calories need to be cut.

WORKABLE EXERCISE SCHEDULES

Try to find a workable exercise schedule and stick to it for

life. If you are having children and they are just growing

up, it is then your responsibility to make sure that you are

going to be around for them. One of the many ways to

ensure that is to have regular exercise. An hour, that is!

By Priya Arunkumar

[email protected]

Look-how-good-I-am!

Ma, money does grow on trees!

It does, it does! Technically you are

wrong when you tell money doesn’t

grow on trees.

The currencies come in papers right?

And where do you get the paper?

Trees ma, trees, she was gleeful.

She was totally excited that she

caught me on the wrong foot

Before I could splutter a few words to

justify, she was on to the next line.

I want money, ma and it is for a good

cause.

If only I could make some money…

she had a serious frown on her face.

I meant money doesn’t come free, it

is an expression, I explained feebly

Ma, nothing in this world comes free,

I know that.

But, give me some money, she

negotiated.

What is with these kids nowadays?

They know their words, their way

and seem more mature than they

should be. They claim they are cool

and look cool too. I would have never

negotiated with my parents, I still

don’t!

Clutching a few notes in her hand,

she brooded. Everyone wants money

and they are all going to kill the trees,

she actually sounded worried.

Why don’t they stop making paper

money?

It is not good for the environment.

Whoever thought of paper money

actually has killed us all… she

philosophised.

Maybe we should have virtual

monies, what say you?

I pinched myself; it is time to think

before you speak.

It is not easy to have a dialogue with

the younger generation. They are

never impressed.

And they have an answer to

everything.

When I was a kid, I listened patiently

to everything my parents told, from

a simple bedtime story to the history

to the unending stories of the Indian

epics. My dad told us stories of the

world, and life experiences that I

listened to without batting an eyelid. I

loved stories, I still do.

I never questioned the credibility of a

story, I always visualised the scenes.

Probably we came from a generation

that was impressionable.

And because I grew up with stories, I

had an active mind, and it taught me

a little righteousness.

Even if it meant learning from dead

old history! Probably the busy

schedules, working system, and the

modernity is taking away the time to

sit and talk to your youngsters, pass

on what you got from your elders.

It used to be a ritual, part of every

childhood. Not anymore.

Childhood is filled with graphics,

mobiles, downloads and reminders!

The word righteousness sound

prudish today, it even seems

nonexistent.

Not that I am fond of it. I loathe it all

too– ‘holier than thou’ testimonies,

the long do and don’ts checklists

and finger-pointing; but don’t we all

need some measure to live by? Don’t

you think the art of right living is to

develop true goodness without falling

into the trap of look-how-good-I-am?

Who wants to be a ‘goody two

shoes’, ma? If you want to be cool,

you need to go with the flow, ma.

Well, you can be as you want to be,

there she goes again…

Sigh! I do sound prudish today, and

outdated."

black & white mag issue 54

Documents