black & white mag issue 56
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Oman's 1st free fortnightly magazineTRANSCRIPT
Learning ABCD...Learning ABCD... p20p20
Better person, better worker p51
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4March 7 - April 6
2 0 1 3B&W
The truth about journalismBy Adarsh Madhavan
People may expect too much of journalism. Not only
do they expect it to be entertaining, they expect it to
be true.
Lewis H. Lapham, American publisher and editor.
“You people never tell the truth, do you?” So goes
my neighbour as he accosted me on the sidewalk
next to my home the other day. I went d-uh?! My dog,
who I was supposed to take for a much-needed walk,
silently bared his fangs at this intrusion.
I am sorry, I said. I don’t understand, I told him.
“We don’t either,” the man, who was in his walking
shoes and swanky shorts, tells me. “You guys tell one
thing one day and then another thing the next day
– who are we to believe? I have told my wife not to
believe anything you journalists write,” he said.
But, but, but…I said.
Then, I caught the drift. It was probably the recent
news in all forms of the media that seems to have
irked him. Admittedly, the news was quite believable
and although the media was forced to retract having
found out that it was not true, it is no one’s fault.
Truth is not something that can be bought from the
supermarket. It is a reality that can be denied but one
cannot cover it up forever.
Actually I have got nothing to do with it, but, if you ask
me, I would have been doing the same things that the
scribes here are doing, I tell this irate man who gets
more irritated. My doggie is pulling me to one smelly
corner, while this irritated man is pulling me in another
direction.
“Terrible,” he went on. “You guys are terrible. You
guys don’t know how to write, what to write…when to
write…you create lot of disarray in the market. You
guys have a responsibility,” he said, suddenly turning
to his left and spitting on the road and then throwing a
soiled tissue next to it.
I was appalled. But, honestly, I have nothing to do
with all of this. You are right that sometimes, you
don’t know whom to believe. But, scribes here and
anywhere actually walk on a tight rope because
although they may sincerely believe what is told to
them, what is the guarantee that whatever they are
told is the truth the whole truth and nothing but the
truth? Blind belief is not exactly a journalist’s positive
feature but there are times when gut instinct plays a
major role, especially when circumstances are of a
varied nature.
As a scribe you face this issue of either being told the
truth or being told a blatant lie.
The man stared at me for a long time and then
told me rudely: “Cut the crap my friend! You guys
are good at defending yourself, but see how much
damage the pen can create. You forget that the pen
is a mighty weapon, but all of you misuse it. Yes, you
may claim that you have nothing to do with the recent
sensationalism in the media, but you have a moral
responsibility to it. You should have stopped them, or
at least contained the damage.”
I stared at the man with mounting frustration. First
he accuses me of doing something I haven’t and
now I am supposed to take moral responsibility.
My dog began to sniff around more and my hands
were paining. What am I supposed to do if wrong
information went around in the media? But, maybe,
the man was right. I should take moral responsibility.
What if I was in a daily news paper and I was fed
the wrong information? I would have done the same
thing and I will do the same thing all over again. We
are not superhuman beings. In a restricted media
environment this is all that we can do, I told the man.
“Humph! You have got excuses for everything except
for your incompetence,” the man huffed, puffed and
walked away rudely, leaving me in the sidewalk there,
unable even to retort.
My doggie, sensing my exasperation, kept straining at
the leash, wanting to have a go at the man. I was in a
good mind to let him go…
All a
bout
X,
Y &
Z
5March 7 - April 6
2 0 1 3B&W
6March 7 - April 6
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Published by: Muscat Press & Publishing House SAOC
Black & White
Postal address: P O Box 86, PC 115, Madinat Sultan Qaboos
Office location: Hatat House A, II Floor, Suite No: 212, Wadi Adai
Ph: 24565697 Fax: 24565496
Website: www.blackandwhiteoman.com
Editorial: [email protected]
Printed at Oman Printers
Xclusive
Editor-in-chief Mohamed Issa Al Zadjali
Managing editor Priya Arunkumar
Work editor Adarsh Madhavan
Design & production Beneek Siraj
Advt. & marketing Priyanka Sampat
Conte
nts
You need a very sane, sober and
holistic approach to your exercise.
Of course, routine exercises can
be done, but even they need to be
done in a systematic manner. It is
not a very easy task to achieve and
maintain your ideal body shape
or even succeed in a weight-loss
programme
The legendary composer and
live performer, who played to
rhapsodic listeners in Oman two
years back, is all set to unleash his
live musical extravaganza at the
magnificent 5000-strong capacity City
Amphitheatre, Qurum
48
34
10 Real life strong!
The best exercise
World without borders
There are many out there who may
have never stepped into a gym but
are actually stronger than anyone of
us 'gymmers'
Learning ABCD... 20A year back, a progressive school in a fishing village in Yiti decided to introduce kindergarten as part of their
school curriculum. Black & White chronicles their journey into the world of kindergarten and also highlights the
support rendered by Oman’s premium-most charity body, the Dar Al Atta’a, to this remotely located school
7March 7 - April 6
2 0 1 3B&W
www.blackandwhiteoman.com
Read our magazine ONLINE
Log on to
BLACK AND WHITE MAGAZINE, OMAN
Like our page on facebook
8March 7 - April 6
2 0 1 3B&W
I totally admire the attempts of the four young Omanis (issue 55) who are
currently in Antarctica (at the time of writing this letter). It is not an easy
challenge that they have undertaken and I wish them well. It would be great to
know their story when they return.
Syed Abdul Khan, Wadi Kabir
The Antarctica trip by these brave young Omanis seems to have already gone
into the history books. It has the youngest Omani to enter the Antarctica and
also the first Omani media official, plus the second Omani woman to set foot in
the windiest, driest and coldest place on earth!
Fatma Al Balushi, Nasra and Zubaida, Ruwi
Amina Anis Al Zadjali’s Tiara will indeed be the first wedding planner in Oman.
So many marriages happen here and some of them are done quite lavishly
too. There is enormous scope for an experienced wedding planner to start
operations here. Like the story noted, with little or no wedding planners in town,
Omani families (who are planning to have a wedding in the family) would really
appreciate help from a professional quarter. Tiara’s link with Yours Truly, a well-
known Lebanese based company will bring about a professional approach to
wedding planning in Oman. We wish Amina all the luck!!
Muna Al Alwai, Seeb
Antarctica challenge
Antarctica trip already enters history books
Great scope for wedding planners
Reader's
colu
mn
9March 7 - April 6
2 0 1 3B&W
Mail your views and opinions at
Why are these Omanis risking their lives to reach the
world’s windiest, driest and coldest of places? Why,
because they are Omanis. Omanis are always known for
their sense of adventure and we are a country that has
a history of seafaring; adventure is in our blood and so
is a sense of responsibility to the environment we live in.
While I congratulate the attempts of my brave fellow folks,
I must proudly say that this is what we expect of Omanis.
Our leader has set a great example by taking this country
forward. And today, we have reached great heights and
are on par with any country in the world in many aspects,
despite starting late. We are a forward looking nation and
so are our people. And exploits of young Omanis such as
these only succeeds in taking the name of our country to
greater heights.
Abdullah Hamed Al Hadhramy, Muscat
Dr Anchan C. K’s was quite a treat to read this time (issue
55). Like he said, listening is a vital part of our lives.
Most of our lives are spent in either listening to our own
voices or becoming deaf to other’s. In this world of make
believe and in this world of lies and deceit and in this
world of arrogance and aggressiveness, it pays to listen.
If we listen, we succeed. I believe that. And thank you Dr
Anchan for reiterating this so emphatically!
S. K. Singh, Muscat
Exploits on par with the vision
Importance of listening
10March 7 - April 6
2 0 1 3B&W
Men r
ead
10March 7 - April 6
2 0 1 3B&W
11March 7 - April 6
2 0 1 3B&W
REAL-LIFE STRONG CAN BEAT GYM STRONG
The reason for asking the above is this truth. The latter
could probably beat you in real life combat. Most often
than not, the real-life strong could really outdo gym
strong. And thus begs the question: isn’t it better to
become real-life strong than gym strong?
LOOKS GOOD BUT…
In our desperate need to be better than everyone and
to have a better looking body than any, we have really
forgotten to understand that it is not all about looks alone.
Real strength does not emanate from looks. You may
look good, but are you? You look strong, but are you
actually strong?
Of course, it is great to have a ripped body, and the
exuding confidence that goes along with it.
But, however muscled you might be, you got to
understand natural strength is not part of it.
‘S’ (STRONG) TYPES
There are many out there who may have never stepped
into a gym but are actually stronger than anyone of
us ‘gymmers’. It has been found that we cannot really
be stronger than manual labourers; those types who
work out in the yards, building stuff, working with wood,
stones, concrete and the like. The silent, ‘s’ (strong)
types.
SWEATING IT OUT IN THE HOT SUN
Compare yourself to a guy who is a manual worker
(physical work involved in shifting heavy stuff etc) and
picture yourself pitting against him in a real battle of the
brawn. In all likelihood, you may lose. You may look
good of course, and if it is just a body beautiful contest,
you may win outright. If both of you compete in any
gym tests, again, you will be the winner. But, imagine
competing against him in the hot sun, lifting obscenely
heavy stuff and moving them around in a natural setting,
or rather in the great outdoors. You might have to accept
defeat even before you break into a sweat.
NO COMPARISON
Guys like us who were into video games as children,
graduating from expensive high schools, colleges and
now enjoying cushy office jobs can never match up to a
man who has lived a hard life, worked in farms, joined
the military or was part of a workforce doing manual
labour.
WORK OUT IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS
So, should we stop our gym antics and get on to the
great outdoors? Start real workouts in the real world
rather than the artificial, air-conditioned world of gyms?
Well, why not?
What is stopping you from actually hitting the road,
walking, jogging, trekking, climbing mountains, working
out in the heat, toiling and labouring in farms – or at least
in natural settings?
REAL-LIFE STRONG
No, in today’s modern set up, it is not easy to find natural
locales, or practically speaking you can’t just enroll
yourself in farms to build your body or become strong.
But, if you devote an equal amount of time to the great
outdoors as much as you devote time for your gym
activities, chances are that you will not only have a great
body, but also be really strong too. You won’t just look
good, you can actually be good. You need not just be
gym strong, but actually real-life strong.
Why not give it a try?
gym strong
Real-life strongvs
By Chris Manson
Are you a ‘gym’man? Or are you real-life strong? Are you a gym built muscled bunch of mass? Or are you simply a man into physical labour and your body naturally
developed thus? Nature’s creation…natural body…?
11March 7 - April 6
2 0 1 3B&W
12March 7 - April 6
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Good bye “my dear” Sir
By Adarsh Madhavan
O
ff th
e wall
“My dear,” he would start and my dear self would freeze. I
used to really dread the moments when Mr Essa (Mr Essa
bin Mohammed Al Zadjali, the founder, chairman, editor in
chief of the Times of Oman who passed away recently) “my
deared me”. During such moments I would just wish the
earth would open up and swallow me, for I never had the
guts to face the head of the only English daily -- which I have
worked for in Oman -- when he was in the “my dear mood”.
For if he starts his “my dear” that would mean trouble my
God for the one at the receiving end. Big trouble!
At the time of joining the newspaper in 1992, I was just an
arrogant young journalist hopeful from India. Since I was
ignorant about everything, it was bliss. I approached life in
Oman in the same manner. I had no clue as to what was
happening, but it did not deter me. Of course, I was painfully
shy yet I had an ego that would dwarf the most ignorant
imbecile in this world and I used it as a weapon.
Since I was ignorant of various aspects of my job, there was
no problem – I just went ahead and did it. And I approached
life and behaved in the same manner; but, whatever swagger
of confidence and conceit I had, all of it would melt before Mr
Essa’s “my dear”!
I think someone of my average intelligence and minuscule
creativity and sneaky sense of work and unbelievably lazy
and laidback attitude succeeded in parts only because of
one man – Mr Essa and yes, his “my dears”. I would go to
any extent to avoid his “my dears”. For that spelt trouble
with a capital ‘T’. Just to avoid being castigated by him, I
would do my job pronto and in extra time and this slowly
developed as a habit. I had no qualms in facing the many
editors who played musical chairs during my 14 years with
the newspaper. None. I also never bothered to keep any
officials or any biggies of my time in my good books during
my stint there – for which I am regretting today, but that is
another story – but, if any of them complained to Mr Essa,
I would quietly back off. I realise now – I didn’t then – I
was a bit of an irritant to some people out there because
I gnawed at their conscience by trying to bring out some
negative aspects of what they were doing in society. I was
not targeting anyone. But when I was let into the big bad
world of journalism in Oman as a news hound, I was
forced to do my job and it was here that many felt that
I was ‘washing dirty linen in public’. But, whenever
they went with complaints and the like to Mr Essa,
he would call me and enquire casually what it was
all about. When he was convinced that there was a
story and I was merely doing my job and not indulging
in a personal vendetta because of some personal/
political reason, he would stick by me. Even if the
entire powers that be turned against me, he would
stand by me. “What else do you want him to do?
He is a reporter – he is reporting!” he would sternly
tell them and even to those in the office who were
often against ‘negative’ journalism. I survived all
the potshots because of him. Even during the worst
stages of my career, especially when I got into a real
spot and when even the staff and friends alike either
kept away from me or treated me like a leper, Mr
Essa went directly to the authorities concerned and
defended me. When heads of other departments and
those under them repeatedly tried to stir trouble for
me (everyone hits you when you are down) he just
dismissed their accusations.
But, soon, I realised that I was putting him into more
trouble and I was actually contributing to my own
demise as a scribe there and so I decided to lie low;
sink into oblivion. For that there was no option but
to quit and it was at that time, he said in a bit of a
pained voice: “Mr Adarsh (he always addressed me
thus), you should stand tall and strong as an oak –
forget your detractors; forget the criticism – stand
tall!” When I finally decided to call it quits and went to
him with a resignation letter, he said in an even more
pained voice: “Mr Adarsh, you don’t have to leave!”
I wavered, but I quickly got out of his home. I was
afraid he would say “My dear…” and I would then
have to just tear up that letter and stay put.
13March 7 - April 6
2 0 1 3B&W
In collaboration with the ministry of foreign affairs, the
student forum between Oman and Japan held its first
event here at the Diplomatic Club. The forum was held
for two days and adopted the title ‘Diplomacy: Building
Mutual Understanding and Awareness’ and used student
diplomacy as a panel discussion theme.
The forum succeeded in its mission in developing
intercultural communication skills, exchange of ideas and
provided a training ground in event management for all
participating students.
A total of eight Omanis and Japanese students were
selected for a panel discussion that took place recently
in the presence of the guest of honour, Mohammed bin
Yousef Al Zarafi, the undersecretary at the ministry of
foreign affairs for administrative and financial affairs.
Acting as supervisors of their respective team were
Mohammed bin Ali Al Khusaiby, the former ambassador
of Oman to Japan and Zenji Kaminaga, the former
ambassador of Japan to Oman. The discussion was lively
and essentially reflected the students’ perspective and
approach to grassroots diplomacy to across social and
cultural barriers between the two countries. A cultural
festival was held at same venue on the second day of the
student forum. All of the proceeds will be donated to the
Muscat Autism Center. Dr Suad Al Mudaffar, organiser,
thanked all organising members of the student forum for
their dedication and contribution.
Special thanks were given to sponsors: Times of Oman
and Al-Shabiba (media sponsor), Muscat Eye Laser
Centre (platinum sponsor); Mitsubishi (gold sponsor);
Muscat College (hosts) and also SNK Production for
providing video recording service and to the Japan
Origami Association and Kokeshi Association for their
support.
Oman-Japan student forum held at Diplomatic Club
14March 7 - April 6
2 0 1 3B&W
The Badr Al-Samaa basketball team handed over the
trophies to their ever supportive sponsor, Badr Al-Samaa
Group of Hospitals. The team successfully emerged
as the best among other teams and was crowned as
“Champions” during the 3rd Basketball Tournament last
2011 and had won the 3rd Runner-up in the recently
concluded “Director’s Cup” Basketball tournament. Both
tournaments were organised by Filipino Muscat Ballers
(FMB) in collaboration with the Filipino Community Social
Club (FILCOSOC). The coaching staff and the players
expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the management
of Badr Al-Samaa Group of Hospitals for their continued
Badr Al-Samaa receives trophies
support to the team and vowed to play their hearts out in
every game they will play.
A delegation from Sri Lanka headed
by the Governor of the Central
Bank of Sri Lanka, Ajith Nivard
Cabraal visited Oman recently. The
15 member delegation included
officials from the Central Bank
of Sri Lanka as well as the Chief
Executive Officers and senior officers
from the six largest banks in Sri
Lanka namely, Bank of Ceylon,
People’s Bank, Hatton National
Bank, Commercial Bank, Sampath
Bank, and National Savings Bank.
The main purpose of the visit was
to express the appreciation of Sri
Lanka to the banking sector of the
CBO hosts a delegation of top bankers
Sultanate for the strong interest
it had shown in Sri Lanka and
also to further strengthen the ties
between Sri Lanka and Oman, while
exploring new opportunities for trade
and investment between the two
countries. Addressing the gathering,
Dr Mohamed Abdulaziz Kalmoor,
chief executive of Bank Sohar
reiterated the banking community’s
continued support to Sri Lanka.
He added that apart from commercial
reasons to invest in Sri Lanka, the
growing political stability was another
factor that had close affinity to the
political situation between the two
countries.
Bank Sohar has been at the forefront
in initiating a climate for investment
of excess money abroad after rightful
deployment for the growth of the local
economy.
As part of Omantel efforts to improve customer
experience, Omantel has launched a new service that
allows customers to inquire about their traffic violations,
vehicle registration expiry date and other pertinent
information like their visa status through SMS.
This service is launched in collaboration with Royal Oman
Police (ROP). Commenting on the service, Sahar Khalfan
Al-Asmi, team leader, data and applications at Omantel
consumer unit said, "The launch of ROP SMS Inquiry
Service comes within Omantel’s efforts to enhance our
customers’ with new and innovative services. Customers
can now inquire about their traffic tickets through their
civil ID number for private vehicles or commercial
registration number for commercial vehicles.
This unique service
also allows Omantel
customers to inquire
about their personal/
commercial vehicles
registration expiry date
and the status of their
visa application. All this
can be done while there
on the go!”
To benefit from this service, customers can simply send
a blank message to 90085 and they will immediately
receive message that contain instructions on how to use
the service. The service cost is 100 baisa per request.
Omantel Provides ROP Inquiry Service via SMS
15March 7 - April 6
2 0 1 3B&W
NPA Events will be organising a full day management
seminar by America’s numero uno success coach, Jack
Canfield.
Canfield, the originator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul
series and the featured teacher in the movie, The Secret,
will be here as part of the Jack Canfield Live in Muscat
event, which will be held here on April 2.
As the originator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul
series, Canfield fostered the emergence of inspirational
anthologies as a genre and watched it grow to a
billion dollar market. As the driving force behind the
development and delivery of 210 books and over 125
million copies in 47 languages sold through the Chicken
Soup for the Soul® franchise, Canfield is uniquely
qualified to talk about success.
“This programme in Muscat will enable you to build
resilience and develop the core competencies required
to thrive and achieve peak performance even in the most
challenging and turbulent times. You will learn effective
applications of the Law of Attraction, The Success
Principles plus much more to ensure sustainable growth
and success for you and your organisation. You should
have your team, family and friends join you for the
seminar. I am sure you will all absolutely love it,” Jack
Canfield said.
“The corporate sector and even individuals will benefit
greatly from The Success Principles put forward by
Canfield, It shows them the path to success and get from
where they are to where they want to be. Rest assured
that participants to this content-rich programme will leave
excited about the potential they have for their career, their
company, their personal life and their success goals,”
says Ashok Suvarna, executive director, NPA Events.
Jack Canfield Live in Muscat by NPA Events
‘The Pioneer,
Professor
Fatma
Salem Seif
Al-Maamary
(1911-2002):
A Historical,
Documentary
and
Academic
Study’ will be
launched on March 25 at Al Harthy
Hall (located near the Qurum City
Amphitheatre).
The biography is written by Dr Asyah
Al-Bualy, advisor for culture at the
Research council. It is translated by
Dr Zayana Al- Badaei and edited by
Dr Domenyk Eades.
The original version was written
in Arabic published in 2008 by the
ministry of heritage and culture and
launched at the Muscat International
Book festival. The 289 pages English
version was published by the Oman
National Commission for Education,
Science and Culture, ministry of
education.
The biography provides an honest
account of the life of Fatma Salem
and her achievements. It has been
produced in order to shed light
on the role of an Omani Egyptian
woman who ascended to the highest
ranks of academia and society. Her
biography is furthermore, a valuable
topic of study due to the fact that
she is an ideal role model. She
became a cultural symbol during an
era characterised by the pioneering
role of women and the establishment
of enlightenment ideals, which
witnessed the advancement of
women in the Arab world. Fatma
Salem was therefore, undoubtedly an
exceptional woman during the period
that she lived in. Her pioneering
role was of a special kind, which
is emphasised by the exceptional
historical circumstances of her time.
The book is sold at OMR15 and all
proceeds go to National Association
for Cancer Awareness (NACA). It will
also be available there.
Contact: [email protected];
www.ocancer.org.om and 24498716;
fax 24498726.
‘The Pioneer…’ to be launched on March 25
16March 7 - April 6
2 0 1 3B&W
Word
pre
ss
LG Electronics (LG) announced recently that an Optimus
L Series device is sold every second over the past two
months, propelling sales of the popular smartphones
to over 15 million units. Since its launch at Mobile
World Congress (MWC) last year, Optimus L Series
smartphones have become the device of choice for
individuals around the world who favor a well-balanced
smartphone with a unique design. Building on this
momentum, LG will unveil a new generation of the stylish
series at MWC 2013 with an upgraded design and
improved features.
Jayanta G Borpujari, general manager, Khimji’s
Information & Communication Technology said, “The
L series LG mobiles are already popular in Oman. We
expect
the new Optimus L SeriesII smartphones to be available
in Oman by second week of March and it will be available
through all the major retail outlets. Customers can call our
customer care toll-free number 800-75000 to get more
information on LG products.”
LG Optimus L series
Management and staff from the Tilal Development Company
conducted the official opening of the largest mall in the
capital – The Muscat Grand Mall under the auspices
of Ahmed bin Nasser bin Hamad al Mahrazi, minister
of tourism, whose attendance marked this momentous
milestone for the complex.
In addition to the minister of tourism, gracing the occasion
was the governor of Muscat, Sayyid Saud bin Hilal Al Busaidi
and Dr Ali bin Masoud Al Sunaidi, minister of commerce
and industry, who were joined by numerous dignitaries and
media personnel.
Muscat Grand Mall official opening
The Muscat Youth Summit (MYS) 2012 mobile
exhibition opened its doors to the public showing
the culmination of what was a life-changing
experience for 200 young people from 26
countries.
In a ceremony held under the auspices of
His Highness Sayyid Faisal bin Turki Al Said,
chairperson of the Muscat Youth Summit
Organising Committee, key partners and
supporters came together with heads of schools
and colleges from across Oman to celebrate
the achievements of the bright students aged
between 15 and 24 who attended the Summit last
December. The MYS 2012 video was also aired to
the audience for the first time shedding light on the
various workshops and discussions that took place
throughout the four day residential programme.
Muscat Youth Summit mobile exPO OPENS
17March 7 - April 6
2 0 1 3B&W
Suhail Bahwan Automobiles, the exclusive importers and
distributors of Nissan vehicles in Oman, unveiled the new
Nissan Sentra.
The completely new Sentra is poised to become the
new benchmark in the hotly contested premium compact
sedan segment. This game-changing model will raise
segment standards to new highs with its upscale styling,
“class above” features and globally recognised levels of
safety.
Nissan Sentra is the all-new nameplate in the Middle
East’s compact sedan segment. It is however the 13th
generation Nissan sedan in its model line globally. The
new Sentra is a modern and charismatic vehicle deriving
its strengths through seductive design, unexpected
spaciousness, class-defining features, safety and over-
delivering on the basics.
Suhail Bahwan Automobiles (SBA) is largely committed
to supporting Nissan’s growth in the Sultanate through
major emphasis on customer satisfaction and by
providing world-class after-sales services in Oman.
With a national network of more than 17 showrooms, 22
service centers and 35 parts outlets, SBA has further built
upon its legacy of trust, excellent customer service and
providing value for money to each of its customers.
New Nissan Sentra makes a powerful entry in Oman
Under the patronage of the Ministry
of Sports, Oman Cricket has
currently developed five astroturf
cricket grounds and one green grass
ground in the wilayat of Al Amerat.
A record number of 72 teams which
includes seven all Omani Teams
and major corporates and banking
institutions, comprising 1400 players
made up of 165 Omanis with the
rest made up of Indians, Pakistanis,
Bangladeshis and Sri Lankans
are playing in the domestic league
matches which have already started
from September and will continue till
the cricket season ends in May. In
addition a Junior League consisting
of 10 teams in the Under 16 category
and 7 teams in the Under 19
category commenced in October and
will continue until end February. The
teams participating are the Indian
Schools in Muscat, Darsait, Wadi
Kabir, Al Ghubra and Seeb, Pakistan
School Muscat, Bangldesh School
Muscat, Sri Lankan School Muscat,
Muscat Cricket Coaching Centre and
the Darsait Cricket Academy. There
is also a Inter School Girls Under 19
tournament which currently attracts
teams from the Indian School Muscat
and the Indian School Wadi Kabir
which is held in January/February.
More schools have shown interest
and more participation is expected
for the next season.
Oman Cricket has officially appointed
NPA Events, a leading events
management company in Oman,
as their marketing consultant of
this prestigious project and have
authorised them to promote,
coordinate and execute advertising
displays available on the ground
such as at the entrance, on the
scoreboard, sightscreens, pavilions,
changing rooms water tank and
other locations for the entire season
starting from September to May each
year. There will also be branded
boards on the boundary line and
portable branded flags too.
Oman Cricket appoints NPA Events as marketing consultant
The Ferrari Middle East and Africa branch along with
representatives of Shanfari Group of Companies
and officials of Alfardan Motors announced today to
the Omani press the official transfer of the Ferrari
importership in Oman from Shanfari Group of Companies
to Alfardan Motors.
The transfer of Importership comes after a series of
friendly meetings between Shanfari Group of Companies
and Alfardan Motors, with the support of Ferrari Middle
East and Africa branch, providing the needed support,
facilitating the transition between both parties and
ensuring a smooth and complete handover, with the
objective of leveraging and enhancing the provided
services from Ferrari in Oman.
The representatives of the two companies celebrated
this moment amidst journalists, and documenting the
transition by signing the formal contracts.
Alfardan Motors new Ferrari importer
18March 7 - April 6
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Radisson Blu Hotel, Muscat launched a unique service concept “Experience Meetings”
This new concept for meetings and events harmonises the meeting essentials:
breakout rooms, food and connectivity with the intangibles: service, satisfaction
and sustainability. “Experience Meetings” is the newest attractive offering at 255
participating Radisson Blu hotels with a total of more than 2,200 meeting rooms in 55
countries across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). “The meeting segment
is our key business. “Experience Meetings” provides our guests with a consistent high
standard of products and services – from the first to the last phase of their booking –
and supports our ambitious revenue generating activities”, commented Olivier Jacquin,
senior vice president sales, marketing and distribution at Rezidor, operator of Radisson
Blu in EMEA.
Radisson Blu Hotel, Muscat 'Experience Meetings'
Second Cup Oman recently received
the Best Marketing Award for the
third consecutive year, and the Same
Store Sales Increase Café for 2012
vs. 2011 title for one of its popular
branches at the annual conference
in Doha, Qatar. Second Cup
franchises from all over the world
converged in one city for a chance to
compete against each other and win
awards ranging from Best Operating
Standards, Franchise of the Year and
Best Café.
Jannat Moosa, marketing director
at Bin Mirza International said:
“In the words of John Wooden
‘Winning takes talent, to repeat takes
character’ and that is what the staff
at Second Cup have proven over the
past three years. We have grown
from strength to strength since our
establishment nine years ago and
have added many new members
to our family, who have shown
their commitment to the brand.
The Second Cup Marketing Award
belongs to each and every single
person in our team who contribute
towards our continued success
everyday.”
Some of the tools that Second
Cup have adopted include social
media as a platform to directly
communicate with their guests
opening up dialogue between the
two, and to receive instant feedback
on service, promotions and much
more. The international franchises’
understanding of the local market
stems from their accessibility and
interest in better identifying with their
consumers.
Second Cup Oman wins award
An entertainment show featuring Bollywood Favourites
Abhijeet Sawant, Pragya Sodhani and popular comedian
Rajiv Nigam, was presented by Jindal Shadeed, at Al
Wadi Hotel Grounds in Sohar recently.
Organised by Roar Entertainment, the event featured
a blend of music and comedy, providing high voltage
performance from all artists who kept the guests
entertained all through the evening. Popular stand-up
comedian Rajiv Nigam was armed with his notoriously
famous punch lines, creating a laugh riot.
Sohar buzzed with action, as the show attracted more
than a thousand fans of Abhijit Sawant from different
parts of the city. Many were on their feet, tapping to the
dance numbers from Abhijit Sawant,the hero of ‘Indian
Idol 1’,the popular reality show.
Bollywood Sizzlers at Sohar
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FROM CRADLE TO GRAVE
We are all born helpless. We cry out to get the
help we need when we are born and in a year we
start to walk a little…life moves on a set path and
direction as nature tends to take it, but the irony is
that we would still not have decided when we need
the right things. When we have no ways and means
to control the laws of nature, why make laws that
cannot complement the way of life? As a child, we
start learning the minute we are born, from identifying
the mother’s face to capturing all that is around us.
So why should we limit education and schooling to a
particular year or age? Learned scholars and religious
heads say education is an important phenomenon
that starts from the cradle and ends in the grave…
A GOOD SCHOOL IS NOT A BUILDING
Education is a perfecting process. It starts from
home, and it starts at a very young age. Children’s
minds are very impressionable and they learn quickly
at ages one to three. It is very important that their
minds are filled with the right kind of knowledge
they shouldn’t get engaged in any other useless
and unwanted stuff. This is where a school plays its
role. A good school is not just a building; it is a home
of knowledge that secures the future of the youth,
It is important that young minds are filled with the right kind of knowledge and not filled with unwanted things
Mohamed Issa Al ZadjaliEditor-in-chief
In Black...
& White
In B
lack &
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prepares them to live their lives. Education is vital for both
societies and individuals. So let us start it at the right time.
Unfortunately the Omani curriculum provides education
from Grade 1 and there is not much emphasis on the
kindergarten stage. Early learning experiences have a
profound effect on children’s development and directly
affect the way connections are made in the brain.
We would like to appreciate the efforts of the teaching
faculty of the Suffanah bint Hatim Al Taie School in Yiti
village, which has taken steps to start the kindergarten
for the children of their village. Around 56 tiny tots are
housed at the school in the kindergarten sections and Dar
Al Atta’a has taken up the responsibility to facilitate the
right environment to provide these little ones the best start
up in their lives.
YANNI LIVE IN CONCERT
Black & White join hands with Dar Al Atta’a to support
Suffanah bint Hatim Al Taie School in its attempt to
provide a kindergarten school shelter through the
Yanni live in concert. There are many well wishers and
supporters in this project and we hope B&W will make a
difference too.
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A year back, a progressive school in a fishing village in Yiti
decided to introduce kindergarten as part of their school
curriculum. Black & White chronicles their journey into the
world of kindergarten and also highlights the support rendered
by Oman’s premium-most charity body, the Dar Al Atta’a, to
this remotely located school.
Inspired by Dar Al Atta’a, Black & White has also stepped in
to support and further this cause. We have now adopted it as
our charity theme for this year’s Yanni concert. The Yanni Live
in Oman concert, which will be held at the City Amphitheatre
on March 21 evening is set to scintillate as the world famous
musician unveils his extraordinarily popular music to thousands
of fans here. The extra sparkle for the event is of course this
charity element, which has also managed to draw socially
conscious music lovers to the venue where they can see a
great musician perform live.
Fantastic music set to a charitable tone – this is in short what
this event is all about.
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The teachers, the principal and
some visitors at one of the makeshift
class rooms of the Suffanah bint
Hatim Al Taei School in Yiti village
enthusiastically applaud Barazan’s
achievement. The latter beams with
innocent pride and joy.
Other bright students in the class
also showcase what they have learnt
in just a year’s time. The happy
bunch reel out prayers, verses and
other poems with their teachers
merrily singing along, encouraging
and applauding.
It is just a reciting of the alphabets, or
some verses, not splitting an atom,
one would say. All school students
do that. But, there is much more than
that here. For, if not for his school,
Barazan and many other students
of his age, would have to wait at
least two years to learn what he has
already learnt. Actually, Omani boys
like Barazan, who hails from the
nearby fishing village of Yiti would
be learning all of this only when they
reach first grade.
Because, as the school officials note,
Oman’s government schools do not
adopt kindergarten (KG I and KG II)
as part of their curriculum.
While there are several private
kindergartens in the capital area,
remote locations like Yiti do not have
any. Therefore, children of pre-school
age in Yiti village do not have access
to any forms of education until they
enter Grade 1 but only when they
are around six. However, thanks
to the Suffanah bint Hatim Al Taei
School, around 60 children from the
Yiti village are now accommodated
in this adhoc kindergarten. “We
have two voluntary KG classes now
accommodating exactly 56 students,”
Amal Khamis Hamad Al Battashi, the
principal of the school, told Black &
White.
56 KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS
“With an aim to introduce a healthy
early education opportunity, we
started off the kindergarten last year
and have evoked good response
from the local community,” she said.
“Currently, we have 56 students
and two classes. The children are
happy to attend and the parents are
overwhelmed at the way the kids are
learning. The early education and
training will make the children more
organised and focussed in the first
grade. The students will be better
prepared to learn and understand the
syllabus of the first grade.
The parents are supportive and pay
a small fee of OMR10 per month for
the kindergarten. The students are
currently housed in two small school
rooms and volunteer teachers teach
and train them,” she explained.
WHY KINDERGARTEN?
Children learn the basics in
kindergarten. This means the basics
in math, science, reading, writing,
social studies, and more. You want
your child to be prepared for the first
grade and beyond and in almost all
cases kindergarten accomplishes
“A-B-C-D-E-F-G-H-I –P-Q-R-------X-Y-Z!” A tiny Omani tot recites the alphabets at lightning speed from his classroom. Some letters were swallowed of course,
but Barazan, all of four, chirps out the alphabets in his singsong voice and smiles endearingly at his teachers
and us. He is a picture of happiness, flashing two dimples (in each cheek).
His reward? A round of applause!
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Amal Khamis Hamad Al Battashi, principal
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that. “If your child skips kindergarten then s/he may be
prepared for first grade anyway, but s/he may still be
behind. Another reason why kindergarten is important
is because it allows the child to become accustomed to
school. Then a full day of school in first grade and beyond
won’t be a shock,” Amal noted.
BRAIN BEHIND THE KG INITIATIVE
Amal is the brain behind this voluntary KG initiative of the
13-year old school. “I have been thinking about this for
sometime. But, finally last year, I took the plunge,” Amal
explained as she proudly took us and top members of Dar
Al Atta’a around the school.
She noted that she had always been worried about the
young kindergarten potential children in Yiti village who
would be able to enter the school only when they are
ready for Grade 1 “So, after taking a consensus with the
teachers and other officials, we went ahead and began
the adhoc KG classes,” she says with a smile.
The reason for the smile is very simple: She and her
school have been successful in transforming a segment
– however small – of children of the fishing village into
KG students. This is no mean feat as until last year, the
village could not send their young children anywhere.
RIGHT LITERACY PATH
“The Yiti village has largely low income groups of
residents and the lack of kindergarten sections lowers
the quality of first graders. Some of the children who
get admitted to the first grade cannot even hold a pen
properly. This is the reason why we took the steps to
create the KG1 and KG 2 sections and thereby uplift
the standards. We believe that it has given the young
ones the timely boost to the right literacy path,” Amal Al
Battashi said.
LIKE A SPONGE
Other than the Suffanah bint Hatim Al Taei School, which
has both boys and girls, there is also a boys’ school. But
both these schools did not have KG, until Suffanah took
the lead.
However, the interest level has caught up and parents
of the village in the vicinity of the school have realised
the benefits of sending their young ones to KG. “These
children are actually very smart – they are like a sponge,
they really learn quickly so we are now thinking of
taking the next step to have a proper building for the KG
section,” Amal said.
A PROPER SCHOOL SHELTER
This is why we (Black & White), and the members of Dar
Al Atta’a, were at the Suffanah bint Hatim Al Taei School
recently. The Dar Al Atta’a had identified this school in
Yiti to provide support for them. They had looked into the
issue and had decided to raise funds to build a school
shelter that could house the proposed KG sections.
DAR AL ATTA’A SUPPORT
“Dar Al Atta’a’s effort to contribute towards building a
school shelter for the KG students is warmly welcomed by
all of us from the school and the village. This shelter will
help the children in their first step to literacy.
“This contribution will go a long way for the children of
the village. This is an investment for the future. It is very
important that the children are trained at a young age and
the right atmosphere and facilities will make their school
days a motivating experience. We thank all those who
worked behind the scenes and hope that this small step
will pave the path to a progressive future,” noted Amal Al
Battashi.
YOUTH – OMAN’S FUTURE
The youth of Oman was the future of Oman, members
of the Dar Al Atta’a team who visited the Suffanah bint
Hatim Al Taei School in Yiti village, said.
The members, which included Maryam Issa Al Zadjali,
chairperson of the board of directors; Nada Al Jamali,
head of families, and May Al Bayat, marketing director,
Dar Al Atta’a, stressed on the need to highlight the fact
that children need to be given the right education. Most
importantly, it should start from the right age, they added.
"Children are our future; they are our assets. The right
education sets them on the right path.
We feel it is the duty of every single person to motivate
and encourage education in the right way, so that the
nation benefits. The current educational curriculum locally
follows a system of Grade 1 to Grade 12 and does not
have a system of kindergarten."
This is the reason why this school (Suffanah bint Hatim
school) has taken this right initiative to introduce KG. We
congratulate the school and its dynamic teachers, led
by Amal Al Battashi, who has taken the step in the right
direction.”
The team also noted that they had visited the schools
several times before to explore the possibilities of
extending support. “So, when we learnt that they were
planning to introduce this KG system into their curriculum,
we were all for it. This was the reason why we decided to
support the drive to build a proper school shelter for them
– the kids deserve it!” Nada Al Jamali added.
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Children are our future; they are
our assets. The right education
sets them on the right path.
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We feel it is the duty of every single person to motivate and encourage education in
the right way, so that the nation benefits. The current educational curriculum locally
follows a system of Grade 1 to Grade 12 and does not have a system of kindergarten
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“Neurological studies show that stimulating environment for
young children can enhance the physical potential of the brain
and that the plasticity of the brain is at the highest around age
three. Studies of educational and social impacts of early quality
intervention point to benefits of ECCE in terms of better cognitive
achievement as well as social and emotional adaptation by
children, impacts that last over the long term.
“Studies of long-term economic benefits indicate that ECCE is a
form of investment that pays for itself in returns to the economy
and government revenues.
More importantly, early intervention in favour of children
from low-income and disadvantaged backgrounds can be an
important policy for overcoming disparities along socio-economic
lines and for creating a cohesive society.”
Benefits of investing in
early childhood care and
education centre (ECCE)
Text: Adarsh Madhavan & Priya Arunkumar Photos: Ben
“There are compelling developmental, social and
economic reasons for Oman to invest more in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE),” feels Michele Ni Thoghdha,
chief supervisor, English, ministry of education.
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Yanni’s music is aworld without borders
He has come all the way from London to Oman just to be part of the Yanni Live concert, which is being held at the City Amphitheatre.
Sultan Rashid Hamed Al Manji, a young Omani who was currently in London came back to Oman “just to be part of the Yanni show”.
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WOULDN’T MISS YANNI
“Wouldn’t miss Yanni for anything in this world,” the jovial
young Omani told B&W. Sultan Al Manji had walked
into the B&W office some days before the concert and
although he appeared quite cheery, one would detect a
slight flicker of anxiety when he made his entry. He was
worried whether the tickets were sold out. But, luckily
for him, there were tickets at the time he came. “After
this show, I am going back to London,” Sultan declared,
adding that he was a very big fan of the world famous
composer with magical fingers.
BUZZ PRIOR TO THE EVENT
The legendary composer and live performer, who played
to rhapsodic listeners in Oman two years back, is all
set to unleash his live musical extravaganza at the
magnificent 5000-strong capacity City Amphitheatre,
Qurum, today. And the buzz he created prior to the event
can be understood by the various statements of his fans.
Omanis, expatriates, everyone are united in their love for
Yanni.
ALL THE WAY FROM LEBANON
A Lebanese group who was visiting Oman was all set
to get back to their home country when they stumbled
upon a media report about Yanni’s proposed trip to
the Sultanate. Quickly plans were changed and all of
them decided to extend their stay. Alaa Abou Zaky and
his friends who trooped into the B&W office also noted
how they were caught in the magic of Yanni’s music.
Another lady of Egyptian-Canadian origin expressed her
happiness of being able to grab this chance to see Yanni.
“I couldn’t attend his event here, last time – but, I am
going to make up for it this time,” she enthused. Yanni
was brought to Oman by B&W in 2011. This was the
first time that Yanni was entering not only Oman but any
country in the AGCC.
ANYTHING FOR A PHOTO
There is another couple, who, besides their love for
music are also bird collectors. Apparently, they have also
missed the show when Yanni came to Oman in 2011.
So, this time they wanted to be part of the show come
what may. They also cutely requested for a snap with
the great musician. “We’d give anything for a photo,” Dr
Vijayshankar Nanjagowda and his spouse confessed.
There are many others. And not just from Oman. Yanni’s
magic is that he can draw his fans from across the world.
In short, the experiences of our dealing with Yanni fans
are varied, but all have a singular love for the musician.
“Our collective hearts are beating for Yanni,” they note,
adding that few can actually pinpoint the real captivating
charm of his music. “But in that mystery lies the beauty of
his music,” they claim.
WORLD WITHOUT BORDERS
Under the theme, ‘World Without Borders’, Yanni, who
has performed around the world, including previously to
sell out crowds at the Acropolis, Taj Mahal and China’s
Forbidden City (he was the first western performer to play
at the latter two), has managed to capture the hearts of
romantics and musical lovers everywhere.
SOLD OUT CONCERTS
Yanni recently played two sold-out concerts at the
historic 16th-century Castillo San Felipe Del Morro in
San Juan, Puerto Rico, a Unesco heritage site. Yanni’s
performances at Castillo San Felipe Del Morro represent
a 20-year dream come true for the artist. The shows also
connect the famed Puerto Rican landmark with other
iconic sites that have played host to Yanni’s spectacular
concerts.
MILLIONS OF FANS
Yanni has brought hundreds of millions of fans and
fellow world citizens together through his concerts, with
countless experiencing the magic of his music through
television broadcasts. Yanni’s contemporary symphonic
music has inspired millions of fans around the world.
In concert, his passionate, soaring melodies and lush
orchestration has always succeeded in creating a spirited
and uplifting musical experience like no other. Yanni’s
music cut across borders and always manages to woo
the musically inclined with its rich musical repertoire;
scintillating soundscapes unleashed by exotic instruments
and gorgeously treated vocals and his trademark high-
tech studio wizardry.
CHARITABLE INITIATIVE
Brought to Oman and organised for the second time by
the Black & White magazine (www.blackandwhiteoman.
com), this year’s show also has a charity initiative behind
it. This year, the B&W has teamed up with Dar Al Atta’a to
build a school shelter for children in Yiti Village.
OMAN ON THE MUSICAL MAP
“Besides bringing a world class event to Oman, for the
second time that is, we also feel that world famous
musicians like Yanni can help put Oman on the musical
map of the world. Yanni and his team are known to
promote the countries they perform in and this was
evidenced in the media blitz that he created during his
last visit to Oman,” Mohamed Issa Al Zadjali, editor in
chief of B&W said. “Also, all our events have a charity
initiative. This time, we wanted to support Dar Al Ataa’a to
build a school (building) in Yiti Village. We sincerely hope
our Yanni event will help us in our humble attempt.”
More details on www.yanni.com, www.yannioman.com or
mail to [email protected]
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“Do you have the patience to wait’...
By Dr CK Anchan
Dr Anchan C.K.
managing director,
World Wide Business House
It is a common saying that patience is a virtue.
All of us want to be good people with high
morals. This is important if you want to be a
confident happy person. Some of us are flexible,
broadminded, adjustable, humorous and patient.
Stop for a moment and ask yourself - why is
patience important. It’s just like any other quality,
but fit more into the qualities you require to be
successful and happy. There are moments when
our immediate gut-level response to a situation is
a flash of intuition that can be trusted, moments
when it’s crystal clear what needs to be done.
But at other times, an experience stirs up, and at
those times, patience engages us in the process of
becoming still.
We’ll have to accept the reality of life that not all
we aspire will be given to us instantly. We need
to sacrifice and wait. Things come at the most
appropriate time and opportunity. If we have the
patience to wait, that opportunity will be given to
us just as we need it. But then if we don’t wait, we
become desperate and we lose hope, thus losing
the opportunity in the end.
While some of us are born patient, others can with
help develop this in them. You can over time get
over your mood swings and angry behaviour. Being
patient is staying calm, without getting anxious. It
could be an accident or a work related problem.
Many situations arise in our daily living which can
easily raise your blood pressure. Health wise over
a long time, this can lead to hypertension and heart
risks. Further most things will sort themselves out,
only you need to give it time and wait.
Patience is one of the virtues that man need to
possess. We may have everything we wanted
in life but all of these were achieved because of
patience. Patience is what we need especially in
times of heartaches, despair, and agony. If we
don’t have patience in life, we make decisions
instantly and this would lead to a more complicated
situation.
Why not change for the better by becoming
more enduring and patient? It could make a big
difference to your work, family and social life.
Nothing is difficult if you have a mind to do it.
Cultivating patience keeps us from being stuck to
preconceived notions, and helps us let go of our
fixation on outcomes. We come to accept that we
don’t always or immediately know what is best,
and learn to recognise that our reality is in constant
flux.
Patience elevates our understanding of deeper
truths and helps us transcend our limited views.
And therein lies its virtue. Patience is rooted in
knowing that our current reality inevitably gives
way to change. But change won’t always happen
when we think it should, and patience with
ourselves comes from accepting that there are
things we can control and things we can’t
Lao Tzu in his powerful quote states : “Do you
have the patience to wait until your mud settles,
and the water is clear? Can you remain unmoving
until the right action arises by itself?” We might
think of “waiting” as taking time, but it’s actually
less about clock time and more about inner space.
When we think we know, we expect to find a
solution in the direction in which we are looking;
when we don’t know where to look, we remain
open to all directions. But remaining open and
“unmoving,” as Lao Tzu suggests, isn’t about being
passive or lacking conviction. There are lot of
committed activity happening beneath the surface
-- it takes great effort and discipline to remain alert
to what’s happening within.
So it’s time that we take the ownership of being
patient, History has time and again proved that
people with utmost patience have created history
and they have been successful irrespective of the
area and background they came from, be it from
sports, science, politics, business, art..., any field,
the singular strength was to accept and inculcate
the true virtue of patience.
36March 7 - April 6
2 0 1 3B&W
37March 7 - April 6
2 0 1 3B&W
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Difficulty Level7/12
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onceptis Puzzles, D
ist. by King F
eatures Syndicate, Inc.
Difficulty Level7/11
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:
3
65
6
1
3
7
9
8
6981
4
2
97
3
4
2
9
5
1
8237
9 2012
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Feat
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Syn
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By Dave Green
Difficulty Level 7/11
9
2
8
6
7
4
2
5
4
1
36
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1
6
7
2
5
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Difficulty Level 7/12©T
hom
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38March 7 - April 6
2 0 1 3B&W
Kid
stuff
Something
39March 7 - April 6
2 0 1 3B&W
• Starfish are not fish. Neither are jellyfish.
• Although the fangtooth fish is only a few inches long, it has teeth about the size of a
human’s.
• The mudskipper is a fish that spends most of its time out of water and can “walk” on
its fins. It carries a portable water supply in its gill chambers when it leaves the water.
It can also breathe through the pores of its wet skin.
• Catfish have over 27,000 taste buds. Humans have around 7,000.
• Most brands of lipstick contain fish scales.
• Lungfish can live out of water for several years. It secretes a mucus cocoon and
burrows itself under the unbaked earth. It takes in air with its lung through a built-in
breathing tube that leads to the surface. A lungfish has both gills and a lung.
• Seahorses are the only fish that swim upright.
• Some fish, such as the great white shark, can raise their body temperature. This
helps them hunt for prey in cold water.
• The oldest known age for a fish was an Australian lungfish. In 2003, it was still alive
and well at 65 years old.
• Fish use a variety of low-pitched sounds to convey messages to each other. They
moan, grunt, croak, boom, hiss, whistle, creak, shriek, and wail. They rattle their
bones and gnash their teeth. However, fish do not have vocal chords. They use other
parts of their bodies to make noises, such as vibrating muscles against their swim
bladder.
• Fish can form schools containing millions of fish. They use their eyes and something
called a lateral line to hold their places in the school. The lateral line is a row of pores
running along the fish’s sides from head to tail. Special hairs in the pores sense
changes in water pressure from the movements of other fish or predators.
• Since a fish’s jaw is not attached to its skull, many fishes can shoot their mouths
forward like a spring to catch startled prey.
• Electric eels and electric rays have enough electricity to kill a horse.
• Sharks are the only fish that have eyelids.
• Fish have sleep-like periods where they have lowered response to stimuli, slowed
physical activity, and reduced metabolism but they do not share the same changes in
brain waves as humans do when they sleep.
• Some fish, such as the herbivorous fish (grazers), often lack jaw teeth but have
tooth-like grinding mills in their throats called pharyngeal teeth.
• Most fish have taste buds all over their body.
Fresh fried fish,Fish fresh fried,Fried fish fresh,Fish fried fresh.
40March 7 - April 6
2 0 1 3B&W
It is okay when citizens try to become journalists, but what happens
when journalists try to become citizen journalists? There are plenty of
seasoned journalists here now attempting citizen journalism, meaning
they seem to be showing more interest in writing about general issues of
interest (pot holes on the road, lack of parking spaces etc)?
But, perhaps, if they leave it to the citizens themselves, they could
concentrate on other issues? No? Just a humble suggestion…
Cold cold trip
Journalists vs citizen journalists
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
You should have seen the way the hostesses doled out
the orange juices. No hello sir, hello ma’am; in fact no
words at all. She rudely tapped at the side of the seat and
since we didn’t hear, she shook the same under our very
nose. Verily! This is in-flight service?
It was cold and we asked for a blanket; it never came.
Later they came pushing a trolley and from a distance one
of them asks: “boolan…?” the rest of the word gets chewed
off, or is blown away by some mysterious gust of wind. She
tried it for three times and the passenger gets tired of
it and asked her politely, please, could you tell
me what sandwich it is, I did not understand.
Finally, she is clear: Bolognese sandwich,
she says sans accent; beef, she adds
to make the ignorant passenger
understand. Ok. Thanks, but no. This
passenger did not want beef. Chicken?
No. Veg? No again.
Our team has been flying to and fro to
Qatar off late for business purposes.
And we have so far enjoyed our trips on
Qatar Airways (even though they only give
out a tiny sandwich for an hour and a half
trip; well, what did we expect, a five-course
meal? And they have the latest movies, but do not
provide ear phones, ha!) but during one of our recent
night flight back from Doha (to Muscat) we literally could
feel the classic case of hostess freeze in mid air. They
were so cold, so plastic, so distant, and so ungenerous
that we just couldn’t wait to get back to good old warm
Muscat asap…brrr!
41March 7 - April 6
2 0 1 3B&W
Whoever has been complaining the lack of entertainment events
in town can be happy now. Off late there seems to be a glut
in the Muscat’s events calendar. Be it last month’s Shah Rukh
Khan Temptations, Himesh Reshammiya concert, Chris Tucker
stand up comedy, Yanni Live concert, Akon, Justin Bieber, and
a series of self help kings like Deepak Chopra, Robin Sharma
and the like…We think we are all going to have a rollicking good
time. Entertainment reloaded, hey?
Driving KJ crazy
Entertainment loaded
(Note: Readers who have something bitter to chatter about can either email on [email protected] or call 99218461)
We welcome KJ, a new contributor to BB. A firebrand, who
works for one of the media houses here, she is someone
who always – ALWAYS – stands up for her rights unlike
other women who run away when confronted by a problem.
However, her experience is mostly road-related.
For example, take this incident where she is on a busy
street when a man in a sedan clearly bumps into her car
from behind. Although the traffic was slow and they were
all in front of a traffic light, the absent-minded driver behind
her just came and banged. The thing is everyone
saw it; our lady felt it and her car had a dent to
prove it, but the driver of the car behind her was
oblivious to everything. He had huge headphones
on and he was shaking his head in tune to the
music and he did not even realise that he his car
had bumped into the one before him. He was
totally immersed in his music so when our lady got
out of her car shaking her hand at him, he put his
side window down and asked casually what? The
lady told him to remove his earphones and when
he did, she gave him a piece of her mind. But the music
lover was quite baffled by the whole thing and confessed
that he did not realise that he had hit her. Finally, the issue
was settled but our lady still chuckles at the incident and
says how careless drivers have become and how oblivious
they are to the roads they travel on.
She has more road cases to reveal but let us take it
fortnight by fortnight.
42March 7 - April 6
2 0 1 3B&W
Find your centre and work
with it this week, as fragmenting
your energy will leave you tired and
frustrated. Kick your inner demons
into touch and focus on long term
goals that will bring you happiness.
Relationships are stabilising but still
need effort applied.
If old career prospects
resurface, keep them to yourself
for now as there may be some
glitches to overcome before getting
back on track. If work or personal
relationships need attention, don’t
waste any time tackling these issues.
Strong unions are your backbone.
You’re in the frame of mind
where you want to stabilise or ground
a situation, so you’ll want to make
commitments of some sort, be they
emotional, financial or professional.
Focus on the legalities of everything
and make decisions that’ll have a
long lasting impact.
Joint financial
arrangements need attention,
especially where budgets and
outstanding credit is concerned.
If its not money its love that blurs
the boundaries between you and
a partner, so stabilise intimate
relationships and work together to
plan the future.
It will take determination
and resolve to get things done this
week, but as long as you’ve patience
and don’t allow anyone to divert
your attention, you’ll make steady
progress. Think before you speak,
as if you come across as abrasive,
others wont be so keen to help you.
Open and honest
communications with those in your
inner circle gives everyone a chance
to clear the air of recent crossed
wires and confusion. Try not to
lose your temper if travel plans go
askew. It’s not your fault and yes its
challenging, but others will realise it
cant be helped.
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
EVA JACQUELINE LONGORIA
(BORN MARCH 15, 1975)
is an American television and film actress.
Longoria is best known for her roles as
Isabella Braña on the CBS soap opera The
Young and the Restless from 2001 to 2003,
and as Gabrielle Solis on the ABC television
series Desperate Housewives. For her work
on the Desperate Housewives, she received
a Golden Globe Award nomination. She
has also has starred in films such as Harsh
Times (2005), The Sentinel (2006) and Over
Her Dead Body (2008).
March 7 - April 62 0 1 3B&W
Are your expectations
realistic? Have you set your sights
a bit higher than is attainable? Be
careful here as if you over stretch
and don’t quite reach your goals
you’ll be left feeling that you’ve failed,
and you haven’t. Try lowering the bar
for a while over money and love.
With so much love in the
air this week, its hard to keep your
mind on work or mundane matters.
Feeling extravagant? What about a
night out for two with champagne by
the fire when you get home? It’s been
a while since you’ve felt like this so
let your hair down and indulge.
A sympathetic approach
will win the day be it with partners,
family or work mates this week, so
when someone wants to go back
over old ground, again, try to grin and
bear it. A Saturn/Pluto configuration
will help you find lasting solutions to
problems by the weekend.
Your finances are a lot
rosier than you’re making them out
to be, so stop sweating the small
stuff and focus on plans for the long
term. Sweet talk your way into getting
influential others to get behind you
over plans and projects to create
powerful long term alliances.
Now is the time to heal
old family wounds if there are any to
heal, so be patient and understanding
even with those you feel have done
you wrong. Show others you’re taking
the high road even if they didn’t in the
past. Relationships get stronger and
stronger now.
Some self indulgence is
inevitable this week, but that’s not
to say you should go over the top.
Pace yourself. If anyone gets under
your skin, try to manage your anger
constructively. There’s no point losing
the head. Others are watching and
judging remember.
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
44March 7 - April 6
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
45March 7 - April 6
2 0 1 3B&W45
March 7 - April 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)
46March 7 - April 6
2 0 1 3B&W
Ingredients
3 large boneless chicken breast, cubed
1 tbsp shrimp paste
1 small onion, chopped
4-5 green and red hot chillies, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
2 thumb size ginger, chopped
1 can (1 1/2 cup) coconut milk
1/4 cup spring or green onions, chopped
salt and pepper to taste
cooking oil
Method
Add cooking oil to a preheated pan. Saute onion, garlic
and ginger until soft and fragrant. Put in chicken and
saute for a few minutes until light brown. Season with
shrimp paste and pepper. Stir until well combined. Pour in
coconut milk and stir. Simmer over medium low heat for
at least 20-30 minutes or until the chicken is tender and
the sauce thickens. Sprinkle in the spring or green onions
and stir until well combined. Turn off heat.
Serve and enjoy!
Chicken BicolKrystel Ann B. Sakai
47March 7 - April 6
2 0 1 3B&W
Ingredients:
Digestive Biscuits - 1 pack
Milk - 1/2 cup
Sugar - 5 to 6 tbsps
Whipping cream 1 packet
Nestle cream 1 tin
Coffee decoction -use 1-2 tsps of instant coffee with 3-4 tbsps of warm water
Nuts or chocolate chips or mm-For garnish
Method:
Soak the biscuits both sides in the coffee decoction ( you can add a little milk
to the decoction)
Put a few soaked biscuits in a serving bowl as a layer
Blend whipping cream, milk, nestle cream and sugar to taste (5 to 6 tbsp)
together in a blender
Pour some of the blended cream mix over the biscuits.
Next layer put some more of the soaked biscuits
Then again pour the cream to cover the biscuits
Continue making layers of biscuit, then cream, then biscuit and then cream
again till it gets over
Garnish with nuts or chocolate chips or MM gems
Refrigerate for 4-5 hours and serve chilled!
Simple biscuit pudding is ready to be served. Simple and easy.
Biscuit PuddingSimple
Vijayalakshmi Shetty
48March 7 - April 6
2 0 1 3B&W
in the world…
The
Forget all that has been said before about exercises. Forget everything
you know about exercise. Now, with a clear mind, having swept away the cobwebs of your past workouts, why
not start all over again?
Before we even take that first step, let us also understand that at this moment
the best exercise in the world is the one that you are NOT doing.
DONE THIS, DONE THAT
“But, I am doing every exercise in
the book,” you may argue. And you
are right. You are doing quite a lot of
exercises. And you are also working
very hard for many hours. But, who
told you that the exercises that you
do are the right ones? Have you gone
through a system that enabled you to
understand what exactly you need to
lose or gain weight? You haven’t? And
that is simply why your exercise regimen
is not bringing you the desired results.
Shape n
sound
48March 7 - April 6
2 0 1 3B&W
49March 7 - April 6
2 0 1 3B&W
Top notes
Middle notes
Base notes
Poem
E-MAIL: [email protected], Website: www.albahja.com
NOT AS FAST AS YOU WANT
Yes, you are losing weight. But it is not happening as
fast you would want it to. The reason is just this: you
are working on the wrong game plan. Maybe there are
other genuine reasons that you are not losing weight
or not getting to be fit the way you want yourself to be.
However, research has found that the prime reason that
many women are not able to reach their desired fitness
levels, despite proper exercise is because they are doing
the wrong thing again and again. They are repeating the
same mistakes.
GET A FITNESS COACH
And what about you? Are you repeating the same
mistakes? The only way to find out is to approach a
fitness coach. Don’t baulk at the idea because you may
be under the impression that only the rich and the famous
can have their own coach. You do not have to employ
one, but you can just consult him/her at one; or maximum
two times. Get a simple work plan based completely on a
diet including stringent work outs. Do not get afraid and
do not lose hope in your attempts. It is not going to be a
mountainous task.
THE HEALTH TRIO
Every gym in town will have an instructor; health
instructors are not hard to find. But to get a real 360
degrees approach to a real fitness plan, an instructor
alone is not enough for you – you need a dietician and
also a doctor. The latter is required because you need to
be sure that the exercises that you are going to do would
be according to your body requirements. You should not
overdo it and cause unwanted harm to your body.
HOLISTIC APPROACH
This is why you need a very sane, sober and holistic
approach to your exercise. This piece is not about what
type of exercise you should be doing because you are
yet to find the correct one for you. Of course, routine
exercises can be done, but even they need to be done in
a systematic manner. It is not a very easy task to achieve
and maintain your ideal body shape or even succeed in a
weight-loss programme.
COCKTAIL PLAN
Exercise works. But it has to be supplemented with other
methods of diet, a proper food plan, yoga and meditation.
It a cocktail of these essentials that drive you to success
in whatever you want to achieve on the weight loss or
ideal body shape front.
NO ONE SINGLE SOLUTION
Otherwise, all attempts, strenuous exercise, limiting meal
portions, skipping breakfast, avoiding fast foods, skipping
ice creams and sweets will not work. The trick is to
understand that if you are looking for one key to open all
doors to a heavenly body and figure, you will find yourself
locked out of the fab fit world.
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GRATEFUL FOR EVERYTHING
The toughest challenges remain in
creating time for business priorities.
So, let us look at how we can change
our attitude to better our prospects.
Everyone would say that we should
adopt a strong, aggressive makeover.
I beg to differ. We are women; human
beings. And we are wherever we are
because of a higher power…bearing
all of this in mind, let us try to adopt
a new attitude structure. A simple
policy to adopt is to be forever grateful
for all that you have now and all that
you have achieved so far. Be grateful
that you are alive and that you are
well; be grateful for having wonderful
family and friends – remember there
are many out there who are alone and
simply don’t have anyone.
This feeling of gratitude should be
all enveloping as that would give
you the base from where you should
start anew with this changed attitude.
Adopting a spiritual stance will not put
you into any harm. Feeling grateful
for what you have will not throw you
off track or soften your attempts at
success in any field.
But once you begin feeling grateful,
slowly you will find your eyes opening
in various ways. You will find yourself
broadening your horizons and also
working from a very new positive
perspective. Life opens various new
possibilities for those who appreciate
it. The more you dislike it, the more
you complain and the more you find
fault in the world, you will move around
with the same attitude and the sky will
open up with all possibilities.
SPIRIT OF OPTIMISM
In the same breath, let me tell you that
this mood will help foster a spirit of
optimism in you.
When you are optimistic, you are
smiling, cheerful and happy. Who
does not want to be happy? The
whole world is running after happiness
but why can’t we simply look within?
Why can’t we be grateful, why can’t
we have faith in ourselves and most
importantly, something greater than
ourselves and why can’t we be happy?
When you are happy, it will also be a
chance for you to be sincerely loving
towards everyone you are with and
even those whom you are meeting
for the first time. No, this is not about
being saints and showing the other
cheek, but to simply walk with a
developed aura of happiness, love and
gratefulness.
HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY
Also adopt a heart that always seeks
knowledge and truth; believe in
honesty and practice it. But, where
is this all driving you? You want to
improve your work life, right? What has
all this got to being a better achiever?
Very simple. You become a better
person, you also become a better
worker; better achiever.
SOUND VALUE SYSTEM
A better person doesn’t mean you let
go of opportunities and make everyone
treat you like a doormat. Nor does it
mean that you let go of that chance
to ask for a promotion or let someone
snub you or treat you like a worm.
By being a better person means
having a sound value system with
which you can climb the ladder of
success anytime, anywhere.
By Mary Allen
Women all over the world are making a concerted effort to improve their work lives. But, experts
claim that whatever they do, they need to
have a drastic change in their attitude if
they really want to progress. Most of them time women
know what they want and how to get it, but
then, there are also those who do not
know what they want and often waste their
time trying to find ways and means to get it.
Kalpana Chawla,Shobha De,Priyanka Chopra,Chanda Kochhar,Indira
Nooyi,Monisha Kalteborn, Anshu Jansenmpa,Indira Gandhi,Queen
Elizabeth,…..the list is endless. If I sit down to write all the names I’ll probably
be writing way after March 8, International Woman’s Day, comes and goes,
and... I’ll be still adding more names to this limitless list.
Space, accountancy, corporate ladder, films, books, imprint with publishers,
ruling countries and kingdoms, Formula One Management, scaling Mt.
Everest not once but twice in a fortnight. Is there any summit that has been
left unconquered by women? Courage, confidence, excellence, acumen, and
most of all the fabulous ability to multitask have helped women storm to the
top even in spaces reserved as “bastion of men”.
When I read about the how women were not allowed to vote or work outside
the house, because they were thought to be dumb, I rejoice in my view of
the world which was shaped by a progressive father where the currency of
success was minted through hard work and brilliance and being a girl was no
excuse for not doing well.
I am hopeful and confident that the dark history that shackled women
is relegated to the dustbins and women all over the world, my sisters
everywhere, will fearlessly somersault to the top.
As for the men, talk to me baby, the day you can carry a child in your womb
for nine months.
Hugs to my sisters and the men who have supported us!
Whooo…Man!!Vandana, award winning author (‘360 Degrees Back to Life')
By Vandana Shah
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
52Black & White
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We are human beings with intelligence,
not sheep, Mrs Priya.
We don’t need paths; we need to make
our own trails, he had said.
It was a very long way back in 1995.
Sitting in front our chairman, I was as
nervous as anyone else could be.
I was just a junior copywriter, who knew
nothing about management, coordination
or marketing.
Here I was sitting across the table with the
boss, listening to him explaining the whole
complex process of organising the quiz in
three simple steps.
First, look for the venue and permissions,
second call up all the schools, you can
even write to them. And third is publicity
and marketing, I can give you a team
member in sales for that. There the event
is done, he smiled at me.
Sir, I stammered, I do not know anyone in
town yet, am new to Oman.
And I haven’t done any events yet!
I can only write.
No one is born with a particular job
portfolio Mrs Priya, all of us learn.
Have an open mind, if one person can do
it, so can you. You are a lady, have you
not organised a party at home, a birthday
party, a wedding party, anything… even
a get together? Ladies are better event
organisers; they can make anything look
beautiful. Any event is that. Simple as you
make it. Or complicated as you make it!
Here let me help you start right away…
I will book the venue, get you the
permissions, balance make your own path.
Here you go… he made couple of calls
and grinned at me. Half your job is done;
you have to pay me now.
Yes, it did sound very easy.
You choose one of your team members
from the media sales team… well, I said
Bejoy.
By Priya Arunkumar
Thank you sir!
Good luck to you and Bejoy. I am confident
that you both will do well.
He got up to leave, and once again reminded
me… remember the sheep.
Sheep are followers. If one sheep moves,
the others will follow even though it may not
be the right decision. If the lead sheep jumps
over a cliff, the others are likely to follow. Most
of the time, we are followers. We follow what
other people are doing, even though it may be
detrimental to us.
Don’t be a follower. Be a leader… we can set
our own path!
There… we ventured in to the world of events,
me and Bejoy, not knowing anything other than
how to make proposals. My first step in to the
world of events, difficult as it was, there were
no readymade models or shortcuts. Adjusting
to a new job can be a daunting challenge,
whether you took the new job by choice or
out of necessity. I can tell you, It has been an
incredible journey since 1995.
Today, sitting on my table, planning one of the
most sought after global event –Yanni live in
concert, I am overwhelmed that without my
beloved chairman, I would never have entered
this world of events; leave alone execute world
class events.
Almost everything I learned in my career,
I learned from him, from the small lesson,
money saved is money earned to the fact of
life: how to say no!
I frequently made mistakes on the
supplements and special features I did, and
he would admonish me saying if only you
had learned to say no, you would not have
overloaded yourself in to committing what you
could not deliver!
Learn to say no, know your limitations, but
don’t accept the limitations.
We all can fly, if we wanted to…
Every new step I take in my career, I stop for a
moment to say: Thank you Mr Essa!
Hooked
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