p7 p12 - gulf times

CommunityScience India Forum-Qatar holds

its annual general meeting and elects new management committee.

P7 P12 CommunityA R Rahman all set to perform in

Doha on March 22 at Khalifa International Stadium.

Rooted in first-handCOVERSTORY

Gulf Studies in Qatar University is the gate to learning

multifarious issues in the region — at source. P4-6

Monday, March 18, 2019Rajab 11, 1440 AH

Doha today: 170 - 250

BOLLYWOOD HOLLYWOOD

Celina on appointment

of ‘intimacy supervisor’.

0

Lilly Singh to host new

NBC late-night show.

Page 11

Monday, March 18, 20192 GULF TIMES

COMMUNITY ROUND & ABOUT

Community EditorKamran Rehmat

e-mail: [email protected]: 44466405

Fax: 44350474

Emergency 999Worldwide Emergency Number 112Kahramaa – Electricity and Water 991Local Directory 180International Calls Enquires 150Hamad International Airport 40106666Labor Department 44508111, 44406537Mowasalat Taxi 44588888Qatar Airways 44496000Hamad Medical Corporation 44392222, 44393333Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation 44845555, 44845464Primary Health Care Corporation 44593333 44593363 Qatar Assistive Technology Centre 44594050Qatar News Agency 44450205 44450333Q-Post – General Postal Corporation 44464444

Humanitarian Services Offi ce (Single window facility for the repatriation of bodies)Ministry of Interior 40253371, 40253372, 40253369Ministry of Health 40253370, 40253364Hamad Medical Corporation 40253368, 40253365Qatar Airways 40253374

USEFUL NUMBERS

Quote Unquote

PRAYER TIMEFajr 4.25amShorooq (sunrise) 5.41amZuhr (noon) 11.42amAsr (afternoon) 3.08pmMaghreb (sunset) 5.46pmIsha (night) 7.16pm

“Mystery creates wonder and

wonder is the basis of man’s desire to understand.” — Neil Armstrong

Ispade Rajavum Idhaya RaniyumDIRECTION: Ranjit Jeyakodi CAST: Harish Kalyan, Shipa Manjunath SYNOPSIS: Ispade Rajavum Idhaya Raniyum tries to

explore how men behave in relationships when they come from a broken family, it justifi es the violent behaviour of the protagonist.

THEATRES: The Mall, Royal Plaza

Mere Pyare Prime Minister DIRECTION: Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra CAST: Rasika Agashe, Sonia Albizuri, Syna AnandSYNOPSIS: An eight-year-old Kanhu writes a letter to the

prime minister after a dramatic incident with his mother. A small boy has to achieve the impossible. It happens or not?

THEATRE: The Mall

The Mall Cinema (1): Badla (Hindi) 2:30pm; Badla (Hindi) 5pm; Mere Pyare Prime Minister (Hindi) 7:15pm; Badla (Hindi) 9:15pm; An International Local Story (Malayalam) 11:30pm.The Mall Cinema (2): Captain Marvel (2D) 2pm; Wonder Park (2D) 4pm; Wonder Park (2D) 5:30pm; Captain Marvel (2D) 7pm; Captain Marvel (2D) 9:15pm; Captain Marvel (2D) 11:30pm.The Mall Cinema (3): Wonder Park (2D) 2pm; Captain Marvel (2D) 3:30pm; Photograph (Hindi) 5:30pm; Badla (Hindi) 7:30pm; Greta (2D) 9:45pm; Ispade Rajavum Idhaya Raniyum (Tamil) 11:30pm.

Landmark Cinema (1): An International Local Story (Malayalam) 2:15pm; June (Malayalam) 4:30pm; Wonder Park (2D) 7pm; June (Malayalam) 8:45pm; June (Malayalam) 11:15pm.Landmark Cinema (2): Wonder Park (2D) 3pm; Wonder Park (2D) 5pm; Captain Marvel (2D) 7pm; Badla (Hindi) 9:15pm; Badla (Hindi) 11:30pm.Landmark Cinema (3): Badla (Hindi) 2:30pm; Captain Marvel (2D) 4:45pm; Photograph (Hindi) 7pm; Captain Marvel (2D) 9pm; Captain Marvel (2D)

11:15pm.Royal Plaza Cinema Palace (1): Wonder Park (3D) 3pm; Wonder Park (2D) 5pm; Photograph (Hindi) 7pm; Captain Marvel (2D) 9pm; Captain Marvel (2D) 11:15pm.Royal Plaza Cinema Palace (2): An International Local Story (Malayalam) 2:15pm; Badla (Hindi) 4:45pm; Captain Marvel (2D) 7pm; Badla (Hindi) 9:15pm; Badla (Hindi) 11:30pm.Royal Plaza Cinema Palace (3): Ispade Rajavum Idhaya Raniyum (Tamil) 2:15pm; Captain Marvel (2D) 5pm; The Hole In The Ground (2D) 7:15pm; June (Malayalam) 9pm; June (Malayalam) 11:30pm.

3Monday, March 18, 2019 GULF TIMES

COMMUNITYROUND & ABOUT

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

EVENTS

MIA Park Bazaar 2019WHERE: Museum Of Islamic ArtWHEN: OngoingTIME: 12pm – 8pmMIA Bazaar will be having a vibrant

mix of 350 stalls. MIA Park Bazaar is a modern version of the old souq tradition. The stalls are going to offer a wide range of gastronomies from all over the world. You can also browse and grab handcrafted artefacts, accessories, canvases, fashion wears, designer ornaments.

Mehaseel FestivalWHERE: Katara Cultural VillageWHEN: Ongoing till March 31Mehaseel Souq will be open every

Thursday, Friday and Saturday until 31st of March. It is a perfect market to get amazing local fresh produce.

Dragon Boat ChampionshipsWHERE: Grand Hyatt DohaWHEN: March 23TIME: 7am – 5pmThe 2019 Dragon Boat Corporate Cup

Championship will take place on March 23 at the Grand Hyatt Doha. Come watch hundreds of recreational corporate dragon boat teams competing for the coveted gold cup.

Artistic Gymnastic ClassesWHERE: Qatar Academy MsheirebWHEN: OngoingTIME: 3:15pm – 4:15pmThe olympic sport using horizontal bar,

rings and floor exercises on mats for the children from age 4 till 16.

Bangladesh Festival QatarWHERE: KataraWHEN: March 19 – March 25TIME: 4pm onwardsA 6-day long festival showcasing

Bangladeshi movie, kids art competition, adult art workshop, food festival, paginating as well as photography exhibition is set to launch on 19 March at Katara Cultural Village. This impressive festival will provide a great opportunity for Bangladeshi people to get a taste and feel their country’s unique culture.

A R Rahman ConcertWHERE: Khalifa StadiumWHEN: March 22TIME: 6pm – 11pmMusic maestro A R Rahman is going to

be performing on the 22nd of March at the Khalifa Stadium.

Syria Matters ExhibitionWHERE: Museum of Islamic ArtWHEN: Ongoing till April 30TIME: 9am – 7pmMuseum of Islamic Art (MIA) in Doha

presents a major exhibition, co-curated by MIA Director Dr Julia Gonnella and Rania Abdellatif, as part of the MIA ten-year anniversary celebrations.

Ballet LessonsWHERE: Music and Arts AtelierWHEN: OngoingTIME: 4pm – 8pmFor more info e-mail at registration@

atelierqatar.com or call on 33003839.

Cycling: Losail Circuit Sports ClubWHERE: Losail CircuitWHEN: OngoingTIME: 5pmLosail Circuit Sports Club, in association

with Qatar Sports For All Federation, invites all cyclists, runners and walkers to train under the floodlights of Losail International Circuit every Wednesdays.

Arabic Calligraphy WorkshopWHEN: Saturday – WednesdayTIME: 6pmArabic Calligraphy workshop is back.

Come and learn the artistic practice of Arabic handwriting and calligraphy at Music and Arts Atelier.

The lessons will take place every Saturday, Monday and Wednesday at 6pm. For more information, contact [email protected]

After School ActivitiesWHERE: AtelierWHEN: Ongoing

Music and arts activities for students taking place after they finish their day in school includes Group Music lessons, Hip-hop, Ballet, Drawing and Painting, Drama Theatre & Taekwondo. Ages between 5 and 10 years old after school hours.

Hobby ClassesWHERE: Mamangam Performing Art

CentreWHEN:Wednesday – MondayMamangam Performing Art Centre, is

a holistic performing arts institution and a one stop solution for adults as well as children looking to explore their talents in various art forms. We offer classes in contemporary, Bollywood, hip hop, indian classical dance, music (Hindustani and Carnatic), arts and craft, karate, yoga, percussion( Chenda, Thimila, Elathalam and Madhalam), violin, harmonium, public speaking.

Additional services include dance education, choreograph music videos and dance cover albums, choreograph dance musical projects, corporate workshops and events, choreograph events for schools, colleges, alumni meets and corporate and choreography events. For details, call 33897609.

Dance and Instrument ClassesWHERE: TCA Campus, Behind Gulf

Times BuildingWHEN: Wednesday – MondayLearn the movements of dance styles

in Bollywood, Hip Hop and also the musical instruments such as Piano, Guitar, Keyboard for adults as well kids and move in the world of music. For details, contact 66523871/ 31326749.


COMMUNITY COVER STORY

Making the cut

There is movement between conservatism, liberalism, tribalism, and all of these phenomena are going on in the region. Our students are writing on these issues as they study foreign policy, women, gender and society in the Gulf, its history and the impact of social media among a host of other area of subjects

—Dr Mahjoob Zweiri, Director of Gulf Studies Center at QU

‘ ’

Qatar University’s Gulf Studies program is currently the world’s only

one that provides an MA degree in Gulf Studies. In the year 2018,

it saw a record number of student applications, not only from

international scholars, but an increasing number of Qatari students

COVETED: During The Gulf Studies Center Third Annual International Conference entitled “Gulf Crisis: Origin, Repercussions and Future”, Dr Mahjoob Zweiri, Director of Gulf Studies Center, welcoming the conference’s guests and speakers.

By Azmat Haroon

The June 5, 2017 illegal siege on Qatar brought issues related to human rights, media and family ties in the region under

the world’s spotlight. While Qatar’s diplomatic and media engagement amplifi ed on the global stage, with serious policy drives that moved the country towards self-suffi ciency, academics world over were also looking at Qatar, in part impressed by the mature diplomatic steps taken by the Qatari leadership in the aftermath of the sudden siege.

This also prompted a number of scholars and students to seek academic education in the Gulf.

Many began applying at Qatar University’s (QU) Gulf Studies program, which is currently the world’s only program that provides an MA degree in Gulf Studies. In the year 2018, it saw a record number of student applications not only from international scholars, but an increasing number of Qatari students also showed interest in the politics of the region.

Speaking with Community, Dr Mahjoob Zweiri, Director of Gulf Studies Center at QU, said the Gulf Studies program provides a niche area of study.

“We see Gulf Studies as a unique niche to Qatar University. We are the only program in the world off ering two degrees together – MA and a PhD in Gulf Studies. Having a research centre within the same


COMMUNITYCOVER STORY

context helps promote research, and allows students to actively publish research.”

Gulf Studies is also the only graduate program in social sciences and humanities in Qatar University. “That makes us unique on a national level. It also makes us unique because we are the only program off ering this degree,” Dr Zweiri said.

The program was established in September 2011. “It is an interdisciplinary program by nature, focusing on the Gulf, its political, social, cultural, as well as security, energy, policy issues,” Dr Zweiri, who was among the founding members of the Gulf Studies MA program, said.

He said that the Gulf region was important for a number of reasons, including geo-politics of energy and the maritime issues. A third of the world’s sea-borne oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz — a strategically important strait between the Gulf of Oman in the southeast and the Arabian Gulf. The artery links the Middle East crude producers to key markets in Asia Pacifi c, Europe, North America and beyond.

“There is serious competition in the world to have good relations with the Gulf countries. This is also because the region hosts a large number of migrants from diff erent nationalities. The stability of the region is not only a priority for us here but for the international community as well. The income of millions of workers goes to their home countries, and this has a

serious impact on the development of their home countries. And so the signifi cance of the region is not only for us within but beyond its borders as well.”

Dr Zweiri, an expert on issues of the Middle East and Iran, said there were multiple social, cultural dynamics, themes and topics of the Gulf that need to be looked at academically.

“There is movement between conservatism, liberalism, tribalism, and all of these phenomena are going on the region. These are issues, themes that need to be studied. And our students are writing on these issues as they study foreign policy, women, gender and society in the Gulf, its history and the impact of social media among a host of other area of subjects.”

In that respect, the Gulf Studies program in Qatar University is contributing highly to the knowledge about the Gulf, according to Dr Zweiri. “What makes it more important is that the knowledge is shared and written in English, so it becomes international and available to everyone. That also makes Gulf studies a niche and an important area of study in Qatar.”

Hessa Saad al-Muhannadi, Director of Legal Aff airs at National Tourism Council and a PhD candidate in Gulf Studies PhD program, said the program added to her personal and academic knowledge. “I believe that it is essential to have Qatari experts and academics in the region that dedicate their research on topics related to the

Gulf region,” Hessa asserted.Asked about the impact of the

Gulf crisis on the program, Dr Zweiri said, if anything, it further increased the signifi cance of the program along with the number of student applications to the

program. “In 2018, we saw the highest number of applications. In fact, we decided to raise the number of applications and accepted less than a third because of limited seats. There is growing interest in the region, not only

from the outside from within the community.”

Dr Zweiri contributed this growing interest from students to the rich and open experience they receive at the program. Continued on Page 6

ADDRESS: Dr Hassan al-Derham, President of Qatar University, speaking at The Gulf Studies Center Third Annual International Conference.

PANEL DISCUSSION: The panel including, from left, Dr Luciano Zaccara, Professor Nasser Hadian, Professor Nikolay Kozhanov and Dr Mahjoob Zweiri, engaged in a discussion on “The Islamic Revolution in Retrospect: The Internal, Regional and Global Impact”.


COMMUNITY COVER STORY

Continued from Page 5“We enrich student experiences

by taking them to diff erent places, engaging with Qatar locally, inviting decision-makers, and people who not only talk about politics but also arts, culture, gender, poetry and theatre.”

Every year at least 12 students are accepted to the program. In 2013-14, the Gulf Studies Centre (GSC) was established as a support to the program to focus on research, and it serves to consolidate the link between the program and the centre.

Later in 2015, the PhD program was established due to an overwhelming demand and interest.

“We have 60 students in the Gulf Studies program, 29 MA students, 31 PhDs, this includes nearly 30 diff erent nationalities apart from the Qatari students. The academic team includes members from 9 diff erent countries,” Dr Zweiri explained.

Last year, the program focused extensively on the ramifi cations of the Gulf crisis, with two major events including a conference last December and a student symposium where graduate and undergraduate students presented their research work on the Gulf crisis.

Dr Zweiri added: “The centre focuses on publications. We have three kinds, mainly monographs, Gulf insight and policy papers. We have published monographs on Qatar-Japan relations, Qatar-Latin America relations, Gulf insight on food security, among others. The centre is engaged with stake holders working with foreign ministry, providing expertise, facilitating research of faculty and students, and promoting collaborations within the university. We also organised an event on Iran to talk about nuclear Iran with Al Jazeera Centre.”

“In 2018, the Gulf Studies program was active in research and has 20 publications, and peer reviewed papers, as well as three books in the pipeline.”

Luciano Zaccara is an Argentina-born faculty that joined Qatar University’s Gulf Studies Centre (QU-GSC) in 2014 after working at Georgetown University in Qatar and passing by Exeter IAIS, and Madrid and Barcelona Autonoma universities. Due to his expertise on Iranian politics and elections in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region, he contributed to the centre in conducting research, organising several events and teaching Gulf and Iranian politics along 5 years.

“My experience at the centre was very rich in conducting fi eldwork not only in Iran, where I had the chance to travel more than 10 times, but also in all the GCC states, with the exception of Saudi Arabia. It has been also enriching to interact with the GCC populations and to learn about their culture and traditions, as well as to contribute to their education through my courses, both at QU as well as at GU-Q.”

Meanwhile, Paulino Robles-Gil Cozzi, a PhD in Gulf Studies, said location is half the learning experience.

“I strongly believe in the comparative advantage of studying and analysing a region being in the region. Top universities can claim to have the best research, but to me, studying a remote region from a place which is totally diff erent does not make much sense. Location is already half the learning experience, having fi rst-hand sources, access to the symbols, everyday life, local culture and so on so forth, allows you to get raw data, precise information and a more accurate understanding of the area,” he said.

Paulino did his MA in Islamic Studies in HBKU, a two-year program plus an additional one year in which he did extensive fi eldwork in Doha. Doing ethnography in this country triggered his interest in the Gulf as a region beyond Islamic Studies.

“The faculty team is making a tremendous eff ort to provide us with as many elements to better perform in our research projects which adds up to a multicultural committed community of research

scholars that create an optimal environment. The Gulf region urges experts who can better comprehend and explain a complex region like this one. I am convinced that I am in the right place to do it. As a Latin-American, I benefi t a lot from studying from a Global South perspective without the mediation of European or US institutions,” Paulino, who hails from Mexico, added.

Prof Nikolay Kozhanov, a visiting Associate Professor at the Gulf Studies Center, said he was positively surprised by the students and faculty at Gulf Studies program. “I was pleasantly surprised by the active discussion and interesting research projects on issues of Islam, culture, and other political issues.”

Kozhanov is also an Academy Associate with the Russia and Eurasia program of Chatham House and Associate Professor at the European University at St Petersburg.

“The program is very impressive and unique in terms of its location.

Our students have direct access to the region and its people. Gulf studies in Qatar versus that in

the UK is diff erent because here, students are engaging with the very fi bre of the society.”

LEARNING CURVE: Gulf Studies students and faculty visiting Al-Jazeera Media Network for an educational trip.

CANDID: Hessa Saad al-Muhannadi, Director of Legal Aff airs at National Tourism Council and a PhD candidate in Gulf Studies PhD program, said: “I believe that it is essential to have Qatari experts and academics in the region that dedicate their research on topics related to the Gulf region”.

The Center engages in interdisciplinary, Gulf-focused studies and research in three main areas:

Research Area 1: Energy and Economics

Development and governance Food and water security Environment Emigration and Immigration

Issues Sovereign wealth funds and

Foreign Direct Investment Economic reform

Research Area 2: Social Issues Youth and employment Media, arts & culture Social Media Gender Identity and globalisation Education

Research Area 3: Politics Gulf defence and security GCC integration Human rights Democracy and political

reform Political economy

Gulf Studies Research Center


COMMUNITYSIF-Q elects new off ice bearersScience India Forum-Qatar (SIF-Q), an associate organisation of the Indian Cultural Centre, recently held its annual general meeting. The activity report along with budget was presented on the occasion. SIF-Q also elected its new management committee. The new off ice bearers, include Dipak Dahake, President of SIF-Q; Meenakshi Karthikeyan, Vice President; Shailaja Ranjith, Secretary; and Akhil Vishnu,

Treasurer. SIF-Q works with Indian educational institutions in Qatar along with science and research organisations in India and promote students to develop a passion for science and technology as well as educate the youngsters on the rich contributions made by Indian scientists towards science and technology.

QVPF elects new executive committeeQatar Vanimal Pravasi Forum (QVPF), a community organisation for expatriates hailing from south Indian state of Kerala, India, recently held its annual general body meeting and elected new executive committee at the Cultural Forum.The new off ice bearers, include Sadique Chennadan, President; Mohammed Ali, Ismail CK,

Shanavas PV, and Noushad NP, Vice Presidents; Shammas Kalathil, General Secretary; Amjad Vanimal, Mujeeb KK, Basheer KV, and Saleem OT, Joint Secretaries; and Faisal VP, Treasurer. Five member squad for Thanal committee, includes Abdul Salam MK, Chairman; Sajeer Thavot, Convenor; and Dr Arif NP, Mansoor MK, and Thasneem Ali.

RUNNERS UP: The Ladies Cricket Team of TKM College of Engineering Alumni recently bagged runners up position in Engineers Forum Cricket Tournament 2019, held at Old Ideal School Grounds. Saumi Sreeji from TKMCE was adjudged as the best batswoman for her performance.


COMMUNITYEMS organises science fairSecondary Science Department of English Modern School (EMS) recently organised science fair. The judges at the fair, included Dr Gazi Demir, Professor of Physics; Jaco Anderson, Secondary Principal of EMS; Matthew Gore, Assistant Principal at EMS; Thomas Rolt, Assistant Principal at EMS; and Alan Morley, Director of EMS Doha Campus, along with science experts. Shejila Dileep, Head of Science Department at EMS, thanked all science teachers for supervising students in ensuring high standards of projects. The winners of the fair, included Joud al-Thaher, a student of Grade VII, first position; Dalia Ghanem and Chahd Hassan, Grade VII, second position; Reyaan Ahmed and Aesha Balut, Grade VIII, first position; Kirsten Enrique and Alexandrea `Sgura, Grade VIII, second position; Haneen Satti and Kamilia Aly, Grade IX, first position; Marielle Andrea Fabian, Grade IX, second position; Jana Abdropp, Grade X, first position; and Abdulla Sadoun and Mahmoud Bassri, Grade X, second position.

SDC organises ‘Karate Belt Award Ceremony’Skills Development Centre (SDC) recently organised ‘Karate Belt Award Ceremony’ for karate students. More than 200 students received their awards in various categories, including black, brown, blue, green, orange and yellow. Manava Subi, a senior student, won 3rd dan black belt with the title of ‘Sensei’. Thirty-four students won black belt with certificates issued by Japan Shotokan Karate Association Head off ice Japan and four students

were the group champions and were felicitated with trophies. The event also featured a live demonstration of karate by black belt award recipients. Azim Abbas, President of Indian Business and Professional Council, was the chief guest on the occasion. The event was attended by notable personalities, including PN Baburanjan, Managing Director of SDC; and Shihabudheen, SDC Karate Chief Instructor, along with parents of the students.

Pearl School organises Kindergarten Graduation DayPearl School recently organised Kindergarten Graduation Day. The students of Grade KG2 performed on the occasion. Jolly Sam was the chief guest at the event. The Principal of Pearl School along with the chief guest and managing committee felicitated the students with the Certificate of Graduation. Parents of the students also attended the event.


COMMUNITYSK marks Gyalbo Loshar festivalSherpa Kidung (SK), a Nepali community organisation, recently organised an event to mark Gyalbo Loshar festival. The event was chaired by Nwang Kusang Sherpa, Chairman of SK. The event was attended by notable personalities and community leaders, including Shiba Kumar Bhujel, Dev Raj Rai, Shiya Ram Chaudhari and Thirtha Tamang. DJ Tenzing Sherpa, Nirmala Ghising, Gompo Sherpa, Lakpa Sherpa and Bibek Lama, local Nepali artistes,

performed at the event. The event kicked off with a welcome song by Bibek Lama, which was followed by the national anthem of Nepal and traditional Nepali dance performances. Tenzing Sherpa, Nirmala Ghisiing and Lakpa Sherpa, local Nepali artistes, also performed on the occasion. The artistes presented the ethnic tales of Nepal. Loshar marks the first day of the first month of the Tibetan lunar year. – Text and photo by Usha Wagle Gautam

Sherborne Qatar to organise ‘A Music Recital’Sherborne Qatar is all set to organise ‘A Music Recital’ at the Open Air Amphitheatre of the Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum on March 23.Finest singers and musicians from the Preparatory and Senior School Section of Sherborne Qatar will perform on the occasion. The performance will include the Sherborne Qatar Prep School Choir, which recently reached the final of the Qatar Primary School Choir of the year and was awarded the Repertoire Award. The recital is being organised by Sarwar, Head of Prep Music, and supported by FBQ Museum, Al Rabban Tower, Rayyan Water, PTA Sherborne Qatar, LA Cantine and LuLu Hypermarket.The show is scheduled to kick off at 5:15pm.

Razwan Sarwar, Conductor

Hyundai Santa Fe Named Most Dependable Mid-Size SUVHyundai’s Santa Fe recently received one of the world’s most highly respected awards for long-term owner satisfaction, being named as the most dependable mid-size SUV in the J.D. Power 2019 Vehicle Dependability Study, stated a press release. Skyline Automotive WLL, is the off icial distribution partner of the Hyundai Motor Company in the State of Qatar.The United States-based study, now in its 30th year, examines problems experienced during the past 12 months by 80,000 original owners of 2016 model-year vehicles. Overall dependability is determined by the number of problems experienced per 100 vehicles (PP100), with a lower score reflecting higher quality. The study covers 177 specific problems, with cars grouped into eight major vehicle categories. The Santa Fe ranked highest in its class, demonstrating real-world dependability based on the experience of real owners. “Dependability is the foundation of Hyundai’s success as a brand, so this is an important award for us as a company,” said Mike Song, Head of Operations of Hyundai Middle East and Africa. “We off er customers bold design, powerful performance, versatility, and a host of advanced technologies to keep drivers and passengers comfortable, happy and safe. Most of all, we promise all of this in a car that people can depend on year after year,” he added.

As a long-term test, the 2019 Vehicle Dependability Study assessed a model-year of the previous third-generation Santa Fe. Hyundai launched an all-new fourth generation during 2018.Mike Song said he believes the current Santa Fe goes even further to create satisfied customers. For 2019 models, the Santa Fe features new safety, comfort and convenience technologies, better visibility, increased cabin and storage space, and bolder design language.J.D. Power is a global market information consultancy, known for its research into customer satisfaction and product quality. Its automotive surveys include the Vehicle Dependability Study each year, and also the Initial Quality Study which looks at problems people have with new cars during the first 90 days of ownership.Hyundai has achieved strong results in previous J.D. Power surveys, including the Hyundai Tucson being named as most dependable small SUV in the 2018 Vehicle Dependability Study.Also in 2018, the Hyundai Kona was the top-rated small car in the J.D. Power Tech Experience Study, which measured owners’ experience, usage and interaction with driver-centric vehicle technology. Kona topped the small segment in technology categories such as entertainment and connectivity, driving assistance, collision protection and smartphone mirroring.

W Doha celebrates International Women’s DayFour of the nation’s most successful women came together to discuss the art and film industry in the Middle East.W Doha Hotel and Residences recently organised a panel discussion ‘What She Said’ as part of International Women’s Day celebration. The event featured an interactive session with four successful women of Qatar and focused on the impact of art and film today. More than 150 women attended the session, moderated by

Boutaïna Azzabi Ezzaouia, Senior Engagement Producer and Facebook Lead at Al Jazeera English. The discussion was about the speakers’ journey in the field of art and film and what it takes to be an artist or filmmaker in the Middle East today. The four speakers, including Bouthayna al-Muftah, visual artist; Hend Fakhroo, director and filmmaker; Abeer al-Kuwari, artist and Amal al-Muftah, filmmaker, gave an insight about their life and professional obstacles they had to face.


COMMUNITY BOLLYWOOD

Celina on appointment of ‘intimacy supervisor’By Subhash K Jha

Actress Celina Jaitly has explained why an ‘intimacy supervisor was appointed for her short fi lm directed by journalist-author Ram Kamal Mukherjee.

“In my humble opinion, this is just a fi rst step towards implementation of harassment policies and a lot needs to be done to have proper guidelines and eff ective tools to counteract diff erent situations,” said Celina.

“Harassment is a gender-neutral off ence, at least in theory, hence neutral communication and vigilance, strict monitoring of the workplace is the most important duty of an intimacy supervisor.”

Celina agrees that under normal circumstances, it is the director’s job to ensure no limits of decency are crossed on the sets.

“Absolutely! But I have seen and experienced personally that the impact of a powerful position on an individual has a profound effect from a psychological viewpoint. I was reading recently that among men in powerful positions, but not among women, a fear of being seen as weak is related to an inclination to harass others.

“People in power are more likely to wrongly perceive that subordinates are interested in them or available to harass.”

Celina said having an intimacy supervisor really helped.

“In our film Seasons Greetings, Ram Kamal Mukherjee was very involved in coming up with what is right at the same time focus on creatives. Intimate scenes can be a breeding ground of misconduct, to draw a fine line between misconduct and

acting is treading on thin ice.“I am so grateful directors like Ram

and producers like Aritra exist. At least we have a beginning towards the laying of foundations to fight the misconduct at work. Manisha Basu was very effective on

the sets of Seasons Greetings and she played the role of an impartial and yet sensible bridge between the actors and the director.

“For the first-time for me since the age of 16, I worked with an intimacy supervisor and it worked like a charm.”

She recalls the late Feroz Khan, her first director, known to be a ladies’ man, the man who introduced her to the screen with great respect and aff ection.

“There is a big difference between being ‘a man of many women’ and a predator. FK was a gentleman with a love for women... women came into his life of their own choices and consent, they ‘fell’ for him... I can vouch for him.

“He was a man amongst men and even better amongst women. Knowing him, he would shoot anyone found guilty of misconduct on set and get away with it. I loved and admired him as my mentor and always will.”

Celina’s advice to improve the work environment is to champion a zero-tolerance policy on acts of discrimination and harassment in the workplace.

“Cine guilds should enlist professionals to train staff at all levels about the risk of harassment and warn them about the consequences should standards not be adhered to. Since the beginning of male-female coexistence, harassment has been a complicated and deep-rooted issue. An anti-harassment policy alone will not be able to stop it from occurring nor will it bring transformation in the attitudes.

“However, it will lay the foundation for regular awareness generation, accountable and transparent tackling processes.”

Celina feels preventive measures on the sets could have averted the Tanushree Dutta incident.

“In the event of what happened with Tanushree, had there been an intimacy supervisor appointed by a body of power above and outside the production, the outcome of what truly occurred would have been completely different.” – IANS

ADVOCATE: Celina Jaitly has called the ‘intimacy supervisor’ the first step towards fighting harassment at the workplace.

Taimur does not starve: Kareena

After her son Taimur Ali Khan was trolled on social media, actress Kareena Kapoor Khan gave a befitting reply to get back at the trollers.

Social media users had trolled Taimur stating that he is dying of hunger and Kareena is not a good mother.

The Veere Di Wedding actress was present on Arbaaz Khan’s chat show Pinch. The actor showed an online comment to Kareena which read: “Taimur bhuka marr raha hai (Taimur is dying of hunger)”.

Kareena said: “But woh bechara bhooka nai marra hai. In fact, I think kuch zaada hi kha raha hai aajkal. Mota lag raha hai (He is not starving. In fact, I think he is eating a little too much. Has started to look fat).”

The actress, who is married to actor Saif Ali Khan, also expressed concern over the growing paparazzi culture in India.

She wondered how people could be so interested in her two-year-old son Taimur’s life.

“Looking at the media, looking at those lights wondering what media is doing. Sometimes they cross the line especially when comes to Taimur. What he is eating? Where he is going? Media is constantly following him. Once in a while it is fine, but everyday?

“He is just a two-year-old kid. One should allow that person to live his life,” she added. – IANS

EXCITED: Yami Gautam says, “I’m very excited to promote this amazing way to keep fit.

CONCERNED MOTHER: Kareena Kapoor Khan gave a befitting reply to get back at the trollers of her son.

Yami Gautam set to promote Zumba

Actress Yami Gautam has collaborated with Zumba expert Gina Grant to promote the fun fi tness programme.

They are creating some content together, and it will be released soon.Yami said in a statement: “I’m very excited to promote this amazing way

to keep fi t. Zumba is loved world over and to bring it to India in this big way is what got me to come on board. I have always loved experimenting with diff erent ways to fi nd fun in my own personal fi tness regime and Zumba combines the aesthetics of fi tness with dance.

“This breaks away from the monotony of gyms and regular workout. I am looking forward to work with Gina Grant. She is a world renowned expert and has worked with some great names in the West. Together we are looking forward to shake a leg and show the people the fun activity that Zumba is.” – IANS

Monday, March 18, 2019 11GULF TIMES

COMMUNITYHOLLYWOOD

Sprouse loves spending time with Lili Reinhart

Riverdale star Cole Sprouse says he loves spending “quality time” with his actress-girlfriend Lili Reinhart.

“My language of love is quality time. I’m not really the type of person that likes going to a movie and sitting in silence (for a date). Maybe a little breaking and entering! Some photography! Who knows?” Sprouse told Glamour magazine.

Sprouse’s favourite date idea is a “road-trip”, and he says he once took Reinhart, 22, to a remote location where he surprised her with a hot-air balloon ride, reports femalefi rst.co.uk

He said: “I really like the road-trip date. I took my girlfriend on a date where we drove to this location deep into Canada, and I surprised her with a big hot-air balloon adventure, which was quite a bit of fun. I like travelling quite a bit.

“I like road-tripping. Those grand experiences always end up yielding the greatest memories – and the greatest romances.” – IANS

Lilly Singh to host new NBC late-night show

THRILLED: Lilly Singh says she is thrilled to join NBC.

By Tracy Brown

Lilly Singh is getting her own late-night show.

The actress and comedian joined Jimmy Fallon on Thursday’s episode of The

Tonight Show to announce that she will offi cially be joining the NBC late-night family with her new series called A Little Late with Lilly Singh. The show is expected to launch in September.

“An Indian-Canadian woman with her own late-night show? Now that is a dream come true,” Singh said in a statement. “I’m thrilled to bring it to life on NBC, and I hope my parents consider this to be as exciting as a grandchild.”

With her new show, Singh will become the only woman currently hosting a late-night show on

broadcast TV.During the Tonight Show segment,

Singh reassured Fallon that she would not be taking over his job. A Little Late with Lilly Singh will instead be replacing the long-running Last Call with Carson Daly in the 1:35am time slot. Last month it was announced that Last Call would end its 17-season run after 2,000 episodes.

“I’m so excited because I truly get to create a show from scratch,” Singh told Fallon. “I get to make it inclusive. I get to create comedy segments and interview people and really create something that I believe in.”

Singh is perhaps best known for her YouTube channel, which has amassed more than 14 million subscribers. She previously told The Times that authenticity was the key to success on the platform.

“People are very good at recognising when a creator is just saying something for the sake of saying something,” she said in 2015. “Every video I make I really mean what I’m saying and people can see that through the screen and that’s why they [viewers] like it.”

“Lilly is truly a star and we’re thrilled to welcome her to our NBC family,” Doug Vaughan, NBC Entertainment’s executive vice president of special programmes and late night, said in a statement. “She is a multi-talented performer who will surely have a great rapport with not only all her guests but also with our devoted late-night audience. We can’t wait to get started.”

Singh will also serve as an executive producer on A Little Late with Lilly Singh. Polly Auritt will be a co-executive producer. – Los Angeles Times/TNS

Gunn reinstated as director of Guardians of the Galaxy 3

Talk about a plot twist.James Gunn has been reinstated

as the director of the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy 3, eight months after he was dismissed following the resurfacing of his controversial tweets that had been shared years in the past.

A rep for the fi lmmaker confi rmed Gunn’s reinstatement after it was initially reported by Deadline. Gunn met with Alan Horn, president of Walt Disney Studios, several times to speak about the matter before Horn opted to bring him back aboard.

Gunn directed the fi rst two installments of the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, which is part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Stars of the ensemble cast including Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Bradley Cooper, Vin Diesel and Karen Gillan signed an open letter in support of Gunn following his fi ring last summer.

The tweets that led to Gunn’s ouster were predominantly reposted by a right-winger blogger in July 2018. The posts in question were shared to Gunn’s Twitter page several years before the fi rst Guardians of the Galaxy movie premiered in 2014.

Gunn, 52, addressed the situation last year after his fi ring.

“Many people who have followed my career know when I started, I viewed myself as a provocateur, making movies and telling jokes that were outrageous and taboo,” he said at the time. “As I have discussed publicly many times, as I’ve developed

as a person, so has my work and my humour,” he said. “In the past, I have apologised for humour of mine that hurt people. I truly felt sorry and meant every word of my apologies.”

In their open letter last year, the cast members of the Guardians movies said they looked forward to working with Gunn again one day.

“The character he has shown in the wake of his fi ring is consistent with the man he was every day on set, and his apology, now and from years ago when fi rst addressing these remarks, we believe is from the heart, a heart we all know, trust and love,” the letter read.

Gunn signed on to direct Suicide Squad 2 following his departure from Guardians of the Galaxy 3.

A release date for the third Guardians movie has not been announced. – New York Daily News/TNS

Downton Abbey movie is beautiful: Joanne Froggatt

Actress Joanne Froggatt has promised that the Downton Abbey movie will feature everything fans loved about the TV show.

“The people who love the TV series are the people who are going to want to see the movie, for the most part, so I think it’s got all the things that people loved about Downton..., but elevated. It looks very cinematic; there are big, beautiful set pieces,” Froggatt told The Times newspaper.

Recent reports say that there are already plans for a second Downton fi lm. The actress, however, said such a plan has not been confi rmed yet, reports femalefi rst.co.uk

She would happily reprise her role again for another movie.

“If people still want it. One step at a time, but if we can do something really quality, then yes. Never say never.”

The British actress won a Golden Globe and was nominated for three Emmy awards after the fourth series of Downton, which featured her character being raped by a footman, and she had no idea it would get “so huge”. – IANS

TOGETHER: Cole Sprouse, right, and Lili Reinhart.

PROMISING: Joanne Froggatt has promised that the movie will feature everything fans loved about the TV show.


COMMUNITY

By Mudassir Raja

The biggest musical event is ready to rock Doha with an international music sensation from India gracing Qatar for the fi rst time. Local and expatriate community fans

of A R Rahman are excited to listen to the Oscar winning musician during his debut performance in Doha.

A R Rahman will perform this Friday when at the Khalifa International Stadium, the first FIFA World Cup 2022 stadium to be delivered. Rahman, along with his troupe of more than 80 performers will entertain thousands of people in the stadium that has a capacity of 40, 000 people. The event will take place in conjunction with the Qatar-India 2019 Year of Culture.

The musical festival is being organised by Katara Studios in collaboration with the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy and as part of the culture year. It is intended to promote mutual understanding, recognition and appreciation between the two countries.

A R Rahman, who shot to international fame with the 2009 Hollywood production, Slumdog Millionaire, was already a celebrated musical icon in his home country, India. He is credited for revolutionising the Indian film music industry, thanks to his genius East-West mash-up that gained him international recognition.

In addition to two Grammy and Oscar awards each, Rahman also boasts of a Bafta, a Golden Globe as well as a slew of awards in India, including six National Film Awards, 15 Filmfare Awards and 17 Filmfare Awards South.

There is a large diaspora of Indian expatriates living in Qatar for many decades.

All and sundry are excited to listen to the acclaimed musician and singer. They all are geared up to reach at the stadium with their families and friends on March 22.

They see it a big and rare opportunity to listen live to A R Rahman in Qatar.

Mohamed Sabih Bukhari, also known as MS Bukhari, is a long time resident of Doha, a well known businessman and community leader. Talking to Community, he said: “The concert will really boost the celebrations of Qatar-India cultural year. The cultural and trade ties between the two countries are very old. The people of Qatar are big fans of Indian music and Bollywood films. The concert of A R Rahman will enable both the locals and expatriate communities to listen to the music sensation live.

“A R Rahman is a very rare amalgamation of diverse Indian culture. Broadly speaking, India culture can be divided into South and North India. This guy is equally popular among all Indians. He hails from South India but his music innovations has equally been cherished by the people living in the north of the country.

“An overwhelming majority of Indians living in Qatar are from the southern parts. They all are going to love the concert.

His sensational music is a kind of boosts cultural ties between the south and the west in India. He is a unifying voice.”

About having the concert in the stadium, Bukhari said: “I have been living in Qatar for about 32 years. I have so far not heard of any music event of such big scale. It is going to be huge. I hope the stadium is going to be full on Friday. I will go with my family. I will not miss the opportunity. Many of Qatari friends have shown their interest in attending the music gala.”

Anuradha Nagesh Rao works as an administrator. She has been living in Qatar for 22 years. She said: “It is a rare opportunity for us Indians living in Qatar to attend the live music by A R Rahman. Even in India you do not get much chance to listen him live. It is going to be a music feast for the expatriates.

“He is an icon not just because he is a successful musician. He comes from a very humble background. His hard work and dedication has ushered in success and fame for him. A majority of people get inspired by his success story. Attending the concert is also like paying tribute to his phenomenal achievements.”

INDIAN LEGEND: In addition to two Grammy and Oscar awards each, Rahman also boasts of a Bafta, a Golden Globe as well as a slew of awards in India, including six National Film Awards, 15 Filmfare Awards and 17 Filmfare Awards South.

A R Rahman all set to rock Doha this Friday

VENUE: Khalifa International Stadium

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