Community Community Three Bollywood artists being actor Arjun P7 featured in Kapoor in “What About the Art? P20 an exclusive Contemporary Art from chat following China” talk about their the success of his work and art in general. latest film Ki & Ka.

Sunday, April 10, 2016 Rajab 3, 1437 AH

DOHA 22°C—33°C TODAY PUZZLES 14 & 15 LIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE 16 Showing the way forward Dr Rupert Maclean, Chair of CNAQ’s recently instated Professional Chair of COVER STORY Vocational Studies, on specifics of VET

Dr Rupert Maclean says VET has a very important role to play in and how to encourage its growth. P4-5 diversifying economy in Qatar. Photo by Umer Nangiana 2 GULF TIMES Sunday, April 10, 2016 COMMUNITY ROUND & ABOUT

PRAYER TIME Fajr 3.59am Shorooq (sunrise) 5.17am Zuhr (noon) 11.35am Asr (afternoon) 3.05pm Maghreb (sunset) 5.56pm Isha (night) 7.26pm

USEFUL NUMBERS

The Boy and the Beast DIRECTION: Mamoru Hosoda looking for an apprentice. Despite their GENRE: Action, Adventure, SYNOPSIS: When a young orphaned constant bickering, Kyuta and Kumatetsu Animation boy living on the streets of Shibuya begin training together and slowly form a Emergency 999 CAST: Bryn Apprill, Kumiko Asô, stumbles upon a fantastic world of beasts, bond as surrogate father and son. Worldwide Emergency Number 112 Morgan Berry he’s taken in by a gruff warrior beast THEATRES: The Mall, Royal Plaza Kahramaa – Electricity and Water 991 Ooredoo Telephone Assistance 111 Local Directory 180 International Calls Enquires 150 Time 141, 140 Doha International Airport 40106666 Labor Department 44508111, 44406537 Medical Commission 44679111 Mowasalat Taxi 44588888 Qatar Airways 44496000 Weather Forecast 44656590 Hamad Medical Corporation 44392222 44393333 Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation 44845555 44845464 Primary Health Care Corporation 44593333 44593363 Qatar Assistive Technology Centre 44594050 Qatar News Agency 44450205 44450333 Q-Post – General Postal Corporation 44464444 Qatar University 44033333

Darvinte Parinamam SYNOPSIS: A light-hearted comedy entertainer from the te Unqu GENRE: Comedy director, Jijo Antony. The movie showcases the life of Anil uo ot CAST: Prithviraj Sukumaran, Chemban Vinod Jose, Anto (Prithviraj) and his wife Amala (Chandini) who are new Q e Chandini Sreedharan to Kochi city. Let us sacrifi ce DIRECTION: Jijo Antony THEATRE: The Mall our today so that our children can have a better Mall Cinema (1): Batman Vs. 10.45pm. Superman (2D) 11.30am; Sardaar Royal Plaza Cinema Palace (2): tomorrow. Gabbar Singht (Telugu) 2pm; The The Dead Room (2D) 11.15am; The Boss (2D) 5pm; The Boy & The Boy & The Beast (2D) 12.45pm; — APJ Abdul Kalam Beast (2D) 6.45pm; Mr. Right Parinamam (Malayalam) 12.15pm; The Boy & The Beast (2D) 3pm; Ki (2D) 9pm; Darvinte Parinamam Sardaar Gabbar Singht (Telugu) & Ka (Hindi) 5.15pm; The Boss (2D) (Malayalam) 10.45pm. 5pm; Ki & Ka (Hindi) 8pm; Shaket 7.30pm; Mr. Right (2D) 9.30pm; Mall Cinema (2): Kung Fu Panda 3 Dabous (Arabic) 10.15pm; The Dead Before I Wake (2D) 11.15pm. (2D) 11.30am; Kung Fu Panda 3 (2D) Room (2D) 11.45pm. Royal Plaza Cinema Palace (3): 1.15pm; The Boy & The Beast (2D) Royal Plaza Cinema Palace (1): The Boy & The Beast (2D) 11am; Community Editor 2.45pm; Kung Fu Panda 3 (2D) 5pm; The Boss (2D) 11am; Mr. Right Shaket Dabous (Arabic) 1.15pm; Batman Vs. Superman (2D) 6.30pm; (2D) 1pm; Kung Fu Panda 3 (2D) The Dead Room (2D) 2.45pm; The Kamran Rehmat Batman Vs. Superman (2D) 9pm; 2.45pm; Kung Fu Panda 3 (2D) Boss (2D) 4.30pm; Mr. Right (2D) e-mail: [email protected] Before I wake (2D) 11.30pm. 4.15pm; Batman Vs. Superman (2D) 6.30pm; Before I Wake (2D) 8.15pm; Telephone: 44466405 Mall Cinema (3): Sardaar Gabbar 6pm; Batman Vs. Superman (2D) Shaket Dabous (Arabic) 10pm; The Fax: 44350474 Singht (Telugu) 11.15am; Darvinte 8.30pm; Batman Vs. Superman (2D) Dead Room (2D) 11.30pm. Sunday, April 10, 2016 GULF TIMES 3 COMMUNITY

Senyar Championship DATE: Until April 16 TIME: 8am-10pm VENUE: Katara As part of its strategy and in celebration of our glorious heritage, Cultural Village Foundation – Katara is organising for the fi fth consecutive year Senyar Championship. This annual marine competition comprises fi shing and pearl-diving contests for Qatari nationals with valuable prizes allocated to the winning contestants. The championship aims to revive ancestral heritage whilst highlighting the traditions, customs and values associated with Qatari marine life.

Yamativo Salsa Classes goat & camel hair), prepare traditional Arabic EVENTS DATE: Every Monday coff ee, etc. TIME: 7pm The Merlin Magic Show VENUE: Radisson Blu Art Exhibition DATE: Until April 17 It’s always fun and always challenging. DATE: Until April 18 TIME: 4pm Let’s meet and learn some moves every VENUE: Porto Arabia, Pearl VENUE: The Magical Festival Village Monday night. You don’t need to do Diff usion by Peter Zimmermann — A Witness absurd occurrences; in an exclusive 10 days Magic show at The Magical Festival anything, just join us. Level 1 (intermediate mesmerising solo exhibition of colourful, Village. A mind-blowing performance by Cezar Balasoiu, the performance blends amazement level) 7pm and for beginner level 8pm. Be futuristic works. Anima Gallery, Parcel 17, and style to create an unbelievable entertainment experience like no other. The show is a there are Raddison Blu Hotel Cabana Club. Porto Arabia, The Pearl-Qatar. Contact: combination of close-up magic, appearances and disappearances. 40027437 Spring Exhibition MIA DATE: Until July 16 Qatari Agricultural Product Yards Entrepreneurial Success curating an exhibition as part of UCLQurates. TIME: 10:30am- 5pm DATE: Until June 30 DATE: April 21 In the very recent past, Qatar has undergone VENUE: QM Gallery Al Riwaq VENUE: Al Mazrooa, Al Zakheera, Al TIME: 2:30pm-5:00pm a signifi cant transformation; through these An exhibition of 15 contemporary Chinese Khor, Al Wakrah VENUE: Concorde Hotel Doha developments, people have had to adapt to the artists, curated by internationally acclaimed The Ministry of Environment has opened Do you dream of owning your own changing landscape in which they live. New York-based Chinese artist Cai Guo- the 4th season of Qatari agricultural product business? Qiang, will be on view at the QM Gallery yards for selling locally produced fruits, Have you identifi ed your entrepreneurial The Proclaimers Live In Qatar Al Riwaq. The exhibition will be the major vegetables, poultry, fi sh and livestock. Work strengths and weaknesses? This will help DATE: April 29 highlight presented in the context of the in these yards will continue for seven months. you, if you are interested in becoming an TIME: 7pm Qatar China 2016 Year of Culture. Artworks The yards will operate three days a week on entrepreneur, to unravel the secrets that will VENUE: InterContinental Doha exemplifying each and every artist’s unique Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 7am make you successful! Following a hugely successful 2015 UK and artistic language and methodology will be to 5pm, with livestock vendors in Al Mazrooa Ireland tour, The Proclaimers are travelling displayed in individual galleries. operating at the same times throughout the Shifting Sands much more than 500 Miles in 2016 as they week. DATE: Until July 7 continue to play to fans all across the World. Chinese Silk Art VENUE: Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim IconicEvents proudly present Scotland’s most DATE: Until May 9 Ladies day at Beach Museum, Alsamariyah well known and loved identical twin brothers VENUE: QM Gallery in Katara DATE: Every Monday MA students of UCL Qatar are organising and The Proclaimers. The second major exhibition of the Qatar TIME: 9am-7pm China 2016 Year of Culture, ‘Silks from the VENUE: Sheraton Doha Silk Road – Chinese Art of Silk’, presents silk For all the ladies in Doha! Do you feel like as a theme, and as a special local product taking some time off for yourself? Come join of Zhejiang that played an important role us at the Sheraton Resort for an all-day- in trade along the Silk Road. The exhibition access to the beach and pool, along with aqua highlights ancient and modern Chinese silk gym aerobics for free. Nestled on the edge works, with around 100 pieces due to be of Qatar’s West Bay with an unbeatable and showcased at the QM Gallery in Katara over a uninterrupted views of the blue sea. Our pool period of 6 weeks. and beach adds an exciting experience to enhance your senses of relaxation. Enjoy only Cultural Diversity festival for QR100 per person. DATE: Until May 31 TIME: 7:30-9pm Join in our Walk-in Weekends VENUE: Katara Beach DATE: Every Saturday Over 20 countries from all over the world VENUE: MIA Atrium are showcasing their traditions and heritage. MIA art education and calligraphy teams off er walk-in workshops in MIA’s atrium Al Gannas every Saturday. These walk-in workshops are DATE: Until Oct 30 for open for all family members. TIME: 9am -11:30am VENUE: Al Gannas Society Al Gannas Association is participating in FOODIE CHOICE the ‘Our culture is a school’ programme by organising many activities for the students RESTAURANT: N ozomi Doha every Monday and Wednesday of the week. LOCATION: Kempinski Marsa Malaz Songkran Festival Award-winning Thai restaurant Isaan will be These activities include explanations on The idea is one based on subtly fusing an DATE: April 15 commemorating Songkran with a Thai New hunting and related tools, kinds of falcons entertainment and dining experience so that, VENUE: Grand Hyatt, Doha Year Gala Dinner on April 13 and closing with and preys, in addition to workshop on how to as the highly acclaimed cuisine, is served, so Get ready to get soaked with Grand Hyatt a special Songkran Chatuchak Brunch on carry a falcon, set a traditional tent (made of too is a passionate musical off ering. Doha’s very own Songkran celebration. April 15. For details, call 44481250. Compiled by Nausheen Shaikh. E-mail: [email protected], Events and timings subject to change 4 GULF TIMES Sunday, April 10, 2016 COMMUNITY COVER STORY “Qatar very open-minded about innovation” — Dr Rupert Maclean, Professional Chair of Vocational Studies, CNAQ

I have always been very impressed by (Qatari people’s) enthusiasm towards the development of their country

SUNDAY CONVERSATION

TORCH-BEARER: Dr Rupert Maclean says he is working to enhance the country’s research profile in VET. Photo: CNAQ Sunday, April 10, 2016 GULF TIMES 5 COVER STORY COMMUNITY

By Umer Nangiana

s the country’s premier technical college, College of the North Atlantic-Qatar (CNAQ) is imparting Acareer education to thousands of students. Equipping them with right set of skills required to work in diff erent vocations, the college is preparing Qatar’s citizens to fi nd exciting careers in fi elds such as petrochemical and natural gas companies, government services, and utilities. In its Technician Preparatory Program (TPP), a specialised programme training students in technician disciplines specifi c to the energy sector, 96 per cent of the students are Qatari nationals and 100 per cent of these students are sponsored by local companies or industry partners of the college. From more than 4,000 students CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE: CNAQ Qatar Campus. enrolled with it, the college’s School of Business Studies has thinks, the college can assist Qatar is concerned with the knowledge He was teaching and doing The innovation must be culturally the largest number followed is to help it strengthen and upgrade economy, fi nance industry, research. Most of his research was appropriate, and absolutely by Engineering Technology, VET through various activities. tourism, and with a whole range of with organisations like the Asian reasonable. Qatar is willing Information Technology and Health “And it is not just through industries beyond just oil and gas, Development Bank and the World to look at new ways of doing Sciences. educational training but by he says. Bank. things that are appropriate to a Recognising the importance of encouraging a dialogue within the And this is the area where Before that, he worked for particular culture and society,” Vocational Education and Training community to expose policy makers CNAQ can contribute a great deal Unesco for almost 20 years in says the newly-instated chair at (VET) in the development of and practitioners to new ideas and is willing to contribute and Bangkok, Myanmar, Paris, and CNAQ. Qatar, specifi cally in the energy which Qatar may want to consider; assist the country. The college in Bonn, Germany, where he “I have met people from Qatar and industry sectors, the college some they may reject, others they is demand driven. They are here was the foundation director of at meetings I have organised in recently instated Professional Chair may embrace,” says the Chair. to serve the needs of Qatar and an international centre of TVET diff erent parts of the world and I of Vocational Studies — the fi rst And the ones that are embraced therefore “we listen very carefully working with 193 countries, have always been very impressed time it has been done in the Middle need to be modifi ed in light of the to what it wants and we tailor- including Qatar. by their enthusiasm towards the East and only second in the world. local situation as no approach is make our courses and programmes “In Bonn, I was mainly development of their country,” says The Chair, Dr Rupert Maclean, true and relevant to every single accordingly.” concerned with education for Maclean. has started work at the College to country in the same way. A majority of students in employment. But in my other However, he acknowledges that study the specifi cs of VET in the VET, says Dr Maclean, has a diff erent programmes and courses positions I was also concerned this region on the whole needs to state, and make recommendations very important role to play when it in the college are sponsored by with teachers’ education; how to enhance its research profi le. on how to encourage VET growth comes to the diversifi cation of the partner companies while others reform teacher education and how “When I look at research in Qatar. Community sat him economy in Qatar. Internationally, also fi nd placements upon to revitalise secondary education available from across the world, down for an interview about the about 80 percent of the work that completing the courses. because it is sometimes caught I don’t fi nd as much in terms of current status of VET in Qatar people do involves technical and Dr Maclean says Qatar is between primary and higher,” says quantity in this region. What and how CNAQ is contributing vocational skills; and only about 20 developing rapidly and it is placing Dr Maclean. I do fi nd is what is available is towards developing Qatar’s skilled percent requires academic skills. itself strategically into other areas And in Bangkok, he worked as a very good, very high quality,” he workforce. “Although academic is very apart from oil and gas. So there Director for Centre for Educational elaborates. “Qatar over the last few years has important, often vocational has will be plenty of opportunities for Innovation. One of the things that Research is not just some pure made a lot of progress in terms of not gotten the attention that it people to actually contribute in a countries are really interested in, theoretical analysis; it is there vocational training. However, there deserves. And it is so fundamentally range of occupations. he notes, is how they can innovate to improve policy and practice. are areas that still need further important to the economic and Before coming to CNAQ, Dr their systems. They are looking When we are doing things that are improvement and development,” social welfare and development of a Maclean was a professor at a for cutting-edge developments, to innovative in Qatar, he believes, we says Dr Maclean, sitting in his new country,” he explains. university in Honk Kong, dealing adapt what is happening elsewhere have to research and see whether offi ce in the sprawling campus of Vocational and technical with TVET (Technical VET) and to our own situation and the best these things have, in fact, been the college that houses 20 buildings education is also concerned with life-long learning and the way in practices that can be adopted. successful and what adjustments with state-of-the-art labs and harnessing new information and which the TVET can contribute to “I think Qatar is very open- have to be made. classrooms. communication technologies. It the development of countries. minded about the innovation. “We cannot just be One of the ways, the professor impressionistic in judging these things. So I think this is one area that we are trying to develop The Professional further within this college. In one of the things that I have been doing Chair stresses here since my arrival is to improve the research profi le,” says Dr that a lot of Maclean. research has to The challenges in the way include having people with skills who want be indigenous. to do research and having enough trained educated researchers. Also, “We do not just the Professional Chair stresses that a lot of research has to be want foreigners indigenous. “We do not just want coming from foreigners coming from outside and then impose their preconceived outside and then ideas,” he adds. Among one of the things they impose their are doing at CNAQ to improve COMPETITIVE STREAK: the research profi le is to apply for preconceived More than 550 College students Unesco Chair so that intellectual ideas,” Dr Rupert competed against their peers in resources of the UN system are SPONSORSHIP: A majority of students in diff erent programmes and courses Skills Competition 2016 to test the mobilised to help Qatar achieve a Maclean says in the college are sponsored by partner companies. Photo: CNAQ technical skills. Photo: CNAQ better research profi le. 6 GULF TIMES Sunday, April 10, 2016 COMMUNITY WEATHER ADDICT

A variety of corals form an outcrop on Flynn Reef, part of the Great Barrier Reef near Cairns, Helicopter ride over the Great Barrier Reef at the Whitsunday Islands, Australia. Queensland, Australia. Photo by Toby Hudson/Wikipedia Photo by Sarah Ackerman/Wikipedia El Nino wreaking havoc on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef

The extent of the damage is alarming. in the US declared that a global coral changing currents, but its effects have been By Steff Gaulter Aerial surveys performed by the National bleaching event had started. Bleaching devastating for the coral. Some parts of the Coral Bleaching Taskforce revealed that the was first noticed in the northern Pacific world, such as Hawaii and Fiji, have already majority of the 500 reefs that they observed Ocean in the summer of 2014, and by 2015 endured two bleaching episodes in the ustralia’s Great Barrier Reef were undergoing extensive damage known it had spread into the south Pacific, Indian space of a few years. is being damaged. It’s not as bleaching. Ocean and the Atlantic. Coral around the The bleaching events are becoming tourists, marine life, or even A healthy coral reef is usually brightly world was being damaged by water that was closer together, because the oceans are illegal fishermen who are coloured and teaming with marine life. In simply too warm. all becoming warmer. The coral hasn’t causing the destruction, but order to thrive, it needs a good supply of This isn’t the first time that a coral been able to adapt to the higher base theA temperature of the water. It’s simply too sunshine and clean, warm water. Even a bleaching event has become global. This is temperature, so when there is a slight spike hot for the delicate ecosystem. small change in the conditions can have a the third and they have all been triggered in heat from El Nino, it has a more dramatic The Great Barrier Reef is a mosaic of major impact on the coral. by El Nino events. The first one occurred in effect on the reefs than the same rise in nearly 3,000 individual reefs that lie off the The vivid colours of the reef are due to 1998, during the record-breaking El Nino temperature would have had a few decades coast of Queensland, northeast Australia. an algae species that lives within the coral. which was the strongest on record. It is ago. It stretches an incredible 2,000 kilometres As well as colour, these tiny single-celled estimated that approximately 16 percent of If the corals cannot recover from the (1,200 miles), which is nearly the distance organisms also provide the coral with food. the coral reefs around the globe were killed bleaching, then they can disappear, being from Doha to Cyprus. It’s so large, that it is They photosynthesise in the same way that during the ensuing underwater heatwave. taken over by algae and seaweed. This will even visible from space. plants do, processing the carbon dioxide The second bleaching episode followed 12 cause them to quickly degrade and the coral Coral reefs are some of the most diverse and nitrous waste produced by the corals years later, in 2010, again set off by El Nino. will start to erode. Not only is this the loss ecosystems on Earth, they support more and in exchange supplying the corals with This bleaching was felt worst in Southeast of a beautiful ecosystem, but it also reduces species per unit area than any other marine oxygen and sugars. Asia. In Indonesia’s Aceh province, 80 the protection of the shoreline to storms environment. The Great Barrier Reef is If the temperature changes or if the percent of the coral reefs died, and in and can spell disaster to a thriving tourism made up of 400 different types of coral, and sunlight is reduced, then the coral ejects the neighbouring Malaysia, officials closed a industry. is home to 1,500 types of fish, thousands of tiny algae in order to preserve itself. This number of dive sites to try to relieve stress As the bleaching continues, there is little molluscs and many other sea creatures such removes the colour and the food supply on the reefs and allow them to to be done other than to wait to see how as the large green turtle. from the coral, leaving it a white colour regenerate. devastating it will be to the corals. At least Despite their size and diversity, coral reefs and vulnerable to disease. Sometimes this Just four years later, another global this current El Nino event is coming to an are incredibly fragile. They are particularly bleaching can be temporary, but in many bleaching event started, which is still end and over the coming months the heat vulnerable to changes in sea temperature, cases the coral never recovers. A warming ongoing. This current event has had a far should slowly begin to subside. which occurs naturally during an El Nino of just 1C for more than a week is enough to longer duration than the previous two, event. El Nino is the name given to the slight cause the coral to bleach. and there are fears that it could extend (The author is Senior Weather Presenter warming of the surface waters of the Pacifi c Alarmingly the Australian reef is not well into 2017. The bleaching hasn’t been at Al Jazeera English channel. She can be Ocean, and the current El Nino event is one alone. In October 2015, the National continuous, in different parts of the contacted on steff [email protected] of the strongest on record. Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration world it has waxed and waned with the or on Twitter at @WeatherSteff ) Sunday, April 10, 2016 GULF TIMES 7 COMMUNITY Three Chinese artists on their work “What About the Art? Contemporary Art from China” continues until July 16

Zhou Chunya.

A closer look at Hu Zhijun’s clay sculptures.

represent major contemporary is too mysterious; it is constantly By Anand Holla Chinese artworks. changing. No one can reach the Zhijun admits to having gone apex. This is why people say “crazy” when his wife passed everything has a price – except s visitors continue to away. “I felt lost, without a for art. A painting by an unknown fl ock to the biggest destination. My life seemed over. artist is just a piece of scrap paper, highlight of the Also, it was not easy for my son and works are only piles of clay. I Qatar-China Year of to visit me in our hometown. still feel that I am not an artist, but Culture, “What About Worried that I was alone, he called just a farmer.” Athe Art? Contemporary Art from and asked me to come to Beijing China” exhibition, presented by so that it would be easier for him Zhou Chunya Qatar Museums, at the Al Riwaq to take care of me. In Beijing, I had One of the most famous oil Liang Shaoji’s work with live silkworms. gallery, one might wonder what do all kinds of jobs, from restaurant painters in China, Chunya is known the artists have to say apart from cook to janitor. After some time I to integrate “traditional brushwork artists: fi rst of all, try to survive. All installation is the work of 30,000 letting their work speak volumes. wasn’t fit to do hard labour, and with forceful strokes and those artists doing big things now silkworms. In the exhibition that is on my son suggested that since my textures, creating a style in which learned fi rst how to survive. First of “When I was in graduate school, until July 16, New York-based handwriting was so good, I should refi nedness and violence coexist.” all, one needs the ability to survive. I supported myself by making Chinese artist Cai Guo-Qiang practice writing with a brush. He explains, “My collectors now are As long as they have ideals and sculptures, wall panels, and fl ags. has put together the compelling Before that I had only written all really insightful, and they truly faith, they will get there.” That’s where my money came from,” works of 15 contemporary Chinese with a pen, and had no idea how love my art. They aren’t simply he says, “However, the more I made, artists that traverses the media of to write with ink and brush. After trading paintings to make money. Liang Shaoji the less time I had for other things, painting, sculpture, installation, that, I started working in clay. I However, I think the early stages, Shaoji perhaps best sums up and afterward, I lost my money and video, performance and interactive made a little turtle, a yellow fish. I when one starts with the market, his decades of artistic pursuit my studio. All my workers were video game design. Here’s what became addicted to the point that is very complex. So I tell young and his ideas about art and artists gone, but I found places for them. three of the artists had to say about I felt weird if I didn’t work with artists that in the beginning, they with one line: “I am a silkworm.” I had an interest in the beginning; their art or art in general, in their clay on a daily basis.” should sell their work to people An ingenious artist, Shaoji but if I lose interest I can’t conversations with Cai. On creating sculptures from the who aren’t rich yet. It is hard to say works with live silkworms that continue anymore. I have also done works by contemporary Chinese that at the beginning, maybe artists change the artwork with time as papermaking and had a wire netting Hu Zhijun artists based on photographs, are all hyped on making their own they wrap their silk around the studio but I didn’t continue in the Born in Hunan, China in 1952, Zhijun says, “An artist should do money, but they have to be careful. objects throughout the show. end. So why did I choose silkworms? Zhijun worked as a peasant for his or her own work to the best It’s okay to sell one or two works, By channelising the habits and Because no one has done it yet, any most of his life. Three years ago, he extent possible. From Qi Bashi to but when it gets to dozens, one has movements of silkworms, Shaoji other project would be overdone discovered his interest in sculpture. artists of today, including myself to be careful. Some people may just has created several eye-arresting at an international level. Everyone “What About the Art?” is his debut who has only begun this journey, love your paintings; others may pieces such as the magical raw silk from the art academy thinks as an artist as Cai tasked him with I’ve learned that it is impossible sell them off . I went to a university strands-coated one on display, that silkworms are frightening. making 500 clay sculptures that for anyone to reach the apex. Art to give a lecture. I told the young Moon Garden. His spell-binding Especially the girls.” 8 GULF TIMES Sunday, April 10, 2016 COMMUNITY Spanish April Fair comes to town

By day the fair is filled with horsewomen, riders and richly festooned carriages.

For one week, life in Seville revolves around By Umer Nangiana this fi esta. The music, food, dancing and general joy create a very special atmosphere. The April Fair is one of the most international or the third consecutive year, the and popular of Seville’s fi estas. Spanish April Fair celebrations are It was created in 1847 as a cattle fair, coming to town with the signature and over time the festive atmosphere took Spanish fl amenco and other over the business aspect, and it became a dances, live Spanish music and permanent fi xture in Seville’s social calendar. someF savoury tapas in the traditional Spanish For a week more than a thousand “casetas” cuisine. or tents installed in the fairground area One of the most popular events held yearly become the second home of the city’s in the Andalusian capital of Seville, Spain, inhabitants, a place where people come the fair generally happens in April for six together to have fun and share experiences days. From around 9am to until 7am the until the early hours of the morning. following day, people fi ll up the streets before The fi esta offi cially begins at midnight continuing the party in the tents of the fair. tomorrow with the “lighting test, the “This is our third year organising this illumination of the thousands of multi- fair here in Qatar and we usually do it at the coloured light bulbs in the fairground and same time as it happens in Spain. All the adorning the main gateway, which is almost performers will be coming from Spain for the 50 metres high and has a diff erent motif party that begins at 7pm. Besides dances and every year. Once inside the gate you come to great food, there will be awards for the best the casetas, and it is here where you really Spanish outfi t of the night,” Paloma Garralda, experience the fair.” Throughout the fair, people wear typical Andalusian dress. the organiser of the event, told Community. Throughout the fair, people wear typical On April 14, the party begins at 7pm Andalusian dress: the men wear the typical Topati live band present themselves to the el Marismeño, María Jiménez, Camela, Grupo and will continue till 2am with diff erent outfi t of the farmworker, and the women wear world with the fi nest motivation of showing Falua, Maita Vende Cá, Los Rebujitos, Yona performances at Traders Vic’s, Hilton Doha. fl amenco or gypsy dresses. By day the fair their audiences the best of fl amenco- Luna and Rancapino, Los Sopas. Some of the highlights of the event include is fi lled with horsewomen, riders and richly Andalusian music. Laughter, good vibes and a wide Spanish- live band Topati, Andalusian live band from festooned carriages. Covering from the most traditional music, Latin music repertoire mixed with high doses Cadiz and Sevilla, Spanish DJ Diego Aguas, The fair is held in the Andalusian capital of to the most contemporary Latin songs, with of Spanish sense of humour have quickly Formigal, best outfi t awards and a surprise Seville, Spain. The fair generally begins two an original touch of modern guitar, bass, made them into a must-see show. in addition to a raffl e draw where one person weeks after the Semana Santa, or Easter Holy drums and keyboard these guys know how to DJ Diego has more than 20 years of will win a return ticket to anywhere in Europe Week. The fair offi cially begins at midnight make any public dance. experience and has performed at renowned from Doha from Turkish Airlines. on Monday, and runs six days, ending on the With over 100 performances last year at Spanish night clubs and gone on tour with “Ladies turn up in really beautiful and following Sunday. some of the most renowned music halls of famous musicians like Carlos Jean. He has put attractive traditional Spanish fl amenco Directly from Cádiz, counting on more Andalusia, the group shared the stage in music to some of the most important sport dresses and [we have a [Female Spanish Outfi t than fi ve years of performing on the stages special concerts with David de María, India world competitions, like the Kite surf world Award] for them,” said Paloma. of western Andalucia, six talented friends in Martínez, Chenoa, Rosa López, Pitingo, Pepe cup of Tarifa in Spain. Sunday, April 10, 2016 GULF TIMES 9 COMMUNITY

‘Like-Minded Friends’ go on their annual outing

The Doha-based Like-Minded Friends group had their annual outing at Sealine Beach Resort last weekend. They enjoyed swimming, camel riding, horse riding, water scooter, beach, and games like sack running and bingo. Seen here are the people who participated in the event.

Second Qatar Open Door Beach Volleyball concludes

In its second season, Qatar Open Door Beach Volleyball paved the way for more beach volleyball enthusiasts to gather, meet-up and play the sport at Sharq Village & Spa recently. Team Gold consisting of Mamadou Dieme, Mouhamet Aziz and Alaa Aldin won the over-all title of Grand Champ, gold medals and a cash prize of QR1,500. The second and third placed teams got cash prizes of QR1,000 and QR500, sponsored by Megamart. The event was organised by Future 318 in collaboration with Sharq Village & Spa.

‘Discover Yourself’ A typical ‘Discover Yourself’ workshop imparts inner Those interested in registering for the course should do so peace to the participants. It helps free themselves from anger, by e-mailing their names and phone numbers to info@slmpq. rancor, jealousy, frustration and depression; it boosts their org workshop in Doha confi dence, guides them towards a successful life, mends Sadathullah Khan is the driving force behind Peace For You intra-family and inter-personal relationships, helps set International Foundation, which is engaged in empowering participants’ lives on the axis of God consciousness, sharpens people through introspection workshops. A “unique and life-changing” educational workshop their understanding of the purpose of life; it removes the Set up in 2002 by Khan, the foundation advocates that will be held in Qatar from April 21 to April 23 at the Fanar psychological burdens of the past, builds contentment and Islam is a way of life that leads to peace, and the source of Auditorium. The workshop is designed by Sadathullah Khan helps in goal-setting and overcoming setbacks. peace is God, and that only through connection with the and the fi rst day will be open to all free-of-charge. ‘Discover Yourself’ has been conducted 347 times in Ultimate Reality can one attain peace, love, happiness and ‘Discover Yourself — Transformation Within’ is a series 17 countries, benefi ting over 30,000 people globally. The contentment. of high-intensity workshops powered by the theme of workshop is targeted at professionals, students, men SLMPQ aims to provide vision, leadership and direction to introspection. The workshop is designed in a unique manner and women — in short, people from all walks of life. The the Sri Lankan Muslim Professionals in Qatar. It aims to build that enables participants to re-discover one’s true self workshop in Doha is being organised by the Sri Lankan a premier platform and a forum for all Sri Lankan muslim and purpose of life. During the three-day-long workshop, Muslim Professionals’ Forum-Qatar (SLMPQ). professionals to enhance ones skills and career development participants will be guided to transform themselves “from For more details on the workshop and the instructor, visit through workshops, seminars, lectures and other interactive self-created reality to the ultimate reality.” www.discoveryourself.in networking events and programmes. 10 GULF TIMES Sunday, April 10, 2016 COMMUNITY TRA Georgia off ers much to The country does not require visa for Gulf residents with valid residence permits. By Ram

GETAWAY: Tbilisi with all its charms. Photos by Shannon DeSo

here is much in the of travel professionals from Doha mountains on the northern side. upon the strength of one’s purse While interacting with the team picturesque Eurasian went on a visit to Georgia, thanks The country is bounded by and budget. At an interaction members from Doha in Old Tbilisi, country of Georgia to a tie up between Flydubai airline Turkey and the Black Sea on with a gathering of more than 100 which has a number of heritage for the visitors to and Georgian National Tourism. the western side, and the long local tour promoters of Georgia sites, Chogovadze talked about experience and enjoy As one of the Georgian tourism Russian boundary lies all along the at Tbilisi’s Holiday Inn Hotel on the efforts that are underway to roundT through the year. And that ads says: “Georgia has more to north. Armenia is in its south and March 15, the visitors from Qatar grant visa-on-arrival facility to too in less than a three-and-a-half offer than any other country of Azerbaijan towards the east. were briefed on a range of travel visitors from more countries in hours flight from anywhere in the its size in the world.” Certainly When it comes to affordability options, starting from a daily coming months. “Already, a large Gulf region — if it is a direct flight there is a lot to explore, from the and diversity, Georgia would hotel tariff of $60-65 (including a number of Gulf tourists, mainly from Doha, Dubai or Sharjah to architecture of Tbilisi’s Old Town certainly be one of the best standard morning breakfast). from Dubai and Oman are visiting Tbilisi, Georgia’s capital city. to the vineyards of Kakheti; from destinations one could consider “We have tailored an array our country,” he said while adding For the Gulf residents who have the ancient stone towers of Sveneti visiting any time of the year, save of tour packages depending on that Georgia is looking forward to valid residence permits, no other to the vibrant beaches and lively for one month from the middle both the budget and interests of receiving more visitors from Qatar destination is as good as Georgia as night life of Batoumi. of December when it gets too our visitors,” said experienced in future. they do not require a visa to enter Tbilisi, considered one of cold. Even then, a large number of Georgian tourist industry Chogovadze said Qatar and the country. “I hope this facility the best heritage and cultural tourists from the Middle East and professional Elene Rakviashvilli, its residents have a special place is more than enough for the Gulf destinations of the entire Eastern also Europe prefer to tour Georgia who has been working to promote among his compatriots as it is residents to visit our country,” European region, hosts an array for their New Year and related the country among the visitors the only Gulf country to have an feels the head of Georgia’s National of educational and historically celebrations. both within Georgia and outside. embassy in Georgia. Qatar has also Tourism Administration George important archaeological Travel, tourist and hospitality Rakviashvilli has more than two made investments in different Chogovadze. institutions and monuments. It professionals from the region decades of experience. Her Tbilisi- spheres of the country, including The Georgian official is sparing houses more than a third of the and Europe rate Georgia as a headquartered company, Explore agriculture and hospitality. no efforts these days to promote country’s 4.47 million population. destination worth visiting for a Georgia has been receiving tourists The tourism official said unlike tourism in his beautiful East Georgia is spread over a little diverse experience, usually for from virtually everywhere in the many other region of Europe, European nation. over 69,000 square kilometres, a periods ranging anywhere between Middle East, particularly the Gulf Georgia has a large percentage Recently, a 16-member group sizeable part of which is snow-clad four to seven days depending at regular intervals. of people who are fluent English Sunday, April 10, 2016 GULF TIMES 11 AVEL COMMUNITY o see mesh Mathew

Cable car ride in snow clad Gudauri on the north. Sioni Church in the Meidan Square in the Old City.

overlooks this part of the city embroidered clothes are sold at train services from Tbilisi to reach students who want to pursue are unique as they provide every boutiques and on the wayside Batoumi, a major beach resort that studies in medicine and other visitor with a panoramic and scenic stalls splattered across Tbilisi and has witnessed remarkably large professional courses in Georgia’s view of the Old City’s landscape. other parts of Georgia. There are growth in recent times. Batoumi, universities. Tbilisi State A stroll from the Botanical souvenirs, mostly made of brass, the second largest city of the University’s medical institutions Gardens through the walkway to Plaster of Paris and glass. The country and located alongside the alone have several hundreds of Meidan Square, which is described shopkeepers though — mainly Black Sea Coast, is also witnessing international students as the by locals as the confluence of women — do not seem to be construction spree as several top- academic and boarding fees are both the European and Asiatic interested in bargaining. That said, notch hotel groups are setting up considered lower than in many traditions, will help one get a the general perception among their new properties there. other countries. “Affordability and clearer glimpse of the old but visitors is that there is little control Frequent bus services are better track record in professional historically more significant part over prices and it is advisable to available across Tbilisi and taxi studies have [made our universities of the Georgian capital. On getting negotiate in the presence of a local services seem to be adequate and desirable],” he said. there by foot, one comes across a guide. fair. The Tbilisi State University will number of souvenir stalls, and the The train connectivity between Chogovadze said the low crime complete 100 years of its existence National Art and Cultural Gallery different regions of the country is rate in Georgia has helped the next year. where tourists are met by some of fairly extensive. A large number of country attract not only a large the locally well-known craftsmen tourists coming from outside use number of tourists but also Continued on page 12 and women and reputable designers. These give visitors a chance to get a real feel of the country’s ethnic designer wares, handicrafts and souvenirs. Though no bargaining is possible, one is certain to find quality materials at the outlets located inside the gallery. ouza, Abdul Jabbar, Ramesh Mathew Georgia has an elaborate spread of foods to suit the tastes of speakers. There are also tourist visitors from all corners of the professionals who have fairly good world. While those from Asian knowledge of languages such as countries favouring hot and rich Arabic and Persian. curries may have some initial Along with heritage, hiccups in settling down with archaeological and historical some of the local delicacies, the tourism, Georgia is also actively hosts never let them down as they pursuing entertainment, have plenty of options — both recreational and adventure tourism vegetarian and non-vegetarian. as well. The snow-clad hill station Fish seems to be in abundance as of Gudauri receives countless most meals seem to feature two adventure tourists who flock to or three varieties. Some of the the northern destination for the starters served at every meal are more-than-three-km-long cable similar to South Asian delicacies. car ride and skiing. On one of Tbilisi and surroundings have a Georgia’s land routes to Russia, the large number of ethnic restaurants, tourist haven on the high altitude which provide very lively hosts a number of top class resorts atmosphere to the visitors while and hotels, equipped with spas and serving a variety of delicacies. other fitness centres. Music from different regions of the The tourist locations in Tbilisi, country is played in the evenings especially in its old city, are and so many string, percussion and thronged by several thousand wind musical instrument are found visitors daily. The Botanical at each of such concerts. Gardens in Sololaki and the more- Besides leather goods and ethnic than-1.5-km-long walkway that apparels, rich and colourfully The historically significant Mtshetka church. A sky view of Tbilisi from Sollolaki Quarter of the Botanical Gardens area. 12 GULF TIMES Sunday, April 10, 2016 COMMUNITY TRAVEL

Georgia has more to off er than any other country of its size in the world, according to Georgian tourism ads.

Continued from page 11 Today’s churches include the remains of earlier buildings on the Mtskheta same sites, as well as the remains The historically significant of ancient wall paintings. The shrine of Sveti Tschoveli in complex of the Svetitskhoveli Mtskheta is situated at the Cathedral includes the cathedral confluence of the Aragvi and church, the palace and the gates Mtkvari Rivers, about 20 minutes of the Katolikos Melchizedek that northwest of Tbilisi. The complex date from the 11th century, built has, among other attractions, on the site of earlier churches the Jvari Monastery, the Sveti dating back to the 5th century. Tschoveli Cathedral and the Samtavro Monastery. Kakheti Mtskheta hosted the ancient While a number of the Middle headquarters of Kartli, the East East tourists flock to Tbilisi and Georgian Kingdom from the 3rd Gudauri, others go to Kakheti in century BC to the 5th century AD, the eastern province. The region and was also the location where has a long history in vineyards. Christianity was proclaimed as Archaeological research provides the official religion of Georgia in evidence of viniculture in Georgia 337. To date, it still remains the dating back to more than 7,000 headquarters of the Georgian years and there is a widely Orthodox and Apostolic Church. held belief that George was the The conducive natural birthplace of wine. conditions, its strategic The travel infrastructure in location at the intersection of the region is developing fast, historic trade routes, and its as Kakheti emerges as the most close relations with the Roman frequented by tourists. Besides Empire, the Persian Empire, many boutique hotels, the place Tbilisi, considered one of the best heritage and cultural Syria, Palestine, and Byzantium, also hosts several simple but destinations of the entire Eastern European region, generated and stimulated the comfortable hotels. Telavi and hosts an array of educational and historically important No visit to Georgia is complete without a visit to snow- development of Mtskheta and Sighnaghi are the most visited archaeological institutions and monuments. clad Gudauri. led to the integration of different towns of Kakheti. Until a decade cultural influences with local ago, Sighnaghi reportedly had Unesco simply describes as the visitors last year, according to The country’s tourism sector cultural traditions. When the only a few family-run hotels. “masterpiece of the world’s the country’s tourism officials. also expects to gain considerably capital was transferred to Tbilisi Now, the town has many intangible cultural heritage”. Many of the visitors were from the from the ongoing development of in the 6th century, Mtskheta professionally-managed hotels. Tour teams coming from outside European Union and neighbouring the Silk Route of medieval days continued to retain its leading role The two towns are thronged by the Eastern Europe are also led countries of Azerbaijan and between Russia and China. A A as one of the important cultural revellers throughout the year, to villages, especially on the Armenia. The country has more senior official of the country’s and spiritual centres of the including the New Year period. northern side. The tour operators than 50,000 hotel rooms and tourism department said, “Along country. No trip to Georgia will aggressively promote “Fun apartments. As the country makes with the tourists arriving by air The Holy Cross Monastery of ever be complete without the Tourism”, rich in recreational and it easier for people from more carriers, we also expect to get a Jvari, Svetitskhoveli Cathedral spectacular sound and vision of entertainment options, usually in countries to enter, the revenue large number of those who intend and Samtavro Monastery are key the renowned polyphonic singing the month of May. from tourism is expected to to come from the eastern side monuments of medieval Georgia. and traditional dancing, which Georgia received 2.5 million increase in the coming years. through road.” Sunday, April 10, 2016 GULF TIMES 13 INFOGRAPHIC COMMUNITY 14 GULF TIMES Sunday, April 10, 2016 COMMUNITY PUZZLES/CARTOONS

Wordsearch Adam

Pooch Cafe Ship Shape

AIRMAN DICTATOR LORD APPRENTICE DIRECTOR MEMBER AUTHOR DOCTOR OWNER CENSOR FELLOW PARTNER CHAMPION FRIEND SEAMAN CITIZEN HARD SHOWMAN COMPANION KIN TOWN COURT LADY WARD Codeword Every letter of the alphabet is used at least once. Squares with the same number in have the same letter in. Work out which number represents which letter.

Garfield Puzzles courtesy: Puzzlechoice.com courtesy: Puzzles

Sudoku

Bound And Gagged

Sudoku is a puzzle based on a 9x9 grid. The grid is also divided into nine (3x3) boxes. You are given a selection of values and to complete the puzzle, you must fill the grid so that every column, every anone is repeated. Sunday, April 10, 2016 GULF TIMES 15 PUZZLES COMMUNITY

Quick Clues Colouring

ACROSS DOWN 1. Kill (4) 1. Precious stone (8) 3. Precise (8) 2. Amid (5) 9. Suggest (7) 4. Purifies (6) 10. Dig (5) 5. Undergarments (12) 11. Scottish dance (8,4) 6. Indisposition (7) 13. Pay back (6) 7. Level (4) 15. Merry (6) 8. Voting stall (7,5) 17. Alliances (12) 12. Blames (8) 20. Oblivion (5) 14. Servant (7) 21. Builder (7) 16. Really (6) 22. Parasol (8) 18. Frequently (5) 23. Responsibility (4) 19. In addition (4)

Cryptic Clues

Answers

Wordsearch Codeword

ACROSS DOWN 1. Sulk – because of being removed from 1. Fifty per cent return in 5 down? (4-4) the board? (4) 2. Football Association against United 3. One beat for two – and the rest for 5 Nations – a beastly assembly (5) down (4-4) 4. It’s ‘arder, apparently, where the ‘eart’s 9. Slatted like the Art Gallery? (7) concerned (6) 10. Neatness of command (5) 5. Pay the bill, dance on the striker – and get 11. Hobby for itchy palms? (5-7) a kick out of it! (8-4) 13. Limp aid for the stiff (6) 6. Moves marginally and makes some Yesterday’s Solutions 15. Not so distant shutter (6) impression (7) 17. Holiday teach-in? (7-5) 7. Can a nuclear scientist produce organs? QUICK CRYPTIC 20. Food fit for the trash-can? (5) (4) Across: 6 Monarch; 7 Vague; 9 Lucky; 10 Across: 6 Palermo; 7 Brine; 9 Agree; 10 Breathe; 21. Knocked off the corner? Adjust – do 8. Get angry over the water rate? (5-7) under (7) 12. Chairs press round, die confused (8) Protect; 12 Bread-winner; 14 Come to a head; 18 12 Wellwishers; 14 Safety match; 18 Skating; 19 22. Small time, only half in intricate detail 14. Love put Ian in a state of paradise (7) Notable; 19 Psalm; 21 Beast; 22 Cunning. Cabby; 21 Sneak; 22 File out. (8) 16. Starry eyed in the last rally? (6) Down: 1 Vogue; 2 Backer; 3 Act; 4 Fasten; 5 Down: 1 Laugh; 2 Severe; 3 Imp; 4 Breach; 5 In 23. Fewer take on lesson (4) 18. Turn paddle, lose pinhead (5) Quicken; 8 Growths; 11 Panoply; 13 Coronet; 15 short; 8 Artisan; 11 Playing; 13 Basking; 15 Extras; 19. Hold back the blooming supporter (4) Elapse; 16 Assent; 17 Flank; 20 Hut. 16 Crater; 17 About; 20 Nip. 16 GULF TIMES Sunday, April 10, 2016 COMMUNITY LIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE Selling your home? Let the bidding wars begin

o wonder you’re stained carpets and ceilings. diff erent items — like pottery thinking of selling your Stained carpets should be or framed photography — using home — it’s a “seller’s cleaned or replaced. Stained a common design element like market” right now. The ceilings deserve your attention, colour, similar patterns, texture housing supply has too. They can scare off prospective or materials. It’s OK to leave some Ndwindled, creating more demand buyers who fear that ceiling surfaces empty, and to create a for fewer homes. imperfections might be a sign of display of personal mementos in a What’s the upshot? “Sellers have bigger problems. stylish, organised manner in other a choice”. You can win the price If you’ve got a stained popcorn areas. This makes the personal war — or win the beauty contest. By ceiling, don’t bother trying to items even more special. winning the beauty contest, you’ll spot paint over it, it doesn’t work. gain pricing leverage. And if your Even professionals fi nd it diffi cult Spark design interest home shows well, it can even spark to match the original fi nish and So you’ve cleaned and a bidding war — generating off ers colour. In addition, fl ocked or decluttered, but now your that exceed your asking price. heavily textured ceilings are best rooms seem blah and uninviting. Here are three top “beauty” tips replaced because they look so Nothing enlivens a space like a to set your home apart from other outdated. splash of colour. Toss some bright contestants, and set yourself up for new pillows on the sofa or add neutral colour palette for larger Finally, don’t forget to add a fatter settlement check. Declutter de house tasteful artwork or accessories to rooms — from ivory tones to values texture, whether with a woven Buyers can’t picture themselves complement your colour scheme. of grey. Mid-tone colours to smaller area rug or sculptural wire baskets. Dirt’s a deal-breaker: Make a in your home if they can’t see Paint adds personality, too, but rooms, while selectively using vivid Texture adds great dimension and clean sweep past your piles of stuff . There’s a choose your colours carefully so or deeper colours as accents with depth to a room. Buyers want to see a clean home. diff erence between clutter and an your wall palette fl ows naturally accessories and artwork throughout And the fi rst thing to deal with is intentional collection. Pull together from room to room. I like using a the home. ©Brandpoint

ARIES TAURUS GEMINI March 21 — April 19 April 20 — May 20 May 21 — June 20

No matter how much you want something or someone, it’s not The Moon in your sign again today makes this a great day for you to With the Moon and Mercury your ruler both lined up in your twelfth always simply going to fall into place for you Rams. You can push, be try to make sense of something that has so far baff led you bulls. The house of past karma and self–renewal today, dealing with something aggressive and demanding, but sometimes the Universe has other answer or meaning could be closer than you think. or someone from your past is definitely going to be on many of your plans in store for you. agendas twins.

CANCER LEO VIRGO June 21 — July 22 July 23 — August 22 August 23 — September 22

Avoid getting caught up in any silly tiff s with friends today. It’s likely Be careful you don’t play with ‘fire’ and get burnt today Leos. Not long now until Jupiter comes out of his retrograde mode in your that you might feel more aggravated than usual, with both Mercury Sometimes you like to stir the pot — admit it — and sometimes the sign and starts moving direct again. May 9 is a month away and it’s the wordster and the Moon in your friendship zone. pot boils over and hence you get burnt. With Mars, the instigator in time to start planning what you want once Jupiter does in fact move your fun zone, you are feeling rather ’cheeky’ today. forward.

LIBRA SCORPIO SAGITTARIUS September 23 — October 22 October 23 — November 21 November 22 — December 21

Don’t count your chickens too early today Libras. You might feel There is only so much advice you can give someone Scorpios, before Saturn the planet of restriction and life lessons remains retrograde you have won something or someone over but in reality, you’ve got you simply have to let them find their own way. And as good as your in your sign through mid–August. You probably feel as if some of the more work to do. words of wisdom may be, if they aren’t open to listening, forget it. responsibilities you have are really slowing you down and you are finding it more diff icult to ‘do for you’. It’s simply a time to review and maybe even redo.

CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES December 22 — January 19 January 20 — February 18 February 19 — March 20

There is nothing more annoying for you than feeling as if things are Avoid setting yourself up for major disappointment today Sometimes you tend to take on the feelings and mood of whomever out of control goats. Being an earth sign ruled by Saturn, you are a Aquarians by making sure your ambitions and wants and dreams it is you’re hanging out with. You’re known for being the psychic straight shooter and like your life to run accordingly. However, there are reasonable. If you are dreaming about winning the lottery and sponge of the zodiac and for reacting to whatever is going on with is no such thing as having a smooth running life — so you simply retiring tomorrow, you might want to think up a Plan B! other people. Try to avoid that today and hang with positive people. have to deal with what you’ve got! Sunday, April 10, 2016 GULF TIMES 17 BOLLYWOOD COMMUNITY

Irrfan Khan’s Madaari likely to release in June Madaari also features Jimmy Shergill in a pivotal role. Critically acclaimed actor Irrfan A spokesperson of the fi lm also Khan’s Madaari will be releasing confi rmed the news. worldwide on June 10, a statement The fi lm with Kamat’s vision said last week. backed by acting skills of Irrfan Post his power-packed and Jimmy has become one of the performances in Piku and Talvar, most awaited fi lms of the year. Irrfan will be back on the silver However, the storyline and the screen with Madaari. genre of the fi lm has not been Directed by Nishikant Kamat, revealed yet. — IANS

Aamir Khan’s weight loss leaves Bollywood curious

Aamir Khan, who revealed his lean look last month, took many in the fi lm fraternity by surprise, especially since the 50-year-old opted for only natural means to achieve his weight goals. Aamir indulged in cycling, trekking, swimming and played MAKING IT PUBLIC? Bipasha Basu, left, and Karan Grover tennis in addition to exercising. A lot of his friends from the industry have been reaching out to Aamir, asking him how he managed Bipasha Basu, Karan Grover to lose the extra weight. The Dangal actor’s spokesperson said: “Aamir has been approached by many of his industry friends confirm wedding on April 30 asking for his weight loss secrets. Everyone is left in awe of the sheer dedication he has exhibited to ctors Bipasha Basu April 30, 2016 is the big day and we sides in attendance. A reception achieve his current look.” — IANS BACK IN SHAPE: Aamir Khan and Karan Singh cannot thank our family, friends, is said to be planned later at Grover have put to rest fans and well-wishers enough for St. Regis, formerly known as all speculation and all their love and support,” the Palladium Hotel, in Lower Parel. Atul Kasbekar turns writer? confi rmed that they statement read. There will also be a mehendi Awill tie the knot on April 30, in a “The wedding will be a private ceremony on April 28 at Villa 69, Neerja producer Atul Kasbekar seems to be on a roll in Bollywood. After joint offi cial statement last week. intimate aff air. Our deepest a lounge bar in Juhu. But these turning a producer, the celebrity photographer is now said to be working While the rumours of their gratitude for respecting our details are yet to be offi cially towards becoming a writer for fi lms. wedding plans went viral when privacy this far. We hope to have confi rmed. There’s buzz that he is penning the concept — believed to be a comedy an online portal shared details your continued blessings and While it will be the fi rst marriage — for his next with Ram Madhvani. They hope to start casting for the fi lm of the nuptials and pre-wedding warm wishes as we embark on this for Bipasha, who was earlier soon and want to put it on the fl oors by August. celebrations last month, the Alone new journey together,” famously dating John Abraham, it Talking about this, Kasbekar said: “I recently wrote and shared a concept co-stars fi nally shared the news of According to the information is Karan’s third wedding. note with Ram. It’s an original idea I had and Ram absolutely loved the core the D-day themselves. available so far, Bipasha will marry Karan was fi rst married to thought. We are developing it into a script which we hope to be proud of. “We are happy to fi nally share at her Khar residence, with only actress Shraddha Nigam, and later “All I can confi rm now is that it’s a comedy. (I) fi gured that after Neerja, the good news with everyone. family and close friends from both to Jennifer Winget. — IANS may as well try and make the audience laugh for a change”. — IANS

Taapsee Pannu now owns Talking about the new house Parineeti Chopra to Asked why did Vadilal choose fl at in hub of fi lm industry that she has bought in Andheri in endorse ice-cream Parineeti as their brand ambassador, suburban Mumbai, the 28-year- Gandhi told IANS: “Well, she is Actress Taapsee Pannu, who has old actress shared that she first Bollywood actress Parineeti bubbly, cheerful and really very co- featured in fi lms like Baby, Chashme wanted to wait for Bollywood’s Chopra was named the brand operative. We were able to complete Baddoor and Telugu fi lms like response in terms of her work ambassador of Vadilal ice-cream at all our ads in one day. Her nature is Aadukalam and Vastadu Naa Raju, and only then take the huge an event last week. very similar to when we sell Vadilal now owns a four-bedroom fl at after investment risk. “I always thought Parineeti’s entry on the stage to a person and they get. Her feeling working for three years in Bollywood. I will buy a house in Mumbai was with the foot tapping number for the ice-cream comes out.” only if I receive good response in Jigar da tukda from her debut fi lm The Ishaqzaade actress, who has Hindi film industry. It’s a huge Ladies vs Ricky Bahl playing at the lost weight, says she loves ice- investment so I didn’t want to background. She even struck a pose creams and that the trick to have take a risk if things don’t turn out for the shutterbugs near an ice- ice-creams without any guilt is to good for me here,” Taapsee said in cream cart parked on the stage. have it before a work-out session. a statement. The 27-year-old says she is The Daawat-e-Ishq star also “Fortunately, everything turned “excited” with the association. added that people should not out to be better than what you “I am genuinely excited about “deprive” themselves of anything expected, and I am really happy today because Vadilal has been part that they crave for. with the response and specially of my childhood and now it is part “The trick is to have it (ice- with the kind of films I am getting of my adulthood. I am genuinely so creams) before the work out and not here. That’s the space I always proud that they chose me,” Parineeti after it. I think I am a fi rm believer wanted to be in. So, this calls told media here. Vadilal managing on not stopping anything. Whatever for having my own space in this director Devanshu Gandhi and sales I crave or want to eat, I have it. Even expensive city. Hope my new and marketing president Vishal if it is an ice-cream, I know there residence turns out to be lucky for Surti also unveiled their latest ad is a lot of sugar but one ice-cream me,” she added. campaign for three of their new and a tough work out, its all going to On the work front, Taapsee is ice-creams. balance out.” currently filming for Pink which The three variants of their “People should not deprive is a Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury drool worthy ice creams are called themselves of anything they like,” directorial, produced by Shoojit Badabite select (Belgian chocolate Parineeti, who looked ravishing in a Sircar and Ghazi which will also based bar), 20 variants of Flingo peach skater dress teamed up with a feature actors Rana Daggubati, (centre fi lled cones) and Gourmet bright red jacket by designer Nishka TIME TO SETTLE DOWN: Taapsee Kay Kay Menon and Atul Kulkarni. (cups). The variants range from Rs50 Lulla and a pink stilettos, told IANS. BRAND AMBASSADOR: Parineeti Pannu – IANS to Rs150 in price. — IANS Chopra 18 GULF TIMES Sunday, April 10, 2016 COMMUNITY HOLLYWOOD Hogwarts goes to Hollywood

FIRST DAY, FIRST SHOW: Fans get ready to enter Hogsmeade at the Grand Opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter to the public at Universal Studios in Hollywood, California.

ifteen years after character’s appeal remains as DreamWorks, Sony and Lionsgate, “In Los Angeles, tourism is films, including the luggage racks Harry Potter’s first strong as ever, with fans eagerly including The Hunger Games, How surging. We’ve set records each of from the Hogwarts Express train, big screen adventure, awaiting stage show Harry Potter To Train Your Dragon, and The the last five years and we’re just Hagrid’s motorbike and a costume Universal is enchanting And The Cursed Child, which Smurfs. getting started,” he added. from the Yule ball. a new generation of opens in London this summer. The new Harry Potter attraction The attraction, which boasts “Here, we don’t have actors, we MugglesF with its most spectacular Meanwhile a spin-off movie marks Universal’s fourth foray the forbidding Hogwarts castle as have real people. So it was very conjuring trick yet — a theme park trilogy is due to hit the big screen, into the boy-wizard’s universe, its iconic focal point, transports important that we at least realised in the heart of Hollywood. starting with Fantastic Beasts with two Orlando launches and an visitors into the visual landscape the set design perfectly so that The Wizarding World of Harry And Where To Find Them later opening in Osaka, Japan, seeing of J K Rowling’s books and the when you step into this world you Potter follows similar money- in the year. Together with the the company increase visitors by Warner Bros films that followed. feel you’re in the film,” he told spinning ventures in Florida and recently introduced Despicable up to 30%. The attention to detail is AFP. Japan, but is set to be the most Me Minion Mayhem, the award- “There’s a huge effort to really impressive, from the fading Among an international pack technologically advanced so far, winning The Simpsons park area address every facet of the creative patinas on the slate-gray stone of reporters and photographers incorporating state-of-the-art and Transformers: The Ride- process,” supervising art director blocks that make up the aged seeking their inner wizard at a 3-D effects with the traditional 3D, the Harry Potter attraction Alan Gilmore told AFP at a recent rustic Hog’s Head tavern to the preview were a number of stars fun of the fair. sees Universal partnering with visit to Wizarding World. “The painstakingly worn edges of the from the films, including Tom Opening at Universal Studios Hollywood for a merchandising film is only one part of that, but stained furniture and the grimy Felton, who played Draco Malfoy, beneath the Hollywood Hills last merry-go-round to rival Disney’s. you want to try and create a film floors. and Warwick Davis (Professor week, it is the latest attraction in a Next up for Universal is The that can be translated into all of The quaint fictional village Flitwick). burgeoning film industry sideline Walking Dead, a permanent this.” of Hogsmeade bustles with the “Even though I’ve experienced which has become so lucrative attraction harnessing the Harry Potter’s enduring appeal chatter of merchants on the much like this, having worked executives are beginning to design phenomenal success of the AMC was evidenced by Universal’s cobblestone streets and a pub on the films, for me coming sets with future theme parks in zombie drama, while Disney itself announcement that Thursday’s packed with thirsty patrons to Wizarding World is a more mind. “When you think about has been picking up the pace opening had sold out days ahead, under a snow-capped roof. If all magical experience,” said Davis, the property of Harry Potter — all since its 2014 Magic Kingdom marking the first time ever that that sounds like the run-of-the- whose filmography includes seven books and eight movies — expansion in Florida. the park has had to halt online mill theme park, the signature several Star Wars episodes, there’s no better place than the Before 2020, the company has ticketing transactions. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Labyrinth and Willow. filmmaking capital of the world plans for Avatar and Star Wars Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti Journey ride combining state of “These environments are more to have this ultimate experience,” lands as well as Toy Story and said the growth of Universal the art 360-degree 3-D special immersive because you can walk said Thierry Coup, a senior vice- Frozen expansions at its theme Studios — three quarters of the effects, live-action thrills and into somewhere like the Three president of Universal Creative, parks on both coasts. park has been transformed over groundbreaking robotics, is Broomsticks from Hogsmeade the company’s research and Meanwhile, Motiongate Dubai, the last five years — would create anything but. and it exists in reality, whereas development division. set to open in October, recently new jobs, stimulate hospitality Gilmore, an architect by trade, when you make the movies these The last Harry Potter film was announced a starting slate of 27 revenues and strengthen the says Wizarding World boasts locations and sets are quite released five years ago but the attractions inspired by films from economy. many original props from the separate.” — AFP Sunday, April 10, 2016 GULF TIMES 19 HOLLYWOOD COMMUNITY

Paul Walker’s daughter the driver of the car, took partial gets $10mn in crash responsibility for the crash,” he settlement continued. “Meadow’s lawsuit against Late actor Paul Walker’s daughter Porsche AG — a $13bn corporation Meadow has struck a deal with the — intends to hold the company estate of the driver of the car in responsible for producing a vehicle which her father died. The 17-year- that was defective and caused Paul old girl was awarded $10.1mn after Walker’s death.” the settlement with Roger Rodas’s According to Milam, Meadow estate. will receive approximately $7.2mn Rodas was driving the car Walker after expenses and attorneys’ was travelling in when they were fees. Jeff rey said that the basis of involved in the accident in 2013, the settlement was that Rodas killing them both. was partly to blame for the fatal Meadow’s lawyer Jeffrey Milam accident, although he was “not issued a statement regarding the directing the car through any settlement with Rodas’s estate particularly unsafe manoeuvres last week, reports aceshowbiz. when it went out of control.” com. Meadow is still pressing with her “The amount paid by the estate lawsuit against Porsche, claiming of Roger Rodas into a trust for that various design defects in Meadow Walker only covers a the racing car caused the crash. fraction of what her father would However, a judge recently threw out have earned as an international an almost identical lawsuit fi led by movie star had his life not tragically Rodas’s widow, saying the design been cut short,” the statement read. defect claims were unsupportable. “Through his estate, Mr. Rodas, – IANS

FAMILY FEUD: Khloe Kardashian Khloe Kardashian furious over brother’s engagement eality TV star Khloe Kardashian is is furious at the lack of respect,” a source said. reportedly feeling “betrayed” by her “Khloe plans on ignoring the news. She is not going RETIRED HURT: Axl Rose brother Rob Kardashian’s relationship with to send Rob any well wishes. She is not happy about the model Blac Chyna and is “ignoring” their engagement, and is not going to pretend that she is,” Axl Rose breaks The medic shared that he is in engagement. added the insider. bone in foot a cast and will need to “limit” the RKhloe is said to be fuming with her brother — who The source also claimed that Khloe was annoyed amount of weight on his left foot started dating Chyna earlier this year — and has only that the family wasn’t told about Rob’s proposal “in Singer Axl Rose, who was to for a month, but assured fans that got more upset after news of their engagement, reports advance”, and believes her brother wants to cause perform with the rest of the rock he will be “stage ready” in time for people.com. problems. “She can’t believe Rob didn’t tell the family band members of Guns N’ Roses the show. “Ever since Khloe found out that Rob is dating in advance. She thinks Rob is causing drama on purpose last week, announced a few hours “Axl sustained a fracture of the Blac Chyna, she felt betrayed. This feeling has never and wants them (his family) to be arguing,” the insider before going on stage that he has fi fth metatarsal, which is one of the changed. After fi nding out about the engagement, she added. — IANS broken a bone in his foot. bones in his foot. Axl underwent The 54-year-old rocker what we call an internal fi xation announced the news hours before where we go in and put the bone Ryan Reynolds to star he was due to go on stage with pieces back together and realign in The Rosie Project? Guns N’ Roses, which also includes them and we placed plates and musicians Slash and Duff McKagan, screws to hold them in place whilst Actor Ryan Reynolds is in talks to star in the reports femalefi rst.co.uk. healing,” the doctor said. upcoming fi lm The Rosie Project. The fi lm is an The Sweet Child O’ Mine “Right now he is in a cast and we adaptation of author Graeme Simsion’s book of the hitmaker shared a video with the are limiting how much weight he same name, which follows a socially inept genetics orthopaedic nurse who treated him, puts on it,” she added. professor who comes up with a scientifi cally sound which explains the process of the So right now he’s having a set survey to fi nd the perfect mate, reports variety.com. medical procedure he underwent. designed so he can perform for His plans go awry when he meets Rosie Jarman, who Alongside the video posted on everyone still. According to reports, in her whirlwind manner possesses all the qualities his Twitter account, Axl wrote: Axl sustained the injury after opposite to what he should be looking for. Actress “This is what can happen when you slipping over at the band’s surprise Jennifer Lawrence and fi lmmaker Richard Linklater do something you haven’t done in concert at the Troubadour in West were earlier attached to the project, but both later nearly over 23 years.” Hollywood last week. — IANS stepped out of the project. — IANS REVELATION: Jake Gyllenhaal, left, and Jennifer Aniston. For sure: Nick Jonas on Lawrence’s name, Jonas quickly dating Jennifer Lawrence shot back: “To bae for sure. That Gyllenhaal had crush on needs no explanation. We know Jennifer Aniston ‘for years’ Singer Nick Jonas wants to date why! What’s not to love?” actress Jennifer Lawrence. Jonas And he also confi rmed he would Actor Jake Gyllenhaal says he has had a major crush says he would like to be linked up date singer-actress Jennifer Lopez, on actress Jennifer Aniston “for years”. Gyllenhaal with the The Hunger Games star but added it would be “weird” to worked alongside Aniston in the 2002 fi lm The Good “for sure”, reports eonline.com. explain his reasons why as they are Girl and shared that it was an unforgettable experience During an interview with Capital such good friends. to play her love interest in the fi lm. FM, Jonas was asked to join in a He said: “To bae for sure. She’s “She’s a rough one. Not likeable. So hard to game that they play with all of their kind of like the homie, she’s my compliment. I will say, I had a crush on her for years,” celebrity guests, titled “to bae or friend so it’s kind of weird if I get Gyllenhaal told people.com. He later explained how it not to bae”, where stars have to say too specifi c as to why but just in felt like to make the fi lm with her. whether or not they would date a general. She’s a great person and “Working with her was not easy. It was lovely. It famous name. I’m happy to call her a friend.” – wasn’t hard, that’s what I would say,” he said. – IANS WILL HE, WON’T HE? Ryan Reynolds When the host put forward IANS 20 GULF TIMES Sunday, April 10, 2016 COMMUNITY ‘I want to do films that relate to the audience’ in front of the camera. I am getting this opportunity and I’m really hoping to make most of it. That’s my true love at this moment,” says Arjun. About the lack of any real initiative for joint ventures despite Pakistani actors making their mark in Bollywood, Arjun, the son of fi lmmaker Boney Kapoor, holds the governments liable. “It has a lot to do with the government. Let’s create a congenial environment just to do business together. What matters is when the fi lm is being made, who are the people involved. Indians are not very easily accepted go over there. A fi lm is not something that can be made on a phone and can’t be done on Skype. Eventually there needs to be creative minds that can sit and work together and try to create something together.” Meanwhile, Arjun is appreciative of the cultural heritage of Qatar and the mark of success it’s creating in the world. On the prospect of visiting Doha, he says, “I would love to visit Qatar. I’ve never had the opportunity to be there but I’ve heard amazing things about it. Also I know there are huge fans of Bollywood movies out there. I am looking for an opportunity to be there.” He also leaves a message for Indians and Pakistanis living in Doha, “Keeping the red tape BOLD CHOICES: Arjun Kapoor aside when it comes to India and Pakistan, as human beings we have fi lmmakers like Karan Johar in Kal tremendous compassion. I’m very Bollywood actor Arjun Kapoor in an exclusive chat Ho Na Ho while he enjoys being very happy to see the co-existence on camera rather than behind the of people of both the countries, with Community following the success of his latest camera. “I defi nitely enjoy being and thank you for liking our work.” film Ki & Ka. By Muhammad Asad Ullah

hanks to his blithe it’s time men start respecting it’s the audience that matters. I’m personality, Arjun them,” says the 30-year-old actor, too young to fi nd a legacy and all Kapoor can still give explaining the subject of his latest that. Right now I want to do fi lms actors a run for their release which portrays the story of that relate to the audience and let money post Tevar that a career-oriented woman. them enjoy the fi lms they watch.” Tcouldn’t do much at the box offi ce. “The fi lm doesn’t deal with The fi lm has explored the subject Following his successful debut in men and women empowerment. of gender reversal where Arjun Ishaqzaade, and later with 2 States, It deals with how society does plays the role of a homemaker and just seven fi lms in, the actor has not accept anybody who’s unique Kareena an offi cegoer. Socially always brought something new to and diff erent. People need to conservative Indian moviegoers the table. start accepting! It’s a fi lm about might not be ready to embrace a Released earlier this month, a romantic couple who has made Hindi fi lm fi nding it intimidating Ki & Ka tells the story of a young certain choices which the society is or discomfi ting. couple in reverse gender roles — not okay with, but they really don’t Arjun reasons, “The time is ripe the husband (Arjun) manages the care about. And society has a habit to inculcate social change as the household while the wife (Kareena of interfering — just like society modern audience is now willing Kapoor Khan) is the breadwinner, has an opinion on banking up an to listen. Putting out a fi lm that working a full-time job. idealistic situation,” argues Arjun. addresses social issues and mirrors The fi lm — which marks Sometimes one stellar the current state of the world can Arjun’s fi rst collaboration with performance sets the standards inspire viewers to rethink their the fellow Kapoor — delivers an and all subsequent performances norms.” important message about roles pale no matter. So has he created a Calling himself ambitious and and responsibilities in a family. legacy with Ki & Ka and its unique patient, Arjun holds an experience “Women are much empowered; storyline? Arjun responds, “I think to assist fi nest Bollywood Arjun and Kareena Kapoor in Ki & Ka.