Community Community Twenty A two-day children will festival P7 get a chance ‘Discover to build their own P20 Bulgaria’ in solar lanterns at the Doha will highlight Fire Station Artist the country's rich Residence in March. cultural heritage.

Sunday, February 21, 2016 Jumada I 12, 1437 AH

DOHA 17°C—29°C TODAY PUZZLES 14 & 15 LIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE 16 Fulfilled life Georgian ambassador Ekaterine Meiering-Mikadze COVER opens up on the comforts STORY of Gulf region in general and Qatar in particular. P4-5 2 GULF TIMES Sunday, February 21, 2016 COMMUNITY ROUND & ABOUT

PRAYER TIME Fajr 4.48am Shorooq (sunrise) 6.04am Zuhr (noon) 11.48am Asr (afternoon) 3.05pm Maghreb (sunset) 5.33pm Isha (night) 7.03pm

USEFUL NUMBERS

Neerja DIRECTION: Ram Madhvani protecting the lives of 359 passengers on GENRE: Biography, Drama SYNOPSIS: Neerja is a portrayal the Pan Am fl ight 73 in 1986. Emergency 999 CAST: Sonam Kapoor, Shabana on the life of the courageous Neerja Worldwide Emergency Number 112 Azmi, Shekhar Ravjiani Bhanot, who sacrifi ced her life while 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

Ishq Forever by a guy; while on the other, a divorced couple working in RAW, ote Unquo GENRE: Romance is brought together by bizarre circumstances. It is a simple love u te CAST: Denzil Smith, Ruhi Singh, Krishna Chaturvedi story with twists and turns, replete with action and comedy. QThe butterfl y DIRECTION: Sameer Sippy SYNOPSIS: On one hand, a girl, who is on the run, is rescued THEATRE: Royal Plaza counts not months but moments, and has time Mall Cinema (1): Miruthan (2D) 2pm; Caesar! (2D) 9.15pm; Bactrack (2D) El Americano (2D) 4pm; Deadpool 11.15pm. enough. (2D) 5.30pm; Bactrack (2D) 7.30pm; Royal Plaza Cinema Palace (1): Kung Deadpool (2D) 9.30pm; Bactrack (2D) Fu Style (2D) 2.15pm; El Americano — Rabindranath Tagore 11.30pm. Cinema Land Mark (1): Miruthan (2D) 3.45pm; Bactrack (2D) 5.30pm; Mall Cinema (2): Alvin & The (Tamil) 2.30pm; Bactrack (2D) 5pm; Deadpool (2D) 7.15pm; Deadpool (2D) Chipmunks: The Road Chip (2D) Deadpool (2D) 7pm; Moonsoon 9.15pm; Deadpool (2D) 11.15pm. 2.30pm; Criminal Activities (2D) Mangoes (Malayalam) 9pm; Criminal Royal Plaza Cinema Palace (2): 4.30pm; Hail, Caesar! (2D) 6pm; Activities (2D) 11.30pm. Neerja (Hindi) 2.45pm; Ishq Forever Deadpool (2D) 7.45pm; Criminal Cinema Land Mark (2): El Americano (Hindi) 5pm; Bactrack (2D) 7.15pm; Activities (2D) 9.45pm; Deadpool (2D) (2D) 3pm; El Americano (2D) 5pm; Hail, Neerja (Hindi) 9pm; Ishq Forever Community Editor 11.30pm. Caesar! (2D) 7pm; Deadpool (2D) 9pm; (Hindi) 11.15pm. Kamran Rehmat Mall Cinema (3): Loveshhuda Deadpool (2D) 11pm. Royal Plaza Cinema Palace (3): Alvin (Hindi) 2pm; Neerja (Hindi) 4.30pm; Cinema Land Mark (3): Alvin & & The Chipmunks: The Road Chip (2D) e-mail: [email protected] Moonsoon Mangoes (Malayalam) The Chipmunks: The Road Chip (2D) 3pm; Criminal Activities (2D) 5.30pm; Telephone: 44466405 6.45pm; Neerja (Hindi) 9pm; Miruthan 2.30pm; Criminal Activities (2D) Hail, Caesar! (2D) 7.15pm; Hail, Caesar! Fax: 44350474 (Tamil) 11.15pm. 5.15pm; Miruthan (2D) 7.15pm; Hail, (2D) 9pm; Criminal Activities (2D) 11pm. Sunday, February 21, 2016 GULF TIMES 3 ROUND & ABOUT COMMUNITY

EVENTS technique for creating and finishing artworks in clay. For more, call 44865201. Shrek the Musical! DATE: March 9-19 Sketching with pencil and charcoal TIME: 7:30pm DATE: Sunday and Wednesday VENUE: QNCC Theatre TIME: 5pm-6:30pm Shrek the Musical! tells the touching story If you can hold a pencil, you can draw of a hulking green ogre who, after being … Discover techniques to make your mocked, feared his entire life by anything drawing more realistic. Every Saturday that crosses his path, retreats to an ugly green and Wednesday from 5pm-6:30pm. For swamp to exist in happy isolation. reservation: [email protected]

Power and Water Desalination Hip Hop for kids Conference DATE: Every Sunday DATE: Feb 22-23 TIME: 5-6pm VENUE: St Regis Hotel VENUE: Hilton The conference, which will be organised Join our Hip Hop classes instructed by by Qatar Society of Engineers in cooperation Beats and Bytes every Sunday at 5pm @ with the Ministry of Energy and Industry Hilton Hotel, Efora Spa. For more info, call and the Federation of Arab Engineers, aims on 33003839 to exchange ideas between engineering www.salsancandela.com unions and associations in Arab countries and benefi t from the experiences gained and Salsa Beginners lessons learned, through the presentation of DATE: Tuesday, Friday Arab countries’ experiences in this fi eld. TIME: 8-9pm Halal Qatar Festival VENUE: Hilton Hotel Qatar Cover Tech 2016 DATE: Feb 19-28 Whether you’ve danced salsa before or DATE: March 23-26 VENUE: Katara Southern Area not, you will find what you want. Different VENUE: Doha Exhibition and Convention Committed to reviving the Qatari heritage, the Cultural Village Foundation—Katara is salsa classes with different levels at your Center hosting, for fi fth consecutive year, the Halal Qatar Festival for goat and sheep breeding. The service, taught by the best instructors in The exhibition will provide an excellent festival includes Almzaan, barns and auction, as well as a large number of accompanying Doha at Eforea Spa, Hilton Hotel. opportunity for worldwide producers, activities, such as games, traditional food, the old market and the tent heritage, in addition to No need for a partner, no need for innovators and key players from the wall many other recreational and educational activities related to Halal and ways to deal with them. reservation, come as you are. Prices are and fl oor covering sector to form strategic QR60 per person per lesson. Visit: www. partnerships with regional counterparts from and Bariatric Surgery Summit with the Childhood Cultural Center salsancandela.com the Middle East and the Gulf region. participation of distinguished keynote DATE: Until March 31 speakers and panelists who will share TIME: 9am-10:30am Ladies day at Beach Cultural Diversity festival their experiences through lectures and VENUE: Katara DATE: Every Monday DATE: Until May 31 discussions on bariatric and metabolic Childhood Cultural Center participation TIME: 9am-7pm TIME: 7:30-9:00pm surgery techniques. The summit will feature in ‘Schools Enrich our Culture’ programme VENUE: Sheraton Doha VENUE: Katara Beach live sessions to provide technical knowledge includes a variety of educational and For all the ladies in Doha! Do you feel Over 20 countries from all over the world from experts around the world and support artistic workshops. like taking some time off for yourself? are showcasing their traditions and heritage. specialists to adopt new techniques in their Come join us at the Sheraton Resort for an practice for revisional and complicated Art Exhibition all-day-access to the beach and pool, along bariatric surgeries. DATE: Until April 18 with aqua gym aerobics for free. Nestled VENUE: Porto Arabia, Pearl on the edge of Qatar’s West Bay with an Diffusion by Peter Zimmermann — A unbeatable and uninterrupted views of mesmerising solo exhibition of colourful, the blue sea. Our pool and beach adds an futuristic works. Anima Gallery, Parcel 17, exciting experience to enhance your senses Porto Arabia, The Pearl-Qatar. Contact: of relaxation. Enjoy only for QR100 per 40027437 person.

Jewellery and Watches Exhibition Fitness Training DATE: February 23-27 DATE: Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday VENUE: Doha Exhibition and TIME: 6pm-7pm Al Gannas Convention Center VENUE: MIA Park DATE: Until Oct 30 Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition There are fitness classes in the park on TIME: 9am - 11:30 am (DJWE) is being held once a year in Qatar. Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday nights VENUE: Al Gannas Society This show is one of the most exclusive in between 6 and 7pm. Open to all levels of Al Gannas Association is participating in Second Qatar Nephrology Conference the world for wealthy individuals interested fitness, Bootcamp is an intensive and fun the ‘Our culture is a school’ programme by DATE: Feb 25-27 in fine jewellery and unique pieces, way to train and also meet new people in organising many activities for the students VENUE: Convention Center, Sheraton watches, gemstones, and diamonds, all the open and friendly group atmosphere. every Monday and Wednesday of the week. Hotel represented by more than 500 exclusive More information from Bootcamp Qatar or These activities include explanations on The Second Qatar Nephrology Conference, international brands. Additionally, a [email protected] hunting and related tools, kinds of falcons which will be organised by Hamad Medical number of educational seminars will and preys, in addition to workshop on how to Corporation, will bring together experts in be delivered on jewellery and watches Join in our Walk-in Weekends carry a falcon, set a traditional tent (made of the fi eld of nephrology to discuss the most throughout the week. DATE: Every Saturday goat & camel hair), prepare traditional Arabic important clinical issues that specialists VENUE: MIA Atrium coff ee, etc. face in their daily practice. The conference’s Qatari Agricultural Product Yards MIA art education and calligraphy teams programme addresses the diff erent aspects DATE: Until June 30 offer walk-in workshops in MIA’s atrium Winter Weekends at Aspire Zone of renal and transplantation medicine by a VENUE: Al Mazrooa, Al Zakheera, Al every Saturday. These walk-in workshops DATE: Until March 24 group of highly respected and experienced Khor, Al Wakrah are for open for all family members. TIME: 4pm-9pm physicians from all over the world. The Ministry of Environment has opened VENUE: Aspire Park the 4th season of Qatari agricultural Aspire Zone Foundation invites you to Economic Development Forum product yards for selling locally produced FOODIE CHOICE come along with your family and friends, and DATE: March 7-8 fruits, vegetables, poultry, fish and to bring your kids every Thursday for outdoor VENUE: Sheraton Doha Hotel livestock. Work in these yards will continue RESTAURANT: A L Liwan sport fun activities, including football, The Entrepreneurship in Economic for seven months. The yards will operate LOCATION: Sharq Village and Spa volleyball, competitions and games for boys Development Forum forum aims to further three days a week on Thursdays, Fridays Mother’s Day Brunch In Al Liwan: Let us and girls, from 4pm to 9pm. highlight the importance of entrepreneurship and Saturdays from 7am to 5pm, with embrace the unforgettable moment with as a vital element in economic development livestock vendors in Al Mazrooa operating the queen of our hearts during Mother’s Day Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and an engine for private sector growth and at the same times throughout the week. and pamper her on this special day with a Summit diversity. It will bring together offi cials, memorable brunch experience. DATE: March10-12 policy makers, academics, educational Pottery workshop for kids Al Liwan Restaurant, March 21, 6:30pm to VENUE: Hajar Auditaurium institutions, universities, businessmen, bank DATE: Every Monday 11pm. QR290 per person excluding beverages Hamad Medical Corporation will organise leaders, fi nancial institutions and economists TIME: 5pm-6pm and QR145 per child aged 6 to12 and children the Third Qatar International Metabolic from all over the world. Kids will learn a new hand building aged fi ve and below dine complimentary.

Compiled by Nausheen Shaikh. E-mail: [email protected], Events and timings subject to change 4 GULF TIMES Sunday, February 21, 2016 COMMUNITY COVER STORY

„ INTERVIEW: Ekaterine Meiering-Mikadze “(Qataris) will always try and they show that they care” — Georgian ambassador

A wise ambassador once told me that the Gulf countries are like one big house with diff erent rooms — you open one room, you enter another.

SUNDAY CONVERSATION

By Anand Holla

sense of calm and contentment, the one that graces those who feel completely at home, is writ large on her face. Eighteen years since she and her family have been living in the region, Ekaterine Meiering-Mikadze appears to have struck home- Alike harmony with the immediate world around her. “We feel at so much ease here in Doha,” the Ambassador of Georgia to Qatar says, her eyes running across the breadth of a spacious meeting room at the embassy which has now been a little over three years old, “We have been living in the region since 1998, and the Gulf, and now Qatar, truly feels like our home.” For a seasoned globe-trotter and a well-versed diplomat, the lines between home and home away from home have clearly blurred with time. As a girl, Meiering-Mikadze’s home was in the small city of Gori in Georgia. She was fi ve when her family moved to the Georgian capital of Tbilisi. “I did my schooling there, and studied Arabic language and literature at the University of Tbilisi,” Meiering-Mikadze says, “I then took up a year-long exchange programme in Tunis and returned to Georgia in 1989. It was an extremely diffi cult time for Georgia as the Soviet Union was coming to an end and a civil war was erupting in our CANDID: As a regular visitor to Qatar previously, she was amazed by the spectacular pace of development. Photo by Anand Holla land.” Sunday, February 21, 2016 GULF TIMES 5 COVER STORY COMMUNITY

“While I meet Qatari men in professional capacity, my interactions with Qatari women have made me realise how generous, wonderful, and genuinely sweet they are. I experienced this in Saudi, Kuwait, UAE, and Qatar; the ladies in the Gulf are really different. Many a time, I notice that the way they talk, observe and connect, they are pristine like children”

Qatar Airways, or working in the Born and raised in Gulf countries, health and hospitality sectors, or Matthaeus muses about the living here as students at Qatar uniqueness of growing up in Qatar, University. as revealed by his questions and As hectic as steering the embassy curiosities. “He loves to wear the here is, it’s still calmer than her guthra and the thobe, and when he previous postings. “In Kuwait, since sees other Qatari kids, he wants to I was covering all the GCC countries, be like them,” Meiering-Mikadze the plane had turned into a bus for says, smiling, “It doesn’t hamper me. Within a day, I would have fl own his identity but only enhances it. Meiering-MikadzeMeiering-Mikadzze withwith her husband Gregor and son Matthaeus. across Riyadh, Doha and Manama. Matthaeus has his own identity from In Qatar, I have all the time to focus us, but he’s also discovering all the AfterAfter woworkingrking wwiwithth tthe and opening an embassy there. leaps of progress were so striking that specifi cally on Qatar.” time. We live in a global world today, governmentgovernment administrationadmiinistra for a “We then knew that we had to it was like a fi lm unfolding in front of While time fl ies fast, Meiering- and Qatar has a truly diverse expat while,while, Meiering-MikadzeMeiering-MMikadz took up a expand our presence because this my eyes,” she says. Mikadze tries to spend as much population. All these interactions, scholarshipscholarship to studystuddy at ththe Institute region is absolutely important for Meiering-Mikadze likes Qatar of it as she can with family. Insha’Allah, will make him a better of PoliticalPolitical StudiesStudiess iinn PaParisr for three us and also these countries are our as much as Qataris. “I like their “While Friday sometimes passes by person.” years,years, andand specialisedspecialissed in tthe analysis neighbours,” she says, “The Jordan seriousness in their dealing with quickly due to attending some event Of late, events related to Georgia of modernmodern ArabArab world.woorld. FoFollowingl a embassy covered other countries matters. I also appreciate their or the other, all of Saturday is for my have been catching speed in Qatar. briefbrief returnreturn to Georgia,Georrgia, MMeiering-e like Iraq so as to build new relations readiness to help. Many times, I son,” she says, of her six-year-old Last month, the Georgian Living MikadzeMikadze fl ew backback tto EurEuropeop and did with the post-Saddam era Iraqi have approached Qataris for help Matthaeus, “He speaks a bit of Arabic Heritage Exhibition at Katara a bunchbunch of programmesprogrammmes anandd work government.” and they have got things done. and he especially likes to sing Arabic introduced Qatar to the many facets thatthat tooktook herher acrossacrosss EEurope.urope In 2009, Meiering-Mikadze They will always try and they show children’s songs.” and layers of the rich tradition, In the pprofessionalrofessionnal envienvironmentro opened the Georgian embassy in that they care, which is important,” Having been raised in a family culture, art, and craft of Georgia, of EuropeanEuropean countries,countrries, MeiMeiering-er Kuwait, which handled all the GCC she explains, “While I meet Qatari that regarded keeping an open mind while last October, the annual festival MikadzeMikadze was discoveringdiscovering heherself.r countries, and as an ambassador in men in professional capacity, as a pre-requisite to growing up, of Tbilisoba, celebrated the diverse “I wantedwanted to learnlearnn nnewew thingthings.s For the Gulf, realised that there wasn’t my interactions with Qatari Meiering-Mikadze is ever grateful history of Georgia’s capital Tbilisi, at somebodysomebody comingcominng from the SSovieto much awareness in the region women have made me realise how to her parents for instilling in her Katara. background,background, thisthiss was a whole nnew about her country. “We had to build generous, wonderful, and genuinely a willingness to learn new insights “We have some interesting events world.world. I wantedwanted to work in thetheses something from scratch. It takes time sweet they are. I experienced this from every part of the world, lined up,” says Meiering-Mikadze, foreignforeign institutionsinstitutions so as to ababsorbso before others become aware of you, in Saudi, Kuwait, UAE, and Qatar; which would immensely enrich her a tinge of excitement in her voice, the workwork eethicthhiic and gain preciopreciousus and before you get your voice heard,” the ladies in the Gulf are really personality. “Renowned Georgian pianist Eliso experience,”experience,” she sasays.ys. she says. diff erent. Many a time, I notice “Living and studying in France in Bolkvadze is set to perform at the WhWhileile living in Europe, MeieMeiering-rin With Georgia’s relations with that the way they talk, observe 1993 was a major turning point in QNCC next month, and there MikadzeMikaddze also met her GerGermanman Qatar having been on a continual and connect, they are pristine like my life. That’s when I realised, I was will be a photography exhibition husbandhusband GrGregoregor — ttheyh studied upswing, four years ago, Meiering- children.” also acquiring a part of their identity. featuring the amazing works of a togethertogeth in Paris — and soon got Mikadze got posted to Doha, as she As for Georgians in Qatar, it’s still Identity, therefore, isn’t a static famous Georgian photographer who married. As the couple moved opened the embassy here and has an extremely tiny community with thing. It’s something that gets added visited Doha and two Qatari lady around the Middle East owing to been doing a commendable job of around 100 Georgians currently to by other identities, making us photographers who went to Georgia Gregor’s work, Meiering-Mikadze bridging ties between the two nations living here. “But it’s steadily richer, more tolerant and more open and have returned with stunning gleaned crucial insights by working across various arenas. However, even growing,” Meiering-Mikadze says, to the world. And I now see this in my images. I can’t wait for Doha to in development projects around the the daunting task of putting together referring to Georgians serving with young son,” she says. experience all of this.” Middle East. a new embassy hasn’t fazed her in “In Saudi Arabia, we had a huge the least. chance to work with German “It wasn’t diffi cult at all. I had Technical Corporation on Saudi’s been covering Qatar when I was in science development plans,” she Kuwait. I just came closer to Qatar, recalls, “Next, we moved to Jordan that’s all. In Gulf generally and Qatar for working with Palestinian particularly, I never felt that I wasn’t authorities. For me, everything was welcome or any work is diffi cult. about boundless learning. I fi gured People here are very open and I had this wonderful opportunity to generous,” Meiering-Mikadze says, learn about all these countries, and “A wise ambassador once told me how their governments, societies and that the Gulf countries are like one systems function.” big house with diff erent rooms — you So when Meiering-Mikadze open one room, you enter another.” came home to Georgia in 2004 and From 2009 to 2012, as she juggled began working with the Ministry between several high-level delegation of Foreign Aff airs, she had already visits and establishing fl ights to matured in matters of human Georgia via Qatar Airways, she kept relations, way beyond her years. “I frequenting Qatar, only to witness am very grateful to the people who snatches of a nation in the thick of an helped me take these fi rst steps in overwhelming transformation at a the fi eld of diplomacy because as you frenetic speed. can understand, I am not a career “I would visit Doha almost diplomat,” she says, smiling. every month and every time, I Soon, Meiering-Mikadze took would be impressed by the pace of on the challenging mantle of being development. I couldn’t recognise Georgia’s ambassador to Jordan the roads or directions anymore. The The ambassador at the launch of Manuscripts from Georgia exhibition at Katara last year. 6 GULF TIMES Sunday, February 21, 2016 COMMUNITY WEATHER ADDICT Humans pumping more water out of ground than is sustainable

By Steff Gaulter

ater is essential to life. Without it, we could not exist. It covers approximately seventy percent of the world’s Wsurface, yet the vast majority of that is in the oceans, and isn’t drinkable. It’s estimated that only about 2.5 percent of the Earth’s water is salt-free and therefore suitable to quench our thirst. Some of the drinkable water is in rivers and lakes, but a significant amount is stored in underground reservoirs. This is known as groundwater, and it’s estimated that 2 billion people worldwide rely on it as their primary drinking source, yet despite this, it has never been possible to measure how much groundwater there actually is on the planet. Until now, the amount of water has been estimated for various underground reservoirs, known as aquifers, based on coarse approximations of their size and porosity. Despite their importance, they have not been carefully mapped in the way that oil fields have. In fact, in the majority of the world, the extraction of water from the aquifers is unregulated; as long as you have the money to drill a well, you can have unlimited access to this invaluable resource. With the world’s ever-increasing population, the demand for water continues to rise, but the exact volume that remains in the aquifers remains unknown. Now, for the first time, scientists have been able to measure how much water is stored in the land, and the results are surprising. A joint project between researchers at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the University of California Irvine have discovered that the land has absorbed more water in the last decade than it has lost. The opposite of what I would have instinctively believed. The new measurements have been taken by a pair of satellites known as GRACE. GRACE, which stands for Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment, essentially consists of a pair of satellites that fly in tandem around the earth. The more dense an item is, the stronger the pull of gravity, so if a satellite is flying over a dense mountain, it will feel a stronger pull than if it is flying over a deep trench in the ocean. The difference in gravity is miniscule, but An illustration of how typical aquifers are. Illustration by Hans Hillewaert/Wikepedia it’s enough to cause tiny changes in the path of a satellite, which can be detected by the Amazon and the Zambezi, which have quality of the remaining water will decrease greater. Researchers have estimated that measuring the changes in distance between both recovered from drought. and ever deeper wells will need to be dug. it would have risen as much as 3.9mm per the two satellites. Unfortunately the satellites also revealed At the same time, the land’s increased year. The results are remarkably accurate, that many other parts of the world have absorption of water has a direct effect on In the future there is no guarantee that and by regularly mapping the Earth, seen a decrease in groundwater. The sea levels. Most people are aware that the the land will continue to absorb water the satellites can detect if anything has major aquifers of Northwest India, North Earth’s climate has warmed over recent at its current rate and this would mean changed. Given that mountains generally China and California have all experienced decades. This has caused the sea level to that the sea level would rise faster in the remain where you left them, the researchers groundwater depletion, but the largest rise, partly due to water which has been coming years. This is a cause for concern believe that any changes must be due to the and most pronounced region includes the added to the sea from ice which has melted for many of the low-lying islands, such change in water content of the land. Middle East, with a huge swathe of land on the land, and also because as water as the Maldives, the Marshall Islands and As well as an overall measurement of the from Saudi Arabia to Russia showing a warms, it expands. Vanuatu, which are believed to be most at amount of water contained in the land, the decline in groundwater. Over the last century, sea level has risen risk from future sea level rises. satellites have also been able to pinpoint The fact that the land has absorbed more at an average rate of 1.5mm per year, but exactly where the amount of water has water over the last decade is therefore not a over the last two decades this has increased (The author is Senior Weather Presenter increased and where it has decreased. The reason to be cheerful. Our fellow man is still to 3.2mm per year. However, had the land at Al Jazeera English channel. She can be increases have been largely confined to a extracting more water than is sustainable, not absorbed more water than it lost, contacted on steff [email protected] few isolated parts of the world, particularly and as the groundwater levels drop, the the rise in sea level could have been even or on Twitter at @WeatherSteff ) Sunday, February 21, 2016 GULF TIMES 7 COMMUNITY

charged through the use of solar photovoltaic panel. Used as both indoor and outdoor lamps, the solar lantern, during the day, transforms sunlight into electrical energy, which is stored in the rechargeable batteries, and at night, drawing from the stored energy, the LED bulb turns on automatically, gives light, and shuts off in the morning when the sun comes up again. For a region that basks in an excessive amount of sunshine, not much is known within the region about the use of solar energy and its various applications. Qatar Solar Technologies (QSTec) have set up an innovative hands-on solar learning programme called Shams Generation that has been attempting to bridge this knowledge gap and develop the next generation of solar engineers, artists and renewable energy entrepreneurs. Shams Generation was established by QSTec as an interactive learning programme that combines art, science, reusing and solar energy. In this first stage pilot programme, QSTec provided solar learning kits aimed at various scholastic levels and abilities to Qatar Academy, Awsaj, Qatar Academy Sidra and Doha College. Teachers attended workshops and were given access to the interactive website that provides online learning tools for teachers based on the three Shams Generation levels of solar learning. These solar kits were GOING GREEN: A solar lantern, also known as solar lamp, is among the most eco-friendly lighting systems. distributed to all participating students who then had to draw upon their various skillsets to By Anand Holla create innovative solar works of art that combine light, motion and solar energy. n a time when we The Shams Generation initiative increasingly brace for is based on an interdisciplinary Build your own sustainable energy approach to education called solutions, solar energy STEAM that combines Science, seems to hold a whole Technology, Engineering, Art newI world of answers. It’s only and Mathematics in a unique imperative that we get the kids way that allows many students used to working around our to thrive and encourages lifelong crucial future saviour. learning skills. In the recent solar lanterns In collaboration with Qatar months, several exhibitions Museums, a family day at the Fire have showcased the success Station Artist Residence presents of the Shams Generation’s Twenty children will get a chance to participate in the opportunity for a few lucky pilot programmes and also the children to build solar lanterns creativity of the students with made out of recycled materials. hundreds of solar art projects on the workshop at the Fire Station Artist Residence The workshop – open for display to the public. children between the ages of 8 Dr Khalid K al-Hajri, Chairman and 12 and their parents – will and CEO of QSTec, had told the be held at the Fire Station Artist media at one such exhibition last Residence Doha on March 5. The year, “Educating our youth about first session is from 9am to 11am the use of energy, the protection and the second is from 12pm to of environment 1pm. The only hitch is that the and the conservation of our maximum number of participants natural resources is of prime is 20 – and you can book your importance for the future of our place by filling the form on planet.” shamsgeneration.org QSTec is enabling Qatar to The workshop will be in both reach a sustainable future by Arabic and English languages and manufacturing and supplying the parents get to take home their solar energy solutions that children’s cool creations. are used locally and exported A solar lantern, also known as globally. Some of the objectives of solar lamp, is among the most Shams Generation are to spread eco-friendly lighting system as knowledge about solar power it is powered by solar energy. within Qatar Student Community, It is made of an LED lamp, to raise awareness about the solar panels, battery, charge reuse and the recycle of daily controller and, possibly, also an materials in a creative way, and inverter. A solar lantern operates to implement solution-based The workshop will be held at the Fire Station Artist Residence Doha on March 5. on electricity from batteries, thinking. 8 GULF TIMES Sunday, February 21, 2016 COMMUNITY Hundreds attend ‘Ragolsavam 2016’

undreds of Keralites audience happy, even though the for their humanitarian services to thronged the MES start was inordinately delayed. the country’s expatriates. Indian School Besides Afsal and Rimy, cine Among those feted were Abdul quadrangle on Friday actress Bhaama also entertained Salam Palakkad, K M Ali, Molly to attend `Ragolsavam the gathering with a few of her Pauly and Nerry Alphonso. Mani H2016’, a mega stage show hosted by melodies. Singer Pratheep Babu Rathi received memento on behalf Indian Cultural and Arts Society showed his prowess in rendering of Alphonso who could not make to (Incas Qatar). fast and rollicking songs. the function. Since there was a considerably Mimicry artistes Dharmajan While introducing the quartet, Rimy Tomy and Afsal singing a duet. long interval between the event and Bolghatty, Mani Shoranur, Sneha Incas Qatar president K K Usman the last stage show organised in the Sreekumar, J Kumar, and Niyas recalled the services rendered eff orts in repatriating dead bodies Committee General Secretary Malayali expatriate community, Backer entertained the full house to by the four. He also remembered of several hundreds of expatriates, (Non-Resident Keralites spectators fi lled every inch of the the hilt. popular humanitarian worker Late Molly and Alphonso received the Affairs) N Subramanian gave the packed venue to watch some of the The cinematic dances also went Abdul Khader Haji, who was a mementos for their services at the mementos. familiar names in playback music down well with the audience. pioneer in repatriating the bodies mortuary where they usually wash The forum also released a and mimicry. of expatriates dying in Qatar. Haji and clean the bodies before they are souvenir to commemorate the The visiting group of artistes, led Humanitarian workers passed away after 47 years of stay in sent on. Ragolsavam on the occasion. by popular playback singers Rimy honoured the country in December 2013. First Secretary at the Indian Behzad Group of Companies Tomy and Afsal gave a reasonably Incas also honoured four social While Salam and Ali were Embassy Raj Kumar Singh was the title sponsor while Rusiya good performance to keep the workers in the Indian community honoured for their continuous and Kerala Pradesh Congress Group was the main sponsor.

Abdul Salam Palakkad, K M Ali, and Molly Paul (extreme left) received mementos in recognition of their humanitarian work. Mani Rathi, who received the award on behalf of Nerry Alphonso, is also seen. Indian embassy first secretary Raj Kumar Singh, Incas Qatar chief K K Usman and Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee General Secretary N Subramanian are among others on the dais. Photos by Najeer Feroke Nobu Doha dishes up top honours

obu Doha has been awarded for their favourite restaurant and brands. with two of the industry’s As the region’s most prestigious culinary most prestigious awards in the recognition, the awards are creating region. new benchmarks in the F&B and FMCG Food & Travel Group has industries. recognisedN Nobu Doha as the ‘Best Japanese Nobu Doha features an artfully curated Restaurant’ at this year’s Food & Travel culinary and cocktail menu by renowned Awards, and BBC Good Food Middle East chef Nobuyuki “Nobu” Matsuhisa, presented Four Seasons’ new dining venue complemented by an unparalleled ambiance with the ‘2015 Restaurant of The Year’ with a main dining room and three distinct award. lounges throughout the tri-level restaurant. “We are truly honoured to have been Located at Four Seasons Hotel Doha, along recognised by both Food & Travel and the water’s edge on the Arabian Gulf, BBC Good Food Middle East for two very Nobu Doha boasts 26,000 square-feet prestigious awards, and most importantly of indoor and outdoor space matched by acknowledged by the consumers who 360-degree panoramic cityscape and water have elevated Nobu as the most coveted views. restaurant in Doha,” said Rami Sayess, In celebration of the two awards, the regional vice president and general manager restaurant has introduced the Nobu Friday of Four Seasons Hotel Doha. “As the world’s brunch. Offered every Friday, from noon largest Nobu, the restaurant is a culinary to 4pm, the Friday Brunch is an idyllic destination where guests enjoy innovative opportunity to savour delicious cuisine, cuisine and carefully crafted cocktails, to while enjoying the company of family the stylish lounge ambiance and unique and friends in Nobu’s stylish atmosphere offerings – such as our newly debuted during the afternoon. The menu features brunch and happy hour — it’s truly an Nobu’s signature a la carte dishes and experience unlike anything else in Doha.” EXQUISITE VIEW: Outdoor seating at Nobu Doha. desserts, including favourites such as The Food & Travel Awards’ are a result the spicy chicken tacos, edamame baby of over 263,000 public votes, as well as an hospitality industry. across different categories, but also to nasu miso, and sashimi. The White Pearl expert panel of judges. The overwhelming The BBC Good Food Middle East Awards the region’s best loved culinary brand’s lounge will also feature an assortment of response is a testament to the depth is the only awards of its kind to offer by a consumer voting-based method, lavish stations, including oysters, foie gras, and quality of the region’s flourishing recognition to not only various restaurants allowing end-users to nominate and vote ceviche, and a lavish sushi station. Sunday, February 21, 2016 GULF TIMES 9 COMMUNITY One venue promises three ‘breathtaking experiences’

Soak up the extravagance of 1933 – The Grand Hall, featuring an eclectic décor of bespoke furniture and collection of art pieces.

llusion, set at the top of Marsa Terrace off ers a lusciously green, Malaz Kempinski in The Pearl, awe-inspiring rooftop balcony has announced it will open its lounge with 360˚ views over Arabian doors at the end of February, pearly waters. Chilled music, light off ering guests a breathtaking bites and a broad drinks menu within Isupper club experience. a unique rooftop experience creates Unparalleled in Qatar, from the an unparalleled party vibe. As the moment guests arrive they enter sunset cascades over the classical a world where the environment is domes of Marsa Malaz Kempinski, designed to play with the senses; the venue comes alive with a from the rich furnishings to sophisticated social atmosphere. captivating sounds, an array of In 1933 - The Grand Hall, a irresistible plates and an immersive spectacular dome studded with experience. It’s a modern mix of LEDs provides a mesmerising olde-worlde and new. backdrop. Open exclusively on Encompassing the entire rooftop Thursday and Friday nights for at Marsa Malaz Kempinski, Illusion reservations only, guests can soak entices guests to explore and up the extravagance with an eclectic encounter three spectacular and décor of bespoke furniture and unique experiences – The Garden collection of art pieces. And in the Terrace, 1933 - The Grand Hall, and palatial, two storied space the DJ The Private Lounge. is ever present for an immersive, Speaking about bringing this interactive atmosphere. elusive concept to Doha, the Select guests can also escape to a management team behind Illusion masculine world of rustic leather and commented: “Set in one of the most oak. The Private Lounge is a refi ned, stunning venues in the region, we discreet hideaway of indulgence have created a distinct, unique and off ering everything from appetisers captivating new hospitality concept and cigars, to handcrafted beverages that will dare guests to dream and from the liquid nitrogen cart, a marvel with wonder. The wait is vintage drinks fountain and bubbles nearly over!” trolley. Enjoy it all brewed or served Open six days a week from tableside for an opulent private Set atop Marsa Malaz Kempinski, The Garden Terrace is a lusciously green, awe-inspiring rooftop balcony lounge with Tuesday to Sunday, The Garden show. spectacular 360˚ views over the Arabian Gulf.

Alarming pace of suicides in the Indian community children, the eldest still to reach teens. the downsizing in their company. He was in his Sri Lankan Some of their friends said they never thought early 30s and left behind a young widow and two Suicide by an Indian entrepreneur, who was the man would ever resort to such an extreme small children. He had reportedly owed huge in the mid-40s, on Tuesday in a Doha villa has action in any circumstances as they were under loans to a local bank. expat dies come as a rude shock to the community, which the impression that he was bold and capable of Reacting to the spate of suicides a has seen a total of nine members ending their taking his company out of the woods using his psychologist said their group would be able to lives in a span of 53 days. enormous contacts in the engineers community. help people who faced similar fi nancial issues in in fire The person was running an engineering He had sourced sizeable funds from outside to a big way. fi rm on the Airport Road which he set up fi ve run his business impeccably but that did not When queried about the developments, years ago on his arrival from Bahrain. He had help, recalled a friend, who is currently heading Indian ambassador Sanjiv Arora said the Ramaswamy Nadarajan reportedly run the establishment well in the an expatriate forum in which the deceased was embassy is reviewing the situation and exploring Navratnam, a 29-year-old Sri initial years after landing a number of good an active member. some practicable options with the help of its Lankan expatriate died in a fire contracts. The individual was good enough to grant affi liated bodies to help those passing through in his accommodation in the However, over the 18 months the company’s release to many of his staff over the recent similar conditions. city’s Umm Ghuwaliana area on fi nancial fortunes dwindled and there was months when he found his business was going While replying to a query from Gulf Times, Thursday afternoon. an acute fall in the money fl ow when clients through diffi cult times. “Of the six people Indian Community Benevolent Forum president One of his colleagues, also a Sri reportedly failed to pay the fi rm on time for the left recently, fi ve got jobs,” said a friend of the Arvind Patil said it is a serious issue which needs Lankan suff ered serious burns in works executed. entrepreneur. to be addressed to eff ectively. the incident. It is not known how The situation made the operator a debtor A close friend of the victim said though the Since the beginning of 2016, at least two fire broke out in their room. from which he could not recover and the worst person was far from happy and comfortable in Nepalese and one Sri Lankan expatriates ended Navratnam’s body was moved occurred when he was found dead in his house recent weeks, he never let many others know their life in Qatar, according to sources in the to the Hamad hospital mortuary on Tuesday, near Gold Gym in Al Hilal area. about his fi nancial issues. respective communities. and eff orts would be initiated to The person’s wife had recently lost her Another Indian who ended his life recently, There were at least two suicides in the Sri repatriate it to his native place after contract job when her employers downsized was an employee of a prominent fi rm after his Lankan and Nepalese communities as well at the the investigation is completed, their establishment. The couple has three services were terminated by employers as part of start of the year, it is understood. sources told this newspaper. 10 GULF TIMES Sunday, February 21, 2016 COMMUNITY

Teachers attend SIFQ’s Shastrayaan 2016 briefing session

Sixteen teachers from eight Indian schools attended the inaugural briefing session on SIFQ’s Shastrayaan 2016 at Bhavan’s Public School recently. A calendar of events for 2016 was given to the delegates, starting with the Shastraprathiba contests scheduled for April 2016, followed by a science tour of India in July for winners and runners-up of the contest. Science India Forum Qatar (SIFQ) is aff iliated to the Indian Cultural Centre and works to promote the scientific temperament amongst students.

AAC, AGMC launch Pearl air conditioning equipment

Almoayyed Air Conditioning, Qatar (AAC) and Awal Gulf Manufacturing Co. Bahrain (AGMC) hosted a technical seminar titled “Pearl Brand Air Conditioning Equipment”. The event also served as a launch platform for the products. M T Mathews, Managing Director of AAC, and Akram Hassoun, Senior General Manager of AGMC, were among the dignitaries who attended. The event was attended by more than 80 people, including consultants, clients and contractors.

Pierre Hermé Paris partners with Nicolas Buff e

The Maison Pierre Hermé Paris gave free reign to Nicolas Buff e, work dialogue with those of other artists. Whether they are unique gift boxes will be launched in March 2016. And for the an exceptional artist, to imagine a unique universe that would be painters, sculptors, musicians, perfume designers, architects, first time, this unique universe will not only be revealed on the revealed across all of the Pierre Hermé Paris boutiques around photographers, authors, graphic artists, poets or filmmakers, boxes but on the chocolate bonbons themselves. the world throughout 2016. many artists have worked with the Maison Pierre Hermé Each character imagined by Nicolas Buff e reveals one of Pierre Having Pierre Hermé’s work dialogue with that of Nicolas Paris including Nicolas Vial, Soledad Bravi, Jean-Michel Duriez, Hermé Paris signature flavours: Buff e’s multifaceted and pluridisciplinary universes led to the Fabien Verschaere, Jean-Philippe Delhomme or Bernard Paineiras (Pure Origin Brazilian dark chocolate ganache from the creation of a series of drawings calling on ancestral myths, Quentin. These partnerships highlight the originality of Pierre Paineiras Plantation, enrobed in dark chocolate) takes the form manga culture, as well as Renaissance and Baroque art. The Hermé’s art and are a testament to the profound attachment of Helios. Pierre Hermé x Nicolas Buff e association is unprecedented to and respect for audacity at Pierre Hermé Paris. Infiniment Vanille (Chocolate and vanilla ganache enrobed in in scope though part of a tradition of having Pierre Hermé’s At the Pierre Hermé Paris boutique in Qatar – three of the dark chocolate) becomes Roxane. Ispahan (Chocolate and raspberry ganache, rose and litchi fruit paste, enrobed in dark chocolate) shines under the heart. Dulcezza (Corsican Maquis honey ganache, enrobed in dark chocolate) hides under the stars. Infiniment café Iapar Rouge du Brésil (Iapar Rouge du Brésil coff ee ganache, enrobed in dark chocolate) is carried by Ichtyonef. Chuao (Pure Origin Chuao chocolate ganache with blackcurrant, dark chocolate) takes the form of Star. Nicolas Buff e has also imagined unique installations to fully immerse the client upon arrival in boutique. A visit to the Pierre Hermé Paris Qatar boutique in Lagoona Mall will become even more an experience than ever with the artwork of Nicolas Buff e enveloping the Pierre Hermé Paris universe. Sunday, February 21, 2016 GULF TIMES 11 COMMUNITY

All 15 DPS-MIS teams qualify for World Scholar’s Cup Global Round

A DPS-MIS delegation of 44 students along with the school’s debate co-ordinator and teachers their prowess through ‘Collaborative Writing’, ‘Team Debate’, ‘Scholar’s Challenge’ and ‘Scholar’s participated in the World Scholar’s Cup Doha Round, hosted by International School of London Bowl,’ both in Senior and Junior Division. (ISL) Qatar recently. The championship was a celebration of learning related to the 2016 WSC The extensive research, constructive debate and writing of the teams helped DPS-MIS to bag theme, “An Imperfect World” -- from the refugee crisis to the science of disease to the history of laurels in diff erent events of both Senior and Junior divisions. All the 15 DPS teams were listed cheating. It focused on critical thinking, problem-solving and collaborative skills of students and among toppers and earned berths in World Scholar’s Cup Global Round.

Kidzmondo a ‘self-suff icient city, built for and managed solely by children’

Nabil R Barakat, the General Manager of Kidzmondo Doha, has stated that the opening of Kidzmondo will coincide with the opening of the Mall of Qatar in the third quarter of 2016. Kidzmondo features a self-suff icient city, built for and managed solely by children, who can participate in over 80 diff erent professional role play activities contained within.

W Doha introduces Supper Club meal with one appetizer from an assortment At Spice Market, choose one from its range and basil; Octopus carpaccio with black W Doha Hotel & Residences knows that that includes fresh burrata, chopped of appetisers that include Shrimp Tom Yum olives and tomato concasse; Arugula, cherry there is nothing better than rewarding lettuce, crispy calamari with sweet chili Soup, Green Papaya Salad, Spicy Thai fried tomato and Parmigiano Reggiano; and oneself after putting in a hard day’s work. dipping sauce and more. The Entrée section chicken wings, and more. From the mains, Chickpea soup with sautéed calamari and This February, W Doha has launched Supper is fi lled with delectable dishes such as the options like Roasted Hammour, Char- rosemary. For the main course, favourites Club, a post-offi ce dinner available at Slowly Cooked Salmon with potato puree, Grilled Chicken and Grilled Strip Steak, are such as Homemade pappardelle with Market, La Spiga and Spice Market. brussel sprouts, black truffl e emulsion; and equally varied. And fi nally, fi nish the meal smoked beef and tomato cream sauce; Supper Club provides all one’s dinner Parmesan Crusted Chicken with basil-lemon with a sweet ending from a selection that has Braised Lamb Shank with semolina gnocchi; essentials in a three-course menu that can butter and asparagus. Top this off with an Ovaltine Kulfi , Japanese Cheesecake, and Baked Sliced Beef Sirloin Steak porcini be savoured at Market, La Spiga or Spice innovative dessert such as Lemon Tart, Miso Caramel Pudding to name a few. mushroom and arugula salad; and Penne Market for QR100. Guests can enjoy this with Buttermilk Ice Cream and Lemon Granite, If the palate is craving for authentic with spicy tomato sauce are on off er. The a sip for an additional QR20. Supper Club is Carrot Cake, Cream Cheese Icing and Italian fl avours, La Spiga also has prepared dessert selection includes Panna cotta with available daily except Fridays from 5pm to Cinnamon Ice Cream, Green Apple Pavlova a sumptuous dinner that begins with mix berries, apple almond tart with vanilla 7pm. with Basil Seed Vinaigrette, or Green Apple selecting a starter from a list that features ice cream, and a selection of homemade ice At Market by Jean-Georges, start the Sorbet. Layered Eggplant with tomato, mozzarella cream and sorbet. 12 GULF TIMES Sunday, February 21, 2016 COMMUNITY MOTORING Toyota launches Prius in the Middle East oyota recently engine to avoid wasting fuel during announced the idling. The cumulative eff ect of availability of the fourth preventing gasoline wastage in this generation Prius in manner means Toyota’s hybrid the Middle East. The technology can provide dramatically vehicleT takes the hybrid concept better fuel effi ciency than any other further than ever, with striking vehicle in its class. There is no need design, higher expected fuel to charge the hybrid system battery economy ratings and greater ride using external equipment. The comfort. The arrival of the Prius, hybrid system automatically charges Toyota’s fi rst hybrid vehicle in the the battery by using electricity region, refl ects Toyota’s mission in generated each time you apply the engaging with local communities brakes. and continuous eff orts to Toyota hybrid not only fi ts the contribute to society by making region’s sustainability agenda, automobiles that lead to a cleaner The 2016 Toyota Prius. but is also in line with the global environment. direction towards more sustainable Toyota’s hybrid technology development. Driven by this belief, to make more environmentally With the launch of the 2016 Prius, and greener communities. The marks a breakthrough in Toyota has been working on the friendly vehicles.” Toyota celebrates 56 years of Prius, as a symbol of Toyota’s automobile fuel consumption and future of sustainable motoring by In 1993, automotive brands were fruitful research and development hybrid technology, will contribute refl ects the company’s commitment heavily investing in introducing launching standard cars with basic eff orts. to achieving the new Millennium to utilising the technology in vehicles that are environment features. The same year, Toyota Toyota’s hybrid vehicles provide Sustainable Development Goals, driving sustainability forward. The friendly and fun to drive. Toyota’s invested heavily in developing high performance without wasting which strive for a healthy lifestyle, Prius will raise awareness around hybrid experience will be extremely vehicles with the future in mind. gasoline, propelled by the synergy taking urgent actions to combat the premium performance of rewarding for our customers. Great The three environmental challenges between two power sources, which climate change, and ensuring hybrid technology and will assist in looks, comfort and space combined that Toyota had addressed are the gasoline engine and the access to aff ordable, reliable, cementing the leading position of with advanced technology, included introducing alternative electric motor. When accelerating, sustainable and modern energy for alternative energy vehicles. fi nely tuned aerodynamics and energy sources as opposed to the vehicle uses an electric motor all. The alignment between what Commenting on the arrival of lightweight materials ensure an oil, reducing CO2 emissions and that does not require gasoline to is delivered with Toyota’s hybrid the Prius to the region, Takayuki exhilarating driving performance, preventing pollution. In December accelerate effi ciently and powerfully. technology and the eff orts exerted Yoshitsugu, Chief Representative world-class effi ciencies and ultra- 1997, Toyota launched the fi rst In response to driving conditions, globally to sustain the planet’s of Middle East & North Africa low CO2 emissions. We see great generation Prius, the world’s fi rst the system effi ciently combines resources makes the Prius the Representative Offi ce, Toyota Motor potential in the Middle East for the mass-produced hybrid vehicle. In power from the electric motor and perfect car for responsible drivers Corporation, stated, “At Toyota, Prius. We also sincerely appreciate 18 years after rolling out the fi rst gasoline engine automatically. When who are aiming to adopt a more we fi rmly believe that technology the unwavering support from our Prius, Toyota has sold more than 8 the vehicle has stopped, the system eco-friendly approach towards our is a vital enabler for sustainable customer base for our initiatives million hybrid vehicles worldwide. also automatically shuts down the planet. BMW i8 becomes the world’s highest- selling hybrid sports car

ast year, global sales of the BMW i8 BMW i has concentrated exclusively on exceeded the combined fi gure of all vehicles designed from the outset for locally other hybrid sports cars produced emission-free driving. In 2015, sales of the by other manufacturers. BMW i3 and BMW i8 were around 66% up A total of 5,456 units of the i8, on the previous year with a total of 29,513 Lwhich is powered by the combination of a deliveries. BMW i currently off ers the BMW three-cylinder turbocharged engine and an i3 in a total of 36 countries. This, together electric drive system, were sold worldwide with its portfolio of trailblazing and highly in 2015. The car’s innovative plug-in hybrid convenient services, gives BMW i the largest technology delivers system output of 266 worldwide market presence of any electric kW/362 hp (fuel consumption combined: 2.1 vehicle manufacturer. In its launch phase, the l/100 km; CO2 emissions combined: 49 g/ BMW i brand and its BMW i3 and BMW i8 km). models garnered more awards and accolades “The success of the BMW i8 speaks for The limited BMW i8 Protonic Edition. than any other brand in automotive history. itself,” said Ian Robertson, BMW AG Board Among the distinctions amassed by the BMW Member for Sales and Marketing. “It is ways to own a very individual car. metallic. The colour scheme is complemented i8 are an International Engine of the Year already the world’s most successful hybrid The fi rst in this line of special-edition by BMW W-spoke 470 light-alloy wheels award for both its TwinPower Turbo three- sports car and has comfortably exceeded our models is the BMW i8 Protonic Red Edition. painted in Orbit Grey metallic with hubs cylinder engine and overall hybrid drivetrain. own expectations. I can think of no better Like those set to follow in its tyre tracks, it painted in Aluminium matt and mixed-size The BMW i8 was also voted World Green illustration of the relevance of our young is only available for a limited period. This tyres (front: 215/45 R20, rear: 245/40 R20). Car of the Year and Green Luxury Car. And it BMW i brand.” take on the 2+2-seater with carbon-fi bre- Inside the inaugural special-edition i8, received the Paul Pietsch Award presented by And the BMW i8 is about to add further reinforced plastic (CFRP) passenger cell red double-stitching and applications in German motoring magazine “auto motor und lustre to its appeal with exclusive special- and effi cient BMW eDrive drive system high-grade carbon fi bre and ceramic provide sport” in recognition of the most innovative edition models poised to be unveiled for the technology will be produced at BMW Plant indications of its exceptional sporting technical concept. No other vehicle has ever fi rst time at the Geneva Motor Show. The new Leipzig from July; it sports a Protonic Red character. picked up such a large number of awards in arrivals present customers with even more paint fi nish with accents in Frozen Grey Since entering the market in late 2013, such an array of diff erent disciplines. Sunday, February 21, 2016 GULF TIMES 13 INFOGRAPHIC COMMUNITY

Try This 1 Put one of the coins on a table or Hold a pin Coin counter in each hand, push ball their points against Here’s an opposite interesting sides of the trick you coin, and probably did Push the pins against the coin only pick the coin now know up you can do 2 hard enough to keep it from falling with a coin. Blow gently on the coin You’ll need

sCoins sTwo pins

What happened?

When you blow at just the right place on the coin, it spins rapidly It works because there is very little friction between the points of the pins and the coin The spinning coin looks like a ball (sphere)

If the coin has ridges Try this with other coins along its edge, the and see which ones ball looks like it has it works ridges on its best with side

Graphic: Source: Helen Lee Hunkin’s McComas, Experiments Paul Trap/TNS 14 GULF TIMES Sunday, February 21, 2016 COMMUNITY PUZZLES/CARTOONS

Wordsearch Adam

Movie Director Pooch Cafe

ACTORS FILM ROLE STORY BUDGET LIGHTS SCENE STUDIO CAMERA LOCATION SCREENPLAY STUNTS CAST PART SCRIPT TAKE CINEMA PICTURE SETS TRAILER CREW PRINT SHOT WARDROBE DOUBLE PRODUCER SOUND WRITER EDIT PROPS STAGE EXTRAS REHEARSAL STAR 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, February 21, 2016 GULF TIMES 15 PUZZLES COMMUNITY

Quick Clues Colouring

ACROSS DOWN 1. Impressive (11) 2. Hog (3) 9. Tease (3) 3. Beaten (5) 10. Story (9) 4. Tallied (6) 11. Eros (5) 5. Ignorant (7) 13. Originate (7) 6. Liveliness (9) 14. Gateway (6) 7. Rash (11) 16. Stop (6) 8. Deliberate (11) 18. Quiver (7) 12. Persist (9) 19. Dance (5) 15. Judge (7) 20. Handling (9) 17. Recover (6) 21. Spring (3) 19. Giant (5) 22. Harmful (11) 21. Ocean (3)

Cryptic Clues

Answers

Wordsearch Codeword

ACROSS DOWN 1. They make measurements to some 2 & 12Dn. Memorable occasion when degree (11) there’s a postal delivery from China! (3-6,3) 9. Stick insect turned back (3) 3. Brown bread for health! (5) 10. A very fair example of the gentler sex 4. Tip has become a place for burnt-out (3,6) material (3-3) 11. Switched off (5) 5. I get all confused by husbandry (7) 13. Fancy piece of statuary round at home 6. Taking to the station and getting the (7) engine working properly (7,2) Yesterday’s Solutions 14. The French kind of stitch is concealed 7. Annoying enough to distress certain (6) people (11) QUICK CRYPTIC 16. Book shelf to the right (6) 8. A creed is not affected by profane act (11) Across: 1 Jibe; 3 Concedes; 9 Reserve; 10 Across: 1 Fare; 3 Fast work; 9 Account; 10 18. Unusual respect for symbol of 12. See 2 Down authority (7) 15. Very short message allowed (7) Vicar; 11 Misadventure; 13 Assume; 15 Murmur; Often; 11 Nest of tables; 13 Sheath; 15 Hebrew; 17 19. He painted an individual in mountain 17. Where Americans are going around, it 17 Fountain-head; 20 Roman; 21 Passing; 22 Profit margin; 20 Elite; 21 Awesome; 22 Figurine; setting (5) makes a bigger bore! (6) Wanderer; 23 Feel. 23 Stay. 20. Central figure in commerce (9) 19. Part of a film on this period (5) Down: 1 Jeremiad; 2 Basis; 4 Opener; Down: 1 Flatness; 2 Rocks; 4 Astute; 5 Trouble- 21. The cry of a tailless bird (3) 21. Pass a horse without a tail (3) 22. Outer protection for the native! (6-5) 5 Covetousness; 6 Decorum; 7 Sure; 8 maker; 6 Outwear; 7 Kind; 8 Put out of gear; 12 Predominance; 12 Prodigal; 14 Showman; 16 Swannery; 14 Ear-ring; 16 At dawn; 18 Ghost; 19 Sample; 18 Exile; 19 Grow. Deaf. 16 GULF TIMES Sunday, February 21, 2016 COMMUNITY LIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE Ten off ice organisation tips to boost productivity

mpty boxes, piles of paper, these things, they’re just taking up An offi ce supply staple unique storage. One stylish and way to sort and store these office pens strewn about — valuable space. Despite the rise of the digital offi ce, affordable option is to cut a peg odds and ends. Place them in everyone is guilty of offi ce Post-it Notes are still an offi ce staple. board and place it in an open drawers so they are out of sight. disorganisation. What Keep supplies stocked On average, offi ce workers use 30 frame. This eye-catching wall most people don’t realise is Ninety-four percent of offi ce Post-it Notes per week. Keep these hanging allows for easy access to Systemise folders Ea messy, dishevelled offi ce space can workers are less productive when they handy note pads close by so you can office essentials. Tackle that pile of folders in actually dramatically reduce worker don’t have all the supplies they need easily use them to mark paperwork the corner and create a simple effi ciency and productivity. to work. Order necessary supplies or write your co-worker a note of Write it down organisational system using Post-it A staggering 98 percent of like Post-it Notes, fl ags, tabs, daily encouragement. Sixty-two percent of offi ce Tabs. Colour code the folders based offi ce workers say they’d be more planners, professional notebooks and workers prefer to manage their to-do on your work responsibilities so each productive at their jobs if their offi ces pens. Then, put coloured fl ags on the Corral pens list on a piece of paper rather than tab colour is tied to a specifi c task or were more organised. That means calendar to mark when you need to re- Pens and other offi ce extras a computer or digital device. Write status of a project. it’s time to get organised and these order supplies so you’re never without like scissors, letter openers and your task list on a Post-it Super 10 simple ideas will help you tidy up the necessities. highlighters look tidy when placed Sticky Note and place it somewhere Cut cord chaos your work area and stay on-task for in a jar on your desk. A big jar can you’ll see it, such as the edge of your Are you always digging under your good. Rethink your desktop hold everything or use smaller jars to computer monitor or the front of desk for the right cord? Black binder A clean desktop is essential to sort each item into its own container. your notebook. This visual reminder clips typically used to hold paperwork Reduce and recycle productivity, however many people Clear glass jars makes it easy to see will keep you on-task throughout together are also great for organising Go through drawers and get rid of are guilty of having their desk what’s inside. the day. USB, cell phone chargers and other paperwork and supplies you never covered with unnecessary items. If cables. Clip to the side of your desk use. Recycle paperwork and give you don’t use it weekly, fi nd another Think vertically Don’t sweat the small stuff and thread the chord through the unused supplies to co-workers or place for it. That means unused If you’re short on desktop At a loss for how to organise metal to eliminate tangles. donate them to your community’s folders, staplers, tape dispensers, and space, think vertically. Walls paper clips, tacks and other small schools. If you’re never going to use the like can go in a drawer. provide ample opportunity for office items? Small tins are a great ©Brandpoint

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

The Moon shines in Leo today, your fifth house of romance, fun and Don’t let something or someone get in your way today bulls. If you Unless you are completely sure about something, there is wisdom in creativity. Make some fun plans and do something you love to do made plans and you were excited about them, stick to them, even if holding back today and doing something fun versus something that with people you love to do it with. it means having to let others down today. might not work out and end up ruining your weekend.

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

Don’t allow a family member to make you feel guilty about The Moon shines in your sign today and makes this a great time for Your Full moon lights up the sky tomorrow night and tonight is a something you don’t need to feel guilty about. You try your best to you to express yourself and be open with your feelings. great time for you to plan whatever it is you want to let go of and do the right thing and sometimes it works and sometimes it falls flat. move into a new chapter.

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

Today’s moon shines in Leo, your eleventh house of hopes, wishes Unless you are certain Scorpios, leave well enough alone. Sometimes The Moon shines in Leo today, your fellow fire sign and 9th house of and friendship. Hanging out with the people you love and doing meddling in things only shines the light on them and makes them higher education and overseas travel. Your sign is known for being something fun is a great way for you to spend the day. worse when you would be better off leaving well enough alone. the teacher of the zodiac as well as a sign that loves to travel and learn FYI.

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

If you don’t feel like doing something today, then don’t do it. You Today’s Moon shines on your relationship zone and if you have The Sun and Neptune your ruler, the planet of dreams and fantasy are the one in control of your own destiny and have to look out for anything emotional or deep you need to work out, it’s a great day to link up in your sign and over the next few weeks make it a great time number one first. do so to do the things you love to do. Sunday, February 21, 2016 GULF TIMES 17 BOLLYWOOD COMMUNITY Bajrangi villain hopes to fill Amrish Puri’s space

ctor Ravi Khanna, and acting skills ... and feel that acting”, and has worked across TV, who essayed the role I can fi ll that gap,” Khanna told plays, serials and radio. of the ISI boss who IANS. Khanna began his acting frames Salman Khan’s Khanna’s book Indian career in New Delhi in the 1970s character as an Indian Antagonist explores how the ethos on stage, radio and television Aspy in Bajrangi Bhaijaan, says of the Bollywood villain hasn’t with his contemporaries such as there’s a vacuum for an onscreen changed much since several years Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Dinesh villain in Bollywood, and feels he — whether it was K N Singh, Pran, Thakur, Kamna Chandra, Om can fi ll it with his authoritative Madan Puri, Ranjeet or Prakash Shivpuri, Sudha Shivpuri, T P Jain voice and eff ective screen presence. Raj — because all of them in most and R P Sethi among others. Bajrangi Bhaijaan reconnected fi lms, led a team of goons who used They ventured to Mumbai and Khanna with Bollywood, who, force against the hero to defeat him Khanna, on the insistence of his after 33 years in the US, had moved but never succeeded. mother, went to the US to pursue last year to Mumbai. Now he is “The fi lm industry has changed, journalism. There he worked as exploring new roles, while also and improved technically, but the the South Asia Bureau Chief in the working on a book titled Indian villain has not changed. Today’s Voice of America Newsroom for 27 Antagonist, in which he traces the villain is still like Kansa or Ravana years. But he kept his interest in history of the Bollywood villain. and rarely like Shakuni, who is theatre alive and kept on acting on “It’s the villain that interests known for playing mind games. stage in English, Hindi, Urdu and me, and there is a vacuum in that Khanna feels that whenever Punjabi whenever he got a chance. space. With my voice and screen fi lmmakers took Shah Rukh Khan, In India, he feels the fervour presence, I could be in roles like Hrithik Roshan and Aamir Khan for the theatre medium is not as Amrish Puri did. Bollywood has to essay a villain who played mind promising among the youth as it not had many villains... There has games, the movies worked as “the was earlier. And the TV industry, been Ranjeet and Amrish Puri and villain can also be a hero”. according to him, is in “shambles” Amjad Khan. Having a background in theatre due to the system of casting co- “I hope some director will notice as well as journalism, Khanna has ordinators who treat people “like FILLING IN: Ravi Khanna my eyes, screen presence, voice an “uninterrupted passion for animals”. — IANS

Baba Kedarnath has music Anokha next month. So, day and Ranveer Singh’s brotherly like a feature fi lm: Kher night we are working on 16 tracks act for onscreen sibling at a rocket’s speed,” Kailash told Singer-composer Kailash Kher, IANS. Actor Ranveer Singh has who has turned producer with Singers such as Suresh Wadkar, come out to support Vaibbhav TV series Baba Kedarnath, says Sonu Nigam, Shaan, Arijit Tatwawadi, his onscreen brother the music of the show which has Singh, Babul Supriyo, Shankar from his film Bajirao Mastani, for contribution from celebrities like Mahadevan, Shreya Ghoshal his forthcoming Marathi film Mr Hema Malini and Anupam Kher, and Anup Jalota have sung the & Mrs. Sadachari. Ranveer sent is of the quality of that in a feature show’s title track Jai jai Kedara. his best wishes to Vaibbhav, who fi lm. “Celebrities like Hema Malini, was seen essaying role of Chimaji The show, he shared, is almost Prasoon Joshi and Sivamani have Appa in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ready but the launch date is yet also sung the song. Apart from magnum opus in which Ranveer to be locked. “Every creative singing, I have also written and played Maratha leader Peshwa soul has a desire or hunger to do composed the song. For fi rst time, Bajirao I. something for the country, for its after Mile sur mera tumhara, so According to sources, Ranveer people and mankind. I do so much many artistes have come together and Vaibbhav shared a cordial of research on Shiv and I compose for a song which has a larger than relationship during the shoot of music on Shiv. Shiv, according to life kind of message,” said the Allah UNITED IN MUSIC: Kailash Kher Bajirao Mastani and referred to me, is not just a religious dev. He ke bande hitmaker. each other as ‘brother’. Onscreen, IN SOLIDARITY: Ranveer Singh, is dev of mankind... of creating The show’s shooting is still on. private channels as well,” he added. both of them appeared to disagree right, with Vaibbhav Tatwawadi. the universe. This entire TV series “We are yet to decide the date (of If everything works out, he will be with each other on everything, that I have produced in association the show’s launch). We are almost “producing a big TV series after but off-screen their rapport was Bollywood cine-goers to watch with Uttarakhand government is a ready. We are still left with the last this”. cordial. the Marathi movie. Mr & Mrs wonderful project. bit of the shoot with Ashutosh “I want to do something with Ranveer released a video Sadachari is an action romantic “The USP is that we have Rana. We have shot with Vivek passion and meaning. I don’t want supporting Vaibbhav for his film. Marathi movie starring Prarthana composed music which is parallel Oberoi and Anupam Kher. The to be in the rat race just for the heck In the video, he says: “Hi this Behere, Vaibhav Tatwawadi, Uma to that of a feature fi lm. It has seven three actors will be narrators on the of it. I want to make a diff erence,” is Ranveer, don’t forget to watch Sardeshmukh, and Mohan Joshi. tracks. The album should release show,” he said. said Kailash, who added that all my brother Vaibbhav’s Mr & Mrs Directed by Ashish Wagh, the film after one or two months as band “We are not sure whether it his TV shows or movies will have a Sadachari.” will hit the screens on Friday. — Kailasa is releasing new album Ishq will be aired only on DD or other spiritual content. — IANS He also asked his fans and IANS

People told me Shabana Azmi wouldn’t do Neerja: Kasbekar “Despite the low budget, she did the fi lm. said: “When I received the Neerja script, we She is a true artiste and has an eagerness to realised that Sonam’s features match a lot Ace photographer Atul Kasbekar, who made do good roles. I feel these kinds of honest and with Neerja Bhanot. his debut as a producer with Neerja, says sincere roles are rarely off ered to actors these “Neerja was tall and did modelling so did people told him veteran actress Shabana Azmi days,” he added. Sonam. So I told her that I want to produce won’t be doing the fi lm. Shabana plays a character based on Rama a fi lm and she was surprised. I gave her the “Shabana ji gave the nod for the fi lm within Bhanot, the mother of Neerja Bhanot who script to read and she was impressed with the a day. It was my idea to cast Shabana ji for the sacrifi ced her life while saving numerous lives narration. As I asked her to do the role, she role, but others were not convinced as they on a hijacked plane in 1986. The fi lm Neerja is said, ‘Have you gone mad!’” Kasbekar said. thought she would not be ready to do the fi lm,” based on this real-life incident. “Nevertheless, Sonam agreed to do the said Atul. “She is one of the fi nest actresses As seen in the trailer and songs, the character and after knowing Ram Madhvani and I am just a novice in fi lm production. mother-daughter bond between Sonam would direct the movie, she realised it would Shabana ji is close to Rama Bhanot and as she Kapoor and Shabana Azmi is crucial to the be a diffi cult role to portray. “I am really came to know that I have bought the rights of plot of the fi lm. thankful to Sonam for keeping faith in me as a ACCOLADES: Atul Kasbekar the story from the family, she agreed to do it. About how Sonam came onboard, he fi rst-time producer.” — IANS 18 GULF TIMES Sunday, February 21, 2016 COMMUNITY HOLLYWOOD Hispanic women finally getting their due on TV?

Still, being the boss doesn’t mean By Neal Justin much if you don’t do something with the clout. Mexican Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu may be in line to elevision has a long way win his second straight Oscar as best to go before it accurately director, but neither Birdman nor The reflects the country’s Revenant featured a Hispanic actor in a diversity, but compared with prominent role. the film world, it’s a virtual One person who is using her rainbowT coalition in the US. behind-the-scenes influence to make a While the Academy Awards prepare difference is Eva Longoria. In addition for next week’s Walk of Shame — it to Telenovela, in which she headlines failed to nominate a single person of a nearly all-Hispanic cast, she has colour in an acting category for the helped develop Devious Maids, the second year in a row — TV can point to American Latino Media Arts (ALMA) critical acclaim and strong numbers for Awards and several Hispanic-themed racially mixed series such as Orange Is documentaries. the New Black, How to Get Away With “Did I intentionally start producing Murder and The Walking Dead. to help Latinos? I actually started But despite the progress, it still producing because I like bossing feels as though Hispanic women are people around, and I’m really good woefully underserved. Yes, Sofia at it,” said Longoria, whose ability to Vergara of Modern Family is TV’s make such statements and still come highest paid actress, but her success across as charming is why she’s such a comes from playing a trophy wife likable comic actress. “I think there’s a who trips over the English language lot to be done on having more diversity and refers casually to her violent in front of the camera, but it starts Colombian upbringing. No other behind the camera.” female Hispanic TV actress made Of course, even if Shades of Blue, Forbes’ annual list of big-money Telenovela or Superstore becomes a players for 2015. hit — all three are losing viewers on a If there’s hope that the times are weekly basis — that doesn’t guarantee changing, it’s on NBC. smooth sailing for Hispanics in the Yes, NBC, the network that leapt near future. to first place in the mid-1980s on the Ugly Betty did very well for ABC, strength of The Cosby Show, about and star America Ferrera seemed a well-off black family — and then poised to take over a rom-com universe blew it, happily basking in the success previously dominated by blondes in size of Friends and Seinfeld, shows that O dresses. But Ferrera said Superstore is suggested that minorities no longer the fi rst job she was off ered that wasn’t frequented diners and coffee shops in written specifi cally for a Latina. New York City. “I do applaud NBC for what they are NBC is desperate again, which doing this season, but I do think it’s means it’ll try anything — including important to acknowledge that we have having Hispanic actresses lead three successes that don’t necessarily end up series, Shades of Blue, Superstore and as watershed moments for diversity on Telenovela. Network brass may not say television,” she said. it, but they are definitely taking a cue The only way to ensure long- from ABC, which reversed its fortunes term success is if minorities end up a decade ago by hitching its wagon to running networks, just as film won’t producer and writer Shonda Rhimes, really change until people of color are who has done more for diversity in running major studios. “We need a network TV than any other single pipeline, and the only way that you person. can become a network executive is “I just remember watching Grey’s if you touch every rung of the ladder Anatomy and thinking, ‘Wow, she’s in production, be a producer, be a putting this person in this role and director, know how TV is made, and that person in that role,’ and it was then rise in the ranks,” Longoria said. so interesting,” said Shades of Blue There may be significance in ABC’s star Jennifer Lopez. “Since then, it’s decision to replace its entertainment becoming more the norm.” president, Paul Lee, with Channing What’s worth noting in the case of Dungey. She will become the first Shades of Blue isn’t Lopez’s role on black president of a major broadcast screen (her role as a crooked cop is network. about as credible as Denise Richards Could Longoria play that same role suiting up as a nuclear physicist in for Hispanic women? And if so, where the 1999 James Bond flick The World do I sign up to be part of her support Is Not Enough) but that she’s one of team? the drama’s executive producers — a “I’m too young,” she said in my sign that she’s a force to be reckoned attempt to launch a campaign. with. In the film world, directors may Longoria may have the luxury of sit atop the pyramid, but in TV, the waiting a while. Not sure if the same producer is king — or, as is becoming can be said about broadcast TV. — Star MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Eva Longoria more and more the case, the queen. Tribune/TNS Sunday, February 21, 2016 GULF TIMES 19 HOLLYWOOD COMMUNITY

When Ryan Reynolds was considered a ‘moving target’

Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds says there was a time when he was considered a moving target. The actor has shared how growing up with three older brothers prepared him to play Wade Wilson, aka Marvel’s Deadpool, reports people.com. “It’s intense when you’re the youngest of four boys,” Reynolds, 39, said. “You sort of cultivate all these other aspects, survival aspects, that you wouldn’t normally cultivate, you know, being the oldest.” He continued: “It’s something I always related to and I think that’s why I connected to the character 11 years ago. As a kid, I was the IN THE BOYS’ CLUB: Ryan Reynolds youngest of four boys. I wasn’t considered a younger brother, I easy, but proved to be beneficial. was considered a moving target.” “The way I stayed alive was with Reynolds, who plays the role of my mouth because I’m not going a “kind of hyper-funny, hyper- to win with my fists,” he said. “I violent, but very meta” superhero, felt like I was sort of rehearsing admitted that growing up in a for Deadpool from the get-go.” — house full of boys wasn’t exactly IANS

Gwyneth Paltrow’s alleged SPIRITUAL SIDE: Megan Fox with a book on palm reading. stalker found not guilty recommendation that he be hospitalised for psychiatric A man accused of stalking treatment, reports mirror.co.uk. Oscar-winning actress Gwyneth In court, his lawyer said his Paltrow has been found not client had simply written to Megan Fox turns palmist guilty. Paltrow appeared in a Paltrow and that recent letters court here earlier this month hadn’t included pornography. where she said a man named Paltrow was the first witness Dante Soiu had sent her 66 letters called and authenticated 48 on Jimmy Kimmel Live! between 2009 and 2015, reports of the letters, many of which mirror.co.uk. contain religious messages and The court heard the letters statements referencing her death. ctress Megan Fox last week displayed her While on the show, Fox also spoke about her children described Soiu’s intention to She testified about letters art of palmistry on talk show Jimmy Kimmel and growing up in a strict Southern Christian household. marry Paltrow and a pair of and packages she received from Live!, where she surprised host Jimmy “The women in the church are only allowed to wear earrings he sent her in 2009 as Soiu dating to 1999, including Kimmel by predicting not only his fortune pants, you can’t wear dresses, you can’t wear make-up or a Christmas gift. Several letters several that allegedly contained but also that of talk show personality jewellery, so it’s a really sort of oppressive environment to reportedly contained pornography pornography and statements that AGuillermo Rodriguez. grow up in. But I sort of lean left of that now,” Fox said. and statements that Soiu wanted he wanted to cleanse her of sin. Fox, who was earlier photographed walking out of a She said that she considers herself as someone who to cleanse Paltrow of sin. One letter described Paltrow place with a book about palm reading, said that she had believes in the spiritual side of life and regards the use of But last week, jurors found “bowing to death”. The actress become good at astrology and so she decided to learn astrology as incredibly important. The episode of Jimmy him not guilty on all charges said the reference was disturbing. about palmistry just for fun. So, Kimmel asked if she Kimmel Live! featuring Fox will be aired in India on Friday and there was reportedly no — IANS would read his palm, and she agreed to it. on Star World. — IANS

Keira Knightley to play Knightley has been in talks for Affl eck got ‘valuable’ Batman Catherine in biopic? the project since last year. advice from Clooney, Bale Born Sophia Augusta Fredericka, Filmmaker Barbra Streisand Catherine the Great became the Ben Affl eck, who is the latest actor to play is considering actress Keira longest-ruling female leader of Batman, sought advice on the role from actors Knightley to play the title role in Russia. George Clooney and Christian Bale. In an her upcoming biopic on Catherine The fi lm, which is set to be interview alongside his Batman v Superman the Great. produced by Gil Netter, will follow co-star Henry Cavill, Affl eck told Good The Oscar-nominated actress the young empress as she fi nds Morning America’s Jesse Palmer that Clooney has been eyed to play the role of herself trapped in an abusive and Bale, who also played the caped crusader the Russian monarch in the fi lm, marriage to inept ruler Emperor in the past, had off ered their guidance, reports whose script has been written by Peter III and eventually uses her people.com. Kristina Lauren Anderson, reports intelligence and cunning to rise to “I talked to Clooney and he gave me some hollywoodreporter.com. power. — IANS advice which is not repeatable,” Affl eck joked. “And I talked to Christian, who just told me to make sure I got a zipper in the suit, which was valuable, practice advice as it turned out.” Clooney starred in Batman & Robin (1997), and Bale portrayed as Batman in the Christopher Nolan’s acclaimed Dark Knight Trilogy: Batman Begins (2005), The Dark Knight (2008), and The Dark Knight Rises (2012). Affl eck also dished on the year-long workout regimen he undertook to get into crime fi ghting shape, which he admits was spurred on by a little healthy competition with Cavill. “I saw the fi rst movie that he was in (Man of Steel) and I was kind of like, ‘Wow, well I don’t know if I’m going to be able to be quite in that ROPED IN? Keira Knightley good of shape,’” he joked. – IANS RECEIVING END: Ben Aff leck 20 GULF TIMES Sunday, February 21, 2016 COMMUNITY Discover Bulgaria in Doha A two-day festival in the city will highlight the rich cultural diversity of this nation, bringing to fore its art, music, food and much more. By Umer Nangiana

of funk and jazz rock. Moreover, the band was honoured to be the offi cial band for the Bulgarian National Television (BNT), followed by numerous performances at the most prominent and major music events in Bulgaria (1992–1999). In 1992, Veliov was also asked to join the well-known Bulgarian country-rock band Medicus as its drummer. The years of 1992–94 followed with numerous performances throughout the country. The period of 1994– 97 was marked by a myriad of tours, studio recordings, and TV appearances with the pop duet Dony & Momchil. Veliov’s work with the duet includes but is not limited to three audio albums and the VCR reproduced Acoustic Concert at the National Theatre Sofi a. Between 1996–98, Veliov joined the Top 40 band Forte at their gigs in Bulgaria as well as throughout Europe (ie Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Greenland). With Akaga, Veliov participated for two consecutive years at the world leading and most prestigious jazz MANY FACETS: Bulgaria has one of the richest folk heritages in the world. festival, the Montreux Jazz Festival. Consequently, Channel 1 of BNT rawing infl uences video, lyrics, album of the year. In where he studied classical music for Partizani and others. released a documentary about the from major ancient 2008, she received the prestigious another fi ve years. The talented musician band and its performance at the civilisations such as Performer of the Decade Award for The last decade of the 20th participated in many diff erent TV festival. the Thracians, Ancient her success with the song Ti (You). century has been a time of shows, recorded and participated In 1998, Veliov toured Bulgaria Greeks, Romans, She has presented Bulgarian tremendous opportunities in over 30 albums, and performed with Kanaleto, Dony & Momchil, DOstrogoths, Slavs, Varangians folkloric music and culture on a and success for Veliov. As a on six huge tours in Bulgaria– and and Nona Yotova band. The same and especially Bulgars, Bulgaria number of occasions before at percussionist and drummer, he all that in the short period of seven year, the Diva of the Bulgarian pop boasts a diverse cultural heritage. international festivals in Denmark, performed with the most high- years. music, Lili Ivanova invited Veliov to The Bulgarian nation has one of Finland, Romania, Belgium, Egypt, ranked celebrities in Bulgaria The year 1992 marked a huge be her drummer. With Lili, he had the richest folk heritages in the Italy, Spain, England and Portugal. including Akaga, Medicus, Dony success for Veliov. The young the opportunity to perform at many world. Bringing a glimpse of this She has performed at the renowned & Momchil, Ku-Ku Band, Lili musician took part in the creation major events such as representing rich cultural diversity, a two- Astoria Hall in London. Ivanova, Stoyan Zahariev, Kanaleto, of the fusion formation, Akaga. In Bulgaria at Moscow, Russia during day Bulgarian festival, ‘Discover She is accompanied by Kalin Nona band, Jazzbreakers, Latino no time, Akaga became a leader of the Days of Bulgarian Culture. Bulgaria’ will entertain the local Veliov on vocals besides playing a audience early next month. traditional Bulgarian percussion. Besides the traditional Bulgarian Veliov discovered his passion about delicacies in food, an authentic percussion instruments at a very Bulgarian music group, Pendara early age. At the age of seven, he Ethno Project, is all set to perform started his musical education at the live at the beach front lawn of National Children’s Palace in Sofi a. InterContinental Doha on March 4 Few years later, the young and March 5. percussionist joined the popular Pendara Ethno Project children’s pop band Pim-Pam, comprising Nina Nikolina, which gave him the opportunity Ekaterina Anguelova, Kalin Veliov to tour Bulgaria and participate in on percussion and vocals, and many TV shows. He is a student of Nedyalko Nedyalkov on kaval the Palievi family, who are one of (a fl ute like Bulgarian musical the greatest names in the area of instrument), traditionally attired drums and percussions in Bulgaria. in the Bulgarian outfi t, takes the Veliov was accepted in the audience on a journey through National School of Music Lubomir multiple cultures and folk music. Pipkov (1988). The same year, the Lead vocalist Nina Nikolina young student became a member of is a veteran musician who has the Youth Philharmonic Orchestra successfully produced and recorded Pioner, conducted by maestro albums in an array of musical Vlady Simeonov with which he genres including folklore, pop and toured Italy (1988-1990). Latino. Veliov graduated from the Nikolina has released nine National School of Music in albums and she has received awards 1992. He was also accepted at the for performance, song, music National Conservatory in Sofi a, Pendara Ethno Project brings colours of Bulgaria to Qatar.