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Friday, March 8, 2019 Rajab 1, 1440 AH

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COVER 90 and counting STORY First Oscar nominated female director Lina Wertmüller on her life and times. P2-3

CUISINE SHOWBIZ

Non-fried spring rolls The next level: Shekhar, from Vietnam. Kabir eye digital space. Page 6 Page 15 2 GULF TIMES Friday, March 8, 2019 COMMUNITY COVER STORY Total recall Italian film-maker Lina Wertmüller broke ground when she was Oscar nominated for Seven PRAYER TIME Beauties, but her films were never calculated to Fajr 4.35am Shorooq (sunrise) 5.51am Zuhr (noon) 11.45am win mainstream appeal, writes Claire Armitstead Asr (afternoon) 3.08pm Maghreb (sunset) 5.41pm Isha (night) 7.11pm

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ote Unquo Qu te “Think like

a queen. A queen is not ina Wertmüller’s fi rst job in fi lm was to scout afraid to fail. Failure is another out interesting faces for Federico Fellini. The Critics will Italian master was at the height of his success; stepping stone to greatness.” she was an ambitious young puppeteer more say what interested in snatching her own location — Oprah Winfrey Lfootage than honouring the duties of an assistant critics director. “I was the worst assistant, but that was overlooked because I was likeable,” she says. say. I have The fi lm was 8½, the tale of a fecklessly promiscuous never been director abandoned by his muse. It wasn’t long before Wertmüller had cast her own mother and her card concerned circle of elegant socialites, who went on to be fl eetingly Community Editor immortalised playing canasta on a beach, in the 1963 fi lm with success listed by Sight & Sound as the 10th greatest of all time. Kamran Rehmat By the end of that year, Wertmüller had made her e-mail: [email protected] directorial debut with (The Lizards) — about Telephone: 44466405 — Lina three aimless youths in a sleepy southern Italian town Fax: 44350474 — and embarked on her own lifelong pursuit of faces, Wertmüller bodies and dialects that could not easily be sourced from ‘ ’ Cinecittà (Italy’s central studios). Friday, March 8, 2019 GULF TIMES 3 COVER STORY COMMUNITY

Now aged 90, Wertmüller is puppet troupe. “Really, there are about to arrive in London, on screen two strands — two souls — which if not in person, as the fi rst star of coexist in my work: the lighthearted a new strand at London’s Barbican one associated with musical celebrating neglected fi lm-makers. comedies and the more socially Four of her fi lms will be featured in conscious one,” she says. the month-long season, alongside Her most recent, and probably a perky documentary about her her last, job was as co-director of life directed by her protege and Verdi’s opera Macbeth, at Salerno assistant Valerio Ruiz. It is Ruiz in 2016. But her rackety “vulgar” who greets me at her apartment, side is captured in the documentary perched two storeys up a winding when she performs one of her own staircase around the corner from songs, Bac Baccanale, written for the Piazza del Populo in central an abortive musical about Caligula. Rome. “Hands, sighs, bellies … girls all in The door opens on two lifesized a frenzy …” she growls, lit up with a cloth dummies which sprawl ribald energy. across a bench in the entrance The fi nal fi lm of the Barbican hall. Wertmüller is reclined on a season, 1974’s Swept Away, chaise longue, a diminutive fi gure condenses the elemental struggles in her trademark white-framed of class, sex and geographical origin glasses, with glossy scarlet toenails into a fable of a rich woman and a peeping out from a loose black poor sailor marooned on a desert robe. She shifts enough to allow island. It is Wertmüller’s Lord of the me a perch on the end next to her Flies , with the exquisite Mariangela feet, but is clearly not going to be Melato gradually succumbing to separated from the two props that Giannini’s re-emerging south- will dominate the next hour: an Italian machismo. “They are not ashtray, into which she taps the ash only a man and a woman but they from a steady stream of cigarettes, represent two politics: communist and an antique telephone, which and capitalist. I was interested in she answers at length, each of the observing what their relationship several times it rings. could be with no laws,” Wertmüller Her attention is focused beadily says. outwards: “And where did you grow Swept Away was picked up by up?” she parries, in answer to a Guy Ritchie and Madonna for a question about her early life. “How poorly received remake in 2002. tall are you?” she demands later, In the aftermath of her Oscars creating the alarming impression success, Wertmüller was signed that I might be being sized up as up by Warner Brothers for four an extra for her next fi lm. When I English language fi lms, but the deal tell her I have spent the last week only survived one fl op. The fi lm immersed in her work, which I critic Derek Malcolm recalls “a very found impressive but also deeply curious case In the early and mid- shocking, she takes a deep drag on 70s, she was the toast of Rome, her cigarette and gives the fi rst of ON CUE: Lina Wertmüller, right, on the set of in 1975 with her star . London and New York, but quite many exaggerated shrugs. suddenly, in the late 70s, the bubble The four fi lms that will be shown the mafi a in the naive belief that he has been conscripted after a unsisterly camerawork, the director seemed to burst. After getting that in the retrospective were released the ballot would be secret. In 1973’s series of mishaps prompted by the gives another of her histrionic rare Academy nomination, she in an intense bout of creativity in lingerie-tastic , accidental shooting of his sister’s shrugs, and says: “I am looking for a could do nothing right.” the early 1970s, culminating in an accidental anarchist hides out wealthy sugar-daddy. reality that deforms the body.” “Italy is not one but many Seven Beauties, which won four in a brothel and falls in love with All three feature cameos from So who is Lina Wertmüller and countries,” she says. One possible Oscar nominations in 1977, making a prostitute, while waiting to one of Wertmüller’s most striking what drives her “deforming” explanation for her seesawing Wertmüller the fi rst woman to assassinate Mussolini. In the grimly outsider actors, Elena Fiore, who vision? Archangela Felice Assunta fortunes is that her work was so receive a best director nomination comedic Seven Beauties, a young made her debut in The Seduction Wertmüller von Eigg Spañol von intricately bound up with those (it wasn’t until 1994 that Jane Neapolitan hoodlum (nicknamed of Mimi as a middle-aged Sicilian Braueich — to give her full birth countries, as refl ected in the Campion joined her, for The Piano). “Settebellezze” — seven beauties — housewife, who succumbs to his name — was born into a wealthy faces and speech rhythms of their Her Oscar nominations (she also because of his disfi guring freckles) cynical advances. When I suggest family with a lineage that stretched inhabitants, that it got lost in received a nod for best screenplay) ends up in a concentration camp that it must have been pretty back to Switzerland, via a couple of translation. Her portrayal of women opened the door to a brief aff air after deserting the army to which brave for an actor to agree to such generations in the southern Italian also fell foul of feminist critics. with American cinema. In the region of Basilicata. “Wertmüller’s detachment from her documentary, Behind the White Those bare facts, she suggests, own femaleness and her old-style Glasses, her lead actor, Giancarlo Wertmüller’s explain two things: fi rst, her sense of herself as superwoman Giannini, recalls strolling together attachment to the south of Italy, allows her to treat women with through New York’s Times Square detachment even though she has spent much of more exaggerated scorn, even beneath billboards for four of their from her own her life in Rome. And, second and loathing, than men would dare to,” fi lms. more playfully, her predilection wrote Barbara Quart in 1988 — an With their polemical ardour, femaleness and for long titles (the Italian title of accusation that 30 years on, earns their gross-out caricatures — Love and Anarchy is Film d’amore e another shrug from the director: usually of women — and their her old-style d’anarchia, ovvero: stamattina alle “Critics will say what critics say. frequent outbursts of sexual 10, in via dei Fiori, nella nota casa I have never been concerned with violence, it is hard to imagine such sense of herself di tolleranza ...). They combine into success.” fi lms even being made today, let as superwoman an aristocratic disdain for petty “Directing is always an alone screened in Times Square. conventions dictated from the adventure, an adventure which But just as important, at the allows her to powerhouses of the north. “The can be good or bad and you can time, was their social specifi city. titles were also perhaps a joke at the use this testament of yours to add Three of the Barbican quartet treat women expense of my producers, who had something or nothing,” she says deal directly with the stand-off with more to fi t them on a billboard.” in the documentary. “We added between socialism, fascism and Expelled from multiple convent something: the face of the south crime in mid-century Italy. Though exaggerated schools, Wertmüller abandoned her which few knew about.” In Swept Wertmüller was a socialist, she was studies at 16 for a drama college, Away, as in so many of her fi lms, too shrewd, cynical or capricious scorn, even where she became immersed in rape generates love. Is she really (depending on your perspective) to the Stanislavski tradition. One suggesting that sexual humiliation suggest that the gordian knot could loathing, than childhood friend went on to marry is erotic, that violence is the only ever be untangled. men would the actor Marcello Mastroianni, way the diff erent Italys can be In the most overtly comic of thereby manoeuvring Wertmüller’s reconciled? “Love is a mystery,” she them, 1972s , dare to introduction to Fellini. In between, says. “Why is love born? Because it a young activist is forced to leave his she immersed herself in popular is born.” home in Sicily after voting against — Barbara Quart theatre and worked for a travelling — The Guardian 4 GULF TIMES Friday, March 8, 2019 COMMUNITY BODY & MIND Fungus linked to dandruff may worsen bowel disease

fungus linked to patients than in healthy people,” dandruff in the hair said study co-author David may worsen intestinal Underhill from the Cedars-Sinai disorders such as Medical Center in Los Angeles. inflammatory bowel “Further, the presence of diseaseA (IBD) in patients with Malassezia was linked to a a certain genetic makeup, new common variation in a gene research has found. known to be important for Malassezia restricta yeasts immunity to fungi - a genetic found in oily skin and scalp signature more common in follicles are linked to several skin patients with Crohn’s disease conditions. These microscopic than the healthy population,” fungi also often end up in the gut. Underhill said. In particular, M. restricta was IBD is characterised by changes elevated in Crohn’s patients in immune responses to the carrying a genetic variation intestinal microbiome. known as the IBD CARD9 risk While most studies on the allele, according to the study microbiome focus on bacteria, published in the journal Cell Host Underhill’s team investigates the & Microbe. fungi’s presence and its potential Crohn’s disease is a type of role in intestinal disease. IBD that causes inflammation Changes in intestinal fungi of the digestive tract, leading such as M. restricta, and host to abdominal pain, diarrhoea, responses to these fungi, may be a fatigue, weight loss and factor in exacerbating symptoms malnutrition. that contribute to disease in a “We were surprised to find subset of patients with Crohn’s that Malassezia restrica was disease, said co-author Jose more common on intestinal Limon, a Cedars-Sinai research CAUSE: Crohn’s disease is a type of IBD that causes inflammation of the digestive tract, leading to abdominal pain, tissue surfaces in Crohn’s disease team member. – IANS diarrhoea, fatigue, weight loss and malnutrition.

Soda, sugar-sweetened beverages Overweight people have better to die after a stroke and those who were may worsen MS symptoms chances of survival from stroke overweight had 15 percent more chances of survival. People with multiple sclerosis (MS) While obesity has known to be a key Conversely, underweight people were consuming 290 calories of soda or other risk factor in many diseases, a new study 67 percent more likely to die after a stroke sugar-sweetened beverages a day may be tied suggests having some extra body fat may be than people of normal weight. to more severe symptoms, researchers warn. linked to an increased chance of surviving The condition called the obesity Multiple sclerosis is a progressive and a stroke. paradox suggests being overweight may be degenerative disease in which the immune “It was noticed that carrying extra protective for some, such as old people or system attacks nerves, producing a variety of weight may play a role in survival for people those with certain chronic diseases. neurological symptoms. who had suff ered from kidney and heart “One possible explanation is people The study showed that participants who disease, We felt the need to investigate who are overweight or obese may have a consumed the largest amounts of sugar- whether it also was tied to improved stroke nutritional reserve that may help them sweetened beverages were fi ve times more survival,” said Zuolu Liu, researcher at the survive during prolonged illness. More likely to have severe disability than people who University of California-Los Angeles. research is needed to investigate the seldom drank sugar-sweetened beverages and The study, presented at the American relationship between body mass index and consume an average of seven calories of such Academy of Neurology’s 71st annual stroke,” Liu stated. drinks per day. meeting in the US, found that severely For the study, the team looked at 1,033 “MS patients often want to know how diet obese people were 62 per cent less likely to stroke-aff ected people with an average age and specifi c foods can aff ect the progression of die than people of normal weight. of 71 and an average body mass index (BMI) their disease,” said Elisa Meier-Gerdingh from Obese people were 46 percent less likely of 27.5. – IANS St. Josef Hospital in Germany. The researchers considered 135 people with MS who completed the questionnaire about their diet. The team chose to study the DASH diet as it is associated with lower risk of other chronic diseases, like high blood pressure, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, said Meier- Gerdingh. The diet recommends whole grains, fruits and vegetables, low-fat dairy products, lean meats, poultry and fi sh, and nuts and legumes and limits foods that are high in saturated fat and sugar. The study, presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s 71st Annual Meeting in the US, showed that overall no link was found between what participants ate and their level of disability. In addition, a total of 30 AT RISK: People who consume larger amounts participants had severe disability. of sugar-sweetened beverages are five times Additional studies are needed to evaluate more likely to have severe disability than people whether sugar-sweetened beverages aff ect the STATISTICS: According to a study, obese people were 46 percent less likely to die after a who seldom drank sugar-sweetened beverages. course of the disease, the study noted. – IANS stroke and those who were overweight had 15 percent more chances of survival. Friday, March 8, 2019 GULF TIMES 5 BODY & MIND COMMUNITY

TREATMENT: The new approach, by researchers from the University of Utah in the US, targets the misfunctioning immune cells while leaving the normal immune cells in place. New treatment off ers hope for treating diabetes, MS

esearchers have The new approach, by 1-expressing cells. Using this Assistant Professor at the varsity. of paralysis, the treatment also developed a novel and researchers from the University method, we may avoid long- “To make similar therapeutics restored the mice’s ability to walk. safe treatment for of Utah in the US, targets the term immune deficiency caused for people, we would need to find In a normal functioning autoimmune diseases misfunctioning immune cells by common treatments for the anti-human PD-1 antibody, immune system, the PD-1- including Type-1 while leaving the normal immune autoimmune disease,” said lead like the anti-mouse PD-1 expressing cells, including Rdiabetes and multiple sclerosis cells in place. author Peng Zhao, from the antibody. immune cells, contain a (MS) that arise when the body’s In the study, published in varsity. “If we can generate the human mechanism that prevents the immune cells attack itself. the journal Nature Biomedical When tested in a mouse model version of therapeutics, I think cycle from attacking itself. Current treatments eliminate Engineering, the team engineered mimicking Type-1 diabetes, the we could make a huge impact in However, in people with these misfunctioning immune cells, a protein molecule to deplete the treatment delayed the onset of treating autoimmune disease,” autoimmune disease, these cells but also destroy normal, protective misfunctioning PD-1-expressing diabetes. Chen said. somehow escape the checkpoint immune cells, leaving patients cells from the body while leaving “We are really taking treatment In addition, the treatment was and the immune system remains susceptible to immune defi ciency normal immune cells in place. for autoimmune disease in a new also applied to a mouse MS model. in a state of alert, attacking body and opportunistic infections. “We wanted to target PD- direction,” said Mingnan Chen, Besides halting the progression cells. – IANS

Eating garlic, onions daily may vegetables compared with those who Sleep apnoea linked with ward off colon cancer risk consumed low amounts. “The greater the Alzheimer’s marker amount of allium vegetables, the better Consuming 50 grams of allium the protection,” said Zhi Li, from the First Researchers have found a link between sleep vegetables, which include garlic, leeks, Hospital of China Medical University. apnoea and increased levels of a toxic brain and onions, daily can potentially reduce “In general, the present findings protein commonly associated with Alzheimer’s the risk of getting colorectal cancer, finds shed light on the primary prevention disease. a study. of colorectal cancer through lifestyle The fi ndings suggest that people suff ering The study, published in the Asia intervention, which deserves further in- from sleep apnoea may have higher Pacific Journal of Clinical Oncology, depth explorations,”Li added. accumulations of an Alzheimer’s disease showed that the odds of having colorectal For the study, 833 patients of colorectal biomarker called tau in an area of the brain that cancer was 79 per cent lower in adults cancer were matched to 833 healthy helps with memory. who consumed high amounts of allium controls by age, sex and residence area. Those who had apnoeas had on average 4.5 Demographic and dietary information percent higher levels of tau in the entorhinal were collected via face-to-face interviews cortex than those who did not have apnoeas, using a validated food frequency suggests the study presented at the American questionnaire. Academy of Neurology’s 71st Annual Meeting MENACE: According to a study, people However, the association of garlic in Philadelphia. suff ering from sleep apnoea may have higher intake with cancer risk was not significant Tau, a protein that forms into tangles, is accumulations of an Alzheimer’s disease among those with distal colon cancer, the found in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s biomarker called tau in an area of the brain Xinhua reported. disease. that helps with memory. According to the study, the health “Our research results raise the possibility benefits can be observed when one eats that sleep apnoea aff ects tau accumulation. For the study, the research team involved about 16kg of allium vegetables every year But it is also possible that higher levels of tau in 288 people of age 65 and older who did not or 50 grams every day. other regions may predispose a person to sleep have cognitive impairment. Bed partners were The researchers also pointed out that apnea,” said co-author Diego Z Carvalho from asked whether they had witnessed episodes of cooking method can affect the nutritional Minnesota’s Mayo Clinic. stopped breathing during sleep. value of allium vegetables. For instance, According to the researchers, obstructive Participants had positron emission crushing fresh garlic is beneficial but sleep apnoea is a condition that involves tomography (PET) brain scans to look for boiling onions reduces useful chemicals. frequent events of stopped breathing during accumulation of tau tangles in the entorhinal Previous studies have found that allium sleep, although an apnoea may also be a single cortex area of the brain, an area of the brain NUTRITIOUS: Allium vegetables have vegetables have nutrients and bioactive event of paused breathing during sleep. in the temporal lobe that is more likely to nutrients and bioactive compounds that can compounds that can cut the risk of cancer, “A person normally has fewer than fi ve accumulate tau than some other areas. cut the risk of cancer, particularly cancers of particularly cancers of the gastrointestinal episodes of apnoea per hour during sleep,” This area of the brain helps manage memory, the gastrointestinal tract. tract, the report said. – IANS Carvalho added. navigation and perception of time. – IANS 6 GULF TIMES Friday, March 8, 2019 COMMUNITY CUISINE

Tofu extra fi rm shredded 200gm Mung bean sprouts ½ cup Mint leaves 50gm Cilantro leaves 1 bunch Nuoc cham for dipping sauce

For nuoc cham Garlic 3 cloves Sugar 2 tbsp Fish sauce 3 tbsp Rice vinegar 2 tbsp Lime juice 2 tbsp Serrano chilli sliced 1 no. Carrot grated 1 tbsp Daikon grated 1 tbsp

Method To make the spring rolls fi ll a large bowl with hot water, in a separate bowl soak the rice noodles in warm water for 15 minutes. Steam the cleaned and deveined shrimps for 5-6 minutes or until completely pink in salted water and refresh in cold water and keep aside. Working with 1 rice paper at a time, dip the round in warm water for only 1 second and lay it on a fl at work surface. To assemble each roll, place several strands of noodles, 1 teaspoon each of the carrot and cucumber, 2 slices of tofu, 1 tbsp of bean sprouts and several leaves of mint, cilantro and 2-3 shrimps. MAJOR ATTRACTION: Vietnam’s food is the most fascinating part about its culture. Photo by the author Be careful about not to overstuff the rolls, lift the bottom edge of the rice paper and carefully place over the noodles and other ingredients, Non-fried spring rolls from Vietnam then roll once to form a tight fi rm cylindrical roll. Fold in the sides of the rice paper he arrival of spring season surprising – but believes me – it on the country, the people, the Majority of the salt required in an continue to roll the rice paper reminds me about spring is never boring. I have seen a lot architecture, the land and the a dish comes from the fi sh sauce. and fi lling for a cylindrical roll. rolls. The only drawback of Chinese restaurants in hotels fl avours. Pho is an example of Salty, fermented fi sh sauce is used Place the prepared spring rolls of Chinese spring rolls is convert to Vietnamese restaurants. French people leaving their mark – in marinades, soup broths, salad seam side down, on a platter and that they are deep fried. To consolidate Vietnamese cuisine the soup is a blend of Vietnamese dressings, spring roll dips and it’s cover with damp kitchen towel to So,T let’s make something which is a careful balance of fi ve elements rice noodles and French inspired hard to think of any dish where it is keep them moist. comes with all the goodness of and fl avours – sweet, sour, salty, meat broths. One theory even states not used. The national condiment For the nuoc cham, grind garlic spring rolls but is not deep fried. bitter and hot. This sensational that pho is a phonetic imitation in Vietnam is “nuoc cham”, which and sugar in mortar and pestle to Isn’t that exciting – lets learn and synthesis makes every meal of the French word “feu” meaning is made with splash of lime juice, form a paste or use a blender if explore about this wonderful dish an interesting and memorable “fi re”. sugar, chilies and garlic. Milk is not making in large quantity. today. These spring rolls are from experience. Travel around Vietnam One unique and common aspect used in Vietnam and sweetened Transfer to a bowl and whisk in Vietnam, the elongated skinny and you’ll notice two universal of all South East Asia cuisine is condensed milk is used in coff ee. the fi sh sauce, rice vinegar, lime country about the size of Italy, themes rice and fi sh sauce. Vietnam the freshness of the ingredients. Interestingly unripe fruits are juice, and ¼ cup water. with China to the north, Laos and is the second largest exporter of So much emphasis is given to the also used as vegetables in Vietnam. Pour through a fi ne mesh sieve Cambodia to the west and the South rice in the world after Thailand. freshness of the ingredients and A green papaya or banana fl ower into a clean bowl and add the chili, China Sea to the east. The food in Rice is served at breakfast, lunch, Vietnamese food makes extensive for example becomes the base for carrot and daikon and keep aside. the north is infl uenced by China snacks, dinner and as a dessert too. use of fresh herbs, spices and salads in lieu of the leafy greens. The Cut the roll into two before with its stir-fried noodles-based Rice is used to make food items aromatics. Sometimes they go into unripe fruits are also paired with serving with the prepared nuoc soups. As you move to the south, like rice noodles, rice paper sheets, a steamy pot of pho, sometimes fi sh sauce, chili, garlic, dried shrimp cham. there is more fl avour similarity with rice porridge, sticky rice, fried wrapped into spring rolls, and chopped peanuts. Note: To make a vegan version nearby Thailand and Cambodia. rice, puff ed rice snacks and many sometimes enclosed in a pancake of the spring roll use the vegan The tropical climate down south more. Rice is so signifi cant part of or just stir fried and served hot. Vietnamese spring rolls fi sh sauce made with seaweed also sustains more rice paddies, Vietnam culture that they say “com Usually the fresh produce is brought instead. Also replace the shrimp coconut groves, jackfruit trees and muoi” meaning “rice and salt” when daily from the farmers markets and Ingredients with vegetable like asparagus or herb gardens. The southern cuisine someone sneezes. They believe then prepared and served. Some of Rice paper sheets 8-10 nos. artichoke to make a vegetarian/ in Vietnam is typically sweeter – in saying rice and salt instead of the commonly used herbs and spices Shrimp steamed (26-30) 250gm vegan version. sweeter broths for pho – more palm blessing them with good health. are cilantro, mint, fi sh mint, basil, Lettuce leaves, stem removed sugar used in almost all the dishes. Vietnamese food is also lime leaf, lemongrass, green onion, 8-10 nos. z Chef Tarun Kapoor, Vietnam’s food is the most infl uenced by French cuisine scallion, perilla leaf, turmeric, dill, Thin Rice noodles 50gm Culinary Mastermind, fascinating part about its culture. due to their colonisation. The garlic chives, ginger and galangal, Carrot shredded 1 no. USA. He may be contacted at It is complex, dynamic and often French people had a lasting eff ect Saigon cinnamon, tamarind pulp. Cucumber shredded 1 no. [email protected] Friday, March 8, 2019 GULF TIMES 7 ENVIRONMENT COMMUNITY Cruise ships look for ways to reduce food waste Passengers have come to expect cruise ships to be overflowing with food options, especially at the buff et. Yet this excess often translates into dozens of kilos of waste

LIMITED: Cruise ship expert Franz Neumeier points out that the eff orts of shipping companies REDUCING WASTE: Tui Cruises was able to sink the amount of food waste it produces on its are limited by hygiene regulations. ships by 20 percent.

It’s clear there’s something of a By Philipp Laage confl ict there, but Costa says that many guests seem willing to actively participate in the programme. ardly anyone would Aida Cruises, the market leader book a cruise without in Germany and Costa’s sister expecting sumptuous company, has also calculated the meals to be included. amount of waste produced on its On the Aida Nova for ships and is making eff orts to reduce Hexample, the new fl agship of Aida it. Cruises, there are an astounding 17 One trick it applies at the buff et: restaurants. Towards the end of the opening Buff ets are particularly popular for hours, the range of food is not those taking cruises, but they also reduced, but the serving bowls cause a problem: Dozens of kilos of shrink. So the range of food is still food end up in the garbage every day. varied, but there are fewer leftovers. Shipping companies are striving to Tui Cruises is also active here. reduce waste, but they need the help Since autumn 2016, it has been of their guests. working with the United Against According to the cruise lines Waste organisation to look into how association Clia, a ship crossing to avoid waste on board. The pilot the Atlantic with 2,600 passengers project took place on Mein Schiff will carry 13,200 portions of 4 and, according to the shipping muesli, 37,000 eggs and 7,500 company, it cut 20 percent of portions of jam. On a 10-day sea food waste in its popular buff et voyage with 400 guests, the ship’s restaurant. kitchen processes seven tonnes of It proved so successful that in fruit. And six tonnes of meat will December 2017, the German Travel be eaten by 700 guests on a seven- RELUCTANT: Cruise line operators are reluctant to comment on exactly how many kilos of food go into the garbage Association awarded the project a day cruise. every day. sustainability prize. Planning the rations as precisely Nevertheless, there’s only so much as possible is a great challenge. been avoided on the cruise ship since side dishes such as rice, potatoes and challenge, because after all, the that can be done to avoid food waste But cruise companies are making the study was carried out. By 2020, bread. guests expect a relatively plentiful on cruise liners. Cruise ship expert a big eff ort to tackle the issue of waste will be reduced by that amount Costa also donates leftover food buff et,” says Joerg Rudolph, Franz Neumeier points out that the food waste. In September 2017, the throughout the fl eet. to charities in some of the cities that Germany boss at Costa Crociere. eff orts of shipping companies are Italian cruise operator Costa hired Cruise line operators are reluctant it docks in, for example Palermo, On the Costa ships, there’s also limited by hygiene regulations. the British company Winnow to to comment on exactly how many Marseille and Barcelona. the fact that diff erent nationalities On the one hand, there are the measure the amount of food wasted kilos of food go into the garbage The shipping company also have very diff erent eating habits. laws in the countries that the ships on its Costa Diadema ship, including every day. On the Costa Diadema, it focuses on raising awareness among “A German might eat perhaps fi ve visit, and on the other, the fact that recording the exact amount left was possible to reduce the waste per its guests. For example, with the potatoes, a French person only two,” the ships need to ensure that no uneaten on the plates. person per day from 218 grams to 98 campaign ‘Taste don’t waste,’ in Rudolph says. And fi nally, the crew, diseases spread onboard. On the basis of the data, it was grams. which passengers are encouraged not who come from diff erent countries, But holidaymakers can still make possible to adapt and reduce the What was particularly to pile so much on their plates. After also eat quite diff erently. their own contributions to a more range of food on off er. According to dispensable? On one hand, there all, the buff et produces a particularly Preaching moderation instead of sustainable cruise - by not taking the shipping company, more than 50 were decorative accessories such as large amount of leftovers. indulgence, to holidaymakers of all more from the buff et than they can per cent of food waste has already herbs and fruit, and on the other, “This is certainly the biggest people? eat. – DPA 8 GULF TIMES Friday, March 8, 2019 COMMUNITY INFOGR Friday, March 8, 2019 GULF TIMES 9 RAPHIC COMMUNITY 10 GULF TIMES Friday, March 8, 2019 COMMUNITY BOOK REVIEW A stunning debut novel by Pitchaya Bangkok Wakes to Rain is a book filled with water, thanks to Bangkok’s climate and geography and, perhaps, its coming fate

another until they become a river that fl ows across more than a century and the lives of many characters. Sudbanthad was born in Thailand and raised in Middle East and the United States. Now a New York resident, he brings a cosmopolitan perspective and a native’s deep aff ection to his portrait of Bangkok and its people. Much of the book’s power lies in its SHORT STORY COLLECTION: The novel language and imagery, on full display in its at first seems like a collection of linked short lovely fi rst paragraph: stories, with characters who appear to be “Always, she arrives near evening. The last connected only by the city. few children in blue-and-white uniforms have fi nished their after-school work and are plodding along in small gangs or, like “Among the most her, alone. They don’t take notice of her; affecting chapters they have screens in their hands, shoves and teasing to repay, snacks bagged in newsprint are those about to grease up their fi ngers. In their trail sparrows tussle over fallen fried crumbs and an American jazz biscuit sticks trampled to powder by little shoes. A pearl-eyed lottery seller, sensing pianist, Clyde Alston. passers-by from footsteps and the clap of He first appears when fl ip-fl ops, calls out over an opened case of clothes-pinned tickets to whoever craves he’s hired by Pehn luck.” The novel at fi rst seems like a collection to perform a sort of of linked short stories, with characters who musical exorcism of appear to be connected only by the city. Many of them live, in various eras, in a house built the mansion” more than a century ago as a merchant’s mansion. As the novel moves into the present around the globe, but Bangkok calls him back. and then several decades into the future, Some of the novel’s characters are the site will be overtaken by a condominium Westerners who come to Thailand for what building that preserves the house’s facade in they think will only be a little while. The its lobby, an architectural ghost of the past in chapters that stretch farthest back in history a modern metropolis. are about Phineas Stevens, an American Bangkok Wakes to Rain is itself a sort doctor who comes to what was then Siam in of house of ghosts and those haunted by the late 1900s to work at a mission hospital them, in a cycle of vivid life and aching loss. and is overwhelmed by the city. Sudbanthad writes, “The forgotten return Among the most aff ecting chapters are again and again, as new names and faces, and those about an American jazz pianist, Clyde again this city makes new ghosts.” Alston. He fi rst appears when he’s hired by If any one story dominates the book, it’s Pehn to perform a sort of musical exorcism of that of a woman named Nee. We meet her in the mansion. She tells Clyde that a medium the early 1970s, a time of political upheaval “counts twenty or so spirits in the pillar. They under the rule of a brutal dictator. Then a visit me in my dreams, and I’m tired of it. A young nursing student, she falls in love with woman my age needs her sound sleep.” another student, Siripohng. In one of the Clyde wishes he could exorcise his own book’s most moving chapters, the arc of ghost, a beloved he lost touch with years ago: their courtship shimmers to life, and ends in “The most deafening thing he’s ever heard is tragedy. When the military attacks hundreds the silence between two people.” of thousands of demonstrating students with Near the novel’s end, Sudbanthad PERSPECTIVE: Sudbanthad brings a cosmopolitan perspective and a native’s deep aff ection to bombs and gunfi re, Nee survives by plunging moves several decades into the future. A his portrait of Bangkok and its people. into Chao Phraya, the river that runs through preservationist named Woon works in a Bangkok. She will surface in many other building that “fl oats ten kilometres west of us to a place or time wholly unfamiliar and chapters, her life taking surprising turns. his neighbourhood, anchored to a network of By Colette Bancroft for that reason fascinating. Bangkok Wakes Nee’s sister, Nok, is one of the novel’s piers in the newly formed sea.” to Rain, the stunning debut novel by Pitchaya exiles. Fleeing that same political regime, His work is the rescue of artefacts from Sudbanthad, was, for me, that kind of book, she and her husband move to Japan. They places now submerged by rising oceans, ometimes a novel draws us in one that creates a world so rich and alive I run a Thai restaurant there, thinking they everything from stone lions to golden because it strikes a chord from wanted to swim in it. are safe until the day the hungry past walks Buddhas. our own experience, because we It’s a book fi lled with water, thanks to in the door. Another exile is a middle-aged The technology Sudbanthad imagines is a identify with its characters or have Bangkok’s climate and geography and, photographer named Sammy. His mother, marvel, but it’s one that might be modelled lived in its setting and feel at home perhaps, its coming fate. The novel’s Pehn, lives in that merchant’s mansion; his on what this novel does so beautifully: Sin its story. structure could be modelled on a watershed, father, remarried, lives in London. Sammy bringing a place and its people alive through Other novels do the opposite, transporting separate streams of story feeding into one chose his career in part because it takes him story. –Tampa Bay Times/TNS Friday, March 8, 2019 GULF TIMES 11 LEISURE COMMUNITY

Colour by choice

Maze Connect the dots Picture crossword 12 GULF TIMES Friday, March 8, 2019 COMMUNITY CARTOON Friday, March 8, 2019 GULF TIMES 13 LEISURE COMMUNITY

Super Cryptic Clues Wordwatch

mondegreen resistentialism fingers; computers that develop (MON-di-green) (ri-zis-TEN-shul-iz-um) transient but alarming hypochondria; MEANING: MEANING: keys, socks, and teaspoons that noun: A word or phrase resulting noun: The theory that inanimate scurry off to their secret covens and from mishearing a word or phrase, objects demonstrate hostile behavior never return. There are certainly days especially in song lyrics. toward us. when resistentialism seems the only Example: “The girl with colitis goes ETYMOLOGY: explanation.” by” for “The girl with kaleidoscope Coined by humorist Paul Jennings as a eyes” (in the Beatles song “Lucy in the blend of the Latin res (thing) + French petrichor Sky with Diamonds”). resister (to resist) + existentialism (PET-ri-kuhr) ETYMOLOGY: (a kind of philosophy). Earliest MEANING: Coined by author Sylvia Wright when documented use: 1948. noun: The pleasant smell that she misinterpreted the line “laid him NOTES: accompanies the first rain after a dry on the green” as “Lady Mondegreen” If you ever get a feeling that the spell. in the Scottish ballad “The Bonnie Earl photocopy machine can sense when ETYMOLOGY: O’ Moray”. Earliest documented use: you’re tense, short of time, need a Coined by researchers I.J. Bear and 1954. document copied before an important R.G. Thomas in 1964, from Greek USAGE: meeting, and right then it decides to petros (stone) + ichor (the fluid that “Sometimes in musical take a break, you’re not alone. Now supposedly flows in the veins of the announcements, words lose their you know the word for it. gods in Greek mythology). Earliest meaning, or are misheard, resulting As if to prove the point, my normally documented use: 1964. in a delightful mondegreen. ... The robust DSL Internet connection went USAGE: audience thought Walter Love had bust for two hours just as I was writing “Verity could smell the heavenly scent said: ‘We are beginning tonight this. I’m not making this up. of petrichor rising up from the damp, with Howard Ferguson’s overture USAGE: hot summer pavement.” ‘Fornication’.’ “Scornful and uncooperative objects -- pianos that mock our sausage — wordsmith.org Sudoku Yesterday’s Solutions

ACROSS DOWN 1. Confront with the equipment 1. Uses long words? (5,3) (6) 2. A new look that’s just what 4. Is furious to find one’s been the doctor ordered? (6,2,3) given a very short crew cut? (8) 3. The name on the pad? (4) 10. A handbill telling you that 5. Was annoyed at being shooting has begun (7) hurled into the grass (8) 11. Seeing that the note is genuine 6. Strangely like one? (10) Sudoku is a puzzle based (7) 7. Are in bed? I don’t believe on a 9x9 grid. The 12. A sensible thing to have in the it! (3) grid is also divided into kitchen cupboard (4) 8. Calm across, sweetheart! nine (3x3) boxes. You 13. Said it’s definite (10) (6) are given a selection of values and to complete 16. I drone on about having helped 9. Most worried about the the puzzle, you must fill the grid so that with the housework (6) rain and the winds (5) every column, every row and every 3x3 17. Goes to the agent, on the side 14. Not to let one out at one’s box contains the digits 1 to 9 and none (7) stop is to overdo it (5,3,3) is repeated. 20. Upset when one revealed there 15. Determined to have and to was some content to it? (7) make one’s home in (6,4) 21. About to put through to Gary 18. Suggesting getting state The Mall Cinema (1): Mr. Royal Plaza Cinema (6) aid in a major expense (8) & Ms. Rowdy (Malayalam) Palace (1): Captain Marvel 24. With her, he arranged tours 19. Keep, on the quiet, a spare 2pm; Sathru (Tamil) 4:45pm; (2D) 2:15pm; Captain round: not very long (5,5) (8) Badla (Hindi) 7pm; Badla Captain Marvel (2D) 2:15pm; Marvel (3D) 4:30pm; 25. Don’t go back to get the 22. Put away again when (Hindi) 9:15pm; Mr. & Bell Bottom (Kannada) Captain Marvel (2D) containers (4) Dorothy’s about to return Ms. Rowdy (Malayalam) 4:30pm; Boomerang (Tamil) 6:45pm; Captain Marvel 27. When the master returns, (6) 6:45pm; Badla (Hindi) there’s only little to eat (7) 23. Tired-looking and oddly 11:30pm. (2D) 9pm; Captain Marvel 29. Punishment and the wan, is taken to the doctor The Mall Cinema (2): 9:15pm; Total Dhamaal (3D) 11:15pm. misdemeanour that caused it? (5) Captain Marvel (2D) (Hindi) 11:30pm. Royal Plaza Cinema (4,3) 26. How sound asleep one 2:30pm; Captain Marvel Landmark Cinema (2): Mr. Palace (2): Boomerang 30. Set off for school in time (8) quickly is? (4) (2D) 4:45pm; Captain & Ms. Rowdy (Malayalam) (Tamil) 2:15pm; Sathru 31. Fast victory in the rates conflict 28. Ready for collection (3) Marvel (2D) 7pm; Captain 2pm; Captain Marvel (2D) (Tamil) 4:45pm; Badla (6) Marvel (2D) 9:15pm; 4:45pm; Captain Marvel (Hindi) 7pm; Badla (Hindi) Captain Marvel (2D) (2D) 7pm; Captain Marvel 9:15pm; Mr. & Ms. Rowdy Yesterday’s Solutions 11:30pm. (2D) 9:15pm; Captain Marvel (Malayalam) 11:30pm. The Mall Cinema (3): (2D) 11:30pm. Royal Plaza Cinema ACROSS: 1 Fondant 5 Vatican 9 DOWN: 1 Forthwith 2 Nettles Thirumanam (Tamil) Landmark Cinema Palace (3): Mr. & Ms. Rotor 10 Agitation 11 Holder 12 3 Agreement 4 Trap 5 Vain 2:15pm; Bell Bottom (3): Badla (Hindi) 2pm; Rowdy (Malayalam) 2:15pm; Brokenly 14 Issue 15 Regarding regret 6 Track 7 Chianti 8 (Kannada) 5pm; Sathru (Tamil) 4:15pm; Thirumanam (Tamil) 18 Hesitance 20 Inset 22 Nancy 13 Bring About 16 Raise Boomerang (Tamil) 7:15pm; Badla (Hindi) 6:30pm; 5pm; Arctic (2D) 7:45pm; Backchat 24 Cedric 26 Struck Cain 17 Get Across 19 Secures Thirumanam (Tamil) out 27 Amigo 28 Dessert 29 21 Service 22 Based 23 Cache Arctic (2D) 9:45pm; Gully Look Away (2D) 9:30pm; Punnets. 25 Stop. Boy (Hindi) 11:30pm. 8:45pm; Mr. & Ms. Rowdy Boomerang (Tamil) Landmark Cinema (1): (Malayalam) 11:30pm. 11:30pm. 14 GULF TIMES Friday, March 8, 2019 COMMUNITY LIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE Good breakfast, less TV exposure may boost your heart health

ant a healthy on your TV and abandon your activities, may have a substantial Instead of being sedentary, watching TV may also be a heart? Turning sofa. Even activities of low energy benefi t to your health compared performing recreational activities, healthy alternative, Tsalamandris off the TV, being expenditure, such as socialising to time spent sitting and watching weight lifting, stretching bands suggested. active and eating with friends or housekeeping TV.” or treadmill exercise while Moreover, the researchers an energy-rich found that those who ate a high- Wbreakfast of milk, cheese and energy breakfast tended to have cereals everyday could be the key, signifi cantly healthier arteries than suggest researchers in a new study. those who ate little or no breakfast. The fi ndings of the study showed Eating high-energy breakfast that people who watched more than also reduced arterial stiff ness 21 hours of TV per week were 68 per with only 8.7 per cent participants cent more likely to have high blood experiencing the condition, as pressure and 50 per cent more likely compared to 15 per cent of those to have diabetes. skipping breakfast and 9.5 per cent Compared to those watching of those consuming a low-energy less than seven hours of TV per breakfast. week, they were also twice as Similarly, only 18 per cent likely to have plaque buildup in the consuming a high-energy arteries, which is associated with an breakfast showed high plaque increased risk of stroke. levels in the carotid arteries, as “Our results emphasise the compared to 28 per cent of people importance of avoiding prolonged skipping breakfast and 26 per cent periods of sedentary behaviour,” of those consuming a low-energy said lead researcher Sotirios breakfast. Tsalamandris, cardiologist at The study, involving 2,000 the National and Kapodistrian people, will be presented at the University of Athens in Greece. American College of Cardiology’s “These fi ndings suggest a clear 68th Annual Scientifi c Session in message to hit the ‘off ’ button New Orleans, US – IANS

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

Creative projects may take on a new intensity now. New ideas and Expect some changes in your household today, Taurus. You could You’re a sociable person with a gift for small talk and interesting visions may appear out of nowhere. Whatever you’re working on finally be making some repairs or remodelling or redecorating. It’s discussions. Today you will find some amazing information that will could have new meaning for you and others. Your physical energy also possible that someone could move in or out. A visitor could also keep your conversations fascinating for months. It could involve a is driven by your eff orts to express yourself, so you might keep come to your door with interesting information that could change new discovery, possibly in a foreign land. A friend or relative you working for a long time. Love also takes a centre stage in your your life in some way. Whatever happens, don’t expect a peaceful haven’t seen for a while could reappear. This is a day full of surprises, priorities, Aries. You feel passionate about everything! evening at home. There’s likely to be a lot of activity! Gemini, so be prepared for just about anything! CANCER LEO VIRGO June 21 — July 22 July 23 — August 22 August 23 — September 22

Sudden, positive changes in your financial condition could come You could be planning a major journey of some kind, Leo. It may You’re practical and down to Earth, Virgo. Today, your intuition is your way. This could be an increase in income or involve some kind be a long vacation or travel to foreign countries, or it could be an more active than usual. You might receive some powerful messages of windfall. Whichever it is, it’s going to make a diff erence in your intellectual or spiritual journey into new schools of thought. Your from the higher planes that open up new doors for you. Don’t ignore life. You could also discover a hidden talent that you were previously mind is sharp now, so you will learn quickly and retain more. This is a them. Think about what’s in them before you accept or reject them. unaware of. It could also set you off on a diff erent life path. Don’t be good time to play detective, or perhaps you will simply want to lose You could also tune in more strongly than usual to the thoughts and afraid, Cancer. Go for it! yourself in a good mystery novel. feelings of others. LIBRA SCORPIO SAGITTARIUS September 23 — October 22 October 23 — November 21 November 22 — December 21

Travel by air seems possible today, Libra. The appeal of foreign The Universe is encouraging you to listen today, Scorpio. This Sudden opportunities for advancement may come your way today, countries may be too strong to resist. If you don’t have a passport, isn’t a day for polemic speeches. It isn’t a day to try to win others Sagittarius. Innovative ideas may have paved the way for you, so you’d better apply! Friends may be planning a trip abroad and invite over to your point of view. Really listen to what your friends, loved your skills and abilities are appreciated now. A new awareness of you to accompany them. Your sense of adventure should ensure ones, colleagues, and neighbours say with all of your attention and your objectives has made your own path clearer to you, and you that you won’t say no, but if you’re tempted to for any reason, empathy. You will strengthen your bonds with everyone and may be may be ready to make your plans a reality. Don’t be afraid to take the reconsider! Travel is important to you right now. surprised at what you learn. lead if necessary. You’re a natural leader! CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES December 22 — January 19 January 20 — February 18 February 19 — March 20

New and expansive ideas for investing time or funds could make a A relationship that may have in the past been based primarily on If you’ve been feeling under the weather, expect to feel stronger big diff erence to your future income. Today you feel especially in intellectual interests may take a sudden turn toward romance. If you today than you were before, Pisces. Your enthusiasm is up and new control of your life. You should have the power to put your plans in aren’t careful, Aquarius, this could turn into an obsession! Relax and ideas are flowing into your brain. Whatever you work on today motion. All signs look good for new goals and new enterprises. As enjoy it, but accept your partner as he or she is – warts and all! There should really stand out. You will experience a new sense of power long as you hang onto your self-confidence, you should be able to are indications of possible changes in your life, either on a personal and optimism. Don’t be too intense, though. Others might get the make them a reality. Go for it! or business level. wrong impression. Be your usual sensitive self and all will be fine. Friday, March 8, 2019 GULF TIMES 15 SHOWBIZ COMMUNITY The next level: Shekhar and Kabir eye digital space

elebrated filmmakers like Shekhar Kapur, Kabir Khan, Neeraj Pandey and Venkat Prabhu, who will make their digital debut on Hotstar CSpecials, are looking forward to explore the medium to tell extensive stories across different formats, genres and languages and reach out to a wide audience. Hotstar Specials is the new label ROLOE CALL: Idris Elba will take over the launched by OTT player Hotstar, and aims role of Deadshot in the upcoming sequel. at bringing stories in seven languages – Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Idris Elba to replace Will Smith Kannada and Malayalam. in Suicide Squad sequel Internationally acclaimed filmmaker Shekhar Kapur said in a statement: Actor Idris Elba is in talks to replace “India is the new platform for global Will Smith in the Suicide Squad sequel. entertainment. I have passionately wanted Sources told variety.com that Elba to create content for India that can go will replace Smith, who quit the fi lm last global. week due to scheduling confl icts. The “Not just for 8,000 cinema screens in fi lm is being directed by James Gunn. India, but I wanted to reach out to India’s The original Suicide Squad starred heartland, to every Indian home within Smith, Jared Leto and Margot Robbie. It Hotstar’s reach, and with their global became a massive box offi ce sensation ambitions, it is the perfect fit for me.” when it hit the theatres in 2016, grossing Kabir Khan, who helmed Ek Tha Tiger, $746 million worldwide. has worked on a documentary drama Robbie will reportedly return as Harley around one of the most loved teams in the Quinn in the sequel. – IANS country with crazy fan following. Without revealing more, he said: “The Malefi cent 2 gets new release date show will be available in seven languages, directly connecting with viewers from Actress Angelina Jolie’s Malefi cent: across India, which makes the endeavour Mistress of Evil will hit the theatres on even more special.” October 18, 2019. Pandey said the story he has worked The announcement was made on upon has been on his mind for a while. Wednesday by Walt Disney Studios. The “But I knew I wouldn’t be able to do fantasy adventure had previously been justice to it in a feature length. It’s a slated to debut on May 29, 2020, reports massively mounted narrative that merits variety.com. the longer series format. A formidable cast The new date pits Malefi cent: 2 against and crew are coming together on this one,” an untitled fi lm from horror-maker he said. Blumhouse. It will also have to contend Prabhu is confident that the scope of with the second weekends of The Adams genres that the platform offers will be too Family, the adaptation of Donna Tartt’s immense and will allure all age groups. The Goldfi nch, Zombieland 2 and Gemini “I have always had distinct perspective Man, a futuristic thriller that unites Will on content. It should be enjoyable and at Smith and Ang Lee. the same time quirkily engrossing,” he said. If it had opened on its original date Hotstar Specials has already released in May, Malefi cent: 2 would have been the teaser of their first big show starring VETERAN: Shekhar Kapur is one of the few Bollywood directors to have made a successful facing off against the sophomore cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni. – IANS career in the US. weekends of Fast & Furious 9 and The Spongebob Movie. In the fi lm, Jolie reprises her role as the I have an opinion, but I like to always says that there are already so villainous enchantress Malefi cent. keep it to myself: Alia Bhatt many opinions in the world, so the The cast also includes Elle Fanning, world can do with one less opinion. Sam Riley, Imelda Staunton, Juno Actress Alia Bhatt has responded to So, I have an opinion but I will keep it Temple, and Lesley Manville, who Kangana Ranaut’s criticism regarding to myself. But kudos to her (Kangana) appeared in the fi rst instalment, as celebrities who don’t take a stand on because she genuinely speaks really well as franchise newcomers Michelle political and social issues by saying that well.” Pfeiff er, Ed Skrein, Harris Dickinson and she has an opinion on matters, but she On being part of Kalank, Alia said: “It Chiwetel Ejiofor. – IANS likes to keep it to herself. has been an unbelievable journey and Alia was interacting with the media at it is an honour to be a part of such an the fourth edition of Outlook Business ensemble cast. The director of Kalank, magazine’s ‘Women of Worth’ awards. Abhishek Verman is a very close friend Kangana recently criticised actors of mine. I think all of us, including him, like Ranbir Kapoor, Alia and Ranveer have done a lot of hard work for this Singh for not voicing their opinions on fi lm. political topics and for staying aloof “It’s just the beginning... There will from issues concerning the society at not be one dull moment until ‘Kalank’ large. releases.” Commenting on this, Alia said: “I Kalank is a period drama produced by defi nitely don’t have that ability to Karan Johar, Sajid Nadiadwala and Fox speak as candidly as Kangana does and Star Studios. FAIRY: Jolie’s character Maleficent is a I really respect her for that. Maybe, in a Set for release on April 19, it stars fairy and the former queen of the Moors. way she is right that sometimes we do Varun Dhawan, Madhuri Dixit Nene, Maleficent is loosely based on the Wicked hold back because we don’t want to talk Aditya Roy Kapoor, Sonakshi Sinha, fairy godmother from the original fairy tale. CANDID: Alia says she doesn’t have the ability to unnecessarily about an issue.” Kunal Kemmu and Sanjay Dutt, apart speak candidly. “My dad (fi lmmaker Mahesh Bhatt) from Alia. – IANS 16 GULF TIMES Friday, March 8, 2019 COMMUNITY The historical tradition of falconry in Qatar used to release the birds when they did not By Mudassir Raja need them. Now a days, they are using it for keeping the tradition alive and conveying the tradition to the younger generations.” alconry is an integral part of the When asked to share his experience with heritage and culture of Qatar and falconry, he said: “I would say that I was other countries in the region, born with it. Most of the Qataris are the with falconers forming a very same. I came from a nomad tribe. They special bond with their falcons. used to hunt in winter and do pearl diving FDifferent expatriate communities living in summer. I grew up with falconry. in Qatar have been showing an increasing I with AlGannas have been delivering interest in learning more and more about talks on falconry at different places in the history, culture, and traditions of Qatari Qatar. I shared my knowledge of falconry people. Falconry is one such practice that with the audience here and explained how the expatriates take keen interest in while it all works in Qatar and in other parts of learning more about the old Arab tradition. the world.” In this regard, Qatar Natural History Esther Bergareche Auricenea, a Spanish Group (QNHG) organised a talk on the designer engineer, was present in the school topic of ‘Falconry in Qatar’ at Doha English auditorium to attend the talk. She said: “I Speaking School recently. Speaker Zayed have been in Qatar for four years. I attend al-Ali, Secretary of ALGannas Falconry QNHG talks regularly. They off er very Society, gave the presentation to the interesting talks for the expatriates. This one members of QNHG and other attendees is very exciting. I always loved falcons. I have about the history, evolution and current been attracted to the bird. This was a chance scenes of falconry. to know more about them. The presentation further discussed “I have been curious about falcons since I differences between wild and domestic was very young. I want to learn more about breeds of falcon practices of the past such a powerful bird coming to your arms. I and the present and the changes that has learnt how they handle them. Since I am in brought to the Qatari society. Qatar, I have also been visiting falcon souq. Zayed was born in Qatar in 1956, to I always attend different exhibitions related a traditional, nomadic family, which to falcons. instilled in him the importance of Bajoo Vyaas, Indian doctor working in education. He obtained his degree in Qatar, said: “I am interested in photography Economics and Business Administration and environment. That is why I am a part of from the University of Portland, Oregon SPEAKER: Zayed al-Ali, Secretary of ALGannas Falconry Society, during a presentation about the QNHG. I have been interested in knowing in USA. In Qatar, he has worked in oil and history, evolution and current scenes of falconry. Photos by Ram Chand more about falcons. I do not have much gas sector. He is a passionate falconer. knowledge or contact with bird. It was an He is heavily involved in all aspects of and grandfathers used to hunt and why they Regarding how such kind of activities opportunity to know more about the bird falconry happening in Qatar and abroad. had to hunt. help in spreading more awareness about that the Qataris love.” Furthermore, al-Ali is an environmental “We also talked about the current times falconry, he said: “This group of people is steward, participating and volunteering in and about ALGannas Society where they dealing with Unesco. We at AlGannas are Species and kinds of falcons conservation efforts led by the Ministry are using the same old techniques but already working with Unesco. We get a good of the Municipality and Environment and with a different process through festivals, opportunity to share our old traditions z Saker other organisations. competitions and organised hunting. that we try to keep it alive for our future z Peregrine Talking to Community, Zayed said: “The There is a big gap between the past and the generations.” z Tiercel saker presentation was for the people living in current situation. We are trying to satisfy Explaining the difference between the z Lanner Qatar dealing with ecology and history. The and keep the same principal of hunting with falconry in the past and today, he said: z Sakeret history demands young people to talk about falcons in Arabia, the same way it was done “There is a big difference. In the past, they z Tiecel Peregrine the old falconry and the new falconry. The 1,000 years ago. That is why ALGannas used to hunt for food and survival. That was z Barbary Falcon presentation was about how our ancestors festivals are the top ones in the world.” the main purpose. In summer times, they “ALGannas is a cultural association that specialises in falconry. It aims to encourage the Arabian traditional hunting by supporting falconers and managing their aff airs” ENGAGED: Audience members listen keenly during a talk on the topic of ‘Falconry in Qatar’ organised by the Qatar Natural History Group (QNHG) at Doha English Speaking School recently.