YOUR PAGE, YOUR STAGE!

There’s probably a photographer hidden in each of us, looking out for a platform. Community invites you to grab your chance and send your contributions with contact details and complete description of the images to [email protected] — PHOTO ESSAY, Page 10

Wednesday, June 19, 2019 Shawwal 16, 1440 AH

Doha today: 350 - 450

NEWFOUND HOPE: Neurologists don’t have one test that can identify multiple causes of inflammatory neurological diseases such as encephalitis and meningitis. But UC San Francisco researchers say their new DNA test hunted down more of these pathogens than any conventional test did in a newly released study.

COVER Helpful find STORY New DNA test beats others at hunting down germs that inflame the brain. P4-5

GLITZ & GLAM BACK PAGE

Spotlight Empowerment coach who’s trying on #Metoo. to make a diff erence. Page 14 Page 16 2 GULF TIMES Wednesday, June 19, 2019 COMMUNITY ROUND & ABOUT

PRAYER TIME Fajr 3.12am Shorooq (sunrise) 4.45am Zuhr (noon) 11.36am Asr (afternoon) 2.59pm Maghreb (sunset) 6.28pm Isha (night) 7.58pm

USEFUL NUMBERS

X-Men: Dark Phoenix space, Jean is hit by a cosmic force that transforms her into DIRECTION: Simon Kinberg one of the most powerful mutants of all. Wrestling with this CAST: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer increasingly unstable power as well as her own personal Lawrence demons, Jean spirals out of control, tearing the X-Men family SYNOPSIS: This is the story of one of the X-Men’s most apart and threatening to destroy the very fabric of our planet. Emergency 999 beloved characters, Jean Grey, as she evolves into the iconic Worldwide Emergency Number 112 ‘Dark Phoenix’. During a life-threatening rescue mission in THEATRES: The Mall, Landmark, Royal Plaza Kahramaa – Electricity and Water 991 Local Directory 180 International Calls Enquires 150 Hamad International Airport 40106666 Labor Department 44508111, 44406537 Mowasalat Taxi 44588888 Qatar Airways 44496000 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

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

Polaroid what dark secrets are tied to the mysterious Polaroid vintage DIRECTION: Lars Klevberg camera she stumbles upon, but it doesn’t take long to discover CAST: Kathryn Prescott, Tyler Young, Samantha Logan that those who have their picture taken meet a tragic end. SYNOPSIS: High school loner Bird Fitcher has no idea THEATRES: The Mall ote Unquo Qu te “Choosing to The Mall Cinema (1): Aladdin 11:15pm. (2D) 2:30pm; Aladdin (2D) Royal Plaza Cinema Palace be positive and having 4:45pm; Aladdin (2D) 7pm; John (1): Pokemon Detective Pikachu a grateful attitude is going to Wick 3: Parabellum (2D) 9:15pm; (2D) 2:15pm; Pokemon Detective Virus (Malayalam) 11:30pm. 4:45pm; Aladdin (2D) 7pm; Unda Pikachu (2D) 4:15pm; Bharat determine how you’re going to The Mall Cinema (2): Pokemon (Malayalam) 9:15pm; Godzilla (Hindi) 6:15pm; X-Men: Dark live your life.” Detective Pikachu (2D) 2pm; II: King of the Monsters (2D) Phoenix (2D) 9:15pm; Bharat Pokemon Detective Pikachu (2D) 11:30pm. (Hindi) 11:15pm. — Joel Osteen 4pm; Virus (Malayalam) 6pm; Landmark Cinema (2): Game Royal Plaza Cinema Palace (2): Bharat (Hindi) 8:45pm; Bharat Over (Tamil) 2:15pm; Pokemon Aladdin (2D) 2:30pm; Aladdin (Hindi) 11:30pm. Detective Pikachu (2D) 4:30pm; (2D) 4:45pm; Aladdin (2D) 7pm; The Mall Cinema (3): Game Pokemon Detective Pikachu Unda (Malayalam) 9:15pm; Unda Over (Telugu) 2pm; X-Men: Dark (2D) 6:30pm; Virus (Malayalam) (Malayalam) 11:30pm. Phoenix (2D) 3:45pm; Godzilla 8:30pm; Bharat (Hindi) 11pm. Royal Plaza Cinema Palace Community Editor II: King of the Monsters (2D) Landmark Cinema (3): My (3): Virus (2D) 2:30pm; Detective Kamran Rehmat 5:45pm; Polaroid (2D) 8pm; Great Grandfather (Malayalam) Conan: The Fist of Blue Sapphire e-mail: [email protected] Casablanca (Arabic) 9:30pm; 2:30pm; The Secret Life of Pets (Arabic) 5:30pm; Casablanca Telephone: 44466405 Unda (Malayalam) 11:30pm. 2 (2D) 5:30pm; Sab’e Al Boromba - Arabic (2D) 7:30pm; Sab’e Al Landmark Cinema (1): Aladdin (Arabic) 7:30pm; Game Over Boromba (Arabic) 9:30pm; John Fax: 44350474 (2D) 2:30pm; Aladdin (2D) (Hindi) 9:15pm; Unda (Malayalam) Wick 3: Parabellum (2D) 11:15pm. Wednesday, June 19, 2019 GULF TIMES 3 ROUND & ABOUT COMMUNITY

approach to the divine and cosmic aspects of Artistic Gymnastic Classes being, articulated through the myths, symbols WHERE: Qatar Academy Msheireb and narratives of the world’s religions and WHEN: Ongoing philosophies. M. F. Husain: Horses of the Sun TIME: 3:15pm – 4:15pm bears witness to a recurrent motif in his art, a The olympic sport using horizontal bar, personal symbol of self-renewal and vitality. rings and fl oor exercises on mats for the children from age 4 till 16. Summer Entertainment City WHERE: DECC WHEN: Ongoing till July 13 TIME: 1pm – 11pm The biggest indoor VR and Gaming zone,over 50+ new activities and 45 food options along with 114 retail shops, for the whole family under one roof. Entry fee QR15 per head.

India to Qatar – Symbiosis of Cultures WHERE: FBQ Museum WHEN: Ongoing till July 31 After School Activities Under the context of cultural exchange, WHERE: Atelier FBQ Museum brings together the treasures WHEN: Ongoing of the museum owned collection in Music and arts activities for students order to promote mutual understanding, taking place after they fi nish their day in recognition and appreciation between school includes Group Music lessons, Hip- Qatar and India. Composed of five main hop, Ballet, Drawing and Painting, Drama topics, including community, trade, arts, Theatre & Taekwondo. Ages between 5 and 10 food and incense, the exhibition takes years old after school hours. one on a journey to explore the rich and diverse Indian cultures, the long historic Hobby Classes links between Qatar and India, and cultural WHERE: Mamangam Performing Art EVENTS glitter, foam! A morning of painting with similarities between Qatar and India. Centre exciting art materials aside from a simple WHEN:Wednesday – Monday Exploratory Movement Workshop paintbrush. Let your child explore their inner Ballet Lessons Mamangam Performing Art Centre, is a WHERE: Academy for International artist with no limitations! Age: 6-12 years. WHERE: Music and Arts Atelier holistic performing arts institution and a one Music, Art and Culture (AIMAC) E-Ring Fee is QR200 (includes one drink and all WHEN: Ongoing stop solution for adults as well as children Road, Al Thumama materials) and payable at venue. TIME: 4pm – 8pm looking to explore their talents in various WHEN: June 21 For more info e-mail at registration@ art forms. We off er classes in contemporary, TIME: 10am – 12pm atelierqatar.com or call on 33003839. Bollywood, hip hop, indian classical dance, Dance isn’t the only way you can move. music (Hindustani and Carnatic), arts and craft, Come fi nd your body’s way of moving! karate, yoga, percussion (Chenda, Thimila, Sanation Education, in collaboration Elathalam and Madhalam), violin, harmonium, with Samana Art Movement, brings to public speaking. you, a morning of exploration, music and Additional services include dance education, movement! Exploratory movement allows choreograph music videos and dance cover us to create movement sequences from our albums, choreograph dance musical projects, explorations with our moving bodies rather corporate workshops and events, choreograph than simply learning a fi xed choreography. events for schools, colleges, alumni meets and In these two hours we will use elements of corporate and choreography events. For details, dance, play and awareness and engage with call 33897609. our bodies to gain insight into our life stories and the ways in which we relate to the world around us and within us, through movement. Fee is QR200 and payable at venue. For further details, 55164920.

Creative Writing Workshop WHERE: Café #999, Fire Station Gallery, Wadi Al Sail, Doha WHEN: Tomorrow Summer Camp for Special Needs TIME: 6pm – 9pm WHERE: Step by Step Centre for Special Sanation Education, in collaboration with Needs Samana Art Movement, brings to you, an WHEN: June 30 – August 1 evening of creative writing. Discover your TIME: 8:00am – 12:30pm Arabic Calligraphy Workshop inner writer or performer as you learn to write During this time, all therapists and WHEN: Saturday – Wednesday poetry for the page and for the stage. Explore teachers will be working together, running TIME: 6pm writing in new styles, writing in collaboration, individual, peer and group sessions within Arabic Calligraphy workshop is back. and turning some of your written work classes. The children will continue learning Come and learn the artistic practice of Arabic into performance. Find your writing style, age-appropriate concepts, work on social handwriting and calligraphy at Music and whether it is poetry, prose, performance, or a skills, life skills training, arts and crafts, Arts Atelier. combination of them! With Gulf Times’ own music, and fun activities such as water play. The lessons will take place every Saturday, weekly columnist, get one-on-one time to Monday and Wednesday at 6pm. For display your material and gain feedback from Career Guidance more information, contact registration@ an expert. You can also bring any existing WHERE: Right Track Consultants, Al atelierqatar.com material you have and would like to work on. Sadd Play with Art Fee is QR200 (includes one drink) and payable WHEN: Sunday – Thursday Dance and Instrument Classes WHERE: Artist Café, Qanat Quartier, The at venue. For further details, 55164920. TIME: 6pm – 8pm WHERE: TCA Campus, Behind Gulf Times Pearl Career guidance for course, country, Building WHEN: June 22 MF Husain: The Horses Of The Sun college and entrance for students of Grade WHEN: Wednesday – Monday TIME: 9:30am – 11:30pm Exhibition IX-XII, of all curriculum. Career assessments Learn the movements of dance styles in Sanation Education, in collaboration with WHERE: Mataf: Arab Museum of Modern administered for stream preference, career Bollywood, Hip Hop and also the musical Samana Art Movement, brings to you, a Art test, branch preference, personality, instruments such as Piano, Guitar, Keyboard morning of play and art. Kids have enough WHEN: Ongoing till July 31 multiple intelligence and learning styles for adults as well kids and move in the world lines to colour inside, give them a chance to TIME: 9am – 7pm and productivity. For more information, of music. For details, contact 66523871/ explore art outside the box! Hands, string, The exhibition presents Husain’s pluralist 55448835. 31326749.

Compiled by Nausheen Shaikh. E-mail: [email protected], Events and timings subject to change 4 GULF TIMES Wednesday, June 19, 2019 COMMUNITY COVER STORY Scientific boost The pioneering test developed by neurological researchers at UCSF is moving doctors closer to providing patients and their loved ones with the answers the seek, writes Cathie Anderson

Having a broad-based test that either rules in infection or rules out infection can really aid these cases that are in gray areas between infection and not

— Dr Michael Wilson, associate professor of ‘ neurology at UCSF ’

ight now, neurologists don’t have one test that can identify multiple causes of infl ammatory neurological diseases such as encephalitis and meningitis. But UC San Francisco researchers say their new DNA test hunted down more of these Rpathogens than any conventional test did in a newly released study. Infl ammatory neurological diseases are rare, costly to treat, diffi cult to diagnose and life-threatening. The pioneering test developed by neurological researchers at UCSF is moving doctors closer to providing patients and their loved ones with the answers they seek. The test uses gene sequencing to identify more causes of these mysterious ailments than any conventional test now being used, according to study released late last week in the New England Journal of Medicine. Conventional test look for pathogens one at a time, so that means physicians essentially have to know what they’re looking for to choose the right test to perform, UCSF researchers said. Wednesday, June 19, 2019 GULF TIMES 5 COVER STORY COMMUNITY

“The test is currently costly and only large reference laboratories or clinical laboratories at large medical centres such as UCSF have the resources and expertise to run it”

— Dr Charles Chiu, Director, UCSF-Abbott Viral Diagnostics and Discovery Center

Without knowing the cause of these diagnoses that will hopefully lower other infections had been found in patients continued to lack a potentially discriminate between ailments, they said, it’s impossible healthcare costs, decrease lengths places such as a brain abscess or diagnosis despite all testing, bacterial infection, viral infection, to know what treatments to employ. of stay, and ultimately save lives,” antibodies. including mNGS, underscores and autoimmune disease, he said, “Patients with infectious and said Chiu, also director of the Of the remaining 147 patients the challenges,” Chiu said. “It is and that process may shed some noninfectious encephalitis can be UCSF-Abbott Viral Diagnostics and completing the study, 46 had likely that some of these patients light on the undiagnosed cases. clinically indistinguishable from Discovery Center. neurological infl ammations did have infections but remained The UCSF researchers also are one another,” said Dr Michael US hospitals don’t see that caused by autoimmune diseases undiagnosed, as in the case of West planning to expand the mNGS Wilson, associate professor of many cases of these neurological or other non-infectious disorders, Nile virus infection mentioned testing to look for diff erent neurology at UCSF and the co- diseases. In 2006, only 24 out of Chiu said, and he and other previously, or had an as-yet diseases and to other types of body fi rst author of the paper, along every 100,000 US citizens were researchers never found the cause undescribed autoimmune disease.” fl uids, such as looking at blood with study co-ordinator Hannah hospitalised for meningitis, Chiu of infl ammation for 101 of the He and his team are trying to plasma to diagnose infectious Sample. “Having a broad-based said, and for encephalitis, that rate patients. develop a way to use algorithms cases of sepsis or looking at test that either rules in infection was about 7 out of 100,000. “The fact that 50% of these or statistical modelling that can respiratory fl uid to diagnose or rules out infection can really aid Despite the small number pneumonia. They also want to these cases that are in gray areas of people hospitalised with try other types of sequencing between infection and not.” encephalitis, Chiu said, the cost of platforms that can yield results in Infections cause less than half of their treatment is $2 billion. six hours rather than the 90 hours most meningitis and encephalitis To fi nd the types of challenging required for mNGS results. cases, UCSF researchers said. neurological cases needed for this Chiu said that the diagnoses of The rest result mostly from study, UCSF received cerebrospinal all 58 infections were made while autoimmune system reactions. fl uid samples from 482 patients at all patients were living, but not The last thing doctors want to do eight medical centres. The adults all of the patients’ lives could be is suppress the immune system of and children were being treated saved. The 30-day mortality rate a patient with an infection because as far away as Children’s National for patients in the study was 11.3 the consequences could be harmful, Medical Center and as close as UC percent. Wilson and other researchers Davis Medical Center. Of the 482 “Some of the infections that explained. Yet that’s precisely what patients, 204 completed the study. were identifi ed are not treatable is needed for a patient with an In 57 cases, tests showed that an because there isn’t an eff ective autoimmune disease. infection was causing the patients’ drug for the infection,” Chiu To prevent delays and errors, symptoms, the UCSF said, and the said. “An example is a fatal case Wilson, Dr Charles Chiu and other mNGS test successfully identifi ed of St Louis encephalitis virus UCSF researchers came up with 32 infections in 31 patients. It not infection that was diagnosed a test they call mNGS, short for only confi rmed 19 cases of infection using the mNGS test in an elderly metagenomic next-generation detected in conventional tests but immunocompromised patient sequencing. It identifi es the also found 13 pathogens that other from California.” pathogens found in a patient’s tests had missed, including a case So, will patients with cerebrospinal fl uid by sequencing of the St Louis encephalitis virus encephalitis or meningitis the genes of invading viruses, fungi, that had not been seen in California be getting the mNGS test in bacteria or other organisms. since 1986. California hospitals soon? Chiu said their team was The UCSF researchers “The test is currently costly,” “frankly surprised” to discover acknowledged that their new test is Chiu said, “and only large that a signifi cant proportion of the no silver bullet. Although it found reference laboratories or clinical diagnosed infections — 13 of 58, more infectious causes than any laboratories at large medical or 22.4% — were detected only by other test, it failed to detect 26 centres such as UCSF have the the mNGS test, despite exhaustive infections caught by conventional resources and expertise to run it. and comprehensive testing done in tests. West Nile virus proved tricky It will likely not be available to hospitals off ering highly specialised because the virus comes and goes other hospitals until the test is neurological care. from cerebral fl uid, they said, so it miniaturised … or until the costs “This highlighted the usefulness, might not have been present when a of sequencing decrease suffi ciently and perhaps the necessity, of spinal tap was done. to make the test cost-eff ective for introducing new diagnostic They also noted that the DNA COUNTERPOINT The UCSF researchers acknowledged that their new test is hospital laboratories.” technologies into the clinic to of other pathogens may not be no silver bullet. Although it found more infectious causes than any other test, — The Sacramento Bee enable more timely and accurate present in the spinal fl uid, and it failed to detect 26 infections caught by conventional tests. (Sacramento, California)/TNS 6 GULF TIMES Wednesday, June 19, 2019 COMMUNITY

ICBF organises 38th Free Medical Camp for fishermen and workers

Indian Community Benevolent Forum Club (IDC); Rejil Jacob, Vice President of (ICBF), in association with the Aster Medical Aster Volunteers Qatar; Mini Benny, Working Centre Al Khor, recently conducted its President at United Nurses of India and 38th Free Medial Camp for fishermen and Qatar (UNIQ); Farook, Wellcare Pharmacy; workers at Aster Medical Centre, Al Khor. and Raja Vijayan, President of QTS. The medical camp aimed at providing free The fishermen had the opportunity to medical assistance to mainly fishermen and submit their concerns directly to the other workers and labourers from various ambassador and received appropriate labour camps and companies in Al Khor guidance and assurance of befitting and nearby areas. Around 300 fishermen support from embassy and ICBF. ICBF also and workers benefited from the camp. gave away free food kits in addition to the The Medical Camp was inaugurated by snacks to each fisherman and worker. A P Kumaran, Ambassador of India, in the team of dedicated doctors from IDC were presence of notable personalities, including present. Nursing support was extended S.R.H Fahmi, ICBF Co-ordinating Off icer and by UNIQ. Wellcare Group provided First Secretary of Labour and Community free pharmaceutical support and free Welfare at Embassy of India; Dr Mohan medicines. The Qatar Tamizhar Sangham Thomas, Chairman of ICBF Advisory (QTS) extended support to the camp. Council; Mahesh Gowda, acting President The camp was led by A Senthil Athiban, of ICBF; Jaff ar Thayyil and Irfan Ansari, ICBF Head of Medical camps and members of ICBF Advisory Council; Avinash Fishermen Welfare, and supported by Gaikwad, ICBF General Secretary; Dr Biju ICBF management committee members, Gafoor, Vice President of Indian Doctors including Mehul Patel and Viral Bhatt.

ISC organises Skipping Rope Championship

Indian Sports Centre (ISC), under the patronage of Embassy of India, recently organised the third Indian School, first position; Abel, Noble International School, second position; and Ramakrishna, edition of Skipping Rope Open Championship in Speed Hop and Speed Endurance category for Olive International School, third. In Speed Hop – Max Hops (1 min) U-18 Girls, Lamiya, a student Boys , Girls, Men and Women at ICC Ashoka Hall. of Gems Wellington, Laranya from Rajagiri School, and Vaishnavi of MES Indian School, bagged Over 250 people participated in the championship. In Speed Hop Competition, Ralph Oadin, a first, second and third positions, respectively. In U-18 Boys, Shaff in from MES Indian School, Firoz student of MES Indian School, scored maximum counts of 243 in a minute while in Speed Endurance and Dhwarkanath, both from Olive International School, bagged first, second and third positions, Lamiya Shajahan, a student from Gems Wellington, scored 556 counts in 3 minutes. respectively. Manikantan, President of ICC, was the chief guest in the prize distribution ceremony. Shajahan from In Speed Endurance – Max Hops (3 min) U-12 Girls, the winners, included Diya, a student of BPS, first Technor Industrial Trade also attended the event. Nilangshu Dey, President of Indian Sports Centre, position; Athleya, SIS, runner-up; and Olivia, Olive International School, second runner-up. In U-12 Boys, welcomed all the participants and teachers of various Indian Schools and applauded Yoga and the winners, included Ralph, MES Indian School, first position; Abhishek, DPS-MIS, second position; Fitness sub-committee for their work and for giving opportunity to the community to get involved and Noushil Nouphal, MES Indian School, third. with diff erent fitness activities. Speaking on the occasion, Nisha Agrawal, Head of Yoga and Fitness, In Speed Endurance – Max Hops (3 min) U-18 Girls, the winners, included Lamiya, a student of Gems emphasised on the importance of skipping rope as a great cardio-vascular fitness, which helps an Wellington, first position; Laranya, Rajagiri Public School, runner-up; and Sanjana, Noble International individual to excel in any sport . Qbake and Dandy were the off icial refreshment sponsors of the School, second runner-up. In U-18 Boys, the winners, included Firoz, Olive International School, first event. position; Shafin, MES Indian School, second position; and Kelvin, MES Indian School, third. In Women In Speed Hop – Max Hops (1 min) U-12 Girls, the winners, included Athelya, a student of SIS, first category the winners, included Jayalakshmi, first position; Neha Nalawde, second; and Sharin position; Bessy, Bhavans Public School, runner-up; and Anushka, Olive International School, Shemeer, third. In Men category, first position was bagged by Dr Rakesh Gupta, which was followed second runner-up. In Speed Hop – Max Hops (1 min) U-12 Boys, the winners, included Ralph, MES by Pandiyarajan and Ravi Dollin with second and third positions, respectively. Wednesday, June 19, 2019 GULF TIMES 7 COMMUNITY ISA conducts 102nd Seminar

International Society of Automation (ISA) Qatar Section, in association with M/s Rockwell Automation and Salam Petroleum, recently organised its 102nd Seminar on ‘Industrial Control system Cyber Security needs in Oil & Gas industry’. Gert Thoonen, Business Development – Network and Security System of M/s Rockwell Automation, was the guest speaker on the occasion. He presented various methodologies of securing the industrial control and safety system of oil and gas industry in line with the Qatar National standard. He also highlighted various security access levels being adopted in the industry for safeguarding such critical systems. The Seminar was presided by Nilangshu Dey, President of ISA Qatar Section, and attended by Instrumentation and Control engineers of Qatar Petroleum, Qatargas, RasGas, Qafac, QChem, Oryx GTL, Dolphin energy, Qapco, QVC, QEWC, Worley Parsons, Technip and other reputed engineering and contracting companies in Qatar.

OIS participates in Skipping Rope Competition

Olive International School (OIS) recently took part in Skipping Rope Competition, organised by Indian Sports Centre. The competition was held for both boys and girls. Age category was divided into various categories, including U-12 Boys, Girls and U-18 Boys, Girls. Speed Hop and Speed Endurance was held for each age category. Speed Endurance was also organised for parents and teachers. A total of 36 students of OIS participated. OIS bagged 7 trophies in the competition. The winners of OIS, include Firoj Khan, first position in Speed Endurance U-18 Boys; Olivia Mariam, third in Speed Endurance U-12 Girls; Firoj Khan, second in Speed Hop U-18 Boys; Dwaraknath D, third in Speed Hop U-18 Boys; Ramakrishna, third in Speed Hop U-12 Boys; and Anushka Jadhav, third in Speed Hop U-12 Girls. In teacher’s category, Neha won 2nd position in Speed Endurance.

FATHERS’ DAY: The KG Section of Ideal Indian School recently marked Fathers’ Day. The students of KG Section were dressed in colourful clothes to impersonate their father. Speaking on the occasion, the students highlighted the love and gratitude towards their fathers. Special colouring sheets were given to the students to paint. 8 GULF TIMES Wednesday, June 19, 2019 COMMUNITY TRA Going off -beat in Turkey Saneela Jawad lists down the top eight ideas rather than just shopping to get off the beaten path in Istanbul and get a real Turkish ethnic experience beyond the typical sights and sounds

THE AUTHENTIC WAY: The most auth heritage and food would involve getting

RETREAT: Once frequented by viziers a TOURISM ON RISE: A significant spike has been reported in the number of international tourists — particularly tourists from neighbouring Arab countries — Istanbul’s hamams now serve up steamy travelling into Turkey to shop, especially for high-end designer and luxury brands. nostalgic locals.

ne in every eight of this year as the number of to the ancient Greek, Persian, waterway — is a must, but why try out one of the local hamams Turkish Lira is now visitors bound for Turkish cities Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman not experience it from a diff erent (Turkish baths). Once frequented generated by the rises,’ noted Salih Ozer, Attaché of empires, its range of tourist perspective? Rowing on the Golden by viziers and sultans to clean up nation’s travel and Culture and Information Turkey, in hotspots and its architectural Horn has been a staple on the waters and socialise, Istanbul’s hamams tourism sector. a statement. marvels, there is no shortage of the Bosphorus since the late now serve up steamy scrubs and AccorOding to World Travel and According to the research, of ways to spend your time Ottoman period, and there are now massages to tourists and nostalgic Tourism Council’s City Travel and Istanbul is also considered eighth in Istanbul. You could hit up a number of sports clubs that off er locals within marble walls and under Tourism Impact Report, the travel in the world for international postcard-worthy sites such as novice and professional visitors lofty domes. It’s a chance to relax sector contributed TL461.3 billion spend, accruing USD16.3 billion in the Blue Mosque or Hagia Sophia, rowing trips down the waterway. and take in a little history, blended (USD95.6 billion) to the country’s visitor exports, ahead even of other or you could soak up some together in one unique experience. economy in 2018, with the sector popular European destinations, incredible history with a visit to Explore street art on the Asian now representing a 12.1% share including London, Paris, Barcelona the Underground Basilica Cistern, Side Go mushroom hunting of the Turkish economy. Growth and Amsterdam. A large slice of Topkapi Palace or the Theodosian Mural Istanbul — a street art You might think mushrooms can’t in the Turkey’s tourism sector this spend has been attributed to Walls. festival that ships in artists from exactly thrive in a busy metropolis, has in fact outpaced the global Turkey’s growing popularity as a Are you also headed to Istanbul around the world each year to but there are over 12,000 varieties of growth rate: the nation’s travel and shopping destination. or Turkey for that matter for some paint murals on the façades of mushrooms to be found in Turkey. tourism economy grew by 15% in A significant spike has summer retreat? Is it your first local buildings — has turned the Forests north of Istanbul — perfect 2018, significantly higher than the been reported in the number visit or a repeated one? Here we Yelde irmeni neighbourhood of destinations for nature enthusiasts global growth rate of 3.9%. of international tourists — list down the top eight ideas rather Kadıköy into one large open air art — are fl ush with a plethora of ‘The travel and tourism sector particularly tourists from than just shopping to get off the gallery. The festival has already mushrooms. Several tour operators plays a crucial role as a driver of neighbouring Arab Countries beaten path in Istanbul and get attracted the likes of Pixel Pancho, host scavenger hunts to spot specifi c economic growth, job creation and — travelling into Turkey to shop, a real Turkish ethnic experience INTI, JAZ, Dome, Tabone, Ares varieties and taste them, as well as social inclusion. Repeat visits from especially for high-end designer beyond the typical sights and Badsector and CHU to cover the host picnics in the forest. tourists from the GCC countries and luxury brands. sounds. sides of entire buildings with art. in particular help fuel the growth Given its status as a bustling Have dinner with a local of this sector. We expect tourist metropolis straddling the Go rowing on the Golden Horn Experience hamam family spending in Turkey to continue boundary separating Europe from A visit to Istanbul’s legendary This one’s a bit of a no-brainer: To experience Turkish hospitality undeterred through to the end Asia, and its cultural connections Golden Horn — Turkey’s iconic if you’re in Istanbul, you have to at its fi nest, you have to experience Wednesday, June 19, 2019 GULF TIMES 9 AVEL COMMUNITY

entic way to experience the traditional invited to a local’s house.

OPEN ART GALLERY: Mural Istanbul — a street art festival ships in artists from around the world each year to paint murals on the façades of local buildings. A portrait mural of Malal Yusufzai, Pakistani activist for female education and the world’s youngest Nobel Prize laureate, right, can be seen on a building in Yeldeğirmeni neighbourhood.

and sultans to clean up and socialise, y scrubs and massages to tourists and

a home-cooked meal at the hands of a Turkish family. Obviously, the most authentic way to experience this would involve getting invited to a local’s house. However, if this isn’t quite possible, you could simply book the experience and enjoy a home-cooked feast with a local family in the historic neighbourhood of Sultanahmet, gaining a deeper insight into the Turkish culture.

Watch the Whirling Dervishes The Whirling Dervishes of the Mevlevi Order are the best-known practitioners of ‘Sama’, which refers to a form of meditating by WHIRLING DERVISHES: The Whirling Dervishes of the Mevlevi Order are the best-known practitioners of ‘Sama’, which refers to a form of meditating by focusing focusing on melodies and dancing. on melodies and dancing. In 2008, Unesco confirmed the ‘Mevlevi Sama Ceremony’ of Climb aboard Istanbul’s excursion ferry alongside massive City is thrown into relief against an Europe with a view of Asia and Turkey as one of the ‘Masterpieces ferries tankers and cargo ships making orange-red or dusky pink sky. have lunch in Asia with a view of the Oral and Intangible Heritage Spanned by two mammoth their way from the Sea of Marmara of Europe on the same day. This of Humanity’. The spiritual rituals bridges, the Bosphorus is traversed to the Black Sea certainly makes Dine in two continents on the unique experience is one not many of these Whirling Dervishes can be on a daily basis by thousands of a memorable day trip. Climb same day cities can offer. Or you could even seen as performances organised at cars, ferries and fishing boats. aboard a ferry at sunset, when the One last fun thing you can try dine on an island between the two various locations across Istanbul. Travelling in the famous public grandiose silhouette of the Old in Istanbul: have breakfast in continents. 10 GULF TIMES Wednesday, June 19, 2019 COMMUNITY PHOTO ESSAY

Brittle stars These are the photos of brittle star taken in the south of Qatar at the Golden beach, Sealine. Brittle stars is closely related to starfi sh. They crawl across the sea fl oor using their fl exible arms for locomotion. They generally have fi ve long, slender, whip-like arms which may reach up to 60cm (24 in) in length on the largest specimens. They are also known as serpent stars containing two large clades. Brittle stars are also common members of reef communities, where they hide under rocks and even within other living organisms. Brittle stars’ skeleton is made up of embedded ossicles. Brittle stars generally mature in two to three years, become full grown in three to four years, and live up to 5 years. Using their arms for locomotion, brittle stars move fairly rapidly by wriggling their arms which are highly fl exible and enable the animals to make either snake- like or rowing movements. However, they tend to attach themselves to the sea fl oor or to sponges or cnidarians, such as coral. — Text and pictures by Khaled Zaki, a diving consultant, PADI ambassador, and UW photographer @khaledzakidiving Wednesday, June 19, 2019 GULF TIMES 11 LIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE COMMUNITY Friend circle more predictive of your health than Fitbit

o get a better reading on and completed surveys and self- your overall health and assessments about their feelings of wellness, you should be stress, happiness and positivity. better off looking at the The research team then analysed strength and structure of the data, using machine learning, yourT circle of friends, says a study. alongside an individual’s social According to the study published network characteristics, including in the journal PLOS ONE, the degree, centrality, clustering researchers were interested in what coeffi cient and number of triangles. the structure of social networks The study showed a strong says about the state of health, correlation between social network happiness and stress. structures, heart rate, number of “What we found was the social steps and level of activity. network structure provides According to the researchers, a signifi cant improvement in social network structure provided predictability of wellness states of signifi cant improvement in an individual over just using the predicting one’s health and well- data derived from wearables, like being compared to just looking at the number of steps or heart rate,” health behaviour data from the said the study lead author Nitesh Fitbit alone. V. Chawla, a researcher of Indian For example, when social origin from University of Notre network structure is combined Dame in the US. with the data derived from improvement in predicting one’s in predicting success. “This be fully predictive or to be able to For the study, participants wearables, the machine learning self-assessed health prediction, study asserts that without social derive interventions, it is critical wore Fitbit to capture health model achieved a 65 per cent 55 per cent improvement in network information, we only to be aware of the social network behaviour data – such as steps, improvement in predicting predicting positive attitude, have an incomplete view of an structural features as well,” sleep, heart rate and activity level happiness, 54 per cent and 38 per cent improvement individual’s wellness state, and to Chawla said. – IANS

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

You’re likely to enjoy a change in the rhythm and quality of life, Today you can expect to be more enterprising in your human The past month has allowed you to aff irm yourself, Gemini, and beginning right now, Aries. Do you feel a need to take your friendships relationships, Taurus. You may find new friends or enjoy quality cement some aspects of your personality. You’re now entering a beyond superficiality? Perhaps you should re-establish contact with time with old ones. It’s likely that your life will intensify. The next few period of consolidation. It’s like you conceived a product, created it, some past friends. After a hiatus, you may have some bonds to repair. weeks provide excellent resources for improving your emotional and are now finally ready to put it on the market. The current period You can expect another period devoted to sweeping the cobwebs out well-being. Take advantage of it. indicates that you will receive all of the rewards that your hard work of your emotional life and letting in light and promise. has earned. CANCER LEO VIRGO June 21 — July 22 July 23 — August 22 August 23 — September 22

Today heralds the beginning of a very agreeable period. You will Leo, this would be a good moment to get rid of anything that The signs say that you can expect a very profitable few weeks ahead, be especially happy, Cancer! You will project confidence, clarity, still stands between you and achieving your goals. A certain Virgo. You’ve worked hard lately, and it’s only natural that you have and charisma wherever you go. You used up a lot of your reserves obstacle might be sparking the impulse you have to blend into finally arrived at this stage. You’re going to be able to measure the during the last few months. You’ve made it to this stage just in time. the background. Don’t forget that you’re an individual. This isn’t distance you’ve come and evaluate your power. Whatever you do, Certainly you’ll agree that this is something to be celebrated! something to be overcome. It should be celebrated! don’t think small!

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

The cosmos will ask you to make more of an eff ort, Libra. To do so A quest is in store for you, Scorpio. You’re likely to engage in a In navigating your emotional life, Sagittarius, you may feel you’ve means you will have to come back down to Earth and join the rest search for physical or intellectual space. You may be asking yourself made a great eff ort in the past month. You’ve been available and of us mere mortals. You may be cultivating your independence a philosophical questions. Or perhaps you’re thinking of taking a long conciliatory, and done your best to maintain harmony. Your eff orts bit too much. You seem to be pulling away from people. You should trip. Which will it be? Will you read philosophy or go to China? At this have paid off . Now you feel a yen for more spontaneity. It seems try to mix more and get involved in a cause that’s bigger than you. point, only the stars know. that the enterprising and reckless you has returned! Go ahead – you Accept working with others as a necessary component of your life. deserve this release after all of your disciplined eff ort. CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES December 22 — January 19 January 20 — February 18 February 19 — March 20

Capricorn, the cosmic signs indicate that your emotional universe For you, Aquarius, the next few weeks portend a period of timidity. You may have spent the past few weeks exploring other horizons, will once again glow with positive energy. You will meet more You will probably go out less, introduce yourself to fewer new Pisces, meeting new people, going out more frequently, or taking people, and your encounters are likely to be profoundly gratifying, people, and be less prone to showing off . But any relationships you short trips. But there’s a significant change of rhythm in the air. You emotionally and intellectually. All told, the coming month is do form will be much more intense than usual. The month ahead will settle down and bask in the comfort of your home. You will find wonderfully promising for you. is quite promising, though you may have to readjust some of your that you have just the incentive you need to stabilise yourself for a attitudes. while. Expect some pleasurable moments in the domestic realm. 12 GULF TIMES Wednesday, June 19, 2019 COMMUNITY CARTOONS/PUZZLES

Wordsearch Adam

Pooch Cafe

AESCHYLUS LIVY VIRGIL HOMER SUETONIUS CICERO SENECA CAESAR PLAUTUS APULEIUS OVID HESIOD HORACE TACITUS SAPPHO SOPHOCLES CATULLUS EURIPIDES ARISTOPHANES PLATO MARTIAL

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. Wednesday, June 19, 2019 GULF TIMES 13 PUZZLES COMMUNITY

Super Cryptic Clues Colouring

Across Down 1 Turning up in front of small 1 Entreaty certain to give hotel, one may see this on the satisfaction (8) door (4) 2 Small Indian rocks on 3 Military accommodation mountain (5) providing storage for bottles? 4 Shopping area - area raced (8) around (6) 9 Unpredictable boy holding 5 Willing to study on the Fourth sailor back (7) of July (5) 10 Place for a bowler further 6 Rome can appear in a new on (5) light as an Italian city (7) 11 Vegetable found in dishes we 7 Singular fuss about providing detest (5) drink (4) 12 Doctor gets Conservative 8 A nurse without time to be backing to reveal decay (3,3) there (6) 14 Be in charge without 13 City in Michigan removing beginning to live (6) old American debris (8) 16 Scrape a beard off (6) 15 Help mug to be heard (7) 19 Cutter, dreadfully chesty (6) 17 Least sheltered area in 21 Don, for example - lead-free French port (6) motorist (5) 18 Know boy turning up in 24 Duke gets inadequate return Cumbrian town (6) for flag (5) 20 It’s bound to be recorded! 25 “Serve duke!” I cry (4,3) (5) 26 Dog talked about drink (8) 22 Instrument for girl (5) 27 Hands hesitate, we hear (4) 23 Some antiquated Danish or Icelandic poems (4) Answers

Wordsearch Codeword Yesterday’s Solution 14 GULF TIMES Wednesday, June 19, 2019 COMMUNITY SHOWBIZ Spotlight on #Metoo

Glitz & Glam By Muhammad Asad Ullah

Sana, who essayed the role of Khaani in the play, made her debut with drama serial Pyare Afzal in 2013, on premier entertainment channel ARY Digital. She ventured into cinema as well in 2017 fi lm, Mehrunisa V Lub U. Although Sana did rise to prominence with Khaani, but when I saw her as Mahnoor in Zara Yaad Kar (2016), on premier entertainment channel HUM TV, I knew this girl would go places. Zara Yaad Kar had an emotionally invested-intense script, and the way Sana handled it all together as the protagonist proved her acting prowess. Sana is now all set to hit the television screens with this multi-layered message serial for the #Metoo era. Sana plays the BOLD: The television industry in Pakistan dares to be more realistic than ever, exploring the grim issues of society today. New drama serial, Darr Khuda Se takes victim of harassment at work on the issue of women’s harassment at workplace. The drama stars Sana Javed, left, and Imran Abbas Naqvi in the lead roles. place. Talking about her character, Sana says, “My character’s name akistani drama serials which tackles misogyny. And now, movement worldwide. We have of women (who are the primary is Afreen who goes through often highlight the a new play is ready to take on the been working on the projects and television audience) and can relate harassment by her boss every issues we face in our issue of women’s harassment at points towards the issues that are to this content and the issue it time they come across. When she culture – the ones that workplace. deeply rooted in our society. Darr highlights. We just want to try and decides to even the score, she faces we all recognise at least Titled Darr Khuda Se, the drama Khuda Se follows that ideology. take away the fear and hesitation a lot of hurdles and eventually Psubconsciously but which we serial is a Geo TV presentation. It highlights the brutal reality of they have with regards to coming loses her respect and dignity. But ignore or repress. The harassment The play has Imran Abbas and Sana our society and portrays how an forward if they are in such a the drama then shows how she people feel in the workplace is Javed in the lead, and is directed by employer destroys an employee’s situation, or even understand what continues to struggle for her right one of the challenges television Anjum Shahzad. life when she takes a stand for is appropriate and inappropriate and ultimately the ball comes in her eff ectively explores. Talking about There have been drama serials herself which is usually not workplace behaviour and draw court. My key reason to choose this sexism and harassment in the shedding some light on workplace practised in our patriarchal society. lines.” script is to create awareness and workplace can be grim. Not because harassment, but how is Darr Khuda The fact that keeps a fi ne line Ever since Anjum Shahzad’s boost the morale of our women to we’re reluctant to speak about it, Se diff erent? Abdullah Kadwani between this project and others Khaani (2017) went on air, on fi ght for their right.” but because it’s still so prevalent and Asad Qureshi, producers of is the karma that follows, how he entertainment channel Geo, Putting herself in a reel time even after the outburst of #Metoo the drama tell us. “Indeed there will pay for his wrongdoings, and Khaani shaped a new paradigm situation of going through movement that spread across the are a few projects that shed light how his life turns upside down.” and a path to success for Sana harassment at work place. What world like a fi re. However, things upon the workplace harassment They added, “The drama has Javed, who played the titular role does Sana take out of the character are changing now and people are – but nothing since the #MeToo been planned in a way that a lot alongside Feroze Khan in the serial. of a victim as a person herself. She realising the strength of coming tells, “I believe every character forward and getting heard rather teaches me something and this than suppressing themselves strong role has encouraged me to or getting silent in the dark. As speak for myself and to motivate #Metoo intended to give a voice to “This drama has people to do the same. Now, I can the silenced, one of the most literal actually feel for the girls who go ways it is now attempting to do been planned in a through this evil on daily basis and so is through the stage, television way that it would don’t have the power to retaliate.” and screen. It’s a much needed Sana believes Darr Khuda Se can topic we need to see and explore on make a difference change the game for women who television to create an awareness. face harassment at work or in life. Because for a woman being in lives of girls in “The drama will defi nitely create an intimidated into silence, harassed Pakistan and boost awareness. This project is like an aid or passed over in a male-dominated for an hour of need and it is designed working culture is all too easy. It the confidence of beautifully to deliver the sense of doesn’t happen everywhere but legitimacy that one deserves in all we hear about the bad, much more victims to speak circumstances. The worst reality than the good. we see is that a girl has to face a lot The television industry in for themselves if she takes a stand for herself but Pakistan dares to be more realistic instead of ignoring Darr Khuda Se also shows how the than ever, exploring the grim harasser’s life turns upside down issues of society today. Consider, an extremely when the law of nature does justice for example, how Rehaai (2013), – conversely and miraculously,” she on HUM TV, dealt with child important issue” adds, “This drama has been planned brides, which is a norm in several in a way that it would make a backward parts of the country; or — Sana Javed diff erence in lives of girls in Pakistan Kankar (2013) that touched the and boost the confi dence of victims base of domestic abuse or Udaari to speak for themselves instead of (2016) that touched incest and ignoring an extremely important paedophilia; or Cheekh (2019), issue.” Wednesday, June 19, 2019 GULF TIMES 15 SHOWBIZ COMMUNITY

Mental is sensitive towards Lakshya clocks 15 years, mental illness: Ekta Hrithik gets nostalgic

Ekta Kapoor, producer of Mental Hai Kya, As Lakshya clocked 15 years of its says the fi lm’s title doesn’t intend to off end or release on Tuesday, its lead actor disregard anyone’s sentiments. Hrithik Roshan said the fi lm resonated Mental Hai Kya, which features Kangana with his phase of self-discovery as an Ranaut and Rajkummar Rao, was mired actor. in controversy over its title as a section of “A beautiful story of self-discovery psychiatrists had voiced concerns. that touched my life in many ways. Sharing a new motion poster of the fi lm, Lakshya resonated with my phase Ekta on Tuesday took to social media and of self-discovery as an actor. It gave posted a disclaimer which read: “The fi lm me a friendship of a decade and half in no way marginalises the mental health CLARIFICATION: Ekta Kapoor says the film’s with Farhan (Akhtar) and Ritesh community and the title of our fi lm doesn’t title does not intend to off end or disregard (Sidhwani),” Hrithik tweeted. intend to off end or disregard anyone’s anyone’s sentiments. Calling it a special movie, Hrithik DISCOVERY: Hrithik Roshan says the sentiments. added: “It blessed me with the film resonated with his phase of self- “It’s a fi lm that makes a larger point and is With a cigar in his hand, Rajkummar looks overwhelming love from my audience. discovery as an actor. sensitive towards the issue of mental illness. dapper in a blue suit. And twinning with him Here’s to 15 years Of Lakshya, a fi lm The fi lm is a fi ctional thriller that encourages in a blue dress, Kangana is refl ecting her bold that will always be very special.” yesterday.” Hrithik plays the role of you to celebrate your uniqueness and embrace side in short curly hair. Lakshya is a 2004 Indian romantic Lieutenant (later acting Captain) Karan your individuality.” The words “Trust no one” appear towards war drama, directed by Farhan and Shergill, who develops from an aimless In the poster, Kangana and Rajkummar, the end of the video clipping like a warning. produced by Ritesh. It also stars Preity young man into an army offi cer. It is who earlier wooed the audience with the fi lm Directed by Prakash Kovelamudi, Mental Zinta and Amitabh Bachchan. a coming-of-age story set against a Queen, are all set to entertain their fans in new Hai Kya is scheduled to release on July 26. – Farhan also marked the occasion fi ctionalised backdrop of the 1999 stylish avatars. IANS with a Twitter post: “Feels like Kargil War. – IANS May excited for summer fun with fourth season of Bunk’d

of Bunk’d was an homage to one of the most By Rick Bentley famous moments by Lucille Ball on I Love Lucy. The closest May got to training to help with iranda May is excited about that kind of strange acting situation came getting to spend another through her hours of watching Ball be funny summer at camp. The and her own passion for standup comedy. 23-year-old Ohio native isn’t May stepped on a comedy stage when she was going to be making a leather 10 as part of a comedy troupe and has been walletM or learning to identify trees by their showcased at The Hollywood Improv, Brea leaves in some rural location. Her camp days Improv and Harrah’s Hotel in Las Vegas. unfold as the fourth season of Bunk’d begins It was good the inspiration from Ball came June 20 (tomorrow) on the Disney Channel. very early because May says that while her Bunk’d is a spinoff of Jessie, the popular father is funny, his comedy is more “dad joke Disney Channel series where regulars on that funny.” series – Emma (Payton List), Ravi (Karan No matter the inspiration, May has been Brar) and Zuri (Skai Jackson) – travelled from on a one-track mission for most of her life. New York City to Moose Rump, Maine, to When she was 8, she and her family went spend the summer at Camp Kikiwaka and on a trip to Florida. That’s where she made eventually ended up owning it. At the close them buy her an expensive pink T-shirt with of the third season, the trio agreed to sell the big red words “Lead Actress in a Comedy the camp to former camp counsellor Lou Series” across the front. Hockhauser (May) who becomes the camp “That was all I ever wanted to be. If that director. little girl had only known what was going to Her camp activities take place on a happen,” May says. Southern California soundstage but May has What she would have told that youngster found being part of the series exciting and self is that the work done on Bunk’d would fun. be an inspiration to a lot of young girls. May “We had a lake that we built in the middle also gets told that a big reason the show of a soundstage and I was in that lake,” May has built such a following is that there are says during an interview at the recent Disney some many different types of people in the Channel Fan fest held at Disney’s California cast. That has made it easier for the viewers Adventure Park. “That’s crazy to me. to relate to both the campers and those in “I have also been rigged up in a harness charge. and thrown across a soundstage. I have done The fourth season gives viewers three new some crazy things on this show that I would Camp Kikiwaka members – Noah (an upbeat otherwise never have done – like dress up like actor from Hollywood), Ava (a tenacious a tree. Lou is funny and goofy but also a real counsellor from the big city) and Gwen (who person.” COMEDIAN: Miranda May at Nickelodeon’s 2019 Kids’ Choice Awards held at Galen Center in Los has spent her entire life living off the grid). May has been acting in front of TV and fi lm Angeles. Along with May, the cast of Bunk’d includes cameras since she was 11 with roles in ER, Raphael Alejandro, Will Buie Jr., Mallory Liv and Maddie, Samantha Who? and Disney a performer didn’t completely prepare her and how to work with actors in a scene. But James Mahoney, Shelby Simmons, Scarlett Monstober plus she took a load of acting for the kind of silliness she’s called on for the she can’t recall a single class that gave her Estevez and Israel Johnson. classes. As she sits talking about her series, cable series. the needed skills to play a scene on Bunk’d Look for the new episodes of Bunk’d May comes clean on how all of those hours She laughs and explains the classes helped where she had to stomp cranberries. It was to begin airing at 8pm June 20 on Disney spent being shown the ins and outs of being her in how she delivers comedy and drama cranberries and not grapes but that episode Channel and DisneyNOW. – TNS 16 GULF TIMES Wednesday, June 19, 2019 COMMUNITY Empowerment coach who’s trying to make a diff erence

By Mudassir Raja

his is about the journey of a person who sought to follow her passion and connect with people. She started her career in PR andT marketing in Doha 10 years ago. But later she chose to change her career and became an entrepreneur, consultant, coach and motivational speaker. British expatriate Elizabeth Wood, an empowerment coach, values curiosity, connection and freedom. However, she is not limited to just these values. She wants to leave a legacy. She works to make a diff erence in other’s lives. Community recently spoke with the talented coach who runs her Inspire Me company at The Pearl-Qatar. “I love to connect with other people deeply from all walks of life regardless of their diff ering opinions or even if from the outside we seemingly have nothing in common with one another, rapport can be built with the right intentions.” Having done Bachelor of Arts in INSPIRATIONAL SPEAKER: Elizabeth Wood speaking on Identity Phenomena at 2018 TEDx Qatar University, QNCC. Public Relations, she had worked in the corporate space as well as communications and marketing “I moved to Qatar in 2009. I was for 10 years. “In 2017 I decided to take a professional leap and hired as a fresh graduate at the career change to tackle the realm of entrepreneurship. I took up an age of 23 to work for one of the accredited course to study coaching and mentoring. As a result, I largest companies in Doha. The opened my own coaching and consultancy practise in Doha.” activities I was involved in other This has been a journey of transformation for Elizabeth who is than corporate work in the PR also a motivational speaker, TEDx Speaker and ‘people-pleaser’. fi eld, included exploring Qatar, “PR and coaching are two very diff erent areas. I found that the meeting new friends from diverse catalyst of becoming a coach and mentor naturally paves the way backgrounds and enjoying life into the art of speaking to motivate and inspire others. I realised that as a Muslim since I had the lovely in order to be a good coach and truly live up to my potential, opportunity to live upon the faith of motivational speaking is the route to go. my personal choice” “To be a TEDx speaker is no more than a fantastic opportunity to — Elizabeth Wood, entrepreneur, showcase one’s ability to inspire an audience under a reputable global consultant and coach brand. TEDx or any other well- FORUM: Wood, CEO of Inspire Me, is seen hosting Doha Women Forum 2018. known platform or speakers’ bureau is just a means to add credibility to the decision to say no to honour potential whether it be in career meeting new friends from diverse the desire to raise emotionally a person’s name or message. myself fi rst. I am ever ready to development, personal or social backgrounds and enjoying life as intelligent children, continue “Working on my ‘people-pleaser’ reach out and help out others development en route to living a a Muslim since I had the lovely growing as a person and making a attitude that I often speak about – and please them. But, I will not purposeful life taking action and opportunity to live upon the faith of difference on Earth, have Inspire often in jest – is mainly about my please others by compromising my goal-orientated. my personal choice. Me become a globally recognised own journey with implementing personal values and boundaries.” Elizabeth has been enjoying “I see my life as the ability to brand for personal development, healthy personal boundaries as well Talking about Inspire Me, living and working in Qatar. “I balance all the categories of life I motivation and inspiration. as the art of assertiveness. The last Elizabeth said: “Established in 2017, moved to Qatar in 2009. I was love – a family of my own which Although I do love to visualise two years have been a great ride of Inspire Me Education, Coaching hired as a fresh graduate at the over the years I have been blessed the future, who knows what the introspection for me and learning and Consultancy is based on age of 23 to work for one of the with, a career I fi nd rewarding, future will bring. I am more of a how to say ‘no’ diplomatically is three core values – inspiration, largest companies in Doha. The faith and social connection with ‘live in the present moment’ type one of the things I share often in my communication and empowerment. activities I was involved in other continuous learning.” of person and see what happens group coaching workshops. Inspire Me supports corporate and than corporate work in the PR About her future plans, she organically when the right time “I am now more aware and make individual clients to reach their full fi eld, included exploring Qatar, said: “Plans for the future include comes.”