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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

Sunday, July 14, 2019 Dhul-Qa’da 11, 1440 AH

Doha today: 320 - 420

COVER STORY

Respect for art Qatari artist Faisal al-Hajri says the real value of art lies not in its sales pitch but understanding life. P4-5

QUIZ BACK PAGE

It’s sporting feast Cultural and Literary in London. Festival ends on a high note. Page 11 Page 16 2 GULF TIMES Sunday, July 14, 2019 COMMUNITY ROUND & ABOUT

PRAYER TIME Fajr 3.23am Shorooq (sunrise) 4.53am Zuhr (noon) 11.41am Asr (afternoon) 3.06pm Maghreb (sunset) 6.29pm Isha (night) 7.59pm

USEFUL NUMBERS

Super 30 30 smart but underprivileged students prepare for entrance DIRECTION: Vikas Bahl exams for the Indian Institutes of Technology. CAST: Hrithik Roshan, Mrunal Thakur, Nandish Singh SYNOPSIS: Brilliant mathematician Anand Kumar helps THEATRES: The Mall, Landmark, Royal Plaza

Emergency 999 Worldwide Emergency Number 112 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 Spider-Man: Far From Home Spider-Man must step up to take on new threats in a world DIRECTION: Jon Watts that has changed forever. CAST: Tom Holland, Samuel L Jackson, Jake Gyllenhaal SYNOPSIS: Following the events of Avengers: Endgame, THEATRES: The Mall, Landmark, Royal Plaza ote Unquo u te Q The Mall Cinema (1): Gorilla 9:30pm; Gurkha (Tamil) 11:15pm. “It is the (Tamil) 2pm; Super 30 (Hindi) Royal Plaza Cinema Palace (1): mark of an educated 4:15pm; Escape Plan: The Extractors Shubha Rathri (Malayalam) 2:15pm; (2D) 7pm; Super 30 (Hindi) 8:45pm; Toy Story 4 (2D) 4:30pm; Super mind to be able to entertain a Super 30 (Hindi) 11:30pm. The Little Dragon 2 (2D) 2:15pm; 30 (Hindi) 6:15pm; Shubha Rathri thought without accepting it.” The Mall Cinema (2): Rustum Spider-Man: Far From Home (2D) (Malayalam) 9pm; Super 30 (Hindi) (Kannada) 2:30pm; Shubha Rathri 3:45pm; Toy Story 4 (2D) 6pm; 11:15pm. — Aristotle (Malayalam) 4:45pm; Spider- Escape Plan: The Extractors Royal Plaza Cinema Palace (2): Man: Far From Home (2D) 7pm; (2D) 7:45pm; Hamlet Faroun Super 30 (Hindi) 2:15pm; Spider- Spider-Man: Far From Home (2D) () 9:30pm; Shubha Rathri Man: Far From Home (2D) 5pm; 9:15pm; Shubha Rathri (Malayalam) (Malayalam) 11:30pm. Hamlet Faroun (Arabic) 7:15pm; 11:30pm. Landmark Cinema (2): Gorilla Spider-Man: Far From Home (2D) The Mall Cinema (3): Coconut: (Tamil) 2pm; Toy Story 4 (2D) 9:15pm; Escape Plan: The Extractors The Little Dragon 2 (2D) 2:15pm; 4:30pm; Shubha Rathri (Malayalam) (2D) 11:30pm. Community Editor Toy Story 4 (2D) 3:45pm; Aladdin 6:15pm; Shubha Rathri (Malayalam) Royal Plaza Cinema Palace (3): Kamran Rehmat (2D) 5:30pm; Hamlet Faroun 8:30pm; Super 30 (Hindi) 11pm. Venilla Kabaddi Kuzhu 2 (Tamil) e-mail: [email protected] (Arabic) 7:45pm; Crawl (2D) 9:45pm; Landmark Cinema (3): Super 30 (2D) 2:30pm; Shubha Rathri Telephone: 44466405 Venilla Kabaddi Kuzhu 2 (Tamil) (Hindi) 2pm; Spider-Man: Far From (Malayalam) 5pm; Escape Plan: The Fax: 44350474 11:30pm. Home (2D) 5pm; Spider-Man: Far Extractors (2D) 7:30pm; Crawl (2D) Landmark Cinema (1): Coconut: From Home (2D) 7:15pm; Crawl 9:30pm; Gorilla (2D) 11:30pm. Sunday, July 14, 2019 GULF TIMES 3 ROUND & ABOUT COMMUNITY

Summer Camp for Special Needs Hobby Classes WHERE: Step by Step Centre for Special WHERE: Mamangam Performing Art Needs Centre WHEN: Ongoing till August 1 WHEN:Wednesday – Monday TIME: 8:00am – 12:30pm Mamangam Performing Art Centre, is a During this time, all therapists and holistic performing arts institution and a one teachers will be working together, running stop solution for adults as well as children individual, peer and group sessions within looking to explore their talents in various classes. The children will continue learning art forms. We off er classes in contemporary, age-appropriate concepts, work on social Bollywood, hip hop, indian classical dance, skills, life skills training, arts and crafts, music (Hindustani and Carnatic), arts and craft, music, and fun activities such as water play. karate, yoga, percussion (Chenda, Thimila, Elathalam and Madhalam), violin, harmonium, Career Guidance public speaking. WHERE: Right Track Consultants, Al Additional services include dance education, Sadd choreograph music videos and dance cover WHEN: Sunday – Thursday albums, choreograph dance musical projects, TIME: 6pm – 8pm corporate workshops and events, choreograph Career guidance for course, country, events for schools, colleges, alumni meets and college and entrance for students of Grade corporate and choreography events. For details, IX-XII, of all curriculum. Career assessments call 33897609. administered for stream preference, career test, branch preference, personality, multiple intelligence and learning styles and productivity. For more information, 55448835.

Artistic Gymnastic Classes WHERE: Qatar Academy Msheireb WHEN: Ongoing TIME: 3:15pm – 4:15pm The olympic sport using horizontal bar, EVENTS Under the context of cultural exchange, rings and fl oor exercises on mats for the FBQ Museum brings together the treasures children from age 4 till 16. Animal Canvas Painting of the museum owned collection in WHERE: Qatar National Library order to promote mutual understanding, WHEN: July 17 recognition and appreciation between TIME: 10am – 11:30am Qatar and . Composed of five main In this event, children will enjoy learning topics, including community, trade, arts, diff erent canvas painting techniques, such as food and incense, the exhibition takes Workshop dot painting and making silhouette shapes one on a journey to explore the rich and WHEN: Saturday – Wednesday from nature, as they create art featuring their diverse Indian cultures, the long historic TIME: 6pm favourite animals, birds or bugs. links between Qatar and India, and cultural Arabic Calligraphy workshop is back. similarities between Qatar and India. Come and learn the artistic practice of Arabic MF Husain: The Horses Of The Sun handwriting and calligraphy at Music and Exhibition Arts Atelier. WHERE: Mataf: Arab Museum of Modern The lessons will take place every Saturday, Art Monday and Wednesday at 6pm. For WHEN: Ongoing till July 31 more information, contact registration@ TIME: 9am – 7pm atelierqatar.com The exhibition presents Husain’s pluralist approach to the divine and cosmic aspects of being, articulated through the myths, symbols and narratives of the world’s religions and philosophies. M. F. Husain: Horses of the Sun bears witness to a recurrent motif in his art, a After School Activities personal symbol of self-renewal and vitality. WHERE: Atelier WHEN: Ongoing Music and arts activities for students taking place after they fi nish their day in school includes Group Music lessons, Hip- hop, Ballet, Drawing and Painting, Drama Theatre & Taekwondo. Ages between 5 and 10 years old after school hours.

Dance and Instrument Classes WHERE: TCA Campus, Behind Gulf Times Building WHEN: Wednesday – Monday Ballet Lessons Learn the movements of dance styles in WHERE: Music and Arts Atelier Bollywood, Hip Hop and also the musical India to Qatar – Symbiosis of WHEN: Ongoing instruments such as Piano, Guitar, Keyboard Cultures TIME: 4pm – 8pm for adults as well kids and move in the world WHERE: FBQ Museum For more info e-mail at registration@ of music. For details, contact 66523871/ WHEN: Ongoing till July 31 atelierqatar.com or call on 33003839. 31326749.

Compiled by Nausheen Shaikh. E-mail: [email protected], Events and timings subject to change 4 GULF TIMES Sunday, July 14, 2019 COMMUNITY COVER STORY “Art is for people, not consumers” — Faisal al-Hajri, Qatari artist SUNDAY CONVERSATION

Photo by Jayan Orma

By Mudassir Raja (My family) has taught me Art can really lead people to evolve and understand life better. how to be strong and a seeker Art is for the people. Art is not for the consumers. Art takes care of human values.” of knowledge. I have been So says Faisal al-Hajri, a talented Qatari artist. He believes that art is all about giving meaning to feelings and concepts travelling the world looking “through different techniques such as painting, sculpting, and writing fiction and poetry. He has a lot of respect for artists, who try to highlight for knowledge newer philosophies, ideas and concepts through different media. Faisal, a conceptual artist, recently spoke about his art philosophy and ‘ ’ techniques with Community. Sunday, July 14, 2019 GULF TIMES 5 COVER STORY COMMUNITY

Coming from a traditional now onward, I will focus on people and hobbies. I want to study more to understand the creation of themselves. “Art is a beautiful way Qatari family, Faisal appreciates as my canvas. I will do art with about the human evolution. Then, life. The more we know about the to examine your ideas, to reflect the basic values of life he has the people. I will invite different I will portray different identities. creative force within ourselves — your emotions, and to speak about learnt from his family. “They have people asking them to learn and I will have in-depth artistic reflecting in the present moment how you are. taught me how to be strong and a know more about themselves. investigation about different — the more we will become free. If “I want to invite everyone to seeker of knowledge. I have been I want to study the identity of cultures.” For Faisal, life is art and we suppress the creative force by a place where they know more travelling the world looking for different people through their art is life. He sees life as a creative identifying it with other things, about themselves and evolve in a knowledge. behaviour, fashion, food, interests, force. “That is why I invite people then we struggle and we feel healthy way with the rhythm of “I graduated from Qatar pressure in life.” the universe.” University in Fine Arts and taught The thinking artist does not Faisal appreciates the art related art for 10 year but later decided “The auction culture has actually appreciate the rising auction developments taking place in to be a freelance artist, widening culture in the field of art. “Most of Qatar. “First of all, I would like to my connection with people. I destroyed the real meaning of the art work you see in a museum thank the Qatar Museum. They wanted to be open to the world. It and big galleries around the world are playing a very good role. They proved to be really a revolutionary life. When you put an art piece for is a reflection of capitalism. It are celebrating the heritage and decision for me.” auction and start betting, it is not is like two people fighting about culture of Qatar. We are very Faisal recalls that he was a how much [money] they have. happy to have a beautiful art bright student in science and about the value of the art work. It is The auction culture has actually platform like Fire Station where mathematics at school. “I always destroyed the real meaning of life. all the artists are invited to create had a calling me for art. I preferred about the value given to the people When you put an art piece for a culture of art and to teach the art over engineering at the who bet for it” auction and start betting, it is not society the real value of art. I university. Doing art has been a about the value of the art work. can vividly see that in the last fun for me.’ — Faisal al-Hajri It is about the value given to the five years, Fire Station has been Faisal has taken part in various people who bet for it. successful in creating a positive group exhibitions in Qatar and “The real value of the art is that impact in a way that the people around the world. He has been a it helps people to be free, evolve appreciate art and are able to part of the Unesco Club in Athens. and understand life better. It perceive it. He and planning to have his first means nothing for me if a painting “However, I feel that there is a solo exhibition in Qatar soon. “My is worth $2 million. The art piece need for more art schools and art solo exhibition is going to be very adds no value in the life of a centres that can help people to unique. People are going to be common man on the street. It may learn more and more about art. I my medium. As far I know, using be of some value for a banker or an believe that increasingly people people as the canvas is going to investor. We need to change this are getting excited about art. They be the first concept of its kind. It idea. Art is for the people. Art is see the artists becoming ideals is very fresh and a revolutionary not for the consumers.” and they want to follow them. In idea.” Faisal suggests the young the near future, I will also restart He recently completed his artists to use their art as a safe teaching art to those who want to creative project titled ‘Unlimited place to investigate life and free be creative.” Limits’ under the Fire Station Artists in Residence programme. He has introduced a novel concept through the project and made an artistic declaration. “I greatly felt the emptiness of the studios that the organisers gave me at Fire Station. I felt it. I loved it and I said I wanted it. I saw the emptiness of the studio as an art work and called it ‘rhythm zero’ — it talks about the art of silence — which means the moment when every other present moment is born.” Faisal likes himself to be called a conceptual artist. “Conceptual artist is one who examines an idea or concept from time to time. He is a kind of investigator. He investigates different elements of life. “My medium is going to be people; I have also been using traditional mediums of art. From 6 GULF TIMES Sunday, July 14, 2019 COMMUNITY

INTER-HOUSE COMPETITION: DPS-Modern Indian School (DPS-MIS) recently organised Inter-house competition ‘EXPLORICA – 2019’. The students of Grade III-V along with the faculty members participated in the event. The event was inaugurated by Asna Nafees, Principal of DPS-MIS, along with Sini Menon, Headmistress of Junior Section at DPS-MIS. Around 400 students participated in the celebrations.

FELICITATION CEREMONY: Mohamed Sardar Khan, General Manager of Ambassador Travel, recently felicitated Nazakat Ali Khan, Chief Organiser of The Punjab Music Group (PMG), for the support to the organisation. Khaleeq Ahmed, Chief Executive Off icer of Bolan Cultural Society, along with the members of PMG attended the felicitation ceremony. PMG is all set to organise a musical evening as a tribute to Mohamed Rafi, legendary singer, at Skills Development Centre on July 19. For further details, contact 33181490.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS: Indian Women’s Association (IWA) recently organised an event dedicated to health and wellness at Hotel Millennium Plaza. Dr Devaraju, Specialist in Dermatology, and Dr Meera, Specialist in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, both at Badr Samaa Medical Centre, highlighted and shared the health tips from their respective fields, which was followed by a healthy snack and salad competition. Sunday, July 14, 2019 GULF TIMES 7 ANIMALS COMMUNITY Proud heritage or abuse? The shiny coaches are a symbol of Vienna’s imperial past, but the horses that pull them are at the centre of a conflict about ethics and money, write Albert Otti and Fabian Nitschmann

SAFETY; The hooves of a Fiaker horse with horseshoes on are pictured on the cobblestones of the Austrian capital’s Michaelerplatz.

efore there were Uber she asks. Chytracek owns a coach cars and taxis, there business including 38 horses that were horse-drawn rotate between work days and rest carriages in Vienna. days, as well as carriages that are Hooves can still be more than 100 years old. Bheard clacking on the cobblestone Her stables are in an outer streets of the city centre, where district of Vienna, in a green the shiny coaches – known locally jumble of small gardens and newer as Fiaker – are a major tourist apartment buildings, where lanes TRADITIONAL: Traditional horseshoes used by Fiaker at Vienna’s attraction. snake in odd directions and fences Michaelerplatz. Numbers have dwindled since are overgrown by shrubs. their heyday in the late 19th The atmosphere here is diff erent little. This could lead to injuries, narrowly avoided coach drivers’ century, when 1,000 Fiaker roamed from the tidy city centre, with its she warns, although she concedes strike. the Austrian capital, to 58 coaches centuries-old but freshly renovated that longer-term studies would be Tensions between animal rights currently allowed to operate in the facades and its luxury boutiques. needed to watch for negative health activists and drivers have also been city on any given day. Inner city administrator Markus eff ects. running high, resulting in mutual The bowler-hatted coach drivers Figl wants fewer coaches in the In addition to these demands provocations and scuffl es. feel threatened. City administrators heart of Vienna. and proposed restrictions, Fiaker “With all solutions that are being are annoyed by the smelly horses “Residents and pedestrians businesses have been worried discussed, the Fiaker must not and their scratchy horseshoes, complain about air pollution – not and angered by the upcoming lose their source of income,” says while animal rights advocates want only because of the smell, but renovation of the Michaelerplatz Walter Strasser, Vienna’s tourism to end the centuries-old trade also because of urine and manure square outside the former spokesman. altogether. particles,” he wrote in a letter to Habsburg imperial palace. The tourism board has Fiaker horses suff er from “animal City Hall. The square is among a handful conducted a survey to fi nd out cruelty,” the Association Against He also pointed out that the of spots where coaches are allowed which aspects of Vienna’s image Factory Farms (VGT) states on its horseshoes damage the pavement, to wait for customers, and the appeal most to visitors, and the website. creating repair costs of 750,000 Fiaker drivers fear that they will be city’s imperial past came out on The group is lobbying to lower OPERATOR: Fiaker operator Ursula euros (850,000 dollars) each year. banned from Michaelerplatz during top. the temperature at which horses Chytracek. Metal horseshoes should be and following the renovation. “The Fiaker are part of that are banned from working from replaced by rubber models, and “There are few alternatives imperial heritage,” Strasser says. currently 35 to 30 degrees. days under the lower limit, while coach drivers should clean up left where we can stand and earn Sitting next to her stables in a “These are big animals, with a lot the thermometer climbed above 35 better after their animals, Figl has money,” Chytracek says. repurposed shipping container of muscle mass in relation to their degrees only on two days. demanded. Otherwise “the gradual “There’s no use standing that serves as an offi ce, Chytracek body surface. Therefore they heat In any case, horses are naturally end of the Fiaker” in the city centre in a little side alley,” she adds, acknowledges that everyone up faster,” VGT activist Georg Prinz suited to being outside under the could not be ruled out, he wrote. explaining that most of the will have to make concessions argues. sun, Chytracek says. Rubber shoes have been tested business comes from tourists who to solve their diff erences in the Ursula Chytracek, who acts As far as she is concerned, on Chytracek’s horses, but she is see the horses and spontaneously bustling inner city, where tourists, as the spokeswoman of Vienna’s groups such as VGT have taken not impressed. decide to go for a ride. locals and horse-drawn carriages coach operators, says such a limit their campaign too far. “They were gone after three Locals book coaches only rarely compete for space. would be deadly for her business. “As long as a horse, or any days,” she said. The metal versions these days, except for weddings or “We all have to get along in “It generally is 30 degrees in other animal, has a home, is being last for at least fi ve weeks. other special occasions. the city centre,” she says. “But summer,” she tells dpa. cared for, gets fodder and has a Chytracek also worries that the Vienna’s tourism board is oftentimes we negotiate with Last year, the horses would have veterinarian – what exactly is an new shoes stop the hoof at each unhappy about the Fiaker spat, people who have no clue about had to stay in their stables for 43 animal rights activist good for?” step, rather than letting it slide a which escalated to the point of a horses.” – DPA 8 GULF TIMES Sunday, July 14, 2019 COMMUNITY OFF Believe it or not: Some still think Most of the 650 million people who watched TV on July 20, 1969, would have found that notion preposterous. But Nasa’s grand achievement has always had doubters. Or are they just a bunch of lunar lunatics? asks David Whitley

CREATING HISTORY: Astronaut Edwin ‘Buzz’ Aldrin poses next to the US flag July 20, 1969 on the moon during the Apollo 11 mission.

ne group will not be getting seen as a fake by a growing to get a man to the moon, so being less than truthful about their engine-blast craters when it landed. celebrating the 50th number of independently thinking the government concocted the screw-ups and exaggerated claims The US fl ag waved in an atmosphere anniversary of the people.” entire Apollo fable to fulfi l John F about their technical capabilities, that has no wind. Apollo 11 moon landing A 2013 survey by Public Policy Kennedy’s promise to win the Space faking a mission to the Moon is Humans could not have survived for what it believes is a Polling found that 7% of Americans Race over the USSR. certainly not outside their nature,” passing through the Van Allen Osimple reason. think the Apollo 11 mission was The movement got a boost in Jarrah White said. radiation belts. Lunar photos are rife It never happened. Instead faked. 1978 with the movie Capricorn One. He’s an Australian who runs with anomalies, such as the horizon of gallivanting around Sea of It’s easy to paint the moon hoax In it, the government faked a Mars the Moonfaker website YouTube having no stars. Tranquillity, Neil Armstrong and movement as a bunch of tinfoil landing and forced three astronauts channel. The rise of the Internet “Lastly, ‘Going to the moon’ is Buzz Aldrin were in the Nevada hat-wearing dopes who believe the to play along or be killed. has given the moon hoax a vast new the only claimed achievement in desert pulling off the greatest bit Earth is fl at. The sceptics say that O.J. Simpson played one of the breeding ground. the entire history of the world, such of fake news in the history of the stereotype is unfair. astronauts. More juice came in 2001 There are thousands of websites, as the fi rst automobile, airplane, universe. “I am not a Flat Earther, nor am when Fox ran the documentary blogs and video channels devoted or nuclear bomb, that was not far Most of the 650 million people I interested in UFOs or other such Conspiracy Theory: Did We Land on to debunking Nasa’s story. Similar surpassed in capability fi fty years who watched TV on July 20, 1969, nonsense,” said Dr Emanuel Garcia, the Moon? platforms are devoted to debunking later, much less not able to be would have found that notion a psychiatrist and author based in Nasa policy has always been not the debunkers. duplicated by anyone on Earth, even preposterous. But Nasa’s grand New Zealand. to comment on hoax questions, The two sides question each with fi ve decades better technology,” achievement has always had “I am a free thinker, a truth seeker thinking they aren’t worthy of a other’s academic credentials. They Bart Sibrel said. doubters. Or are they just a bunch of and operate, if you wish, as an response. But it felt compelled engage in long debates over things He’s an American fi lmmaker lunar lunatics? investigative journalist,” said Kouts. to issue a statement after the Fox like proton fl uxes and the “ppm of and perhaps the most prominent Whatever one’s view, many If the moon hoax theory has a special. ferric iron.” They debate whether member of the moon hoax believe the truth is still out there. father it would be Bill Kaysing. “Yes. Astronauts did land on the 2001: A Space Odyseey director movement. His fame is such that And it’s not what Nasa has been He was a technical writer for moon.” Stanley Kubrick helped Nasa stage Sibrel says he has a tape of an peddling for 50 years. Rocketdyne, which built Apollo To which conspiracy theorists the whole thing. astronaut conspiring with the CIA “I see a growing awareness that engines. His 1974 book We Never respond, “What’d you expect them It’s a rabbit hole of speculation to have him killed. the offi cial story has neither credible Went to the Moon: America’s Thirty to say?” and scientifi c jargon, but here “Something that would not be support nor sensible evolvement,” Billion Dollar Swindle laid the “Based on the US governments are a few major points of hoax necessary if they really went to the said Dr Phil Kouts, a researcher who movement’s foundation. history of confi rmed conspiracies, contention: moon and I was merely misguided,” believes Apollo 11 was a hoax. “It is Nasa didn’t have the technology not to mention Nasa’s history of The lunar module didn’t leave any Sibrel notes. Sunday, July 14, 2019 GULF TIMES 9 BEAT COMMUNITY Apollo 11 moon landing was fake

FOUNDATION: If the moon hoax theory has a father it would be Bill Kaysing. He was a technical writer for Rocketdyne, which built Apollo engines. His 1974 book We Never Went to the Moon: America’s Thirty Billion Dollar Swindle laid the movement’s foundation. GIANT LEAP: Apollo 11 during its mission to land on the surface of the moon on July 20, 1969. Nasa defenders say the hoaxers’ amount of evidence will dissuade in 2002, waving a Bible and daring red fl ags can be explained. During the true believers. The evolving the legendary astronaut to swear on the gravity-lessened landing, the nature of news dissemination has it that he walked on the moon. lunar module’s engines didn’t made it harder to tell fact from Aldrin ignored Sibrel, who produce enough thrust to leave malarkey. followed him and called Aldrin “a craters. To celebrate the 40th anniversary coward and a liar and a thief.” Armstrong and Aldrin had to of Apollo 11 in 2009, The Onion The 72-year-old Aldrin eventually grind the fl ag pole into hard lunar published a story entitled decided he’d had enough and surface. The shaking pole made the ‘Conspiracy Theorist Convinces punched Sibrel in the face. fl ag wave. Neil Armstrong Moon Landing Was The video became an Internet Apollo 11 passed through the Faked.’ sensation. Sibrel later apologised for radiation belts too fast for its In it, Armstrong held a news speaking so harshly, but he remains passengers to be aff ected. Cameras conference where he dumped moon unrepentant in his beliefs. were set at minimal exposure on the rocks into a trash can and lamented, “We all are going to die anyway,” moon’s bright surface, so images “I suppose it really was one small he said, “so we might as well die of stars and other objects were step for man, one giant lie for taking a stand for justice against underexposed. mankind.” our out of control tyrannical There are other factors, like the What it was was satire by a government and corporations.” fact about 400,000 people worked publication that specialises in it. Other members of the hoax on Apollo missions and no one’s ever Two Bangladeshi newspapers didn’t movement say such extreme views blown a whistle claiming they were get the joke, however, and ran the give them all a Flat-Earthy name. faked. story as if it were legitimate. “I simply ask people to try to look And not even the Russians, who So somewhere in Dhaka or at the facts objectively,” Garcia said. still maintain the offi cial death Chittagong, there probably are Do they say Apollo was one great toll of the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear people who didn’t see the correction leap or one great lie? disaster is 31, have ever claimed and believe Neil Armstrong might as Fifty years from now, some people Apollo 11 was a hoax. well be OJ Simpson. will still be asking the question. The But conspiracies are hard things None have been as passionate in only diff erence is Aldrin won’t be to shake. Be it the JFK assassination their pursuit of the truth as Sibrel. around to punch them in the face. IN BETWEEN SHOTS: James Brolin, Hal Holbrook, O.J. Simpson and Sam or 9-11 truthers or vaccinations, no He confronted Aldrin outside a hotel – Orlando Sentinel/TNS Waterston in a scene from Capricorn One. 10 GULF TIMES Sunday, July 14, 2019 COMMUNITY PHOTO ESSAY

The rainy day

The day is cold, and dark, and dreary; It rains, and the wind is never weary; The vine still clings to the mouldering wall, But at every gust the dead leaves fall, And the day is dark and dreary.

My life is cold, and dark, and dreary; It rains, and the wind is never weary; My thoughts still cling to the mouldering Past, But the hopes of youth fall thick in the blast, And the days are dark and dreary.

Be still, sad heart! and cease repining; Behind the clouds is the sun still shining; Thy fate is the common fate of all, Into each life some rain must fall, Some days must be dark and dreary. — A poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Photos by Mohamed Samad Imran, @Imran_ismarbaan Sunday, July 14, 2019 GULF TIMES 11 QUIZ COMMUNITY It’s a sporting feast in London

make it to London for the feast, hit What is the very popular the couch, turn on the TV or best contribution of Filipino fi nd yourself in a lounge and with a expat Theodore Paul Manuel large group of people, and enjoy the towards IAAF World Athletics sporty-licious Sunday that it is. Championships 2019? Welcome to ‘Nutty’s Design of Falah the Falcon, the Infotainment. YAYS! It’s the time offi cial mascot. The IAAF World of thrills, spills, heroes and villains, Championships is the world’s third edge-of-the-seat excitement and, biggest sporting event behind the expectedly so, occasional bit of Olympic Games and FIFA World argy-bargy. Cup.

Until needed at Wimbledon, ‘The French ,’ these are stored in refrigerated also called ‘The Fourteenth of ummer is in full swing in containers at 68 degrees July’, commemorates which London. It’s a veritable Fahrenheit (20 Celsius). Subject historical event? adrenaline rush as sports to availability, used ones are Storming of Bastille, a turning fans from all across the sold daily at £2.50 for a can of point of the French Revolution. world fl ocks the city as three and the proceeds go to the Today marks the 130th anniversary Sit hosts a veritable sporting feast Wimbledon Foundation. What of the event. today. NW8 vs NN12 vs SW19. Take are these? your pick. Tennis Balls. Which scientifi c fi rst was It is host England’s fi rst World achieved by Mariner 4 on this Cup Cricket fi nal in 27 years and He was runner-up in the day (July 14) in 1965? It changed fourth ever, as it takes on ‘The Black Wimbledon Men’s Singles in forever the way we look at the Caps’ at Lord’s in NW8, which is 1992, 1994 and 1998. In 2001, outside world. hosting WC fi nal for the record while awaiting surgery on his The fi rst successful fl yby of the fi fth time. At the NN12, it will be left shoulder and ranked 125, planet Mars, returning the fi rst the 70th race at Silverstone, the he was given a wildcard for close-up pictures of the Martian Formula 1 event with the most Wimbledon. Name this star that surface. It captured the fi rst images races to be held at one circuit in the went on to win the tournament of another planet ever returned history of the sport, as the local becoming the only player ever from deep space. boy Lewis Hamilton attempts to to win it with a wildcard. become the fi rst driver to win six Goran Ivanisevic Which reptile, according to a British GP. comic song with music by Frank And, at the leafy SW19, or FOURTH EVER: It is host England’s first World Cup Cricket final in 27 years Jimmy Connors was engaged Churchill and lyrics by Jack more specifi cally, the All England and fourth ever, as it takes on ‘The Black Caps’ at Lord’s in NW8, which is to a fellow tennis pro from 1974 Lawrence, should you never Lawn Tennis Club, it is the mighty hosting WC final for the record fifth time. to 1975 and they each triumphed smile at? Federer Express marching through in the singles events at the 1974 Crocodile in Never Smile at a the draw in his bid for his (YES!!!) restrictions imposed on dress code, the utmost freshness, strawberries Wimbledon Championships. Crocodile. The music, without the record ninth Wimbledon singles and called the atmosphere ‘stuff y’. are picked every morning before This feat was labelled “The lyrics, was fi rst heard in the Walt title, as he clashes with four-time As the tournament sees dawn to be enjoyed by guests on the Lovebird Double” by the media. Disney animated fi lm Peter Pan. winner and defending champion some high-profi le celebrities same day. Name her. Novak Djokovic. The likes of Nadal, in attendance, there’s a special As the only Grand Slam Chris Evert Identify the American Bautista, Kyrgios and Nishikori somebody in charge of security. championship played on grass, multinational corporation from have been all gun blazing, while a Thanks to Rufus the Hawk, the Wimbledon takes a rest day in the During a rainy delay on its logo below. host of unheralded newcomers tried pigeons stay away as he encircles middle of the tournament. Why? To Centre Court in 1996, he was to spoil everyone’s party. the sky each morning. Rufus has let the grass recover! Ground staff s in the spectator and decided to The Championships are a the job title of ‘Bird Scarer’ for 15 take the opportunity to water the raise spirits by delivering an fan favourite. It is the world’s years now. He has even become a grass and prepare it for the second impromptu to the crowd. He oldest tennis tournament, with bit of a social media celebrity and week of matches. And during the appropriately chose ‘Singing a history that goes back to 1877 boasts more than 10,500 followers event, the grass is cut to a height of in the Rain’, sung with the help and traditions and facts, some on Twitter (@RufusTheHawk). exactly 8mm. of an unlikely choir made up of of which may amaze you. Back Wimbledon is synonymous Keep your eyes on the ball! Taylor stars like Martina Navratilova, then, it cost just one shilling to with strawberries and cream. Dent, who clocked 148mph while Virginia Wade and Pam Shriver. watch the fi nal and Spencer Gore 166,055 portions of strawberries serving to Djokovic in 2010, holds Name this sensation. received 12 guineas for his triumph. and cream were dished out for the the record for the fastest serve. Sir Cliff Richard Many fairytales have taken shape. spectators and players during the Loud and proud, Maria Sharapova It has elevated the level of many Championships last year. But did has recorded the loudest grunts on Known also for his blazing tennis players who have gone to you know that all the fruit comes court – a deafening 101.2 decibels! rows with various umpires, achieve their dream of reaching the from one farm in Kent? To ensure And for those of you who can’t including his “Man, you cannot pinnacle of glory. be serious”, he went on to win Wimbledon has always had 77 singles and 78 doubles titles, (Answer next week. Answer to strong associations with royalty. which remains the highest last week’s photo-quiz: Othello. Earlier, players used to bow to the men’s combined total of the The board-game, Reversi, is Royal Box upon entering or leaving Tribe NI.yays Open Era. Name him. marketed by Mattel under the the Centre even if no member of John McEnroe trademark Othello.) the Royal family was present at the venue. That requirement, however, 1. What is the more popular term for ‘Lateral Epicondylitis,’ a What’s the Good Word? 6. Limpid: (a) spurious (b) obsolete was thankfully scrapped in 2003; painful condition caused by overuse of a particular bodypart? (c) clear and untroubled (d) weird now, the courtesy is mandatory Tennis Elbow 1. Dell: (a) erode (b) secluded valley 7. Cerumen: (a) humur (b) ear-wax only if the Queen or the Prince of (Mohamed Shakeel, Qatar Steel, Doha) (c) shrill sound (d) profound (c) adamant (d) sea weed Wales is in attendance. 2. Demarche: (a) diagram (b) 8. Andante: (a) winsome (b) beguile Wimbledon upholds a very 2 Which kind of bulbs was once exchanged as a form of canopies (c) a course of action (d) (c) cubicle (d) moderately slow strong dress code with all white currency? rebuke 9. Apocope: (a) refracted light (b) being the colour of choice. It is up Tulips. 3. Mestizo: (a) latin tribe (b) preface stroke (c) omission of the final sound to the Umpire’s discretion to decide (Jonathan Chernata, The British School of Amsterdam, Netherlands) (c) sapling (d) a person of mixed (d) wide range whether the clothing passes the blood 10. Esculent: (a) malleable (b) edible rule book and can send a player Do you have some interesting bytes to share? And, does your vibe 4. Gossamer: (a) delicate (b) (c) juicy (d) sharp business acumen to change if needs be. Eight-time attract you to the ‘Tribe NI.yays!’ Every week two of your best questions homeless (c) baldhead (d) rude Grand Slam champion Andre Agassi will be featured here. Please do write to us at [email protected]. 5. Ephebe: (a) young man (b) old- Answers: 1 (b); 2 (c); 3 (d); 4 (a); 5 (a); refused to compete at Wimbledon fashioned (c) agitated (d) mediator 6 (c); 7 (b); 8 (d); 9 (c); 10 (a) between 1988 and 1990 due to the 12 GULF TIMES Sunday, July 14, 2019 COMMUNITY CARTOONS/PUZZLES

Wordsearch Adam

Pooch Cafe

BABE BASHFUL THUMPER DUMBO GUS DEWEY MOWGLI PONGO LADY BAGHEERA CHIP TIGGER EEYORE HAPPY DOC BALOO SLEEPY LOUIE GOOFY DAISY TRAMP PINOCCHIO HUEY DONALD BAMBI SNEEZY MINNIE GRUMPY DALE DOPEY PLUTO JOCK MICKEY

Codeword Every letter of the alphabet is used at least once. Squares with the same number in have the same letter in. Work out which number represents which letter.

Garfield Puzzles courtesy: Puzzlechoice.com courtesy: Puzzles

Sudoku

Bound And Gagged

Sudoku is a puzzle based on a 9x9 grid. The grid is also divided into nine (3x3) boxes. You are given a selection of values and to complete the puzzle, you must fill the grid so that every column, every anone is repeated. Sunday, July 14, 2019 GULF TIMES 13 PUZZLES COMMUNITY

Super Cryptic Clues Colouring

Across Down 1 Party clobber (4) 1 A couple of chaps somewhere 3 American prosecutor gets in Essex (8) copper brought into service in 2 Material moved to and fro, so capital city (8) we hear (5) 9 People in the Himalayas 4 Response right after a news sorted out her pass (7) broadcast (6) 10 Fancy dress beginning with 5 Do some arithmetic and a lot of paper (5) make sense (3,2) 11 Stay in bed a bit longer - left, 6 Church, otherwise a part of that is, at home (3,2) London (7) 12 A slope that’s slippery in 7 Not all like this with yours US city (2,4) truly (4) 14 Distant cardinal, out of tune 8 Clean cake (6) (3-3) 13 Shopped, yet bread has been 16 Friend given card in royal ordered! (8) residence (6) 15 Thrown or flung many yards 19 Journey the Parisian makes (7) three times as much (6) 17 Tomfoolery? Not for leaders 21 One who sings in private, in Civil Service (6) normally (5) 18 Exist, say, as a dam-builder 24 Run away from antelopes (5) (6) 25 Success for Nelson’s ship (7) 20 Verse manuscript abridged 26 Bognor extension? Test by author (5) records kept here (8) 22 Putting one’s head in this 27 Pay attention to what’s in may make one so wretched (5) Answers the editorial? (4) 23 Busy worker has right drink (4) Wordsearch Codeword

Yesterday’s Solution 14 GULF TIMES Sunday, July 14, 2019 COMMUNITY LIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE Winners must choose their friends wisely: study esearchers have favoured in the past. Cliquishness found that friends in — the extent to which jury members high places may get tend to favour candidates who are you recognised but part of the same network clique as ultimately harm your the jury members. Rchance at glory. The researchers found that while Being friends with an award juror all three dynamics can improve a can increase a person’s chance candidate’s chance of receiving of being nominated but decrease an honourable mention, only their chances of being selected reciprocity boosts their chances of as the victor, according to the being the victor. study published in the Academy of “Having a direct tie to, or being Management Journal. a part of the same clique as an “These fi ndings should invite award juror can help candidates be some healthy cynicism among shortlisted or nominated but then those who still have unconditional actually prevent them winning,” faith in the universalistic he said. principles that are supposed to “This, we believe, is because inspire meritocratic institutions, people in charge of granting but should also come as hopeful prestigious honours may be news to those who have long lost eight years of decision-making between jurors and entrants aff ect jury members tend to favour driven by self-serving relational that faith,” said Simone Ferriani, data from the most prestigious competition results. candidates with whom they have interests, as much as the genuine Professor at the University of Norwegian advertising industry Three relationship dynamics worked in the past. Reciprocity — desire to signal their moral Bologna. competition with industry were used to understand how the extent to which jury members integrity and deflect potential For the study, researchers member interviews and sought jurors’ decisions are infl uenced tend to favour candidates from inauthentic concerns away,” he combined statistical analysis of to understand how relationships direct ties — the extent to which whom they have themselves been added. – IANS

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

You’re in splendid shape today, Aries! Did a fairy godmother It’s certainly clear that you have faith in your actions, Taurus! You This is a moment to start being creative and stop worrying that brandish a magic wand to dispel all the little diff iculties of the past feel no fear or doubt as you progress toward your goals at a fast clip, you don’t have talent, Gemini. Who’s to say what “talent” is? In the few weeks? Enjoy this moment of relief from worries. As for your cruising along on calm seas under clear skies. This new atmosphere romance department, the love of your life might be right under your relationship, some exciting opportunities may arise. Be on the is likely the product of your renewed commitment. Reward yourself nose. Try lifting your eyes from the romance novels and look around. lookout for them. Whatever you do, don’t let them pass you by! for your accomplishments, but you should wait a few days before The perfect mate could be any number of people in your daily life. launching an all-out celebration. You just have to open your eyes. CANCER LEO VIRGO June 21 — July 22 July 23 — August 22 August 23 — September 22

You may be a bit unclear about your professional direction today, You could be seeing mirages at the moment, Leo, most notably in Hold on to your wallet, Virgo, because you may have some strange Cancer. Your motivation has disappeared without warning. What the environment around you. You may have the impression that (though noble) impulses to give away your money or spend a large happened? It may be that you need to become involved in projects people are lying to you or that they’re hiding something from you. amount on something useless. You should think about spending that have more universal resonance. Projects that concern only your Or it may be that you’re the one who lies about certain things or your money in a better way or not at all. Why not consider donating interests or that are of narrow scope no longer hold your attention. hides what you do. Why are you making it all so complicated? Don’t some of your time rather than money to those in need? be afraid to express your feelings. LIBRA SCORPIO SAGITTARIUS September 23 — October 22 October 23 — November 21 November 22 — December 21

Today isn’t a good day to sign contracts or make any substantial Are you certain you can’t modify your current situation, Scorpio? The forecast for you is excellent, Sagittarius. You can rely on today’s purchases, Libra. Go to the grocery store, by all means, but Are you a prisoner of a lifestyle that isn’t of your own making or is a aspects to restore your self-confidence, which has been sorely buy hamburger, not tenderloin. Keep your money at home and throwback to the past? People have been asking you to take on too tried during the past few days. The charismatic seducer in you can safeguard your reserves. Don’t negotiate about anything. No matter many responsibilities and this is weighing you down. Don’t be afraid swagger forth, certain of conquest. However, don’t go too far. Wait a how good the off er sounds or how compelling the deal, walk away. to distance yourself from these situations. Learn to say no. while for reality to dispel the cloud of ecstasy and you will be able to see the future more clearly. CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES December 22 — January 19 January 20 — February 18 February 19 — March 20

You may have some trouble communicating today, Capricorn. It’s as You are radiant and glowing with happiness today, Aquarius! This Your goal for today is to enchant your mate. There’s no reason not though something is distorting your perception. Don’t be surprised is a refreshing change after the gloom of the past few weeks. to try. Indeed, it’s an excellent day for love. Since the day’s aspects if once evening comes you feel like forgetting about everything Apparently, the decisions you made worked out for the best. Or even tend to distort your perception of things, you may be deceived by and travelling to the other side of the world. Tomorrow you will see better, perhaps you’re in love? In any case, it will be even easier than what you see in the mirror. Be careful about what you do and how clearly again. Without a doubt, there are adventures in store for you! usual for you to communicate with others and share your joy. Let the you do it! good times roll! Sunday, July 14, 2019 GULF TIMES 15 SHOWBIZ COMMUNITY

It means I matter to people: Taapsee John back with genre that he loves on ‘sasti copy’ remark Actor-producer John Actress has reacted to Rangoli Abraham’s love for the Chandel’s tweet in which she termed her as Kangana action genre is no secret. Ranaut’s ‘sasti copy’ by saying that when people troll He will now produce a person, it means that person mattered to them. and play the lead in the The Manmarziyaan star also said that she wanted to action thriller – Attack, concentrate on her work and that she didn’t believe in a race against time story spending her time on such kind of issues. of rescue by an ‘Attack Taapsee was interacting with the media after team’ led by a lone ranger, meeting cancer aff ected children as part of a fund played by John. raising initiative hosted by a radio station here on The fi lm is a fi ctional Friday. story inspired by true Few days ago, ’s sister Rangoli events, set against Chandel had called out Taapsee and SPAT: Taapsee Pannu likes that she is being trolled on a hostage crisis that ACTION HERO: ’s love for the for not mentioning Kangana’s name while praising the social media. brought a nation to its action genre is no secret. trailer of Judgemental Hai Kya starring Rajkummar knees. Rao and Kangana. work to do in that span. There is a lot of important Written and directed by debutant Lakshya Raj Anand, Attack will be Rangoli had slammed Taapsee, calling her ‘sasti work in my life, so I would like to concentrate on that produced by Dheeraj Wadhawan and Ajay Kapoor’s Kyta Productions copy’. In another tweet, she asked Varun to mention aspect,” she said. and John’s JA Entertainment. her sister’s name while appreciating the trailer. Taapsee also could not resist taking a jibe at Rangoli “At JA Entertainment, we believe in ‘content fi rst’. It is our endeavour After Rangoli’s tweet, Kangana also backed her and Kangana via Twitter on Thursday. to push the envelope and produce fi lms that entertain and have sister by saying that people should be ready to take a The fi rst teaser of Taapsee and ’s something signifi cant to show to the increasingly discerning audience,” dig at themselves when they make fun of others. upcoming fi lm was released on said John. “Attack is a taut, interesting thriller with a strong storyline Reacting to the social media bashing, Taapsee said, Thursday. When Varun Dhawan congratulated and a genre that I love! I am happy that Dheeraj and Ajay are on board “When you are getting trolled, it means you matter. If director Tushar Hiranandani on the teaser launch, this very interesting project,” he added. you are not getting trolled, it means nobody wants to Taapsee saw the right opportunity to take a dig at The fi lm will go on fl oors in December 2019. spend time and energy on you and you don’t matter to Rangoli. “Attack is an intelligent, engaging story, which needs to be told for anyone.” “Proud of you Tushar. Bringing real Indian heroes audiences of the younger generation. Working with John Abraham and Taapsee added that she would like to concentrate on the big screen. Best dadis,” Varun wrote in a tweet. his production banner has been a pleasure as we think alike on fi lms. We on her work rather than spending her time on such Taapsee replied, “Arre Varun but u have not written look forward to this exciting collaboration,” said Kapoor. things. “I don’t believe in spending my time on these our names. y no appreciation for us??? Why why Meanwhile, the actor will be soon seen on the big screen in issues. I feel our life is too short and there is a lot of why?” – IANS Batla House, also an action-thriller. – IANS Crawl actors meet alligators at Long Island Aquarium

an actual storm. “It was like a By Joseph V Amodio 10-week fight camp underwater,” Pepper told Newsday. And gruelling, to be in the water for he first clue this isn’t a 12-hour days. You emerge “like a typical press junket for prune,” he admits. a new film is the live “I broke my toe at one point, alligator. and couldn’t get out to get it “He’s only getting wrapped in ice – it would’ve Ta little cranky,” assures Joe taken too long to lift off the Gemellaro, an educator at roof – so I was like …’Just keep Riverhead’s Long Island filming,”“ says Scodelario. Aquarium, while holding Blue, The Aquarium’s Gemellaro a three-foot American alligator also knows on-the-job aches who jerks, occasionally whacking (smacked by alligator tails). But Gemellaro’s side with his tail. he remains in awe of the apex Blue’s snout is taped shut, and predators. good thing – his bite can apply “They’re truly amazing 2,100 pounds of pressure per animals,” he says. A student square inch. Not bad for a 4-year- at Suffolk County Community old, who’s still growing. College, Gemellaro, 20, has been “If he bit my finger, he’d take drawn to reptiles and insects it,” Gemellaro says casually. since he was a tot growing up in That was the scene this week Shirley. “Every day I get to work at the Aquarium, when reporters with them, it’s surreal – a dream gathered to meet actors Kaya come true,” he says. Scodelario and Emmy winner With that, he unleashes the Barry Pepper, plus director gator from a harness, and carries Alexandre Aja, of Crawl, this him off to an outdoor exhibit. summer’s chilling new horror The Aquarium has seven gators, disaster film – think Jaws, but TRAPPED: Barry Pepper and Kaya Scodelario in Crawl. and it’s feeding time. (Spoiler — with alligators and a hurricane. not for the squeamish.) The film pits a dad (Pepper) shark-wielding tornadoes in and her in-laws showered her actual ‘gators during filming, but Later, the Crawl co-stars and his swimmer daughter Sharknado, the events in Crawl with tales of alligator sightings the actors did shoot many scenes check out the gators, in their (Scodelario) in a fight for their feel somewhat plausible, which in homes down South. “I’m like, in a tiny crawl space, part of a set sleepy post-meal haze. “Ahh, lives, trapped in a small crawl may add to the fright factor. really?” she says, chuckling. built inside a series of warehouses they’re not moving,” Pepper space under their Florida home as Scodelario, the English actress Really, they replied. in Serbia, where they recreated says. Then one does. “Wuhhhh,” hurricane flood waters threaten known for Maze Runner, happens Mechanical replicas, puppets a small town inside a massive Scodelario shudders. and gators roam. Unlike the to be married to a Georgia native, and costumed stunt men replaced tank, then flooded it, to simulate – Newsday/TNS 16 GULF TIMES Sunday, July 14, 2019 COMMUNITY Qatar Cultural and Literary Festival ends on a high note

By Mudassir Raja

atar Cultural and Literature Festival (QCLF) was a deeply engaging, thought- provoking and Qentertaining event. It proved to be a two-day fiesta highlighting some searching questions and sharing wise and sane opinions. Organised by Question Associates Pvt Ltd, QCLF was held at Drama Theatre in Katara on Thursday and Friday evenings. A number of celebrated writers, poets, artists, motivational speakers, classical dancers and singers from India took over the Doha audience. Some of the key names included: Mika Singh, Indian singer; Piyush Mishra, actor/poet; Chetan Bhagat, Indian author; Vindu Dara Singh, Indian actor; and Laxmi Agarwal, acid attack CELEBRITIES: Indian author Chetan Bhagat, second from left, actor and poet Piyush Mishra, third from left, and Indian actor Vindu Dara Singh are seen with survivor, motivational speaker, the organisers at the festival. Photos by Shaji and TV anchor. From Doha, the event had Zunira Malik, founder/ were two more panel discussions people of Qatar for our show. We editor Whatsup Doha; Amal al- on ‘Impact on Culture on Writing had an amazing event with a lovely Aathem, Consultant of fine arts, Books’ and on ‘Cinema & Cultural audience from Doha”. Ministry of Culture and Sports; Difference’. Deepali Verma, festival Rashmi Agarwal, Qatar-based Talking to Community, Ruhi coordinator, said: “Being the Indian artist; and Mervat Ibrhaim, Ganguly, festival producer and coordinator of the festival, at Qatari writer; to name a few. CEO of Question Associates, first I thought I would have a hard The two-day event that said ‘I am very excited to see this time in coordinating because we successfully brought the two combination of two such rich were working from India but I countries closer through art cultures on the same platform. We was surprised to see the level of and culture was attended by did not just have speakers from support that we got from Doha. Hemant Kumar Dwivedi, First India but we also had speakers People who connected with us Secretary (Information, Culture from Doha. Seeing them having a from Doha have made it easier & Education) Embassy of India to conversation on various important for me to work for the event. I am Qatar, as the chief guest. issues was very interesting. We humbled to see the response and During the opening ceremony, all are one at heart and with excitement.” the organisers felicitated all the this festival we have shared Rashmi Agarwal said: “It was noted guests from India. It was our feelings and about our rich a wonderful literary festival. started with a beautiful act of cultures with each other and got Seasoned writers, poets, actors, dance by Arupa Lahiry, classical to know each other in a better way.’ singers, dancers, and artists dancer. Ruhi added: “The core team shared their valued opinions The real entertainment of the at Q&A is very much excited for for the audience. It was really opening ceremony was enthralling the successful completion of the amazing for me to be a part of the and heart-throbbing show by event, and has plans for more of extraordinary event. I would like singer Mika Singh. The singer, such events in the middle-east in to see more and more such literary mostly known for his Punjabi the following months. Events such programmes in Qatar.” songs, entertained the audience as these prove crucial and vital for Other participants of the with his fast and loud music. It developing cordial relationship festival were namely: Anurag was a music performance that between the countries involved Punetha, author and senior news the audience would cherish and through such exchange of art and anchor, Loksabha TV; Anuj Tiwari, remember for long. literature. Such cross-boundary Indian romance novelist; Aparna Apart from the concert, the first events should be given maximum Sharma, award winning author, day of the festival was lined with support and recognition owing orator, leadership expert; Adite book launches as well, giving a to the deep impact it has on the Banerjee, bestselling romance sneak peek into the literature and native people, bringing everyone novelist; Arupa Lahiry, national creative work by the authors. closer.” award winning classical dancer; The second day included Anamika Mishra, festival Nitin Soni; poet; Anurag Chauhan, an opening session by Chetan director and award-winning social worker; Raaj Shaandilya, Bhagat on the title of ‘Making a author, said: “This was my first film writer; Sushant Singh, film nation read’, followed by poetry time in Doha and I have already actor and honorary secretary BEAUTIFUL ACT: Indian classical dancer Arupa Lahiry performs during the performance by Piyush Mishra, fallen for the city. I felt privileged of CINTAA; Kulpreet Yadav, opening ceremony. and various cultural performances to direct this festival as we got to author and motivational speaker; and panel discussions. It also see an interesting amalgamation of Sandeep Soparkar, ballroom creative writer and blogger; Poornima Chauhan, secretary had a panel discussion on women the two different cultures on our dancer and film choreographer; Sddhartha Jain, motivational Administrative Reforms, empowerment titled as ‘Empower platform. It also feels great to see Manjeet Negi, bestseller author speaker/entrepreneur; Shereen Language, Art and Culture, Govt Women, Empower Society’. There such a positive response from the and journalist; Erika Ralaine, DSouza, editor, TimeOut Doha; of Himanch Pradesh, India.