P6in Qatar Is P16 Documentary All Set to Celebrate Tashi and the Their 68Th Monk Is Lined up Independence for Free Screening Day This Week

Community Community Sri Lankan Award- community winning P6in Qatar is P16 documentary all set to celebrate Tashi and the their 68th Monk is lined up Independence for free screening Day this week. in Doha

Monday, February 1, 2016 Rabia II 22, 1437 AH

DOHA 12°C—21°C TODAY LIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE 11 PUZZLES 12 & 13

COVER STORY

REPEATING HISTORY: The trio during their epic journey. The great desert trek British explorer Mark Evans and his Omani colleagues Mohammed Zadjali and Amer al-Wahaibi share their trying 49-day trek across Empty Quarter, 85 years on. P4-5 2 GULF TIMES Monday, February 1, 2016 COMMUNITY ROUND & ABOUT

PRAYER TIME Fajr 4.59am Shorooq (sunrise) 6.17am Zuhr (noon) 11.47am Asr (afternoon) 2.56pm Maghreb (sunset) 5.20pm Isha (night) 6.50pm

USEFUL NUMBERS Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip propose to his new girlfriend in Miami ... and dump them. GENRE: Animation They have three days to get to him and stop the proposal, CAST: Jason Lee, Jesica Ahlberg, Josh Green saving themselves not only from losing Dave but possibly from DIRECTION: Walt Becker gaining a terrible stepbrother. SYNOPSIS: Through a series of misunderstandings, Alvin, Simon and Theodore come to believe that Dave is going to THEATRES: Landmark, Royal Plaza, The Mall

Emergency 999 Worldwide Emergency Number 112 Kahramaa – Electricity and Water 991 Ooredoo Telephone Assistance 111 Local Directory 180 International Calls Enquires 150 Time 141, 140 Doha International Airport 40106666 Labor Department 44508111, 44406537 Medical Commission 44679111 Mowasalat Taxi 44588888 Qatar Airways 44496000 Weather Forecast 44656590 Hamad Medical Corporation 44392222 44393333 Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation 44845555 44845464 Primary Health Care Corporation 44593333 44593363 Qatar Assistive Technology Centre 44594050 Qatar News Agency 44450205 44450333 Q-Post – General Postal Corporation 44464444 Qatar University 44033333

Concussion by Jeanne Marie Laskas. It stars Will Smith as Dr Bennet GENRE: Drama Omalu, a Nigerian forensic pathologist who fought against te Unqu CAST: Will Smith, Alec Baldwin, Albert Brooks efforts by the National Football League to suppress his uo ot DIRECTION: Peter Landesman research on the brain damage suffered by professional Q e SYNOPSIS: Concussion is a 2015 American biographical football players. I like to sports medical drama film directed and written by Peter see a man proud of the Landesman, based on the 2009 GQ exposé Game Brain THEATRES: Landmark, The Mall, Royal Plaza place in which he lives. I like to see a man live so that his place will Mall Cinema (1): Seethamma Andalu (Hindi) 11.30pm. be proud of him. Ramayya Sitralu (Telugu) 2pm; American Royal Plaza Cinema Palace (2): Saala Hero (2D) 4.15pm; Exposed (2D) 6.15pm; Khadoos (Hindi) 2.30pm; Exposed (2D) Ocean 14 (Arabic) 8.15pm; Standoff (2D) 10pm; 4.30pm; Airlift (Hindi) 6.30pm; Concussion — Abraham Lincoln Concussion (2D) 11.30pm. (2D) 8.45pm; Concussion (2D) 11pm. Mall Cinema (2): Alvin & The Chipmunks: Cinema Land Mark (2): The Good Dinosaur Royal Plaza Cinema Palace (3): Ride Along 2 The Road Chip (2D) 2.45pm; Alvin & The (2D) 3pm; Alvin & The Chipmunks: The Road (2D) 3pm; American Hero (2D) 5pm; Ocean 14 Chipmunks: The Road Chip (2D) 4.30pm; Chip (2D) 5pm; Alvin & The Chipmunks: The (Arabic) (2D) 7pm; Kedbet Kol Youm (Arabic) Concussion (2D) 6.15pm; Airlift (Hindi) 8.30 Road Chip (2D) 7pm; Airlift (Hindi) 9pm; 9pm; Exposed (2D) 11pm. pm; Two Countries (Malayalam) 10.30pm. Concussion (2D) 11.15pm. Asian Town Cinema (1): Irudhi Suttru (Tamil) Mall Cinema (3): Saala Khadoos (Hindi) Cinema Land Mark (3): Irudhi Suttru 6pm; 2 Countries (Malayalam) 8.15pm; Irudhi 2pm; Ride Along 2 (2D) 4pm; Alvin & The (Tamil) 2.30pm; American Hero (2D) 4.30pm; Suttru (Tamil) 10.45pm. Chipmunks: The Road Chip (2D) 5.45pm; Concussion (2D) 6.15pm; Two Countries Asian Town Cinema (2): Airlift (Hindi) 5pm; Features Editor Saala Khadoos (Hindi) 7.30pm; Kedbet Kol (Malayalam) 8.30pm; Irudhi Suttru (Tamil) 2 Countries (Malayalam) 7.15pm; 2 Countries Kamran Rehmat Youm (Arabic ) 9.30pm; Irudhi Suttru (Tamil) 11.15pm. (Malayalam) 10pm. 11.30pm. Royal Plaza Cinema Palace (1): The Asian Town Cinema (3): 2 Countries e-mail: [email protected] Cinema Land Mark (1): Alvin & The Good Dinosaur (2D) 2.30pm; Alvin & The (Malayalam) 6.30pm; 2 Countries (Malayalam) Telephone: 44466405 Chipmunks: The Road Chip (2D) 2.30pm; Chipmunks: The Road Chip (2D) 4.15pm; Alvin 9.30pm. Ocean 14 (Arabic) 4.15pm; Standoff (2D) 6pm; & The Chipmunks: The Road Chip (2D) 6pm; Asian Town Cinema (4): Saala Khadoos Fax: 44350474 Exposed (2D) 7.30pm; Kedbet Kol Youm Alvin & The Chipmunks: The Road Chip (2D) (Hindi) 6.30pm; Irudhi Suttru (Tamil) 8.45pm; (Arabic) 9.30pm; Exposed (2D) 11.30pm. 8pm; Standoff (2D) 9.45pm; Saala Khadoos Saala Khadoos (Hindi) 11pm. Monday, February 1, 2016 GULF TIMES 3 ROUND & ABOUT COMMUNITY

EVENTS Weyak Spring Camp Interfaith Dialogue Conference Qatari Agricultural Product Yards DATE: Today DATE: Feb 16-17 DATE: Until June 30 Waste Management TIME: 8am-7pm VENUE: Sheraton Doha Hotel VENUE: Al Mazrooa, Al Zakheera, Al Khor, Recycling Summit VENUE: Al Thakhira — A Flower Each 12th Doha Interfaith Dialogue Conference will Al Wakrah DATE: Feb 3-4 Spring be held this year under the theme: “Spiritual The Ministry of Environment has opened TIME: 4pm For the fi rst time in Qatar, the Mental and Intellectual Safety in the Light of Religious the 4th season of Qatari agricultural product VENUE: InterContinental The City, Doha Health Friends Association ‘Weyak’ will Doctrines”. The conference gives a great yards for selling locally produced fruits, Qatar aims at raising the recycle share from organise ‘My Trip with My Mom’ at Weyak opportunity to experts and professionals from vegetables, poultry, fi sh and livestock. Work 8% to 38% of solid waste, reducing landfi ll Spring Camp — the fi rst maritime camp all over the world discuss the issues related to in these yards will continue for seven months. to 53% and converting waste to energy. for mothers and their daughters. It is an the conference theme, and provide a certain The yards will operate three days a week on Energy conservation is a must, as the energy educational and amusing trip, to be held from framework for dealing with the challenges that Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 7am resources are fi nite, and their consumptions 8am to 7pm and targets the girls aged 15 to 19 threaten the spiritual and intellectual freedom to 5pm, with livestock vendors in Al Mazrooa are increasing at alarming rates. The country years. Participation fees: QR300. and security of our times. operating at the same times throughout the depends on desalted seawater, which week. consumes extensive amounts of energy, and Geometrical Design in Islamic Art Doha Dash 2016 is produced by using the least energy effi cient Workshop DATE: Feb 9 Pottery workshop for kids desalting system. DATE: Until Feb 6 VENUE: Losail International Circuit DATE: Every Monday TIME: Noon to 1:30 pm. TIME: 7am TIME: 5pm-6pm VENUE: Museum of Islamic Art The Dolphin Energy Doha Dash was created Kids will learn a new hand building In this workshop, participants will be by Professional Sports Group to support the technique for creating and fi nishing artworks introduced to the concept of geometry in vision behind the Qatar National Sport Day. in clay. For more, call 44865201. Islamic art, inspired by MIA’s collection. They The event will bring the community together at will learn the basics of geometry such as the Losail International Circuit for a chance to run in Sketching with pencil and charcoal hexagon, octagon, 8-pointed star, 12-pointed one of the three distances on off er. DATE: Sunday and Wednesday star, and how to create a pattern using a net TIME: 5pm-6:30pm of interlocking circles made with the use of a Aspire Aquathon Series If you can hold a pencil, you can draw compass and a ruler. DATE: Feb 20 … Discover techniques to make your VENUE: Hamad Aquatics Centre drawing more realistic. Every Saturday My Book is Your Book You can join this popular combination of and Wednesday from 5pm-6:30pm. For DATE: Until Feb 11 swimming and running sport race, organised reservation: [email protected]. QNHG Talk TIME: 9am-2pm by Aspire Zone Foundation in Hamad Aquatics What Lurks Beneath the Surface of a VENUE: Qatar University Centre pool facility and around the Aspire Zone Works from Mathaf Collection Qatari Sand Dune Textbook Sales Section at Qatar University precinct. Entry fees: QR 20. Entry is open for all DATE: Until February 14 Talk by: Sara Abdul Majid, Research will organise an event entitled My Book is ages and talents, aged 8 years and above. Adult TIME: 11am to 6pm Specialist, Weill Cornell Medical College Your Book from 9am to 2pm. This event aims groups will run for 5km and swim 500m long, VENUE: Arab Museum of Modern Art Date: Wednesday, February 3 to make eff ective use of used textbooks, which while kids will run between 1.5 - 3 km and swim The artworks collection to be exhibited Time: 7pm are in good condition in order to enhance the between 100-200m long, according to their age will refl ect a number of important defi ning Light refreshments from 6:30pm - Q and student’s evaluation of textbooks, and benefi t group. moments in Arab history and artistic A afterwards the students who are in need of them. innovations in the region. Where: Doha English Speaking School Neuroscience Conference (DESS), Madinat Khalifa South Souq Waqif Spring Festival 2016 DATE: February 18-20 Synopsis: Have you ever wondered what DATE: Until Feb 5 VENUE: Sheraton Hotel kind of creatures, if any, dwell beneath the TIME: 2pm-10pm The 1st Qatar Annual Neuroscience surface of a sand dune? This talk covers the VENUE: Souq Waqif Conference, organised by the Neurological ecology of mobile barchan dunes, south of Souq Waqif Spring Festival is back! The Institute at Hamad Medical Corporation, off ers Doha city. Depending on their size, these festival is featuring shows and entertainment a comprehensive educational programme dunes can migrate 5-50m per year. In programmes to suit all the family. Check out specifi cally designed for the Mena region addition to harbouring a rich microbiome, the link for more details and a full schedule of that will have signifi cant emphasis on and animal diversity, the dunes are the sole events http://www.souq-waqif.qa/ practical aspects of common neurological habitat to the eastern sandfi sh Scincus and neurosurgical disorders. The scientifi c mitranus in Qatar. For the fi rst time in Pravasi Vanitha sports meet programme committee has invited world leaders the country, a total of 108 sandfi sh were FCC Vanithavedi, a women’s forum, in their fi elds to share their knowledge with the captured and tagged from fi ve terrestrial is inviting entries to a sports fest being attendees. and three coastal Barchan dunes in the organised on the occasion of Qatar Sport south-eastern part of Qatar. DNA analysis Day. The event is to be held on February 5 at Jewellery and Watches Exhibition Sushi Night in town from the tails of 62 individuals prove that Shantiniketan Indian School. DATE: February 23-27 Cosmo Restaurant, in Millennium Hotel sandfi sh may move, procreate and cross- Individuals can participate in items like VENUE: Doha Exhibition and Convention Doha, invites its guests to explore the recruit among the dunes either by travelling 1km walk, 100m race, 200m race, sack race, Center sumptuous and mouthwatering buff et on the rocky fl oor or when dunes collide lemon-and-spoon race and shot put. Group Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition spread of diff erent authentic sushi, sashimi, and separate over time. Our study is a fi rst items include relay race and tug-of-war. (DJWE) is being held once a year in Qatar. This tempura, teppanyaki, salad bar that off ers eff ort to characterise the ecology of barchan Only women of 18 years and above are show is one of the most exclusive in the world for International and Asian salads, and Edamame sand dunes in Qatar and as such it serves as a eligible to participate. Interested women wealthy individuals interested in fi ne jewellery to savour from. baseline to future studies on this unique and can register their names online at: www. and unique pieces, watches, gemstones, and The Sushi Night promotion is available mobile habitat. fccvanitavedi.wordpress.com or directly at diamonds, all represented by more than 500 every Wednesday starting at 7pm. To top this Speaker the FCC offi ce. Last date for registration is exclusive international brands. Additionally, dining experience, guests can also enjoy a Sara Abdul February 3. Contact: 44661213, 44663757, a number of educational seminars will be wide variety of desserts and fresh fruits. The Majid is an 44315099 delivered on jewellery and watches throughout ambiance and atmosphere gives fresh spirit environmental the week. and feelings of Asia, not to mention that the scientist and VCU Qatar Faculty Exhibition hotel team provides valued guests with the dedicated DATE: Until Feb 15 Aspire Run the Park best experience through their friendliness, conservationist. VENUE: VCU Qatar Gallery DATE: Until February 13 attentiveness and the attention to details. Born and raised VCU Qatar will organise its annual VENUE: Aspire Park in Qatar, she exhibition of works by artists and designers Aspire Zone Foundation will organise a series has developed a who are teaching and researching at the of four races on Saturday once a month on FOODIE CHOICE passion for the university. Entrance is free. This exhibition January 16 and February 13. Participants should unique desert aims to give faculty members an opportunity compete in at least three out the four races to RESTAURA NT: Nozomi Doha environment to present their results of current artistic and win a medal and prize. They have to be there an LOCATION: Kempinski Marsa Malaz of the country. design research and exploration in a select hour before the race. Nozomi Doha is a high-end Japanese She is currently exhibition. restaurant from Knightsbridge in London. leading a project Aspire Park Cinema The spirit underlying Nozomi is one based on estimating Art Exhibition DATE: Ongoing until Feb 5 on subtly fusing an entertainment and the population of DATE: Until April 18 TIME: 6pm-8pm dining experience so that, as the highly Scincus mitranus VENUE: Porto Arabia, Pearl VENUE: Aspire Park acclaimed cuisine, is served, so too is a and studying the Diff usion by Peter Zimmermann — A Aspire Zone Foundation, in collaboration with passionate musical off ering, relying on a ecology of Barchan dunes in Qatar. Sara has mesmerising solo exhibition of colourful, Jeem TV, is presenting for the fi rst time children selection of world music choices designed to also co-authored An Illustrated Checklist of futuristic works. Anima Gallery, Parcel 17, Porto movies on its giant screen behind Hayat Plaza, relax inhibitions and assure an unique and the Flora of Qatar (2009). Arabia, The Pearl-Qatar. Contact: 40027437 every Thursday and Friday from 6pm to 8pm. overwhelming atmosphere, that is Nozomi.

Compiled by Nausheen Shaikh. E-mail: [email protected], Events and timings subject to change 4 GULF TIMES Monday, February 1, 2016 COMMUNITY COVER STORY Against all odds Physically sunken from the privations of the all-consuming trip — their blistered feet swollen to the extent it became diff icult to even take off their shoes — British explorer Mark Evans and his Omani colleagues Mohammed Zadjali and Amer al-Wahaibi finally made it to the Ar Rayyan Castle in Qatar. Umer Nangiana finds out how

TEST OF ENDURANCE: The explorers say teamwork and co-ordination was at the heart of their successful feat.

ore than 1,000 final destination, Ar Rayyan in 1930. No-one has ever done it Saudi Arabia, Oman and United with employment opportunities,” kilometres long Castle in Qatar. on foot in the interim because the Kingdom besides other state observes Evans. However, he and 500 kilometres It was the thought of this castle ‘Empty Quarter’ is literally empty! offi cials. acknowledges the 1930 explorers wide with sand that helped them survive the “There is nothing there. It is ‘Tahaddi Arabia’, the journey, were extraordinary, who at the time dunes as high as mounds of sand, without going just barren. For thousands of years started from Salalah, Oman, on walked into nothing, with no maps M300 metres interspersed with astray. British explorer Mark Evans, no-one has lived there. They did the 10th of December 2015, and or support system. gravel and gypsum plains. They and his two Omani colleagues, that in the past when the climate continued across Saudi Arabia Today, life is comparatively easier were up against the barren land Mohammed Zadjali and Amer al- was very diff erent and Arabia was through to the Empty Quarter and and it was nice for him and his that has not been inhabited for Wahaibi, called the Tahaddi Arabia green, but for many years it has culminated in Qatar. It was the colleagues to step back and realise decades, and they were on foot. team, walked 1,300 kilometres just been barren, (off ering only) same route taken by the explorers “how lucky we are today.” It took them 49 days of walking, to cross Rub al Khali or ‘Empty hostile environment,” team leader in 1930. Evans has lived in the Middle not to say resilience, to get Quarter’. Mark Evans tells Community upon Their conclusion? It is “even East for 20 years and believes the through the arduous journey. They were retracing the footsteps reaching the Rayyan Castle. emptier now!” desert is his home now. For the Physically sunken from the of British explorer Bertram Thomas They were greeted by HE “The Bedouin now have pick- past 12 years, he has been based in privations of the all-consuming and Sheikh Saleh bin Klute from Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani, up trucks and they have moved Oman. Nevertheless, he and his trip but spirited, the three Oman, who sought to cross the the president of Qatar Olympic to the edge of the desert where team had to thoroughly prepare and travellers finally made it to their Empty Quarter nearly 85 years ago Committee, and ambassadors of environment is relatively easier train for the epic journey. Monday, February 1, 2016 GULF TIMES 5 COVER STORY COMMUNITY

They did some stimulatory training in the desert in Oman besides hitting the gym, but it was impossible to physically train for the 7-hour-a-day trek with their full time jobs. So they selected the route carefully. “We chose the regimen in a way that we had two weeks at the start to enable us to get super fi t before we hit the biggest sand dunes on the border with Saudi Arabia. By the time we got there, we were really quite fi t, our legs were really strong and we all had lost a lot of weight by then,” Evans recalls. It was this careful planning, preparation and the right equipment that, he says, was the key to survive out there. Quoting the famous aviator Richard Byrd, he suggested, “there were old pilots, and bold pilots, but no old, bold pilots”. He probably meant to say, if you are reckless and just dive into something, you are not going to survive. “That is why we are not old, bold explorers. We are old but we are not bold. We are not reckless. We planned this very carefully. We had two fantastic support vehicles with foods and supply,” says Evans, smiling. He says he chose people on his team, who, he was sure, had the rights skills to do the job. WELCOME: HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani, president of Qatar Olympic Committee, receiving the expedition team at Ar-Rayyan Castle. One of his two companions, he says, is a Bedouin who knows how He has been an explorer for over to handle camels which was the 12 years but this, he says, was his most important part of the job. biggest expedition. And he, Zadjali The other, Mohammed Zadjali, says, wanted to give the message is an instructor with Evans’s that despite having political organisation in Oman. borders, “we are all brothers and we From his journey in the desert, will always be.” Evans particularly remembers the With his next expedition — nights. The nights in the desert are destination yet to be decided — he just fantastic, he says. wants to drive home the importance “When the sun goes down, it of protecting the environment. is just beautiful. You know the His team leader and colleague has temperatures are going to drop and undertaken many expeditions the heat is going to die and those before to the Arctic, Greenland, amazing stars come out and when besides paddling a one-man boat there is no moon, that sky is just around the entire 1700km coastline unbelievable out there,” he recalls. of Oman and Qatar. Their mantra was not to let However, he too feels ‘Empty negative thoughts enter their Quarter’ was right up there. But minds. If it gets diffi cult, you look what’s up next for him? for solutions and they had enough “For now, a good night’s sleep. resources with them to solve any I had my fi rst shower in 49 days DOWN MEMORY LANE: The first ever recorded crossing of the Rub Al Khali desert in 1930. problems, says the team leader. this afternoon. I am going to have This journey has not been recreated another one tonight. I am going for 85 years and will probably not be to have a big meal and then a good for another 85 years and this, Evans night’s sleep,” he smiles, rubbing says, makes them feel honoured and his over-grown stubble. privileged. His colleague Mohammed Zadjali, himself an experienced This journey explorer, concurs. has not been “The survival is in team eff ort. I would always convince myself that recreated for 85 Doha was right in front of me and we would move on. It is all about years and will resilience, tenacity and patience besides problem-solving skills,” probably not be says the Omani explorer. for another 85 He said the route off ered every hardship imaginable. They went up years and this, the mountain to the South which is 2,000 metres, dropped down to the British explorer sandy bit where the sand dunes go Mark Evans, the up to 300 metres; however, the real test was the sharp rocky terrain. team leader, right, Imagine walking 30 kilometres on such a terrain day after day. says, makes them “Your blistered feet get swollen to the extent that it is diffi cult feel honoured sometimes even to remove your and privileged shoes,” says Zadjali. Photo by Umer Nangiana 6 GULF TIMES Monday, February 1, 2016 COMMUNITY Sri Lankan expats all set to celebrate Independence Day

Rangika Jeewantha, popular artistes By Umer Nangiana Rodney Warnakula, Giriraj Kaushalya and Priyantha Seneviratne. The programme was compered he Sri Lankan by Hema Nalin Karunaratne. Doha- community in Qatar is based Sri Lankan musical band all set to celebrate the Black Cats Sri Lankan Music Fans 68th Independence Club had enthralled the audience Day (Nidahas Udanaya with their music performance. The 2016)T that falls on February 4. students from the dance academies The celebrations are going bigger of Senuranga Dance Troupe with and better this year with the choreographer Asanka Salwathura embassy of Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka and Dinu Ranga Kalayathanaya and Coordinating Committee (SLCC) choreographer Dinuk Lawrance planning cultural programmes. showcased their talents during the There would also be events for cultural-cum-variety programme. members of diplomatic community. In some of the previous cultural A musical event has been organised programmes on such occasions on February 5 at Radisson Blu Hotel organised by SLCC and the embassy commencing at 5pm. of Sri Lanka, the Sri Lankan On February 7, under the Community in Doha has witnessed patronage of the ambassador of some breathtakingly beautiful Sri Lanka Dr WM Karunadasa, the dance forms performed by famous embassy will host a cultural show artistes and dance groups. for diplomats and invitees at the Wickramasinghe Academy Sheraton Hotel, Doha. performed Abishek, a dance The Sparrows Dance Troupe form which is a combination together with actress Sheril of traditional music and drums Romen Dekker, singer Ruwan beating to diff erent rituals and Hettiarachchi, Vishadara dances carried out in Sri Lanka Jagath Wickramasinghe, Nihal since the ancient times, in one Pathiranage (guitar), Sanjaya previous celebration. Sooriya Arachchi (tabla), Uditha Mayam was another dance form Wijeratne (violin) and Hema Nalin essayed by Sri Lankan girls dancing Karunaratne (MC) will be fl own in with water pots in yet another from Sri Lanka for the celebration performance. It is a ritual dance. on February 5. A dance act with sea horses and Students from the dance mermaids dancing at the bottom of academy of Dinu Rangayathanaya the beautiful ocean surrounding Sri will showcase their talents at Lanka is another act. both programmes. Sparrows are The girls and a boy in costumes a leading dancing academy in Sri resembling peacocks followed in a Lanka that started in the early performance entitled Ranamonaru. ’90s. They perform traditional Peacock has a special place in Sri dances and have enthralled Lankan culture. Ves, a traditional audiences across the globe with dance from Kandy, performed at their scintillating performances CULTURAL SHOWCASE: Sparrows are a leading dancing academy in Sri Lanka. festivals and celebrations with on stage. The troupe has expertise drummers and dancers, has also in diff erent fi elds of art and has classes in Ballrooom, Latin, Salsa, actress Sheril Romen Dekker will available at all Sri Lankan outlets been a part of the performances. multiple dance and music teams Indian, Free style and Hip Hop entertain the community with and at the gates. Gates open at 4pm. The variety in the colourful including the Dance Team, Kandian besides Zumba. popular songs and dance. Last year, a 15-member cultural dances depict the richness of Dance Team, First Dance Traning, This is their fi rst visit to Doha Vishadara Jagath troupe from Sri Lanka’s Rivega Sri Lankan culture. For event Dance choreography, African Jembe and the audience can be assured of Wickramasinghe and his musicians Dance Studio had performed in a information, call Ranjith Gurusinghe Drums Team, Indian Dhol Drums an entertaining evening of dance will sing patriotic songs to mark the spectacular celebration of Sri Lankan 66580392 / 50409246, Dhammika Team, Ashtaka, Jayamangala Team, and music during the celebrations. occasion. The tickets for the show Independence Day in Qatar. The Jayasena 55654241 or Viddya Sri DJ, Sounds and Lights and Dancing Singer Ruwan Hettiarachchi and are at QR100 and QR50 and will be troupe included choreographer Shanthikumara 33058041.

Actress Sheril Romen Dekker Singer Ruwan Hettiarachchi Singer Vishadara Jagath Wickramasinghe Monday, February 1, 2016 GULF TIMES 7 COMMUNITY

TALENT SHOW: The Women’s Fest 2016, organised as part of FCC Vanaitha Vedi (women’s forum), became a showcase for the creative talents of expatriate women in Qatar. In the two- day programme, Malayalee women were proving their talents in poetry recitation, singing, handicraft making and culinary arts. They exhibited their skills in competitions like ‘Mappilapatte’, light music, fabric painting, flower arrangement, cooking without fuel, ornament making, ‘best out of waste’, poem writing, extempore speech, and essay writing.

Indian youth dies of heart attack

A 26-year-old Indian expatriate died of heart attack at his accommodation in Al Wakrah on Saturday. Sources that identified the victim as Emmanuel Francis (pictured) said he had been indisposed for a few days and was keeping off duties. He was working for the last couple of years in a transportation and logistics firm in Al Wakrah area. Francis was native of Shaktikulangara, in Kerala’s Kollam district. He was the son of Francis William and Jacintha Francis of Thottathil Veedu, Shaktikulanagara, INSIGHT: A lecture series was organised by Sri Lankan Majlis (Fanar) Auditorium after Isha prayer. Around 500 people were sources said. Eff orts are Qatar. ‘Surah Al Hujarath -- Lessons for our Lives’ was delivered present for the lecture which was titled ‘Work: Faith: Balance -- In a on to repatriate the body at Al Attiyyah Masjid after Isha prayer. Around 600 people busy modern lifestyle’. All the talks were delivered by Ash Sheikh to his native place, said a participated. A lecture titled ‘Islamic Family – Secrets for Success’ Mufthi Yousuf Haneefa, a prominent scholar from Sri Lanka. senior parishioner of the was held at Tariq Bin Ziyad Independent Secondary School for He is an executive member of the All Ceylon Jamiathul Elema Catholic Church of Our Boys. More than 220 families participated. The third lecture was (ACJU) and the Chairman of Zam Zam Foundation in Sri Lanka. All Lady of Rosary, Doha. held at Abdulla Bin Zaid Al Mahmoud Islamic Cultural Centre lectures were delivered in Tamil language. 8 GULF TIMES Monday, Febraury 1, 2016 COMMUNITY Art for Tomorrow slate After its successful edition last year, the conference spearheaded by Qatar Museums, will once again unite the who’s who of the global art scene in Doha. By Anand Holla

CONVERGENCE: A scene from the Art for Tomorrow conference last year.

n the back of a turning into a vibrant centre for from the arts, public and private world’s top artists and architects, and concerns surrounding the successful debut the arts, culture and education. sectors, tourism experts, city and leading museum directors, world of art. edition, Qatar While QM will announce details planners and business developers urban developers, policy-makers Some of the speakers at the event Museums (QM) has about the event in the coming days, were in attendance to discuss the and fi nanciers to address critical are performance artist Marina partnered again with it has mentioned about it in its new changing dynamics of art and issues such as the need for Abramovic, artist Jeff Koons, Othe New York Times for a second blog post, giving a good idea of architecture and their potential museums to reinvent themselves Google’s Director of Public Policy year to treat Doha to the much- what to expect: “Art for Tomorrow to transform people and places. for a new generation and fi gure out for Italy, Greece and Malta Giorgia celebrated Art for Tomorrow brings together some of the world’s Guests were treated to key note the co-existence of the digital and Abeltino, UAE-based columnist conference, scheduled from March leading artists, curators, art speeches from 45 internationally real art markers, and their impact Sultan Sooud al-Qassemi, Unesco 12 to 15 at the W Hotel. collectors and museum directors to renowned fi gures and cultural on the creative cities of tomorrow. Assistant Director General for The conference that will explore the complex relationships pioneers, as well as the leading From exploring the role of art Culture Francesco Bandarin, once again unite the who’s between the digital world and the lights of the arts and culture in developing or regenerating a and Victoria and Albert Museum who of the global art scene creative process, the nature of community from across the Middle nation’s or city’s authentic identity Director Martin Roth. Community in Doha reflects the growing creativity, its impact on developing East and in Qatar. to discussing the future of the gives you a fi rst look into the international recognition for cities and nations, and what goes Driven by the overall theme of museum, virtual or real, and its highlights of the agenda of what Qatar’s contribution to dialogue into making a city ‘creative’.” Technology, Creativity and the contribution to urban or wider promises to be the Qatar’s biggest and progress through art and At the inaugural edition, last City, the upcoming edition of cultural contexts, the event covers art event of the year: underlines QM’s progress at year, more than 500 senior leaders Art for Tomorrow will gather the the whole spectrum of curiosities On the evening of March 12, Monday, Febraury 1, 2016 GULF TIMES 9 COMMUNITY ed for second coming

Sultan Sooud al-Qassemi Arthur Sulzberger, Jr, chairman and publisher of The New York Times. Marina Abramovic

starting 6pm, a welcome reception Creative City: New York and Los ‘unlimited access’ have on the Tuesday features discussions crowd-based business models and ‘Art Lab’ tour will fl ag off the Angeles; and Digital Editions: how relationship between artist and on topics such as Culture and the of the digital age are essentially proceedings – Art Lab is a pop-up is the Internet redefi ning the value collector? Established City: the new urban opposed to capitalism’s competitive art installation on Level 29 of the W of art? While a panel session titled paradigm, which assesses the philosophy. How does the practice Doha Hotel & Residences. The much-celebrated Jeff Koons Artist as Architect, Architect impact of new cultural institutions of ‘new art’ contribute to this The programme for March 13 will deconstruct how a ‘celebrity as Artist, will explore the space and activities on older cities; and (arguably) incoming sea change? begins with a welcome note by artist’ approaches a collaborative between architecture and art, and The Patron and the Emerging In A Symphony of Color, the Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad project, and how much is the work examine the mix of creative urges in Artist, which tries cracking the best subject is Cyborg Neil Harbisson’s bin Khalifa al-Thani, chairperson, for self or for community. A panel both kinds of practitioner, another ways to help the next generation performance that round his lyrical Qatar Museums, and Arthur discussion featuring Koons and panel talk titled Will the Internet of artists grow and nurture. In and provocative perception of the O Sulzberger Jr, chairman and Dakis Joannou, civil engineer, Redefi ne the Global Art Market? the discussion titled The Creative relationship between technology, publisher, The New York Times architect and art collector, J&P, will discuss whether the Internet Airport, the brilliant minds behind colour and sound – a fi tting fi nale Company. will seek simpler answers for will eventually replace traditional Hamad International Airport’s to the conference. Then, Keynote 1: Smart City, complex questions such as: Does galleries, museums and government new extension discuss the role of While participation at Art for Creative City, featuring Charles the digital landscape put pressure funding bodies. Columnist Sultan art in transit hubs and explain the Tomorrow is by invitation only, Landry, author: The Creative City: on the private collector to show Sooud al-Qassemi and artist Sophia rationale of the new building. you can make a request on their A Toolkit for Urban Innovators a responsibility to the public, al-Maria will discuss what Doha, Towards the end of the website. Once accepted, you can will address the question: who may never have had the the ‘emerging’ creative city, can conference, there’s Art at the avail the Full Experience Package at Does creativity now depend on chance to see some of the world’s learn from creative communities Eclipse of Capitalism: The $1,995, which includes all sessions, technology? Keynote 2: Culture – great artworks? What eff ect will around the world. collaborative, co-operative and receptions and tours. Towards a New Urban Agenda will have Francesco Bandarin, assistant director general for culture, Unesco, discuss the city as a key actor in sustainable development, and culture as a key element in civic, national and international development strategies. This will be followed by a discussion featuring Charles Landry and Francesco Bandarin in Conversation with Roger Cohen, columnist, The New York Times. A panel discussion on The Digital Museum will have experts talk about how digital technologies and traditional museums can co-exist in a time when the former can off er experiences that the latter can’t. In Digital Originals # 1 and #2, we get a precious insight into the working methods of artist Parker Ito, whose medium is the world wide web, while artist and futurist Pia MYrvoLD will tackle issues, concerns, techniques and work-rounds as a creator of ‘digital originals’. Some of the other subjects that will tackled on the day are The Established vs the Emerging Martin Roth. Photo by Thierry Bal Jeff Koons Francesco Bandarin 10 GULF TIMES Monday, February 1, 2016 COMMUNITY

LEARNING CURVE: The entire teaching faculty of Shantiniketan Indian School (SIS) was enriched with the best teaching practices in the two-day workshop held at its campus recently. The workshop focused on strategic development of teachers in the role of facilitators to support knowledge sharing, collaboration, skill development and giving sense to their teaching experience.

UP CLOSE: Students of Ideal Indian School visited Indian Coast Guard ship Sankalp recently. The visit to the vessel was organised by Embassy of India. As many as 20 students from various classes got the opportunity to learn about the coastal protection methods, functioning of the ships. ICGS Sankalp, the 5th Advanced Off shore Patrol Vessel (AOPV) of the Indian Coast Guard with latest and modern equipment and systems, provides her the capability to perform the role of a command platform and accomplish all Coast Guard charter of duties. Students got in-depth understanding on the roles, responsibilities and commitment of Indian Coast Guards in safe guarding water territories. Students also got an opportunity to interact with crew members. Monday, February 1, 2016 GULF TIMES 11 LIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE COMMUNITY 5 common heart health myths debunked

s the number one cause of stroke early on. Life Line Screening off ers death in both men and women, aff ordable, preventative cardiovascular knowledge is power when it comes screenings conveniently in your community. to preventing heart conditions. Whether it runs in your family Heart disease doesn’t aff ect ﬁ t and Aor not, this is one health issue you shouldn’t active people ignore. No matter how many marathons you run or yoga classes you take, you may still be at Heart disease is the same in men and risk for a heart condition. There are plenty of women other factors that can put you at risk, like high Although men and women share many of cholesterol, poor eating habits, elevated blood the same risk factors for heart disease, there pressure, and smoking. are diff erences in the way the disease treats each gender’s body. Women tend to develop Heart disease always exhibits the same heart disease an average of 10 years later than symptoms men, and have a greater chance of dying from While you might be under the impression the disease. Women have smaller hearts and that a heart attack always involves extreme coronary vessels, which often makes heart chest pain, 64 percent of women who die surgery diffi cult. In fact, heart disease is suddenly of coronary heart disease had no the number one killer of women, so women previous symptoms. Women are more likely especially should talk with their doctors about to experience back or jaw pain, dizziness and developing a heart health plan. lightheadedness, shortness of breath or nausea and vomiting. If it runs in your family, there’s nothing you can do about it Once you have heart disease, it’s too late Even if heart conditions run in your family, It’s never too late to treat or prevent heart these diseases are still 80 percent preventable. disease. Your lifestyle plays a crucial role in Healthy behaviour changes like losing weight, both controlling risk factors and caring for increasing exercise, eating a healthier diet and heart disease. Simple behaviour changes like keeping your cholesterol in check will help those mentioned above plus consultation with you make tremendous strides towards heart you doctor can help keep your heart, and entire health. The power of prevention is undeniable, circulatory system, humming along. especially with preventative screenings that identify risk factors for heart disease and ©Brandpoint

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

The Moon shifts gears into Scorpio today, joining up with your ruler Don’t let someone talk you out of doing something you really want There is nothing worse than feeling as if something or someone is Mars in the same part of your chart — your eighth house of joint to do today bulls. You’re stubborn and it’s unlike you to let this within your grasp and not being able to grab it because you feel investments and resources. If you have to talk about money, keep happen. Stick to your guns. guilty — as if you are stealing someone else’s thunder. things on an even and calm keel.

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

Get over yourself today Cancers. Get out of your own way and stop Being a Leo comes with a fair amount of responsibility. People look Be open to some constructive criticism today Virgos. Sure it might meddling in your business and other people’s business. Short but to you for leadership and for rescue at times and this can be rather sting a little, but if you listen up, you will actually walk away feeling sweet advice! overwhelming at times. much stronger and resilient.

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

Don’t be alarmed if one of your best friends suddenly says or does Avoid being caught up in someone else’s drama or jam today There is only so much you can do to pacify someone right now Sags. something completely out of the blue that makes you question your Scorpios. If someone asks you to help them out of an impossible They have to work things out on their own without any help from entire friendship. It happens and it will happen again. situation, just say “no”. you or anyone else.

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

Be honest today. Are you really trying to do something or get You need to rethink something today Aquarians. Maybe something Don’t let someone steer you off course today. You have your somewhere as much as you think you are? Or are you being a tad that you put your hopes and dreams into but didn’t pan out. Onto navigation/compass set in a particular direction and it needs to lazy? the next dream. remain there, Pisces. 12 GULF TIMES Monday, February 1, 2016 COMMUNITY PUZZLES/CARTOONS

Wordsearch Adam

Pooch Cafe Microsoft Offi ce

ACCESS GRAPHICS SUITE BASIC HELP TABLE CHART LIST TEMPLATE DATABASE MAIL TEXT DATASHEET OUTLOOK WINDOWS DOCUMENT POWERPOINT WIZARD EXCEL SCREEN WORD FORMS SPREADSHEET WORKSHEET 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.

Garfi eld 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. Monday, February 1, 2016 GULF TIMES 13 PUZZLES COMMUNITY

Quick Clues Colouring

Across Down 1. Name (11) 2. Faded (5) 9. Knight errant (7) 3. Incessant (7) 10. Entertain (5) 4. Madness (6) 11. Elbow (5) 5. Track (5) 12. Gather (7) 6. Abundant (7) 13. Desire (6) 7. Wasteful (11) 15. Bomb-hole (6) 8. Enterprising (11) 18. Recuperate (7) 14. Contain (7) 20. Converge (5) 16. Rowdy (7) 22. Defect (5) 17. Stoop (6) 23. Regular (7) 19. Essential (5) 24. Riches (11) 21. Angry (5)

Cryptic Clues

Answers

Wordsearch Codeword

Across Down 1. Passable reasons for entertainment sites 2. Apportion a levy that’s been raised (5) (4-7) 3. Determination to free from doubt (7) 9. Maltreated and shockingly sullied (3-4) 4. Could be cured by direction to lose 10. One who didn’t wish to wear his cap at weight (6) school (5) 5 & 17Dn. Not the chief scribe in the 11. Where one puts up with other people (5) insurance world? (11) Yesterday’s Solutions 12. Process used by various bodies (7) 6. More than one ruler stands to be ruined 13. Nettled, we hear, having reached one’s about the end of the monarchy (7) QUICK CRYPTIC zenith (6) 7. He serves guests with strong ale after Across: 1 Pass over; 5 Alas; 9 Stay; 10 Sedition; Across: 1 Bankrupt; 5 Used; 9 Blue; 10 Refusing; 15. March 15th saw his downfall (6) dark (5-6) 11 Astir; 12 Traduce; 13 In the mind’s eye; 18 11 Igloo; 12 Bedtime; 13 Contact lenses; 18 18. Petroleum obtained by sailor at the back 8. By which to find the size of certain of the crag (4-3) fellows in the flesh! (11) Delicate; 19 Abut; 20 Chatter; 21 Singe; 22 Duet; Upstairs; 19 Pips; 20 High tea; 21 Piers; 22 Stye; 20. Where tea is produced from some of 14. This requires skill in taking a bow (7) 23 Chivalry. 23 Asbestos. Russia’s samovars (5) 16. The first male colonist refusing to be Down: 2 Artisan; 3 Stylish; 4 Electric torch; Down: 2 Allegro; 3 Keep out; 4 Presbyterians; 22. Adversary held back by infantrymen, moved (7) 6 Leisure; 7 Sincere; 8 Wizard; 13 Induced; 14 6 Spirits; 7 Degrees; 8 Subdue; 13 Couches; 14 evidently (5) 17. See 5 Dn. Tillage; 15 Excite; 16 Stamina; 17 Younger. Nosegay; 15 Adapts; 16 Napkins; 17 Esparto. 23. Now get a change of clothing (3-4) 19. Herb found on the watch, we hear (5) 24. Wires pretty well sorted out for off ice 21. The track is far from satisfactory machines (11) beyond the top of the street (5) 14 GULF TIMES Monday, February 1, 2016 COMMUNITY BOLLYWOOD

Deepika, up next out. It however doesn’t mean that for Hollywood Hollywood plans are cancelled because Deepika is acting opposite Fresh after the success of the Diesel in another movie, XXX: next big blockbuster of her life in The Return of Xander Cage and Bajirao Mastani, which once again conﬁ rmation comes from a variety reaffi rmed her status at the top of of places. There is Deepika’s trainer, Bollywood’s leading ladies, what who has put out images and videos is Deepika Padukone up to? Not in Instagram of her working out cooling her heels certainly. She to get into shape for the action has set her sights on foreign shores ﬂ ick. There was also a video put now that the country is captured. out by Diesel himself with Deepika Sometime back there were rumours in which he said he had wanted that she would be seen in the to work with her for a long time. seventh edition of The Fast And Looks like after Priyanka we might The Furious with Hollywood star soon have one more successful Vin Diesel, but that didn’t work export to Hollywood.

DROP SCENE: Kajol isn’t happy with Shah Rukh Khan’s remarks over how the film fared and her own decision. Not quite Dil wale

t could be called the curious what it did in India where the movie hit of the year with a combination case of Dilwale. Because here made around Rs 150 crore. It is a that had Shah Rukh and Kajol in it, is a movie that according to decent number for any other actor then it does put a question mark trade analysts has worldwide but when it comes to the three on him. What is said to have made made over Rs 300 crore, superstar Khans then it pales in Kajol especially upset is that to Iwhich is a decent number. And comparison to what Salman and be in Dilwale she dropped doing yet there was Shah Rukh Khan the Aamir have been delivering. another movie called Durga Rani other day saying that the movie Also, what is especially rankling Singh, which would have had a had done not as well as expected. In for the Dilwale team is that Bajirao main female protagonist, a movie eff ect, he was saying, Dilwale had Mastani which released on the that would revolve around her CAREER BOOST: Deepika Padukone. failed by his standards. same day made almost Rs 40 crore character. Then more recently, a report in more in India when everyone Sujoy Ghosh, its director, was a gossip website, said that Kajol had thought the reverse would the same man who made Kahaani Game of Throes: Hrithik consideration allegedly at the was regretting that she had done happen. that brought Vidya Balan so many debunks Kangana ‘aff air’ behest of Hrithik. She was asked the movie and, what is more, feels The movie’s performance takes accolades. As it turned out, Vidya about this in an interview and slightly miff ed that it was Shah the sheen off its director Rohit is going to be in Durga Rani Singh. This is a somewhat candid her reply was that exes would go Rukh who had convinced her to do Shetty to some extent. He was the Kajol, who played a side role to controversy in an industry where to great lengths to get attention, it and now he himself was running man who could never not deliver a Shah Rukh in Dilwale, fi nds that everyone shoots over someone implying, of course, that Hrithik down the movie. superhit, someone who didn’t rank neither was the movie appreciated else’s shoulders and never comes was an ex-lover. Everyone then So what exactly were the very high with critics but knew the nor did it become a blockbuster on record. Last year, as Hrithik waited for Hrithik’s reaction and fortunes of the movie? Actually, pulse of the audience. But, if he which might have made it all Roshan’s marriage ended with wife he put out a very sarcastic tweet not spectacular if you consider couldn’t deliver at least the biggest worthwhile. Susanne, there were rumours that that said, ‘Ther r more chances of he had entered into a relationship me having had an aff air with d Pope with Kangana Ranaut. Of course, dan any of d (Im sure wonderful) Babus in a huff over Airlift no-one confi rmed the news and women d media hs ben naming. taking liberty with facts it just remained in the realm of Thanks but no thanks.’ There the gossip. Kangana recently made a matter rests hopefully unless Akshay Kumar maintains his status as the rather astonishing statement that Kangana says something to rake it evergreen star of Bollywood constantly on the heels was confi rmation. up again. of the Khans, but never quite reaching that level. It followed after reports that While other contenders have all had their day in the Kangana, who was being considered Send your feedback to sun, they drop out sooner or later. There was a time for Aashiqui 3, was dropped from [email protected] when stars like Govinda and Saif Ali Khan seemed to be doing great but no longer. Only Akshay goes on, reinventing himself, from action to comedy, from commercial to middle brow. His latest movie Airlift, which has the unusual story of Indians being evacuated from Kuwait after the Iraq invasion of 1990, said to be the largest such operation of transporting 70,000 people. The movie has garnered great collections and has crossed that of other recent Akshay hits like Baby and Rowdy Rathore. It has however, also run into a controversy. Airlift’s FILM ROW: Akshay Kumar. plot shows the Indian government agencies lax in airlifting the stranded people until Akshay, who plays were such annoyed comments from other bureaucrats a local businessman, steps in. as well. But according to present and former diplomats, that On the other hand, they seem not to comprehend is far from the truth and the External Aff airs Ministry that a movie’s primary purpose is entertainment and was, in fact, behind the operation. One former foreign that every such feature fi lm which is based on real life secretary said the movie, while entertaining, was badly takes huge liberties with the truth and that is why they researched and ludicrous when it came to facts. There usually also have a disclaimer. AFFAIR THAT WASN’T: Hrithik has dismissed the suggestion in a tweet. Monday, February 1, 2016 GULF TIMES 15 TELEVISION COMMUNITY Felicity goes dark for American Crime I’m honoured to have been a part of Desperate Housewives. It will be on my tombstone, prime time actress tells Greg Braxton

or almost two decades, teens, discussed her move to the lenses. I didn’t wear any makeup, somewhat unmovable. But if she went “boom.” We were shot out Felicity Huff man has dark side, memories of Desperate the gray was coming in. It was were in my corner, I think it would of a cannon, and it was kind of been one of the busiest Housewives and twisted breakfast kind of fabulous. I spent all of be swell. (Laughs) bewildering. We were all seasoned and most popular table talk with her husband, two minutes in the makeup chair. professionals, but experiencing actresses on ABC’s Shameless star William H Macy. This year, I wanted to not have an An interesting irony is that that makes it hard to fi nd your sea Fprime-time slate. From her starring aftertaste of last year. Barb last season was in a legs. turn as a producer in Sports Night Q: Viewers we’re surprised desperate fi ght to get justice What we had on Desperate to her Emmy-winning stint as last year on American Crime You have described Leslie as a for her son. This season, you’re Housewives was (creator) Marc a harried mother on Desperate when you played a woman politician. playing a woman fi ghting a Cherry’s distinct unifying voice, Housewives, Huff man has with bigoted views. Now She is a company man. She will mother seeking justice for her which was the defi ning factor, specialised in playing successful, you’re portraying a woman do the job that is given to her, and son. and not so much a common likable women trying to make the who is more pleasant on the do it 100 percent, whether it is a Kudos to John Ridley. He set that aesthetic. With American Crime, best of diffi cult situations. surface but is more cunning private school or a Fortune 500 up. It’s a wonderful turntable to there is a unifying aesthetic, and it But “likable” is one of the last and dangerous. What was your company or a nonprofi t. She cares have me on the other side of the incorporates the actors. words you’d attribute to Huff man’s response when John Ridley fi rst about the big picture. I also think fence and watching this brilliant characters on ABC’s American talked to you about her? she’s lonely. She’s a bit of an island. actress, Lili Taylor, being agonised Your husband stars on Crime, the highly acclaimed A: I was pleased. As we were The way Barb was. over her boy. Lili is so brilliant and Shameless, which couldn’t be anthology series from Oscar building Leslie, I said to John, so heartfelt . But I do believe in more diff erent than American winner John Ridley that has taken “She wants to be someone that Although she cares about Leslie’s point of view, which is to Crime. What are those breakfast on tough and edgy subject matter people are drawn to.” Men fi nd the institution, she’s also consider what it means to falsely conversations like? rarely examined on network TV her attractive, but women don’t insensitive to the mother who is accuse young men of something Bill is hilarious. We’re all sitting drama. fi nd her threatening. They go, “I so distraught. they didn’t do. Their life is done. around the breakfast table and In her Emmy-nominated role like her skirt, I like her hair.” She That’s exactly right. But if you one daughter will say, “I have a from last season, Huff man played wins people over. She’s such a care about the institution and The American Crime cast French test today,” and the other Barb Hanlon, a bitter, divorced chess player and a mastermind, a your goal is the greater good, there seems very bonded, much like one says, “I have a fi eld trip today,” woman whose racial prejudices politician. will be times when you go, “I a repertory company. We heard and my husband says, “Uh, I’m are exposed when minorities are understand that you’re upset, but through the years of tensions doing cocaine on a toilet seat accused of killing her grown son And you changed your hair I can’t do anything about it.” If the behind the scenes of Desperate today.” (Laughs) Georgia has her during a home invasion. In the colour to dark to become her. body is sick, sometimes, you have Housewives. How does being in school photo, and Sophia brings show’s current and second season, If you’re as fortunate as I’ve been to cut off the foot to save the body. this situation diff er from being her school photo, and Bill brings in Huff man portrays Leslie Graham, to work in television all these years, a part of an ensemble playing a picture of him naked with pink the ambitious, driven headmistress the audience gets attached to your You’re a mother. How would the same characters over many pasties and tassels and a fl uff y of an elite high school who character. Particularly after eight you respond if Leslie were the years? feathered cod piece. The really confronts a mother (Lili Taylor) years of Desperate Housewives, I headmistress at your children’s I’m honoured to have been a funny thing is, he’s in his sixth year. accusing members of the basketball didn’t want any residue left over. I school? part of Desperate Housewives. It We run lines in our house all the team of raping her son during a wanted to fl avour a new character. It depends on whether my will be on my tombstone and made time. When he started, I said, “The drunken party. John’s characters ask for audiences children were in trouble or not. It it possible to be where I am in my girls cannot run lines with you.” In a lively interview at her to see them as a whole against depends on whether I had to cross career right now. There was an But now they’re old enough, and he publicist’s Hollywood offi ce, a wide sky. That’s why last year her. If I did, it would be diffi cult explosive element to that show. runs lines from Shameless with my Huff man, the mother of two I went with the brown contact because she’s formidable and From the moment we aired, it girls. —Los Angeles Times/TNS 16 GULF TIMES Monday, February 1, 2016 COMMUNITY Soon: The poignant tale of Tashi and the Monk Rated as one of the most moving and heartfelt documentaries, the film about a Tibetan monk and his compassion for homeless children, is lined up for free screening in Doha

By Umer Nangiana

ight years ago Buddhist monk Lobsang Phuntsok, hand-picked by the Dalai Lama to share Tibetan Buddhism with the West, hadE a calling to leave behind a life as a spiritual teacher in the US and return to the region of his birth to rescue homeless children. Since then he has created a unique community in the foothills of the Himalayas called Jhamtse Gatsal (Tibetan for ‘The Garden of Love and Compassion’), which provides a permanent home for 85 orphaned or abandoned children all learning to live compassionately. This story captured in an award- winning fi lm Tashi and the Monk by fi lmmakers Johnny Burke and Andrew Hinton is rated as one of the most moving and heartfelt documentaries. Tashi and the Monk comes to town for a free screening for the local audiences. Phuntsok is a person who has channeled his own unhappy childhood into an opportunity for these ‘uninvited guests of the universe’ to avoid a similar fate. LOVE AND LONGING: Buddhist monk Phuntsok with 5-year-old Tashi in the movie Tashi and the Monk, directed by Andrew Hinton. Photo courtesy: Tashi Driven by a longing to experience and the Monk being part of a family, he has become for the children at Jhamtse in a small body. Despite (or because community work their magic, support at Jhamtse Gatsal provides is the kind of institution that Gatsal something he never had, a of) her challenging temperament, we witness her transformation a backdrop to the unfolding stories. in the West would be staff ed by father. she is thrillingly alive. from alienation and tantrums into Full of children who elsewhere psychologists and social workers Perched on a remote Tashi struggles initially to fi nd someone capable of making her might be classifi ed as ‘at risk’ after relying on an arsenal of medication mountaintop and surrounded by her place amongst 84 new siblings. fi rst real friend. experiencing often unimaginable to keep their charges under control. poverty, today the community is Gradually, as Phuntsok and the The atmosphere of warmth and trauma in their short lives, this Here the staff have no formal stretched beyond capacity and training and children are simply Phuntsok faces the heartbreaking invited to become active members task of weighing the requests he of a community and participants in receives for new kids to join. their own and each other’s healing. During the fi lm he is confronted The results are remarkable. by the very real consequences of In a region where the only his decisions, a local 11-year-old prospects are a life in the fi elds or boy who he turned down two years breaking rocks beside the road, the ago for a place in the community lucky few at Jhamtse are given a commits suicide. shot at something much greater, the In a nearby village another young chance to become, in Phuntsok’s boy’s father dies suddenly and his words, “amazing human beings.” family, unable to cope, plead with A special screening of Tashi and Phuntsok to take him in. Within the Monk by fi lmmakers Johnny the community he is challenged by Burke and Andrew Hinton is taking concerns from staff that any further place next month at Grand Hyatt expansion will compromise their Doha’s Al Silia Ballroom on March 2. ability to help the kids they already Johnny Burke has been involved have. with fi lmmaking for 15 years. Born Alongside Phuntsok’s work, the in Germany, he went to 11 diff erent fi lm tells the story of Tashi Drolma, schools by the time he was nine Jhamtse’s newest arrival who years old and is used to change and recently lost her mother and was travel, and living out of a suitcase. abandoned by her alcoholic father. The fi lm, besides winning award, A wild and troubled fi ve-year-old, has won immense praise from Tashi Drolma, is a big personality Tashi Drolma is Jhamtse’s newest arrival who recently lost her mother and was abandoned by her alcoholic father. critics for its story and treatment.