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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

Monday, June 10, 2019 Shawwal 7, 1440 AH

Doha today: 310 - 430

Stateless They were born in Colombia. Their parents fled Venezuela. They are citizens of nowhere. P4-5

COVER STORY 2 GULF TIMES Monday, June 10, 2019 COMMUNITY ROUND & ABOUT

PRAYER TIME Fajr 3.12am Shorooq (sunrise) 4.44am Zuhr (noon) 11.35am Asr (afternoon) 2.58pm Maghreb (sunset) 6.25pm Isha (night) 7.55pm

USEFUL NUMBERS Virus outbreak in Kerala, and the courageous fi ght put on by several DIRECTION: Ashiq Abu individuals which helped to contain the epidemic. CAST: Revathy, Kunchacko Boban, Parvathy SYNOPSIS: A real life account of the deadly Nipah virus 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

Aladdin inside, he uses the lamp to turn himself into a prince in order DIRECTION: Guy Ritchie to win the heart of a beautiful princess. But an evil vizier is CAST: Naomi Scott, Mena Massoud, Will Smith after the lamp too. SYNOPSIS: When a street urchin fi nds a lamp with a genie THEATRES: The Mall, Landmark, Royal Plaza ote Unquo u te Q “Whatever The Mall Cinema (1): The Secret Royal Plaza Cinema Palace (1): words we utter should Life of Pets 2 (2D) 2:15pm; Bharat Bharat (Hindi) 2:30pm; Godzilla be chosen with care for people (Hindi) 4pm; Aladdin (2D) 7pm; II: King of the Monsters (2D) Godzilla II: King of the Monsters 5:30pm; Bharat (Hindi) 8pm; Life of Pets 2 (2D) 5:15pm; will hear them and be infl uenced (2D) 9:15pm; Virus (Malayalam) Bharat (Hindi) 11pm. Aladdin (2D) 7pm; Godzilla 11:30pm. Royal Plaza Cinema Palace (2): by them for good or ill.” II: King of the Monsters (2D) The Mall Cinema (2): Aladdin Virus (Malayalam) 2:15pm; The 9:15pm; Virus (Malayalam) — Buddha (2D) 2pm; Virus (Malayalam) Secret Life of Pets 2 (2D) 5:15pm; 11:30pm. 4:15pm; X-Men: Dark Phoenix X-Men: Dark Phoenix (2D) 7pm; Landmark Cinema (2): Bharat (2D) 7pm; Bharat (Hindi) 9pm; Godzilla II: King of the Monsters (Hindi) 3pm; X-Men: Dark Kolaigaran (Tamil) 11:45pm. (2D) 9pm; Virus (Malayalam) Phoenix (2D) 6:15pm; Bharat The Mall Cinema (3): Bharat 11:30pm. (Hindi) 8:15pm; Bharat (Hindi) (Hindi) 2pm; Aladdin (2D) 5pm; Royal Plaza Cinema Palace (3): Community Editor 11:15pm. John Wick 3: Parabellum (2D) Aladdin (2D) 2:30pm; Aladdin Landmark Cinema (3): Aladdin Kamran Rehmat 7:15pm; Casablanca (Arabic) (2D) 5pm; Casablanca (Arabic) (2D) 2:30pm; Aladdin (2D) 5pm; e-mail: [email protected] 9:30pm; Bharat (Hindi) 11:30pm. 7:15pm; John Wick 3: Parabellum Casablanca (Arabic) 7:15pm; John Telephone: 44466405 Landmark Cinema (1): Virus (2D) 9:15pm; K Wick 3: Parabellum (2D) 9:15pm; olaigaran (Tamil) Fax: 44350474 (Malayalam) 2:15pm; The Secret Kolaigaran (Tamil) 11:30pm. 11:30pm. Monday, June 10, 2019 GULF TIMES 3 ROUND & ABOUT COMMUNITY

Summer Camp for Special Needs hop, Ballet, Drawing and Painting, Drama WHERE: Step by Step Centre for Special Theatre & Taekwondo. Ages between 5 and 10 Needs years old after school hours. WHEN: June 30 – August 1 TIME: 8:00am – 12:30pm During this time, all therapists and teachers will be working together, running individual, peer and group sessions within classes. The children will continue learning age-appropriate concepts, work on social skills, life skills training, arts and crafts, music, and fun activities such as water play.

Artistic Gymnastic Classes WHERE: Qatar Academy Msheireb WHEN: Ongoing TIME: 3:15pm – 4:15pm The olympic sport using horizontal bar, rings and fl oor exercises on mats for the children from age 4 till 16.

Hobby Classes WHERE: Mamangam Performing Art Centre WHEN:Wednesday – Monday Mamangam Performing Art Centre, is a holistic performing arts institution and a one stop solution for adults as well as children looking to explore their talents in various art forms. We off er classes in contemporary, EVENTS ISC Skipping Rope Open Bollywood, hip hop, indian classical dance, Championship music (Hindustani and Carnatic), arts and A Choral Kaleidoscope Concert WHERE: Ashoka Hall, ICC craft, karate, yoga, percussion( Chenda, WHERE: Swiss International School WHEN: June 15 Thimila, Elathalam and Madhalam), violin, WHEN: June 13 TIME: 11.00am — 1:30pm harmonium, public speaking. TIME: 7pm onwards Indian Sports Centre under the patronage Additional services include dance Featuring Qatar Youth Choir and Qatar of Embassy of India is organising Third education, choreograph music videos and Junior Choir – their last concert of the edition of ISC Skipping Rope Open dance cover albums, choreograph dance season. Qatar Youth Choir has recently Championship - 2019 for Speed Hop and musical projects, corporate workshops and returned from workshops and concerts with Speed Endurance competitions. Categories, events, choreograph events for schools, the Vienna Boys Choir in Austria. Qatar include Under–12 (Boys and Girls), Under–18 Career Guidance colleges, alumni meets and corporate Junior Choir will perform their concert (Boys and Girls) and Adults (Men and WHERE: Right Track Consultants, Al and choreography events. For details, call programme in September.Tickets are Women) - Above 18 years. Entry is free. Sadd 33897609. available from choir members or on the door Championship is open to all Indians and WHEN: Sunday – Thursday for QR60. students of any nationality studying in Indian TIME: 6pm – 8pm Arabic Calligraphy Workshop Schools. Last date of entry is June 11. For Career guidance for course, country, WHEN: Saturday – Wednesday MF Hussain: The Horses Of The Sun further details, [email protected] or college and entrance for students of Grade TIME: 6pm Exhibition 55824194/55956008. IX-XII, of all curriculum. Career assessments Arabic Calligraphy workshop is back. WHERE: Mataf: Arab Museum of Modern administered for stream preference, career Come and learn the artistic practice of Arabic Art Ballet Lessons test, branch preference, personality, handwriting and calligraphy at Music and WHEN: Ongoing till July 31 WHERE: Music and Arts Atelier multiple intelligence and learning styles Arts Atelier. TIME: 9am – 7pm WHEN: Ongoing and productivity. For more information, The lessons will take place every Saturday, The exhibition presents Hussain’s pluralist TIME: 4pm – 8pm 55448835. Monday and Wednesday at 6pm. For approach to the divine and cosmic aspects of For more info e-mail at registration@ more information, contact registration@ being, articulated through the myths, symbols atelierqatar.com or call on 33003839. atelierqatar.com 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 personal symbol of self-renewal and vitality.

Katara Drive Thru Festival WHERE: Katara— the Cultural Village WHEN: Ongoing till June 10 TIME: 6pm – 4am Join us at Katara— the Cultural Village and enjoy the diverse cuisines at your car step! From fi rst day of Ramadan until Eid holidays starting from 5pm till 2am.

India to Qatar – Symbiosis of Cultures WHERE: FBQ Museum WHEN: Ongoing till July 31 Under the context of cultural exchange, FBQ Museum brings together the treasures of the museum owned collection in Dance and Instrument Classes order to promote mutual understanding, WHERE: TCA Campus, Behind Gulf Times recognition and appreciation between Building Qatar and India. Composed of five main WHEN: Wednesday – Monday topics, including community, trade, arts, After School Activities Learn the movements of dance styles in food and incense, the exhibition takes WHERE: Atelier Bollywood, Hip Hop and also the musical one on a journey to explore the rich and WHEN: Ongoing instruments such as Piano, Guitar, Keyboard diverse Indian cultures, the long historic Music and arts activities for students for adults as well kids and move in the world links between Qatar and India, and cultural taking place after they fi nish their day in of music. For details, contact 66523871/ similarities between Qatar and India. school includes Group Music lessons, Hip- 31326749.

Compiled by Nausheen Shaikh. E-mail: [email protected], Events and timings subject to change 4 GULF TIMES Monday, June 10, 2019 COMMUNITY COVER STORY In the middle of nowhere Thousands of children are stateless amid one of the largest forced displacement in modern history as an estimated 5,000 people flee Venezuela each day. More than 4 million have already left, over a quarter of them to Colombia, writes Andrea Castillo

I just want (my baby) to have a nationality so that he doesn’t end up essentially not existing in the ‘world — Belys Torrealba Tovar, stranded Venezuelan mother in Colombia

IN THE THROES OF UNCERTAINTY: Belys Torrealba Tovar, 24, cuddles her newborn, Angel, at the Hospital Materno Infantil in Bogota, Colombia. The hospital sees more than a dozen births each day, roughly a third of them to Venezuelan mothers such as Torrealba.

OGOTA, Colombia qualify for Venezuelan citizenship, 25,000. average citizen had lost 24 pounds As a result, she thought about — In the fall of 2017, claiming it would require his Children born without — fi gures that are surely higher returning to Venezuela to give birth. as Venezuela was mother to return to the country or Colombian citizenship are allowed now. But in February, the Venezuelan imploding, state pay a visit to one of its embassies or to enrol in school and the public In Colombia, Torrealba struggled government cut diplomatic ties intelligence agents consulates. There are no longer any healthcare system. Though many to rebuild her life. After a month with Colombia and closed border Bcame looking for Belys Torrealba in Colombia. benefi ts of citizenship — voting, of sharing a crowded apartment crossings amid a US-backed eff ort Tovar, who had helped recruit “I just want him to have a owning property or getting married with several other migrants from to bring in humanitarian aid, which young people to protest against the nationality so that he doesn’t end — wouldn’t be considerations for Venezuela, she found a job as a Maduro saw as a pretext for a US government of Nicolas Maduro. up essentially not existing in the years, statelessness only adds to the hotel maid and moved into her own invasion. When the country’ was hit She went into hiding for two world,” the 24-year-old Torrealba angst of uprooted families. room in an apartment across town. with a series of massive blackouts, weeks, then fl ed to neighbouring said. “They are children who don’t She started dating a man from Torrealba decided to stay put in Colombia. Thousands of children are in have a state to protect them,” Venezuela and in September found Colombia. A year and a half later, she gave the same situation amid one of said Venezuelan lawyer Xiomara out she was pregnant. He appeared She was glad she did, because birth to a boy at a hospital in south the largest forced displacement in Rauseo. “Practically orphans.” ecstatic at fi rst but soon he got a she developed high blood Bogota. modern history, as an estimated It’s no surprise why so many job almost 300 miles from Bogota pressure and a condition called At 5 pounds, 8 ounces, he was 5,000 people fl ee Venezuela each people are leaving Venezuela. and stopped responding to her preeclampsia, which can lead to tiny but healthy, with a round face day. More than 4 million have Once Latin America’s richest messages. fatal complications, and had to be and a crop of black hair. She named already left, more than a quarter country, it watched its economy Torrealba would endure the rest hospitalised. She had heard that him Angel. of them to Colombia, which off ers collapse spectacularly as oil prices of the pregnancy alone. mothers and babies were dying Now just over a month old, he is them temporary visas. fell, hyperinfl ation rendered the She understood that children in maternity wards back home in stateless, a citizen of nowhere. Colombia’s civil registry agency currency worthless and shortages born in Colombia qualifi ed for Venezuela and worried about how Unlike the United States and counts nearly 3,400 children of food and medicine led to citizenship there only if at least one she and Angel would have fared most countries in Latin America, born to Venezuelan parents since rampant hunger and disease. parent was Colombian or has legal there. Colombia does not automatically October 2017, when the government One study showed that by 2017 permanent residency. New mothers Early last month four days grant citizenship to anybody started tracking them. Advocates nearly 90% of Venezuelans were before her had posted warnings on after giving birth, Torrealba was born there. And though he does say the total could be as high as living in poverty and that the Facebook about it. recovering at Hospital Materno Monday, June 10, 2019 GULF TIMES 5 COVER STORY COMMUNITY

One study showed that by 2017 nearly 90% of Venezuelans were living in poverty and that the average citizen had lost 24 pounds — figures that are surely higher now

Infantil, a public maternity ward where expectant mothers sleep six to a room on beds with aged metal frames, their names written on dry erase boards above their pillows. A nurse came in to take her blood pressure and gasped at the results. “Dear girl, what are we going to do?” she said aff ectionately. About 15 babies are born at the hospital each day, roughly a third of them to Venezuelan mothers, many of whom learn of the citizenship predicament only after they deliver. Juberkis Alvarez Guanipa said a social worker had informed her that morning that her newborn daughter wasn’t Colombian. But the 19-year-old hadn’t been told A MOTHER ON THE EDGE: Belys Torrealba Tovar, 24, left, reaches for her newborn, Angel, at the Hospital Materno Infantil in Bogota, Colombia. She hopes to about the impediments to getting return to Venezuela so he can have citizenship. her Venezuelan citizenship. “I didn’t know,” she said in a near consulates closed, it was diffi cult Kimberlyn Suarez Villegas after certifi cate from the Colombian civil fi nishing her law degree when she whisper. “I don’t even want to think for Venezuelan parents to get her son Estheban was born in registry offi ce. On one side are his and her husband left Venezuela about it.” their Colombian-born children November 2017. tiny footprints in black ink. nearly four years ago, said she has Colombian leaders say they’re citizenship. At the Venezuelan Consulate, On the other is a note: “Not valid little faith that the Colombian doing everything they can to help “The baby is a foreigner,” a offi cials left her waiting indefi nitely. for citizenship.” president, Ivan Duque, or his Venezuelans. nurse in Bogota told 23-year-old She did manage to get a birth Suarez, who was close to government will grant citizenship “We aren’t responsible for to children like her son. statelessness ‘ it’s Venezuela “People see us as invaders,” she that didn’t want to give them the said, bursting into tears. “My son documents,” said Felipe Muñoz, an is a stateless baby to Maduro’s adviser to the Colombian president. government because I betrayed my “Colombia has exercised generosity country the moment I came here. and historic responsibility to And to Duque’s government he is help the Venezuelans. Here the also a stateless baby because his discussion isn’t what to do but how mother came here.” to do it better.” Suarez’s dreams for her son are Migration offi cials announced simple: “What I want is for my son in early May that they are studying to have a citizenship document so whether the constitution would he isn’t disadvantaged in the future. allow them to grant citizenship That he live well, and be able to do to children born to Venezuelan normal things like a normal person parents. — that’s it.” Multiple citizenship proposals As for Torrealba, she has settled also have been presented at the into motherhood in her new home. congressional level. Last month, Her mother left Venezuela and a commission approved a bill for moved to Bogota just before the initial debate before the Senate. baby’s birth. They both found new Senator Andres Garcia Zuccardi, jobs, Torrealba at a public relations who authored two other bills fi rm doing graphic design and her aiming to provide Venezuelans with mother as a seamstress. Colombian citizenship, said his Torrealba recently devised a greatest concern is that thousands plan to give Angel citizenship. of children could grow up without Over Christmas, she’ll return to access to higher education, health Venezuela with her mother and care or formal work. son to register him. She’ll do it “This situation not only means “We aren’t responsible for statelessness — it’s somewhere other than Lara, where the violation of fundamental her family lives, and they’ll stay no rights,” he said, “but it also aff ects Venezuela that didn’t want to give them the longer than two weeks. the social, economic and future documents. Colombia has exercised generosity and “If I enter Venezuela and they dynamics of a country that could fi nd out I’m there, they could put be built with a signifi cant number historic responsibility to help the Venezuelans. Here me in jail, kill me or disappear me,” of people without legal status and she said. without opportunities.” the discussion isn’t what to do but how to do it better” But if the plan works, her baby Even before diplomatic will be a Venezuelan citizen by next relations plummeted and the — Felipe Muñoz, adviser to Colombian president year. — Los Angeles Times/TNS 6 GULF TIMES Monday, June 10, 2019 COMMUNITY

BOWLING TOURNAMENT: Qatar Tamizhar Sangam (QTS), Indian socio-cultural organisation, recently organised bowling tournament for its members at Qatar Bowling Centre. More than 80 members participated in the tournament. The tournament was divided into diff erent categories, including men, ladies, mixed doubles and children below 12. Prizes were distributed to the winners by QTC Management Committee members. Karnataka based organisations mark World Environment Day

Karnataka based Indian School. Various organisations associated notable personalities, to Indian Cultural Centre, including Ramachandra including Karnataka Shetty, Management Sangha Qatar (KSQ), Committee members Tulukoota Qatar, of ICC; Venkat Rao, Mangalore Cricket President of KSQ; Club (MCC), South Asmath Ali, President Kanara Muslim Welfare of Tulukoota Qatar; Association (SKMWA), Sunil D’Silva, President Mangalore Cultural of MCC; Abdul Majeed, Association (MCA), President of SKMWA; Bunts Qatar and Qatar Veena Pais, President Billawas, in association of MCA; Deepak Shetty, with Associated Technical President of Bunts Qatar; Services and Advanced Raghunath Anchan, Technical Services Group, President of Qatar recently jointly celebrated Billawas; and Ravi Shetty, World Environment Day Managing Director of ATS by planting the saplings Group, took part in the on the premises of Ideal event.

BPS Principal to help MHRD India for PISA 2021

Ministry of Human Resources international student’s Development, Government of assessment which includes India has recently requested worldwide study by the A P Sharma, Principal of Birla organisation to evaluate Public School, along with educational system by his team, to help selected measuring 15-year-old schools in India to do well in school pupils scholastic Programme for International performance in mathematics, Student Assessment (PISA) science and reading. 2021. Speaking on the occasion, The Chairperson of CBSE Sharma emphasised on the has asked Sharma to share prime objective of BPS in the strategic planning for elevating Qatar’s rank in the preparing students and same. The school has shared teachers for PISA, teacher their best practices with training modules, question the Ministry of Education in framing and modifications in Qatar. the class room transaction He mentioned we shall feel of curriculum. Two hundred extremely privileged and schools of Punjab region, honoured to assist other including government and local government and private private schools, have been schools for a common cause identified to participate in the to see the nations rank same. Sharma will conduct a elevated significantly. He also workshop for the leadership shared the key for getting teams of these schools in best results is creating strong July. foundation for ‘reading’ from This programme is for Grade-I. Monday, June 10, 2019 GULF TIMES 7 COMMUNITY

PWS organises cultural fiesta

Palpa Welfare Society (PWS), a Nepali singer, performed seven of his songs community organisation, recently on stage. Speaking on the occasion, organised a cultural fiesta as part of he said, “I found Nepalis in Qatar very its 6th Convention celebrations at close to their culture. They love their Dalla Driving School and Academy. music and artistes. Their support The event featured various Nepali and income is very crucial for their singers and dancers, including families and children back home, so I popular Narayan Rayamajhi, Manju advice them to spend their incomes Poudel, Bikram Pariyar, Shirish in the best possible way.” The event Devkota and Sapana Ghale. The also featured Kauda, an ethnic dance event was attended by over 500 performance, choreographed by people. The event was chaired by Jhanak Thapa Magar. Ishwor Kafle, President of PWS. Narayan Rayamajhi performed 15 Narayan Rayamajhi, popular Nepali songs at the event. Speaking on the singer, was the chief guest on the occasion, he said, “Qatar has become occasion. a huge market for Nepali music. I The event kicked off with the national strongly believe that our audience anthem of Nepal, which was followed demands ‘conscious cinema’ from by a performance enacting the scene the filmmakers these days and we of cultivation back home in Nepal. need to pay attention to the content The performers were dressed in of the films more than profits and oxen costumes to showcase how media promotion.” farmers plough their fields in June as Iswor Kafle, outgoing chairman of monsoon hits the area. PWS, said, “We’ve organised this Manju Poudel, Nepali folk singer, event to encourage travellers to to second time in Doha, hosted and visit Nepal, and support Nepal. Walk performed six songs at the event. the beautiful trails in the shadow of Speaking on the occasion, she said, the most magnificent mountains on “It’s my second time in Doha in a earth as you help the Nepali people period of four years and I’ve always reset their course on the path to got the same amount of love and prosperity.” The new management appreciation from the audience in committee of PWS, under the Qatar.” leadership of Manik Chhetri, was also Sapana Ghale, a Nepali dancer, model elected on the occasion. and actress, also performed at the — Text and photos by Usha Wagle event. Shirish Devkota, a Nepali Gautam

Narayan Rayamajhi Bikram Pariyar Shirish Devkota Manju Poudel

BLUE DAY: The Kindergarten Section of Shantiniketan Indian School (SIS) recently celebrated blue day. The students were dressed in blue colour outfits and participated in ‘Show and Tell’ activity. The concept of blue colour was reinforced via various activities, including cotton dabbing, palm printing, sponge dabbing, craft and glitter work. The celebration helped the children to create a cognitive link between visual clues and words. 8 GULF TIMES Monday, June 10, 2019 COMMUNITY

International Ladies Pot Luck Group marks 15th anniversary

The International Ladies Pot Luck Group (ILPG) recently celebrated its 15th anniversary at the Community performed Legong Kupu, a Balinese dance, at the event. Padma Singh performed JBK Compound Clubhouse. Over 80 ladies, representing over 15 diff erent countries, dressed Ghoomer, a traditional folk dance of Rajasthan, India, and the members of Japanese Kimono in their national costumes, attended the event. Haruhi Otsuka, wife of the ambassador of Club put on a ‘Cherry Blossom’ Kimono fashion show at the event. The event was concluded Japan, was the guest of honour and welcomed the gathering. All the ladies, attending the with Indian bhangra dance, led by Bhavna. Along with the traditional dance performances, the event, brought a culinary dish typical of their home country for the sharing table. The event event also included raff le prizes given out by the sponsors, including Qatar Airways, Salam featured various traditional dances and performances. Rusandie Lawrence from the Dinu Store, Sawasdee Thai Spa, Bellezza Salon, Sawasdee Thai Restaurant, Radisson Blu Hotel, Rotana School of Dance represented Sri Lanka on the occasion. The Indonesian Puspa Qinarya Dance City Centre, Oryx Rotana Hotel and Oriental Carpets. Monday, June 10, 2019 GULF TIMES 9 BIRDS COMMUNITY Return of rooks ruff les feathers in Germany Rooks, ravens and other members of the corvid family of birds have a reputation as bad omens. In Germany, their population has been on the rise for some decades – and not everyone is happy about it, writes Ulf Vogler

SCARY: A dead crow hangs on a post in a field in Germany, intended to keep other crows away so that the seeds are not eaten. Many people in Germany are unhappy about the increasing number of corvids. Animal welfare activists, on the other hand, emphasise the usefulness of the birds.

in guidelines aimed at fostering moving into urban areas, probably peaceful coexistence between due to a dearth of suitable habitats people and the controversial in the countryside, leading to ON THE RISE: Rooks pictured in Berlin’s Tempelhofer Feld. Their population has been on the rise in Germany for some corvids. complaints when they roost in years. According to observations parks or playgrounds. by the Bavarian Environment A number of German cities he ravens residing at lambs. Wildlife conservationists, largely consist of insects and grubs Agency (LfU), rooks are unevenly have tried to disperse them, the Tower of London on the other hand, praise the birds’ that are harmful to crops, so on distributed in the state, preferring using various different methods. are a popular tourist role in nature – as hunters of mice, balance they can benefi t farmers. to settle especially in the They’ve felled trees that could attraction. Legend has for instance. The German Farmers’ administrative district of Swabia in serve as roost sites, had the fire it that the fortress — The opposing sides are Association (DBV) doesn’t regard south-western Bavaria. The agency department hose their nests andT kingdom – will fall if they entrenched, and at times the rooks as a signifi cant agricultural says the number of breeding pairs out of treetops before breeding leave, which helps explain why the confl ict can turn grisly. In 2016, problem. Corvid experts point out in Bavaria rose from only about 600 season, employed noisemakers ravenmaster feeds them royally and a farmer near the Bavarian city of that the birds are very intelligent in 1955 to 8,500 by 2013. such as ‘acoustic scarecrows’ or regularly trims their fl ight feathers. Augsburg strung up dead rooks on and aren’t easily scared off anyway. The sharp increase is misleading, firecrackers, and released falcons Their cousins across the Channel gallows to scare other rooks away Although arguments about however, because the rook in the area. in Germany, though, are widely from his fi eld. A spokesman for the rooks have increased steadily population had been almost wiped Many municipalities eventually viewed with suspicion, as the Bavarian Society for the Protection in recent years, they’re hardly out. More rooks lived in Bavaria at gave up, though, when they found black birds have typically been for of Birds (LBV) called the spectacle new. In the 1980s, the Baden- the end of the 19th century than do their measures brought no long- centuries. Some German farmers ‘outrageous.’ Wuerttemberg State Institute for now. term relief. say rooks – a member of the Uta Maria Juergens, Environmental Protection tried to Their numbers are said to have “On the contrary, in many bird family called corvids, which spokeswoman for a federal working mediate the confl ict between the recovered to a similar extent in communities the rookeries includes ravens, crows, jackdaws group on corvid protection in birds’ defenders and foes. Baden- other German states as well, since multiplied,” says an LfU concept and magpies – pull up seedlings on Germany’s Nature And Biodiversity Wuerttemberg, a state in south- they were placed under protection paper on rooks, noting that their fi elds. Conservation Union (NABU), western Germany, shares a border several decades ago. NABU harassment caused the bird People in built-up areas also disapproves of such drastic with Bavaria. estimates that some 80,000 to groups to break up. complain about droppings and measures. “Many scientists have 89,000 pairs now live throughout “As a result, problems that loud cawing, often describing the “Prejudice [against rooks],” she endeavoured to demonstrate Germany. A further sharp rise were concentrated at one rookery birds› presence as an ‘infestation.’ says, “starts with their name,” the usefulness of rooks, and just isn›t likely, Juergens says, because are spread to several sites, often Shepherds in eastern Germany which in German literally means as many have sought to show a ‘saturation’ point has nearly accompanied by an increase in the report that common ravens ‘seed crows.’ Although the birds do that rooks do infl ict damage,” been reached. total number of breeding pairs.”– sometimes even kill newborn eat seeds, she concedes, their meals the institute wrote at the time But the birds are increasingly DPA 10 GULF TIMES Monday, June 10, 2019 COMMUNITY PHOTO ESSAY

Bonding at the souq

The Eid holidays provided a good diversion And what better than to be at the much happening food and feel-good socialising. And of course, from the humdrum of daily life. One of the days, souq! there was plenty on offer in terms of artefacts and I traversed through Souq Waqif on what was — Predictably, people from all walks of life, most memorabilia. believe it or not — a maiden visit even though I’ve with families, could be seen bonding whether The place reminded me so much of home, where been in Doha for the past two and half years. walking around or just having meals or beverages in people gather and bring their families and kids It was a humid night and even though I wasn’t the multiple restaurants and cafes. Children could together, spending hours in a relaxing setting to feeling well, the prospect of indulging photography be seen playing and just having fun. converse and bond with each other. In a nutshell, even if only to show friends back home what kind of You couldn’t but be impressed by the milieu just a home away from home. place and life is here in Qatar was irresistible on an with the rich tapestry of Qatari culture and — Text and photos by Allan Villafuerte occasion like this. hospitality in evidence: tradition, handicraft, (@am82190) Monday, June 10, 2019 GULF TIMES 11 LIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE COMMUNITY Eating while standing ups stress, mutes taste buds

esearchers have found to maintain a standing posture that spending more when consuming pharmaceutical time standing up and products that have unpleasant eating for even a few tastes,” said study lead author minutes prompts Dipayan Biswas, Professor at the Rphysical stress, muting taste buds. University of South Florida in the The study, published in the US. Journal of Consumer Research fi nds The research team found that the posture impacts taste perception, force of gravity pushes blood to the with food tasting better when you lower parts of the body, causing the are sitting down. heart to work harder to pump blood The researchers looked back up to the top of the body, specifi cally at how the vestibular accelerating heart rate. sense, which is responsible for This activates the hypothalamic- balance, posture and spatial pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis and orientation, interacts with the leads to increased concentrations of gustatory sensory system, which the stress hormone cortisol. impacts taste and fl avour. This chain reaction reduces “This fi nding suggests that sensory sensitivity, which impacts parents might be able to make food and beverage taste evaluation, unpleasant-tasting, healthy foods food temperature perception and to the palate, said the study. gave it a less favourable rating snacks while carrying a shopping seem more palatable to reluctant overall consumption volume. The research team confi rmed than those who were sitting in a bag. Both sitting and standing children by having them eat When people experience their hypothesis by having 350 padded chair. They expanded the participants reported the additional standing up (vs. sitting down). In a discomfort, foods that normally participants rate the tastiness of a study by inducing additional stress weight made the food item taste similar vein, it might be benefi cial taste good do not appear as pleasant pita chip. Those who were standing and asked participants to try fruit even worse. – IANS

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

You could be in the spotlight in the next few days, Aries. Try to resist If you have ties to any therapeutic profession, Taurus, you may make It’s like you have to do everything at the same time right now, succumbing to the applause of the audience, as you may encounter a strange discovery related to the health field today. You won’t find Gemini. What you really need is an extra pair of hands and some some unexpected obstacles. After being recognised by the public, this discovery in any book or methodology that you normally follow. additional hours in the day! It’s your nerves that may pay the price you may need to confront the question, “Now what?” The answer Emotions aren’t so blind as rational society would have us believe! for this fast-paced existence. You can’t go on like this. Rather than lies in taking a modest approach from the outset. Sometimes they lead us down the road toward knowledge. That’s give up on your goals, why not give yourself more time to reach the case today. them? CANCER LEO VIRGO June 21 — July 22 July 23 — August 22 August 23 — September 22

Why do so many relationships seem to come with built-in booby This is going to be a day to protect your sense of space and privacy, Expect to have to make some adjustments in your love life, Virgo. traps, Cancer? Today you may get a particularly pressing demand Leo. You may be forced into some kind of partnership with some You may be in a diff erent frame of mind than your partner. Why not from someone in your family to give of your time or money. You’re unscrupulous people. They’re going to make you feel like your use the day to step back from the relationship? Spend time apart for unwilling to part with either at the moment. You aren’t going to let territory is being invaded. What they don’t know is that you’re a change. After all, there’s nothing dramatic about the fact that your your emotions choose for you for once. Hold onto your convictions prepared. This isn’t a time for people to be bothering you! needs and desires aren’t in sync. It’s only temporary. and don’t let others influence your decisions! LIBRA SCORPIO SAGITTARIUS September 23 — October 22 October 23 — November 21 November 22 — December 21

You may find today a bit upsetting, Libra. Your nurturing instincts How irritating to realise that those pesky problems from the past Continue slowly and steadily, Sagittarius. You may get all worked up genuinely want to assist the many people who ask for your help and haven’t been resolved, Scorpio! Today you will have the strength over nothing because you want everything done at once! It would advice, yet you can’t shake the feeling that they’re taking advantage and awareness to put these problems to rest simply by talking about be a good time to prioritise what you really want to do. Be cautious of you or trying to make you do things you don’t want to do. Yes, it’s them. Ironically, the reproaches made by your partner are what of anything that distracts you. You have such a great desire to hard to be a good parent to others and yourself at the same time. spark the change in attitude that you need. live through extraordinary experiences. Give yourself the time to completely experience them! CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES December 22 — January 19 January 20 — February 18 February 19 — March 20

For a few months now, you’ve felt that things are accelerating in your If by chance you have to speak in public soon, Aquarius, trust that Here is just the kind of day artists dream about, Pisces. After yet professional life, Capricorn. Perhaps some projects have developed people will enjoy listening to you. Words come eff ortlessly to you, another lukewarm reception of your artwork, an influential agent more quickly than you anticipated. They may have even gotten a bit and you exude confidence. You willingly accept the compliments of shows up and off ers to place your paintings in one of the most out of control. Today you should let yourself distinguish more clearly others. Your energy level is high and you will be unstoppable. This is prestigious museums in the world! This is just an example of the what you’ve done so far. You may be in for a surprise. only fair after all of the work you’ve put in these last few months! kind of extraordinary event that could be in store for you today. Whatever your pursuits, you have a very good chance of success! 12 GULF TIMES Monday, June 10, 2019 COMMUNITY CARTOONS/PUZZLES

Wordsearch Adam

Pooch Cafe

APPLE DUCK GOAT JEANS MASK PANTS SEAL VEST YACHT BOOT EAGLE HOUSE KILT NOSE QUILT TIGER WAND ZEBRA CLAM FAIRY INK LEMON OBOE ROSE UMBRELLA XYLOPHONE

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. Monday, June 10, 2019 GULF TIMES 13 PUZZLES COMMUNITY

Super Cryptic Clues Colouring

Across Down 1 Sweet police found in a ditch 2 Something chewed, filled (4,4) with brilliant yellow sauce (7) 6 Time to get some sausages 3 Mafia boss found in river (3) (3) 4 Birds talk wildly to Poles (6) 9 Odd bits of brass in bowl (5) 5 Everlasting variety for Peter 10 Different sort of saviour (7) and Paul (9) 11 A group on leave (7) 6 Love affair for one like 13 Nobleman meeting youth Othello, we hear (5) leader ahead of time (5) 7 Written work from Midwest, 14 First-born of Israel destined for example (5) for central role? (6) 8 Burning a baker’s first loaf (6) 15 Sweet smell - and something 12 Sister involved with sad annoying (6) calamities (9) 19 Wrongful acts for children? 16 Disney film turning on Italian That’s about right (5) child (7) 21 Quandary for dreadful dim 17 Burial places depicted by a male (7) poet (6) 22 Have faith in cover held 18 Redhead almost breaking back by worker (7) stick (6) 23 In a labyrinth I found corn 19 Container, as provided for (5) instruments (5) 24 Half of Sicily is like this (3) 20 Surviving custom that’s a bit 25 Animal skin to be treated (8) more licentious (5) 23 A chap from Romania (3) Answers Yesterday’s Solution Wordsearch Codeword 14 GULF TIMES Monday, June 10, 2019 COMMUNITY BOLLYWOOD

crore.”According to the offi cial Twitter page of the fi lm, which has Salman in six diff erent looks – from a young circus champion to a 60-year-old man – “strong word of mouth” is helping in attracting more family audience to theatres. While the fi lm’s leading lady Katrina Kaif also thanked fans for making it a success, Salman Khan has already penned a note to his fans for thronging theatres on the fi lm’s Day 1, giving him his biggest opening ever. “Big thank you to all for giving me my career’s biggest opening ever,” Salman had tweeted a day after the fi lm released on the occasion of Eid. Directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, the fi lm’s opening day TEACHER: Hrithik Roshan is playing the role of mathematician SUCCESSFUL: The film is Salman Khan’s 14th back-to- collection was Rs42.30 crore. Bharat has also helped Anand Kumar in the upcoming movie. back film in the Rs100 crore club. Salman add another feather to his cap. “It becomes back-to-back 14 centuries for Salman Khan,” Bharat another Rs100 crore feather according to fi lm and trade expert Girish Johar. Hrithik calls himself student on sets of Super 30 in Salman’s cap It begun with Dabangg, to be followed by Ready, Bodyguard, Ek Tha Tiger, Dabangg 2, Jai Ho, Kick, Sharing a behind the scenes photograph from Super 30, Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Prem Ratan Dhan Payo, Sultan, Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan has called himself a “student” on Superstar Salman Khan’s box offi ce success story Tubelight, Tiger Zinda Hai and Race 3. the sets of the fi lm. has continued with Bharat, which surpassed the Taking note of the feat, trade analyst Taran Adarsh In the photograph shared on Friday, Hrithik is seen standing Rs100 crore mark at the Indian box offi ce on the tweeted: “As Bharat cruises past Rs100 crore mark, along with the entire cast on the fi lm’s set. fourth day of release itself, making it the actor’s 14th Salman Khan sets another benchmark: Highest “My character was of a teacher but on this set I was a student. back-to-back fi lm in the Rs100 crore club, say trade number of fi lms in Rs100 crore + club... The tally These are my Super 30. I have learnt a lot from their hard work, experts. rises to 14 with Bharat.” dedication and enthusiasm,” he captioned in Hindi. Atul Agnihotri, one of the co-producers, tweeted: Sharing details, he said Salman had three fi lms in The trailer of Super 30, produced by Reliance Entertainment, “The biggest family fi lm of the year Bharat gets more the Rs300 crore club, two in the Rs200 crore club and was launched on June 4. The fi lm will be releasing in theatres on love and appreciation at the box offi ce. Fourth day as many as nine in the Rs100 crore club at the Indian July 12. Hrithik is playing the role of mathematician Anand Kumar, collection: Rs26.70 crore. Total collection: Rs122.20 box offi ce. – IANS who trains students for IIT-JEE in Bihar. – IANS Taapsee says she is a happy outsider in the film industry done well commercially, but it did By Arundhuti Banerjee not have enough buzz on social media, especially among the fi lm fraternity. It is also something that aapsee Pannu started her megastar Amitabh Bachchan had journey from the south pointed out. Indian fi lm industry, Asked if such things aff ect her, and has cemented her Taapsee said, “Look, you are talking space in the Hindi fi lm about the Twitter buzz from the industryT with multiple releases and verifi ed account. The fact of the commercial success. The actress matter is, they are not the people considers it her strength that she is who will make my fi lm earn money an “outsider” in the industry. at the box offi ce. If a fi lm is running Asked how she deals with the in the theatre for weeks, that means ‘outsider’ tag, Taapsee saidre: “Yes, people are watching it and word of I am an outsider and I don’t see it as mouth works as the best buzz. Then a bad thing. I am a happy outsider. why should I complain? I am not popular among the creme “I want appreciation from the of our fraternity, and when I am audience and by making the fi lm not shooting, I travel and observe survive in the theatre for weeks, people who have a regular life, out they have given me validation. It of the fi lm world. was a silent success.” “I think it is my strength that I Is working with Bollywood’s am an outsider who can bring a lot Khans on her wish-list? of real elements in the performance “As an actress, I would love to because of a normal life. Also, I go do so... As a kid, I have grown up to bed early and wake up early, so watching their fi lms, but I cannot partying late night does not suit my choose one favourite. I loved lifestyle... I am in a happy space, watching Salman Khan because really.” of his larger than life persona, Last year, Taapsee had four STRONG: Taapsee Pannu says when she is not filming, she likes to travel and observe people. Shah Rukh Khan and romance... Bollywood releases including Mulk, Any young girl would dream to Manmarziyaan and one Telugu fi lm and a steady career by the time industry but I also know that if I the fi lm in multiple languages, have a boyfriend like Rahul. I love Neevevaro. This year, after Game I am 30 years old. So thankfully keep delivering content-driven Taapsee said: “If we look at the watching Aamir Khan because he is Over, she has Mission Mangal and I have managed to fulfi l all of it. fi lms that are commercially story, it is a journey of a girl who a very interesting actor. Saand Ki Aankh. Now, I have a bigger milestone to successful, change is bound to is a rape victim... It is a universal “Initially I waited for long to get Recently, she gifted herself a new achieve in which producers will happen... it will happen and I can story and that incident can happen an off er opposite any one of them, apartment in Mumbai. not stop themselves to invest see it,” Taapsee asserted. to anyone, in any part of the world. but since I did not get a chance, I How does she look at the money in my fi lms thinking it is Directed by Ashwin Saravanan, So the makers thought that the fi lm explored the opportunities that success? an ‘unconventional’ and ‘female- Game Over is releasing on June 14 in deserved to be shown nationwide. came my way so that I can make my “It was on my bucket list that centric’ fi lm,” shared the Pink actor. Tamil, Telugu and Hindi. Of course, it was my wish too.” space here in the fi lm industry.” – I want my own car, an apartment “I know it is a success-driven Explaining the need to release Taapsee’s last release Badla had IANS Monday, June 10, 2019 GULF TIMES 15 HOLLYWOOD COMMUNITY A portrait of Prince in the recording studio

was like 7am when he fi nished that song.” By Jon Bream One time, Prince recorded an instrumental track and decided to call it a night. However, McCreary was required to document the work hen Prince showed up at for both the studio and Warner Bros. Records. his favourite Los Angeles She needed a title for the tape as he was recording studio, engineer exiting the studio. Peggy McCreary never knew “He said, ‘What’s your middle name?’ I what was going to happen. said ‘Colleen.’ He said ‘Name it Colleen.’ The W“It wasn’t like you could ask him,” she song never got fi nished, it never had lyrics.” recalled. “He was very quiet. I got in his face: McCreary worked with Prince the morning ‘You’re gonna have to talk to me. I can’t work in 1981 after he was booed off the stage in Los if you’re just going to mumble instructions.’” Angeles opening for the Rolling Stones. She They worked together for six years, was there late one night after a 1985 concert beginning in 1981, at Sunset Sound, recording at the L.A. Forum that Madonna attended. Controversy, 1999, Purple Rain and other She joined him only a couple times in projects. Minneapolis, at a concert and a party. That’s where he cut many of the tracks on In fact, she’s never been to Paisley Park. Originals, a new posthumous album featuring When Prince built his Chanhassen studio his versions of songs he wrote for others. It complex in 1986, McCreary said he wanted was released last Friday, on what would have her to relocate there. But she didn’t hear from been his 61st birthday, by the Tidal streaming his people for a year, so she and her husband service (it will be available elsewhere June 21). decided to stay in Los Angeles and raise a Ten of the 15 songs were written for family. women, including Sheila E., the Bangles, Martika, Jill Jones, Taja Sevelle and Apollonia Birthday Present 6. Others were for the Time, Mazarati and On Jan 11, 1982, it was McCreary’s birthday, Kenny Rogers (yes, that Gambler guy). and she wasn’t happy about spending it at “You never knew what he was working on Sunset Sound with Prince. or who it was for,” said McCreary. Usually dressed in his customarily stylish Some days, he’d walk in with lyrics manner, Prince showed up this time with a handwritten on hotel stationary. Sometimes completely diff erent look: Blue jeans, white he’d scribble lyrics on the back of recording T-shirt, black leather motorcycle jacket, track sheets in the studio. black leather boots. Only once did he explain a song – Manic He cut a rockabilly song called You’re All I Monday, which the Bangles turned into Want. a smash in 1986 (peaking at No 2 behind “It made sense because of the way he Prince’s own Kiss). was dressed,” McCreary reminisced. “After Prince and McCreary had worked at Sunset working 12 hours, I made him a cassette. He Sound until 4 or 5am and were planning to was standing at the door and he tossed me the return at 6 that evening. cassette and said: ‘Happy birthday.’ “I got a call from the studio at 10 am and He gave her his jacket, too. they said he’d be in at 12 noon,” McCreary “I have an unreleased Prince song,” she remembered. “He waved some papers in my said. “For him, that was one of the greatest face and he said, ‘If I dreamed another verse, I gifts he could have ever given me. At the time, was coming in.’ I wanted my birthday off . “I said: ‘You dream your songs?’ He said, “That was him.” ‘Sometimes.’ McCreary’s assessment of the Purple One “I couldn’t be mad at him even though I was similar to that of others who worked with had only four hours of sleep.” him in his heyday. They completed the song in one day. “He was hard to work for. He was demanding. He was relentless,” she said. Didn’t Make Demos “You had to be ready at any time for anything Prince never recorded traditional demos, that inspired him. It was tough. I was on call with his voice accompanied by just guitar whenever he was in California.” or piano. Hearing the arrangements in his LEGEND: Prince performs Purple Rain as the opening act during the 46th Annual Grammy He never gave McCreary feedback. Never head, he cut fully produced songs that would Awards show on Feb 8, 2004 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. even off ered hello, goodbye or thank you. become guides for the other singers to record “I said: ‘Do you like my work?’ ‘You’re them. Kenny Rogers tune, Prince sings in his deeper opined McCreary, a self-taught engineer who here, aren’t you?’” On Originals, when Prince sings Jungle voice. The latter tune stands out because it’s has worked with Elton John, Van Halen, Toto, Said McCreary: “With one sentence, he Love and Gigolos Get Lonely, Too, you can so un-Princely – a conventional romantic Tom Waits and others. could rip you to the bone.” appreciate how Morris Day tried to replicate pop ballad with a Brazilian undertone and a Sessions stretching 12 to 15 hours were the Prince never bounced ideas off McCreary Prince’s phrasing on the Time’s recordings very committed vocal. norm. Prince, a coff ee drinker, wouldn’t eat or anyone else. He never asked her opinion on (though he’s not as passionate as Prince). At times on Originals, Prince seems for fear it would make him tired. Once, he and anything musical. Ditto for Nothing Compares 2 U, designed experimental, especially on Make-Up for McCreary recorded for 24 hours straight. Once, he caught her moving to the music as a duet for the Family’s St. Paul Peterson Vanity 6. When Doves Cry, Prince’s fi rst big hit from and he laughed at her. Thereafter, she didn’t and Susannah Melvoin. In the end, these studio recordings off er 1984’s Purple Rain, was cut in 35 to 40 hours react. On some of the tunes intended for female insight into the hyper-prolifi c, hyper- over two days. “We collaborated fairly nicely without singers, including Noon Rendezvous (Sheila creative mind of Prince in the 1980s. (The “It was just overproduced,” McCreary much conversation about music,” McCreary E.) and the vaguely gospel Love … Thy Will Be only non-’80s number was Martika’s Love… noted. “As the early morning hours were said. “I got to have him at a really productive, Done (Martika), Prince uses his falsetto and Thy Will Be Done, from 1991). going on, he started taking things out. He prolifi c time. I got to watch him develop. He girlish vocal tones. took the synth out. At the end of the session, always knew who he was. Everybody else For the slightly psychedelic Manic Monday Relentless In The Studio he took the bass out. I looked at him and he just needed to fi gure it out.” – Star Tribune and the lightly jazzy You’re My Love, the In the studio, he was “kind of scary,” said: ‘Nobody’s going to believe I did this.’ It (Minneapolis)/TNS 16 GULF TIMES Monday, June 10, 2019 COMMUNITY A unique act of comedy Popular Indian stand-up comedian Zakir Khan to perform at QNCC on June 13

Millennium Entertainment, we By Mudassir Raja as a group of friends now turned partners had a vision and dream to host Zakir Khan on a bigger stage hey say laughter is the than what he performed in 2017 best therapy. Some when for the very first time he people believe it is visited Doha. contiguous. In a world “The dream now turns today where there is a into reality when Millennium lotT of mental stress, laughter is Entertainment and The Final nothing less than a blessing in Touch Entertainment (India) in one’s life. collaboration with Hamad al- Doha is a place that repeatedly Amari host Zakir Khan in Qatar. offers opportunities where “Zakir Khan was a unanimous residents can laugh, enjoy and choice for us because he is one of relax. the brightest comedians in the One such opportunity is fast country, as proven by the massive approaching as a well-known success of his recent Haq Se Single stand-up comedian from tour, and the Amazon Prime India is all set to perform in Al special of the same name.” Mayassa Theater, Qatar National Zakir created waves in 2016 Convention Centre (QNCC) on with his appearance on AIB Diwas, Thursday, June 13, starting at as he swiftly went on to become 6:30pm. what AIB founder Tanmay Bhat Millennium Entertainment, an describes as ‘the biggest stand-up event management company, is comedy act in India. Period’. going to present ‘Desi Comedy A writer by profession, this Nights’ with Zakir Khan, who Confused Desi serves his take on has fast gained popularity as one modern India, with a hard-to- of the leading Indian stand-up resist style of humour that will comedians. have you nodding your heads The event is scheduled as part and clapping as you relate to of the ‘Summer in Qatar’ by Visit everything he says. Qatar. One of the few comedians to The team of organisers consists consistently sell out venues with of Asif Hassan Chougule, his hard-to-resist rustic humour, Managing Partner; Najib Chougle, Zakir’s phenomenal rise as one Managing Partner; Priya Denny, of the most popular comedians Head Sales & Marketing; Siju in the country is nothing short of Kaliyath, Head Operations & extraordinary. Service Delivery; Imran Khan, Over the last year, he has Managing Partner; and Atique sold 50,000 tickets with over Ajmeri, Celebrity Management at 100 shows in clubs, colleges The Final Touch Entertainment. and arenas. Called a pioneer of Zakir is a stand-up comedian, storytelling in Indian comedy, writer, presenter and actor. In his take on modern India will 2012, he rose to popularity by have you nodding and clapping winning Comedy Central’s India’s repeatedly. third best stand-up comedian One of the few comics in India competition. He has also been a to do stand-up almost entirely in part of a news comedy show, On Hindi, Zakir is indeed a unique Air with AIB. act, and it’s easy to see why. Zakir was born and raised in Priya Denny said: “Millennium Indore, Madhya Pradesh. He Entertainment is proud and comes from a humble background ecstatic to bring Zakir back to and credits his father with being Doha. supportive of his talent. Khan has He has a massive following a diploma in Sitar and is a college within the Asian diaspora and dropout. also a widespread fame in other Besides performing at many communities in Qatar. As a team stand-up comedy shows, he and our sponsors are happy to be has also done ghostwriting and associated working for the event produced radio shows. in making it a huge success”. He is known for his punch Asif Chougule said: “We as line “Sakht launda”, which a team are happy to associate means a guy with immense self- and be a part of the ‘Summer in control who would not be easily Qatar’ by Visit Qatar for Zakir’s manipulated by pretty, cunning show. Indeed we are happy to host girls. Zakir and provide him a stage like With over 3million subscribers QNCC to perform for audiences on YouTube. Zakir is India’s and give them an unlimited dose biggest stand-up comic who has of laughter and story-telling. We performed to sold-out audiences are looking forward to a grand all over the world. success for the show. The organisers in a statement We also thank all our sponsors shared with Community said: for being associated with this STORYTELLER: Dubbed as the pioneer of storytelling in Indian comedy, Zakir’s take on modern India will have “Even before the formation of event.” you nodding and clapping repeatedly.