Community Community Indian Sameera Cultural Obaid, a P7Centre P16 Qatari writer, organises its 22nd believes literature Annual Classical should be used to Dance Festival bring positive changes ‘Natyanjali’. in people’s lives.

Tuesday, January 14, 2020 Jumada I 19, 1441 AH

Doha today: 120 - 200

The family in 2050 COVER STORY The world may be looking at artificial wombs, robot carers and the rise of single fathers by choice. P4-6

BOLLYWOOD HOLLYWOOD

Bollywood’s 700cr club: New Gomez with 165mn Insta followers reality or one-time strike? brings fi rst great pop album. Page 14 Page 15 2 GULF TIMES Tuesday, January 14, 2020 COMMUNITY ROUND & ABOUT

PRAYER TIME Fajr 5am Shorooq (sunrise) 6.23am Zuhr (noon) 11.44am Asr (afternoon) 2.45pm Maghreb (sunset) 5.06pm Isha (night) 6.36pm

USEFUL NUMBERS

Darbar ethics’. As part of the operation, Aaditya nabs Ajay Malhotra CAST: , Sunil Shetty, Nayanthara (Prateik Babbar), the chief drug supplier and the son of a DIRECTION: AR Murugadoss top businessman in . When Aaditya meticulously SYNOPSIS: A police offi cer on a chase to hunt down a plans and eliminates Ajay, dreaded gangster Hari Chopra gets dreaded gangster for fulfi lling his own secret agenda. The involved in the case and challenges Aaditya to stop him before Emergency 999 fi lm opens with a series of encounters and we see headlines he starts killing cops. Worldwide Emergency Number 112 of papers, calling Aaditya a ‘murderer’ and a ‘cop with no THEATRES: Royal Plaza, Landmark, The Mall 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 1917 World War are given an impossible mission: deliver a message Hamad Medical Corporation 40253368, 40253365 DIRECTION: Sam Mendes deep in enemy territory that will stop 1,600 men, and one of Qatar Airways 40253374 CAST: Dean-Charles Chapman, George MacKay, Daniel the soldier’s brothers, from walking straight into a deadly trap. Mays SYNOPSIS: Two young British soldiers during the First THEATRES: The Mall, Royal Plaza

te Unqu uo ot Q “It is e during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light.” – Aristotle

Community Editor For movie timings and Kamran Rehmat further details please scan e-mail: [email protected] the QR code above with your Telephone: 44466405 mobile phone camera or visit qatarcinemas.com Fax: 44350474 Tuesday, January 14, 2020 GULF TIMES 3 ROUND & ABOUT COMMUNITY

WHEN: Tomorrow – July 1 school includes Group Music lessons, Hip- TIME: 6:30pm – 9pm hop, Ballet, Drawing and Painting, Drama Get trained by experts to be a good speaker. Theatre & Taekwondo. Ages between 5 and 10 Smedley Toastmasters is conducting a years old after school hours six-month speech-craft programme that teaches new members to speak confi dently and develop leadership skills. For more information, 66053485, 33232490 or visit www.SmedleyToastmasters.org

Shop Qatar 2020 WHERE: Malls in Qatar WHEN: Ongoing till January 31 TIME: Entire day Shop Qatar has something for everyone, including beauty masterclasses, fashion shows, shopping off ers, mall activities and shows, raffl e draws, and Chinese New Year celebrations.

The Colour Run 2020 water sports, Winter Dragon Boat Festival WHERE: QNCC is back to show us their fast rowing skills. WHEN: January 25 Dragon boating is a canoe-sport and was TIME: 7am – 10pm originally a traditional festival game dating Your Health First is a fi ve-kilometre, back 2,000 years throughout Southern untimed event. At each kilometre mark, China. It has now become a popular sport Colour Runners are doused from head to toe with competitions held around the world. in a diff erent coloured powder. Participants wear white at the starting line and fi nish the race plastered in colour. Once the 5k is over, the fun continues at the Finish Festival, a larger-than-life party equipped with music, dancing, photo ops, activity booths, vendors, and more massive colour throws, which create millions of vivid colour combinations.

Gems and Jewels Exhibition WHERE: Museum of Islamic Art WHEN: Ongoing till January 18 TIME: 9am onwards After School Activities Open Evening The exhibition comes in celebration of WHERE: Atelier WHERE: Cafeteria Stenden University the Qatar- 2019 Year of Culture and WHEN: Ongoing Qatar presents a look at magnifi cent gems and Music and arts activities for students WHEN: January 22 jewellery from India. Set in Stone: Gems and taking place after they fi nish their day in TIME: 3pm – 6pm Jewels from Royal Indian Courts showcases more than 100 pieces from across Qatar Metro Street Food Museums’ (QM) collections, including many WHERE: DECC Metro Station Sonu Nigam Live in Qatar masterpieces that have never been displayed WHEN: Ongoing WHERE: Asian Town Amphitheatre before. TIME: 12:30pm WHEN: January 23 Street Food is the ideal venue for a leisure TIME: 7:30pm onwards experience for the whole family off ering over Back by popular demand, Sonu Nigam, returns to wow his fans once again in a one-night only 20 dine-in options and 18-hole World Mini- concert. Presented by Q-Tickets the event is part of Shop Qatar Festival and under the aegis of Golf setup. Qatar National Tourism Council. Sonu Nigam has sung over 10,000 songs in diff erent languages and have received over 40 mainstream awards.

Winter Dragon Boat Festival 2020 WHERE: Museum of Islamic Art WHEN: January 24 Public Speaking Classes for Adults Row, paddle, hurry up! Qatar’s largest WHERE: Sharq Capital, C-Ring Road

Compiled by Nausheen Shaikh. E-mail: [email protected], Events and timings subject to change 4 GULF TIMES Tuesday, January 14, 2020 COMMUNITY COVER STORY Fast forward to 2050 Technology and economics could radically change our understanding of the family in years to come — and deepen inherited privilege, writes Emine Saner

n 2004, when the year 2020 sounded futuristic, the What we’re finding is that Guardian predicted it would by now be “very hard” to talk about a “typical family”. Domestic units family structure is actually less would be formed in myriad ways and “children living with both their biological parents in the same important for children than the Ihousehold” would be in the minority. This hasn’t quite panned out. In the UK today, 84% quality of relationships within of babies are born to parents who are married, in a civil families. And also the social partnership or co-habiting, although the statistics don’t reveal all the real-life complexities (many of the parents acceptance of their family in will be starting second families, for instance). In 2019, 61% of families with dependent children have married the wider world. Families are or civil-partnered parents (the children may not be biologically related to both). In the US, fewer than half of changing and it’s not necessarily children are living with two biological parents who are in a bad thing for children or their fi rst marriage. We correctly predicted that, in heterosexual parents couples, an increasing number of women would be the breadwinner, but don’t imagine these are all high- earning women easily carrying the fi nancial burden; ‘ most are low-earners, and the fi gures include single — Susan Golombok, Director, mothers. And we said that fi nancial pressures on young Centre for Family Research at adults would lead to people staying at home for longer. There has been a 46.3% increase in the number of young Cambridge University adults living with their parents in the two decades to ’ 2019. Tuesday, January 14, 2020 GULF TIMES 5 COVER STORY COMMUNITY

But we overstated the attention we would be giving to the issue of how to care for an ageing population. “By 2020,” we predicted, “we will be in the middle of the debate on the care defi cit.” The crisis is still there, and growing, but it is one of those issues that has been overshadowed, and exacerbated, by Brexit (there are 104,000 EU citizens working as carers in the UK). And we understated the extent to which we would invite technology into our family lives. “Webcams might by 2020 be playing the role the telephone did in the 20th century, a vital communication link for families who might live hundreds of miles apart,” we predicted in 2004. This wasn’t wrong, but the quaint idea of “webcams” — this was three years before Apple launched its iPhone, and everyone started uploading photographs of their children to a new site called Facebook — doesn’t quite describe the proliferation of tech in everyday life. It’s certainly true that the family has changed immensely over the past few decades, and those trends are continuing. The number of people living alone is increasing, as is the number of women choosing not to have PROSPECTS: In future, babies could be born from artificial wombs. children, and we are having fewer children than before, too. “A key because of developments in assisted change in family structure since Advances in technology will create ever-bigger reproduction and people being the 1980s has been the rise of able to preserve eggs and sperm, childbearing within cohabitation,” ethical debates. So-called “designer babies” are more transgender people are having says Ann Berrington, professor of already a reality, with parents able to select embryos children after their transition.” She demography and social statistics says this is likely to increase in the at the University of Southampton. to screen out inherited diseases and conditions. But coming decades. “The proportion of births that take Advances in technology will place in England and Wales outside by 2050, prospective parents could pay to select not create ever-bigger ethical debates. marriage has doubled from around So-called “designer babies” are a quarter in 1988 to just under half only for good health but for traits such as intelligence, already a reality, with parents able today. Cohabiting families – with attractiveness or athleticism — the babies of rich to select embryos to screen out and without children – are the inherited diseases and conditions. fastest-growing type of family in parents could be genetically superior to those born to But by 2050, prospective parents England and Wales. Evidence from could pay to select not only for qualitative research that we have lower-income families good health but for traits such undertaken suggests that while as intelligence, attractiveness marriage is being rejected by a certainly happening. we’re now beginning to see single donation. That’s something that or athleticism — the babies of minority as an outdated, patriarchal “Over the past couple of decades, fathers by choice. It’s a very small may grow.” rich parents could be genetically institution, most people still view it we’ve seen quite a rise in the group, but they do exist. Some of There is also a rise in the superior to those born to lower- in a positive light and as an ultimate number of single mothers by choice them are gay men, so that, in a way, number of transgender parents. income families. goal.” The number of same-sex — the single women who decide is more obvious, but there are also “Until very recently, transgender Genetic testing will become more couples has also risen, she says: to go it alone and have children, single heterosexual men having parents had children and then popular, and it will be harder for “An increase of 53%, from 152,000 through donor insemination — but children through surrogacy and egg transitioned afterwards, but parents to keep secret from their in 2015 to 232,000 in 2018. It seems children that they were conceived likely that this diversity in family using donated eggs or sperm life will continue to increase in the (although disclosure is widely coming decade, along with complex considered to be a good thing). But families – for example, stepfamilies genetics are not all-important to resulting from repartnering.” the concept of family. “Family is no There have been developments longer necessarily about biological in reproductive technology relatedness — that is something alongside changing social attitudes. that has changed a lot,” says “Certainly, since the turn of Golombok. this century, the two have come We are already seeing uterus together to create family types that transplants, but by 2050, we may just wouldn’t have been possible be relying on artifi cial wombs to before,” says Susan Golombok, the grow our babies. “They are being director of the Centre for Family developed at the moment initially Research at Cambridge University, to help with very premature babies and author of the forthcoming book to replicate, as far as possible, the We Are Family. But, she adds: “It’s human uterus. But eventually it’s hard to tell whether they are going possible that artifi cial wombs will to explode into something or not. be used instead of pregnancy.” One thing that we are studying That could free up women for is a small but growing number whom pregnancy — and its related of people who are meeting each physical and psychological toll, other over the internet in order to as well as the fi nancial hit they have children together, without a take when taking time out from romantic relationship. We don’t their careers — is something to be know how that works out for them endured, rather than enjoyed. or for the children yet, but it’s HELPFUL: By 2050, robots will — as has long been predicted — be one answer to the growing social care crisis. Continued to Page 6 6 GULF TIMES Tuesday, January 14, 2020 COMMUNITY

Continued from Page 5 well-off families are funnelled “I think fi rst it will probably be into the “right” universities used for women who don’t have and jobs. “Without some policy their own wombs — the women interventions, we will see affluent who might, at the moment, turn to white families continuing to surrogacy,” says Golombok. “But have power over schools and actually, anybody could do this, so workspaces,” says Calarco, “even it could be quite liberating in some as the demographics of society ways for women. Some women change in terms of white people wouldn’t like the idea at all. Also, becoming a smaller share of the I can see ways in which it could population.” be used in a rather worrying way, We are an ageing population. almost like ‘baby farms’.” By 2035, there will be 44% more A growing number of women people over the age of 65 than there are freezing their eggs, and the age were in 2017. Age UK estimates at which women have their fi rst ‘around 650,000 extra care jobs child is also rising. In 2050, will it will be needed’. In October, the be more normal for women in their government announced a £34mn 50s, or even 60s and beyond, to investment programme to try become mothers? “It is technically to teach robot carers to be more possible,” says Golombok. empathetic to their humans, “Whether many women would making it more likely that by 2050, actually want to do that seems robots will — as has long been unlikely to me. But, generally, predicted — be one answer to the there will certainly be more women growing social care crisis. Will they having babies in their 40s, unless also provide childcare? This has there is a huge change in mindset.” long been more controversial than Experts have already called for elder care, but nurseries in Japan children to be educated about have already trialled the use of natural fertility decline, which robots to help out. could mean future generations The birth of social media has decide to have children earlier. In 2050, will it be more normal for women in their 50s, provided a new view of what But society isn’t set up to support or even 60s and beyond, to become mothers? “It is “perfect” parenting is supposed that, Golombok points out — from to look like. We are encouraged to the price of education to the lack technically possible,” says Golombok. “Whether many compare ourselves with others, and of state support, and the cost of we are also, says Thomas Curran, a housing. “The age at which women women would actually want to do that seems unlikely social psychologist at the London are having children is going up and School of Economics, becoming up, and I can’t really see an end to to me. But, generally, there will certainly be more more perfectionist. “Parenting has that.” women having babies in their 40s, unless changed in recent years. Parents are Will we have men travelling more expectant, and are becoming abroad for work? What will happen there is a huge change in mindset” more critical. That is because they to their skills as dads? are passing down pressures that Brexit — with prolonged trade researches fatherhood. match what happens in Germany lived with their dads, and it’s not they feel from society. Things have negotiations and predicted “Thirty years ago when I started and northern Europe”, says Lewis. much more than 10% now.” become tough, the job market economic decline — will aff ect working on fathers, all the trends “We don’t think carefully about Inherited advantage will has become more precarious, families in the coming decades. were for women to enter the protecting the next generation.” entrench the privilege of some educational achievement has “Economic insecurity is associated professions,” he says, “but there’s Stay-at-home dads are still families at the expense of become very important for — I with an increased preference no good evidence that there will a minority, but Lewis says he everyone else. “The inequality hate to put it in these terms — their for cohabitation as opposed be this [female] takeover of the remains surprised by the still- that we currently see between children’s ‘future market price’. to marriage,” says Berrington. workplace.” Work is still a largely small number of fathers who are families will only continue to There’s a lot of pressure on parents “Furthermore, economic hardship hostile environment for family life. the resident parent after family grow,” says Jessica Calarco, now to ensure they raise successful is related to increased risks of “And it’s going to be much more breakdown, even if they have been associate professor of sociology children.” family breakdown.” volatile in future years.” Policies the main carer prior to that. Will at Indiana University. “We know This will become more acute, Berrington points out that such as a four-day week would that change by 2050? Not if the that affluent white families hoard he believes, at least in the shorter families have become more allow “the family to balance better”. past few decades are anything to go opportunities and often demand term. By 2050, it could have transnational, “especially Women will continue to make by. “It hasn’t changed much since new opportunities to give them reversed. “This current generation since women have made up an strides in the workforce, but this the early 70s. We think that 40 or access to even more resources. of young people, as they become increasingly large proportion of will put pressure on childcare, 50 years ago was a time when the That cycle perpetuates itself over parents themselves, my sense is migrants. In previous decades, which still disproportionally falls children always went to the mother, time and inequalities grow.” It that they will do things diff erently. migrants to the UK from South Asia to mothers. In the UK, we don’t but a government report in 1974 starts with early education, but They are pushing back against often migrated for the purpose of have the “extensive childcare to documented that 10% of children quickly escalates, as children from societal pressures.” In terms family formation or reunifi cation. of social media, they may not Today, migration to the UK is more share endless photographs of often for purposes of education and their children, or do the kind of work. So the future link between performative parenting that now international migration and family often plays out online. “I think they formation is unclear.” This is will be much better at educating particularly so as policies around and building awareness in their own migration are tightened up. children about [how manufactured] If the economy suff ers post- social media is.” Brexit, as numerous economists The family in 2050 will be subject warn, increasing numbers of British to external pressures nobody I people may seek work abroad – speak to wants to confi dently and this could disproportionately predict; the only certain thing is mean men. Fathers have become how diverse families will be in the more engaged with their children coming decades. The moral panic in recent years, with the number of about the rapid decline of the stay-at-home dads rising (although nuclear (heterosexual) family hasn’t in 93% of heterosexual couples, the proved justifi ed. “What we’re bulk of the housework, including fi nding is that family structure is caring responsibilities, still falls actually less important for children to women). “Will we have men than the quality of relationships travelling to the Commonwealth, within families,” says Golombok. Europe and the like to work? And “And also the social acceptance if they do, what will happen to of their family in the wider world. their skills as dads?” asks Charlie Families are changing and it’s not Lewis, a professor of psychology necessarily a bad thing for children at Lancaster University who FINDINGS: Stay-at-home dads are still a minority. or parents.” — The Guardian Tuesday, January 14, 2020 GULF TIMES 7 COMMUNITY

CIHT organises End of Year celebration dinner

Chartered Institution of Highways & and its strategies, a soft skill for daily work Transportation (CIHT) Qatar Group recently environment. The second part of the organised End of Year celebration dinner presentations was dedicated to projects that at City Centre Rotana Hotel. The event was were recognised as ‘Highly Commended’ attended by over 110 professionals of various at the ‘CIHT International Project Awards’. disciplines related to transportation and Herve Etave, on behalf of Arcadis Consulting highway sector. Speaking on the occasion, Middle East, presented a drone video on Martin Tugwell, President of CIHT, extended ‘Orbital Highway Contract 2’ project. Dr Kim his wishes to the group for their eff orts for Jraiw, on behalf of National Traff ic Safety the past 7 years. Committee Qatar, shared his expertise on Key note speakers were invited to present the Road Safety and Sustainable Transport on the achievements related to their projects Management project. and specialisation. Raimund Hanauer, CIHT Qatar Group thanked and presented Transport Planning Director of Qatar Rail, awards to the event sponsors for their gave an overview on the developments of contribution for the evening, including Qatar Rail in the past few years, the opening Arcadis, BG&E, DCE, Fugro, Jacobs, Muhel, of Red Line in May 2019 and the associated PTV, QDC and WSP. Nine new CIHT members projects that Qatar Rail is embarking on were presented with their certificates on complimenting the Metro service. Pam the occasion, which was followed by a Naidoo, Resourcing Manager of Vodafone, transportation quiz. Veronica Yu, Chair of provided her insight on Conflict Resolution CIHT Qatar Group, proposed a vote of thanks.

KWIQ marks second anniversary

Kerala Women’s Initiative P N Baburaj, President of Qatar (KWIQ), an associate Indian Community Benevolent organisation of Indian Cultural Forum; Abdul Sathar, President Centre under the aegis of of World Malayalee Federation; Indian Embassy, recently Sunaina, representative of Al organised an event ‘Ahlan Zaman Exchange; Zareena Kerala 2020’ to mark its Ahad, KWIQ President; second anniversary at The Sreedevi Joy, Patron of KWIQ; Phoenix Private School. Anju Anand, KWIQ General The event was inaugurated Secretary; Liji Ratheesh, by Hyder Chungathara, Vice Programme Convenor; and President of Chaliyar Doha. Sheethal Prasanth, KWIQ The function also honoured Cultural Secretary. KWIQ’s executive members The event featured a short skit and family with a shield showcasing an Arab family’s of appreciation for their journey to the shores of continuous hard work and Kerala where they witness a dedicated support. Zareena traditional wedding as well as Ahad, President of KWIQ, was the culture, art and community also felicitated on the occasion. love of various districts of the The event was attended by state, which was followed by a notable personalities, including bridal fashion show. ICC organises 22nd Annual Classical Dance Festival

Indian Cultural Centre recently organised its 22nd Annual Classical Dance Festival ‘Natyanjali’ at Birla class history of Indian Cultural Centre. A P Manikantan, ICC President, gave the presidential address for Public School Auditorium. Rajesh Kamble, Counsellor at Embassy of India and Co-ordinating off icer of the day and Anjan Kumar Ganguli, Joint Secretary of ICC, welcomed the gathering and proposed a ICC, was the chief guest on the occasion. The chief guest inaugurated the event by lighting the lamp vote of thanks. The event was conducted by Dr Nayna Wagh, Head of Cultural and Education Activities along with ICC Managing Committee members and ICC Advisory Council Chairman. Speaking on for ICC. Akhila Sudeer compered the programme. Bharathanatyam, Mohiniyattam and Kuchipudi the occasion, the chief guest lauded the eff orts of ICC in up keeping and disseminating the social and were performed in various forms during Natyanjali. A total of 70 students of the Indian Cultural cultural traditions among the Indian community in Qatar. Centre performed 15 dances. The event was attended by over 500 people. The performance was KM Varghese, ICC Advisory Council Chairman, also addressed the gathering and narrated the dance choreographed by Metilda Soloman, Classical Dance Teacher at ICC. 8 GULF TIMES Tuesday, January 14, 2020 COMMUNITY ‘Passion, perseverance key in materialising one’s dreams’

GROUP: Guests and organisers along with the members of Pakistan Arts Society-Qatar in a photo. Photos supplied

I received precious pieces of advice By Mudassir Raja from these prominent personalities during my academic years,” Mala said. s part of regular events While conversing with audience organised by Pakistan she boosted up the passion of Arts Society - Qatar teaching, elucidating how teachers (PAS-Q) to promote can make students to be creative and socio-cultural, fi ne good thinkers by illustrating them Aarts and literary activities and to with profound ideas and activities. develop teachers’ capacity and train She made a point by saying, “One the community, the society recently should always keep moving forward. organised an event titled ‘Be My Nothing can stop you. I am happily Guest’. married. Family life and professional Mala Waseem, an internationally career can be handled properly by recognised Canadian Pakistani keeping a balance that needs to be visual artist based in Qatar, spoke maintained. There is no hurdle for on the topic ‘Passion: An artist’s women. They can do whatever they perspective.’ A large gathering of want. They just have to be persistent community members and the staff and get along with their passion.” of Pak Shamaa School and College To made passion and its presence attended the informative and understandable, Mala grabbed the motivational session held at the audience attention by arranging a school auditorium. short activity which was followed Adeel Akbar, PAS-Q General by questions and answer session. Secretary, welcoming the guests “If anyone is willing to sacrifice and accept challenges She also proposed how teachers noted that such sessions greatly and love to do that, it is called passion. A desire can inspire their students to fi nd inspire the participants. He passion. “By creating character expressed his determination to hold followed with passion will always lead to the greatest modelling and active teaching similar events in future. strategies, teachers can add greater “The nature of the programme is results in life” value to a simple lesson. It is to sit face-to-face with the guest and important to maintain personal listen to him or her life experiences, — Mala Waseem, lifestyle and move forward success stories, diffi culties and Canadian Pakistani visual artist professionally. By setting a balance challenges one faces,” he added. in priorities and passion, a married Nabila Kaukab, Principal of working woman can achieve stability PSSC, welcomed all the guests and In her conversation Mala, who Mala, who has been residing in career. She mentioned and in professional and personal life.” praised PAS-Q. She said, “This kind herself has been pursuing her career Qatar for over a decade, has received acknowledged how teachers, seniors Mala is currently busy in making of motivational sessions provide with passion and enthusiasm, said, many awards and has showcased and colleagues had encouraged her in her appearance to a group show in inspiration for the next generation of “If anyone is willing to sacrifi ce and her unique abstract oil paintings in diff erent times. “Late Fatima Surriya Rome, Italy and working on large leaders. It is an excellent opportunity accept challenges and love to do that, Canada, Pakistan, Qatar, Turkey and Bajjia, a renowned Urdu writer; scale paintings for the new location to benefi t from the experiences of it is called passion. A desire followed Italy. She is also associated in art Bano Qudsia, late Urdu writer; Lala of Pakistan Embassy in Qatar. She successful people.” with passion will always lead to the education and conducts many art Rukh, late visual artist, founder and further said that without passion Diff erent prominent guresfi from greatest results in life. workshops. director of MA (hons) visual art at life has no meaning. If you work the Pakistani expatriate community Corresponding with art through Mala also revealed success stories National College of Arts Lahore; and hard you can make this world a also spoke on the occasion on how the ages we can comprehend that art, from her childhood, school, and Faryal Ali Gohar, Pakistani actress, better place to live whether you important it is to pursue something artist and passion have been secured college to university and from fi lmmaker and producer, have been are a teacher, artist, doctor or any with passion and perseverance. in a close relationship.” diff erent stages of professional a great source of inspiration to me. professional for that matter.” Tuesday, January 14, 2020 GULF TIMES 9 FASHION COMMUNITY

PERFECT FOR THIS SEASON: From left: 80s-style dress, sequinned top, tiger print blouse, argyle sweater, and a dress. How to look modern in vintage

on a ready-made diet of fast fashion, presented on mannequins and suggests narrowing down your chiff on and lace. “I recently had in By Jess Carner-Morley never cultivated. Eighty per cent helpfully merchandised with stock shortlist by concentrating on tailored an incredible geometric print kaftan of 16-21 year olds are happy to buy in diff erent sizes and coordinating pieces in neutral, tonal shades of dress cut in a circle, which was very secondhand clothes – second only in items. In a secondhand store, you brown or grey. similar in shape to a Margiela one don’t want to look retro. I think their enthusiasm to the over-60s, of have to move slower and look harder. If you want to fi nd clothes that I own. Another of my favourites victory rolls are twee and I whom 90% are comfortable buying You have to rewire your brain a little look current, rather than designer lately was an emerald green metallic would not be seen dead in a used garments – while less than a bit. It helps to remind yourself that bargains, don’t look at labels. Instead, 1970s maxi which the customer nylon petticoat. I will go for a third of shoppers in their 30s and 40s while new clothes look the best they zoom in on colours ‘anything beige, styled with white leather ankle bare leg over a seamed stocking are on board, according to a survey by will ever look fl uff ed and spotlit on tan or gold is great for now. Or look boots – the result was so modern,” everyI time. Right now I want a Business Waste, a waste management the shopfl oor, secondhand is the for the skirt length of the moment’ she says. cardigan that I can tuck into a midi agency. opposite – these pieces undersell somewhere between midi and maxi. From Rokit, Mel and I move on skirt, but I want it sleek and neutral The new higher profi le of themselves on the shopfl oor and Rokit has lots of great silk blouses. to Beyond Retro, a warehouse- like the ones on the Chanel autumn/ secondhand shopping is beginning to come into their own once you get We fi nd a particularly good leopard sized Aladdin’s cave of a shop winter catwalk, not in a fuzzy pastel be felt on the high street. In Covent them home. print ‘very next-season Celine, down near Brick Lane in east London. A with embroidered fl owers. So, Mel Garden in London, a new branch Clare Lewis, founder of an to the gold lurex thread running fl ick through the rails soon turns Wilkinson, stylist – a vision of of Picknweight, a vintage kilo store online vintage boutique Retold, through it. Argyle-knit sweaters, as up treasures: a tailored long- contemporary chic in understated that is already a cult destination in has a robustly non-retro aesthetic, seen on the Gucci catwalk, are here sleeved brown dress with a white, neutrals – and I have set ourselves a Berlin, had customers queuing down having spent a decade designing too’ there is a nice, snug burgundy pearl-studded wing collar ‘very challenge. We are going second-hand the street when it opened. Mel and for Topshop. “I started Retold to one, in perfect condition, for £12. A this-season Victoria Beckham for shopping, but for this season’s looks. I start our hunt for now-clothes- encourage people to see how vintage tweed blazer with an embellished £29’ and a 1980s party dress with Can we fi nd now clothes, without not-new-clothes next door, in the could be incorporated into a modern jewel collar is really quite Prada, and draped neckline and shoulder pads buying new clothes? Shelton Street branch of Rokit, wardrobe and look contemporary, only £45. If 90s sportswear is your in glittery black velvet, which is Buying clothes second-hand is, a vintage institution which has in the hope they would be inspired thing, you are spoilt for choice lots pure Anthony Vaccarello-era Saint after all, very fashionable. This is resold more than a million tonnes to shop vintage as an alternative to of Reebok and Adidas hoodies, for Laurent, for £25. To go with it, a sustainable retail therapy, a feel-good of preworn clothing since the fi rst buying new,” she says. This is a great about a tenner each. beaded evening bag is just £9. fashion fi x that doesn’t add to the branch opened in Camden market in season to source vintage because “so Holly Watkins is another fashion There are racks of trenchcoats, environmental problem of clothing 1986. The shopfl oor is vast, but Mel many trends lean towards the 70s, industry veteran and the founder piles of corduroys and acres of overproduction. In the US, the resale is dauntless. “Most vintage shops 80s and 90s”. of the online vintage boutique One high-waisted denim, as well as a market has grown 21 times faster than curate their pieces in a way that She tips hunting for trenchcoats, Scoop Store. “The preconception treasure trove of non-trend pieces, the retail market in the past three refl ects current trends,” she says. blazers, midi skirts and blouses to with vintage is that it’s all brown from ski wear to weekend bags. The years, with a ThredUp report this In minutes she has unearthed a channel the bourgeois-lady look, 1970s polyester dresses, massive circular economy is perfectly suited year predicting that the secondhand tan leather shirt very Loewe, but a as seen at Chloé and Burberry. leather jackets or badly fi tting tweed to fashion’s self-referential trend market could overtake fast fashion fraction of the price at £25. Leather, as seen at Bottega Veneta skirt suits, but that’s just not the case system. “Fashion is cyclical, after within a decade. In the UK, the Secondhand hunting requires and Isabel Marant this season, should these days.” all,” says Lewis. “You can pretty younger generation of shoppers are you to up your game as a shopper. be on your contemporary-vintage Her online edit features Molly much guarantee that the original of returning to a taste for secondhand Walk into a high street store and you hit list, too. Leather is abundant Goddard-esque ruffl es, brightly what you are looking for will be out that their parents’ generation, raised will see ready-made looks, glossily in secondhand stores, but Lewis coloured tailoring and 70s-style there.” – The Guardian 10 GULF TIMES Tuesday, January 14, 2020 COMMUNITY INFOGRAPHIC Tuesday, January 14, 2020 GULF TIMES 11 LIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE COMMUNITY Five ways to be upbeat

lead us further away from what we family, friends and members of your By Nell Frizzell truly value and what might really community can have a signifi cant make us happy. So, rather than eff ect on your overall level of aiming to be happy in the future, take satisfaction. There are hundreds of riting down the little actions now that make you feel ways to volunteer your time, energy good things that better. and skills to help others, meet people have happened and make connections along the way. during the day, Count your blessings Look on volunteeringmatters.org.uk getting out into “Gratitude work is one of the most to fi nd activities close to you. natureW and setting realistic goals can eff ective ways to increase happiness,” all help you achieve a more positive says Sally Baker, a senior therapist Go outside outlook at Working on the Body. “At the end There is much anecdotal and of your day, preferably just before scientifi c evidence that being in Have realistic aims sleep, jot down in a notebook all the nature, exercise, daylight and fresh Many of us would like to be things that happened to you during air can have a huge eff ect on your happier, but there is no quick fi x. “I the day that you are grateful for. In mood. As the NHS website puts would argue that becoming upbeat is challenging times, it can be diffi cult it: “Physical activity is known to an action,” says Dr Melanie Rendall, to recall anything to feel grateful for, be benefi cial for health, including the principal clinical psychologist at but as you commit to this nightly mental health. Ideally, individuals the Homerton University Hospital process more things will come to should take part in physical activity NHS foundation trust. “It is learning mind.” Barker says doing this for that they enjoy, which may include to take that small step in a direction three weeks will signifi cantly aff ect to come and go more easily,” he by acquiring the hallmarks of outdoor exercise.” That could be that moves us towards what is the way you view your life. says. “A quick way to do this is success. Professor Will MacAskill, running, wild swimming, sports, important to us, and making space to acknowledge feelings and fl ip a co-founder of Giving What gardening or walking to work. And on that journey for a mind that will Challenge negative thoughts thoughts. For example: ‘I’m feeling We Can and 80,000 Hours, has try to stick at it. As Baker says: “It invariably throw all sorts of nonsense Neil Morbey, of Positively Mindful, lonely and that’s OK. I don’t need to written: ‘Above an income of about takes 20 minutes of exercise before at us to send us off course.” Pressure says the paradox of being upbeat not feel lonely.” £20,000 a year, there is no increase the happiness endorphins are to feel a certain way – what Rendall is accepting that we can’t always in hedonic happiness.’ Instead, released in your brain, making you calls the “shoulds, oughts and be happy and we don’t need to be. Help others acting altruistically, donating that feel exhilarated and happy, so don’t musts” of a goal-oriented culture “Dropping the sense of need is a We are far more fulfi lled by income to a cause you care about give up at 19 minutes!” and relentless self-comparison – can quick way to allow negative emotions the feeling of helping others than and forming good relationships with – The Guardian

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

Some new equipment made available for your use might prove Today you could find yourself searching for a particular piece of Today you might find yourself working with an exciting group of fascinating, Aries, and you’re apt to want to learn as much as you can knowledge that you need in order to move on with something you’re people, Gemini. Perhaps this involves an opportunity to increase about how it works. Therefore, this is a great day to increase your doing, Taurus. You’ll probably find it, perhaps through a friend or your skills or a new project or even a whole new job. Your mind is computer skills. You might also want to try your hand at sound or colleague. Or else it might show itself suddenly, making you want to quick and especially innovative, so don’t be surprised if you’re able video recording. Art combined with modern technology could well shout, “Eureka!” After that, it’s smooth sailing all the way. to contribute far more than you would have expected. Don’t think be a primary focus for today. your eff orts will go unappreciated. CANCER LEO VIRGO June 21 — July 22 July 23 — August 22 August 23 — September 22

Social events could put you in touch with some exciting new people, Contacts made through friends or colleagues, perhaps younger Discussions with close friends, children, and partner take on an Cancer. They may either share a current interest of yours or bring people, might bring new ideas for bettering your home life, Leo. especially exciting aura today, Virgo. New information is likely to be you opportunities to expand your interests. A lot of stimulating Perhaps a new housemate wants to move in, you could install some circulated that might make a big diff erence both in your household discussions could well result. If you’re currently involved with new equipment, or you might even have the chance to move to a and in your community. It also could make a diff erence to your mind. someone, expect these developments to bring you closer together. roomier place. These are only ideas to be considered, however. Final A new field of interest, a new intellectual search, as well as improved If you aren’t, you could well meet someone new and exciting. decisions should wait for a later day. communication with those close to you could enrich your life LIBRA SCORPIO SAGITTARIUS September 23 — October 22 October 23 — November 21 November 22 — December 21

Visitors to your home today might engage you in discussions of Your mind is sharp, quick, and full of ideas, Scorpio. Discussions with Newspapers, books, and TV are apt to bring a lot of new, exciting, innovative ways to increase your income, Libra. This may either be others bring useful information that could well open new doors and useful information your way, Sagittarius. This might set your through the use of computers or through other forms of modern for you if you make the most of it. Group activities should prove mind going in such a direction as to bring new ideas for projects or technology. You might find that you have a talent for such activity especially stimulating for you at this time. By the end of the day, your business opportunities your way. Discussions with others who share that you never realised before. You also might be enticed into going brain should be buzzing. Take a walk and clear your head before you your interests could contribute even more. to a meeting or lecture on the subject. go to bed or else you’ll never be able to get to sleep. CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES December 22 — January 19 January 20 — February 18 February 19 — March 20

The opportunity to make a change in your life, which you may have Paperwork involving money could be a real drag today, Aquarius, Your mind always tends to be quick and agile, Pisces, but today you been contemplating for a long time, could finally manifest itself but someone close to you might just show you a way to get it done might find it going a thousand miles an hour as a result of intriguing today, Capricorn. This could be a move to a new neighbourhood, a quickly and eff iciently on computers or via another technological new information received through books, newspapers, television, return to school for an advanced degree, an entirely new profession, innovation. You might actually find that you like doing it this way. or the Internet. Discussions with others could also contribute. You or all of the above. Whichever it is, expect to spend a lot of time Your mind is especially sharp, so this is just the day to try to expand might decide to embrace some innovative new concepts that could throughout the day discussing it with friends and family. your intellectual horizons along with your technical skills. Go to it! lead to an expansion of your horizons. 12 GULF TIMES Tuesday, January 14, 2020 COMMUNITY CARTOONS/PUZZLES

Wordsearch Adam

Pooch Cafe

BLIPS SLIPKNOT HELIPORT FILLIP CLIPBOARD TULIPS MILLIPEDE FLIPPANT ECLIPSE CALIPER SLIPPAGE LIPSTICK FLIPCHART CLIPPER ELLIPSE SLIPCASE FLIPPER LOLLIPOP CALIPH SLIPPY FLIPFLOP COWSLIPS

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. Tuesday, January 14, 2020 GULF TIMES 13 PUZZLES COMMUNITY

Super Cryptic Clues Colouring

Across Down 1 Postponement causing 1 Father backed a horse - he’s a aversion (7,3) heathen (5) 7 The girl turned paler (7) 2 Art finalist took in gallery (4) 8 Birds having fun? (5) 4 Swift traveller (8) 10 Naval destroyer belonging to 5 Animals the queen worries me (4) about (7) 11 Grounds for having a coin sent 6 Star models posing for great out (8) painters (3,7) 13 Making a scene, in which 9 Become established in a spirits might be produced (6) Yorkshire town and an Ulster 15 See law broken by beast (6) county (6,4) 17 One who works with a will (8) 12 Composer butchers 18 Poke gently with a stick (4) composition (8) 21 Student leader gets ice cream 14 Flower for one with false and cake (5) name (7) 22 Tool observed by poor writer 16 Medical officer getting the (7) right parent (6) 23 The strange transience of fruit 19 Stratagems Rex employs (5) (10) 20 A religious image I study (4)

Solution Answers

Wordsearch Codeword 14 GULF TIMES Tuesday, January 14, 2020 COMMUNITY BOLLYWOOD Bollywood’s 700cr club: New reality or one-time strike?

CANDID: says: “I’m delighted with the love that audiences have showered on my last three films.”

Rani on married women with the love that audiences have being stereotyped: showered on my last three fi lms.” It’s regressive Rani has given power pact performances with , Actress Rani Mukerji says and in the it is regressive thinking on recent past. Mardaani, came right stereotyping actresses on the after her wedding. Hichki came basis of their marital status and after she welcomed her daughter parenthood. Adira and taken a sabbatical from “I have always believed in acting. letting my work do the talking “Over the years, I have seen and not pay heed to what the more and more women joining stereotypes said about actresses. the workforce of our country and Having been in the industry for being self-made, independent a while now, I’m aware of loose and ready to chase their dreams. I conversations like a woman see married women, women with ceases to be a leading actor once children balancing their work and she is married or how she can say personal life beautifully. They bye to her career if she becomes a have really helped change the mother. It’s regressive thinking,” perspective of society. I have been Rani said. an actor ever since I grew up,” she She added: “I’m delighted said. – IANS RECORD: Akshay Kumar has scripted a new chapter in the history of Indian showbiz by minting over Rs700 crore at the box off ice.

new to the audience, which is that fi gure,” he added. By Sugandha Rawal also commercial, then it will get It was in 2015 when Salman appreciated and get numbers well,” established the “Rs500 crore-in- Adarsh added. a-year club” with the success of one are the days According to a list by Bollywood Bajrangi Bhaijaan and Prem Ratan when Bollywood stars Hungama, Akshay minted Rs735.42 Dhan Payo. Bollywood’s eclectic rejoiced entering the crore last year, followed by Hrithik Ranveer Singh joined Salman in Rs500 crore-in-a-year Roshan who registered business of the club in 2018, with the help of club. It is the era of the Rs464.85 crore with his act as math Padmaavat and . newG Rs700 crore-in-a-year club – wiz Anand Kumar in Super 30 and “The number game keeps all thanks to Akshay Kumar. mega-hit War. on changing. There will be Backed by the success of In fact, Riteish Deshmukh had consistency when stars give four fi lms – Kesari, Mission ‘dhamaal’ at the box offi ce in 2019 something diff erent,” Adarsh Mangal, Housefull 4 and Good as he is third in the list by raking noted. Newwz – Akshay scripted a new in over Rs396 crore with three And it’s not all about having chapter in the history of Indian releases (Total Dhamaal, Housefull more releases in a year. showbiz by minting over Rs700 4 and Marjaavaan). Then there is “There has to be acceptance crore at the box offi ce in 2019. (Rs387.020 crore) for as well because overexposure BEAUTICIAN: Hina Khan says: “Taking care of skincare has to do with all Now, there’s going to be ripple 2 and War. can backfi re. Akshay picks right you eat as well.” eff ect in Bollywood showbiz Superstar Salman Khan is fi fth projects, which are entertainers,” with the tempering of box offi ce in the list with total of over Rs356 trade expert Vinod Mirani said. Hina’s tips for ‘healthy- to remove my eye make-up, so expectations in 2020, and top stars crore (for two fi lms – Bharat and With fi lms like 83, 3, looking skin’ it doesn’t aff ect my eyes in any reworking their strategy. Dabangg 3), who is followed by Angrezi Medium, Chehre, Radhe, way. Always rinse your eyes with Trade experts credit Akshay’s actor Ayushmann Khurrana with Coolie No. 1, Laxmmi Bomb, Actress Hina Khan has some cold water and keep them dry strategy behind achieving this business of Rs324.520 crore (Article Shamshera, Laal Singh Chaddha quick beauty tips that can be before putting on lenses,” said the feat, and believe that matching 15, Dream Girl and Bala). and Bachchan Pandey in pipeline, easily followed. Kasautii Zindagii Kay actress. his hit rate can be tough but not “Akshay comes out with four Indian cinema in 2020 will be “Taking care of skincare has to She recently kick-started impossible. fi lms in a year – that is why he can moving portrait of diverse stories, do with all you eat as well. Your the #Acuvue1DayChallenge “The volume of business is reach a new target. It is diffi cult for with projects led by superstars like skin needs hydration for which with an eye test and urged all increasing. Now, actors have to one individual with one release in Akshay, and Salman drinking 2-3 litres of water a day the millennials to be particular focus on content as well as box a year to get that fi gure. He played set to clash at the box offi ce. plus regular use of a moisturiser about their eye health as well. offi ce performance. The content smart by picking up diff erent The year 2020 will not only test is very, very important. Eat She asked people to take a free has to be good, because if the subjects. The choice of scripts were the might of stardom, but also healthy and all that should eye test along with a chance to content is appreciated by the good. If we see, War and Dabangg whether the Rs700 crore-in-a- ensure healthy-looking skin,” experience ACUVUE Contact audience, then box offi ce numbers 3, individually did good. But year club is here to stay or not. Hina said. Lenses free for a day. also follow. Akshay did four fi lms Akshay comes with more fi lms so “We can do better. But again She also spoke about the “What’s more, by participating last year, and all from diff erent he can get to that fi gure. Also, hats one needs to focus on box offi ce importance of eye health. in the challenge, a few lucky genres and touching diff erent off to audience who got that fi gure,” along with content. If you make “Good eyesight is defi nitely winners from each town also get topics,” trade analyst Taran Adarsh trade expert Rajesh Thadani said art-house movie, then you cannot the path forward to a clear and an opportunity to feature in a said. while breaking it down. expect to garner numbers. Our focused vision, hence it is very music video,” she said. “It is important for actors to “The others can do if they do audience needs entertainment important! And for me, till date, Meanwhile, her fi lm Hacked experiment as well. They should more fi lms, with one fi lm it is and that’s why you need to add my eyes have been a stress-free will hit the screens next month. try to give audience something new tough. They will have to rework entertainment into it,” Adarsh said. subject. I use a good cleanser – IANS every time. If you give something their strategy, probably, to reach – IANS Tuesday, January 14, 2020 GULF TIMES 15 HOLLYWOOD COMMUNITY Selena Gomez with 165mn Insta followers brings first pop album

the stately, Hot-100-topping Lose You to Love Me, widely thought to chronicle Gomez’s fi nal split from Bieber in 2018. “In two months you replaced us like it was easy,” she sings in an all-but-certain reference to Bieber’s taking up with Hailey Baldwin later that year. Yet even when she’s moaning a celebrity’s blues – or doling out clunky self-help affi rmations like Confi dence is throwing your heart through every brick wall – Gomez stays strikingly relatable on Rare. You’re drawn in by her confessions and accusations and by the occasional fl ash of wit; you root for her as you would a friend, never less than in Dance Again, where she sings about getting back to being on speaking terms with a body whose “trauma’s in remission.” It’s a reminder of how long she’s been with us – a veteran well short of her ROCK: Dwayne Johnson will 30th birthday. star in a single-camera comedy As a singer, Gomez understates series Young Rock. these heavy emotions instead of dramatising them. But her light Johnson to star in touch isn’t merely a strategic choice; comedy about his life she knows that sighs and mumbles can conjure a sense of intimacy all Wrestler-turned-actor the more valuable in stories we think Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson we’ve already heard. (You’d believe will star in a single-camera Gomez was emulating the whispery comedy series inspired by his Billie Eilish, whose brother Finneas life called Young Rock. turns up as a producer on Rare, if Though the show will focus Eilish hadn’t recently compared her on Johnson’s “formative smash Bad Guy to the theme song years”, the star will appear from Gomez’s old Disney series in every episode, reports Wizards of Waverly Place.) etonline.com There’s also an infectious Announced recently at spirit of adventure to the album’s the winter Television Critics arrangements that brings you Association press tour, NBC over to Gomez’s side. The singer has ordered 11 episodes of released a number of far-fl ung Young Rock. singles between Revival and Rare The pilot is co-written – including collaborations with by Fresh Off the Boat show’s Marshmello and Gucci Mane and Nahnatchka Khan and Jeff a track that prominently sampled Chiang. Talking Heads’ post-punk Psycho Johnson, who also hosts COME BACK: Selena Gomez has returned to music with Rare, her first album since the platinum-certified Revival in Killer – and here she continues Titan Games, will be the 2015. to dabble while staying inside her executive producer along voice’s relatively narrow comfort with longtime partners Dany former Disney Channel star who surrounded by dreamy synths zone: Vulnerable is a warm disco Garcia and Hiram Garcia. By Mikael Wood seemed to get into music initially to produced in part by Kid Cudi, jam; Ring rides a plinking acoustic Though it is still not sell more lunch boxes, hasn’t talked convinces you she’s trying to do groove that recalls Gotye’s known how the series will much about these events; what’s more than extend her brand. Somebody That I Used to Know; be, Johnson recently shared all this one Living known – or assumed – has come Indeed, Gomez – a willing Let Me Get Me has a faint Latin a Flashback Friday photo of Documented. mostly from the breathless media participant, let’s not forget, in the vibe, though it was concocted in himself as a “15 yr old punk Three months after coverage of her perpetually trending maintenance of her renown – cuts the studio by Mattman & Robin, kid”. the premiere of Living topic of a life. an unusually sympathetic fi gure a Swedish duo under the tutelage “(I was) forced to leave Undocumented – an She fi nally has her say on Rare, on Rare, which after years of crafty of Max Martin. (Other writers and Hawaii to live in Nashville, acclaimedC reality series about her third and most meaningful but inessential product introduces producers featured on Rare include TN – where I just enrolled undocumented immigrants that solo disc, which addresses both her as an artiste with distinct Justin Tranter, Julia Michaels, Ian in a new high school – and she helped shepherd to Netfl ix – the romantic and health-related sensitivities and a clear point of Kirkpatrick and Jason Evigan.) EVERYONE (students and Selena Gomez has returned to music matters as well as the overarching view. It opens with the slinky title At moments Gomez seems to be teachers) treated me like I with Rare, her fi rst album since the experience of being as closely track about a guy who doesn’t make working in the shadow of another had the plague and stayed platinum-certifi ed Revival in 2015. scrutinised as anyone with 165 her feel special in the way she knows kiddie-TV veteran, Ariana Grande, away because they were Fans of the pop singer and million followers on Instagram. she deserves. He (or someone like who used last year’s masterful all convinced I was an burgeoning fi lmmaker know “Is there a place where I can him) shows up again in Kinda Crazy, Thank U, Next to unpack a number undercover cop,” he wrote she’s been through plenty in the hide away?” she wonders in the a chewy funk-pop number in which of complicated incidents about alongside the photo. intervening half-decade, including LP’s closer, A Sweeter Place, before she calls him out for gaslighting her: which countless people had drawn “True story. I had a WILD breakups (and makeups) with Justin letting her mind wander to imagine “You’re the one who started talking their own conclusions. Rare isn’t and unbelievable life and Bieber and the Weeknd, struggles just such a spot: Out of the scene / to me. … And now you’re treating quite up to Grande’s level. But you journey as a kid and teenager.” with depression and anxiety, even Out in the wild … Up in the clouds / me like I’m insane.” have to cheer any pop star eager to The release date of Young a kidney transplant that stemmed Far from the crowds. The grievances get more specifi c put into her music what she might Rock is yet to be announced. from complications of lupus. So the poetry’s not the greatest. in Look at Her Now, about a young have put on Instagram. – IANS Yet the 27-year-old Gomez, a But the pleading tone of her voice, man who can’t handle fame, and – Los Angeles Times/TNS 16 GULF TIMES Tuesday, January 14, 2020 COMMUNITY ‘Poetry is my breath, cannot live without it’ Sameera Obaid, a Qatari writer, believes literature should be used to bring positive changes in people’s lives, writes Mudassir Raja

oha International Book Fair is in its full swing at Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC) where cultural programmes,D seminars, cultural evenings, lectures, workshops and book signing sessions as well as children’s activities continue to attract the public till January 18. Qatar Forum for Authors is a hub of activities as every day new books are launched and discussed at the kiosk where writers, predominantly Qatari authors, are seen sharing their thoughts on diff erent new books. Sameera Obaid is one such female Qatari writer who has been long been writing poetry, short stories and academic books. A graduate from Qatar University in Arabic Literature, she is a critic, publisher, artist, pianist besides being a poet, writer and the literature teacher at the university. Speaking to Community about her new book Washm Hareb min Alteen and about literature, Sameera said, “I am also a publisher. I am part of diff erent Arab literary societies. I run Cultural Saloon in Doha. This is a literary society promoting not only Qatari literature but Arabic literature as well. In Arabic we call it Albnfasij. I have so far written four poetry books. One of my books is SHORT STORIES: Washm Hareb min Alteen is an anthology of short stories. purely academic explaining how to write literary and creative pieces. started writing my memories. In satisfaction over how much interest Three books contain short stories. my school, I was the part of the Qatari women are taking in the Currently, I am doing my fellowship fi rst team that started the school literature and creative writings. with the Ministry of Culture and magazine. I collected the works of all “There are more female Qatari Sports.” girls who were writing poetry in the writers than their male counterparts. Washm Hareb min is an anthology “There are more female school at that time.” Literature is more popular among of short stories. “There are stories Since then poetry and creative women. We have diff erent literary about myself and about diff erent Qatari writers than their male writings have become a part of forums that encourage women people. Some stories are true and Sameera’s life. “Poetry is my breath. writers to publish their books. some are fi ctional. There are 16 short counterparts. Literature is more It is my life. I cannot live without We also work with female writers stories and some stories are only two poetry and music. Whenever there other than Qataris. I also work with sentences long.” popular among women. We have is some situation I feel strongly writers from other countries.” The short stories have also been about, I write about it. I feel myself The poetess feels further translated into Urdu by Obaid Tahir, diff erent literary forums that a diff erent person. I note down the encouraged by the presence of an Indian expatriate who works with happenings and my memories and the platform of Qatar Forum for Qatar Radio. It is named as Naqsh- encourage women writers to then from my memories I write Authors for the Qatari authors. “It e-Guraizan. Reading the interesting poetry. I prefer and write in blank was started in 2016. We have the stories with attention makes it publish their books. We also work verse. The fi rst poetic piece I ever booth for the forum at the book fair clearer that the author at many wrote was, I think, in 1979.” since 2018. Any Qatari writer who places is alluding to the ongoing with female writers other than The poetess considers that art is has published a book can come to Gulf crisis – the unjust blockade of for the life sake. “Life is base of my the forum and promote his or her Qatar. Her underlying strain is that Qataris. I also work with writers writings. I believe in bringing about book. I also work with forum as the Gulf region cannot be divided as positive changes through literature a supervisor. Every day, we have the people cannot move away from from other countries” and art. It is my way of life to try around 20 people coming to us and their origin. and work for betterment of society talking about their books. This year, Sameera has been writing from — Sameera Obaid, through my writings. I am also an there are so many Qatari women very early age. “I started writing artist/painter. I explain life not only who has brought their books to diaries noting down my memories. Qatari writer and poet in words but also in colours.” the fair. Here they can meet other I think I was 11-year-old when I Sameera expresses her writers and exchange their views.”