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TUESDAY 4 APRIL 2017 CAMPUS | 3 LIFESTYLE | 8 BOLLYWOODD | 1111 Qatar UUniversity hosts Decoration trends People ‘insecure’re’ annual meeting to revamp in film industry:y: of SETAC your home Vikram Bhatt Email: [email protected] NAMING TRADITION Chinese parents have sought for centuries: an auspicious name for their newborn and they got people to offer it. Nowadays, entrepreneurs have turned this naming tradition into a lucrative online business. P | 4-5 TUESDAY 4 APRIL 2017 CAMPUS 03 CNA-Q hosts 2nd annual ‘Souk Areej min Baladi’ ollege of the North Atlantic- Qatar (CNA-Q) hosted its second annual ‘Souk Areej min Baladi’ (Flavours of my Homeland) event recently. C The campus courtyard was transformed into a bustling souk as students from 16 nationalities displayed their traditions and heritage through art, crafts, dancing, stage performances, and food. Qatar University hosts annual meeting of SETAC atar University (QU) hosted delivered by professionals and on March 21-22 this year’s undergraduate and graduate stu- Qannual meeting of the dents. QU student Noor Al Naimi Society for Environmental Tox- won the top undergraduate icology and Chemistry (SETAC). poster, while QU PhD student Themed “Environmental Kavita Nair, who is studying the Quality in the GCC: Addressing development of a sustainable the Challenges”, the meeting is solution to the environmental sponsored by QU and ExxonMo- impacts of chemical insecticide bil Qatar. It brought together over use in Qatar, was awarded the 90 delegates and representatives top student presentation. of government, academia and Dr Christopher Warren and (right) Prof Mariam Al Maadeed. In her remarks, Prof Mariam industry from the GCC countries. Graduate Studies, Prof Mariam Spill-Related Research and Mon- Al Maadeed said: “The meeting They had the opportunity to net- Al Maadeed; SETAC Arabian Gulf itoring 25 years after the Gulf Oil gives credibility to the fact that work and discuss the current and Branch President, Dr Christopher Spill”, “Assessing Environmen- Qatar University’s researchers future needs for environment Warren; and SETAC members tal Impacts and Ecosystem have been equipped to use state- research and development, and from the GCC countries, as well Well-Being”, and “Addressing of-the-art resources to conduct management and education. as QU faculty, students and staff. Future Challenges to Environ- cutting-edge research in marine Attendees included, QU Vice- The event’s programme fea- mental Quality”. Also on the science, atmospheric science, and President for Research and tured three sessions entitled “Oil programme was a poster session earth and terrestrial sciences.” 04 COVER STORY TUESDAY 4 APRIL 2017 China’s ancient rite goes online over time Beijing believed that a well-chosen name service Qimingtong, which essen- late 2014 with her business partner, AFP can ensure a lifetime of good tially means “Clear Naming.” Chen Jun, after working for two fortune. “They realise that the name will decades as a newspaper reporter n a one-room shop tucked inside Unlike in English, where one follow their child for their entire life, while pursuing a hobby helping a Beijing alley, a bearded draws from a lexicon of Josephs and be judged by their employers and friends and colleagues name their I74-year-old man in crimson Richards, a Chinese name can be have an impact on their values.” children. Qimingtong’s software tunic offers what Chinese parents created from any combination of Qimingtong operates almost uses an algorithm to compile the have sought for centuries: an aus- two or three characters. entirely online, with parents filling best names for a child based on picious name for their newborn. And for many Chinese parents, out web questionnaires and Zhang their parents’ responses to a per- But business has been tough making the right choice has become offering consultation services sonality quiz. It has been used by lately for Mao Shandong and oth- even more imperative as they seek through the popular messaging app more than 10,000 people. ers in his trade as tech-savvy to help their children stand out in WeChat. Zhang and her employees also entrepreneurs have turned the the world’s most populous A quick web search reveals help name dozens of newborns ancient naming tradition into a country. more than a hundred such busi- every day either via walk-ins or lucrative online business. “Parents care more and more nesses in China, each promising online consultations. “We can’t make a living these about personal brand,” said Zhang names that will pave the way for Rates range from 400 yuan days,” lamented Mao. Ruxin, the 37-year-old co-founder future success. ($60) to 10,000 yuan for a private Chinese have for centuries of the Beijing-based naming Zhang founded Qimingtong in consultation with Zhang. TUESDAY 4 APRIL 2017 COVER STORY 05 Liu Qiang, a police officer in central Henan province, and his wife wanted to use a modern naming method that still accounts for “bazi” -- the traditional belief in a destiny determined by one’s date of birth. “Bazi” or “eight characters,” refers to the eight digits denoting the year, month, date and hour of birth. It is believed to deter- mine the natural elements present in one’s life, such as metal, wood, water, fire and earth. A name can compensate for the elements that a child lacks. Liu’s son lacked a wood element, so Qim- ingtong named him “Bailin,” combining the characters for cypress tree and a mythical, dragon-like creature from Chinese folklore to create a name which his parents hope will help him forge a unique identity. “We want him to realise his personal dreams,” said Liu, 39. Chinese looking to move abroad or work for international companies may also seek help choosing an English name. At Lindsay Jernigan’s first job in Shanghai, she worked alongside Apple, Yoyo and Eleven. The last co-worker’s English name, inspired Two years ago she founded BestEnglishName. online, but we’re the only ones that truly under- by a Liverpool footballer’s jersey number, reg- com, which charges 248 yuan for a 30-minute stand the Chinese mentality,” Jernigan said. ularly caused confusion. Was the meeting with consultation via WeChat. “Naming is a way of self-expression. The Eleven, or at 11 am? Was she making a reserva- Some clients request English names that still demand is definitely here.” Not everyone shares tion for Eleven, or for 11 people? adhere to “bazi”, forcing Jernigan to get creative. her optimism. While her company was filled with “really If someone wants a water element, she may sug- Mao said he is ready to abandon his fortune- smart, driven” professionals, Jernigan, a 27-year- gest “Brook,” “Morgan” (a water sprite in Welsh), telling business, even as he scorns his rivals in old American, feared their names would hurt or “Lindsay,” which means “Linden trees by the the naming industry. “All those websites, they’re their prospects in English-speaking work water.” the scams,” he said with a sigh. “They don’t truly environments. “Of course you can just get lists of names understand Chinese tradition.” 06 COMMUNITY / MARKETPLACE TUESDAY 4 APRIL 2017 Centrepoint launches SS17 collection egional fashion retailer, Cen- sophisticated hues of purple, blue trepoint, recently launched and yellow; allowing guests to see Rits fabulous collection for a the key pieces come to life. stylish Spring Summer 2017 (SS17) The SS17 collection is comprised at the beautiful rooftop of Land- of nautical styling with a neo-twist mark Tower. with colourful stripes seen in both The prestigious event intro- an optical re-arrangement and in duced the region’s top tier media the classical nautical style for and fashion influencers to a range women. Fashionists can show off of trendy and contemporary fash- their pretty feet in a range of floral- ion, footwear and accessories for printed sandals and feminine to suit every woman’s style senti- sneakers, and formal leather loaf- women, men, teens and tots. pearl-detailed wedges this season. ment complete the Spring Summer ers. A pretty palette of pinks for little The presentation primarily Ladies can choose from a range of look As for men, the collection is girls and bright aquatic greens and showcased the style inspiration fashionable accessories to comple- inspired by 90s graphic styling blues help dapper tots and teens from Centrepoint’s Spring Summer ment their summer outfits with teamed with modern minimalism. get ready for the season. collection. Models, including men, lighter tones embellished with Men can put their best foot for- The main inspiration behind the woman and children, strutted on a Swarovski crystals and bright bohe- ward from a range of trendy collection this season is distinctive styled runway, amidst the season mian prints on bags. A range of matt, footwear, with a collection of smart styles and trendy looks to add glam- backdrop campaign colours in glossy and frosty makeup shades and comfortable sandals, high-top our to the Spring Summer night! Q-Malayalam holds annual celebration -Malayalam, a prominent Alansiyar said that the current socio-literary organisa- socio-political situation in India Qtion of Keralite is worrying due to the rising expatriates in Qatar, organised influence of the fascist forces. recently the Q-Malayalam- “Fascism is born when the gov- Smile Hypermarket ernment tries to stifle freedom Sargasayahnam 2017 Cultural of expression and tries to con- Conference’ at the Indian Cul- trol the actions and words of tural Centre in Doha. the people,” he said. Sargasayahnam is the At the function, Alansiyar annual celebration of the organ- released the book “Khubhoos- isation which is marked by inuParayanullathu’ by handing several cultural programmes in over a copy to the Smile Hyper- Mwani Qatar marks World which hundreds of people par- market official Fayas Abdul ticipate.