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The Philosopher of Sumail Pg24 Vol.7 Issue 76
II January - February 2016
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Xclusive
24 The Philosopher of Sumail In the days of yore, just before Oman’s renaissance, there lived an Omani scholar, who literally, singlehandedly, lit the dark arenas of illiteracy, ignorance, doubt and its allied problems, with his wise and learned approach.
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Bitter Batter
Chicken fungi We bought the grilled chicken and we kept in the fridge for two just days and on the third morning when I took it out, believe it or not, the whole chicken was lathered in fungus! It was an ugly sight...
Contents
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Go look yourself in the mirror
Why do men try to look good? For themselves? Hardly! It is always for someone else, and mostly for their women. But, while they may do the usual, clothe themselves with expensive attire and matching footwear, there are many things they tend to forget, but which women notice and also feel a bit yuck about.
Published by: Muscat Press & Publishing House SAOC Black & White Postal address: P O Box 86, PC 115, Madinat Sultan Qaboos Office location: Hatat House A, II Floor, Suite No: 212, Wadi Adai Ph: +968 24565697 Fax: 24565496 Website: www.blackandwhiteoman.com Editorial: editor@blackandwhiteoman.com Printed at Oman Printers January - February 2016
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Woman’s intuition – real or humbug?
So much is said about women’s intuition that one takes it as part of the package. But some have stopped to ponder whether it is real, or just a myth. Scientific research do point out that women have the ability to read facial expressions of emotions better than men.
Chairman Editor-in-chief Managing editor Work editor Editorial Marketing Design & production Photographer
Mohamed Issa Al Zadjali Mohamed Al Balushi Priya Arunkumar Adarsh Madhavan Khadija Al Zadjali Salwa Al Rumhi Beneek Sirajudeen Najib Al Balushi
All about X, Y & Z
No love, no ‘SALE’ By Adarsh Madhavan I think it is high time that we run a competition – an annual one to determine which is the most serviceoriented, customer friendly outlet in the country. By outlet, I mean, anything that is out there in the market, any shop, any supermarket, hypermarket, any thing out there that is kept for sale, including food, cosmetics, clothes, vehicles, et al. And I would go for an annual contest because if we were to run a competition for just one day, then mark my words, we are NOT going to have any winners! That is my not-so-humble opinion. You may object. But, I beg to differ. Imagine if we just went out and did a lightning test of all the shops in town. Each and every one…do you think anyone will win this sudden litmus test? Maybe, maybe not! If we give them prior warning, if we advertise well enough, if we dangle the carrot of a huge and a mammoth prize and great prestige attached with the prize (maybe make it like the Pulitzer of Customer Service) then perhaps we will see some interest and a change in the mind set of those out there who are selling items for people’s consumption. Otherwise, if we do a random poll now, I mean, right now, I doubt we will have real winners. Of course, I don’t want to paint everyone with the same cynical brush; there would be those out there with an impeccable track record of service to customers, but these may sink like a stone in the ocean of mediocrity and rank carelessness displayed among those in the SALE market here. People who sell do not care. They care a hoot about the customers. Yes, of course, in the dawn of their sales, they maybe good, even great to their customers, but the moment they get their name, their fame and their money, they tend to forget; a kind of foggy amnesia sets in their brains and they display an arrogant attitude of take-it-or-leave-it, which unfortunately even becomes a policy that those in the upper echelons of management blindly believe is the right one to follow while the poor and innocent customers
duly do their ‘duty’ to be loyal to their product as well as their once-favourite shop-stall-outlet-supermarketmedical store-car showroom-restaurant…etc. You may want to prove me wrong and would claim that you have just stepped out of your favourite neighbourhood store and they have had treated you in an impeccable manner and that they have known you for years and they treat you like family. Maybe, after all these years, you may be like family to them or vice versa. But, what about miserable me, who was standing in the same line and was three shoppers behind you? You did not see me and neither did the one at the counter; for the counter man, I was just an invisible shopper. For him, I did not exist! So, they treat you like family and they treat me like something the neighbourhood cat brought home? Eh? But, no, this is not about ME! I want you to avoid these potholes of doubt in what I claim here. I want you to imagine yourself getting into a problem; a kind of situation where a costly item you bought went kaput in a day’s time; your vegetables or fruits got rotten in a day; your chicken got spoilt and you went back to them…and see how they behave! Of course, to you, the ‘family’, they may still behave…but what about the other man or the other woman who mean nothing to them? We cannot of course, instil a policy of goodness in the approach of those in the sales field, but the time has come that they find a way out and make them be good, really good to their customers. Don’t mind me; let me bark here from the sidelines, but just see how some of the favourite shops are no longer your favourites anymore? Have you wondered why? Well, these shops or outlets or stores no longer make you feel cared for, special or good. These shops no longer treat their customers with love. They are too filled with their own grandness that they have forget the basic fact – if they cannot build customer loyalty, they are going to lose. And they failed to build up customer loyalty because they failed to show love. editor@blackandwhiteoman.com
Mail your views and opinions at editor@blackandwhiteoman.com
Get it right, please! There are plenty of reasons why both the citizens and residents of this beautiful country should think before they commit to more spending this year and the years to follow. Austerity is the mode that we are all in and that is what we hope to follow for quite some time starting now. It has been very clearly stated that 2016 is expected to be a very challenging year for Oman and the region as a whole. But, having said that, there is a great need to understand that no one is making any doomsday statements! All that is said is that we should tighten our belts and so let us not make a big hue and cry about it. If there is no money in the kitty, we will not be spending on every whim, right? So, let us just follow the pattern when we realise and understand that we do not have that much money to spend so we will go quite tight with our purse. But, that does not mean we will not buy the essentials! That does not mean we are all going to starve! So, it is high time that the message is not diluted or given a new form, which it obviously is not stating. Could we get our perspectives right, please?! Mubarak Al Hashmi, Al Khuwair
Readers column
Let the tough get going When times are hard, it is also time for us to put in more effort, more energy and soul into whatever work we are doing; hold ourselves in and strive with more vigour to achieve more in our work, in our lives, in everything. This is what has been told to us, taught to us and by this 6
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time, we should have been ingrained into this mode of thinking. When the going gets tough, the tough should get going, right? Ahmed bin Suleiman Al Harthy, Seeb.
Responsible journalism is the need of the hour I don’t know if there is panic in the hearts of some people in town, but there is definitely a good amount of worry. And this is primarily caused by the noise raised by sections of the media, social media etc who seem to take perfect glee in raising panic among their readers by making a mountain of an austerity molehill. Yes, oil prices have caused a dent in the market on various fronts and the general idea is to rein in expenses from all fronts. This is evident in the rather hasty cutting of benefits to staff of several government-based agencies and similar axing of staff and other means of cost cutting. When there is a need to cut expenses, it has to be followed but then drastic measures that affect the well being of staff; sudden knee-jerk reactions are not what any authority is propounding. And these unnecessary highlighting of small issues in the market does not bode well. Journalists should be responsible and that means when we are all facing a tight situation, we should all unite to climb over this challenge; let us not vitiate the scene or create panic. That is not journalism!! Mathew Fernandes, Ruwi
Low salary vs price hike I am not worried about the current situation which calls for the tightening of belts. I think that is perfectly alright! But, what worries me is the sudden price hike. Is this commensurate with the salary hike? No! Not at all! Salaries are not being hiked and even if they are, the common increase would only be by OMR10. Do you think that it is in anyway justified in such a scenario? I agree with the point that there is a need to tighten the belts
and most companies are making a remarkable attempt at that, but that should not be at the expense of the employees! The employees have to go out into the market and live a life of austerity but are battered from one end by low salaries or let us say rather stagnant salaries and price hikes in the market from the other end. So, how will that help? Let us find a solution for this! Abigail Salvo, Qurum
‘Missing’ … (Check B&W website: www.blackandwhiteoman.com) Missing fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, husbands, wives… Over the period of years, there are cases of missing persons – mostly from India -- who land in the Gulf States, including Oman, and then suddenly disappear. A good portion of them hail from Kerala. But, Pravasalokam, a Malayalam show in the popular Kairali channel, which
began with the simple premise to help these families find their loved ones, has become compulsive viewing for millions of Keralite migrants living in the Gulf states, including Oman. The B&W website (www.blackandwhiteoman.com) focuses on the travails of these families and also chats up with the local representative of Pravasalokam.
Go look yourself in the
MIRROR! Why do men try to look good? For themselves? Hardly! It is always for someone else, and mostly for their women. But, while they may do the usual, clothe themselves with expensive attire and matching footwear, there are many things they tend to forget, but which women notice and also feel a bit yuck about. Now, let us ask you to do a quick appraisal:
THE BREATHALYZER First, your breath. Do you have good, decent breath, or is it something that would make someone faint? Most of the time men are blissfully unaware of their bad breath because, in all realities, they don’t have a clue as to how they breathe. But, if you really want to know, just lick the back of your hand, wait and smell. If you wake up after 10 minutes after that exercise, please be rest assured that such bad breath is a big killer. Use everything you have got: fight it with toothbrush, toothpaste, mouth wash, lesser onions…and if you still faint after the test, then see a dentist and check for possible infections. SWEET NOT SWEAT SMELLING Since we are on the subject of smell, let us look at the overall picture too. Are you a ‘sweatacholic’? Then, make sure that you have the right dose of showers. And when you shower, please make sure that you have your share of a proper soap. Good, decent, smelling soap. Or, at least a good after shave or deodorant. But, don’t make a mish mash of it. Don’t make a cocktail of manly scents, which could prove to be a put off too.
Men read
NOSE AND EAR HAIR SPROUTS Come close, let us have a look at your nostrils and ears. If there is growth there, get rid of it please. Yes, it is difficult, for most men, when the hair starts disappearing from the scalp it seems to sprout from elsewhere. But, please get rid of it as it is a sure fry put off.
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PRUNE THOSE EYEBROWS If you are on the task of getting rid off hair from the nose and the ear, please take a look at your eyebrows too. If they are too bushy, do take time to prune them too. But, this is best done with the help of experts. Go to a salon. TRIM THOSE ER, TALONS Now, let us not delay this any longer. If people look at your face and find the faults there, they are also equally liable to notice your hands. Especially, if you are shaking someone else’s hands. And if they find dirty or ragged fingernails on you, mind it, they are a real turnoff. The least you could do, if you don’t want to get a manicure is to trim them regularly. PUT YOUR FOOT DOWN Ok, more than the hands, it is the feet that most men ignore. And, most men have bad, neglected feet. Of course, you are a man and may think who cares, but your partner will care. If not a pedicure, at least a trim, please. And regularly. Try out a pumice stone and sand away the dead skin and do soak your feet whenever possible. CUT IT SHORT, PLEASE In this age of harsh competition, stress, strain and pain, one is bound to lose their hair. Thinning hair is mostly the norm today, but it is certainly not in. So, don’t hide it with longer hair, or elaborate styling. The best way out of it is to cut it short and style it. Rest assured you will look better when you own up.
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Entrepreneurship can be taught in schools, but it is by no means an easy task, says a young Omani entrepreneur. “It is neither art, nor science,” says Qais Al-Khonji, owner of Qais United Enterprises Trading and Genesis International.
Spirit of ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Oman watch
Qais made the above comments in a recent interview – cover page --with the prestigious UK-based quarterly magazine and online news portal, Business Worldwide. ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR The magazine recently announced the winners of its International Entrepreneur Awards 2015. Qais Al-Khonji was one of the winners. Under the Mena region, Qais won the ‘Entrepreneur of the Year, Oman’ and also the ‘social entrepreneur of the year, Oman’. In the widely covered article on Qais, the magazine
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profiled his spirit of entrepreneurship, which led him to sail in unchartered waters, despite being part of a major Omani business conglomerate, Al Khonji Group. But, Qais Al Khonji’s brave move to go it alone proved to be quite successful. And today, with two successful companies under his belt, Qais is looking to bring more people on similar paths like the one he has trailblazed. A particular dream he has is to see the setting up of the right type of infrastructure in Oman that will groom young, school-age entrepreneurs and also help and support the functioning of SME’s.
MORE FOCUSSED APPROACH NEEDED He hopes to see far more focussed government funding initiatives for entrepreneurship aimed at school-age youngsters. “It’s not really about how much money the government is prepared to put in to educating school pupils, rather it’s what they’re doing to encourage the studentss to learn. What’s the use of investing let’ss say 100k for instance, and it being spent nt on programmes which neither inspire nor or enthuse their target audience?” he told Business Worldwide. Instead, what is required equired is to have a “plan with a realistic time-frame ame and a strategy that we know is going to work. Ultimately there has to be a vision. Let’ss start with a pilot project first and see what we achieve ve from that. We can then build on the rest.” NOT EASY TO TEACH ENTREPRENEURISM However, he concurred that teaching entrepreneurism in school was not easy. Especially, the theory part of entrepreneurism. “…it has to be taught using case studies and practical examples.” Qais suggested that the students – grades 10 to 12 – should be assigned to projects and told what to accomplish. Thereby, they will have a direct understanding of the importance of cash flow, and gain proper insight into other salient factors necessary for business success. Becoming an entrepreneur is not without risks. There are ups and downs, highs and lows and one has to learn from mistakes, Qais notes, adding that he has learnt from his own mistakes. His first company, which imported goods from China to Oman, failed. This he attributes to the fact he didn’t have a smart enough marketing strategy and the Omani market wasn’t big enough (there were too many global brands to compete with). He also believes it’s easier for entrepreneurs to kick off in the service sector. The reason, for this, he explains is down to customisation ie the ability to make a service your own by adding something to make it distinct. “That way you have control over your business,” he tells Business Worldwide.
to the smaller businessman/woman”. b i / ” In this interview, Qais also voiced out several requirements, which he said was essential for encouraging entrepreneurship in Oman: LESS BUREAUCRACY It can be extremely slow in Oman to get a business off the ground, Qais says. This is due to the fact licensing can take ages to come through “and yet time is money and could lead to minimising the survival lifetime of a start-up.” MORE ACCEPTANCE At the moment there are two options open to young people in Oman job-wise. These are to either go into government, or the private sector. Entrepreneurship is a way to create employment and ultimately jobs too, Qais says. BETTER FINANCE An Angel Investment sector operating in Oman within a couple of years. At the moment there are plenty of ideas but no one to back them up financially, says the entrepreneur. He says either the government or the private sector must look to this initiative. “That’s because a business can only go so far until a big investor is onboard and then it can soar.” He admits partnership isn’t always easy, but “it is essential”.
SEPARATE TENDER BOARD FOR SME’S Qais is lobbying for a separate tender board for SME’s “so that they don’t have to compete on the same level with large corporate firms, and which will prove far fairer
(Qais is also the director of the government-funded Sharakah project. Created by Royal Decree back in 1998, this is designed to educate and encourage Omani entrepreneurs.) 11
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CADILLAC SRX – Luxury in every aspect Cadillac’s luxury crossover is distinguished by striking angles and refined details, while its signature shield grille offers expressive depth. Flanking the grille are Cadillac’s iconic vertical headlamps, with light pipe technology and available adaptive forward lighting technology that turns the lamps in the direction of the front wheels.
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It offers a roomy interior, with seating for five and a large cargo area. Its design is classic Cadillac, with luxury that touches every aspect of the vehicle, from the technologydrenched dashboard and highperformance powertrain to the exclusive comfort and convenience features designed to surpass expectations. The SRX’s interior is defined by Cadillac’s signature blend of luxury and technology, centered on Cadillac’s CUE (Cadillac User 12
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Experience). The CUE pairs entertainment and information data from up to 10 Bluetooth-enabled mobile devices, USBs, SD cards and MP3 players with a vehicle infotainment system that reduces complexity through customised information and fewer buttons and larger icons. The comprehensive, invehicle experience is designed to be unique for each consumer, from the “simple user” to the fully connected “super user.”
SRX offers active noise cancellation, which uses microphones to detect ambient noise, the frequencies of which are processed by a computer that directs counteracting sound waves through the audio system to tailor the sound quality and character inside the cabin.
For a quieter driving experience, the
In addition, Cadillac provides
Cadillac SRX provides a standard NHTSA 5-Star overall crash safety rating, the highest safety rating available.
available advanced safety in the based on Cadillac’s “control and alert” strategy that employs advanced technologies – including radar, cameras and ultrasonic sensors – to help prevent crashes. The safety features bolster driver vision and awareness of road hazards, and can even assist to help the driver avert potential crashes. In certain situations, Cadillac’s advanced crash-avoidance systems, such as automatic braking, can prefill and automatically apply braking in response to potential hazards.
SRX is offered in two option collections: Luxury and Premium, with all-wheel drive offered on all models. All are powered by a directinjected 3.6L V-6 rated at an SAEcertified 308 horsepower and 358 Nm of torque. Cadillac has been a leading luxury auto brand since 1902. Today Cadillac is growing globally, driven by an expanding product portfolio featuring dramatic design and technology. Described as luxurious, having a bold and daring personality,
being tough and strong as well as safe and powerful, Cadillac has maintained an iconic presence for over 85 years in the Middle East. The Cadillac portfolio in the Middle East features award-winning passenger cars ATS, CTS and XTS as well as the SRX crossover and Escalade SUV. Cadillac also offers customers a high-level aftersales service experience through the Premium Care Programme. For more information, please visit www.cadillacarabia.com. 13
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O
Somehow I failed to nail this…
wall he t ff
By Adarsh Madhavan There is a problem with my nails. No, no they are healthy. In fact, they are very healthy and they are so healthy that I sometimes wonder why. Compared to other parts of my body, my nails are the healthiest, while my skin and rest of it seem to be peeling off the flesh and the bones are creaking and unable to withstand even this skinny self, my nails trundle on seemingly oblivious of age’s depredation on me. And the only physical problem that I can talk about my nails could be my in-growing toenails (but that is not the issue here). They grow faster than I could cut them. They grow long, the cuticles go frayed and sometimes I get gnarly hangnails, ugh! In this age of overzealous manicure and pedicure among men too, I am somehow a throwback; I get left behind in the grooming race, portraying the impulses more of a caveman than that of a modern man. And this is quite evident when sometimes at important meets I innocently unfurl my claws, er, I mean, my fingers and then suddenly spot the left index finger nail growing out of shape and definitely longer than its right counterpart and to make matters worse, I realise that the ugly misshapen half moon on my left thumb was because I had forgotten to cut the nail there last time when I had randomly run a nail cutter there.
Off the wall
Fortunately or unfortunately, the truth is that I cut my nails almost every week, yet, they grow so fast that with my failing memory, I often curse myself for having forgotten to cut them while in actuality, I had cut them only the week before. Even in my current case I had cut them only last week, but this week, they are back, ungainly, unruly and plain ugly. “Oh, Adarsh, do you have a license to carry that small ‘dagger’ around?” Yup, sometimes the uncut thumb tend to look like mini-daggers! Therefore I take great pains to cut them, but I am not a good manicurist or a pedicurist. I just cut them. I do that with the same lack of interest that I display in most things in my life. Of course, I don’t have any bad habits such as nibbling or biting my nails. I know of people who do and they do it probably out of stress or just plainly without any reason. I am 14
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also prone to stress, perhaps more than anyone else and if I had perhaps taken to biting my nails I would not have such ungainly growth embarrassing me on important occasions. I know I can’t dress well, and I know I have a malformed body and therefore the only decent thing I should by all means do is to comb my hair well and cut my nails out of existence. Talk about my hair, well, when I had them in plenty it used to be called a crow’s nest and now when I try in vain to cover the barren land atop my head with the wisps and tufts that remain over the years, it still stands either at end like the ones on a cat frightened out of its wits, or it would look like a failed attempt to look hip. Enough said about my hair though. Let us just focus on my nails and I must really be honest with the fact that my nails have not really given me the trouble it gives many. I mean, I have not been stuck with the usual nail afflictions. No nail discolourations, thickened nails or ridged nails or any fungus problems. Thankfully, none so far! Nothing more than in growing toe nails and that too not because of my nails, rather because of rank disregard when I cut them. I cut the nails according to my whims and fancies. I cut them sometimes too close, sometimes I make a half moon of them or sometimes, stiff and straight. It is never ever the same. If I really had my way though, I will never cut and just let it grow. But I am desperately trying to hold my own in a civilised world and I must do all in my means to at least fake it. Of course, there are times when I dearly wish that my hair would grow like my nails! adarsh@blackandwhiteoman.com
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Volkswagen announces Muscat Qualifier results of 2016 Volkswagen, represented in Oman by Wattayah Motors, has announced the conclusion of Muscat Qualifiers of the 2016 Volkswagen Junior Masters Oman U-13 Football Tournament. The qualifiers saw five teams ‘ALWOSHIL’, ‘Al Jazeera’, ‘Muscat Grass Roots’, ‘Muscat football academy’ and ‘Professional’, make their way to the final Oman qualifiers on February 13, in Muscat. The Muscat Qualifiers was split into three groups – A, B and C; with four teams each in Groups A and B and three teams in Group C. The top two teams from Group A, ‘ALWOSHIL’ and ‘Al Jazeera’, together with the top two teams from Group B, ‘Muscat Grass Roots’ and ‘Muscat football academy’, will now make their way to the finals for the Oman Qualifiers. Securing the final spot and joining the other seven teams in the Oman Qualifiers are the winners of Group C, ‘Professional’.
Andrew Squires, general manager of Wattayah Motors congratulated the five teams from Muscat on making it to the final Oman qualifiers.“We have witnessed an incredible show of skill, sportsmanship and team work from each of the teams that participated in the qualifiers this year, both from Sohar and Muscat. With such a high calibre of talent on the field, topping the Oman Qualifiers is no doubt going to be a challenge for each of the participating teams,” he said. The top two teams from the Oman Qualifiers will then join those from Kuwait, Qatar, Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the Volkswagen Junior Masters
Middle East 2016 Tournament, which will be held in Dubai, UAE on March 4 and 5, 2016. The winner of the finals will then be crowned Volkswagen Junior Masters Middle East Champions. The winners of the Middle East finals will then head to Paris in May 2016 to represent the region at the Volkswagen World Junior Masters. This international youth tournament, is aimed at all players under the age of 13 who will first compete in regional qualifiers. Call: 24 500 450 or visit www.volkswagen-oman.com.
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Third ‘Back 2 Business Oman’ event attracts Oman’s business community The Oman American Business Center, in collaboration with the British Business Forum, European Business Persons Group, and the Australian Business Group, recently organised the third ‘Back2Business Oman’, the largest business networking event in the Sultanate. Held at the Grand Hyatt Muscat with Bank of Beirut as the main sponsor, the event brought together business leaders, social media experts, ambassadors, investors, local businesses, and professionals from across GCC. Ramy Zambarakji, Ceo Bank of Beirut-Oman, commented, “Back to Business Oman presents a valuable platform of information for all professional sectors across the country. As the main sponsor, it offers us a unique opportunity to meet members of the business community, get acquainted with their point of view and tap into their expertise. With products designed to promote the growth of businesses, it enables us to make our financial services more accessible to them and allows us to provide guidance, advice and customised services that businesses and individuals need in order to prosper and grow. As our sponsorship of this event confirms, at Bank 16
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of Beirut-Oman we are always eager to demonstrate our support for the sustainable growth of business enterprises in Oman.” “Back to Business continues to live up to its spirit of gathering the most influential business organisations from different sectors under one umbrella to facilitate economic development in Oman,” said Galina Prokhina, corporate coordinator at Oman American Business Center. “Our Back to Business committee is looking forward to start planning for next year’s event. We have been inspired by the attendees’ feedback and have great ideas to pursue for the future event in 2017.”
Oil and gas ministry signs EPSA agreement with Hydrocarbon Finder The ministry of oil and gas signed a new Exploration and Production Sharing Agreement (EPSA) with Hydrocarbon Finder recently. The agreement was signed between Dr Mohammed bin Hamad Al Rumhy, minister of oil and gas and Suleiman Mohammed Yahya Al Adawi the chairman of the company. Under the agreement the
company will explore and produce Hydrocarbon in Block 7, which occupies an area of 2,331 km2 and located in governorate of Al-Wasta. The Block is one of the producing blocks in Oman with three oil fields that added oil production in Oman during the past decade. The commitments of the company under this agreement are to
reinterpretation of the existing data, Acquire 3D seismic surveys, perform studies, operational support and drilling number of development and exploration wells. The ministry of oil and gas said that the company’s efforts will bear fruit, discovering hydrocarbons, which will increase reserves and production rates in the country.
More than 100K ads on OLX in Oman by the end of October 2015 The OLX, an online classified website in the MENA region, recently revealed statistics on the classified ads its users in Oman have published from January till October 2015. The total number of ads reached 102,742 with a total product value of OMR 22.6 million (USD 60 million) which is double the number of international flights in Muscat International Airport by end of August 2015. The report revealed that the most searched car brands on the OLX website, and its accompanying mobile applications in Oman during the same period were Toyota, Nissan, Jeep, BMW, Honda and Mitsubishi. Regarding secondhand items, the report revealed that the most searched items were: beds, sofas, TVs, furniture, ACs, fridges, tables, washing machines, mobile phones
and cameras. The report also revealed that mobile phones and mobile accessories topped the list of most listed items across all categories with a total product value of OMR 1,501,392 spread across 13,440 ads, that is over four times the number of current dial-up internet service subscribers in Oman; Next in line were computers and tablets reaching 5,700 ads with a total product value of OMR 572,406, that is enough to supply all computer labs in every private school in Oman. Furniture ads took the third place with 3,655 ads and a total value of OMR 497,629. Just behind furniture was the gaming platforms category with a total product value of OMR 367,939 across 5,796 ads. Fridges were in the fifth place with 1,082 ads and a total value of OMR 101,982.
Ooredoo appoints new deputy chief financial officer Ooredoo has welcomed Abdul Razzaq Al Balushi as its new Deputy Chief Finance Officer in the top layer of the organisation. Initially on an international executive mobility programme with Ooredoo Group, he will then return to resume his responsibilities in Ooredoo Oman. Abdul Razzaq brings an impressive 24 years of multidisciplinary experience and expertise to his Ooredoo role, having held financial leader positions in finance, banking, treasury, budgets and accounts and having worked in strategy and corporate planning, as well as investment and risk management amongst other areas. Prior to joining Ooredoo, Al Balushi’s high-powered career included positions with Oman Trading International Operations in the UAE, HSBC, Oman LNG LLC, Oman Shipping Company SAOG and Aldersgate Partners.
“Abdul Razzaq will be a great asset to the Ooredoo Family. A champion of change who encourages creativity in his team, he is a highlydynamic professional with a reputation for results. I am excited to see him apply his considerable skills to our operations,” said Greg Young, Ooredoo CEO. A graduate of Strathclyde University UK, and the College of Banking and Financial Studies Oman with a Masters of Business Administration, Abdul Razzaq is also a Certified Treasury & Finance Professional and holds Certificates in Accounts, Banking & Trade. 17
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Photocentre introduces hi-tech machine for personalised photo books Photocentre has announced the introduction of an all-new Swissmade Imaging Solutions AG fastBook10 CF machine capable of binding custom-made high-quality personal photo books in a matter of minutes. Photocentre is also amongst the first companies in Oman to incorporate this new state-of-the-art compact bookbinding solution. “We have always given customer convenience and product quality our highest priority. In the age of digital photography we need to remember to print out those special
memories for safekeeping and for sharing with friends and family, and a personalised photo book is a great way to publish your images in one professional printed and bound book,” said Mohammad Al Farei, managing director of Photocentre. “We have earned a reputation for providing high-quality personal photo book services for over three years, however, the popularity of this service has increased dramatically over the past few years. I believe that with the installation of this state of the art machine we have a unique,
quality proposition that delivers the highest quality photo books to Photocentre customers,” he said.
Sidewalk Bistro and Health Café – where taste meets health! Golden Spoon Group – one of the largest hospitality chain in Oman recently inaugurated Sidewalk Bistro and Health Café at Qurum CCC. A 100 per cent Omani brand, Sidewalk is a new generation Bistro and Health Café that has a wide menu bursting with various exquisite and wholesome health food creations and combinations. Saad Al Balushi, managing director, Golden Spoon Group said: “Sidewalk is a vibrant health café that will surely appeal to the youth and elders alike. We
have a large and extensive selection of exotic and sumptuous foods including breakfast and brunch specials, coffee, milkshakes and juices.
Sidewalk is also joining the health revolution by offering lean and muscle building meal plans for the determined individuals who are interested in having portion controlled dietary meals in the course of the day. Basically, we have something for everyone. "To celebrate its grand opening, we are announcing the launch of a 30 day weight loss challenge in which our clients have a chance to win 100 rials and a healthy shape!”
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Bahwan Healthcare Centre wins Best Distributor Award from Agfa Bahwan Healthcare Centre (BHC) has been adjudged as the Best Distributor by one of its leading principals, Agfa HealthCare for achieving the highest growth in the entire Gulf Cooperation Council countries during the year 2015. Bahwan Healthcare has won this recognition for achieving over 400 per cent growth over 2014 in medical Imaging and IT segments. In a gala award ceremony during the Middle East AGFA distributors meeting held recently in Dubai, Abdullah Nasrallah from Bahwan Healthcare Centre received the award from Jan Leeuws, managing director – Middle East, Agfa Healthcare. BHC is the authorised distributor for Oman for Agfa HealthCare medical Imaging equipments (Diagnostic and enterprise imaging) in Oman for over seven years and 18
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has installed several systems in many hospitals across Oman. Some of the key installations include PACS (Picture Archival and Communication Systems) at Armed Force Hospital Muscat, Armed Forces Hospital Salalah and First Ceiling Suspended Digital X-ray System at Khoula Hospital and several other places.
Khimji’s Watches showcases Oris Thelonious Monk Limited Edition Khimji’s Watches – the home of luxury in Oman – is now showcasing Oris Thelonious Monk Limited Edition timepieces at its showroom in Shatti Al Qurum. The Oris Thelonious Monk Limited Edition is a tribute to the incomparable talents of one of America’s finest jazz pianists and composers - Thelonious Monk. The revolutionary pianist Thelonious Monk (1917 - 1982) was one of the guiding lights of modern jazz. He is remembered in particular for his use of dissonance in his music and for the unorthodox approach to the piano, which combined a highly percussive attack with abrupt, dramatic use of silences and hesitations. In 1944, he wrote Round Midnight, which has since become the most recorded jazz standard composed by a jazz musician.
The Oris Thelonious Monk Limited Edition is a celebration of Monk’s distinctive style and talent. The 40mm steel watch has a sunray finished smoke blue dial with polished dots and has the uncommon arrangement of 11 minute markers between the 10 and 12-hour markers, a nod to Monk’s dissonant technique. On the reverse, the case back is engraved with the words ‘MONK ALWAYS KNOW’, referring to one of Monk’s many memorable quips inspired by the letters on his custom-made ring. To audiences, the ring appeared to say ‘KNOW’, but when approached, he would explain it read ‘MONK’. To view these exclusive timepieces, visit the Khimji’s Watches showroom located at Way No. 3036, Building No. 2825, Al Ufouq Building, Shatti Al Qurum, Muscat.
Oman Avenues Mall celebrates its 3rd level for patrons Oman Avenues mall, the Sultanate’s largest shopping destination, invited customers to “discover a whole new level” with the recent openings of retailers on the third floor of the mall, which includes Pinz Bowling Center, Bab Idris –Lebanese Cuisine, Eatalian- Pastas & Pizzas, Body & Sole Spa for Women and last but not the least the Oman Avenues Mall party hall. The party hall is the first of its kind inside any shopping mall in Oman and can accommodate up to 400 people. The space includes two large
halls and a glass fronted terrace with outdoor space. A state of the art audio visual system is on hand making the hall perfect for corporate and social functions, celebrations and events. The Oman Avenues Mall has been keeping its promise, of unique and different offerings in Oman by adding brands and making the mall a shopping destination with a fun-filled experience and a place for all. Commenting on the third floor retailers, Ben Watson, general manager of Oman Avenues mall,
said, Oman Avenues mall, has added some unique and fabulous offerings for its valued customers, and we as a team, are consistently working hard to make this shopping mall a one stop family shopping destination.
Resplendent Republic Day celebrations at ISD The 67th Republic Day of India was celebrated at Indian School Darsait. The chief guest Indian ambassador Indra Mani Pandey, who was the chief guest, unfurled the Indian tricolours and he also received the guard of honour from the march past contingents of four houses Bapu, C.V Raman, Tagore and Vivekananda. Pandey read out the highlights of the address of the Indian president to the nation on the eve of the Republic Day. Addressing the gathering, the chief guest implored the audience to exhibit their commitment to the enduring democratic institution that India represented.
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Nine teams from Muscat qualify for Neymar Jr's five Oman final The first and second local qualifiers for the Neymar Jr’s Five event were held last weekend at Boshar and Al Mabela. The top 10 teams to come out on top at the Red Bull event will go on to compete against the best footballers in the country. Preparations are now underway in Sohar and Nizwa for the next local qualifiers from February 19 to 20. The events will be held at Fariq Al Arabi playing field in Sohar and Hay Al Durath in Nizwa. An additional qualifier will be held in Salalah the following week in search of the top teams to participate in the country final on March 4. More than 35 countries from six continents are participating in the global five - a side football tournament that comes with a twist – it does not include goalkeepers and players have to score a goal and eliminate a player from the opposing team. The game goes on for 10 minutes until the whole team is eliminated.
The national champions will advance to the finals in July in Praia Grande, where Neymar Jr grew up, started his professional career and lately founded “Instituto Projeto Neymar Jr”. The world final will be held in July at the Instituto Projeto Neymar Jr in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil. The institute’s aim is to offer extracurricular educational and sporting activities to the most socially disadvantaged children and families to promote social inclusion and encourage participation in the community. The Instituto Projeto Neymar Jr was opened in 2014 and is the second ‘FutbolNet’ programme in Brazil in partnership with FC Barcelona Foundation after a first was set up in the favelas in Rio de Janeiro two years earlier. The winner of the World Final will recieve a trip to Barcelona, accompanied by Neymar Jr to attend one of the team games.
Saraya Bandar Jissah conducts
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over 10 successful and all-inclusive CSR campaigns
Saraya Bandar Jissah, developers of Muscat’s newest integrated tourism complex, have since inception formed close bonds with the local community through a wide range of community based initiatives. In 2015, the company has made thoughtful and meaningful contributions to the local society, enriching and uplifting their lives and surroundings. Beginning from community development initiatives to charitable activities and sponsorships, Saraya Bandar Jissah has been at the forefront of corporate social responsibility trends in the Sultanate. Sheikh Hamood bin Sultan Al Hosni, Ceo of Saraya Bandar Jissah remarked on the importance of building string ties with the local community. He noted, “At Saraya Bandar Jissah, we have always made thoughtful investments on the corporate responsibility front as it is an integral part of our company’s philosophy. 20
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Our initiatives in 2015 encompassed community development, educational and social activities as well as celebrations of national milestones. We are very proud of the accomplishments made last year and look forward to extending these initiatives to newer and more relevant spheres in 2016.” Saleh bin Sultan Al Sharji, senior CSR officer at Saraya Bandar Jissah remarked, “As developers of prime real estate in the Sultanate, we intend on making contributions in the fields we have thorough knowledge and expertise in. Over the course of 2015, it was our pleasure to present the completed football pitch to the community of Qantab in addition to conducting a number of educational programmes. In due course, we look forward to handing over the Majlis which will be a great source of pride to the community as well for us at Saraya Bandar Jissah.
Blood Donation Camp by Bahwan Healthcare Centre Bahwan Healthcare Centre’s fourth annual blood donation camp held recently at the Bahwan Medical Centre in Al Khuwair attracted hundreds of volunteers once again. The camp is one of the Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives of Bahwan Healthcare Centre (BHC), a flagship company of Suhail Bahwan Group. Volunteers from all walks of life, including working professionals, housewives, youngsters and employees of Suhail Bahwan Group companies, donated over 120 units of blood in a span of five hours.
The camp was organised in association with the Central Blood Bank (CBB), Department of Blood Services, Ministry of Health. Dr Sabria Al Hashmi, director, Department of Blood Services, who graced the occasion, appreciated the CSR activities of the BHC. She also presented a memento to Ahmed Al Kharousi, a well-known volunteer, who has donated blood more than 100 times. Volunteers from the BHC and staff members from the CBB ensured that donors were taken through the process of basic medical check-up and blood collection in a seamless manner.
Volkswagen Oman sponsors SChemE Academic Activities for 2015/2016 Volkswagen Oman, represented by Wattayah motors, has announced its sponsorship of the Society of Chemical Engineering (SChemE); for the academic year 2015/2016. A non-profit student led society, SChemE was established and authorised by the College of Engineering at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) in 2001 to support the development of students’ skills and knowledge of chemical engineering. The society organises various activities and programmes throughout the year for chemical engineering students for various universities and colleges across the country. These activities include gatherings, engineering challenges and a Cheme car competition among others. The sponsorship by Volkswagen Oman will support SChemE with major activates in 2016. Andrew Squires, general manager of Volkswagen Oman said, “Aside from fostering team work, student led societies like SChemE foster leadership skills and teamwork, whilst enhancing communication and the exchange of expertise and knowledge between students from different educational institutes in the Sultanate. He continued, “Contests such as their Cheme car competition further enhance student knowledge and
ability whilst showcasing the incredible talent, ingenuity and skill of students in the Sultanate. Given its overall benefits to the community, we believe it is our responsibility to support such initiatives and do our part in fostering the development of the youth in the country.” Thanking Volkswagen Oman for their support, Dr Farouq Sabri Mjali, the supervisor of SChemE said, “On behalf of everyone at SChemE, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Volkswagen Oman for their support. Their valuable contribution will go a long way towards ensuring the success of our planned events for this year.” 21
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Bank Muscat wins Barclays STP award Bank Muscat has won a prestigious straight through processing (STP) award from Barclays Bank in recognition of operational excellence in the field of British Pound (GBP) payments processing. The award recognised the bank’s exceptional quality of SWIFT messages on GBP payment, maintaining an outstanding errorfree rate for remittances of over 96 percent. The award was based on evaluation of the quality and accuracy of SWIFT payment messages routed through Barclays Bank. The bank’s central operations electronic payments department, treasury back office and Global
Trade Services department are handling fund transfer operations while the technical and security issues are handled by the Systems & Procedures department. Barclays Bank is among Bank Muscat’s prominent correspondent bank for British Pound payments.
Representatives of Barclays Bank commended the operational teams involved in processing GBP payments at Bank Muscat for the error-free rate maintained consistently throughout the high volume of remittances processed during 2014.
Bank Sohar – main sponsor for ‘Najm Al Shabab’ Bank Sohar has sponsored Shabab FM’s live show ‘Najm Al Shabab” where a singing competition is being broadcast from beginning of January till end of March. Commenting on sponsoring the competition, Munira Abdulnabi Macki, general manager of human resources and corporate support at Bank Sohar mentioned, “At Bank Sohar, we take great pride in showcasing Oman in the best light, and highlighting the immense talent
pool that the Sultanate has to offer. We are pleased to join hands with the popular, local radio channel, Shabab FM in bringing to life their new show ‘Najm Al Shabab’ which aims to discover the most talented singers in the Nation. We are also confident that this live show will be a great hit with listeners across the country and wish all the participants the best of luck.” The ‘Najm Al Shabab’ programme is aired live every Wednesday at 7pm
on Shabab FM. It comprises of a vocals competition where talented new singers are introduced to audiences. Listeners are encouraged to vote for the contestants by SMS for their best performers. The winners from each round go forward to the next round, until they reach the grand final, with the supreme winners gaining widespread recognition and winning lucrative prizes.
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ISD organises annual day celebrations Indian School Darsait organised its 23rd annual day celebrations at Le Grand Hall, Al-Falaj Hotel recently. The chief guest Indra Mani Pandey, Indian ambassador inaugurated the function by lighting the lamp in the presence of Sushma Indra Mani Pandey, guests of honour His Highness Said Ali bin Badar Al Busaidy, member of the Royal Family, Dr Abdullah Al Futaisi, executive president of Oman Medical Specialty Board and special guest Sheikh Badar Hamad Al Taie, managing director, Badar Shipping Group, Abdul Rahim Kasim, president of the school management committee and members of the school management committee, 22
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principal, administrators, staff, students, media, parents and well wishers.
In Black & White
In Black... Sheikh Khalfan Al Siyabi broke down complex issues into small, simple facts that even a child could understand. This is why he was able to solve many issues that were brought to him by people. Mohamed Issa Al Zadjali Chairman WISE MAN OF SUMAIL Wise men are born as well as made. One cannot say with certainty that wise men are born with a fount of wisdom, or that they gain their wisdom over the period of time. It can be both. Actually, I would say that it's both: wise men are born and made. What we can say for sure is that Oman is a country blessed with many wise men. Over the period of years, this country has witnessed so many men of letters, scholars, educationists, philosophers and the like. In fact, from every region you hear of someone like that – of high intellect and thought; of wisdom, of great vision, someone who is there, standing like a rock in the stormy seas; like a beacon of light in an arena of darkness. Oman’s path to glory, to modernity and beyond is paved with tales of the intellectual exploits of these wise men. One such name that comes readily into mind is that of Sheikh Khalfan bin Jumail Al Siyabi, the scholar, philosopher from Sumail. Although I never had the honour of meeting him, I had heard quite a lot about him from my own elders. They used to speak about him with great reverence. He was a man of immense wisdom, his knowledge was profound, his experience vast, but more importantly, he was a man of great patience, and someone who could explain the most complex or abstract issue in a very simple, layman manner.
This is an important aspect in scholars, because not every learned man is able to simplify a scholarly aspect or thought. This is the reason why most men of letters or big scholars are not understood by the common man. But, Sheikh Khalfan Al Siyabi broke down complex issues into small, simple facts that even a child could understand. This is why he was able to solve many issues that were brought to him by people. Disputes and related issues used to get solved in a matter of time when it was dealt with by Sheikh Khalfan Siyabi. He was also known for his writings, his compilations and these were also greatly beneficial to the common man. He lived and breathed knowledge and he was so generous in spreading it to all those around him. People used to be in awe and respect of him and you bring his name up even today, there is still great admiration and reverence of this wise man from Sumail. I am really happy that we, at the Black & White, are able to put together whatever information that we have obtained to highlight this scholar.
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The Philosopher
of Sumail
In the days of yore, just before Oman’s renaissance, there lived an Omani scholar, who literally, singlehandedly, lit the dark arenas of illiteracy, ignorance, doubt and its allied problems, with his wise and learned approach. A man of immense wisdom, Sheikh Khalfan bin Jumail Al Siyabi (who is now no more) was not only ahead of his time but also self taught in all arenas of education and beyond, streaming into the realms of philosophy. He was literally a beacon of light to all around him in the little village of Sumail and its surrounding areas. Black & White strolls back in time to reveal some nuggets of information of a man of extraordinary means -- a broker of peace among warring factions, a man of reason, a writer, a scholar, a philosopher, all rolled into one.
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Khalid Yahya Khalfan Al Siyabi holds one of the
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books written by Sheikh Khalfan Siyabi.
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An old photo of Sheikh Khalfan bin Jumail Al Siyabi
In the crack of dawn, Sheikh Khalfan bin Jumail Al Siyabi, slowly opened the door of his modest dwelling, set in a small village of Sumail and stepped out. He had slept quite late, and had actually only a few winks of sleep. Yet, it would not take a long time for Sheikh Khalfan Al Siyabi to stir himself awake and make himself ready for the world. He peered into the still dark layers outside his home and he saw some shapes huddled together in the corner of the road before his home. “Salaimalaiyukum!” he greeted them, quickly recognising them to be people. But, he was not sure whether it was the villagers that he knew, or visitors. He was used to both. But, not this early in the day! People trooped to his home for all kinds of needs and requirement – mostly verbal reassurances to get on with their lives. Yes, they were not from the village – they were outsiders. Sheikh Khalfan Siyabi greeted them once again and invited them to his home. He quickly directed members of his household to provide them tea and breakfast.
After they had relaxed and rested, the visitors – four of them – from a neighbouring village, began detailing their story. They were actually in a quandary. It was a very private issue concerning a member of their village, who was a direct relative of their village head. It was an issue of conflict that also involved two other members of another village and the problem had now moved from bad to worse. “If things get out of hand, there was a chance that it would become a fight between two villages!” the visitors told Sheikh Khalfan Siyabi. And they wanted to prevent that. But why were they consulting Sheikh Khalfan Siyabi about this? 27
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The first-ever Quran school in Sumail region.
THAT WAS THE ISSUE! It is a known fact that Sheikh Khalfan Siyabi was a learned man, a scholar, a writer, and a philosopher. That status also made him a target of many who were embroiled in various dilemmas to approach him and ask his advice. And Sheikh Khalfan Siyabi who was known for his patience, humility and care, made sure that everyone got a patient hearing and whenever and wherever possible, unleashed his full efforts to settle issues.
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And to the current issue that these visitors had brought him too, he applied his sagacious wisdom. He told them to work on certain grey areas. He gave them several clues and hints to tackle the issue and advised them to move quickly on two points of great importance, and then to slowly but surely work on the other less pressing points. Although there was no reason for him to even entertain the request, he went in depth into the issue and asked them to work on the points which were to be immediately tackled and asked them to report back in three to four days. In a few days time, the visitors reported back saying that everything was going according to plan and the issue was on its way to being sorted out. Sure enough, a week or so later, the issue was solved. The above is just an example of how Sheikh Khalfan would have solved a problem. 28
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GRANDSON SPEAKS “My grandfather was sought after by many -- be it for advice, consultations, solutions,” says Khalid Yahya Khalfan Al Siyabi, a grandson of Sheikh Khalfan Siyabi, who lived in Sumail and resided just next door where his sagely grandfather lived. The latter met us in Sumail to give us an idea about this grand scholar and philosopher of yore. One important point that Khalid Siyabi made was that although Sheikh Khalfan Siyabi was such a learned man, a prolific writer and a philosopher all rolled into one, he still did not live in an ivory tower. “There are so many things one should know about my grandfather but the important factor was that he treated each and every person with respect, love and care. And he also tackled big and small problems in the same manner. He was not a man who refused to attend to trivial cases and dismiss those who brought such non issues to him. He always realised that for those with a problem, it was a major issue for them. He always listened, he always advised, he never turned anyone away – that was his greatness!” THE MYSTIQUE STILL UNVEILED Khalid, being a grandson, could not outline all the main
The renovated interiors of the Quran school today.
details of his grandfather. He could only pass on the bits and pieces that he knew about his grandfather. But the beauty of what little information that he gave us helped add to the mystique of the philosopher of Sumail. Far from being a paragon of learning, he made good use of whatever he learnt to impart it to those who had little or no education. More importantly, when he taught them, he elucidated the points in such a simple manner that it was not just accepted but understood too. ISLAMIC SCHOLAR Khalid took us to those moments back in time and focused primarily on Sheikh Khalfan Siyabi’s role as an Islamic scholar. “In the earlier days, reading or writing was the prerogative of the privileged! There were no books, libraries or even schools. People lived on the advices they obtained from the elders in the family; from the wise men of the village. These were the only guidance they obtained. “In those times, my grandfather was the one of the most sought after man. Villagers came in droves for advices and discussions. He was considered and accepted as the learned one, the scholar,” Khalid Siyabi explained to Black & White.
Sheikh Khalfan Siyabi used to compile various questions and answers/solutions in book format. He wrote five unique books that remained the main reference point for many in Sumail and the nearby regions. Those were books on various subjects, including human values, general home remedies, general information on daily living, amongst others. “I used to be wonderstruck when my father and other elders in the family narrated various tales and the unusual abilities of my grandfather. He was a man who was sought after by many for advises, solutions, consultations, discussions, theories and problems. Many looked upon him as a guide to many social and cultural activities of the society. It was surprising that he could create handwritten guides and books, encapsulating the thoughts and norms of how to live in a society. All this in an era when even the bare essentials were unavailable! The question most of us would ask is, how did he know so much;where did he gain this unusual wisdom from; how did he know the answers to so many questions, many of them quite profound? Well, he had his own wisdom, plus the life experiences and a knowhow of whatever happened around globally during that time. Those who travelled often bought back news and tit bits of information. But, this was all!” 29
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Two generations at the doorstep of the centuries' old mud house of Sheikh Khalfan.
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Sheikh Khalfan Al Siyabi had 11 children (two boys and nine girls). One of the sons, Yahya bin Khalfan Al Siyabi, who is Khalid’s father, is seen greeting His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said in this undated picture on the wall of Khalid's home. Yahya Al Siyabi served as an advisor in the government in the early 70’s.
NECESSITY THE MOTHER OF INVENTION Khalid Siyabi noted how most of the solutions passed on to the community by his grandfather were raised out of necessity. “Life was quite challenging then. The modernity that you see around today was not existent. People lived in mud dwellings and there was scarcity of water and electricity. Here too the ingenuity of my grandfather should be commended, for he made a make shift arrangement to light up the lives of the community. LITERALLY GIVING LIGHT “He was instrumental then in creating a small handmade wick lamp with kerosene and oils. This was born out of sheer necessity to extend the life and better the lives of people around him. The small lamp created interest in many, from near and far, who come to watch how a flicker of light bettered the lives of that village. It created awe and respect and the word spread around!” QURAN SCHOOLS AND IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION Sheikh Khalfan Siyabi strongly believed in the power of education and knowledge transfer. “This was probably one of the mains reasons that made him document all facts and solutions in books. He started the first-ever Quran school in Sumail region and propagated the
fact that the Holy Quran was an unending fountain of knowledge. The Holy Quran, according to him, gave an abundance of knowledge to the society. Though the schooling and education then was limited to the Quran schools, which was held under trees, it created an awareness to know more. The younger generation was given the hope of a new dawn!” A VORACIOUS READER With limited resources, everything was deemed to be challenging. That did not limit Sheikh Khalfan Siyabi who was an avid, nay, a voracious reader. He just read anything and everything that he could get his hands on. Words enlightened him and he passed it on to all of those around him. The economic status was a common factor to all. “There were very few who were rich and the resources were quite minimal or in most cases, obsolete, but that did not deter the strong will of my grandfather, who took it upon himself to spread the word around. Reading was one of his main passions that ignited his will to teach and preach to the people living in his society. People from far and near started talking about him and as the word spread, so did the people who approached 31
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Ruins of the 100 odd years old home of Sheikh Khalfan.
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The majlis that was built for the villagers in the memory of the philosopher.
him for various consultations. He taught many of them the nuances of life as he perceived and comprehended it.” AUTHOR OF FIVE BOOKS Khalid Siyabi reminded us how at a time when neither reading nor writing existed, his grandfather was meticulously documenting the facts of life, gleaned from his own wisdom and life experience. “As you are aware, the reading habit was quite scarce and virtually no one was writing then. But, my grandfather documented
whatever he learnt, life experiences, solutions and advices, verses… He documented these in five handwritten books. One of the books actually feature 28,000 questions and answers, which is quite a task, even today. My grandfather was a self-taught man, but more importantly, he encapsulated his earnings and teachings into books, with an intention to guide and enlighten the future generation too. Probably, this was what made him stand apart from those around him. Those books were one of the earliest reference books and is quite popular and widely read even today!” RENOVATED AND PRESERVED It is quite clear that Sheikh Khalfan Siyabi was not just revered by the people around him. His family adored him. They respected the towering personality that he was and made sure that they proudly preserved whatever he wrote. “My father and uncles were very proud of having such a great man in the family. They thought it as their duty to uphold the philosophy and teachings of my grandfather. They renovated the mosque in which he used to pray and function. They also preserved the school and reprinted the books so that the knowledge is passed on to the future. A Majlis room is also built in the memory of our grandfather and is used today by the village elders and other community members.” 33
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Mohamed Said Mohamed Al Mukladhi, a resident of the village.
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Problem solver “Sheikh Khalfan Al Siyabi is considered one of the finest and most learned scholars of Sumail and in Oman. In those days, word of mouth about the learned man in our village brought people to Sumail; they travelled far and wide to meet him and get his guidance on well, almost anything and everything! We have heard about him at some point in time in Sumail. ‘Sheikh Khalfan solved all of our problems!’ that used to be the popular saying about him by our elders!”
Text: Adarsh Madhavan & Priya Arunkumar, Photos: Najib 34
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Sunny side up
Hang ups, clichés and all those things that make me see red
Bikram Vohra, internationallyknown Gulf based scribe
By Bikram Vohra
Do you have hang ups, like blind spots that make you see red? I do. Nothing gets me more riled up than someone not looking up from behind a counter when I speak to them. They’ll keep doing their work or talking among themselves and you are saying, excuse me, with that horrible ingratiating whiney tone and he or she isn’t even recognising your existence. Like, that makes me mad. About as mad as those cretins who park their cars over two spaces, the tyres eight inches into the second square and you want to throttle them because it is so inconsiderate and what were thinking when they parked their cars, couldn’t they see that big white swathe of paint, what did they think it was, art? And what vehicle is it, a 1.4 litre toy car not even the excuse of an SUV. Then you have the world’s most annoying air passengers who entertain you from waiting lounge to doors closing with their mobile phone conversations, giving some poor sod at the other end a blow by blow account of the progress of his flight. Flight is announced. We are getting on. I am in my seat, it’s a window. Hurrah. I’ll be back Saturday (couldn’t you have told them that before leaving for the airport?) how are the kids (you left them one hour ago they haven’t run away)? Don’t forget to pay the electricity bill. And then the whole song is repeated when the plane lands. Frantic dialing even before the wheels have stopped smoking. I have landed. We are taxiing to the bay. We are getting off. I am getting up. Any news? What do you want from Duty Free? I’ll take a cab. See you in the hour. Then you have the verbal tyrants. They come into a meeting and well into it they say, can I be honest? Say what? You’ve been lying all this time, taking us to the cleaners. Otherwise, they’ll say, in my personal opinion… as opposed to what, your impersonal opinion?
The pompous one who says, I am the sort of guy who calls a spade a spade. Yeah, really,what do you think we do, look at the spade and say, uhmmmmm, this is a trowel or a shearer. Then you have that inevitable fellow who goes up your nose with his, I don’t mean to hurt anyone’s feelings (yes, you do) but I have to be blunt (so all this time you were the sharpest tool in the shed) and there is nothing personal about it, totally subjective (hahahahaha). Up there on the irritation factor is the guy who says we should all think out of the box. My point is why are we in the box in the first place. And what box are we talking about. The little attaché case, a wooden chest or simply a cardboard square. My four favourite ‘can I scream’ corporate verbal scams: Are we on the same page? (I don’t know, what book are you reading?) You have to hit the ground running (really, and what if I fall and break a leg, huh, ever seen someone hit the ground running when he jumps off a bus? We need to get our ducks in a row. (What ducks, this is office, not a funfair, why should we get our ducks in a row, might as well get coconuts.) We have to be seen to be going forward (like we have been going backwards all these months, who thinks these up). Here is one I read from a business house addressed to all staff; ‘Thank you for your inputs. As we restructure and climb the strategic staircase, seeking granuality in the procedures to be adopted, we are assessing and mitigating immediate impacts and developing a high-level overview to help frame the corporate ethos with our customers and key stakeholders. In the meantime, please continue to raise specific concerns or questions about projects ensuring that as we reallocate our resources we have to tighten our belts and ensure that we achieve maximum potential. Until such time all initiatives are on hold. I think he means no. 35
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Kidstuff
Fun facts about
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Jannuar January ua y - February Febru Fe Febru bruuary a y 2016 20016 16
Blaackk & White Black White Whit Whi Wh te
Cupcakes are not a new invention. They are actually over 200 years old. The term ‘cupcake’ was originally used in the late 19th century for cakes made from ingredients measured by the cupful. The name “cupcake” comes from how recipe was measured: 1 cup butter, 2 cups sugar, 3 cups flour, and 4 eggs. Apparently 13 percent of brides decide to serve cupcakes at their wedding as opposed to the traditional wedding cake. October 18th is National Chocolate Cupcake Day. December 15th is National Lemon Cupcake Day. Original cupcake recipes were not frosted, and usually were usually just flavored with spices or dried fruit. In Britain cupcakes are called fairy cakes. Fairy cakes use a lighter glacé icing compared to the butter cream used by American bakers. They also are traditionally made with a lighter sponge cake as opposed to the thicker butter cakes used in our cupcakes. In Australia they are called patty cakes. On August 15, 2009 Gourmet Gift Baskets.com broke the world record for largest cupcake ever made. The cupcake was 1,224 pounds, 4 foot tall by 10 foot wide, and had 2 million calories. Early cupcakes were baked in teacups or ramekins (small clay pots) before the invention of the multi-cup pans we use today. The record for eating the most cupcakes in the shortest time is 29 cupcakes in 30 seconds
A cupcake cook in a cupcake cook’s cap cooks cupcakes
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Is SME... a challenge?
Management Talk
By Dr CK Anchan
The question of how to serve SMEs is not new. Many researchers, academics and economists have searched for a winning formula over the years, with mixed results. So the question remains: what can be done to bolster SMEs? There is no magic formula for ensuring there is a thriving global SME community – if so it would have probably been implemented long ago – but the expanded use of International Standards can foster entrepreneurship and help small businesses compete on an equal footing. The SMEs are responsible for introducing most of today’s products and services on the markets and are typically much better at identifying and adopting new trends than larger, established corporations. They promote diversification of economic activities, support sustainable development, stimulate innovation, develop entrepreneurial skills, not to mention the significant contribution they make to exports and trade. More importantly, they are structurally a good deal less complicated and more efficient and flexible than larger firms. Small businesses are vital to the success of the economy. Not only as they provide the success stories of the future, but also because they meet local needs (e.g. hairdresser, financial consultant, emergency plumber). They serve the requirements of larger businesses e.g. for photography services, printed stationery, catering and routine maintenance. Of course, you don’t have to set up your own enterprise to be enterprising. Being entrepreneurial simply means developing the right skills, attitudes and initiatives to make an innovative contribution to an organisation. During an economic slowdown, many small businesses face a number of challenges. Consumers become concerned about their job stability and, in turn, are more likely to be cautious with expenditures, which leads to decreased revenue for small business owners. A slow profit stream can make it difficult for a small business to repay creditors, which can negatively impact its long-term viability. A business facing financial struggles is far less likely to qualify for loans for capital expenditures and operations, which limits growth opportunities. Small businesses tend 38
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Dr Anchan C.K. managing director, World Wide Business House
to attract talent who invent new products or implement new solutions for existing ideas. Larger businesses also often benefit from small businesses within the same local community, as many large corporations depend on small businesses for the completion of various business functions through outsourcing. Small businesses do not always stay small. Large corporations, such as Microsoft, Nike, KFC, Toyota and many others started off as small businesses that grew to become major players in the national and international marketplace. Many computer-industry leaders began small working on hand-assembled machines out of their garages. Microsoft is a prime example of how a small business idea can change the world. Small businesses that grow into large businesses. While SMEs make a huge impact on income, employment and wider economic output, their fortunes have been disproportionately affected by the financial crisis. The SMEs are both an engine of job creation and a significant factor in job destruction. Small business is – quite frankly – big business. It is estimated that more than 90 percent of the world’s businesses are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Surprised? Don’t be. The SMEs are, on average, the businesses that are generating growth, creating jobs, growing faster and innovating more. But most of all, they are a good deal less complicated (structurally) and more efficient and flexible than are large firms. Many small businesses also are forced to downsize their workforce during a slow economy. This limits their ability to serve customers and contributes to the unemployment rate, which furthers slows the economy. The effects of a merger, monopolies often drive smaller companies out of business. When one company dominates a given market, it can control the prices of products. Because most monopolising companies are extremely large, they can afford to lower their prices to the point that no small business can compete. As a result, the smaller businesses have no choice but to close their doors or merge with the monopolising company. to be continued...
By Vandana Shah
It's my life
Roland Garros Diaries-Vous Parlez Anglais?
Vandana, award winning author (‘360 Degrees Back to Life')
As I sit in my seat and watch the players literally flying on the clay surface of the French Open hitting shot after shot of fantastic tennis I am transported to Tennis Heaven. In this Heaven of course there is no place for negativity and even the losers are winners because they are no 'whiners'. It’s amazing what you can learn from the game of tennis, where every player is a sportsman in the true sense of the word. All of them train hard to play and no one comes unprepared however small or unimportant the match, so even if it’s a first round match the players come mentally equipped to play as though they are playing the final. All of them carry their own kits on the court because that is their main tool of play and they respect it enough to carry it on their own and most importantly they always shake hands with each they are standing on opposite sides of the net. When they play, they are adversaries and each of them run from one corner of the court to the other corner to save every point and gain an advantage over the other player. But once the game is over the winner is gracious enough to acknowledge the one who has lost and more often than not praises him/her, and wishes him/her better luck for the next tournament and the one who has lost(sorry I JUST CANNNNOT call them losers) praises the winner and wishes him the best for the next round and almost always talk about his weaknesses in the game that made him lose. No one blames the other for his loss, but takes responsibility for it and the winner never cocks a snook at the loser or jeers his opponents weak game. Each of them always parts by saying, “There’s always a next round….there’s always a next tournament…”.In short there’s always a next time. And what do you know, almost a month has passed and Wimbeldon is here! Now imagine if we could superimpose the learnings of tennis to our life how fantastic our life would be. Till next time, Love All!
Vandana Shah, Author 360 Degrees Back To life, editor of Ex-Files. www.vandanashah.com. Email me what you’d like to say on 360degreesbacktolife@gmail.com Follow me on twitter Vandy4PM
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We have been thinking of it since quite sometime now. Finally, we have taken the plunge to bring home to you some offbeat stuff. Here goes, if you like it, give us the green signal for more; if not, just take it with a pinch of salt. For this month, here is some nitter natter for the B&W Bitter Batter:
Chicken fungi
Nitter natter
“I had bought the grilled chicken from a well-known hypermarket only the other day,” she said. Well, things have come to such a state where we have to discuss grilled chickens from hypermarkets, we told ourselves. But, well, we had to listen to this lady, a reader, because she had a complaint. Whether we write about it or not, it is our prerogative. So there goes: “Not even two days, mind you, not even two days,” she said as we fidgeted. Why can’t she get over with the story? Why keep us in suspense? Between the two -- the chicken and the egg -- which came first? What happened, we asked mildly. “Fungus!” she declared. D-Uh? “Yes, we bought the grilled chicken and we kept in the fridge for two just days and on the third morning when I took it out, believe it or not, the whole chicken was lathered in fungus! It was an ugly sight!” Oh! “Yes, can you believe it?” That it is was an ugly sight, yes, we thought. Are you sure you did not leave it out? For the heat is such that even if you leave it out for just a day, it can get more than fungus. “No, straight from the market to the home and to the fridge.
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It was not kept out anywhere. I am not in the habit of leaving food out in the open.” Okay, we said. So how did it happen? “Bad chicken! These people are not selling fresh chicken anymore, especially when they fry and keep it. The chicken must have been several days old and yes, it could be the heat too, but shouldn’t they take care and give out fresh and clean products?” We demurred. Yes. Gotta be careful. The heat is such and it is better that we consume such food immediately and even if it has to be refrigerated, it is best that we take care. You don’t expect food kept in the fridge to be spoilt in a matter of days. “We had a good mind to go and return it, but it took time. By the time we really decided to go and give it, time passed.” But you should have taken it back and at least pointed it out to them, we said, although we really did not mean it. “Yes, yes, yes, but unfortunately we kept it back it into the fridge and it took us couple more days to think of actually taking it back to the hypermarket!” Thank God, we thought. If they had taken it back four or five days after they discovered that it had fungi, then it would have been impossible to find out whether it was a chicken or not.
Losing tempers in the heat Tempers are on the rise. There on the street were two people arguing under the hot sun, sweat trickling down their face and still arguing as their cars locked in a small accident seemed to have got stuck in the heat of their argument. Instead of trying to find a common ground and try to find a solution, both were screaming at each other at the top of their voice. Then there was this irate man who had come to do some last minute shopping at a supermarket and he was strongly objecting to the slow moving queue. While it indeed was slow, there was no choice because those before him had purchased huge quantities of food and stuff and it was not easy to bill such mountains of items on the trolleys. Indeed, it was of no fault of the salesman, but the man, who by all means should have understood that, simply went on raising his objections until some of the other customers before him lost their cool and told him to stop his harangue. This further infuriated the irritated customer and he soon turned his attention to those people before him and it looked like it was all set for a free for all. Then, there was this caller to an office who said he needed to be put on to someone. When the receiver at the other end said that there was no one by that name there, the caller
got mighty incensed. “What do you mean? I called this number and spoke to (the man he was looking for)! So how dare you say he is not there?” the caller thundered. Well, said the receiver, I am sorry, you got the wrong number. “What – what wrong number? If so, then what is the right number?” And so on, so forth… You get the drift, don’t you? It is the heat. The heat is on.
Spare a thought for those out there Forget bad chicken. The heat has come down yet people find it hard to step out from their air-conditioned homes, cars and office to the streets but at the same time there are so many out there who really do not have a choice. They would also like to do the same except that they can’t. They are forced to be on the streets, at work sites in the city and remote areas. While we all try to escape whatever 'heat' that is bothering us, for these folks, there is no way out. The fact remains that there are people out there who do not have the luxury of being in an air conditioned room or enjoy the cool comfort of a secure home or an office. Even if we are not going to do anything about them, at least spare a thought.
(Note: Readers who have something bitter to chatter about can either email on editor@blackandwhiteoman.com or call 99218461)
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Your ARIES March 21-April 20
TAURUS April 21-May 20
GEMINI May 21-June 21
The planet Venus forces you to raise your standards in love and you spend many of your days trying to work out where you went wrong in the last year with personal choices. From this week you start to find more self confidence and life and love take on a more interesting glow and feeling.
An excess of energy can see you getting up to all sorts of mischief this week and it will be up to you to know where you should draw the line. Remember what you set out to achieve, not what others tried to talk you into along the way. You’re a clever sign, so please don’t underestimate yourself.
You think your close ones don’t understand you, but you’re wrong. Over the last few days your loved ones have probably learned more about you. You’re finally letting down your defences and you’re about to find out that you can and should work as a team to shape your life the way you want it to be.
CANCER June 22-July 23
LEO July 24-August 23
You’ve been hearing one thing but interpreting it as another and the sooner you go to the source to ask those all important questions, the happier you will be. Time spent working out travel plans can save you both time and money. Look out for a new face on the social scene who could well be the love match.
You’re such an artistic sign Leo, but you all too often underestimate yourself. Try to raise the bar and aim higher this week and you’ll soon learn that you actually have friends and admirers in very high places. News on your career gives you reason to want to work and train harder, and rightly so.
VIRGO August 24-September 23 You’ve been paying so much attention to idle gossip and what others are doing with their lives that you have failed to notice the array of opportunities appearing in your own life. Others are impressed by your communication skills. Time spent planning travel gives you reason to feel really settled and optimistic.
Horoscope
NEYMAR DA SILVA SANTOS JÚNIOR (BORN 5 FEBRUARY 1992), commonly known as Neymar or Neymar Jr., is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays for Spanish club FC Barcelona and the Brazil national team as a forward or winger, and is also the captain of the national team. At the age of 19, he won the 2011 South American Footballer of the Year award, after coming third in 2010. He followed this up by winning it again in 2012. In 2011 Neymar won the FIFA Puskás Award for Goal of the Year. In 2015 he came third for the FIFA Ballon d'Or behind Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. He is known for his acceleration, dribbling skills, finishing and ability with both feet. His playing style has earned him critical acclaim, with fans, media and former players drawing comparison to former Brazil forward Pelé, who has called Neymar "an excellent player", while Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi have stated "he will be the best in the world". With 46 goals in 67 matches for Brazil, Neymar is the fifth highest goalscorer for his national team. In 2012 and 2013, SportsPro named him the most marketable athlete in the world. In December 2015, he was ranked by The Guardian as the third best player in the world.
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stars LIBRA September 24-October 23 You finally start to see other’s points of view in arguments. You’ve had to do a lot of growing up in the last few months but I can see that you’ve come out of recent experiences a better and stronger sign my friend. New opportunities in work link to a social contact you made in the last fortnight. CAPRICORN December 23-January 20 You’re asking others for advice on questions and decisions which only apply to you. Try to think about your long term future and not just the nest few weeks. Remember too that you are the one who has to live your life, not those around you, so act on your own feelings and instincts.
SCORPIO October 24-November 22 There are always two sides to every story, but this week there seem to be five or six. Try not to judge others by what you’ve been told, but only by what you’ve seen. All will become clear by Thursday, so until then try to bide your time and make what could be a confusing week into one you can control. AQUARIUS January 21-February 19 You’re in the mood for naughty behaviour and so, if someone tells you not to do something, it’s going to be more than a little appealing for you to do it out of spite. News from far away raises a smile and gives you reason to feel glad you are out of a certain circle or crowd in your life.
SAGITTARIUS November 23-December 22 You’ve been a little lost over the last few days, haven’t you my friend? From Monday onwards you start to feel ready to get on with what needs to be done and you no longer worry about how things look from the outside. Your element of fire helps you to heal a rift in the family circle. PISCES February 20-March 20 Slow down and try to take in the view in life rather than just making decisions based on how they look to other people. You have learnt far too much since the beginning of the year to start making choices out of spite my friend. Mars helps you make the changes you’ve longed for in the home from Friday.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN (FEBRUARY 12, 1809 – APRIL 15, 1865) was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. Lincoln led the United States through its Civil War—its bloodiest war and its greatest moral, constitutional, and political crisis. In doing so, he preserved the Union, abolished slavery, strengthened the federal government, and modernised the economy. Elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1846, Lincoln promoted rapid modernization of the economy through banks, tariffs, and railroads. Because he had originally agreed not to run for a second term in Congress, and because his opposition to the Mexican–American War was unpopular among Illinois voters, Lincoln returned to Springfield and resumed his successful law practice. Reentering politics in 1854, he became a leader in building the new Republican Party, which had a statewide majority in Illinois. Lincoln has been consistently ranked both by scholars and the public as one of the three greatest US presidents.
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TREATMENT
sans
Shape n Sound
MEDICINES
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Nina, 45, had her hands full. She had a full-time job; a family of two; a reasonably packed social activity calendar. But, off late, she was found to be a bit disorganised and she seemed to be always breaking off her commitments, missing deadlines, forgetting promises etc. Her once sparkling clean home was soon turning into a kind of garbage dump. She was known to be quite a clean and organised person as a college-going student, but in the years after her marriage, she developed ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). While ADHD is commonly associated with children, adults too form a sizeable number. Soon, the ADHD syndrome spread into all facets of Nina’s life making her into a very disorganised mess.
LIFE ON A PLANNER But, after some years of undergoing this trauma of leading a totally disorganised life, she realised that she had to get out of it. A team of doctors told her a very simple, non-medicinal way out of her disorganised life. The doctors did not prescribe any medicines or heavy sedatives, instead they told her to follow a prepared planner. The task was to put all of Nina’s appointments and activities on a calendar and then to make sure that she follows it religiously. She was told that she had to check it constantly in a day. ‘TO DO’ LIST Nina was told to make a ‘to do’ list every single day. There she was to make a list of the things she was to get done that day. She had to list the jobs in the order of importance and make sure that they got done. Nina began this task in earnest and is still continuing with it religiously everyday. This was her first-ever step to reorganising her life and soon she caught on to this new way. Of course, she faced various hurdles into sticking to this routine, but soon it became a habit that she could not break. THE SPEND LIST Along with the ‘to do’ list, there is a need to have a note ready to jot down each and every ‘spend’ every day. Even small purchases have to be noted down. You can use a notebook or an electronic device to keep track. This is of great importance. Although Nina missed noting down the purchase of some items, she slowly began to get the hang of it.
THE ‘NOT-TO-FORGET’ LIST Most people, and not necessarily those with ADHD, often forget meetings, miss deadlines and forget birthdays of loved ones, and in most cases even forget to take their own medicines. Now, this needs to be tackled at the earliest possible. Nina was seen frantically feeding all such important official as well as personal commitments on her mobile that would help her remind of her appointments and deadlines. HOME RE-ORGANISATION Nina was also given a daily task for her home. Instead of throwing things around or simply adding to the clutter, she was given a task of picking up and returning items to their proper places. The simple advice she had to follow was that if she took out an item from a box, she was to return it back to the box and so on. So, everyday, instead of cleaning up, she began to organise her clutter into cabinets, boxes, cupboards, storage boxes etc. Soon, the clutter in her home seemed to have well, a home! THE 15-MINUTES BURST Now, before Nina could get full-fledged on to her new tasks, the doctors also gave her this very valuable piece of advice. If ever there was a problem in starting something new, give it just a 15-minutes try, not more or less. If possible, set a timer. In this 15 minutes, focus only on one task. Just one task, nothing else, and if you find you can go beyond the 15 minutes barrier, then good for you, if not, take a break and then come back again. And if you find you can’t proceed, then stop everything and do it at another time.
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UMMER
Cooking
Vegetarian bean salad is the perfect salad for summer picnics or outdoor cookouts. Enjoy one of these bean salads for a nutritious low-fat and high-fiber summer lunch. It’s comforting, protein-rich, and easy to put together quickly with pantry ingredients
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Cold butter bean salad Ingredients: • 3 tablespoons lime juice • 2 tablespoons olive oil • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar • 1 teaspoon salt • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper • 2 16 ounce cans butter beans, rinsed and drained • 1 11 ounce can corn • 2 large tomatoes, chopped • 2 jalapeno peppers, chopped • 1 small onion, chopped • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped Method: Combine lime juice, olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper in large bowl. Add remaining ingredients, including butter beans. Toss to coat. Cover and chill at least 2 hours.
Parsley and white bean salad Ingredients: 2 15 ounce cans white beans, drained 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 red onion, minced 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley 2 tbsp olive oil 2 large tomatoes, diced 1/3 cup sliced black olives 2 tbsp red vinegar 1 tsp lemon juice salt and pepper to taste Method: Over low heat, combined beans, garlic, onion and parsley in olive oil. Heat for just one minute, or until fragrant. Remove from heat and combine with remaining ingredients. Serve warm, as is, or chill before serving.
Chickpea salad Ingredients 1 16 ounce can chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained 3 stalks celery, diced 3/4 cup mayonnaise 2 tbsp lemon juice 1 clove garlic, minced 1 tsp fresh minced parsley 1 tbsp chopped onion salt and pepper to taste Method: Mix the chickpeas and the celery. Add the remaining ingredients and season to taste. Serve in pita pockets or as an individual salad.
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Shape n Sound 48
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Woman’s intuition –
REAL or HUMBUG? So much is said about women’s intuition that one takes it as part of the package. But some have stopped to ponder whether it is real, or just a myth. Scientific research do point out that women have the ability to read facial expressions of emotions better than men. They are also able to pick up subtle emotional messages being sent by others. Women are also better at expressing emotions through their facial expressions, tone of voice and body, particularly positive emotions. They are more empathetic than men and therefore are more open to emotional messages. All of this leads to the fact that women have better ability to intuit what others are feeling or thinking. GETTING THAT PRICKLE ON YOUR BACK Let us look at this example. A woman, who lives in a rough and tumble part of a town, wrote to an expert in psychiatry that sometimes when she walks home from the subway, she gets a kind of prickle on the back of her neck as though something bad is going to happen to her. Was this womanly intuition or just paranoia, she wondered out aloud. LISTEN TO YOUR GUT The expert in her reply, asked whether it mattered. When your sixth sense or if your gut tells you that something is not right, or you are sensing danger, then it is better that you listen to it. Because you lose nothing. In the lady’s case, she advised her to take another route home or duck into a store until the feeling passed. If she did not listen to it and then something bad happened, who is going to lose. It is always better to be safe than sorry, she advised. And that seems to be good advice. If the feeling in your guts says that you shouldn’t be doing something, it is better to listen to it than be sorry. So, where are we? Yes, do women have intuitive power or not? Of course they do and so do men, but we will discuss that later. SPECIAL POWERS Because of this almost natural intuitive power in them, women are considered to have special powers. While men largely dwell on logic, women tend to fall back on their special intuitive powers. The latter tend to get these feelings that something
is wrong pretty quickly than most men. Women are quickly able to feel and interpret things much quicker than men. They have this raw, gut feeling when they realise that something is wrong much before it happens. It is a kind of internal feeling, a prevailing thought that tells a woman that something wasn’t right before signs even appear. It is a kind of magical force in women and even if they can’t fully pin it down, no one can deny its existence. MOST POWERFUL FORCE ON EARTH Those who have researched on it may call it simply woman’s intuition but they say it is the most powerful force on earth. But, then, a woman must learn to harness this power of intuition. That is of course, easier said than done. For many years women did not even realise that they had it. They were in more ways than one, been ignoring it, suppressing it, and so it never got out into the open. Today, women have more freedom and therefore it is time that they understand how to use it. Women must learn to listen to it, harness it and act when it is speaking. It is high time that women learn to follow its cues and learn to live their lives accordingly. Like many point out today, this is a powerful force within a woman – it is a sign in the life of a woman. Most importantly, it is a spiritual connection and it may soon prove to be one of the deepest connection, which a woman can have with her innermost self. 49
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Oops… did it again!
Hooked
By Priya Arunkumar We all make mistakes. Most of the times unknowingly. There is not one single being out there who does not make a mistake. Sometimes we break things. But, it’s not the breaking that matters, not the how or why. What matters is how we choose to respond to the breakage. Learning from mistakes is not the ultimate. What does the mistakes do to us finally? Does it kill us? Does it throw us into a downward spiral of blame and punishment? We're human, so it happens. Most of the time we're given the chance to make amends. We are all born strong enough to cope. Right? I have been on a mistakes-making spree. Though not unpardonable ones, definitely repetitive ones, each one not planned or charted out in detail to happen, but happened nevertheless. Simple, silly ones! From a simple act as parking my car, to asking a question, which was rightfully phrased but wrongfully frank to leaving a shopping bag at the supermarket after paying for it… endless silly simple mistakes, but clueless why it is happening to me in a row. Its sheer irresponsibility to park your car on the side, when you know that it is not a parking space, admonished my neighbour, whose guest took away my legitimate parking! My mistake. But what would you do when there are no parking spaces anywhere in the walking vicinity, especially when you come home to your own parking space, and find it
occupied. Sigh, my mistake! She reversed her car from the parking lot in a hurry and my mistake was that I was driving at just 10kms per hour… I got a lecture and threats! She apparently has driving experience of 12-odd years! My day is done. Now, how do I correct myself? Everyone seemed to have an answer, but for me. A few of them gloated that I made more than one. Another set advised that maybe it is the job overload and stress. The best part is, before I know what I committed, I get a synopsis. Well, here is a quick one… Tell my mistakes to me, not others, finally I need to correct them, not others! Anyone hearing? No one does a mistake willfully, right? I am no different. Science says brains are supposed to be auto correctors -- well, I could actually blame it on the brain! What worries me more is the fact to see famous and successful people quotes, social media displays stating the obvious. It is ok to make a mistake. It is ok to be a failure. It is ok to drop out of school. It is ok not to be rich. It is ok not to be intelligent… All it says is that as long as you have made it, then you can look back and say it is ok for anything. You can only learn from a mistake after you admit you’ve made it. Well, I admit. I made mistakes, I make mistakes, and I am not sure whether I can say I will never make mistakes. To err is human… sigh! priya@blackandwhiteoman.com