Black & White mag Issue 42

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Celebrities in town 27 Shafar – 28 Rabi' I

Vol.3 Issue 42II February 21-March 20, 2012

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Xclusive

20

Over 90 countries to participate in the 7th Muscat International Film Festival The 7th Muscat International Film Festival would be honouring a host of film celebrities, which would include actors, directors and those who have contributed to the world of cinema. From the Arab World, Hayat Al Fahad (a Gulf-based actress), Hameedo (Moroccan star), Sheikh Abdullah bin Shuwain Al Hosni (Oman) will be honoured

Things men don’t like about women

12

There are many things that men don’t like about women. Here are some common dislikes that are usually addressed

24

Second Bond to make Bond Special Day at MIFF extra special

42

SUDOKU entry form

50

Sedentary women more prone to diabetes

The 3rd edition of the B&W Sudoku for a cause: Autism is scheduled to be held on May 31

Contents

Women who stay seated for long periods of time every day are more prone to developing type 2 diabetes.

However a similar link is not found in men

Published by: Muscat Press & Publishing House SAOC Black & White Postal address: P O Box 86, PC 115, Madinat Sultan Qaboos Office location: Hatat Complex A, Office no: 212, II Floor Ph: 24565697 Fax: 24565496 Website: www.blackandwhiteoman.com Editorial: editor@blackandwhiteoman.com Printed at Mazoon, Muscat,20, Oman 6 February 21-March 2012

Editor-in-chief Managing editor Work editor Design & production Advt. & marketing

Mohamed Issa Al Zadjali Priya Arunkumar Adarsh Madhavan Beneek Siraj Shannon D'Souza Priyanka Sampat

Black & White 7

Lights, camera, action!

By Adarsh Madhavan CLAP! TAKE 1! ACTION! Yeah, that’s it! It is lights, camera, action time in Oman!

Grab your popcorns, cool drinks and let us zoom to the celluloid world. We are going to the movies, folks! Or, rather, the movies are coming to us! The stars too! They are going to descend into Oman like no man’s business and it is time to rekindle some fantastic movie action.

Yeah!

All about X, Y & Z

TAKE 2 -- ACTION! We, the Black & White, are the producers of the 7th Muscat International Film Festival (MIFF) and we are bringing in Forest Whitaker, Omar Sharif, George Lazenby, Billy Boyd, Muhannad, Noor, Nadia Al Jundi, Noor Al Sharif, Amidou, Hayat Al Fahad, Victor Banerjee, Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Sharmila Tagore, Nandita Das, Mohanlal, Dhanush, John Glen, Darren Aronofsky, Major Ravi, Nadine Al Labaki, Nawaf Al Ganahi, etc., and star performers like Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia, Nancy Ajram, Lucky Ali, Isha Sharvani, Daksha Seth, Ramli Ibrahim, Japanese Billy Ban Ban band…and others!

TAKE 3 -- ACTION! Such a line up of celebrities, stars, performers have never come together in Oman and in a span of just over a week, we are going to see them, and perhaps even rub shoulders with them. So, when an event of such a magnitude is happening, we expect support and participation from all quarters. The ones who are supporting are going out of their way and supporting, but, the ones who are not (who, unfortunately are the majority), seems to have taken a vow to distance themselves from us and the festival. We do not know why.

This is a national fest. In other words, it is Oman’s national film festival and can easily bring forth an industry, creating jobs for many. Why is that not many people understand this fact; why aren’t people who have the means not thinking about this and supporting this cause? Alright, forget the cause. Companies cannot live by doling out charity. Look at it then as a future industry; future business and the ones who support and promote it can actually be the pioneers behind this.

Everywhere in the world, film festivals are big. No, not just big – BIG! But, how can you become big, unless you start somewhere…? And how can you start unless you help us to start?

TAKE 4 – ACTION! And while we gripe, let us not forget to acknowledge and commend the real people, not the reel, behind the film fest – the volunteers of Oman Film Society (OFS) led by Dr Khalid Al Zadjali. Let people say what they want, but, to the critics, we have this to say: will you be able to dedicate the major part of your life and invest your precious time and effort into doing voluntary, selfless work that gives nothing back to you but the sheer inner pleasure of being able to do it?

In cruder form, they do all the work and no one pays them.

So, can’t you at least give them a pat on the back?

No pay, no fame, no benefits…nothing except barbs.

Of course, the government is helping and supporting the OFS. But, why is it that the government always has to support them all the time? Why can’t the private sector at least try to support the OFS in the same manner that the government does? A little bit here, a little bit there and it all adds up…

Imagine, 20 companies put in 20K every year and we have 400K for the fest. Too wild a thought? Ok, let us try again: 20 companies put in 10K and we get 200K…still too much of a dream? Can we have at least 10 companies that put in 10K…? This might happen, but, then with just that money, it may not be possible to even run a quarter of a movie fest…or perhaps even lesser.

But, one day, things will change. Mind you, one day, we are going to have a full-fledged film festival where world cinema celebrities need not be cajoled into coming to Oman – they will invite themselves, considering it a honour to visit the country and attend the prestigious Muscat International Film Festival… and why not? Is there anything wrong in dreaming?

Dreams are meant to be reality, right?

And dreams are what movies are made of, too. editor@blackandwhiteoman.com

8 February 21-March 20, 2012

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Black & White 9

Days of Razha There is no dance like the Razha. Your story on the Razha swept me back into the past, into my days when I too wielded the Sayf (sword) and held a Tarrs (shield) to ward off the lunges from my opponent – of course all in jest!

I used to know the Razha very well. I think it was one of the most important dance forms of Oman. I am not an exponent, but I could handle the Sayf and I could also leapt to a good height still holding on to it. Moreover, I could throw the sword up and catch it quite easily‌those were the days!

Now, I guess, I am not upto it, but this story did take me back to those days of yore. Thank you Black & White!

Nasser bin Suleiman Al Hassani, Qantab

War and Dance Yes, the sword or the Sayf was part and parcel of Omani life in the past. Dancing with swords was the formal practical method of warming up before a fight and was therefore a practical martial exercise. In one such dance the two exponents mimic fighting. Yesterday, it was a war dance with sword and shield, today it is a purely traditional performance, but, thank God that it is still one of the undying art forms of Oman.

David Landen, Sohar

Kudos to the karting duo Kudos to the Omani karting duo Abdullah Al Rawahi and Sanad Al Rawahi (issue 41). They will do Oman proud!

Hope the private sector offers enough support for this duo.

Salim Abdullah Al Harthy, Seeb

Mail your views and opinions at editor@blackandwhiteoman.com 10 February 21-March 20, 2012

Flowers, better than words Words don’t come easy. Which is where flowers can help! So, say it with flowers. Flowers can fill in where words have failed (and in my case, it has!).

Flowers have a magical way of saying what words sometimes cannot say..

Dagobert Daniel, Al Khuwair

My Valentine’s Day… Valentine’s Day (issue 41). Let us not sully it – in the future -- by saying it is a day for love because we may wrongly think it only means romantic love. It is not so. Valentine’s Day is of course filled with romantic gifts and sweet nothings; it is also a day that celebrates the purity of love – a love between parents and their children, between siblings, friends, between owners and their pets.

That is what I think a Valentine’s Day is…

Nikashi Baldev, Qurum

A message from the heart You’re absolutely right! There is no need to make a big noise about Valentine’s Day (issue 41) and there is no need to buy your valentine expensive gifts.

Seriously, costly and lavish gifts are a real waste of time. Instead, if you focus on giving your loved one, whoever it may be, something that comes directly from the heart, it would make a lot of difference. It will touch them. I liked the point, ‘A message from the heart’ and I think that is the easiest but most simple and direct message.

Sunil D’Cunha, Seeb

You made us proud The karting duo Abdullah and Sanad are on track. Hope Abdullah will catch up in the next race. This time (at Al Ain karting championship), he lost control, but don’t worry that is just the storm before the win! All the best and great job Sanad – you made us proud!.

Ali Nasser Al Zadjali, Al Khuwair

Black & White 11

Things men DON’T

Men read

There are many things that men don’t like about women. Many, many things‌but, let us share here some of the common dislikes that is usually addressed and is always doing the rounds of emails around the world. For instance, the most common manhate woman scenario is:

12 February 21-March 20, 2012

LIKE about women A man comes late from work and his wife is all over him, confronting the tired man with pointed questions. She starts questioning him right and left and by the time she finishes, he wishes that he had not come home.

Most men, well, all men dislike being questioned by their women. These and other small issues are tackled here: QUESTIONS, QUESTIONS, QUESTIONS Actually, it is not about the questions, but the questioning per se that annoys many a man. They don’t like it when their women start asking questions about everything, they don’t go to the point, they like to play around with questions, to see if they can get you to confess something you did, it’s often known as trick questions, and not every man is able to wrench themselves out of this tricky questionnaire quagmire.

YAK YAK YAK In other words, talking. Women can talk and talk and talk and talk…And talk! They are natural talkers and they can spend hours and hours talking non-stop about the same thing and men hate this, they simply cannot stand a woman go on and on and on about something, specially when they talk about themselves.

CRITICISE CRITICISE CRITICISE If they are not talking, they are criticising. They will be criticising men as well women. But men don’t feel comfortable when their women criticise other women. Most of them time women treat other women as rivals and criticise the other’s appearances, clothes, shoes etc.

SILENCE IS NOT GOLDEN The silent treatment is a stage a girl uses to not talk or even look at you while you try to talk or explain something to them, its like a man doesn’t exist to them and it could go on for days. Wow! How they do it, well, that, you have got to ask them -- only they will know!

ELEPHANTINE MEMORY They never forget! She will not forget the first time you forgot to buy her a present on her birthday and even if you have remembered all other nine times after that, she will still remember the first.

And we men hate that. She remembers the bad times and forgets all the good times. Women have this ability to bring back past mistakes that we men have made. They can remember the details and every time a discussion happens they bring it up to make you all miserable. They will detail each negative point that has happened, including date and time.

Sigh.

(Final word: Say what you will. This is by far a small listing of a man’s grouse against women; but, the only problem is that we cannot avoid women and we cannot do without them!)

Black & White 13

O

When a man loves a…dog

all ew h t ff

By Adarsh Madhavan The night I got back from my vacation my driver told me quietly, very quietly: “They are missing – ran away!”

My heart stopped. I went cold, very cold. My words froze. I tried to speak, but couldn’t. My dogs…I wanted to jump out of the car and run away.

Something dark and heavy filled my head, and it sunk my heart.

I knew I was sitting there, but I wasn’t there; later, I spoke to my friend, and I knew I was smiling, but it was not a smile; I knew I was trying a joke, but it cracked…

I asked my driver to search the aea near my home. He called back and I already knew the answer: nothing.

He couldn’t find them, not a trace.

Off the wall

I ran back to the scene, checked the cage; jumped the wall into a vacant compound and began my search, each heavy step getting heavier. It got heavier when I went back home after some hours.

Both my doggies, a nearly 10-year old white Pomeranian and her grandson, another white something (I don’t know what breed he is), were gone. They had disappeared into thin air. Someone must have stolen them.

They are probably dead, wounded, crying for help from some isolated area…each time I passed a house and heard a dog barking, I wanted to dash in and rescue them – they must have been taken in by someone and kept captive…weird thoughts clouded 14 February 21-March 20, 2012

my head and I dragged myself home and went to my maid and demanded: what happened?

She went into a litany of complaints, and excuses. She is the one who feeds them and lets them loose from the cage. The previous night, she let them out as usual thinking the gates were closed. “Sir, I checked and saw that the front lights were switched off and usually that is the time I let them loose, because then the gates are locked – so I let them loose and when I went back with their food they were nowhere to be seen.”

She went and told my driver who had closed the gates that they were missing. He said no way and they both searched our home compound but they were not there. And the gates were locked. So, how did they go? Jumped the wall? Bobby could do that. I would buy that. But not his grandmother -- Sundari. She couldn’t even raise herself up – she was old.

And she was a tired dog. She was also heavy. In her hey days, she would jump any wall. Not any longer.

I felt sick hearing the story. I went berserk. I blamed everyone. I blamed myself. I blamed myself for going on leave. But, later, when I calmed down, I realised the pointlessness of this painful drama. It did not solve anything; it made things worse.

I cursed myself and went about, half dead, or maybe fully… I made it very

clear to myself that they were gone – forever!

And then several days after I vainly tried to pick up the pieces of my life, a call comes. My wife was screaming on the phone: “Sundari is back!”

Blood rushed through one part of my paralysed self. I began to breathe again. When I saw her, she was one plump, curled white ball of fur, the only sign of life being a sheepish wag. Questions poured out and she seemed to have an answer for all of them and I can’t tell you about that here. Yet, despite getting her back, I was still wondering…Bobby…God had given Sundari back, I shouldn’t be too avaricious. Yet… And then suddenly a few nights later, he came back, out of thin air, just like the way he had gone away. I don’t know how, he just bounded along when I called Sundari and they both smashed into me, waking me up from my nightmare. I don’t have the capacity or ability to describe my trek from death to life in these last few dark days, but this miracle happened.

I know we cannot rock the hands of fate, but now I tell everyone at home: tie them up, lock the cage, shut the gates…can I put a lock to the gate too and they look at me strangely.

Who cares? adarsh@blackandwhiteoman.com

Golf Society from Marylebone Cricket Club at Lords swings into Almouj Golf Almouj Golf played host to the Golf Society from Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) at Lords on the green fairways of the 18 hole championship Greg Norman golf course at The Wave, Muscat as part of their Middle East Tour. The four ball better ball match comprised of two teams made up of 14 players each from MCC and the other from Almouj Golf and The Wave, Muscat.

The friendly exchange showcased classic and superb iron skills from power shots to backswings with the Almouj Golf team winning by a margin of 5 points to 2, however the score seemed relatively insignificant in comparison to the spirit that the match was played in. The players had the opportunity to experience the recently opened 7,342 yards course that consists of challenging holes of varying lengths and configurations while still capturing the beauty of the surrounding environment.

Additional holes are expected to open later this month. The MCC will continue their Middle East Tour to the United Arab Emirates to play at the some of the most prestigious golf courses including Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club and Abu Dhabi Golf Club.

ABOUT ALMOUJ GOLF Following the natural lines of Muscat’s pristine coastline, Almouj Golf at The Wave, Muscat is an 18 hole, Par 72 links style course offering amateurs and professionals alike a challenging, yet rewarding, round of golf. Running alongside a six-kilometer stretch of ocean frontage, the 7,342-yard course of lush green grass is peppered with bunkers, water hazards and natural dunes.

Al Araimi Complex commemorates Mother’s Day Marking the occasion of Mother’s Day on March 21, Al Araimi Complex is holding a first-of-its-kind event that not only appreciates mothers but also encourages visitors to acknowledge and pledge to protect and preserve the environment.

All the three levels of the complex will be lined with attractive plants. Lucky visitors will have an opportunity to participate in fun activities and could be winner of environment friendly gift through various drawing competition especially organised for children. The idea is to encourage and bring forth children’s creativity and make it a memorable day for the mothers. Other activities will include face painting for children, henna for mothers, attractive nail art options etc. between 7pm to 9pm in the basement.

Black & White 15

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Spring fling as shoppers continue to enjoy super promotion at Khimji’s Watches Khimji’s Watches announced that its super promotion on some of its most popular products will continue until April 12. Shoppers can continue to flock to the Shatti Al Qurum showroom to marvel at the many great bargains on offer which include an incredible 70 per cent off on a range of premium watches, accessories, sunglasses, jewelry and luxury phones. The collection includes a vast array of prices and styles for both men and women. Many of the pieces which are part of the promotion are available at never before seen prices thus enabling shoppers to give themselves a much needed treat or surprise to their loved ones.

Madhursinh Jesrani, general manager, Khimji’s Watches said: “It is with great pleasure that we extend our offer to our customers. So far, our promotion has been extremely successful and we feel that more people should enjoy the quality products on offer at these affordable prices. We want our customers to enjoy a little spring treat before the hot summer is upon us so we are calling on everyone to come on down to our showrooms and see our fabulous phones, other trinkets and leather accessories before our shelves empty.”

Contact: 24699173, krwatchs@omantel.net.om

National sports hero opts for Z-LASIK surgery at Muscat Eye Laser Center Oman’s top racing driver, Ahmad al Harthy, recently turned to the Sultanate’s leading eyecare clinic, the Muscat Eye Laser Center, for a surgical procedure designed in no small measure to keep him at the top of his game on the racing circuit. The international sports star, whose amazing feats continue to inspire a generation of young Omani sportsmen and women, chose Muscat Eye Laser Centre’s revolutionary Z-LASIK procedure to enhance his vision to the razor sharp levels deemed critical for success on the racetrack.

In a sport that demands the ultimate in skill, perfect eyesight is as much a requisite for success as endurance, concentration and speed – an imperative that prompted the iconic sportsman to consider corrective vision at Oman’s most prestigious surgical eye-care services provider. Z-LASIK, widely popularised by Muscat Eye Laser Center in Oman, is a safe, painless but

sophisticated procedure that delivers amazing results without any of the complications typically associated with conventional eye surgeries.

Black & White 17

NBO launches professional certification programmes for call center staff The NBO Academy of Excellence (AoE), the training arm of National Bank Oman (NBO), recently completed two world-class professional certification programmes for the bank’s entire Call Center Team. Both courses, backed by internationally accredited certifications aimed at imparting international best practice in initiating, operating, and managing the Call Centre. The two programmes, running over three weeks, and employing a combined methodology of lectures, simulation, group discussions, role plays and team debriefs, have equipped participants with the technical skills and soft skills needed to offer NBO customers and callers with an exceptional service experience.

A total of 35 delegates have been enrolled in the training.

Nine team leaders attended the Team Leaders Certification Course and the Coaching Mentor Course and (26) agents attended both the Agent Certification Course and Service Mentor Course .

Both courses have been conducted by approved and certified professional trainers. Ali Saif Al Mani, head of NBO’s alternative distribution- retail banking said “Our Vision is to become the number one call centre in Oman and the

market leader through a ‘customer-centric” model that puts our customers at the heart of whatever we do.

That final touch with the customer simply needs to be pleasant, genuine, and an ever-lasting experience”.

Nasser Al Hajri, NBO’s AGM and chief human resources officer said: “While formulating the learning and people development strategy of NBO for 2012 and beyond, we were crystal clear that equipping our people with internationally benchmarked professional certifications is our major tool of market differentiation.

We are committed to continue the drive of enabling and empowering our people to become the best in Oman’s banking industry”.

Get more value with GMC in 2012 The GMC vehicles at Moosa Abdul Rahman are now available with additional value on all variants at no extra cost. The customers will be entitled to a number of free benefits such as 40,000 km service over two years, five years unlimited km warranty and complimentary registration on all models. All vehicles will be serviced at intervals of 10,000kms. To top it all, each purchase will be accompanied by the latest 8.9 inch Samsung Galaxy Tab, at no extra cost.

“We always try to offer our customers

quality products that are affordable, and it is our pleasure to provide even more value with this limited time promotion,” said Virendra Agarwal CEO, Moosa Abdul Rahman Hassan & Co LLC. Acadia, GMC’s first luxury crossover utility vehicle, features a cabin with three rows of seating that can accommodate up

to eight passengers comfortably.

Acadia comes with a wide range of optional and standard equipment including ultrasonic parking assist, power lift gate, an extended-range remote vehicle starting system in addition to a tri-zone heating and air conditioning system and an oversized dual SkyScape sunroof.

Bahwan Travel Consortium annual staff get together

Wordpress

Bahwan Travel Consortium had their annual staff get together at the Le Grand Hall at Al Falaj. The evening saw the staff come along with their families to witness entertainment, games, magic show, prizes, dinner and dance. Gracing the occasion were Shaikh Suhail Bahwan, Shaikh Omar Bahwan and Amal Bahwan who were present and also gave away awards to employees.

18 February 21-March 20, 2012

In Black & White

In Black...

Oman’s 7th Muscat International Film Festival is not only going to see an array of stars, but also some fine films, which movie lovers are going to enjoy Mohamed Issa Al Zadjali Editor-in-chief

MAKE THE DREAM OF CINEMA A REALITY We live in an exciting time. Oman is bracing itself for a storm of film stars who are going to descend into this country. We are going to see a major lineup of stars and things are going to change in the nascent movie business of Oman.

Whatever opinion that people have of movies and the stars that enact roles in them, the truth is that most of us are dazzled by these actors and actresses.

Of course, all of them are doing their jobs and are paid for it. But that is where the similarity between them and the common populace, like us, ends. One film, one hit. That is enough for the whole world to lap up an actor who is suddenly catapulted into the limelight. Somehow, all of us want to share that limelight in a little way. However much we would like to say differently, the truth is that there are many among us who are in awe of movie stars. There is some kind of extra dimensional quality about them and we like to associate with them, be with them, and somehow get our share of that bit of fame.

Whatever, Oman’s 7th Muscat International Film Festival is not only going to see an array of stars, but also some fine films, which movie lovers are going to enjoy. It is going to be a veritable film festival and more importantly, it is going to catapult Oman into the world of cinema.

One of the biggest spinoffs of such festivals is that it helps countries that host it to get a foothold into an industry that is currently in the making – an industry that thrives on cinema, on actors, and a world peopled with multifarious benefits that go into it.

Okay, now what has Black & White got to do with cinema? Not much, I guess, but we are in this with the Oman Film Society and the Ministry of Heritage and Culture in their drive to bring cinema into the open.

We are not just with them – we share their dream and hopefully will make it a reality for them.

Grab your popcorns and hold on to your tickets folks for we are going to fly into the world of cinema the likes of which we have never seen or been in before.

& White Black & White 19

Over 90 countries to participate in the

7th Muscat International Film Festival Over 90 countries will be participating in the 7th Muscat International Film Festival (MIFF), which will be held from March 24 to 31.

Dr Khalid Al Zadjali, chairman of MIFF and the Oman Film Society (OFS), announced the dates of the MIFF. “In a few days time, we will also start selling the tickets to the opening and closing ceremonies,� Dr Khalid told the media at a press conference announcing the eight-day MIFF, which was held at the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) recently.

B&W Xclusive

The new MIFF logo was also unveiled at the press conference. Mohamed Issa Al Zadjali, director of Black & White events, which has conceptualised and is also managing and putting together this year's MIFF, was present along with the key members of the MIFF and members of the media.

20 February 21-March 20, 2012

MAIN HIGHLIGHTS The four main highlights of the MIFF are: • Opening ceremony • Retrospective, • Panorama sections • Closing ceremony The event will also witness glittering awards nights, plus seminars and workshops on various aspects of cinema.

STANDUP COMEDIAN TO HOST MIFF Standup comedian and well-known Korean TV personality, Wonho Chong (more details in the press kit), who is fluent in five languages, including both English and Arabic, will host both the opening and closing ceremonies and the red carpet events.

RETROSPECTIVE ON SIR DAVID LEAN Dr Khalid said the retrospective on Sir David Lean, who is best remembered for big screen epics such as The Bridge on the River Kwai, Lawrence of Arabia, Doctor Zhivago and A Passage to India. The retrospective will have the world famous actors, Omar Sharif and Victor Banerjee, who have acted in Sir Lean's films gracing the occasion and even lending their insight into the glorious past and revealing nuggets of information of a bygone golden film era.

Black & White 21

HONOURING CELEBRITIES Dr Khalid said that the MIFF would be honouring a host of film celebrities, which would include actors, directors and those who have contributed to the world of cinema. “From the Arab World, we will be honouring Hayat Al Fahad (a Gulf-based actress), Hameedo (Moroccan star), Sheikh Abdullah bin Shuwain Al Hosni (Oman) will be honoured. We have invited the Egyptian star Najla Fateh and are awaiting her confirmation.

“From India, we have Mohan Lal (Malayalam movie star) and popular directors Priyadarshan and Major Ravi. We will also be bringing Dhanush (current young singing sensation and actor from the South),” Dr Khalid said, adding that all of them will be honoured at the MIFF.

B&W Xclusive

PANORAMA SECTION The Panorama section (Hollywood and Indian), which is open for the public (by invitation) will feature one of the top/ award winning films of visiting movie stars.

OMAN FILM MEET Dr Khalid said that the MIFF also aimed at enhancing and encouraging the already existing local (domestic) filmmakers. As part of this, the Oman Film Meet (a group of Omani filmmakers) which has entered its sixth year in existence will be merged with this year’s MIFF. “It will be a part of the festival, and it will serve in bringing together local filmmakers, showcasing local talents, which will help of assistance to the filmmakers,” he said.

22 February 21-March 20, 2012

SIZZLING ENTERTAINMENT The opening and closing nights will be packed with some of the best entertainment Muscat has ever witnessed.

Dazzling on the stage will be stars like Nancy Ajram(Arab singing sensation), Tito Seif(famous belly dancer), Lucky Ali (Hindi soul singer), Sivamani (world famous percussionist), Isha Sharvani and Daksha Seth dance troupe, Pandit Chaurasia (flautist), Salah Al Zadjali (Omani singer), the Malaysian dancer Ramli Ibrahim and the Sutra Group, plus dance performances from the Medo Group.

ADDED ATTRACTION An added attraction would be the presence of famous socialites from the US like Princess Catherine Oxemberg and actor Casper Van Dien, Dr Khalid said. He also noted that the MIFF would evoke further excitement thanks to the planned contests like the ‘Future Film Maker’ contest.

LAUNCH OF ASEEL Meanwhile, he also gave details of the second Omani feature film, Aseel, which will be unveiled at a special screening for diplomats, titled ‘Diplomats Reel’.

CELEBRITY DINNER RECEPTIONS The exciting event will also feature two celebrity dinner receptions, where fans as well as general moviegoers will get an opportunity to be with the top visiting stars and other personalities. The receptions will be held at prominent hotels on March 25 and 30, respectively.

Second Bond to make

BOND SPECIAL DAY at MIFF extra special

George Lazenby, the second actor to portray Agent OO7 in a James Bond movie, has confirmed his presence at the Bond special day on March 30 at the 7th Muscat International Film Festival, which will be held from March 24 to 31.

Lazenby, who is an Australian actor, is famous for playing the role of James Bond in the 1969 movie ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (OHMSS)’, directed by Peter Hunt.

B&W Xclusive

ACUTE PORTRAYAL Although appearing in only one of the Bond movies, Lazenby is well respected for his accurate portrayal of the James Bond character from the Ian Fleming novels. The film was a huge success and features some of the most exciting sequences of the series set in the stunning alpine countryside of Switzerland. Lazenby then surfaced as an extremely admired person in the James Bond movie series. Subsequently when appearing at events associated with the Bond series, he witnessed passionate spectators on many an occasion, reports note.

NON-EUROPEAN BOND Dr Khalid Al Zadjali, chairman of the Oman Film Society (OFS) and MIFF confirmed yesterday of Lazenby’s presence at the MIFF and announced that the actor, who was the only non-European to portray Bond in an official Bond feature film, would also be honoured on the same day.

The OHMSS is the sixth spy thriller in the Bond series and it was shot in Switzerland, England and Portugal from October 1968 to May 1969. During the making of the film, Lazenby decided that he would play the role of Bond only once.

24 February 21-March 20, 2012

JOHN GLEN AND BRITT EKLAND Dr Khalid also announced the presence of five times Bond movie director, John Glen and Bond girl, Britt-Marie Ekland.

Glen has directed the most number of Bond movies totaling five: For Your Eyes Only (1981), Octopussy (1983), A View to a Kill (1985), The Living Daylights (1987) and Licence to Kill (1989). The foreword of his autobiography, ‘For My Eyes Only: My Life with James Bond’ (2001), was written by Sir Roger Moore, who played James Bond in three of the five Bond movies directed by Glen.

Ekland is a Swedish actress and singer and is best known for her role as a Bond girl in the movie ‘The Man with the Golden Gun’.

“We are glad to have roped in all three for the Bond special day at our MIFF. The trio, along with Sir Roger Moore will be one of the top highlights of MIFF,” Dr Khalid enthused. “It is not everyday that you get two Bonds, one Bond girl and a Bond director all together under one roof on the same day!”

It may be recalled that the international celebration of 007’s 50th anniversary will be held in Hollywood before the end of this year. All six actors who have played James Bond over the years are set to unite at this party.

Black & White 25

Future filmmaker contest

and workshop to highlight student talents at MIFF IN ORDER TO IDENTIFY, promote and develop the potential talent of the young filmmakers in Oman, the 7th Muscat International Film Festival (MIFF) will be organising an exciting contest – Future Filmmaker -- which will run alongside the other key events.

The MIFF, which will be held from March 24 to 31 this year, will run the future filmmaker contest, which is aimed at the youth with an objective to motivate and create awareness of the career creator: film industry.

10 MINUTE FILM CONTEST The contest, which is supported by ministry of education, will involve the youth and highlight the young budding talents who have interest in short filmmaking.

Students of 11th and 12th grade and the colleges, aged 15 to 21 years, will be eligible to participate. Participants who meet the criteria should submit a 10 minute film on the topic: ‘Naturally Oman’.

B&W Xclusive

UNVEIL POTENTIAL TALENT “The future filmmaker contest will be one of the key mandates of this year’s MIFF to unveil potential talent in Oman. Such contests will augur well in identifying as well as open up opportunities to nurture emerging talent,” Dr Khalid Al Zadjali, chairman of MIFF and the Oman Film Society (OFS) said. He also added that they were looking forward to wide participation by both local and expatriate talent in this arena.

EXCITING CASH PRIZES Three winning entries will be shortlisted by a panel of jury and cash prizes of $5000 will be awarded to the three. The prizes will be given away in the presence of international film personalities on March 31, at the closing ceremony of the MIFF. The entries forms are available with rules and regulations at the various schools in Oman, and can also be obtained from the Black & White office, Hatat House.

More details can be obtained at bweventsoman@gmail. com/24565697.

26 February 21-March 20, 2012

FUTURE FILMMAKER WORKSHOP Talented youth will be selected to participate in a two-day workshop conducted by the founder of future filmmaker course from the US, Adam Loften. He will be part of the MIFF and will conduct a professional comprehensive course/workshop on filmmaking for a small group of 15 candidates.

“I will be conducting a two-day course, where I will be imparting the necessary skills to enable the chosen candidates to write, direct, film, act in and edit their own movie,” Loften said, adding that he looked forward to this experience.

Since 2004 Adam has been working as a freelance editor, collaborating with non-profits and green businesses to help communicate their personal mission of change through documentaries, PSA’s and educational films. In 2009 Adam edited and filmed two short form documentaries. The first, What Would it Look Like, is currently touring the film festival circuit and recently won The Best Indy Content Award at the Boston International Film Festival. The second documentary, A 1000 Suns, is currently airing nationally on PBS. Most recently Adam co-produced and directed The Journey of the Universe Educational Series, which is currently being used in American and international universities. Adam strives to manifest positive change in the world by creating conscious media, and empowering young people by sharing with them the tools necessary to communicate their own feelings and stories.

Black & White 27

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Sing and dance to Dhanush’s ‘Why this Kolaveri di’ at the MIFF Those wanting to sing and swing along to the irresistible charm of the viral hit ‘Why this Kolaveri di’ need to wait just a few more weeks.

B&W Xclusive

The Indian national award winning Tamil star and occasional singer Dhanush who sang his way to the hearts of million viewers and listeners will be here at the 7th Muscat International Film Festival (MIFF). He will grace the red carpet on the opening night of the MIFF on March 24 and will also be honoured at the festival.

SUPER STARDOM Dhanush, who gained superstardom with this Kolaveri hit number, which far exceeded his status as an excellent actor, will also be belting out this now-famous song, the lines of which are a popular catchphrase among many a lip today. Kolaveri is a song from his movie 3, directed by his wife, mega superstar Rajinikanth’s daughter, Aishwarya and the music composed by 21-year old Anirudh Ravichander, Rajinikanth’s nephew.

“I am sure the popular Dhanush, with his fun and perfectly

30 February 21-March 20, 2012

hummable song will prove to be an added attraction at the MIFF,” enthused Dr Khalid Al Zadjali, chairman of MIFF and the Oman Film Society (OFS) said.

The Kolaveri di song, which was done in 25 minutes flat by the award winning actor and occasional playback singer, has had even Bollywood megastar, Amitabh Bachchan tweeting “it’s so original and catchy”. His filmography includes critically acclaimed films like Kadhal Kondein, Pudhupettai, Mayakkam Enna and commercially successful films like Thiruda Thirudi, Thiruvilayadal Arambam, Polladhavan, Yaaradi Nee Mohini and Padikathavan. He won the national film award for best actor for his performance in Aadukalam. He is the son of Kasthuri Raja and the brother of Selvaraghavan, both directors in Tamil cinema.

Mohanlal to be honoured at the closing ceremony

The South Indian superstar, Padma Shri Mohanlal Vishwanathan Nair, or Mohanlal, will be one of the leading lights from the Indian side at the 7th Muscat International Film Festival (MIFF).

Lalettan (as he is fondly known in films and otherwise) will grace the red carpet on March 31 and will also be honoured. This national award-winning Indian actor, producer, singer, and writer, who is known for his versatile and natural acting in Indian cinema made his mark as a lead antagonist in his first release, the popular Manjil Virinja Pookal. Although he did some negative roles even after that, he soon established himself as a superstar with the 1986 movie Rajavinte Makan.

FINEST ACTOR “Mohanlal is regarded as one of the finest actors in Indian cinema and is a cultural icon. It will be an honour to have him here and feature his films,” Dr Khalid Al Zadjali, chairman of MIFF and the Oman Film Society (OFS) said.

MOST POPULAR He was elected as the most popular individual in a 2006 online poll conducted by CNN-IBN on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Kerala’s formation. In 2001, the Government of India honoured him with the Padma Shri, India’s fourth highest civilian honour, for his contributions to Indian cinema. He has won four Indian national film awards -- two best actor awards, one special jury award for acting, and one award for best film as producer along

with six Kerala State Film Awards for best actor. In 2009, he became the first actor to be given the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army of India and in 2010 received an honorary doctorate from Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kerala.

NOTABLE ROLES Mohanlal became a film producer with the 1990 musical hit His Highness Abdullah and has also acted in a number of Tamil and Bollywood films. Of these, his notable roles were in Iruvar, directed by Mani Ratnam, and Company, directed by Ram Gopal Varma. As well as being an actor and producer, Mohanlal also owns businesses involved in film distribution, restaurants and packaged spices.

300 FILMS He has acted in over 300 Malayalam films and produced or co-produced over 35 films. His acting credits include some Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, Kannada films. He has acted in four professional plays. He has sung over 25 songs, most of them for the films he acted in. His most recent movies include Casanova (directed by Roshan Andrews), Pranayam (directed by Blessy), Snehaveedu (directed by Sathyan Anthikkadu) and many others which are on the verge of release.

Black & White 31

Turkish heartthrobs, Muhannad and Noor, to walk the closing ceremony red carpet Kivanc Tatlitug and Songul Oden (better known by their popular screen names Muhannad and Noor) will grace the Red Carpet on March 31 and will also be honoured at the MIFF on the same day.

CAPTURED THE IMAGINATION The good-looking duo has invaded the Arab television with their soap operas and captured the hearts, minds and simply the imagination of viewers, including those in Oman. The final episode of the most famous one – broadcast on MBC TV – called Gumus (or Noor in Arabic) managed to pull in more than 80 million viewers from Morocco to Palestine, Saudi Arabia to Oman and beyond, it is reported.

These popular soaps with Muhannad and Noor are watched not only women, but entire households has helped Turkey carve a niche in the Arab cinema/movie and TV world. With the Arab world taking to these sitcoms like duck to water Muhannad and Noor have become darlings of the Arab masses.

B&W Xclusive

REAL TREAT TO HAVE THE STARS HERE “Muhannad and Noor have conquered the hearts and minds of many women and men in Oman and having them here for the MIFF is a real treat. I think the Turkish embassy, especially the Turkish ambassador, Hayri Erol, for the stellar role he has played in helping us get these two stars to attend the MIFF,” a delighted Dr Khalid Al Zadjali, chairman of MIFF and OFS (Oman Film Society) said.

ENHANCE OMAN TURKEY RELATIONS “Turkish films are gaining immense popularity in the Arab world, especially Oman. And I am extremely pleased to have these two famous stars are coming to attend the MIFF. With the popularity of these stars and their sitcoms gaining popularity even beyond the Arab world, the presence of the duo would serve as a great start for further bringing Turkey and Oman closer on the cultural front. I thank the ministry of heritage and culture and the OFS for thinking of honouring Muhannad and Noor,” Hayri Erol added.

32 February 21-March 20, 2012

MIDDLE EAST’S BRAD PITT Muhannad has been dubbed as the ‘Middle East’s Brad Pitt’ due to his popularity in the Arab world. Because many of the series which he acted in was sent to broadcast to Arab world after original broadcast in Turkey. He was chosen the sexiest Turkish man alive on a poll conducted by the Turkish daily Hurriyet in July 2009.

Meanwhile, Noor has her own immense following in the Arab world and even viewers from countries like Bulgaria, where the series (Gumus; in which she acted with Kivanc) adores her. Late last year, due to the popularity of Gumus, she was invited to host Kënga Magjike 2011 Final in Albania alongside Ardit Gjebrea (an Albanian singer, producer and presenter). More details at bweventsoman@ gmail.com or call /24565697/98675976

Veteran actor

Victor Banerjee as

Retrospective section guest of honour Victor Banerjee , Indian actor who appears in Hindi, Bengali and English language films. He has worked for prominent directors like Jerry London, Shyam Benegal, Satyajit Ray, Ram Gopal Varma, Roman Polanski, James Ivory, Mrinal Sen and David Lean.

In 1984, he acted as Dr Aziz Ahmed in David Lean’s film of A Passage to India, bringing him to the attention of Western audiences. Victor was nominated for BAFTA award for this role in 1986. He won two other awards for this role: Evening Standard British Film Award and NBR

Award (National Board Review, USA).

He acted in Merchant Ivory Productions Hullabaloo Over Georgie and Bonnie’s Pictures, Satyajit Ray’s Shatranj Ke Khilari and Ghare Baire and in Mrinal Sen’s Mahaprithivi. Though in recent years he has largely been involved with Bollywood, he is also affiliated with the Bengali film industry. He also plays ‘character actor’ roles from time to time in the British cinema. He was also cast in the role of Jesus by director Steven Pimlott in the 1988 production of the York Mystery Plays.

Black & White 33

B&W Xclusive 34 February 21-March 20, 2012

Saif Ali Khan, Kareena at the MIFF for Oman’s first-ever premiere:

AGENT VINOD A bit of Tintin, a bit of Bond, a bit of Alistair McLean and well, a little bit of fun and frolic and a lot of adventure…that is what Agent Vinod, the much awaited Bollywood flick is all about, says its chief protagonist, Saif Ali Khan.

Agent Vinod will be the first-ever film that is going to be premiered in Oman.

It has already set the market abuzz with excitement and given an added fillip to the 7th Muscat International Film Festival (MIFF).

Top Indian celebrities and cast of Agent Vinod will be gracing the Red Carpet of the MIFF at its premiere on March 25. With Agent Vinod’s premiere in Oman, it may perhaps open the doors to many more.

GROUNDBREAKING FILM This groundbreaking Indian spy flick, which was shot in Morocco, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Latvia among others, and featuring the lean, mean and ready for action Saif Ali Khan and Bollywood’s ultimate diva Kareena Kapoor and a host of other glamorous stars and veterans in the field, including Prem Chopra, Gulshan Grover, Ram Kapoor, Vasilisa Petina will hit the box office on March 23 (Oman premiere will be on March 25).

DEADLY STUNTS The film is an action thriller and has Saif playing a slick, stylish and a daredevil secret agent (Agent Vinod). Saif is also co-producing besides acting in it. The Bollywood beauty, Kareena, plays the character, Iram. Other than Saif, Kareena has also done some deadly stunts, promos of the movie reveal.

ACTION THRILLER This cool spy thriller with a nuclear twist, directed by Sriram Raghavan and under the banner of Saif Ali Khan’s home production, Illuminati Films, leaves no stone unturned in attempting to woo action thriller lovers.

FIRST-EVER MOVIE PREMIERE “This movie’s entry is groundbreaking as far as the nascent cinema industry is concerned. For Oman, it is the first ever movie premiere and it will be great to have movie stars like Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor in town for the MIFF,” Dr Khalid Al Zadjali, chairman of MIFF and Oman Film Society (OFS) enthused.

Black & White 35

B&W Xclusive

Salmon Fishing movie premiere The movie ‘Salmon Fishing in the Yemen’ will be premiered as part of the festival on March 29.

Initial reviews portray ‘Salmon Fishing…’ as a winner and is recommended by film critics and buffs alike in the US, where it has already been released. The movie, which has been adapted from the novel with the same name by Paul Torday is the latest film from director Lasse Hallstrom (Chocalat, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape) and is cited as an “uplifting”, and “enchanting smile inducer”, but not without sending its characters into the brink of despair at certain moments in the movie. The nearly two-hour movie is scripted by Oscar-winning screenwriter Simon Beaufoy (Slumdog Millionaire).

36 February 21-March 20, 2012

Sharmila, head of international jury for the MIFF The 7th Muscat International Film Festival (MIFF) will have a top and eminent film personality as the head of international jury – Sharmila Tagore.

Tagore is a well known Indian film actress, who has won national film awards and Filmfare awards for her performances. She was the head of the Indian film censor board from October 2004 till March 2011 and was also the Unicef goodwill ambassador in 2005. This great grandniece of the noted poet Rabindranath Tagore began her career as a young 14-year old actress in Satyajit’s 1959 Bengali film Apur Sansar (The World of Apu) as the ill-fated bride of the title character.

She established herself as a popular Hindi film actress with Shakti Samanta’s Kashmir Ki Kali in 1964. She starred in Gulzar’s 1975 film, Mausam and won the national film award for best actress.

She also played a supporting role as heroine Sarita Choudhury’s mother in Mira Nair’s 1991 film Mississippi Masala. Tagore married Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, Nawab of Pataudi, a former captain of the Indian cricket team (who died late last year) – and she has three children, the star Saif Ali Khan, Saba Ali Khan and Soha Ali Khan, also an actress.

In Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s Eklavya: The Royal Guard, Tagore acted with Saif Ali Khan, bringing together real-life mother and son into the reel scene.

“We could not get any other better film personality to be the head of the international jury,” Dr Khalid Al Zadjali, chairman of MIFF and Oman Film Society (OFS) said, speaking of Tagore. “She has acted superbly in some movies and we are honoured to have her in Oman and also for the MIFF.” Black & White 37

B&W Xclusive

SUSAN SARANDON Susan Sarandon (born Susan Abigail Tomalin; October 4, 1946) is an American actress. She has worked in movies and television since 1969, and won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in the 1995 film Dead Man Walking. She had also been nominated for the award for four films before that and has received other recognition for her work. She is also noted for her social and political activism for a variety of liberal causes.

Sarandon played one of the leads in the 1987 dark comedy/fantasy film The Witches of Eastwick, opposite Jack Nicholson. Sarandon starred in the 1988 film Bull Durham, which became a huge commercial and critical success. In 1989, she co-starred with Marlon Brando in A Dry White Season. In 1990 she starred in the film White Palace with James Spader.

Sarandon has received five Academy Award nominations, for best actress, in Atlantic City (1980), Thelma & Louise (1991), Lorenzo’s Oil (1992) and The Client (1994). In 1995, she won the award for her performance in Dead Man Walking.

In 1994, Sarandon was awarded the Women in Film Crystal Award. Additional performances in film include Little Women (1994, Compromising Positions, Stepmom (1998), Anywhere But Here (1999), Cradle Will Rock (1999), The Banger Sisters (2002), Shall We Dance 38 February 21-March 20, 2012

(2004), Alfie (2004), Romance & Cigarettes (2005), Elizabethtown (2005) and Enchanted (2007).

Sarandon has appeared in two episodes of The Simpsons, once as herself (“Bart Has Two Mommies”) and another as a ballet teacher, “Homer vs. Patty and Selma”. She has made appearances on comedies such as Friends, Malcolm in the Middle, Mad TV, Saturday Night Live, Chappelle’s Show, 30 Rock, and Rescue Me. Sarandon is noted for her active support of progressive and left-liberal political causes, ranging from donations made to organisations such as EMILY’s List, to participating in a 1983 delegation to Nicaragua sponsored

by MADRE, an organisation that promotes “social, environmental and economic justice.” Sarandon has also expressed support for various human rights causes. In 1999, she was appointed Unicef goodwill ambassador.

In that capacity, she has actively supported the organisation’s global advocacy, as well as the work of the Canadian Unicef Committee.

In 2006, Sarandon received the Action Against Hunger Humanitarian Award. She was honored for her work as a Unicef Goodwill Ambassador, an advocate for victims of hunger and HIV/AIDS and a spokesperson for Heifer International. In 2010, Sarandon was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame.

Introducing Rila and Sumith With over 40 years of being an integral part of the music business, Rila Banerjee and Sumith Ramachandran aim at bridging the gap between mainstream modern Jazz, Jazz Pop and an audience which feels intimidated by the sheer sound of the language of freedom! They are committed to making this language of free melodic expression consumer-friendly and thoroughly enjoyable to the uninitiated.

When Kolkata-based singer-songwriter Rila Banerjee and Sumith Ramachandran, one of India's leading guitar players sought out a platform to fine-tune their craft they found it here - despite its indiscriminate ear, Kolkata has a big heart for music. Post Rila’s 13 year self-exile, once again, she has a platform. Music has been re-established as entertainment and Rila and Sumith are on song: a product of various permutations and combinations of folk

and country and jazz, a marriage Rila still calls bizarre.

Majors, minors, sharps, flats, diminished, augmented sounds birthed and meticulously honed from hours of disagreements and equal time spent making up. It works for them. We hope it works for you too.

Sumith Ramachandran (www.myspace.com/ sumithramachandran www.facebook.com/ sumithramachandran), labelled ‘a monster guitarist’ and a phenomenal musician, currently plays with Hip Pocket and his own band Plan B. Rila Banerjee (www.myspace.com/rilabanerjee) is among the best female vocalists in India. After having performed in multiple genres with some of the best musicians in the country, she is now writing her own music and exploring this new freedom of expression and loving it.

Black & White 39

B&W Xclusive

Oscar winner Forest Whitaker Forest Steven Whitaker, 51, is an American actor, producer, and director. He has earned a reputation for intensive character study work for films such as Bird and Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai, and for his recurring role as ex-LAPD Lieutenant Jon Kavanaugh on the gritty, award-winning television series, The Shield.

Whitaker won an Academy Award for his performance as Ugandan dictator Idi Amin in the 2006 film The Last King of Scotland. Whitaker has also won a Golden Globe, and a BAFTA. Whitaker has a long history of working with well-regarded film directors and fellow actors. In his first onscreen performance of note, he had a small role playing a high school football player in the 1982 film version of Cameron Crowe’s coming-of-age teen-retrospective, Fast Times at Ridgemont High. He co-starred alongside Judge Reinhold, Phoebe Cates, and Sean Penn. In 1986, he appeared in Martin Scorsese’s film, The Color of Money (with Paul Newman and Tom Cruise), and in Oliver Stone’s Platoon. The following year, he co-starred with Robin Williams in the comedy Good Morning, Vietnam.

In 1988, Whitaker played in the film Bloodsport alongside

Jean-Claude Van Damme and he had his first lead role starring as musician Charlie Parker in the Clint Eastwooddirected film, Bird. To prepare himself for the part, he sequestered himself in a loft with only a bed, couch, and saxophone, having also conducted extensive research and taken alto sax lessons. His performance, which has been called “transcendent,” earned him the Best Actor award at the 1988 Cannes Film Festival and a Golden Globe nomination. Whitaker continued to work with a number of well-known directors throughout the 1990s. He starred in the 1990 film Downtown with Anthony Edwards and Penelope Ann Miller. Neil Jordan cast him in the pivotal role of “Jody”, a captive British agent in his 1992 film, The Crying Game where Whitaker used an English accent. Todd McCarthy, of Variety, described Whitaker’s performance as “big-hearted,” “hugely emotional,” and “simply terrific.” In 1994, he was a member of the cast that won the first ever National Board of Review Award for Best Acting by an Ensemble for Robert Altman’s film, Prêt-à-Porter. He gave a “characteristically emotional performance” in Wayne Wang and Paul Auster’s 1995 film, Smoke.

Text: Adarsh Madhavan & Priya Arunkumar

40 February 21-March 20, 2012

By Dr CK Anchan

KPI -Key performance indicator also known as Key Success Indicators are commonly used by an organisation to evaluate its success or the success of a particular activity in which it is engaged. Once an organisation has analysed its mission, identified all its stakeholders, and defined its goals, it needs a way to measure progress toward those goals. KPI provides the most important performance information that enables organisations or the owners to understand whether the organisation is performing on track or not.

Some companies have formal, enterprisewide performance measurement systems in place such as - Six Sigma, Plan-Do-CheckAct methodology, or the Balanced Scorecard.

Regardless of the system a company uses, all organisations use key performance indicators KPIs, to assess their performance.

Managers at all levels in an organisation can track key performance indicators to assess how well their groups are meeting their business objectives, whether performance is improving or declining, and how their group’s performance compares with that of other units or groups within the company and in rival organisations.

Key performance indicators come in three types: Process KPIs measure the efficiency or productivity of a business process. Examples include “Product-repair cycle time,” “Days to deliver an order,” “Number of rings before a customer phone call is answered,” “Number of employees graduating from training programs,” and “Weeks required to fill vacant positions etc.

Input KPIs measure assets and resources invested in or used to generate business results. Examples include “money spent on

Management talk

KPI -Key Performance Indicator

Dr Anchan C.K. managing director, World Wide Business House

research and development,” “funding for employee training,” “new hires’ knowledge and skills,” and “quality of raw materials etc. Output KPIs measure the financial and nonfinancial results of business activities.

Examples include “revenues,” “number of new customers acquired,” and “percentage increase in employees etc.

An organisation that has as one of its goals “to be the most profitable company in the industry” will have KPI's that measure profit and related fiscal measures. “Pre-tax profit” and “shareholder equity” will be among them.

On the other hand, a school is not concerned with making a profit, so its KPI will be different.

The KPIs like “graduation rate” and “success of students growth” etc. A business may have as one of its KPI the percentage of its income that comes from return customers. A KPI for a social service organisation might be number of clients assisted during the year.

Whatever KPI 's are selected, they must reflect the organisation’s goals, they must be key to its success, and they must be quantifiable and measurable. The definition of what they are and how they are measured do not change often.

The goals for a particular KPI may change as the organisation’s goals change, or as it gets closer to achieving a goal. The KPI's Indicators usually are long-term considerations.

If you’ve recently started in your role as manager, you may not yet know which KPIs are used in your unit or group. How will you find out? Ask your boss what measures your group has been using to track performance. If your unit has a business analyst, see if he or she would be available to discuss your unit’s KPIs and other performance metrics.

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Sudoku is a number-placing puzzle based on a 9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object is to place the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once.

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2011 Conceptis Puzzles, Dist. by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

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SOLUTION: Difficulty Level

8 2 1 7 5 9 3 4 6

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2011 Conceptis Puzzles, Dist. by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

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AJAY ENTERPRISES PO BOX 54, PC 100.

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Your sta ARIES March 21-April 20 Goals for self-mastery and self-discipline should be made at this time. Expect an active period ahead. This is a phase when you are busy with career and/or public responsibilities. Repeated efforts are required to make things work. It is time to reap rewards of the work done earlier.

CANCER June 22-July 23 Give attention to important work. If in business, you are surrounded by whirlpool of activities.

If in partnership, then it is possible that any issue may surface up demanding your immediate decision or attention. It is a good time to make contacts and to make something public.

TAURUS April 21-May 20

GEMINI May 21-June 21

A bright period ahead heralding new diet regimes, healthy routines, and satisfying work schedules. At job, it is time to increase your efficiency by organising the work. You will feel energetic to complete the task that was holding you for long. You will receive the necessary support from the people and environment.

It is suggested you to prioritise the work and focus on reputation first. If in business, it is not good time for expansion, instead work on in-house management.

Problems at subordinate level will tax your patience and energy both. You will receive good flow of income this week. It is possible to get finances balanced against your work.

LEO July 24-August 23 If in business, you will be energetic to perform your mundane routine work. You are thoughtful and analytical. It is time to bring out desired result from your efforts now.

It is possible that you may not be able to give some time to relations due to priority of the work.

VIRGO August 24-September 23 Obstacles at work will be removed by just little efforts with your confidence. Focus your attention to manage the work in hand. Expansion should be postponed for the moment. Help of subordinates and associates will be useful

RONALDO DE ASSIS MOREIRA (BORN 21 MARCH 1980) in Porto Alegre, commonly known as Ronaldinho is a Brazilian footballer who plays for Flamengo and the Brazilian national team as an attacking midfielder or forward. He is a two-time winner of the FIFA World Player of the Year, awarded to the best player over the year. He won the award in both 2004 and 2005. "Ronaldinho," the diminutive and term of endearment for "Ronaldo," is accompanied in Brazilian usage by the nickname "Gaúcho," in order to distinguish him from fellow footballer and countryman Ronaldo, who was known as "Ronaldinho" in Brazil beforehand. Ronaldo simply went by his first name upon his move to Europe, thereby allowing Ronaldinho to drop the "Gaúcho" and go by the name Ronaldinho abroad.

Prior to his move to Flamengo, he played for Paris Saint-Germain F.C., FC Barcelona and A.C. Milan. With the Spanish club, he won his first Champions League in 2006 and the Ballon d'Or in 2005. He became a

Horoscope

Spanish citizen in January 2007. He was also named in the FIFA 100, a list of the greatest footballers compiled by fellow countryman Pelé, and in the FIFPro World XI consecutively from 2004–2007.

44 February 21-March 20, 2012

ars LIBRA September 24-October 22 Give priority to important matter otherwise it is possible to receive a warning from superiors. It is good time for business as meetings or dealings are expected to be fruitful. Expansion of work and benefits are in store now. Avoid haste and over confidence. It is a good period for finances.

SCORPIO October 23-November 22 Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a good time to take tests, fill out forms, start a new course, write letters, make phone calls, and take care of daily tasks with energy. At work, your enthusiasm will be striking and you will perform your work with efficiently. Remember, sociability and routine work will not let you take off your head from table.

SAGITTARIUS November 23-December 22 You will be extra energetic and impatient. You may have a hard time to complete the work right now. If in business, this week challenges and obstacles may tax your patience. It is likely that you may lose your temper on your subordinates, if not controlled.

CAPRICORN December 23-January 20 Focus on changing personal habits in such a way as to improve your confidence in yourself, and concentrate on putting your best foot forward, as this is a time when you do get noticed and make a personal impression on others. This is a time when you can be brave and enjoy new experiences.

AQUARIUS January 21-February 19 Fulfillment through service, empathy, and awareness of otherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s needs; but it can also be a time of withdrawal and some sort of retreat in a social sense. It is suggested to keep your temper and words in the low form. Romance will take some time to flourish.

PISCES February 20-March 20 Responsibilities at work increase but this will prove useful for your professional growth. Superiors will be congenial.

You are willing to adapt to new circumstances, ideas, and unfamiliar situations. You will emphasise on socializing or attending meetings more. Subordinates will be helpful.

Black & White 45

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It's my life

A New Merger – Holi and Women’s Day

Vandana, award winning author (‘360 Degrees Back to Life')

By Vandana Shah

Funny eh? This year Holi –the festival of colours, which you celebrate by applying tons of colours on your friends and family, and International Women’s Day are on the same day - March 8.

So I guess, it’s a message from Heaven saying “Women are the colour of our life”.

Some are bright like the reds and the greens and you notice them immediately. Some are silver who add a soothing influence in your life. Some are clingy like the permanent colours, which refuse to go away even when you use all sorts of condiments starting from soap, to detergent and finally even oil to remove them. Some are water colours that dissolve in water and still retain their identity. Some are the bold gold, which is expensive and retains a cutting edge.

When you add all these colours you change the way you completely look. Before you know it you look like a beautiful rainbow that is sometimes unrecognisable but you enjoy looking at yourself in the mirror and everyone laughs with you, not at you, but with you.

That’s us women- we add variety, spice, calm, humour, emotions in an otherwise boring monotonous life. We are like the innocuous colours and wield the power to change your life.

So here’s to women all across the world –Happy Women’s Day and to the men all across the world we will continue transforming you in colourful ways,even without you knowing it.

Till next time love and hugs!

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

Black & White 47

hate

Things women

about men

By Deborah Stokes

Let us begin this with a query. A very simple and direct query: Let us imagine that you happen to see your man with another woman enjoying a cup of coffee at a coffee shop…how would you feel? A tinge of jealousy? Or, will you fly into a rage? In all likelihood, even if the woman is just a colleague and they are just having coffee and nothing else, you may still feel a bit jealous. Don’t know why, but you will.

I don’t know how the above connects here, but, let us look at some of the things that we don’t like about our men. There could be plenty and the above could be just one example, but there could be far more irritating and annoying things about men that you would like to air. Let us look at the usual or the most common ones and if need be, after you have read through, let us have your own version – yes, get it off your chest! And, if you have checked the earlier pages, we have our male counterparts listing their hates (against us).

So, let us give it to them gals! You know we always use this phrase – all men are alike, so let us give some of the most common things that women hate about men: OPEN WITH FEELINGS We love to talk! Yeah, say that again. We are social;

48 February 21-March 20, 2012

we make friends easily and we are able to express our feelings quite often. Apparently men are not like that. He always wear a mask of a pseudo macho and believe that if he opens up he will be seen as weak; of course, we are generous enough to not paint every man by this same brush, but mind you, the majority of them are all scared about displaying their feelings. We, women, are open with our feelings and so we want a partner who can equate in a similar manner.

SILENCE OF THE LAMBS Fine, let them not talk. But, we need to talk about things that matter, don’t we? If we are together, we need to talk about ourselves and where our relationship is taking us. Are we progressing or regressing? Men run away from women who want to talk about the status of a relationship. Why? Silence!

WE ARE SPECIAL Like we said, we are social. And we never ignore our men. But, we cannot say the same thing about them.

Most of the times, they walk over us as though we are dead. We hate it when our men ignore us or don’t pay us enough attention. We like to feel special, and we hate it when our man does not spend enough time with us or tell us how special we are to them.

DON’T LIE TO US Don’t lie to us – we are women. We don’t like it. We hate it when you lie. And when a man lies and gets caught, then they kill their relationship. And now you know why we say that all men are alike!

we are tossed around like sacks in a relationship.

Leadership is one thing, dictatorship is another and we don’t go for the latter. But, leadership does not mean that they should do everything their way. At the same time, we do not like men who act like door mats. Women like to be in the leader spot once in a while and prefer men who are good listeners.

WOMEN DON’T LIKE LOSERS Of course, who wants to be with a loser? Women desire men who know where they are going in life; otherwise, what if they give up in mid track? Women surely would not want to be around such men. They don’t want to be stuck around negative men who don’t know which way their life is going and have no plans for the future.

DON’T BOSS US AROUND No one likes bullies and we certainly don’t like it when

Black & White 49

Sedentary women more prone to D I A B E T E S

50 February 21-March 20, 2012

Get up, move around. Get some action, stop sitting for long periods. Now, this kind of advice might sound trite, but the truth is: this is something to be addressed to women, more than men.

KNOW WHY? Because women who stay seated for long periods of time every day are more prone to developing type 2 diabetes, diabetologists in Oman say, adding however that a similar link is not found in men. Quoting a recent research, the experts said that those women who tend to have a sedentary lifestyle might be putting themselves to an increased risk of diabetes. This is because when one tends to sit the entire day, the functioning of the body seems to be turned slow, and the insulin levels of the person tend to increase. This puts one to a higher risk of the disease, they added.

Recent research notes that women are at a higher risk of the disease if they have a lethargic and boring life. This is especially about the women above the age of 40. The metabolic rates of a person tend to decrease and this is what gives rise to all sorts of problems in the body.

DON’T COMPROMISE WITH HEALTH “Let us make it very clear – women need to understand that they have to be up and about; they have to be active. When they are inactive for the majority period of the time, there is little chance of any effect when they indulge in mild workout. They have to have a proper and active lifestyle.

“As you are aware, when a woman sits, it tends to put the metabolism of the body itself to a sedentary status, and naturally, insulin production increases.

So, let us stress this: women need to be healthy; they need to sleep well, but, when they wake up, they need to be really active and make themselves fit.

“No other magic mantras are going to work and it is pointless to live in a fool’s paradise. One should never compromise with health, especially women, who have to bear a lot for such mistakes,” experts emphasise.

EXERCISES WORK LIKE MAGIC Yes, there will not be any magic mantra, but there are simple exercises that work like magic: WALKING Sedentary women can get into the most easily accessible option for exercise: walking. Start off at a slow pace for about 30 minutes, every three days in a week. Once you get the hang of it and your endurance and fitness levels improve, slowly increase the pace and time.

SWIMMING If you have been sedentary for too long, it is not easy to make a splash, literally. But, mind you, swimming is surely a great option for exercise.

Like walking, swimming is a low-impact activity that increases heart rate, yet causes little or no strain on the ankles, knees and hips. The recommendation is the same for this athletic pursuit, starting off at a slow pace for about 30 minutes at least three days a week. From there, work toward 45 minutes at least five days a week.

BIKING If you have the means, you can choose to bike as a way of increasing your level of exercise. Biking is considered a moderate-intensity physical activity.

Black & White 51

Losing sleep over

HAIR LOSS

By Denise Atkins

You are gloomy because you are having a ‘bad hair’ day? Then, just imagine the distress of those who have to face hair loss on a daily basis…And I don’t mean men who are losing hair but women. Hair loss is common in women too. It is no longer a man’s problem. Today, the percentages of women who are experiencing temporary or long term hair loss are increasing…There are women whose hair is thinning all over, others have their centre part gradually widen and many others have baldness on the crown of their head.

As you are aware, the average scalp has 100,000 hairs.

Each follicle produces a single hair that grows at a rate of half an inch per month. After growing for two to six years, the hair rests for awhile before falling out. It is soon replaced with a new hair, and the cycle begins again. At any given time, 85 percent of the hair is growing, and the remainder is resting, notes a hair expert.

“People shed about 50 to 100 strands every day and that is nothing to be worried about. But, when you notice big clumps falling out when you shampoo or style – that is the time to be worried,” Sasha Nabrosky, a hair style expert, says adding that the hair could also thin over a period of time. “In both cases, you shouldn’t hesitate to see a doctor,” she says.

Shape n sound

Asked what was the main reason for hair loss in women, Nabrosky says it could be varied. “For instance, it should be understood that there are about 30 different medical conditions and so many several lifestyle factors.

I would say it is better that we look at conducting tests for thyroid problems and hormone imbalances,” she said.

HAIR LOSS TRIGGER: THYROID PROBLEMS The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland at the front of the neck. It produces hormones that regulate many processes throughout the body. If the gland makes too much or too little thyroid hormone, the hair growth cycle may falter. But hair loss is rarely the only sign of a thyroid problem. Other symptoms include weight gain or loss, sensitivity to cold or heat, and changes in heart rate.

HAIR LOSS TRIGGER: PCOS Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have

52 February 21-March 20, 2012

a chronic hormonal imbalance. The body makes higher levels of androgens than expected. This often causes extra hair to sprout on the face and body, while the hair on the scalp grows thinner. The PCOS can also lead to ovulation problems, acne, and weight gain. But sometimes thinning hair is the only obvious sign.

HAIR LOSS TRIGGER: ALOPECIA AREATA Alopecia areata causes the hair to fall out in startling patches. The culprit is the body’s own immune system, which mistakenly attacks healthy hair follicles. In most cases, the damage is not permanent. The missing patches usually grow back in six months to a year. In rare cases, people may lose all of the hair on their scalp and body.

HAIR LOSS TRIGGER: RINGWORM When ringworm affects the scalp, the fungus triggers a distinct pattern of hair loss -- itchy, round bald patches.

Bald areas can appear scaly and red. Ringworm of the scalp is treated with antifungal medication. The fungus is easily spread by direct contact, so family members should be checked for symptoms, too.

HAIR LOSS TRIGGER: CHILDBIRTH Some women may notice their hair seems fuller during pregnancy. That’s thanks to high levels of hormones that keep resting hairs from falling out as they normally would. Alas, the reprieve is short-lived. After childbirth, when hormone levels return to normal, those strands fall out quickly. This can mean a surprising amount of hair loss at one time. It may take up to two years for the hair to return to normal.

Black & White 53

The good do nothing!

Hooked

By Priya Arunkumar Someone once told at a meeting that one rotten apple can spoil the whole bunch!

An accountant philosophising in a management meeting!

Funny though it sounded, I fretted and fumed and turned defensive assuming that I am the target of the taunting comment.

I was furious because the guy who was making these declarations had no capacity to even distinguish between an apple and an orange. What would he know to make proverbial statements?

I was indignant and gave him a piece of my mind! I am good at jumping to conclusions, that day was no better.

After years I still remember his comment, don’t know why, but a nagging doubt, whether the line could have been right, if not the man?

One rotten apple?

Yes, could be; a stinker anywhere can create havoc anywhere.

But it is just one single rotten apple, my mind was screaming…

Is there any truth to the old saying?

Will leaving a single rotten apple with other apples actually cause the other apples to rot before their time? Or is it just another mindless proverb?

Can we not avoid spoiling the whole bunch?

It is all a matter of characteristics. When I am bored and with nothing much to do, I think.

Look at a basket of 20 apples, all the good ones are shining and red and looking perfect in all aspect.

Every single of the 20 guarantees all the attributes of a good and tasty apple.

They do not talk, neither do they advertise.

They sit there on the basket tightly, displaying what looks on the outside.

They do not send out signals, they don’t claim anything.

They are just plain good apples, nothing more.

You got to pick one up and bite to keep that doctor away.

On their own they are harmless, silent and unassuming.

Now, are they at fault that one of them, just a single one turns rotten, dirties the basket, and corrupts the healthy physical existence of the other 19?

Is there anything that can be done by the majority of the 19?

They are more in number, they are good and healthy and they are shining.

Why are the healthy 19 not making a difference? Against one rotten weak one?

Because like every other category of the good, they remain just good! Nothing more.

They do not spread goodness; they do not make any noise!

Look at the rotten one… it lets out the gaseous hormone required during the ripening of the fruit, faster because it is more ripe than the others.

It spreads mold, because of the physical closeness.

It is not stronger; it is dying, but spreads the rot around…?

True, I accept, one rotten can spoil the neighbours, apples or humans!

Now, what do we do?

The good do nothing. Period.

Stop the bad? priya@blackandwhiteoman.com