Times of Oman - May 4, 2015

44 61

6 085010 120010 SCAN THIS QR CODE TO INSTANTLY LAUNCH THE VIDEO

DIGEST VIDEO Top stories in one minute with our new daily Digest

MONDAY, May 4, 2015 /15 Rajab 1436 AH

timesofoman.com

CABLE

wtimesofoman.com

facebook.com/timesofoman

twitter.com/timesofoman

HM sends condolences In his cable, His Majesty the Sultan has expressed his sincere condolences and sympathy to Sheikh Sabah and Al Sabah ruling family, praying to Allah the Almighty to rest the deceased’s soul in peace and grant his family patience. -ONA

TOP THREE INSIDE STORIES

OMAN

Special fares for amnesty-seekers

1

As a goodwill gesture in the wake of Oman government’s three-month-long amnesty programme, airlines operating from Muscat are coming up with special fares for those seeking amnesty. Pakistan International Airlines and Biman Bangladesh will offer special fares to amnesty-seekers who wish to leave Oman. Air India, however, has not decided on special fares. >A3

OMAN

WORLD

ABA’s new campus to 4,100 migrants be at Airport Heights rescued off Libya

2

ABA has announced that it will develop a new secondary school campus on 45,000 sq metres at Madinat Al Irfan, in the Airport Heights area of Muscat, to accommodate over 700 students. >A4

3

Nearly 4,100 migrants were rescued from boats near the coast of Libya on Saturday and Sunday and rescue operations continued, Italy’s coast guard and navy said. >A14

Majlis Al Shura ACCIDENT SITE: Three workers were killed while they were renovating a well in Nakhal area on Saturday. – Supplied picture

called on Minister of

Three workers die in Nakhal wall collapse

expats in managerial

fahadnews@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Three workers were killed after a wall fell on them while they were renovating a well in Nakhal area on Saturday, according to the Public Authority for Civil Defence and Ambulance (PACDA).

The bodies of the three men were retrieved on Sunday.

Onsite training Commenting on the latest accident at work site, a safety expert said that onsite training of work-

How Pacquiao and Mayweather fared in the Fight of the Century

C4

Manpower to replace roles with Omanis

FAHAD AL GHADANI FAHAD AL GHADANI

ISO 9001:2008 Certified Company

Call for Omanis to have all the top jobs

NAKHAL AREA

MUSCAT: His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has sent a cable of condolences to His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmed Al Jabir Al Sabah, Emir of Kuwait, on the death of Sheikh Shamlan Abdulaziz Al Hamoud Al Jarrah Al Sabah.

blog.timesofoman.com

ers, giving them protective gears and quality equipment as well as their regular upgrade are some of the measures that should be taken to avert accidents.

Safety measures Besides advising companies not to compromise on the safety measures at work sites, the PACDA officials urged people on Twitter against overcrowding sites where rescue operations are under progress.

Last week, two expatriate workers died in a mountain cliff collapse in Qurum. >A7

fahadnews@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Expatriates working in managerial positions in all the sectors should be replaced with Omanis, members of the Majlis Al Shura have urged.

Raising the issue of Omanisation at a session on Sunday, where Minister of Manpower Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser Al Bakri addressed Majlis Al Shura, members said, “Nationals should replace expatriates in all managerial and leadership roles and positions.”

They also said Omanis with same qualification and educa-

tional certificates as expatriates should receive the same wages and benefits as they do.

Majlis Al Shura members urged the minister to set up a committee that would offer a clear picture on Omanisation and provide statistics concerning different specialities and jobs.

Tawfiq Al Lawati, member of the Majlis Al Shura, said, “Members raised the issue of Omanisation at managerial positions and urged the minister to work towards a policy for reserving top posts for Omanis.”

As of March 2015, there are 202,136 Omanis working in the private sector, of whom 17,611 receive a salary from OMR1,000 to OMR2,000 and 6,705 receive a salary of more than OMR2,000.

Nearly 1,594,464 expats work in the private sector. An expert on manpower issues who didn’t want to be named said, “The suggestion by the members is not a studied move. Omanis are still not ready to be replaced at top managerial posts. How can we replace all top positions with Omanis when they may not have the experience or qualifications?” >A7

MO NDAY, MAY 4, 2015

Stay ahead of the curve with WhatsNews

SCAN THIS TO DOWNLOAD OUR FREE WHATSNEWS APP

A3

OMAN

Special fares for amnesty-seekers As per a rough estimate, there are around 50,000 undocumented migrant workers from different Asian countries waiting to avail themselves of the amnesty offer

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and Biman Bangladesh will offer special fares to amnesty-seekers in Oman. The discounts will be available to people flying back to certain destinations in the subcontinent

RAHUL DAS rahuldas@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: As a goodwill gesture in the wake of Oman government’s three-month-long amnesty programme, airlines operating from Muscat are coming up with special fares for those seeking amnesty.

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and Biman Bangladesh will offer special fares to amnestyseekers who wish to leave Oman.

Air India, however, has not decided on the special fares. “There is no such plan as of now,” said a sen-

ior official of Air India in Muscat.

Shahzad M. Paracha, country manager, Pakistan International Airlines, Muscat, said, “Being a national carrier of Pakistan, we cannot ignore our citizens. So we will be offering discounts ranging from 20 to 35 per cent on tickets to certain destinations of Pakistan.”

Pakistan International Airlines will also help illegal Bangladesh workers to return to their country.

“Fares to Dhaka will also be reduced so that amnesty-seekers can benefit,” he said.

“For expatriates wishing to leave

Oman under the government’s amnesty programme, Biman Bangladesh will also offer special fares to Dhaka,” said Showkat Hossain, country manager, Oman, Bangladesh Biman.

It is learnt that the discounts will be available to people going to certain destinations in the subcontinent. “It is still at the level of a proposal that needs to be finalised,” he said.

Amnesty-seekers have been asked to get in touch with airlines or their travel agents to obtain de-

tails of the special offer. “Discounted fares will only be offered after amnesty-seekers have clearances from the government and the embassy,” said Shahzad.

He also said, “We expect that people will start moving out by the end of this month and the process will continue till the end of July.”

According to a notice uploaded by the Ministry of Manpower on its official twitter account, the amnesty period will begin on May 3 and end on July 30.

Between this period, the undoc-

umented workers can leave Oman without paying fines for violation of resident status rules in the Sultanate, the notice says.

As per a rough estimate, there are around 50,000 undocumented migrant workers from different Asian countries waiting to avail themselves of the amnesty.

There may be around 40,000 to 50,000 undocumented Bangladeshi migrant workers in Oman.

“We expect around 3,000 to 4,000 Pakistani undocumented workers who can avail the Amnesty,”

Paracha added. Last December, the Times of Oman was the first to report about the possibility of the announcement of amnesty for undocumented migrant workers in Oman, a fact that was confirmed by an official from the Ministry of Manpower.

HAVE YOUR SAY Send us your comments at facebook.com/timesofoman blog.timesofoman.com haveyoursay@timesofoman.com

A4

MONDAY, MAY 4, 2 015

OMAN

The Performing Arts Center (PAC) at the ABA will boast a 540 capacity auditorium designed on the lines of a Greek amphitheater to maximize the acoustics, and has been designed by specialist consultants

A I R P O R T H E I G H T S C A M -P U S

IB World School’s new campus to accommodate 700 students Times News Service MUSCAT: In keeping with its ambition to provide international education of the highest quality, ABA will develop a new secondary school campus on 45,000 sq metres at Madinat Al Irfan, in the Airport Heights area of Muscat, to accommodate over 700 students.

ABA is an IB World School located in Muscat, with a student body representing over 70 nationalities. Over the years, and with the infusion of thoughtful and responsible management, ABA has been strongly committed to bringing an international and multi-cultural perspective into all aspects of student school life and has built a sound, reputable and inviting educational institution in Oman.

The new campus will enable the school to prepare its students for the challenges of the 21st century, where critical thinking, curiosity, imagination, collaboration and problem-solving skills are essential attributes needed in a rapidly changing world.

While planning the new campus, the school management and Board of Directors carefully studied latest developments and best practices in school design. Consequently, the new campus focuses on creating an open environment

ACADEMIC ENVIRONMENT: The ABA’s new campus focuses on creating an open environment that maximises the learning potential for students. (Above) An artist’s impression of the frontal view of school’s elevation and (below) view of the Cafe area.–Supplied visuals

that maximises the learning potential for students, with a flexible and logical flow for all key activities and professional facilities for teachers and management.

All stakeholders of the school were involved in the process of determining the future needs of ABA and were assisted by both local and international consultants.

The new ABA campus will consist of three main areas: the main school building, the performing arts center and the sports facility.

A triple height entrance foyer will greet all students and visitors to the main school building.

This area acts as the heart of the building and will be a common focal point for informal interaction between students, faculty and the parent community. It is also the

area where the school will be able to showcase the art and designs created by its students.

To break away from the conventional system of learning, classrooms for each grade in the school building are being designed within pods. Each pod will comprise five classrooms with flexible designs that provides for larger spaces to

be created whenever required. To incorporate an open learning concept, where students can interact with one another and share ideas, each pod will also integrate informal common learning zones.

In line with keeping up with technology, pods will be provided with high speed internet and email connections, as well as pro-

Innovative projects reviewed for funding

jection systems and interactive smart boards.

Driven by the school’s emphasis on cultivating artistic talent, the new main building will boast a large design and art area overlooking green landscaped spaces, which can be used as spill over areas during the months of good weather.

For students to gain hands-on experience, science and robotics labs are to be provided, to match the requirements of the IB curriculum. ABA appreciates the need for a well-stocked library, and the new school campus will have a large library and learning resource centre overlooking the heart of the building, along with audiovisual rooms for students who are interested in pursuing a career in media.

The Performing Arts Center NAT U R E ’ S B OU N T Y

Call to tap Oman’s medicinal plants Times News Service

The winning projects will be announced on May 11 and the winners will be awarded 25 per cent of the total cost of the project

Times News Service MUSCAT: With the objective of encouraging and supporting individual innovators, the National Evaluation Committee for the Individual Innovation Competition held its final evaluation meeting on Sunday at the main building of The Research Council (TRC).

The committee allocated a 20 minute time slot for each of the eight innovators to present their projects with focus on technical prowess and commercial viability of quality for innovation awards.

The winning innovation projects will be announced on May 11 and winners will be awarded 25 per cent of the total cost of the

project. “Execution of the winning projects will begin immediately once the allocated fund is released to the winners. The execution process will consist of four phases to be completed by the beginning of 2016: Phase one is for developing the comprehensive proposal (Ebtikar-2A); phase two for producing the initial model (prototype) of the project; phase three will be dedicated to producing the final model (prototype) of the project and testing its functionality and demonstration of success; while the fourth phase will be focused on commercialization and realisation of business value,” Dr Abdullah Mohammed Al Mahruki, Director of Innovation Department, TRC, said.

The evaluation criteria set by the Innovation Hub for the Individual Innovation Competition consists of the following: innovation factor, ability to implement , business opportunities, marketing success in the near future, and comprehensive technical, social, and economic benefit to Oman.

The competition, to be announced bi-annually, aims at encouraging and supporting individual innovators by providing guidance, enabling the transfer of ideas into products, services and technologies (that are subject to commercialization and generating revenues through the establishment of SMEs), assisting applicants to collaborate with the institutions and companies that are good in prototyping and product development inside and outside the Sultanate.

The evaluation committee consists of six to seven representatives of the government institutions that are specialised in legislation, regulations, supporting, funding and incubating and establishing SMEs in Oman.

Execution of the winning projects will begin immediately once the allocated fund is released to the winners. The execution process will consist of four phases to be completed by the beginning of 2016 Dr Abdullah Al Mahruki Director of Innovation Department, TRC

(PAC) will boast a 540 capacity auditorium designed on the lines of a Greek amphitheater to maximize the acoustics, and has been designed by specialist consultants.

A separate studio where students can practice drama, along with a black box, will form part of the PAC. Music studios, where students cultivate their musical talents, are also incorporated within the design of the PAC. The entire PAC can be accessed through its own triple height entrance foyer, which also opens into the central landscaped courtyard.

As an IB school, ABA has planned for state of the art outdoor and indoor sporting facilities. The outdoor sports facility will comprise of two playing fields for soccer and track and field events. In line with ABA’s commitment of being environmentally friendly, one of the fields will be of high quality astro turf, which nullifies the need for irrigation, as well as avoiding the use of fertilisers and eliminating fuel-powered mowing, aerating and re-seeding.

The school has always placed great emphasis on outdoor activities and, in addition to the fields, the new sports facility will have three tennis courts, along with areas designated for long jumping and discus throwing.

MUSCAT: Omani farmers, entrepreneurs and pharmaceutical companies can gain from Sultanate’s reserves of indigenous medicinal plants, if these are used sustainably and creatively, experts have said.

Medicinal plants play a critical role in today’s healthcare provision. Worldwide, it is estimated that more than 10,000 plant species are used for medicinal purposes, mainly as traditional medicines.

According to Dr. Nadia Al Saady, Executive Director, Oman Animal & Plant Genetic Resources Center (OAPGRC) and organiser of Tuesday’s Science Café, Medicinal Plants session held at Dhofar University: “The importance of medicinal plants in primary health care is gaining traction. Antimalarial drugs have been developed from the discovery and isolation of artemisinin from Artemisia annua L., a plant used in China for almost 2,000 years. Scientists have found that parts of the African tulip tree and Secamoneafzelli

help heal wounds, and a species of the Himalayan yew tree is used to produce Taxol, a chemotherapy drug used to treat breast, ovarian, lung, prostate, oesophageal and other cancers.”

However, Dr. Nadia warned that medicines for cancer could be lost as plants used in their preparation are facing extinction.

“Deforestation and over-collection are threatening the survival of up to 400 key plant species. Medicinal plants harvested from the wild remain of immense importance for the wellbeing of millions of people around the world and they need protecting,” explained Dr. Al Saady. The two-man Science Café panel of Dr. Mohsin Al Amri, Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries Wealth, and Dr. Hamid Ghaboub, OAPGRC, moderated

by Sami Al Asmi, discussed the need to ensure that wild medicinal plants do not come under threat.

Better co-operation among the institutions concerned with the use and trade of medicinal plants, including those from the healthcare, conservation and commercial sectors, is required.

MO NDAY, MAY 4, 2015

Tweet all about it

SCAN THIS TO INSTANTLY LAUNCH TWITTER PAGE

Low-cost airline proposal hailed The ‘Request for Information’ (RFI) has invited interested parties to submit proposals for an additional commercial airline in the Sultanate

Times News Service MUSCAT: People have welcomed the government’s move to start a low-cost carrier in the Sultanate.

A budget airline for Oman, that will feature lower fares, is a step closer to reality after the Public Authority for Civil Aviation (PACA) invited companies in Oman to express interest in creating a second commercial operator.

SEMINAR

Experts focus on enforcing laws, pacts MUSCAT: Enforcement of judgments, assessing related rules, benefiting from international experience and an emphasis on the principle of partnership between parties involved in enforcement of judgments and agreements, were the focus of a seminar held here.

The seminar on ‘Enforcement of Judgments and Documents: Reality and Ambition’ began in Muscat on Sunday.

The three-day seminar is being organised by the Administrative Affairs Council for Judiciary.

Minister of Interior Sayyid Hamoud bin Faisal Al Busaidi, presided over the opening of the seminar.

The opening of the seminar included a visual presentation about the Administrative Affairs Council for Judiciary and an exhibition that contains publications of the Supreme Court’s Technical Office.–ONA

The purpose of the ‘Request for Information’ (RFI) is to invite interested parties to submit expressions of interest in establishing an additional commercial airline in Oman and to provide preliminary information that would enable the PACA to shortlist the qualified respondents to be invited to Request for Applications (RFA).

Commenting on our Facebook page, Samarth Khandekar said, “It will be good” to have a budget airline.

Stressing that the move will definitely improve the economy of the country, bringing in more tourists, better connectivity and reduced costs, Shyam Agasthya said, “Low cost airlines can connect different cities using smaller aircraft. That means Oman can be connected with a number of tourist destinations like Nizwa, Thumrait, Sur, Bahud, Marmul, Ibra, Khasab, Duqm, Masirah Island and Haima.”

Boosting tourism Pointing out that budget airlines are very much needed, Sankar Sasidharan said, “Flight charges are very high, compared to other countries. Budget flights will boost tourism, too.”

Jaison Mathai said the move “would be welcomed.”

The RFA process will result in selecting an additional Omani air carrier to be established to operate both domestic and international air services. In November, the minister of transport and communications said that government is conducting a study to introduce a new budget airline in Oman.

Study under way “We are conducting a study to introduce a new airline, like budget airline,” Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Salim Al Futaisi, Minister of Transport and Communications, had recently said.

Nearly 2.41 million people used the Muscat International Airport for international or domestic travel in the first quarter of this year, as against 2.21million during the same period in 2014, registering a year-on-year growth of 8.9 per cent in passenger traffic.

Salalah Airport posted an increase of 12.6 per cent, compared to the same period last year, the respective passenger figures being 217,669 and 193,383, according to statistics issued by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI).

A5

OMAN CHAMBERS’ MEETING

GCC for bigger private sector role MUSCAT: Private sector has a crucial role in the development of the Gulf region, it was stressed at the 46th meeting of the Board of Directors of the Federation of Gulf Cooperation Council Chambers (FGCCC), on Sunday.

The meeting, held under the chairmanship of Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al Thani, Chairman of FGCCC, ratified and followed up

the implementation of decisions taken at the 45th meeting in Doha and the recommendations of 35th meeting of the Executive Leaders Committee.

The meeting also discussed plans for the Gulf Economic Forum (GEF), which is scheduled to be held under the theme ‘Promote Gulf Private Sector’s Contribution to Economic Development in

Qatar on October 25-26. The forum will discuss two major issues, namely Gulf customs procedures and Gulf standard specifications.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al Thani, Chairman of FGCCC, said the meeting will consider topics related to activating the role of FGCCC in pushing for the active participation of the private sector in the region’s development. –ONA

A6

MONDAY, MAY 4, 2 015

OMAN

It means so much to me as an American to come to this part of the world and bring music. I’m honoured Joyce DiDonato, American mezzo-soprano

Joyce captivates with sublime voice DiDonato’s strength is not just her voice, but her ability to bring the various characters to the stage

SARAH MACDONALD

sarah@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: The queens of Baroque opera had very dramatic lives, and American mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato brought these famous queens to life in a dazzling concert at the Royal Opera House Muscat (ROHM) on Friday night.

DiDonato, who looked like a Baroque rock star with her short, punk hairstyle and crimson Vivi-

enne Westwood gown, was accompanied by Il Pomo d’Oro orchestra, a 16-member ensemble from Italy that plays period Baroque instruments including the harpsichord and theorbo, a type of lute. Russian violinist Dmitry Sinkovsky directed the concert.

Baroque music It’s not often that Baroque music is played at the ROHM. This was the first opera recital dedicated to arias from the 17th and early 18th centuries, and who better to do it than the Grammy Award-winning DiDonato. From the minute she began to sing, DiDonato captivated the audience with a performance that combined a sublime operatic voice and expressive characterisation.

Her voice is full of vibrato, emotion, and sumptuous trills, while her stage presence is alluring.

DiDonato’s strength is not just in her voice, but her ability to bring the various characters to the stage.

She embodied each of the queens whose roles she sang, from the angry, betrayed wife Otta-

SCAN THIS QR CODE TO INSTANTLY VISIT

PHOTO GALLERY W W W.T I M E S O F O M A N .C O M

CAPTIVATING PERFORMANCE: American mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato’s voice is full of vibrato, emotion, and sumptuous trills, while her stage presence is alluring. - Photo: Khalid Al Busaidi, ROHM

via, Empress of Rome, in Claudio Monteverdi’s L’Incoronazione di Poppea to the triumphant and romantic Berenice, Queen of Palestine from Giuseppe Maria Orlandini’s Berenice, a vibrant aria that

showcased her impeccable trills.

Though there are subtitles in both English and Arabic available for translation, when DiDonato sings there is little need for the lyrics.

Her emotive voice and acting skills convey the meaning of each song beautifully. Her encore of Reinhard Keiser’s “Lasciami piangere (Let Me Weep)” from Fredegunda was so bittersweet and pure that it was hard not to get tearyeyed listening to her.

DiDonato brought intense drama to the stage, but she couldn’t have done it without the beautiful music accompanying her. Il Pomo d’Oro was also impressive, bringing passion to the Baroque composers’ music.

Memorable moments Memorable instrumental moments from the orchestra included a vivacious rendition of George Friedrich Handel’s Passacaglia from Radamisto, and an impressive and moving performance of Antonio Vivaldi’s Concerto for Violin and Strings RV 242 “Per

Pisendel.” Dmitry Sinkovsky’s solos were riveting as he seemed to pour his soul into the music, playing with such fervour towards the end that the hairs on his bow began to snap.

This was DiDonato’s first visit to the Middle East and she candidly admitted that as someone from Kansas, in the heart of the US, all she heard about this region was what was on the news, most of it quite dark.

“It means so much to me as an American to come to this part of the world and bring music. I’m honoured,” she told the audience.

She also had high praise for the ROHM, a venue that she described as a “temple of the arts.”

“Handel must be dancing like crazy tonight. He would be so happy to know his music was being played in such a beautiful venue,” she said.

Not only would Handel be impressed with the ROHM, but no doubt he would also be thrilled to see his music sung with the passion and beauty of Joyce DiDonato.

H O L I D AY D E S T I N AT I O N

SEND US YOUR VIEWS AND COMMENTS

Taiwan eyes visitors from Oman SARAH MACDONALD

editor@timesofoman.com webeditor@timesofoman.com

sarah@timseofoman.com MUSCAT: Taiwan is marketing itself as a safe, cultural, modern and Muslim-friendly tourism destination which it hopes will attract more visitors from the Sultanate.

The Taiwan Tourism Bureau held a workshop for tour operators and agents in Oman on Sunday, aiming to highlight what the island nation has to offer for tourists, such as its tropical landscape, rich culture, modern cities and plenty of halal food.

“Like Oman, Taiwan is also a very beautiful country, with green mountains and coastal scenery.

Taiwan is also blessed with cultural heritage, modern cities, a free and open social environment, and a vibrant and inclusive society. Taiwan has become a premier business, cultural and tourism destination,” said Kenneth Liao, Taiwan’s representative in Oman at the Taipei Cultural & Economic Office.

Tourism to Taiwan has been growing, said Arthur Hsieh, from the Taiwan Tourism Bureau

Arthur Hsieh, Taiwan Tourism Bureau. Photo– OK Mohammed Ali

in Singapore. Approximately 1.3 million visitors from Hong Kong, 380,000 Singaporeans, and 400,000 Malaysians visit the island each year.

Hsieh said he hoped more people from Oman would also consider making Taiwan a holiday destination, adding that it only takes two days to get a visa.

“As you will see, Taiwan is so attractive. Taiwan is a very Muslim-friendly country,” said Hsieh noted. In addition to halal food,

there are also seven mosques which serve the local Muslim community. Taiwan has also been ranked one of the top 10 countries for Muslims to visit, according to a Singaporean study, he said.

Jean Chang, President of Golden Foundation Tours Corp, also spoke of the wide availability of halal food, which is important to Muslim visitors. She said there are many fish and seafood restaurants as well as other options available.

“When you have your people visit Taiwan, you don’t have to worry about halal food,” she said.

Taiwan also boasts a vibrant cultural scene, including the National Palace Museum, which houses many antiques and other artefacts. Chang said it is considered one of the four best museums in the world.

“There you can see all the treasures of China,” she explained.

For more information on Taiwan or to apply for a visa, people in Oman can contact the Taipei Cultural & Economic Office at 24605695 or www.roc-taiwan. org/om/.

MO NDAY, MAY 4, 2015 SCAN THIS TO VISIT

OMAN

PHOTO GALLERY OF BUS FIRE W W W.T I M E S O F O M A N .C O M

G L O B A L S TA G E

Oman pitches for NPT at UN MUSCAT: The Sultanate has affirmed that the credibility of the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) will be achieved when its three pillars are met namely disarmament, non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

The Sultanate, represented by its permanent delegation in New York, is currently taking part in the revision of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) which will continue until May 22.

Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Shanfari, the Deputy Permanent Delegate of the Sultanate to the UN, expressed the Sultanate’s condolences to the delegation of Nepal for the devastating earthquake that hit the country recently.—ONA

PROTOCOL

HAITHAM HOLDS TALKS WITH SINGAPORE LEADER His Highness Sayyid Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, Minister of Heritage and Culture, received in his office on Sunday Albert Chua, Second Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore, who is here to attend the 12th session of political consultations. The two sides exchanged views on joint issues and discussed the bilateral relations between the two countries. The meeting was attended by Sayyid Badr bin Hamad alBusaidi, Secretary General of the Foreign Ministry.—ONA

of the university have been selected for His Majesty’s Research Trust Fund for the year 2015

Times News Service MUSCAT: Marking its credentials as one of the top institutions of learning, the Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) has had a lot to celebrate over its achievements.

SQU celebrated the 15th Sultan Qaboos University Day on Sunday, with a number of activities

and seminars. The opening ceremony was held under the patronage of Dr Yahya bin Mahfoudh Al Manthri, Chairman of the State Council. The highlight of the day was the announcement of the research projects selected for His Majesty’s Strategic Fund.

The best researchers, distinguished academicians, distinguished physicians and outstanding students were honoured at the function. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Ali bin Saud Al Bimani, the Vice Chancellor of Sultan Qaboos University, outlined many of the achievements of the university and its community during the academic year 2014-2015.

“The university inaugurated the Self Learning Centre which provides different services to the students, including workshops, specialized seminars and electronic services. The initial design for the electronic umbrella to be installed on wheel chairs used by

A1 Work site safety

students with disabilities is nearing completion,” he said.

Commenting on the achievements of the students, the Vice Chancellor mentioned that a student from the College of Engineering developed a ‘CNC’ device to facilitate work at the factories and achieve high quality in designing. A group of students from the College of Economics and Political Science won the third place in the category of human resources development, fourth place in the category of marketing and operations management at an international competition for administration, held at the University of Manipal, India.

A student from the College of Law received the second place in the second regional moot court (Arabic) competition that was organized at the College of Law at Qatar University.

Prof. Amer bin Ali Al Rawas, SQU Deputy Vice Chancellor for

Postgraduate Studies & Research, announced six research projects selected for His Majesty’s Research Trust Fund for the year 2015. He said that 2014-2015 academic year witnessed tremendous development in terms of research at SQU. During the period from 1995 to 2014, the SQU carried out 455 consultancy research projects with a total value of OMR17,773,651. In the year 2014 alone, SQU researchers bagged open research grants for 18 projects from The Research Council (TRC). The total value of these projects stands at OMR2,778,030.

From 2010 to 2014, SQU grabbed 71 projects from TRC with a total value OMR8,682,295. Apart from registering two patents with the US patent office, a new patent has been filed by four researchers from the College of Engineering for developing a method and system to convert portable document format file to Braille.

Bus fire near Indian school creates panic REJIMON K reji@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: A bus fire led to panic in front of the Indian School Muscat at around 2:45pm on Sunday.

The bus, which was looking for a parking lot in front of the school after dropping the children, caught fire, a source said.

Parents were seen panicking and checking whether children were on board the bus on fire.

However, a source said that there were no children in the bus.

Public Civil Defence and Ambulances personnel rushed to the accident site to contain the fire.

MANPOWER MINISTER

< FROM

Omanis for top jobs

Talking of the health sector, he said, “A majority of the doctors in Oman are expats; how can they be replaced by nationals who are significantly less in numbers, qualification and experience?”

“Omanis should be trained to take up top positions, especially by changing the curriculum offered in the higher education sector,” he added.

Talking of the insurance industry, Philip K Philip, CEO of Muscat Insurance Company, said, “In this sector, there are talented local workforce available but not adequate. A lot needs to be done by the government to prepare and attract new generation to take up challenges in insurance industry. Curriculum is recommended to be appropriately amended to include insurance as a subject in higher classes. I wholeheartedly welcome the idea of bringing appropriate Omani workforce into senior management level.”

At the session on Sunday, efforts and programmes dedicated to employing job seekers and facilitating development needs of the expatriate labour force were also discussed.

Khalid bin Hilal Al Mawali, chairman of Majlis Al Shura, said, “We will focus on the future vision of Oman 2020, where local employment of job seekers in the private sector is a priority.”

The session will continue on Monday, too.

Al Mawali also said, “We will also focus on executing a primary strategy that will achieve balance and continuous economic development. We will work towards developing human resources, employment policies which are set to provide opportunities to local labour force and concentrated efforts to depend on the private sector to become the prime employer of the force,” Al Mawali said.

The minister in his statement said during the seventh five-year development plan (2006-2010) and current eighth five year development plan (2011-2015), private establishments offered 989,061 paid job opportunities, averaging 109,895 job opportunities per annum.

Al Bakri said statistics show that government decisions and procedures undertaken since the beginning of the current five-

MUSCAT: On behalf of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, His Highness Sayyid Shihab bin Tariq Al Said received in his office on Sunday Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, GCC Secretary General. The meeting involved cordial conversations and review of the GCC march. They also reviewed the preparations for the 15th Consultative Meeting of the GCC leaders due to be held in the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.—ONA

< FROM

M I S H A P AV E R T E D

A1

Tariq meets top GCC official

W O R K E R S W E L FA R E

SQU celebrates year of success on Annual Day Six research projects

A7

year development plan have had “positive impact on amending the labour law and social insurance laws, by increasing basic wages and reducing work time for private sector employees, raising the limit of retirement wages and providing wide protection of social insurance and unifying weekly holidays as well as official holidays for both private and public sectors”.

Official statistics show that SMEs offer 80 per cent of job opportunities in industrially developed countries and around 60 per cent job opportunities in developing countries.

The minister also stated that due to a surplus of job opportunities offered by the SMEs, there has been an increase in the number of registered establishments on second, third and fourth degrees, during the eighth five-year development plan (2011-2015) from 51,249 establishments to 85,341 establishments, totalling 136,635 establishments constituting a 60.1 per cent rise with an average rise of 12.5 per cent per year.

With inputs from Tariq Al Haremi

Stressing the importance of safety, Mark Pudwell, business development and training manager, Competence HR, said, “Work site safety is a hugely relevant issue throughout the world but particularly in this region where a vast numbers of construction and development projects are being carried out by international corporations as well as local construction companies. A majority of these companies use expatriate workers as they are cheap to hire.”

Mark added, “Many companies and government departments in Oman insist upon highest stand-

ards of safety as part of their brief to prospective construction partners but not all are as thorough in their scrutiny of construction companies’ methodologies and safety records but sadly there are far too many who choose to ignore safety of their employees in the interest of making a few more dollars.

“It is every construction worker’s basic right to be protected, whether it’s an inherently dangerous one or not and our government departments and our more ethical companies must encourage those less scrupulous construction companies to adhere to the law.”

A8

MONDAY, MAY 4, 2 015

REGION

It took 80kilometres (50 miles) of fabric to make the 104,544 square metre (1,125,302 square foot) Lebanon’s national flag which weighed in at 12.6 tonnes.

Organisers

‘Limited’ Saudi-led troops deployed in Aden: Official tional pressure. A leading member of the so-called “popular committees” militia supporting Hadi told AFP the newly deployed troops “will start helping us in fighting the Houthis and Saleh’s forces”.

The coalition force will mainly back pro-Hadi fighters around the rebel-held airport

ADEN: The Saudi-led coalition battling rebels in Yemen sent a “limited” force to the city of Aden on Sunday, Yemeni sources said, in what would be its first ground deployment inside the country.

A spokesman for the coalition denied that a major ground force has landed, refusing to comment on “ongoing operations”.

But Yemeni government and militia forces said the several dozen troops had landed in the main southern city, with some sources saying they were to assist in fighting for its international airport.

An AFP journalist saw several men in the vicinity of the airport dressed in military-style clothing, wearing helmets and carrying sophisticated weaponry.

READY FOR BATTLE: Southern Popular Resistance fighters gather on a road during fighting against Houthi fighters, in Yemen’s southern city of Aden on Sunday. – Reuters

“A limited coalition force entered Aden and another force is on its way” to the port city, a Yemeni government official there told AFP, requesting anonymity.

The coalition launched air

strikes against the Houthi rebels and their allies on March 26 after they seized control of large parts of the country and advanced on Aden, where President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi had taken refuge.

Hadi fled to Saudi Arabia and the Houthis — who have joined forces with army units loyal to ex-president Ali Abdullah Saleh — have refused to concede territory or down arms despite interna-

All options open He said the troops will mainly back pro-Hadi fighters around the rebel-held airport, which has changed hands several times and was the focus of heavy fighting overnight. Other militia commanders confirmed that a few dozen coalition soldiers, mostly Saudis and Emiratis of Yemeni origin, were on the ground in Aden.

One militia source said some 30 soldiers from coalition countries had deployed to “supervise” operations to retake the airport.

Coalition spokesman Brigadier General Ahmed Assiri denied a major ground force had landed in Aden, telling the Saudi Al Ekhbariya news channel: “I can assure you that no (coalition) forces disembarked on the ground in Aden today.”

But, speaking to the Dohabased Al Jazeera news channel, he said the coalition “cannot comment on future or ongoing operations” and that “all options are open”. -AFP

BID TO SET RECORD

Tunisians unfurl world’s ‘largest’ flag ONG MEL (TUNISIA): Tunisians have unfurled a national flag the size of 19 football pitches in a bid to set a Guinness world record and promote patriotism in the face of extremism.

Hundreds of people turned out for the event at Ong Jmel in the southern desert on Saturday, an AFP correspondent reported.

An honour guard of troops saluted the red and white banner as it was unfurled on the sand to the strains of the national anthem.

Organisers said that it took 80 kilometres (50 miles) of fabric to make the 104,544 square metre (1,125,302 square foot) flag which weighed in at 12.6 tonnes.

Brainchild Spokeswoman Raya Ben Guiza said the project was the brainchild of a local textile manufacturer who had been shocked by a 2012 incident at Manouba arts faculty outside Tunis in which a hardline student tore down the national emblem and replaced it with a black flag.

When fellow student Khaoula Rachidi attempted to put the national flag back up, he assaulted her and she narrowly escaped serious injury. She became a national hero for her actions and was later decorated by the president. — AFP

WA R W I T H I N C O U N T RY

Four children among seven killed by barrel bomb in Syria ALEPPO/BEIRUT: A barrel bomb killed at least seven civilians, including a teacher and four children, when it hit a school in Syria’s northern city of Aleppo on Sunday, a monitor said.

“The primary school students were playing in the courtyard when the barrel bomb hit,” said Rami Abdel Rahman, who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observa-

tory for Human Rights. He said the school is in Saif Al Dawla, a district where control is split between the regime and opposition.

“The children were taking a test there because they were afraid their own school would be bombarded,” Abdel Rahman said.

The centre’s director and other civilians are in critical condition after the attack, he added.

An AFP correspondent described buildings in ruins and small bulldozers working to clear the rubble. Classroom walls had completely collapsed, exposing mangled chairs and desks, and men carried whatever books they could save out of the building.

Barrel bombs are crude weapons made of old barrels or containers that are packed with ex-

plosives and typically dropped from helicopters. The weapons are often used on rebel-held neighbourhoods in Aleppo, once Syria’s commercial hub but now divided between regime and opposition control since fighting broke out there in 2012.

Just last month, more than 100 schools in the city had to close temporarily after a regime air

attack killed five children and three teachers.

Meanwhile, Syria’s army cut the last main supply route for a rebel bastion east of Damascus on Sunday, further tightening a crippling siege on the area, a monitor and state media said.

“The regime has cut off the last main road for rebels leading out of Eastern Ghouta,” the main op-

RALLYING FOR RIGHTS Foreign domestic workers take part in a rally marking the International Labour Day, demanding increased rights, in the Lebanese capital’s Hamra district, on Sunday. — AFP

position stronghold in Damascus province, said Abdel Rahman. He said army units had taken over almost all of the village of Maydaa, which lies along a road running east which rebels use to bring food and reinforcements into besieged neighbourhoods. Syria’s official news agency SANA quoted a military official as saying the army had taken full control of Maydaa. — AFP

SCAN THIS QR CODE TO INSTANTLY VISIT

PHOTO GALLERY W W W.T I M E S O F O M A N .C O M

VIOLENCE

IS group claims Baghdad bomb attack that killed 15 BAGHDAD: The IS group on Sunday claimed responsibility for a car bomb attack outside a popular Baghdad restaurant that killed 15 people, including four policemen and a media figure.

Saturday’s attack, one of the deadliest in the Iraqi capital this year, took place in Karrada, a district packed with shops and restaurants. It was the latest in a series of similar bombings in Baghdad. It killed 15 people and wounded 51, a police colonel told AFP on Sunday, revising an earlier toll of 14 dead and 39 injured.

IS radio Al Bayan said the militant group carried out the attack and targeted a militia helping Iraq’s government forces fight the extremist militants.

“The soldiers of the caliphate managed to blow up an explosive laden car... in the area of Karrada,” the broadcaster said.

Among those killed was Ammar Al Shahbander, chief of mission in Iraq for the Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR), the interior ministry and two of his friends said.

DEADLY ATTACK: People gather at a car bomb attack site in Baghdad, late on Saturday. – Reuters

Shahbander, who was born in 1976 according to his friends, was leaving a cafe in Karrada when the explosion happened, his friends said. A statement by the interior ministry described him as a “martyr of the Iraqi press”.

British-educated Shahbander was responsible for IWPR activities in Iraq and neighbouring Syria, and was in charge of a programme to set up a new media institute in Iraq. A veteran Middle

East journalist, Shahbander was mourned by Brett McGurk, US President Barack Obama’s deputy envoy for the coalition fighting IS in Syria and Iraq.

“Tonight in #Baghdad, terrorists took the life of my friend...

They will never silence his spirit, or that of the Iraqi people,” McGurk tweeted late Saturday.

Saturday’s bombing in Baghdad was the second claimed by IS in as many days. — AFP

MO NDAY, MAY 4, 2015 SCAN THIS TO INSTANTLY LAUNCH FACEBOOK PAGE

Love us on Facebook

A9

INDIA POLITICS

CELEBRATING WORLD LAUGHTER DAY People gathered to celebrate World Laughter Day at Kachrali lake in Thane, Mumbai on Sunday. World Laughter Day falls on the first Sunday of May every year. -PTI

Yadav attacks AAP, says people feel cheated KOLKATA: Expelled Aam Admi Party leader Yogendra Yadav on Sunday attacked his former party, alleging it has become centralised despite enjoying plenty of goodwill.

“The AAP enjoys lot of goodwill, but has become centralised.

When AAP was formed, a huge national asset was created, but it is getting depleted,” Yadav told media persons here.

Yadav, along with other dissident leaders Prashant Bhushan, Ajit Jha and Anand Kumar were removed from AAP last month for anti-party activities.

On a tour to the city in connection with the Swaraj Abhiyan movement launched by the expelled members, he said that “there is a need to create an alternative politics, and not an alternative political party”.

He said the Swaraj abhiyan aims to retain, regain and recreate the energy the country has seen three years ago when the

RESEARCH REPORT

Inflation to range at 3.7% in 2015-16 NEW DELHI: Inflation is likely to average 3.7 per cent in the current fiscal, which is higher than the two per cent recorded in the last fiscal, a Dun & Bradstreet research report said.

“D&B expects WPI (Wholesale Price Index) inflation to edge up to 3.7 per cent in financial year 2016 up from 2.0 per cent in fiscal year 2015,” Dun & Bradstreet said in a note made available to media on Sunday.

Though declining crude oil prices and lower demand side pressures will help ease inflation, D&B listed factors which may push up WPI inflation.

“If actual monsoon turns out to be below normal, not only agricultural growth would be impacted, the resultant increase in food prices would lead to reversal in the downward inflation trajectory,” the report said.

Declining for the third consecutive year, WPI inflation during the last fiscal witnessed a growth of two per cent against a growth of 7.4 per cent and six per cent, respectively, in 2012-13 and 2013-14. It has gone into the negative since November 2014 mainly on account of cheaper

food and fuel products.

It was at (-)2.06 per cent in February, (-)0.39 per cent in January, (-)0.50 per cent in December and (-)0.17 per cent in November.

In the monetary policy review in April, the Reserve Bank of India Governor Raghuram Rajan kept interest rates on hold at 7.50 per cent saying he was waiting for banks to pass on the RBI’s previous rate cuts, and dismissed bankers’ claims that the cost of funds remained too high.

Target In this connection, union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had, in his landmark budget in February, extended the target deadline for controlling fiscal deficit to three per cent, reasoning that insistence on a timetable to contain the deficit would harm growth prospects.

The targets for the next three years have been set at 3.9 per cent for 2015-16, 3.5 per cent for 201617, and 3.0 per cent for 2017-18.

Jaitley also announced the fait accompli of a monetary policy committee pact earlier with the RBI, which will reduce the governor’s power to act alone. - IANS

CRIME

Indian origin woman shot in US gas station robbery NEW YORK: An Indian-origin woman working at a gas station died after being shot in the face in an attempted armed robbery in South Carolina, the third such incident against Indians in the US within a month.

Mradulaben Patel from Gujarat, 59, was the co-owner of a store at a BP gas station in Powdersville. An unidentified man is believed to have shot Patel in the face on Thursday night.

Police has asked for help to

identify the assailant. Patel, who underwent surgery on Friday, later succumbed to her injuries at the hospital. Police said surveillance video footage shows a man walking into the store and buying a pack of cigars.

Investigators said they believe the man shot Patel during an attempted robbery.

They said after the shooting, a customer Michael Wheat found Patel lying on the floor and called 911. - PTI

NEW MISSION: Former AAP leader Yogendra Yadav during a press meet at Press Club, in Kolkata, on Sunday. - PTI

anti-corruption movement culminated into the formation of the Aam Aadmi Party.

“Our aim is to bring back the thousands of people who feel cheated and want to leave politics, Those who had dreamt of cleansing the political system have suffered a blow,” said Yadav, a noted psephologist. - IANS

Amending land law bad policy making: Ramesh Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said

In the name of economic reforms and development, the government has taken a significant step backward in India’s march to land reforms

the new bill has been brought by the National Democratic Alliance government by amending the 2013 Act despite protests held across the country

Jairam Ramesh Congress leader

NEW DELHI: Hitting out at the NDA government on the land bill issue, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh says amending the legislation to assuage the fears of a particular group is bad policy making.

An attempt is being made to “first protect our citizenry against the lawful advances of the state”, the Rajya Sabha MP says.

Ramesh has come out with a new book Legislating for Justice: The Making of the 2013 Land Acquisition Law, in which he gives a firsthand account of the framing the land acquisition law by the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government and the factors that drove the decisions.

He says the new bill has been brought by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government by amending the 2013 Act despite protests held across the country.

“In the name of economic reforms and development, the government has taken a significant step backward in India’s march to land reforms,” he writes.

“Given that the choice of opting for an ordinance came within eight months of the government coming

to power, this story is also a telling commentary on the weakening of democratic and constitutional institutions,” the book, co-authored

by Ramesh’s the then OSD Muhammed Ali Khan, says.

Ramesh hopes that the government will add to the legacy of legal protection rather than seek to abridge its growth.

Ambitious exercise The authors say that the UPA government’s “ambitious exercise” to rewrite the entire law on land acquisition saw a radical polarisation of public opinion — those who saw acquisition as a necessary tool for India’s development and those who were strongly opposed to an archaic relic that defied the rule of law.

“Devising laws and regulations on land will always be a contentious topic. Given that we have more people than land, the subject will always give rise to impassioned debate and inflamed opinions on the form and extent of regulation to be employed by the state,” the book says.

According to the authors, the answer lies in finding unique solutions, enabled by technology, to give people better protection over the land that they own.

On the drama behind the ordinance and its lapse before it was re-promulgated, the book says, “For a law that had been founded on consultation with the public, no draft had been shared with public at large.”

“The requirement of inviting comments from the public had been dispensed with and a law was prepared by a group of individuals consisting largely of officials and ministerial representatives.

“Many groups struggled to get their say before the law was amended but few, if any, got the opportunity. It can be argued they simply were not the stakeholders for whom the amendments were being carried out,” Ramesh says.

“The government had for a variety of reasons been unable to present a bill on the subject in Parliament. No official document had even been placed before ei-

ther House of Parliament. It was a surprise to all when the ordinance was announced and promulgated in the matter of four very long days,” he says.

Meanwhile, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari had on Saturday said land acquisition cost for various road projects would be more than doubled as Centre had decided to give compensation at the maximum permissible level.

“The 2013 Land Acquisition Act said that compensation has to be up to 1:4 ratio. It means that if the collector assesses the cost of the land at Re 1, then the owner will be paid upto Rs 4. Now we have eliminated ‘up to’ and made it fixed at 1:4,” Gadkari said.

“Because of this change, the cost of land acquisition for road projects (already announced) will increase to Rs 1,80,000 crore from Rs 70,000 crore,” he said.

“This is a blessing in disguise for farmers and other land owners.

This will reduce litigation time due to disputes related to compensation,” he said. - PTI

M O L E S TAT I O N V I C T I M

Moga victim’s father agrees to post mortem of body MOGA (Punjab): Ending a fourday deadlock, father of the girl who was molested and pushed to death from a moving bus here, on Sunday agreed to allow post-mortem and cremation of the body besides accepting the offer of compensation and a government job.

The development came while an under-attack Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal described the incident as “intolerable” and “painful” and the police said all the four accused had been arrested.

“I want to request that I want to perform the last rites of my daughter,” the victim’s father told reporters here. He also said that he had agreed to allow the post-mortem “without any pressure”.

The father had so far been refusing to perform the cremation till a case was filed against Punjab

Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal and others who own the Orbit bus service and cancellation of licence given to it. He had been staging a sit-in along with some local politicians to press his demands. “Whatever the state government has offered to us is acceptable to me. They (state government) have fulfilled our demands and have assured us that my daughter’s killer will be punished,” the victim’s father said.

About compensation, he said he did not know about the quantum.

“I cannot say about compensation.

Whatever has been given to me is sufficient for me. I am happy that I will move away from here with my daughter,” he said.

The government had earlier offered a compensation of Rs20 million, a government job for her moth-

him, he insisted, “Nobody including government or any officer has ever threatened me (for compromise).” The breakthrough came during a meeting between senior civil and police officials and family members even as protesters alleged that the state government forced its decision on the family.

PROTEST: AAP workers protest as they bring to halt an Indo-Canadian Bus, run by Badal government, in Jalandhar, on Sunday. -PTI

er, her free treatment and holding trial of the case in a fast track court but the family had rejected it.

He also sought an end to the protest launched over this matter.

“This protest should now come to

an end...my daughter has already died. If my wife (who is in hospital) dies, then what will be the use of my life? Now I want to lead a normal life,” he said.

Thanking those who supported

Accused arrested A senior police officer said the family was convinced when told about the investigation and the fact that all the four accused had been arrested. Meanwhile, keeping in view of security, the girl’s body which had been lying in mortuary at Singhpura village here was taken to Guru Gobind Singh Medical College and Hospital at Faridkot, 55km from here, for post mortem, official spokesman said

here. District administration had announced to pay compensation of Rs2.4 million, besides Rs600,000

by Punjab Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes Commission and government job to girl’s injured mother.

Earlier on Sunday, the chief minister said he will be meeting the family of the victim. “This (Moga bus incident) is intolerable. The death of a girl in such conditions is very painful to me...I am going to Moga (to meet the family of girl),” Badal told reporters before leaving.

Expressing deep sorrow over the death of teenage girl, he said that one could not compensate the loss of death. However, he refused to make any comment on the visit of opposition party leaders to Moga over the issue. - PTI

A 10

MONDAY, MAY 4, 2 015

INDIA

Our education apparatus cannot be one that produces robots. That can happen in a laboratory.

There has to be overall personality development Narendra Modi, Prime minister

AWA R D C E R E M O N Y

Phalke for Shashi Kapoor at 62nd National Film Awards

RECOGNITION: Actress Kangana Ranaut who won the Best Actress Award at the 62nd National Film Award ceremony, in New Delhi, on Sunday. - PTI

SECOND APPEAL

Jashodaben files RTI appeal on her security cover issue AHMEDABAD: Four months after she was denied information on her security cover, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s wife Jashodaben has filed a second appeal under the RTI (Right to Information) Act seeking details on this matter.

Jashodaben, along with her advocate Sandip Modi, filed the second appeal with the State Information Commissioner (SIC) in Gandhinagar on Saturday. In November 2014, she had filed an RTI application with Mehsana police seeking clarity on security cover given to her and wanted to know what she is entitled to.

Jashodaben had also sought certified copies of the actual orders passed by the government with regard to the security cover given to her as per the protocol.

She had also demanded information about the laws and related provisions in the Indian Constitution about security cover given to a the wife of a prime minister.

RTI exemption However, Mehsana District Police had denied her information on December 27 under RTI stating that all her queries were related to local intelligence bureau (LIB), which is exempted under the RTI Act. Following this, she had filed an appeal before the District Police Superintendent J. R. Mothalia in January 2015, which was also rejected. Jashodaben lives with her brother Ashok Modi at Unjha town of Mehsana district.

NEW DELHI: President Pranab Mukherjee presented the 62nd National Film Awards on Sunday at a glittering ceremony here studded with talent representing the diversity of the Indian film industry.

Shashi Kapoor, honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke award this year, couldn’t attend and the veteran actor will be feted in Mumbai soon. With 45 awards in feature film category and a total of 21 awards in the non-feature film category, the award ceremony was attended by talents from Bollywood along with regional film industries Bengali, Marathi, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu and Assamese.

It also saw performances by 62nd National Film Award winners — Sukhwinder Singh, who won Best Male Playback Singer for the song Bismil from Haider, and Uttara Unnikrishanan, who bagged the Best Playback Female Singer for the song Azhagu from Tamil movie Saivam.

A special film on Shashi Kapoor was also shown on the occasion, where Pallavi Joshi and Rajat Kapoor played the hosts. The presi-

dent gave “special congratulations” to the ailing 77-year-old actor.

Kangana wins big “My special congratulation is to Shashi Kapoor, who has been honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award this year. His contribution to cinema has been tremendous.

He is a true living legend,” he said.

“He began his career as a child artist in the films Aag and Awara, and then we saw him as a flamboyant hero in many blockbuster films. He made his mark not only as an actor, but also as a producer and remarkable contribution to the Indian cinema, where he balanced his work in theatre and cinema. Shashi Kapoor is the third person to win the Dadasaheb Phalke award in his family — the other two being Prithviraj Kapoor and Raj Kapoor. I wish him a long and healthy life,” he added.

Dressed in a floor sweeping gown, Kangana Ranaut received the Best Actress honour from the president for her role in Queen.

The Best Actor award was picked up by Vijay for his “subtle and non-

stereo typical playing of a woman trapped in a man’s body”, in Kannada film Nanu Avanalla Avalu.

The team of Haider — a modernday adaptation of William Shakespeare’s classic tragedy Hamlet — set in the backdrop of Kashmir, was also present at the ceremony where the film too won Best Dialogues and Music Direction for the film’s director Vishal Bhardwaj; Best Choreography for Norway-based Sudesh Adhana; and Best Costume Designer for Dolly Ahluwalia.

Vikramaditya Motwane and Vikas Bahl also received the honour for Queen for Best Hindi film.

Other films to get awards in Best Film category are Othello (Assamese), Nirbashito (Bengali), “Harivu” (Kannada), Nachom - IA Kumpasar (Konkani), Ain (Malayalam), Killa (Marathi), Aadim Vichar (Odiya), Punjab 1984 (Punjabi), Kuttram Kadithal (Tamil) and Chandamama Kathalu (Telugu).Omung Kumar, whose Mary Kom won the Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment, turned up in black ensemble with stripes.

In the Best Children’s Film, there was a tie between Marathi entertainer Elizabeth Ekadashi and Tamil movie Kaakkaa Muttai, for which actor Dhanush accepted the award.

“The National Film awards stands for the immense honour befitting the highest governmental recognition in the field of cinema. I welcome and congratulate all the recipients for this year. You have done India proud,” said the President.

Largest film industry He also shared that the Indian film industry is “today the largest film industry in the world in terms of number of movies being produced with about 1,600 films made every year on an average. The film industry today is a full-fledged economy having a turnover of a magnitude of Rs1,02,600 crore”.

“By now mainstream Hindi cinema is internationally recognised.

We must also make focus on representing our regional films, which are equally impressive and deserve a global attention”. - IANS

Kashmiri Pandits hold rally over return issue Members of the community demanded the J&K government reopen prosecution cases

SECURITY CONCERN: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s wife Jashodaben after meeting RTI Commissioner, in Gandhinagar, on Saturday regarding her appeal under the Right to Information Act. - PTI

against all those involved in the killing of Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley following the

After Narendra Modi was sworn-in as prime minister on May 26 last she has been given security by Mehsana police. They have has deployed ten of policemen, including armed guards, for her security. They work in two shifts, five each in one shift.

In her RTI query, she has expressed unhappiness about the current security set-up, where her guards travel in government vehicles like car, while despite being a PM’s wife she has to travel in public transport.

Jashodaben has noted that late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was killed by her own bodyguards and that she felt scared of her guards. She asked the government to make it compulsory for each guard to produce copy of deployment order. -PTI

PROTEST RALLY: Kashmiri Pandits hold a protest rally to demand their involvement in the process to decide on their return to the Valley, in New Delhi, on Sunday. - PTI

outbreak of militancy

NEW DELHI: Kashmiri Pandits on Sunday staged a protest here demanding that the state and Centre take the community members into confidence before any decision on their return to the Valley and also pressed for setting up a commission to probe the “genocide” which led to their exodus.

Members of the community, who converged at Jantar Mantar here, demanded the Indian-administered-Kashmir government reopen prosecution cases against all those involved in the killing of Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley following the outbreak of militancy.

Many of the protesters, who

were wearing black T-shirts and bands, shouted slogans against Hurriyat Conference and separatist leaders and sought their arrest.

They also carried placards demanding that Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, which gives special status to Jammu and Kashmir, be abolished.

The general secretary of Jammu Kashmir Vichar Manch, Manoj Bhan, said, “Whatever decision the Centre or the state government takes, they must talk to the Kashmiri Pandits first. No separatist should be allowed to intervene in matters relating to Kashmiri Pandits.”

Disapproving of comments made earlier by Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed that

only 10 to 15 per cent Kashmiri Pandits will choose to return to the Valley as most are well placed in various parts of the country, Bhan said that every member of the community wants to return to their homeland.

Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) member Ashoke Pandit, who had flown in from Mumbai to take part in the protest, said the Centre believing the words of Sayeed was “the biggest problem”.

“When I see all the terrorists on the streets of Kashmir, then what is the difference between the previous and this central government. The biggest problem is that the central government is trusting the chief minister... who says he is thankful to Pakistan after peace-

ful elections,” Pandit said. Another protester, Pankaj Dhar, said they want to go to their homeland but on their terms and authorities must ensure social and political security and economical empowerment of those who return.

Rashneek Kher of the Roots in Kashmir criticised the plan to build separate townships for Pandits over an area of 50 acres saying it won’t suffice. “We refused to stay in clusters or ghettos spread over 50 acres. Whenever the government will call us, we will raise this issue before them,” Kher said.

The protesters termed as “inadequate” the rehabilitation package offered to displaced Kashmiri Pandits by the UPA-I Government in 2008. - PTI

COMPETITION

Pressure to perform forces students use high-tech to wrong end NEW DELHI: Fifteen-year-old schoolgirl Payali knew she was doing wrong when she scribbled mnemonics on her hands before entering one of India’s thousands of examination rooms.

But like many other students, the pressure to pass her annual exams was too intense and so she used the memory prompts to cheat. Failure would jeopardise her chances of climbing out of poverty which had long shackled her family.

“There’s too much to memorise and pressure from parents, teachers and even competition with friends,” said Payali, who did not want to use her last name, as she walked home from school in New Delhi.

“If you can’t handle it all, you fail,” Payali, now 17 and one year from graduation, said.

Methods Using methods ranging from oldfashioned crib sheets to high-tech spy cameras, cheating is common in India, where government schools place an extraordinary emphasis on exams in all grades, according to experts.

Television footage last month showed dozens of relatives scaling school walls to try to give informa-

tion to students in northern Bihar.

Staff and police officers were seen ignoring relatives who passed cheat sheets through the windows of exam rooms.

The footage made international headlines, forcing embarrassed authorities to round up parents and issue them with fines, but education experts said they were unsurprised. Cheating underscores the poor state of many of India’s schools which are overcrowded and underfunded, their classrooms packed with children learning mostly by rote.

Arjun Dev, former head of a government body that plans and promotes schools, said an “endless overemphasis on memory-testing exams” has stubbed out creativity and logical reasoning.

“The system has failed students.

It doesn’t equip them with necessary qualifications and then overplays the importance of exams, whose certificate is hailed as the ultimate ticket to success,” he said.

“Until the system changes, cheating will remain a common feature during exams. It’s as simple as that.”

Anxiety levels soar in the months leading up to the exam season — this year’s has just ended

said Kumar, who earns Rs25,000 ($400) a month running a store in east Delhi selling traditional Hindu Ayurvedic health products.

GADGETS: A shopkeeper presents a ‘spy pen’ - a pen with a camera fitted — at a store, in New Delhi, in this photograph taken on April 17. Tiny bluetooth earpieces and hidden camera glasses: these are just some of the high-tech gadgets available for students in India where cheating on high-pressure exams is rampant. - AFP

— with students pinning hopes on high scores: the only way to get a decent job or a place in college.

Compelled With the system stacked against them, many poor families feel compelled to do whatever they can to help their child get a foothold in a better life. This — along with India’s all-pervasive culture of corruption — have been largely blamed for the cheating.

Rakesh Kumar, who left school in 2008, makes no apologies for his efforts, including smuggling notes into the exam, hidden under his watch and in his socks.

“There weren’t many teachers or chairs, sometimes no electricity. I lost interest slowly, so I didn’t study,” Kumar, from Bihar, said.

“Sometimes the invigilators wouldn’t care much, they turned a blind eye... that helped. Honestly, I had no choice. I had to cheat,”

Available online For better-off students, cameras hidden in buttons, ties, pens and bras accompanied by bluetooth technology are available online and in shops tucked away in the backstreets of Delhi’s old quarter.

“Sometimes kids come by to check out the items,” shopkeeper Rocky Binwal said, adding that his policy is “not to ask” questions.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who swept to power last May, has called for a paradigm shift in education — from rote learning to modern, skills-based training.

“Our education apparatus cannot be one that produces robots.

That can happen in a laboratory,” Modi said at a university event in December. There has to be overall personality development.”

Education Minister Smriti Irani has vowed to increase spending on education from nearly four to six per cent of gross domestic product and pledged a new national policy

by December that will link “education to employability”.

Experts applaud the promises

but fear for the millions of young people on the verge of pouring into India’s job market.

Lagging behind Indian education research group Pratham published a survey in January that found half of 570,000 students surveyed could not read simple sentences or solve easy arithmetic after six years of schooling. India has a literacy rate of 65 per cent, lagging far behind neighbouring China, where the rate is 95 per cent.

“We have students who don’t know the basics and that is frightening,” Ranajit Bhattacharya, Pratham’s communications head, said. Anand Kumar, who teaches maths to students from poor families in Bihar, said plenty of students were working hard against the odds, rather than resorting to cheating.

In a blog on the NDTV channel website shortly after the Bihar scandal, Kumar said teachers needed to work harder to help neglected students.

“Also, there needs to be a sense of shame that accompanies cheating — and not just when the person gets caught. It should not be considered the done thing.” - AFP

MO NDAY, MAY 4, 2015 The government should take strict action against the Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief (Altaf Hussain). In future, no one should be allowed to provoke Pakistanis with hate speech Liaquat Baloch, Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General

CRIME

Seven Punjab policemen kidnapped by criminals LAHORE/PESHAWAR: Dozens of gunmen from criminal gangs kidnapped seven Pakistani police from a checkpoint in Punjab province on Sunday, officials said.

The kidnapping, and further fighting between insurgents and the military in the northwest of the country, underscored the range of security problems facing Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Sunday’s attack, by gunmen from different gangs, targeted a police checkpoint in Obaro, inside Punjab but at the intersection of three provinces, said District Police Officer Sohail Chatha.

“We have launched a rescue operation,” he said. Sharif’s office said he took “serious notice” of the kidnapping. — Reuters TRAGEDY

11 killed as wedding bus catches fire KARACHI: Eleven people died when a bus carrying a wedding party caught fire after hitting highvoltage power lines in southern Pakistan on Sunday, police said.

The bus was taking family members back to their village after a wedding party in the town of Dadu in the southern province of Sindh when it struck the power lines.

High-tension wire “The bus immediately caught fire after an iron box on its roof hit the high-tension wire, killing 11 people and injuring 14 others,” a senior local police official Irfan Baloch said. Four women and three children were among those killed.

Police and rescue officials along with local villagers struggled to save the injured from the fire, who were shifted to hospital. — AFP

Al Qaeda’s chief Osama Bin Laden was killed by US Navy Seals in Operation Neptune Spear under direct orders from President Barack Obama on May 2, 2011

ABBOTTABAD: On May 2, 2011 during the wee hours of the morning, a rather calm locality of Abbottabad district became the centre of the world’s attention, as Al Qaeda’s chief Osama bin Laden was killed by US Navy Seals in Operation Neptune Spear under direct orders from President Barack Obama.

The mastermind whose outfit claimed responsibility of the deadly 9/11 attack, was found hiding within the confines of a threestorey building on a 38,000 square foot plot in Bilal Town.

The house that reportedly protected the world’s most wanted man for years was declared off limits and a Danish diplomat was briefly detained with his wife in September 2011 while they were paying a visit to the area.

Following completion of the Abbottabad judicial commission’s investigation, the building was razed to the ground on February 26, 2012.

Four years on, as the dust of arguably the most significant development in the US’s War on Terror seems to settle, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has decided

BITTER EXPERIENCE: File photo taken on February 26, 2012, shows children at play near the compound where Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden was slain while the demolition of the building goes on in the northwestern town of Abbottabad. — AFP file photo

the fate of the compound. Talking to The Express Tribune, Minister for Information Mushtaq Ahmed Ghani said the plot that approximately measures six kanals (32,400 sq ft), will likely be turned into a playground.

Fate of hideout “The government has long mulled over the fate of the former hideout,” he said, adding proposals of constructing a girls’ college, a park or a playground were being considered. “Since the area lacks a playground for children, I personally believe it should be turned

Actor Ali Zafar decides to take break from Bollywood

Directorial debut The actor is also making his debut as a director for his yet untitled film in Lollywood and in order to concentrate on the movie he has rejected many Bollywood films.

“It is a very special year for me.

I just had a daughter, shifted to a new house and making a film in

Ali Zafar

It’s time to take my experience back home and use it for Pakistani film industry and take Pakistan international. I have done five films here and I feel I should use my experience there. I feel Pakistani film industry needs us, said Ali Zafar

the beautiful northern areas of Pakistan, he said.

Dream project “It’s a dream project. I have not rejected films here, I have just excused myself from them,” he added. The “Woh Dekhne Me” hitmaker sported a new hairstyle

when he attended the HT Delhi’s Most Stylish Awards 2015, where he was honoured.

“It feels great to be awarded. I am not a typical red carpet person. When I have to get ready for such an event, I put my music on and my stylist just dresses me up,” he said. — PTI

CONTROVERSY

Altaf statement ‘an incursion on army’, says Jamaat leader QUETTA: A senior leader of the Jamaat-e-Islami on Saturday described the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain’s recent statement as “an incursion on the Pakistan Army”.

Addressing a news conference at Jamaat’s provincial office in Quetta on Saturday, the party’s Secretary General Liaquat Baloch said Altaf Hussain clearly sought help from Indian spy agency RAW. “That is an incursion on the sovereignty of Pakistan and Pakistan Army,” he added.

“The government should take

PAKISTAN

Plan to develop playground on spot of Osama’s hideout

B R I N G E X P E R I E N C E T O L O L LY W O O D

GURGAON (INDIA): After a successful stint in Bollywood, actor-singer Ali Zafar has decided to take a sabbatical from Hindi movies and concentrate on Pakistani films.

The 34-year-old “Kill Dil” star, who has starred in five films, including critically acclaimed “Tere Bin Laden”, said he wants to bring the Pakistani film industry to the international level.

“It’s time to take my experience back home and use it for Pakistani film industry and take Pakistan international. I have done five films here and I feel I should use my experience there. I feel Pakistani film industry needs us,” Zafar told reporters at an event last evening.

A11

strict action against the MQM chief. In future, no one should be allowed to provoke Pakistanis with hate speech,” Liaquat Baloch remarked.

Talking about the economic corridor project with China, Liaquat Baloch said political parties in Pakistan are reluctant about the proposed Gwadar-Kashghar trade route, because it will pass through Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and some parts of Punjab. “Unfortunately, the federal government itself is increasing complexities over the PakistanChina economic corridor,” he said.

He claimed that the changes in the proposed route would be beneficial to the enemies of Pakistan.

Welcoming the all-party conference (APC) call by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on May 13, he said, it was a good move by PMLN as it would be helpful to address reservations of concerned political parties.

Talking about the law and order situation in the province, Liaquat Baloch said: “From day one, Jamaat-e-Islami had been consistent in its stance that the use of force can’t resolve any conflict.” — Express Tribune

into one,” he maintained. The minister said a final decision will be announced shortly.

Revenue department Once the plot was cleared of everything associated with the bin Laden, the provincial revenue department directed the district revenue officer to take over the land.

A notice was issued, inviting claimants of ownership to turn in documentary proof within 15 days. When nobody came forward as the plot’s owner, the government took over the land formally.

As the compound was cleared of

the rubble, children of the locality assumed it as a safe haven for the game of cricket.

The construction of a girls college on the property has been a long-standing demand of the locals. In an earlier interview, a local, Rehmanullah, said the people of Abbottabad have been humiliated in front of the government and intelligence agencies for hosting bin Laden in the garrisoned town, adding that this was not the end of their suffering – residents of Bilal Town had to undergo psychological trauma as a result of the post-US raid security measures.

“Our daughters, the future mothers, will disseminate the message of peace and nonviolence across the area, if the authorities allow the construction of a girls college on the land where the bitter memories of Osama bin Laden are buried,” Rehmanullah said. Today, Bilal Town residents are of a slightly different view; they wish to get rid of the bin Laden branding no matter how it happens.

“Although belated, the decision is laudable and would help us forget bitter memories,” said Mohsin Khan, a resident. — Express Tribune

A12

TIMES O F O MAN

MONDAY, MAY 4, 2 015

COMMEN ARY ISO 9001:2008

Certified Company

Founder: Essa bin Mohammed Al Zedjali Chairman and Editor-in-Chief: Mohamed Issa Al Zadjali Deputy Editor-in-Chief: Anees bin Essa Al Zedjali Chief Executive Officer: Ahmed Essa Al Zedjali Editorial: 24726666, Fax: 24813153; E-mail: editor@timesofoman.com Advertising: 24726666, Fax: 24812624 Circulation: 24726600, Fax: 24818270; E-mail: circulation@timesofoman.com Printed and published by: Muscat Media Group P.O. Box 770, Ruwi, Postal Code: 112, Sultanate of Oman.

Subscription: RO70 per year.

US is stumbling into another, wider war

THE INDEPENDENT

I

t should come as no surprise that the United States and its coalition partners are discussing widening the war against IS beyond the borders of Iraq and Syria. Wider wars have become almost habitual in recent years, as military conflicts have expanded with little public awareness or debate. President George W. Bush’s “war on terror” began in Afghanistan, then moved to Iraq and elsewhere. Fourteen years after the September 11 attacks, President Obama is still deploying American troops and weapons to fight Al Qaeda and other extremists in far-flung parts of the world, including Pakistan. The fight against the IS has focused largely on Iraq and Syria, where the group has seized large swaths of land and established a firm presence.

But some regional members of the anti-IS coalition of more than 60 nations are now pressing the administration to carry the fight to other terrorist groups that have declared themselves “provinces” of the IS. In theory, that could involve the United States and the coalition in Libya, where IS has sent a small number of fighters to help organise militants. It could also mean moving against Ansar Beit al-Maqdis, an IS-supported terrorist group in the Sinai Peninsula that greatly worries Egypt. Intelligence officials estimate that IS may have as many as 31,500 fighters in Syria and Iraq; at least a couple of hundred other extremists in Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and other countries have also made less formal pledges of support for IS. The problem is far more complicated than just going after IS and its affiliates. There are many threats ravaging and destabilising the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia, including not only extremists but also stubborn, long-standing sectarian conflicts and, in some states like Yemen and Libya, the near-total collapse of governmental authority and civil order. That makes finding a coherent and effective strategy — or more likely strategies — to deal with these challenges much harder. What is manifestly clear is that while America can and should play a leading role, the main responsibility for confronting extremist groups and ending sectarian wars lies with countries in the region. A Pentagon official played down the possibility of an expanded war. But the fact that it is under discussion should be of more than passing interest to a public grown tired of war. The spread of extremism will be the focus of several meetings in the next few months, including a summit meeting of Arab leaders called by President Obama for this month and a meeting of coalition military commanders to be convened by the United States Central Command.

It is long past time for Congress to set firm parameters so America does not stumble blindly into another morass. Sadly, even as the administration contemplates broader engagement, Congress remains unable or unwilling to confront the issue. - The New York Times News Service

COMMENTARY

Japan moves towards an alliance of hope

A

SHINZO ABE

The freedom cry

T

he Unesco-backed World Press Freedom Day is being observed around the world. The slogan for 2015 is “Let Journalism Thrive”. But is it thriving? It certainly seems this is not the case with media personnel coming under attack around the world — in Africa, in Europe, in Asia and on virtually every continent. In Pakistan, according to international monitoring organisations, at least seven journalists were killed in 2014 while performing their professional duties and the sense of threat continues for many with fear hanging in the air in many newsrooms.

Journalists and the organisations they work for have been threatened by state institutions, politicians, criminal mafias and other groups. The lack of protection available to journalists makes them especially vulnerable to such threats. The fact that since 1992, 56 journalists have been killed in the country according to the New Yorkbased Committee to Protect Journalists also underscores the fact that there is real menace behind the warnings hurled out, the abusive language used and the other means brought into play to try and silence the press. In many cases, media organisations have fought back bravely against this attempt to prevent them from speaking out and telling the truth. In other cases, for obvious reasons, they have been less successful. Life, after all, is precious to everyone and reporters out in the streets have little to protect themselves against bullets or bombs. It is also true that those covering places where conflict rages, such as the tribal areas or even Karachi, have the least barrier of safety of all.

This is a situation we need to deal with. On the World Press Freedom Day, we should be thinking clearly and deeply about it. The ability of the media to speak out forms a facet of the basic right to free expression enshrined in our Constitution. More importantly still, it is vital that citizens everywhere are able to know the truth and base their decisions on it. Attempts to quash basic press freedoms deny them this right and that is something which affects all of us in the most negative possible way. - The Express Tribune

Hopefully, others will learn from Appukuttan’s mistake This refers to the news story, Do not follow my example: Illegal worker (May 3). It is a heartwrenching story. I hope others will learn from the experience of Appukuttan and come out in the open to get out of the life of indignity and fear. I knew an Indian man who shared a similar experience.

He availed himself of the last amnesty offered by the Sultanate and went back to his family after spending 18 years in Oman. He had not seen his children grow; he had not seen his parents die, and his wife ageing. Most importantly, he could not contribute anything to the well-being of his family back in India. His earning was erratic and paltry. He wasted 18 precious years of his life here in Oman as an illegal worker. As he was leaving he

told me that he would have earned more and could have lived with dignity if he had not come here.

S. K. Babu Muscat

Need to improve medical facilities in the Sultanate The changing medical needs of the Omani society should be given due consideration by the authorities. Following the phenomenal development over the last 43 years, the aspirations of people have changed in Oman. They have started expecting and demanding the best, be it education, economic growth, the standard of living and most important, medical facilities which are in need of some urgent improvement.

Khalid Mumtaz Jung Muttrah

Today, the US and Japan recognise that they must continue to take the lead in fostering a rules-based international economic order — fair, dynamic, and sustainable — within which all countries can flourish, free from the arbitrary intentions of any national government

t World War II’s close in the Pacific, we Japanese, with feelings of deep remorse, embarked on the path of rebuilding and renewing our country. Our predecessors’ actions brought great suffering to Asia’s peoples, and we must never avert our eyes from that. I uphold the views expressed by Japan’s previous prime ministers in this regard. Given this recognition and remorse, we Japanese have believed for decades that we must do all that we can to contribute to Asia’s development. We must spare no effort in working for the region’s peace and prosperity.

I am proud of the path that we have taken, but we did not walk that path alone. Seventy years ago, Japan had been reduced to ashes, and each and every month, citizens of the United States sent and brought gifts like milk for our children, warm sweaters, and even goats. Yes, 2,036 American goats came to Japan in the years right after the war. Former enemies had become close friends.

And it was Japan that benefited earliest from the post-war international system that the US fostered by opening up its own market and calling for a liberal world economy. From the 1980s onward, we have seen the rise of the Republic of Korea, Taiwan, the ASEAN countries, and, before long, China — all taking the path of economic development enabled by the open world order created by the US. Japan, to be sure, did not stand idly by; it poured in capital and technologies to support these countries’ growth. Both the US and Japan fostered prosperity — the seedbed for peace — in the region. Today, the US and Japan recognise that they must continue to take the lead in fostering a rules-based international economic order — fair, dynamic, and sustainable — within which all countries can flourish, free from the arbitrary intentions of any national government.

In the world’s great growth centre, the Pacific market, we cannot overlook sweatshops or environmental burdens. Nor can we simply allow free riders to weaken intellectual property. Instead, we must spread and nurture our shared values: the rule of law, democracy, and freedom.

That is exactly what the Trans-Pacific Partnership is all about. The TPP’s strategic value extends far beyond the economic benefits it promises. It is also about turning an area that accounts for 40 per cent of the world economy and one-third of global trade into a region of lasting peace and prosperity for our children and theirs.

As for US-Japan negotiations, the goal is near.

Let us bring the TPP to a successful conclusion

READERS’ FORUM NEW INDIA ASSURANCE New India offers a wide range of HEALTH INSURANCE COVERS to you/family/employee. website: www.newindiaoman.com

We rarely confide in those who are better than we are ALBERT CAMUS

through our joint leadership.

I know how difficult this path has been. Twenty years ago, I myself opposed opening Japan’s agricultural market. I even joined farmers’ representatives in a rally in front of Japan’s Diet.

But Japan’s agriculture sector has declined over the last two decades. Our farmers’ average age has increased by ten years, to more than 66.

If our agriculture sector is to survive, we must follow through on sweeping reforms, including to our agricultural cooperatives, which have not changed in 60 years.

Change is coming to Japanese business, too.

Corporate governance in Japan is now fully in line with global standards because we made it stronger. And I am spearheading regulatory overhauls in such sectors as medicine and energy as well.

Moreover, I am determined to do whatever it takes to reverse the decline in Japan’s labour force. We are changing some of our old habits; in particular, we are empowering women to become more actively engaged in all walks of life.

In short, Japan is in the midst of a far-reaching transition to a more open future. We are determined to press ahead with the structural reforms needed to succeed.

But reform requires the continuation of the peace and security that is the bequest of US leadership. My grandfather, Nobusuke Kishi, chose the path of democracy and alliance with the US when he was Prime Minister in the 1950s. Together with the US and other like-minded democracies, we won the Cold War. I intend to stick to that path; indeed, there is no alternative to it.

Our two countries need to make every effort to strengthen our ties. This is why I support America’s strategic “rebalancing” to enhance peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region. Japan will support this effort first, last, and throughout.

Japan is doing so by deepening its strategic relations with Australia and India, and we are enhancing our cooperation with the ASEAN countries and the Republic of Korea. Adding these partners to the central pillar of the US-Japan alliance will strengthen stability throughout the region. And now Japan will provide up to $2.8 billion dollars to help improve US bases on Guam, which will have even greater strategic significance in the future.

Regarding Asia’s ongoing maritime disputes, let me underscore my government’s three principles.

First, states must stake their territorial claims on the basis of international law. Second, they must not use force or coercion to press their claims.

And, third, they must settle all disputes by peaceful means. - Project Syndicate

Private hospitals in Oman yet to offer best treatment If the healthcare facilities available in Oman were anywhere close to the international standards, why would Omanis go abroad for medical treatment? Everything about health needs improvement here.

Private hospitals mostly employ inexperienced doctors and support staff, who are not the best.

Sohail Ahmed London

Manny Pacquiao makes all the Filipinos proud Manny Pacquiao from the Philippines may have lost to Floyd Mayweather Jr. in their welterweight mega bout, but he has made the people of his country very proud.

Many of us knew Pacquiao would lose but he fought like a lion and

bowed out with grace and dignity.

We are proud of you Pacquiao. You are indeed the best boxer the Philippines has ever produced. And most importantly, you have been graceful in accepting your defeat.

You are humble at heart and deeply faithful to divinity.

Angie Carloman Muscat

Even in defeat, Pacquiao emerged the true winner Mayweather won the fight but lost the respect of his own people by being arrogant and delusional.

Manny Pacquiao, on the other hand, gained the respect of people all around the world with his humility and fear of God. Then, who is the loser now?

Razelle Garcia Carbonell Muscat

Letters, containing not more than 200 words with full name, address and telephone number, may be sent by mail (Times of Oman, P.O. Box 770, P.C. 112, Ruwi), by fax (24813153) or by e-mail (times@omantel.net.om)

T I M E S OF OMAN

MO NDAY, MAY 4, 2015

A13

PERSPEC IVE Free speech: How free is it even in the Western world?

W

hat’s the cost of free speech in the ‘free world’? Scott McIntyre, a sports journalist for Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) in Australia, recently had a taste of it. Not only was he fired from SBS, but was also put to shame by every TV channel, by every anchor person, and the general public in Australia. His crime? Questioning, through a tweet, the wide commemoration of Anzac Day. Anzac Day, for those not aware, is observed in Australia, New Zealand and other islands in the Pacific originally in memory of Australian and Kiwi soldiers who laid down their lives fighting against the Ottoman Empire in Gallipoli during the First World War. Freedom of speech may be prevalent in the ‘free world’, perhaps, when it comes to criticising religion, but should you dare to say a word against the military and soldiers — bastions of national pride — and the skies fall apart, as can be seen in the case of McIntyre. Nowhere is the case of ‘free speech’ more interesting than in the ‘Land of Freedom’, the United States itself. While studying at a university in the US, it was common to have US Marines, and soldiers enrolled for courses — most of whom were returning from Iraq or Afghanistan after spending a couple of gruelling years there.

The regard that professors and students would have for the men in uniform, and the US military at large for ‘protecting’ the US, was completely unparalleled.

What I, however, found puzzling was that barely any student or professor supported the Iraq war, or for that matter, the war on terror.

Despite that, at no point would anyone dare criticise the military, or the actions of soldiers in Abu Ghraib and elsewhere.

Somehow, it felt as if the American public was held back by an innate sense of national pride and a belief, probably constructed through American cinema, that the US military could do nothing wrong. As one of my American friends used to say, “They might not be doing the right thing at the moment — but they are inherently good people who can’t do

HUSSAIN NADIM

Freedom of speech may be prevalent in the ‘free world’, perhaps, when it comes to criticising religion, but should you dare to say a word against the military and soldiers — bastions of national pride — and the skies fall apart, as can be seen in the case of McIntyre

wrong, and in the end of it all, the US will prevail.”This was no conservative southern university: this was one of the most liberal American universities known for its academic openness, and yet the ‘critical’ element in the case of discussing the US military and intelligence agencies was missing. Compare that with Pakistan and one may notice a different reality. Pakistan, undoubtedly, lacks freedom of religion, and many other related freedoms, but as for ‘free speech’ and critical-mindedness, the evidence may suggest otherwise. Pakistan’s experience with free speech is full of dichotomies.

On the one hand, the way in which our politicians are criticised, the judiciary degraded, and military ridiculed on live TV, classrooms, roundtables, conferences, newspapers, drawing rooms, whether on the Balochistan issue or otherwise, nowhere in the world have we seen such radical freedom of speech.

The question is not whether the actions of politicians, or military generals warrant such ridicule — the important thing to look at is the state’s response to such criticism. In the recent past, the state has, to a large extent, willingly or unwillingly, tolerated criticism to a point where the threshold of ‘free speech’ has gone beyond any ethical standards.

Several academics still get space to write openly against the state and whoever they deem appropriate, which makes one wonder over the other side of the same state: one that can’t tolerate a small gathering of people to discuss sensitive issues. There is a tendency, at times, to inflate the role of the establishment in Pakistan as all-powerful and controlling. The fact is that the bodies that make up the establishment are after all part of the bureaucracy.

To what extent can they monitor, let alone control, or dictate us is seriously questionable. More importantly, unlike the public in the US, people in Pakistan are far more critical and resilient — and no matter how much it is supressed, freedom of speech is likely to thrive in Pakistan. - Express Tribune

Yes, Orientalism is ‘chicken fried rice’

I

n an interview with The Quietus, the band Blur was asked about an article I had recently written on their latest album’s foray into cultural appropriation. The Magic Whip, which was released on Monday is partly “Asian-inspired”, and based on a mish-mash of gimmicky tropes. It smacks of Orientalism. Although Blur don’t mind — in fact, certain members seem to embrace it.

“What’s Orientalism?” the bassist Alex James responded when my argument was put to him. “Chicken fried rice?”

As a Korean-American woman, I’m used to being dismissed by men with similar attitudes towards Asian culture. But to be patronised with something as ignorant as “chicken fried rice” is almost comical in how absurd it is. Equating the idea of “Orientalism” to something like “chicken fried rice” is precisely where the problem lies: a problem defined by cultural theorist Edward Said as “patronising perceptions and fictional depictions of an imagined ‘East’.” In that sense, James’ comment is far more meaningful than he probably intended.

“What’s Orientalism? Let me

SANDRA SONG

unwittingly give you the perfect example,” is what he essentially said. Damon Albarn — who says he has read Said — denied the accusation, saying that it was “a load of old bollocks to say this record has element of [Orientalism] in it. It’s just about my experience in Hong Kong.”

Like any other minority, Asian people suffer from for lack of representation and visibility in mainstream media. This is an issue aggravated by groups like Blur when they lazily depict what it means to be Asian, and it’s incredibly frustrating, as we rarely have a narrative of our own in the West. So when the perception of our heritage, personal experiences and identity is shaped by some British band whose knowledge of Asian culture extends to a vacation in Hong Kong and chicken fried rice, it’s hard not to feel angry.

When it comes to damaging stereotypes, I’ve seen them time and time again here in the West.

They allow external assumptions to become the norm. It’s what makes people think they can constantly ask questions like “No, but where are you really from?” and call someone like me “Ching-

chong slanty eyes”. It’s also what encouraged my classmates to make “fry rice special” jokes in front of me, in an attempt to mock an “Asian” accent.

All of this was there to remind me that despite being born and raised in California, with a love of hamburgers, and an Englishonly vocabulary, I will never truly be American. I’ve been called “exotic” by men, despite the fact that I live just down the street from them.

I’ve even had my English corrected, despite holding an honors degree from one of the best journalism schools in America.

Trumping other people’s expectations of who am I, what I do, and how I should act is a constant and exhausting battle.

Cultural appropriation is reductive and offensive, and Blur’s unapologetic ignorance toward the subject is disconcerting.

Asians have been underrepresented and denied a voice for far too long. So I’ll be damned if the lasting impact of my heritage comes from a white man like Alex James who thinks that chicken fried rice is representative of Asian culture. - The Independent

‘Inequality is a choice’ restaurants. As Stiglitz notes: “Inequality is a matter not so much of capitalism in the 20th century as of democracy in the 20th century.”

So if we were to choose to make inequality a priority, what policies could we turn to? This month, Harvard University Press is publishing “Inequality: What Can Be Done?” by Anthony B. Atkinson, a British economist, in which he lays out 15 steps to reduce inequality. A few of his recommendations: • Government should be more concerned with monopolies and competition policy.

• Trade unions should be bolstered to represent workers’ interests.

• Government should provide public-sector jobs at minimum wage to those who want them, in areas such as meals-on-wheels, elderly care, child care and so on.

• In addition to a minimum wage, there should be a framework to restrain pay at the highest levels. Atkinson cites companies that have voluntarily decreed that executive pay should be capped at 65 or 75 times the average pay in the firm.

• Personal income taxes should be made more progressive, with a maximum rate of 65 percent.

• Every child should get a “child benefit” payment, to help keep kids out of poverty.

• So if we’re all upset at inequality, these are ideas to debate. Others, including Stiglitz, have put forth many more. Research groups like MDRC have rigorous evidence of what breaks cycles of poverty. In short: We’re not helpless.

In the case of inequality, there’s a bizarre disconnect between the scale of the challenge and the tools politicians are prepared to use.

This is, according to a Pew survey last year, what the American public viewed as the greatest threat to the world, yet Congress won’t even lift the federal minimum wage to the inflation-adjusted level it reached in the 1960s.

Indeed, answer this question on how Congress responds to inequality. More than one choice could be correct.

Congressional leadership is showing resolve to slash: A) subsidies for private jets; B) the carried interest tax loophole for billionaires; C) food stamps; D) the estate tax on couples with estates worth more than $10.9 million.

The answer is C and D — steps that would hurt low-income children while offering a helping hand to billionaires.

Congress is addressing inequality by exacerbating it at both ends.

Inequality is a tough problem, but we have tools that could begin to make a difference. The problem isn’t inequality; the problem is us.

We’re paralyzed.

- The New York Times News Service

NICHOLAS KRISTOF

T

he eruptions in Baltimore have been tied, in complex ways, to frustrations at American inequality, and a new measure of the economic gaps arrived earlier this year: It turns out that the Wall Street bonus pool in 2014 was roughly twice the total annual earnings of all Americans working full time at the federal minimum wage.

You read that right: Just the annual bonuses for just the sliver of Americans who work just in finance just in New York City dwarfed the combined year-round earnings of all Americans earning the federal minimum wage.

We’ve been walloped with staggering statistics like this long enough that although this used to be a Democratic issue, Republicans are now speaking up. “The United States is beset by a crisis in inequality,” warned Senator Mike Lee of Utah, a Republican with Tea Party support (although he added that his concern is gaps in opportunity, not wealth).

Likewise, Lloyd Blankfein, the chief executive of Goldman Sachs, declared recently that “we have to do a better job” of curbing inequality.

Yet while we broadly lament inequality, we treat it as some natural disaster imposed upon us. That’s absurd. The roots of inequality are complex and, to some extent, reflect global forces, but they also reflect our policy choices.

In his new book, The Great Divide, Joseph Stiglitz, the Nobel Prize-winning economist, includes two chapters whose titles sum it up: “Inequality Is Not Inevitable” and “Inequality Is a Choice.”

“I overheard one billionaire — who had gotten his start in life by inheriting a fortune — discuss with another the problem of lazy Americans who were trying to free ride on the rest,” Stiglitz writes.

“Soon thereafter, they seamlessly transitioned into a discussion of tax shelters.”

America as a nation has chosen to prioritise tax shelters over minimum wages, subsidies for private jets over robust services for children to break the cycle of poverty.

And the political conversation is often not about free rides by corporations, but about free rides by the impoverished.

Kansas’ Legislature is so concerned with this that it recently banned those receiving government assistance from, among other things, spending welfare funds on cruise ships. Will Kansas next address the risk that food stamps are spent on caviar and truffles?

We all know that public money is better used to subsidize tax-deductible business meals by executives at fancy

Mercury probe set for crash landing Messenger, the NASA space probe that discovered water on Mercury and has orbited the planet for four years, will deliberately crash into the surface so that a future mission can monitor its impact crater to see how much weatheringg has occurred Sunshade: Nextel ceramic cloth surrounds layers of Kapton plastic insulation. Surface temperature reaches 370°C but probe kept at comfortable 20°C

Antenna

Solar wing

1471 Magnetometer Measures planet’s planet’ magnetic field

Solar wing Two-thirds composed of mirrors to reflect heat away from solar cells Journey: 7.9bn km Mission cost: $446m

Aug 2, 2004 Launch

Laser altimeter

Spectrometers Measure charged particles in magnetosphere, detect minerals and gases on surface and in atmosphere Picture: NASA/ JHUAPL/ Carnegie

DSM 1*

Aug 1, 2005: Swings past Earth for gravity assist

DSM 2

Oct 24, 2006 Jun 6, 2007: Venus flybys

TODAY IN HISTORY

DSM 3

Jan 14, 2008 Oct 6, 2008 Sep 30, 2009: Mercury flybys

DSM 4

DSM 5

1626

Indians sell Manhattan Island for $24 in cloth and buttons.

1776

Rhode Island declares independence from England.

1795

Thousands of rioters enter jails in Lyons, France, and massacre 99 Jacobin prisoners.

1814

Napoleon Bonaparte disembarks at Portoferraio on the island of Elba in the Mediterranean.

1930

Mahatma Gandhi is arrested by the British.

MOI †

Mar 18, 2011: Enters orbit Mar 30: First images sent back to Earth

In England, the Yorkists defeat the Landcastians at the battle of Tewkesbury.

HISTORYNET.COM Source: NASA

*Deep Space Manoeuvre

† Mercury Orbit Insertio

Graphic News /

Graphics

OPINION POLL Can Oman ever solve the problem of illegal workers as long as they remain in demand?

FROM OUR ARCHIVES SULTANATE, PA DISCUSS CULTURAL TIE-UP

MUSCAT: An official session of talks was held at the Ministry of National Heritage and Culture yesterday, between the Omani side headed by His Highness Sayyid Faisal bin Ali Al Said, minister of national heritage and culture; and the Palestinian side headed by Yasser Abd Rabbu, culture and information minister of the Palestinian National Authority. The two sides discussed fostering cultural cooperation and agreed that the Sultanate participates in the Fifth Palestinian Book Fair, to be organised in Gaza on October 12.

Visit timesofoman.com to cast your vote

LAST POLL RESULT No

74.2%

Yes

19.4%

Can't say

6.5%

Do you think that the health care facilities available in Oman are of international standards?

A 14

MONDAY, MAY 4, 2 015

WORLD

They didn’t allow us to move an inch. If you needed the toilet, they followed you. We were kept in one place. We were under bondage. We thank God to be alive today. We thank the Nigerian army for saving our lives Asabe Umaru, Rescued Nigerian woman

R O YA L C H I L D

AZALEA FESTIVAL IN JAPAN

SCAN THIS QR CODE TO INSTANTLY VISIT

Visitors stroll through a garden with colourful azalea bushes in full bloom at Shiofune-kannonji temple in Ome City, Tokyo on Sunday. During the azalea festival, thousands of people come to enjoy the view. — AFP

PHOTO GALLERY W W W.T I M E S O F O M A N .C O M

First visitors see Britain’s baby princess LONDON: Prince William and his wife Kate showed off their new baby daughter to close relatives on Sunday as Britain eagerly awaited the name of the new royal princess.

Kate’s mother Carole Middleton and her sister Pippa were the first to arrive at the couple’s Kensington Palace apartment in central London followed by William’s father Prince Charles and his wife Camilla.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, their firstborn Prince George and the new arrival were expected to spend the next few days at Kensington Palace before travelling to Anmer Hall, their secluded 10-bedroom mansion on Queen Elizabeth’s Sandringham country estate.

Betting on the new baby’s name meanwhile saw Charlotte overtake long-time front-runner Alice as the bookmakers’ favourite with odds of 3/1.

Britain’s Sunday newspapers carried big front-page pictures of the new baby and fourth in line to the throne with many running souvenir pullouts.

“Sleeping cutie,” said both The Sun and the Sunday Mirror, with a close-up of the child, who was born on Saturday.

The birth is “a reminder of the things that really matter in life”, added the Sunday Telegraph.

Tourism chiefs said the baby was expected to boost visitor numbers to London. — AFP

BANGLADESH

Qaeda claims murder of US blogger in Bangladesh DHAKA: Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) has claimed responsibility for the murder of an American blogger in Bangladesh over two months ago, according to SITE Intelligence Group.

Avijit Roy was hacked to death by two assailants with machetes on the streets of the capital Dhaka in February as he returned from a book fair with his wife.

AQIS leader Asim Umar said his organisation was responsible for the attack in a video posted on extreist forums on Saturday, according to SITE, a US website that monitors extremist groups.

Doubts about claim A spokesman for Bangladesh’s Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) force, which is tasked with tackling militancy in the country, said it couldn’t be certain the claim was correct.

“We are not sure,” Mufti Mahmud told AFP when asked if Al Qaeda was behind the deaths of Roy and writers Ahmed Rajib Haider and Washiqur Rahman.

Haider and Rahman were also killed by machete-wielding attackers. Haider died in 2013 and Rahman was hacked to death in March. — AFP

4,100 boat migrants rescued in ongoing Italian mission SCAN THIS QR CODE TO INSTANTLY VISIT

PHOTO GALLERY

All of those rescued

W W W.T I M E S O F O M A N .C O M

were being brought to take in more refugees in order to relieve some of the pressure on Italy, Greece and Malta.

But Austria’s proposal likely will face tough opposition from some members states, including Britain and Hungary.

to Italian shores, with some already arriving at Lampedusa, Italy’s southernmost island, and Trapani, Sicily

ROME/MISRATA: Nearly 4,100 migrants were rescued from boats near the coast of Libya on Saturday and Sunday and rescue operations continued as people smugglers took advantage of calm seas, Italy’s coast guard and navy said.

All of those rescued were being brought to Italian shores, with some already arriving at Lampedusa, Italy’s southernmost island, and Trapani, Sicily. More were to be brought ashore overnight and on Monday. Separately, authorities in Egypt said that three died when a migrant boat attempting to reach Greece sank off its coast. Thirtyone were rescued.

Growing lawlessness and anarchy in Libya is giving free hand

RESCUE OPERATION: This image grab made from a handout video released by the Italian Coast Guard on Sunday, shows an Italian coast guard taking part in a rescue operation of a boat carrying 397 migrants, on Saturday, in the Mediterranean Sea. — AFP/GUARDIA COSTIERA

to people smugglers trafficking mostly people from various parts of Africa and the Middle East fleeing conflict and poverty.

The smugglers make an average of 80,000 euros from each boatload, according to an ongoing investigation by an Italian court.

Mild spring weather and calm summer seas are expected to push total arrivals in Italy for 2015 to 200,000, an increase of 30,000

over last year, according to an Interior Ministry projection.

Shocked by what was described as the most deadly Mediterranean shipwreck in memory last month, European Union leaders agreed to triple funding for the EU Triton sea patrol mission after a migrant boat capsized and up to 900 people drowned.

Italy coordinated the weekend’s rescue efforts, with some 10 Italian

vessels, four private boats and a French ship acting on behalf of the European border control agency.

While the EU has stepped up its sea mission, Italy remains the country that hosts most of the arrivals in immigration centres.

Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann said in a newspaper interview on Sunday that the EU should set up a quota system whereby member countries agree

Own rules Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Friday that member countries should be allowed to set their own rules on migrants, and that Hungary did not want any of the migrants.

Meanwhile, Libya’s coastguard on Sunday intercepted five boats carrying around 500 illegal migrants who were trying to reach Europe, an official said.

Colonel Reda Issa told AFP that most of the migrants were Africans who had set off from an unspecified location.

The boats were intercepted some eight nautical miles off the coast and ordered to head for the city of Misrata east of the capital Tripoli, the officer said.

Issa did not say what would happen to the migrants, but Libya has a detention centre for migrants in Misrata. — Agencies

FAT E O F C H I B O K C A P T I V E S U N K N O W N

Freed Nigerian women tell of horror of Boko Haram captivity YOLA (NIGERIA): Boko Haram fighters killed older boys and men in front of their families before taking women and children into the forest where many died of hunger and disease, freed captives said on Sunday after they were brought to a government refugee camp.

The Nigerian army rescued hundreds of women and children last week from the extremist fighters in northern Nigeria’s Sambisa Forest in a major operation that has turned international attention to the plight of hostages.

Refugee camp After days on the road in pickup trucks, hundreds were released on Sunday into the care of authorities at a refugee camp in the eastern town of Yola to be fed and treated for injuries. They have been able to speak to reporters for the first time.

“They didn’t allow us to move an inch,” said one of the freed women, Asabe Umaru, describing her cap-

tary arrived, she had barely eaten.

“We were fed only ground dry maize in the afternoons. It was not good for human consumption,” she said. “Many of us that were captured died in Sambisa Forest. Even after our rescue about 10 died on our way to this place.”

tivity in the forest. “If you needed the toilet, they followed you. We were kept in one place. We were under bondage.

“We thank God to be alive today.

We thank the Nigerian army for saving our lives,” she added.

More than 700 freed Two hundred seventy-five women and children, some with heads or limbs in bandages, arrived in the camp late on Saturday. Nearly 700 kidnap victims were freed from the extremist group’s forest stronghold since Tuesday, with the latest group of 234 women and children being liberated on Friday.

“When we saw the soldiers we raised our hands and shouted for help. Boko Haram who were guarding us started stoning us so we would follow them to another hideout, but we refused because we were sure the soldiers would rescue us,” Umaru, a 24 year-old mother of two, told Reuters.

The prisoners suffered con-

LUCKY TO BE ALIVE: A woman rescued from Boko Haram in Sambisa forest is seen celebrating her freedom at Malkohi camp for Internally Displaced People in Yola, Nigeria on Sunday. — Reuters

stant malnutrition and disease, she said. “Every day we witnessed the death of one of us and waited for our turn.” Another freed captive, Cecilia Abel, said her husband

and first son had been killed in her presence before the militia forced her and her remaining eight children into the forest.

For two weeks before the mili-

No Chibok girls rescued The freed prisoners were fed bread and mugs of tea as soon as they arrived at the government camp.

Nineteen were in hospital for special attention, Dr Mohammed Aminu Sulieman of the Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency told Reuters.

Amnesty International estimates the insurgents, who are intent on bringing western Africa under extremist rule, have taken more than 2,000 women and girls captive since the start of 2014.

Many have been used as cooks, slaves or human shields.

The prisoners freed so far do not appear to include any of more than

200 schoolgirls snatched from school dormitories in Chibok town a year ago, an incident that drew global attention to the six-year-old insurgency. Umaru said her group of prisoners never came in contact with the missing Chibok girls.

Nigerian troops alongside armies from neighbouring Chad, Cameroon and Niger have won back swathes of territory from the fighters in the last couple of months. Last year, the group exerted influence over an area bigger than Belgium. But a counter-attack launched in January has pushed them into Sambisa, a nature reserve. While the Nigerian army is confident it has the group cornered, a final push to clear them from the area has been curtailed by landmines.

President Goodluck Jonathan, who relinquishes power later in May after his election defeat to Muhammadu Buhari, has promised to hand over a Nigeria “free of terrorist strongholds”. — Reuters

MO NDAY, MAY 4, 2015

A15

WORLD

Funchu Tamang was rescued on Saturday from the rubble of his house with only minor injuries to his ankle and hand, after the quake ripped through the impoverished country on April 25

RESCUED

Nepal quake: 101-year-old man pulled out alive from rubble KATHMANDU: Rescuers have pulled a 101-year-old man alive from his ruined home a week after Nepal’s earthquake claimed at least 7,200 lives, as the government warned on Sunday the death toll will climb “much higher”.

Funchu Tamang was rescued on Saturday from the rubble of his house with only minor injuries to his ankle and hand, after the quake ripped through the impoverished country on April 25.

“He was brought to the district hospital in a helicopter. His condition is stable,” local police officer Arun Kumar Singh told AFP

from Nuwakot district, around 80 kilometres (50 miles) northwest of Kathmandu.

Police also pulled out three women alive from under rubble on Sunday in Sindhupalchowk, one of the worst-hit districts, although it was not immediately clear how long they had been trapped.

Rare good news The rescues were rare good news for the devastated country after officials on Saturday ruled out finding more survivors buried in the ruins and the focus shifted to trying to deliver aid to thousands in

SCAN THIS QR CODE TO INSTANTLY VISIT

ARTICLE, PHOTOS W W W.T I M E S O F O M A N .C O M

remote Himalayan areas. Finance Minister Ram Sharan Mahat said the death toll was likely to jump once relief teams reached mountain villages flattened in the worst quake to hit the nation in more than 80 years.

“There are still villages where we know that all houses have been destroyed, but have not yet

been able to reach,” Mahat said in a statement.

“The aftershocks have not receded and we expect the final casualty numbers to climb much higher,” the minister said, as he appealed for hundreds of millions of dollars in foreign donations to help rebuild the country.

The 7.9-magnitude quake wreaked a trail of death and destruction, reducing much of the capital Kathmandu to rubble and triggering a deadly avalanche on Mount Everest.

In the worst-hit districts of Gorkha and Sindhupalchowk,

almost 90 per cent of the mostly stone and mud homes have been destroyed, the United Nations said in its latest situation report.

“Our priority now is really to try to reach those people (in remote areas), get immediate assistance to them,” the UN’s head of humanitarian affairs Valerie Amos said.

The relief effort received a boost late Sunday when a United States Air Force C-17 aircraft and four tilt-rotor Ospreys landed in Kathmandu. “They’re going to make an immediate difference,” US Brigadier General Paul Kennedy said.

“We’ve got search and rescue

teams waiting to go out to the remote areas, we’ve got relief supplies, especially shelters. Most people don’t understand that a shelter is the most pressing need, so we’re going to take these things out starting tomorrow morning,” he added.

International planes loaded with relief supplies have poured into landlocked Nepal, but there have been numerous reports of many getting stuck at Kathmandu’s small airport, and customs officials stopping trucks filled with aid from crossing into the country from neighbouring India. — AFP

B

WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM M ON DAY, M AY 4, 2015

MARKE

SCAN THIS QR CODE TO INSTANTLY LAUNCH THE VIDEO

DIGEST VIDEO Top stories in one minute with our new daily Digest

New container service linking India, GCC to start on May 9 Oman International Container Terminal said the weekly loop, branded the Chennai-ColomboGulf Service, will

– Times file picture

help further push the movement of goods from Indian subcontinent to port

Times News Service MUSCAT: A new container service connecting the Indian subcontinent and the Middle East will be launched in May as Evergreen Line and Simatech Shipping have reached a vessel-sharing agreement, according to the Oman International Container Terminal (OICT).

The weekly loop, branded the Chennai-Colombo-Gulf Service, or CCG, will employ four vessels of around 2,000 20-foot-equivalent units’ capacity, OICT sources informed Times of Oman.

OICT is the gateway for international trade in Oman a hub for regional transshipment traffic. It is a joint-venture between global port investor, developer and operator Hutchison Port Holdings Limited (HPH), the government of the Sultanate of Oman, Steinweg of Netherlands and a number of other well-established Omani Investors.

The port rotation for CCG will be Colombo, Sri Lanka; Vizakhapatnam, Krishnapatnam SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE

Duqm Refinery awards Galfar major tender Times News Service MUSCAT: Duqm Refinery announced that Galfar Engineering and Contracting has been awarded the tender for site preparation work for its upcoming refinery at the Special Economic Zone in Duqm.

Site preparation work is expected to start in the second quarter of 2015 and complete during the second quarter of 2016. The site preparation work comprises the excavation and compaction of more than 12 million m3 of soil, and will lay the groundwork to commence refinery construction in 2016.

Once the refinery is completed, it will have the capacity to process around 230,000 barrels of crude oil per day. Diesel, jet fuel, naphtha and LPG are to be its primary products.

Jacobus Nieuwenhuijze, Project Director of Duqm Refinery said, “The site preparation work will be the first activity on the refinery site and this is an exciting milestone for the project.

This ensures that the site will be ready for major construction of the refinery.”

“We are delighted that many Omani contractors had expressed interest in tendering for the contract and this award will directly benefit the local community of Duqm and Al Wusta region,” he further added.

and Chennai, India; Colombo; Cochin, India; Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates; Sohar, Oman; Cochin and back to Colombo.

The first CCG vessel is expected to depart from Colombo on May 9. The new service will help further push the move of subcontinental ports to Sohar.

“In addition to providing efficient transportation services linking the major ports of southern India and Sri Lanka with the gulf, this important intra-regional service will also connect to Evergreen’s global service network via its transshipment hub in Colombo,” Evergreen said in a trade advisory.

Founded in 2005, OICT is located inside the Port of Sohar and is equipped with advanced container handling facilities. These together with an 18 metre draft enable it to serve the latest generation of mega-vessels.

The Port of Sohar is strategically located outside the Strait of Hormuz in the Gulf of Oman, approximately 200 kilometres from Muscat and 160 kilometres from Dubai with extensive road system and rail connections planned for the near future.

OICT is committed to the development of its facilities to ensure it can handle the region’s growing cargo volumes. OICT’s Terminal C currently has a capacity of 800,000 TEU per annum

which is set to increase to 1.5 million TEU per annum. Upon completion of Terminal D, OICT’s capacity will be increased to 6 million TEU per annum.

In the third-quarter of last year, OICT invested $14 million in additional equipment and labor. The increase brought its total equipment count to 7 quay cranes, 22 rubber-tyred gantry cranes and 14 reach stackers. An additional 200 people were hired last year for the new Terminal C facilities. OICT puts a strong emphasis on the development and growth of its staff through continuous training, for example in Hong Kong where they study best-in-class practices at HPH’s headquarters.

The investment in leading edge systems and technology gives OICT the highest level of operational efficiency. The Next Generation Terminal Management system (nGen) that OICT uses is a modular, scalable terminal-management platform that controls the entire scope of operations including ship and yard planning, gate operations, vessel operations and interactions, yard configuration and performance, overall operations monitoring, equipment utilisation, productivity and cost optimisation. Using powerful algorithms, nGen offers the most precise and efficient operating solution to OICT’s customers.

Don’t litter a beautiful country like OMAN. Ensure proper disposal of garbage.

B2

MONDAY, MAY 4, 2 015

MARKET A R A B I A N I N D U S T R Y. C O M R A N K I N G

MANAGEMENT CHANGE

Duqm Development Petroleum Development Oman’s leaders feature in industry top 10 list appoints new CEO Times News Service Times News Service MUSCAT: Dr Mohammed bin Hamed Al Rumhy, minister of Oil and Gas and chairman of Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) Board of Directors, and PDO Managing Director Raoul Restucci have been named among the most powerful and influential people in the Middle East oil and gas sector.

The website www.arabianindustry.com ranked Al Rumhy at number four and Restucci at number 10 in a Top 10 list of leading industry figures.

Workforce localisation The business news portal highlighted the Minister’s work on Omanisation stating: “Oman is a leading light in the process of workforce localisation and much of that accolade must be credited to the hard work of Dr Al Rumhy.”

It also emphasised Restucci’s

– Supplied picture

work for PDO and his contribution in the successful running of the Company.

PDO External Affairs Director Abdul-Amir Al Ajmi said: “This is a very well deserved recognition for two lynchpins of the oil and gas sector. Their support, guidance and encouragement have inspired all those who work for PDO

to give their best for the Company and country.”

“They have done so much to raise the profile of PDO internationally, whether it be through our pioneering In-Country Value strategy to extend job and training opportunities to Omanis and support local businesses, or through our innovative approach to the

use of technology in production,” he added.

Dr Al Rumhy started his career as a PDO trainee during his studies and later joined the company as a petroleum engineer assigned to the Fahud field. He was appointed as the Minister of Oil and Gas by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said in 1997 and since then has driven and supervised continued successes in both upper stream and downstream activities.

Restucci started his career in Shell international in 1980 and served in several other senior positions for the company. He assumed the role of PDO Managing Director in 2010 and since then has presided over a string of milestone achievements, including a record-breaking performance on production and safety in 2013, and the creation of more than 15,000 job and training opportunities for Omanis.

MUSCAT: Duqm Development Company (DDC), the pioneer real estate developer in Duqm, has appointed Sheikh Ibrahim bin Sultan bin Saif Alhosni as the company’s new Chief Executive Officer.

Ahmed bin Suleiman bin Saleh Al Maimani, DDC’s Chairman said, “It is our goal that talented and dynamic Omanis nationals like Shk. Ibrahim take front role and lead major organisations.

Shk. Ibrahim is a USA graduate with a Bachelor Degree in Accounting and brings to DDC more than 16 years of diversified experience. He has been associated with DDC since its inception as the DCEO and Board is confident that he will accomplish the vision of the Company.”

Prior to joining DDC, Shk. Ibrahim hold various roles with Arthur Anderson, Ernst and Young, Ministry of Finance (MOF) and Omran. In MOF he was overlook-

Sheikh Ibrahim bin Sultan bin Saif Alhosni. — Supplied picture

ing local and international organisations and represented MOF in the boards and committees of renowned organisations such as PDO, SGRF, Oman Air, Oman Dry Dock (ODC) and committees relating to big projects such as the Wave, Sohar Port, Salalah Port, etc. In Omran Shk. Ibrahim was in charge of all the investments in joint venture companies.

Phoenix Power share sale launch on May 10 As stated in the project founders’ agreement, the company is required to offer 35 per cent of their share capital to the public through an initial public offering Times News Service MUSCAT: Phoenix Power Company SAOG (under transformation), Oman’s leading power company with its asset based in Al Sharqiya Governorate, plans to launch its Initial Public Offering (IPO) on May 10.

As stated in the project founders’ agreement, the company is required to offer 35 percent of their share capital to the public through an IPO. Accordingly, Phoenix Power, which owns the Sur Independent Power Plant (IPP), intends to offer 511,910,511 exist-

This is a very exciting phase for Phoenix Power. Now that Sur IPP has been contributing to Oman’s power supply, we are delighted to offer the public an opportunity to participate in our future commercial success Peter Jones Executive managing director of Phoenix Power

ing shares through listing on the Muscat Securities Market.

Financial advisor Bank Muscat Investment Banking is the financial advisor and the sole issue manager for the IPO. Phoenix Power owns, maintains and operates Sur IPP, the Sultanate’s largest power plant of 2000 MW in operation.

The company is owned by a consortium comprising Axia Power Holdings B.V. (Marubeni Corporation, Japan), Chubu Electric Power Sur B.V. (Chubu Electric Power Co, Japan), Qatar Electricity & Water Company, Q.S.C, and Multitech LLC (part of the Suhail Bahwan Group, Oman).

Commenting on the proposed IPO, Peter Jones, executive man-

aging director of Phoenix Power said, “This is a very exciting phase for Phoenix Power. Now that Sur IPP has been contributing to Oman’s power supply, we are delighted to offer the public an opportunity to participate in our future commercial success.”

According to the Oman Power and Water Procurement Company, which is the sole off-taker of the power produced, Phoenix Power is expected to play a major role in meeting Oman’s growing power demand for many years to come, he said, adding that the IPO is a unique opportunity for an investment in the Sultanate’s largest power plant in operation.

Sur IPP was officially inaugurated on April 27. The ceremony marked an important milestone in the journey of the company, which constitutes an investment of $1.6 billion, and installed capacity of 2,000 MW, representing about 27.8 per cent of the Sultanate’s main interconnected system’s total current contracted power capacity.

HAVE YOUR SAY Send us your comments at facebook.com/timesofoman blog.timesofoman.com haveyoursay@timesofoman.com

H O S P I TA L I T Y S E C T O R

Booming mid-range hotels reshaping hotel industry Times News Service MUSCAT: While the hospitality industry in the Middle East has been traditionally dominated by upmarket hotels, leading experts in the sector believe that the rise of mid-range hotels is reshaping the field in the region.

“The hotel industry has seen increasing diversification, largely due to rise in demand from price conscious international tourists and business travellers who want something other than the full five-star luxury experience at premium prices,” said Mark Shea, the head of hospitality of Faithful+Gould for the Middle East. Shea’s observation came ahead of the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC) that is set to take place at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, from May 5 to 7.

Faithful+Gould, the world’s leading integrated project and programme management consultancy that specialises in the hospitality sector in the GCC, will lead a roundtable discussion about the sector at the AHIC, bringing together industry experts who will share insights about the opportunities and challenges the industry faces in the region.

Refurbishments and conversions will also be a key focus of the conference, with Project Director of Faithful+Gould Simon Enders

Mark Shea. — Supplied picture

leading a presentation on “Getting under the Skin of Refurbishments and Conversions.” This will assess the feasibility of renovating existing properties, including achieving maximum results at lowest possible cost.

According to Shea, medical and religious tourism are also fuelling the growth of the mid-range market, which “could provide profitable, long-term investment opportunities.”

In recent years, hotel infrastructure has seen intense activity in the Gulf, with two mega international events set to take place in the region.

The Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing estimates that in Dubai, a total hotel room supply of 140,000 to 160,000 rooms will be required by 2020, an increase from the currently available 90,000 rooms, with a further 10,000-

plus rooms being reported as requiring refurbishment prior to the World Expo 2020.

In Qatar, experts estimate that some 45,000 hotel rooms will be required to meet capacity requirements for the FIFA 2022 World Cup, with 21 hotels planned to be constructed by 2017.

“Each city has its own supply and demand characteristics.

Dubai is a mature tourism destination, whereas Doha is an emerging one and faces the challenge of maintaining momentum till the World Cup Qatar 2022.

However, both markets have room for mid-range provisions,” Shea noted.

Furthermore, cities hosting mega events should take into account post event scenarios as well, as these offer lucrative opportunities for the hospitality sector and could mitigate risks of overcapacity.

Shea explained, “The challenge here is to identify alternative uses for accommodation after the event ends. For example, athletes’ villages can be turned into affordable residential communities. This may be a challenge for Doha in particular as it currently attracts fewer tourists than Dubai. All major Middle Eastern regions have targeted hospitality as the key sector for growth and diversification of their respective economies.”

MO NDAY, MAY 4, 2015

B3

MARKET S TAT E - O F - T H E -A R T S E RV I C E

Bank Muscat unveils enhanced online banking service MUSCAT: Bank Muscat, the flagship financial services provider in the Sultanate, has launched a state-of-the-art online banking service redefining banking with convenience. The enhanced ‘anytime, anywhere’ online banking offers an array of service to retail and corporate customers. The simple-to-use 24/7 service available in both English and Arabic is available at https://www.bankmuscatonline.com.

Retail customers are provided with an online registration facility so that the registration can be done by customers themselves without having to fill any forms.

Existing online banking customers can upgrade their access to the new system online.

Tariq Atiq, AGM – Cards &

eBanking, said: “Bank Muscat is proud to widen its reach with the new enhanced online banking service offering a host of transactions on finger tips for all users. The new service spells convenience, doing away with the requirement of visiting the bank for various transactions. Driven by the latest technological features and offering a wide range of options, the enhanced online banking service presents a unique facility from Bank Muscat that lets customers bank at convenience from ‘anywhere, anytime’. For people constantly on the move, the online banking service is a boon.”

The online banking service facilitates fund transfers between own accounts, to third party accounts in Bank Muscat, to other

AV I AT I O N S E C T O R

Technology called key to seamless air traffic in region Times News Service MUSCAT: Civil aviation authorities in the Middle East are increasingly turning to cuttingedge technologies to grapple with the unprecedented air traffic growth that is threatening the pace of aircraft movements in the skies, as well as the expansion of fleets on the grounds.

Millions of dollars are being spent for the deployment of innovative technologies, systems and solutions to lessen congestion in the skies in the region which, according to the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO), whose members support over 85 per cent of global air traffic, is “saturated” and requires “effective and coordinated” use of technology.

The Middle East, according to CANSO, is the second fastest growing region in the world for air traffic. The UAE is home to the world’s top airport for international passengers–Dubai International – which last year handled some 71 million passengers.

ICAO has projected that by 2030, the movement of aircraft in the region will witness a 5.2 per cent annual growth, and the UAE is expected to handle 1.85 million aircraft landings and departures by 2030. By 2025, airlines are expected to operate approximately 1.4 million flights per annum to and from the UAE. Further, the UAE Air Traffic Management Strategic Plan, prepared by the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), has projected that the total number of flights will be approximately 1,856,909 in 2030.

The cumulative annual average growth rate is estimated to be 6.45 per cent from 2015 to 2020, and 3.2 per cent from 2020 to 2030 for total civilian opera-

Tariq Atiq. — Supplied picture

bank accounts in Oman, international transfers and speed transfer to India.

The facility provides access to account details and balances re-

lating to accounts, fixed deposits, loans and credit cards. Transaction statements are also available relating to accounts, fixed deposits, loans and credit cards.

Online bill payment facility covers utility services such as electricity, water, mobile, landline, internet, school fees and Bank Muscat credit cards. Customers can also make standing orders for one-time and recurring payments using the online banking service.

They can also make requests for cheque book, linking of multiple debit cards to accounts, blocking of debit or credit cards, update of personal details and requests related to Secure Token. The new online banking service also provides mobile top-up facility for Ooredoo and Omantel service.

According to Boston Consulting Group report, more than twothirds of the total annual value of the ocean relies on healthy conditions to maintain its annual economic output

Boston Consulting Group study, this value is over 15 times the asset size of Abu Dhabi Investment tions in UAE airspace. In order to effectively manage air traffic in UAE skies through 2030, Airbus Prosky presented 53 recommendations, many of which are under various stages of implementation. In a study, European aircraft manufacturer Airbus said emerging regions will represent almost two-thirds of world air traffic in 2033. With traffic more than tripling in these regions over the next twenty years, the Middle East, Africa, CIS and Asia-Pacific will become the fastest growing regions.

By 2033, the fleet of passenger aircraft with 100 seats or more, and freighter aircraft carrying 10 tonnes or greater, will stand at 37,463 aircraft, more than doubling the fleet in service today.

Experts have underscored the need to alleviate ‘saturation and system limitations’ in the Flight Information Regions (FIRs) in the region, of which the UAE has remained the largest and busiest.

Enhancing capacity and ensuring seamless operations is the primary driver for GCC airports, which are expected to handle 450 million passengers by 2020. The GCC states are working together on a regional Air Traffic Management (ATM) enhancement programme, focusing on both immediate and future ATM infrastructure and operational and technical requirements to meet the future expected demand.

credit card payments, opening of Themaar Savings Plan, setting up standing orders for various transfers and payments, stop standing orders and update of personal details. The Secure Token prevents fraudulent online transactions as customers have to use it for all the above transactions, making online banking highly secure. In case customers forget their user ID or password, they can create and activate new user ID and password.

For corporate customers, the new online banking service provides total control of finance 24 hours-a-day. Also to managing own accounts, corporates can arrange local and international transfers, bill payments, transfer of salaries, vendor payments and much more in a secure environment.

Ocean’s wealth valued at $24 trillion: Report According to a new

– Supplied picture

The new online banking service is highly secure with multiple level of validations ensured by Secure Token. To access online banking, customers need to use their user ID and password. Banking transactions are validated by a second level of authentication, either by one-time password (OTP) received on registered mobile number, or through authentication using the Bank Muscat Secure Token. Ensuring high security, the Secure Token can be used only with a PIN created by customers.

Authentication by Secure Token is necessary to carry out transfers to third party accounts in Bank Muscat, transfers to other banks in Oman, international funds transfer, speed transfer to India, third party Bank Muscat

Authority and Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency combined Douglas Beal. — Supplied picture

Times News Service MUSCAT: Value of the ocean’s riches rivals the size of the world’s leading economies, but its resources are rapidly eroding, according to a report released by World Wildlife Fund (WWF) on Sunday.

The report, titled Reviving the Ocean Economy: The case for action - 2015, analyses the ocean’s role as an economic powerhouse and outlines the threats that are moving it toward collapse. The value of key ocean assets is conservatively estimated in the report to be at least $24 trillion – over 15 times the asset size of The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) and the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA) combined.

If compared to the world’s top 10 economies, the ocean would rank seventh with an annual value of goods and services of $2.5 trillion.

The report, produced in association with The Global Change Institute at the University of Queensland and The Boston Consulting Group (BCG), a global management consulting firm and the world’s leading advisor

on business strategy, is the most focused review yet of the ocean’s asset base. Reviving the Ocean Economy reveals the sea’s enormous wealth through assessments of goods and services ranging from fisheries to coastal storm protection, but the report also describes an unrelenting assault on ocean resources through over-exploitation, misuse and climate change.

Ocean’s valuable assets “The ocean rivals the wealth of the world’s richest countries, but it is being allowed to sink to the depths of a failed economy,” said Marco Lambertini, Director General of WWF International.

“As responsible shareholders, we cannot seriously expect to keep recklessly extracting the ocean’s valuable assets without investing in its future.”

According to the report, more than two-thirds of the annual value of the ocean relies on healthy conditions to maintain its annual economic output. Collapsing fisheries, mangrove deforestation as well as disappearing corals and seagrass are threatening the

marine economic engine that secures lives and livelihoods around the world.

“Being able to quantify both the annual and asset value of the world’s oceans shows us what’s at stake in hard numbers; economically and environmentally. We hope this serves as a call for business leaders and policymakers to make wiser, more calculated decisions when it comes to shaping the future of our collective ocean economy,” explained Douglas Beal, Partner and Managing Director at BCG Middle East.

Research presented in the report demonstrates that the ocean is changing more rapidly than at any other point in millions of years. At the same time, growth in human population and reliance on the sea makes restoring the ocean economy and its core assets a matter of global urgency.

“The ocean is at greater risk now than at any other time in recorded history. We are pulling out too many fish, dumping in too many pollutants, and warming and acidifying the ocean to a point that essential natural systems will sim-

ply stop functioning,” added Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, the report’s lead author and Director of the Global Change Institute in Australia’s University of Queensland.

Climate change Climate change is a leading cause of the ocean’s failing health. Research included in the report shows that at the current rate of warming, coral reefs that provide food, jobs and storm protection to several hundred million people will disappear completely by 2050. More than just warming waters, climate change is inducing increased ocean acidity that will take hundreds of human generations for the ocean to repair.

Over-exploitation is another major cause for the ocean’s decline, with 90 per cent of global fish stocks either over-exploited or fully exploited. The Pacific bluefin tuna population alone has dropped by 96 per cent from unfished levels.

It is not too late to reverse the troubling trends and ensure a healthy ocean that benefits people, business and nature. Reviving the Ocean Economy presents an eight-point action plan that would restore ocean resources to their full potential.

“The ocean feeds us, employs us, and supports our health and wellbeing, yet we are allowing it to collapse before our eyes. If everyday stories of the ocean’s failing health don’t inspire our leaders, perhaps a hard economic analysis will. We have serious work to do to protect the ocean starting with real global commitments on climate and sustainable development,” Lambertini further added.

HAVE YOUR SAY Send us your comments at facebook.com/timesofoman blog.timesofoman.com haveyoursay@timesofoman.com

B4

MONDAY, MAY 4, 2 015

MARKET OMAN STOCKS

Index ends lower MUSCAT: Amid weak trading activity, MSM Index ended negatively at 6,318.28 points, down by 0.07 per cent. The MSM Sharia Index closed at 972.84 points, down by 0.09 per cent. Bank Muscat was the most active in terms of volume while Omantel was the most active in terms of turnover. Sunday’s top gainer was Oman Takaful, up by 2.80 per cent while Galfar Engineering down by 1.56 per cent was the top loser for the day.

A total number of 440 trades were executed during the day’s trading session generating turnover of OMR2.34 million with more than 5.92 million shares changing hands. Out of 39 traded securities, 13 advanced, five

declined and 21 remained unchanged. At the session close, GCC & Arab Investors were net buyers for OMR241,000 followed by Foreign Investors for OMR160,000 while Omani Investors were net sellers for OMR401,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index closed at 7,731.83 points, marginally down by 0.02 per cent. Takaful Oman, Oman & Emirates, United Finance, Gulf Investment Services and NBO rose by 2.80 per cent, 0.87 per cent, 0.81 per cent, 0.70 per cent and 0.64 per cent respectively. HSBC Bank Oman, Global Financial Investment and Al Sharqiya Investment fell 1.52 per cent, 0.85 per cent and 0.69 per cent respectively. — United Securities

MUSCAT SECURITIES MARKET

INDICES Index .................................................High .................Low..................... Value ............... Prev . Value.......... Diff ...............Diff % MSM30 Index ....................................... 6,326.99 ............... 6,316.16 ................... 6,318.28 ...................6,322.50..................-4.22 .................. -0.07 Financial Index .....................................7,746.02 ............... 7,731.83 .................... 7,731.83 ....................7,733.37.................. -1.54 .................. -0.02 Industrial Index ....................................8,345.16 ...............8,328.71 ....................8,331.10 ...................8,342.38................ -11.28 .................. -0.14 Services Index .......................................3,441.25 ...............3,436.65 ....................3,437.36 ................... 3,439.78..................-2.42 .................. -0.07 MSM SHARIAH INDEX.......................974.07 ..................972.84 ...................... 972.84 ...................... 973.68..................-0.84 .................. -0.09 Trading Summary Volume ................Turnover ..........Trades .............. Market Cap............. Up............Down ............. Equal .........Sec. Traded 5,921,207....................2,340,579 .................... 440 ...............14,847,436,982 ................ 13 ........................5 .................... 21 .........................39

SHARE PRICE BULLETIN FOR SUNDAY, MAY 3 ISIN ..................................................SECURITY NAME ...............................................................................................VOLUME ..............TURNOVER...................TRADES ...........OPEN PRICE............. HIGH....................LOW...............CLOSE PR. ..........PREV. CLOSE..........DIFF (RO) .................DIFF %......................LAST PR...............LAST BID.....................LAST OFFER .................MARKET CAP ........PAR VALUE

REGULAR MARKET .........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

OM0000001145 ............PORT SERVICES CORPORATION .........................55,600 .............12,667......................18 ........... 0.227 ...........0.228 ...........0.227........... 0.228 .............0.225 ........... 0.003............. 1.333 ................0.227..............0.225...................0.228 .................. 21,669,120 .........0.100 OM0000002226 ...........AL JAZEERA SERVICES .......................................... 143,961 ............ 48,947........................7 ........... 0.340...........0.340 ...........0.340 .......... 0.340 .............0.336 ........... 0.004............. 1.190 ................0.340............. 0.340...................0.350...................20,809,453.........0.100 OM0000001681 ............OMAN AND EMIRATES INV. HOLDING........... 221,093 ............25,722......................19 ............0.116 ........... 0.117............0.116 ............0.116 ............. 0.115 .............0.001 ............. 0.870 ................0.116 ...............0.115................... 0.116 ................... 14,137,500 .........0.100 OM0000002374............UNITED FINANCE .......................................................65,920 .............. 8,240........................5 ............0.124 ........... 0.126 ...........0.124............0.125 .............0.124 ............0.001 .............0.806 ................0.126 .............. 0.125...................0.127...................38,845,618 .........0.100 OM0000002820 ...........GULF INVESTMENT SERVICES ......................... 121,000 ............ 17,275......................11 ............0.143 ........... 0.145 ...........0.142........... 0.143 .............0.142 ............0.001 ............. 0.704 ................0.143 ..............0.143...................0.144.................... 8,414,580 ..........0.100 OM0000001483............NATIONAL BANK OF OMAN ................................. 235,000 ........... 74,260........................7 ............0.316 ........... 0.316 ...........0.316 ............0.316 ............. 0.314............ 0.002............. 0.637 ................0.316 ..............0.310...................0.316................. 423,664,439 .......0.100 OM0000001525 ............OMAN INVESTMENT AND FINANCE............... 66,040 ............. 15,174........................8 ........... 0.229 ...........0.230 ...........0.229........... 0.230 .............0.229 ............0.001 ............. 0.437 ................0.230..............0.229...................0.235.................. 46,000,000 ........0.100 OM0000002796 ...........BANK MUSCAT ............................................................ 1,056,495 ......562,933..................... 72 ........... 0.530 ........... 0.536 ...........0.530........... 0.532 .............0.530 ........... 0.002............. 0.377 ................0.536..............0.534...................0.536................ 1,219,249,622 ......0.100 OM0000001087............OMAN UNITED INSURANCE ...................................5,000 ...............1,500........................1 ........... 0.300...........0.300 ...........0.300 .......... 0.300 .............0.300 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.300 .............0.302...................0.308 ..................30,000,000 ........0.100 OM0000001160 ............NATIONAL GAS ............................................................... 1,000 ..................400........................1 ........... 0.400...........0.400 ...........0.400 .......... 0.402 .............0.402 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.400............. 0.400...................0.410...................20,100,000.........0.100 OM0000001418 ............RAYSUT CEMENT ........................................................18,000 ............ 28,530........................1 ............1.585 ........... 1.585 ...........1.585 ............1.585 ............. 1.585............ 0.000.............0.000 ................1.585 .............. 1.575...................1.585 ..................317,000,000........0.100 OM0000001772 ............AL ANWAR HOLDING............................................... 694,510 ..........177,668..................... 30 ........... 0.257 ...........0.259 ...........0.254........... 0.256 .............0.256 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.254..............0.253...................0.254 ..................33,408,000.........0.100 OM0000001962............AL MADINA INVESTMENT .....................................88,578 ...............5,403........................6 ............0.061 ........... 0.061 ...........0.061 ........... 0.061 ............. 0.061............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.061 ..............0.061...................0.062 ..................12,636,234 .........0.100 OM0000002028 ...........GULF INTERNATIONAL CHEMICALS ................ 1,000 ...................231..................... 10 ........... 0.234 ...........0.234 ...........0.229........... 0.229 .............0.229 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.230..............0.228...................0.230 ...................4,809,000..........0.100 OM0000002168............AL ANWAR CERAMIC TILES ................................. 41,017 .............16,929........................9 ........... 0.420 ...........0.420 ...........0.410........... 0.412 .............0.412............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.412 ..............0.412...................0.414..................122,040,037........0.100 OM0000002176 ............AL JAZEERA STEEL PRODUCTS .......................... 43,717 ............. 11,585......................16 ........... 0.265 ...........0.265 ...........0.265........... 0.265 .............0.265 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.265............. 0.260...................0.265...................33,097,959 .........0.100 OM0000002200 ...........AHLI BANK ...................................................................... 68,971 .............14,691..................... 10 ............0.213 ........... 0.213 ...........0.213 ........... 0.213 .............0.213............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.213 ............. 0.000...................0.213..................303,532,699 .......0.100 OM0000002549 ...........BANK DHOFAR ................................................................ 3,048 .................. 847........................1 ........... 0.278 ...........0.278 ...........0.278........... 0.284 .............0.284 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.278..............0.278...................0.288 .................438,702,907 .......0.100 OM0000002572 ...........OMAN OIL MARKETING .............................................1,120 ...............2,498........................1 ........... 2.230...........2.230 ...........2.230 .......... 2.230 .............2.230 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................2.230..............2.230...................2.450 .................136,643,250........0.100 OM0000002804 ...........ASAFFA FOODS ............................................................. 10,599 ................9,115........................1 ........... 0.860 ...........0.860 ...........0.860........... 0.860 .............0.860 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.860.............. 0.776...................0.900 ................ 103,200,000 .......0.100 OM0000003026 ...........OMAN TELECOMMUNICATION ........................ 510,161 ..........828,437..................... 50 ............1.625 ........... 1.625 ...........1.620............1.625 ............. 1.625............ 0.000.............0.000 ................1.625 ..............1.620...................1.625 ................ 1,218,750,000 ......0.100 OM0000003141 ............ACWA POWER BARKA ................................................. 9,500 ...............7,942........................2 ........... 0.836 ........... 0.836 ...........0.836........... 0.836 .............0.836 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.836..............0.836...................0.000 .................133,760,000........0.100 OM0000003224 ...........RENAISSANCE SERVICES ..................................... 152,000 ...........54,420........................3 ........... 0.358 ...........0.360 ...........0.358........... 0.358 .............0.358 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.360..............0.360...................0.366..................100,989,815 ........0.100 OM0000003398 ...........BANK SOHAR................................................................ 574,391..........104,438......................19 ............0.182 ........... 0.182 ...........0.180........... 0.182 .............0.182............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.180.............. 0.178...................0.182................. 262,342,080 .......0.100 OM0000002440 ...........AL SHARQIA INVESTMENT HOLDING .............68,700 ...............9,855........................4 ............0.146 ........... 0.146 ...........0.141 ........... 0.143 .............0.144 ...........-0.001 ........... -0.694 ...............0.141 .............. 0.141...................0.144...................12,870,000.........0.100 OM0000003125 ............GLOBAL FINANCIAL INVESTMENT ................ 500,000........... 58,100........................5 ............0.117 ........... 0.117............ 0.115 ............0.116 ............. 0.117 ............-0.001 ........... -0.855 ...............0.115 ...............0.111................... 0.115 ...................23,200,000 ........0.100 OM0000003968 ...........OOREDOO....................................................................... 190,768 ..........140,405..................... 28 ............0.732 ........... 0.736 ...........0.732........... 0.736 .............0.744............-0.008 ............-1.075................0.736 ..............0.732...................0.736..................479,094,953 .......0.100 OM0000001517 ............HSBC BANK OMAN .................................................... 304,500........... 39,594........................3 ............0.132 ........... 0.132 ...........0.130........... 0.130 .............0.132............-0.002 ............-1.515 ................0.130 ...............0.131...................0.132................. 260,040,663 .......0.100 OM0000003521 ............GALFAR ENGINEERING AND CON. ....................29,332 ...............3,709........................7 ............0.125 ........... 0.130 ...........0.125 ........... 0.126 .............0.128............-0.002 ............-1.563................0.130 ..............0.128...................0.130...................36,537,560 .........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 5,281,021.........2,281,515 ..............355 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ......29........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

PARALLEL MARKET .................................................................................................................................................................................

OM0000004776 ...........TAKAFUL OMAN INSURANCE ..............................68,448 ............... 7,543........................6 ............0.110 ........... 0.112............0.110 ............0.110 .............0.107............ 0.003.............2.804 ................ 0.111 .............. 0.110................... 0.111 ...................11,000,000 .........0.100 OM0000002036 ...........MUSCAT THREAD MILLS .......................................... 7,049 .................. 888........................1 ............0.126 ........... 0.126 ...........0.126........... 0.126 .............0.124 ........... 0.002..............1.613.................0.126 ...............0.115...................0.126.................... 1,863,046 ..........0.100 OM0000002564 ...........AL HASSAN ENGINEERING....................................23,150 ...............2,585........................8 ............0.113 ........... 0.113............0.110 ............0.112 ............. 0.111 .............0.001 ............. 0.901 ................ 0.111 ...............0.111................... 0.113 ....................8,423,296 ..........0.100 OM0000002366 ...........AL BATINAH DEV. INV. HOLDING ........................14,854 ...............2,028........................6 ............0.142 ........... 0.142 ...........0.136 ............0.136 ............. 0.135.............0.001 ..............0.741.................0.137 .............. 0.136...................0.138....................4,080,000..........0.100 OM0000005005 ...........ALMAHA CERAMICS .................................................. 34,811 .............18,587......................11 ........... 0.532 ...........0.534 ...........0.532........... 0.534 .............0.532 ........... 0.002............. 0.376 ................0.534..............0.520...................0.540 ..................28,035,000.........0.100 OM0000001368 ............CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS IND. .................. 350,500 ............14,368..................... 23 ............0.041 ........... 0.041 ...........0.040 .......... 0.041 .............0.041 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.041..............0.041...................0.042 ...................3,485,000 ..........0.100 OM0000001566 ............OMAN FISHERIES ..................................................... 103,400 ..............5,962.....................22 ........... 0.058 ...........0.058 ...........0.057........... 0.058 .............0.058 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.057..............0.054...................0.059....................7,250,000 ..........0.100 OM0000004925 ...........AL BATINAH POWER..................................................13,620 ...............2,601........................3 ............0.191 ........... 0.191............0.191 ............0.191 ............. 0.191 ............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.191 ..............0.184...................0.193..................128,903,499........0.100 OM0000004933 ...........AL SUWADI POWER ....................................................22,636 ...............4,323........................4 ............0.191 ........... 0.191............0.191 ............0.191 ............. 0.191 ............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.191 .............. 0.191...................0.193.................. 136,451,611 ........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 638,468 ........... 58,886..................... 84 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ........ 9........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

BONDS MARKET .................................................................................................................................................................................

OM0000004602 ...........BANK MUSCAT CONV. BONDS 4.5 ........................... 1,718 ...................179........................1 ............0.104 ........... 0.104 ...........0.104........... 0.109 .............0.109 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.104..............0.104...................0.109...................32,999,653 .........0.100 .............................................SUM: ....................................................................................... 1,718 ...................179........................1 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. .........1........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Shares in Dubai fall: Abu Dhabi stocks retreat DFM General Index lost 2.3 per cent to 4,132.46 at the close. Emaar Properties, the developer of the world’s tallest tower Burj Khalifa, ended a three-day rally

DUBAI: Dubai stocks tumbled the most since March as investors bet the longest streak of weekly gains in 15 months had taken share prices too high, too fast. Abu Dhabi equities fell to the lowest in almost three weeks.

The DFM General Index lost 2.3 per cent to 4,132.46 at the close. Emaar Properties, the developer of the world’s tallest tower Burj Khalifa, ended a threeday rally.

The ADX General Index in Abu Dhabi slid to the lowest level since April 14.

Recovery in oil prices A recovery in oil prices helped Dubai stocks to climb 20 per cent last month, the biggest increase since July, sending its relative strength index to as high as 76 on April 16. A threshold of 70 on the momentum indicator signals to some investors that share prices are poised to fall. Sunday’s decline in the benchmark gauge came after a five-week, 24 per cent advance.

“Dubai has had a good run lately

and it’s in overbought territory,” said Ramez Merhi, a Dubai-based director for asset management at Al Masah Capital which manages $500 million.

“No market moves in a straight line and it’s logical for the index to pull back as investors take some money off the table.”

Emaar, which has the biggest weighting on Dubai’s gauge, retreated 3.6 per cent, the most since March 18. Reporting results after the markets closed, the company said it has changed revenuerecognition norms. Emaar’s firstquarter net income grew seven per cent, beating estimates.

Gains reversed Stocks in Abu Dhabi, home to about six per cent of the world’s proven oil reserves, slumped in the last 45 minutes of trading.

The gauge earlier rose as much as 0.9 per cent after the price of Brent crude closed near the highest since December.

The six nations of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have about 30 per cent of the world’s

proven reserves and typically rely on revenue from crude to fund their budgets.

Aldar Properties, Abu Dhabi’s biggest real estate developer by market value, tumbled 3.6 per cent. RAK Properties lost 5.3 per cent after the first-quarter net income fell.

Egypt shares drop The Tadawul All Share Index in Saudi Arabia also reversed gains and dropped 0.7 per cent. Qatar’s QE index added 0.3 per cent and Kuwait shares rose 0.2 per cent.

Egypt’s benchmark EGX 30 Index slumped 1.3 per cent. The government issued rules governing the imposition of a capital gains tax on April 8, raising concerns the move would deter investors in favour of tax-free Gulf markets.

The gauge’s 30-day volatility rose to a four-month high on Sunday as investors bet it might be canceled.

“The market’s moves in recent weeks have all been tied to the capital gains tax, with speculation on whether or not it will be implemented,” Tamer Ismail, head of dealing at Cairo Capital Securities, said by phone.

“Investors are looking for more clarity this week. Until then, we’re likely to see more volatility,” he further added. — Bloomberg News

HAVE YOUR SAY Send us your comments at facebook.com/timesofoman blog.timesofoman.com haveyoursay@timesofoman.com

B

W W W.T I M E S O F O M A N . C O M M ON DAY, M AY 4, 2015

SECTION

SLOW DOWN ENJOY THE RIDE

E-

IMES TECH STUFF

Start-up Instacart bets big on online grocery shopping

STORE YOUR DIGITAL MOVIES ON ONEDRIVE SERVER Microsoft’s cloud storage service allows you to store and stream videos in common formats to your browser or in the OneDrive mobile app.

Files in the .mov, .m4v and .mp4 formats should work, but those in incompatible formats can be downloaded first and then played. You can upload files as large as 10 gigabytes to OneDrive. Videos that have copyright restrictions built in will not play directly from OneDrive, and storing pirated videos on the site violates Microsoft’s Code of Conduct.

FOR ASTRONOMERS

An app guided tour through the galaxy KIT EATON

F

Instacart shows great promise — its founders and investors believe it could provide employment to tens of thousands of workers, improve the reach and financial prospects of small and large physical grocery stores, and eliminate what many people consider the drudgery of grocery shopping.

FARHAD MANJOO

L

ET’s take a trip to crazy town, shall we, and pretend for a moment that we are in a precarious tech industry bubble. Imagine, for the sake of argument and not because this could possibly be true, that the rising valuations of the largest start-ups are unsustainable. OK, now consider the following: If we are in a bubble, which of today’s start-ups is the modern-day Webvan or Pets.com? A decade from now, which company will we look back on and wonder, what on earth were we thinking?

One top candidate might be Instacart, a company that uses smartphones to deploy a battalion of personal shoppers to buy and deliver groceries to people’s homes.

Instacart shows great promise — its founders and investors believe it could provide employment to tens of thousands of workers, improve the reach and financial prospects of small and large physical grocery stores, and eliminate what many people consider the drudgery of grocery shopping.

Yet its success may rest on some unproven assumptions about the market: that delivering groceries can be done efficiently enough to sustain its low prices; that it can be done in sprawling suburbs as well as dense cities; and that, if it takes off, it will add to, rather than siphon off, business from large grocery chains. I first wrote about Instacart’s potential to change the grocery business a year ago, and have been checking in with Apoorva Mehta, Instacart’s founder and chief executive, occasionally since. Last week, I stopped by the company’s headquarters in San Francisco to discuss Instacart’s growth and sustainability as well as how operations have changed during a highflying year.

Mehta was willing to answer some, but not all, of my inquiries. I also spoke to several of Instacart’s grocery partners, many of which pay the start-up a cut of each order.

Some divulged details about their sales through Instacart, and the information suggested the startup was doing well. Growth, from what I could gather, may be in the double digits.

Deep questions remain But deep questions remain, particularly whether Instacart can make enough money from each order to justify its valuation, and whether the sales gains that retailers say they’re experiencing through the service can be sustained. Instacart looks like a great idea — and, still, a very big bet.

Instacart certainly smacks of the bubble: In two large funding rounds over the last year, its valuation has risen more than tenfold. In January, some of Silicon Valley’s bestknown venture capitalists invested $220 million, collectively appraising Instacart at around $2 billion.

The company has used its new money to fund expansion. Last year, it grew from serving just a few markets to 15 cities, and this year, it plans to expand to even more. A year ago, the company had about 50 full-time employees. Today, it employs around 200, and by the end of the year, it will have around 500, Mehta said. That does not include thousands of contractors who pick and deliver groceries.

“I come in to work now and there are all these people and I don’t know their names,” Mehta said.

“It’s a weird feeling.”

Instacart’s rising valuation is based partly on ballooning sales.

In December, Mehta told me the company’s gross revenue grew by more than 10 times in 2014, to more than $100 million for the year. Last week, he declined to divulge more current information about growth, including whether it had picked up or slowed down since we’d last spoken. He also declined to discuss whether the company was profitable, and its current costs.

In theory, Instacart’s costs should be relatively low. Rather than invest vast sums into warehouses and refrigerated trucks — like many older, unsuccessful grocery delivery companies, notably Webvan — Instacart uses resources that are already built up. Like Uber, it contracts with workers who use their own cars to deliver groceries to customers, and its products are bought from stores in your own neighbourhood.

Improve grocery sales Instacart’s potential to improve grocery sales has led to a new relationship with some of the country’s largest supermarket chains.

In its earliest days, Instacart had few formal ties with supermarkets; its shoppers would just go to stores and buy stuff, and stores either didn’t know or didn’t care.

The company made all of its money

In two large funding rounds over the last year, its valuation has risen more than tenfold. In January, some best-known venture capitalists invested $220 million, collectively appraising Instacart at around $2 billion from consumers through a delivery fee of around $3.99 an order, in addition to a markup of around 10 to 20 percent on most items in the store. Last summer, Mehta realised that the model was limiting. Customers didn’t like the marked-up prices, and stores didn’t like that they had little say in Instacart’s operations, including its prices.

So Instacart began restructuring.

In deals with more than a dozen supermarket chains, the company formalised a new pricing relationship in which stores would pay Instacart a cut of each order. With Instacart now receiving money from retailers, it could eliminate mark-ups for customers in many stores. Last week, the company announced a new “pricing transparency” feature on its site that shows which locations have higher prices than you’ll find on a store shelf, and which ones have the same prices.

Most items on Instacart, the company says, are now selling for the same prices as in stores.

Retailers were willing to pay Instacart on the theory that they’d gain more business, because Instacart would let a single store serve people across a wider geography. — The New York Times News Service

OR stargazers who want to peer deep into the universe, there’s good news: Nowadays you don’t need a telescope to do some amateur astronomy. With the right apps, your phone can be a powerful educational window into the night sky.

SkyView, for one, is a simple yet impressive stargazing app.

You hold your phone up to the sky and the app’s augmented reality display shows what stars, planets and constellations you’re looking at.

SkyView makes use of the phone’s camera and sensors and calculates where you are and which way your phone is pointing, then displays detailed maps and information like the names of comets or satellites on the screen, superimposed over the view of the actual sky. When you see something interesting, like a planet or a particular constellation, you tap the display for more information. Instead of cluelessly peering at the stars, you can know that the orangeish dot you see is called Betelgeuse, is part of the constellation of Orion and is the sky’s ninth brightest star.

The app also lets you search for things you want to see. You might be interested to know the location of the International Space Station, for example. SkyView will show an arrow on the screen directing you where to point your phone in the sky.

SkyView is intuitive and suited to amateur astronomers and youngsters. It’s free on iOS and Android (though on Android, different phones’ sensors mean it may not be 100 per cent reliable). The free version contains basic star information, but the $2 edition offers a more detailed star and satellite catalogue.

Most interestingly, the $2 SkyView on iOS now has an Apple Watch app that can alert you to coming events like meteor showers.

Several other apps have similar features to SkyView. My personal favorite is Star Walk.

While SkyView emphasises simplicity of use, Star Walk has a slightly more serious feel.

Star Walk also works by displaying a dynamic map of the sky when you hold up your phone or tablet. It has an augmented-reality setting, so you can see what stars your phone is looking at through its camera. But by default this mode is switched off, and instead the app shows a detailed map of stars, galaxies and planets on the screen along with information about what you’re seeing.

Star Walk’s extras include beautiful animated graphics for the constellations (which you can turn off if they’re too fussy) and 3-D animated graphics of objects like planets. You can also quickly dial time around to see what the sky will look like on a particular date, which may help you plan your future stargazing.

Like SkyView, Star Walk also

has a companion Apple Watch app to keep you alerted to phases of the moon, opportunities to spot the space station and so on.

Star Walk’s sophistication does mean it takes a while to learn all its menus and controls.

It costs $3 for iOS and Android, and is $2.50 on Windows Phone.

The Night Sky Lite is another similar app, available as a free download on iOS and Android.

I like this app’s extras, like the “traveller mode” that shows what the sky looks like from different cities. But its menus are sometimes tricky to navigate, and the free edition frequently nags users to upgrade to the $1 paid version that has more features.

Solar Walk, meanwhile, acts as a detailed guide to the wonders of our solar system, jampacked with detailed graphics, interesting text and eye-pleasing animations. If you’re new to things astrophysical, this app can teach you all about Saturn’s rings and a huge variety of moons, comets like the Hale-Bopp and even some space missions. The app is fabulous for explaining space matters to children. It’s a $3 iOS and Android app, and there’s a limitedfeature free version.

Wonders of the Universe, which costs $6, has detailed 2-D and 3-D graphics, animations and movies about subjects as diverse as the workings of a red dwarf star, the history of our moon and black holes. It’s designed to be easy to understand, even if you have a limited science background. It’s made in collaboration with the BBC, so it has high production values.

While I wish this app came installed by default in new phones, it’s for iOS devices only.

Sometimes our phone screens drag our attention away from the real world too much, so these apps may remind you to look up and be amazed by the night sky’s beauty.

Quick call Tumblr remains a hugely popular way to publish your own blog on traditional computers. Now the iOS Tumblr app has undergone an upgrade that includes the ability to start new blogs from your phone as well as other improvements. It’s free on iOS. — The New York Times News Service

B6

MONDAY, MAY 4, 2 015

ROUND-UP Rolls-Royce car sales see sharp rise in Oman The Ghost Series II as well as the Wraith experienced strong growth during the first three months of this year

MUSCAT: Al Jenaibi International Automobiles has achieved an outstanding 75 per cent sales increase in the first quarter of 2015, for the ultra-luxury marque in the Sultanate compared to the same period in 2014.

The Ghost Series II experienced strong growth during the first three months of this year, following its introduction to the market in October last year.

Considered an oasis of calm in a busy connected world, the latest addition to the Ghost collection of vehicles was the best-selling model for the sole authorised dealership in Oman, affirming its popularity

amongst the discerning Omani clientele, says a press release.

“Achieving such incredible success for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars in the first quarter of 2015 is testament to the unique selection of ultra-luxury vehicles on offer and the unparalleled level of service offered at Al Jenaibi International Automobiles. We have had a strong start to the year and look forward to continue achieving stellar results throughout the year,” said Divyendu Kumar, man-

aging director of Al Jenaibi International Automobiles.

Wraith, the most powerful and dynamic Rolls-Royce in history, also continued to experience strong sales throughout the first quarter of the year in 2015, which is expected to continue on with the announcement of the new Rolls-Royce Wraith ‘Inspired by Film’ that will be available to order in Oman in the early summer.

Featuring a unique two-tone Silver and Jubilee silver exterior,

and intricate Maccassar Ebony open pore paneling interior, the Wraith ‘Inspired by Film’ is expected to contribute towards building on the success Al Jenaibi International Automobiles throughout the second quarter.

The continuous success of the sole authorised dealership of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars in Oman further highlights the importance of the brand in the Omani market and strengthens its presence on the marques global network.

FUND-RAISER

PIONEER

Oman Cables Industry bid chairman farewell MUSCAT: Oman Cables Industry gave a fitting farewell to its outgoing board chairman Mustafa bin Mukhtar bin Ali Al Lawati, one of the founders of the company.

During a special farewell dinner in the presence of the guest of honor Abdullah Salem Al Salmi, executive president of Capital Market Authority (CMA), and other dignitaries, colleagues, employees and friends listened to the history of the Oman Cables as explained by the former chairman, who served on the company’s board for more than 30 years, says a press release.

“Results can only be achieved by working hard, planning thoroughly and thinking through everything meticulously,” he stressed.

Mustafa Al Lawati established various companies and enterprises and is viewed as a pioneer of business in the Sultanate of Oman.

He has created opportunities for many Omanis to develop in different careers and also supported many businesses in Oman through his entrepreneurial vision.

Oman Cables Industry was established in 1984 and is a wellknown and reputed cable manufacturer in Oman and GCC. The manufacturing facilities are situated in Rusayl Industrial Estate, which is the largest industrial complex in the country.

Mustafa bin Mukhtar bin Ali Al Lawati. – Supplied photo

Oman Cables office buildings and factories presently occupy an area of 135000 square meters and process more than 70 million kilograms of copper for electrical power cables annually.

The quality of the cables is recognised not only in Oman but also in the export markets as far as Hong Kong. The new chairman of the company is Fabio Romeo who was already serving on the board since 2012.

M U S I C A L E X T R AVA G A N Z A

S. P. Bala set to perform in ‘Rajanigandha’ on May 16

Balabhaskar mesmerises crowd at ISD’s Resonance MUSCAT: Indian School Darsait’s mega event ‘Resonance’ – a musical night with the south Indian violin maestro Balabhaskar — entertained thousands of people at Qurum Amphitheatre recently.

The event served as a platform to raise funds for the school to support its developmental activities. The highlights were an enthralling show of freestyle violin fusion and scintillating dance performances by students of Indian School Darsait. An impressive crowd with thousands of people from in and around Muscat poured in to be a part of this fun-filled night and enjoyed the musical extravaganza to the fullest, says a press release.

HELPING HAND

EzRemit waives commission on remittances to Nepal through Jadeed Exchange MUSCAT: In the wake of the deadly earthquake in Nepal where over 6000 people have lost their lives and thousands have been injured and displaced, Al Jadeed Exchange continues to lend a helping hand to the grief-stricken communit, says a press release.

“Based on the request from Al Jadeed Exchange, EzRemit, one of the major fast money transfer companies, have agreed to waive off their commission for all transactions to Nepal through Al Jadeed Exchange during the period starting from April 29 till May 31,” said B Rajan, general manager of Al Jadeed Exchange.

Earlier, as a goodwill gesture, Al Jadeed Exchange had decided to do away with the commission charged to all bank transfers to Nepal from April 28 to May 15.

The evening came alive with an amazing performance. It was a synthesis of the best in violin, keyboard, tabla, lead and bass guitars and drums. The virtuoso enthralled the audience with his exuberance inviting the audience to participate in his performance with impromptu dancing and humming to his tunes.

Fund raising Earlier, Abdul Rahim Kassim, President, School Management Committee, extended a cordial welcome to the patrons, guest of honour R.M. Parakh, recipient of Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award, and former chairman, BoD, Indian Schools in Oman,

and other dignitaries.

In his speech, he praised the ISD family for making the fund raising programme a stunning success and hoped to get the same support and patronage for the future endeavours of the school.

Nikhila Anilkumar, SMC member and chairperson of Resonance 2015 Core Committee, proposed the vote of thanks. She gratefully acknowledged the generosity shown to the school by all sponsors. She thanked all the staff members, parents and students for their tireless efforts in making this programme a grand success.

The event was managed by Orbit Event Management with the active involvement of ISD staff.

MUSCAT: ‘Rajanigandha’ is back again with a musical extravaganza on Saturday, May 16 at Grand Hall of Al Falaj Hotel. The show will feature legendary playback singer S.P. Balasubrahmanyam along with a host of popular local artists.

The ninth episode of ‘Rajanigandha’, being organised by Muscat Unique Diamond Entertainment, offers live orchestra to the music lovers of Oman after the stupendous success it has seen in the past eight years, says a press release.

Sripathi Panditaradhyula Balasubrhmanyam, mostly referred to as S.P.B. alias Balu, is a legendary, versatile playback singer, actor, music director, dubbing artist and a producer. He won the National Film Awards for best male playback singer six times, Nandi Awards in Telugu cinema 25 times from the Government of Andhra Pradesh, South Film Fare Awards 5 times and numerous state awards from the governments of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. He is a recipient of civilian awards such as Padmashiri as well as Padmabhushan from the Government of India. He has acted in more than 45 films in different languages too.

S. P. Bala has won Guinness World Record for recording the highest number of songs. He has the rare distinction of rendering the most number of songs on a single day by any singer — 21 songs in Kannada, 19 songs in Tamil and 16 songs in Hindi which is a phenomenal achievement and a record. He

has sung over 40,000 songs in various languages for his credit.

S. P. Bala developed his interest in music at an early stge. He continued to pursue music during his engineering studies and won several awards in singing competitions. His first audition song was Nilave Ennidam Nerungathe which was originally sung by veteran playback singer P. B. Srinivas.

He made his debut as a playback singer in Telugu in 1966.

S.P.B. came to international prominence with the film “ Sankarabharanam in 1980 which is considered to be one of the best films ever made in Telugu film industry. In 1989, Balasubrahmanyam was the playback singer for Bollywood actor Salman Khan and much of the next decade he was the most sought after romantic singer for Salman. In 1992 he sang 3 songs for A.R. Rahman’s debut film ‘Roja’. S.P.B. became a dubbing artiste for Kamal Hassan and he gave voice to seven characters out of 10

characters played by Hassan in the film Dasavatharam.

‘Rajanigandha’ organisers are delighted to have him on the stage with the local talents. Rajanigandha, a name synonymous with quality Indian musical evening, came into being in 2007 with a group of dedicated musical enthusiasts.

During the last 8 years it has brought several eminent playback singers such as Vineeth Srinivasan, Kallara Gopan , Srinivas, M.G. Sreekumar, P. Jayachandran, Mano, Usha Raj, Vani Jayaram, Madhu Balakrishnan and honoured Music Directors such as Vidhyadharan Master, Arjunan Master, Johnson Master. It has also honoured Khalid Anwar Jan, fondly known as Khalid Bhai, the Hindustani music teacher for some of the local talents, who recently passed away in Karachi, Pakistan. “This is the only musical event where the local talents get an opportunity to sing along, share and interact with the legendary playback singers of Indian cinema.

We are presenting a melodious combination of semi classical, old melodies and contemporary fast numbers in different languages to all the music lovers of Oman,” said one of the organisers.

The local talents to sing along and share the stage with S.P.B. are Akhilesh Radhakrishnan, Malavika Menon, Aiswarya Ajith, Saakshi Bhagavath, Anjana Ajith, Shraddha Venkat, Sreerag Menon and Mahadev Sudin.

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Oxy Oman donates four buses to local charities MUSCAT: Occidental of Oman, Inc. (Oxy Oman) announced the delivery of a donated handicapped bus for Al Wafa Rehabilitation Center for Disabled Children as well as the delivery of three school buses to Children Development House in Ibri.

The ceremony was held in the Directorate of Social Development in Ibri in Al Dhahira Governorate under the patronage of Sheikh Saif bin Hemiar Al Shihi, governor of Al Dhahira, with the attendance of Hussam bin Ahmed Al Nabhani, vice president for Corporate and External Affairs of Oxy Oman and Dr Rashed bin Sulaiman Al Mandhri, assistant general manager at the Directorate General in Al Dhahira Governorate, says a press release.

The aim of the contribution to the Al Wafa Rehabilitation Center is to provide an equipped vehicle for the use of disabled children who will be able to gain more independence by entering and exiting the bus with their wheelchairs.

Providing such a bus may encourage other disabled children to join the centre as the vehicle will eliminate transportation issues.

The current donation for Children Development House in Ibri

is expected to help the House to provide safe, comfortable and convenient transportation means for the children. This will hopefully enhance learning motivations among children and ultimately

boost their knowledge acquisition and educational achievement.

This donation is another example of Oxy Oman’s investments in the communities where it operates. Through investing in pro-

grams and initiatives that address key stakeholder concerns, Oxy Oman is able to strengthen relationships with local communities and create shared value for both stakeholders and Oxy Oman.

WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM M ON DAY, M AY 4, 2015

SECTION

RECRUI JOB POSTINGS

Of all of our inventions for mass communication, pictures still speak the most universally understood language. — Walt Disney

CAREER COACHING

10 useful ways to build career network!

SEND US YOUR VIEWS AND COMMENTS

J

editor@timesofoman.com webeditor@timesofoman.com

ust about every article on job-hunting you’ll read on any career site says the same thing, almost to the point of making it a job-seeker mantra: “the most effective method for finding a new job is through networking.” Listening to job-hunting gurus and career coaches results in the same call to action — to contact your network of contacts and enlist their help in uncovering job leads.

The problem for many jobseekers, though, is not so much in understanding the extreme importance of networking, but in the execution of networking.

More specifically, job-seekers wonder, where do all these networking contacts come from — and how can I get people to be part of my network? The key point to remember is that networking is relationship-building. Your network consists of people you’ve met (either in person or online) — and you build your network by going out and meeting more people.

Then the question arises, how do I meet people to add to my network? The thrust of this article is to provide you with 10 proven techniques for building and ex-

panding your career network.

1. Ask members of your current network for referrals. There is probably not an easier way to expand your network than to simply ask your current friends, family, and associates for the contact information of others whom they think would be beneficial for you to know. The “friend-of-a-friend” connection is quite strong and usually very successful.

2. Join professional or trade organisations. No better method exists for finding people who share the same professional interests and goals than joining one or more industry organisations.

Once you’re a member, you’ll usually get access to the membership list, which can open up many new prospective network contacts.

3. Attend professional/trade meetings, shows, etc. The great thing about trade shows and industry meetings and conferences is that you’ll encounter new people to meet — and opportunities for both “meet-and-greets” and more in-depth meetings. Seek out peers as well as more experienced members — and even speakers — to add to your network.

4. Volunteer. Providing your time and effort to a needy cause is perhaps one of the strongest venues for networking — because you are working side-by-side with people who share your passion for helping others — but often overlooked by job-seekers either too busy or too focused on finding industry contacts. Find an organisation that needs your help.

5. Attend networking events.

This technique is a no-brainer for adding more people to your network of contacts. Various groups hold networking events, including colleges, professional and industry associations, chambers of commerce, and the like. Review community calendars online or in your local newspaper for details.

6. Contact former professors, college alumni association, and/ or career services office. One of the strongest ties that help in building new and strong network contacts is sharing the bond of a college or university. Making additional contacts with people affiliated with your college gives you a solid base of shared experiences — and a strong connection to build upon.

QUOTES There is no magic formula for great company culture. The key is just to treat your staff how you would like to be treated — Richard Branson

Words are singularly the most powerful force available to humanity. We can choose to use this force constructively with words of encouragement, or destructively using words of despair.

Words have energy and power with the ability to help, to heal, to hinder, to hurt, to harm, to humiliate and to humble.

— Yehuda Berg

Half the world is composed of people who have something to say and can’t, and the other half who have nothing to say and keep on saying it.

— Robert Frost

7. Join or ramp up your activities on social and professional networking sites. Once you’re a member of Facebook, LinkedIn, or a similar networking site, you’ll immediately be provided with strategies for adding friends or connections, such as reconnecting with people who attended the same schools.

8. Join or start job club. In some ways, a job club is the ultimate networking experience because the people you meet there all have shared experiences and the desire for a new job. Run the right way, a job club is a very positive and rewarding experience, a chance to help yourself and others.

9. Conduct informational interviews. There is no better strategy for entry-level job-seekers and career-changers to find and add people to your professional network than to conduct several (or many) informational interviews.

10. Contact former co-workers, vendors, customers/clients. Many times as we move from job to job, employer to employer, we lose touch with former co-workers, customers, and the like. — Randall S. Hansen/www.quintcareers.com

B8

MONDAY, MAY 4, 2 015

ROUND-UP

SCAN THIS TO INSTANTLY LAUNCH FACEBOOK PAGE

Love us on Facebook

Hyundai Sonata 2015 named ‘Best Midsize Car for Families’ The Best Cars for Families methodology combines professional automotive reviews, safety and reliability ratings into a composite score

MUSCAT: The Hyundai Sonata has been named the ‘Best Midsize Car for Families’ by US News and World Report.

The Sonata has continued to receive accolades in the crowded midsize sedan segment for surpassing the needs and wants of owners with its spaciousness, cargo volume and family friendly features, says a press release.

The Best Cars for Families methodology combines professional automotive reviews, safety and reliability ratings into a composite score.

Within each of the 19 categories, the vehicle with the highest score is named the best car for families in that category. Hyundai Sonata

has won this distinction in the midsize car category.

OTE Group is the exclusive dealer of Hyundai range of vehicles in Oman. With a nationwide network of showrooms and service centers, OTE Group ensures that Hyundai customers are never far from getting high quality aftersales service.

US News Best Cars, the automotive channel of US News & World Report, has been publishing rankings for new vehicles sold in America since 2007 and rankings for used vehicles since 2012.

US News also publishes the Best Cars for the Money and Best Cars for Families awards annually.

US News Best Cars has grown

in popularity and influence each year; in 2014, the site received over 45 million visitors.

Over 65 per cent of visitors were actively shopping for a car, while 80 percent of active shoppers reported that the US News Best Cars site influenced their car purchasing decision.

The seventh-generation Sonata offers a more refined look through a new Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 design language, stiffer body structure, enhanced ride quality, reduced NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) and convenience features.

Displaying a refined, premium style, the Sonata showcases Hyundai Motor’s sleek exterior and intuitive interior design

ACCOLADE

High levels of comfort The high levels of comfort extend to rear-seat passengers too, an electric rear window blind and rear side curtain blinds — a segment-first feature.

Personal reading lights provide rear passengers with directed illumination, while the new car’s spacious interior and slim front seat backs mean there is plenty of

Symposium on ‘Ports in Oman’ starts on May 5 MUSCAT: Under the patronage of Said Hamdoon Al Harthy, undersecretary of the Ministry of Transport and Communication for Ports and Maritime Affairs, the International Business Administration Department at the College of Applied Sciences (CAS) in Rustaq is organising its first symposium on ‘Ports in Oman: Business Potentials, Opportunities and Challenges’, a topic of strategic importance which is part of the Omani Vision 2020/2040 instructed by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said.

The event will take place at the campus of Rustaq College of Applied Sciences on May 5 and 6 and will be attended by Dr Abdullah Mohammed Al Sarmi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Higher Education and a number of experts representing different sectors relevant to the Omani port’s industry and business, says a press release.

The symposium aims to offer a platform to bring together academics, researchers, investors, and policy and decision makers to discuss, debate, share and reach recommendations, which can be effective and set insightful directions for the development of Omani ports and for the flourishing businesses.

Six keynote speakers include Jean Jacques Moyson, general manager, Port of Duqm Company; Jamal Tawfiq Aziz, Deputy CEO, Sohar Industrial Port Company; Sheikh Ahmed Ali Ekaak, Deputy CEO and Salalah Ports Company among others.

TECHNOLOGY SHOW

Bank Sohar receives ‘Best Enterprise Award’ LONDON: Bank Sohar was recently presented with the ‘Best Enterprise Award’ in the fields of quality and management from the Europe Business Assembly based in the UK for offering consistently high levels of service diversification, product quality and stability whilst at the same time regularly implementing innovative new financial instruments and maintaining an efficient country-wide operational network.

This marks the fourth award recognition the bank has received this year, says a press release.

This latest accolade was presented to Bank Sohar at a prestigious award ceremony following a forum under the title ‘Achievements Forum 2015’, held at the British Institutes of Directors in London, United Kingdom. The event was attended by businessmen, financiers, diplomats, leaders of chambers of commerce, business associations, business and professional unions from more than 60 countries. Representing the bank at the ceremony were Jeanan Sultan, senior AGM of Syndications and Project Financing, and Farid Ahmed Al Khaify, AGM of Internal Audit.

Commenting on receiving the award, Rashad Ali Al Musafir, Acting CEO of Bank Sohar, said: “We are very honoured to be recognised on an international level with the ‘Best Enterprise Award’ by Europe Business Assembly. This is indeed a testament to our success in being able to establish reputed banking services within the Sultanate, and one that offers quality and excellence to customers in every facet of operations.”

The award was presented to the Bank Sohar for its outstanding record of quality with regards to

ethos, projecting a harmonious and athletic appearance. The Sonata delivers uncompromising convenience and generous interior space, together with elegant interior details, offering luxury typically associated with vehicles from the class above.

legroom for all occupants.

Advanced vehicle infotainment features, including sophisticated next-generation multi-media systems, ensure the Sonata delivers cutting-edge entertainment and connectivity to drivers and passengers.

Supporting USB, Bluetooth and iPod connectivity, the Sonata also features voice recognition and smartphone integration.

The Sonata features an abundance of advanced safety features designed to protect its occupants.

A suite of airbags, including driver knee airbag, are fitted to the new model, while several advanced passive and active systems such as cruise control and blind spot detection , work harmoniously to ensure the Sonata is one of the safest vehicles on the road.

Hyundai has a strong presence in the passenger vehicles category in Oman with its wide range of Sedans and SUVs each in various trim variants. Genesis and Centennial in the luxury car segment have been well received in Oman and are going from strength to strength.

Hyundai sedan range includes Accent, Elantra, Sonata, Azera, the premium series - Genesis & Centennial apart from the trendy Veloster and i10, i20, i30, i40 — the core of cutting edge ‘i’ series cars from Hyundai as a response to global customer needs. Hyundai SUV range — Tucson, Santa Fe& Grand Santa Fe are definitely the pick of the lot.

SHARING EXPERTISE

its product offerings and the diversification of its services, whilst at the same time maintaining its operational stability and a consistently high levels of performance in the sector. The bank was also recognised for efficiently operated country-wide branch and ATM network together with its regular implementation of innovative financial instruments in its ever evolving path towards banking and customer service excellence.

As a result, Bank Sohar has been a leader in introducing innovative services effectively leveraging modern technology and offering reliable and quality products to its corporate and retail customers.

The bank has also earned a reputation for actively encouraging communication and gathering public feedback through various social media platforms and other communication channels to reach out to its customers. Due to its dedication towards business excellence, the bank has, in a short span of time, managed to successfully grow into one of the most prominent banks in the country in just a few years of operation.

“Our continued success and our

recognition by such a credible international institution as the Europe Business Assembly is a clear indication of professionalism and efficiency of not just our management team but also our staff. Together, we are firmly committed towards operational excellence, ensuring that Bank Sohar meets and exceeds standards in all its operating segments and with a strategy that will ensure our customers receive industry leading services at all times,” said Rashad Al Musafir.

The Achievements forum is an interactive platform for international collaboration. The core reasoning that drives the forum is to forge new business partnerships and encourage the transfer of technologies, industry best practices, and the development of new ideas between reputed companies with modern management and reliable business operations. During the forum, the winners of prestigious international awards were also announced and the world’s leading companies and their CEOs were honoured for their outstanding successes in their individual fields of business, economy and social progress.

COMEX concludes with new launches and business deals MUSCAT: COMEX, the region’s leading ICT trade fair, came to a close with exciting product and app launches and major collaborations cemented. Held under the auspices of the Information Technology Authority (ITA) and organised by Oman International Trade & Exhibitions (OITE), the event was a resounding success.

With over 120,000 visitors this year, COMEX 2015 registered a 26 per cent increase from last year including 3,500 registered business visitors, says a press release.

Dr Salim Sultan Al Ruzaiqi CEO, ITA Oman, remarked: “COMEX has demonstrated that when you bring the right business and technologies together in a vibrant, collaborative environment, the result is outstanding and truly beneficial to Oman.”

The COMEX Conference and Seminars provided a technology masterclass from leading technology companies, all packaged in the 5-day meet.

The annual ICT conference was held on April 28 to 29, under the theme ‘Disruptive Technologies for Fast Tracking National Growth’. A number of papers in the field of ICT were presented discussing critical issues on Cloud Computing and Big Data and therefore providing solutions and sharing best practices for better economic growth in the Sultanate.

“Technology and development need to be synchronized to produce effective outcomes. Oman’s commitment to this makes it an amazing opportunity for us.

COMEX this year brought exciting opportunities and an amazing presence of government and private sector decision makers; the dialogue was fuelled with the need to innovate and effortlessly transform. We look forward to continue working closely with the country’s leaders to deliver foundation technologies that will accelerate Oman’s transformation,” said Hari Krishnan, country manager, Avaya.

Several educational tools, devices, software and technologies for the differently-abled were also showcased at COMEX 2015, demonstrating that technology can also serve the purpose of inclusiveness.

Besides the exhibits showcased by large companies and institutions, Omani school students also put their own innovations on display.

Robots created by Omani school students stood out among these technologies and innovations.

“The exchange of knowledge and learning is crucial to a vibrant business and tech environment. At COMEX, we are able

to exchange, connect and learn.

This benefits us tremendously in business development and skill upgradation” said Ahmed Auda general manager, Gulf Business Machines (GBM) Oman.

COMEX 2015 was also host to the signing of agreements that heralded further cooperation between the public and private sector in the ICT field.

An important outcome of the event was the signing of agreements by Oman Broadband Company (OBC) with Omantel and Ooredoo which enabled them to use OBC’s network for providing their services coming to provide faster connectivity for individuals and enterprises.

“Our customers demand the best that the world provides and we constantly upgrade our products and services to meet this need. COMEX, Oman’s only ICT event, offers us the setting to showcase our latest service offerings and products to visitors,” stated a manager at Omantel.Omantel launched their path-breaking smart home product and 4.5G mobile network during the event.

Another key agreement was signed between Bank Muscat and Ministry of Manpower and ITA on e-Payment Gateway System, which in return will secure and facilitate the online e-payment transactions of the ministry while also enabling it to obtain authentication and authorisation from the responsible paying banks.

Another signing in the IT Trade show was the MoU signed between Daleel Digital Solutions (DDS) and the Omani Road Transport Association (ORTA) on OTAXI mobile application.

OTAXI app will ease the transportation availability for the public.

Moreover, ITA signed a con-

tract, which is going to be valid for 3 years, with HCL Technologies in order to implement the Mobile Applications Development Center. The center will help develop the mobile applications development capability in the region.

“Oman is looking for better products and services that are on par with the rest of the world and Cisco provides the best in class technology solutions and products to enable local entrepreneurs and organisations to be competitive with the growing global demands of delivering and conducting business in the 21st century,” remarked Hana Ibrahim, Marketing Manager of Cisco.

“These five days have opened up fruitful business opportunities for us to engage with our expanding base of business customers and provide them information on new developments and our latest products and services,” added Joana Osta, Country Marketing Manager, Microsoft.

“As the world moves towards making cities smarter, we are focused on sharing our knowledge with Oman. COMEX offers us this opportunity as it brings together ministries, public authorities and private businesses under one roof,” said Mohammed Aiyaz Alam of Huwaei.

“We want to thank the ITA, our sponsors, participating government institutions and public authorities from Oman and abroad, companies and shoppers for making this 25th edition of COMEX a resounding success.

We assure you, that COMEX 2015 next year will be even more exciting and vibrant as we move to Oman’s new state of the art Convention and Exhibition Centre in Muscat,” stated Tarek Ali, general manager, OITE.

C

WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM COM M ON DAY, M AY 4, 2015

SECTION

SPOR YOUR GAME

S

Mumbai Indians stay in hunt for play-offs Rahane, Nair star in Royals’ win

Mumbai Indians kept their hopes of qualifying for the play-off alive as they convincingly beat Kings XI Punjab by 23 runs

MOHALI: Mumbai Indians kept their hopes of qualifying for the play-off alive as they convincingly beat Kings XI Punjab by 23 runs in an Indian Premier League cricket tournament encounter, here on Sunday.

After scoring a healthy 172 for three in 20 overs, Mumbai Indians restricted an out-of-sorts KXIP for 149 for seven in their home ground in front of packed stands as it may well be curtains for last year’s finalists. Senior professionals Lasith Malinga (2 for 31) and Harbhajan Singh (1 for 27) led a disciplined bowling attack and were complemented well by Mitchell McClenaghan (0 for 25 in 4 overs) and R Vinay Kumar (0 for 17 in 3 overs) who also kept the KXIP batsman under check.

Once David Miller (43) was snapped by Rohit Sharma off Malinga in the 17th over, the match was as good as over for the KXIP. Miller’s 37 ball innings had three fours and a six. Murali Vijay (39) also tried his bit before being holed out by Unmukt Chand off Harbhajan in the deep.

However it was failure of Virender Sehwag (2) and Glenn Maxwell (12) that hurt KXIP badly. Sehwag was again done in by a fuller delivery by Malinga to which he closed his bat face and Pollard at point took simplest of catches.

Skipper George Bailey also looked completely out of sorts during his 18-ball-21 as he struggled to hit the big shots and was eventuallyrun-out. Earlier, a 111-run opening stand between Parthiv Patel (59) and Lendl Simmons (71) ensured a total of 172 for 3 for Mumbai Indians after Rohit Sharma opted to bat against KXIP. However MI’s total seemed to be 20 TEST SERIES

GOOD DAY: Mumbai Indians man of the match Lendl Simmons, left and Parthiv Patel were involved in a 111-run partnership. – PTI

runs short as they managed only 76 runs in the back 10 after Parthiv and Simmons had added 96 in the first 10 overs.

Top-scorer Simmons’ 71 came off 56 balls that included nine boundaries and a six. He fell in the last over when Axar Patel caught him in the deep off Anureet Singh’s bowling. Parthiv provided the initial impetus to the innings batting freely. His knock of 59 came in just 36 balls with five boundaries and three big sixes.

Leg spinner Karanveer Singh gave KXIP first breakthrough to Punjab when he had Patel caught

by Murali Vijay in the 13th over.

At the onset, Simmons made the team’s intentions clear when he hit two consecutive boundaries in the innings’ first over bowled by Sandeep Sharma.

Both the openers cut loose and hammered the KXIP bowlers at will. With pacer Mitchell John-

son struggling in this edition, he proved costly in his very first over giving away 18 runs, with Parthiv hitting him for a six and two boundaries of the Aussie.

The former India glovesman looked more aggressive of the opening duo, with West Indian Simmons playing the role of an anchor. However, when the lefthander departed, he hit some lusty blows including a straight six over the bowler Axar Patel’s head.

KXIP skipper George Bailey used as many as seven bowlers including Murali Vijay. The hosts also had a few slip-ups in the field that included a dropped catch by Sehwag off Rohit Sharma when he was batting on 22, even though the Mumbai skipper later fell soon adding just four more runs to his individual score.

Brief scores: Mumbai Indians 172 for 3 in 20 overs (Lendl Simmons 71, Parthiv Patel 59;

PREMIER LEAGUE

Windies chase 192 for win BRIDGETOWN: Wickets continued to tumble at Kensington Oval as England were dismissed for 123 in their second innings just before lunch on the third day of the third and final Test in Barbados on Sunday.

Needing 192 for victory to square the series, the home side go into the afternoon session at four without loss after one over bowled by James Anderson.

As in the first innings, it was Anderson’s dismissal that brought an end to the tourists’ second turn at the crease as they collapsed following a bright start to the day when 51 runs were added for the loss of just one wicket.

Gary Ballance was that early casualty after England resumed in the perilous overnight position of 39 for five.

His was the first of two wickets for Veerasammy Permaul, the left-arm spinner removing the left-hander to a catch at slip and then later breaking a 33-run seventh-wicket partnership between Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler via a miscued drive from Stokes (32) that was well held

by Shivnarine Chanderpaul at short extra-cover.

Brief scores (at lunch on third day): England 1st Innings 257, West Indies 1st Innings 189, England 2nd Innings 123 (Taylor 3 for 33, Permaul 3 for 43). West Indies 2nd Innings 4 for no loss. - AFP

CHAMPIONS: Chelsea players celebrate after win. – AFP

Chelsea win title as City eye Champions League LONDON: Chelsea won the English Premier League title on Sunday as former champions Manchester City strengthened their bid for direct entry into next season’s Champions League.

Eden Hazard scored the only goal of the game as Chelsea beat Crystal Palace 1-0 in front of their own fans at Stamford Bridge to give the Blues an unassailable lead at the top of the table with three games to spare.

On the stroke of half-time, Hazard’s poorly-struck penalty was saved by Palace goalkeeper Julian Speroni only for the Belgian star to head in the rebound.

“Every title is a consequence of hard work and a reason to be happy and proud,” said Blues manager Jose Mourinho, who has now won three league titles

with Chelsea. By the time second-placed City kicked off across London, away to Tottenham Hotspur, they knew they had been deposed as champions.

However, Manuel Pellegrini’s men still had something more than pride to play for as while the top four clubs at the end of the season qualify for the Champions League. City started the day level on points with third-placed Arsenal and two in front of Manchester United, whose shock 1-0 defeat by West Bromwich Albion revived fifth-placed Liverpool’s seemingly ailing bid for Champions League football.

Sergio Aguero cemented his position as the Premier League’s top-scorer this season by firing in the only goal of the game as City won 1-0 at White Hart Lane. - AFP

MUMBAI: Ajinkya Rahane (91 in 54 balls) and Karun Nair (61 from 38 balls) helped Rajasthan Royals (RR) register their sixth win of the season, beating Delhi Daredevils (DD) by 14 runs in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2015 encounter at the Brabourne Stadium here on Sunday.

Riding on a 113-run partnership by Rahane and Nair for the second wicket, Royals posted a challenging 189/2 in 20 overs. In reply, Daredevils were never close to matching the skills displayed by Royals and eventually ended their innings at 175/7 in 20 overs.

Skipper J.P. Duminy was the top scorer for Daredevils with 56 runs off 39 balls. For Rajasthan, James Faulkner was the pick of the bowlers picking up two wickets and finishing with figures of 4-0-22-2. Shane Watson finished with 4-1-25-1.

Dhawal Kulkarni went for runs but picked up two wickets. Staurt Binny also picked two wickets in his two overs.

Brief Scores: Rajasthan Royals 189 for 2 in 20 overs (Ajinkya Rahane 91 not out, Karun Nair 61; Angelo Mathews 1/27, Nathan Coulter-Nile 1/38) beat Delhi Daredevils 175 for 7 in 20 overs (JP Duminy 56; James Faulkner 2 for 22, Stuart Binny 2 for 27, Dhawal Kulkarni 2 for 43, Shane Watson 1 for 25). - IANS

Karanveer Singh 1 for 30, Anureet Singh 1 for 30) beat Kings XI Punjab 149 for 7 in 20 overs (David Miller 43, Murali Vijay 39; Lasith Malinga 2 for 31, Harbhajan Singh 1 for 27). - PTI

BORN A WINNER, TO DIE A ER WINNER: MAYWEATHER Triumphant Floyd Mayweather Jr. said he hopes the win will silence critics who accused him of ducking Pacquiao uiao new and hand-picking opponents he knew he could beat in order to keep his unblemished record intact. >C3

C O M M E N TA RY

Stage set for nerve tinglers

T

he matches on offer today promise to be real nerve tinglers.

Both games involve teams jostling for the top spots and they will each be going flat out to ensure that the other does not go ahead of them. In a way, it is a bit of a test for temperament and skill in preparation for the knockouts which aren’t too far away.

Chennai have had one of their off days where their bowling was taken to the cleaners, after which, it became an uphill climb for their batsmen once Brendon McCullum, after a breezy innings, got out.

With Raina and Dhoni still not in top gear, the Chennai team were unable to compete and lost to a team which is surging up the points ladder after a rather indifferent start to their campaign.

Dwayne Smith too is not quite getting his strokes going, and when the reliable Faf du Plessis fails, then it surely is trouble for the Chennai team. The absence of Ravichandran Ashwin was keenly felt, even though in the previous game, Pawan Negi did not let the team feel it with a capital performance with both bat and ball. With the Hyderabad team having two left-handers at the top of the order, Ashwin’s off spin would have come in very handy indeed. They play the Royal Challengers who shrugged off the rain interruption and batted spiritedly to snatch a win against the Kolkata team.

This was the second game that rain had affected for both the teams, and they were clearly wanting to go out and get a result.

The Kolkata team may have lost, but their fighting spirit was seen right till the end. Their new ball bowlers Pat Cummins, Andre Russell and Umesh Yadav still don’t seem to have the confidence to bowl Yorkers and instead keep bowling the good length balls which are being dispatched into the stands. Brad Hogg, though, has been the standout performer, and when Sunil Narine is cleared to bowl then it will be a truly

Chennai have had one of their off days where their bowling was taken to cleaners, after which, it became an uphill climb.

With Raina and Dhoni still not in top gear, Chennai lost to Hyderabad which is surging up the ladder after a rather indifferent start to their campaign

formidable attack that the Kolkata team will have.

The Hyderabad team have come back strongly thanks in the main to their skipper David Warner who is relishing the responsibility of the captaincy and leading from the front. His energy levels are infectious as he runs from one end of the ground to the other while fielding, and he has been unafraid to go the unorthodox way in his bowling changes too. The surprise element is never far away when Warner is around, and his buoyed team is the one to watch out for. All the teams playing today have some of the biggest hitters in the game, so there should be some exciting times for the spectators. Hope they bring their helmets along too. - PMG

C2

MONDAY, MAY 4, 2 015

SPORTS OMAN TEAMS TO PARTICIPATE IN SHIRAZ INTERNATIONAL RALLY Oman will be represented by two teams at the Shiraj International Rally which is scheduled to take place in Iran from Wednesday to Friday. According to a press release issued by the Oman Automobile Association (OAA), Khalid Al Manji and Khalid Al Zadjali and their navigators Saif Al Asri and Taha Al Zadjali left for Iran on Saturday to take part in the rally. — Mosa photo

SCAN THIS TO INSTANTLY INSTALL WHATSNEWS

Stay ahead of the curve with WhatsNews

Ahmad happy with Rockingham show

FOOTBALL

Omani star Ahmad was a mere 0.050

I’m really happy with my qualifying lap.

We’re in better shape than we were in the first round

seconds away from ending the run with the fastest time at that point, his best lap of one minute and 23.964 seconds

Ahmad Al Harthy

(87.89mph) placing him second on the timesheets

MUSCAT: Avon Tyres British GT Championship front-runner Ahmad Al Harthy and teammate Daniel Lloyd will begin the first two-hour race of the season at Rockingham from third on the grid after a very competitive and evenly matched performance in qualifying.

With just 0.1 seconds the difference between the Oman Racing Team drivers in their respective qualifying sessions on Saturday afternoon, the No. 2 Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3 ended the run with a combined best of two minutes and 47.811 seconds.

Ahmad lapped during the first of the two 10-minute sessions and was a mere 0.050 seconds away from ending the run with the fastest time at that point, his best lap

of one minute and 23.964 seconds (87.89mph) placing him second on the timesheets in the Oman Air, Ministry of Sports Affairs, Ooredoo, National Bank of Oman and Al Hashar Group backed car.

During Lloyd’s run, the Briton posted a quickest time of one minute and 23.847 seconds (88.01mph) to go ninth fastest in his session. While the duo has to run with a significant amount of added weight as part of the championship’s balance of performance regulations, big strides since the season-opening event last month mean Ahmad is much more confident going into this weekend’s race.

“I’m really happy with my qualifying lap,” said the Omani. “We believe we have a strong set-up for the race so we worked on the car for qualifying to try and get as much performance as we could and I’m very happy to be third on the grid — it’s a very respectable

position to start from. The weight we have to carry does hurt us still, but we’re in better shape than we were at the first round.”

Round three of the season is the first two-hour race of the British GT season and therefore carries with it increased importance in terms of the championship points.

As the duration is double that of the opening two races of the campaign, 150 percent points will be earned. After a challenging start to the season four weeks ago Ahmad is determined to make the most of the extra points on offer to try and get his and Lloyd’s championship fully on track.

“We’re confident for the race, we’re starting near the front where we need to and Dan and I know what we have to do,” added Ahmad. “Whatever the weather does we’re ready for it, we want to score as many points as we can so we need to be consistent and to stay out of trouble.”

ITF PRO CIRCUIT

Double delight for Fatma in Greece

HM’s Cup final to be played at Sur SC MUSCAT: The final of 201415 His Majesty’s Cup Football Championship, involving Sur and Al Arouba, will be played at the Sur Sports Complex.

According to a press release issued by the Oman Football Association (OFA) on Sunday, the final is scheduled for May 22.

The match, to be be presided over by Nasr bin Hamood Al Kindi, Secretary-General of the Royal Court Affairs, will kick off at 7.15 p.m.

Sur and Al Arouba, both of whom will be looking for their fourth title, reached the final after defeating Seeb and Al Nasr respectively.

In the double leg semifinals, Sur defeated Seeb 2-1 on aggregate and Al Arouba too achieved a similar 2-1 verdict over Al Nasr.

Sur’s last of three titles came back in 2007 when they defeated Muscat 5-4 on penalties in the final. Al Arouba won their third crown in 2010 defeating Fanja 5-3 on penalties.

GIVING EXPOSURE

MUSCAT: Fatma Al Nabhani completed a double at the $10,000 ITF Pro Circuit Heraklion tournament in Greece when she won the sinlges crown on Sunday.

The Omani girl, who clinched the doubles title in the company of Spaniard Cristina SanchezQuintanar, overcame an early resistance from German seventh seed Tayisiya Morderger in the singles final for a 7-5, 6-3 victory and her second title.

Fatma, the fifth seed, had reached the final after defeating her doubles partner Cristina SanchezQuintanar in a closely-contested semifinal 4-6, 7-5 (4), 6-2.

In the doubles final on Saturday, the eighth-seeded pair of Fatma and Cristina defeated fourth seeds Yoshimi Kawasaki of Japan and Diana Negreanu of Romania 6-4, 6-1 to emerge the champions.

Fatma took taking part in two back-t-back $10,000 ITF Pro Circuit Heraklion tournament in Greece. In the first tournament, Fatma won the doubles second place in the company of India’s Sharrmadaa Baluu.

ISC to host junior table tennis league

TWIN TITLES: Fatma Al Nabhani. – Supplied photo

MUSCAT: To give junior table tennis players a platform to showcase their skills, gain match exposure and improve their temperament, the Indian Social Club Muscat will organising the Junior Table Tennis League from Saturday.

The deadline for submission of entries is Wednesday.

The event is open to all junior table tennis players in the 10 to 16 years of age group.

The Junior Table Tennis League is sponsored by New Makha Enterprises and will be held at least three times during the year.

For registration, please contact the Indian Social Club in Darsait (Tel. 24701347) or visit www.iscmuscat.com

MO NDAY, MAY 4, 2015

C3

SPORTS

‘Born a winner, to die a winner’ SCAN THIS TO VISIT

ARTICLE, VIDEO, PHOTO GALLERY

Floyd Mayweather

W W W.T I M E S O F O M A N .C O M

Junior hoped the victory will silence critics who accused him of ducking Manny Pacquiao and hand-picking opponents he knew he could beat in order to keep his unblemished record intact

LAS VEGAS: Floyd Mayweather danced his way to a unanimous decision over frustrated Manny Pacquiao here on Saturday to win the richest fight in history and cement his place in the pantheon of boxing greats. Boos rang out from a pro-Pacquiao Las Vegas crowd as Mayweather’s emphatic victory was confirmed by all three scorecards after 12 rounds of cat and mouse action.

Mayweather comfortably picked off his Filipino rival to snuff out any chance of the full-blooded slugfest that the more aggressive Pacquiao was hoping to ignite in front of the crowd of 16,507.

The win extended Mayweather’s remarkable 19-year unbeaten record to 48-0, putting him within one fight of equalling Rocky Marciano’s legendary milestone of 490. The 38-year-old Mayweather retained his World Boxing Coun-

DEFENSIVE: Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines covers his face as he is punched by Floyd Mayweather, Jr. of the US during their welterweight WBO, WBC and WBA (Super) title fight in Las Vegas. – Reuters

cil and World Boxing Association welterweight titles and seized Pacquiao’s World Boxing Organization belt by winning the fight on all three of the judges’ scorecards.

“I am the American dream,” Mayweather said. “I knew I had him from round one. I have so much experience I could calculate his moves.

I was born a winner and I am going to die a winner.” Mayweather said he hopes the win will silence critics who accused him of ducking Pac-

Judges emphatic Ringside judge Dave Moretti

THE VALUE OF THE FIGHT

EXCITEMENT IN OMAN Filipino community in Oman showing support to Manny Pacquiao as they watched the ‘Fight of the Century’ during the early hours of Sunday. The Filipino national hero Pacquiao lost the mega fight against Floyd Mayweather.. on points after twelve intense rounds. The win extended Mayweather’s remarkable 19-year unbeaten record to 48-0, putting him within one fight of equalling Rocky Marciano’s legendary milestone of 49-0. The 38-yearold retained his World Boxing Council and World Boxing Association welterweight titles and seized Pacquiao’s World Boxing Organisation belt by winning the fight on all three of the judges’ scorecards. — Times of Oman / CIO DATAN

scored the bout 118-110 for Mayweather, while judges Glenn Feldman and Bert Clements both scored it 116-112 for the American.

But when the results were announced the pro-Pacquiao crowd booed lustily and tried to drown out Mayweather’s interview inside the ring.

Their Filipino star Pacquiao suffered the sixth loss of his career to go with 57 victories and two draws.

Pacquiao said he was hindered

quiao and hand-picking opponents he knew he could beat in order to keep his unblemished record intact.

“Everyone said this guy could beat Floyd. That Floyd is a chicken. The non believers, well Floyd turned them into believers.” Saturday’s fight is widely believed to be the most lucrative in boxing history with revenues of $400 million.

Earned per minute

PACQUIAO Earned per minute

1 2

$4,994,681

$3,329,787

3

US Dollars

4

At the end of the first round

Amir Khan wants Mayweather fight

At the end of the first round

5 6

$14,984,043

September finale?

Mayweather reiterated afterwards that he plans to retire after his next fight in September which will fulfil his six-fight contract to Showtime Sports.

“My last fight is in September.

I’ll do that and I will hang it up,” said Mayweather, estimated to have earned more than $200 million for one night’s work. Pacquiao will receive well over $100 million in a 60-40 purse split the fighters agreed to beforehand. - AFP

NEXT OPPONENT?

Some facts about the richest event in boxing history

MAYWEATHER (3 minutes Rounds each)

by an injured right shoulder that he hurt in training several weeks ago. “I did my best but my best wasn’t good enough,” Pacquiao said. “From the third round on I felt a pain in my shoulder.”

Fans in the Philippines echoed the disappointment of those in the ring, crying foul over the judges’ decision and claiming their man was robbed of a deserving victory.

They filled gymnasiums, cinemas and bars as the Southeast

Asian nation of 100 million people stopped in its tracks for Pacquiao’s battle with Mayweather.

“Pacquiao was cheated. Mayweather didn’t land a single solid punch,” said cable television technician Romeo Rivera, 41.

There is no denying that the 36-year-old Pacquiao made Mayweather work for the victory and hit the American with “three or four” thundering shots.

He was the aggressor, pressing the action from the first round and was able to land some right-left combinations on Mayweather’s head, especially on the ropes and in the final seconds of the early rounds. But ultimately Pacquiao wasn’t able to keep up his frenzied early pace for all 12 rounds and Mayweather, who was the bigger of the two fighters, managed to set traps which allowed him to slip in counterpunches and hard right hands that kept the Filipino southpaw at bay.

Even so, Pacquiao said he thought he did enough to earn the victory. “I thought I won the fight,” he said. “He didn’t do nothing.”

$9,989,362

7

Total earned in 36 minutes

8

$179,808,511

10

Total earned in 36 minutes

9

$119,872,340

11 12

200 million

150

100

50

0

0

50

100

150

200 million

Punches cost

$2,219,858 81

Punch received

Received per punch

148 $315,256 Received per punch

BELTS GALORE: Floyd Mayweather Jr celebrates with the championship belts after the ‘Fight of the Century’ at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. – Reuters

How much did it cost to watch on TV? US dollars (Omani Rials) US Canada Denmark Norway Philippines Australia New Zealand

99 (38) 78 (29) 59 (22) 59 (22) 54 (20.7) 47 (18) 38 (14.5)

Source: The Guardian, The Mirror

UAE UK Singapore Germany Spain Thailand Mexico

33 (12.6) 30 (11.5) 29.5 (11.3) 21.4 (8.2) 13 (5) Free Free Graphics

AFTER THE BOUT

I thought I won, says devastated Pacquiao LAS VEGAS: A devastated Manny Pacquiao insisted he believed he had beaten Floyd Mayweather despite judges awarding a unanimous points win to his opponent in the richest fight in history on Saturday.

Pacquiao, 36, said after the Las Vegas superfight he felt he had done enough to be awarded the decision against Mayweather, who cemented his place in the panthe-

on of boxing greats with a defensive masterclass.

“It was a good fight. I thought I won the fight. He didn’t do nothing. He was always moving outside. I got him many times. I saw his punches,” Pacquiao said.

But Pacquiao admitted he had struggled to connect with the elusive Mayweather. “He was moving around too much, it wasn’t easy throwing punches at him. If he

would’ve stayed in one place, then I could have thrown punches,” Pacquiao said.

“I was cutting him (off ) and countering. I wanted to fight.”

Despite inferior height, reach and weight, Pacquiao was adamant that Mayweather’s raw power had not troubled him.

“I was able to handle his power, he’s not strong like previous opponents like (Antonio) Marga-

rito,” Pacquiao said. “He’s not bigger than me. It’s not about the size. The size doesn’t matter. I’ve fought guys bigger than him and had no problem,” added Pacquiao, insisting he had not rallied late on because of a mistaken belief he was ahead.

“I thought I was up in the fight, so that’s why I didn’t attack harder in the 11th and 12th rounds,” he said. — AFP

LAS VEGAS: Britain’s former two-time light-welterweight world champion Amir Khan has said he wants to be the next opponent for Floyd Mayweather after watching ringside as the American outpointed Manny Pacquiao in the Las Vegas superfight on Saturday. Mayweather said after the fight that he would only get in the ring once more — in September — and Khan, 10 years younger at 28, believes he is ideally placed to be the American’s final opponent.

“I think the fight is there,” Khan told BBC Radio Five Live’s Sportsweek programme. “I spoke to Len Ellerbe, his manager, I saw him in the media room and he came over to say ‘hi...he’s ready when you are’. I think Mayweather’s team are wanting the fight. But then — on the other hand — I’ve even spoken to Manny’s team and they said the same thing. (They said), ‘Look Amir, I think it’d be good to have the fight between you and Manny next’. So, I’m in a posi-

tion where I could fight either guy but I think Mayweather’s the one I want, because I really believe I have his number.”

Early reactions to the richest fight in boxing history were mixed with Oscar de la Hoya, a former rival of both Mayweather and Pacquiao saying on Twitter: “Sorry boxing fans” and “call me old school but I like the fans getting their money’s worth by watching an action packed fight.”

Former Irish champion Barry McGuigan agreed saying on his Twitter site “boringly one-sided” Former world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, who had picked Pacquiao to win told Sky Sports: “It’s him. It’s who he is. It’s just his time at the moment.”

Britain’s Lennox Lewis on Twitter said: “If U can’t catch it you can’t hit it #Maypac that pretty much sums up the fight.”

Frank Bruno hailed Floyd Mayweather as a supreme “craftsman” of the boxing ring. - AFP

C4

TIMES O F O MAN

MONDAY, MAY 4, 2 015

SPORTS

THEORETICALLY, MAYWEATHER WALKED AWAY WITH A SUM OF $179,808,511 — HAVING LANDED 148 PUNCHES. THAT WOULD BE $1,214,922 PER PUNCH.

$1.2 M PACQUIAO’S PUNCHES

429 81 THROWN

MAYWEATHER’S PUNCHES

435 148 THROWN

According to INFLEXWETRUST.COM, Hublot has struck a deal with Mayweather rumoured at $5 million just for him to wear their name on his shorts.

LANDED

LANDED

T I M E S OF OMAN

C5

MO NDAY, MAY 4, 2015

BLOW BY BLOW

After the blows were delivered and scores were settled, how did the contenders fare in “The Fight of the Century”?

See how many shots were fired and how they stacked up against each other.

How did Mayweather steal the show? To some, the result may probably cause an uproar, but data reveals that Mayweather secured his victory by landing more clean blows than Pacquiao.

MAYWEATHER

PACQUIAO

Punches received on

81

148

ROUND BY ROUND

Since the beginning Mayweather was utilising the tactics of clutching and cornering Pacquiao to gain advantange at crucial situations PUNCHES RECEIVED ON

Total number of times the tactics of clutching and cornering was used in each round

Mayweather

MAYWEATHER

Round Time in seconds

1 2 3 4 5 6

CLUTCHING AND CORNERING

Pacquiao

PACQUIAO

MAYWEATHER

Total received punches per round

0:00

3

2

0:30

1:00

8

0

1

6

1:30

11

0

0

5

15

1

2

6

1:30

2:30

1:00

3:00

A

0:00

12

7

0

1:30

2:00 2:30

3:00

In the middle of the fourth round, Pacquiao landed a left hand punch that bent the knees of Mayweather, his best shot all night

0:00

10

11

2

3

1:00

1:30

2:30

3:00

0:00

11

1

1:30

2:00 2:30

B Mayweather made his strongest punch in the beginning of the 11th round

6

6

14

1:00 1:30

2:00 2:30

3:00

1:00

17

B

0

1:30

2:30

3:00

0:00

3

0:30

2:00

3:00

0:30

0:30

1:00

2:00

0:00 0:30

0

1:30

2:30

A

0:30

1:00

2:00

3:00

1

9

0:00

2:00

0:30

0

2:30

3:00

0:00

1:00

11

2:00

3:00

5

0:30

1:00 1:30

2:30

3

0

0:00

2:00

Pacquaio’s shorts carried sponsorships worth $2.3 million, generated by six brands. According to ESPN the minimum overall sponsorship was $1 million.

15

2:30

1:30

0:30

1

3:00

0:00

1:00

15

1:30

2:30

6

0:30

1:00

2:00

3:00

10

7 8 9 10 11 12 0:00

2:00

0:30

PACQUIAO

0:00

21

0

4

4

0:30

1:00 1:30

2:00 2:30

3:00

8

0

C6

MONDAY, MAY 4, 2 015

SPORTS

The Wave finish second at Qingdao Act of ESS The Wave, Muscat staged a valiant comeback to score a resounding win in the final double points race in Qingdao which hoisted them to second place

MUSCAT: The Wave, Muscat staged a valiant comeback to score a resounding win in the final double points race in Qingdao which hoisted them to second place overall with Oman Air coming in four places behind at the Extreme Sailing Series (ESS) in China.

More testing conditions in Fushan Bay, with zero to moderate winds spiced up with massive shifts and the occasional but vicious 30knot gust, confounded the entire fleet. Teams were timed out when the wind died before they could finish and the leaderboard paraded four different winners in five races.

Leigh McMillan and his crew of Pete Greenhalgh, Sarah Ayton, Nasser Al Mashari and Ed Smyth went into the final day in fourth place but by the last race had closed the gap sufficiently to be in with a chance of reclaiming their China

crown. They needed the double points for a win and for leaders SAP to come last and while they achieved the first, SAP crossed the finish line in third place to earn their first victory of the series. “We knew we had a sizeable job to do today because we had a challenging day on Saturday and lost a lot of points,” McMillan explained.

“We had one race that went badly for us when we were in a good position but luckily, we didn’t let our heads go down. It was great to win the double pointer and jump two places into second.

“We sailed well today but there are still things we can do better. We feel we are getting back on track to where we were this time a year ago so hopefully we can push all the way to the end of the season.”

Despite his time spent in Qingdao in 2008 competing for Britain in the 49er class at the Beijing Olympic Games, Oman Air

SCAN THIS TO INSTANTLY LAUNCH TWITTER PAGE

Tweet all about it

skipper Stevie Morrison admitted the ‘crazy’ conditions got the better of him and his crew of Ed Powys, Nic Asher, Ali Al Balushi and Ted Hackney.

“It was tricky here – crazy winds coming through the sky scrapers and we couldn’t predict what was going on so we need to work out what lessons we take away from here,” he said. “We want to keep improving and in the first event we came 5th, the second we were 4th so we are disappointed with 6th but we are still learning and trying to get the best results we can.”

Both Oman Sail teams are now looking ahead to Act 5 in Cardiff, UK next month, according to The Wave, Muscat’s bowman Nasser Al Mashari, who said they were pleased with the team’s performance in China.

“The racing in Qingdao was very difficult with the strong winds,” he said. “We were hoping to get in the first podium place but 2nd is a good

achievement and now we are thinking about Cardiff. We came first at Cardiff in previous years and love sailing there because we know the waters very well. “We are hopeful of getting a very good result there.”

Morrison too was already planning his first trip to Cardiff, a city centre venue renowned for being small and tricky with light and gusty winds.

“I have never sailed there before but only live two hours away so I think we should feel pretty comfortable and we are looking forward to putting together some good results.”

The trip to Qingdao will be etched on the memories of Morrison’s crew since the visit coincided with the announcement that their team sponsor Oman Air is Official Airline to the Extreme Sailing Series and that China is to become their 49th destination as part of the growth of their network around the world.

F R I E N D LY M AT C H E S

Farewell hockey match on Friday MUSCAT: Team Coorg Muscat and Friends of Naqvi Group will organise a hockey festival under the patronage of Embassy of India and Oman Hockey Association (OHA) to bid farewell to Indian Ambassador J.S. Mukul and A.P.S. Chauhan, Head of Chancery at Indian Embassy.

The festival, to be organised at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex from 4.30 p.m. on Friday, will be presided over by J.S. Mukul. The OHA chief Sheikh Mahfoodh Ali Juma Al Juma will be the guest of honour. The festival is being organised to express gratitude to the officials who have contributed immensely to promotion of hockey.

Over the years, the officials have been lending their support to Republic Day of India, the Independence Day and the Dhyan Chand Day hockey festivals.

The day’s proceedings will also include friendly matches involving Ambassador XI and India School Al Seeb (from 4.45 pm), and Team Coorg Muscat and Beatrice Hockey XI (from 5.10 pm).

J.S. Mukul

A.P.S. Chauhan

CRICKET

Shakib, Wahab fined DHAKA: Bangladeshi all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan and Pakistani paceman Wahab Riaz were fined on Sunday for a heated on pitch argument during the final day of the drawn first Test match between the sides.

Hasan and Riaz had 30 percent of their match wages docked

for breaching the International Cricket Council (ICC) code of conduct during the Test in Khulna, the ICC said in a press release on its website.

The ICC didn’t say how much that percentage represented but it is thought to be around $1,000 each. - AFP

OMAN CRICKET

Muscat, Assarain A post wins

ASSARAIN A STARS: From left, Kaleemullah, Arun Poulose, Zeeshan Maqsood and Ahmed Raza. – Supplied photo

MUSCAT: Muscat Cricket Team recorded a thumping five-wicket win against Al Turki NMC in a crucial Muscat Pharmacy & Stores-sponsored A Division 50 overs-a-side league match.

Opting to bat first, Al Turki NMC were bowled out for 129 in 41.2 overs. Jignesh Patel scored a brilliant 50. Munis Ansari claimed four wickets while skipper Vaibhav Wategaonkar took three.

In reply, Muscat achieved their target scoring 133 for five in 25.4 overs. Adnan Ilyas top scored with 70 runs. Swapnil S. Khadye opening the batting chipped in with a useful 26. Rahul Singh and Rohit Malik picked up two wickets each.

Brief scores: Al Turki NMC 129 in 41.2 overs (Jignesh Patel 50; Munis Ansari 4/39, Vaibhav Wategaonkar 3/15) lost to Muscat CT 133 for 5 in 25.4 overs (Adnan Ilyas 70, Swapnil S. Khadye 26; Rahul Singh 2/8, Rohit Malik 2/22).

Points: Muscat CT - 5 (12 games, 43 pts), Al Turki NMC - Nil (12 games, 34 points).

Meanwhile, defending champions Assarain A stayed in contention for top honours with a 50-run win against Enhance. Enhance lost the match despite an unbeaten 110 by Mehran Khan.

Electing to bat first, Assarain A were given a solid start by Zeeshan Maqsood (75) and Arun Poulose (40) who were involved in a 102run first-wicket partnership. The

CENTURY IN VAIN: Enhance’s

Mehran Khan.

team then went to scored 232 for seven wickets in 50 overs. Muthupandian took three wickets.

In reply, Enhance, despite Mehran’s effort, team were bowled out for 182 in 42.3 overs. Kaleemullah took four wickets. The A Division title will be decided on Friday when Assarain A clash with Raha.

Brief scores: Assarain A 232 for 7 in 50 overs (Zeeshan Maqsood 75, Arun Poulose 40, Ahmad Raza 30, Mohammed Nadeem 29, Zanal Nazar 21, Sindo Michael 20; Muthupandian 3/31) bt Enhance 182 in 42.3 overs (Mehran Khan 110 n.o.; Kaleemullah 4/28, Ahmad Raza 3/36, V. S. Shiju 2/40). Points: Assarain A - 5 (11 games, 40 pts), Enhance - Nil (12 games, 32 pts).

C

SECTION

LIFE & STYLE

Chances are you grew up with Caroll Spinney. In fact, millions of children all around the globe have grown up with Spinney. He’s been a part of our lives for nearly 50 years

H

e’s Big Bird and also Oscar the Grouch, two of the most beloved characters from Sesame Street. Yes, that’s Spinney inside Big Bird’s oversized yellow costume, and he voices the childlike, innocent character too. Likewise he serves as the puppeteer for Oscar and provides that character’s cranky, gruff voice. He’s been doing both since Day 1, November 10, 1969.

Beyond Sesame Street Spinney has performed as Big Bird and Oscar, but especially as Big Bird, in countless live Sesame Street shows, and also in television specials and on Saturday Night Live.

The yellow guy got his moment in the spotlight in the big-screen family film, Follow That Bird (1985), and now Spinney — at age 81 — is getting his own in I Am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney Story.

The feature-length documentary spans Spinney’s life and career, and includes archival footage provided by Spinney to the filmmakers, Dave LaMattina and Chad Walker. It will open May 6 in New York and Los Angeles, with more cities to follow, and also will be available as a video-on-demand title starting on May 5.

“I wasn’t sure that I was that excited about the documentary at first,” Spinney said during a recent telephone conversation from his home in northern Connecticut. “I’m programmed to be a little humble, I guess. But it was a very flattering suggestion, and it turns out that Dave and Chad are terrific guys and they had some very interesting ideas.

“My wife, Deb, said, ‘We have all this footage, films and videos, and you can borrow that’,” he went on. “So they filled up the back seats of three cars to take all of it from our home, and they worked on the film for four-and-a-half years.

“I came to like the idea of a documentary,” Spinney said. “Anything that helps people remember Sesame Street is good because, just a couple of weeks ago, we started working on our 46th season of the show. And I think people will learn a lot more of what I’m about and how that affects who Big Bird is, and about Oscar, too, who pretty much thinks opposite of the way I think.”

Spinney grew up in the Boston area. While in the Air Force, he drew a comic strip about life in the military and dabbled in animation. Later he did some puppeteering and played characters on various shows, including Bozo’s Big Top (1966).

He first met Muppets master Jim Henson in 1962, but they didn’t actually collaborate until 1969, just in time for the start of Sesame Street. They remained associates and dear friends until 1990, when Henson unexpectedly died at the age of 53. In fact, when Spinney’s telephone rang early one morning with news of Henson’s passing, he expected the call to be about the death of his ailing father.

“That’s all in there, in the documentary — my childhood, meeting Jim, Sesame Street, playing Big Bird and Oscar, the time spent away from my children ,” Spinney said. “It really covers a lot of ground.

“The fact that I’m still the bird is a treasure to me,” he continued. “One of the surprises for me, all through the years, is how much he’s meant to the children. Now many of those children are in their 40s and their own children are watching, or watched, Sesame Street. I meet some of these people, the adults, and they’ll say to me, ‘Were you really my Big Bird? You were Big Bird then?’

“I’ve had so many people, many of them important people, tell me how much of an impression Big Bird made on them and how important he was to their life,” Spinney said. “It feels great, and there are often tears in their eyes as they talk about what Big Bird meant to them.

“I don’t know what the number is now,” the puppeteer said, “but in the early days we had 9 to 12 million children watching Sesame Street every day, and that’s not counting foreign countries. So there must be hundreds of millions of children, in the United States and in the 150 countries where the show is seen, who’ve grown up with our show, with these characters. That’s just remarkable, and it’s an honour.

“I love meeting people and hearing their stories about what the show, and Big Bird, meant to them.”

Oscar is as grouchy as ever, but he too gets plenty of love from fans. Spinney, who sells sketches of Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch, and occasionally makes appearances at autograph shows, recalled a recent encounter with a 50-something woman who told him how Oscar had changed her life.

“She said that she’d been brought up in a home that was very much run by four very strong women,” Spinney said, “and they had every decision in mind already for what she was going to do in her life. She wasn’t offered any options, and she wasn’t allowed to watch any television at all, either.

“One day all four of the women were out and she realized, ‘Wow, nothing is stopping me from turning on the television,’ because she’d never done it before,” he continued. “She was 12, and she happened to come across a scene of Oscar saying ‘No’ to one of the characters, to a grown-up. And she was amazed.

She told me, ‘I didn’t know I could do that.’

“So she immediately started to say ‘No’ to these women when they got home,” he said, “and they wondered what happened, who’d taken over her body. But she told me, ‘I became myself that day, and it’s thanks to Oscar.’

“I said, ‘Thanks so much for telling me that story,’ because she’s probably not the only one who had a similar reaction to Oscar.”

Spinney plans to play Big Bird as long as he can physically do so. His apprentice and friend of 20-plus years, Matt Vogel, stands ready to step in when it becomes necessary.

That day will come, as it must, Spinney said with no trace of sadness in his voice. Big Bird will survive him, as the big yellow guy should.

“I think Big Bird is my alter ego,” he explained.

“I’ve been doing it now for 46 years, and I will be replaced eventually. We lost Jim Henson in 1990, and within a year they had a fellow be the guy who did his best to keep Kermit alive.

“To me Big Bird is more real than, say, Mickey Mouse, in a way, because Mickey Mouse was drawn,” the puppeteer continued. “Big Bird is inhabited by real life, by a real person, and Matt knows him from the inside out already. The wonderful irony is that Matt’s last name is German for ‘bird.’ -Ian Spelling/The New York Times News Service

WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM M O N DAY, M AY 4 , 2 0 1 5

C8

MONDAY, MAY 4, 2 015

EXTRA

RESEARCHE RS HAVE BEE N ABLE TO PIN

POINT

THE EFFECT OF AIR POLLUTION LEVELS ON A OMB IN THE W D IO R E P OPMENT R DEVEL A L U IC T PAR

W

omen breathing high levels of air pollution during the last month of pregnancy are more likely than unexposed women to give birth to babies with a significantly lower birth weight, according to a study of the effects the air-quality controls introduced during the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

The temporary pollution regulations imposed on the Chinese capital during the Olympics had a measurable and positive impact on the weight of the babies born to mothers who were 8-months pregnant at the time of the games, scientists said.

It is the first time that researchers have been able to pinpoint the effect of air pollution levels on a particular development period in the womb, indicating the importance of clean air during the last month of pregnancy when foetal growth is the most rapid.

Although Beijing has notoriously high levels of air pollution, cities in Britain such as London also experience regular periods where EU limits are exceeded. An survey by The Standard newspaper found that seven out of ten Londoners believe politicians are not doing enough to curb pollution levels in the capital. The findings in Beijing emerged from an analysis of nearly 84,000 births to mothers living in four urban districts of the Chinese capital before, during and after the 2008 Olympics, when the Chinese Government imposed strict curbs on vehicles and industry to minimise the impact of the city’s high levels of air pollution on competing athletes.

Scientists found that women who were in the eighth month of their pregnancy during the seven-week period of the Olympics-Paralympics benefited most from the cleaner air. They gave birth to babies who were on average 23 grams heavier than babies born to similar women in 2007 and 2009, when air pollution controls were not as strict.

There was no such similar significant difference in birthweights for women who were between the first and seventh month of pregnancy during the clean-air period. The researchers said the findings for the eighth week of pregnancy held across different age groups and socio-economic class — strongly indicating a direct link between high birth weights and lower levels of air pollutants. “This is the first study to show that when air pollution levels go down during the 8th month of pregnancy, we see an increase in birth weight.,” said David Rich, an epidemiologist at the University of Rochester Medical Centre in New York, and lead author of the study published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives.

“The results of this study demonstrate a clear association between changes in air pollutant concentrations and birth weight. These findings not only illustrate one of the many significant health consequences of pollution, but also demonstrate that this phenomenon can be reversed,” Dr Rich said.

In the months leading up to the games, the Chinese authorities introduced a series of aggressive measures, such as prohibiting traffic, closing factories and even seeding clouds to make it rain. This resulted in a 60 per cent reduction in sulphur dioxide, a 48 per cent reduction in carbon monoxide, a 43 per cent reduction in nitrogen dioxide and a reduction in the number of particles in the air smaller than 2.5 microns, which can enter the blood stream through the lungs. Because the regulations were relaxed once the Olympics ended, the produced an ideal “natural experiment” to study the effects of high and low pollution levels on pregnant women and their newborn babies, the scientists said.

“Our study suggests that even a short term increase in air pollution in a normally heavily polluted city can have a public health benefit, and suggests that we should investigate by what mechanisms this is occurring,” Dr Rich said.

Late pregnancy is particularly important for foetal growth because this is the greatest amount of physical growth and the time when there is rapid development of the central nervous system, as well as the cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems, he said. -Steve Connor/The Independent

thy womb Women exposed to high levels of air pollution

during the last month of pregnancy are more likely to give birth to babies with much lower birth weight

MO NDAY, MAY 4, 2015

C9

ENTERTAINMENT CINEMA SCHEDULE

BAHJA CINEMA Avengers Age Of Ultron (3D) (Action, Adventure)(PG12) Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo 2:15, 6:10, 8:50, 11:30 pm Avengers Age Of Ultron (2D) (Action, Adventure)(PG12) Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans 3:30 pm She’s Funny That Way (Comedy) (15+) Cast: Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Esposito, Imogen Poots 2:00, 6:45 pm Fast & Furious 7 (Action, Crime) (12+) Cast: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson 6:45 pm Tracers (Action)(12+) Cast: Taylor Lautner, Marie Avgeropoulos, Adam Rayner 5:00, 11:45 pm Lemon Tree Passage (Horror)(15+) Cast: Jessica Tovey, Nicholas Gunn, Pippa Black 4:00, 11:45 pm Gabbar Is Back (Action, Crime) (PG) Cast: Akshay Kumar, Shruti K. Haasan, Kareena Kapoor 9:15 pm Uttama Villain (Comedy) (TBC) Cast: Kamal Haasan, Dr. K. Viswanath, K. Balachander 8:30pm

Fast & Furious 7 (12+) Cast : Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson 11:30 am Avengers Age Of Ultron (3D)PG12 Cast : Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo 4:00, 6:35, 9:10, 11:45 pm

SCREEN 3

Avengers Age Of Ultron(2D) PG12 Cast : Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo 10:00 am Avengers Age Of Ultron (3D) (PG12) Gold Class Cast : Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo 1:15, 6:00, 8:35, 11:15 pm She’s Funny That Way (15+) Cast: Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Esposito, Imogen Poots 12:40, 2:15 pm Lemon Tree Passage (15+) Cast: Jessica Tovey, Nicholas Gunn, Pippa Black 2:30, 11:45 pm Gabbar Is Back (PG) (Hindi) Cast : Akshay Kumar, Shruti K. Haasan, Kareena Kapoor 9:15 pm Uttama Villain (Tamil) (Comedy) (TBC) Cast: Kamal Haasan, Dr. K. Viswanath, K. Balachander 6:00 pm

Uttama Villain – Tamil ( Comedy/Drama)– PG12 Cast: Kamal Haasan, Parvathy Nair, 3.30, 6.35, 9.45 PM

SCREEN 1 Gabbar Is Back - Hindi (Action/Drama) – PG Cast: Akshay Kumar, Shruti K. Haasan, Kareena Kapoor, 3.30, 6.30, 9.30 PM SCREEN 2 Avengers: Age of Ultron (3D)( Action, Adventure, Fantasy)– PG12 Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo 3.45, 6.45, 9.45 PM

Fast & Furious 7 - 2D (12+) Act/Cri Cas : Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne 6:30 PM Avengers: Age of Ultron – 2D (PG12) Action |Adventure |Sci-Fi Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans 03:40 pm Avengers: Age of Ultron – 3D (PG12) Action |Adventure |Sci-Fi 6:15, 8:50, 11:30 PM Tracers - 2D (12+) Action Cast: Taylor Lautner, Marie Angelopoulos, 6:50, 11:45 PM She’s Funny That Way -2D (15+) (Comedy) Cast: Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Esposito, Imogen Poots 3:00, 5:00 PM May in the Summer - 2D (12+) Com |Dr Cast: Hiam Abbass, James Garson Chick, Cherien Dabis 2:30, 4:45 PM Lemon Tree Passage – 2D (15+) Horror |Mystery | Thriller Cast: Jessica Tovey, Nicholas Gunn, Pippa Black 3:00, 6:45, 11:45 PM Ott We Far - 2D (Arb) (PG12) Com Cast: David Walliams, Pudsey, 4:30 PM Oru Vadakkan Selfie - 2D (M)(PG) Comedy Cast: Nivin Pauly, Aju Varghese, 9:00 PM Gabbar is Back- 2D (TBC) (Act |Cri |Dra)

Cast: Akshay Kumar, Shruti K. Haasan, Kareena Kapoor 8:45, 11:15 PM Uttama Villain – Tamil ( Comedy/Drama)– PG12 Cast: Kamal Haasan, Parvathy Nair, 8:30 PM

Avengers: Age of Ultron- 3D (PG12) Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo 6:45, 9:15, 11:45 PM Avengers: Age of Ultron- 2D (PG12) 3:15pm In Fear (2D) (15+) Cast: Iain De Caestecker, Alice Englert, Allen Leech 3:00, 5:25, 11:30 PM She’s Funny That Way (2D) (15+) Cast: Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Esposito, Imogen Poots 7:00 PM Gabbar is Back (2D/PG) Cast: Akshay Kumar, Shruti K. Haasan, Kareena Kapoor 4:30, 8:45, 11:20 PM Uttama Villain – Tamil ( Com/Dr)PG12 Cast: Kamal Haasan, Parvathy Nair, 2:45, 8:25 PM Oru Vadakkan Selfie (2D) (PG) Cast: Nivin Pauly, Aju Varghese, Vineeth Sreenivasan 5:45 pm

Avengers: Age of Ultron (3D) (Act | Adventure | Sci-Fi) (PG12) Cast: Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo 6:30, 9:00, 11:30 PM Avengers: Age of Ultron (2D) (PG12) Cast: Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans,

Mark Ruffalo, 4:00PM Gabbar is Back (Action ) (PG) Cast: Akshay Kumar, Shruti K Haasan, Kareena Kapoor; 8:45 PM She’s Funny That Way ( Com) (15+) Cast: Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Esposite, 4:15 PM Oru Vadakkan Selfie (Malayam) (Comedy) (PG) Cast: Nivin Pauly, Aju Varghese, Vineeth 6:05 PM Uttama Villain (Tamil) (Comedy) Cast: Kamal Haasan, Dr. K. Viswanath, K. 11:15 PM

Avengers :Age Of Ultron (3D)(PG12) (Action, Adventure,Sci-Fi) Cast: Robert Dwney Jr,Chris Evan 2:45, 6:30, 9:00, 11:35pm Avengers :Age Of Ultron (2D)(Action) 10:45AM; (PG12) Tracers (2D)(12+) (Action) Cast: Taylor Lautner, Marie Avgeropoulos, Adam Rayner 10:30AM, 7:00, 10:05PM Fast & Furious 7 (2D) (12+) (Act/Crime) Cast: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson; 12:10, 4:30PM She’s Funny That Way (2D)(15+) (Comedy) Cast: Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Esposito, 1:00, 2:45, 5:15PM Lemon Tree Passage (2D) (15+) (Hor ) Cast: Jessica Tovey, Nicholas Gunn 1:15, 5:00, 11:45PM Gabbar is Back (2D)(PG) (Action/Crime) Cast: Akshay Kumar, Shruti K. Haasan, Kareena Kapoor 10:45AM, 2:35, 11:20PM Oru Vadakkan Selfie (2D)(PG) (Comedy) Cast: Nivin Pauly, Aju Varghese 8:45PM Uttama Villain (2D)(PG12)( Comedy) Cast: Kamal Haasan, Dr. K. Viswanath, K. Balachander 7:00pm

FAST & FURIOUS 7 (Act/Crime ) Cast: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson, 11.55 pm, CP No : 819 ( 12+ ) BARELY LETHAL ( Act / Adv) Cast: Samuel L.Jackson, Sophie Turner, Jamie King 10.00 pm, CP No: 1077 ( 12+ ) CYMBELINE (Drama) Cast: Ethan Hawke, Ed haris, Milla Jovovich 4.00 pm. CP No: 1076 (12+) SHE’S FUNNY THAT WAY (Com / Dr) Cast: Oven Wilson, Imogen Poots, Jennifer Aniston 2.00 & 6.00 pm, CP No: 1121 (15+) MAY IN THE SUMMER (Dr / Ro) Cast: Hiam Abbas, James Garson Chick, Cherien Dabis 2.00, 6.00 & 8.00 pm. CP No: 1122 ( 12+ ) LEMON TREE PASSAGE (Horror) Cast: Jessica Tovey, Nicholas Gun 4.00, 8.00, 10.00 & 11.55 pm CP No : 1123 ( 15+ )

Film Information - 24540856 / Advance Booking - 24540855 Website: www.albahjacinemaoman.com

STARS CINEMA Film information 24791641 / 24786776

Oru Vadakkan Selfie (Mal) (Rom/ Com) Cast: Navin Pauly, Manjima, Aju 3:30 & 9:30 pm at Cinema Main, 6:45pm at Cinema 3 Uthama Villain (Tamil) (Rom/Com) Cast: Kamal Hassan, Jayram, Pooja Kumar and Urvashi 6:15 pm at Cinema Main; 3:45pm at Cinema 3, 9:30pm at Cinema 2 O Kadhal Kanmani (Tamil/Rom) Cast:Dulqar Salman & Nitya Menon 3:45, 6:45 & 9:45pm at Cinema 4 Ennum Eppozhom (Mal/Com) Cast: Mohanal, Manju Warrior, Lena 9:45pm at Cinema 3 Kanchana (Tamil) (Com/Horror) 3:30, 6:30 pm Cinema 2 Next change: Dohchay (Telugu)

For More Information 24789032, 24786776 Website: www.isurf.co.om

ACES ON BRIDGE

Count correctly, then play correctly

L

awrence Durrell, an author born in India who lived in several countries and died in France, said, “I’m trying to die correctly, but it’s very difficult, you know.”

That is both depressing and humorous. At the bridge table, finding the correct play can be very difficult. This deal, for example, would trip up a lot of players.

How should South plan the play in three notrump after West leads his fourth-highest heart to dummy’s bare ace?

In the given auction, North’s two-club rebid was New Minor Forcing,

promising at least game-invitational values and asking opener for more information. Two diamonds denied both three-card spade support and four hearts.

Three clubs was natural and game-forcing. (If you do not use New Minor Forcing, North should rebid three clubs, and South would continue with three no-trump.)

South starts with seven top tricks: two hearts, three diamonds and two clubs. So, a 3-3 diamond division is enough — but that split is against the odds; and if it exists, it will still be there

in a minute if the club suit proves unhelpful. First, declarer should try to collect four club tricks. At trick two, he should cash dummy’s club ace.

When East drops the jack, South continues with the club eight (or nine) from the dummy.

If the suit splits 3-2, he has the desired four club tricks.

Here, though, West wins with his ten. Then, when declarer gets into your hand, he can finesse dummy’s club nine (or eight) and run for home with two hearts, three diamonds and four clubs.

— By Phillip Alder MARMADUKE

CROSSWORD

B I G NAT E

Answer to previous puzzle

ACROSS 1 Contented murmur 5 Bobby of the NHL 8 Startled cries 11 Hunter constellation 13 Dead heat 14 Vive le —!

15 Happen next 16 It may be scarlet 18 Tibet neighbor 20Zoologists’ mouths 21 Adoring 23 Run up a tab 25 Calligraphy fluids 28 Pilot’s OK 30 Dark brew 32 Herr in Madras 33 Desert st.

34 Stick up 36 Oahu welcome 38 Lumberjack’s tool 39 Drop — — line 41 Sitcom planet 43 Swiss Army — 45 NFL broadcaster 47 Van Gogh medium 49Moppets 50 Lend a hand 52 Hero’s horse 54 Take back 57 Ankle counterpart 60Sarcastic retort 61 Charlotte of “Bananas” 62 Ho-hum feeling 63 Copper source 64Big bang letters

65 Filter in DOWN 1 “Ulalume” poet 2 Ode inspirer 3 Mounting 4 Chubbier 5 Ontario city 6 Narrow inlet 7 Vegas rival 8 Music makers 9 Adversity 10 Hitchcock’s title 12 Beatty of films 17 Onassis nickname 19 A moon of Jupiter 21 Physique 22Moves like lava 24Pipe fitting

26 Wrapping paper 27 Boxcars, in craps 29 Milne marsupial 31 Mouse alert 35 Buddy, briefly 37 Future residents 40 Cochise’s tribe 42Fate 44Trace element in salt 46Zilch 48Gridiron pos.

51 Flit about 53 Lamb’s parent 54 Between pi and sigma 55 Listener’s need 56 John, in Glasgow 58 Hire a lawyer 59 Friendly advice

BORN LOSER

WITH LOVE

N. ABDUL HAKEEM

VILESH GAGAN

SIDHARTH MANOJ

May 4. 2013

May 4. 2007

May 4, 2002

Send us a colour photograph of the child (below 16 years) whose birthday you are celebrating, along with his/her full name, date of birth, address, telephone number and parents’/your name to Times of Oman, With Love, PO Box 770, PC 112, Ruwi or through e-mail to extra@timesofoman.com

KIDSPOT

H E A LT H C A P S U L E

C1 0

MONDAY, MAY 4, 2 015

FIND-IT-ALL Y O U R B I R T H D AY

BORN today, you are forthright, decisive and always willing to face the facts, even when they are inconvenient. You see no real benefit in retreating from the truth, as you are confident that the truth will always find a way to catch up with you eventually. You are far more willing to deal with reality than most; because of this, you are often able to use it to your advantage, even when it appears to offer nothing of value in the moment. You know that good things sometimes take time, and you don’t mind waiting for good things to come to you. Indeed, such patience is perhaps your single greatest strength; you are never in a hurry to make things happen for yourself or to collect the rewards to which you believe you are entitled. You will always wait your turn.

You have a rare kind of magnetic charisma; others are drawn to you, sometimes against their own will!

Fortunately, you aren’t the kind to use this aspect of your personality in any way that is inappropriate or unfair, but on the flip side, you cannot seem to “turn it off ” at will. You are what you are, and that’s all there is to it!

Also born on this date are: Audrey Hepburn, actress; Randy Travis, singer; Pia Zadora, entertainer; George Will, author and political commentator; Paul Gleason, actor; Will Arnett, actor; Ana Gasteyer, actress.

W E AT H E R

M

WORLD

Max 42 Min 27 Max 25 Min 16

Max 42 Min 21

Max 39 Min 29 Max 24 Min 10

Max 36 Min 25

Max 14 Min 6

Max 40 Min 26

Max 41 Min 23

Max 42 Min 24

Max 39 Min 26

Max 37 Min 26

[APRIL 20-MAY 20] Max 32 Min 25

Max 20 Min 13

Max 34 Min 27 Max 23 Min 18

—www.met.gov.om

GULF Abu Dhabi Doha Dubai Kuwait Manama Riyadh

39 37 39 33 32 37

27 26 25 23 25 25

WORLD Athens Baghdad Beijing Berlin Boston Cairo Colombo Frankfurt Hong Kong Istanbul Johannesburg Kuala Lumpur Lisbon Paris Perth Singapore Tokyo Toronto

27 39 29 20 24 31 32 23 29 20 24 31 10 19 18 30 24 23

16 19 11 14 14 14 25 12 23 10 9 25 12 17 8 26 16 11

FROM MUSCAT (RUWI)

TO MUSCAT (RUWI)

[MAY 21-JUNE 20]

CANCER [JUNE 21-JULY 22] You’re ready to put your money where your mouth is. You’ve said all you had to say, and now it’s time to put it all into action.

LEO [JULY 23-AUG. 22] You can assist another in ways that never make him or her feel incapable of doing what must be done. Remain in the background.

VIRGO [AUG. 23-SEPT. 22] You’ve got a long day ahead of you, but there should be few surprises.

You’re able to do things exactly as you have planned.

LIBRA L [[SEPT. [S S 23-OCT. 22] A trend may be developing that you must try to understand fully.

That which happens without your knowledge can affect you adversely.

QURIYAT - SUR - JAALAN (Route 36) Dept Destination Arrival Time Time 15:00 Quriyat 16:30 15:00 Sur 18:00 15:00 Jaalan 19:30 TO AL BURAIMI (Route 41) 06:30 Sohar 06:30 Buraimi 08:00 Buraimi 13:00 Sohar 13:00 Buraimi 16.00 Sohar 16.00 Buraimi TO SINAW (Route 52) 17:30 Sinaw

[[OCT. 23-NOV. 21] You’re eager to hear what another has to say about your recent efforts.

Use what you are told to improve your strategy and tactics.

SAGITTARIUS S [[NOV. 22-DEC. 21] You needn’t put up with anyone who is unwilling to meet you halfway.

It’s all a matter of agreement and compromise.

CAPRICORN [DEC. 22-JAN 19] The work you have to do is more important than anyone knows — though you are fully aware of the gravity of a certain situation.

AQUARIUS [JAN. 20-FEB. 18] Remain on the periphery of someone else’s experience, and you’ll enjoy a rare view of how the other half lives.

PISCES [Feb. 19-March 20] A burst of energy surprises you, allowing you to surge ahead of the pack.

A loved one knows just what you need.

ARIES [March 21-APRIL 19] You may be both attracted and repelled by a certain possibility.

Ultimately, you will want to give it a try — under certain conditions.

Operating Days Daily Daily Daily

FROM JAALAN-SUR-QURIYAT (Route 36) Dept Destination Arrival Operating Time Time Days 05:30 Sur 06:45 Daily 05:30 Quriyat 08:30 Daily 05:30 Ruwi 10:00 Daily

08:50 11:00 14:30 15:45 17:40 18.35 20:20

Daily Daily Daily via Ibri Daily Daily Daily Daily

20:50

Daily

TO AL BURAIMI (Route 41) 07:00 Sohar 07:00 Ruwi 13:30 Ruwi 13:00 Sohar 13:00 Ruwi 13:00 Sohar 17:00 Ruwi TO SINAW (Route 52) 07:00 Ruwi

08:55 11:40 20:20 14:55 17:40 19:20 22:15

Daily Daily Daily via Ibri Daily Daily Daily Daily

10:25

Daily

08:40 11:00

Daily Daily

To Yanqul (Route 54) 14:30 Nizwa 14:30 Yanqul

16:50 19:30

Daily Daily

To Yanqul (Route 54) 06:00 Nizwa 06:00 Ruwi

TO IBRI (ARAQI) (Route 54) 08:00 Nizwa 08:00 Al Araqi

10:20 12:30

Daily Daily

TO IBRI (ARAQI) (Route 54) 15:40 Nizwa 15:40 Ruwi

17:55 20:20

Daily Daily

TO SUR (Route 55) 07:30 Sur 14:30 Sur

12:00 18:45

Daily Daily

TO SUR (Route 55) 06:00 Ruwi 14:30 Ruwi

10:45 19:00

Daily Daily

TO FAHUD - YIBAL (Route 62) 06:30 Fahud 06:30 Yibal

10:30 11:15

Daily Daily

TO YIBAL - FAHUD (Route 62) 12:30 Fahud 12:30 Ruwi

13:15 17:30

Daily Daily

TO MARMUL-SALALAH (Route 100) 07:00 Salalah 20:00 10:00 Marmul 20:30 10:00 Salalah 23:30 19:00 Salalah 07:40

Daily Daily Daily Daily

TO SALALAH -MARMUL (Route 100) 07:00 Ruwi 19:50 10:00 Marmul 13:15 10:00 Ruwi 22:30 19:00 Ruwi 07:30

Daily Daily Daily Daily

TO MARMUL (Route 101) 06:00 Marmul

Daily

TO MARMUL (Route 101) 06:00 Marmul

16:30

Daily

Daily

DUBAI TO SALALAH (Route 102) 15:00 Salalah 07:00

Daily

16:50

SALALAH TO DUBAI (Route 102) 15:00 Dubai 07:00

SCORPIO S

Sunset Sunrise (Tomorrow)

6:33pm 5.36am

High tide Low tide

4:14am 11:12pm

TO DUBAI (Route 201) 06:00 Sohar 06:00 Dubai 13:00 Sohar 13:00 Dubai 15:00 Sohar 15:00 Dubai

08:30 11:30 15:30 18:30 17:35 20:55

Daily Daily Wed,Thur Wed,Thur Daily Daily

TO DUBAI VIA FUJIRAH & SHARJAH (Route 204) Dept Destination Arrival Operating Time Time Days 07:00 Fujairah 11.45 Daily 07:00 Sharjah 13.30 Daily 07:00 Dubai 14.00 Daily

TO DUBAI (Route 201) 07:30 Sohar 07:30 Ruwi 13:00 Sohar 13:00 Ruwi 15:30 Sohar 15:30 Ruwi

10:50 13:40 16:15 19:10 18:45 21:35

Daily Daily Thur-Fri Thur-Fri Daily Daily

FROM DUBAI VIA FUJIRAH & SHARJAH (Route 204) Dept Destination Arrival Operating Time Time Days 16:00 Sharjah 16:30 Daily 16.00 Fujairah 18.15 Daily 16.00 Ruwi 23.00 Daily

LISTINGS

PHARMACIES Round the clock Al Hashar Pharmacy, Ruwi: 24783334; Appolo Medical Centre, Hamriya: 24782666; Muscat Pharmacy, Ruwi: 24702542, Salalah: 23291635; Atlas Pharmacy, Ghubra: 24503585; Ruwi 24811715 Muscat Region Apollo, Al Hamriya. Tel: 24787766 Muscat, A Seeb Market. Tel: 24421691 Muscat, Al Khuwair. Tel: 24485740 Muscat, Al Hail South. Tel: 24537080 Dhofar Region Muscat, Al Nahdha Road, Salalah.

Tel: 23291635 HOSPITALS Al Amal Medical & Health Care Centre: 24485052 Atlas Hospital: Ruwi: 24811743/ Ghubra: 24504000 Al Musafir Specialised Medical Clinic: 24706453 Hatat Polyclinic LLC, Ruwi: 24563641, Azaiba: 24499269, Sohar: 2683006 Al Raffah Hospital: 24618900/1/2 Al Massaraat Clinic & Laboratory: 24566435 Al Makook Medical Coordinance Centre: 24499434 Apollo Medical Centre, Hamriya: 24787766, 24787780 Capital Polyclinic: 24707549 Badr Al Samaa Polyclinic, Ruwi: 24799760/1/2 Capital Clinic, Seeb: 24420740 Ceregem National Raak: 24485633 Dr Harub’s Clinic: 24563217 Elixir Health Centre: 24565802 Emirates Medical Centre: 24604540 1st Chiropractic Centre: 24472274 Hamdan Hospital: 23212340 International Medical Centre LLC: 24794501/2/3/4/5 Kims Oman Hospital: 24760100

24 Hrs Emergency: 24760123 Lama Polyclinic, Sohar: 26751128, MBD: 24799077, Al Khuwair: 24478818 Magrabi Eye and Ear Hospital: 24568870 Muscat Private Hospital: 24583600 Welcare Diagnostic and Treatment Centre, Al Khuwair: 24477666 Al-Hayat Polyclinc LLC: 22004000 ROYAL OMAN POLICE Emergencies and inquiries: 9999 General Directorate of Passport and Residence: 24569603 Directorate General of Customs: 24521109 Traffic violations inquiries: 24510228 Public Relations Admin: 24560099 ACCOMMODATION Al Bahjah Hotel: 24424400 Al Bustan Palace: 24764000 Al Khuwair Hotel Apartments: 24478171 Al Madina Holiday Inn: 24596400 Al Maha International Hotel: 24494949 Al Fanar Hotel: 24712385 Al Falaj Hotel: 24702311 Al Qurum Resort: 24605945 Azaiba Hotel Apartments: 24490979 Beach Hotel: 24696601 Bowshar Hotel: 24491105 Coral Hotel Muscat: 24692121 Crowne Plaza Muscat: 24660660 Crystal Suites: 24826100 Golden Tulip Seeb: 24510300 Grand Hyatt Muscat: 24641234 Haffa House Hotel: 24707207 Hotel Muscat Holiday: 24487123 InterContinental Muscat: 24680000 Majan Continental Hotel: 24592900 Marina Hotel: 24711711 Midan Hotel Suites: 24499565 Mina Hotel: 24711828 Muttrah Hotel: 24798401

Nuzha Hotel Apartments: 24789199 Oman Dive Centre: 24824240 Park Inn: 24507888 Qurum Beach House Hotel: 24564070 Radisson Blu Hotel: 24487777 Ramee Dream Resort Seeb: 24453399 Ramee Guestline Hotel: 24564443 Ruwi Hotel: 24704244 Safeer Hotel Suites: 24691200 Sheraton Oman Hotel: 24772772 Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa: 24776666 The Chedi Muscat: 24524400 The Treasurebox Muscat Hotel: 24502570 AIRLINE OFFICES Muscat Airport Flight information (24 hours): 24519456/24519223 Aeroflot: 24704455, Air Arabia: 24700828, Air France: 24562153, Air India: 24799801, Air New Zealand: 24700732, Biman Bangladesh Airlines: 24701128, British Airways: 24568777, Cathay Pacific: 24789818, Egypt Air: 24794113, Emirates Air: 24404400, Ethiopian Airlines: 24660313, Gulf Air: 80072424, Indian: 24791914, Iran Air: 24787423, Japan Airlines: 24704455, Jazeera Airways: 23294848, Jet Airways: 24787248, Kenya Airways: 24660300, KML Royal Dutch Airlines: 24566737, Kuwait Airways: 24701262, LOT Polish Airlines: 24796387, Lufthansa: 24796692, Malaysian Airlines: 24560796, Middle East Airlines: 24796680, Oman Air: 24531111, Pakistan International Airlines: 24792471, Qatar Airways: 24771900, Qantas: 24559941, Royal Jordanian: 24796693, Saudi Arabian Airlines: 24789485, Singapore Airlines: 24791233, Shaheen Air: 24816565, SriLankan Airlines:

MONDAY

Min

L O N G D I S TA N C E B U S T I M I N G S ( O M A N N AT I O N A L T R A N S P O R T C O M PA N Y S A O C ) * S U B J E C T T O C H A N G E

The obstacles that stand in your way are easily avoided — or surmounted, if you have the courage to go at them head-on.

12.09pm 3.34pm 6.41pm 7.57pm 4.11am

4:30pm 9:08am

coasts with a maximum wave height of 1.25 metre.

HORIZONTAL VISIBILITY: Good over most of the Sultanate.

THE NEXT 48 HOURS OUTLOOK: Clear to partly cloudy skies over northern part of the Sultanate with chance of convective cloud development over Al-Hajar mountains and adjoining areas may be associated with rain. Chance of blowing dust over desert and open areas of governorates of south Al-Sharqiya, Al-Wusta and Dohfar. Chance of early morning low level clouds or fog patches along the coastal areas of Arabian Sea and Oman Sea.

Max

OMAN

GEMINI

Dhuhr Asr Maghrib Isha Fajr (Tomorrow)

AIRLINES

ainly clear skies over most of the Sultanate with chance of high cloud advection over the northern part of the Sultanate and chance of low level clouds over the coastal areas of Arabian Sea. EXPECTED WIND: Along the coastal areas of Oman Sea wind will be northeasterly light to moderate becoming southeasterly to southerly light to moderate at night and southwesterly moderate to fresh along the coastal areas of Arabian Sea, while northwesterly light to moderate change gradually to southerly light to moderate over rest of the Sultanate.

SEA STATE: Moderate to rough along the Arabian Sea coastal area with a maximum wave height of 2.5 metres and slight along the rest of the

TAURUS You want everything to turn out a certain way, but there is only so much you can do to influence events. It’s mostly a matter of faith.

PRAYER TIMINGS

24784545, Swiss International Airlines: 24796692, Thai Airways: 24705934, Turkish Airlines: 24703033 MUSEUMS Bait Al Baranda: Corniche (seafront opp fish market), Open from Saturday to Thursday 9am to 1pm and 4 to 6pm Natural History Museum: Al Khuwair, Tel: 24604957, Open from Saturday to Wednesday: 8am to 1:30pm; Thursday: 9am to 1pm Museum of Omani Heritage: (former Omani Museum), Madinat Al Alam, Sat-Wed 8am to 1:30pm, Thursday 9am to 1pm, Tel: 24600946 Armed Forces Museum: Bait Al Falaj, Tel: 24312651, Open from Sat to Wed: 8am to 1:30pm; Thurs 9-12pm and 3-6pm; Fri 9-11am and 3-6pm. Al Hoota Caves 24498258; Turtle Beach 96550606/96550707 Children’s Science Museum: Shatti Al Qurum, Tel: 24605368, Open from Saturday to Wednesday: 8am to 1:30pm, Thursday: 9am to 1pm Oman-French Museum: near Muscat Police Station, Tel: 24736613, Open from Sat to Wed: 8am to 1:30pm, Thurs: 9am to 1pm Bait Al Zubair, Muscat: Tel: 24736688, Al Saidiya St., Muscat museum@baitalzubairmuseum.com Open from Sat to Thurs: 9:30am to 6pm.

National Museum Ruwi: Tel: 24701289, Open from Saturday to Wednesday: 8am to 1:30pm, Thursday: 9am to 1pm Sohar Fort Museum: Tel: 26844758, Open from Saturday to Wed: 8 to 1:30pm Thurs: 9am to 1pm Muscat Gate Museum: at Al Bahri Road, Muscat open from Sat to Wed 8am to 2pm

TUESDAY FLT NO

ARRIVALS FROM

MEDINA 0005 KUWAIT 0005 CAIRO 0005 JEDDAH 0005 RIYADH 0010 SALALAH 0020 SALALAH 0120 ISTANBUL 0135 DACCA 0200 LAHORE 0215 BAHRAIN 0325 DOHA 0345 ADDIS ABABA 0350 DUBAI 0350 ABU DHABI 0400 DUBAI 0415 FRANKFURT 0515 BAHRAIN 0635 ABU DHABI 0640 SALALAH 0645 KUWAIT 0650 ZURICH 0700 MALPENSA 0705 DOHA 0715 JEDDAH 0735 LONDON HEATHROW 0740 DUBAI 0800 BEIRUT 0805 DUBAI 0805 ISLAM ABBAD 0815 LAHORE 0825 JAIPUR 0830 BOMBAY 0835 HYDERABAD 0900 SHARJAH 0905 COCHIN 0920 DUBAI 0930 GOA 0935 DELHI 0935 TRIVANDRUM 0950 MADRAS 0955 DOHA 1000 ABU DHABI 1010 MANILA 1020 TRIVANDRUM 1045 DUBAI 1115 KHASAB 1115 MUKHAIZNA 1120 BAHRAIN 1130 DUBAI 1140 COLOMBO 1140 CALICUT 1155 LAHORE 1215 DARESSLAM-ZANZIBAR 1215 KUALA LUMPUR-SINGAPORE 1215 ABU DHABI 1220 BANGKOK 1220 SALALAH 1230 DOHA 1250 KARACHI 1300 KATHMANDU 1305 ABU DHABI 1335 DUBAI 1340 KHASAB 1445 DUBAI 1535 MUKHAIZNA 1550 BAHRAIN 1635 DOHA 1650 BOMBAY 1655 CALICUT 1710 LUCKNOW 1740 DOHA 1745 DUBAI 1745 HYDERABAD 1750 DELHI 1750 MADRAS 1750 BANGALORE 1750 DUQUM OMAN 1755 DUBAI 1800 BAHRAIN 1810 SHARJAH 1905 RIYADH 1915 KUWAIT 1920 DUBAI 1940 DUBAI 2025 JAKARTA 2035 KATHMANDU 2040 TEHRAN 2055 DUBAI 2100 AMSTERDAM-DOHA 2105 BANGALORE-HYDERABAD 2105 MUNICH 2105 DACCA 2115 COCHIN 2115 DELHI 2125 BOMBAY 2130 LONDON HEATHROW-ABU DHABI 2140 DUBAI 2150 SALALAH 2155 MADRAS 2200 CHITTAGONG 2210 DOHA 2225 ZURICH-DUBAI 2225 BAHRAIN 2240 FRANKFURT-DOHA 2245 ZANZIBAR-DARESSLAM 2250 AHMEDABAD 2300 ABU DHABI 2300 SALALAH 2310 BOMBAY 2315 SALALAH 2320 BOMBAY 2325 DOHA 2335 BAHRAIN 2340 ABU DHABI 2340 SALALAH 2345 BANGKOK 2350 DUBAI 2355 DAMMAM 2355

WY406 WY648 WY676 WY682 WY914 BG021 WY916 NL768 TK774 4H583 PK281 GF560 QR1132 EK866 ET624 EY384 FZ041 WY114 WY412 WY658 WY638 4H562 WY902 WY644 WY326 WY686 WY154 WY144 WY678 WY668 WY132 WY674 WY102 FZ043 WY432 WY602 WY346 WY342 WY272 WY202 G9841 WY236 G9114 WY282 EK862 WY242 WY252 QR1128 IX817 EY382 9W530 WY3302 WY604 WY918 WY652 GF562 FZ037 WY372 IX337 WY384 WY822 WY705 WY904 WY634 WY818 BG023 WY670 WY324 WY332 PA950 PK191 WY606 WY906 WY920 FZ045 WY632 WY656 QR1126 WY3304 WY204 WY292 WY264 WY664 WY216 EK864 WY232 WY246 WY610 WY694 GF564 TG507 SV534 G9116 WY374 WY646 FZ047 WY908 RG125 WY386 WY224 WY614 WY338 FZ049 WY124 9W534 AI973 6.00E+81 WY254 BA073 WY624 UL205 AI907 WY312 LX242 QR1134 GF566 LH616 EY388 WY910 9W540 AI985 WY662 WY654 WY636 WY928 WY816 WY696 WY612

CAIRO 0005 KUWAIT 0005 JEDDAH 0005 RIYADH 0010 SALALAH 0020 DACCA 0100 SALALAH 0120 LAHORE 0130 ISTANBUL 0135 DACCA 0200 ISLAM ABBAD-SIALKOT 0300 BAHRAIN 0325 DOHA 0345 DUBAI 0350 ADDIS ABABA 0350 ABU DHABI 0400 DUBAI 0415 FRANKFURT 0515 AMMAN 0515 BAHRAIN 0635 ABU DHABI 0640 JEDDAH 0645 SALALAH 0645 KUWAIT 0650 KARACHI 0650 RIYADH 0655 ZURICH 0700 MALPENSA 0705 MEDINA 0710 DOHA 0715 PARIS 0735 JEDDAH 0735 LONDON HEATHROW 0740 DUBAI 0800 TEHRAN 0805 DUBAI 0805 ISLAM ABBAD 0815 LAHORE 0825 JAIPUR 0830 BOMBAY 0835 RAS AL KHAIMA 0855 HYDERABAD 0900 SHARJAH 0905 BANGALORE 0910 DUBAI 0930 DELHI 0935 MADRAS 0955 DOHA 1000 MANGALORE 1010 ABU DHABI 1010 TRIVANDRUM 1045 MUKHAIZNA 1050 DUBAI 1115 KHASAB 1115 BAHRAIN 1125 BAHRAIN 1130 DUBAI 1140 COLOMBO 1140 CALICUT 1155 MALE 1210 KUALA LUMPUR-SINGAPORE 1215 DARESSLAM-ZANZIBAR 1215 SALALAH 1220 ABU DHABI 1220 BANGKOK 1220 DACCA-CHITTAGONG 1230 DOHA 1250 KARACHI 1300 KATHMANDU 1305 SIALKOT 1310 GWADUR 1320 DUBAI 1340 SALALAH 1440 KHASAB 1445 DUBAI 1535 ABU DHABI 1605 BAHRAIN 1610 DOHA 1650 MUKHAIZNA 1650 BOMBAY 1655 CALICUT 1710 LUCKNOW 1740 DOHA 1745 TRIVANDRUM 1745 DUBAI 1745 HYDERABAD 1750 DELHI 1750 DUBAI 1800 DAMMAM 1805 BAHRAIN 1810 BANGKOK-KARACHI 1900 RIYADH 1900 SHARJAH 1905 COLOMBO 1915 KUWAIT 1920 DUBAI 1940 SALALAH 2000 ABU DHABI 2005 MALE 2020 COCHIN 2025 DUBAI 2025 KATHMANDU 2040 DUBAI 2100 MUNICH 2105 COCHIN 2115 DELHI 2125 BOMBAY 2130 MADRAS 2135 LONDON HEATHROW-ABU DHABI 2140 DUBAI 2150 COLOMBO 2155 MADRAS 2200 CHITTAGONG 2210 ZURICH-DUBAI 2225 DOHA 2225 BAHRAIN 2240 FRANKFURT-DOHA 2245 ABU DHABI 2300 SALALAH 2310 BOMBAY 2315 BOMBAY 2325 DOHA 2335 BAHRAIN 2340 ABU DHABI 2340 SALALAH 2345 BANGKOK 2350 DAMMAM 2355 DUBAI 2355

FLT NO

DEPARTURES TO

FLT NO

DEPARTURES TO

AI986 9W539 WY657 WY225 WY637 WY211 WY235 WY201 WY643 WY345 WY271 WY341 WY601 WY371 WY123 WY901 WY847 WY241 WY667 TK775 WY209 4H584 PK226 WY331 EK867 ET625 EY385 FZ042 QR1133 GF561 WY603 WY903 WY3301 WY917 WY323 WY669 FZ044 WY633 WY815 WY253 WY291 WY263 WY717 WY821 G9115 WY231 WY283 WY631 WY605 WY203 WY245 EK863 WY337 QR1129 EY383 WY311 9W533 WY919 GF563 WY655 FZ038 WY3303 IX350 PA451 WY113 WY663 WY683 WY131 WY645 WY143 WY101 WY153 WY927 WY405 WY609 WY433 WY3921 WY675 FZ046 WY613 WY905 QR1127 WY681 WY623 WY647 WY909 GF565 WY907 EK865 WY695 WY661 WY653 G9117 WY913 WY635 FZ048 WY611 WY411 WY915 FZ050 AI978 4H561 KL442 WY817 9W529 6.00E+82 AI908 WY677 WY705 AI974 GF567 LX243 BA072 QR1135 WY673 LH617 EY381

BOMBAY 0020 BOMBAY 0020 BAHRAIN 0055 COCHIN 0105 ABU DHABI 0105 TRIVANDRUM 0110 HYDERABAD 0110 BOMBAY 0115 KUWAIT 0120 ISLAM ABBAD 0125 JAIPUR 0135 LAHORE 0145 DUBAI 0145 COLOMBO 0155 MUNICH 0200 SALALAH 0215 JAKARTA 0215 DELHI 0215 DOHA 0225 ISTANBUL 0230 GOA 0255 DACCA 0300 KARACHI 0315 KATHMANDU 0350 DUBAI 0450 ADDIS ABABA 0450 ABU DHABI 0500 DUBAI 0510 DOHA 0515 BAHRAIN 0715 DUBAI 0750 SALALAH 0750 MUKHAIZNA 0800 KHASAB 0815 KARACHI 0835 DOHA 0835 DUBAI 0845 ABU DHABI 0900 BANGKOK 0905 MADRAS 0915 CALICUT 0915 LUCKNOW 0940 ZANZIBAR-DARESSLAM 0940 SINGAPORE-KUALA LUMPUR 0945 SHARJAH 0955 HYDERABAD 1000 BANGALORE 1000 ABU DHABI 1015 DUBAI 1020 BOMBAY 1025 DELHI 1040 DUBAI 1045 KATHMANDU 1050 DOHA 1100 ABU DHABI 1105 CHITTAGONG 1140 COCHIN 1145 KHASAB 1145 BAHRAIN 1215 BAHRAIN 1215 DUBAI 1225 MUKHAIZNA 1230 CALICUT 1255 LAHORE 1315 FRANKFURT 1320 DOHA 1330 RIYADH 1335 PARIS 1345 KUWAIT 1350 MALPENSA 1350 LONDON HEATHROW 1400 ZURICH 1420 SALALAH 1430 CAIRO 1440 DUBAI 1445 TEHRAN 1445 DUQUM OMAN 1455 JEDDAH 1615 DUBAI 1620 DUBAI 1710 SALALAH 1735 DOHA 1750 RIYADH 1840 DUBAI 1840 KUWAIT 1845 SALALAH 1850 BAHRAIN 1855 SALALAH 1900 DUBAI 1910 DAMMAM 1915 DOHA 1920 BAHRAIN 1920 SHARJAH 1955 SALALAH 2000 ABU DHABI 2015 DUBAI 2025 DUBAI 2035 AMMAN 2100 SALALAH 2100 DUBAI 2145 HYDERABAD-BANGALORE 2200 JEDDAH 2215 DOHA-AMSTERDAM 2220 BANGKOK 2225 TRIVANDRUM 2230 BOMBAY 2245 MADRAS 2300 MEDINA 2310 DARESSLAM-ZANZIBAR 2310 DELHI 2310 BAHRAIN 2325 DUBAI-ZURICH 2325 ABU DHABI-LONDON HEATHROW 2330 DOHA 2330 JEDDAH 2350 DOHA-FRANKFURT 2355 ABU DHABI 2355

AI986 9W539 SG062 WY657 WY637 WY235 WY281 WY685 WY201 WY643 WY251 WY345 WY271 WY601 WY341 WY431 WY371 WY123 WY325 WY901 WY241 WY667 WY383 BG022 NL769 TK775 4H584 WY331 PK282 EK867 ET625 EY385 FZ042 QR1133 GF561 WY651 WY3301 WY903 4H562 WY603 WY917 WY323 WY669 FZ044 WY633 WY373 WY215 WY815 WY291 WY263 WY385 G9842 WY821 G9115 WY231 WY905 WY605 WY203 WY245 EK863 WY337 IX818 QR1129 EY383 WY311 WY919 9W533 GF563 WY223 WY655 FZ038 WY631 IX350 WY253 WY113 WY693 WY3303 WY663 WY131 WY143 WY645 WY101 BG024 PK192 PA951 WY927 WY405 WY609 WY907 WY675 FZ046 WY671 WY613 QR1127 WY623 WY681 WY647 WY909 GF565 EK865 WY695 WY661 WY653 G9117 SV535 WY913 TG508 WY635 FZ048 WY611 RG126 WY915 FZ050 WY411 WY421 WY817 9W529 6.00E+82 AI908 UL206 AI974 GF567 LX243 BA072 QR1135 WY673 LH617 EY381

BOMBAY 0020 BOMBAY 0020 AHMEDABAD 0030 BAHRAIN 0055 ABU DHABI 0105 HYDERABAD 0110 BANGALORE 0110 RIYADH 0115 BOMBAY 0115 KUWAIT 0120 MADRAS 0120 ISLAM ABBAD 0125 JAIPUR 0135 DUBAI 0145 LAHORE 0145 TEHRAN 0155 COLOMBO 0155 MUNICH 0200 KARACHI 0210 SALALAH 0215 DELHI 0215 DOHA 0225 MALE 0230 CHITTAGONG-DACCA 0230 LAHORE 0230 ISTANBUL 0230 DACCA 0300 KATHMANDU 0350 SIALKOT 0400 DUBAI 0450 ADDIS ABABA 0450 ABU DHABI 0500 DUBAI 0510 DOHA 0515 BAHRAIN 0715 BAHRAIN 0730 MUKHAIZNA 0730 SALALAH 0740 DACCA 0745 DUBAI 0750 KHASAB 0815 KARACHI 0835 DOHA 0835 DUBAI 0845 ABU DHABI 0900 COLOMBO 0900 TRIVANDRUM 0900 BANGKOK 0905 CALICUT 0915 LUCKNOW 0940 MALE 0945 RAS AL KHAIMA 0945 SINGAPORE-KUALA LUMPUR 0945 SHARJAH 0955 HYDERABAD 1000 SALALAH 1020 DUBAI 1020 BOMBAY 1025 DELHI 1040 DUBAI 1045 KATHMANDU 1050 MANGALORE 1100 DOHA 1100 ABU DHABI 1105 CHITTAGONG 1140 KHASAB 1145 COCHIN 1145 BAHRAIN 1215 COCHIN 1215 BAHRAIN 1215 DUBAI 1225 ABU DHABI 1240 CALICUT 1255 MADRAS 1255 FRANKFURT 1320 DAMMAM 1330 MUKHAIZNA 1330 DOHA 1330 PARIS 1345 MALPENSA 1350 KUWAIT 1350 LONDON HEATHROW 1400 DACCA 1400 GWADUR-TURBAT 1405 SIALKOT 1430 SALALAH 1430 CAIRO 1440 DUBAI 1445 SALALAH 1540 JEDDAH 1615 DUBAI 1620 MEDINA 1705 DUBAI 1710 DOHA 1750 DUBAI 1840 RIYADH 1840 KUWAIT 1845 SALALAH 1850 BAHRAIN 1855 DUBAI 1910 DAMMAM 1915 DOHA 1920 BAHRAIN 1920 SHARJAH 1955 RIYADH 2000 SALALAH 2000 KARACHI-BANGKOK 2005 ABU DHABI 2015 DUBAI 2025 DUBAI 2035 ABU DHABI 2045 SALALAH 2100 DUBAI 2145 AMMAN 2205 BEIRUT 2215 BANGKOK 2225 TRIVANDRUM 2230 BOMBAY 2245 MADRAS 2300 COLOMBO 2305 DELHI 2310 BAHRAIN 2325 DUBAI-ZURICH 2325 ABU DHABI-LONDON HEATHROW 2330 DOHA 2330 JEDDAH 2350 DOHA-FRANKFURT 2355 ABU DHABI 2355

FLT NO

ARRIVALS FROM

WY672 WY648 WY406 WY676 WY682 WY914 WY916 TK774 4H583 PK229 GF560 QR1132 ET624 EK866 EY384 FZ041 WY114 WY658 WY638 WY902 WY644 WY154 WY144 WY668 WY674 WY102 FZ043 WY422 WY602 WY346 WY342 WY272 WY202 WY236 G9114 WY226 EK862 WY210 WY242 WY212 WY252 QR1128 EY382 WY844 9W530 WY604 WY918 WY3302 GF562 FZ037 WY372 IX337 PA450 WY705 WY822 WY634 WY818 WY904 WY670 WY324 WY332 WY632 WY606 WY920 FZ045 WY3304 WY656 QR1126 WY204 WY292 WY264 WY664 EK864 WY232 WY246 WY254 WY284 WY3922 WY610 GF564 G9116 WY684 WY646 FZ047 WY614 WY848 WY338 WY434 FZ049 KL441 AI977 WY124 4H561 9W534 AI973 6.00E+81 BA073 WY624 WY906 AI907 WY312 QR1134 LX242 GF566 LH616 WY717 SG061 EY388 WY910 9W540 WY908 AI985 WY662 WY654 WY636 WY928 WY816 WY612 WY696

ETA

ETD

ETA

ETD

MO NDAY, MAY 4, 2015

C11

EXTRA FA S H I O N

Fashion brand DKNY names new creative directors

Stiletto shoe as comfy as a trainer A former transport company executive from the US has put together what she believes is the ultimate team to design the world’s most comfortable stiletto

I

f, like Beyoncé, you spend your nights dancing in high heels, Dolly Singh expects you will become her “biggest fan”.

The former executive with SpaceX — the US space transport company – has put together what she believes is the ultimate team to design the world’s most comfortable stiletto. The team includes a rocket scientist, an engineer, an astronaut, a fashion expert and an orthopaedic surgeon. Their aim: to lift women up by several inches without causing lasting damage to their feet.

Assembling such an array of serious scientific talent took some doing; some of them initially thought it was a silly idea.

“The key was to make it an interesting problem in their language. Asking them to design a high heel isn’t interesting,” says Ms Singh. “But asking them to design a structure that supports a secondary structure, which is dynamic and has a 180-degree range of motion and happens to

STUDY

Why you should love coffee

DID YOU know that the ubiquitous coffee is also a good antioxidant that kills damaging free radicals in our body? Researchers from Monash University in Australia have conducted a comprehensive study on how free radicals and antioxidants behave during every stage of the coffee-brewing process, from intact bean to coffee brew. “Our research studied both the Arabica coffee bean itself and what happens to its stable free radical and antioxidant properties during the brewing process,” said lead researcher Gordon Troup. “The findings provide a better understanding of the potential health benefits of coffee,” Troup added. -IANS

be a human body? That’s interesting. I had to make them see it not as a fluffy problem, but as a serious engineering problem.

“I love high heels — I’m 5feet 5 inches, but if I put on heels, I’m 5feet 9 inches and I feel model-esque,” she says. But after five years walking the floors of SpaceX’s 550,000-squarefoot facility in Los Angeles in 4 inches (10 centimetre) heels, she began to feel the pain.

“I had two choices: either wear uglier shoes or end up with ugly feet.” Her solution was to create her own company, Thesis Couture, which she describes as like “Nike meets Jimmy Choo”.

Her first recruits were SpaceX technical wizards Garrett Reisman, an astronaut, and rocket scientist Hans Koenigsmann.

The firm’s advisory team, led

by Ms Singh and fashion technologist Amanda Parkes, also includes British orthopaedic surgeon Andy Goldberg and Matt Thomas, director of mechanical engineering at Oculus VR, the pioneering virtual reality firm recently bought by Facebook for $2bn who has also designed military-grade eyewear for Oakley.

It is not possible, Ms Singh admits, to make stilettos that feel like Nikes, but what Thesis Couture intends is to make “stilettos that feel and function like wedges”.

The heel of the firm’s first shoe will be a little under three inches high — but, thanks to some clever design, it will look like four inches. The shoe won’t be built around a metal rod like traditional heels, but will instead use high-tech polymers and plastics.

The design promises to improve load distribution from heel to

toe and, with aerospace-grade foams in the sole, to reduce the impact of each step on a wearer’s foot by up to 50 per cent.

The shoe’s tech skeleton will be manufactured in Singapore, while the fashion skin will be made in Italy and Brazil. The first finished stiletto should strut off the production line in three months’ time.

The first 1,500 limited edition Thesis shoes will be sold in the autumn for $925 (about £610) a pair, each one numbered and signed by a guest fashion designer. Ms Singh said she planned to send a few dozen pairs to VIPs. After that, the plan is to target the growing workforce of professional women with comfortable, safe stilettos for between $300 and $900. Her ultimate goal is to license the company’s technology to other brands.

“Five years from now,” she says, “I want every high heel on the face of the Earth to be made the way we make them.”

-Tim Walker/The Independent

FASHION BRAND DKNY have announced design duo Public School as their new creative directors. The New York-based label Donna Karan International announced on Wednesday that Chow and Osborne are the new creative directors of DKNY, and they will present their first collection for the label during New York Fashion Week in September. They will oversee both the men’s and women’s collections at the brand, and will split their time equally between DKNY and Public School. The pair will split their time between their own Public School label and DKNY, and have said they are “extremely proud” to be joining the company, which was founded by Donna Karan in 1988, reported Vogue.com. Chow and Osborne, who will report to the label’s CEO Caroline Brown, said in a statement: “We both grew up in New York and DKNY has always been part of the landscape of this city in our formative years as designers and New Yorkers. It is one of the brands that helped change the game for us and for American fashion. “We are extremely proud and excited to be joining the company and to contribute to the next chapter of DKNY, one of the most iconic brands created by Donna Karan, a true inspiration.” Donna, 66, left her position as CEO of the label in 1997 before it was bought

by LVMH in 2001, although she continued to oversee the production of all the collections after stepping down. A spokesperson for LVMH said that the conglomerate has not invested in the Public School brand, however. -IANS

C1 2

MONDAY, MAY 4, 2 015

EXTRA TECH NEWS

Hawking: Humans need to live in space or die out HUMANS NEED to go and live in space within the next 1,000 years, or it will die out, Stephen Hawking has warned. “We must continue to go into space for the future of humanity,” Mr Hawking said. “I don’t think we will survive another 1,000 years without escaping beyond our fragile planet.”

Hawking issued the warning during one of two talks at the Sydney Opera House.

He addressed the sold-out crowds at the venue by using holographic technology, which he used to talk from his Cambridge office. At the end of the lecture, Hawking encouraged his audience to “look at up at the stars and not down at your feet”. “Try to make sense of what you see and wonder about what makes a universe exist,” he said. -Andrew Griffin/The Independent

An app that can predict your age, well almost MICROSOFT’S How-Old.net, predicts how old you are when you upload a picture of yourself. The net tool, which guesses a person’s age and gender based on a photo of their face, became a viral hit despite (or, more likely, because of ) its comically spotty accuracy. However, since the app scans facial features to reach its results, the resultant age would depend on the quality of picture you upload. But it’s good fun, unless you end up offending your wife!

Facebook to give you control over data sharing ARE YOU bewildered by the expanse of data that many apps and websites have about you, relax. Facebook is about to give you greater control, now, over how much data you want to share with others. Also, apps that Facebook determines are asking for unnecessary information from users could have their data access revoked.

A new version of Facebook Login, to be rolled out shortly, will present users with a prompt — “Edit the info you provide”. Clicking it will let users grant or deny access to different types of information. The login now also highlights who will see content posted by the app on Facebook, for apps that request the ability to do so, pcworld.com reported. Many of the most popular apps, like Pinterest and Netflix, are already using it and over the next few weeks, Facebook will turn on the system for every app that uses Facebook Login. -IANS

Grooveshark is dead Say goodbye to Grooveshark, an online music-streaming service that once had 35 million users who listened to songs for free

T

he site surrendered following a series of massive lawsuits filed by major record labels.

Grooveshark shut down Thursday in compliance with a settlement agreement over copyright infringement claims. The company said in a statement that it has agreed to halt all operations, delete copyrighted material and give up ownership of its site, including smartphone apps. It also agreed to give up its patents and copyrights.

“We started out nearly 10 years ago with the goal of helping fans share and discover music,” founders Josh Greenberg and Sam Tarantino wrote in an apology posted to the site. “But despite best of intentions, we made very serious mistakes. We failed to secure licenses from rights holders for the vast amount of music on the service.

“That was wrong. We apologise. Without reservations.”

Since its launch in 2007, Grooveshark has been a nuisance

to record labels, hosting millions of songs without permission. Over the past several years, many labels — including Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment and Warner Bros. Records — have sued Grooveshark’s parent company, Escape Media Group, for copyright infringement.

Until recently, Escape Media leaned on the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, a law that shields sites that host copyrighted material uploaded by users. But last year, a federal judge said the company was guilty of copyright infringement because it had encouraged its employees to upload songs to the site. It was facing up to $736 million in statutory damages, Reuters reported.

Escape Media decided to settle this week, calling it quits.

As The New York Times noted: “Grooveshark’s demise comes after those of Napster, LimeWire, Grokster and others, each of which were sued by the big record companies for hosting free music without permission.”

Until recently, Escape Media leaned on the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, a law that shields sites that host copyrighted material uploaded by users The Recording Industry Association of America, a trade group for the record labels, called Grooveshark’s death “an important victory for artists and the entire music industry.”

“For too long, Grooveshark built its business without properly compensating the artists, songwriters and everyone else who makes great music possible,” the association said in a statement.

“This settlement ends a major

source of infringing activity.”

The RIAA noted that Escape Media agreed to “significant financial penalties if the terms of the settlement are not followed” — $75 million, according to Variety.

“At the time of our launch, few music services provided the experience we wanted to offer — and think you deserve,” Grooveshark said in its apology.

“Fortunately, that’s no longer the case. There are now hundreds of fan friendly, affordable services available for you to choose from, including Spotify, Deezer, Google Play, Beats Music, Rhapsody and Rdio, among many others.

“If you love music and respect the artists, songwriters and everyone else who makes great music possible, use a licensed service that compensates artists and other rights holders.”

As Spin noted, Tidal — the new streaming service launched by Jay Z, Beyonce, Madonna and other music stars — was not mentioned in the Grooveshark statement. -Lindsey Bever/The Washington Post.

ETIQUETTES

How to maintain a sense of harmony at live music shows WHEN OUT at a live show to listen to music, avoid talking loud insted try the nightclub whisper — leaning over to speak directly into someone’s ear — the best and only way to do it.

If your voice can be heard over the music by anyone other than the person you’re speaking to, save it for between songs. And group conversations are pointless and rude. During a performance, the only person allowed to speak to more than one person at once is the person onstage holding the microphone.

On navigating a crowd: While manoeuvring through a thick crowd, always move slowly and courteously. Eye contact and smiles will help ensure safe passage. If you’re moving closer to the stage, remember that anyone who moves out of your way is doing you a massive favour, so don’t get huffy.

If you spill someone’s drink, always offer to buy a replacement. Gentlemen, while cutting through a crowd, do not attempt to move women out of your path by placing your hands on their hips. This is harassment and it’s disgusting.

On being tall: If you’re taller than average, turn around to see whether the folks standing directly behind you have been

squinting angrily at the back of your head. If so, ask if they’d like to switch spots. Or better yet, move to the side or the back of the room.

On singing along: Everybody sing! But remember the operative word: “along.” Don’t shout over the song in an monotone squawk just to show off that you memorized all the lyrics. Be a part of the music.

On clapping along: It’s usually on the two and the four, rarely on the one and the three. Practice at home beforehand.

On applause: You’re free to generate as much noise as you like between songs. Make the most of it. On shouting at the performer — You’re allowed to do this only once a performance, so make your heckle count.

Reconcile the fact that it will never be as funny as it sounds in your head. And if the performer fires back, they get the last word.

(You’re allowed to do this only once, remember?)

As for shouting out requests, again, you get only one, and it’s best to do it when the performer asks, “Any requests?” Otherwise, let these musicians do the job you paid to watch them do.

On photography: In many ways, a concert is a party. You might snap a couple of pictures at a par-

ty, maybe a few selfies, but you’re not going to spend your entire night click-click-clicking away.

Your phone should spend most of the night in your pocket. What about those artists who ban photography at their shows?

A performer has the right to establish those rules, and ticketbuyers have the right to break them. Just be moderate in your snappage and remember to turn off the flash.

On following these rules: Yeah, OK, you go to concerts to get out of your head and all these rules are harshing your

mellow. Fair enough. Some of these rules are flexible. Others are not. You’re smart enough to know the difference.

Ultimately, a concert is a gathering where amplified sound acts as a valve for human emotional energy.

Is your behaviour helping the collective energy flow more freely, or is it clogging things up?

That is the question we all must ask ourselves when we feel compelled to mosh, dance, do the worm, high-five a stranger and/or yell “FREEBIRD!” -Chris Richards/The Washington Post.

D

W W W.T I M E S O F O M A N . C O M M O N DAY, M AY 4 , 2 0 1 5

SECTION

CONNEC T H E D A I LY G U I D E

RENT

D2

VACANCY

D4

CARGO

D7

D2

M O N D AY, M AY 4 , 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461

FOR RENT

Showroom for rent 200 m in Al Misfah, Bousher facing the main road. Contact 95202430 New building, residential apartments and offices, in Al Khoud Souq.

Contact 95202340 Deluxe 1, 2 BHK flats in Darsait, AL Khuwair 1deal for office & residence.contact 99369081 /99142314 2BHK with split AC in W. K behind Sana Fashion. contact 96708000 1 BHK in Ghala near Vachas with Laundry room & Gym RO. 305/92472876 Fully furnished flat in Amerat 2 bedrooms, 1 Majlis, small hall, 3 toilets, Kitchen laundry 230 pm.

Contact 95113797 1/3 BHK Flat Ghubrah, close to ISG Way 4041, building 4390.

Contact 99319880 If require flats for rent in Wadi Kabir please send me messages through whatsapp or call 99376454 Al Khuwair (17) a room and hall, kitchen, toilet with ACs ground floor owner. Contact 99385553

Villa for rent with 4 bedroom at Al Khodh, Rent 750/-RO.#92888115 2 bedrooms flat with hall, 2 bathrooms in Ruwi behind Boys school.

Contact 92584715 / 24700120 Flat at Darsait. contact 99326879 1BHK flat near star cinema with split A/C 230/- O.R. Contact 99358589/ 97079146/ 95570288

3000 sq mtrs Industrial landß, in Barka Sanaiya, with electricity 400KW, shed, staff accommodation and office. Ready to start any kind of factory. Contact 99384255.

Studio flat Wadi Kabeer 160/-O.R. Contact - 99358589 / 97079146/ 95570288 New flat at Wadi Kabir near Indian school 1bedroom + 1 sitting, 2 attached bathrooms and big kitchen.

Contact 98011224 Covered space available near Misfah INDL, NCPT 100sq, mtr, ideal for ware house. Contact 93965831 Fully furnished school for rent, with license or not and 1BHK near Al Fair super market Al Khoud Souq.

Contact 95490049/91290464 2 BHK Muttrah behind Oman house. Contact 95915154 Furnished flats for rent in Al Buraimi, daily, weekly, monthly.

Contact 97819981 / 93593336 Bath attached room for rent Al Khuwair. Contact 99743569

Furnished A/C Office for rent in MBD with Meeting Room and other facilities. Rent R.O.200/ per month.

Contact: 99232271/99624180.

2BHK available Ghubra near Indian School, 1BHK Mumtaz Ruwi.

Contact 99269751 New furnished flat at Amerat 3BHK, 3Toilets RO230 pm.

Contact 95113797 1 Bedroom bachelors, sharing K & T in Al Khuwair R.O 100/-. contact 95154331 Room main road, Al Khuwair R.O 110/-. Contact 97799175 Furnished room attached bath for Indian bachelor - Al Falaj area & for lady at Wadi Kabir (al Maya) Contact 95941515.

1BHK R.O 250, Bldg # 1619 Way # 1322 adjacent to Indian Nursery Darsait.contact 99476728 / 24705453

2BHK flat available for rent, near Hamriya roundabout contact-99366191 2 B/R Apartment Luxury Fully Furnished @ Azaiba Near Zubair Showroom. 2 B/R Apartment Executive Fully Furnished @ Al Khuwair 33. 1 B/R Apartment Executive Fully Furnished @ Al Khuwair 33. 3 B/R Apartment Executive Fully Furnished @ Al Khuwair 25.

5 B/R Villa - Fully Furnished at Madinat Al Ilam. Contact - Atlas Real Estate & Rent A Car LLC / 24783341- 24834888/ 99249069 / 92888376/ 93201688 Email: info@alshahiintl.com Flats and villa for rent in North Ghubra, the first line on 18 November Street opposite of chedi hotel suitable for offices.

Contact 96130361

Villa in Al Khuwair and Seeb.

Contact 95250300/ 99119699 / 92125648 One BHK flat for rent in Ghobra with attach and common bathroom. For Indian family.

Contact - 92322096 New 3 bedroom flats split AC, attached toilets available behind Kims Oman Hospital. contact 95225662 Shop for rent Misk house bldg Walja area near Honda road. Contact 99312674 / 96917934 Room with attached bathroom Al Khuwair 33 area.

Contact 96059431

Industrial land for rent in Wadi Kabir 7000 Sq mtrs.

Contact 99354340 Labour camp for Rent in Wadi Kabir. Contact 99797422 Family flats in Wadi Kabir, MBD, Ruwi, Muttrah, AL Khuwair, Al Hail and Seeb. Contact 96055889 /95250300 / 92125648 Villa for rent in Al Khuwair 33, 8 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms with parking area near Tuimur Mosque.

Contact 99366624

M O N DAY, M AY 4 , 2 0 1 5

D3

DAILY GUIDE

BUYING / SELLING

FOR SALE

BUSINESS

Used household & office furniture and electronic items.

Contact 99834373, 97102699

FOR RENT 1 Bedroom flat in Azaiba. Contact 99385835/99428143 3 Office space available between 120-142 sqm, with data cable, pantry, cassette AC, parking, @ RO. 5/- per/sqm. At Jibroo Muttrah. 2 BHK flat at Azaiba, behind Al Meera Hypermarket. RO. 330/-.

Contact: 93221054, 99229263, 95215289 For rent flats, shops, villas in Al Hail, Mawalih, Ruwi, Khuwair, special prices, fast service.

Contact 98588240 / 24487033 Flats shops and store for rent in MBD area, Honda rood and Rex Road. Contact 92433127 / 97293708/ 95150632

Used Furniture of Ready made showroom for Sale.contact 24704370, 99798452 (Ashwin) Port cabin new & refurbished – porta cabin for sale & rent.

Contact 96723468 / 97775501 / 97775502 A building in CBD opposite to the central bank of 3100 sqmtr built up area of expected rent of 205000 per annum for 1 million 350 Thousands.

Contact 95330200 Furnished office for sale at Walja.

Contact 99024272 / 95604205

Ghubra near Al Maha hotel & Indian school (2BHK with 5 split ac units).

Contact 94652485/ 99273774 / 99202278

A Building in CBD opposite to the central bank of 3100 Sq mtr built up area of expected rent of 205 K per annum for 1 million 350 thousands.

Contact 95330200

Flat for rent 1 & 2 bedroom available behind Zaker Mall Al Khuwair.

Contact - 99530405

The used household items like Refrigerator, Washing Machine, Sofa Set, Dining Table & Chairs and other items are available for disposal on “as is where is basis”. Interested parties are requested to contact GSM 95475591 for further details.

New one B/R directly from owner Behind Bank Muscat Bausher.

Contact 92158031 1BHK with A/C in Ghubra 250/R.O. Contact 97799175 2BHK at Azaiba, 2 bedrooms, 1 hall, dining, 3 bath rooms.

Contact 99224748 / 99425665 2BHK at Honda road, 2 bedrooms, 1 hall, 2 bath rooms. Contact 99224748 / 99332297 New 2B/R flats with split unit D/C & free Internet & office space available at Al Khuwair near Mustafa Sultan Philips showroom.

Contact 99460330 One room with bath at Al Khuwair.

Contact 99382008 Big flat in Al Khuwair 33, 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, sitting, dining, family lounge, kitchen, store with A/C, rent 550, 000/- OMR. Contact 97278169 For rent 3 industrial land. Contact 92702891/ 95490842 1,000 sq mtrs industrial land in Misfah Industrial area near to Khanco. OMR 1,500 Monthly.

Electricity and boundary wall will be provided. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 4 BHK with 4 bathrooms near Darsait municipality.

Rent RO 550/-. Cont. 92883288 Residential land for sale 21000 sqm, best for housing complex at Al Harm – Barka, opp to Khimji logistic. Contact 99438397 2BHK Flats for families at Azaiba next to Al Meera Hyper Market.

Contact : 96457757 2 BHK & studio flat at Darsait 1SM. Contact 99024730 Flats/villas owned by ROP pension fund available for rent in Muscat. Contact 99349526 Spacious 2 BHK flats in Ruwi MBD area only on 350/- OMR. Contact – 95122188 / 96441499

Barber shop for sale in Al Khuwair good running business & located in main location, location near AL Aktham restaurant.

Contact: +968-99616650 2,560 sq mtrs industrial land in Wadi Kabir. First line on way to Al Bustan hotel. Possible to make petrol station or hotel. OMR 1 Million. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 5 Flats of 1 bedroom for Sale in Bousher: OMR 35 Thousand each.

Monthly income OMR 270 Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 2 residential Lands together, one 610 and the other 600 sq mtrs, in Al Haram on way to Barka. OMR 49 Thousand both. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 3 floor commercial building in Muttrah behind Police. Generating income of OMR 18 Thousand annually. Neat and well maintained. Built on 197 sq mtrs land. 2 tailor shops on ground floor and 6 flats. OMR 207 Thousand. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 23,886 Sq Mtrs Agriculture land with water well in Al Salwa, Barka.

OMR 260 Thousand. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 558 Sq mtrs residential land in Barka (Al Jenainah) near Lulu and near to school. OMR 32 Thousand.

Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 Beauty parlour for sale.

Serious buyers. Contact 99609265 Shop for sale Al Khoudh. Contact 92820541 For running beauty saloon for sale.

Contact 97786792 / 96914627 Restaurant for sale Al Hail North.

Contact 94148970 / 94148972 Restaurant for sale well running with open area and good parking area. 3 new clearance also in Wadi Kabeer near Mars hyper market.

Contact 99656863

AVAILABLE Party & Wedding equipment rentals.

Full line, from Tables, Linen & Skirting, Chairs & Chair covers, Cutlery, Crockery, Glassware, Chafing Dishes, Ice Sculptures, to Large Sound Systems and spectacular lighting. Call Andrea 9606 2222 for Catering and Croyden 9623 5555 for Sound & Light. www.tunesoman.com, E-mail: info@tunesoman.com

ACC. AVAILABLE Single room available at Hamriyah.

Contact 92390266 Single room & AC attached bath at Mumtaz area. Contact 95212017 & 93103337 Building of 2floors in Al Hail, each 3Bedrooms, 3bathrooms, Sitting room, lounge, kitchen, store 92817777 Two spacious rooms with balcony, separate toilet, for Executive non cooking bachelor Rex Road Ruwi.

Contact 92183404 Fully furnished single room with all amenities available behind Sheraton.

Contact 92162623 Sharing accommodation available Wadi Kabir attached room with sharing, kitchen. Contact 96575016 Single room available in Qurum from 1/May/2015 for exe male female. Contact 92988746

Road construction Demolition Company invites equipments for long term on rental basis. 10 Nos. Tipper 18 Cu. M, 5 Nos. 3 Axle tippers, 5 Nos. Excavators, Showel, Roller & Grader. Payment - 60 days.

Contact 99454425 Local company based in Ghala requires business development Manager with good experience and driving license.#99166930 / 93782735 Software development based on requirements such as: Web development & cloud computing, SAP implementation & services. Android App development networking. #97423932 Looking for a genuine investor for an IT company. Good prospects.

Contact 99329216 Email: sales@aditsllc.com A construction company since 2008 with 40 employees is looking for a construction engineer as business partner. Contact 99373727 Required business Researcher. contact 99229700 Email: kjaaraimi@hotmail.com Business Consultant, feasibility study. Contact 99229700 We have some companies for rent with the following activities: press publishing & advertising, information consultancy, organizing event management & conference, real estate, landscaping, maintenance etc Contact 93946622 / 91408005

M.V. FOR SALE

NRI

1B/R available for bachelors in REX ROAD, Ruwi. contact 99889590 Bed sharing for Keralite bachelor close to Majan intercontinental hotel, Ghala. Contact 98001451 Sharing acc. Available in Muttrah behind Oman house.

Contact 99354340 Sharing family accommodation in Wadi Kabir. Contact 99335057 3 Bedrooms, with spacious hall & 3 bathrooms near ISM, Darsait from 1st April 2015. Gsm 94288861 Accommodation available for South Indian family, one bedroom with attached toilet, kitchen, hall in a villa, Al Ghubrah. Contact 99209160 Room for rent in flat for bachelor / bachelors near ISWK primary wing, Way 6930 rent 100 OMR per month. Contact 97687055 / 98001645

ACC. WANTED

Residential land for sale in Chennai Kundrathur and Poonamaalee, we construct house in your budget.

Contact 98753366 L.L.C upgrade and formation of foreign investor company.#95586937 6.5 cents north & east faced prime plot for sale at Coimbatore – gated community. Most of the plot owners are NRIs. Contact 95277505 For sale 3BHK 1205’ builtup at Goregaon Mumbai. +96899850753 2pm – 4pm.

MATRIMONIAL Kerala Syro Malabar Catholic girl 28 years working in MOH Salalah seeks suitable alliance from Keralite professionals in Muscat.

Contact 99436476 / 99357901

Sohar, 2/3, B/R, flat /villa, required. Contact 93031168

Wanted Groom- Alliance invited from a middle class Hindu Nair girl 20 years, 5.5 H/ 45 kgs/ Thiruvathira/ BBA. Currently staying with family in Oman. # 96283490 / 95273175 / Email – tharayilrk@gmail.com

Near Ghala / azaiba, require sharing accommodation for executive bachelor contact : 99138352

We are Muslim family seeking alliance for our son interested families.

Contact 97664009

Wanted a family sharing accommodation for Keralite in Ruwi area.

Please contact: 92558541

2010 Camry GCC 94000 KM, automatic, valid insurance price RO 3700.

Contact 91322757

For sale 18 Ton Mitsubishi 2014.

Contact 95292503 call between 5 pm -10 pm

2 Prime Movers Man 2008 with 40 ton petrol tank each working at the moment in Al Maha. Price OMR 35 Thousand each. contact 97000155 or 92688692

Expat owned car for sale in Sohar.

Nissan-Altima 3.5V-SL (Topend).

2013 Model, bought Jan 2014. Only 25000 km. As good as showroom condition.

Contact +968 97752903.

Nissan Sunny 2007, 1.6, automatic, good condition km 1,48000.

Contact 99781671 Toyota Camry 2010, 55000km full option white colour. Contact 99738373

Kia Rio, Maroon Colour, 7300 kms Done, Very good condition, Insurance valid till March 2016, Price OMR 3800/- Contact 95793970 Land Cruiser 2012. Contact 99336093

Mazda 3 model KMS 140,000 fully automatic single driven company maintained. Contact 92302159

Mercedes delivery van 2002.

Contact 99755644

MAZDA CX9 39000KM 2012 Grey Color No.1 FULL OPTION for sale.

Contact 99752695

Hyundai Elantra model 2015 km 37712, 1.6 cc, 10 months used, price 4650. Contact 99170202

CHANGE OF NAME I Rajaiah Dontharaveni (holder of Indian passport No. H 6344694) Son of Dontharaveni Narsaiah having permanent residence in 4 -128 Laxmidev Palli, Gangadhara Mandalm, Nagireddidur, Nagireddidur , Gangadhara Karim Nagar, Andhra Pradesh - 505445 (complete postal address in India) and presently residing in Muscat Gasesco Saog, P. O. Box 11, Rusayl DC : 124, Sultanate of Oman (complete postal in Oman) intend to change my name from Rajaiah Dontharaveni (old name) to Basaveni Raju (given name) Raja Bosu (sur name) (new name) for all practical purpose. Any objection towards my name change may please be communicated to Embassy of India, Muscat, Diplomatic Quarters, Al Khuwair, P. Box No. 1727, Postal Code 112, Ruwi, Sultanate of Oman.

D4

M O N D AY, M AY 4 , 2 0 1 5 Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTSIT. WANTED

SITUATION SITUATION WANTED VACANT Wanted urgently Full Time Cook for an Omani family Salary R.O.250/-

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE MBA (international business) from London, 4 years of UK experience in banking operational, looking for suitable position. Contact 91710075

Kindly send your CV to

B.E /MBA fresher looking for suitable positions in IT finance and Administration visit visa valid up to 18/05/2015.

Contact 94384120/99867536 Email: jkjithin123@gmail.com

alraid@alraidgroup.com

or contact 24567070

Pakistani male 27 years, MBA finance, 4 years experience in finance / accounts & procurement on tier 1 ERP oracle EBS ( RIZ) . Looking for suitable position for long term relation. Available in Oman or visit visa.

Contact 95830415

ACCOUNTANT Required urgently qualified and skilled Accountant having suitable experience in accounts / finalization / audit management and knowledge in tally for a reputed express industry.

Email: info@atsglobex.com

ACCA affiliate & B.Com hons with NOC, morc than 5 years of experience in accounting & finance looking for a suitable job car join immediately. Contact 97012146

ADMIN Masters Criminology with experience of 1.5 years in Litigation & Recovery department with Standard Chartered Bank in Karachi is looking for a job. Contact # 94677814

Young experienced English speaking telephone operator wanted.

Contact 99466062

ARCHITECT Urgently required an Architect with experience. Contact email: engineering_district@yahoo.com

BEAUTICIAN Female beautician required.

Contact 94050001

CATERING Shawarma /BBQ/Tandoor /helper wanted. Contact 95529970

ENGI./ELECT./TECH..

Urgently required a SERVICE ENGINEER with B.Tech or Diploma for a heavy equipment trading firm.

Applicants should have 3-5 years experience. Apply to jobtechoman@gmail.com Road construction Demolition Company invites equipments for long term on rental basis. 10 Nos. Tipper 18 Cu. M, 5 Nos. 3 Axle tippers, 5 Nos. Excavators, Showel, Roller & Grader. Payment - 60 days. Contact 99454425 Looking for civil engineer with Diploma from India, Pakistan Indonesia or any of these Southern Asia countries to work with small company in Ibri, Oman.contact 99251428 email: almarshoudi4@ gmail.com Indian Civil Diploma. 3-5yr Oman Exp with DL: nfw.civil@gmail.com

MEDICAL General Practitioner, Dentist and Pharmacist with MOH license and NOC required for a reputed Specialised center in Muscat forward your CV to alqaimtrd@gmail.com or fax to 24571119 Wanted Nurse for polyclinic in Mabella South ph 97339965 Urgently required qualified two male home Nurses. Email: jvacancy05@gmail.com Immediate placement ( with or without MOH) A. Pharmacist - 3 nosB. Asst.pharmacist - 2 nos #Tel.99338219 , 93240949 Urgently required, General Practitioner (Male), Gynecologist, Pediatrician, LAB, Technician, Philippine, nurses, marketing executive for a reputed medical center Salalah.

Email: hrmdimc2010@gmail.com Urgently required Staff Nurse, Pharmacist and endodontist Female Staff nurse, Pharmacist and endodntist with MOH License/ Prometric exam passed with 60% and above#24780088, 97374459 Email : karamadental@gmail.com Wanted female Gynecologist, female Staff Nurse -2 no, Dentist, Dental Technician with MOH license for Al Saadi specialized Medical Centre in Mussana.

Contact 92025033

TOURS Wanted an experienced person in reservations and ticketing using airlines Sabre system for a new travel agency; please send your CV to sunairways1@gmail.com

MISCELLANEOUS Required urgently qualified and skilled candidates for below jobs: A/C Technician with GCC driving license, duct fabricator, accountant, HR Manger. Lotus golden international LLC. Contact 97087835/97087845 Wanted for immediate appointment HSE officers - degree in safety engineering, Electrical site engineers- degree in electrical engineering, linemen class Ctransmission – basic qualification.

Gulf exp is preferred for all posts.

Apply with bio data to – hr_oman1@yahoo.com immediately

SALES / MARKETING Required Sales man - 1 Person Qualification. Gulf Experienced - Minimum 5 Years with Oman Driving Licence Language - English Education:- Any Degree Further Contact :Mr. Abdul Hameed Nashabat - Mobile No: 97414307 and -92807399 amn@yaqeeneng.com A reputed media advertising & publishing company looking for female Sales Executives. Send CV to job08080@gmail.com or #91408005 A REPUTED TRADING & CONTRACTING CO. requires urgently Sales Executive (male) having at least 3 years experience of building material products specially in paints in Oman, with valid driving license.

Send CV through Fax 24495411 or email: info@styletrading.net Wanted Salesman with driving licence and car. Gsm : 98805474 or email id: jobssales2015@gmail.com

SALES / MARKETING Required Salesman for a press and preferably if he has valid driving license. Kingdom of Creative Press.

Contact 99520777 Email: alibda.d@gmail.com Requires a Sales and Marketing person (Female) for Home linen Company with minimum experience. Please send your CV on e-mail zeyanaalharmaly@yahoo.com A leading Marble & Granite Trading company looking for Experienced Sr. Sales Executive with D/L. Send CV with details : jskanchan01@gmail.com immediately.

Wanted young and energetic sales executive having Oman work experience good communication skill and valid D/L. Email: info@mwpoman.net Media company need for Salesman having drive license + car. Contact 94216866 /94221420 Email: magicfingerprint1@gmail.com Required IT, sales / marketing executive driving license Oman 3-5 years experience.

Contact 99329216 Email: sales@aditsllc.com Software company looking for Telesales Executives – Female, with minimum 2 years of experience.

Suitable candidates can send their resume to omanerpsales@gmail.com

SECRETARIAL & OFFICE Required Office Assistant 160+25+Acc, Contact 99454425

SITUATION WANTED SIT. WANTED Accountant, Indian male 10 years experience, 6 years in Oman with Oman driving license, seeking suitable job. Contact 96012973 Indian male MBA finance, 6 years experience finance & accounting, specially in Oil & Gas now on visit visa. Contact 94327063 Email: shabab3939@yahoo.com Indian female qualification BBA Finance exp 7 years in Media Advertising (Branch Manager) looking job in Media Accounts / HR /Admin.

Contact 91342861 Email: indrabhushan23@gmail.com Education M.Com Finance experience 4 years, 7 months, 3 other course IELETS British Council, software ERP Oracle Tally ERP designation Chief Accountant.

Contact +968 96744752 Email: rehmanmushtaq786@gmail.com Accountant 35 years India male 8 years experience in accounts up to finalization & Admin with Oman D/L. Contact 92838233 Email: salihkkc@gmail.com Sri Lankan, male (28 yrs), 8 years experience in banking and finance / Administration sector seeks a suitable post presently on family visit visa. Contact 91321872 and 99279468 (family).

Indian male 26 Years, MBA Finance with 3 years experience in Accounting Field, on visit visa, looking for an opening - Contact 96435141

Indian male 22 yrs B. Com Graduate 1 year exp in Accounts, currently on visit visa. Looking for suitable job.

Contact 94341848 / Email – mohdhaji7272@gmail.com Finance / Accounts Manager 12 years experience at senior position in leading companies 9 years in Oman CPA – USA& modern accounting certificate from AUC. Contact 99139926 Indian male with total 5 year experience (2 years experience in Accountant cum sales co ordinator in a FMCG Company in Oman) in accounts field and NOC available Looking for suitable job Contact 92130188 MBA Graduate with 6 yrs exp in finance/accounts/ auditing. Specialized in accounts payable dept, Oracle app user, proficient in Sap (fico) end user & tally 9.0. lean &six sigma certified trainer on visit visa.

Contact – 91967213 / 99064780 Senior Accountant Indian male 43 years B.Com Graduate + DCA. Total 15 years exp, 7 years in Oman, 4 years in Bahrain knowledge in tally 9, Peachtree & MS Office having NOC, seeks placement.Contact 97060826 Email: tomnedum71@yahoo.co.in Indian CA,( Finance Manager ) More than 8 Yrs Exp ( Oman, UAE, India) in Accounts, Audit, Finance, seeking suitable senior position in Muscat, Can Join Immediately, NOC Available , Contact casmart007@gmail. com/98707434

Indian male management (banking & finance) worked with multinational bank skill in MS Office SQL etc.

Contac 94693310 MBA (finance) Indian female currently under family visa B/B in Muscat. BBA, MBA studied in Muscat (Birla) 2 years experience in Oman, having Oman D/L. Contact 96504080 Part time Accountant with 15 years experience in accounts, finance tax, audit management.

Contact 95857199 Indian male MBA having more than 5 years experience in Indian automotive finance construction having valid UAE, D/L currently on visit visa seeking suitable job.

Contact 96787992 Email: reeyasoceekey@gmail.com Indian male 25 years with 3 years experience having MBA, degree on visit visa, seeking suitable placement in accounting. Contact 98822072/91689977 Master in economics having 9 years banking experience in finance, operations and audit with Bank Al falah Pakistan, looking for suitable job.

Contact 91960412 artaqvi@hotmail.com India Accountant: Male, M com, 7 Yrs experience in Accounts up to finalization, having knowledge of ERP, Tally, seeks suitable placment. contact 93950138 Email: lijinrajan123@gmail.com

ADMIN/HR Indian female graduate 7 years work experience admin operation retail customer service looking for suitable job. Contact 94231020 B.A graduate with 8 years experience (2 years in Oman) in admin / business development and sustainably (green buildings) on visit visa. Contact 91626216 Indian female, MBA with 3 years of experience in admin MIS,family visa. Contact 98234427 Email: jkjsmith01@gmail.com Indian male MBA, HR& Marketing experience in multifunctional management business development marketing /HR experience in Oman & Dubai with valid Oman & UAE D/L seeking suitable opportunity. Contact 96052953 Indian female with 10 yrs of experience in HR/Banking/Operations seeks a suitable placement. Can be contacted on 98919015 or sherianne.coelho@gmail.com

ARCHITECTURE Architect - Female, Indian. 8 years of total experience (6 years in Oman), looking for suitable placement. GSM: 95230293. email: dhanooty@gmail. com

AUTO CAD

Indian male, 32 years, M. Com. 7 out of 9 years experience in Oman in Accounts/finance. Having NOC and valid Oman D/L. # 98277143, Email: anzarks@gmail.com

Indian male draft man, 3 D visualiser, 18 month experience in Oman driving license. Contact 96285891 / 98414107 Email: prasadvv4u@ gmail.com

Finance Manager, CPA, with more than 15 yrs. of experience in GCC. Fully knowledgeable in Finance, General & Management Accounting .

NOC available. Contact 96209331

Indian male 25 years diploma Auto CAD draughtsman interior design 5 years exp here on visit visa looking for job.

Contact 98360268/99881264

ADMIN/HR

CATERING

Indian male, 30 yrs, MSW, total 6.7 yrs experience 2.5 yrs in Qatar as Welfare and Recreation Coordinator with an MNC seeking suitable man management jobs in top – notch hotel / restaurants, Labour camps etc . Contact 97460880 Email: jjkam8@yahoo.com Indian male 2+yrs oman exp in HR. joing immediatly. release available.

Contact :93671437 Indian female Post Graduate with 5 years experience in HR & Admin looking for good opportunity.

Contact 94692244 Omani experience in the legal, administrative, public relations, education. Contact 97243393 Email: mwm3003@gmail.com Female Expat, 10 yrs exp in Oman with valid driving License as a project co ordinator, tenders documentation, Admin & HR.NOC available, looking for suitable job.

Tel no.93285538.

Email:shabana1405@gmail.com Over 15 years of gulf experience in Admin /HR /Logistics, fluent in Arabic & English with D/L looking for suitable position.

Contact 95824598 Female 26, 3 yrs exp in HR & Admin, with Oman D/L, looking for a suitable opening. Contact 98236033

Young Bangladeshi male 26 knowing coffee shop work as waiter or sandwich maker or juice maker, presently in Bangladesh if any employer need. Contact with his brother 92278538

DRIVER Need job LTV exp driver Pakistani.

Contact 94436276 Driver looking for job exp 15 years.

Contact 95904566 Light driver, 4 years exp need job.

Contact 94208089 Bangladeshi male looking for driving job. Contact 98066704 Pakistani male Light Duty Driver, past 4 years at Oman.

Contact 96134311 White car with driver.

Contact 96771598 Looking for job light duty driver and office boy experience 2 years.

Contact 95789583 Driver looking for job. Contact 99748264 Indian male looking for driver job.

Contact 93051674 Driver looking for job. contact 94435912

DRIVER Light Vehicle Driver requires job in any transportation / private co.

Contact 96015617 Light duty driver 2 years experience in Oman looking for job. Contact 93131542 Driver looking for job.

Contact 92137431 Light duty driver looking job experience 4years Oman.

Contact 96088707

DESIGNER Interior Designer Syrian Nationality one year experience in design.

Contact 95246737 Email: yassalnajjar@gmail.com Female architect bachelor, 4 yrs experience (internal & external design, project coordinate, office management) with valid Oman D/L NOC available. Contact 94348074

DOMESTIC HELPER Lady from Mumbai available for household work only in Al Khuwair.

Contact 95896415 House maid looking for full time job Sri Lankan. Contact 99865938

EDUCATION Indian female B.Ed M.SC Organic Chemistry 3 years experience looking for suitable job. Contact 91006851 Indian female M.A, B. Ed professionally qualified currently on visit visa, seeks suitable placement in the field of education. Contact 96753257 Email: sreechitrarmohan2@gmail. com Indian female 32 yrs, BSc, MCA , 3+ years teaching experience in India and 3 yrs exp in technical side in Muscat, Oman seeks suitable placement in teaching. Contact 96124929 Bioinformatics Lecturer: Master Degree, 5+ years experience from FRANCE & INDIA as a Lecturer in Bioinformatics and Research, looking for suitable position.

Indian, Male on visit visa, Contact 98898781/ anoopys@gmail.com B.Ed & BCA Indian female with 5 yrs exp in teaching primary section in Dubai currently looking for appropriate placement in teaching.

Email: rani_sweet786@live.com contact: 97384206 Sudanese male BSC electronic Engineer 2 years experience in GSM, 10 years experience in oil industry (Drilling & Measurements).

Contact 91198104 Email: husseintalat@hotmail.com Sudanese BSC industrial Engineer experience 4 yrs in QA /QC and 8 yrs in production. Contact 94041960 Email: mekkimedani@hotmail.com / mekkimedani78@gmail.com

ENGG. / TECHNICAL Indian Male, IT Support Engineer, 2 yrs in Oman & 5 yrs Indian experience. Contact 97311847 Electrical Eng. Degree (MEP) need suitable job of construction 12 yrs exp.

Email: mohd.ateeq.khan@gmail.com

M O N DAY, M AY 4 , 2 0 1 5

D5

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED

MISCELLANEOUS

ENGG. / TECHNICAL

Indian female, 24 yrs, B.Tech Engineer excellent academic qualification 2 yrs experience at IBM India, SAP- ABAP, currently under dependent visa, looking for suitable placement.

Contact 99450960 Email: sajyodine@gmail.com Indian male, mechanical Engineering, two years experience in fabrication and erection of heavy structures as a project Engineer now on visiting visa seek suitable placement. Contact 92151818 Email: krishnakumarkk9@gmail.com Indian male, B.E ( computer science engineer), MBA (finance), OCA certified, having 5 years of experience in oracle Dba/ oracle apps Dba, seeks a suitable position in the field of IT. Contact: 96212062 email: zubairkhan11@gmail.com Expatriate male MBA marketing and engineering working in Oman having valid D/L available to join immediately with NOC and release.

Contact 94553097 Male Civil Engineer (B.Sc) having 10 years Gulf experience 2 years in Oman looking for suitable placement. Contact 99561877 Email: zahid_ruet@hotmail.com Electrical Engineer (B.Tech) looking for suitable vacancies, Now in Oman on visit visa. Contact 93293597.

Email: subinjohn26@gmail.com Business Development /Sales.

Looking opening in Oil Gas Trading/ Drilling Service Companies as GM/ Country Manager/ Business Development Manager. gmbdm2015oilandgas@gmail.com; Contact -94688594.

Indian Female Civil Engineer, 3 yrs exp. in structural design, on visit visa seeking suitable placement.

Contact: 99195433 Indian male 25 B.Tech ( IT) Engineer 3 years experience in networking (MCSE- CCNA) certified currently on visit visa looking for suitable job.

Contact 91006851 Indian male 25 diploma Civil Engineer 6 years experience in India looking for suitable placement.

Contact 96750429 Indian / male B. E / B. Tech Civil / Site Engineer 3 years D.L. NOC available. Contact 93883136 email:mohammedcivilengineer. mct@gmail.com Iraqi Civil Engineer with more than 25 years experience in (Iraq ,U.A.E. and Oman) looking for a job, (N.O.C.) is available. Contact 94043735, amin.sarim007@gmail.com Omani 9 years as PRO & 8 years safely HSE Officer with PDO, D/L seek good job. Contact 96996938 Land Surveyor Indian 2.7 years experience seeking suitable placement.

Contact 95141554 /91977142 Network / system Engineer B.E / ECE + CCNA & Ms certifiedwith 4+ yrs exp looking for a job. currently in Oman on visit visa.

Contact : 92589502 Email : jeganscareer@gmail.com Indian, M 25 yrs BE mechanical 3 yrs exp in Oil & Gas now on visit visa. Contact 96487013 Email: riarun.007@gmail.com Electronics & Communication Engineer with 14 yrs exp (10+ yrs Oman) experienced in sales & marketing of extra low voltage systems (CCTV, Structured Cabling, PA system, access control etc.

Contact 99771815 Email: teledata1978@rediffmail.com Sudanese fresh Graduate with a degree in Mechatronics Engineering from Malaysia fluent in Arabic (Native), English (IELTS 7.5) and intermediate in German.

Contact 95667610 Fresh Graduate holder of bachelor degree in mechatronics Engineering from Malaysia, Sudanese holder of a valid driving license, fluent in Arabic and English.

Contact 96322507 Civil Engineer 8 years experience estimating and costing good knowledge stabling B.O.Q.S. Contact 97468213 B.Tech, instrumentation Engineer, Indian male with 4 yr experience in EPC and Sales / 2 yr Oman experience having valid Oman driving license. Contact 94145460 Email: jgeevarughese@gmail.com

Indian- B.E.-MBA having 25 years Experience. Last 12 years in Oil & Gas Sector in Oman. Indian Male ,4 year experience as Safety Officer with NEBOSH currently on visit visa.

Contact 9565910,email: yadavchandan287@gmail.com Marine Engineer, Filipino, 33 years old, seeking for suitable job in Oman with 8 years work experience.

Contact Number-96627685 Management professional with 25+ years of gulf ( UAE) experience in operations inventory management supply chain warehouse management with SAP , SBO experience seeking opportunity in Oil & Gas FMCG industrial automobile construction industry.

Contact 97100682 Email: m367.kareem@gmail.com BE Civil 35 yrs experience with consultant seeking senior level position in project management with client consultant structural Engineering background NOC available. Contact 95455681 Email: sm_comp@hotmail.com Electrical engineer (construction) diploma with 11 years experience (2 years GCC + 9 years Indian job seeking from India. Contact 0091-994309844 Email: ganesh_dectrical@yahoo.com B.Tech biomedical Engineering having Omani driving license.

Contact 91352248 Civil Engineer ( B.Tech) Indian female, 2 years experience as Q.S in Oman, knows primavera (P6), AutoCAD etc seeks placement.

Contact 93911895 Quantity surveyor (diploma civil) 2 yrs exp in Oman seeks job on work visa or free lanner. #96936793 Project (Electrical) Engineer with BE 10 years of experience (8 years in Oman).Driving license and NOC available. Looking for job.

GSM- 92197288 Civil Engineer Female, 3 yrs experience in structural design, on visit visa seeking suitable placement.

Contact 99195433 Indian Engineer B.Tech & diploma in instrumentation & control having one & half years experience seeking for suitable post. Contact 98873416 Email: afsalp_06@gmail.com Male civil Engineer 6yrs experience 4 yrs in Oman (B.B.S and steel shop drawing prepare, M.Q.C sit management, D, W, M report) with valid Oman D/L NOC available.

Contact 99870370 B.Sc Mechanical Engineering, 17 yrs exp in Oman, 30 yrs exp in production management, erection and maintenance of refineries, stock piling equipments, belt convoying systems structures, power transmission equipments gear boxes Contact 98214442; Email: mohusak@gmail.com Diploma in electronics & Telecom, Engineering with 5 years experience in Engineering & sales, marketing.

Contact 95932219 Indian female, B.Tech biotechnology with strong computer skills and 2 years experience as associate research analyst (Media Monitoring) in Nasdaq Oman seeking growth oriented jobs. Contact 92044603 /918056169148 or angeline.babithac@gmail.com.

Indian male 24 years, Mechanical Engineer,pdms.1 yr experience in pipeline,16years in oman seeking immediate placement #95775742

Indian male, 34 yrs, ca inter pass, with 14 yrs experience, is seeking suitable placement, currently on visit visa & ready to join immediately. Contact: 95585069 or 95630747

B.E (Mechanical), Indian male 8 years experience (HVAC – 4 years, operation / production / maintenance, 4 years) looking suitable position. Contact 96696190 Email: faisalmnz@gmail.com

26 years Indian male with MBA & PGDFM, Total 3.8 years experience in Administration, seeking suitable placement in any gulf region.

Holding Oman valid driving license.

Contact :93359371

B.Tech mechanical Engineer + QAQC, NDT (level-2) done hvac course and work at HVACs project Engineer seeks job with a year of exp on visit.

Contact 98235575 Email: sajinclement12@gmai.com

HOSPITALITY Indian male 18 yrs hotel experience Dubai procurement logistics stores suitable position NOC available.

Contact + 968 96573591 Email: namraj1973@rediffmail.com

IT Indian male 22 yrs fresher BCA young and energetic, seeking good opportunites Contact 00919567722270 Indian 25 yrs B.Sc computer science 2 yrs exp in computer hardware and networking and CCTV looking for job. Contact 93243372 Indian male 22 years BCA graduate, CISCO Certified Network Associate and COMPTIA A+ (Installing, configuring and troubleshooting). Fresher with good computer proficiency seeking for suitable opportunities.

Ready to do other office routines and work anywhere in Oman. Valid Indian driving license.

Currently on visit visa.

Contact 99704508 / 91258708 Email: chiran280293@gmail.com Indian female B.Tech in computer science specialization web design & PHP development.

Contact 92725547 IT works, IT maintenance (OFC cable splicing) data cable CCTV, works, 5 years, GCC 3 years India job seeking from Indian.#0091-9751761084 Email: spsathiya1@gmail.com Indian female 25 yrs - Software Engineer (ME-Comp.Sc)-5 yrs explooking for suitable openingContact -96745422; Email: sruthi.k38@gmail.com Network system Engineer B.E / ECE + CCNA & Ms certified with 4+ yrs exp looking for a job. Currently in Oman on visit visa.

Contact: 92589502 Email: jegaanscareer@gamil.com IT System Support Engineer,28 Years, Indian male,7.8 years experience,3 years from Oman, NOC available, having driving license, ready to join immediately, Mob : 93551182, E-mail: aniljose4u@gmail.com IT Network and Security Engineer with a master degree, CISCO and Linux red hat certified seeking a suitable job in a good company.

Contact 99818601

MISCELLANEOUS Indian Graduate (32) computer literate seeks any official job presently on visit visa. 95697715 Indian male 26 yrs PGDM, B.com, 2yrs exp. Contact 91694170

Education +2 Diploma Mechanical Engineering skills 2 C (Non destructive testing) experience 1 year 6 months company GB Engineering Pvt Ltd S.D Engineering pvt ltd.

Position Production Engineer, Production Supervisor.

Contact 99799237

Indian male 36 years with visit visa having 16 years experience in training (soft skills) Admin marketing looking for a suitable job.

Contact 99644501 / 96974356

Indian male Instrumentation Engineer having 2 years experience in process instruments, seeks suitable placement. Contact 95954385

Indian male Graduate with Oman work experience for 10 years in construction trading, automotive Industries seeking mid management position in business development, sales & marketing. Contact 92133277 Email: bijum973@yahoo.com

Electrical and Electronics Engineer (BE) 1+ year of experience now on visit visa seeking suitable opportunities Email: djnitheesh@gmail.com Contact 99254469 25 yrs (f) B.Tech (Civil) 2 yrs in Oman (QS & Tendering) Estimation.

Contact 91228615 Electrical Engineer: Indian male 29 years having 5 years of experience in industrial automation and utility maintenance in India (MRF Tyres) seeking suitable placement. Contact 92789995 Email: akhilabrahamlktr@gmail.com

MANAGER/ SUPERVISOR

Store manager 6 years experience in Oman (BCS) good knowledge of ERP seeking placement. Contact 95197303 Joinery & Interior Manager seeking opportunities Indian male 10 years industry experienced, excellent knowledge in technical line, production, materials and machinery. Good experience in business strategy, well experience in factory setting up.

Contact 93974701 Email: gemct2015@gmail.com

MANAGER/ SUPERVISOR

MISCELLANEOUS

NOC available. Living in Oman more than 20 Years, With Valid Drivers license and more than 3.5 Years Working Experience in Logistics/ Operations/ Supply chain/ QHSE. Contact : 98515670

Indian female BA graduate. My total experience is 4 and half year in Call Center looking for jobs in admin and HR. Contact : 96089143, Email: sharanjit_kaur2009@yahoo.com

Lab Technician, Civil (8yrs Gulf experience) looking for a suitable job (NOC available) Contact-93344378

Civil supervisor-8 year’s experience in commercial and residential building, including portable cabin, natural and artificial play ground’s, and Oxy petroleum field, at sultanate of Oman. GSM :91249005. Mail :sandeep88joseph@gmail.com

Well experienced MOH Licensed Indian GP Doctor looking for locum / permanent position in the Capital area. Contact 98140024 email:drgpoman@yahoo.com

Indian Male 28yr age having 6year gulf+ Indian experience in HR field.

Looking for suitable placement.

Contact: 97914340, Email: rajkv3086@gmail.com

Doctors available for immediate placement Internist MBBS, MD with Oman MOH license with NOC and release and a lady Paediatrician.

Available immediately.

Contact 96276347 nadakkavil1984@gmail.com

Indian male 27, looking for suitable placement in Piping Design & Engineering. Having 7 years of experience in AutoCAD. Also familiar with PDMS (11.6 Version),CAESAR ll. Contact : 97351786 / 96143708, E-mail : mohammednazeer07@gmail.com

MEDICAL

SALES / MARKETING Indian male B.com 24 years, 2 years experience in sales operations in Indian on visit visa. Contact 97032977 Indian male 24 years, B.Com + ACCA level 1 on visit visa seeking for suitable job. Contact 91883811 Sales & marketing professional with 14 years exp in Oman market seeking for a suitable placement.

Immediate release available (NOC).

Contact 92679055 Egyptian male 11 years in five stars international hotels management sales marketing D/L available residency visa. Contact 93577497 Email: elkomy82@hotmail.com Indian male 26 yrs BSC Maths with 5 yrs exp in sales / operations / banking looking for a suitable job currently on visit visa. Contact : 96673159 / 95602012 Graduate Indian male 25 with Good communication skill looking for suitable placemen in sales or marketing field in a reputed organization.

Contact 98558648 Email: risham54@gmail.com Pakistani male 34 yrs Intermediate 2 yrs exp in sales & marketing in Oman. Looking for suitable job.

Contact - 92146864 Indian male- 26 yrs - MBA (Marketing) - 2 yrs exp in sales & mktgseeks suitable placement - on visit visa - contact 96436686 Indian male 45+ yrs , 20 yrs exp as sales supervisor in India looking for indoor sales /stores /cashier or any suitable placement can speak Hindi , English, Malayalam, Tamil, kannada can join immediately on visit visa.

Contact 93086105/33016546 Indian male MBA 7 years experience in Hospitality industry, operation, sales & marketing looking for suitable vacancy. Contact 92115860 Email vibin.py@gmail.com

SECRETARIAL/OFFICE Indian male more than 10 years Gulf experience in Office / Sales Coordinator, Admin (employees visa processes), Secretarial and purchase coordination with good computer skills. Having Driving license and NOC available. Looking for suitable placement. Contact 99709336

TOURS & TRAVELS

Indian female, B.Sc in Travel & Tourism, 9 months exp in Oman as Travel Consultant .GDS-Sabre, Amadeus, Galileo, seeking suitable Job. GSM-95883404.

25 Indian female B.S.C. Fashion Technology. 5 years experience in textile industry as a merchandiser and good in fashion marketing. Currently available on visit visa, seeking for a suitable job. #96990368.

Email: simmy.missy@gmail.com

ACCA affiliate & Bsc (Oxford Brookes University), 2.5 years experience in oilfield & audit/finance in Big6 firm, seeking permanent placement. Release available. #95140445, a.saran891@gmail.com Indian male 21 Diploma in Mechanical Eng with HVAC certified having 6 yrsexp and seeking job in HVAC field as a supervisor. Currently on visit visa. Contact 92835952/ 92734863 Indian Female: MCA, 3 Years Exp. as Asst. Professor, Specialization in C # (sharp).net, Data Comm.& Networking, Knowledge about Web Development, ASP.Net, Oracle, SQL,VB.net.

Seek Immediate Placement. Now on Visit Visa.9588 7051 ashwininakod@gmail.com Indian female, B.Com. Knowledge of MS Office &Tally, 4yrs experience in accounting & admin dept. looking for good placement in any field.

Contact.98928220 Indian male, 28 years, 7 years experience in transporting & heavy equipment renting company. Having Omani driving license seeks suitable positions. Contact 94410485 Sudanese/Bsc IT/26/2 years experience/excellent Eng-Arb speaking/ Omani driving license/96387227/ henrykarrar@gmail.com Sudanese / 29 years old / Bsc English language and Translation / 3 years experience in Oman teaching & translation / have driving license.

94211377. hosam.karar.1@gmail.com Indian Male 27, Piping Design Engineer looking for suitable placement in Piping Design & Engineering. Also familiar with PDMS (11.6 Version),CAESAR ll, AutoCAD. Contact : 97351786 / 96143708, E-mail : mohammednazeer07@gmail.com Indian female B.Com graduate, 4years experience in accounts & administration department looking for suitable placement. #98928220 Mechanical Engineer B.E fresher( QA, QC , Piping & NDT + 1 month practical training in production & oil field) seeking immediate placement currently on visit visa. Contact – 0096896107833, Email albinalbin.thomas@gmail.com Civil Autocad draughtsman looking for part time job.

Mobile: 95218737 Indian Male 33 looking for Scaffolding Supervisor vacancy in Oil & Gas field in Oman. Having 5 years experience in CCC Qatar and 3 years in Saudi” contact fysal.nellaya@gmail. com or 96155921 23 yrs old Pakistani bachelor in accounts and marketing 3.5 yrsexp 2 yrsexp in Oman, looking for a job.

Contact- 99374062 Well experienced hair dresser/ beautician required, visa available.

Contact – 96524717 Sharing accommodation available for ladies opposite Al Nahda hospital.

Contact - 96524717

Indian female 25 yrs MBA finance currently on visit visa seeks immediate placement. # +(968) 9843 0089 Indian Male 58yrs, Oman experience 31yrs in Multifunctional Management, Administration, Business Development, Purchase & Operations, seeking suitable Manager/ Supervisory Position. Visa transfer/ NOC Available. GSM: 95036410 Indian male 27 years, MBA, having more than 5 yrs experience in sales and marketing, looking for suitable job. Contact no.99224057, +919824823734 Indian male 21 IT Engineer Networking & Computer hardware course 01 yr experience currently on visit visa looking for suitable job.

Contact 96036273, E mail faizanfarooqui23@gmail.com Sales/ Marketing Executive : 35 years old Indian male, MBA, having experiences in UAE and India in sales and marketing field, presently on visit visa, looking for a suitable job in Salalah or in Oman.

Contact 91233648 Indian male, 14 yrs Experience in Maintenance & Supervisor in hotel field ( Electrical . Ac Mechanical & Plumber ) N O C available mob : 95 25 36 40 . email = hareeshma24@yahoo.com Part- Time Accountant, well versed with all accounting, Finalization, Budgeting available.

Contact 98803439 ACCA affiliate,male,2.5 years experience in an audit firm in Finance & Audit, looking for suitable immediate placement. Release available.

Contact 95140445, a.saran891@gmail.com Indian female MBA finance currently on visit visa seeks immediate placement.

Contact+(968) 9843 0089 ACCA affiliate, male, 23, 2.5years of vast experience in finance & audit in audit firm,seeking suitable placement immediately.

Contact+96895140445, a.saran891@gmail.com 30 years Indian male with hotel management degree, 02 years experience in F&B service at five star hotel in Dubai and 05 years in American 6 star cruiseliner as Butler . Currently in Muscat on visit visa. Contact 91075704 Indian Female looking for an Internship or Part time opportunity in any Interior Design, Architectural or Design Firm . Contact 95811820 Male - B.E Mechanical Engineer fresher( QA, QC , Piping & NDT + 1 month practical training in production & oil field ) seeking immediate placement currently on visit visa.

Contact - 0096896107833 Email albinalbin.thomas@gmail.com Senior Accounts Professional, Indian Male, 35 years, M.Com, MBA (Fin) 8 years in Oman, with valid Oman DL and NOC available. Capable to handle accounts up to finalization.

Contact 9602 3965.

25yrs experienced indian marketing mangr seeking suitable position. .presently working as a General Manager one of the leading Hyper Market Group in Oman.valid omani driving licence. Release available . contact number.92205026. aparayath@Gmail.Com Indian male executive secretary having vast experience in admin, logistics & procurement well versed with computer seeks suitable placement. Contact : 99514286 Indian female, B.Com graduate, 2 years experience in admin department looking for a suitable placement. Contact 92531929 Young male, 22 years, B. Arch. Graduate with 12 months training experience, seeks suitable entry-level position in an architecture firm or architecture and engineering consultancy. Currently on visit visa, ready to join immediately.

Phone no. 92488990 Email: jay.kay.92@gmail.com

D6

M O N D AY, M AY 4 , 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com Tel. 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

SITUATION WANTED Indian female MBA finance currently on visit visa, seeks immediate placement# +(968) 9843 0089 Omani mechanical engineer, has 3 years experience ,has HSE, H2S, Riggers/Banks men Permit, Drawing / cad, SCBA, Safety Leadership and Initial Fire Response Courses. good with computer and English language looking for suitable job. Contact 99224319-98454500

ACCA finalist and BSc from Oxford Brookes University UK, having 18 months working experience, currently in Muscat on visit, seeking immediate and suitable position.

Contact : 95375282 Indian male MBA 32 yrs having 10 yrs of exp seeking suitable placement in Admin/ HR/ Operations/ Coordination/ Logistics etc. Holding valid Oman D/L .Contact - 99054786

Sudanese/Diploma/Electronics Engineering Communication/Optical Fiber Cable/Installation and Survey new towers/Experience 3 years.

Contact 00968 95932219

Indian female, well experienced in secretarial, administration, customer care & supervisory jobs. 5 years experience in Muscat. Immediately available for joining. contact 92139298

Indian Male 25 B-Tech(IT) Engineer 3 years experience in Networking(MCSE,CCNA-CERTIFIED)currently on visit visa looking for suitable job. # 99570776

22 years of experience in Multinational Companies & reputed firms in Financial Management, Project Management, Budgeting and Cost control, seeking a strategic Financial/Management Accounting role in a dynamic organization .

Contact : +971-506178139, Email.georg_vargis01@yahoo.com

Indian female, B. Ed-M. Sc organic chemistry 3years Experience looking for suitable job #99570776 7 Years successful experience.

Accountant, Indian male, 29 years.

Presently working in Oman as a Senior Accountant with Oman Driving license seek suitable opportunity.

GSM: 97705854 Indian female, B.SC, PGDCA currently on family joining visa. Two years working experience in Oman as customer care / sales coordinator.

Immediate joining seeks suitable placements. Contact no. (968) 95573205 /95949230/ 95800792 Indian Pune based 29 years looking for job in Travel industry or any good company as a front office reception.

Contact: 93221054, Email: rufinabhavania@gmail.com Indian female, B.Com. knowledge of Ms. Office & Tally, 4yrs experience in A/Cing & admin dept .looking for good placement in any field.

Contact.98928220 Accountant, Indian Male 24 , 2 Years successful experience in Oman with Oman Driving License.

NOC Available seek a suitable opportunity. GSM : 9340 9315 An Indian expatriate female, Graduate with TEFL certificate seeks suitable openings with Language centres or schools. Email : write2nishanair@ gmail.com, Contact : 97216963

M.Tech Civil (structure) with 3 yrs experience looking for a suitable job with reputed consultants or contracting companies. #93137035, Email : mdshahzar.khan@gmail.com Generator maintenance in charge with 4 yrs experience with Cummins, caterpillar, kirloskar and voltas. Contact - email: shibinmundakkal@gmail.com Experienced female Electrical Engineer. Contact 93800906 Aircraft Maintenance Technician with one year experience seeks suitable placement. Contact amaljohn2002@gmail.com Sudanese Mechanical Engineer 11 years exp in oil & gas industry.

Contact - 95928035 Telecom Engineer with 4.5 years Oman experience looking for a suitable opportunity, interested even in Marketing also. Possess valid Oman driving license. Contact 94145460 Civil Engineer with 12 years Experience Looking For Job.#98162295 DAE (Civil) having 3.5 years Experience 2 years from Oman with driving licences, seeking for suitable position in Construction field NOC and release available . Contact 96968554 Email: mehranahmad26@yahoo.com

Indian Female, MBA with 2.5 years of experience in Marketing seeking a suitable placement in sales/media/administration. Have Oman experience & valid driving license.#92460623

24 years Indian female diploma in computer science and engineering now on visit visa seek suitable placement.

Contact 96314974/99107369

Indian male, 29 yrs, MBA in Marketing, 6 yrs exp. in Marketing/ Sales presently on family visa seeks suitable placement. Contact 92345569, Email : tapankumarupadhyay@gmail.com

B.Tech Mechanical Engineer (Automobile)&Diploma in QC with 2yrs experience in oil & gas company seek suitable placement job currently on Visit Visa.#.96071081, 99214308 , Email: rahulvarikkat@gmail.com

Tunisian women looking for job, knows english, frensh, Italian and arabic. Contact: 91171838

Diploma of Associate Civil Engineering, Diploma of AutoCad, having 3.5 yrs experience, 2 yrs experience of Oman in Building Construction, valid transferrable ID Card. #94378581

Indian Accounts / Audit assistant with 2 years of experience currently on a visit visa looking for suitable job openings.# 94677338, 97041086 Email: ajeeshkcy1989@gmail.com Indian Male, 27 yrs MBA (Fin), SAP, 4 Yrs Exp in Finance Seeking Suitable Job with a Reputed Firm Currently on Visit Visa #92481230 A Fresh ACCA Affiliate, Pakistani male, 24 yrs, open for positions of Accounts, Audit and finance.

Contact : 94541539 email: wasiqnasir_3@yahoo.com Indian female with 10 yrs of experience in HR/Banking/Operations seeks a suitable placement. Can be contact on 98919015 or sherianne.coelho@gmail.com

Indian male, 26 yrs B-Tech (ECE) with MBA in Marketing / HR looking for a suitable placement. Currently on visit visa valid up to 30 January 2015. Contact 93754428, email : shijosirius709@gmail.com B.com doing CA Accounts/ office job male now working in Oman Noc, release available. Contact 92715465 Email: alsabathehm@gmail.com Indian female (Aviation and hospitality management) with excellent communication skill, confident, dedicated to works and enthusiastic and 1 year experience in admin department looking for immediate placement . Contact 93351256 email : hinakhan.hk88@gamil.com

Accounting up to finalization, auditing & contact for tally ERP software Contact– 91720465 Hardware specialist B.Tech M.Tech electronics with 10 years experience seeks suitable opportunities in reputed organizations.

Contact 91289459 Email: shrn.shrf@gmail.com IT Prof, MCA having 6+ yrs exp, seeks suitable position. #94543668 B.Tech IT Professional, Indian Male with 3 yrs of Exp. In System Admin, IT Support, Networking, Installing Active Directory, DHCP, DNS,RAS, configuring maintaining and managing servers, configuring cisco routers, Exp in handling SQL database, With Valid Driving Licence. Contact -968 98863507 Indian male Graduate (BSc. IT) 25 years new on visit visa in Muscat.

1 year experience in Accounts looking for suitable position. #95752827 Email: mhdfsrn@gmail.com Female pharmacist with 3 years experience and MOH license currently in Oman, #92455124 Indian male 25 B.Tech (IT) Engineer 2.5 yrs exp in hardware networking.

Currently on visit visa looking for suitable job. Contact – 94359564 Indian female with nine years of experience in 5 Star hotels as Assistant Food & Beverage Manager looking for a suitable placement in a reputed Star hotel. Contact: 91219787 Medical- Indian female, 27 yrs, masters in hospital administration, fellowship in HTA studied in a super specialty medical sciences and research center in India and done project in an established hospital in sultanate of Oman.

Contact 93200827, 91026506 Welder, 3G, 6G, TIG, Exp in Fabrication , Gulf Exp Ph : 97103168 Indian Male, MBA 2 yrs experience in Accounts, Admin & HR on visit visa. Contact 92045306 1 year experience in teaching all subject to KG classes, currently working as a teacher in Oman, seeking suitable placement, Family visa. #92178304 / 99036256 Care taker, Gulf Exp knows Hindi, Arabic Ph: 94238840 Logistics Officer, Experience in Store keeping. Contact : 99505934 Keralite Bachelor professional building designer with AutoCAD, 3D Max & Accounts. #96535497, email : bhaviwky90@gmail.com Indian cook, Tandoori cook, male, 32 yrs, having 4 yrs of experience in Muscat in India, looking for a cook job in Hotel. Contact 93753523 / 98744307 / 92175119 Young Indian male with 5 years Muscat experience in admin, purchase & Masters from UK seeks placement.

Possess driving license. #94400671 Pakistani male, 25 yrs, MBA Finance, 1.6 yrs exp in Accounts seeking placement in Accounts, Administration or Business Management. # 92651927 / 94250149 Indian Male, 25 yrs currently in Oman on visit looking for suitable vacancies in accounts, B.Com completed 1 yr experience.

Contact 92024380 Indian male, 15 years experience in managing department stores, in Karnataka, India, looking for placement.#93086105 or 99016546 Light driver looking for job.

Contact 91376612

LV Driver- 2 yrs Exp-know English- Contact 95292064 Female with MBA finance, financial and tax professional four and half years of experience seeks suitable opportunities in reputed organizations. Contact- 99792457 Email: msparveen1@gmail.com Indian male- B.Com/B.Ed/15 years Exp – 5 in Oman, seeks job in Accts/Sales/Logistics have NOC and Oman D/L with car. #92919625/93511425/ 93424828; Email- seshadricpioman@gmail.com Accountant: a well experienced Indian male, M.Com, more than 20 years experience in accounting field (GCC & India), looking for job as accountant or accounts manager in oman. presently working in India and ready to join immediately.

Contact :99087175 B.Com India. Languages : English, Hindi & Malayalam. contact 92954613 Indian male 26 years, with 4 years experience in accounts and administration looking for suitable placement. Contact 93008891 Indian male, B.Com, Accountant – 6yrs exp in Oman, NOC availableReady to join.contact: 98162671 ; email: prasanths3@gmail.com Results-oriented professional, 11 years Oman exp in reputed companies handling Administration, Operations, General Management, International Procurement, Credit, Business Dev, etc seeks role in MNCs/Reputed Companies/ International Organizations. Quick Joining, Release. # 98179887 Professional Manager, highly qualified, quality communication & English, excellent 11 years Oman exp in EPC/Media/Services/ Healthcare industries handling important portfolios, seeks Senior Role in reputed companies. Immediately available, NOC. contact 98179887 Pakistani Male having 6 years experience Valid Omani Driving license working as a Mobile Crusher Incharge looking for a suitable position. salary is negotiable. Email : umar_um44@yahoo. com Mob: +96895133167 Indian Male, B.Tech IT Engineer.

10 yrs experience as Computer Teacher & Project Manager. Good Knowledge on Computer.

Looking for suitable position. currently on Visit Visa.

Contact: 93120348, 97068258. swarnabadampudi@gmail.com Civil Draughtsman expecting parttime job (quantity as per specification and infrastructure jobs. Contact 95914642 Indian female 25 years MBA finance currently on visit visa seeks immediate placement.

Contact: +(968) 9843 0089 / (968) 97851940 Indian female 25 years MBA finance currently on visit visa.

Seeks immediate placement.

Contact: +(968) 9843 0089 Indian Female MA. B.Ed. with One year three months Teaching experience, English seeking for a Better placement. Now working in Oman.#93961142, 92184408 Email:anoopkesavan78@gmail.com 24 year Indian Chartered Accountant male with 3yrs of experience is seeking suitable placement in Muscat, currently on visit visa & ready to join immediately.

Contact him on 98201476 or email at lokeshkaluri@gmail.com

Experienced Housemaid available to look after elderly persons. On visit visa (Goan-Ind).#98238579 23,male,ACCA affiliate,2.5 years of experience in Finance and Audit in an audit firm ,looking for permanent replacement. Contact +96895140445, a.saran891@gmail.com 2 years experienced B.Com graduate looking for a Job in Accounts/Sales. Now on visit visa.#98546162.

Indian Male 29 yrs, having 7year India + Gulf experience in Procurement Engineer, looking for suitable placements. # 96035370, Email: samyram1986@gmail.com Indian male, 14 yrs experience in maintenance & Supervisor in hotel field (Electrical, Ac Mechanical & Plumber). NOC available.

Contact : 95253640 Diploma in Fire and Safety Engineering, having 3.5 years of experience as an Safety Advisor.

Having PDO PASSPORT and IOSH. Have valid Omani driving license is looking for job. Contact number 968 96176872, 968 9808527.

Indian male, 22 years, B.com graduate, Knowledge of Tally ERP9, MS Excel & MS word.

Currently in Oman on visit visa, looking for suitable placement. #99894250, email: fouzishaque@gmail.com

24 year Indian Chartered Accountant male with 3yrs of experience is seeking suitable placement in Muscat, currently on visit visa & ready to join immediately.

Contact him on 98201476 or email at lokeshkaluri@gmail.com Indian Male 26 Years, having 2 year experience in accounting field Looking for suitable placement.

Currently working in Oman. NOC available, immediate joining. # 94282980, Email: shirasvelliyath@ gmail.com Indian male, 14 yrs Experience in Maintenance & Supervisor in hotel (Electrical, Ac Mechanical & Plumber ) mob : 95253640 Pakistani Male having 5 years experience Valid Omani Driving license working as a Logistic Officer looking for a suitable position. salary is negotiable. naveedmuhammad037@gmail.com #93363316 /94202746 Indian Male, 58 years, Oman experience in Multifunctional Management, Administration, Business Development, Purchase & Operations seeking suitable Manager/ Supervisory Position.Visa transfer/ NOC Available. GSM: 95036410 Light driver looking for job.

Contact 92791678

3 years experience B. Pham Pharmacist, Passed Pometric written exam, require suitable post.# 9561 3245 E.mail:saaji777@gmail.com

Indian Male, B.Tech Mechanical Engg 29 Yrs old,4 year experience,2.5 year experience as Lifting Inspection Engineer in Qatar. Looking for suitable placement. NOC available. Contact No.93269839, Email: saneersainu@gmail.com

Indian, male, Business Management graduate with 10 years UAE experience in supervisory/ administration position in Electronic Card Personalisation projects, seeks jobs in banking/ financial sector. Contact: 00971505250274/ naushers@yahoo.com

Diploma in Fire and Safety Engineering, Completed IOSH and have PDO passport. Having experience of 3.5 years as Safety Advisor in Oman. Have valid Omani driving license. For further information please contact me on 96896176872, 9689808527

Indian male, 14 yrs experience in maintenance & Supervisor in hotel ( Electrical, Ac Mechanical & Plumber). Contact 95253640

Indian male, 14 yrs Experience in Maintenance & Supervisor in hotel field (Electrical . Ac Mechanical & Plumber). N O C available #25 36 40

B.tech Mechanical Engineer, Keralite bachelor with B.tech looking for job in Oman with three year of experience on visiting Visa.

Contact no.-0096891296354, Email-manurpr88@gmail.com

Indian female,available on visit visa,knowledge in AutoCAD 2012,Revit 2012,Adobe photoshop C3, Google sketchup,seeking suitable position.

Email:dhiyana.mhmd@gmail.com.

Indian Male 25yrs, having 3year Indian experience in Accountant Shipping Company, looking for suitable placement. #919632529484,Email: bangerasavan@gmail.com Pakistani Male having 5 years exp. Valid Omani Driving license working as a Logistic Officer looking for a suitable position.

Salary is negotiable. Email : naveedmuhammad037@gmail. com, Mob: +96893363316 Mechanical Engineer, Gulf Exp in Design and Manufacturing Ph: 97097688 OPTOMETRIST, 27 years Indian female, 3 years experience looking for suitable placement in Muscat.

Contact: 92066532 Email: aradhanaarun88@gmail.com Indian female 25 years MBA finance currently on visit visa seeks immediate placement.

Contact: +(968) 93316493 Civil Engineer Indian with 12years experience in building construction having valid driving license. sureshudreams@gmail.com, 91305025 /93839731 Part- Time Accountant, well versed with all accounting, Finalization, Budgeting available Contact : 98803439

Indian male experience in electrical and plumbing looking for a suitable position. Contact 92282845 Indian female Looking for an Accounts part time job, preferred to do from home. Well versed with TALLY , Accounting software.

Contact 95482970.

Indian male, 14 yrs Experience in Maintenance & Supervisor in hotel field (Electrical, Ac Mechanical & Plumber) N O C available.

Contact 95253640 Female B. Sc Maths, B. Tech, Computer science CCNA, RHCE, MCP 7 years experience.

Email : devi2571997@gmail.com presently in India Indian male- 32, 6 years’ experience in store incharge in Africa seeks suitable job, Contact 97385874 Indian ,Male 43,CA/ISA, Experience in Retail, NBFC, Logistics, Banking, Automobile, Investment and Facility Management seeking for a change.

Valid D/L. Release available.

Contact: aurosun@gmail.com Indian Male, B.Tech Mechanical Engg 29 Yrs old, 4 year experience, 2.5 year experience as Lifting Inspection Engineer in Qatar. Looking for suitable placement.

NOC available#93269839/ Email: saneersainu@gmail.com

M O N DAY, M AY 4 , 2 0 1 5

D7

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED CARGO

Dolphin Watch, Dhow Cruise with Buffet, & Land Tours Al- Ainain Marine Tours Contact- 98029602, 92808636

TOURS

RENT A CAR

RENT A CAR

Rent a car in Salalah with or without driver. Contact 93970005

D8

M O N D AY, M AY 4 , 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com Tel. 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

SITUATION WANTED SERVICES

WEBSITE

COMPUTER

CLASSES

DRIVING

SITUATION WANTED SIT. WANTED Indian Male- 29 BCA & Diploma, IT document controller & database.

8 years’ experience in India seeks suitable job.

Contact: 97385864 Indian female, B.Sc, PGDCA currently on family joining visa. immediate joining seeks suitable placements. contact no. (968) 95573205 /95949230/ 95800792 Indian female having 10 years as cook looking for part time job, expert in gujarati & south indian food.. contact 96733187 Female Junior Architect Graduated from School of Planning & Architecture, Vijayawada. Excellence in Autocad, Sketching & Modelling. Motivated, Hardworking and Result Oriented. Internship - KHAM Designs, Bangalore.Presently with Atulya Architects & Associates.

Email saatvika.frozenmusic@gmail. com Contact 00968-94057427 Electronics System Eng. UK Graduate. Indian Female with relevant work experience. Eng. Analysis, Instrumentation and Control, Power & Heat, Electrical & Fluid, Drives & Actuators etc. Looking for an entry level position. Email s.dinesh1508@gmail.com. contact 97848075, +91-8105413827 Indian Female- MCA:-3 years Teaching exp. in IT. Seeking immediate placement in Teaching in IT or in Management like Customer Service Executive, Front Desk, HR/ Admin Executive.

Contact 9588 7051 , ashwininakod@gmail.com Pakistani male, 25 yrs, MBA Finance, 1.6 yrs exp in Accounts seeking placement in Accounts, Administration or Business Management.contact 92651927 / 94250149

Diploma in Fire and Safety Engineering. Completed IOSH. Has PDO PASSPORT also. Currently working as Safety Advisor for past 3.5 years in Carillion Alawi. Have valid Omani driving license. For further information please contact me at 96896176872,9689808527.

WEB, ERP and Business Intelligence (BI) creation and management at rock bottom price. Contact: http//webviewoman

MANPOWER

Indian female 25 years MBA finance currently on visit visa. Seeks immediate placement. Contact: +(968) 9843 0089, +(968) 97851940 Indian Male, B.Com Graduate, 23, with experience in Sales looking for suitable placements. Ph: 9837 1144 Indian Male, BBM, with experience in Sales & Accounts on visit visa looking for a suitable job.

Contact 98797898.

Indian Male, Accountant, 2 years experience in Accounts, Supply Chain Management, Oil Accounting and expertise in using ERP softwares.

Looking for suitable placement.

Contact no: 96534120. Email: miruknuddin@gmail.com indian male, 11 years exp. in accounting, knowledge in tally also. looking for a part time job. contact 98983122 Indian female, B.Com. knowledge of Ms. Office & Tally, 4yrs experience in A/Cing & admin dept. looking for good placement in any field.

Contact. 98928220 Accountant, Indian Male 24 , 2 Years successful experience in Oman with Oman Driving Licence . NOC Available. Seek a suitable opportunity.

GSM : 9340 9315 3 year experienced male seeking job related to safety. M. Tech in HSE. Nebosh, iosh certified. Ph: 94653264

Sudanese/ 23 yrs old/ Bachelor degree is software ENG./ Sudan University of Science and Technology/ 1 to 2 years experiences/ 95527435 or 99385542

Senior Accounts Professional, Indian Male, 35 years, M.Com, MBA (Fin) 8 years in Oman, with valid Oman DL and NOC available. Capable to handle accounts up to finalization. Contact 9602 3965.

Pakistani Male having 5 years Experience Valid Omani Driving license working as a Logistic Officer looking for a suitable position. salary is negotiable. Email : naveedmuhammad037@gmail.com Mob: +968 93363316/ 94202746

12 Years of experience as a store keeper with valid driving license in Oman. Looking for suitable placement. Qualification : Diploma in Civil.

Contact details: +968 96147340. E-mail id: ktbinu_555@yahoo.com

CANADIAN MANPOWER CO. based in Oman Recruitment for legal jobs - Hotel staff ,Construction staff, Medical staff ,Gas & Oil Free consultancy, 2 years contract, work visa, free tickets, accommodation, social & medical ins. Contact us on 93392630 , pls send CV to margholdingoman@yahoo.com

GOOD NEWS Ayurvedic treatment for backache, paralysis, arthritis etc & massage, All Season (Vaidyaratnam). Contact 24475280 / 95371554 / 92504980 www.siddhayur.com Ayurvedic treatment for joint pain, backache, paralysis massage, steam bath, obesity, spondylitis IDEAL , CARE Ayurvedic Clinic 18 November street, Azaiba. Contact 99639695 / 99117987 FREE INFORMATION ABOUT ISLAM. If you would like to know more about Islam, please call: 99425598, 96050000, 99353988, 99253818, 99341395, and 99379133. For ladies: 99415818, 99321360, 99730723 Orvisit: www.islamfact.com Taimour Ayurvedic Clinic, Ruwi offers genuine & effective treatment for back pain, paralysis, cervical and lumbar spondylitis, osteoarthritis, joint pains, sinusitis, migraine, allergic problems, varicose vein and all other health related problems.

Kerala massage and rejuvenation package available. For details please Contact 92197920/ 24799689

*Classified Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability

GUARANTEED CLEANING: Carpet & sofa shampooing, Contact 99314807/24792998 MARBLE CRYSTALLIZATION restore the original shine of your marble.contact 24793614/ 99314807 WINDOW & SPLIT unit A.C servicing & repairing. contact 99557080 Split & window A.C servicing & maintenance. Contact 93769089 / 95323517

A/C maintenance split A/C servicing. RO. 10 only. contact 94217681/ 99210141

Marble Restoration, Mosaic tiles polishing, carpet shampooing, maintenance.#ABU QABAS99320217 /24788722

House shifting. Contact 99708138

SPLIT & WINDOW A.C servicing & maintenance.contact 93769089 / 95323517 We do building maintenance all kind of works. Contact 99247663

House shifting packing.

Contact 99657644/ 98518013

A/C maintenance & servicing.

Fridge, washing machine & dish washer repairing. Painting & cleaning services & electrical & plumbing. Contact 99447257/97014234/ 24504281

Water proofing ABUQABASContact 99320217/ 24788722

SPLIT & WINDOW A.C servicing & maintenance. contact 96236476

Sewage remove tanker sewage tank cleaning & block remove all maintenance sewage tanks. Contact 97412505 / 98852238 Electric, Plumbing, painting & all kinds of building maintenance.

Contact 93896787 / 97924862

Learn driving with professional only automatic.

Contact 94022250 Carpet Shampoo, marble & tile polishing, pest control & anti-termite treatment, general cleaning painting, Plumbing, Electrical, shifting. Contact Mundhir Al-Rizaiqi trading. L.L.C. contact 24810137, 99450130

TRANSPORTATION Transportation. Contact 99508282 House shifting & transporting.

Contact 92490422 Transportation. Contact 94087276 Transportation. Contact 99664703 Transport to ISWK. Contact 93172589 Pick & Drop any time.

Contact 97014786