Times of Oman - August 19, 2015

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WEDNESDAY, August 19, 2015 / 4 Dhul Qa’ada 1436 AH timesofoman.com

A F G H A N I S TA N

HM sends greetings MUSCAT: His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has sent a cable of congratulations to President Dr. Mohammad Ashraf Ghani of Afghanistan on the occasion of his country’s Independence Anniversary. In his cable, His Majesty the Sultan has expressed his sincere congratulations along with his best wishes of good health and happiness to President Ghani and the friendly people of Afghanistan further progress and prosperity. -ONA B I L AT E R A L T I E S

Alawi lauds Germany role in Iran deal BERLIN: Yousuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah, Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs, met with Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, German Minister of Foreign Affairs, in Berlin on Tuesday.

The two leaders discussed the means of enhancing bilateral relations between the two countries. They also discussed several regional and international issues of common interest, as well as the recent developments in the region.

In a joint press conference, bin Alawi lauded Germany’s role in solving regional issues especially the Iranian nuclear deal.

He said: “We hope Germany would be among the permanent members at the Security Council as this will enable it to play an important role in solving international issues.” -ONA Picture on >A2

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ISO 9001:2008 Certified Company

On a family visa? Got a job? Then pack your bags 1,623,672

‘Internal’ transfers from family visa to

is the total number of expatriate workers in the Sultanate of Oman

employment visa are not allowed in Oman

1,845,795

anymore, the Royal

is the total number of expatriates residing in Oman

Oman Police said

REJIMON K FAHAD AL GHADANI

reji@timesofoman.com fahadnews@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Expatriates living on family visas in Oman will now have to leave the country and return with an employment visa if they find work, an official from the Royal Oman Police has revealed.

“Till now, an internal transfer of a family visa to a job visa was

possible. Now, that will not be allowed. A job-seeker on a family visa has to leave Oman and return on an employment visa if he wishes to be employed here,” the source told the Times of Oman.

The move, which is likely to affect mostly expatriate women, has been welcomed by a parliamentarian and a legal adviser.

“It is a good move by the police.

Quite a few people were misusing the local transfer convenience,” said a Majlis Al Shura member.

“Let job-seekers leave and return in a proper way. If their papers are clean, why will anyone stop them from returning?” asked the Shura member.

However, the legal advisor in Muscat said that job-seekers should be cautious with regard

to the procedures. “If expatriates, who are on family visas, plan to join a company they should make sure that the company which is ready to absorb them has the requisite work visa clearances from the Ministry of Manpower. Without verifying this fact, if they give up the family visa and leave Oman, they may find it difficult to return,” cautioned the legal advisor.

If a job-seeker on a family visa wishes to take up employment, a no-objection certificate (NOC) is required from the company or establishment which has issued the family joining visa and from the partner who is working in the company.

“According to the prevalent practice, the company is supposed to issue an NOC only after they get the papers confirming the visa clearance from the new company where the family visa holder is looking to join. Now, when police say that an exit is a must, jobseekers should make sure that the company has a visa clearance ready to absorb them. Otherwise,

they might be stuck,” added the legal advisor.

Meanwhile, some expatriates have expressed their reservations about the new move.

“As majority of the expatriate job-seekers on a family joining visa are women, they should be more cautious. A hasty step will cause a big trouble for their family,” Shameer PTK, an Indian resident in Oman, said.

“Moreover, when the so-called ‘temporary visa ban’ for expatriate women is still in place, the chances for a return after an exit is likely to be less. So, unless a job-seeker gets an assurance for visa clearance, they should not leave Oman.

Else, it will affect their family’s future,” Shameer added.

Another expatriate said that recently, quite a few friends who were on family visas got job offers and gave up their family visa status anticipating a local transfer.

“Now, according to the new move, they may have to leave Oman and return. I don’t know will it happen or not,” said an expatriate.

TOP THREE INSIDE STORIES

Mariott Courtyard, the value for money

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Fog detectors to help drivers navigate

Saudi planes target aid port in Yemen

Seven bidders for largest water project

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Seven multinational developers from Singapore, Japan, France and Spain are competing for Oman’s largest independent water desalination project. >B1

To ensure that tourists are safe on roads, the Ministry of Tourism plans to send text messages to tourists.

The Ministry is working to develop fog detectors to aid drivers. >A3

Warplanes from a Saudiled coalition hit the Houthi-controlled Red Sea port of Hodeida, destroying cranes and warehouses in the main entry point for aid supplies to Yemen’s north. >A7

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MINISTRY OF MANPOWER

Submit Omanisation plans or face freeze HAMOOD AL BRICKY

MUSCAT: Submit your Omanisation plans for 2016 by the end of the year or the Ministry of Manpower will not consider your requests for bringing in expatriate labour force, businesses have been notified.

In a notice released on Tuesday, the ministry announced that private sector establishments must submit their Omanisation plan for 2016 no later than December 31, 2015.

The notice also said, “The ministry will not consider any requests for bringing in expa-

triate labour for private sector establishments unless they provide the Omanisation plan on or before the due date.” It also urged private sector establishments to obtain the Omanisation plan forms from the ministry website.

Mohammed Al Khaldi, board member of General Federation of Oman Trade Union, said, “It is good that the ministry has come out with this plan.

“There is a need to improve the Omanisation rates in the private sector.” He also said this was particularly important when a lot of Omani citizens are looking for employment. >A6

TOURISM AUTHORITY OF THAILAND

Omani has a lucky escape in Bangkok Staff Reporter MUSCAT: An Omani national was lucky to escape serious injury when a bomb placed inside a Bangkok religious shrine frequented by tourists exploded on Monday evening, according to a senior official of The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

Speaking to the Times of Oman, Chalermsak Suranant, director of the TAT, Middle East, said that the Omani, who fell to the ground during the bomb blast, is already back home after a primary checkup at the hospital.

In a statement to the Oman News Agency (ONA), Abdullah bin Saleh Al Maimani, the Sultanate’s ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand, said that no fatalities were recorded among Omanis in the explosion that rocked the Thai capital, Bangkok.

“One Omani fell to the ground due to the severity of the explosion when he was on his way to the hotel, but he is fine,” he told ONA. The injured Omani has been identified as Fahd bin Massoud

EXPLOSION SITE: Experts investigate the Erawan shrine at the site of a deadly blast in central Bangkok, Thailand, on Tuesday. -Reuters

bin Khalid Al Harthy. “The explosion is currently under police investigation and the authorities are contacting the families of the blast victims and helping the injured to get medical treatment in local hospitals.

“The Thai tourism industry has mobilised the support of its members to assist and facilitate tourists affected by the incident, such as providing interpreters and helping with immediate travel arrangements,” he said. >A6 See also > A16

NOTICE In the framework of the keenness of Royal Oman Police to organise and facilitate its services and dealings in the field of issuance and renewal of residence ID cards to expatriates, the Directorate General of Civil Status and its Directorates in the Governorates will follow the following procedures in renewing residency ID cards (for expatriates): 1- The Directorate will receive applications for ID cards renewal (for expatriates) without the need for the related party (the resident) to approach the service centre in person, but only the employer or the legally authorised person shall appear to finalise the procedures for renewing the residency card without specifying a certain number of transactions.

2- What is stated in item 1 above shall not apply to applications for change of employer or profession.

3- As for the first issuance of the residency ID card, the previously applied procedures shall remain intact, i.e. the attendance of the concerned party (the resident) in person to the service centre is necessary.

4- Transactions shall be accepted during official working hours and the implementation of these procedures shall start from 23/8/2015.

5- Applications for issuance and renewal of residence ID cards must be submitted within (30) days from the date of the resident’s entry to the Sultanate or the expiry of the residency ID card in order to avoid the legally prescribed fine.

With best wishes

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2015

OMAN ALAWI MEETS GERMAN MINISTER Yousef bin Alawi bin Abdullah, Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs met in Berlin on Tuesday with Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, German Minister of Foreign Affairs. — ONA

With increasing numbers of road accidents being reported at night, the Ministry of Tourism is working to develop fog detectors to assist drivers Tourists to get SMS and fog detectors for road safety >A3

Miscarriage risk linked to lifestyle The cause of miscarriage can

Lifestyle factors that cause of miscarriage include smoking, alcohol consumption and stress

be determined in around 50 per cent cases, but there are avoidable risks which could help reduce the chances

Dr Rahma Al Ghabshi

of miscarriage

Recurrent miscarriage specialist

ELHAM POURMOHAMMADI

elham@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Although the causes of miscarriage are still not well understood, a combination of lifestyle changes can help reduce the risk, says a senior consultant at the Royal Hospital.

The cause of miscarriage can be determined in around 50 per cent of cases, but there are some avoidable risks, said Dr Rahma Al Ghabshi, a reproductive, endocrine and recurrent miscarriage specialist.

Speaking to the Times of Oman, Dr Al Ghabshi noted that lifestyle factors associated with miscarriage include smoking, exposure to second-hand smoke, alcohol consumption and stress. According to her, obesity is another important factor which can increase the risk of miscarriage as it is linked to other health problems such as abnormal sugar levels and high blood pressure and may affect blood supply as well.

Obesity is also associated with thyroid issues, she said, adding that any imbalance in the body may result in higher risk of miscarriage.

Genetic factors The senior consultant added that genetic factors and chromosomal abnormalities can cause miscarriage and a woman who suffers a miscarriage due to genetic factors may need to undergo in vitro fertilisation (IVF).

In some cases, a miscarriage is associated with uterine issues or cervical incompetence, she said, adding that bacteria may be linked with miscarriage as well.

Some medical conditions such as diabetes and kidney disorders are also associated with miscarriage because of the medications which are sometimes not easy to stop due to the pregnancy, noted Dr Al Ghabshi.

An increase in maternal age also raises the risk of miscarriage, she said and added that Vitamin D deďŹ ciency can be a risk factor too.

According to her, some other immunologic (related to immunity system), endocrine (related to hormones) or thrombophilic (related to abnormality of blood coagulation) factors may be involved as well.

In addition, there are environmental factors which may

increase the risk of miscarriage.

Chemicals used while growing fruits and vegetables on some farms, pesticides, lead, mercury, anaesthetic gases (nitrous oxide) and pollution may increase the chances of miscarriage in women who are exposed to them, said Dr Al Ghabshi.

However, still more studies need to be conducted to determine what amount of these chemicals may cause miscarriage, she added. Environmental and lifestyle risk factors may be the reason behind the increase in miscarriage rate in the world, the expert noted.

Dr Al Ghabshi explained that, in some cases, miscarriage can be prevented by certain measures, or issues related to it can be treated.

She added that, internationally, 50 per cent of all conceptions fail, with most of them being unrecognised pregnancies, meaning that the woman did not know that she was pregnant.

Global statistics show that 13 to 15 per cent of recognised pregnancies are lost, with 90 per cent of them happening before 12 to 14 weeks, said Dr Al Ghabshi.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2015

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SMS, fog detectors to ensure tourist safety

SAFETY FIRST: The fog detector will provide automatic control over fog signals and will be available in hazardous areas.–Supplied photos

According to a statement of the Ministry of Tourism, a larger number of accidents happen at night, and reduced visibility contributes to these accidents

Times News Service MUSCAT: To ensure that tourists are safe on the country’s roads, the Ministry of Tourism plans to send text messages to tourists with advice and guidance.

The messages will provide information, along with safety reguEXEMPTION

Georgia, Serbia visa-free entry Staff Reporter MUSCAT: Omanis have been exempted from entry visa to Georgia and Serbia, the Sultanate’s foreign affairs ministry tweeted.“Omanis have been exempted from entry visa to Georgia and Serbia,” the ministry tweet read.

According to Serbia’s foreign affairs website, for holders of diplomatic and official passports and ordinary passports and other travel documents, no visas required for visits of up to 90 days.

NAT I O NA L E C O N O M Y

Wusta plan to attract tourists Times News Service MUSCAT: In a bid to attract more tourists to the Al Wusta Governorate, the Ministry of Tourism has significantly revamped the amenities and services available to visitors.

According to Azad bin Amer Tamman Al Omari, director of tourism in the governorate, several projects have been launched under the supervision of the Ministry of Tourism in Al Wusta with a view to enhancing the quality and range of services for tourists visiting the governorate.

One of the key projects is the establishment of a Tourism Information Centre in the State of Haima. The centre distributes brochures, guides and booklets with a wealth of information about prominent tourist sites in the Al Wusta region, including their history and culture. The staff members at the information centre are professionally trained to offer relevant information to the visitors about tourist sites and their rich heritage value.

Also, several portable toilets that work round-the-clock have been installed across the region.

Furthermore, the ministry has ensured that major hotels and guest houses in the region provide high quality services.

He noted that the number of hotel rooms and chalets in the governorate has increased to 551, and are distributed across the four states.

lations in areas where tourists travel. Further, with increasing number of road accidents being reported at night, the Ministry of Tourism is working to develop fog detectors to assist drivers.

Officials are coordinating with Hilal bin Salem Al Siyabi, who has developed a fog detector.

According to a Ministry of Tourism statement, a larger proportion of accidents occur at night than during the day, as reduced visibility may contribute to these accidents. Additionally, when there is fog along roadways, visibility decreases further.

The fog detector being developed will provide automatic control over fog signals and will be available in hazardous areas. The device will be able to detect fog when vehicles are moving, even along roads where there is no street lighting.

The Ministry of Tourism says these innovative traffic safety systems will also be available at tourist destinations. During the fog season, a team was sent from the Ministry of Tourism to test

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whether the device was able to alert drivers during fog. Additionally, team members installed a sensor in front of a vehicle to alert drivers of objects on the road within 18 meters of their car, in a bid to avoid collisions. It is hoped that this technology could significantly help reduce traffic accidents during the rain season.

The plans were discussed when the Ministry of Tourism participated in a recent traffic safety campaign. The slogan for that campaign was, ‘Drive safely and enjoy the beauty of Oman’.

These activities helped create awareness about traffic safety and reducing traffic accidents.

Officials are working to make these technologies available to all tourists.

NCSI SURVEY

Salalah tourism booms Times News Service MUSCAT: A massive number of tourists have visited Salalah, at the start of the Khareef season this year, according to the Ministry of Tourism.

The city is also currently celebrating the famed Salalah Tourism Festival, a major tourist attraction that draws thousands of local, regional and international visitors.

Figures from the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) show that 393,312 tourists flocked to the city from June 21 to August 11 compared to 272,306 visitors with the same period in 2014.

Kicking off simultaneously with the commemoration of the Oman Renaissance Day on July 23, the festival celebrates the monsoon season with various activities.

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2015

OMAN

It was so much fun! If your mother and father are working you just stay in the house, watch TV and eat popcorn. You don’t make any activity. But this workshop made us so happy!

Rahaf Shktour, Bait Al Baranda’s art workshop participant

Children showcase creative talent

SUMMER WORKSHOP: This year the annual summer workshop, now in its ninth year, focused on three subjects — clay, hand-stitched dolls and drawing cartoon characters.

The students were eager to share their work with the guests at the opening.–Jun Estrada/TIMES OF OMAN

The annual summer

I think it’s a great value to the students to utilise their summer period for something which will benefit them for their skills and their future education. They will learn how to make things by their own hands. They will learn how to be independent Abdullah Al Saadi

workshop at the Bait

Director General at Muscat Municipality

Al Baranda, open to children aged SCAN THIS QR CODE TO INSTANTLY VISIT

six to 16, is a way

PHOTO GALLERY

to promote art and

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

creativity among young people in the Sultanate

SARAH MACDONALD sarah@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: For two weeks the children in Bait Al Baranda’s summer art workshop moulded clay, stitched recycled material together, drew and painted, even on the walls, and on Tuesday their masterpieces were revealed at an exhibition celebrating their work.

The annual summer workshop, open to children aged 6 to 16 years, is a way to promote art and creativity among young people in Oman.

This year the workshop, now in its ninth year, focused on three subjects - clay, hand-stitched dolls and drawing cartoon characters.

The students were eager to share their work with the guests at the opening. Twelve-year-old Rahaf Shktour explained how she had made a doll from old socks.

The socks were cut and sewn together and stuffed with cotton.

Rahaf added yarn hair and button eyes, and even sewed a little dress for the doll.

“It was so much fun! If your mother and father are working you just stay in the house, watch TV and eat popcorn. You don’t make any activity. But this workshop made us so happy!” Rahaf said, adding that her sisters and brothers also participated in the workshop.

Guest of honour for the exhibition, Abdullah Al Saadi, Director General for Projects at Mus-

cat Municipality, said he was impressed by the children’s creativity and said it’s important for the city to support initiatives like this one. He said he was thankful for the staff at Bait Al Baranda for organising the workshops year after year.

Utilising summer holidays “I think it’s a great value to the students to utilise their summer period for something which will benefit them for their skills and their future education. They

will learn how to make things by their own hands. They will learn how to be independent,” Al Saadi commented.

Yasser Al Lawati’s son Amar, 8, also participated in the workshop and learned a lot about working with clay. Al Lawati said it was a great way for Amar to spend his time during the summer holidays.

“This is a great opportunity.

It’s good encouragement for him to pursue these hobbies,” Al Lawati said.

Al Lawati said such programmes

were also important because the students are exposed to a variety of arts and learn to use different materials which are not taught in school art classes. As this year’s workshop wrapped up, Malik Al Hinai, Director of Bait Al Baranda, was already looking ahead to the future.

“I think for us it’s our duty to make sure this continues. What we find very satisfying is that the participants are happy to come year after year and take different mediums of art. They take what they learned back to school and teach others so it’s a process that is really nice,” said Al Hinai.

I N D E P E N D E N C E D AY

Pakistani students present special tableau to mark Independence Day

CULTURAL FIESTA: A special tableau was presented by the students of junior classes.– Supplied photo

Times News Service MUSCAT: A special tableau was presented by the students of junior classes as the Pakistan School Muscat hosted an Independence Day function at Dr A Q Khan Hall on the August 14 to celebrate the 69th Independence Day of Paki-

stan. The occasion was celebrated with the traditional fervour.

Salaman Tahir and Muhammad Waqas, in their oration, infused the sense of responsibility to value the hard-won freedom trailed by untiring struggles and heart rendering sacrifices of the Muslims.

Mirza Goher Baig put up a performance which conveyed the brimming spirits of Pakistan.

He filled the hearts of the audience with the relentless love for Pakistan with the song ‘Hai Juzba Junoon’.

The show represented Pakistan as a proud nation.

INDIANS CELEBRATE INDEPENDENCE DAY IN SOHAR The Indian Social Club, Sohar celebrated the 69th Independence Day with a colourful programme. The occasion was marked by performance by children and their parents with the theme of ‘Parade of Indian History’. — Supplied photo

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2015 Corporate social responsibility is of paramount importance to us as our daily activities have a great impact on our environment Hossam Kamal, general manager of the Salalah Rotana Resort

OMAN P R I VAT E S E C T O R

‘Firms must have A1 both Omanis, expats’ < FROM

Mohammad Kabir Ahmed, managing director of United Dreams LLC, said, “We will be able to plan out our expatriate and Omani recruitment much ahead. But my suggestion is that every company should have a good balance of Omanis and expatriates so that it runs smoothly. Then it will be a winwin situation for everyone.”

The numbers The total number of Omanis working in the private sector until the end of last June reached 206,054 compared to the 204,591 last May. The maximum number of workers received salaries ranging between

OMR325 and OMR400, while workers receiving salaries ranging between OMR900 and OMR2,000 were the lowest.

Salaries On the other hand, the category of citizens who received salaries exceeding OMR2,000 numbered 6,967, including 6,224 males and 743 females.

The latest statistics issued by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) indicated that the number of male Omani citizens working in the private sector reached 158,613, while females numbers are 47,441.

New official to oversee Batinah plan payment Many people are not happy with the

Most of the families are fishermen, and by moving over 200 families inland, they are no longer willing to make the long drive to the sea to go fishing

compensation as within two years of shifting to the houses, they have started to crack, claimed one of the residents

Times News Service MUSCAT: In a move to assist those seeking compensation, Sheikh Saif bin Mohammed bin Saif Al Shabibi, Minister of Housing, recently issued Ministerial Decision No. (89/2015) appointing Muhanna bin Saleh bin Said Al Manthari as manager of the Al Batinah Coastal Road Compensation Project.

He will report to the minister’s office and be subject to the direct supervision of the Minister.

Moreover, the ministerial decision stated that Al Manthari is in charge of the Al Batinah coastal road compensation project and all staff — both government workers and employees from private sector companies.

He will also be responsible for overseeing the budget and financial procedures. Other responsibilities include reviewing outstanding cases of cash and in-kind compensation, in coordination with directorates and in keeping with principles and rules of compensation.

MINISTERIAL DECISION: The housing minister appointed Muhanna bin Saleh bin Said Al Manthari as manager of Al Batinah Coastal Road Compensation Project to oversee compensation.

Welcoming the move, Abu Anwar, a resident of Barka said, “I hope this helps. Many are not happy with the compensation. Within two years of local residents living in the houses, they have started to crack. The houses are beautiful, no doubt, but they are made from poor materials.

Fishing families “Most of the families are fishermen, and by moving over 200 families inland, they are no longer willing to make the long drive to the sea to go fishing.

“The houses are also small compared to their old houses, and you need a considerable amount of space for an average family of five.

“Those who accepted cash compensation were able to build their own houses on land they already owned. Barka is facing less trouble than others up the road to Sohar. They are in much worse shape than in Barka.”

Meanwhile, the manager of Al Batinah Coastal Road Compensation Project will oversee inventory and compensation for the properties and set up a database for all citizens who received compensation in each of the affected Wilayats, in addition to coordination with the Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources on removing the housing affected by the project, which have been evacuated.

Further, the manager is in charge of meeting citizens whose properties were affected by the project, respond to their enquiries, propose appropriate solutions for their problems, and prepare compensation and set the appropriate procedures to submit for the minister to approve them.

In accordance with the decision, the manager shall follow up on providing alternative housing in the Wilayats effected by the project and find solutions for any

Abu Anwar, Barka resident

obstacles that might impede carrying out the solutions, in coordination with the General Directorate of Projects in the ministry.

Also, the manager shall coordinate with the Committee of Property Valuation in the Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources on the amount of compensation for those who qualify.

Direct coordination There should be direct coordination with Walis and other government bodies. Also, monthly reports are to be submitted detailing the progress of the work, as well as any problems being confronted, if any, and submit them to the minister.

Moreover, Al Manthari is to participate in the submission of proposals subject to the development and improvement in work, attend meetings, committees and workshops related to the project.

G O O D I N I T I AT I V E

Salalah Rotana Resort deputes its employees to clean beach

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: Salalah Rotana Resort, the Sultanate’s largest free-standing five-star hotel, utilised the services of its employees for cleaning the Salalah Beach. – Supplied photo

Times News Service SALALAH: As part of its corporate social responsibility initiative and to boost team building, Salalah Rotana Resort set a day aside for a “Beach Cleaning Drive” where colleagues were invited for a day to clean its private beach by picking up any visible waste material.

Salalah Rotana Resort, the Sultanate’s largest free-standing five-star hotel, utilised the services of its employees for cleaning the Salalah Beach. The famous beach houses the waterfront resort with an 11,000-square metre private beach.

Industry stakeholders have continuously called upon organisations to be more environmentally conscious by engaging in activities that have minimal impact on the environment.

Compassion Hossam Kamal, general manager of the Salalah Rotana Resort, said: “Corporate social responsibility is of paramount importance to us as our daily activities have a great impact on our environment. It is, therefore, our responsibility to show compassion to our surroundings.”

“The beach cleaning drive de-

picts our commitment towards providing a safe and clean beach to our guests and also reinforcing the Rotana corporate sustainability initiative,Rotana Earth, which has been developed to address environmental, economic and social issues,’’ he added.

The activity brought together 40 colleagues from different departments including Human Resources, Marketing, Finance, and Housekeeping, apart from Learning and Development, IT, Recreation, and Revenue. It also included the Kitchen, Spa, Engineering, Food and Beverage, and Stewarding along with the general

manager and executive assistant manager,who together collected 112kg waste in 28 bags. Named ‘Oman’s Leading Beach Resort’ by the World Travel Awards 2015, Salalah Rotana Resort’s hospitality offering is designed to accommodate every type of traveller.

The 400-room resort features four food and beverage venues, a ‘Bodylines Fitness and Wellness Club’, ‘Zen the spa at Rotana’ and ‘Flipper’s Kids Club’. In addition, guests can enjoy the resort’s private beach, three outdoor swimming pools, a Jacuzzi, two tennis courts and a 250-seat outdoor amphitheatre.

BANGKOK BLAST

< FROM

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Security beefed up in Thailand

In a situation update, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) said that Thai authorities have stepped up security at key locations in Bangkok following the explosion at the city’s Ratchaprasong Intersection.

The Thai police have requested that locals and tourists to exercise caution when out and about in Bangkok.

“The Royal Thai Police have

increased their presence and put extra security in place at all of Bangkok’s key tourist areas after the incident. Citywide patrols are in place to ensure the safety of locals and visitors to the Thai capital,” it added.

Meanwhile, overall life in the city is continuing as normal. All public services and banks are open to the public.

“As for tourist businesses,

other tourist sites, hotels, restaurants, tour operators, and shopping malls remain open, while transportation links, major roads and airports continue to operate. This includes Bangkok’s BTS Skytrain and MRT services and both Don Muang and Suvarnabhumi International Airports receive domestic and international flights. In addition, events that the Tourism Authority of

Thailand (TAT) is supporting remain as scheduled, such as the “Way of Silk, the Way of Thai: A Tribute to Her Majesty the Queen” silk exhibition in Bangkok from August 17 to 30, TBEX Asia 2015 from October 15 to 17 and the nationwide Loi Krathong festivities in November, as well as all other domestic and overseas marketing activities,” it added. -With inputs from ONA

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2015 Civilians in southern Yemen have found themselves trapped in a deadly crossfire between Houthi loyalists and anti-Houthi groups on the ground, while facing the persistent threat of coalition airstrikes Donatella Rovera, Senior crisis response adviser at Amnesty International

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Coalition warplanes

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

destroyed warehouses and cranes in the Red Sea port of Hodeida

SANAA/DUBAI: Warplanes from a Saudi-led coalition hit the Houthi-controlled Red Sea port of Hodeida on Tuesday, destroying cranes and warehouses in the main entry point for aid supplies to Yemen’s north.

Rival factions also battled further south overnight in Yemen’s third city, Taez, Arab television stations reported, as local militias opposed to the Houthis attempted to consolidate recent advances on it.

Call for probe The human rights group Amnesty International meanwhile said the Saudi-led air campaign had left a “bloody trail of civilian death” which could amount to war crimes. An Amnesty report said it had investigated eight coalition air strikes in Yemen that killed 141 civilians, including children.

Evidence revealed a pattern of strikes against populated areas, in

HEAVY BOMBARDMENT: A worker walks on debris following an air strike on Yemen’s Hodeida port on

Tuesday. – Reuters

most of which no military target could be located nearby, it said. “All the parties to this conflict have displayed a ruthless and wanton disregard for the safety of civilians,” said Donatella Rovera, senior crisis response adviser at Amnesty.

“Civilians in southern Yemen have found themselves trapped in a deadly crossfire between Houthi loyalists and anti-Houthi groups on the ground, while facing the

persistent threat of coalition airstrikes,” said Rovera.

The report speaks of a “gruesome and bloody trail of death and destruction in (third city) Taez and Aden from unlawful attacks, which may amount to war crimes, by all parties.”

Amnesty called on the UN Human Rights Council to form an international commission of enquiry to investigate “alleged war crimes”

committed during the conflict.

“Perpetrators of the callous attacks against civilians in Yemen need to know that they will pay the price and will be held responsible for war crimes,” Rovera said.

Last Tuesday, the World Health Organization said the conflict had claimed 4,345 lives from the escalation of fighting in March to August 5. According to UN figures, half of those killed are civilians, and 80

PA R L I A M E N TA RY R E P O R T

Maliki rejects blame for fall of Mosul BAGHDAD/BEIRUT: Iraq’s former Prime Minister Nuri Al Maliki on Tuesday denounced as worthless a parliamentary report which blamed him and others for the fall of Mosul to IS militant group last year and which called for them to be referred to the judiciary.

“There is no value to the results that came out of the parliamentary investigation committee”, Maliki said on Facebook in his first public comments since the report was released on Sunday and referred to the public prosecutor on Monday. Maliki, who has been in Iran since Friday according to his website, said political differences in the panel compromised its objectivity. By seeking to provide accountability for the loss of Mosul, the report could help restore confidence in the government, especially among minority community marginalised by Maliki’s divisive politics.

It coincided with a campaign by Prime Minister Haider Al Abadi to reduce Iraq’s patronage system, another move which could help rebuild a security apparatus riven

IN TROUBLED WATERS: Iraq’s former Prime Minister Nuri Al Maliki. – AFP

with graft and mismanagement, but also risks further splits.

Abadi sacked a third of his cabinet on Sunday. On Tuesday he ordered the positions of advisers hired as contractors in ministries to be eliminated and limited the number of advisers for himself, the president, and the parliamentary speaker to five each.

The reforms follow weeks of street protests in Baghdad and southern cities demanding better government services and a call by leading cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali Al Sistani to “strike with an iron

fist” against corruption. They are the biggest move yet by Abadi to strengthen his hand, even as nearly a third of Iraq’s territory has fallen to IS and the central government faces a financial crisis from the collapsing price of its oil exports. The parliamentary report alleged that Maliki had an inaccurate picture of the threat to Mosul because he chose commanders who engaged in corruption and failed to hold them accountable.

Maliki, who had previously accused unnamed countries, commanders and rival politicians of plotting the city’s fall, on Tuesday blamed Turkish and Iraqi Kurdish leaders.

“What happened in Mosul was a conspiracy planned in Ankara, then the conspiracy moved to Erbil,” he said in a second Facebook post, referring to the capitals of neighbouring Turkey and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), a semi-autonomous region in northern Iraq whose forces have taken a leading role in battling IS. The report criticised the Turk-

NAT I O N AT WA R

UN supports push for Syrian peace plan after deadly raids BEIRUT: The UN Security Council has backed a push for Syrian peace talks in a rare show of unity after widespread condemnation of regime air strikes that killed nearly 100 people.

Analysts said the vote showed new resolve to address Syria’s conflict, but cautioned it was only a first step and that serious differences between the two sides remained. The Security Council statement, the first of its kind in two years, urges a political transition and backs a plan to create working groups to discuss ending the war. It was approved hours after UN officials, including peace envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura, expressed horror at regime air strikes that killed nearly 100 people in a rebel-held town near Damascus.

On Tuesday, Syria’s government hit back at de Mistura’s criticism, accusing him of “making statements that lack objectivity”.

The 16-point council statement backed an approach outlined by de Mistura last month after talks with parties to the four-year conflict. It proposes four working groups with members from the government and opposition to discuss safety and protection, counterterrorism, political and legal issues and reconstruction.

The council urged “a Syrianled political process leading to a political transition that meets the legitimate aspirations of the

HELPING HAND: United Nations (UN) Humanitarian Chief and Emergency Relief Coordinator Stephen O’Brien chats with a Syrian refugee girl inside a tent at a makeshift settlement in Saadnayel in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley on Monday. – Reuters

Syrian people”. It called for “an inclusive transitional governing body with full executive powers” to be formed with “mutual consent while ensuring continuity of governmental institutions”.

It made no mention of President Bashar Al Assad, whose future has long been a sticking point in peace talks.

Assad and his backers say he was legitimately elected and cannot be forced aside, but the opposition insists his departure must be part of any peace deal.

The vote follows a flurry of diplomatic activity led by regime backer Moscow, which in recent weeks hosted Syrian opposition

figures and officials from Saudi Arabia, a key opposition backer.

The council’s vote reflects “an unanimity that is unprecedented for several years,” said analyst Karim Emile Bitar, a senior fellow at the IRIS think tank in Paris.

“I think it reflects a common awareness of the general state of fatigue in both parties, the fatigue and even exhaustion of both sides,” he said.

But Bitar said the plan was only a “first step”.

“At this stage, neither side is willing to make additional concessions that could allow this rapprochement to have concrete effects on the ground.” — AFP

ish consul in Nineveh, of which Mosul is the capital, for alleged links to IS, and Kurdish peshmerga fighters accused of confiscating weapons and ammunition abandoned by the military.

The consul was seized after Mosul’s fall but released three months later following negotiations. Turkish officials from Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu down have repeatedly and categorically denied supporting radical groups including IS. KRG Spokesman Safeen Dizayee said Erbil respected the panel’s findings and accused Maliki of trying to shift blame away from himself. The Kurds have said the president of Iraq’s Kurdistan region, Massoud Barzani, warned Baghdad that Mosul was in danger shortly before its fall but Maliki refused their assistance.

The army’s collapse in Mosul left the Baghdad government dependent on militias, many funded and assisted by neighbouring Iran, to defend the capital from the radical insurgents and recapture lost ground. — Reuters

percent of the country’s 21 million people need aid and protection.

Coalition officials could not immediately be reached for comment on the Amnesty report but has previously denied targeting civilians.

Amnesty also said it had investigated 30 attacks in Aden and Taez by the Houthis that killed 68 civilians and also may amount to war crimes.

The Houthis seized Yemen’s capital Sanaa last September in what they called a revolution against a corrupt government, then took over much of the country.

The Saudi-backed President Abdrabbo Mansour Hadi fled to the southern port of Aden, then escaped to Riyadh in March. Gulf Arab countries led by Saudi Arabia intervened in the conflict to push back.

Loyalist forces, backed by Gulf Arab planes, weapons and training, have been on the offensive since breaking out of Aden last month, claiming a string of gains against the Houthis.

The war has killed more than 4,300 people, many of them civilians, and spread disease and hunger in one of the Arab world’s poorest states.

Hodeida, lying about 150km (95 miles) due west of Sanaa, has

become a focal point of Yemen’s humanitarian crisis, which the International Committee of the Red Cross said last week was critical.

Officials said the latest raids destroyed the port’s four cranes and also hit warehouses, bringing work to a halt. There was no information on what was in the warehouses.

Aid groups have previously complained that a coalition naval blockade has stopped relief supplies entering Yemen. The coalition, in which the United Arab Emirates (UAE) also plays a big military role, has accused the Houthis of commandeering aid shipments for war use.

Anti-Houthi groups have pushed the northern militia out of some southern provinces since late July, but while that has allowed aid to reach Aden in the south, the humanitarian crisis elsewhere remains critical.

Besides advancing from the south, coalition-backed forces are also fighting the Houthis and Saleh’s troops on a second front around Marib, northeast of Sanaa.

As well as retaining a foothold in Taiz, the Houthis and allied army units loyal to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh control the northern highlands and Red Sea coastal plain as far south as Ibb, where coalition-backed forces advanced last week.

Ibb is about 50km (30 miles) north of Taiz and 200 km southeast of Hodeida. — Agencies

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2015

INDIA

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley does not want to say that India is not growing at a rapid pace. He has changed the way the GDP is measured. The whole world is saying what have you done?

Rahul Gandhi, Congress vice president

PM targets Nitish, announces package for poll-bound Bihar Narendra Modi announced a whopping Rs1.25 lakh crore for Bihar, promising the state will touch new heights of development if the BJP is voted to power

ARRAH (Bihar): In a major prepoll sop for Bihar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced package of Rs1.25 lakh crore, promising that the state will touch new heights of development if the BJP is voted to power.

Modi also hit out at Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for putting the prestige of Bihar at stake for his political gains by pleading with the previous UPA government for packages and getting only Rs12,000 crore.

“I am here today to fulfil my promise to you. I am announcing a package of Rs1.25 lakh crore for Bihar. Now you give me your blessings to change the fate of Bihar... Only development will benefit the state and eradicate its poverty. Bihar will touch new heights of development,” he said at a government function where several projects were launched.

Modi also made it clear that the Rs1.25 lakh crore package will be in addition to the ongoing development projects worth Rs40,657 crore, announced previously.

Banking on development Amid high-stakes Assembly election, BJP is banking heavily on the Centre’s development package to wrest power from Kumar, its one time ally-turned-rival, who has now joined hands with Lalu Prasad’s RJD to take on the saffron combine.

Attacking Kumar for his claim that Bihar was no longer a ‘Bimaru’ state as claimed by Modi in his previous rally in Bihar, Modi wondered why the chief minis-

MAJOR PRE-POLL SOP: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Union Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari during the laying of the foundation stone of four-lane Patna-Buxar road and a bridge parallel to Abdul Bari Bridge over river Sone at Koilwar near Ara on Tuesday. - PTI

Nitish trashes Modi’s package, says it’s only ‘repackaging’ PATNA: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday rubbished Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s election-eve Rs 1.25 lakh crore special package as “repackaging of old projects” and took him on for branding the state as Bimaru.

Kumar also assailed Modi’s manner of announcing the economic package, contending it looked like it was “an auction of Bihar”.

“How many times will you slaughter a chicken. He has repackaged old projects,” Kumar told reporters, barely an hour after Modi had left the state after announcing the package for state’s economic revival.

ter had been seeking packages all the time.

“Our chief minister turned very angry and said who is Modi to call Bihar a ‘bimaru’ state. He said with authority that Bihar is no longer a bimaru state. If it is true, then I will be the happiest person.

I welcome this.

“Tell me, if somebody is healthy,

The bonhomie on display in the morning when Kumar had gone to receive Modi at the airport had vanished as he tore into the prime minister’s claims about building a ‘naya Bihar’.

“He talks about cooperative federalism but does exactly the opposite. He will humiliate the state government, call it incompetent... What kind of cooperative federalism is this?”he said. On PM’s remark that Kumar had pleaded with the erstwhile UPA government for a Rs 12,000 crore package and also Modi’s“arrogant” barb against him, the Bihar chief minister said, “He calls

will he go to a doctor. If somebody’s stomach is full, will he go anywhere seeking food? I am surprised that on the one hand he says Bihar is not Bimaru and on the other he keeps asking for something or the other.

Let the people of Bihar decide,” Modi, accompanied by many union ministers, said.

me a ‘Yachak’ (supplicant) and an arrogant man at the same time. This is contradictory.”

Kumar once again trashed Modi’s Bimaru(Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh) remark to describe Bihar.

“Bihar government has built 66,500 km roads, over 5000 bridges, brought down school dropout rate to 1.5 per cent from 12.5 per cent and footfall at primary health centres has gone up to 11,000 every month from mere 39 in 2005,” he said,rejecting the laggard tag and presenting the picture of a turnaround under his stewardship. - PTI

Later addressing a rally in Saharasa, the Prime Minister cited latest state government crime figures to argue that Bihar was already hearing the footsteps of ‘jungle raaj’, a jibe at Kumar’s alliance with Lalu Prasad’s RJD, whose government in the 90s was criticised for the poor law and order situation.

Between January and June 2015, heinous crimes had risen by 34 per cent and murders by 46 per cent across the state, he said, adding these were signs of ‘jungle raaj’. Numbers of riots had increased by 72 per cent, he said.

“Tell me, these are signs of jungle raaj or not. Your life will become difficult or not... You give us power in Patna and we will sort out all your problems,” the prime minister said.

Lashing out at Kumar, Modi said he has “sat in the lap” of Congress which had jailed Jayaprakash Narayan and called it a “betrayal” with the socialist leader.

“I have announced a Rs1.25 lakh crore package to change the fate of Bihar, to make a ‘naya’ Bihar. I assure you that I will change the face of Bihar,” he told a rally as he sought their votes for the BJP-led NDA. Talking of Kumar’s decision to split with BJP in 2013, which Modi dubbed as a betrayal with the saffron party and the people of Bihar, the Prime Minister said he ran to the then UPA government offering his support to it if the state was given a package.

“He got Rs 12,000 crore and began dancing over it. This package played with the self-respect of Bihar... The total package I have given is Rs1.65 lakh crore,” Modi said, underlining that the Rs1.25 crore package was in addition to several projects worth Rs40,000 crore announced earlier.

The Prime Minister also made a mention of 2008 Kosi floods, which had badly hit the region, and targeted Kumar for returning Rs5 crore cheque sent to Bihar by him as the then Gujarat Chief Minister.

“Is this behaviour appropriate in public life? People in the Kosi region may die but I will not leave my arrogance.

“Those who cannot leave their arrogance should be left or not?,” he said, without naming the chief minister.

Kumar had returned the cheque after Modi put out advertisements in Bihar newspapers about it, which he saw as an attempt by the BJP leader to build his political capital.

This was Modi’s third rally in Bihar and first in the Mithila region, which the NDA had swept in the Lok Sabha polls. - PTI

ECONOMY

Moody’s flags monsoon risks, cuts growth forecast to 7% NEW DELHI: Cautioning that slow reforms pace could dent growth, Moody’s Investors Service on Tuesday cut India’s growth forecast for this fiscal to around 7 per cent from 7.5 per cent projected earlier, citing belownormal rainfall.

“We have revised our GDP growth forecast down to around 7 per cent in light of a drier-thanaverage monsoon although rainfall was not as low as feared at the start of the season,” Moody’s Investors Service said in its ‘Global Macro Outlook for 2015-16’.Saying India’s growth outlook is resilient beyond shortterm monsoon effects, Moody’s has retained growth forecast for 2016-17 at 7.5 per cent.

“One main risk to our forecast is the pace of reforms slows significantly as consensus behind the need for reforms weakens once the least controversial aspects of the government’s plan have been implemented,” Moody’s said.

Political logjam The key reforms legislation with regard to GST and land acquisition could not be passed by Parliament in the monsoon session because of political logjam. Moody’s growth projection is lower than the estimates of International Monetary Fund, which projected India to grow at 7.5 per cent in 2015-16.

Both Moody’s and IMF’s growth projections, however, are lower than the estimates of the Finance Ministry and RBI. The Ministry expects GDP growth to be 8-8.5 per cent while the RBI has pegged it at 7.6 per cent for 2015-16.

Moody’s Sovereign Rating Analyst Atsi Sheth said: “We reiterate that at 7 per cent, we are forecasting India to be among the fastestgrowing large emerging markets this year. And we expect growth to accelerate by next year.”

Sheth said the GDP forecast hinges on three parameters.

First, the recent macro-economic and bank credit growth data,which shows economic indicators are moving in a positive direction, albeit slowly.

Second, although this year’s monsoon is less weak than originally anticipated, its performance was such that a significant boost to rural incomes is unlikely in the near term, limiting an important driver of growth in India. - PTI

POLITICS

Modi government is working only for capitalists: Rahul AMETHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday made a scathing attack on the Narendra Modi government, accusing it of working only for the sake of capitalists.

The Congress, he said, could alone protect the interests of the country for which the party needs to be strengthened. “Narendra Modi government is working only for the sake of capitalists,” the Congress Vice President said while interacting with people in Pure Ladai village during a twoday visit to his Lok Sabha constituency, which began on Tuesday.

Referring to the Centre’s Land Acquisition Bill, he alleged that the NDA government wanted to grab the land of the farmers through this legislation “but Congress went hammer and tongs against the measure and opposed it”. At the same time, he said his party could not meet the aspirations of the people to the desired extent as it was not in power at the Centre or Uttar Pradesh.

Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday also made light of Prime Minister

Narendra Modi’s announcement of a Rs1.25 lakh crore package for poll-bound eastern Indian state of Bihar, saying he is in the habit of giving such promises for votes and feared it would go the “One Rank One Pension” way.

The Congress Vice President also said that Modi has funds for Bihar package, but when it comes to ex-servicemen, he cites shortage of money. “He has money for foreign trips, but not for our jawans.”

Hours after Modi announced the Bihar package at a rally in the state, Rahul on visit to his Lok Sabha constituency pilloried the prime minister and said he would not be surprised if he announces a similar package for north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh before it goes to polls which is due in 2017.

“Modi had promised OROP during Lok Sabha elections. Has the promise been fulfilled?” Rahul retorted when his comments were sought on Modi’s Bihar package.

Ex-servicemen are agitating in Delhi for implementation of Government’s promise of One Rank,

The Congress Vice President said that Modi has funds for Bihar package, but when it comes to ex-servicemen, he cites shortage of money. ‘He has money for foreign trips, but not for our jawans’ INTERACTION: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi interacts with people in Shukul Bazar during his Amethi visit on Tuesday. -PTI

One Pension(OROP). Rahul was talking to reporters in Raniganj village in Shukulbazar on the first day of his visit.

On his first visit to Amethi after the Monsoon session of Parliament which saw Congress creating

a storm over issues like Vyapam scam, Lalit Modi row and Land Acquisition Bill, Rahul also made a scathing attack on the Modi government, accusing it of working only for the sake of capitalists.

“Modi spoke about package in

Bihar. By making such promises, time is wasted.

“He speaks and people listen and then comes another promise.

BJP and Modi ji think that the whole world lives in dreams.

“But the world works to earn

their money and this is a joke that is happening. And they are thinking that the countrymen will not understand this. Give them 1.5 lakh crore rupees and they will be in agreement... That if they (people) are made promises of job, they will fall (for them),” he said at an interaction with locals.

The Congress leader reminded people of Modi’s promise of getting back black money from abroad and depositing Rs1.5 million in the bank account of every citizen on coming to power.

“What happened to the promise,” he posed, adding Modi was only luring the people of Bihar by promising a bountiful package.

Rahul also charged the Modi government with changing the parameters of measuring the economic growth to claim that it was growing at a good rate. “Finance Minister Arun Jaitley does not want to say that India is not growing at a rapid pace. “He has changed the way the GDP is measured. The whole world is saying what have you done?” he said. - PTI

TRENDSETTER

Kochi airport world’s first to run on solar power KOCHI: Scripting a new chapter, the Cochin International Airport here on Tuesday became the first in the world to operate completely on solar power.

Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy inaugurated the 12 MWp solar power plant, comprising 46,150 solar panels laid across 45 acres near the cargo complex, at a function at the airport on Tuesday. With this, the airport will have 50,000 to 60,000 units of electricity per day to be consumed for all its operational func-

tions, which technically makes the airport ‘absolutely power neutral,’ Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL)said in a release, adding, it is the first airport in the world to operate completely on solar power.

CIAL had ventured into the Solar PV sector during March 2013, by installing a 100 kWp solar PV Plant on the roof top of the Arrival Terminal Block.

This was a trendsetter in the field of grid-connected solar PV in Kerala. The plant was installed by

the Kolkata-based Vikram Solar Pvt.Ltd. A total of 400 polycrystalline modules of 250Wp with five numbers of 20kW capacity ‘Refu-sol make string inverters’ were used in this plant.

It is a grid connected system without any battery storage. After the successful commissioning of this plant, CIAL installed a 1 MWp solar PV power plant partly on the roof top and partly on the ground in the Aircraft Maintenance Hangar facility within the airport premises. - PTI

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INDIA

Landslide kills seven in Himachal Pradesh Rescue worker Pankaj Goswami said there was a stampede-like condition at the time of the incident. He said there were no details about the number of people staying in the residential complex at the time of the landslide.

“At present, a search is on to locate the people, if any, buried under the mound of debris,” he added.

A mound of boulders and debris from the hill atop the eight-storeyed residential complex got dislodged due to heavy rain

KULLU: Seven people were killed and nine injured on Tuesday when boulders and debris rolled down a hillside onto a famous Sikh shrine at Manikaran in Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh, officials said.

The sanctum sanctorum is safe.

“Seven people were killed and nine injured in the landslide.

Part of the residential area in the shrine is badly damaged,” Deputy Commissioner Rakesh Kanwar said over phone.

A mound of boulders and debris from the hill atop the eightstoreyed residential complex got dislodged due to the recent heavy rain and struck it around 2pm.

Rescue personnel from the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), police and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) were involved in the

DAMAGED: The damaged building of the famous Sikh shrine Gurdwara Manikaran Sahib is pictured at Manikaran, in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh on Tuesday. - AFP

relief and rescue operation.

SSB official Sandeep Yadav told reporters that a huge boulder hit the building, badly damaging 3-4 rooms in four floors.

A majority of the debris fell into the Parvati river, flowing near the building. He said the entire area has been vacated as there were chances of more landslides.

Sanctum sanctorum safe Official sources said the sanctum sanctorum and the temple located in its vicinity were safe.

The Manikaran shrine, located in the Parvati Valley along the banks of the Parvati river, is some 50km from the Kullu district headquarters and 250 from state capital Shimla.

The river is also on spate these days due to heavy rain in its catchment. The area is also known for its hot springs of water with high sulphur concentration.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh expressed grief over the incident.

This was a second major tragedy in the vicinity of the Manikaran shrine.

An overcrowded tourist bus from Punjab bound for the Sikh shrine with 69 passengers onboard skidded off the road and fell into the swollen Parvati river on July 23.

Eighteen bodies have been taken out so far, while 23 were rescued.The remaining 28 people and the bus are still missing. - IANS

A P P L I C AT I O N

Jaitley launches SBI’s mobile wallet ‘Buddy’ MUMBAI: Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Tuesday launched the State Bank Of India’s mobile wallet ‘Buddy’ and said technological advances would change the habits of consumers.

“There are millions of people who will no longer have to rely on passbooks, and cheque books will become outdated due to mobile wallet.... Cash transactions will go down and expenditure will become easier,” he remarked.

Available in 13 Indian languag-

es, the ‘Buddy’ application can be used by all customers irrespective of the bank they bank with or the card they use.

With features like send money, ask money, send reminders to settle dues, transfer additional cash into an account of the customer’s choice free of cost, Buddy has been launched on Google Playstore. It will soon be available on Apple app stores.

It can be used for recharge, pay bills instantly, book movie tickets, flights, hotels and shop-

ping with secure and convenient digital payments.

Jaitley also unveiled the bank’s subsidiary SBI Foundation’s website, set up for implementing the SBI Group’s Corporate Social Responsibility activities.

The SBI Foundation will promote and help the causes related to education, environment, health, women empowerment and child welfare and other such activities under the ambit of CSR and sustainability policy of the entire SBI Group.

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

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Speaking on the occasion, Jayant Sinha, minister of state for finance, said it was not the money but management approach, stable relationship and performance contracts that were far more important in funding of Non-Governmental Organisations.

On the occasion, Jaitley felicitated Dr. Huzaifa Khorakiwala, executive director and trustee of Wockhardt Foundation for its exemplary work in the area of sanitation and construction of toilets in record time. - IANS

FIRST LADY

President’s wife passes away NEW DELHI: President Pranab Mukherjee’s wife Suvra Mukherjee, who has been ailing for some time, passed away on Tuesday.

Suvra, an accomplished Rabindra Sangeet singer, was 74.

The First Lady, who remained hospitalised for 11 days, breathed her last at 10.51am at the Army Research and Referral Hospital here.

“It is informed with deep sorrow that First Lady Smt. Suvra Mukherjee passed away this morning (August 18, 2015). She left for her heavenly abode at 10.51am,” Rashtrapati Bhawan spokesman Venu Rajamony said in a statement.

Army Hospital Suvra was admitted to the Army Hospital on August 7 after she complained of breathlessness and discomfort. Since then she was in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Besides her husband, Suvra is sur-

Suvra Mukherjee

vived by two sons Abhijit Mukherjee, a Congress MP, and Indrajit Mukherjee and one daughter Sharmistha, who unsuccessfully contested the Delhi Assembly elections on a Congress ticket.

Pranab got married to Suvra on July 13,1957. The First Lady hailed from Jessore, now in Bangladesh, and had migrated to Kolkata at the age of 10 years. - PTI

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2015

PAKISTAN DEFUNCT CHANNEL

ENJOYING TAXI RIDE

ARY media group to take over Bol TV

A child looks out of the window of a pickup being used as a taxi in Peshawar, Pakistan on Tuesday. — Reuters

KARACHI: ARY Digital Network CEO Salman Iqbal on Tuesday announced the company’s takeover of now defunct Bol TV’s management, Express News reported.

Vowing to get the channel on cable, the founder of ARY group said the media group would launch the channel within three weeks.

Terming the move to take over Bol as second biggest revolution in the media industry in Pakistan after the announcement of the launch of channel, Iqbal said the basic aim of the move was to provide job security to the thousands of workers who lost their jobs when Bol TV was not allowed to launch due to its link with the tainted Axact. “We cannot let thousands of people stay unemployed,” he added.

Addressing the gathering at Bol TV studio, he said, “We are not here to take down anyone.” Iqbal added that their first priority will be to clear Bol TV’s dues.

He further said that there is no agenda behind take over of Bol. In May, the information and broadcasting ministry had asked the country’s media regulatory body to block Bol TV transmissions until the investigation into the channel’s parent company Axact is complete. - Express Tribune

MQM lawmaker Godil critically injured in Karachi gun attack The shooting comes a week after members of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, Karachi, offered their resignations from their seats in parliament over what they described as a campaign of victimisation against them

A spokesman at the Liaquat National Hospital, where Godil was taken, said the politician was struck by five bullets to his head, jaw and chest and a team of doctors was trying to stabilise him

KARACHI: Four attackers on motorcycles opened fire on the car of a Pakistani lawmaker on Tuesday, critically wounding him and killing his driver in an attack that raised tensions in the country’s largest city Karachi.

Rashid Godil, a legislator from the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) opposition party, was in his parked car at a traffic light in the eastern Bahadurabad neighbourhood when the unidentified men began firing.

BULLET HOLES: Police look at the bullet holes in the car of Abdul Rashid Godil, a member of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement after he was shot at, at a hospital in Karachi, Pakistan, on Tuesday. — Reuters

“The attackers came from behind the car and opened fire, injuring Rashid Godil critically,” Abid Kaimkhani, a senior police officer, told AFP. Godil’s driver died in the attack, he added.

Senior police officer Javed Jis-

kani told media that bullet casings taken from the scene matched a 9mm pistol, adding that CCTV footage was being examined.

A spokesman at the Liaquat National Hospital, where Godil was taken, said the politician was

struck by five bullets to his head, jaw and chest and a team of doctors was trying to stabilise him.

Senior MQM leader Haidar Abbas Rizvi said the next 48 hours would be crucial for Godil.

The shooting comes a week af-

ter members of the MQM, which dominates politics in Karachi, offered their resignations from their seats in parliament over what they described as a campaign of victimisation against them.

The resignations have not yet been formally accepted by the government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, which is trying to get the party to reverse its decision.

The party denies the charges

and says it has been unfairly targeted in a police and paramilitary crackdown on violence in the city that began in 2013.

Shops and offices closed for business in the east of the city after the news, while the University of Karachi postponed examinations that were to be held in the evening.

Tensions have also been rising in recent months between MQM chief Altaf Hussain, who rules the party from London, and the country’s powerful military establishment.

Mutilated bodies The rift widened in June, when Hussain, in an address to his workers accused the paramilitary Rangers of torturing and killing party workers and dumping their mutilated bodies on roadsides.

The party has accused law enforcement agencies of the extrajudicial killing of 40 of its supporters and the forcible “disappearance” of 150 more.

The attack also comes two days after suicide bombers killed Shuja Khanzada, a senior Pakistani provincial minister who had campaigned against militants, along with 15 others attending a meeting in the country’s north.

It was later claimed by the Pakistani Taliban who said it was revenge for the killing of a sectarian militant commander. — AFP

M A K I N G PA K I S TA N P R O U D

Malala to appear on US talk show host Ellen’s programme ISLAMABAD: The youngest change activist in the world — Malala Yousafzai — is claiming a foothold in the west as she is all set to appear on The Ellen DeGeneres Show with none other than Hillary Clinton.

Host Ellen DeGeneres took to Twitter to announce the participation of the Noble Prize winner along with the United States’ presidential candidate and a former US Olympic star during the show’s premiere week.

Malala previously appeared on Jon Stewart’s The Daily Show — that aired it’s last episode earlier this month.

Nobel laureate Nothing that Malala Yousafzai achieves seems startling anymore but she continues to make Pakistan proud. The youngest-ever Nobel laureate has also been a part of George Washington University’s Leadership Programme.

Malala has also made it to Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential List twice.

Malala Yousafzai

Ellen DeGeneres

Ellen DeGeneres took to Twitter to announce the participation of the Noble Prize winner along with the United States’ presidential candidate Time presented its annual list in April, naming the most influential people worldwide, including artists and leaders to pioneers, titans and icons.

The 17–year-old was listed in

the ‘Icons’ category of the list with other renowned personalities, including Pope Franics, writer Haruki Murakami, designer Diane von Furstenburg and others. — Express Tribune

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2015

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Debris of doomed Indonesia plane found; no survivors Major-General Heronimus Guru, operations director at Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency, said in the capital Jakarta that the passengers’ remains were being

REMAINS: Indonesian rescuers search through wreckage of the Trigana Air ATR 42-300 twin-turboprop plane at the crash site in the mountainous area of Oksibil on Tuesday.— AFP

put into body bags but poor weather had hampered efforts to recover them by air

JAKARTA: All 54 people on board a Trigana Air aircraft were killed in a crash two days ago in Indonesia’s Papua province, the latest in a string of aviation disasters in the Southeast Asian archipelago, officials said on Tuesday.

Major-General Heronimus Guru, operations director at Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency, told a news conference in the capital the passengers’ remains were being put into body bags but poor weather had hampered efforts to recover them by air.

Cause of crash Officials have declined to comment on the cause of Sunday’s crash until the results of an investigation by the national transport safety committee are known, but Guru said the terrain in Indonesia’s easternmost province may have been a factor.

“There’s a possibility the aircraft hit a peak and then fell into a ravine because the place that it was found in is steep,” he said.

The treacherous terrain of forest-covered ridges hampered rescuers’ efforts to reach the site where the Trigana Air Service ATR 42-300 plane came down.

The aircraft’s black box flight

Indonesia has a patchy aviation record, with two other major crashes in the past year. In December, an AirAsia flight went down in the Java Sea, killing all 162 on board. More than 100 people died in June in the crash of a military transport plane

recorder, which should provide investigators with some answers, was found in the early afternoon.

The device will be taken to Oksibil town tomorrow, depending on the weather, Guru said.

Television broadcast footage of rescuers in camouflage fatigues and surgical masks hacking through foliage and sifting through debris at the crash site as a helicopter hovered overhead.

There were 44 adult passengers, five children and infants and five crew on the short-haul flight from provincial capital Jayapura south to Oksibil.

The twin turboprop aircraft was also carrying about $470,000 as part of a village assistance programme.

Flown by air Poor infrastructure in the province means aid money is often flown in by air, said Abu Sofjan, spokesman for the national postal service, four of whose workers were among the passengers.

There was no suggestion the

money was somehow linked to the crash.

Five members of the Bintang Highlands district parliament and government were also on board, online news service detik.com reported. Reuters was not able to verify the report.

All on board were Indonesian, officials have said.

Banned carriers Officials of Trigana, placed on a European Union list of banned carriers since 2007 over safety or regulatory concerns, were not immediately available for comment.

The aircraft made its first flight 27 years ago, online database Aviation Safety Network says. Trigana Air Service has a fleet of 14 aircraft, which are 26.6 years old on average, according to the airfleets. net database.

Trigana has had 14 serious incidents since it began operations in 1991, Aviation Safety Network says. Besides the latest crash, it has written off 10 aircraft.

Indonesia has a patchy avia-

C I V I L WA R

US, Britain push for UN sanctions on South Sudan UNITED NATIONS/KAMPALA: The United States and Britain pushed for UN sanctions Tuesday to punish South Sudan’s government over its failure to sign a peace deal as the Security Council weighed its next move to help end the nearly two-year war.

South Sudan rebel chief Riek Machar signed the power-sharing agreement late Monday but President Salva Kiir only initialed part of it and said he would return to the table in early September to finalise the accord.

The US envoy for political affairs, David Pressman, called the latest failure to end the 20-month conflict “outrageous” and said it was time to pile pressure on those who are blocking a peace deal.

The council must “take action to mobilise our collective resources and increase pressure accordingly on those frustrating peace,” he added.

The US diplomat also called for steps to ensure that those responsible for atrocities in the war -- which has killed tens of thousands -- face justice.

The accord was brokered by the eight-nation East African IGAD bloc, bolstered by the UN, the European Union, the African Union, China and other players -- including Britain and the United States.

“If the government will not sign up to the IGAD-plus deal, then we must all be firm on our next steps,” British Deputy Ambassador Peter Wilson told the 15member council.

“We cannot sit by while leaders fight and their people’s suffering grows.”

The council last month imposed sanctions on six commanders -- three from the government

NO SIGN OF PEACE: South Sudan’s rebel leader Riek Machar, centre, shakes hand with South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir, second right, during a peace signing attended by leaders from the region in Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa, on Monday. - Reuters

forces and three from the rebels -- the first to be blacklisted by the United Nations over the conflict.

A travel ban and an assets freeze were slapped on the six men and the council is considering adding new names to the sanctions list, as well as an arms embargo.

But China, which has oil interests in South Sudan, said the government should be allowed more time to come onboard.

“The best solution would be to reach an agreement,” said Chinese Ambassador Liu Jieyi.

South Sudan has been torn by fighting between forces loyal to Kiir and rebels allied with his Machar, his former deputy, since December 2013 and the violence has imploded along ethnic lines.

Nearly 70 percent of the country’s population is fac-

ing food shortages while nearly 200,000 civilians are sheltering in UN bases.

Earlier, Uganda told South Sudan’s warring factions to put their egos aside and make peace.

Kiir asked for another 15 days of discussions, shrugging off pressure from regional mediators to meet a Monday deadline for a deal. His spokesman told journalists in Juba on Tuesday the pact on the table had been a “sell-out”, without going into details.

“The Ugandan government knows how strenuous it is to achieve peace between belligerents, especially when the belligerents have big egos and when those belligerents put their personal egos above national interests,” Ugandan government spokesman Shaban Bantariza said in Kampala. — Agencies

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BLACK BOX: An Indonesian soldier is seen holding the recovered ‘black box’ flight data recorder from the Trigana Air ATR 42-300 aircraft crash site in the mountainous area of Oksibil on Tuesday.

— AFP/INDONESIAN ARMY CENDRAWASIH MILITARY COMMAND

tion record, with two other major crashes in the past year.

In December, an AirAsia flight went down in the Java Sea, killing all 162 on board.

More than 100 people died in June in the crash of a military transport plane.

Indonesia scored poorly on a 2014 safety audit by the UN aviation agency, largely because its Ministry of Transportation is understaffed, said two sources familiar with the matter, as the country struggles to cope with the rapid expansion of air travel. — Reuters

S-300

Iran set to buy four Russian surface-to-air missiles DUBAI: Iran will sign a contract with Russia next week to buy four S-300 surface-to-air missile systems, the Iranian defence minister said on Tuesday, bringing Tehran closer to acquiring an advanced air defence capability.

Russian state arms producer Almaz-Antey in June said it would supply Iran with a modernised version of the S-300, among the world’s most capable air defence systems, once a commercial agreement was reached.

“The text of the contract is ready and our friends will go to Russia next week to sign the contract,” Defence Minister Hossein Dehghan was quoted as saying by the Fars news agency.

Russia says it cancelled a contract to deliver S-300s to Iran in 2010 under pressure from the West. But President Vladimir Putin lifted that self-imposed ban in April following an interim nuclear deal between Iran and world powers.

Tuesday’s announcement came a day after Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif visited Moscow to discuss the civil war in Syria, in which Tehran and Moscow support President Bashar Al Assad. Western powers and most Arab countries have called for Assad to resign as part of a peace deal.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed Israel’s “dismay” at Russia’s decision to supply the S-300s to Tehran.

Dehghan said Iran had initially planned to acquire three “battalions” of S-300 launchers, but had since increased its order to four.

He did not specify how many missile launchers would be in each battalion, a standard military grouping whose size can vary depending on nationality, equipment and role.

Pieter Wezeman, an arms expert at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, said each battalion was likely to be an independent unit comprising a radar system, control system, and an unknown number of launchers.

“With four battalions, they should be able to deploy missile systems in four different locations,” he said. The S-300, first deployed at the height of the Cold War in 1979, can engage multiple aircraft and ballistic missiles up to 300 km away. — Reuters

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US candidates are too fixated on China

Location: Salalah/Photo: Dr Mahmudul Hasan

F

or the Chinese government, November 2016 can’t arrive soon enough. Last week’s currency devaluation ensured Beijing will serve as a political punching bag during America’s presidential campaign.

Donald Trump set the stage with tweets like “Devalue means suck the blood out of the United States!” and “I’ve been warning about China since as early as the 80’s. No one wanted to listen. Now our country is in real trouble.” Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham called the devaluation “just the latest in a long history of cheating,” while Democratic Sen. Bob Casey urged the Treasury Department to label China a currency manipulator.

There’s a time-warp quality to this sort of China bashing. The assumption among some officials in Washington still seems to be that China is trying to boost its export machine at the expense of American workers. But China’s economic priorities -- and the motives for its economic policy -- have shifted dramatically in recent years.

If China were really trying to close factories in Detroit and Seattle, its devaluation would have been on the order of 15 per cent or 20 per cent, not a mere 3 per cent.

China is far more concerned about its service sector than manufacturing. Since 2013, services have generated a larger share of China’s growth than exports. And that share continues to grow: In the first half of 2015, services accounted for 50 percent of GDP, a rise of 2.1 percent from a year earlier. The Chinese government, moreover, has reason to think it can outcompete American manufacturing, even in the absence of currency shenanigans. In the five years prior to the devaluation, the yuan surged an inflation-adjusted 33 percent against major trading partners. Chinese businesses nonetheless held their own against the competition. o far this year, China’s share of global exports surged to an unprecedented 15 per cent from 8.7 percent five years ago.

The reality is China’s devaluation was a response to financial markets that have been trying to drive the yuan lower. Beijing probably also wanted to buy itself some breathing room to redouble its economic reform efforts. It’s much easier to take on state-owned enterprises and

encourage the creation of new small-and-midsize services when giant exporters (a group SOEs dominate) are happy. Neither of these goals should cause unease in Washington. The first (a marketdetermined yuan) is exactly what the White House has long recommended, while the second (a services boom) is something that can only help American manufacturers.

To be sure, there’s plenty of reasons to criticize Chinese trade practices. Nomura political analyst Alastair Newton has said that when the history of the early 21st century is written decades from now, the impact of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 may pale in comparison to another epochal moment that year: China’s entry into the World Trade Organisation.

The prevailing opinion had been that would force Beijing to play by global rules. Instead, China has been bending the international trading system to its own preferences. Global economic norms proved no match for China’s subsidies for politically-connected enterprises, questionable respect for intellectual property rights, statesponsored computer hacking, opaque crackdowns on foreign companies and poor labour and environmental standards.

American officials can also fairly criticize Beijing for exporting pollution, allowing runaway military spending, engaging in provocations in the South China Sea, and supporting rogue regimes like North Korea.

But currency policy doesn’t deserve a prominent place on any such list.

In fact, U.S. officials should welcome China’s devaluation, and respond by requesting a diplomatic quid pro quo: We will look the other way (as we do with Japan) so long as you accelerate efforts to expand service industries. A services boom in mainland China would mean more than just an increase in the number of companies like Alibaba hoping to trade on New York’s stock exchange. It would also mean increased living standards for China’s 1.3 billion people, which could mean more imports of American goods.

In economics, as in politics, you have to choose your battles, and China’s currency policy is a fair subject for debate. But if America’s presidential candidates choose to crudely criticize the yuan’s devaluation, it’s their own motives that should be examined, not China’s. —Bloomberg News

READERS’ FORUM Women will feel safer in taxis driven by females This refers to the online story, ‘Call to allow Omani women to obtain licences for taxis’ (August 18). It’s a good idea as it will help our sisters feel safer on the road. Women in the region do not like to be transported by men. The taxis should be owned by companies and controlled by meters so that there is a fixed charge.

— Ahmed Al Habsi, Muscat

What’s wrong with women driving the taxis?

Scan this QR code to send letters to the Readers’ Forum, 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).

This refers to the online story, ‘Call to allow Omani women to obtain licences for taxis’ (August 18). We already have Omani women school bus drivers and learning licence instructors so what’s wrong with women driving taxis? I would feel safer and more secure and comfortable in a taxi driven by a woman.

— Nabila Braganza, Muscat

Amazon’s hiring approach feels a little like the traditional law or consulting firm set-up -- bring in lots of really smart young people and work them hard. That arrangement has been unraveling lately in the law, but who’s to say it can’t work for another decade or two at Amazon? bit.ly/workcultureatamazon

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FROM OUR ARCHIVES AUGUST 2000

SHARK FISHING

No tax on profits gained through shares of firms MUSCAT: An official source at the Ministry of Finance said the amendments to Article 8 of the Income Tax Law on Companies, issued under Royal Decree No 68/2000, stipulates that tax would not be imposed on profits gained by a company through shares in the capital of the other companies. The source added that amendment to Article 51 exempts universities, colleges and private higher institutions from the tax.

In Oman, 2015 (in tonnes)

March

761

February

Who cares about a plant that lived 130 million years ago?

This refers to the online story, Plant from 130 million years ago is among ‘first flowers’ (August 18). I keep on seeing such articles on news portals everyday. However, I cannot understand why such news stories are used. Who cares about a plant that lived 130 million years ago? Wouldn’t it be better if scientists looked into how natural phenomena like earthquakes can be prevented? Or for that matter, how to end inequalities across the globe. It seems to me that such research studies are a means to gather funds.

— Aslam Wahidi, Wadi Adai

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1759 The French fleet is destroyed by the British under “Old Dreadnought” Boscawen at the battle of Lagos Bay.

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1870: Prussian forces defeat the French at the Battle of Gravelotte during the Franco-Prussian War.

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1939: The film The Wizard of Oz opens in New York City.

1988: Republican Convention in New Orleans nominate the George H.W. Bush-Dan Quayle ticket.

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A13

SPECIAL

It may be a well-trodden route, but the migrants rely on Facebook and word-of-mouth to navigate their journeys, and even at the border they are confused when police stop them from passing, uncertain when or if they will be allowed to cross.

Sailing between hope and despair While most of the refugees taking the illegal route to northern Europe in search of a better life are Syrians, there is also an Afghan family, the youngest daughter playing with a blonde doll in the dirt, groups of men from Pakistan and Iraq, and an Iranian couple

EDOMENI (GREECE): Beyond the fields of sunflowers on the other side of the railway tracks outside a small village in northern Greece, hundreds of refugees gather on a patch of litter-strewn earth beneath the beating sun, uncertain of what happens next.

Two stone blocks and half a dozen Macedonian policemen are the only border markings at what has become a funnelling point for tens of thousands of men, women and children taking this route to northern Europe in search of a better life.

After landing on the Greek islands from Turkey, many of the refugees and migrants are hurrying to the border without waiting for the authorities to issue them with official travel documents, desperate to cross Serbia before Hungary fences off its border.

“As Syrian refugees, all of us feel lost,” says 29-year-old English teacher Ruba Mustafa.

After fleeing her hometown, the IS militant group stronghold of Raqa in Syria, she lost all her belongings in the crossing from Turkey when she was forced to throw her bag into the sea when her boat started taking on water.

Travelling with her brothers and their wives, she does not know where they will end up.

“We’re searching for peace and a happy life, because in our country we lost this,” she says.

“We’re looking for a safe place where people will receive us as human beings.”

While most of the 1,000-2,000 people crossing each day are Syrians, there is also an Afghan family, the youngest daughter playing with a blonde doll in the dirt, groups of men from Pakistan and Iraq, and a tattooed Iranian couple who say they are fleeing persecution.

Every half hour, police wave through a group of 50-100 to catch a cross-country train towards Serbia. An officer ushers away a refugee who is offering him a peach. What he needs, he says, is more resources.

“This is a big problem. Too many people.”

“Wolf”, 27, a professional ballet dancer from the northern Syrian city of Aleppo, flips through his notebook where he has recorded his journey in page after page of dream-like drawings: people traffickers depicted as wild beasts, tired feet, a swirl of faces.

“These are the faces of the people,” he says. “Some of them despair, some of them optimistic, some of them happy. You can see hope sometimes, sometime no.

“We don’t have a lot to lose now.

We just keep going to our goal whatever.”

More than 160,000 refugees and migrants have landed this year in Greece, with Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras saying the debt-ridden country is unable to cope.

Fellow EU member Hungary, which has already registered over 100,000 asylum seekers this year, plans to finish its anti-migrant fence on the Serbian border by the end of August.

The European Union has pledged new funding for what it calls the worst refugee crisis since World War II, but what little help there is on offer in Edomeni is made up of a small network of locals handing out donated water, food and clothes, and a team from Medecins Sans Frontieres.

“Why are you helping us?” says one man after being given a small bottle of water. “We’re running

DESPERATE MOVE: A migrant jumps off a small dinghy after arriving to the shores of the Greek island of Kos from Turkey on Tuesday. – AFP

LOOKING FOR A SAFE PLACE: Migrant children stand at the port of Kos, after Greek coast guard intercepted them at sea between Greece and Turkey near Kos island on Tuesday. – AFP

IN SEARCH OF HAPPY LIFE: A migrant mother weeps while hugging her son, after safely arriving to Kos island on Tuesday. – AFP

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from war but nobody helped us since we entered Greece.”

Vasilis Tsartsanis, 42, organises local volunteers and began helping 11 months ago “when the border was controlled by the mafia” and migrants were being beaten and robbed. He believes closing Europe’s borders will not stop the refugees but will only leave them prey to human traffickers, gangs, and corrupt police.

Courage “Let’s be honest, let’s have a little courage and face the reality — they don’t have anything to lose, they can’t return back to Syria or Iraq so they will pass into Europe, they will find a way,” he says.

Nearby an MSF psychologist plays games with a group of children in the hope of providing a rare sense of normality.

A young Syrian boy smiles and laughs and it is only when he is put in a wheelbarrow to be rolled across the border that it becomes clear he cannot walk, after he was hit by a bullet.

Many of the arrivals are from middle-class backgrounds, welldressed and carrying smartphones. “Some of them look like tourists,” says a Greek bus driver, a reminder that war can wrench anybody from their home.

It may be a well-trodden route, but the migrants rely on Facebook and word-of-mouth to navigate their journeys, and even at the border they are confused when police stop them from passing, uncertain when or if they will be allowed to cross.

Unwilling to fight for President Bashar Al Assad’s regime, 24-year-old Omar Abdi fled Syria

FIGHTING FOR SURVIVAL: Young Afghani migrants argue after small scale fight broke out between Syrian and Afghani refugees trying to register with local authorities in the port of Mytilini on the island of Lebos, on Sunday. – AFP

and was smuggled across the land border with Turkey, paying 2,500 euros, sleeping in forests and on the street.

Without travel papers from the

Greek authorities he was not allowed to board a bus in Greece’s second city Thessaloniki, and like many others walked the 80 kilometre (50 mile) road, arriving ex-

hausted but somehow still smiling.

“I don’t want to kill people, I just want to study, not to carry weapons and guns, not to shoot people,” says the English literature gradu-

ate. “They destroyed our dreams, they destroyed my future.

“Most of us have suffered a lot already. We are just doing our best to live a better life.” — AFP

A 14

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2015

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Three held over bloggers’ murders Bangladesh’s elite security force arrested three suspected militants, including a British citizen who police said was the ‘main planner’ of murder of two bloggers

DHAKA: Bangladesh’s elite security force on Tuesday arrested three suspected militants, including a British citizen who police said was the “main planner” of the murder of two prominent atheist bloggers.

Rapid Action Battalion spokes-

men said they arrested Touhidur Rahman, 58, and two other “active members” of group Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT), which was banned in May over a series of killings of bloggers.

“We’ve arrested them in the capital today. We can confirm that Rahman is a Bangladesh-origin British citizen. He is the main planner of the attacks on Avijit Roy and Ananta Bijoy Das,” Major Maksudul Alam of the RAB said.

“He told us that he is a British citizen,” said Mufti Mahmood, the head of the RAB’s legal and media division.

Four secular bloggers have been hacked to death in Bangladesh since the start of the year, including Roy and Das, sparking an international outcry and protests mainly by secular activists in the capital.

Roy, a US citizen who was born in Bangladesh, was murdered in February by a gang wielding machetes in Dhaka.

Das, 33, was killed in similar fashion as he headed to work at a bank in the northeastern city of

and did not go back. He told us that in England he lived in East London,” Mahmood said.

SUSPECTS: Bangladeshi Rapid Action Battalion personnel accompany suspects Touhidur Rahman, second left, Sadek Ali, centre, and Aminul Mallick, second right, who have been arrested for the murder of two prominent atheist bloggers, during a media photocall in Dhaka on Tuesday. - AFP

Sylhet on May 13. The government has vowed to hunt down the killers after facing accusations that too little was being done to stop such attacks.

After studying IT, Rahman

worked for about 22 years in Britain before moving to Bangladesh where he became a top aide to ABT’s firebrand spiritual leader, according to Mahmood.

“He came to Bangladesh in 2012

‘Main financier’ Police described the unmarried Rahman as the main planner of the attacks as well as the “main financier” of ABT, whose members are mostly students from private universities.

Rahman shadowed Roy and Das in the days before their deaths, after ABT’s spiritual leader ordered the group to carry out the killings, according to Mahmood.

“He used to monitor the targets and their movements. He confessed to us that he also helped Ansarullah Bangla Team financially in different ways,” he said.

ABT’s spiritual leader is currently in jail in connection with the killing of another blogger in 2013.

A British Foreign Office spokesman in London said it was aware of reports of a British citizen’s arrest and was seeking more information from Bangladeshi authorities.

The other two suspects ar-

rested are Sadek Ali, 28, who police accuse of taking part in both murders and Aminul Mollick, 35, accused of helping ABT members flee the country by making them fake passports.

Bangladesh police last week also arrested two suspected members of the group for the murder of Niloy Chakrabarti, who became the fourth blogger to be killed when he was hacked to death at his home on August 7.

Chakrabarti, who used the penname Niloy Neel, had posted on Facebook months before his death that he had been followed by two men, but police refused to register the complaint and instead told him to leave the country.

The other victim was 27-yearold secular blogger Washiqur Rahman, who was killed in Dhaka four months ago. Most secular bloggers have gone into hiding, often using pseudonyms in their posts and some have fled abroad.

Police were also investigating claims made by a third party that Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent was behind the killings. - AFP

T O X I C C O N TA M I NAT I O N

Rain in China blast city raises pollution fears

SAMPLES: Soil samples taken from an area near last week’s explosions at a monitoring station to check for environmental pollution located within a 3-km exclusion zone from the explosion site in Binhai new district in Tianjin, China, on Tuesday. - Reuters

TIANJIN(China): Heavy rain fell on Tuesday on the remains of a Chinese industrial site devastated by giant explosions, complicating clean-up efforts and heightening fears about toxic contamination as ceremonies were held to mark the disaster’s 114 deaths.

Around 700 tonnes of highly toxic sodium cyanide were at the site in the northern port of Tianjin, officials say, and water could spread it more widely.

Rainwater could also disperse chemical residues on the ground into the air when it evaporates, and some of the many substances on the scene could react with it.

Amid public anger over the disaster more details about the site operator were reported and a senior work safety official was put under investigation.

Officials have insisted the city’s air and water are safe, but locals and victims’ relatives have voiced scepticism, while international environment group Greenpeace has also urged transparency.

“I’m worried because we don’t know what’s in the rain,” said a taxi driver as he made his way through the morning deluge.”It could be full of poison.”

Out of 40 water testing points, eight showed excess levels of cyanide on Monday, all within a cordoned-off area surrounding the site of the blasts.

The highest reading was 28.4 times official standards, said Bao Jingling, chief engineer at the

Tianjin environmental protection bureau.

The chemical had been detected at another 21 points and cyanide traces were detected at four other seawater testing points, he added.

Authorities have built a dam of sand and earth around the blasts’ central 100,000-square-metre (120,000-square-yard) “core area” to prevent pollutant leakage, Bao said, and drained water from pits and pipelines to make space for the rain.

Sodium cyanide, which has a variety of industrial uses including gold mining, is a toxic white crystal or powder. It can release hydrogen cyanide gas, used in gas chamber executions in the US. Acute exposure at lower concentrations can cause weakness, nausea and eye and skin irritation while chronic exposure can affect the cardiovascular and central nervous systems, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency.

“We are paying high attention to the rain forecast for the coming couple of days,” Bao told reporters.

“We are making plans for the treatment of tens of thousands of tonnes of polluted water in the pit in the core area.”

The air would be “closely monitored” at 18 testing points, and if excessive levels of cyanide or organic compounds were detected the public would be alerted promptly, he promised. - Reuters

PROPOSED NEW CONSTITUTION

Protester shot dead in Nepal KATHMANDU: Nepal police Tuesday fired into a crowd of demonstrators, killing one during protests against a proposed new constitution, as deepening discord spurred lawmakers from a regional party to resign from parliament.

National police spokesman Kamal Singh Bam said the clashes broke out in the southeastern district of Saptari when protesters tried to block a major national highway. Hundreds threw petrol

bombs and stones at security forces, attacking their vehicles and vandalising a local police station, he said.

“One person was killed and five were injured after police were forced to fire to control the violent mob,” Bam said.

Regional parties representing the Madhesi ethnic minority who live in the area called an indefinite strike on Tuesday to protest plans in the constitution to divide Nepal into six provinces. - AFP

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2015

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WORLD CHARTER FLIGHTS

Los AngelesHavana flights to be launched

AN ‘INTERESTING’ DIVE Russian President Vladimir Putin submerges on board C-Explorer 3 bathyscaphe into the waters of the Black Sea outside Sevastopol on Tuesday, to explore sunken shipwrecks. Putin plunged down to a depth of 83 metres seated alongside the pilot in the glass-bubble cabin of the Dutch-made vessel. ‘Eighty three metres is a pretty substantial depth,’ Putin told journalists in televised comments after the dive. ‘It was interesting.’ —AFP/RIA NOVOSTI/ALEXEI NIKOLSKY

WASHINGTON: American Airlines said Tuesday that it would begin weekly charter flights between Los Angeles and Cuban capital Havana in December, as the long freeze between the two countries continues to melt.

American would become the second major US airline to take advantage of loosened restriction on travel between the two longtime enemies, after JetBlue launched direct charter flights between New York and Havana last month.

American has operated charters from Florida to Cuba since 1991 principally serving the large expatriate Cuban community, but the new Los Angeles route recognises the rapidly expanding market for non-Cuban travelers.

“American is the premier carrier in Los Angeles and throughout the Caribbean, and this new charter flight shows how we continue to expand our reach by offering new routes and services our customers want,” said senior vice president Art Torno. As with JetBlue, restrictions will still apply to American Airlines’ Cuba service: Tickets have to be sold through a separate, speciallyauthorised travel company rather than directly by the carrier; and regularly scheduled service is still prohibited. American’s tickets will be sold through Cuba Travel Services, which has long handled tickets for the carrier’s charter flights from Florida. — AFP

Rajapakse admits his comeback dream over Sri Lanka’s former president acknowledged there would be no swift return to power in the role of prime minister after the party of incumbent Ranil Wickremesinghe

DISAPPOINTED: Sri Lanka’s former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, third right, at a polling station on Monday. - Reuters

took an unassailable lead in the poll

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s former strongman Mahinda Rajapakse admitted his dream of a political comeback was over Tuesday, conceding defeat in parliamentary elections while his victorious rival appealed for unity.

Only eight months after his shock defeat in presidential polls, Rajapakse acknowledged there would be no swift return to power in the role of prime minister after the party of incumbent Ranil Wickremesinghe took an unassailable lead.

“My dream of becoming prime

minister has faded away,” Rajapakse told AFP in an early morning phone interview.

“I am conceding. We have lost a good fight.”

While he had been bullish about his chances on polling day, Rajapakse’s tone had changed sharply on Tuesday as he accepted his United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) had lost, long before the final results.

The outcome represents another bitter blow for Rajapakse, who led Sri Lanka for a decade before he was dramatically ousted by his one-time ally Maithripala Sirisena in a January 8 presidential election.

Since then, he has seen a welter of corruption accusations levelled

against him and his close relatives, including his wife.

“There were some who criticised me then (January) for conceding so early in the count, but I did it because it was the right thing to do,” Rajapakse said of the January polls. “This time too we have lost.”

“We have won eight districts and the UNP (ruling United National Party) has 11 (out of a total of 22),” Rajapakse said. “This means we have lost. It was a difficult fight.”

No party appears to have secured an absolute majority of 113 seats in the 225-member parliament, which will force the new government to seek out smaller allies.

While stopping short of proclaiming victory for his party, Wickremesinghe said the outcome was an endorsement of the “January 8 revolution” which brought him to power.

“I thank all those who worked for the victory of the people,” Wickremesinghe said in a statement.

“It is not necessary to divide the people as winners and losers.

I urge all to unite and help build our nation.”

A top aide to the prime minister said the statement amounted to a de facto declaration of victory but Wickremesinghe did not want to strike a triumphant tone.

“He wants to play it down because the thrust of the new government is inclusiveness, unity and reconciliation,” the aide said.

Rajapakse remains hugely popular among large sections of the majority Sinhalese community for presiding over the crushing defeat of Tamil guerrillas in 2009 after their 37-year war for a separate homeland.

But the 69-year-old remains a polarising figure on an island still struggling to come to terms with the past.

He was shunned by Western governments over the brutal end to the island’s ethnic conflict, and remains deeply unpopular among its minorities.

The perception that nepotism and corruption flourished during his administration also damaged his political reputation. — AFP

MAKING HISTORY

First women to graduate from elite US Ranger School WASHINGTON: Two American women will on Friday become the first female soldiers to graduate from the elite Ranger School combat leadership course, the military said.

Graduates of the training programme are some of the toughest and most physically fit soldiers in the US Army, trained in airborne and air assault operations.

The women who graduate this week will still not be allowed to serve with the 75th Ranger Regiment, which has yet to lift its bar on female soldiers.

But women are increasingly being permitted into combat roles in other US Army units.

The notoriously challenging Ranger School welcomed women for the first time this year, following President Barack Obama’s 2013 request that the Pentagon order all branches of the armed forces to open up ground combat roles to women by 2016.

Lead organisations “Congratulations to all of our new Rangers. Each Ranger School graduate has shown the physical and mental toughness to successfully lead organisations at any level,” said Secretary of the Army John McHugh.

“This course has proven that every soldier, regardless of gender, can achieve his or her full potential.”

Nineteen women began the rigorous 61-day training programme

in April but most were eliminated -- along with many men -- and one was sent back to attempt part of the course again.

“We owe soldiers the opportunity to serve successfully in any position where they are qualified and capable, and we continue to look for ways to select, train, and retain the best soldiers to meet our nation’s needs,” McHugh added.

Various phases The intense programme is divided into various phases that test soldiers’ physical and mental toughness, some phases of which have to be repeated to pass.

Many candidates are weeded out in the first four days of punishing marches, navigation drills and physical fitness tests.

In all, students train some 20 hours per day, most of which is field instruction, with just over three hours set aside for sleep, the US Army association reports.

Students patrol some 200 miles (320 kilometers) and carry up to 40 kilos (90 pounds) of equipment.

The progress of the women has been closely monitored by the military community, where the idea of female forces in combat is still a divisive issue. The exclusion of women from combat roles has been cited as a ceiling on female officers as it can in practice prevent them from reaching the highest military ranks where combat experience is considered an indispensable qualification. — AFP

RESEARCH

Plant from 130 million years ago is among ‘first flowers’ MIAMI: An ancient plant that grew underwater in what is modern day Europe, had no petals and bore one single seed may have been the world’s first known flowering plant, a study said on Monday.

“A ‘first flower’ is technically a myth, like the ‘first human,’” said paleobotanist David Dilcher, lead author of the study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, a peer-reviewed US journal.

“But based on this new analysis, we know now that Montsechia is contemporaneous, if not more ancient, than Archaefructus (sinensis),” a similar aquatic plant found in China.

Scientists have known about Montsechia vidalii for a long time.

Its fossils were first discovered

More than 1,000 fossils of the plant, called Montsechia vidalii, were pored over for the new study, which seems to oust a Chinese plant that has also been considered among the first

more than a century ago in the limestone deposits of the Iberian Range in central Spain and in the Montsec Range of the Pyrenees.

But Dilcher said many of the fossils were misinterpreted, because Montsechia “possesses no obvious ‘flower parts,’ such as petals or nectar-producing structures

for attracting insects, and lives out its entire life cycle under water.”

The plant, which may have looked like seaweed that grew in freshwater, contains a single seed, which is the defining characteristic of a flowering plant, or angiosperm. Dilcher said the seed “is borne upside down.”

The stems and leaf structures of the plants “were coaxed from stone by applying hydrochloric acid on a drop-by-drop basis,” said the study.

The specimens were then examined under a stereomicroscope, light microscope and scanning electron microscope.

They date to 125-130 million years ago, around the same time as dinosaurs such as the iguanodon and brachiosaurus roamed the Earth, the study added.

“The reinterpretation of these fossils provides a fascinating new perspective on a major mystery in plant biology,” said Donald Les, a professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Connecticut, who authored a commentary in the same journal. — AFP

MAJOR FIND: Indiana University paleobotanist David Dilcher and colleagues in Europe have identified as a 125 million- to 130 million-year-old freshwater plant as one of earliest flowering plants on Earth. — AFP/Indiana University/David Dilcher

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At least 11 foreigners,

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from China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia were among 20 killed

BANGKOK: Thai authorities said on Tuesday they were hunting a man shown on security footage strolling into a packed shrine wearing a bright yellow T-shirt and placing a bomb-laden backpack, before an explosion that killed at least 20 people.

The attack occurred on Monday in one of the Thai capital’s most popular tourism hubs, ripping through a crowd of worshippers at the shrine close to five-star hotels and upscale shopping malls.

At least 11 of the victims were foreigners, with Chinese, Hong Kong, Singaporean, Indonesian and Malaysian citizens among the 20 confirmed killed, police said.

100 injured British authorities confirmed a Hong Kong resident with a British passport was killed. It was not immediately clear if she was a dual national already counted among two Hong Kong victims. But Thai police have not listed any Britons in their updates on dead or injured from the blast. More than 100 other people were injured as the blast left body parts, shattered glass and incinerated motorcycles strewn across the crushed concrete of a busy intersection.

Junta chief Prayut Chan-O-Cha on Tuesday branded the bombing the “worst ever attack” on Thailand, as he said the hunt was on for

THE SUSPECT: A footage of a suspect in the bomb blast, seen close to the Erawan shrine in Bangkok on Monday. – AFP/Thai Police

the bomber filmed on closed circuit television at the shrine. Police released images showing the man, who appeared young and slightly built, and wearing a yellow T-shirt and dark shorts, walking into the shrine with a backpack.

He sits down and places the backpack underneath a bench, then walks away from the shrine clutching a blue plastic bag while reading what appears to be a

smartphone. National police spokesman Prawut Thavorn said the man left the scene aboard a motorcycle taxi, which are common in Bangkok, and the blast occurred three minutes later.

“It is quite clear that he is the perpetrator in this case,” Prawut told local television station Channel 3, adding police were also trying to track down the motorcycle taxi driver. But Prawut and other

security chiefs did not reveal if they had any motives for the attack. Bangkok has endured a decade of deadly political violence amid a power struggle between the military, backed by the middle class and elite, and the poor led by populist politician Thaksin Shinawatra. He is living in selfimposed exile after being ousted as premier in 2006.

The junta has ruled the nation since May last year after toppling the elected government of Thaksin’s sister, Yingluck.

Bangkok’s power struggle has seen repeated rounds of deadly street protests and bombings for nearly a decade. More than 90 people were killed in 2010 during clashes between security forces and Thaksin supporters -- many in the same area as Monday’s bomb. But the anti-junta groups have never conducted such a large attack, nor one that was apparently aimed at a tourist zone.

No responsibility And with no-one claiming responsibility for Monday’s assault, political and security experts said there was no obvious culprit.

Zachary Abuza, an independent expert on Thai security, told AFP he doubted it was in the interests of the anti-junta groups to carry out such an attack.

“Even if they are hell-bent on bringing down the government I just can’t see them targeting any religious shrine,” Abuza told AFP. “That would really alienate many of their supporters.”

Rebels from the country’s far south have also waged a separatist insurgency for more than a decade that has claimed thousands of lives, mostly civilians.

But they have never been

known to carry out substantial attacks in Bangkok, and Abuza as well as other analysts said Monday’s bombing did not follow the insurgents’ typical modus operandi. Paul Chambers, director of research at the Institute of South East Asian Affairs in Thailand, said groups with links to military factions also had to be considered as potential suspects.

Various militant groups have also carried out many attacks in other parts of Southeast Asia, including on Indonesia’s holiday island of Bali in 2002 that killed 202 people. But they have not made Thailand a prime target.

Junta leaders said the bomb was clearly aimed at damaging the country’s tourist industry, which is a rare bright spot in an otherwise gloomy economy, and tarnishing the junta’s reputation. “(The attackers) had the clear target of destroying our economy and tourism... and discrediting the government,” Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon told reporters. Thailand’s baht currency slumped to a more than six-year low on Tuesday and shares fell on the Bangkok bourse over concerns the attack could damage the tourism sector.

Built in 1956, the Erawan is an enormously popular shrine and visited by thousands of devotees every day. The bomb was detonated shortly before 7:00pm (1200 GMT) in the middle of the city’s rush hour, sending a fireball into the sky as commuters and tourists fled in panic. Thais walking near the blast site on Tuesday expressed fear about more potential violence in the coming days.

“I’m worried about Bangkok, I don’t know what will happen next,” one woman, who gave her name as Rivewan, told AFP. Adding to the tensions, a small explosion struck near a busy Bangkok train station on Tuesday afternoon, but police said nobody was injured. — AFP

TRAGIC END

US ‘Batman’ killed after ‘Batmobile’ breaks down WASHINGTON: A man known for dressing up in a Batman superhero costume to cheer up sick children in hospital was struck and killed on a US highway after his “Batmobile” broke down, reports said.

Lenny Robinson, 51, had got out of his Lamborghini, customised to resemble the Caped Crusader’s “Batmobile”, on an unlit stretch of highway in Maryland Sunday night to check the engine when it was struck by another vehicle, slamming the car into him.

He died at the scene, The Washington Post said.

Robinson, who lived in Maryland and was a father of three boys, worked in the cleaning business before buying an elaborate Batman costume and car, The Post reported.

He spent his free time striding into hospitals across the state, northwest of Washington, visiting sick children, handing out gifts and signing autographs as “Batman”.

Robinson spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on his superhero-themed car and it took him 45 minutes to put on the outfit and makeup, The Post reported.

Internet sensation He became an Internet sensation in 2012 after police footage of him being pulled over in full costume for his Batman license plates went viral.

Asked why children so loved his character, he said, “Batman is the only superhero that doesn’t have superpowers.

“He’s naturally a superhero.

Kids can relate to me a lot better.”

His grieving brother Scott told The Post that he was utterly dedicated to his charity work, “He was my brother, my business partner, my best friend.”

“He touched a lot of lives and made a lot of kids smile. That’s all he wanted to do.” — AFP

B

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CRUDE OIL PRICE

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Type ............................Delivery...........Price

Forex rates vs OMR1* US Dollar ................................. 2.58 Euro ............................................. 2.31 Pound ...........................................1.65 Indian Rs .............................169.20 Pak Rs ...................................260.48 Bangla Taka.......................199.48

Indian Rs .................................. 169.50 Pakistan Rs ............................ 264.00 Sri Lanka Rs .......................... 346.60 Bangla Taka.............................201.70 Phil Peso .....................................119.75

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* Rates as of August 18 Source: Oman UAE Exchange

* Rates are as of August 18 Source: Bank Muscat

Seven firms bid for largest water project in Sultanate Barka IWP, with a planned desalination capacity of 281,000 cubic metres per day, will be the larger of the two schemes. Sohar water desalination project, meanwhile, will have capacity of 250,000 cubic metres per day of water. As water-only schemes, the two projects will not have any new power generation facilities co-located on the site

Consortiums that have submitted bids for Oman’s largest independent water desalination project are Abengoa Water, Itochu Corporation, JGC, GS Inima Environment, Veolia

VITAL PROJECTS: New projects are expected to substantially enhance the availability of potable water in the Sultanate’s northern region, as the couontry has recently witnessed a shortage in water supply due to phenomenal growth in consumption. - File picture

Middle East, Valoriza Agua and Hyflux

A E JAMES

tion, JGC, GS Inima Environment SA, Veolia Middle East, Valoriza Agua SL and Hyflux Ltd, according to Oman Power and Water Procurement Company’s (OPWP) tender notification.

businesseditor@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Seven multinational developers from Singapore, Japan, France and Spain are competing for the Sultanate’s largest independent water desalination project, with a combined capacity of 531,000 cubic metres per day (116.8 million imperial gallons per day (MIGD)). The project will include construction in two locations on Oman’s Batinah coast Barka and Sohar.

The consortiums that have submitted bids for the venture are Abengoa Water, Itochu Corpora-

Completion in April, 2018 OPWP, the sole procurer of new power generation and water desalination capacity, earlier floated the tender, inviting bids from major developers for the project. The water schemes in both project locations are slated for commercial operation by April 2018.

New projects are expected to substantially enhance the availability of potable water in the country’s northern region, as the country has recently seen a shortage in water supply due to phenomenal growth in consumption.

The Barka IWP, with a planned desalination capacity of 281,000 cubic metres per day (61.8 MIGD), will be the larger of the two schemes. The Sohar water desalination project, meanwhile, will have an estimated capacity of 250,000 cubic metres per day (55 MIGD) of water. As water-only schemes, the two projects will not have any new power generation facilities co-located on the site, but electricity will be supplied from the grid.

Seven transnational firms The seven transnational companies leading the consortiums have joined hands with 13 local companies in submitting their bids.

For instance, Abengoa has tied up with National Power and Water Company and Muscat Over-

MARKETS

seas, while GS Inima has formed a consortium with GS Engineering & Construction, Acciona Aqua and Oman Investment Corporation. Likewise, Veolia has formed a consortium with Marubeni Corporation and Nippon Koei; Valoriza formed its ownconsortium with Oman Brunei Investment Company and Sogex Oman; and JGC with JGC Corporation and Tochu Corporation formed a consortium with Degremont, International Power and W J Towell.

However, Hyflux, which is developing the Quriyyat desalination project, is bidding for the project on its own.

Further, GDF Suez, which was pre-qualified for the project, did not submit a bid for the project.

The demand for potable water in Oman’s northern region is projected to grow by six per cent per annum in seven years, from 238 million cubic metres in 2013

to 349 million cubic metres in 2020. Previous seven-year forecasts showed the average annual growth was in the range of three to five per cent, according to a seven-year outlook for power and water demand released by Oman Power and Water Procurement Company last year.

A combination of population growth and industrial development, including tourism projects, is cited as a major reason for the growth in demand for potable water. Of late, the government has invited bids from developers to build temporary desalination plants to meet the demand until the major projects come on stream.

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Muscat 22ct per gm (OMR) .......13.85 Dubai 24ct per gm (Dh) ........... 135.00 Dubai 22ct per gm (Dh) .............128.50 * Rates as of August 18 Source: Malabar Gold & Diamonds

DEBT ISSUE

Iraq plans to issue $6b in bond sale LONDON: Iraq hired banks for its first international bond issue in almost a decade, seeking $6 billion to help plug a widening fiscal deficit.

The government appointed Citigroup, Deutsche Bank and JPMorgan Chase, said Muneer Mohammed Omran, director general of the central bank’s investor department in Baghdad.

The bond programme will be in tranches, with the first sale coming this year, he said by phone on Tuesday. Spokesmen for the banks declined to comment.

Iraq, holder of the world’s fifthlargest oil reserves, is also looking at ways to bolster its finances amid civil conflict and the global slump in oil prices.

Fitch Ratings expects the fiscal deficit to top 10 per cent for 2015 because of lower crude prices, higher military spending and costs associated with civil unrest.

It ranked Iraq five levels below investment grade this month in its first ratings for the country.

“Iraq is going through some difficulties at the moment because of its conflict with ISIS, but oil production is at a record high,” Anthony Simond, a London-based investment analyst who helps manage $13 billion of emergingmarket debt at Aberdeen Asset Management, said by e-mail.

“Things could look a lot different if we see a rebound in oil prices.”

The country also plans to meet with international investors as soon as next month, said two people familiar with the program, asking not to be identified because the talks are private. — Bloomberg News

CRUDE SUPPLIES

Algeria calls for non-Opec crude output cut to arrest falling prices

CLOSE WATCH: Investors monitor screens showing stock market movements at a brokerage house in Shanghai on Tuesday. Shanghai stocks slump over 6.15 per cent in afternoon trade. - AFP

China shares slump by 6% HONG KONG: Asian shares fell on Tuesday, with Shanghai leading the falls as investors doubted Beijing’s commitment to prop up shares while Bangkok slumped after a bomb attack in the Thai capital. The dollar headed higher against the euro, meanwhile, helped by improving confidence in the US housing sector ahead of the release of United States central bank minutes.

Shanghai closed down 6.15 per cent, or 245.51 points, at 3,748.16 — its biggest daily fall in three weeks — while Hong Kong lost 1.43 per cent, or 339.68 points, to end the day at 23,474.97.

Tokyo closed down 0.32 per cent, or 65.79 points, at 20,554.47.

Sydney fell 1.20 per cent, or 64.55 points, to 5,303.10 and Seoul dipped 0.62 per cent, or 12.26 points, to close at 1,956.26.

Thai shares, meanwhile, notched their steepest decline this year and the baht slid to its lowest level since 2009 after a bomb attack killed at least 20 people and injured scores in Bangkok. Asian shares gave up early

gains driven by a higher close on Wall Street as jitters about the health of China’s economy, the world’s second-largest, spread across the region.

Traders in China said they now doubt Shanghai will be able to break above the key 4,000 point level soon without evidence Beijing will unleash fresh stimulus.

“The market lacks the momentum to go up,” Shen Zhengyang, an analyst at Northeast Securities, told AFP, adding: “In the short-term, the market will fluctuate on the weak side.” Markets have long been on edge about slowing growth in China, but concerns reached fever pitch last week after a shock devaluation of the yuan sparked fears it is stalling more than previously though.

The steep fall in the yuan scared many investors into dropping Chinese assets and last week Shanghai and Hong Kong shares saw $531 million net outflows — the ninth week of sales out of 10.

Facing tight liquidity, China’s central bank on Tuesday said it pumped 120 billion yuan into

the money market, which state media said was the largest singleday cash injection since January 2014. Even a pledge on Friday by the securities regulator to keep supporting equities through the state-backed China Securities Finance Corp. for years to come has not reassured some dealers.

“Investors ran for the exit when the government failed to step in to support the market,” Steve Wang, chief China economist at Reorient Financial Markets, told Bloomberg News.

“The CSF has become a main player in this market so everyone is watching it. People panic when it stops buying.” Markets are now awaiting the release of minutes from the Federal Reserve on Wednesday, which could shed light on the US central bank’s timing for an interest rate rise. Speculation the Fed will soon raise its key rate for the first time in almost a decade has strengthened the dollar, while concerns the fall in the yuan could spark a currency war has dragged on many AsiaPacific currencies. — AFP

PARIS: Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) can do little to halt the oil price decline on its own and needs producers from outside the group to help in reducing global supplies, Algeria’s Energy Minister said.

“A supply reduction by Opec alone cannot really guarantee a return to oil market stability,” Salah Khebri said at an event in Algiers, according to Liberte newspaper.

As the 12-member group of crude producing nations accounts for 40 per cent of the world’s supply, “there should be steps taken within Opec and with non-Opecs.”

Emergency meeting Khebri called earlier this month for an Opec emergency meeting because of the continued decline in oil prices, which dropped by half from a year ago amid rising production from the US. Oil and gas sales account for about 60 per cent of Algeria’s budget revenue and 95 per cent of its export income, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Algeria’s initiative to coordinate an Opec response to tumbling crude prices had the backing of cash-strapped fellow members Libya and Venezuela.

It was met with no public response from Opec’s top producer Saudi Arabia, which engineered at the November 27 meeting of the group a shift in its policy away from the historic role of managing prices by adjusting supply.

Saudi Arabia instead lobbied Opec to preserve market share in the hope that prices would recover when higher cost producers such as US shale companies are forced out of the market.

The group stuck to the same policy at its last meeting in June.

Algeria’s Energy Minister Salah Khebri. - Bloomberg file picture

Financial muscle Brent oil, the global benchmark grade, was 14 cents lower at $48.60 a barrel on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange at 12:44pm Singapore time on Tuesday. “Algeria doesn’t have the financial muscle of Gulf Arab oil exporters,” Robin Mills, a Dubaibased analyst at Manaar Energy Consulting, said by e-mail.”Unlike Iran or Iraq, it doesn’t have the capacity to raise crude output; it’s a relatively small, high-cost and declining oil producer among its Opec peers.”

Financial cushion Algeria’s financial cushion has been instrumental in shielding the country of 40 million away from strife that swept through the Middle East and North Africa since 2011, toppling the rulers of

Yemen, Egypt and neighbouring Libya. “The country can increase its oil and gas output, and has renewable energy development projects, but that’s more of a medium-term perspective,” Francis Perrin, director of Paris- based energy consultants Stratener, said in an e-mail.”In the short term, Algeria’s only solution is to dip into the currency reserves.”

Foreign reserves Algeria’s foreign reserves fell 18 per cent to $158.4 billion in March, the last month when the figures are available on Bloomberg data, from a year earlier.

With a population smaller than Algeria and oil production at 10.5 million barrels a day, Saudi Arabia’s reserves dropped eight per cent over the same period to about $667 billion. — Bloomberg News

B2

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2015

MARKET Greece awaits nod for third bailout from five countries With a payment of €3.2b due to ECB on August 20, Greece is waiting for green signal from five euroarea parliaments to receive first tranche of the third bailout

RIFT WIDENS: Greece’s parliamentary vote on a third bailout last week underlined the split within Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras’s governing Syriza party, opening the door to new elections as early as next month. – Bloomberg News

BRUSSELS: With a payment of about €3.2 billion ($3.6 billion) due to the European Central Bank (ECB) on August 20, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is waiting for approval from five euro-area parliaments before he can receive the first tranche from his country’s third bailout package.

Here’s a rundown of the remaining hurdles.

Spain: While it isn’t compulsory for the Spanish parliament to sign off, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy will call a ballot of lawmakers on

Tuesday. Vote expected from 5pm Estonia: The Estonian parliament also votes on Tuesday, with proceedings starting at 2pm Austria: The Austrian parliament’s subcommittee for the bailout mechanism has to approve the aid and is scheduled to meet on Tuesday. The full parliament doesn’t have to vote but may opt to debate the plan all the same.

The Netherlands: The Dutch parliament has been recalled to debate the program at an extraordinary session in The Hague.

The session begins at 12pm on Wednesday.

Germany: The Bundestag meets in Berlin on Wednesday.

While Chancellor Angela Merkel may face a revolt among lawmakers from her party, the plan is expected to be passed in the vote.

Once parliaments have backed the package, the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) board of governors — national finance ministers — will hold a conference call to approve and set in motion the disbursement to Greece

in time for the ECB payment.

Latvia’s European Union affairs committee approved the programme on Monday.

The Finnish parliament’s Grand Committee last week gave the government full powers to approve the programme. French lawmakers endorsed the outline agreement in July. Lithuania’s cabinet approved the deal on Monday. Lawmakers in Belgium, Cyprus, Ireland, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Slovakia and Slovenia won’t have to vote on the plan.

Rift widens Greece’s parliamentary vote on a third bailout last week underlined the split within Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras’s governing Syriza party, opening the door to new elections as early as next month.

Tsipras needed to rely on opposition party votes to pass the legislation after securing the backing of just 118 lawmakers from his governing coalition in the 300seat chamber. After the ballot, a Greek government official indicated Tsipras could hold a vote of confidence in his administration as soon as the bailout is signed.

Defeat would trigger national elections as early as September.

While fresh elections may delay implementation of the bailout, they could also deliver Tsipras a strengthened mandate to enact a package that runs counter to the anti-austerity platform Syriza was elected on in January. The vote must be preceded by a threeday debate in parliament.

- Bloomberg News

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C O R P O R AT E

Oman Chlorine plans to revise

capital base Times News Service MUSCAT: Oman Chlorine board will be seeking an approval to renew the authorised capital to OMR12 million at its ordinary and extraordinary general meetings scheduled to be conducted on September 15.

Other important issues on the agenda to be discussed during the meetings include approval of the board relating to selling part of the company’s stake in its two subsidiaries, Oman Chlorine said on Monday in a disclosure statement to the Muscat Securities Market (MSM).

Cancelling resolutions The company will also seek an approval to cancel the annual general meeting’s (AGM) resolution on March 17, 2011 regarding selling part of Oman Chlorine shareholding in Gulf Chlorine Company (Qatar) to Oman Industrial Development Company at par value plus actual project development cost.

It will also seek the approval to cancel another resolution of March 18, 2013 regarding selling 24 per cent of Oman Chlorine shareholding in Union Chlorine Company (UAE) to Oman Industrial Development Company at par value plus actual project development cost, the company added in its disclosure statement.

ECONOMY

UK inflation rate edges up in July LONDON: Britain’s inflation rate unexpectedly rose in July and a core measure of price growth jumped to the highest in five months. The pound jumped.

The increase in the headline reading to 0.1 per cent from zero was due to clothing prices, with smaller discounts in the summer sales this year compared to a year earlier. Economists in a survey had forecast the rate would stay at zero. The core measure increased to 1.2 per cent from 0.8 per cent, higher than the 0.9 per cent reading predicted by economists.

While the figures published on Tuesday were stronger than anticipated, inflation is still well below the Bank of England’s 2 per cent target. Policymakers have said it will remain low in the short term because of the strength of the pound and a renewed decline in oil prices. Over the longer term, Governor Mark Carney says price growth will accelerate and the time to begin raising the interest rates is approaching.

“Tightness in the labour market is now generating some wage

UNDER CONTROL: While the figures published on Tuesday were stronger than anticipated, inflation is still well below the Bank of England’s 2 per cent target. – Bloomberg News

inflation,” Kallum Pickering, an economist at Berenberg Bank in London, said in an interview with Bloomberg Television’s Francine Lacqua and Manus Cranny.

“Throughout the rest of the year we’ll see further tightness prompting more increases in wages and that should bring on core inflation a little bit further.”

The pound was up 0.5 per cent to $1.5668 in London time after the report from the Office

for National Statistics (ONS).

Economists forecast that the first increase in the benchmark rate from a record-low 0.5 per cent will happen in early 2016.

Consumer price Policy maker Kristin Forbes said this week there are risks associated with delaying a rate increase and she’s watching for signs of domestic pressures. Services inflation, a proxy for domestic price

growth, accelerated to 2.4 per cent in July, the fastest in four months.

“This is great news for working people and family budgets,” said Jim O’Neill, commercial secretary to the UK Treasury. “But the job is not done and we will continue to remain vigilant to all risks, particularly when the global economic situation is so uncertain.”

The ONS report showed that UK consumer prices fell 0.2 per cent in July from June.

In addition to clothing, the main upward contribution to the annual rate was from transport costs such as air fares.

Food and non-alcoholic beverages fell on an annual basis for a thirteenth month, the longest stretch on record.

“This is the sixth month running that headline inflation has been at or close to zero,” said Richard Campbell, a statistician at the ONS. “While households will have seen individual prices rise and fall, the overall shopping basket bought by the country remains little changed in price compared with a year ago.” - Bloomberg News

NEW ROLE

Bank Sohar appoints new head for Islamic banking division tional strategies. Furthermore, we strive to offer our employees as many opportunities for growth within the organisation as possible, facilitating this with comprehensive training workshops and skill development programs,” said Rashad Al Musafir.

Times News Service MUSCAT: Bank Sohar has appointed Salim Khamis Al Maskari, the former senior assistant general manager of branches, as the head of Sohar Islamic, Bank Sohar’s Islamic banking window.

Commenting on his promotion, Rashad Ali Al Musafir, acting chief executive officer of Bank Sohar said, “Sohar Islamic has witnessed growth and popularity since its inception two years ago.

On behalf of the bank, I would like to congratulate Salim Khamis Al Maskari on his appointment into the new role. In the eight years that he has worked with the bank, he has always demonstrated a high degree of business integrity and leadership talent and has been involved with the development and operations of Sohar Islamic and its branches right from the start.”

“With his outstanding track record with Bank Sohar and his contribution towards establishing and managing our branch network, together with his extensive experience with Sohar Islamic, I am confident his appointment will serve to further strengthen the reputation and capabilities of our Islamic banking window in the years to come,” he added.

Salim Khamis Al Maskari’s appointment as the new head of Sohar Islamic is also a tribute to the bank’s long standing commitment towards developing local

PROMOTED: Salim Khamis Al Maskari. – Supplied picture

talent and ensuring their steady career growth.

Qualified nationals At Bank Sohar, the learning and development initiatives are structured to fulfil its objective of offering more employment and career development opportunities for talented Omanis, and to nurture a higher contribution from them towards the continued economic growth of the country. Within the bank itself, a large number of Omanis already hold key leadership roles, steering the bank on its path towards excellence.

“The employment of qualified nationals has always been a cornerstone of the bank’s opera-

Customer service Commenting on his promotion, Salim Khamis Al Maskari said, “I’m extremely pleased to take up my new role at the helm of Sohar Islamic. Together with the talented team at the bank, I look forward to building on its strong foundation, unique approach and high standards of excellence in order to create even greater value for our customers, our investors and shareholders.”

Prior to joining Bank Sohar in 2007, Salim Al Maskari had previously worked as the district manager of the Sharquiyah region for Oman International Bank and later moved to Bank Muscat as the regional manager of the north capital region. He has more than 29 years of experience in the banking sector in Oman and holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Hull, UK. He also holds a diploma from the Institute of leadership and Management, also in the UK. He also completed his Certification in Islamic Banking and Takaful Products (CIMA) examinations in 2015.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2015

B3

MARKET ECONOMY

Saudi growth slows as oil slump deepens, says IMF RIYADH: Economic growth in Saudi Arabia is set to slow this year and next as the government is forced to reduce spending to compensate for lower oil prices, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said.

Saudi Arabia’s gross domestic product will grow by 2.8 per cent this year and 2.4 per cent in 2016, the IMF said in e-mailed statement on Monday at the conclusion of its regular country consultation. That compares to 3.5 per cent growth last year. Annual growth may expand to 3 per cent in the ‘medium term’, it said.

The world’s largest oil producer turned to the bond market this year for the first time since 2007 after crude prices fell by more than 50 per cent. The resulting budget deficit, which the IMF projects at 19.5 per cent of GDP, may force

Saudi rulers to abandon the kingdom’s traditional largess.

Saudi Arabia needs “comprehensive energy price reforms, firm control of the public sector wage bill, greater efficiency in public sector investment,” the IMF said.

“The sharp drop in oil revenues and continued expenditure growth would result in a very large fiscal deficit this year and over the medium term, eroding the fiscal buffers built up over the past decade.”

Oil dependency The government should also introduce value-added and land taxes, the IMF said.

Oil makes up about 90 per cent of the Kingdom’s revenues. Brent Crude fell to below $50 per barrel in August after a brief recovery in June. It traded 0.7 percent lower at $48.39 a barrel in London.

Saudi Arabia opened its stock market to international investors in June as part of broader plans to diversify the economy away from oil. The benchmark Tadawul All Share Index has dropped more than 20 percent this year.

Sold bonds The kingdom sold 20 billion riyals ($5.3 billion) of bonds to local banks and public institutions in August to cover the deficit.

Government debt was equivalent to 1.6 per cent of the country’s GDP at the end of 2014, IMF said.

The drop in oil revenues combined with an unrest in Yemen and a boost in domestic spending led the country’s net foreign assets to fall for a fifth consecutive month in June. Reserves stood at $664.4 billion, which were down from $724.5 in January. - Bloomberg News

SLUMP IN CRUDE PRICES: Saudi Arabia turned to the bond market this year for the first time since 2007 after crude prices fell by more than 50 per cent. – Bloomberg News

Oman’s conventional bank credit grows 9% to OMR18b overcome their teething problems.

Further, two Islamic banks and window operations of conventional banks have launched innovative products to attract Omani customers, besides opening several branches in different parts of the country.

It is lower than last year’s loan growth and was mostly driven by the private sector demand to fund their projects and working capital requirements

A. E. JAMES

businesseditor@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Oman’s conventional banks have achieved an 8.89 per cent growth in total credit at OMR17.82 billion in the first half of the year ending June 2015, from OMR16.37 billion for the same period last year, according to the Central Bank of Oman’s statistics released here on Tuesday.

It is lower than last year’s loan growth and was mostly driven by the private sector demand to fund their projects and working capital requirements.

Because of continued low oil prices, the banks will be more conservative in lending going forward and focus more on the credit quality rather than quantity. Under

ON GROWTH PATH: Total deposits of Omani banks also rose by 6.83 per cent for the first half of 2015 at OMR18.51 billion, from OMR17.32 billion for the same period last year, the CBO said. - Time file photo

such a scenario, the overall credit growth could slip to mid-single digits in 2015.

Credit to private sector for the six-month period rose by 9.82 per cent to OMR15.61 billion from OMR14.21 billion.

However, Hamoud Sangour Al Zadjali, executive president of Central Bank of Oman (CBO) earlier said that the credit growth for the whole year would be in double digits and would probably hover

around 10 per cent.

Total deposits of Omani banks also rose by 6.83 per cent for the first half of 2015 at OMR18.51 billion, from OMR17.32 billion for the same period last year, noted the Central Bank of Oman said in its monthly statistics.

Oman has seven conventional banks — Bank Muscat, National Bank of Oman, BankDhofar, HSBC Bank Oman, Bank Sohar, Oman Arab Bank and ahlibank.

Islamic finance surges Oman’s Islamic banks and window operations have also shown a much higher growth of 84.89 per cent in financing at OMR1,377.8 million for the first six months of 2015, from merely OMR745.2million for the same period last year.

Such robust growth in Islamic finance shows that Sharia-compliant banks are able to establish themselves in the market and able to

IN SOHAR

Reyooq event to host two entrepreneurs ties and knowledge of entrepreneurs and put their perspectives forward to the experts in the field, besides enhancing communication channels.

Times News Service MUSCAT: National Business Centre (NBC), which pertains to the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (PEIE), will host Humaid Al Maslamani, founder and managing director of Zawaya Design and Engineering Consultancy and Asma Al Feteisi, general manager of Mazoon Real Estate Investment, as part of the monthly Reyooq series of events.

Sohar event The event, which will be held at Majan Hall in Sohar on August 26, will share the valuable experiences of Al Maslamani and Al Feteisi in managing their companies, in the presence of a group of business leaders in various fields from

Humaid Al Maslamani

Asma Al Feteisi

the public and private sectors.

Sponsored exclusively by Oman LNG, the series events of Reyooq aspire to present an ultimate platform for Omani entrepreneurs to

network with experts, and learn about entrepreneurship to get innovative and creative ideas for their businesses. This initiative also comes to develop the abili-

Business support The National Business Centre is an initiative that aims at offering promising Omani entrepreneurs a platform to develop their business ideas and advance them into growing ventures.

The centre presents a premier platform for Omani entrepreneurs by providing business development support and guidance, training and mentoring, access to markets and industry experts, and state-of-the-art and fully equipped office space, meeting rooms and presentation facilities.

Customer deposits Total customer deposits held by Islamic institutions also shot up by 238.64 per cent to OMR1,183.9 million by the end of June 2015, from OMR349.6 million for the same period last year, according to the latest monthly bulletin released by the Central Bank of Oman.

There have been considerable increases in the number of branches and assets held by these entities. Islamic banks are opening up new segments and players and, thus, adding to the competitive environment, not only in terms of efficiencies and innovations, but by also providing consumers the benefit of choosing between both conventional and Islamic banking products.

In Oman, two Islamic banks – Bank Nizwa and Alizz Islamic Bank – along with the window operations of six conventional banks, have scores of branches across the country.

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

MAKE IN INDIA

Lenovo begins smartphone production in South India NEW DELHI: Lenovo Group has commenced making smartphones in India through contract manufacturer Flex, becoming the largest Chinese company to have its mobile devices made there after the local government raised import tariffs.

Dedicated lines at Flex’s Sriperumbudur factory near the southern Indian city of Chennai will be the first time Lenovo and Motorola brands are made at the same facility, Amar Babu, chairman of Lenovo India, said in a phone interview.

The brands will have separate lines with a combined annual capacity of 6 million units, Lenovo said in a statement.

Foxconn Technology this year began production in India of smartphones for Chinese brands including Xiaomi and OnePlus after the local government raised import tariffs to attract investment in manufacturing. Lenovo’s announcement marks the largest Chinese name yet to be lured by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Make in India campaign, as the competitors vie to increase their share of the world’s third-largest smartphone market.

“Output from the plants is focused mainly on serving the Indian market,” Babu said.

Lenovo has no immediate plans to design and develop phones specifically for India, he said. Lenovo had considered adding smartphone manufacturing to its own PC factory in Puducherry. - Bloomberg News

B4

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2015

MARKET MSM index edges down

OMAN STOCKS

MUSCAT SECURITIES MARKET

INDICES Index .................................................High .................Low..................... Value ............... Prev . Value.......... Diff ...............Diff % MSM30 Index ....................................... 6,224.75 ...............6,191.44 ....................6,191.44 ....................6,219.77................-28.33 .................. -0.46 Financial Index .....................................7,559.48 ...............7,512.09 ....................7,512.09 ....................7,554.17............... -42.08 .................. -0.56 Industrial Index ....................................7,973.44 .............. 7,942.38 ................... 7,942.38 ....................7,973.91................ -31.53 .................. -0.40 Services Index .......................................3,389.13 ...............3,367.63 ....................3,367.63 ...................3,388.02................-20.39 .................. -0.60 MSM SHARIAH INDEX...................... 962.92 ..................961.24 .......................961.24 ...................... 962.53.................. -1.29 .................. -0.13 Trading Summary Volume ................Turnover ..........Trades .............. Market Cap............. Up............Down ............. Equal .........Sec. Traded 12,935,028 ..................3,739,149 .................... 920 ...............14,964,256,598 .................. 8 ......................18 .................... 31 .........................57

As many as 920 trades were executed in the trading session generating turnover of

SHARE PRICE BULLETIN FOR TUESDAY, AUGUST 18

OMR3.73 million.

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

MUSCAT: Oman shares continued its fall, with no signs of a recovery in oil prices. Muscat Security Market’s general index MSM30 Index - closed at 6,191.44 points, down by 0.46 per cent.

The MSM Sharia Index closed at 961.24 points, down by 0.13 per cent. Al Anwar Holding was the most active in terms of volume while Bank Muscat was the most active in terms of turnover.

United Power remained the top gainer, up by 9.92 per cent, while the top loser was Renaissance Services, down by 6.46 per cent.

As many as 920 trades were executed during Tuesday’s trading session generating turnover of OMR3.73 million with more than 12.93 million shares changing hands. Out of 57 traded securities, eight advanced, 18 declined and 31 remained unchanged.

Omani investors were net buyers for OMR767,000 while foreign investors were net sellers for OMR656,0000 followed by GCC and Arab investors for OMR111,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index falls Financial Index declined by 0.56 per cent to close at 7,512.09 points. ONIC Holding, Oman & Emirates and Al Anwar Holding increased by 2.13 per cent, 0.90 per cent and 0.49 per cent respectively. Bank Dhofar, Al Sharqiya Investment and Ahli Bank declined by 2.22 per cent, 1.61 per cent and 1.01 per cent, respectively.

Industrial Index closed at 7942.38 points, down by 0.40 per cent. Galfar Engineering was the only gainer in the sector and was up by 0.96 per cent to close at OMR0.104. Voltamp Energy, Al Jazeera Steel Product, Al Hassan Engineering and National Mineral Water declined by 4.09 per cent, 2.22 per cent, 1.61 per cent and 1.09 per cent respectively.

Services Index was down by 0.60 per cent to close at 3,367.63

points. United Power and OIFC gained 9.89 per cent and 1.55 per cent, respectively.

Renaissance Services, Port Services and Batinah Power declined by 6.36 per cent, 1.67 per cent and 1.35 per cent, respectively.

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

OM0000001822............UNITED POWER ............................................................. 2,638 ...............6,885........................4 ............2.610 ........... 2.610 ...........2.610........... 2.610 .............2.375 ............0.235 ............. 9.895 ................2.610 ..............2.375...................0.000 ...................2,088,000..........1.000 OM0000002614............ONIC. HOLDING .......................................................... 360,102 .........172,849......................14 ........... 0.480 ...........0.480 ...........0.480........... 0.480 .............0.470 ............0.010 ............. 2.128 ................0.480..............0.450...................0.480 ..................83,243,160 .........0.100 OM0000001525 ............OMAN INVESTMENT AND FINANCE.............. 246,665 ...........48,266......................17 ............0.193 ........... 0.199 ...........0.193 ............0.196 ............. 0.193............ 0.003............. 1.554 ................0.195 .............. 0.193...................0.195 ...................39,200,000.........0.100 OM0000003521 ............GALFAR ENGINEERING AND CON. .................. 544,824 ............ 57,188.....................40 ............0.104 ........... 0.107 ...........0.104........... 0.105 .............0.104 ............0.001 .............0.962 ................0.104..............0.103...................0.104...................30,447,967 .........0.100 OM0000001681 ............OMAN AND EMIRATES INV. HOLDING........... 555,000 ........... 62,010......................12 ............0.112 ........... 0.113............ 0.111 ............0.112 ............. 0.111 .............0.001 ............. 0.901 ................0.112 ...............0.111................... 0.112 ...................13,650,000 .........0.100 OM0000001772 ............AL ANWAR HOLDING............................................... 2,550,241 ......523,505................... 159 ........... 0.205 ...........0.207 ...........0.200 .......... 0.205 .............0.204 ............0.001 .............0.490 ................0.202 ............ 0.200...................0.202 .................. 30,765,375 .........0.100 OM0000001483............NATIONAL BANK OF OMAN ................................. 659,722 ..........217,551..................... 29 ........... 0.330 ...........0.332 ...........0.328........... 0.330 .............0.330 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.328..............0.328...................0.330 ................ 442,434,383 .......0.100 OM0000001517 ............HSBC BANK OMAN .................................................... 278,746 ........... 35,962........................5 ............0.130 ........... 0.130 ...........0.129........... 0.129 .............0.129............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.129 .............. 0.127...................0.128................. 258,040,350 .......0.100

Saudi bourse slumps Saudi Arabia’s stocks fell after the International Monetary Fund said the drop in oil prices will force spending cuts and curtail economic expansion.

The Tadawul All Share Index slid 0.5 per cent to 8,393.77 as of 11:07 a.m. in Riyadh, headed for a sixth day of declines, the longest streak in almost two months.

Saudi Basic Industries Corp., one of the world’s biggest chemicals manufacturers, was the biggest contributor to losses with a 1.2 per cent drop.

Growth in Saudi Arabia, which relies on crude to fund its spending, will slow to 2.8 per cent this year and 2.4 per cent in 2016 after oil prices slumped, the IMF said in an e-mailed statement on Monday.

While government spending is the nation’s biggest economic driver, its fiscal deficit would be “very large” this year and over the medium term if the kingdom continues to boost its expenditure even as crude prices sink, the Washington-based fund said.

“Investors in Saudi Arabia are skittish these days and they may take a negative cue from anything,” Ibrahim Masood, a portfolio manager who helps oversee about $400 million at Aventicum Capital Management Qatar, said by phone from Doha on Tuesday before the market opened.

Masood focuses his investments on consumer and health care insurance companies due to continued local spending. “The IMF report is as good a reason as any for them to sell down.”

OM0000001533 ............OMINVEST .......................................................................55,011 ............ 26,405........................8 ........... 0.480 ...........0.480 ...........0.480........... 0.480 .............0.480 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.480..............0.480...................0.488..................177,800,304........0.100 OM0000001707 ............OMAN CABLES INDUSTRY........................................ 1,200 ...............2,646........................2 ........... 2.205 ...........2.205 ...........2.205 .......... 2.205 .............2.205 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................2.205..............2.150...................2.205 .................197,788,500 ........0.100 OM0000001749 ............OMAN CEMENT .......................................................... 173,478 ............ 86,596........................9 ........... 0.500 ...........0.500 ...........0.498........... 0.500 .............0.500 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.500..............0.500...................0.502 .................165,436,355 ........0.100 OM0000001889............SALALAH MILLS............................................................. 2,162 ...............3,232........................2 ............1.495 ........... 1.495 ...........1.495 ............1.495 ............. 1.495............ 0.000.............0.000 ................1.495 ..............1.450...................1.500...................72,003,781 .........0.100 OM0000001962............AL MADINA INVESTMENT ........................................5,414 .................. 341........................1 ........... 0.063 ...........0.063 ...........0.063........... 0.063 .............0.063 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.063..............0.062...................0.065................... 13,050,537 .........0.100 OM0000002028 ...........GULF INTERNATIONAL CHEMICALS ..............60,542 .............15,680........................6 ........... 0.259 ...........0.259 ...........0.259........... 0.259 .............0.259 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.259..............0.259...................0.260 ...................5,439,000 ..........0.100 OM0000002168............AL ANWAR CERAMIC TILES ............................... 188,878............ 73,285......................11 ........... 0.388 ...........0.388 ...........0.388........... 0.388 .............0.388 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.388..............0.384...................0.388..................114,930,909........0.100 OM0000002275 ...........SHELL OMAN MARKETING ..................................... 3,578 ...............7,228........................3 ........... 2.020...........2.020 ...........2.020 .......... 2.020 .............2.020 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................2.020 ............ 2.020...................2.080 .................191,900,000........0.100 OM0000002796 ...........BANK MUSCAT ............................................................ 1,185,518 ...... 608,802.....................80 ............0.514 ........... 0.514 ...........0.512 ............0.514 ............. 0.514............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.512 .............. 0.512...................0.520 ................1,177,996,815.......0.100 OM0000002820 ...........GULF INVESTMENT SERVICES ...........................85,557 ............ 10,040........................9 ............0.117 ........... 0.118............ 0.117 ............0.117 ............. 0.117 ............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.117 ...............0.115................... 0.117 ....................6,884,656 ..........0.100 OM0000003026 ...........OMAN TELECOMMUNICATION ........................ 251,350 .........431,089..................... 58 ............1.715 ........... 1.720 ........... 1.710 ............1.715.............. 1.715 ............ 0.000.............0.000 ................ 1.710 ...............1.710................... 1.715 ................1,286,250,000......0.100 OM0000003141 ............ACWA POWER BARKA .................................................5,000 .............. 4,080........................1 ............0.816 ........... 0.816 ...........0.816 ........... 0.832 .............0.832 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.816 ............. 0.800...................0.840 .................133,120,000........0.100 OM0000003711 ............SOHAR POWER.................................................................2,110 .................. 760........................1 ........... 0.360 ...........0.360 ...........0.360........... 0.380 .............0.380 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.360............. 0.000...................0.360 ..................83,983,800.........0.100 OM0000003968 ...........OOREDOO....................................................................... 574,113 ..........436,376..................... 58 ............0.764 ........... 0.764 ...........0.756 ........... 0.760 .............0.760 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.756 ..............0.752...................0.756.................. 494,717,615 ........0.100 OM0000005005 ...........ALMAHA CERAMICS ................................................ 173,521 ............ 90,435.....................24 ........... 0.522 ...........0.522 ...........0.512 ........... 0.522 .............0.522 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.520..............0.520...................0.522 ..................27,405,000.........0.100 OM0000001418 ............RAYSUT CEMENT ....................................................... 20,000 ............ 27,600........................2 ............1.380 ........... 1.380 ...........1.380........... 1.380 ............. 1.385............-0.005 ........... -0.361................1.380 ..............1.360...................1.380................. 276,000,000 .......0.100 OM0000004933 ...........AL SUWADI POWER .................................................. 164,558 ............36,145......................14 ............0.219 ........... 0.221 ...........0.219........... 0.220 .............0.221 ...........-0.001 ........... -0.452 ...............0.221..............0.221...................0.224 ................. 157,169,395 ........0.100 OM0000002200 ...........AHLI BANK .................................................................... 100,000 ...........20,500........................3 ........... 0.205 ...........0.205 ...........0.205........... 0.205 .............0.206 ...........-0.001 ........... -0.485 ...............0.205..............0.203...................0.205 .................292,132,410........0.100 OM0000003398 ...........BANK SOHAR................................................................ 308,641 ............57,552......................18 ............0.187 ........... 0.189 ...........0.185 ........... 0.186 ............. 0.187............-0.001 ........... -0.535 ...............0.185 .............. 0.185...................0.187..................268,107,840........0.100 OM0000001160 ............NATIONAL GAS .............................................................30,490 .............10,388......................12 ........... 0.342 ...........0.342 ...........0.336........... 0.340 .............0.342 ...........-0.002 ........... -0.585 ...............0.336..............0.336...................0.344 ..................17,000,000 .........0.100 OM0000001087............OMAN UNITED INSURANCE ............................... 100,000 ........... 29,465........................9 ........... 0.298 ...........0.298 ...........0.292........... 0.295 .............0.298 ...........-0.003 ........... -1.007 ...............0.292............. 0.280...................0.290 ..................29,500,000.........0.100 OM0000004925 ...........AL BATINAH POWER................................................ 349,319.............76,515.....................20 ........... 0.220...........0.220 ...........0.217 ........... 0.219 .............0.222 ...........-0.003 ............-1.351 ................0.220 ............ 0.220...................0.225 .................147,800,347 ........0.100 OM0000002440 ...........AL SHARQIA INVESTMENT HOLDING ............. 71,143 ...............8,679......................12 ............0.122 ........... 0.122 ...........0.122........... 0.122 .............0.124 ...........-0.002 ............-1.613 ................0.122..............0.124...................0.127...................10,980,000.........0.100 OM0000001145 ............PORT SERVICES CORPORATION .........................22,201 ...............3,927......................12 ............0.178 ........... 0.180 ...........0.176 ............0.177 .............0.180 ...........-0.003 ............-1.667................0.176 .............. 0.176...................0.179 ...................16,822,080 .........0.100 OM0000002366 ...........AL BATINAH DEV. INV. HOLDING ...................... 134,221.............14,426......................19 ............0.109 ........... 0.110............0.106........... 0.107 .............0.109 ...........-0.002 ............-1.835................0.106..............0.105...................0.106....................3,210,000 ..........0.100 OM0000002176 ............AL JAZEERA STEEL PRODUCTS ......................... 32,000 ...............7,040........................5 ........... 0.220...........0.220 ...........0.220 .......... 0.220 .............0.225 ...........-0.005 ........... -2.222 ...............0.220 ............ 0.220...................0.229 .................. 27,477,551 .........0.100 OM0000002549 ...........BANK DHOFAR ............................................................ 230,000........... 60,720........................4 ........... 0.264 ...........0.264 ...........0.264 .......... 0.264 .............0.270 ...........-0.006 ........... -2.222 ...............0.264..............0.264...................0.000 .................407,808,336........0.100 OM0000003661 ............VOLTAMP ENERGY ........................................................7,137 ...............3,010........................5 ........... 0.440...........0.440 ...........0.396........... 0.422 .............0.440 ...........-0.018 ........... -4.091 ...............0.424..............0.424...................0.440 ..................25,531,000 .........0.100 OM0000003224 ...........RENAISSANCE SERVICES ..................................... 184,278 ............37,974..................... 34 ........... 0.220...........0.220 ...........0.205........... 0.206 .............0.220 ...........-0.014 ........... -6.364 ...............0.205..............0.205...................0.206 .................. 59,874,110 .........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 9,719,358.... 3,315,153...................722 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ......37........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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

OM0000005963 ...........PHOENIX POWER ...................................................... 2,336,938...... 347,986...................108 ............0.148 ........... 0.150 ...........0.147 ........... 0.149 .............0.148.............0.001 ............. 0.676 ................0.149 ..............0.149...................0.150.................. 217,927,618 ........0.100 OM0000001228............OMAN HOTELS AND TOURISM .............................. 2,310 .................. 545........................1 ........... 0.236 ...........0.236 ...........0.236........... 0.236 .............0.236 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.236..............0.236...................0.000 ..................12,980,000.........0.100 OM0000001301 ............DHOFAR CATTLE FEED .......................................... 107,935 ............ 20,508........................7 ............0.190 ........... 0.190 ...........0.190........... 0.190 .............0.190 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.190..............0.190...................0.209 ..................14,630,000.........0.100 OM0000001368 ............CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS IND. ....................39,000 ...............1,404........................6 ........... 0.036 ...........0.036 ...........0.036........... 0.036 .............0.036 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.036..............0.035...................0.036....................3,060,000 ..........0.100 OM0000001400 ...........OMAN FLOUR MILLS ...................................................2,000 ...............1,000........................1 ........... 0.500 ...........0.500 ...........0.500........... 0.500 .............0.500 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.500..............0.480...................0.500 ..................78,750,000 .........0.100 OM0000001566 ............OMAN FISHERIES ......................................................... 3,372 ...................170........................2 ............0.051 ........... 0.051 ...........0.050............0.051 ............. 0.051............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.050..............0.050...................0.052....................6,375,000 ..........0.100 OM0000002051............GULF PLASTIC INDUSTRIES .......................................... 4 .......................2........................1 ........... 0.390 ...........0.390 ...........0.390........... 0.390 .............0.390 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.390............. 0.000...................0.000 .....................390,000............1.000 OM0000002267 ...........GULF MUSHROOM PRODUCTS ................................... 39 ..................... 15........................1 ........... 0.386 ...........0.386 ...........0.386........... 0.386 .............0.386 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.386............. 0.000...................0.386................... 11,541,239 .........0.100 OM0000004776 ...........TAKAFUL OMAN INSURANCE .............................. 12,149 ................1,361........................3 ............0.112 ........... 0.112............0.112 ............0.112 ............. 0.112............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.112 .............. 0.112................... 0.113 ...................11,200,000 .........0.100 OM0000002564 ...........AL HASSAN ENGINEERING....................................25,630 ...............2,326........................9 ........... 0.094 ...........0.094 ...........0.090............0.091 .............0.092 ...........-0.001 ........... -1.087................0.090..............0.090...................0.092 ...................6,843,928 ..........0.100 OM0000001285 ............NATIONAL MINERAL WATER ...............................10,000 .................. 610........................1 ............0.061 ........... 0.061 ...........0.061 ........... 0.061 .............0.062 ...........-0.001 ............-1.613 ................0.061 ..............0.061...................0.068.....................1,647,185...........0.100 OM0000004420 ...........BANK NIZWA ................................................................ 603,587 ........... 40,682......................41 ........... 0.068 ...........0.069 ...........0.067........... 0.067 .............0.069 ...........-0.002 ........... -2.899 ...............0.067..............0.067...................0.068................. 100,500,000 .......0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 3,142,964 ......416,608....................181 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ......12........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

- United Securities/Bloomberg News

INDIAN STOCKS

Sensex drops on growth outlook MUMBAI: India’s benchmark stock index declined in volatile trading as material producers dropped to counter gains in technology and industrial companies.

Coal India, the world’s largest producer of the fuel, fell to a three-month low. Hindalco, a copper and aluminium producer, plunged to a two-year low. Tata Consultancy Services and Infosys, the biggest software export-

ers, climbed at least 1.9 per cent.

The Sensex slid 0.2 per cent to 27,831.54 at the close in Mumbai, after changing directions at least 12 times. Moody’s Investors Service pared its growth forecast for India, saying below-average rainfall will offset higher government spending. A third day of losses in emerging-market stocks, led by China, weighed on sentiment, according to SMC Investments &

Advisors. “Investors are cautious because the monsoon rainfall is below normal and concerns over the yuan persist,” D.K. Aggarwal, chairman of SMC Investments, said by phone from New Delhi.

“The market will trade in a range in the absence of major news flow to take it higher.”

He recommends software exporters because they benefit from a weaker currency. - Bloomberg News

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Bouquet of benefits with Omasco's exclusive summer deals on Honda The current offer on select Honda models extends till the end of September

MUSCAT: Omasco, the authorised distributors of Honda vehicles in the Sultanate, has launched exclusive summer deals and offers on select Honda models.

Major highlights The offer extends till the end of September and includes free insurance (Oman and UAE) on the 2015 YM Pilot, Odyssey, Civic, Accord EX-A and EX-B, free service package for 5 years / 100K km (only on 2015 YM Pilot, Odyssey, Civic, Accord EX-A and EXB), free registration on all models and extended warranty of five years or unlimited mileage. Free service package available on all other models is for three years / 50Kkm except Accord LX-A, says a press release.

Hussain Al Lawati, managing

director, Omasco, said: “The auto industry in Oman is maturing and that means that there is a lot more knowledge and higher expectation from potential and existing customers. At Omasco we believe that the customer is the heart and soul of all of our promotions and we have realised that offers that add more than just discount on the price of the vehicles and include service packages and warranty packages are what the consumer is looking for.

"The Honda Summer Deal offers great prices and even better service packages that go up to 100K km or up to five years, ensuring that when you buy a Honda you are not only getting some of the best technology and reliability in the current auto market but a spectacular after sales service package as well.”

Social media The aim of Honda’s Facebook page has always been to offer its customers an interactive experience and information on its models and services. Honda is also working hard on reducing its response time to queries on the social media platforms as well as introducing personalised and easy solutions to all its customers’ needs.

lines in the exterior. The vehicle is equipped with a bold chrome grille to enhance the expressive character of the car keeping the local taste in mind. All grades are equipped with daytime running lights and LED brake lights. LED headlights and LaneWatch camera for the V6 Sports grade adds to the sophistication of the modern sedan.

The aim is to use the social media platforms to showcase information on the wide range of models from Honda which is updated on a monthly basis to provide the latest information at all times comprising interactive videos, behind-the-scenes access, international news, pictorial galleries, aesthetic details, and unique model features. The aim has been to be at par with customers’ requirements and needs.

ogies to deliver advanced sporty design, best comfort and best fuel efficiency in the category.

The Honda City has undergone a complete design change based on a grand concept of an ‘Advanced Cool Sporty Car’ that has a stunning presence with its dynamic stance, outstanding fuel efficiency, comfortable and spacious interiors. It aims to reflect sophistication and vigour while in motion and a striking charisma when stationary.

2016 Honda City The 2016 City, which has been developed as a global sedan, encompasses the best of Honda’s technol-

2016 Honda Accord The Accord reflects its status as a dynamic, intelligent sedan with deeply sculpted sharp character

SPECIAL OCCASION

Honda CR-V With a sophisticated overall look and feel, the Honda CR-V boasts a 2.4 litre i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine and Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). It has a fuel economy rating of 23/31 for front drives and 22/30 for 4 wheel drives. As standard equipment, every CR-V incorporates an electronic stability control system, antilock brakes with brake assist, driver and frontpassenger airbags, side curtain airbags with roll over sensor and a front seat design that can help reduce the severity of neck injury in the event of a rear collision.

One of the exciting enhancements to the CR-V 2015 EX and EX –L grades is Honda’s LaneWatch camera that displays a wide-angle view of the passenger side roadway on the Display Audio screen.

All grades are equipped with, door mirror with side turn signal.

Honda Pilot The Pilot is Honda’s midsize 4x4 offering, and their largest offering at this time. The new look features a new standard grille, new front and rear bumpers, and optional new wheels, along with a few other cabin additions. The Pilot can seat eight people at a pinch. The standard 3.5-litre V6 engine features Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) which allows it to operate on half the cylinders when power is not needed, improving fuel economy.Pilot Touring has Navigation System and Rear Entertainment System as standard features.

Honda Odyssey The Honda Odyssey, the upmarket minivan is aimed at big families, and is longer, wider and lower than the previous version.

It comes in LX, EXL and Touring trim levels. Mechanical specs include a 3.5-litre V6 with cylinder-shutoff technology, a 6-speed automatic, MacPherson strut front and double-wishbone rear suspension, 17-inch or 18inch alloy wheels and an 80-litre fuel tank.

Odyssey Touring has Navigation System and Rear Entertainment System as standard features.

C E L E B R AT I O N

ISC Salalah celebrates Independence Day

SALALAH: As a socially active club, rising to the time as always, Indian Social Club Salalah celebrated the 69th Independence Day of India at the Indian Social Club, Salalah.

In his welcome address, ISC chairman Manpreet Singh acclaimed India’s progress in different facets of life. He mentioned India’s achievements in the fields

of education and research.

Pays homage The management committee members along with the chairman paid homage to the motherland, says a press release.

Singh presented bouquets and mementos to the chief guest Sheikh Abdullah Salim Mahad Al Rawas, chairman, Oman Chamber

of Commerce and Industry, Dhofar region and to the other guests of honour Sheikh Nisar Ahmed Salim Al Marhoon, deputy chairman, Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dhofar region, and Omar Abdulaziz Al Rawas.

Nisar Ahmed Salim Al Marhoon addressed the gathering and appreciated the peaceful relationship between India and Oman.

Hridhya S. Menon, the ladycoordinator of Indian Social Club Salalah, hosted the ceremony as the compere. Mohandas M. K., Cultural Secretary, proposed the vote of thanks. The formal ceremony was followed by a short cultural fiesta including a musical concert. The august gathering rejoiced in the celebration igniting patriotism.

SKILL DEVELOPMENT

KR Group sends Omani staff to India for training MUSCAT: The Khimji Ramdas Group has selected 24 of its top performing Omani employees for a three-week leadership training programme in Kochi, India.

Titled ‘The Essence of Leadership’, the workshop that goes on till August 22, focuses on grooming KR’s national workforce for roles higher up on the corporate ladder, and in turn, reaffirming the company’s commitment to developing the potential skilled Omani staff, says a press release.

“KR has been consistently investing in developing the potential of national employees so that they can take up higher roles and responsibilities. Apart from local training and development activities, potential employees have been deputed abroad for specific skill and competence development programmes. For the last 12 years employees have been sent to India for personal development, skill enhancement and personal effectiveness programmes, which have resulted in enriching the profile of employees; many such trainees have continuously grown and taken up higher level roles,” says Anil Khimji, director, Ramdas.

The current batch is a mix of

employees who function either in supervisory or first line managerial capacities or employees that demonstrate initiative and a potential for taking up prospective leadership positions. This batch of employees was hand-picked based on the duration of their tenure at KR and because they have been known to possess remarkable potential for growth. Incidentally, most of them have already attended first level training in India.

The current training will be an intense residential three-week

programme, demanding extended working hours and serious studying. Employees, therefore, are expected to fully prepare themselves to take up further higher level responsibilities in the near future.

“This is a training programme that is tailored specifically to enhance and grow leadership qualities among Omani employees. It aids the organisation’s efforts to empower KR’s Omani talent and mould it for senior level management positions. The programme has a very stringent selection pro-

cess that picks the best of the best from the company’s national talent pool and grooms them for roles with larger responsibilities,” says Sivam S., Human Capital Management, Khimji Ramdas.

The course curriculum for this year covers a wide range of topics pegged to a central theme on how to transform the trainees into more effective supervisors and managers. The academics of the programme will cover topic such as man management, supervisory skills, next level of communication skills and personal effectiveness inputs.

The uniqueness of this course will be that apart from the theoretical inputs and case studies being discussed by the institute’s resources personnel, senior managers from KR will also participate in imparting training and advice related to KR’s businesses.

Many of KR’s managers are expected to visit Kochi and conduct classes. In addition, focus is also laid on ensuring that trainees get maximum exposure to a business environment that is different from what they are used to while also getting a taste of India’s multi-cultural landscape.

C O N S T RU C T I O N AWA R D S A N D S U M M I T

AHEC extends support to Dossier awards MUSCAT: Al Hassan Engineering Company has announced its support to the Dossier Construction Awards and Summit 2015 that will recognise some of the best performers from the construction and engineering sector of Oman.

Aiming to promote and felicitate

industry performers, individuals, best practices and technology and project excellence through an awards ceremony; Dossier Construction Awards has, since 2013, made its mark in the industrial scenario driving the exchange of knowledge and best practices with-

in the industry through an intellectual forum in the form of a summit.

Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony, to be held on September 9 in Muscat.

Commenting on the partnership Steve Scott, chief executive officer, AHEC, said: “We are pleased to

renew our partnership with Dossier Construction for their annual award ceremony and summit in Oman. This event is much looked forward as a platform to showcase the credentials of our organisation as well as some of the best talents in the Industry.”

ISWK celebrates 69th Indian Independence Day with great fervour MUSCAT: It was a special day for all Indians assembled at the school grounds of Indian School Wadi Kabir (ISWK).

It was a proud moment for them as they paid heartfelt tributes to the memory of freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for a free India so that every Indian should breathe in an atmosphere of freedom.

Narendra Kumar Surti from Chimanlal Chhotalal Surti & Co. was the chief guest. Being the fourth generation of the Surti family which came ashore in Muscat more than a century ago he engenders the enterprising spirit of Indian expats who have contributed significantly to Oman’s march toward progress and prosperity. He was accompanied by Rajendra Ved, vicepresident of the SMC and its members, members of the Banyan Merchant Association, other dignitaries and special invitees, says a press release.

The programme began with the unfurling of the tricolour by the chief guest as the school band played the National Anthem.

The marching contingents of the four houses named after the preeminent personalities of India: Ashoka, Akbar, Tagore and Vivekananda, presented a salute. In addition, a display of ethnic costumes of different states of India by one of the contingents added colour to the cavalcade.

The school-choir presented a touching rendition of the song Vandanake inn swaronmein…

Ekswarmeramilalo. The troupe of dancers lent colour to the celebrations with their number Bharat Hum Ko Jaan Se Pyara

Hai and Jhuke Tere Aage Sar/ Teri God Mera Ghar Hai /Tujhe Salaam India.

Smayan Nath, Grade II student sang the famous patriotic song Ai Mere watanke logon, by noted Hindi poet Pradeep. It was a moving tribute to the soldiers of the Indian Army who made the supreme sacrifice to uphold the sanctity and integrity of their motherland.

Glowing tributes were also paid to Late Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam who in his call to the nation during his presidential address had said: “We should all work together to achieve the mission for unity of minds to preserve what we so preciously earned and reach greater heights in the future."

The programme was enjoyed by everyone present as they left the venue with a renewed spirit of dedication to their motherland as citizens of a great nation on the move, achieving ever greater heights.

WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM W EDN ES DAY, AUGUST 19, 2015

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RECRUI JOB POSTINGS

The talent of success is nothing more than doing what you can do well. — Henry W. Longfellow

CAREER COACH

Don’t let technology disrupt your career path IT’S no secret that keeping up with advances in technology is critical to surviving and thriving in the business world.

There are numerous examples of top companies that suffered by resisting change.

The lessons learned from these failures can be applied to individual career potential: To move up the ladder, you must embrace new technology. If you don’t, there are plenty of other individuals who will be waiting to sweep past you.

You know many of the tools you should be using — LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube — and you need to keep abreast of new advances in technologies that are specific to your particular industry. What can you do if you’re not a born “techie”? Here are some

ways to increase your savvy: Get over your denial: Avoid jumping to the conclusion that a new technology will not affect you. Don’t get hung up on the way you’ve always done things.

Think ahead: Don’t rely on a history of success to save you in the future. Your job history has led to your present position, but if the nature of your business changes because of a new technology, that history may have little bearing on your future success. Have a vivid imagination and think about all kinds of different possibilities for the way technology could impact your position and your industry.

Embrace change: It is always frightening to change, especially if you have been successful in what you are doing. But with the waves

of technology sweeping across different industries, change is becoming the norm.

Seek a tech mentor: Ask the advice of a colleague who actively engages with technology.

This may not be the same type of person who you’d approach for a more traditional mentoring relationship — here’s the opportunity for millennials to mentor the baby boomers.

Set goals: Outline clear, measurable goals to achieve mastery of a new technology, whether it’s creating a professional blog and posting three times per week, or resolving to update a LinkedIn profile quarterly.

Practice: Like anything else, becoming a master of technology tools requires practice. Commit to

spending a set amount of time each day blogging, Tweeting, or scanning tech headlines and blog posts.

Stay current: Keep up on technology trend to familiarise yourself with new tools that might become integral to your position or industry. Invest in your technology education, if necessary.

You may have to learn a lot of new skills to keep up with the advances in technology in your industry.

Become a technology advocate: The best thing you can do for your firm is to become an advocate for disruptive technology.

Encourage co-workers to think about how the technology could impact your business. Work with them to develop a strategy to respond to the challenge. — Henry Lucas/ The Washington Post

QUOTES Do not think of your faults, still less of other’s faults; look for what is good and strong and try to imitate it. Your faults will drop off, like dead leaves, when their time comes.

— John Ruskin A great person attracts great people and knows how to hold them together.

— Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

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Bank Muscat launches value-added current account for najahi customers The najahi current account provides access to business debit card, branded cheque book, priority queuing at branches, free access to Maktabi Business Centres and online banking services

MUSCAT: As part of its commitment to encourage entrepreneurial initiatives, Bank Muscat, the flagship financial services provider in the Sultanate, has widened the najahi suite of products and services for micro and small businesses.

The bank has launched a value added najahi current account offering differentiated services for customers. The najahi current account provides access to business debit card, branded cheque book, priority queuing at branches, free access to Maktabi Business Centres and online banking services, says a press release.

The najahi business debit card offers a daily withdrawal limit of OMR1,000. It provides 24x7 access to ATM and cash deposit machines, reducing the need to visit branches for routine transactions.

The higher withdrawal limit helps customers to meet day-to-day cash

requirements. najahi customers can also avail multiple debit cards on the same account allowing authorised persons to make transactions on behalf of the company.

Specially branded cheque books are provided for najahi current account holders as also priority queuing facility at branches for both teller and non-teller transactions. They also have free access

M U S C AT S C I E N C E F E S T

businesses in Oman. Bank Muscat has taken major initiatives to provide the required support for entrepreneurs, especially youth, who constitute the future of Oman. The bank’s commitment stems from the strong belief that entrepreneurial ventures help boost the local economy, contribute to the GDP and create self-employment opportunities for youth.”

PAY T V N E T W O R K

Kerala Wing’s Medi-Talk on August 21 MUSCAT: Scripting the history of medical awareness and knowledge addition of the Indian community in Oman, Muscat Science Fest launches a series of programmes with the inauguration of MediTalk (the doctor’s interactive session) on Friday, August 21, 6pm at Indian School Darsait Auditorium.

The programme panel includes about 10 prominent doctors with a wealth of experience in mixed specialities from various hospitals of Oman and will be addressing the queries of the audience on the topic ‘medicine, treatment and physical ailments’. A special focus is given to children’s psychology, dealing with children having earning difficulties etc, says a press release.

The programme is organised in close association with Indian

once a month to Maktabi Business Centres in Muscat. najahi customers are required to maintain a minimum balance of OMR500 in their accounts to avail the current account facility.

Sadiq Mohammed Baqer Al Lawatiya, head of Retail Enterprises, said: “The new value-added najahi services are aimed at offering a major boost for start-up and small

The specially designed najahi products include credit facilities without collaterals for the small business segment to establish and develop their business. With najahi, Bank Muscat fulfils the primary need of finance for the micro and small business segment.

The najahi suite of products comprise flexi loan to support working capital, business expansion and other business needs; contractors loan to help complete contracted jobs; contractors bill discounting against bills submitted for completed contracted jobs; and the newly launched specially designed value added current account Bank Muscat has launched a series of initiatives to strengthen the SME sector in Oman. Serving as building blocks for entrepreneurs, these initiatives assume importance in the backdrop of the priority accorded by the government.

Medical Association Nedumbassery branch that has about 200 plus members just in Oman and its spread is growing over time.

Muscat Science Fest has launched the programmes of science and technology to enhance the awareness of people on the distinction between science and myth, the domination of science over the lives of people and rational angle of universal phenomena’s than misguiding interpretations.

While Medi-Talk Muscat Science Fest is conducting the second programme this year, the first one was a seminar on ‘Alternate technology and organisational forms’ done in early second quarter of this year in association with Costford of India.

Through the platform MediTalk, participants will have the

opportunity to take note of the various case studies on life style deceases, communicable deceases as well the terminal illnesses and the precautions and prevention measures one can take to lead a healthy and quality living.

As it is not a consultation session, rather interactive, on which the organisers have solicited questions on health issues well in advance through dedicated and round the clock telephone numbers and e-mail addresses.

The questions from the prospective audience will be screened, analysed and prepared in the form of case studies by the panel as a solution provider.

Participants will also have the opportunity to ask supplementary questions on the case studies presented during the event.

World class football only on OSN ABU DHABI: A new season of world-class football from across the globe is now showing on Abu Dhabi Sports channels only on OSN, the region’s leading pay-TV network.

Football fans can look forward to live and exclusive action from the EURO 2016 Qualifiers, Arabian Gulf League, Coppa Italia and US Major Soccer League in stunning High Definition, says a press release.

The Euro 2016 Qualifiers are reaching a thrilling climax as current FIFA World Cup champions Germany square up against Group D table toppers Poland (September 4) and other crucial fixtures on September 3 and 5.

Through to the final play-offs in November (12 to 17), viewers will have the unparalleled opportunity to follow the qualifying games on Abu Dhabi Sports channels, exclusively on OSN, as teams battle it out for a place at the UEFA EURO 2016 championships, to be held from June 10 to July 16, 2016 in France.

Abu Dhabi Sports’ world class football coverage has already included the Spanish and Italian Super Cups and it continues with the Arabian Gulf League (AGL) as Al Ain look to add a 12th title to the trophy cabinet, with live matches and in-depth pre and post-match analysis.

Adding to the action is exclusive coverage of the US Major Soccer League, featuring superstars Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Andre Pirlo, Kaka and many more.

And in Italy, follow the fortunes

Football fans can look forward to live and exclusive action from the EURO 2016 Qualifiers, Arabian Gulf League, Coppa Italia and US Major Soccer League in stunning High Definition. Through to the final playoffs in November (12 to 17), viewers will have the unparalleled opportunity to follow the qualifying games on Abu Dhabi Sports channels, exclusively on OSN, as teams battle it out for a place at the UEFA EURO 2016 championships, to be held from June 10 to July 16, 2016 in France

of Juventus as they look to add to their 10 Coppa Italia victories, but face stiff competition from the likes of Roma, Lazio and the two Milan giants – AC and Inter.

Abdul Hadi Al Sheikh, executive director of Television at Abu Dhabi Media, said: “Football is more than a game; it is a passion that unites us. We are delighted to offer world class football to our valued subscribers in HD through the OSN platform. Presented exclusively, our entire line-up is complemented by expert insights and studio analysis. We will continue to build our football platform through other rights such as the FIFA World Cup 2018 European Qualifiers to bring the joy of

world class football action to our subscribers.”

Andy Warkman, vice president Sports and Production at OSN, said: “The strategic collaboration of ADM and OSN has now positioned us firmly as a leading provider of popular football and sports events from around the world. We have already carved our niche in bringing the best cricketing action live, as well as the world’s most popular rugby and golf championships.

We are now delighted to be offering world class football to our sports line-up.

This is a winning combination that positions OSN at the forefront in sports entertainment.”

EXCITING OFFER

Al Hashar cash back promo on Firestone tyres till Sept. 9 MUSCAT: The ongoing Firestone Tyre Festival has become an instant hit in the Sultanate.

Customers can avail cash back on cash purchase of any four select Firestone — Passenger, 4WD, SUV or van tyres.

The cash back offer starts from OMR10 on 13-15” tyre size, OMR15 on 15-16” tyre size and goes upto OMR20 on 18” and above tyre sizes. A free wheel alignment check is also being offered to ensure maximum tyre life and optimum vehicle handling, says a press release.

Exclusive dealer A company spokesperson stated, “At Al Hashar, we are committed to delivering value to our customers. Firestone tyres have over the years earned the trust and love of customers in Oman.

“As the exclusive dealer of Firestone tyres, we decided to celebrate the amazing popularity and acceptance of brand Firestone through this special promotion.

We hope this promotion will further enhance Firestone’s growing popularity in the Sultanate.”

The promotion will continue till September 9, on all tyre brands as available with Al Hashar, across their tyre centres at Wadi Kabir, Sur and Sohar.

At Al Hashar, we are committed to delivering value to our customers. Firestone tyres have over the years earned the trust and love of customers in Oman. As the exclusive dealer of Firestone tyres, we decided to celebrate the amazing popularity and acceptance of brand Firestone through this special promotion. We hope this promotion will further enhance Firestone’s growing popularity in the Sultanate Al Hashar spokesperson In the field of tyres world over, the name Firestone requires no introduction. Trusted worldwide, Firestone has won many laurels from customers and tyre pundits alike. The tyres are very popular in Oman and thousands of satisfied customers are testimony to their reliability and performance.

Al Hashar is one of Oman’s pre-

mier automotive companies and distributor of some of the world’s most loved brands. Firestone and Al Hashar have become an unbeatable combination over their four decades long partnership.

The Firestone tyre range in Oman includes light truck and van, passenger car, sports utility vehicle and truck and bus tyres.

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WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM W EDN ES DAY, AUGUST 19, 2015

SECTION

SPOR YOUR GAME

FOOTBALL

Oman team’s friendly with Tanzania ‘not confirmed’

S

FATMA SETTLES FOR SECOND PLACE IN EGYPT The Sultanate’s tennis star Fatma Al Nabhani settled for a second place in the doubles competition of the ITF Pro Circuit $10,000 Sharm El Sheikh tournament in Egypt recently. >C4

Oman U16s arrive in Doha of the national team players prior to the team’s departure to Doha.

Oman play their opening match

MUSCAT: Even as Oman senior national team are preparing for a friendly match against Yemen ahead of their Asia Cup and World Cup qualifiers against Turkmenistan, there are reports of Tanzanian squad arriving in Muscat for another friendly against Paul Le Guen’s boys.

African sports portals, including 366football.com, posted reports saying Tanzanian team are planing to stopover in the Sultanate’s capital en route to a training camp in Turkey.

When contacted by Times Sport, all that Oman’s French coach Paul Le Guen said was ‘not confirmed’.

According to 366football. com, Tanazania, ‘as part of the preparations for the game against Nigeria in the 2017 African Cup of Nations qualifier, will be taking on Oman in a friendly match on August 24.

“The team will leave Dar es Salaam August 22 for a weeklong camp in Turkey to prepare for the clash against the Super Eagles but will have a stopover in Muscat for the friendly match before going on to Europe, as confirmed on the official Tanzanian Football Federation (TFF) website,” it said.

“While in Istanbul, Turkey, Taifa Stars are listed to play two friendly matches against unnamed opponents before ending the weeklong camp then fly straight back home to take on the former African champions on September 5.”

Le Guen boys, meanwhile, will play Yemen at Seeb Sports Stadium on August 28.

After having began their campaign in the joint qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup and 2019 Asia Cup with an away 2-1 win over India, Oman will play their next Group D match at home against Turkmenistan on September 3.

The Group D also comprises Guam and Iran.

The team are scheduled to resume training on August 24 ahead of Yemen friendly.

CRICKET

Ramela hits ton as South Africa A dominate India A WAYANAD: Middle-order batsman Omphile Ramela struck an attractive century as South Africa A dominated India A by posting a comfortable 293 for four on the opening day of the first unofficial cricket ‘Test’, here on Tuesday.

Riding on left-hander Ramela’s 112 off 197 balls, South Africa A dictated terms after their skipper Dane Vilas decided to bat first at the picturesque Stadium located in the hilly region of Krishnagiri.

The other two notable scorers were opener Reeza Hendricks, who hit 50, while Temba Bavuma was unbeaten on 55 off 117 deliveries with seven boundaries to his credit.

In fact, Ramela-Bavuma duo added 136 runs for the fourth wicket in nearly 40 overs (39.5 overs).

Ramela, who hit his fifth firstclass century in his 75th game had 12 boundaries and three sixes to his credit. He was particularly severe on off-spinner Jayant Yadav (one for 88 in 24 overs) hitting him for a few sixes. He batted for close to four hours for his ton.

Limited overs specialist Axar Patel was the most successful bowler with figures of two for 52 in 24 overs while seamer Ishwar Pandey got a wicket. Patel did not show much variation to trouble the batsmen and both his wickets were primarily a result of the mistakes committed by the batsmen.

The Indian bowling lacked the sting and the Wayanad pitch also helped the South African batsmen’s strokeplay. - PTI

at the GCC U-16 Championship against Kuwait

MUSCAT: The Sultanate’s under-16 national team reached Doha on Tuesday to take part in the GCC Under-16 Football Championship.

The regional championship is scheduled to take place from August 20 to 29. According to information received from the Oman

Football Association (OFA), the team began their preparations in right earnest, undergoing a training session just hours after arriving in the Qatari capital.

The training began with a brief pep talk given by team coach Youcb

Al Sabahi after which the players underwent a rigerous training.

The main focus of the training was the tactics to be used for their opening Group A match against Kuwait on Thursday.

The match is scheduled to kick

off at 5 pm Oman time. Group A also comprises Bahrain, whom the Sultanate junior squad will take on August 22.

The OFA, meanwhile, informed the technical and administrative body had a meeting with the parents

The team: Yousef Al Shiyadi, Mohammed Al Shekaili, Nawaf Jasim, Mohammed Al Khamisi (Al Suwaiq), Esam Al Makhzomi, Al Yaqdhan Khamis, Mutasim Al Bakri, Yousef Al Maliki and Yahya Al Hedaifi (Seeb), Islam Al Hinai, Said Al Siyabi (Rustaq), Naji Al Ghailani, Omar Rabia (Sur), Muaz Al Jahdhami (Bausher), Najib Mahfoudh, Sultan Basheer (Al Nasr), Mohammed Obaid, Thamir Al Za’abi (Al Salam), Sanad Al Araimi, Mohammed Al Alawi (Aurouba), Haider Al Ajmi (Saham), Abdullah Al Darmaki (Al Khaboura) and Mohammed Shihab ( Ibri).

Delegation: Yacoub Al Sabahi (coach),Hilal Al Aufi (assistant coach), Nabil Al Balushi (director), Shakir Al Balushi (goalkeepers coach), Mohammed Al Harthy (physiotherapist), Badr Al Battashi (adminstrator) and Hamdam Al Manni (media coordinator).

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2015

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CRICKET

Sri Lanka aim to give Sangakkara victorious send-off COLOMBO: Kumar Sangakkara gets a chance to bow out in style by leading Sri Lanka to a seriesclinching victory in the second Test against India starting in Colombo on Thursday.

The prolific left-hander, the highest run-getter among those still playing at the highest level, will bid adieu to international cricket after the match, ending a glorious 15-year career.

With Sri Lanka leading the three-match series after conjuring a brilliant come-from-behind win in the first Test in Galle by 63 runs, the stage is set at the P. Sara Oval for a Sangakkara special.

The 37-year-old will be desperate to end an unusually barren streak at the venue where he has fallen for zero in each of his last three Tests, including a first-ball duck against Pakistan in June.

Sangakkara scored five and 40 against the Indians in Galle, where Sri Lanka snatched a remarkable

victory after seemingly heading for a crushing loss.

The hosts had been reduced to 95 for five in their second innings before lunch on the third day, still 98 runs away from avoiding an innings defeat, when Dinesh Chandimal led the recovery with a brilliant 162 off 169 balls.

Chandimal shared valuable partnerships with Lahiru Thirimanne (44) and Jehan Mubarak (49) to lift the hosts to 367 before veteran left-arm spinner Rangana Herath took over.

Herath grabbed seven wickets as Virat Kohli’s men, chasing a modest victory target of 176, were skittled for 112 soon after lunch on the fourth day.

‘Go for the kill’ Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews said nothing less than a series win would be a fitting tribute to Sangakkara.“We will definitely go for the kill,” he said. “Sangakkara

SET FOR FINAL BOW: Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara inspects the pitch during a practice session at the P. Sara Oval Cricket Stadium in Colombo on Tuesday. – AFP

deserves the best possible farewell and only a win can do that. There is so much to play for in this Test.”

Indian team director Ravi Shastri said it hurt to lose at Galle after dominating the Test till the third af-

ternoon, but promised to set things right in the next two matches.

“Matches like Galle hurt you more than some others, because you have dominated the Test and still lost it,” the former all-rounder

said. “You learn from this kind of result quicker than any other kind of result. Hopefully you will see it in the next few days.”

The Indians, victims of several contentious umpiring decisions in Galle, paid dearly for the defiant refusal by their powerful cricket board to adopt the Decision Review System (DRS) for bilateral matches.

Both Chandimal and Thirimanne were fortunate to get into double figures, having survived three appeals for catches close to the wicket in a 10-minute period before lunch on the third day.

Replays showed all three catches — two against Chandimal and one against Thirimanne — were clean, but the absence of DRS meant India could not ask for reviews from the television umpire.

Indian captain Virat Kohli was reluctant to speak about those decisions, but said the need for DRS will be discussed after the series.

“It is not an issue I want to de-

Wood ready to stand aside for Anderson in fifth Ashes Test Mark Wood may

Roy Hodgson joins Ashes build-up

not be in the XI at The Oval if England spearhead James Anderson returns to the team

LONDON: Mark Wood has prepared himself for the prospect of being sidelined for the fifth and final Test against Australia despite taking the wicket that clinched the Ashes.

When Durham fast bowler Wood had Nathan Lyon playing on at Trent Bridge, it sealed an innings and 78-run win in the fourth Test that gave England an unbeatable 3-1 lead in the five-match Ashes series.

However, he may not be in the XI at The Oval if England spearhead James Anderson returns to the team. England’s all-time leading wicket-taker missed the fourth Test with a side strain suffered during his team’s eight-wicket win in the third Test at Edgbaston Anderson bowled in practice on Monday and Wood, speaking to reporters at The Oval before England trained on Tuesday, said: “Jimmy’s got 400 Test wickets,

LONDON: England football manager Roy Hodgson dropped in at The Oval on Tuesday ahead of the fifth and final Ashes Test.

Hodgson, accompanied by assistant Ray Lewington, chatted to players from both the England and Australia teams as they trained ahead of the Ashes finale at the south London ground, which starts on Thursday.

Hodgson had been invited to The Oval by Australia doctor Peter Brukner, who worked with the England boss when they were both at Premier

he’s England’s lead bowler...I’m sure everyone would want him in the side so if he’s fit and ready to go then it looks like he would get the nod, but I’ll prepare like I have for every other game.”

Wood has long struggled with an ankle problem and missed the match at Edgbaston after the injury raised fresh doubts about his ability to bowl at his best in backto-back matches.

“I don’t want to miss games for England. I’ve had that many inju-

League giants Liverpool. The former Reds manager even had time to cast his eye over the England cricketers’ warm-up football kickabout before they got down to the serious business of cricket training.

Hodgson stayed on to give a short team talk to Alastair Cook’s men, who’ve already clinched the Ashes after their innings and 78-run win over Australia in the fourth Test at Trent Bridge gave them an unbeatable 3-1 lead in the five-match series.

“I just wanted to congratulate them really. I’ve watched the cricket with great interest

ries so far in my short career that I never want that chance to be thrown out of the team,” said the 25-year-old, who made his Test debut against New Zealand in May. “Long term, the ankle problem may need some work done to it whether that’s time off or maybe an operation.

“My style of bowling off a short run and explosive at the crease probably doesn’t help my body at times. I heard Glenn McGrath mention that my short run puts

and great pride,” Hodgson told the England and Wales Cricket Board’s website.

Australia’s Chris Rogers spoke to Hodgson and afterwards he told reporters: “I’ve been over here a long time and I like watching the football — particularly how England go out in the big tournaments.

“I got a chance to have a good chat with him (Hodgson) and he was a lovely guy.

“He talked about watching county cricket in the 1950s (when Oval-based Surrey were the dominant side), so he’s got a fair bit of history there.” - AFP

more pressure on, but I don’t know any different to be honest.

“I’ve spoken to the physios about my ankle. If it’s just the case of pain then I could probably get through but if it’s hampering my performance or I’m not bowling with a straight leg and not up to late 80s/90mph then it’s not helping anyone, then I would look to get something done about it.”

‘No easy ride’ Meanwhile, Wood was still sa-

vouring the experience of sealing an Ashes series win.

“To get a the chance to watch it back was pretty special and I don’t want to forget that moment ever,” he said.

England have never won four Tests in a home Ashes series and Wood said skipper Alastair Cook, whose side suffered a 5-0 thrashing in Australia in 2013/14, was determined there would be no let up at The Oval.

“Cooky rang me the next day (after Trent Bridge). He didn’t let that winning feeling sink in too much because every other phone call was saying ‘brilliant, well done but let’s make this 4-1’.

“If it was the other way around I’m sure that Australia wouldn’t give us an easy ride so of course the celebrations will be after the game.

“Four-one would make it just that bit more sweet.”

The fifth Test will be Australia captain Michael Clarke’s last before international retirement and Wood said the star batsman would receive a respectful send off from England.

“He’s a fantastic player, someone who has done a huge amount for Australian cricket,” said Wood.

“Before the series he was someone I looked up to as a fan of the game, this series I’ve been up against and have had to try and get him out and that will be the same this game. There’ll be that respect there, because he’s had a fantastic career.” - AFP

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

bate on,” he said. “When the series is over, we will sit down and figure out how important is it or how much we want to use it.”

Major blow The tourists were dealt a major blow when in-form opener Shikhar Dhawan, who hit a century at Galle, was ruled out of the two remaining Tests with a hairline fracture in his right hand.

The injury to Dhawan left India in a spot of bother as the other opening batsman, Lokesh Rahul, was dismissed for seven and five in Galle.

First-choice opener Murali Vijay missed the Galle Test with a hamstring injury but is expected to recover in time for the second match.

Top-order batsman Cheteshwar Pujara is waiting in the wings, while India had already summoned all-rounder Stuart Binny to join the squad as the 16th member before Dhawan’s non-availability was confirmed. - AFP ODI SERIES

South Africa eye revenge against Kiwis CENTURION: When it was announced that South Africa and New Zealand would play a One-day International (ODI) series during the South African winter, the obvious marketing angle was that it would provide a rematch of the dramatic World Cup semifinal between the two teams.

New Zealand won the World Cup showdown with a six off the penultimate ball of the match in Auckland in March.

The series which starts at SuperSport Park on Wednesday is, however, far from a replay. Both sides are missing key players.

New Zealand, in particular, have been hit hard by injuries as well as a player management policy which sees regular captain Brendon McCullum and fast bowler Tim Southee being rested.

Despite injuries ruling out Trent Boult, Corey Anderson, Ross Taylor and Mitchell Santner, the Black Caps showed in sharing a Twenty20 series, which ended on Sunday, that they are capable of mounting a strong challenge.

After losing the first Twenty20 international in Durban by six wickets, New Zealand bounced back by winning the second game by 32 runs in Centurion on Sunday.

Stand-in captain Kane Williamson praised the way the side had turned around their fortunes but warned they would need to improve even further going into a 50-overs series.

On the evidence of the T20 games, New Zealand will need bigger contributions from their middle order batsmen after Williamson and Martin Guptill gave them good starts which were not fully capitalised on.

Williamson is likely to return to his regular number three spot after opening in the short-form games. South African captain AB de Villiers, meanwhile, bemoaned his side’s inability to adapt to an untypical Centurion pitch, which in winter conditions was dry and much more slower than usual.

South Africa’s bowling will be strengthened by the return of fast bowlers Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander and legspinner Imran Tahir, who both missed the T20 games.

But they will be without fast bowler Morne Morkel, who will join batsman JP Duminy on paternity leave.

New Zealand are currently third on the International Cricket Council one-day rankings list, one point ahead of fourth-placed South Africa.

Cricket South Africa chief executive Haroon Lorgat, meanwhile, said the experiment of playing matches in August had been successful so far, with near-capacity crowds attending the T20 matches.

The groundsmen in Durban and Centurion were able to prepare good batting surfaces.

At high altitude Centurion, the normally bleached winter grass was sprayed with a green dye which could not disguise the dryness of the outfield, making sliding by fielders difficult. - AFP

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2015

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SPORTS Anwar Ali, from child labourer to Pakistan’s latest cricket star all-rounder Anwar Ali, who once ironed

My life was once very tough as I used to work in a sock-making factory but I clung to the dream of playing for Pakistan. I requested my boss to put me in the night shift so that I could play cricket in the day and he very kindly obliged

socks for a living as a teenage factory labourer, may have finally found his feet in international cricket after years of

Anwar Ali

unfulfilled promise

KARACHI: Pakistan all-rounder Anwar Ali, who once ironed socks for a living as a teenage factory labourer, may have finally found his feet in international cricket after years of unfulfilled promise.

Ali smashed a 17-ball 46 with four towering sixes and three fours to help Pakistan clinch a last-gasp over win in the second Twenty20 against Sri Lanka in Colombo in their recently concluded tour, prompting fans to hail him as the second coming of talismanic allrounder Shahid Afridi.

“I am thankful to Almighty who helped me reach this point,” Ali, 27, said. “My life was once very tough as I used to work in a sock-making factory but I clung to the dream of playing for Pakistan.”

Ali migrated as a child from the small village of Zaka Khel in the militancy-wracked Swat Valley that is also home to Nobel peace prizewinning activist Malala Yousafzai.

His family was amongst those who left after extremists began a campaign to rule the valley.

The family made their base in a rundown industrial area of Karachi, where Ali, who lost his father when he was still young, began

Khan. “But... I couldn’t keep paying him. Luckily Ali got a job in the Karachi Electric team and from there he never looked back.”

Ali said: “My late father was against my playing cricket but his opinion changed once I made my mark and started earning from it.”

TOUGH LIFE TO STARDOM: Fans now fail him as the second coming of Shahid Afridi. – AFP

working as a child labourer for a meagre 150 rupees ($1.50 in current terms) per day.

“Those were very tough days, we came to Karachi in search of peace and safety and as one of the boys of the family I was required to earn and not play,” said the broad-built Ali. While on the way to the factory, Ali would watch boys play in the

street, spurring his dreams of one day making it to the national stage.

“I requested my boss to put me in the night shift so that I could play cricket in the day and he very kindly obliged,” recalled Ali. Ali got his lucky break when he was spotted by local coach Azam Khan, who he now calls his mentor and guide. “I found him enor-

mously talented and asked him to come for the trials,” recalled Khan.

“Initially he excused himself because he would have lost his daily wages in case the trials ran later than scheduled. So, I promised to pay him the 150 rupees if he comes.

“The next day he came and he conquered the trials and everyone was amazed at his bowling,” said

AMAZING YEARS

Rogers confirms retirement after Ashes LONDON: Chris Rogers is retiring from international cricket after this week’s Ashes finale against England, the Australia opener announced on Tuesday.

The 37-year-old joins his captain Michael Clarke in retiring from international career after the fifth Test.

He said: “I have had an amazing couple of years playing for Australia and enjoyed it and been part of some pretty special things — but everything comes to an end.”

England wrapped up the Ashes with victory in the fourth Test that put them 3-1 up in the fivematch series.

Tuesday’s confirmation comes after Rogers had suggested it was his plan to make the Oval his international swansong in what will be his 25th career Test.

Rogers, who has more than 24,000 first-class runs to his name, made his Test debut in 2008 but did not win his second cap until the start of the 2013 Ashes - at the age of 35.

The determined left-hander has since scored five Test centuries, most recently in Australia’s only victory of this Ashes series at Lord’s. Rogers suffered a dizzy spell in the second Test at Lord’s and was forced off the field on 49 in Australia’s second innings.

Medical tests revealed the injury was related to a balance problem in the inner ear caused when Rogers was hit on the helmet by a James Anderson bouncer

There’s been a few things, particularly the head issues lately, so I am quite happy to call it a day...

Chris Rogers Australian batsman during his Test-best 173 in the first innings.

Despite injury doubts he was able to play at the next Test at Edgbaston.

Explaining his decision to accompany Clarke into retirement, Rogers added: “You are never 100 percent sure, but I felt like this (Test at The Oval) was the last one. There’s been a few things, particularly the head issues lately, so I am quite happy to call it a day...I’ve been hit in the head a few too many times of late.

“It’s time for Australian cricket to make a few changes and bring in a few new guys, a few fresh

faces. “It’s going to be a challenging time, particularly for the new guys — but that’s part of it.”

Rogers has been one of Australia’s best batsmen in a disappointing series, sparking speculation he could defer his retirement.

‘Feel old’ But Rogers, speaking to reporters at The Oval later Tuesday, said: “I am 38 this month and I feel old. There’s other things to do in l ife as well.”

However, Rogers — who has had several spells in English cricket, most recently with Middlesex — said he could prolong his county

career. “I spoke to Angus Fraser (Middlesex’s director of cricket and an England selector) the other day just to see where they are at...But I’m going to take a break and if I decide that’s it, maybe I won’t play anymore.”

Rogers said experience of county cricket would benefit young Australian players but warned it would be hard to come by.

“It’s just not that easy. Counties aren’t necessarily just going to pick up young Aussie cricketers,” he said.

“There’s good players all round the world and you are only allowed one overseas player. We’d like to send our young guys over here but I’m not sure England are going to be that accommodating.”

Asked what he would miss the most in no longer representing Australia, Rogers replied: “Playing international cricket is just such a privilege and the highs you get (are incredible).

“The 173 I scored at Lord’s is just going to be one of those memories I’ll have forever.

“That (maiden Test) hundred I got at Durham (in 2013) when I was in tears. Winning in South Africa, missing the (2013/14 Ashes) celebrations with the prime minister (Rogers was hungover at the time), all those kind of magic moments that you’ll never get again.

“That’s going to be the sad part — but I’ve had enough of them now... and I can be happy with that.” - AFP

Promising start Ali was later picked for the Pakistan Under-19 team which won the Junior World Cup in Sri Lanka in 2006. It was his banana-swing bowling which turned the tables on arch-rivals India in the final at the Premadasa stadium in Colombo.

Defending a paltry target 109, Ali made the ball turn corners as he finished with figures five for 35, shooting India out for 71.

His victims included Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ravindar Jadeja — all of whom have made their mark for India in international cricket.

Two years later Ali made an inauspicious international senior debut, in a Twenty20 match against Zimbabwe in Canada. Figures of 0-19 in two overs meant he was instantly discarded from the team which had Abdul Razzaq as its main all-rounder.

Cast into the wilderness for the next five years, he made it his goal to lift his family from poverty and build them a modest house. He set about playing in England’s Lancashire league and all but gave up on his international goals. But finally, his hard work paid off.

“I worked on my bowling, on my batting and, above all, my fielding and that brought me back in the Pakistan team in 2013,” he said.

Ali and Bilawal Bhatti, another promising all-rounder, made their one-day debuts memorable by helping Pakistan record a historymaking series win in South Africa in November 2013.

But it was the recent tour of Sri Lanka that established Ali’s place in the Pakistan team after years of inconsistency saw his bowling average balloon to 58.

“It would not be wrong to say that Ali has finally come of age on this Sri Lanka tour,” said coach Waqar Younis. “His fielding is extraordinary and he has improved as batsman as well as bowler. If he keeps working hard he will be our main all-rounder.”

For his part, Ali hopes that he can continue to knock the socks off every opponent. - AFP

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2015

SPORTS Young Omani sailing talents excel at Sur Optimist Championships With places on the National Optimist Sailing Squad up for grabs, the standard of sailing proved incredibly high and provided insight into a bright future for sailing in Oman

MUSCAT: Oman Sail’s newest sailing school in Sur, which was opened last year and funded by Oman LNG, played host to the 2nd Oman Optimist Championships from August 11 to 16, bringing together 37 of Oman’s best young sailors for a week of intense competition. With places on the National Optimist Sailing Squad up for grabs, the standard of sailing proved incredibly high and provided insight into a bright future for sailing in Oman.

Zakariya Al Wahabi retained the title he won at least year’s inaugural championship, emerging victo-

OMAN’S BEST: Zakariya Al Wahabi receives his award. The three overall podium winners, right photo, celebrate with their trophies. – Supplied photos

rious in the overall rankings, with Marwan Al Jabri in second and Al Motasem Al Farsi in third.

In the Under-12 category, Ghassan Al Hosni took the title ahead of Mohammed Al Qasmi in second and Ali Al Siyabi in third. The Wave, Muscat won the Best School award, posting the best results of all four of Oman Sail’s sailing schools.

Sailors had to contend with varying weather conditions that had an impact on their performance.

From light winds on the first day

ENGLISH DEFENDER

and almost no winds on the second day, competitors struggled to reach the speeds they are capable of but the last two days offered good wind and near-perfect sailing conditions that let them show their talent.

Busy schedule The winners received their prizes at a ceremony held under the patronage of Sheikh Hamad bin Sultan Al Busaidi, Deputy Wali of Sur, and members of the National Optimist Sailing Squad will now begin

preparations for a busy schedule which includes the World Optimist Championships in Poland later this month, the IODA Optimist African championships in Algeria in September and the Asian and Oceania Championships in Doha in October.

“The standard of sailing shown during the championships is evidence that the young sailors are making rapid progress each year.

We have more spots in the National squad available for the com-

ing year and all of the competitors showed they are going to be capable of representing the Sultanate either this year or in the future,” said Marina Psichogiou, Manager of Oman Sail’s Omantel Youth Programme which is co-sponsored by Oman Shipping Company.

“This tournament also gave the youngest of the group an opportunity to experience sailing in a large fleet and a competitive environment, as well as offering them a glimpse at the possibilities avail-

TENNIS

ISL

Johnson signs for Pune PUNE: Indian Super League (ISL) franchise FC Pune City signed English defender Roger Johnson for the 2015 edition of the tournament on Tuesday.

Johnson previously played for British clubs Cardiff City and West Ham United. The 32-year-

able to them through sailing.”

She added: “We now begin preparations for a busy calendar of major events that will give the squad further vital experience as we look to empower the youth of Oman and prepare sailors for Olympic competition.”

The top five sailors will now begin preparations for the Optimist World Championships in Poland which takes place in the city of Dziwnow from August 25 to September 5.

Robin hoping to learn from Roberto Carlos

old played an instrumental role in Cardiff City’s runners up campaign in the 2008 Football Association (FA) Cup. Expressing his excitement at the new opportunity, Johnson said he is looking forward to his first stint outside of England. - IANS

RUNNER-UP: Fatma Al Nabhani

Fatma settles for doubles second place in Egypt MUSCAT: The Sultanate’s tennis star Fatma Al Nabhani settled for a second place in the doubles competition of the ITF Pro Circuit $10,000 Sharm El Sheikh tournament in Egypt recently.

According to information received from the Oman Tennis Association (OTA) on Tuesday, the Omani lass teamed up with Swedish girl Anette Munozova to march into the final. The pair

lived up to their top seeding by marching into the final.

In the summit clash, however, they came up against a strong team of Jenny Claffey of Ireland and Sara Tomic of Australia, who went on to win the match at 6-4, 6-1 and with that the title.

In the singles too, Fatma found success with the top-seeded Omani marching past Amelie Intert (6-0, 7-6 (3), 6-3) and Eva Siskova

(6-2, 6-4), both from the U.S. as well as Egyptian girl Lamis Al Hussein Abdel Aziz (6-2, 5-7, 6-3).

However, Fatma’s run ended in the semifinals where she was handed a 6-1, 7-5 defeat

by Slovakian sixth seed Tereza Mihalikova.

Fatma now heads to Tunisia to take part in $10,000 El Kantadui tournament that is scheduled to take place from August 24 to 30.

NEW DELHI: Indian Super League (ISL) side Delhi Dynamos striker Robin Singh on Tuesday said he is relishing the opportunity of interacting with his team’s marquee playercum-manager Brazilian legend Roberto Carlos.

Robin was signed by the Dynamos for the second edition of the tournament, which commences on October 3. Dynamos failed to qualify for the last four stage of the eight-team tournament last year.

“My interactions with Roberto Carlos have been brief but every minute spent was worth it.

He brings immense knowledge and experience from playing at the highest level, he’s surely going to make a difference to us all at Delhi Dynamos,” Singh was quoted as saying by goal.com.

Robin said he is ready to give his all for his new team.

“To be honest, I am just grateful for the opportunity and was excited to be an integral holistic part of the ISL. Wherever I was meant to go I know my dedication and commitment would have been 100 percent,” he said.

“It doesn’t get any better than playing for my home town. I am looking forward to a great season of training and games.” - IANS

TENNIS

Federer urges ATP to ‘come down hard’ on Kyrgios CINCINNATI: Multiple Grand Slam winner Roger Federer said the sport of tennis cannot afford to tolerate Australian Nick Kyrgios’ behaviour adding that the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) should “come down hard” on the controversial 20-year-old.

Kyrgios was fined $12,500 by the

ATP and further punishment may still be forthcoming after he jibed at his opponent, world No. 5 Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland during a match in Montreal last week, passing nasty comment referring to the latter’s girlfriend and saying ‘Sorry to tell you that, mate”.

The comment did not go down

well in the international tennis circuit. “We all agree that he definitely crossed the line by a long shot. We’re not used to that kind of talk in tennis. I know in other sports it’s quite common, maybe normal. Not in our sport, really.

It’s normal that the tour comes down hard on him and explains to

him that it’s not the way forward,” Federer was quoted as saying by cincinnati.com on Monday.

A 17-time Major winner, Federer added: “Clearly the behaviour was very disappointing and not great for the sport. We want kids to be wanting to get into this sport because it’s a nice sport.” - IANS

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SPORTS AT H L E T I C S

Bubka and Coe hit home straight in race for IAAF presidency

DETERMINED: Ahmad Al Harthy is focussed on winning a podium place at Snetterton. – Supplied photo

Ahmad hopes to get back on podium at Snetterton Ahmad Al Harthy knows this weekend’s double-header at Snetterton will be pivotal toward his hopes of ending the campaign inside the coveted top three for the second year in succession at Avon Tyres British GT Championship

MUSCAT: With only two race meetings remaining on the 2015 Avon Tyres British GT Championship calendar, Ahmad Al Harthy knows this weekend’s doubleheader at Snetterton will be pivotal toward his hopes of ending the campaign inside the coveted top three for the second year in succession.

Ahmad, who finished the 2014 season as Vice-Champion alongside then teammate Michael Caine, has endured more than his share of misfortune this year but still goes into rounds seven and eight on

Sunday, mathematically able to repeat last year’s series placing.

Snetterton 300 Circuit is a track where the Oman Air, Oman Ministry of Sports Affairs, Ooredoo, National Bank of Oman and Al Hashar Group-supported racer has enjoyed impressive results in the past, in fact it was the venue for his first British GT podium and also maiden series win in 2013.

This year, piloting the No.2 Oman Racing Team Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3, Ahmad will arrive at Snetterton sixth in the over-

all British GT title chase and after two back-to-back events with no points scored – as a result of a pitstop mishap at Spa in Belgium and mechanical problems last time out at Brands Hatch — two strong results are absolutely vital.

“We know what we have to do at Snetterton and we’re all unbelievably determined to get back on the podium, that’s our focus”, said the 33-year-old Omani, “It’s been very unfortunate the way the last two races turned out, at Brands GP we had a great chance of finishing on the podium but it wasn’t to be unfortunately through matters out of our control.

“The positives from Brands, and Spa before that, are how well the car has been working and the setup we’ve been able to achieve which has meant we’ve been competitive.

Snetterton is a track which has good memories, hopefully we can take away some big points and silverware at the weekend.”

As well as the main championship challenge, Ahmad – who is an ambassador for Aston Martin Middle East and North Africa – is also battling it out for title victory

NATIONAL GAS WIN MUSTAFA MEMORIAL CRICKET TITLE National Gas defeated Al Faisal by five wickets to win the title at the Mustafa Memorial Cricket Tournament organised by ‘We Help Muscat’ here recently. In the final, Al Faisal first scored 94 for six in seven overs. The National Gas achieved the target thanks a Iklaq who smashed 71 off just 19 balls with 11 huge sixes. Earlier the semifinals, Al Faisal beat Power Tech while National Gas defeated HCC. The tournament was sponsored by Oman UAE Exchange and co-sponsored by Al Meer International, Cricket Cottage Darsait, Oasis Water, Barzman National LLC, Sadaf Al Arabiah Genuine Parts International, Asian Cold Store, Food Day Restaurant, Teejan Jaleel LLC, Food Book Restaurant, IBN SINA Group, Muscat Pharmacy (Pocari Div), Abu Ali Cold Store, Moment Shopping, Muscat Cricket Sports and Bur Hakman Trading. Individual honours: Best batsman: Iklaq(National Gas), Best bowler: AmeerKhan (Al Faisal), Best keeper: Nithin (Royal Challengers), Best fielder: Irfan (Al Faisal), Best catch: Nishad (Power Tech), Maximum sixes in the final: Iklaq (National Gas) and Fairplay award: Al Sahwa Tower Cricket Team. — Supplied photo

in the Silver Cup classification where the Oman Racing Team entry currently leads the way by 9.75 points from the McLaren pairing of Andrew Watson and Ross Wylie.

Reverting to the 60-minute format for the two upcoming Snetterton races, the double-header will be the first since the championship-opening event at Oulton Park in April and both races are expected to be screened live on Motors TV. Following two free practice sessions on Saturday, qualifying for rounds seven and eight of the British GT season will get underway at 15.25 (local time). On Sunday, morning warm-up will begin at 9.25 (local time) with race one scheduled to start at 12.55 (local time) and race two set to follow at 16.30 (local time).

Provisional 2015 Avon Tyres British GT Championship GT3 driver standings: 6. Ahmad Al Harthy 46 pts.

Provisional 2015 Avon Tyres British GT Championship GT3 Silver Cup: 1. Ahmad Al Harthy, 81.5 pts.

Provisional 2015 Avon Tyres British GT Championship GT3 team standings: 2. Oman Racing Team 156.5 pts.

BEIJING: Athletics legends Sergey Bubka and Sebastian Coe will go head-to-head on Wednesday in their bid to become president of the sport’s world body, with the winner facing a major overhaul to salvage the doping-tainted sport.

After months of criss-crossing the globe wooing support from the 214 member federations that make up the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), Bubka and Coe face the final act in a vast Beijing convention centre. The 214 members will go to the ballot box to elect the successor to Lamine Diack, the 82-yearold Senegalese who is stepping down after 16 years in charge.

Diack has hailed the sporting pedigree of the two candidates: Bubka won Olympic pole vault gold in 1988 for Ukraine and was also a 10-time world champion, while Coe was a two-time Olympic 1500m gold medallist for Britain in 1980 and 1984.

The IAAF meeting, Diack said, “heralds the arrival of a new president who has the task to build the future of our sport”.

“I am all the more confident of what we have in store as neither of the candidates will find themselves in an unfamiliar environment.

“I have laid the foundations for the future of the IAAF with our two great champions — whoever the IAAF athletics family elects, he will be a bona fide son of our sport.”

But the victor will be taking on the monumental task of rescuing the credibility and integrity of track and field, the biggest Olympic sport but still a minnow in global sporting financial terms.

Close contest The IAAF has in recent weeks been at the centre of allegations of widespread cheating, after the Sunday Times said a leaked database of 12,000 blood tests from 5,000 athletes revealed “extraordinary” levels of doping.

The IAAF hit back at those allegations as “sensationalist and confusing”, and also rejected later claims it suppressed publication of research that 29-34 percent of the 1,800 competitors

After months of wooing 214 member federations, Bubka and Coe face the final act in Beijing

at the 2011 Daegu worlds had violated anti-doping rules in the previous 12 months.

In much the same way as football’s world body FIFA has been torn apart by allegations of corruption, with Sepp Blatter agreeing to stand down as president, the IAAF finds itself in turbulent waters.

Coe or Bubka will be taking charge at a pivotal time, as athletics also craves more public and media interest in a world dominated by football and other sports.

Insiders predict a very close contest, with hints that Coe may just have edged ahead of his rival.

Bubka, 51, who has been involved with the IAAF since 2001 and has served as vice-president since 2007, is standing for both the presidency and the vice-presidency. But 58-year-old Coe, who moved on from sports to become a Conservative politician in Britain before overseeing the highly successful London Olympics in 2012, is standing for just the presidency.

The manifestoes of the two former stars are not strikingly different, though one major divergence is Coe’s insistence on establishing an independent drug-testing body. Bubka would prefer to continue working with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

Coe reacted strongly after the Sunday Times and Germany’s ARD claimed more than 800 athletes recorded suspicious blood tests between 2001 and 2012. Bubka, however, avoided taking aim at the media, instead reiterating his calls for more transparency and the need for IAAF to be “more proactive”. - AFP

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SPORTS

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Chung comments disrespectful for all concerned, says Blatter Blatter said he was disturbed by

It is disturbing, to say the least, to hear Dr. Chung Mong-Joon describe FIFA as ‘a corrupt organisation’

the South Korean industrialist’s outspoken comments at a press conference in Paris on Monday

Sepp Blatter

where he officially

FIFA President

launched his candidacy

PARIS: FIFA President Sepp Blatter has slammed comments

by Chung Mong-Joon, a candidate to take over football’s world body calling it a corrupt organisation.

Blatter said he was disturbed by the South Korean industrialist’s outspoken comments at a press conference in Paris on Monday where he officially launched his candidacy.

Chung went on the attack against Blatter and UEFA leader Michel Platini, his rival in the FIFA race.

“The real reason FIFA has become such a corrupt organisation is because the same person (Blatter) has been running it for 40 years. Absolute power corrupts absolutely,” Chung said.

“It is disturbing, to say the least,

to hear Dr. Chung Mong-Joon describe FIFA as ‘a corrupt organisation’,” Blatter said in reply.

“Even more so when one recalls — and as Dr. Chung cannot have forgotten — that he was a FIFA Vice-President and a FIFA Emergency Committee member for 17 years from 1994 up until 2011.”

Blatter said in the statement that “personal attacks” made by Dr. Chung at the press conference were “particularly disrespectful to all concerned.”

“I would like to stress again that FIFA is dedicated to improving the organisation and will continue to strengthen its governance and accountability.

“Our work in this area continuously evolves, and we are focused on achieving the highest standards for the international football community.”

Chung made several attacks on FIFA’s leadership at the campaign launch in a Paris hotel saying that it was in a “profound crisis” over police inquiries into two corruption affairs.

He said Platini should not be a candidate because he was too linked to FIFA’s past system.

Fourteen FIFA officials and sports business executives were charged

by US authorities in May over more than $150 million in bribes allegedly paid for television and marketing deals. Swiss police are separately investigating the award of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar respectively.

Chung said that as long as there is no “clear evidence” of wrongdoing in the Qatar bid then FIFA had to keep its promises to the Gulf state which is spending billions of dollars preparing for the event.

FIFA official charged Meanwhile, one of the seven FIFA officials arrested in Switzerland has been charged with money laundering and corruption charges in Nicaragua, a prosecutor said, expecting an extradition to be completed soon.

Nicaraguan Julio Rocha, the former head of the Nicaraguan Football Federation, has been detained in Switzerland since a raid on a Zurich hotel in May. He agreed last week to be extradited to his home country, according to Swiss officials.

The charges against Rocha were filed on August 4, prosecutor Julia Guido said.

Guido said investigations determined Rocha signed a broadcast rights agreement with a company from which he allegedly received a $100,000 (900,000 euro) bribe,

adding that she expected the extradition to be completed soon.

The United States has also demanded Rocha’s extradition as part of its probe into massive corruption at football’s governing body.

A Swiss justice ministry spokesman said last week they would not carry out the extradition until US officials agree to put aside their request. Rocha was part of Nicaragua’s Olympic committee from 1997 to 2009 and from 2012 was a development officer at FIFA. One of the other arrested officials, Jeffrey Webb, a native of the Cayman Islands and an ex-FIFA vice president, was extradited to the US last month.

The five remaining FIFA officials wanted by US authorities — all from South America or the CONCACAF zone of North and Central America and the Caribbean — have not yet agreed to be extradited. They include Eugenio Figueredo from Uruguay — also an ex-FIFA vice president and Costa Rican Eduardo Li, who was supposed to join the FIFA Executive Committee in May. There was also Brazilian football federation chief Jose Maria Marin and Costas Takkas, a Briton who worked for the Cayman Islands federation and Rafael Esquivel, president of the Venezuelan Football Federation.

The seven were arrested during a dawn raid in Zurich on May 27 ahead of a FIFA congress. The FIFA corruption case, that also targeted seven sports marketing executives, has shaken the football world and sparked worldwide calls for massive reform. - Agencies

BARCA COACH

Enrique wants Pedro issue resolved BARCELONA: Barcelona coach Luis Enrique is impatient for the transfer window to close at the end of the month to end the uncertainty over the future of Spain forward Pedro.

Pedro revealed last month the Spanish and European champions had received offers for him after agreeing to trim the size of his buyout clause to 30 million euros ($33.3 million).

Media reports suggested the 28-year-old might seal a move to English champions Chelsea, although Manchester United are said to be the current favourites to secure his services.

Although Pedro started Monday’s Spanish Super Cup second leg against Athletic Bilbao in the absence of the unavailable Neymar, Luis Enrique is expected to give him limited playing time again this term with a settled forward line of the Brazilian, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.

“It’s a difficult situation and it’s hard (for Pedro) to stay focused,” Luis Enrique told a news conference after Barca fell 5-1 on aggregate to Bilbao.

“I want the market to damn well close so that I know who I can count on,” the former Barca and Spain midfielder added.

Barca’s defeat to Bilbao ended their hopes of a clean sweep of all six trophies they are contesting in 2015, something they became the first and only side to achieve in 2009. They have won four titles this year — the Champions League, La Liga, the King’s Cup and the European Super Cup — and play at the Club World Cup in December. - Reuters

FOOTBALL

Hugged by the hands of God, infamous Tunisian referee Ali meets Maradona TUNIS: Diego Maradona kissed and hugged the referee who allowed his handball goal in the 1986 World Cup and presented him with a signed Argentina jersey when the two met in Tunisia this week, local media reported.

Maradona’s quarterfinal goal against England in Mexico City gained added notoriety when the tiny Argentine, who tapped the ball over the head of onrushing goalkeeper Peter Shilton with his fist, claimed it had been scored by the ‘Hand of God’.

Tunisian referee Ali Bennaceur failed to spot the handball and allowed the goal to stand amid furious protests from the England players, prompting a debate, that still rages on today, over the use of referees from smaller nations in major matches.

The pair exchange gifts for the cameras when they met in Tunis on Monday with Bennaceur handing the former Argentina skipper a framed photo of himself, Maradona and Shilton, who captained

ETERNAL FRIEND: Football legend Diego Maradona seen with Tunisian referee Ali Bennaceur. – facebook.com/DiegoMaradonaOficial

England, before the match at the Azteca Stadium.

In return, the 71-year-old former referee received a Maradona shirt inscribed with the words “For Ali, my eternal friend”.

In interviews in later years, Bennaceur blamed his Bulgarian assistant Bogdan Dotchev for failing to alert him to the moment when Maradona punched the ball past Shilton to give Argentina the lead in

the match they went on to win 2-1.

“Before the game, FIFA gave us clear guidelines: ‘If your colleague is better placed than you are, his decision should take precedence.’

That’s what I did: my assistant did not raise his flag,” he told a French football magazine So Foot recently.

He also claimed a role in Maradona’s second strike, a brilliant weaving run that started in his own half and continued through the entire English defence which is often described as the ‘goal of the century’.

“Maradona did not score that all by himself, that goal. I was his assistant: I played three advantages. I did not have to. For the first foul, he stumbled. The second came just on the edge of the area.

I shouted ‘advantage, advantage’.

“And when he entered the area, I was expecting (Terry) Butcher to slice him down. I put my whistle to my lips, I was ready to intervene but I didn’t blow.”

Argentina went on to beat West Germany 3-2 in the final. - Reuters

Leisure

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in Ab uD ha bi

and Dubai, trip to

AR ising Fou r-Sta r

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2015

LIFESTYLE SECTION

WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM

ed. surpris santly is plea

Sco tt A rm str on g Sto ry |

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2015

LIFESTYLE

Marriott Courtyard World Trade Centre, Abu Dhabi Hamdan Bin Mohammed Street (5th Street) +971 2698 2222, marriott.com

W

hile the UAE marches ever closer to the world’s first 100 star hotel, (come on, it will happen one day) a growing number of savvy consumers are compromising uberluxury for value-for-money.

Once upon a time, this bargain hunting meant huge sacrifices in class, which typically translated into being charged through the nose for internet access, dealing with grumpy employees, staying in rooms rank with the scent of stale smoke, and breakfasts not fit for your pets.

Though these “value properties” still exist (I could name some in Abu Dhabi and Dubai with pleasure) times are a-changing. There is a quiet revolution happening, not only in budget hotels, where service is getting better and rooms cleaner, but also in the four-star sector that is working hard to narrow the gap between itself and those in the starclass above. There may be no better example of this trend than the new Marriott Courtyard World Trade Centre in Abu Dhabi. A hotel that is under-promising and over-delivering in almost every area.

Set in an ideal location for anyone looking for a spot of retail therapy with the World Trade Centre mall and the Souq right at the hotel’s doorstep and Marina Mall in one direction and Abu Dhabi Mall and Galleria on Al Maryah Island in the other only a few minutes away by taxi. Its rooftop pool lounge offers great views across the city at night, particularly in the winter months when the temperatures allow al fresco entertainment. You even get fluffy dressing gowns and slippers at this well-located property. But how does this four-star stack-up when it comes to our typical checklist of five-star expectations? Let’s run through it: •Prime location - Well the Marriott is directly connected to the new World Trade Centre mall, packed with luxury shops, plus it is maybe a 10-minute walk, at most, to the seafront of Abu Dhabi’s beautiful Corniche.

•Spacious, well designed room - Here the basic rooms started from around 32 sq m and do not feel cramped at all, however, opt for the junior suite and you get a separate lounge and a total of 50 sq m.

•Spa-esque bathroom - Marble and monsoon showers are generally the order of the day at five-stars, the Courtyard delivers this too. In fact it probably features one of the best monsoon showers I’ve enjoyed in any hotel.

•Excellent restaurant, especially breakfast - Again, here Courtyard over-delivers; its restaurant is bright, featuring modern design and attentive staff, and the food on offer is good quality and fresh with buffet and al a carte choices, plus a live cooking station. than simply offer a default ‘no’, especially when querying a cost.

•Gadgets & tech - An iPod docking station, flat screen television, and free Wi-Fi all come standard at the Courtyard.

•Pool and poolside refreshments - Okay, so you won’t be training for any triathlons in the Courtyard’s cute rooftop pool, but as a place to soak up the sun and then cool off, it works well and is a sophisticated space. The daily happy hour draws a crowd for the late afternoon refreshments.

•Great service - We expect this at five-star hotels and too often they fail to deliver, sometimes due to snooty staff, or lack of training, or any other number of issues. But, again, here Courtyard goes a step beyond what I expected from a four-star with its smiling, courteous staff, all of whom remembered my and name and were willing to help with all queries rather There are other surprising treats at this property, including the Fifth Street Café, through which you access the mall. The great coffee shop offers an excellent lunch and is a favorite after-work watering-hole and refuge for grumpy husbands waiting for wives to finish shopping (the mall has a multilevel House of Fraser, so it could be a while).

One compromise might come if you demand the wood fittings in your room to be genuine deep walnut rather than veneer. However, the room designer has delivered a modern and clean look, with nothing jarring on the eye, and a good use of light and space to quell any claustrophobia. The only real concession a guest at the Courtyard has to make is that of the view. Being on the outskirts of a busy commercial district in the capital, don’t expect breathtaking scenery to gaze out of your windows at. But this is a small compromise when you consider a room at this hotel will set you back around 32 rial per night, less than half of what you would pay at the majority of the five-stars, even on discount. With this much bang-for-thebuck, maybe we should all start considering “treating ourselves” to one of the new generations of four-star hotels. —scottarmstrong@timesofoman.com T R AV E L T I P S

ARE YOU A FREQUENT FLYER? MANAGE YOUR MILES

Frequent flyer programmes are only beneficial if you fly at least 3-4 times a year and are careful not to let your miles expire Stick to a couple of plans Always take a particular preferred airline to travel and earn maximum miles with which you can buy free tickets or upgrade to higher classes. Or, you can concentrate on just a couple of frequent flyer programmes and look for plans that include a number of airlines.

Always enter FF number Make sure you enter your frequent flyer number every time you travel. If you are booking through travel agents, ask them to enter your number. Or you can do it when you check-in for your flight, either at a kiosk or with the check-in agent.

Elite status

Be a Gold member If you are a gold member, you can enjoy an extra baggage allowance, which will be helpful, especially when you are on a family holiday trip. You can also go for a business class check-in lounge even if you are flying in economy class.

Never let miles expire You can accumulate miles aggressively through travel, credit card programmes and airline partners. But never let the miles expire.

Look for the programme’s partners like hotels and rental car companies and use them. However, the best deal is free travel.

PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED

Most of the airlines award elite status for life to frequent travellers who reach one-million-miles-flown mark. Airline elite status entitles you for free upgrade vouchers and makes your trips more comfortable.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2015

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LIFESTYLE THE HOBBYIST Roya Al Lamki Hiker/trekker

THE HIKER Come thinking you are doing this to enjoy the beauty of Oman.

It’s really beautiful. Health benefits are just a bonus.

Why do you love it?

Hiking always fascinated me as every terrain we hike is different. No one mountain is like the other. I haven’t ventured out of Muscat yet, but here alone I have come across beautifully coloured rocks in some of the wadis, fossils, little flowers up the mountain, colourful beetles and snakes. It’s a great hobby and a great way to meet new people.

How did you get into it?

I have been into hiking for almost two years now. Before, sitting in the car, I used to look up at the mountains and think about what it would be like to look down from there. Does anybody go up there? I wondered. Then I saw this piece of information on the facebook page of Cleanup Oman about the Oman Mountain Club organising hikes. I got very excited and wanted to join, but it was summer, and hiking during summer was unimaginable, so I waited until the winter to join and stopped when it was summer again. But this summer I decided to continue. Now, I even join the Wednesday hikes being organised by another group ‘Wadi Walkers’.

How can I get into it?

You can contact the hike leaders of OMC for more information, but to join the hikes organised by OMC, you just need to put a message on the facebook page. It’s doable in summer as well. But you need to wear the right gear, including a water backpack, which will keep you hydrated.

As you continue with this hobby, you will find yourself walking faster and indulging in even more difficult sports.

What's your pro-tip?

Make sure you have your water and a good pair of walking shoes. That’s it.

Don’t come to strain yourself. Come thinking you are doing this to enjoy the beauty of Oman. It’s really beautiful.

Health benefits are just a bonus. Again, it’s all muscle work. Climbing is less aerobic and more anaerobic. When it comes to walking up hill, it’s more about strengthening the muscles and toning up. And, don’t litter. We are nature lovers and we don’t litter. We are here to enjoy the beauty and not to spoil it.

Wadi Walkers organises Wednesday hikes, mostly in shaded wadis. wadiwalks@gmail.com

Y O U R FAV O U R I T E B O O K

Interpreter of Maladies A Collection of Short Stories by Jhumpa Lahiri “Interpreter of Maladies”, a book of short stories by Indian American author Jhumpa Lahiri wasn’t love at first sight. Having my own inhibitions about short stories, always feeling that they were less impactful, less able to touch my heart than full length novels, when it first came out, I chose to give it a miss.

Thankfully, I eventually picked up Jhumpa Lahiri’s gripping book, whose nine stories forever changed my perspective on short stories. And perhaps it had a similar effect on others as it went on to the win the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and the Hemingway Foundation/PEN Award in 2000.

Her stories mostly centres around the lives of Indians settled

reviewed by Swati Dasgupta

in the US and their cultural dilemmas, especially the challenges of juggling two identities which leads to a kind of constant soul searching.

The first story, “A Temporary Matter,” delves into the intricacies of marriage and emotional strife.

The protagonists, Shukumar and Shoba, live a quiet married life, connected only by their shared mourning over the loss of their stillborn child. Though they do make efforts to rekindle their lost love and togetherness, just like their child, their labour of love was doomed from its inception.

Jhumpa Lahiri gives a humane touch to the characters, their disappointments, anger, and frustration in her simple way of story-telling.

While all nine of the stories are complex and unique, the last one, “The Third and Final Continent,” is a personal favourite, as I really connect with the story’s characters.

The tale is about an Indian man who moves to America where he ends up living with an elderly woman who is 103 years old. As the story unfolds so too do the various aspects of his journey of self discovery.

These stories of the lives of ordinary people, and the many predicaments of living, are told with a simple honesty that make this collection relevant and touching, even 15 years after being published. It earned a permanent place on my bookshelf, and I heartily recommend you make a place for it on yours.

ARE YOU A PROLIFIC READER? What is your favourite book? Tell us about it.

Send your thoughts in the form of a reader review to: salim@timesofoman.com

PHOTOS: SHUTTERSTOCK, COURTESY OF ROYA AL LAMKI (HIKER PORTRAIT)

Resources for Hiking in Oman Oman Mountain Club organises short hikes once or twice every week in Muscat and longer hikes every month in the mountains of the interior. omanmc.org Hike leaders: Eva (+968 9288 5593) and Khalid (+968 9235 4114)

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N.Santhanam 4:30PM

@RUWI

CITY CINEMA Contact (10 am to 6PM) 24567664 | 68. www.citycinemaoman.net facebook.com/citycinemaoman SHATTI The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (Action)(12+) Cast : Henry Cavill, Armie Hammer 9:30 pm Fantastic Four (2D)(Action)(PG12) Cast: Miles Teller, Kate Mara, 1:00, 5:30, 7:00, 11:45 pm Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation (2D) (Action, Adventure) (PG12) Cast: Tom Cruise, Rebecca Ferguson, Jeremy 3:15, 9:00, 11:30 pm Mr. Holmes (Crime, Drama)(PG) Cast: Ian McKellen, Laura Linney, 3:00, 7:45 pm Vacation (Adventure, Comedy)(18+) Cast: Ed Helms, Christina Applegate, 1:00, 5:00 pm The Diabolical (Horror, Sci-fi)(15+) Cast: Wilmer Calderon, Kurt Carley, 5:00, 11:45 pm Shad Agzaa (Drama, Action))(15+) Cast: Mohamed Ramadan, Donia Samir 6:45 pm INSIDE OUT (Animation)(3D) PG Voice Overs: Amy Poehler, Bill Hader, Lewis 1:00, 3:00 pm BAJRANGI BHAIJAAN (Drama)(PG) Cast: Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor 8:45 PM MUSCAT GRAND MALL The Man from U.N.C.L.E. 2D (Action ) (12+) Cast : Henry Cavill, Armie Hammer 11:45 PM Fantastic Four 2D (Action, Sci-Fi ) (PG12) Cast: Miles Teller, Kate Mara, Michael Jordan 12:15, 5:00 & 11:45PM Gold Class: 2:45, 9:15 & 11:15PM Mr. Holmes 2D (Crime, Drama) (PG) 11:00PM & 02:15 PM Gold Class : 12:45 PM Brothers2D (Action, Drama) (TBC ) 6:45 PM The Diabolical 2D (Horror, Sci-Fi ) (15+)

11:00PM & 2:15PM Gold Class : 12:45PM

1:00, 5:30, 7:00, 11:45 pm

3:45 pm

3.30, 6.30, 9.30 PM

Mr. Holmes 2D (Crime, Drama) (PG) Cast: Ian McKellen, Laura Linney, Hiroyuki

FANTASTIC FOUR (Action)(PG12) Cast: Miles Teller, Kate Mara, Michael B. Jordan

Love 24x7 - 2D (M) (TBC) Romantic, Comedy Cast: Dileep, Anjali & Suhasini

Brothers (Drama/ Sports) – TBC Cast: Akshay Kumar, Sidharth Malhotra, Jackie Shroff

Cast: Wilmer Calderon, Kurt Carley, Merrin 10:15PM Vacation 2D (Adventure, Comedy) (18+) Cast: Ed Helms, Christina Applegate, Skyler Gisondo 10:15 AM Gold Class: 4:45PM Inside Out 3D (Animation) (PG) 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation 2D 4:15 & 11:55PM; Gold Class: 6:45PM (PG12) Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2D) ( Action ) (PG) 7:15PM

Cast - Mohamed Ramadan, Donia Samir 5:15 PM Inside Out – 3D (PG) Animation 11:30 am, 1:20 pm The Diabolical – 2D (15+) Horror, Sci-Fi, 11:55 PM Love 24x7 – 2D (PG) Romantic, Comedy Cast - Dileep and Nikhila Vimal 6:20 PM Mr. Holmes – 2D (PG) Crime, Drama, Mystery 3:15 PM Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation – 2D 5:00, 9:30, 11:55 PM(PG12) Brothers – 2D (TBC) Action, Drama 12:30, 3:30, 8:45, 11:40 PM Fantastic Four – 2D (PG12) (Action) 1:00, 3:00, 7:30, 9:30, 11:30 pm Bajrangi Bhaijaan - 2D (PG) (Drama, Action) 6:30 PM

AZAIBA The Man from U.N.C.L.E. – 2D (12+) ActionCast - Henry Cavill, Armie Hammer 9:30 PM Vacation – 2D (18+) Adventure, Comedy 11:30AM, 7:15 PM Vasuvum Saravananum Onna Padichavanga – 2D (PG) Comedy; 1:30 PM Cast - Aarya, Tamannaah Bhatia, Brinda Das Dekh Magar Pyaar Say - 2D (PG) Comedy Cast - Humaima Malik, Amna Ilyas, Sikander 4:10 PM Shad Agza – 2D (15+) Drama, Action

Bajrangi Bhaijaan (Action/Drama ) – PG 6.45 PM SCREEN 3 Baahubali: The Beginning (Act ) – 12+ 3.45, 6.45 PM Dekh Magar Pyaar Se - Urdu (Comedy) – PG 9.45 PM SOHAR Bajrangi Bhaijaan - 2D (PG) Drama, Action 4:00 PM Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation - 2D (PG12) Action; 3:55, 9:05, 11:55 PM Inside Out - 3D (PG) Animation 2:10, 4:00 PM Fantastic Four-2D (PG12) (Action ) 2:00, 7:45, 9:45, 11:45 PM Vacation- 2D (18+)Adventure, Comedy 6:00, 8:15 PM Mr. Holmes - 2D (PG) Crime, Drama, Mystery 2:00, 7:00 PM Into the Grizzly Maze- 2D (15+) Action, Cast: Billy Bob Thornton, James Marsden 10:00 PM The Diabolical - 2D (15+) Horror, Sci-Fi, 2:10 PM Shad Agza - 2D (Arb) (15+) Drama, Action Cast: Mohamed Ramadan, Donia Samir 6:15 PM

RUWI SCREEN 1 Brothers (Drama/ Sports) – TBC Cast: Akshay Kumar, Jackie Shroff, Sidharth Malhotra 3.30, 6.30, 9.30 PM SCREEN 2 Drishyam (Thriller/Drama ) – PG12 3.45, 9.45 PM

Dept time

Destination

TO MUSCAT (RUWI) Arrival Operating time days

Dept time

Destination

Arrival Operating time days

Brothers - 2D (TBC) Action, Drama 9:00, 11:30 PM Love 24x7 - 2D (M) (TBC) Romantic, Comedy 3:45 PM Vaalu - 2D (T) (PG) Action, Comedy, Romance Cast : Hansika Motwani, TR Silambarasan, 6:15 PM The Man From U.N.C.L.E - 2D (12+) Action, Cast : Henry Cavill, Armie Hammer, 11:45 PM BURAIMI Fantastic Four -2D (PG12) (Action) 5:30, 7:00, 9:30 PM Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation - 2D 3:00, 8:45, 11:45PM (Action) (PG12) The Man from U.N.C.L.E – 2D (Animation) 11:30PM (12+) Inside Out - 3D (Animation, Comedy) (PG) 3:00PM Vacation – 2D (Comedy, Adventure) (18+) 5:15 PM Mr Holmes– 2D (Crime, Drama) (PG), 7:30PM The Diabolical – 2D (Horror, Thriller) (TBC) 7:30PM Brothers – 2D (Drama, Sport) (PG) 7:15, 11:15PM Vaalu – 2D (Action, Comedy) (PG) Cast: Silambarasan, Hansika Motwani,

FROM JAALAN-SUR-QURIYAT (ROUTE 36)

TEMPERATURE

05:30 05:30 05:30

Maximum

Daily Daily Daily

Sur Quriyat Ruwi

06:45 08:30 10:00

TO AL BURAIMI (ROUTE 41)

TO AL BURAIMI (ROUTE 41)

06:30 06:30 08:00 13:00 13:00 16.00 16.00

07:00 07:00 13:30 13:00 13:00 13:00 17:00

Sohar Buraimi Buraimi Sohar Buraimi Sohar Buraimi

08:50 Daily 11:00 Daily 14:30 Daily via Ibri 15:45 Daily 17:40 Daily 18.35 Daily 20:20 Daily

TO SINAW (ROUTE 52) 17:30

Sinaw

Nizwa Yanqul

20:50

Daily

16:50 19:30

Daily Daily

Nizwa Al Araqi

36 28 Minimum

0

RELATIVE HUMIDITY

60-67%

07:00

Ruwi

10:25

Daily

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

08:40 11:00

Daily Daily

TO YANQUL (ROUTE 54)

TO IBRI (ARAQI) (ROUTE 54) 08:00 08:00

08:55 Daily 11:40 Daily 20:20 Daily via Ibri 14:55 Daily 17:40 Daily 19:20 Daily 22:15 Daily

06:00 06:00

Nizwa Ruwi

TO IBRI (ARAQI) (ROUTE 54)

10:20 12:30

Daily Daily

15:40 15:40

Nizwa Ruwi

17:55 20:20

Daily Daily

LISTINGS

ROYAL OMAN POLICE TO SUR (ROUTE 55) 07:30 14:30

Sur Sur

TO SUR (ROUTE 55) 12:00 18:45

Daily Daily

TO FAHUD - YIBAL (ROUTE 62) 06:30 06:30

Fahud Yibal

Salalah Marmul Salalah Salalah

20:00 20:30 23:30 07:40

Daily Daily

Marmul

Dubai

16:50

Daily

Sohar Dubai Sohar Dubai Sohar Dubai

Daily Daily

12:30 12:30

Fahud Ruwi

13:15 17:30

Daily Daily

07:00 10:00 10:00 19:00

Ruwi Marmul Ruwi Ruwi

19:50 13:15 22:30 07:30

06:00

Marmul

16:30

Daily

08:30 11:30 15:30 18:30 17:35 20:55

Daily Daily Wed,Thur Wed,Thur Daily Daily

15:00

Salalah

Daily

07:00

Daily

10:50 13:40 16:15 19:10 18:45 21:35

Daily Daily Thur-Fri Thur-Fri Daily Daily

TO DUBAI (ROUTE 201) 07:30 07:30 13:00 13:00 15:30 15:30

Sohar Ruwi Sohar Ruwi Sohar Ruwi

TO DUBAI VIA FUJIRAH & SHARJAH (ROUTE 204)

FROM DUBAI VIA FUJIRAH/SHARJAH (ROUTE 204)

07:00 07:00 07:00

16:00 16.00 16.00

Fujairah Sharjah Dubai

11.45 13.30 14.00

Daily Daily Daily

Sharjah Fujairah Ruwi

16:30 18.15 23.00

Emergencies and inquiries: 9999 General Directorate of Passport and Residence 24569603 Directorate General of Customs 24521109 Traffic violations inquiries 24510228 Public Relations Admin 24560099 EMBASSIES IN OMAN

Daily Daily Daily Daily

DUBAI TO SALALAH (ROUTE 102)

07:00

TO DUBAI (ROUTE 201) 06:00 06:00 13:00 13:00 15:00 15:00

10:45 19:00

TO MARMUL (ROUTE 101)

SALALAH TO DUBAI (ROUTE 102) 15:00

Ruwi Ruwi

TO SALALAH -MARMUL (ROUTE 100) Daily Daily Daily Daily

TO MARMUL (ROUTE 101) 06:00

06:00 14:30

TO YIBAL - FAHUD (ROUTE 62)

10:30 11:15

TO MARMUL-SALALAH (ROUTE 100) 07:00 10:00 10:00 19:00

Film information 24791641 / 24786776 Website: www.isurf.co.om Srimanthudu (Telugu ) ( Act ) Cast: Mahesh Babu & Shruthi Hassan 3-00 pm Cinema Main Brothers ( Hindi ) (Act ) Cast: Akshay Kumar, Sidahrth Malhotra 6:30, 9:30 pm Cinema -2 Love 24x7 ( Mal ) ( Com ) Cast: Dileep, Anjali & Suhasini 3-45, 6-45 & 9-45 pm at Cinema- 3 Vasuvum Saravananum ( Tamil ) ( Com ) Cast: Arya, Tamanna & Santhanam 3-30 pm at Cinema-2; 6-30 & 9-30pm Cinema Main Vallu (Tamil) (Rom\Com ) From Friday Cast: Silambarasan & Hansika 3-45, 6:45 & 9-45 pm at Cinema-4 NEXT CHANGE: Madura Naranga (Mal) Kick 2 (Telugu )

0

TO SINAW (ROUTE 52)

TO YANQUL (ROUTE 54) 14:30 14:30

Sohar Ruwi Ruwi Sohar Ruwi Sohar Ruwi

Daily Daily Daily

STAR CINEMA

WEATHER

15:00 15:00 15:00

16:30 18:00 19:30

Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation 2D (Action, Adventure, Thriller) (PG12) Cast: Tom Cruise, Rebecca Ferguson, Jeremy 5.00, 9.30 pm CP No: 1953 (PG12) Vacation (Comedy / Adventure) Cast: Ed Helms, Christina Appligate, Skyler Gisondo 1.30, 4.00 & 7.30 pm CP No: 2027 ( 18+) Awol - 72 (Action) Cast: Luke Goss, LouiseMandylor, RZA 11.30 am 3.30 & 11.55 pm CP No: 2026 (12+) Brothers (Hindi )( Thriller ) Cast: Akshay Kumar, Jackie Shrof 1.00, 6.00 & 9.00 pm CP No: 2028 (PG) The Night Crew (Action/Thriller) Cast: Danny Trejo, Jason Mewes, Luke Goss 11.30 a.m.; CP No: 1886 (15+) MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. : (Action /Adventure) Cast: Alicia Vikander, Henry Cavil 11.55 PM CP NO: 2035 (12+)

WITH LOVE

QURIYAT - SUR - JAALAN (ROUTE 36) Quriyat Sur Jaalan

Film information 24540856 / Advance Booking 24540855 Website: www.albahjacinemaoman.com

SALALAH Mission: Impossible- Rogue Nation (2D) 2:00, 7:15, 11:55 PM (PG12) The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (2D)(12+) (Action) 9:45 PM Ant-Man (3D)(PG12) (Action/Sci-Fi ) 12:15 PM Inside Out (3D)(PG) (Animation/Comedy) 10:15AM Fantastic Four (2D)(PG12) (Action) 12:00, 7:30, 9:30, 11:45 PM Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2D) (PG) (Drama/Action) 7:15PM Vacation (2D) (18+) (Adventure/Comedy) 10:30 AM Shad Agza (2D)(15+)(Arabic) (Drama/Action) Cast: Mohamed Ramadan, Donia Samir Ghanem, Yasser Galal and Sabry 5:15PM Mr. Holmes (2D)(PG) (Crime/Drama/Mystery) 10:00AM, 5:30 PM Dekh Magar Pyaar Say (2D)(PG)(Urdu) (Comedy/Romance) 12:15 PM AWOL-72 (2D)(12+) (Thriller) 10:15 PM Brothers (2D)(TBC) (Action/Drama) 4:30, 11:30 PM Srimanthudu (2D)(PG) (Action) 2:30PM Vaalu (2D)(PG) (Action/Comedy/Romance) 2:30 PM

LONG DISTANCE BUS TIMINGS (OMAN NATIONAL TRANSPORT COMPANY SAOC) *SUBJECT TO CHANGE

FROM MUSCAT (RUWI)

BAHJA CINEMA

SUR The Man From U.N.C.L.E (Action ) (12+) Cast: Henry Cavill, Armie Hammer, 11:45 PM Fantastic Four (Action|Sci - Fi) (PG12) 04:00, 08:15, 10:00 PM Mission Impossible - Rogue Nation 5:50, 9:00 PM (Action) (PG12) Brothers (Hindi) (Thriller) Cast: Akshay Kumar, Jackie Shroff, Sidharth 11:20 PM Vacation ( Adventure / Comedy) (18+) 4:00 PM Inside Out (3D) (Animation) (PG) 5:40 PM The Daibolical (Horror / Sci-Fi) (15+) 7:30 PM

Daily Daily Daily

Afghanistan Algeria Bahrain Bangladesh Brazil Brunei China Cyprus Egypt France Germany India Indonesia Iran Iraq Italy Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya South Korea Kuwait

24698 791/4 24605 593 24 605 074/133 24 698 660 24640100 24 603533 24 696782 24 699815 24 600 982/411 24681 800 24835000 24684500 2469 1050 24 696 944/7 24603642 24693727 24 601 028 24692760/1/3 24 692418 24 697664 24 691490 24 699628

Lebanon Libya Malaysia Morocco Nepal Netherlands Pakistan Palestine Philippines Qatar Russia Saudi Arabia Senegal Somalia South Africa Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Switzerland Syria Tanzania Thailand Tunisia Turkey UAE United Kingdom United States Yemen

24 693208 24603466 24698329/643 24696152/3 24696177 24603706 24603439 24601312 24605335 24 691 153/2/4 24602894 24601705 24694139 24697977 24647300 24691101 24697841/2 24697875 24603267 24697904 24601 174 24 602684/5 24603486 24697050/1/2 24400000 24609000 24643400 24600815

PHARMACIES Round the clock Al Hashar Pharmacy, Ruwi 24783334

Appolo Medical Centre, Hamriya Muscat Pharmacy, Ruwi Salalah Atlas Pharmacy, Ghubra Muscat Region Apollo, Al Hamriya Muscat, A Seeb Market Muscat, Al Khuwair Muscat, Al Hail South Dhofar Region Muscat, Al Nahdha Road, Salalah

24782666 24702542 23291635; 24503585 24787766 24421691 24485740 24537080

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 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 24784545 Swiss International Airlines 24796692 Thai Airways 24705934

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2015

C11

LIFESTYLE

Whe h re the Wadis Meet

Location: Wadi Arbiyeen, 23°04’03.0”N 58°59’08.9”E Have you been able to capture the beauty of an off-the-beat en-path destination in Oman? Send your pictures with a caption & geo-locator to: salim@timesofoman.com

M O D E R N T R AV E L L E R

Zone by The Park

FAQs • Getting there: Jaipur is connected to most Indian cities by air, rail and road.

• Airport to hotel: 30 mins • Railway station to hotel: 30 mins • Bus stand to hotel: 15 mins • Hotel tariff (breakfast, meals not included)

PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

Where contemporary luxury blends with local flavours

JAIPUR: The mere thought of Jaipur conjures up visions of shimmering sand, magnificent forts of Rajasthan, Rajput valour and of royal stays. Into this myriad world comes a new entrant, Zone by The Park, that seamlessly blends luxury with the local flavours.

Thus, while all the contemporary luxurious amenities are on hand there is a strong sense of tradition, be it the wall paintings that depict the rich culture and heritage of the state or the Bazaar restaurant that has on display an array of commodities used in daily life.

Located in the Bani Park area of central Jaipur, the hotel, which opened last month, is an initiative of the Apeejay Group and has been designed by the US-based Project Orange company.

Not surprisingly, orange is the dominant colour in almost every nook and corner of the hotel - but without distracting from the traditional flavour".

"Zone is not just a hotel but a social hub as well. Zone aims at connecting with the guests. It is a young and vibrant concept by Apeejay Group.

We believe in providing quick service and taking full care of our visitors," Harish Kumar, the hotel's director of operations, told IANS. As one enters, one is greeted with a welcome drink - cranberry juice - a much-needed refresher.

In terms of accommodation, on offer are four

types -Zone Room, Zone Trio, Zone Quad and the Zone suite - all of them quite cozy and with the usual accompaniments - a mini bar, writing desk,"a large 42" HD TV, a sofa, an ironing table and iron, a safe and, of course, a large double bed.

Here again, there was a profusion of orange - from the curtains, to the sofa to the pillow covers and blankets. The white sheets provided quite a contrast.

Bazaar - the hotel's theme restaurant - is a paradise for food lovers. Enhancing the ambiance is a real-life autorickshaw done up colourfully to reflect the myriad aspects of Rajasthani life and traditions.

A highlight of the restaurant is the interactive open kitchen that enables guests conduct conversations with the chefs and request their choice of food - even though it may not be mentioned on the menu.

The extensive menu will leave you drooling - be it over a traditional Rajasthani thali, an array of Oriental and continental or Italian pizzas - not to forget laal maas dish. This traditional Rajasthani mutton curry, loaded with a lot of spices and red chillies is a must try at Bazaar.

If you have a sweet tooth, the menu will leave you spoilt for choice. Dig into a chocolate yoghurt dessert or a pineapple and mango pasty or a rasmalai- to mention just a few.

The hotel also has a gym and a swimming pool on the rooftop, where one can enjoy a favourite cocktail. The hotel authorities are readying a completely different concept - Playa by Zone - a food joint-cum-bar on the rooftop to be open by May-end.

And, while most hotels of this time provide you thumbnail sketches of prominent landmarks, Zone goes a step further and offers you an eclectic "10 things to do in Jaipur" wish list for the footloose.

For instance, there's the Pink City Walk, a three-km walk which covers the essence of Jaipur by showcasing 17 must see places including local markets, historical monuments and local flavours. The circuit takes two-to-three hours to complete.

Also worth taking in will be a trip to a centre making blue pottery -- an art the locals are desperately trying to keep alive. Also, don't forget to try out your hand in pottery making.

A visit to Amer Fort at night will be an amazing experience. Apart from the Light and Sound show, the fort is now open during summer for evening visits as well. The fort is truly magnificent, appearing to be a golden ornament against the night sky. The overwhelming hospitality of Zone will win your heart making you promise to soon come back again. - IANS

• Zone Room: Rs.3,500 per night • Zone Trio: Rs.4,500 • Zone Quad: Rs.5,300 • Zone Suite: Rs.8,000 • Breakfast for two: Rs.1,000 • Meal for two: Rs.1,500

C1 2

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2015

LIFESTYLE FIVE THINGS I CAN’T TRAVEL WITHOUT

Tuncay Cakmak Tuncay Cakmak is a Turkish model, photographer, interior designer, and restaurateur based in Muscat.

He has been the face for Omani ad campaigns for brands such as Omantel, Bank Dhofar, Nissan, Oasis Water, Majesty Yacht, The Wave, as well as for Denim fashion shows in Istanbul. Here are his jet-set essentials.

02

CAMERA

Though professional photography is my trade, clicking photographs when I travel is still my passion.

03

FASHION ACCESSORIES

Watch, bowtie, bracelets, sunglasses, hats—I don’t pack light. I like to dress up for different occasions.

01

TABLET

I follow a number of channels to keep myself updated with all types of news and entertainment, so my tablet is my viewing lifeline on the road.

SMARTPHONE

04

HAIR STYLING ARTILLERY

From waxes and sprays to styling gadgets, I can’t travel without the proper haircare equipment to help me achieve different looks, even when I’m on the go.

PHOTOGRAPHY: SHUTTERSTOCK; SUPPLIED

05

From sharing picture to keeping in touch with phone calls, I make it a point to not let distance come in between me and my family.

D

W W W.T I M E S O F O M A N . C O M W E D N E S DAY, AU G U S T 1 9, 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

W E D N E S D AY, AU G U S T 1 9, 2 0 1 5 Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461

DAILY GUIDE FOR RENT

3BR villa, sitting, dining & hall, Azaiba behind Al Meera H- Market.

Contact: 99259977 / 95033008 1BHK, Darsait, walking distance to ISM , neat and clean building, ground floor, OMR 260/- per month rent Call IQRAR on 99076557 1bedroom attached toilet, kitchen, family in Al Khuwair RO 140.

Contact: 95154331 Flats in Al Khuwair 33 & Wadi Al Kabir. Contact: 92800007 Showroom for rent at prime location, Ruwi. Contact 94151791 1 warehouse 400 sqm 3 flats 2 BHK near Ghala Church, top of Majan Hypermarket, Ghala. Contact 95928800 / 99823677 Full fledge workshop/warehouse & yard with tools for rent/sales. Also 5 nos. Volvo/ Mercedes/ Man/Putsmiester concrete pump 2004/2005 model for sale. Contact 93681107 / 96051565 4 bedrooms villa with 2 halls, 4 bathrooms in Darsait, behind Khimji Mart. Contact 92584715 / 24700120

3BHK Flats & 6BHK Villa in Azaibah.

Contact : 96775026

Flat for rent 3 bedroom & 1 setting room at al Ghubrah North near Indian School (hot pargur restaurant) with split a/c. Contact 99766103 Single & double bedroom with toilets at Ghala Industrial area, Coco cola road (for family/ Exec bachelors). Interested parties contact on 92854747 5 BHK villa for Rent in Azaiba near Sultan Centre. Contact 99792181

Readymade office space for rent (100sm) in Bank Melli Iran building, MBA area Ruwi opposite Center Point. Contact: 99011352

Flats for rent in Al Khuwair, Al hail, Wadi Kabir, Al Falaj, MBD, and Muttrah. Contact: 99119699 / 95250300 / 24813002

Fully furnished 2 bedroom luxury flat for rent at Ghala for short or long term basis.

Contact 91786526 / 99881653

Flats for rent at Darsait near to Ministry of Sports.

Interested candidates please Contact : 00968-92225523

1 & two bedroom flats available for rent in wadi-kabir (opp: pencil bldg), ideal for company staff / families bulk corporate deal possible.

Contact 97677170

4 & 5 BHK villa for rent in Al Khuwair. Contact 99792181

Villa for rent in Al Khuwair 33, 8 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms with parking area near Taimur Mosque.

Contact 99366624

3bed room well maintained flat (villa type only 2 flats in one bldg) in Al Khuwair behind Al Akhtam Restaurant, Villa no 1839, Way No 3922, block No 239.

Contact: 99253125

House for rent in Sidab at reasonable rent. Contact: 95555162 / 95755953

3 Bedroom flat with 3 attached toilets, split A/C, brand new available, behind Kims Hospital.

Contact 95225662

1 BHK, 2 BHK & shop at Wadi Kabir.

Contact 99024730

A flat for rent in Al Khuwair 33, 2 rooms and sitting room and all the necessary things. Contact:92277419

250 sq mtrs restaurant for rent in Plaza Hotel, Walja Ruwi.

Contact 99326339

Flat for rent in Al-Hail near the Al-Hail Hypermarket, consists of room, sitting room, 1 bathroom, kitchen, parking, balcony. Its new & good flat at very good location.

Contact 93214010 / 92602050

Furnished room for rent at Al Khuwair R.O 225/- for family only.

Contact: 99251975

Fully furnished 3 BHK accommodation with all spacious rooms in a villa at Darsait near ISD. Contact: 9526 5289 / 9604 8422

1 BR flat at Darsait, near ISM. Contact 99237971 / 99320633

4 bedrooms villa with 2 halls, 4 bathrooms in Darsait behind Khimjis mart. Contact: 24700120 / 92584715

2 B/R res./comm. Flat directly from owner near Oman Medical College Bausher. Contact 92158031

2BHK with A/Cs Muttrah, near Oman House. Contact: 95915154 1BHK, 2BHK, 3BHK new flat available at Mabela in front of Modern English School Contact: 96239126 Brand new 2 BHK flats/offices for rent behind Honda Road.

Contact 91165807 1BHK R.O 185 + 2BHK R.O 230 before Medical Darsait, Muttrah House.

Contact: 98748925 840 sqr mtrs Store & Staff accommodation for Rent in Misfah.

Contact 99792181 Flat for rent near Al Nahdha Hospital in Hamriya. Contact: 97380548 / 99680499 3 bedroom flat with 3 attached toilets, split A/C, brand Kims Hospital.

Contact: 95225662

Flat for rent in Amerat.

Contact 99209264

40,000 Sqr mtrs Open Land for Rent in Wadi Kabir. Contact 99792181

Flat in Al Khuwair 3 rooms + Majlis ground floor. Contact: 99242119

Big flat for rent in Al Khuwair, nr.

Ibis Hotel. Contact 95724975

1,000 sq mtrs industrial land in Misfah Industrial area near to Khanco.

OMR 1,500 Monthly. It has Electricity and boundary wall. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360

Flat 2bedrooms+majlis in Ghubra.

Contact:99242119

Flat for rent 2BR at Wadi Adai.

Contact 94643380

Spacious 2 BR flat in MBD. Contact 99713489

3 BHK, 3 bathrooms, 2 balcony, nr. Al Hassan W/Kabir RO 330/-.

Contact :99384640

2 BHK villa for rent in Azaiba, near Sultan Centre. Contact 99792181 Flats shops & stores for rent at Al Amerat. Contact: 96278724 Villa 2 bedrooms + hall + sitting room in Al Hail South R.O 300/Monthly. Contact: 93993354 I BHK Flat -4 Nos at Hamriya – R.O. 200/- . 2 BHK - 2 Nos / 1 BHK- 2 Nos, at Wattayya R/A near the mosque- for Families. Contact 96457757 9 am to 7 Pm. Shop at Azaiba. Contact 99024730

2 BHK, 3BHK at Qurum.

Contact 99024730 1 BHK Flat in Honda Road (Ruwi).

Contact 99792181 1 & 2 BHK Flat in Al Khuwair.

Contact 99792181 1 BHK, 2 BHK at Al Khuwair.

Contact 99024730 2BHK & 1BHK flats available in Darsait. Contact : 99357586 / 97500025 3 BHK Flat in Azaiba.

Contact 99792181

3 BHK Flat in Al Khuwair 33.

Contact 99792181

Fabulous AC flat at Al Khoud 3 bedrooms, hall and kitchen RO 270/for rent. Contact: 99334699 For rent if require flats for rent in Wadi Kabir please send me messages through Whatsapp.

Contact: 99376454 3 Bedroom flat in Wadi Kabeer and 2 bedroom villa in Sidab- Muscat.

Contact: 95755953 1bedroom in Al Hail South RO 150/monthly. Contact: 93993354 Flats for rent near Indian School in Wadi Kabir. Contact 99777122 2 & 3 BHK big Flats with Big hall, Kitchen & new split ACs at Al Khoudh 6, Close to express way, from owner. Tel 97600322 alnehang@gmail.com

W E D N E S DAY, AU G U S T 1 9, 2 0 1 5

D3

DAILY GUIDE

FOR SALE MOTOR VEHICLE FOR SALE

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 60,000 Sq Mtrs Agriculture Land in Misfah, can be changed to Industrial Land. OMR 29 Per Square Meter.

Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 5 Flats of 1 bedroom for Sale in Boushar: OMR 35 Thousand each.

Monthly income OMR 270 Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 4 BHK single villa in Al Khuwair.

Contact: 97616158 1 &2 BHK flats for rent at Wadi Kabir, Wadi Adai, Hamriya and Al Khoud areas, shop for rent at Wadi Adai Round about. Contact: 24834644, GSM 93994401 /02/03 lines 600 sqr mtrs showroom in Wadi Kabir. Contact: 99792181 Flat for rent with AC in Wadi Kabir.

Contact: 95555162 /95755953 Flat for rent in Mabellah 8th.

Contact: 97147240 Brand new villa Bosher 37, 4 BHK. Contact: 91936034 BHK Flat in Azaiba.

Contact 99385835 / 99428143 Bath attached room for rent Al Khuwair. Contact 99743569 1 Villa & 3 big Flats of 2/3 BHK with hall, Kitchen & ACs Al Khoudh 6, Close to express way, from owner.

Tel 97600322 Email: alnehang@gmail.com

SELL/BUY Used furniture & Electronic items, office & house. Contact: 99834373 / 96642500

FOR SALE Marshal 1.5 ton A/C, Chest of drawers, sofa set, Nikai AC 1.5 ton, Raha Mattresses, fridge, cooking range, cot 3 nos, dining table with chairs, wardrobe, Samsung washing machine RO 950/-. Contact 24636655 / 24636666 Running laundry CBD. Contact 92841089 / 92868123 Newly built twin villa in Al Ansab Phase 3 for rent or sale, each villa consist of 5 bedrooms, 6 toilets, drawing, dining, kitchen outside, maid room with kitchen.

Contact 96917566 Used Fabrication machinery for sale : Fabrication machinery and tools in excellent condition for immediate sale. Contact 94652485/ 99273774/ 99202278 Shop for sale in Qurum.

Contact 96964767 Restaurant for-sale Very good location, Al khuwayer, 300+sqm, Equipped big kitchen (+bakery), many parking, separate entrance.

OMR50,000 Call 99788291 Shrimps & prawns fillet fish available wholesale & retail.

Contact 97990974

Prime mover, 98, 4 wheel on hire.

Contact 95120774

2,560 sq mtrs industrial land in Wadi Kabir main road, First line on way to Al Bustan hotel. Possible to make petrol station or hotel. OMR 990 Thousand. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360

Volvo 12 Ton Truck for monthly rent. Contact: 98713900

Shop for sale in Ruwi High street, Contact 96078411

FOR HIRE

23,886 Sq Mtrs Agriculture land with water well in Al Salwa, Barka.

OMR 260 Thousand. 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 400 sq mtrs Commercial/Residential land in Maabela Phase 5 Block 2.

OMR 140 Thousand. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360

ACC. AVAILABLE Furnished room in new building for working Muslim lady/muslim couple only. Location: AINT, Darsait Contact 99008069

Company maintained cars & furniture for sale. Toyota Yaris, 2009 model RO 1800/-, Mazda 6 model 2009 RO 2300/-. Contact 24636655 / 24636666 Chevrolet Aveo Automatic 2009 model 73000KM Expat lady OMR1475. Contact 92819362 Toyota Camry 2006, new tyre & new engine, very good condition, location Sohar. Contact 91110270

Mazda 3,1.6, 2008 Automatic, accident free, single owner.

Contact: 92030516 Hummer H3,2006, Expat driven dealer maintained 1,70,000 km, RO 3900, immediate sale.

Contact 99370565 / 97097545 Honda Accord, 2010, No. 1, 105000 kms, expat lady driven, dealer maintained, silver, expected price RO 4700/-. Contact 99330509

Jaguar 2004, X-type Expat driven dealer maintained 1,66,000 km, RO 1900, immediate sale.

Contact 99370565 / 97097545

Land Cruiser 2012.Contact 99336093

PAJERO 2015 km1400.

Contact 99336093

Sportage, 2013. Contact 99336093

Furnished master room Ruwi.

Contact : 99794399

Prado ,2012. Contact : 99336093

NRI

Room for bachelor couples, Ruwi, Mumtaz on main road. Ruwi tower 80/100. Contact :95084850/ 92230581 One room in a flat for Indian Exe - bachelor near Al Khuwair.

Contact: 99659513 Family sharing accommodate at Honda road 2 rooms, bathrooms, sharing kitchen for Indians only R.O 150. Contact: 99519161 Room attached bath & kitchen Executive bachelor or couple, opp. Khimji Mart Muttrah. Contact 97477670

Plots for sale : 6 cents near UC College Aluva, Kerala, 30 cents Perunna West Changanacherry, Kerala.

Contact 99468907

Thiruvalla at Kattode 300 mtrs .from T.K. Road, 10 cents square plot for sale. Contact: 97229763

DRIVING Restaurant for sale, Kadra Suwaiq.

Contact 97433012 A well settled/ well equipped ladies beauty parlor in running position located in Ghubra for sale. Contact immediately on 97498898 Land for sale at prime location in Al Athaiba. Contact 91299531 / 91408005 Forklift sale. Contact: 99763831 Permoglaze paint mixer (tinting machine) – 6 months old – in good condition for sale in Rustaq. interested parties may pl call 93223382 / 99874936.

Wall papers, grass carpets sale & fixing. Contact: 99834373 / 96642500

FOR EXPATS From owner plot of land near Zanzibar, airport price RO 15000.

Contact 99348943

Single rooms with attached bath available at Ruwi.

Contact 98049288 / 93431089 Furnished room available in Ruwi.

Contact 92435784 Large room with separate entrance, furnished at Wadi Kabir.

Contact 99336206 Independent rooms in Qurum / AL Hail. Contact 95529970 Single room with attached bathroom for an Executive bachelor at Rex road Ruwi. Contact: 99535300 Furnished room with attached bath separate entrance in Mabela.

Contact :99634841 Sharing accommodation in CBD area for non cooking Executive bachelors, wifi free, advance deposit.

Contact 91852710 Sharing accommodation available for working lady or couples near Ruwi Church. Contact: 92837206

ACC. AVAILABLE Room for rent with sharing bathroom & kitchen at Al Khuwair, behind Golden Spoon Restaurant.

Contact 92994415 Furnished room for rent at Al Khuwair RO 225/- for family only.

Contact 99251975 Furnished room for Indian Bachelor in Al Falaj area (Ruwi) & Lady in Wadi Kabir (near Al Maya).

Contact 96761960

Driver for Automatic Transmission. Contact: 99040813

LOST

Fully furnished room for a decent expatriate. independent kitchen, bathroom in Wadi Adai.

Contact 96243086 at 5p.m.

Ramos Melca has lost Philipino Passport No. EB 0346986. Finder please handover to ROP

Room attached toilet and kitchen near Indian School Wadi Kabir.

Contact: 95345537

Kumar pankaj has lost Indian Passport No. G608988.

Finder please handover to ROP.

Fully furnished 1BHK with all household items in Darsait near Lulu on monthly Basis. Contact : 99378397/99493500

D4

W E D N E S D AY, AU G U S T 1 9, 2 0 1 5 Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION SITUATION WANTED VACANT

ACCOUNTANT Urgently required Junior Accountant. Please send CV: hr.azatllc@gmail.com

BEAUTY Required experienced Hairdressers / full beauticians with exp in Ghubrah. Contact:97964519 / 94241385 Required HAIR DRESSERS / FULL BEAUTICIANS with Gulf experience.

Contact 96180078.

CATERING Chinese/ Arab/ continental cook & helper wanted. Contact 95529970 A fast growing chain of omani fusion restaurants in Muscat is looking to hire experienced waiters and chefs (2 yrs exp).Applicants should have NOCs if applicable. Forward resume to creativefoodsllc@gmail.com

ENGINEER A grade Civil construction company in Muscat urgently requires the following person with minimum 3 yrs experience : 1) Electrical Engineer 2) AutoCAD Draughtsman 3) Purchaser.

Send CV to hr.azatllc@gmail.com Civil construction company looking for fresh Civil Engineering degree holders. Send CV: awahaibitrad@gmail.com

Indian Cook required. Should know Omani traditional foods.

Contact 99209264

MEP Engineer on urgent basis required for immediate placement.

Please contact tgi17@omantel.net.om

DRAFTSMAN

MEDICAL

K.Design LLC requires “2d & 3d Draftsman” with minimum 3 yrs experience. Send CV to k.designoman@gmail.com Leading Civil construction company requires “MEP DRAFTSMAN” with 4-6 years gulf experience. Send your CV to mep.oman2015@gmail. com. (NOC required).

DOMESTIC HELPER Urgently looking for an Expatriate House Boy with Cooking knowledge and experience.

Contact Immediately: 99460564 Require qualify caregiver for an orderly mother. Contact 99425200

DRIVER H.V. Driver for trailer.

Contact 92131483 Driver heavy duty required urgently for trailer. Oman / GCC experience must. Those ready for immediate joining. Contact: 99310859

EDUCATION A private school located at Al Mawaleh Seeb looking for an English Teacher. Contact 98982088 Required female Science & IT Teachers from Pakistan, 4 grade near Ibra. Contact 95810797

A private clinic in Oman requires a Staff Nurse & Lab Technician with MOH license or prometric passed (Indian female preferably) salary negotiable. Interested candidates kindly mail their resumes / CV with contact details : medicalclinic2014@gmail. Com or call 00968 99049381 Wanted Dental Technician (5-8) yrs experience. Good knowledge in computer applications, preferably with CAD/CAM system. Mail your CV to hhabadri@gmail.com Wanted female Nurse for clinic in South Sharkiya. Contact 94783831, medicaljobsoman@yahoo.com Immediately required lady Doctor (DGO) or GP with Gynecology experience & lab technician.

Contact 99310590.

Email : tjmaluke@gmail.com A well known Polyclinic in Muscat is urgently looking for a Bachelor Female Nurse. Forward your CV to hrhospitalmuscat@gmail.com Wanted GP Doctor for clinic.

Ph 98115439 Medical CARE Centre, Multi Speciality Clinic, Seeb, requires Gynecologist to work on Freelance (Profit Sharing) basis. Interested candidates call- 97884856 Wanted Nurse (Salary-RO 400/-) & Pharmacist (Salary RO 500/-)-MOH Licensed -Al Suwaiq Clinic Contact- 97742491

A well known private school require English, Mathematics, Science, Physics & Computer Teacher.

Email : staffing.oman@gmail.com, ph: 96910649

Required Nurse for A Clinic in Al-Buraimi, S. of Oman.

Contact : 00968 92737149. Send CV to drpkabbas@yahoo.co.in

ENGINEER

MANAGER

Urgently required for leading company: Civil Engineer : 8 yrs experience, Planning Engineer : 8 yrs experience, Surveyor : 8 yrs experience, Draftsman & AutoCAD : 5 yrs experience.

Fax: 24478522, email : gh1.careers@gmail.com Smartphone Technician Required ftt@futuretarget.net GSM: 99110080/9669066

*Classified Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability

Business development Manager. company dealing in graphics, signage industry, exhibition booth fabrication looking for candidates experienced in same field for their dubai branch. Please contact: thomasphilip24@hotmail.com

MISCELLANEOUS Urgently required for an Insurance broker (preference will be given to Nationals) General Manager, Accountant, Marketing Manager, Marketing Executives & underwriter. Send your CV’s to enquiry@unitedinsuranceoman.com Established real estate company looking for male or female property agents for leasing and sales of the property. Applicant must be Graduate, possess Omani or GCC driving license. Having oman market experience. Apply with NOC. Attractive salary +commission. Send your CV: property@ labdmarkmuscat.com

MISCELLANEOUS

SALES / MARKETING

Required Salesman, Tailor & Barber.

Contact 96964767

An excellent grade company wishes to recruit for the post of Marketing Executive for science products. Male candidates only, preferred candidates with bachelors degree in life sciences. Interested candidates may send their CV’s to Email : medical@omanmed.com

Wanted Diesel Mechanics, foreman for cement block factory, JCB & forklift operators. Salesman for block factory, experienced salesman for logistics, labors for block factory. Email : smylackal@gmail. com, Contact 94007259 C.C.T.V camera technician, Electrician & plumber, Driver, Mason.

Contact: 99383044 Looking for a foreign staff with experience in Oman in real estate & real estate valuation.

Contact 99109094, email : aburashid94dd@gmail.com Required Indian or Pakistani calligrapher & Painter (staff accommodation) Contact# 24480487/24483493

SKILLED / UNSKILLED Wanted: Loading and unloading people. Apply - Indians only: Contact: 95451713

SALES / MARKETING Sales Executive Industrial products : 2-3 yrs of exp. with good communication & computer skills. D/L is must.

Send resume to salescvv@hotmail.com Business intelligence / Global Marketing management specialist with 9 years of experience developing brand value & managing overall projects to achieve business objectives seeking suitable position on family visit. Contact: 91902154 Required Smart, dynamic Sales & A reputed company in Muscat requires Sales Executive to promote Oil engine products. Candidate must have 2- 5 yrs experience in the related field, with GCC driving license.

Send CV with expected salary at employmentoil2015@gmail.com

A logistics company wishes to recruit experienced Marketing Executives for its clearing & forwarding division. Interested candidates may send their CV’s at Email : medical@omanmed.com Salesman & Merchandisers urgently required for a reputed FMCG Company engaged in manufacturing & trading in Oman. Candidate must have minimum 1-2 yrs experience in the similar field & valid Oman driving license.

Interested candidates may send their CV to sunnex3@gmail.com Looking for Outdoor Salesman for heavy equipment spare parts.

Contact - 93292015, Email: mail.om@gulfcenter.co

Accounts finance Indian male 35 yrs B.Com, M.B.A tally exp 9.7 yrs exp 1.5 yr Oman family visa N.O.C available. Contact : 93257426.

Email: sibigeorgep@gmail.com Chief Financial Officer 16 yrs of Management exp with MNCs in Pakistan, expert in financial reporting sap/oracle implementing & optimization, Treasury, taxation, team work and change Management.

Contact: 91936637/ Email : rizwanfarooq.pk@gmail.com Indian 16 yrs exp in admin, Office management and have knowledge in accounting looking for job. Release available and have D/L. Contact: 99573353 Indian male, B.Com Diploma in office Automation, pursuing ICWA having 6 yrs (India, Oman) exp in Accounts, Audit Finance seeks suitable positions. Familiar with tally, ERP & focus. NOC available Contact : 94706954.

E mail:ajurn33@gmail.com

Fresh Graduate B.Com with CIMA .

U. K. (Partly Qualified ) looking for a suitable position in the Middle east.

Contact 9470 5767 Indian male, MBA, 27 yrs, 2 yrs exp. in Oman in Accounts upto finalization of accounts, seeks suitable placement. Contact 91208799, jahafeer@yahoo.co.in Accountant Indian male 31 yrs Accounts up to finalization, 9 yrs experience (7 yrs in Oman) with D/L & NOC seeks suitable placement.

Contact: 99582979 Part time accountant services available to handle all accounts related work up to finalization.

Contact 96247295

Accomplished Sales Executives/ Telemarketing Executives for leading Digital Media Enterprise. jobs@interacoman.com Urgently require Indian male/ female Medical sales representative for Cosmetic Company. Email CV to dania@nitrogenmedical.com

FMCG professional with 18 yrs Gulf experience in commercial / operations looking for opening.

Contact 92787747 / 92168401

Required outdoor sales man in construction and oilfield sector with valid GCC D/L. GSM-92830110 Email : contact@absmct.com

Senior Document Controller, male, Indian, MCA 9+ yrs experience as Document controller in oil & gas sector seeks job as Senior Document controller. Contact 95388197, Email : rojanchristopher@gmail.com

Required Marketing Executive.

Contact 24816774 / 99020458

Furniture field experienced Salesman with license.

Contact - 99345159, 91398378 , E-Mail - agsan2005@gmail.com Urgently required outdoor salesman for building material, shop.

Contact 99867456 / 24501882

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE

Female (Filipina) Accountant, Audit, Finance, Bookkeeper, 15 yrs experience, on tourist visa, looking for suitable placement, contact: 96944976, email: precyr_tupasi@yahoo.com

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE

Indian male,, MBA, Finance, 10 yrs exp as Branch Supervisor in a reputed logistics company in Oman with an overall experience of 21 yrs in finance & logistics, with valid Oman D/L, on visit looks for suitable placement. Contact 96567151, girishlalmahadev@yahoo.com

SITUATION WANTED SIT. WANTED

Part time accountant services available. Contact:93438100

SITUATION WANTED SIT. WANTED

M.com, female, good knowledge in computer & tally 1 yr experience in Sales & Accounts seeks suitable placement. Contact 99363721 Finance Manager, 21 yrs experience in Oman, Dubai, KSA, CA/ MBA, CFC, B.com worked in ERP Oracle, Tally etc. MS office internet etc Resident Visa with release, NOC letter.

Email : mas1156@yahoo.com, GSM: 91195480 Part Time Accounting, Accounts Finalization, Audit Preparation, Internal Audit, Monthly Profitability Reports, Onsite Tally Training, Contact : 96975454, email :ibfc.gcc@gmail.com Accountant, Indian male, B.Com, PGDSE with 12 yrs of experience currently on visiting visa seeks suitable placement. Contact 92750853, email : vinoykjospeh@gmail.com Finance/ Audit professional with 18 yrs Gulf experience can work independently or head the division looking for opening. Contact 92787747 / 92168401.

Management finance professional, 36 yrs experience, 20 yrs in Oman with oil & gas & mining companies can work independently or head the division, Sudanese Nationality.

Contact 98531303

Indian 24 years MBA finance 2 years experience seeking suitable placement. Contact: 9822253 Indian female B.Tech (EEE) MBA finance with 1and half years experience as Bank Officer in India seeking suitable placement.

Contact: 91358676 / 98157895 Email: sujivu88@gmail.com An Indian Lady Chartered Accountant with five years experience (including articleship), on family visa in Oman looking for a suitable job.

Contact 9621 0347 / 9943 5346, shincycrajan@gmail.com Jordanian Accountant (ACPA) with more than 15 yrs experience in Oman (Accounts, Purchase & finance).

Contact: 92881223 Email: kamal_sarhan@yahoo.com Motivated and energetic male 25 having 4 years of experience in finance with Master’s degree in Economics and CAT Certified seeking opportunity in Accounts/finance/ audit in a reputable organization.

Cell no: 00968-94626209 E-Mail: omerjawedshah@gmail.com Indian male, 27 years, M. Com, having 2years experience in Accounts looking for suitable position. Presently on visit visa. Contact 93455055| gibingeorge88@gmail.com

ADMIN Chartered CIPD HR Professional having 5 years of experience in Oman seeking suitable job.

Call +971552071501.

Indian male having 17 yrs experience in Logistics, Purchase, payroll processing & office Admin, UAE D/L seeks suitable position, valid visa till 24th August’15. . Contact 91219303

ADMIN 8 yrs exp in Admin & Accounts (3 yrs in Oman), MBA, Indian female, seeks placement. Contact 97243806 Indian male 2+yrs oman exp in HR. joing immediatly. release available.

Contact :93671437 Purchase, Admin, Indian male, 15 yrs Gulf experience. #95435370 HSE Admin experience for 10 years in GCC with valid D/L seeking to join a reputed firm. NOC available.

Contact: 99626821 Indian female, 29 yrs, MBA (HR) 4 yrs exp in HR & Admin seeking suitable placement. # 95619537 14 years of Gulf experience in HR / Admin & logistics fluent in Arabic / English with D/L looking for suitable position. Contact: 95824598 Master degree HRM professional having excellent experience in finance and management and having 8 yrs experience looking for suitable placement. # 92955453 / 91213269

BEAUTICIAN Beautician from India looking for job. Contact 93554741

DRIVER Light Driver with 2 yrs experience looking for job with visa.

Contact 96794309 Driver, Indian Keralite, 4 yrs experience. Contact 93798442 Driver available, 24 hrs, pick & drop. Contact 95154610 Indian light driver having 1 yr experience in Oman, knowing English, Hindi, Arabic looking for job.

Contact 95214332 Indian male, looking for Heavy Driver job, holding Kuwait driving license. Contact 98136170 H.T. V Driver, Pakistani experience, 6 yrs, seeks work in company only.

Contact 93985087 Indian male 2 yrs exp in (D/L in sales seeker suitable placement.

Contact: 92055093 Light Driver, 9 yrs exp. (Keralite).

Contact 97313562 Looking for driving job. #98219182 LMV Driver, 8 yrs exp. (Keralite).

Contact 93412587 Looking for a job as Driver, with 9 yrs experience in Oman, language : Arabic/ English/ Hindi.

Contact 92517532 Light driver 5 years exp Education B.A language English, Arabic & Hindi. Contact : 98522914 / 91615715 Heavy & light duty driver valid GCC license looking job from India.

Contact 93554741 Light Driver, 5 yrs experience looking for job. Contact 92617293 Sri Lankan driver. # 97387112 Light duty driver, 8 yrs exp.

Contact: 96736744

W E D N E S DAY, AU G U S T 1 9, 2 0 1 5

D5

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED

DRAUGHTSMAN

MISCELLANEOUS

17 yrs Oman experienced MEP/ Civil Senior Draftsman / Designer seeking placement. Contact 93130104, Email : designjob2014@gmail.com

Sales Representative or Purchase officer. Indian male 30 years, Looking for suitable placement in CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRIES and OILFIELD INDUSTRIES. Having 5 years of gulf experience in FASTENERS and BUILDING MATERIAL. with good communication skills.

Contact: 00968 97756269, Email: razzakbmt@gmail.com

Draftsman (2D/3D) 3 yrs exp in Oman with light Oman driving license. Contact:95962384

IT

ENGG. / TECHNICAL DESIGNER Experienced Graphics Designer with 6+ years of international exposure in Middle East & Asia looking for job. Valid Omani D/L. 97615584.

Diploma in Mech.Engg. Indian Female - with great experience in Quality Control, (QA/QC) Auto CAD, Primavera, CATIA, Pro E, seeking job.

Currently in family visa Contact: 94526980/96510532

SAP BW Analyst : Indian male, 26 yrs, B.Tech (CS & E) from ASET, New Delhi, worked as a Business Analyst in Software Industry. Contact 98008127 / 92878708, vaisakh.bhaskar@gmail.com

Sr Designer, Civil & Structural (oil & gas) / Site Supervisor Indian male, 21 years experience in design field with driving license seeks suitable placement N.O.C available. #92684051 Email: babyshibu@yahoo.co.in

Pakistani Civil Management Engineer, 12+ 2 yrs Oman experience, Oman D/L seeks suitable placement.

Contact 94392616

Experienced Electrical Technician, with Oman driving license looking for suitable placement.

Contact 96103843

DOMESTIC HELPER

Project Manager / Senior Engineer, Indian Male BE Civil, 21yrs experienced including Oman looking for the Job Contact +918939295181 Email I’D : sanja_bala@yahoo.co.in

Indian Male, IT Support Engineer, 2 yrs in Oman & 5 yrs Indian experience. Contact 97311847

Housemaid (Madras tamil speaking) from India looking job.

Contact 95175192

ENGG. / TECHNICAL Indian BE (Mech) Engineer having P.G diploma in oil &gas piping and level two NDT seeks immediate placement in any industry at present on visit visa.

Contact: 92013757/ 99774956 Indian job in procurement & contract have “13” years purchase & contract experience in infrastructure & energy sector. NOC is available.

Contact-91237036 Indian male, 15 yrs experience in GCC looking for HSE job, NOC, local transfer available.

Contact 93099578, Email : abdulsamad1966@yahoo.com Indian male, 29 yrs, BE Electronics & Communication Engg (5 yrs exp. in Oman) with valid D/L. Contact 96652145 Civil Engineer BSc -7 years experience with constructions companies - 2 years in Oman - qualified as a project Engineer- Fluent in Arabic & English - Contact 98078095 Civil Engineer Indian male 10 yrs exp having Omani D/L looking for suitable placement. Contact: 94194399 (shiblyrock@gmail.com) Indian male, 30 yrs, Diploma in Civil Engineer, 5 yrs exp. at building construction & consulting company with Oman driving license.

NOC available seeks suitable placement. Contact 95989500, cv.shihabedappal@gmail.com HSE Logistics Site Coordination with 10 yrs exp. in Oman seeks placement, with Oman D/L. Contact 92825053 / 92565093 Mechanical Engineer, 2 yrs experience in Automobile services.

Contact 98182081 Indian Mechanical Engineer (QA/ QC) Engineer with 5 yrs of experience in oil & gas, mining & manufacturing sector, keyskills – NDT, Welding Inspection, Quality control, inspection etc. Contact 91176122, Email : khajanaseer07@yahoo.co.in Electrical Engg, suitable for office works, NOC available, experience in maintenance for CB & relays, fluent in English. Contact 97891226 / 95268664 B Tech Mechanical Engineer HVAC Plumbing with 2 yrs exp. in India. Contact : 97654489 nikhilchandpm@gmail.com Indian Civil Engineer, B.Tech, 13 yrs experience in building pipes.

Contact 91342325 Indian male MBA 13 yrs exp in Oman (8 yrs in Tech Documentation 5 yrs in Project coordination) Administration, seeks suitable placement. Visa transfer / NOC available.

Contact : 93069441 Civil Engg, B.Tech, Indian male, having 3 yrs of experience in Construction & EPB looking for suitable placement. Contact 91430851.

Civil Engineer (B. Tech) Indian female, 2 yrs exp (1 yr in Oman) seeks suitable position. Contact: 93911895 Civil foreman, Civil Engineer, Indian exp overseas looking for job.

Contact 95175192 BE in ECE, female looking for suitable placement.

Contact 94767662. Email: chaithanyakotian10@gmail.com

Engineer with 3 yrs experience in Indian in MEP, HVAC& mechanical maintained field on visit visa looking for suitable job.

Contact 99191535 Email: fareed029@gmail.com Civil Engineer, more than 6 yrs experience in Supervision, site management, QS, Engineering software with valid Oman driving license.

NOC available. Contact 91761364, Email : a-shaqfa@hotmail.com Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineer, 26 yrs, Masters from Singapore, Bachelors from India. Having 2 yrs work experience in Oman, with Valid Oman driving license. available immediately. Contact: 95498953 Mechanical Engineer with 5 yrs exp in which 3 yrs in GCC with valid D/L. looking for suitable placement.

Contact :94172136, Email: allen.mathew@hotmail.com Indian male 24 yrs B Tech Electronics & communication looking for job, having 6 months exp available in Muscat on visit visa.

Contact: 94756280 / 95084905, Email: vivek2573459@gmail.com Civil Engineer : Pakistani male having 4 yrs experience in Oman. Well handle site & guide workers, seeks suitable placement. All the documents available. Contact 96470310.

Electrical and Electronics Engineer with one year experience and GCC licence holder seeking a job mail – shyjalpk@gmail.com Indian male 25MBA having 4years Gulf experience in Coordination with contracting company .NOC Available.

Looking for(Store,Coordination,Admin ,Backoffice) Jobs Ph:95405885 Indian male Electronic Technician, 7 yrs experience, CCTV Technician seeks suitable job, now on visit visa.

Contact 98353542 / 99179853 Indian male, B.Tech, B.Tech (Electronics) MBA (Marketing) having 1 yr experience as Deputy Manager Sales in Fortune 100 MNC currently on visit visa seeks suitable job.

Contact 96967234, Email: lijotitus111@gmail.com SUPERVISOR: Indian male site supervisor (AIR CONDITIONING) 25 years of experience with valid Oman Driving license, seeking suitable placement. Contact: 97498809, 93391910 Email: hilariankj@gmail.com Civil Engineer BSc-Total Experience 6 years-2 years in Oman, experience in site work & Structural Design & Technical office. Contact 97983610 Indian male, Supervisor Electrician Diploma 8 yrs in Oman. NOC available. Contact 95057068, jratheesh@yahoo.com Electrical Eng. Degree (MEP) need suitable job of construction 12 yrs exp.

Email: mohd.ateeq.khan@gmail.com Civil Project Engineer exp 10 yrs.

Contact: 92673432 Email: arifjamalkhan8@gmail.com Telecommunication Maintenance Engineer Sudanese male 2 years experience in HUAWEI hardware field cabins good communication English & Arabic. Contact :+ 968 96433495 / +968 94756295 Email: muzamilawadalla@gmail.com Electrical Engineer, Indian male, 29 yrs having 5 yrs of experience in industrial automation & utility maintenance in India (MRF tyres) seeks suitable placement. #92789995, Email : akhilabrahamlktr@gmail.com

Civil Engineer B.E, 5.5 years experience with Omani D/L. Contact: 96785311 Electrical Engineer 2 years experience (Indian) construction (building) looking suitable placement.

Contact 00968 92596672 Email: kundara.renjith@gmail.com Btech computer science graduate 2015 passout.. Android application marketing.. Having good communication skills and mindset to work in a team. Contact 91024385 Electrical Engineer bachelor degree having 6+ years experience of Gulf and professional license available to join. Contact: 98063081 Email: imran.engr08@gmail.com SAP – SCM.MM Consultant B.Tech.

(Chemical), from NIT, working with oil industry, seeks employment.

Contact: 98049288

EDUCATION Indian lady M.Com, B.Ed looking for openings in teaching.

Contact 97668603 Indian female, B.Sc, B.Ed, 3 yrs experience currently on visit visa looking for suitable placement.

Contact 91330415 Male, 32 yrs, M.A English, M.Sc Psychology & B.Ed in English having 4 yrs of experience in teaching. The present company is ready to give the release letter. Contact 99869535, sahadkeyi33@gmail.com Indian female, M.Sc, M.Phil. Chemistry, 3 yrs Teaching experience currently on visit visa, seeks suitable position. # 96916534 / 91969756

HOSPITALITY Diploma holder in Aviation Hospitality & travel management, Indian male seeking for suitable position, presently in Oman. Contact 97309707 4 Years experienced (Money exchange services & Hospitality services in Oman & India) - Indian male 27 years, graduate in Hospitality science, fluent in English, Hindi & Arabic seeks suitable placement.

Contact 91383167

IT NETWORK/NETWORK SECURITY ENGG. Graduate in B.Tech CS. Have 5.3 years of experience in Network and Security devices. Certified on CCNA, CCNP, MCITP and CCIE Sec. Written passed. NOC available. Can join immediately. Contact +974-55297089, e-mail: rejad.hashim@gmail.com Indian female MCA,24 years seeking suitable job. Contact 93439467 Indian female, B.Tech, IT (now in Muscat on visit visa) with total 2 yrs experience (1.3 yrs in TCS, India) seeks suitable placement.

Contact 93949541 / 93738083, email : joantoms91@gmail.com B.E (Computer) degree Engineer, complete schooling in Muscat, male, Indian with 1 yr experience needs job in software / networking / Java/ Web design or Marketing.

Contact 97136248 / 99313821 Sudanese female IT Tech. Support, Demographic, English fluent exp.

11.6 yrs. Contact: 96659392 Indian (f) with 7 yrs exp in software development (2.5 yrs Oman exp) good knowledge in .net and MSSQL Server seeks suitable placement.

Contact : 93276784 email: sanalkumar63@gmail.com

Indian visit visa, Network / System Engineer switches, routers, servers, load balancers 5 yrs of exp holds B.E (ECE), CCNA looking for good opportunity. Contact: 91911792 Email: arafakdnl@gmail.com

Male available for a part time accounting & admin job, Contact 99196621.

INDIAN MALE 23 YEARS,B. Tech (Electrical & Electronic) having 4 years working experience as an Electrical site Engineer, currently on visit visa. Seeking suitable placement. Contact no. 98045482

MANAGER/ SUPERVISOR Supervisor fabrication. 30 years experienced in oil and gas industry with thorough knowledge of PDO procedures. contact 99365694, 92362946, 99208102 email: tapasroy21@yahoo . com Supervisor / Forman interior / electrical with Oman driving license.

Contact: 93438075 MIB Post Graduate /male – more than 9 years of experience in shipping & Logistics in middle east (Liner Section) looking for a suitable job in Oman. .Mob :( India) 91-9400043894, Oman 99899627 Email: jaise81@gmail.com Indian Male 13 years experience in Purchase/Store seeks urgent placement Contact -99609696

MISCELLANEOUS Indian male 26 yrs Graduate, 2 yrs exp as logistics Coordinator looking for suitable placement.

Contact: 96944298 36 yrs, Indian, male, X Ray, Welder looking for job, 8 yrs experience in TIG & ARC Welding, presently on visit visa. Contact 91360190 / 91843992 Management Professional accountable, responsible for profitable management can handle the entire operations, HR/Recruitment, Business development & Sales & marketing & etc, Great organizational skills with over 23+yrs exp. in Bombay, Saudi Arabia, Dubai-UAE & Oman(11yrs) as General Manager - Publications, Printing,Media. open to any industry, can Join immediately w/NOC. Contact : +968 98864706/99574638 Mail : akdas_uae@yahoo.com

MEDICAL Veterinary Doctor with 10 yrs experience, looking for job.

Contact 92533579 BA degree Nursing professional having excellent looking for suitable placement. Contact:: 92955453 /91213269

PROJECTS Indian male, with 8 yrs exp. in Oman (BA- Graduate) working as a project Sales Coordinator, with Oman D/L, looking for suitable job, ready to join immediately with NOC, open for Sales & Marketing also.

Contact 95245057

SALES / MARKETING Dynamic professional in consumer business/ sales with over 20 yrs of experience in Oman field, FMCG consumer electronics consumer telecom looking for suitable placement.

NOC available. Contact 99360975 / 99049536.

Indian male 27 yrs, Diploma, 3 yrs exp in Oman in Sales & Supervisor, Oman driving license holder, looking for suitable placements.noc available. Contact 93725995 Marketing/Sales, having work experience of 6 years in the hotel sales and tour operations seeking for immediate job placement.

Contact 98078305 Indian male, 30 yrs, 6 yrs Oman exp. outdoor supplier & sales with D/L. Contact 93100297 / 92547440

SALES / MARKETING Graduate, Indian male, 39 yrs, GCC experienced 9 yrs in Sales logistics with D/L. Contact 98826959 Indian male, Graduate with 18 yrs experience in Sales & Marketing 3 yrs in UAE currently on visit visa, seeks suitable placement.

Contact 91996486 / 99732070 Sudanese young man looking for job with suitable fluent in computers & experience in Sales.

Contact 91318822 MBA Graduate with 1 yr experience in Sales, having D/L seeks suitable placement. Contact 97620084, email : gautamacchu13@gmail.com Bangladeshi male, looking job for salesman. Contact 97756028 Indian male, B.Com Graduate with 2yrs sales experience in India, seeking job with excellent communication skills & computer skills, Contact: 99637296 Indian male, 2 yrs exp. in Sales with D/L seeks suitable placement.

Contact 92055093 MBA, HR & Marketing, Indian, male, 25 yrs, fresher, on visit visa seeks placement. Contact 94736649 / 98207564, Email : dvengels8191@gmail.com Marketing/Sales, 1 year experience/ Degree holder(BBA) / valid Driving license. Contact;94122944, mail; raashidjabirm@gmail.com Indian on visit visa, having 5 yrs exp. in procurement / purchase in KSA with valid Saudi driving license. Contact 95438201 Looking for job as Salesman at any shop. Contact 96930922 Male, BA with D/L, 6 yrs exp. in Oman seeks suitable job in Sales & Inventory & procure.

Contact 92191026 Expert in Sales Marketing & promotions, having D/L of Oman, good communication skills in Arabic & English. Contact 92262680 Indian male 8yrs experience in Purchase looking for a suitable placement with N.O.C. Contact : 95621614 Indian male 27 years, B.Tech Graduate having good work experience with valid Oman D/L looking for a suitable opening as Sales Engineer.

Contact: 91472953 Email: harees.rasheed.2014@gmail.com

SKILLED/ UNSKILLED Building construction supervisor looking for small Omani company to handle independently or suitable placement in good company with Oman D/L. Contact 93061107 TIG+ARC Welder Indian with 16 yrs Middle East exp. in Copper Nickel, Duplex, Inconel, S.S, CS Now on visit visa seeks suitable placement..

Contact : 96502282.

Email: manuangola88@gmail.com

TOURS & TRAVELS

Indian male Graduate with 2 yrs exp in sales advertising, presently on visiting visa looking for suitable opening. Contact: 95462921

Five years experience in Travel field ,BCom., IATA & pursuing MBA, Presently working in the Travel Desk of (ITC managed) Five Star Hotel in India, looking for a suitable position in the Middleeast. pls contact 9470 5767

Male, 29 yrs, MBA, Marketing having 9 yrs experience in Sales, Marketing, customer services seeks job. Contact 98163254, Email : shujaat_ali2014@hotmail.com

11 yrs experience in travel field B.Com, IATA, MCSE working for Qatar Airways, Sales reservation ticketing driving license & NOC available. Contact 92954613

21 years, B. Com, graduate male ‘fresher’ well versed in English, Hindi, Tamil and Malayalam with Driving license looking for a suitable job. Contact: 96799287 24 years, ACCA affiliate, 2.5 years of experience in audit, finance in Big6 and oil industry, looking for suitable placement, NOC release available. Contact 95140445, Email: a.saran891@gmail.com Mechanical Engineer : Indian , male 23 years, 2 years experience, on visit visa . Seeking suitable placement.

Contact : +968 91409712 , email : nibin.nani@gmail.com Babar Ali Male, Pak, Exp 14 Years in Accounts, IT & Administration, looking for a better position in Oman, No need of Visa, already working in of the Omani Construction Company.

Contact:- 95983711.

Advertising/media executive with 15 years gulf experience with oman driving license. Seeks good opening.

Contact 93031168 Masters in Information Systems and IT with more than 12 years experience seeks suitable placement.

Contact: 98502793, email:jobsrs6@gmail.com AutoCad Civil Draftsman – Having 3 years- experience, looking for a placement.(Full- time or Part time) 99627427 / 96154564.

Indian Female, 25 years, M.Sc Electronics + Multimedia, having one year teaching experience in Government college in India, seeks suitable placement. Contact GSM 99367448 Indian Male, 37 Years , B Tech Graduate Electrical. Having 12 Years Experience of DCRP Works / Jobs in Oman with Driving License, Looking for an suitable opening, NOC Available. Contact – 92122338, Email saiviharvasanth@gmail.com Part- Time Accountant, well experience senior accountant ,doing all type of accounting works, Finalization, Budgeting available.

Contact : 98803439 Indian Female Lawyer having 11 yrs experience presently working in Oman seeks placement in Legal/HR/ Admin etc. NOC available Contact-94436960 Email: famidakhan123@gmail.com INDIAN MALE 24 YEARS, B. Tech (Electrical & Electronic).Having 2 years experience as Electrical Site Engineer in Constructions. Done IOSH & NEBOSH- IGC certifications.

Seeking for suitable placement in constructions or in any related industries. Contact no: 98045482/ mastanshaik1008@gmail.com Filipino (male), 37 yrs. old, having 8yrs. experience in Operation (Shipping&Logistics) currently on visit visa looking for suitable job.

GSM: 97121525 Quantity Surveyor-MEP (Estimation/Project) ,Total 10 Years Experience (3 years in Oman).

Having NOC & Oman D/L, Looking for suitable job, Contact - 97906551 Well qualified Indian Female Bsc, Computers diploma 9 years of experience as Executive Secretary seeks placement.

Contact 95423692,91374217 Indian female with MBA in finance on visit visa seeking immediate placement.

Contact :968-93316493 Sales Representative or Purchase officer. Indian male 30 years , looking for suitable placement in construction industries and oilfield industries. Having 5 years of Gulf experience in FASTENERS and building material. with good communication skills. Contact: 97756269, Email: razzakbmt@gmail.comIndian

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DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com Tel. 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

SITUATION WANTED MISCELLANEOUS Indian male 23 years Graduate, working as a sales coordinator cum purchase & office coordination 2 YEARS in oman Having oman license & NOC looking for suitable job in Muscat. GSM:97475860 Email:yadhukrishnan08@gmail.com

Indian male 23 years Graduate, working as a sales coordinator cum purchase & office coordination 2 yrs in oman Having oman license & NOC looking for suitable job in Muscat Email:yadhukrishnan08@gmail.com, GSM:97475860

Pakistani male 32 years IT network + Computer Hardware professional A+ MCSE Termination Technician work Experience in salalah airport.

10+ years experience in IT field and 2 years Oman working experience valid GCC driving license available looking for a suitable placement contact no 96733205 Email - faisalzaman24@gmail.com

Indian Male, 32 yrs, MBA-HR, Trainer & Faculty worked on Omanisation & nationals development activities with 10 yrs of experience seeking suitable job. Contact : 93891401 saiprasad_18@yahoo.com

B.E Mechanical engineer,2 years job experience in Oman in pipeline field, having ASNT level ll in UT,RT,MT and PT, fluent in English, Hindi, Gujarati and Marathi, with valid Omani driving license (light) searching for job. # +968 92745691 ACCOUNTANT: Indian male senior Accountant, Graduate & CA Article ship completed. 18 Years of experience. Currently on visiting visa. seeks suitable placement. Contact: 97498809, 99769743, Email: hilariankj@gmail.com Indian male executive secretary having vast experience in admin, logistics & procurement well versed with computer seeks suitable placement. Contact : 99514286 Indian male 35 yrs, 10 yrs UAE experience in FMCG, looking for a suitable position in sales and marketing, valid GCC license on visit visa.

Contact 93438747, 95723635.

Indian Male 28 years MSM, B. Com having 6years experience in Gulf and India as a HR and Admin looking for suitable placement. Contact : 97914340.

Email: rajkv30@gmail.com Available for a part time accounting job. Contact 99196621 Having exp in the following, MS Windows Server 2003 & 2008, Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 & E-Mail Client Administration,Linux Administration, Service Desk Administration, Network Management, Technical Support. Presently the candidate in India.Mob:97239854 Software Developer, Indian female, B.Tech (AE & I), M.Tech (VLSI Design), asp.net, C#,.net, C++, Core Java, Android Java, looking for suitable placement. Contact 95906935, Email : amalpkku@gmail.com Electronics / Instrumentation Engineer, Indian female, M.Tech (VLSI Design), B.Tech (applied Electronics & Instrumentation), ASP.Net, C++.Net, C++, Android Java, looking for suitable placement. Contact 95906935, Email : amalpktu@gmail.com B.Com graduate, 11 years experience in Accounts, 9 years Oman experience , Oman valid driving license, looking for suitable post.

Mob:92758404 NOC Available.

Indian male, B.com, MBA, having 5 years experience (3 years in U.A.E) is currently seeking suitable opportunities within finance/accounts/ admin dept.Contact:93953613, allen.mathew83@gmail.com Two year experience in Oman, experience in sales, purchase and system admin, Having GCC license.

Contact number 97475860, Yadhukrishnan08@gmail.com SENIOR ACCOUNTANT, Indian male,29 years.8 years experience .Presently working in Oman as a Senior Accountant with oman Driving license. NOC available. Seek suitable opportunity. GSM: 97705854

Female MBA gold medalist, with computer proficiency, Oman driving license looking for job opportunity in event management companies in Muscat. Ph : 99012949 Sudanese 29 male (Bsc computer science,diploma computer engineering), 6 yrs. experience dba oracle plsql , ms sql-server ,ms visual studio vba,network Omani Driver licence language English, Arabic Tel: 91415886 Piping Design Engineer, 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 / 96143708/97357143 Indian male 27 years B.E & MS Mechanical Engineer working in Delhi for last 4 years in Jcb India pvt. ltd., seeks placement in Oman. Contact 93393768 Indian Male 22 Years , Graduation In Electronics Seeking Jobs In Supervisory , Sales & Sales Co-ordination Fields , Good Communication Skill # 96141317, E-mail: akhilek5@gmail.com Indian female B. Com MBA finance ,5 years experience in oman as an account seeking suitable placement.

Contact 99044292 DIPLOMA+B.E.(CIVIL ENGINEER), Indian, 4 years of experience, currently on visit visa; Seeking Right Position. GSM:91570703.

ME. Civil Engineer, Structural Designer, 3 Years Structural Design, 6 Years Str. Engineer Experience, Looking For Structural Designer Position.

Iranian Male. Contact: 93696929, Email: mhsaz1359@gmail.com B-tech Electrical Engineer with more than 2 years of experience in erection and designing of HT and LT electrical systems. Seeking for suitable job in Muscat.

Contact: 98269366.

Email: sijincleetus@gmail.com Male Graphic designer cum animation, non linear editing VFX, seeking suitable position.

Contact: 97792661 / 96229406 Indian lady 30 years Graduate having work experience in India and Oman looking for Admin or any other suitable job. Contact : 95676957 Indian Female Accountant, CA Final (Group I cleared), 5+ year’s experience in the field of Accounts, Audit and Financial ERPs. Currently available in Muscat and seeking suitable job opportunities.Ph:94704800 email id: vinithsavith@gmail.com Civil site coordinator, Diploma, Male 25, now present in Oman, Seeking job in Oman. # 92887561, jubincivileng@gmail.com Data Entry operator cum Buyer, Indian male,26years.BA, Computer proficiency :Operating system (Windows 2000xp & Windows7) E plus and Tally ERP9, 4 yrs Experience in Oman seeks suitable placements.

Mob: 95360255

Driver looking for job exp 2 yrs.

Contact: 98522914 Indian Female BSC nurse with 8+ years of experience including 3 years of GCC exp. Oman Prometric passed with 57 %. Currently in Oman. Contact : 98034384 Senior Accounts Professional, Indian Male, 36 years, M.Com, MBA (Fin) 9 years in Oman, with valid Oman DL and NOC available. Capable to handle accounts up to finalization.

Contact 9602 3965.

Indian Male 24 years, Looking for a Suitable Job in Telecom / Networking, 1 year sales experience. M. Sc. Communications Engineering & Valid Driving license. Ph: 91280121.

Email: jackrprasad@yahoo.com Indian female, 24yrs, M.COM (Accounts) having 3 yrs experience in Accounts, HR, Administration, Customer Service. Good Computer Proficiency seeking Suitable Position. Visa Transfer/NOC Available.

Contact: 99654913 Indian, presently on visit visa in Salalah looking for job B.com failed UAE experience in accounts, commercial Admin & warehouse. Contact: 92754071 /93346931 Email: sathyanathanuk@gmail.com Indian male, 39 yrs, MSC Computer Science 10 years experience IT support, FMS Engineer, bank experience looking for suitable job.

Contact: 94276449 MBA (Marketing /HR) with 45 years exp in business development and marketing, having valid Oman driving license seeks suitable placement currently available on family visa. Contact 97618033 Email: vjgeorge12@gmail.com Indian male 63 years have 30 years Muscat experience all office work sales business development insurance administration accounts with Oman driving license.

Contact : 99249412 Indian female LLB (Advocate) 2 years experience looking for suitable post legal advisor company secretary etc. # 93343190 / 94476387 Email: shafu1019@gmail.com Indian female, B.Sc, PGDCA, currently on family joining visa, 2 years working experience in oman as customer care / sales co-ordinator, immediate joining seeks suitable placements. Contact no. (968) 95573205 / 95949230 / 95800792 B.E (IT) 1 year exp complete schooling in Muscat needs job in software / net working / java/ WEB design or marketing. Contact: 97136248 / 99313821 Indian male 22 years ACCA affiliate , BSc, Graduate in applied accounting 2 months working experience seeking suitable placement in Finance / Accounts / audit immediately. Contact: 97378607 / 92558734 B-tech Electrical Engineer with more than 2 years of experience in erection and designing of HT and LT electrical systems. Seeking for suitable job in Muscat. Contact: 98269366.

Email: sijincleetus@gmail.com Project Manager / Senior Engineer, Indian Male BE Civil, 21yrs experienced including Oman looking for the Job Contact +918939295181 Email I’D sanja_bala@yahoo.co.in Indian male 26 , graduate in mechanical engineering having 2 years experience in fabrication production filed in India, looking for a suitable job. mobile: +968-91384621 EMAIL : rmekhil@hotmail.com

SITUATION WANTED SIT. WANTED Sr. Sales Executive, Indian Male, Holding Valid Oman DL. Total experience in Oman of 15 years with 4 years Rent a Car Co. experience.

Looking for Opportunities in any Industry for similar sales role.

GSM - 95703233 email id “khetani_r@yahoo.com INDIAN MALE 23 YEARS,B. Tech (Electrical & Electronic). Done IOSH & NEBOSH- IGC certifications. Looking for HSE engineer job in Oil Gas Sector, constructions or in any related industries. Contact 98045482 Indian male. M.com holder with two year working experience as an accountant in India. Now at Muscat on visiting visa. Seeks suitable placement. Gsm:96947500,99463120, :mohamedshafikk5@gmail.com Driver 5 years exp know English, Arabic,& Hindi Education B.A. Contact : 91615715 / 99512270 ACCOUNTANT, Indian male,29 years.8 years experience .Presently working in Oman as a Senior Accountant with oman Driving license.

NOC available seek suitable opportunity. GSM: 97705854 Female, Indian, 35 Yrs- house maid available for Full/Part time work in Muscat. contact- 96754303.

29 years Indian female (MBAFinance) with 4+yrs experience (Oman) in Accounts, seeking suitable placement in Accounts/Admin.

Contact:96141283 Indian, male, 41 years, CA Inter, Persuing CA final. Now on express visa. 7 years of Experience in OMAN as Finance and Accounts Manager in Trading , Construction and Firefighting industry. 21 Years of exp. seeking suitable Managerial positions. No visa issues. Immediate joining.

Contact 98469311 Email:sebin30@yahoo.co.in

INDIAN MALE 23 YEARS, B. Tech (Electrical & Electronic) having 4 years working experience as an Electrical site Engineer. Looking for suitable job in Oil Gas Sector or in related industries.

Contact 98045482 Indian male, ERP Functional Consultant (SCM, MM, HRMS), Seeks employment.Contact: 98478928, Email: anand.desai2408@gmail.com 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

ACCOUNTANT, Male, 8 years experience .Presently working in Oman as a Senior Accountant with Oman Driving license. NOC available seeks suitable opportunity.

GSM: 98184170 Filipino (male), 37 yrs. old, having 8yrs. experience in Operation (Shipping & Logistics) currently on visit visa looking for suitable job.

GSM: 97121525

SITUATION WANTBUSINESS ED

Indian male 28YRS, 7Years exp. in Architectural & structural Draughtsman & 3d visualization, looking for a suitable Post GSM: +971551965944.

Email:aboosufiyan@gmail.com Piping Design Engineer, 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, Email : mohammednazeer07@gmail.com Indian Female, M.Com & MBA with 1.5 years of experience in Reinsurance Treaty seeking a good job opportunity in Insurance & Reinsurance Accounts or General Accounts.

Contact: +968 91920189, Email: neethumano.manohar@gmail.com CCNA MCITP network support / network technician with 2 years experience Indian male having bachelors degree on visit visa.

Contact 93080871 sean.f.peters@outlook.com 8 yrs exp 2d, 3d draughtsman (HOLDING OMANI DRIVING LICENSE) seeking job. Contact : 93790601

B-tech Electrical engineer with more than 2 years of experience in erection and designing of HT and LT electrical systems. Seeking for suitable job in Muscat. Contact:98269366.

Email:sijincleetus@gmail.com

ME. Civil Engineer, Structural Designer, 3 Years Structural Design, 6 Years Str Supervising Experience, Looking For Structural Designer Position. Iranian Male.

Contact : 93696929 Email: mhsaz1359@gmail.com

Indian Female B.Sc., B.Ed.(Maths), M.C.A residing in Al-Ghubra seeking a teaching position as a Math Teacher GSM.- 94231633

BSC Female Nurse having 8 years of experience ( 3 years in gulf). Prometric passed - 57%. Currently in Oman.

Contact : 98034384

Looking for Investor to start steel fabrication unit. Contact 98314531 Invite business proposals on profit sharing basis. Email : contact@absmct.com/ 99221683 Canadian Consultancy Company is looking for a Partner in Oman. For more information please contact +973 39990830 New company seek partnership.

Contact: 96996938 General Investors.

Gsm-99674870

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DAILY GUIDE TOURS

SITUATION WANTCARGO

SITUATION WANTED CARGO

RENT A CAR

Dolphin Watch, Dhow Cruise with Buffet, & Land Tours Al- Ainain Marine Tours Contact- 98029602, 92808636

TRANSPORTATION Transportation only in Muscat.

Contact 96736975 Transportation any time. Contact 99365092 Transportation. Contact 98178135 Transportation available.

Contact 95570429 Transport. Contact: 95190627 Transportation. Contact: 96538078 Transportation. Contact:98522914 Transportation. Contact 99508282

Car for rent. Contact: 92516090

Transportation. Contact: 98244078

Butter cup rent a car competitive prices new car 2016. # 97249449

Pick & Drop any time. Contact 97014786

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W E D N E S D AY, AU G U S T 1 9, 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com Tel. 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

MATRIMONIAL Looking for alliance from professionally well qualified nair boy for a postgraduate nair girl working in public sector, India. Contact : Oman 99440356 and India +91 9446129845 Kerala Syro Malabar Catholic girl, 28 yrs, working in Salalah, MOH from Palakkad, seeks suitable alliance from Keralite professionals in Muscat. Contact 99357901

CLASSES

Malayalee Nair boy from good family(only son) – 36 yrs- B.Com, MBA (Mktg & Finance)- Associate Regional Manager in an MNC in Coimbatore- invites alliance – Contact +91 7639622079

SITUATION WANTED SERVICES

Keralite male, 34 yrs, Hindu Viswakarma (Sudha Jathakam) working as Chef in reputed Hotel in Muscat seeks suitable alliance. Contact 97097061/ 91 8547644153 23 yrs Keralite Christian girl settled in Bangalore invites alliance from well settled Christian boys.

Contact 99494371 Keralite Christian Orthodox boy, 28 yrs, MBA seeks suitable alliance.

Contact 91394731 Sunni Muslim girl, Indian origin, 20 yrs BA graduate from Oman, good looking homely with good religious values, seeking alliances from Muslim professionals, well settled in Oman or Middle East.

Contact: 99644760 or Email: ghulamuzma23@gmail.com

NOTICE I Mumtaz Mohammed Mehboob Ansari (holder of Indian passport No. L0077819) daughter of Mohamed Mushtaq having permanent residence in A-6 Fernandes Apts, Maroshi Road Marol, Andheri (E), Mumbai and presently residing in (Postal address in Oman) Muttrah, Zuian, P.O. Box No. 1936, PC 112, MUSCAT, Oman do hereby revoke/ cancel my former will Register No. 4600 / 2009 dated 11.08.2009 and attested vide Indian Embassy, Muscat No. C40211/ MUS/09 dated 01.12.2009 issued in favour of Mr. Mahmood Sabeel Khamis Al Zadjali, holder of Oman ID card no.

01944062 issued on 18.12.2009 as sole executor of my last will & testament who was at liberty to utilize my said properties for the Islamic religious & charitable purposes. Any objection towards revocation / cancellation my last will may please be communicated to Embassy of India, Muscat, Diplomatic Quarters, Al Khuwair, P. Box No. 1727, Postal Code 112, Ruwi, Sultanate of Oman.

Admission started in a private school, Darsait (Mount Zion Group of Institutions CBSE 1) for KG and grade 1 to 4 please register soonest.

Contact: 92088325 / 24799938

COMPUTER

WEBSITE

CHANGE OF NAME I Bindu Thomas (holder of Indian passport No. F4555760) daughter of Athirampuzha Kuriakose Jacob having permanent residence in Thoppil Karottu House, Malam, P.O, Kottayam, Kerala (complete postal address in India) and presently residing in PO Box 2935, PC 211, Salalah, Nursing Institute, Salalah, Sultanate of Oman (complete postal address in Oman) intend to change my name from Bindu Thomas (old name) to Bindu Jacob (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.

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