VOL 11 ISSUE 27 JUNE 21, 2018
04
VOLUME 11 ISSUE 27 JUNE 21, 2018 Founder: Essa bin Mohamed Al Zedjali Chairman: Mohamed Issa Al Zadjali CEO: Ahmed Essa Al Zedjali Editor: Charles Lavery Features Editor: Swati Dasgupta Research Editor: Ashish Dubash Associate Editors: Salim Al Afifi, Shruthi Nair Copy Editor: Gautam Bhargav Viswanathan Online Editor: Christopher Isaac
A touch of yoga, history and gaming
Chief Sales Officer: Richard Pakenham Production Manager: Shafi Shaik
Yoga can change your life provided you do it the right way under the guidance of the right instructor. This is one of the most important messages that we would like to give our readers this week as we celebrate International Day of Yoga on June 21. In an age where fitness has become the most challenging aspect of one’s life, it is easy to get swayed by shortcuts to good health. And practising this ancient discipline without supervision and assistance can lead to other complications. Experts say that many people perform yoga without knowing their strength and flexibility and end up with muscular injuries. Yoga, as they say, is a way of life and one must see its overall benefits for the body and mind rather than considering it as a quick way to lose weight, tone muscles or cure illnesses. This week our cover story brings forth the myriad benefits of yoga for mind, body, and spirit; plenty of reasons to get anyone on the mat. You can also embark on a journey back in time with 78-year-old author Ahmed Al Riyami who spends most of his time amidst books, photographs of olden days and decades-old newspaper clippings. Al Riyami talks about Oman’s rich history and shares tales of his years growing up. After a memorable stint in Oman, he decided to write down his experiences in Zanzibar and Oman, and is now the proud author of six published works. After you revel in the glorious past, zoom back to the present as you get a chance to learn about the game “Encased”, which is to be released next year. It is a story about a disastrous research project in the Dome that is built in the middle of a desert. Read our Gaming column to know more about the intriguing story. — Swati Dasgupta
Graphics Editor: Antonio Farach Design Editor: Sahir K.M. Lead Designer: Geri B. Sonny Designer: Gregory Fernandez Photography: MMG Photographers On The Cover: Design by Gregory Fernandez For general enquiries or comments: swati@timesofoman.com
Muscat Media Group AN ISO 9001:2008 CERTIFIED COMPANY Post Box: 770, Postal Code: 112, Ruwi, Sultanate of Oman EDITORIAL 24726600/24726666 Ext 214 swati@timesofoman.com ADVERTISEMENT 24726600/24726666 Ext 432 ajayraj@timesofoman.com
CIRCULATION 24726600/24726666 Ext 135/136 circulation@timesofoman.com
VOLUME 11 ISSUE 14 MARCH 22, 2018
05
06
VOLUME 11 ISSUE 27 JUNE 21, 2018
WHAT’S ON THIS WEEK
23 SATURDAY 02.00pm Learn About HR If you are an experienced professional with relevant knowledge in HR, or someone who’s interested in the field, then make sure to attend this HR seminar, hosted by Blue Ocean Academy, where you’ll get to learn new and useful strategies. Al Falaj Hotel Ruwi +968 2470 2311
21 THURSDAY
08.00pm Stream the World Cup Head over to Crowne Plaza Sohar for a quick getaway from the city to cheer for your favourite team. Crowne Plaza Sohar Sohar +968 2685 0850
22
FRIDAY 06.00pm Network for Business Attend a fun-filled networking session with Frontrow International, where you’ll get to explore great business opportunities and take a look at their beauty products.
Jollibee, Al Khuwair, Bausher +968 9213 6848
01.00pm Celebrate Philippines Day Join the Filipino Community Social Club to celebrate the 120th Philippines Independence Day. The event will feature a cultural attire competition and a variety of performances to showcase the unique fashion style and talents of Filipinos. Al Falaj Hotel Ruwi +968 2470 2311
VOLUME 11 ISSUE 27 JUNE 21, 2018
07
24 SUNDAY
10.00am Explore an Engineering Camp Pack your kids’ bags and lace up their hiking boots, because the little engineers are about to explore the outdoors. Kids will get to build a tent, design waterproof clothing, engineer their own survival pack and more. The summer workshop costs OMR60 per week.
25
Engineering for Kids, 18th November Street, Azaiba +968 9087 7886
MONDAY 06.30pm Network with Start-ups Meet like-minded people who are passionate about growing their business. The networking event is for folks with existing businesses, people starting a new business or people interested in the field. Entry costs OMR2 per individual. Vantage International Muscat Ruwi (nearby Ministry of Sports) +968 9343 5226
S
T
R
E
A
TOMB RAIDER (FILM) Genre: Adventure, Mystery Cast: Alicia Vikander, Dominic West, Walton Goggins Lara Croft, the fiercely independent daughter of a missing adventurer, must push herself beyond her limits when she discovers the island where her father disappeared.
M
O
N
L
I
N
E
(Genre
Loveless (Film) Genre: Drama Cast: Maryana Spivak, Aleksey Rozin, Matvey Novikov
An Ordinary Man (Film) Genre: Drama, War Cast: Ben Kingsley, Hera Hilmar, Peter Serafinowicz
A couple going through a divorce must team up to find their son who has disappeared during one of their bitter arguments.
A war criminal in hiding forms a relationship with his only connection to the outside world — his maid.
8
VOLUME 11 ISSUE 27 JUNE 21, 2018
VOLUME 11 ISSUE 27 JUNE 21, 2018
There’s usually one thing that people tend to associate with a country — with Australia, it might be kangaroos; with the United States, it could be Trump; with Oman, it is the hospitality and with India, it is yoga. While India is a diverse country with diverse cultures, traditions and practices, the one thing that the people of the nation are unanimously proud of and the one thing that has helped India unite with other countries is yoga.
9
10
VOLUME 11 ISSUE 27 JUNE 21, 2018
when literally translated means union, union of the self and the spirit. It is an ancient practice that originated in India during the Golden Age that embodies a person’s natural state of being and spiritual enlightenment. Most yogis and practitioners have put its spiritual relevance over its religious relevance. Yoga is nothing but an inward journey that helps you discover more about yourself through the simple techniques of breathing and posture, which open up the clogs in the mind and body. The benefits of yoga are tremendous and have proven to create a wide and deep impact; it has affected a huge number of people very intensely. As a result, this beautiful practice has found itself a day in the calendar where people across the world can commemorate it. June 21 this year marks the 4th International Yoga Day (IDY). More than a practice, it’s about making it a habit and then transcending it as a state of being. Hence, in many schools, yoga is being taught at an early age in order to get young minds and bodies well-versed with the practice. Many hospitals and therapeutic centres have incorporated yoga in their sessions after having realised its benefits on the human mind. Several prominent personalities such as India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and even Bollywood film actress Shilpa Shetty are ardent advocates of yoga. Hence, the sheer number of followers celebrating this practice on International Yoga Day comes as no surprise. The Indian Embassy in Muscat will also commemorate the day by hosting a massive yoga event on June 21. Times of Oman’s radio channel T FM, the official media partner for the IDY celebrations announced that the Indian Embassy will be hosting the event at Oman Exhibition and Convention Centre. The event includes a grand yoga session based on a common yoga protocol comprising simple and easy yoga postures, which can be performed by people not familiar with yoga, under the guidance of qualified instructors. There are different reasons for practicing yoga. While some might opt for yoga as a weight loss option, others use yoga to enhance their beauty. For some, it helps enhance flexibility and for others, it helps calm their minds. “Initially, I was only looking at its physical benefits, but it is no longer an exercise, it is a spiritual journey,” said Vidya Venkatesh, a low-key yoga instructor in Oman. Yoga has helped transform her life, her personality, and the way she looks at herself and her surroundings. In the many years since she started practising yoga seriously, it has gone from being a mere hobby to a way of life. There are various traits in a person that yoga can help change or control. For instance, anger, restlessness, overthinking, etc., can all be controlled by practising yoga regularly and in the right way. But consistency and dedication is the key, as it is with most activities. “You will be more aware of your feelings. Your emotions are not going to drastically change
As part of a fitness challenge, India’s PM Narendra Modi shared a video of his fitness regimen that includes yoga. In the video, the ardent advocate of yoga can be seen doing an asana on a rock. Modi tweeted, “Here are moments from my morning exercises. Apart from yoga, I walk on a track inspired by the Panchtatvas or 5 elements of nature - Prithvi, Jal, Agni, Vayu, and Aakash. This is extremely refreshing and rejuvenating. I also practice breathing exercises.”
VOLUME 11 ISSUE 27 JUNE 21, 2018
overnight. For example, if you are angry, you will feel the emotion coming and it won’t be as prolonged as it would be otherwise,” she explained. Yoga has tremendous other benefits. Since good health is the key to good skin, hair, and beauty and yoga induces good health, it serves the purpose. Since it is a physical activity, it has the benefits of routine exercise such as keeping you fit, increasing vitality, and improving blood circulation. Most importantly, yoga helps relax the mind and body as yoga and meditation go hand in hand. More than being a physical form of exercise, it is more a spiritual and mental exercise that relies heavily on breathing. Most people practise yoga because of the physical benefits, but after religiously practising it for a fair amount of time, most of them have a change of heart and their reason
for pursuing yoga changes drastically. It becomes more of a journey towards selfactualisation and self-reflection. As the reasons for following and practising yoga maybe varied and diverse, there are more and more people joining the bandwagon after having realised what it means to them and how it has helped them. There are people who have joined institutions such as the Art of Living to do it in an organised fashion, there are some who go to people such as Venkatesh just to learn how to practise yoga and there are still others who follow videos on YouTube and learn the art. Since it is a person’s personal journey, there is no right answer over how to practise yoga. But on days such as June 21, people come together collectively to practice the union of the mind and body by uniting with one another.
11
12
VOLUME 11 ISSUE 27 JUNE 21, 2018
VOLUME 11 ISSUE 27 JUNE 21, 2018
I
n the living room of a humble abode that has got pictures of grandchildren, parents and photographs from important ceremonies adorning the walls, sits author Ahmed Al Riyami, a 78-year-old eager man with books, newspaper clippings, photographs and various documents surrounding him. With sleek spectacles, a wide smile on his face and a file in his hand, he takes us on a journey through time. Back in the 16th century, Oman was a prosperous maritime nation indulging in trading activities with many of its neighbours. However, during the same time Oman’s neighbour Zanzibar, was having a tough time trying to get the Portuguese invaders out of the country. The ever caring and generous Omanis offered to help the
nation in overthrowing the Portuguese. After successfully defeating the invaders and getting them out of the country with Oman’s help, Zanzibaris requested Omanis to stay back. The Omanis agreed and eventually the founder of the renowned Al Busaidi dynasty started ruling Zanzibar. Later, he decided to make it the capital of Oman. It all remained as one huge empire until the ruler died and his two sons split. While one decided to rule over Oman, the other took over Zanzibar. “Zanzibar thrived very well and there was progress in trade, commerce and the climate was wonderful. Zanzibar was the leading country in clove and coconut plantation, so many Omanis started settling there. Until the 1964 invasion, people
lived very well and prosperously. “I think people were envious because Zanzibar was a gateway for many things. Vasco Da Gama used guides from Zanzibar for his expeditions. Religiously too, Islam penetrated into eastern central Africa through Zanzibar,” says Ahmed Al Riyami. The unfortunate attack by mainlanders in 1964, which resulted in the death of tens of thousands and many more being imprisoned including Al Riyami, who was part of the revolutionary struggle, led to the downfall of the wonderful land of Zanzibar. Al Riyami wistfully says, “The good days are gone.” Since Oman, at that point, didn’t have much to offer before His Majesty took over and completely changed the scene
13
in the Sultanate, Zanzibaris migrated to other parts of the Middle East, including Dubai, Kuwait, Qatar, and some even moved to India and Pakistan. “I studied in Ras Al Khaimah, Kuwait, Dubai, while some went to India and Pakistan,” he says. During this time, Zanzibaris kept migrating from one country to another looking for jobs, opportunities and a place they could call home, until His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said took over the Sultanate and almost immediately invited all the Zanzibari brethren back to Oman, their own country. “That’s why we call it a blessing,” says Al Riyami, recalling the day when His Majesty became the ruler of the land. “There was a clarion call and I left my great job and came to Oman immediately to work for the first Omani-English company. After that, I joined BP and Oman Refinery. I had three children when I came from Zanzibar, another boy was born in Kuwait while two girls were born in Ras Al Khaimah, and my last son was born in Oman,” he says. Al Riyami’s journey in Oman too has been rather exciting. After having become the general manager of the Port Sultan Qaboos even before the work was completed to working in financial institutions and finally finding a job that made him happy, the author has tasted different kinds of experiences in his long and eventful life. After his retirement, Al Riyami realised that he couldn’t just sit at home and that’s when he decided to pen down his experiences from Zanzibar, Oman and his other interesting anecdotes. So far, he has published six books. However, when he looks back today, he believes that his most prized possession is his family that comprises his wife, who has been his partner in every sense for 60 years, his seven children, and 25 grandchildren who spread joy and laughter in his house and life. After sharing his entire life story and knowledge, he asks if his English is “tolerable” and explains his question with a story behind it. “The Sultan, who was the founder of the Al Busaidi dynasty, sent his ship with an Omani captain to the United States. The President of the United States should have gone and met the captain of the ship as per protocol but unfortunately, the President had very urgent matters to attend to and so, he sent his secretary instead. So the secretary had to write a report for the President. It was a long report and eventually the conclusion read, ‘Captain Al Kaabi of the Sultana from Oman, apart from being good looking, spoke tolerable English’.”
14
VOLUME 11 ISSUE 27 JUNE 21, 2018
THE LITHUANIA SOJOURN:
STORY RAHUL DAS
CLEAN, GREEN AND SERENE
T
he first impression you get when you land at the Vilnius International Airport, Lithuania is that it’s a small but clean, green and serene nation of three million. And as you take the city roads from the airport to the nearby urban centres such as Kaunas or Birštonas, you realise how pollution-free the atmosphere is and how disciplined people are on the streets and in general. This is simply because Lithuania is not just about old buildings, tourist spots, food, and events. It is also about the people — simple folks with dreams and love for their city, who also face daily challenges of life, yet rise above them.
“Vilnius is a city where you can walk aimlessly with the locals. The Old Town is alive with contemporary culture and that great Vilnius vibe,” said Boleta Senkiene, honorary consul of Oman in Lithuania. A land of surprises, independent Lithuania (Lietuva) is fast being recognised as one of Europe’s gems and is now looking at receiving more tourists from all over the world. “Take in a concert or catch a street performance, browse through one of our charming boutiques or urban fairs, or just sip on a mug of hearty Lithuanian ale while enjoying that marvellous mix of European architecture that makes Vilnius Old Town so special — including one of the highest concentrations of Baroque architecture this side of the Alps,” she
added. Tourists say that every time they visit the city, Vilnius tastes different. “It is like a pickle with different flavours and the largest living museum of the world. This city lives in constant friction and constant peace,” said one of them, who regularly visits the Old Town. Vilnius, which bagged the eighth place on Lonely Planet’s Best in the Europe 2018 list, has one of the continent’s oldest towns. There are buildings here that date back to the 15th century and the entire Old Town is a Unesco Heritage Site. But what is so special about old buildings? “Well, apart from the uniquely immersive experience of history that they convey, ours are fun to hang out in,” said Senkiene.
What’s more, nearly one-half of Vilnius is simply green space. With several urban parks, forests, lakes, and two rivers, tourists have countless options when it comes to staying active. From hiking, cycling, tennis, kayaking, golfing, wakeboarding, and beach volleyball in the summer, to ice skating, sledding and even skiing and snowboarding in the winter, the greatest challenge in Vilnius is often just deciding what to do. “For those with a more relaxed view of what constitutes activity, we’re big on spas and saunas. Options abound in and around the city,” she added. Once you decide which destinations you want visit, the next decision is where to stay. From spa hotels to luxury villas,
15
SUPPLIED PHOTOS
VOLUME 11 ISSUE 27 JUNE 21, 2018
these are Lithuania’s best: Kempinski Hotel Cathedral Square It is located in the very centre of Vilnius’ Old Town, right on Cathedral Square, and all tourist attractions are within walking distance. The exquisite décor and the legendary Kempinski service make this new hotel the first choice for international travellers, business, and leisure alike. The hotel produces natural raw honey from the beehive on its roof for its restaurant and its guests. Officials said the idea came from the Kempinski corporate initiative‚ “Best Breakfast in Town”, to upgrade the honey presentation at the breakfast buffet and strengthen the selection of healthy options on the menus. Medical Spa “Eglės sanatorija” in Birštonas The spa located in Loops Regional Park greeted its first guests some five years ago. It is famous for its mineral water springs and curative black and white mud (extracted from private “Eglės sanatorija” wells and reservoirs) procedures and other wellness treatments. The spa is a complex of four interrelated blocks; therefore guests can conveniently, without going outside, reach the treatment centre, living rooms, canteen, and other spots. The spa has modern
single, double, and double joint rooms, luxury two-room suites, as well as rooms designed for people with disabilities, and rooms with anti-allergic floor covering. Up to 730 guests can stay here at the same time. Harmony Park One of the most luxurious hotels in the Baltic region, the exclusive five-star hotel is surrounded by nature, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Here, guests can choose from 26 tastefully furnished rooms in 200 hectares of natural environment. For guests who value exceptional comfort, the hotel offers a presidential suite equipped with the most luxurious bathrooms with massage tubs. In the water area, visitors can enjoy a sauna, an infrared sauna, the steam room, and the kelo sauna. Those that prefer calm water recreation can enjoy the 25-metre swimming pool, whirlpool with cascades, hydro-massage bays, and underwater geysers. The hotel also boasts of an indoor horse riding area, and an outdoor riding arena that meets international standards, several ponds for swimming, a stage area, and various small inns, and attracts visitors through its exquisite luxury and modernity coupled with a locally renowned spa. Harmony Park can accommodate 240 people in villas and hotels, in addition to numerous camping sites. Vytautas Mineral Spa A new, state-of-the-art wellness and relaxation complex in idyllic Birshtonas. Exceptionally designed rooms and a finedining restaurant complement the spa facilities. Nestled amid a lush pine forest and along the banks of the winding Nemunas River, the spa boasts a rich and historic mineral water source. Since 2016, Vytautas mineral spa has become one of the hallmarks of the idyllic Birštonas resort town. It offers treatments using mineral water with tremendous healing properties. Drawn from a source some 715 metres underground and millions of years old, the water at Vytautas spa contains more than 70 different minerals, making it unique to Europe and comparable to the mineral content of the water in the Dead Sea. —rahuldas@timesofoman.com
16
VOLUME 11 ISSUE 27 JUNE 21, 2018
ARE YOU IN THE RIGHT WORKPLACE? We all occasionally crib about work (especially, after a long weekend). But do you dislike it so much that if given a chance, you’d swap your job with the next person that crossed you? Or maybe you’re just generalising work as something that is unpleasant because everyone around tends to do the same. Research shows that very often disappointment with one’s workplace is due to one specific factor and not because every aspect of the job is bad; but as the human tendency goes, we concentrate on the negative trigger and forget the other perks of the job. Here’s a list of ten positive signs that you’re in the right place. If you’re reading this at work and find yourself agreeing to most of them, maybe you should take a moment and smile at everyone in the office – it’s not that bad after all! STORY ANTARA BOSE
VOLUME 11 ISSUE 27 JUNE 21, 2018
17
1
You like the job even if you didn’t study for it You studied accounting and here you are sailing through perfectly fine in your sales job. And what’s more, you pretty much enjoy it too (apart from those days when it’s too hot to go out). A lot of people don’t end up getting the job they studied for; but if your company is assisting you to tackle your new role, what’s there to complain about?
2
You have co-workers you call ‘friends’ Colleagues play an important role at the workplace. Think about it — out of all your waking hours, you spend about eight hours a day in their presence doing important tasks. It would be quite unpleasant to have to work with people who you don’t like and vice-versa. From small talks during coffee breaks to dining together on weekends, colleagues eventually become close friends. And if you have at least two of them at your workplace, you’re good to go.
3
You’ve been promoted/gotten a raise recently Climbing the career ladder is a driving factor for anyone who’s in the corporate world. It means you have been acknowledged, appreciated and rewarded for your efforts. If your company has a well-defined career path which they honour, they’re definitely looking into your personal development too.
4 5
You have reasonable working hours This means having a good work-life balance too. Yes, maybe we all have to give in to those occasional late-nights but as long as your work doesn’t encroach on your ‘me time’ otherwise, it’s acceptable. You have a good boss Having a superior who lacks vision, team-spirit and leadership can be detrimental not only to your career but even to your personal growth. Having a boss who has these skills, on the other hand, can go a long way in teaching you to be a better corporate being. A boss should be like a mentor you can look up to.
6
You receive adequate training The industry is dynamic and it is essential that we keep ourselves up-to-date in our specific areas. Whether it is learning a new programme or familiarising ourselves with the latest products, if your company is investing in regular trainings, they have the necessary foresight which you will benefit from in the long run.
7
Performance reviews aren’t particularly unnerving Reviews are important and you’ll need to make sure you’ve got your facts and figures in place. But if you’re losing sleep over a review that’s scheduled a week later, there’s definitely something wrong. Being able to remain calm shows you have a sense of security in your job. It also means that you have the required confidence and skill to accomplish tasks so you don’t have to fret over it. A little anxiety is perfectly normal, as long as you aren’t breaking into cold sweat the minute you hear ‘review meeting’.
8
Your workplace acknowledges your extra-curricular activities Having an added skill, whether it is related to your work or not, is definitely a bonus to your individuality. The ideal workplace wouldn’t hinder your ability to grow on the personal front and would even acknowledge your achievements as an individual. Well, as long as the extra-curricular activity isn’t landing you on a criminal list.
9 10
You encounter exciting challenges Challenges help us polish our skills, gives us an opportunity to learn and breaks the monotony of a job. These are all essential to ensure you don’t get stagnant.
You don’t dread every weekday morning All right, we’ll be practical here, we don’t mean you should be singing your way to work every morning, but waiting for a meteor to strike so you get a holiday — that doesn’t sound comforting. If you’ve had a long weekend, we totally understand; but your work shouldn’t be a place you wake up to hate every morning.
Antara Bose is a model turned fashion and beauty consultant. A popular blogger, anchor, and voice over artist, she maintains a deep connection with the local fashion industry and is passionate about discovering and celebrating aspiring talent as well as promoting animal rights. For fashion updates with a side of humour and sarcasm follow Antara on instagram @antarabose and on Facebook: Antara Bose.
18
VOLUME 11 ISSUE 27 JUNE 21, 2018
BEIRUT AKA HIGH WIRE ACT Cast: Jon Hamm, Rosamund Pike Caught in the crossfires of civil war, CIA operatives must send a former US diplomat to negotiate for the life of a friend he left behind.
ABRAHAM’S SANTHATHIKAL (Malayalam) Cast: Mamootty, Yog Japee, Anson Paul, Sijoy Varghese Derick Abraham, a fiery and dutiful police officer, continues to be the best officer until his brother Philip Abraham gets arrested for false murder charges. Will he be able to investigate the case and serve justice to his brother?
MAYA THE BEE 2 Cast: Benson Jack, Coco Jack Gillies, Richard Roxburgh When an overenthusiastic Maya accidentally embarrasses the Empress of Buzztropolis, she is forced to unite with a team of misfit bugs and compete in the Honey Games for a chance to save her hive.
VOLUME 11 ISSUE 27 JUNE 21, 2018
19
MARY SHELLEY Cast: Elle Fanning, Maisie Williams, Douglas Booth, Tom Sturridge She will forever be remembered as the writer who gave the world Frankenstein. But the real life story of Mary Shelley — and the creation of her immortal monster — is nearly as fantastical as her fiction. Raised by a renowned philosopher father (Stephen Dillane) in 18th-century London, Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin (Elle Fanning) is a teenage dreamer determined to make her mark on the world when she meets the dashing and brilliant poet Percy Shelley (Douglas Booth). So begins a torrid, bohemian love affair marked by both passion and personal tragedy that will transform Mary and fuel the writing of her Gothic masterwork. Imbued with the imaginative spirit of its heroine, Mary Shelley brings to life the world of a trailblazing woman who defied convention and channelled her innermost demons into a legend for the ages. Running at: Vox Cinemas, City Cinemas
Watch the World Cup matches on the big screen.
TIK TIK TIK (Tamil) Cast: Aaron Aziz, Jayam Ravi, Niveditha Peduraj After discovering that an asteroid the size of India is going to impact Earth in less than a month, NASA recruits a misfit team of deep core drillers to save the planet.
COMING SOON
WORLD CUP: FRANCE VS PERU
SANJU Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Anushka Sharma, Manisha Koirala
SICARIO: DAY OF THE SOLADO Cast: Benecio del Toro, Josh Brolin
20
VOLUME 11 ISSUE 27 JUNE 21, 2018
GLIMPSES OF MUTTRAH FORT The iconic Muttrah Fort has been reopened to the public from June 18, 2018, for the first time since undergoing extensive renovations. In a statement online, the Ministry of Tourism welcomed visitors and also announced that the restoration and renovation of the fort were completed. Photos Shabin E.
VOLUME 11 ISSUE 27 JUNE 21, 2018
SUDOKU
HOW TO PLAY Fill empty cells with the numbers 1 to 9, so that each number appears once in each row, column, and area.
Level | Easy
8
2
4 7
2
1
9
4
TIMES DIGITAL DOWNLOAD
HAVE YOU EVER wanted to be on the the expedition of the player’s character, cutting edge of science, work among the an intelligent entity has awakened in the best engineers, or count yourself as one of depths of the underground complex — an the finest doctors known to man? Then you unstable AI nicknamed Maelstrom. Upon might want to dive headfirst into the world breaking loose, it will change the world of Encased, and head to the Dome. under the Dome beyond recognition — all Built in the middle of the desert by an connection to the outside world is lost, unknown civilisation, this futuristic sci-fi and the denizens trapped within the Dome game centres around, on become desperate and split and within the Dome — an into warring factions. THE SHORT AND SKINNY artificial construction of unEncased is currently in deknown origin that is shaped velopment, and players will Name: Encased like a sheer half-sphere with decide the story of this sci-fi Genre: Sci-fi Role Playing Game a small aperture at the top. game when it enters early Produced by: Dark Crystal Games The Dome is indestructible. access in 2019, but that’s not What it’s about: In the middle of the Technology, items, and relics the only thing that makes desert, an enigmatic dome seems to can be extracted from it. this game unique. hold the answers to a better tomorBeneath the earth, yet more The unstable AI Maelrow. But does it also threaten to mystery awaits, as the Dome strom is one of the unique destroy the world as we know it? is just the cap of an enorfeatures of the game. MaelWhere to buy: TBA (Release – 2019) mous complex hidden under strom is intelligent, it can Platforms: PC, others TBA the sands. Ancient underinteract with the player and ground labyrinths contain even fulfil their wishes (but bountiful artefacts, weapons everything comes at a price, and artificial intelligence of course). However, Maelsystems that control the whole complex. strom is more than just a character: It’s an But all is not as idyllic as it seems. People enigmatic power that destroys the minds of who enter the Dome cannot leave. intelligent beings. Its influence is especially Research and exploration of the Dome potent within the centre of the Dome, so are conducted by staff of the C.R.O.N.U.S. wise players will stick near the borders in Foundation — an international corporation the beginning of the game. In addition to the and a state-within-a-state. To the outside above, Maelstrom affects the performance world, little is known about the inner workof some skills and perks. ings of C.R.O.N.U.S. Those that sign up for Experienced players will quickly notice a life within the Dome do not speak of their similarities with Fallout and other clasexperiences, and those managing the Founsic RPGs. This will let the player quickly dation from outside speak even less. Thanks figure out the role-playing system of the to the bounty extracted from the Dome, game without reading manuals or failing C.R.O.N.U.S. have become powerful enough builds. Layered on top of the familiar, we to hold sway over the leaders of the world. add our own system of perks and skills, Now, the fate of the entire planet rests in forcing the player to make a complicated the hands of the soldiers, businessmen, and interesting choice every time they scientists and even criminals who comprise gain a new level. their ranks. An old-school role-playing game which However, within the Dome, something promises about 30 hours of gameplay, is changing. Another power has arisen — the world of Encased is just waiting to be something never faced by explorers before. cracked open. Come 2019, the world will be As a direct result of actions performed by waiting to dive into the dome.
4
3
5
1 6
3
8
9
3
3
5
1
6
9
7
6
7
2
6
1
Level | Moderate
5
6
4
2
8
7
9
4
2
6
6
5
1 2
8
1 3
2
5
4 7
2
3
9
7
1
6
5
3
7
Level | Difficult
2
9 3
6
7
1
5
8
9
5 1
1
8
5
3
7
2
6
4
3
1
2
THIS WEEK’S SOLUTIONS
ENCASED
1
8
7
8
5
3
Easy
5 9
21
3
6
1
Medium
Difficult
22
VOLUME 11 ISSUE 27 JUNE 21, 2018
LULU DISTRIBUTES 500 REUSABLE BAGS ON WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY
I
n an effort to reduce the use of plastic wastes, Lulu Oman held a Reusable Bag Distribution Campaign on June 5 coinciding with the World Environment Day. As part of the campaign, Lulu has distributed more than 500 reusable bags for free to its shoppers. Through this campaign, Lulu hopes to educate the public on how a simple decision to do away with nonbiodegradable plastics can make a huge impact on environmental preservation. Going reusable is an important part of reducing plastic waste. By reusing bags while shopping, one can contribute to reducing the amount of single-use plastic bags that become litter or head to the local landfill. Speaking on the campaign, Shabeer K. A., Regional Director — Lulu Hypermarkets, Oman, stressed, “We have distributed more than 500 reusable bags to our shoppers as part of this campaign. Through this initiative, we have done our
small part in trying to make the environment cleaner and greener. We hope our effort will definitely make a great change. As responsible human beings, we should influence our family and friends to reduce pollution due to plastic waste in future.” “Through this campaign, Lulu aims to encourage and remind residents to bring and utilise reusable bags whenever they go shopping. It is high time we refrain from using disposable plastic products that persist in the environment forever. Every individual must play his role towards contributing to the betterment of the environment and the community,” he added. As a company with strong CSR policies, Lulu Group has always been in the forefront when it comes to giving back to the society. Lulu has also adopted the “RRR” (Refuse, Reuse, Reduce) policy to reduce the usage of plastic bags, in addition to the usage of oxy-biodegradable plastic bags in its store.
Healthy products from A’Saffa Foods H
aving built its core competence and expertise in fully integrated poultry and food production, food processing and innovative food recipes, A’Saffa Foods, Oman’s largest fully integrated poultry project leaves no stone unturned in its commitment to delivering superior quality products that are 100% natural, fresh, and tasty. Focusing on the corporate philosophy — “Core values of Healthy Food, Health and Happiness”, A’Saffa’s success is based on its “100% promise” and its three pillars — “100% halal, 100% natural, and 100% tasty”. Each and every A’Saffa product is hence produced, packaged and transported to a wholesaler or retailer keeping the brand’s ‘ring of purity’ in mind — Omani, naturally
fed, hand slaughtered (as per Islamic Sharia), fully integrated poultry project (parents farms, hatchery, broiler farms, feed mills, processing plant, research laboratory and pharmacy), high biosecurity (diseasefree farm); with no plumping, no steroids (artificial hormones), no preservatives, no stunning and no feed substitutes. Sidhartha Lenka, Head of Sales and Marketing at A’Saffa Foods said, “Through A’Saffa’s ‘real halal’ methods, a bird’s slaughtering is done by hand from the top of the neck ensuring each drop of blood and toxin flows out of the bird, making it hygienic for consumption. Most companies use mechanical devices to slaughter poultry which is contrary to the strict guidelines that should be carried out to
ensure that birds are slaughtered in accordance with the principles of Islamic Sharia. There are chances, chicken die before slaughtering when electrical shocks are given to the birds (stunning), and this goes unnoticed in mechanical slaughtering which means ‘halal’ is not guaranteed. At A’Saffa, we ensure that all our birds are slaughtered by hand using a knife, and processed in a way that is hygienic and ensures that the birds are of the highest quality and fit for human consumption.” Known for producing Oman’s freshest chicken and allied products, A’Saffa Foods also has a highly trained on-site medical team and experienced scientists at their farms, who monitor the health of the chickens daily to ensure that they are kept
free from disease, have the right balance of feed and water; thus ensuring that the final product that is delivered to the consumer is healthy, natural, and pure. Located in Thumrait, the A’Saffa Foods plant produces high-quality fresh and frozen poultry products. One of the reasons for the remote desert location of the plant in the Dhofar Governorate is to ensure that the most stringent ‘biosecurity’ measures are in place at the facility. Placing the farms far away from human habitation, migratory bird routes and other developments enables the company to minimise any potential risk of contamination or disease that could impact the farms that are located across a 40 square kilometre site.