T Weekly - 8 March 2018 by Muscat Media Group

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Women’s Day: Oman’s torchbearers It’s International Women’s Day today and to commemorate the occasion, we met three women from Oman’s State Council, who have brought many changes in society. The initiative to include women at all levels of governance in Oman, which began a few years ago, is now bearing fruit as more and more women grab key positions. Though a lot still needs to be done, these women from the State Council are definitely the torchbearers for women empowerment in the Sultanate. While we learn about their contribution to the Sultanate, they also talk about their goals and views on the current condition of Omani women. This is in sync with this year’s theme for International Women’s Day: #PressforProgress. As mentioned on their official website: “We can’t be complacent. Now, more than ever, there’s a strong call-to-action to press forward and progress with gender parity. A strong call to #PressforProgress. A strong call to motivate and unite friends, colleagues, and entire communities to think, act, and be gender inclusive.” Also, if you are a foodie, you might want to head to Dubai for a memorable weekend trip. The city beckons one and all for its fine array of food from all around the world. From exciting food-related events and promotions to street food and fine dining experiences, a festival of flavours awaits. But before that, don’t forget to tune in to T FM.

— Swati Dasgupta

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: Salem Afifi, Shruthi Nair Copy Editor: Gautam Bhargav Viswanathan Online Editor: Christopher Isaac

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WHAT’S ON THIS WEEK 08

MONDAY 11.00am Attend an Exhibition Are you on the lookout for some interesting property investment opportunities and interior decorations? Well, don’t miss out on The Big Show exhibition where they’ll be showcasing the best of interior design and real estate projects. The event runs from 12 to 14 March. Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre, Airport Heights +968 2423 3800

THURSDAY

SATURDAY

10.00pm Sensation Black When three of the best Omani DJ’s in town perform together, you know that the party would be out of this world. Dress code is black and entrance is 21+ On The Rocks Golden Tulip, Muscat +968 9798 3333

08.00pm Laugh Out Loud How about a rooftop comedy show to tackle your bones for the evening? Humor Infection is having their monthly stand-up show, and it’s not to be missed. The event is 21+ Sama Terrazza Rooftop Lounge, Park Inn Muscat, Al Khuwair +968 2450 7888

05.00pm Craft A Fruit Learn the basics of fruits and vegetables crafting, demonstrated by expert chef in a live session. The event will end with a fun-filled crafting competition. SPAR Liwan Mall, Al Khuwair +968 2439 6888

10.00am Master Computer Apps If you enjoy writing and want to master commonly used applications such as Microsoft favourites: Word and Excel, then this workshop is for you. Vantage Academy Oman Muscat, Oman +968 2479 5476

FRIDAY

SUNDAY

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13 TUESDAY 9.00am Learn All About Islamic Banking Oman has now joined its peers in Islamic finance and banking industry, and it’s in perpetual growth. Join them in exploring more about it at the IFN Forum Oman 2018. Grand Millennium Muscat Hotel, Bousher +968 2234 2222

WEDNESDAY 7pm Savour A Steak Laval is known for having some of the best steaks in town, prepared and indulged over a killer view of the Ghala golf course. Entrance costs OMR 15+ per head. Laval Restaurant and Lounge Ghala, Bousher +968 2450 5112

W H AT TO WATC H O N Adventureland (Film) Genre: Comedy Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, Ryan Reynolds Synopsis: In the summer of 1987, a college graduate takes a ‘nowhere’ job at his local amusement park, only to find it’s the perfect course to get him prepared for the real world.

The Gift (Film) Genre: Thriller, Mystery Cast: Jason Bateman, Rebecca Hall, Joel Edgerton Synopsis: A young married couple’s lives are thrown into a harrowing tailspin when an acquaintance from the husband’s past brings mysterious gifts and a horrifying secret to light after more than 20 years.

Up In The Air (Film) Genre: Drama, Romance Cast: George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, Anna Kendrick Synopsis: Ryan Bingham enjoys living out of a suitcase for his job, travelling around the country firing people, but finds that lifestyle threatened by the presence of a potential love interest, and a new hire.

The World’s Most Extraordinary Homes (Season 1) Genre: Documentary Cast: Caroline Quentin and Piers Taylor Synopsis: A couple of people basically like much about the planet searching for a few houses that don’t belong to them.

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TOWARDS EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN ince the early 1970s women in the Sultanate have been given their rights in the constitution. Nearly half a century later, women can be seen at top levels of government positions and businesses. The Sultanate’s aim to include women at all levels of governance began since 2005, when Oman appointed a woman as the Arab ambassador to the United States. There is no doubt that there is still much more that needs to be done to integrate women into the political and economic ﬁelds, however, as these women

from the State Council will convey, the Sultanate is already on the right path. This article will showcase three female members of the State Council, it will demonstrate their current contribution to the Sultanate and their goals, in addition to their views on the current condition of Omani women. Dr Aisha Al Wishahi is a member of the Social Committee of the Council. Her work includes studying and reviewing legislations related to many aspects that affect society. Omani women work in good economic conditions, where men are on par in terms of work, production, and investment opportunities. Omani women are also able to

carry out political work through roles such as membership in the Council of Ministers and the Council of Oman. This unique condition is accompanied by the development of women’s social status. A woman’s role as an educated and working woman has assumed significance at all levels. She aspires to increase the presence of Omani women in the Shura Council and the Council of Oman in general. “This will positively support women’s issues and highlight their status. It will also reflect the reality of women in Oman, as they represent a large part of the educated and qualified members of society, capable of playing a productive role,” she said. “Through my presence in the Council,

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Naashiah Al Kharousi

Muna Al Saadoon

Dr Aisha Al Wishahi

I hope to present my work experience and scientific qualifications to serve the Omani society. I also hope to support the means and activities that develop the role of the State Council and highlight its impact on society,” she added. Omani women have achieved many of their ambitions, but they must continue to respond to the issues and challenges facing them to ensure that women’s experience is reflected in all aspects of society. Muna Al Saadoon is a member of the social committee that allowed her to participate in the study of various topics that have both direct and indirect effects on an individual’s health and welfare of the society. For example, health promotion programmes, and better approach to the prevention and management of chronic diseases. Accidental injuries among children and prevention programmes aiming to reduce their adverse effects. Omani women have been given special attention by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos, since the Renaissance. The provisions for educational opportunities and healthcare for women at all stages of life contributed to empowering women to acquire skills and knowledge and contributing to the building of this benevolent homeland. At the same time, governmental and social support for women helped them overcome obstacles, which enabled them to work in all sectors and at various levels, while enjoying all their civil rights. “I hope that the concerned authorities will discuss certain social problems that could hinder women’s progress and introduce administrative and legal amendments to limit the negative effects that such problems have on abilities of women to maximise their employment achievements,” she added. Being a paediatric doctor, she cares a lot about children’s rights and their protection from all forms of abuse. “During my time at the council, I aim to shed light on the needs of children. Hopefully it will be possible to identify and bridge any gaps in the social, legal, health, and educational services provided to them,

with the aim of creating a safer and even more stable environment for the child in the Sultanate,” she added. Naashiah Al Kharousi is the first Omani woman to have been awarded a Telecommunications Engineering Degree in June 1971. According to the state’s statutes, Omani women have equal rights and public duties as men. There is no distinction between the two. The rest of the specific rights are compatible with our Islamic law, for example in matters related to marriage, custody and legacy. “We were given our rights even before many women in the West were given theirs. I have been a member of three permanent committees for four years, including economic, social, and legal committees. I have focused on these areas as it allowed me to use my previous experience,” she said. “We have made proposals regarding the activation of Omani women’s associations, as well as increased the social, health, and cultural awareness, in order to raise women’s administrative and financial capabilities, and legal awareness of their rights. The lack of knowledge about rights might hinder the effective participation of women in sustainable economic and social development or may impede the realisation of their aspirations in general, whether in the field of professional work or family and social relations,” she added. Talking about the changing role of women she said that some women may have the feeling that they have not had a particular opportunity to take on leadership roles or that there is a negative bias towards women in the work environment. The men, especially in the field of work, must understand that the participation of women is necessary. The ideas of women complement the ideas of men. “If we aim to achieve development, men must understand and respect the ideas of women. Achieving sustainable goals while excluding women from decision making is unlikely. It is also important for women to understand that we must work in cooperation with men to achieve development,” she added.

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EXPERIENCE THE WORLD ON A PLATE AT DU ubai is a city that arouses the interest of people from all across the world. While it is so brazenly obvious and inviting in a way, the true character of this sprawling metropolis still remains shrouded in mysticism and mystique. The United Arab Emirates’ most populous, and dare we say, most famous, city has always attracted travellers from all corners of the globe. With its plethora of sights, sounds, and tastes to energise one’s senses, it’s easy to see why. It was that last of these senses that drew team T to this city of dreams a week ago. From the moment we landed in this glittering city of towering skyscrapers and bright lights to check out the Dubai Food Festival, it was a tantalising affair we just couldn’t wait to be a part of.

When it comes to spectacular holiday destinations, few cities in the world can compare with the scale and grandeur of Dubai. It was quite clear as we were ushered into the lofty lobby of the very plush Raffles Hotel in Dubai Healthcare City that we were in for a treat. Dubai is a city geared to impress, whether it is the dizzying architectural marvels that adorn its skyline or the luxurious accommodation that had been so lovingly set out for us. We’d barely had a few minutes to check into our beautiful rooms, which overlooked the city’s stunning skyline, when the in-room phone rang. Turned out that the Raffles staff had organised a garden party for us. It was, in many ways, a misnomer. We were imagining a polite affair involving ﬁnger

sandwiches, tea, and macaroons. What we did get, however, was a running start to the Dubai Food Festival, where we would soon find out that nothing was to be done in half-measure. Our conundrum of the evening swung from what was on the menu to where we’d find room to put what was on the menu. The Raffles evening was literally catered to impress. The soup was slurped down with gusto and the salad was happily eaten with crunchy noises, but as grilled kebabs were followed by spaghetti and pizza was succeeded by steak, there was a serious concern whether we would have any room for dessert. Italian tiramisu, a towering array of pastries and cakes, and the finest Arabic desserts crammed with heaps of rich

WEEKEND CHILL ROCKFISH, MADINAT JUMEIRAH Situated on Dubai’s impressive and breathtaking seashore, Rockfish offers guests some of the finest surf and turf the city has to offer. Their sharing platters encourage sharing of food and conversations alike, providing a laid-back ambience that you hope never comes to an end. What’s on the menu: Their flavourful prawns, succulent mussels and delicious salmon are a must-try, though if you prefer more terrestrial fare, you might want to opt for their melt-inthe-mouth beef fillets and tender chicken. Where: Jumeirah Al Naseem, Madinat Jumeirah, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Street, Umm Suqeim 3, Dubai. For reservations: email restaurants@jumeirah.com

UP-SCALE DINING JEAN-GEORGES’ RESTAURANT DUBAI Located in the Four Seasons Dubai, this famous French restaurant is one of the swankiest places in the city and is a must-visit for any tourist. What’s on the menu: You might want to begin with their fresh salmon tartare, before sampling their super-healthy kale salad. Savour the ﬂavours of their beef tenderloin before ﬁnishing off with their signature in-house salted caramel ice-cream with chocolate sauce, peanuts, and caramel popcorn. Where: Jean-Georges Dubai, Four Seasons Resort, Jumeirah Beach Road, Jumeirah 2, Dubai For reservations: email info@jean-georges-dubai.com

UBAI FOOD FESTIVAL nuts and condensed cream were only the beginning of the endless sequence of sweet treats that the excellent chefs at Raffles plied us with. After this extravagant affair, the clever folks at Dubai Tourism, who’d organised this entire shindig for us, knew we’d need a bit of a lie-in the next morning and were insightful enough to make our next jaunt one that took place only the next afternoon. The Wooden Cellar in Dubai Sports City is not well-known but this lovely little Greek restaurant is a must-try on your next trip to the city. Our T entourage loved the ﬂavourful salmon, but what really took the cake were, well, their cakes. Every forkful brought with it a delicious burst of ﬂavour, which ranged

from chocolate-orange and red velvet to blueberry and lemon meringue, and left us wanting more. It was a good thing that we left when we did because our gastronomical adventure across Dubai had only just begun. Our next destination was the Etisalat Beach Canteen on the ultra-popular Jumeirah beach. Home to a number of pop-up food stalls that provided culturally diverse fares, ranging from traditional pizzas and burgers to more oriental options such as Chinese baozi and crunchy Vietnamese Banh Mi, this food fest on the beach offered much more eclectic fare, such as shawarma and tandoori chicken tacos, chilli ice cream, and for the bravest of foodies, nitrogen-infused Cheetos and

WONDERFUL WEEKEND TORO + KO, JBR WALK The Jumeirah Beach Residences Walk is home to some of Dubai’s swankiest and most soughtafter luxury brands, and is an awesome hangout destination throughout the week. The Walk features a plethora of boutique stores, cafes, and restaurants that are now ﬁrm favourites of people from both within and outside of Dubai. What’s on the menu: Spanish fare rules the roost at Toro + Ko. Their tapas is a must try, as is their fragrant paella, and buttered octopus, a rare delicacy. Churros dipped in chocolate, strawberry, and caramel sauce with some rice pudding and chocolate ice cream are a great way to end your evening. Where: TORO + KO, The Square, City Walk, Dubai For reservations: visit toro.dubai@meraas.ae

HIDDEN GEM WOODEN CELLAR, DUBAI SPORTS CITY Located in the fast-expanding Dubailand area of the city, Dubai Sports City is a self-contained sports complex home to global headquarters of the International Cricket Council, the Dubai International Stadium, a soccer school programme run by former Real Madrid and Spain defender Michel Salgado, a rugby training scheme, and a little-known Greek restaurant that is big on ﬂavours and bold on ambience. What’s on the menu: Wooden Cellar is known for its home-made tzatziki and hummus, which are generously served with fresh-baked pita bread, as well as their excellent salmon and beef platters. They go great with their hard-tootherwise-ﬁnd Greek sodas, but do save room for their superb array of desserts. Where: Mediterranean Building, Canal Residence West, Dubai Sports City, Dubai For reservations: call +971 4 553 0467

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cheesecake. Not together, thankfully. Our extended weekend in Dubai was aimed at providing us with an insight into all that the city had to offer. After a relatively casual day, our dinner destination was one that certainly called for a more refined dressing sense from all of us. As we pulled up in front of JeanGeorges Dubai, it was quite clear that we were in for something special. Celebrated French chef Jean-Georges has made a name for himself by combining refined European techniques with American ingredients to create unique dishes that fuse the best of both sides of the Atlantic. It is often said that the best samosas in the world are made by Indians but anyone who’s eaten a French samosa might question that. Served with some succulent mint chutney, Jean-Georges’ take on this Indian snack was truly divine, and almost as if the restaurant staff knew of our concerns about eating such calorieladen food, it was insightfully balanced with a crunchy, healthy kale salad. After a fond night that left us with even fonder memories, just when we’d thought we’d experienced it all, Dubai was all set to teach us the meaning of “chill” the next day. Fresh-caught prawns and mussels adorned sharing platters alongside succulent chicken and tender beef cutlets at Madinat Jumeirah’s Rockfish restaurant, and we were all too eager to consume what was placed in front of us along with fresh-baked loaves of herb-buttered bread and a leafy salad that oozed freshness. La Boutique Chocolat, home to Dubai’s finest chocolate brands, featuring A-listers such as Roberto Cavalli and Versace, was our next destination, where we got to not just sample the world’s finest chocolate, but actually saw it being made in front of us, a journey of the senses that will live long in the memory. Our trip to Dubai left us full of more than just fine food. As team T packed its bags and headed to the airport the next morning, we were saying goodbye to more than just great meals and a great stay. We were bidding a fond farewell to all the memories and friends we’d made on this journey that brought the world to us on ceramic, and sometimes, silver platters. But absence only makes the heart grow fonder. We were only bidding au revoir to Dubai, and not adieu. The festival ends on March 10.

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You can tune in to the station at 95.4 in Muscat and 91 in Salalah or through Facebook on TFM Oman, Instagram on tfmoman, Twitter on the handle @TFMOman, and Snapchat on TFM Oman.

new addition to the radio scene in the Sultanate, Times FM or T FM, was inaugurated under the auspices of Dr Abdul Mon’em bin Mansour Al Hassani, minister of information in Oman, on January 23, 2018. Now, the much-awaited station has become operational and will be available in Muscat and Salalah at frequencies 95.4 and 91, respectively. The station launch was organised at the Muscat Media Galaxy, in the presence of a number of senior government officials, businessmen and media managers. T FM will host over 28 media prod-

ucts under the wing of the Muscat Media Group, a pioneer in modern media in the Sultanate. The group is also well-known for publishing T magazine in English and 7 Days in Arabic. T FM Programme Director Garima Bhandari believes the new station will break all radio standards across the Sultanate. “Although we are in the test phase, we are working on presenting a platform for all palates. We’re taking the groove to the next level with the support of the Times of Oman and the Muscat Media Group. The station represents the

English voice of the number one news outlet in Oman, the Times of Oman newspaper, ensuring that listeners within its range can stay tuned to latest local and international updates,” she said. The station comes as a modern companion for listeners from different age groups with regard to its groundbreaking technological advancement. Though currently in a trial phase, the station blasts the latest hits for its listeners in the Governorates of Muscat and North Al Batinah at 95.4 MHz, and in the Governorate of Dhofar at 91 MHz. The broadcast will gradually cover the rest of the governorates. The station has so much in store, with a wide range of brand new shows, debuting exclusively on T FM. This should come as no surprise, considering that the station is all about keeping the connection alive between listeners and presenters. In fact, the motto of T FM, “Let’s Talk”, sums up the main focus of the station precisely, as the station relies on listening to the voice of the listeners and interacting with them, whether that is on air, via live shows, through communication modes such as WhatsApp and phone calls, or through the T FM social media accounts on Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat. At the same time, T FM encourages its listeners and followers on social media to send in their own inputs to the station. This can be done easily by sending in video or audio clips of their suggestions on what should be talked about on the station. They can also tweet or snap their desired topics and may get a chance to be featured on one of the live shows. “Tune in to hear us, and you’ll ﬁnd us more than willing to hear you back and get the conversation going,” Garima said.

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STORY INDRANIL CHOWDHURI

CHARLES DARWIN AND TH STORY INDRANIL CHOWDHURI

t is quite humbling that a scattering of scarred volcanic islands, ﬂung across 45,000sqkm of ocean and 960-odd kilometres adrift the Ecuadorian mainland and defying permanent human colonisation till the 20th century, should have been so instrumental in changing humanity’s perception of itself. Yet, once feared as a bewitched and waterless hell, then the haunt of pirates, and later still, a pit-stop for whaling ships, it was the forbidding Galápagos Islands that spurred Charles Darwin to formulate his theory of natural evolution by natural selection, catapulting social sciences into the modern era and colouring the values and attributes of the Western World ever since.

A visit to the Galápagos Islands is a journey of a lifetime, a definite must on everyone’s travel bucket list. Where else could one be up close with playful sea lions, gigantic sea-tortoises, elegant albatrosses, sneaky Frigate birds, light-foot crabs, and the blue-feet booby bird apart from a wide range of aquatic wildlife? The Islands’ volcanic geology and its rich flora and fauna have attracted tourists, nature lovers, and scientists, who still remain baffled as to how such a large diversity of species developed in such a remote location. According to information available on the internet: “The first recorded visit to the islands happened by chance in 1535, when Fray Tomás de Berlanga, the Bishop of Panamá, was surprised by this undiscovered land during a voyage to Peru. De

Berlanga eventually returned to the Spanish Empire and described the conditions of the islands and the animals that inhabited them. The ﬁrst crude map of the islands was made in 1684 by buccaneer Ambrose Cowley, who named the individual islands after some of his fellow pirates or after British royalty and noblemen.” “These names were used in the authoritative navigation charts of the islands prepared during the Beagle survey under Captain Robert Fitzroy, and in Darwin’s popular book The Voyage of the Beagle. The Voyage of the Beagle brought the survey ship HMS Beagle, under captain Robert Fitzroy, to the Galápagos in 1835 to survey approaches to harbours. The captain and others on board, including his companion, the young naturalist Charles Darwin,

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HE GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS To reach the Galápagos Islands from Oman is quite a journey. An 8-hour flight to Amsterdam with KLM from Muscat is followed by another 12-hour flight to Quito, and finally, another hour-and-a-half flight to the islands by local airlines such as AeroGal.

made observations on geology and biology in Chatham, Charles, Albemarle, and James islands before they left on October 20 to continue on their round-the-world expedition. Primarily a geologist at the time, Darwin was impressed by the quantity of volcanic craters they saw, later referring to the archipelago as ‘that land of craters’,” the information further states. “Darwin’s study of several volcanic formations over the five weeks he stayed in the islands led to several important geological discoveries, including the first, correct explanation for how volcanic tuff is formed. Darwin noticed the mockingbirds differed between islands, though he thought the birds, now known as Darwin’s finches, were unrelated to each other, and did not bother labelling them by

island. Nicholas Lawson, acting Governor of Galápagos for the Republic of the Equator, told Darwin that the tortoises differed from island to island. Towards the end of the voyage, Darwin speculated that the distribution of the mockingbirds and the tortoises might ‘undermine the stability of species’. When specimens of birds were analysed on his return to England, it was found that many different kinds of birds were species of ﬁnches, which were unique to islands. These facts were crucial in Darwin’s development of his theory of natural selection explaining evolution, which was presented in The Origin of Species,” it further says. The Galápagos, a cluster of 19 volcanic islands, is a double heritage site since both the land and the sea are protected.

Each island boasts of its own unique landscape, ranging from barren black, volcanic rocks to swaths of white sand beaches melting into gemstone-blue water. Its isolated terrain shelters a diversity of plant and animal species, many found nowhere else. The archipelago is characterised by numerous contemporaneous volcanoes, some with plume magma sources, others from the asthenosphere, possibly due to the young and thin oceanic crust. While the older islands have disappeared below the sea as they moved away from the mantle plume, the youngest islands, Isabela and Fernandina, are still being formed. No species has done more to upset the delicately balanced ecosystem of the Galápagos Islands than humans. The Galápagos Islands became a National park in 1959 and tourism started in 1960. The tourism industry rakes in hundreds of millions of American dollars into the economy of Ecuador. Even though the number of tourists increase year on year, the National Parks are very well regulated. The visitor sites are limited, and well-defined trails and accredited guides have kept a healthy balance of conservation. The busiest months for tourism are June through August and the months of December and January, as well. Reaching the islands is not simple. One needs to fly into any of the international airports of Ecuador, namely the capital Quito or Guayaquil. Then one needs to take a domestic flight to the Islands. Visitors are allowed only at 116 sites in the Galápagos, of which 54 are land sites and 62 are scuba diving or snorkelling sites. Small groups are allowed to visit in two- to four-hour shifts only, to limit impact on the area. All groups need to be accompanied by licensed guides. Still, tourist activities abound. Wildlife watching is the most favoured activity. Wolf and Darwin islands are excellent for diving, where encounters with whale sharks, eagle rays, and schools of fish are possible, or even snorkelling along with sea lions and turtles. Kayaking and surfing options also exist on a few of the islands. For hikers, there are treks over dried lava beds along the rim of the active volcanoes or a trek to the highlands to see the variety of vegetation. Island-hopping can be fun but it is severely restricted, keeping in view the fragile ecosystem. The Charles Darwin Centre is a must-see.

Indranil Chowdhuri is based in Oman and an avid traveller who has completed foot printing in more than 100 countries.

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he notion that “real men” don’t wear moisturiser is history now. For, we are living in an era of wellgroomed men, who are more knowledgeable about beauty and fashion, and are quite particular about their looks. From David Beckham-inspired hairdos that scream elegance and the beard-swagger to spotless skincare regimens and expensive manicures, men are up for it all. What was once perceived a social stigma has become a sought-after, celebrated culture. Still, there are certain grooming habits that work to your advantage and others that might be taking you to the wrong side of the track. We present a list of ﬁve trends that deﬁnitely need to go as they are ineffective in adding any suave or cool factor to your overall look.

Bathing in perfume As cosmetic master Lewis Peacock would say: “Always make sure you’re wearing the fragrance, not the other way around.” Spraying your way into a woman’s heart has been the concept of perfume and body spray ads for as long as we can remember. Tell us, how did that work out for you? I guess it did not. Avoid death by eau de toilette by overloading yourself with excruciating amounts of strong, musky scents. The simple rule of using perfumes is to spray them in the air and follow the scent for that sensual or refreshing hint, not bathe in them, as it will only drive women (and perhaps everyone around you) away. Three sprays are enough for the day. Also, it’s great to know your scent and match it with the occasion. For instance, oud fragrances are a major no-no for brunches and outdoor activities; instead spray a bit of fruity realness or ﬂoral scents that suit the occasion.

Growing a facial forest Unless you are Santa Claus, wizard beards are downright unattractive. Why? Well, having a long, thick braggadocio beard may sound cool, but requires loads of attention. It needs consistent maintenance to keep the beard smooth and dirt-free, as well as ensuring that the length and cut are in check. Unless you have time and are willing to put in this much effort, the Gandalf look needs to get the chop.

Serving a furry back Body hair is quite a subjective topic that depends on personal preference. Some people love a furry monster while others may prefer a smooth torso and a cleanshaven gentleman. It is, however, quite rare for a woman to praise a hairy back. Some articles stated that back hair was having a moment recently, but we would like to differ. Nothing kills the vibe the way hairy backs do. Take it from us. It’s a carpet of hair that seems to be serving as nothing but a turn-off for a lot of women. We are not asking you to wax it off, but a little trim can do wonders. So ﬁnd a method that works for you — waxing, laser, trimming — and then go for it.

Overgrown nails There was a time in Muscat when young men and teens would keep long nails, often the last nail. It was a trend that appeared hip at the time, but now, it has become less of a trend and more of a symbolic representation. They say women secretly pay extra attention to men’s shoes and teeth but they forget to mention that dirty, long nails are also always being observed. Some folks would grow their nails to rival those of Lady Gaga’s, not knowing that it may not be a good idea. Get yourself clippers and get it sorted. Instead of growing your nails, make sure to visit the salon regularly for manicure and pedicure sessions. They will keep your nails looking ﬂawless, polished, and, most importantly, clean. Women dig that.

Covering the bald Hair loss is not fun at all, we truly understand that. But combing what’s left of your hair over the bald area is just a no-no. Trying to disguise a bald head is never easy, unless you put a wig on it. And the comb-over makes it even worse. Why not embrace the situation and make it work to your advantage? Think Dwayne -The Rock- Johnson or Jason Statham, two men who are known for being action-loving folks and love to showcase their male bravado, happen to sport a bald head that looks fantastic.

HI WE E KLY

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BULLET HEAD

3 STOREYS

GRINGO

Cast: Adrien Brody and Antonio Banderas

Cast: Richa Chadha, Sharman Joshi and Pulkit Samrat

Cast: : David Oyelowo, Charlize Theron and Joel Edgerton

Three career criminals ﬁnd themselves trapped in a warehouse with the law closing in and an even worse threat waiting inside — a nigh unstoppable killer dog.

3 completely different stories of completely unrelated people get entangled when a murder is committed.

A dark comedy mixed with white-knuckle action and dramatic intrigue, explores the battle of survival for businessman Harold Soyinka when he ﬁnds himself crossing the line from law-abiding citizen to wanted criminal.

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THE SHAPE OF WATER Cast: Sally Hawkins, Octavia Spencer, Michael Shannon From master storyteller Guillermo del Toro comes ‘The Shape of Water’, an otherworldly fable set against the backdrop of Cold War era America circa 1962. In the hidden high-security government laboratory where she works, lonely Elisa (Sally Hawkins) is trapped in a life of isolation. Elisa’s life is changed forever when she and co-worker Zelda (Octavia Spencer) discover a secret classiﬁed experiment. Rounding out the cast are Richard Jenkins, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Doug Jones. Running at: Vox Cinemas, City Cinemas

Cast: Sverrir Gudnason, Shia LaBeouf and Stellan Skarsgård The story of the 1980s tennis rivalry between the placid Björn Borg and the volatile John McEnroe.

KALY (Malayalam) Cast: Shebin Benson and Vidya Vijay Six best friends, all wanted to dress up in branded outﬁts and look stylish in all manner. The hankering for luxury brands led them to steal. The turn of events starts when they broke into a villa and get stuck inside.

COMING SOON

BORG MCENROE

TOMB RAIDER Cast: Alicia Vikander, Hannah John-Kamen and Walton Goggins

PACIFIC RIM 2: UPRISING Cast: Scott Eastwood, Tian Jing, and John Boyega

VOLUME 11 ISSUE 12 MARCH 8, 2018

Brunei Darussalamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 34th National Day celebrations were held at the Sheraton Hotel. - Photos by Shabin E.

VOLUME 11 ISSUE 12 MARCH 8, 2018

‘Sunday Holiday Star Nite’ programme and the inauguration of an event company, Rare Spark, was held at Le Grand Hall, Al Falaj Hotel. – Photos by Purushothaman K.

Oman Shapoorji LLC, in co-operation with Department of Blood Banks Services, organised a blood donation camp at their headquarters in Ghala.

VOLUME 11 ISSUE 12 MARCH 8, 2018

A fun-ďŹ lled Holi fever 2018 organised by Events In Style was held at Al Toor Farm in Seeb.

VOLUME 11 ISSUE 12 MARCH 8, 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

7 9

4 8

3 4

7 8

4 5

MASS EFFECT 2

8 2

7 5

Level | Moderate

3 5 3

7 4

9 8

7 2

2 7

9 1

Level | Difficult

4 1

3 6

2 6

6 2

5 5

1 4

Easy

7 5 8

THIS WEEK’S SOLUTIONS

CAN ONE IMPROVE ON PERFECTION? call terrorism. Once a fortune has been It seems, that with enough dedication, spent on reviving him, of course. passion and hard work, it can indeed be Dubbed the Lazarus Project and speardone. In fact, that is exactly what BioWare headed by Lawson, Cerberus spares no has done with Mass Effect 2. expense in bringing Shepard back to life. The game picks up where it left off at That’s not all. With the fate of the galaxy the end of the first edition, which saw hanging in the balance, they’ve also asCommander Shepard seeing off Saren, sembled a team of the galaxy’s finest wara rogue Spectre (Special Tactics and riors, engineers, fighters, and infiltrators Recon) agent, and delaying the arrival to help the first human Spectre achieve of the Reapers, sentient machines that the impossible. systematically wipe out organic life every While there are several new squad 50,000 years. Why they do mates, Shepard will so, though, is still anyrecruit in his fight against THE SHORT AND body’s guess. the Reapers plenty of old SKINNY And that is something friends who can be counted pro-human organisation on to stand by him when he Cerberus wants to find out. needs them the most. Cut Name: Mass Effect 2 Genre: Action/Sci-fi RPG Headed by an elusive man off from Alliance support, known as the Illusive Man, Shepard must rely on the What it’s about: Four years Cerberus assigns top agent often generous resources after Commander Shepard Miranda Lawson (voiced Cerberus sends his way, and stopped the almost certain and modelled after Australthe unbreakable bonds of annihilation of the galaxy, his ian actor Yvonne Strafriendship he has formed government refuses to believe hovski) to recruit Shepard along the way. his claims and he is forced to for their cause. There’s just Turian Garrus Vakarteam up with unlikely allies to one tiny problem with the ian and quarian Tali Zorah save the universe. Illusive Man’s plan. Shepboth answer Shepard’s Where to buy: Origin Store, ard is dead. calls for assistance, while Bioware.com, Masseffect.com, While the Normandy is Urdnot Wrex, who is intent Amazon, G2A, PlayStation flying across space on one on building a new home Store, Xbox Marketplace of its missions, it comes for his krogan brethren on Platforms: Windows, PlayStainto contact with a vast their home world of Tution 3, Xbox 360 vessel of hitherto unknown chanka, and Liara T’Soni, make. A few blasts from now an important wheelerIGN Rating: 9.6/10 this ship’s massive particle dealer on the asari world of beam are enough to deciIllium, both unhesitatingly mate Shepard’s flagship, help Shepard. and after he’s saved nearly all of his crew As do scores of other characters, who by guiding them into escape pods, a blast realise that Shepard is doing what he is rocks what’s left of the Normandy, and he doing because it is the right thing to do. is propelled into space, where shrapnel With all of the camaraderie that can only from the ship severs his oxygen line. be forged in the fires of war, unbreakable Believed to be dead and with the galacbonds of friendship formed with some tic Citadel Council government and the great characters, some stunning in-game Systems Alliance – humanity’s governmusic, and an amazing series of missions ment – vehemently denying the existence that are a true testament to the great of the Reapers and reassigning the existwriting from the team at BioWare, Mass ing members of the Normandy to quash Effect 2 is not just a great improvement of any rumours that may linger, Shepard the original, but is a game you will want to agrees to work for Cerberus, despite their play again and again. questionable and violent acts that some And again.

Medium

Difficult

VOLUME 11 ISSUE 12 MARCH 8, 2018

NEWLY LAUNCHED 4HOME TO BOOST FURNITURE AND FURNISHING MARKET IN OMAN

o boost the furniture and furnishing market in the Sultanate, a new brand 4Home, has been launched in the country. 4Home aspires to become one among the leading furniture and furnishing brands in Oman, by displaying collections sourced from across the globe. 4Home brand will symbolise furnishing solutions for home and home offices, which are unique, authentic and inspirational. It will have a characteristic drift towards contemporary and classic collections, meeting the styles of the modern-

day home and interior. The launch of the new brand 4Home was announced at a press conference attended by Hamed Al Harrasi, Chairman, RK Abdul Majeed, Managing Director, and N Aseem, Director, held at City Seasons Hotel. Speaking at the press conference, Hamed said, “We are delighted to announce the launch of our new brand 4Home in Oman. As Oman continues working to diversify, the present situation offers an excellent opportunity to invest in new businesses. We believe

that the Sultanate is amidst a strong and sustainable growth. This is the reason why we decided to launch 4Home, which is essentially an Omani brand.” He added, “We are looking to fill a market gap, and we aim to cater to both high-end customers as well as those looking for affordable but quality products. The brand will be in tune with the latest international furniture trends. In consultation with our manufacturers, we will produce high quality furniture and pay a lot of attention on finish.” Stressing that the brand will be an ultimate destination for modern and contemporary furniture, he also added that “The home furnishings market in Oman has a potential to grow and that is why we will soon be launching 4Home’s first showroom at a prime location in Al Khuwair/Madinat Qaboos. Stating that 4Home will cater to all, RK added that, “Many consumers are looking for complete home solutions under one roof. Given the circumstances, segments such as home textiles, home decoration and housewares are assimilating into a new single category. “From an exclusive range of upholstery, bed and bath linen to wooden and vinyl flooring, carpets to mattresses, lampshades to wall décor, drapery rods and blinds, 4Home will have something to suit every taste.” Underscoring that the management is positive of the response, N Aseem

said, “The furniture and furnishing market is growing by leaps and bounds in Oman, thanks to better awareness among consumers and a taste for quality products.” He added, “4Home will showcase dining, living and bedroom concepts displayed against the backdrop of an opulent store interior design. Talking about the brand strategy, he also added that “As a brand we aim to create job opportunities, as well as opportunities for local companies.” 4Home will cater to both hard furnishing and soft furnishing needs. It will be the ﬁrst showroom in Oman that will display over 85-bedroom sets. The brand’s ‘curtain galleria’ will include both ready-made and custommade curtains. Mylinen section will have a range of comforters, bed sheets and ﬁtted sheets made of 100% cotton and high thread count material. Its ‘carpet galleria’ will encompass contemporary, shaggy and classic Persian carpets. The upcoming showroom will have high-end classic furniture, bedroom sets, dining tables, sofa sets, kids’ furniture, rattan furniture and outdoor furniture. It will also have a wide range of home decor items, such as classic grandpa clocks, wall decor, metal art, paintings, wooden carvings, hand-made vases, hand painted ceramic vases, resin vases, wooden vases and brass metal vases.

LULU’S ‘SPEND RO20 AND GET RO10’ PROMOTION DRAWS A GREAT RESPONSE

ulu Hypermarkets recently launched its ‘Spend RO20 Get RO10’ promotion in all its outlets across the Sultanate. The promotion kicked off on February 21, 2018, and will continue till March 12, 2018. Under the promotion, customers who spend RO20 on speciﬁc product categories, including garments, footwear, ladies bags, and luggage, are entitled to a gift coupon worth RO10. This coupon can be used to instantly buy any products under the same categories. The ‘Spend RO20 Get RO10’ promotion features an extensive range of products under each category at reasonable prices. It has so far received positive response from customers. The promotion covers all items under the above mentioned categories, including some of the luggage brands such as Wagon-R, Beelite, Cortigani, and Carlton. The promotion offers customers an opportunity to shop to their heart’s content, while still looking for more. Commenting on the promotion, Shabeer K.A, Regional Director of Lulu Hyper-

markets Oman, remarked, “Lulu has unveiled many offers in the past as part of its innovative strategies to make shopping more enjoyable. Every season, we look forward to launch novel and creative promotions that set us apart from the crowd. In this way, the ‘Spend RO20 Get RO10’ is something different. We are glad that, like all our other initiatives, the latest promotion too has been receiving overwhelming response from our customers so far. Through exciting deals and promotions on

the widest range of products, Lulu aims to create new standards in the retail sectors. We are sure that these promotions re-establish our commitment to make Lulu the one-stop shopping destination,” he added. Every year, Lulu launches innovative and unique offers, along with various other in-house promotions and deals, to cater to every need of its customers. The diverse high-quality product range covered under such promotions offers maximum value

for money that beneﬁts customers every time they shop. With a range of promotions for every season, the hypermarket aims to bring joy and affordable shopping for all. Lulu Hypermarkets have always remained popular with customers for adding a whole new dimension to affordable shopping. The overwhelming response to the ongoing promotion is a clear indication of the popularity of the group and its persistent drive to always remain at the forefront. Lulu always aims to bring the best to its customers by providing the right products in the right place at the right time. The highly popular and pioneer Lulu retail chain caters to the needs of numerous customers every day, offering an ultra-modern shopping ambiance that integrates every conceivable need of consumers under one roof. Today, the Lulu Group has become a symbol of quality and trust and a part of everyday life in Oman. With over 143 stores, Lulu hypermarkets have become the preferred shopping destination for both local and expatriate communities not only in the Sultanate but all over the world.