T weekly march 22 2018

VOL 11 ISSUE 14 / MARCH 22, 2018

OUR HEROES: THE MOTHERS

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Celebrating Motherhood Last week, when the world was mourning the loss of Stephen Hawking, amid the many articles written in memory of this renowned scientist flooding social media, one, in particular, caught the eye. It was an old newspaper interview with his Scottish mother, Isobel Walker, who had predicted his scientific greatness.

‘Isobel Walker watched her son study the stars and had said that she always knew he was destined for brilliance,’ the article said. The eldest child in the family, who later developed motor neurone disease, Hawking had shown his inclination for science from a very early age, and it was Isobel who had discovered her firstborn’s love for the stars.

Our cover story this week is neither a tribute to Stephen Hawking, nor his mother. This is a tale of unconditional love, mental strength, and the maternal instincts of many such mothers like Isobel, who are bringing up children with special needs and, despite all odds, firmly believe their children, like the legendary scientist, are also destined for brilliance.

To celebrate Mother’s Day on March 21, we met three vibrant and immensely inspirational mothers who are full of life and are leaving no stone unturned for the well being of their children.

Halima Al Balushi, Fatima Al Farsi, and Aisha Al Sanidi show us how nothing is impossible if one is determined and how nothing can ever weigh them down because, when it comes to their children, they face every hardship and challenge with their greatest strength — love.

See motherhood through their eyes and you will never again complain about your child not doing enough. You will understand the greatest joys derived from the smallest pleasures, the way these mothers feel when their children reach even a simple milestone.

We also talk about the merits and demerits of being a stay-at-home mother, as well as address child safety concerns for mothers who drive with their children.

What better way is there to celebrate motherhood?

— 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 Chief Sales Officer: Richard Pakenham Production Manager: Shafi Shaik

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 Geri B. Sonny

For general enquiries or comments: swati@timesofoman.com

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WHAT’S ON 22 THIS WEEK THURSDAY

07.00pm Big Ali in the House Are you ready to get the party started? All the way from New York City, Big Ali is here to entertain and serve you a night full of fun times and loud music.

Rumba Lattina, The Cave Darsait +968 9698 1393

23 FRIDAY

10.00am Learn to BellyDance Take a bellydancing and Saidi style stick-dancing in a fun workshop held at The Champ sports centre in Al Khuwair for ladies only.

The Champ Sports and Arts, Al Khuwair, Bousher +968 9093 3562

24 25 SATURDAY

10.00am Master the Art of Makeup Get hands-on experience in the art of makeup application alongside the very talented makeup artist Salwa Awan.

Kargeen Cafe, Madinat Sultan Qaboos +968 9922 7466

SUNDAY

07.30pm Enjoy a Romantic Performance Roberto Alagna returns to the Royal Opera House Muscat after his magnificent performance in 2012.

This time around he’ll be performing with his beloved Polish soprano Aleksandra Kurzak. You wouldn’t want to miss out on this gala concert.

Royal Opera House Muscat, Qurum +968 9682 4403

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11:00am Visit an Interesting Exhibition Are you curious about the Oil and Gas Industry in Oman? Well, don’t miss out on the Middle East leading Oil & Gas Exhibition from March 26-28.

Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre Madinat Al Irfan, Muscat +968 2423 3800

W H AT TO WATC H O N

Nailed It (Season 1) Genre: Reality TV Cast: Nicole Byer, Charity George, Jacques Torres Synopsis: Home bakers with a terrible track record take a crack at re- creating edible masterpieces for a $10,000 prize. It’s part reality contest, part hot mess.

The Standups (Season 2) Genre: Comedy Cast: Dan Soder, Nate Bargatze, Deon Cole Synopsis: Comedy’s freshest voices take the stage in LA for six half-hour specials packed with sly jokes, hilarious anecdotes and awkward confessions.

Edha (Season 1) Genre: Drama Cast: Brian Beacock, Heinz K. Krattiger, Philippe Lecuyer Synopsis: The life of a successful designer and single mother turns upside down when she meets a mysterious man. A mixture of vengeance, passion and dark secrets looms.

Trolls: The Beat Goes On! (Season 2) Genre: Animation Cast: Amanda Leighton, Skylar Astin, Kevin Michael Richardson Synopsis: The party keeps on going for Poppy, Branch and the others from DreamWorks Animation’s hit Trolls (2016).

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While there are 8,381 children with special needs in the Sultanate, according to the National Centre for Statistics and Information, our story this week is not about numbers or statistics; it is a heartwarming tale of those mothers who have defied all odds to raise their children with special needs with utmost love and immense mental grit. Their continuous struggle towards ensuring their child’s development, health, and security is what makes them special. As we commemorate Mother’s Day we salute the indomitable spirit of these mothers who are truly special.

“It is easier to give up, but harder to stay and continue to fight,” says Halima Al Balushi, mother of Hoor, who has Down syndrome.

“When Hoor was born, I didn’t know that she had Down syndrome. Even the doctors did not tell me because at the time of birth she did not have physical deformities or symptoms and they discharged me a day after her birth,” remembers Halima, a mother of five, Hoor being her last-born. Unlike the usual cases of Down syndrome, Halima discovered her daughter’s condition a month later when she fell ill and needed to be admitted.

“That is when they did some tests and diagnosed her. When the doctor told me, I immediately accepted the reality and began researching into the condition,” remembers the brave mother, whose never-give-up attitude is what keeps her going.

Aisha Al Sanidi has five children, of which three have special needs — Mohammed, 15; Sheila, 13; and seven-year-old Abdullatif. Contrary to the other two mothers, Aisha discovered her children’s disabilities before their birth. “I was informed of the condition of my children during pregnancy checkups. All three of my children are mentally impaired, and they were diagnosed with the Dandy-Walker syndrome.

It is a rare disorder caused by the lack of cerebellum and presence of liquids in the brain, which delays the process of movement and pronunciation,” she adds.

Fatima Al Farsi, who has two children, a seven-year-old diagnosed with autism and a threeyear-old, discovered her son’s condition only two years later after his birth. “My child was normal at birth. When he was two-anda-half years old, he began to lose words and repeat certain actions.

This is when I began researching his condition,” she adds. Despite going through a lot, Fatima has not lost hope and has continued to be optimistic, turning her child’s illness into a force that made her a stronger mother. She says, “Life is a journey of struggle, pursuit, optimism, and hope.”

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oms of children with special needs have a tough job. On top of their regular duties as that of a mother, they often have extra appointments, their children have more difficulty in doing things, and they have less time for themselves. They get very little sleep, and sometimes even endure physical anguish. And they still love their children with everything they have.

If you have never known a mom who has children with special needs, then her superhero status is unknown to you. Seriously, there isn’t anything she can’t do. She runs on very little sleep and does all of these things plus a million others all day long, every day without fail and with a smile.

Talking about the day-to-day hardships they go through, Fatima said it is tough to stay in an area that has no rehabilitation centres for autistic children. “The closest centre we can go to is the social welfare centre, which is more than an hour away from our home. The centre has a limit on the number of autistic children it can take, which means there are many patients already on the waiting list,” she adds.

“Our journey has been prolonged many times by misdiagnosis, medical errors and other things that have terrified us, but nevertheless I have spent a great deal of time researching his case and ensuring that my child’s life is as comfortable as it can be,” Fatima says.

Taking proper care of a child with special needs is not an easy job; it takes tremendous effort, patience, and care. Halima has been lucky in this as she had the government’s support that took care of her child’s health expenses. “Since Hoor was born in the military hospital, all her health expenses are covered. In terms of her education, I wanted her to have the best training and rehabilitation possible, and so when she was two, I enrolled her into an early intervention centre,” she adds.

“We live in Barka but my daughter goes to the centre in Athaiba, and so every morning I drop her to her bus in Mabela, which then takes her to Athaiba. We did this for three years.

This year, I moved her to an association in Barka so that she is not stressed physically or emotionally, due to the long journeys,” Halima says.

“Thanks to the early intervention, Hoor has been able to build a strong foundation, developing her in all aspects, psychologically, intellectually, and mentally,” she adds.

Halima always ensured that she corresponded with the centre as much as she could to make sure that Hoor had the same plan in school and at home.

For Aisha, being committed to her children’s care meant travelling nearly eight hours everyday for their treatment in Muscat. “We used to travel long distances in order to get to Muscat at a specific time, where they undergo treatment for not more than an hour. Then we would drive back to Jalan,” Aisha says. She adds, “The monthly cost of the treatments and specials needs for all three of my children exceeds OMR1,000”. The hard work and love that these mothers put into caring for their special needs children is heartening. Despite all the obstacles they face, their patience is a testament to the unconditional love they have for their children.

“I strive to teach him some skills every day so that he can gain from even a small part of it. Being a working woman, I always ensure that I have a plan in advance,” says Fatima.

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Aisha went to Thailand in January 2015 for the treatment of her children. She stayed there for approximately four months.

“The Ministry of Health covered our expenses during that period. When I returned, I was insistent that they should continue their treatment but it was difficult to leave my village and move to the capital,” Aisha says.

As many mothers of children with special needs tend to also have other children, finding a balance between caring for all of them is paramount.

Halima says, “Thankfully, the relationship between Hoor and her other siblings is very good. I instilled in them the idea not to view Hoor as a child with a disability. She is involved in their daily lives, whether it’s eating, playing, or dressing up.”

While working mothers always struggle to strike a balance between raising their children and their work, for these ‘special moms’ finding a middle ground is even tougher than the rest.

Fatima says, “As a teacher, I spend most of the day in school. At this time, my child is in the rehabilitation centre. When I return, I start our afternoon sessions with simple games. Taking him out for a leisure trip daily is a must. I thank God, as things are much easier now”.

For Halima who is a freelance businesswoman it was easy to balance her work life along with caring for Hoor because she never considered her as a child with misfortunes. “Thankfully I never struggled with her,” she adds with a smile.

With over 20 years of experience in education, two years as a teacher and 18 years as a principal, Aisha has taken it upon herself to make sure she excels at work and in caring for her children.

“With the help of God Almighty, I was able to reconcile between the two. Being a school principal, I aimed to achieve excellence in my field of work and ensure that my children receive their rights in terms of my care and attention,” she says.

Despite all the challenges she faces, Aisha has been able to achieve much success at the governorate and national level in her field of work. “With the help of my children, I was able to overcome many of their health obstacles,” she says.

Furthermore, Aisha has been able to use her journey to help other mothers by opening a centre for special needs in her village of Jalan Bani Bu Ali. “In my final year as a teacher in 2016, I began the procedures of establishing the centre, I thought of this project after realising the scarcity of physiotherapy services for people with special needs in my area,” she says, adding, “I wanted to help all the children in my region.”

Aisha said that she faced many challenges while implementing her project, because many parents believe that a disability cannot improve, in addition to her own fear of failure. “Despite everything, I was insisting on providing a high standard centre,” Aisha says.

Ensuring that children with special needs are involved in different activities aids in their development as individuals.

“Since she was young, Hoor participated in a number of activities and events. During the Spartan Race in Jebel Sifah, at three years of age, Hoor was the youngest participant,” Halima says, adding that, “Hoor also participated in Nabti tree day and in the Saham Olympics in which she won third place, in addition to participating in the Oman sailing tour”.

The social condition of children plays an important role in developing them as individuals. “I treated my kids as normal children. I took them out of our surroundings and made sure that they interact with our extended relatives and even strangers,” Aisha says.

She adds, “Their treatments were not solely in hospitals and clinics, I found that social interactions were stronger than any antibiotics or machine.”

“Many times, parents of children with special need are ashamed or embarrassed to take their children out. I ask every mother to be proud of her children, whether they are normal or with special needs. They should always remember that children are a blessing from God,” Halima said.

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MOTHERS, BUCKLE UP

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othing beats a road trip with your child across the country, exploring its rugged beauty that comprises mountain views, hilly roads, and perfect weather for cruises by the beach. Such road trips could potentially create stronger bonds and unforgettable memories that will surely occupy quite a space in our memory bank. As with any road trip adventure, safety is key. Especially when it comes to children. This week, as we continue to celebrate Mother’s Day, we’d like to shed light on the importance of child car seats, as well as offer tips that will turn your mom-and-baby trip from exhausting and nerve-racking to a more relaxed and funfilled one.

As of March, new traffic laws have been enforced in Oman, and one of the laws that made headlines was the one that

involved installing child car seats, which are now compulsory for children under the age of four.

Installing a car seat is not about being a law-abiding citizen, it’s an absolute necessity. As a mom, the safety of your little ones will always be your number one priority, and it will also make your grocery store rides, school pick-ups, and even long weekend getaways stress-free. So, let’s get down to some important tips that will ensure the safety of your little one.

Use an appropriate seat Picking a suitable seat ensures the utmost safety of your child. Whether it’s a quick trip to the mall or a long drive to see grandma, an appropriate child car seat can make a difference not only in terms of safety, but also for overall comfort. For infants, you must buy a rear-facing seat.

After 12 months, you can replace it with a

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AND KEEP YOUR CHILDREN SAFE front-facing one. It’s advisable to keep using rear-facing seats, as they are the safest in case of accidents. Also, double check with a technician when installing the seat to ensure it’s compatible with your car/s, as some seats come in a variety of sizes that are designed only for SUVs. Check the seat before leaving home Make it a habit to check your child seat before leaving the house. Be on the lookout for any cracks, fraying of seatbelts, and ripped or torn padding. The seat is designed to function as a package; therefore, any fault in the construction might affect its ability to safeguard your child.

Install properly and buckle up Some seats may have complicated features; if this is the case, ensure someone experienced is there for a quick demonstration. Alternatively, you can follow the manufacturer’s directions on how to properly install seats and strap seatbelts.

Your mission doesn’t end after placing your kid on the seat, you need to make sure the seats are perfectly fastened, and continue to check on them from time-totime as you travel. Do not use the car’s regular seat belts until the shoulder strap runs across the shoulder and not the neck.

Always use the back seat It’s a common rule that children under the age of 12 must ride in the back.

Why, you ask? Back seats are as safe as car safety goes. They are the best bet to ensure your child remains unharmed in case of an accident, as most car crashes impact the front part of the vehicle. Also, it’s much easier to keep an eye on your kid from the rear-view mirror rather than turning your head multiple times while driving.

Place the seat in the centre Now that we are on the same page with placing the seat in the back, we can go a step further and place the child seat in the centre. Doing so ensures that the child won’t get a direct hit in case of a collision.

If you happen to have three little ones, your oldest will be the least protected.

Therefore, he or she doesn’t get the centre seat. Make sure to double check the seatbelts and car seat straps, as the seat is likely to move if not well-fastened.

Replace and never borrow seats Child car seats are similar to other items you purchase; they have an expiration date. Most seats are made of plastic, which is a material that gets rigid as it ages. If your seat has passed the six- to eight-year date, or has been misused, you need to get it replaced. Also, never borrow a car seat or buy a second-hand one for your child; child seats that are brand new work as a better option to guard your baby. If the seat is not as strong as it should be, how would you expect it to handle a car crash?

Don’t dump the booster too soon Boosters are used for children who are at least four years old, or weigh more than 18 kilos. These seats serve as a way to literally boost the position of the child to sit properly and be buckled up. Some mothers decide to get rid of the booster too soon, not knowing that its sole goal is to keep the belt perfectly positioned on the child’s body, so that it will stay in place (across the lap) during accidents. Buying a booster also depends on other factors, such as height. Consult your brand or the manual for an appropriate decision.

Keep your child still Maintaining a statue-like position may be a struggle, especially for hyperactive children, but you have to make sure they remain seated the whole time. No free passes or free-reign-in-the-car should be allowed, as they may end up distracting you, the driver. This may also result in an injury to your child when you brake.

To increase awareness amongst the public for children’s safety Babyshop has brought some safe car seats for children.

Turn to Page 22 >>>

TO BE OR NOT TO BE A STAY-AT-HOME MOM

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STORY FARZEEN ASHIK

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tay-at-home moms are rare species who are gradually becoming extinct. Look around and you will see that women now make up a good chunk of the workforce and their number is only going up. In fact, women now make up 30 per cent of the workforce and even serve in ministerial positions in Oman.

The number of college graduates who are women is almost 60 per cent and this means that the breed of working moms is on the rise. But, with the changes in the country’s labour laws, for many expat women, being stay-at-home mothers is the only option available.

There was a time when I belonged to this group and I miss those special moments now, when I have to rush between work, school, and home.

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Two ground-breaking studies conducted by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and the Institute of Child Development of the University of Minnesota have revealed that children who spent their day in day-care had higher levels of stress and more aggression than children cared for at home. The follow-up research in 2010 confirmed these results, showing the continued negative impact of low quality day-care on young children even after they reached adolescence.

Some other studies, however, contradict these findings and most experts believe that quality, and not the type of childcare, is what’s most important. A great nanny, babysitter, day-care centre worker, relative, or other caregiver can make sure that your child gets the stimulation and affection she needs to grow and thrive.

Here’s what I loved about being a stayat-home mother: MY TIME WAS MY OWN Nobody could lay any claims on it. No bosses to be afraid of, no meetings to attend, and I could read a book while sipping on a burnt caramel latte any time I wanted. I could attend all the parents’ evenings, go to school musicals, and take the children for play dates. There was plenty of time to catch up with my spouse and I was all ears when he spoke about work.

FULFILLING DAYS Family was always the priority. I went to bed at night knowing that I spent my day taking care of my husband and children and that absolutely no one could point fingers at me and say I wasn’t doing enough.

TIME FOR MYSELF I had time for everything, not just for the family but also for myself. I could catch a movie or have a chat with my friends or make it to my Zumba classes without a break. I could organise parties and coffee mornings. I wasn’t stressed or rushed at any point of time.

Farzeen Ashik is the author of the prize-winning novel ‘Rainbow Dorm Diaries-The Yellow Dorm’.

100% FOCUS When I had the children at home, I didn’t have to multi-task. I could focus totally on helping them with their homework or guide them with their reading. I didn’t have to peek at my E-mail or WhatsApp in between, because nobody was going to die on my watch any way.

FREEDOM There was a certain kind of freedom that only stay-at-home mothers have. It could mean something as simple as doing your

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grocery shopping on Sunday mornings, when there was no crowd. I could take the children to the soft play area any day of the week or do anything I fancied.

And now, the other side of the coin PEOPLE DISMISS YOU IMMEDIATELY The sad part is that you get judged from the moment you say hello. I noticed that the first thing people asked was: “So, what do you do?” And when the answer was “I’m not working”, the light in their eyes went out and their eyes would glaze over. Though taking care of a family is a noble profession, but no one seems to recognise or appreciate it.

SILLY REMARKS You hear comments such as, “Oh! So, what do you do with all your time?” or “I bet you just sit around all day feeling bored”. Sounds juvenile, right? But these are the remarks I’ve often heard from women (and even men).

FAKE SYMPATHY To make things worse, there are a few high-flyers, who will say things like, “Oh! But you are just wasting your life!” or “How do you sleep at night knowing you’ve done nothing productive all day?”

Have I set your blood boiling now?

LONELINESS Let’s be honest here. It does get a bit lonely sometimes and you thirst for some adult company. Whatever said and done, at the office, you get to talk and interact with adults. Spending too many hours with children could have you tearing your hair out.

WORRYING ABOUT YOUR CAREER If you’ve just taken a break in your career for a few years of child rearing, then you will probably freak out every now and then, imagining that empty space in your resume. And you will keep fretting about whether you will ever get back into the workforce, and if you do, then whether you will fit in again. Believe me, it’s just a matter of getting used to things, both ways.

CHILDREN NEED TO SOCIALISE Just because you have decided to stay at home doesn’t mean your child needs to keep you company. Children need a certain amount of stimulation and there’s only so much you can provide. Spending a few hours apart will do you both good.

So don’t be so quick to dismiss the benefits of being a stay-at-home mother. She is a working mom too. Being a mother is a full-time job.

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PACIFIC RIM 2: UPRISING Cast: Scott Eastwood, Tian Jing, John Boyega Jake Pentecost, son of Stacker Pentecost, reunites with Mako Mori to lead a new generation of Jaeger pilots, including rival Lambert and 15-year-old hacker Amara, against a new Kaiju threat.

JOHNNY FRANK GARRET’S LAST WORD Cast: Sean Patrick Flanery, Erin Cummings and Mike Doyle

RED SPARROW Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Joel Edgerton and Matthias Schoenaerts

Based on a true story. A nun was murdered in her convent bedroom in Amarillo, Texas on Halloween 1981. The police arrested a young man, Johnny Frank Garrett, who always maintained his innocence but he was found guilty and sentenced to death.

Ballerina Dominika Egorova is recruited to ‘Sparrow School’ a Russian intelligence service where she is forced to use her body as a weapon. But her first mission, targeting a CIA agent, threatens to unravel the security of both nations.

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HICHKI Cast: Rani Mukerji, Supriya Pilgaonkar and Ivan Rodrigues Hichki is the story of a woman who turns her most daunting weakness into her biggest strength. Naina Mathur (Rani Mukerji) is an aspiring teacher who suffers from Tourette Syndrome. After several interviews and numerous rejections, she lands her dream job as a full-time teacher in one of the most elite schools in the city. However, she soon realises that the class she has been assigned comprises defiant and impish students who can’t seem to keep out of trouble. Despite a few initial hiccups, Naina must do whatever she can to ensure that her students realise their true potential, and defy all the odds against them.

Running at: Vox Cinemas, City Cinemas, Al Bahja Cinema

Cast: Sam Claflin, Paul Bettany and Asa Butterfield Set in a dugout in Aisne in 1918, it is the story of a group of British officers, led by the mentally disintegrating young officer Stanhope, as they await their fate.

THE STRANGERS PREY AT NIGHT Cast: Christina Hendricks, Bailee Madison and Martin Henderson A family’s road trip takes a dangerous turn when they arrive at a secluded mobile home park to stay with some relatives and find it mysteriously deserted. Under the cover of darkness, three masked psychopaths pay them a visit to test the family’s every limit as they struggle to survive.

COMING SOON

JOURNEY’S END

READY PLAYER ONE

HURRICANE HEIST

Cast: Olivia Cooke, Tye Sheridan and Hannah JohnKamen

Cast: Toby Kebbell, Maggie Grace and Ryan Kwanten

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SUCCULENT KEBABS...

AND MORE W

hen it comes to providing fine Indian sweets, desserts, and baked goods for those who live in the Sultanate, Bombay Sweets is ahead of the pack.

Having made a name as Oman’s premier sweet-monger, they are now expanding their culinary repertoire, with rather delicious results.

Bombay Sweets recently opened its first savoury outlet at Azaiba Mall in downtown Al Ghubra – Rolls and Rice. While Bombay Sweets is known for its exotic sweets, Rolls and Rice is set to become the benchmark for delicious kebabs and biryani in the Sultanate.

A must-try for foodies, especially meat lovers, is their heavenly kebab platter, which is big on flavour and affordable.

While their chicken kebabs seem to be the most sought-after item off the grill,

true foodies will know the value of a good mutton dish, which has swiftly gained popularity among customers.

A host of kebabs are available at Bombay Sweets, with their impeccablytrained and passionate chefs more than capable of customising orders to individual needs.

That, however, is just one of their prized offerings.

Rolls and Rice also serve up an excellent chicken biryani, which pairs unbelievably well with their cooling yoghurt raita.

At the same time, vegetarians needn’t worry about being left behind. A vegetarian biryani is also available on request.

A quick look around Rolls and Rice and it is not uncommon to see people impatiently gazing in the direction of

the kitchen to see if the tempting biryani bowl being carried out is destined for them. With good reason.

The spectacular waft of the biryani is enough to get the juices flowing, in anticipation of what is to follow. The idea of brilliance in simplicity is illustrated by the combination of flavourful rice and succulent chicken, lovingly made by the Bombay Sweets chefs.

To just hold their biryani in high praise, however, wouldn’t be doing justice to their excellent wraps — a favourite among families and children at Rolls and Rice. Wrapped in crunchy, golden, flaky pastry, the chicken tikka wrap has now quite literally become a hot favourite, as is the melt-in-your mouth butter chicken.

But if kebabs don’t do the trick for

you, Rolls and Rice have a host of other dishes to choose from, including the piping hot pav bhaji (bread and vegetables) served with soft, fluffy bread, and a plethora of sweet and spicy snacks, including the all-time-favourites bhel puri, paani puri, as well as hot and crispy samosas. Rolls and Rice have ensured there is something for everyone.

Given the quality of food and excellent service, which can be brilliantly rounded off with their famous desserts such as cashew-almond kulfi or the syrupy gulab jamun to name a few, Rolls and Rice is a must-visit for those looking to experience some of the finest Indian food available.

ROLLS AND RICE Azaiba Mall, 1st floor, Food Court

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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

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THIS WEEK’S SOLUTIONS

EVER WONDERED how a nation is challenges of impinging over someone actually born? Turns out, it is a lot more else’s sovereignty, Wallace assembles a tedious than you might imagine. There sizeable force, consisting of a massive needs to be committees, assembling an array of … one man, a former security invasion force, finding some land to live guard who used to pull shifts at a local on and writing up a list of laws. supermarket.

That is just the start. There are the After the British police thwart his other, fancier bits and bobs — passattempts to take over an island on the ports, currency, stamps, etc. Once Thames River, the army very politely you’re done with all of that, you have asks him to go away, and he is priced out to (very) nicely declare your independof buying a castle and its surrounding ence, and then head to estates in the middle of a the United Nations in the lake in Ireland, Wallace THE SHORT AND SKINNY fervent hope they accept decides to declare his own you as one of their own. flat an independent nation.

Name: How To Start Your Turns out though, this Wallace also meets loads Own Country actually happens more ofof interesting people on Genre: Documentary Comedy ten that you’d think and on his travels who educate Produced by: BBC and Lee Philips a much smaller scale than him on how to successfully Produced for: BBC Two you might imagine. Sevgovern his micro-nation.

What it’s about: What goes into eral people have actually Once again, you’d be forfounding your own country? begun teeny, tiny microgiven for not knowing who Comedian Danny Wallace was nations, some of which are exactly these people are, or just as interested as you are, and barely more than a rusty what it is that they actuactually set up his own nation oil platform in the middle ally do. Featured on How to find out more of the ocean, while others to Start your Own CounRuntime: Six episodes actually do occupy sizetry are a motley of interof 30 minutes each able portions of land. esting characters.

Where to watch: Amazon, Have you, for example, There’s Prince Marcello Netflix, Vimeo heard of the Principality I of Seborga, Roy Bates, IMDB Rating: 7.7/10 of Sealand (situated on an the self-declared Prince observation platform in of Sealand, Joe Arpaio, the English Channel), the who’s earned notoriety as Kingdom of Fusa in Norway, or the cityAmerica’s Toughest Sheriff, the famed state of Christiania in Denmark? Don’t socialist Noam Chomsky, and even an be alarmed if you haven’t. Few have appearance by then Under Secretary heard of these nations, and even fewer General for the UN Shashi Tharoor. try to set up their own.

Then, there’s the rather nice man who In How to Start Your Own Country, claims to own the moon, and a bloke comedian Danny Wallace teams up with who calls himself the King of Fusa. All the BBC to figure out how to set up a in all, a nice mixed-bag of people, some new country. How does he do it? Simple. with their heads screwed straight on, Wallace tries to start his own counothers with the screws missing. try. His journey takes him from frigid It’s not the sort of show one would Scandinavia to sunny Italy and across automatically watch, but with a name America, from the old Confederate as obscure as, How to Start your Own States to the glass-and-steel behemoth Country, it is a brilliantly hilarious of the United Nations. and insightful look into what actually Once he’s figured out how he wants to goes into starting a country, making run his nation, he realises he actually it a show you should download this needs a nation to run. Undaunted by the weekend.

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VOLUME 11 ISSUE 14 MARCH 22, 2018

GLIMPSES OF MUSCAT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT’S NEW TERMINAL

VOLUME 11 ISSUE 14 MARCH 22, 2018

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VOLUME 11 ISSUE 14 MARCH 22, 2018

SELECT THE RIGHT CAR SEAT FROM BABYSHOP

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sofix or belted? What are weight groups? The use of car seats is imperative when it comes to the safety of children travelling in vehicles. More importantly, ensuring the right type of car seat and its perfect installation is just as important as simply having one; utilising an unsuitable seat or even installing it incorrectly can put a child’s life in danger.

While there are several types of carseats for children in the market, highlighted below are a few types and tips based on your child’s weight and age thereby helping you choose the safest possible one for your little one.

INFANT These curved, rewarded-facing infant car seats offer the best protection for babies and are suitable until your tot is around 12 months. Lightweight, portable and with a safety harness and carry handle, you can remove your baby from the car without taking them out of their seat. Some models also function as rockers. From birth up to 13kg.

CONVERTIBLE These are suitable from birth to around four years. Use the seat rear ward-facing from birth to 9kg (around 12 months) depending on model; then use forward-facing once your child can sit up unaided, from 9kg to 18kg (around 12 months to four years). Rear ward-facing seats offer better protection for baby’s head, neck and spine. From birth up to 18kg.

FORWARD-FACING, TODDLER An ideal follow-on from an infant car seat, these are suitable from around nine months to four years. Optimised for protection, most have multi-recline positions so your tot can sleep in comfort. The harness keeps your child safe and the seat is secured in the car by the adult seat belt. From 9-18kg.

HIGH BACK BOOSTER WITH HARNESS These are a great longer term investment as they are suitable from nine months right through to 6 years. The integral harness is used until your child is 15kg or 18kg.

At this stage it can be removed and the adult seat belt used instead. From 9-36kg.

HIGH BACK BOOSTER WITHOUT HARNESS Suitable from around four until 12 years, the seat gives proper support and side-impact protection. Your child is raised up so that the adult seat belt fits more securely, safely, and comfortably. The extra height also gives a better view, helping to relieve boredom and travel sickness. From 18-36kg.

BOOSTER These lightweight, portable seats without back raise your child to adult seat belt level. Suitable from around four until 12 years, your child is assured a comfy ride thanks to the padded seat and armrests. Your child can look out more easily, helping to prevent travel sickness.

From 18-36kg.

Your child’s car seat should not be undermined as it only provides maximum safety once it is cautiously selected and appropriately utilised. With these optimum tips all parents should have a good idea of what to look for when making this crucial purchase.

Babyshop has pioneered Child Safety in the UAE through its campaign “Child Safety First” - the first ever Child Safety Campaign launched in 2005. Committed to raising awareness on child safety for over a decade, Babyshop has been engaging its customers to increase awareness amongst the public for children’s safety and provide the knowledge that will empower them to facilitate safety for their children.