T Weekly for December 6, 2018 by Muscat Media Group

OMAN AND INDIA:

VOL 11 ISSUE 49 | DECEMBER 6, 2018

BROTHERS UNITED BY THE SEA

VOLUME 11 ISSUE 49 DECEMBER 6, 2018

OMAN AND INDIA:

VOLUME 11 ISSUE 49 DECEMBER 6, 2018

Celebrations, haircuts and hearty roasts

t was a moment of immense pride for Oman and India when Oman’s Royal yacht Zeenat Al Bahar sailed to Kochi before returning to Port Sultan Qaboos alongside INS Tarangini, INS Sudarshini, and INS Sujata. The joint sailing expedition of Zeenat Al Bahar with INS Tarangini and INS Sujata was indeed a sight to behold. As the ships reached Port Sultan Qaboos, students from various schools across Oman were seen waving the national ﬂags of Oman and India to give them a warm welcome. On the 10th anniversary of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium, the Indian Navy had planned this exercise

to build a better understanding with its partners in the Indian Ocean region. Our Cover Story this week relives some of those moments. We had yet another 10th anniversary celebration, with Abu Dhabi Art commemorating 10 years of existence. Being one the region’s biggest art fairs, this year, the fair had 43 artists participating from 19 countries. This four-day event not only showcased some of the ﬁnest works of the artists, but also held workshops by international artists, curators, collectors and visitors from across the globe. It was a visual delight for all art lovers.

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 Copy Editor: Gautam Bhargav Viswanathan Online Editor: Christopher Isaac

Graphics Editor: Antonio Farach Design Editor: Sahir K.M. Lead Designer: Gregory Fernandez Designer: Geri B. Sonny, Jerrard Cedro Production Manager: Shafi Shaik Photography: MMG Photographers

On The Cover: Design by Gregory Fernandez

For those who have long tresses, there is no dearth of haircuts and hairstyles. But what happens to those who have decided to go short? Thankfully, they too have plenty of jaw-dropping options to choose from. Our beauty columnist explores some gorgeous short hairstyles. From bobs and pixie cuts to edgy and choppy crops, you’re sure to ﬁnd a haircut that suits you. There are a few things that lift our spirits during the winters. As the weather gets cooler, it’s time for some warm, hearty roasts. Our food columnist gives us some super easy and tasty roast recipes. — Swati Dasgupta

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VOLUME 11 ISSUE 49 DECEMBER 6, 2018

WHAT’S ON THIS WEEK

THURSDAY

SUNDAY

Go to the Motor Show If you want to see the latest car models from well known world famous auto brands visit The Oman International Motor Show 2018. Held at Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre from December 5-8, it will also showcase drifting demonstrations, driving challenge and more. From 11am-10pm.

07 FRIDAY Visit IGN Convention Oman Tech lovers in Oman must visit Middle East’s biggest convention featuring video games, e-sports, technology, and pop culture. It features international celebrities and attractions such as Cosplay, Artist Alley, exhibits, film-making and animation workshops, music and stage activities, and merchandise, food and beverage stalls at Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre, Exhibition Hall from December 6-8.

08 SATURDAY Watch Carlo Colla Puppet Theatre Set in a place where time and space do not exist, wonderful wooden puppets enact Tchaikovsky’s timeless ballet with live orchestra in a magical family show. From 4pm onwards at ROHM.

Spend a Day at The National Museum The magnificent National Museum is a treasure trove of historical and contemporary collections of Oman. From the country’s first settlements to recent times art and industry, it houses everything.

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11 TUESDAY Go on a Buying Spree at Muttrah Souq Next time you visit the souq remember to buy a Pashima scarf. Though these arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t made in Oman and d are imported from India, Pakistan, and China tourists love to buy these scarves as souvenir and gifts.

10 MONDAY

WEDNESDAY

Drive to Al Ayn Village Close to Jebel Shams there are sandstone tombs in the quaint village of Al Ayn. It was added to the World Heritage list in 1988 by UNESCO.

Spend a Night in the Floating Chalet About two and half hours from Muscat as you drive on the Amerat road you cross the famous Khor Al Batah bridge, and Ras Al Hadd, to reach the coastal villages of Sur. Overlooking the Khor Jerama, have an adventurous stay in the floating chalet.

Longmire TV Series Genre: Action, Crime, Drama Cast: Robert Taylor, Katee Sackhoff, Lou Diamond Phillips

Blindspotting (Film) Genre: Comedy, Crime, Drama Cast: Daveed Diggs, Rafael Casal, Janina Gavankar

Kin (Film) Genre: Action, Sci-Fi Stars: Myles Truitt, Jack Reynor, Dennis Quaid

Walt Longmire is the dedicated and unflappable sheriff of Absaroka County, Wyoming. Widowed only a year, he is a man in psychic repair but buries his pain behind his brave face, unassuming grin and dry wit.

While on probation, a man begins to re-evaluate his relationship with his volatile best friend.

Chased by a criminal, the feds and a gang of otherworldly soldiers, a recently released ex-con, and his adopted teenage brother are forced to go on the run with a weapon.

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OMAN AND INDIA

BROTHERS UNITED BY THE SEA STORY: GAUTAM VISWANATHAN PHOTOS: SHABIN E

There’s a certain something about the Navy that’s truly stirring. It’s a truly inspiring sight to see a battleship, ﬂags waving in the breeze, its emblems glinting against the rays of the morning sun as this mighty engine of war pulls into port, dwarﬁng you as you stand beside it.

s you look up, your hand raised against your forehead, you can’t help but be amazed at the sense of might and power that such a vessel exudes, its sole purpose the defence of people those on board have sworn to protect. The brave officers and sailors voluntarily give up their civilian clothes that you and I take for granted and exchange them for the white and blue uniforms of navies all across the world along with the responsibilities that go with them. They say goodbye to their families and spend several months as defenders of the sea with barely a few weeks to spend with their loved ones. They head back to the open waters to take on the duties they vowed to never shirk. To see these brave men and women

in action and in the ﬂesh is truly humbling. Naval sailors go through some of the hardest training regimens across the armed forces, and you’d think that they’d be a few hours of down time for them when they pulled into port. A chance for them to stretch their legs and blow off some steam before once again embarking on the high seas. Any rest that would be coming their way would have to wait: T-weekly was recently invited to check out three ships of the Indian Navy that had come to Oman, as part of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), a multilateral training exercise across navies of the Indian Ocean Region to increase preparedness and togetherness, should they need to answer a united call to defend the region. Sailors from both countries stood proud across their ships, their right

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INS TARANGINI AND INS SUDARSHINI, TWO YACHTS USED BY NAVAL CADETS OF THE INDIAN NAVY, AND PATROL VESSEL INS SUJATA, DOCKED AT OMAN’S PORT SULTAN QABOOS ALONGSIDE THE ZEENAT AL BAHAR, THE FLOTILLA HAVING DEPARTED FROM KOCHI ON NOVEMBER 14.

hands raised to their temples in crisp salutes. On shore, a guard of honour, assembled from naval soldiers, stood rigidly at attention, their freshly laundered naval tunics as white as the foam the ships left in their wake. It was truly a humbling sight to see these young sailors, who had spent the last fortnight on active duty in the open sea, delay their rest just a bit longer to welcome us on board their immaculately maintained vessels. The Royal Navy of Oman had sent one of its prize yachts, Zeenat Al Bahar, to Kochi, where the latest edition of the IONS was taking place, and having flown the Sultanate’s flag in India, sailors on three Indian ships would be sailing with their Omani brethren back to Muscat. INS Tarangini and INS Sudarshini, two yachts used by naval cadets of the Indian Navy, and patrol vessel INS Sujata, docked at Oman’s Port Sultan Qaboos alongside the Zeenat Al Bahar, the flotilla having departed from Kochi on the 14th of November. In doing so, the two navies were sending a very symbolic message:

Oman and India were not only brothers at sea, but they had been for millennia. The routes they took traced the ancient trade routes across the Gujarat coastline and the Malabar Coast that once connected the Arabian Gulf to India, a route which brought thriving trade in the form of frankincense, spices, dates and precious stones between the two regions millennia ago, a practice that carries on to this day. “We also recreated the ancient trading routes between India and Oman, which go back in fact not just centuries, but millennia,” said Vice Admiral Anil Kumar Chawla, Flag Officer Commanding at the Indian Navy’s Southern Naval Command. “There was in fact vibrant trade in the past between Muscat and the Malabar Coast as well as Gujarat. I would also like to add that the Indian Navy and the Royal Navy of Oman have the closest relations. We started bilateral exercises way back in 1993, and we completed 25 years of naval relations this year. “Another objective was to get as many member of the IONS as possible. We

have many young naval cadets on these ships,” he added. “We have representatives from Australia, England, China, the Maldives, Sri Lank and Bangladesh on board INS Tarangini, and being on board has strengthened the bonds of friendship among these young people. This was the aim of this programme and we are glad to have met its objectives. We are most grateful to the Royal Navy of Oman and His Majesty Sultan Qaboos for giving us the Royal Yacht for this event, and to the Royal Navy of Oman for supporting us.” IONS was begun as by the Indian Navy in 2008 as a voluntary initiative to boost cooperation across navies of the Indian Ocean rim. It brings together key naval personnel and policymakers of these nations to identify and develop solutions to areas of cooperation, such as security, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR). In the last 10 years, the activity has grown very signiﬁcantly and consists of 32 member nations. For many of the Omani sailors travelling to India, it would be the ﬁrst time

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they’d taken part in such a large-scale exercise. The trip is after all, designed for younger cadets, who were steered in the right direction by Lieutenant Commander Salim bin Mohammed bin Ali Al Moani, the Commanding Officer of Zeenat Al Bahar. “The trip was fantastic, and actually, we didn’t experience any difficulties,” he told T weekly. “The navigation was good, but we did have some bad weather in the ﬁnal few hours just outside Kochi, but in general, we had a very good experience. Being invited to join and participate in this event, it was an honour. We are delighted to participate in events like this, and we were so impressed and it was great to participate, really. “We also received a great welcome by the Indians,” added Lt Cdr Al Moani. “The navigation was very good since the time we left Oman, except for a little bit of bad weather outside Kochi for two or three hours, and the rest of it was very good. Since we left for Kochi from Muscat, we never used the sail continuously. On Zeenat Al Bahar, we used the engine for ﬁve days continuously, and we alternated with the sail. This was a great

experience for us. Of course, our sailors enjoyed the trip and they took a lot of experience from the sailors in India as well as the officers, so this was a great experience for all of us. Most of the officers from Oman have been trained for navigation, this is like a second nature for them.” It was a sentiment echoed by Commander Rahul Mehta, Commanding Officer of INS Tarangini. For him, leading the Tarangini was doubly special. “I was a cadet on board this ship and I am among the first to be commanding the same ship,” he said. “This ship teaches you the basics of sailing. You get connected to the elements of sailing, such as the water, the sea, the breeze and the winds. It starts from scratch…if you need to learn to ride a motorbike, you need to learn to ride a bicycle first. This is what gives you the basics. Once you are here, you can go anywhere, so this is a stepping stone. “Zeenat Al Bahar started from Kochi on the 11th of this month, and the journey had been going on for about 18 days,” he said. “It has been a privilege to sail with them and we are very happy to be in Muscat. The cadets get used to sailing on

the open water. It takes at most 24 to 48 hours, and that’s all that matters, because after that you are fine. It’s a beautiful experience because they learn to do these things as a team. You are a team or 15 cadets and six sea riders, so they become a team within no time, and that was the idea of this.” For many of the ensigns on board the flotilla, it would be their first time out on the open water. They were to learn the art of handling a ship on the open seas, where the waves can become extremely rough, and require a firm hand at the helm, a skill that only comes with experience. Handling a ship, after all, is not all plain sailing, especially when the lives of so many depend on the hand at the tiller. “The cadets here complete four years of training in the Indian Naval Academy or the National Defence Academy, so they have several opportunities to go to sea,” said Vice Admiral Chawla. “They have sailed smaller boats and yachts so it is not that they are stepping onto a vessel for the first time, but they are stepping onto this sort of ship for the first time so it is indeed a challenge. For example, when you man the masts at sea, and

there is bad weather during a storm, you have to hurry to bring down the sails, because there is a very small window that you have before they can get damaged,” he added. “We have a very close relationship with the Royal Navy of Oman, and we have the best of experiences,” he added. “We are like brothers at sea. I would say they are very professional, very competent, it is a highly professional navy, and we are privileged to be associated with them.” The sailors would stay in Muscat for three days, a chance for them to get some R&R while their reliable vessels were given the once-over at port. In a way, it was good they were coming to Muscat… the laid-back nature of the Sultanate was just what they’d need after the hard graft they’d put in on the waves. The sailors on board these ships would surely make the most of their time on land, because they know that snatches of peace such as these are few and far between. They are after all, always ready to heed the call to arms at a moment’s notice. It is just another day in the life of a sailor, and we thank them for it. – gautam@timesofoman.com

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ABU DHABI ART

CREATORS UNITED, THE WORLD INVITED STORY AND PICTURES GAUTAM VISWANATHAN

t is often said that a thousand-mile journey begins with the ﬁrst step. Sure, there may be those who laugh at you, those who don’t believe in your dreams, those who question your motives, but as long as you stay true to your goals and do not waver in the face of opposition, no matter how overwhelming, you will get there in the end. 10 years ago, as part of its long-term goal to establish itself as a regional centre of art and culture, the government of Abu Dhabi hatched a plan to invite artists from the world over to showcase some of their best exhibits, hoping their works would speak to the artistically inclined in the region, helping create their very own artistic oasis in the desert. At the time, people may have scoffed and the more cynically entitled would have rolled their eyes, but 10 years on, Abu Dhabi Art is among the region’s biggest art fairs, and regularly draws crowds from across the globe. T-weekly recently 10th anniversary of Abu Dhabi Art, and it’s an experience that everyone simply has to be a part of. Saeed Al Ghobash, the Director General of the Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi, took us on the journey Abu Dhabi Art had been on to get this far. “Abu Dhabi Art has always welcomed the works of the ﬁnest artists,” he said. “This year, we have 43 artists from 19 countries and many new pieces of art. 10 years of Abu Dhabi Art has seen us play witness to many developments of art. We believe this this is a model to be followed,

because we want this to be seen as a vision of the UAE’s tolerance and vision to share this with the world. “Leading artists come here to showcase their masterpieces, and this leads to the development of art in the region through individual commissions and exhibitions,” added Al Ghobash. “This creates diverse art dialogues at events that are popular to the public, and inspires new generations in pursuing passions and inspiring and motivating them all.” Dialogue was deﬁnitely on display at Abu Dhabi Art. Several of the pieces showcased by artists reﬂected the rampant consumerism and corporate culture many of us seem to accept as a normal part of our lives. One particularly stunning piece at Manarat Al Saadiyat art museum was made by an Iranian artist, featured a mashrabiya – the Islamic screen designed to give people privacy – made from used fruit and vegetable crates, behind which was a background made from used cereal cartons and soap boxes. Backlit from a distance, the two elements combined to produce a lovely piece of art, which was only enhanced by the backlight, but move closer and you see the work for what it truly is. This art installation was one of many that were indeed thought provoking, as were so many others at Abu Dhabi Art. One that seemed to catch the attention of those who attended the fair was a series of works by Lebanese-Dutch artist Munira Al Solh, who took the time to

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interact with Syrian refugees interned in her country, and then share their expressions in the form of sketches drawn on pieces of cotton fabric. The installations may have been simple, but the message behind them was truly profound. It also went some way in shattering the myth that today’s people don’t care or are out of touch about the realities of their world, torpedoing the stereotype about millennials only being interested in that which looks good. “One major theme to emerge is that millennials tend to be more socially and environmentally conscious than their parents, from choosing sustainable products to pushing companies to take a stand on social issues,” said Audrey Choi, Chief Sustainability Officer and Chief Marketing Officer for Morgan Stanley. “Millennials’ social and environmental preferences can create real, meaningful differences that echo throughout the economy—and the world. They know it, too: 75% of millennials believe that their investments can inﬂuence climate change; 84% believe that their investments have the power to help lift people

out of poverty. She added, “Millennials tend to be less affiliated with formal institutions. This scepticism may be responsible, at least in part, for their desire to hold companies accountable, rather than assuming that various institutions are acting in the public good. Pair that with their belief that they have the power to bring about change and it makes sense that some members of this generation may feel that positive social change rests on their shoulders.” Over in Dubai, at the newly opened Art Jameel centre, a group of artists had banded together to form an exhibit called ‘Crude’, which opened the book on how the Middle East had changed after one of its most importance sources of income was discovered – oil. Curated by artists from all over the Middle East, the exhibit charted the economic, social and environment impact that oil had had on Arabian economies. Yes, oil had brought previously untold wealth and prosperity to people in the region, but at what cost had it come? It is a message that seemed to tie in with the

current generation holding corporations and companies to be more accountable and responsible toward the people they served. Black and white photos that showed huge swathes of oil slick covering otherwise usable land now rendered dead told a poignant picture of the devastation oil could cause, and if that wasn’t enough to showcase its impact, photos of birds, their feathers and lungs clogged with black gold, was a stark reminder of what oil could do. But other photos showed the plus side of the oil boom: Iraqi children, whose parents were now employed by the oil corporations, could send their children to school and feed them nutritious food. One particularly impactful photo was a little Iraqi boy, clutching a bottle of milk close to him, worried about whether it would run out. It was the ﬁrst time he’d seen milk in such a form. Another aerial photo showed the prefab houses that had been built for workers. This was the 1980s, and many of them were living in modern homes for the very ﬁrst time. “It is really about connecting people,

so it’s about artists and art curators and art professionals from here connecting with their international counterpart,” said Dyala Nusseibeh, Fair Director for Abu Dhabi Art. “There is an element of exposure in providing a platform for works to be seen, but also about connecting people. That is what we really try and do. It really is important for artists to pursue their passion full-time and not be afraid to go for it.” Dr Nada Shabout, a professor at the University of North Texas and the Coordinator of the Contemporary Arab and Muslim Cultural Studies Initiative, was one of the many art analysts invited to share their thoughts of Abu Dhabi Art. Artists, she felt, were very important, particularly in today’s world, to tell people stories that they needed to hear. Artists, simply put, were unafraid to tell the truth, an important characteristic in a world where many of us choose to surround ourselves by the things that make us comfortable, because sometimes, it can be hard to face an unpleasant truth. “If we look at civilisations, what do we see?” she asked. “We see their artists. This is the best of humanity. Artists see what is not seen by others. They see what is not revealed in culture, but they also anticipate how culture develops. This is an important factor in who we are, how we see ourselves and how we move forward. I would urge all families to allow that talent and that creativity to take its place, because it is an activity that is just as important – if not more so – than engineering and medicine.” “When we say the Middle East, there are variations between artists who practice in Cairo, in Beirut or in the Gulf, and the extent of how religion is a challenge varies, but it is a challenge in some places. This is why we have institutions that help artists navigate their way through challenges like this. It is the challenge of the Arab World that people here face. I think it is do with infrastructure. We need to have more programmes that show artists where and how to navigate.” Art sometimes has the stereotype of only being available to the snooty, snobbish elite. Those who look down upon you as they peer quizzically at you through their crystal monocles, waffling away at their latest exploit. But as with all things in the art world, this is but an unjust, unfortunate façade. The truth is that the works of art on display at Abu Dhabi Art raised several pertinent questions, one that needed to be asked and answered, even if doing so was not easy. But then again, nothing that’s ever easy is worth doing, is it? – gautam@timesofoman.com

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HAIRSTYLES TO TRY WITH SHORT HAIR STORY ANTARA BOSE

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he good news is that you can do just as much with short hair as you can do with longer tresses. Here are the trending styles you can try for short hair.

SIDE-PARTED PIXIE-CUT – Yes, pixie-cuts are still in fashion. There’s something about this hairstyle that has the ability to take years off your face. For a more formal, sleek and chic look, part it on your favourite side and hold it in place with a small amount of gel.

CURLY ENDS – If you have short hair that’s looking a little limp, curl the ends to add some volume. Ideally, it’s best if the curls end just at your shoulder, but you can pull it off even if your hair is a little shorter. As long as it covers your ears, you’re good to go.

6 LOW BUN – We understand the struggles of a high-ponytail for short hair. So why not just wear it low? Pull out a few strands from one side if you want to add a softer touch to it.

7 SHORT RUFFLED SPIKES – Who said that was just reserved for the boys. If you’re looking for something a little bold, give your pixie-cut a daring edge with some spikes. You can keep it messy or sleek depending on the occasion.

8 CENTRE-PARTED BOB – There’s nothing that can be as clean,

sophisticated and evergreen as this. If you’ve got sleek, straight hair, tuck your hair behind your ears, and if you’re sporting waves, leave it loose.

9 CURLY UP-DO – This one is for those with tight curls. To start with, don’t fear up-dos. It’ll hold perfectly ﬁne with a little extra gel and hairspray. If you don’t want to pull all your hair up, leave some locks to hang loose playfully.

10 TEXTURED – If your ‘on-the-verge-of-growing-out’ pixie-cut is

3 TWISTED – This style works beautifully for those that are blessed with fuller hair, but it’s a fun alternative even for those who are almost reaching mid-length but are not quite there yet. Twist some locks and pin them up to lock each in place. The result looks complicated, but only you’ll know how easy that was.

4 BEACHY WAVES – The list would be incomplete without this one for sure. If your hair is starting to look a little sparse, trust some waves to do the trick.

5 BRAID-BAND – It really is what the name says. If your bangs have grown out and you’ve reached that awkward length where you don’t know what to do, use it to make a braid from one side to the other. It looks horribly cute with short hair and does the job of a hairband too. Beat that!

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

looking for a quick makeover, add some texture to it. It works the same with a short bob too. There’s nothing a little ruffle, tease and tousling can’t ﬁx.

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RECIPES ONEZA TABISH

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LAMB RIBS ROAST WITH VEGETABLES A hearty roast of lamb ribs cooked with vegetables will leave you asking for more. Ingredients • 1 and half kg lamb ribs • 2 tablespoon olive oil • 1/2 teaspoon fresh garlic minced • 1/4 teaspoon salt • 1 teaspoon pepper powder • 500g baby carrots • 2 large potatoes, diced • 1 large onion, peeled, ﬁnely chopped Preparation • Preheat oven to 190 degrees C. • Place ribs in a baking dish and rub with olive oil and garlic. Season with salt and pepper. • In a bowl, add carrots, potatoes and onion and drizzle with olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste. Add to the baking dish with the lamb ribs. • Bake in the oven for 45 minutes. Check to see if the vegetables are tender, with a fork. Serve hot.

KERALA STYLE EGG ROAST Boiled eggs shallow fried and cooked in a lip-smacking onion tomato curry is a must try for one and all. Ingredients • 4 eggs • 1 tablespoon oil • 2 ﬁnely chopped onions • 1 teaspoon ginger, minced • 1 teaspoon garlic, minced • 1 slit green chilli • 1 sprig curry leaves • 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder • 1 teaspoon red chilli powder • 1/2 teaspoon garam masala • 1/2 teaspoon pepper powder • Salt as per taste • 1 1/2 tablespoon tomato puree Preparation • Boil eggs, de-shell; keep it aside. • Heat oil in a pan and shallow fry the boiled eggs until they turn golden. Remove the eggs and drain on kitchen towel. • In the same pan, sauté the chopped onions till pink. • Add ginger and garlic and sauté for 2 minutes or till the rawness goes. Now add green chilli, curry leaves and sauté. Season with all spices including salt and pepper. Mix well and cook till the oil leaves the sides. • Add tomato puree and cook for about 2 minutes for it to blend well with the onion and spices mix. • Add the fried egg and mix well. (Note: Do not stir the mixture too hard after adding the eggs or the eggs might crumble). • Cook it on a low heat for 4-5 minutes, stirring delicately. Switch off the ﬂame and serve hot.

ROASTED SWEET POTATOES A delicious and healthy roast of sweet potatoes with sweet and spicy tinge of cinnamon and red chilli powder. Ingredients • 2 medium sweet potatoes (cubed) • 1 teaspoon olive oil • 1/4 teaspoons red chilli powder • Pinch of cinnamon • Salt and pepper as per taste Preparation • Preheat oven to 200° C. Grease a baking dish and keep aside. • In a large bowl, toss sweet potato cubes with oil and spices until coated evenly. Spread onto greased baking dish. • Roast potatoes for 45 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes or so, until done. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from oven and serve immediately.

ITALIAN EGGPLANT ROAST A crispy and crunchy roast dish with the cheesy goodness of eggplant made the Italian way. Ingredients • 4 eggplants • 1 egg • 2 tablespoons water • 1 cup bread crumbs • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper • 1 teaspoon mixed dried herbs Preparation • Preheat the oven to 175 degrees C. • Slice the eggplant to 1/2 inch discs. • In a small bowl, beat the egg and water. • On a plate mix the bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, garlic, mixed dried herbs and pepper. • Dip the eggplant into the egg, then into the breadcrumbs to make sure they are coated all over. • Spread the eggplant discs on a greased baking tray and bake 30-40 minutes until golden, ﬂipping halfway till both sides are done. Serve hot.

Oneza Tabish is a food blogger, consultant, and columnist based in Oman. She is also the owner of Oman’s popular Facebook group ‘What’s Cooking Oman.’

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GREEN BOOK Cast: Linda Cardellini, Mahershala Ali, Viggo Mortensen

KEDARNATH Cast: Sushant Singh Rajput, Sara Ali Khan, Alka Amin, Nitish Bharadwaj, Nishant Dahiya

ANNAKALLAN (MALAYALAM) Cast: Biju Menon, Suraj Venjaramoodu

A working-class ItalianAmerican bouncer becomes the driver of an AfricanAmerican classical pianist on a tour of venues through the 1960s American South.

A Hindu-Muslim love story, Kedarnath portrays how a Muslim boy saves a Hindu tourist from the Uttrakhand ďŹ&#x201A;oods at the pilgrimage, and the love that eventually develops between them.

Pavithran is in jail for a theft while at the same time assigned to an undercover operation to catch a culprit on a case. He then ďŹ nds out that he is also personally connected to the case.

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COLETTE Cast: Eleanor Tomlinson, Dominic West, Keira Knightley Colette tells the fascinating story of the woman behind the scandalous Claudine novels that dazzled French society in the ﬁrst half of the 20th Century. The ﬁlm depicts her rise from country girl to darling of the Parisian demi-monde with her husband Henry ‘Willy’ Gauthier-Villars. A critic and author in his own right, he mentors and later betrays her, as her stories gain them fame and notoriety. A compelling insight into this passionate young woman’s journey to create independence, Colette is from the producers of Carol and Still Alice.

Running at: Vox Cinemas

BERNIE THE DOLPIN

A look at the life and career of Whitney Houston, who broke more music industry records than any other female singer in history and became the only artist to have seven consecutive US number one singles.

An adventure about a brother and sister who befriend a badly sunburned dolphin separated from his family and uncover a secret plan that could destroy the beach and their new friend›s home. The kids must devise a clever plan to stop the bad guys, protect the sea life, and, most importantly, save their best friend, Bernie.

Cast: Logan Allen, Kevin Sorbo, Lola Sultan

COMING SOON

WHITNEY Cast: Bobbi Kristina Brown, Bobby Brown, Cissy Houston, Clive Davis, Whitney Houston

AQUAMAN Cast: Michael Beach, Willem Dafoe, Amber Heard, Nicole Kidman, Dolph Lundgren

SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE Cast: Brian Tyree Henry, Hailee Steinfeld, Jake Johnson, Liev Schreiber, Lily Tomlin

VOLUME 11 ISSUE 49 DECEMBER 6, 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

1 2

7 9

9 6

4 7

Level | Moderate

6 8

5 8

Level | Difficult

3 6 2

2 5

3 8 6 5 2 1

5 7 9 2 4 3

3 2 1 4 8 6 7

7 4 2 6 3 8 1 5 9

3 9 6 8 2 1 4 7 5

5 8 4 9 6 7 3 1 2

Puzzle 1 (Hard, difficulty rating 0.62)

2 1 7 4 5 3 6 9 8

6 2 3 7 5 1 8 9 4

8 3 2 5 4 7 9 6 1

1 7 6 2 8 9 4 3 5

5 4 9 3 1 6 7 8 2

4 6 8 1 9 2 3 5 7

3 5 1 6 7 8 2 4 9

2 9 7 4 3 5 6 1 8

Puzzle 1 (Medium, difficulty rating 0.52)

7 9 2 4 8 5 3 1 6

3 5 1 7 6 2 9 4 8

6 4 8 1 3 9 7 2 5

8 2 6 3 5 4 1 7 9

1 3 9 2 7 8 5 6 4

4 7 5 9 1 6 2 8 3

2 8 3 6 9 7 4 5 1

9 6 7 5 4 1 8 3 2

Puzzle 1 (Easy, difficulty rating 0.44)

5 1 4 8 2 3 6 9 7

THIS WEEK’S SOLUTIONS

Difficult

Medium

Easy

While Phelps continues to decode ife in the late 1940s was very difcrimes across LA, a boomtown which is ferent to what it is today. The world on the verge of a massive construction as we know it was going through boom, he realises that something doesn’t tremendous economic and social change. sit right with the results he’s gotten. Yes, America was booming, people wanted he’s put people behind bars, but are they to spend, and after more than a decade the right people? of austerity, life was picking up. People Cole’s analytical mind means it’s only a wanted the good life, and California was matter of time before he finds out what where people went to find it. But with the good life came other not-so- actually lurks behind the scenes, and friendly elements. American companies it’s something that the corrupt corporathat had supplied everything to Allied fight- tions, top police officials and politicians, ing forces during World War II from mos- all of whom are hand in glove, know as quito coils and soup to cigarettes and medi- well. They, though are not averse to go to cines, were now looking to turn a quick any lengths to keep him out of the game, buck in cahoots with Los Angeles’ mob even if it means he meets with an ‘unforbosses. The world might’ve been a very dif- tunate’ accident. LA Noire, which is available for downferent place, but you know the old saying… load and purchase on PCs the more things change, the and consoles, incorporates more they stay the same. THE SHORT AND SKINNY many of the elements of the It is into this grim world film noire genre, including that we are thrust into in Name: LA Noire the cynical, dark and foreLA Noire. Another game to Genre: Action-adventure boding themes of Hollyroll off the Rockstar Games Produced by: Rockstar Games and wood movies from the 1940s production line, LA Noire Team Bondi and 50s. is set in 1940s in postWhat it’s about: Cole Phelps The music, which is at World War II Los Angeles. returns to America having distintimes hopeful and optimisPlayers – for the most part guished himself in the Second World tic, at times gloomy and de– see the world through the War. He’s hoping to come back to an pressing, dovetails really eyes of Cole Phelps, an exordinary life, a simple life. But all well with the theme of the Marine who has been reis not as it seems in Los Angeles, game. cruited by the Los Angeles and he is about to be sucked into a The game also works rePolice Department. different kind of war ally well to feature the soHis eye for thoroughness Platforms: Microsoft Windows, cial and cultural attitudes and detail sees him quickly PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox prevalent at the time. Blacks promoted up the ranks at One, Xbox 360, Nintendo Switch were still treated extremely the LAPD, beginning life Where to buy: Steam, Microsoft poorly, and America, which as a beat cop, before being Store, G2A Games, Amazon, Xbox now lived under the cloud of drafted into the ranks of the Marketplace, PlayStation Store the Cold War with the Sovipolice detectives. ets, also still treated German Phelps is able to spot patresidents in the States as if terns and connect the dots they were the enemy. Underbetween accidents, often seeing below the surface of these fender standable, given their recent clashes, and benders to expose the real intent of the all of these emotions are only made far betperpetrators. His optimistic personality ter by the motion capture tech used by Ausclashes with the world-weary view of his tralian studio Team Bondi, who collaborate partners, but he gets to see the more sinis- with Rockstar on this series. Featuring a number of Hollywood acter side of the police force. While most coppers drive ordinary cars tors, including Aaron Staton from Mad and dress modestly, that’s not true with de- Men and John Noble from The Lord of the tectives like Roy Earle, who wears flashy Rings, LA Noire is a thriller that simply suits and drives fast cars, funded by corpo- must be played this weekend. – gautam@timesofoman.com rations that pay him to look the other way.

TIMES DIGITAL DOWNLOAD

VOLUME 11 ISSUE 49 DECEMBER 6, 2018

Punjabi Wing, Indian Social Club, Muscat, celebrates Indian festival.

Celebrations of Oman’s 48th National Day What’s Cooking Oman celebrated 48th National Day of Oman at the Oncology Ward of Royal Hospital.

VOLUME 11 ISSUE 49 DECEMBER 6, 2018

AL MAHA LAUNCHES NEW BRAND IDENTITY AND PRODUCT RANGE OMANTEL LAUNCHES “BAQATI AL-UFUQ” UNLIMITED LOCAL INTERNET DATA, VOICE CALLS AND SMS

elebrating their 10th anniversary, Al Maha Ceramics, one of the largest state-of-the-art ceramic tile producing companies in Oman, launched their new logo, website and product range at a glittering event at the Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Ballroom. The Guest of Honour, His Excellency Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousuf, Chairman of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI), unveiled the new Al Maha Ceramics logo which depicts a young, dynamic, contemporary, forward thinking and a timeless company. It was followed by the launch of the new website and Mobile App, in the presence of the Chairman of Al Maha Ceramics, Retd. Brigadier

Masoud Humaid Malik Al Harthy, Deputy Chairman of the Board Mr. Abdulredha Mustafa Sultan, Board Member and Chairman of NREC, Mr. Shabir Moosa Al Yousef, other Board Members and Rajeev Singh, Senior General Manager. Al Maha Ceramics strives for perfection in design and quality par excellence, making every tile a masterpiece. The innovative company has been the pioneer in launching differentiated products in the GCC. Marking the anniversary celebrations, the company launched a range of new products like Al Maha Horizon, the premium Spanish porcelain tiles and 25x60 ceramic wall tiles range in Al Maha Diamond Edge.

elebrating the 48th National Day and for the first time in the Sultanate, Omantel announces the launch of the first-of-its-kind post-paid package, “Baqati Al-Ufuq”, that has been uniquely designed to enrich customers’ lives by providing them with an unprecedented digital experience. The all new package allows customers unlimited Internet access, calls and SMS in Oman, in addition to 5GB of international roaming data and 300 minutes to receive calls while roaming along with a 40% discount on international calls, for just OMR 99 per month. Commenting on the launch of the unique Baqati Al-Ufuq, Haitham Al Kharusi, Vice President at Omantel’s Consumer Business Unit, said: “We are always committed to finding new ways to enrich our customers’ lives with our innovative products and services that are uniquely designed to exceed their expectations. Today, while the nation is celebrating the 48th National Day, we are proud to launch our latest post-paid package for the first time in the Sultanate, Baqati Al-Ufuq, the comprehensive package that meets our customers’ needs and exceed their expectations, and allows them an unlimited access to local calls, SMS and Internet with countless features.” Al Kharusi also said, “Priced at only OMR 99 per month, Baqati Al-Ufuq

provides its customers with an opportunity to stay connected with business partners, friends and family anytime and anywhere. The package offers unlimited Internet data, voice calls and SMS in Oman, along with a 40% discount on International calls. On top of that, Baqati Al-Ufuq customers get 5GB of Internet data and 300 minutes to receive calls while roaming. Other benefits that customers get offer an enhanced lifestyle with a dedicated account manager, dedicated team at the contact centre available 24/7 on 1221, priority services across all outlets in the Sultanate, world-class concierge services, road assistance and access to airport lounges at Muscat International Airport and Salalah Airport”. Customers can subscribe to this unique package by visiting the nearest Omantel outlet or by filling in an online application after which they will receive a call from Omantel within 24 hours. Investing in the future of the nation, Omantel connects even the most remote communities of the Sultanate to each other and the rest of the world. Omantel is the Sultanate’s first and leading integrated telecommunications services provider, enabling the digital society to flourish, allowing new ways of doing business and delivering a world of information, news and entertainment.

POSE FOR A PICTURE WITH OMAN’S FIRST HUMAN ROBOT AT OASIS MALL

isitors to the Oasis Mall in Al Khuwair are in for a treat, as they will now be greeted by Oman’s very ﬁrst human robot. The celebrated humanoid robot named ‘Pepper’, will provide a heartwarming reception to guests in the mall, initiating a new era in the retail business sector in Oman. Pepper is excited to enrich your time at the mall into an experiential and thrilling one. The friendly robot will be spreading smiles and happiness among the guests with handshakes, picture poses, Hi-Fi, hugs, dance, and showing directions besides other gestures. While announcing the highly anticipat-

ed launch, Mr. Clive Freeman, Chief Operating Officer of the Landmark group said, “The Landmark Group believes in making shopping both enjoyable and rewarding, and for the ﬁrst time in Oman, a humanoid robot which can read human emotions and respond suitably will be interacting with shoppers. “This is expected to be a very stimulating experience for both children and adults visiting. Oasis Mall has always embraced innovative technologies to the enhance the retail experience, and ‘Pepper’ is another step towards elevating that

involvement.” The four-foot tall robot is launched in the Sultanate by the Dubai-headquartered retail giant Landmark Group, owners of the Oasis Mall – Al Khuwair, which is one of Sultanate’s most happening retail destinations. The mall offers shoppers the most diverse and enriching experience in an elegant ambience with an impressive line-up of leading international labels as well as Landmark’s own brands. The mall comprises of aesthetically designed food courts featuring popular food chains, trendy cafes, vibrant entertainment avenues, and ample car park spaces.

Pepper has the distinction of being the world’s ﬁrst social humanoid robot that can recognize faces and basic human emotions. It is optimized for human interaction and engagement with people through conversation and inputs through an advanced touch screen. Designed by the renowned robotics company SoftBank Robotics, Pepper has generated massive interest across the world owing to its advanced interactive features and ability to recognise faces, gauge human emotions and meaningfully communicate with people. The robot was released in the market in 2015, and is used by over 2000 companies across business, academic and research sectors.