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Naming and shaming on social media While researching for our cover story on social media bullying, we came across a recent survey, conducted by a Children’s Society based in the UK, which stated that cyber-bullying could impact young people’s mental health. The survey mentioned that people between the ages of 11 and 25 years often experienced threatening or nasty social media messages, emails, or texts. Due to the lack of consequences for people engaging in online bullying, it has become easy to single out people and shame them. While ignoring or deleting a message is an easy way to tackle the issue, it is certainly not a long-term viable solution, concerned experts say. So, are there any clear guidelines for social media users about how they should behave online? Is it ethical to shame a person on social media for a “fault” that could be as simple as sending a random friend request? What is the efficacy of rebuking someone in public or is public shaming a wise option? We address these and similar queries in our cover story this week. Are you already a helicopter parent or going to turn into one soon? If the expression sounds new, let us explain what helicopter parenting is all about. Pause for a moment and think. In your attempt to be supportive, have you become a hovering parent, 24x7 available for your child? If yes, read our parenting column to know about the downsides of helicopter parenting and how you can break out of this habit.
— 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
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WHAT’S ON THIS WEEK
05 MONDAY 10.00am Learn Computer Basics If you enjoy writing and want to master commonly used applications such as Microsoft favourites: Word and Excel, then this workshop is for you. Mumtaz Residence, Muscat +968 2479 5476
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THURSDAY
SATURDAY
6.00pm Learn German Do you want to improve your German language skills? Do you want to meet other learners of the language? Then don´t miss out on this event. InterContinental Garden Qurum, Muscat +968 2460 3841
10.00am Attend a Book Fair The hugely anticipated annual, Muscat Book Fair that showcases bibliographies from around the globe is almost over. Have you paid a visit? Oman International Exhibition Centre, Airport Heights +968 2451 2100
02 FRIDAY 10.30am Be an Indian Ethnic Wear Talk about fashion favourites, Mrunal’s Boutique will be showcasing FabIndia’s Collection in Muscat. The exhibition will run till March 3. Sayh Al Maleh, Qurum +968 2456 7599
04 SUNDAY 5.00pm Planning to Study in UK? How about spending your Sunday afternoon exploring UK’s finest education opportunities at the Study UK Exhibition 2018? InterContinental Hotel Qurum, Muscat +968 2468 0000
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TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
5.15pm For Attractive Furniture Extend your skills in adorning furniture with beautiful fabrics. Techniques include gilding, decoupage, two toned stencilling, and creating and applying transfers are some of the techniques that will be taught at the workshop. Sununu Muscat, 18th November Street, Azaiba +968 9018 5174
9.30am Elevate your Business This is a golden opportunity for those who wish to learn and understand Applied Machine Learning and its latest technology. The 1-day masterclass aims at helping you jump-start your strategies. City Seasons Hotel Al Khuwair, Bousher +968 9705 6888
W H AT TO WATC H O N Jeepers Creepers 3 (Film) Genre: Horror, Thriller Cast: Stan Shaw, Gabrielle Haugh Synopsis: Sheriff Dan Tashtego and a team of creeper hunters enlist the help of officer Davis Tubbs to help stop the monster’s eating spree. Lincoln (Film) Genre: Biography, Drama, History Cast: Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field Synopsis: As the War continues to rage, America’s president struggles with continuing carnage on the battlefield as he fights with many inside his own cabinet on the decision to emancipate the slaves.
Marlon Wayans: Woke-ish (TV Special) Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance Cast: Marlon Wayans Synopsis: An American standup comedy special starring Marlon Wayans who jokes about racism, hip-hop, and raising kids. Ugly Delicious (Season 1) Genre: Documentary Cast: Chef David Chang Synopsis: Chef David Chang travels around the world tasting food from different cultures.
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ut then there are those who choose a third kind of option. Instead of choosing to ignore these requests, they viciously belittle the other by publicly shaming them on social media. Over the years there has been a considerable rise in social media shaming. There are times when cultures collide online and unknowingly people become victim of public humiliation for no fault of their own. What may be socially acceptable for one individual might be blasphemy for the other, thus creating room for such humiliation. People seem to have forgotten the importance of healthy acceptance of
someone’s online presence. Debates do not happen in a respectful manner and personal attacks instead of opinion sharing have become common. While it is true that wrong practices or bad behaviour on social media should not go unpunished, it is also essential to act wisely according to the situation and not indulge in maligning anyone in public. Raising concerns on this Times of Oman interviewed Anuya Phule, a clinical psychologist and psychotherapist at Hatat Polyclinic, to dig into the minds of those who would berate others in public, whether online or offline. “Adults do this to gain power and attention. It gives them sadistic pleasure,” she said.
People who are often new to the internet and don’t know its rules often fall prey to this kind of bullying. Most bullies attack these kind of people. To prevent this, we need to make people and the community aware, all the way from schools to colleges and universities. Bullies prey on others and expose their insecurities to hide their own deep anxieties from the world. In keeping with this thread of thought, trolls tend to target those who are different from them, in turn displaying a highly tribal tendency to stick to what they find familiar, and deflecting their insecurities on problems they don’t understand, a far easier step as compared with actual introspection, even if the advantages are increasingly short-term.
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Majid Al Sinani, Systems Engineer at The Research Council, home to Oman’s brightest minds and thinkers, said the one thing online trolls, cyber bullies and spammers had in common was the desire to unscrupulously gain at the expense of the other. “Sometimes, entire communities are targeted due to political reasons. For example, Indians and Pakistanis may target each other, Arab countries may target each other, African nations that have political and social differences may target each other,” Al Sinani said, adding “Sometimes, this may also be due to religious differences or fights between individuals.” “This is quite common on Facebook and people who do this feed their hun-
ger and power. When one person does this, bystanders club with them and the main bully becomes the leader. They want to be recognised so they make jokes. When the victims say that they felt hurt, the bully would say they were joking,” added Anuya. “This is because of the lack of empathy in them. They actually feel superior. This has nothing to do with their selfesteem. It is just a case of aggression and a lack of sensitivity towards others’ feelings,” she remarked. “Online bullies want to show other people that they can do things like this. They want to show others that they can play this game. Others do this for money. People who troll or spam others might also be doing this just to take out their frustration. Sometimes, when a person has had a bad day at work, he will try to pass on that irritation to others by doing such things.” “Many people do this because they think it is a game that gives them plenty of enjoyment,” added Al Sinani. “To stop this, you must be aware, attend workshops if you are a school or university student, and always follow the rules. The ITA (Information and Telecommunications Authority) and TRA (Telecom Regulatory Authority) are working to secure Oman from these sort of things,” he said. Like a homing missile zooming towards its target, bullies and trolls are often adept at zeroing in on a person’s biggest weakness, using it to pierce their target’s mental armour and bring them down. More often than not, those who do fall prey to trolls are people who are new to the internet, and may display a naiveté. “Bullies pick on one thing that helps them tear the other person down,” Phule revealed. “Some bullies are also impulsive and do this just for fun. Anything that puts the other person down is bullying. It can range from mild to severe forms, but some bullies use highly personal attacks such as lies and rumours for character
assassination of the other,” she added. “Most of the children today have iPads and can access Facebook, WhatsApp, YouTube, Gmail, and so many other social media services. But they do not care about the effects of these kind of people online, and it is very dangerous,” said Al Sinani. “I have had clients from international schools where students belong to so many cultures. There have been cases where people have been bullied both in person and online,” added Phule in support. “Their accent is made fun of, the way they write English could be made fun of. In fact anything that a bully can pick on can be used against the person. Physical appearance is the number one cause of bullying, apart from the way of speaking. Bullies comment on the looks and body of a person. Even something as simple as new spectacles or haircut might make a person a target,” she said. So how does one sidestep these attacks? According to Al Sinani and Phule, the steps one can take to avoid getting bogged down by someone else’s viciousness have to be complemented by a strong national framework, which was put into effect last year. Phule advised, “You need to wean off from the media. Persons being bullied are engaged in the process because they wonder why they are being targeted this way. The first thing to do is to inform a best friend or an adult and discuss this with them. If you’re a teen, talk to a parent or teacher. Stop putting so much information on the net, and tweak your settings, so you don’t see comments from these people. Psychologically, people are curious, so they get engaged in bullying.” Al Sinani chipped in by saying, “This has happened with some of my friends, who received suspicious emails only to find out that somebody tricked them. “To avoid cyberbullying, trolls and spamming, the rules in Oman were changed last year,” he said. “People who do this can go to jail for three years and face a big fine.”
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WHEN THE CAPTIVATING CAUC STORY INDRANIL CHOWDHURI
S
ituated between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea and bordering the two continents of Europe and Asia lie Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. The three countries are home to the Caucasus Mountains, which have the highest mountain range in Europe: Mount Elbrus at 18,510 feet. Even today, these three countries retain a heady mix of European, Soviet, and modern atmosphere. GEORGIA At the intersection of the continents, this former Soviet Republic has both the grandeur of snow-capped mountains and the best Black Sea beaches. Also, Georgian wines are well known across the
world, and Kakheti has the best vineyards in Georgia. Capital Tbilisi on the Mtkvari river is the most happening city of the country. The Rustaveli Avenue is the main artery and the hub of commerce and high-end glitz. The area of Abanotubani is famous for its bath houses, and Pushkin and Alexander Dumas have written extensively about them. The most famous sight in the city remains Mother Georgia or Kartlis Deda. The 20-feet aluminium statue has become the symbol of the city. A woman holding a sword in one hand and a goblet of wine in the other is a metaphor for the Georgian attitude of passionately fighting the enemies but welcoming
guests with their famous wines. A walk around the town is rewarding, with a chance to see the confluence of architectural styles, especially the Metekhi Church or the Echmiadzin and the Tsminda Sameba Cathedrals. A short drive north of the capital at the conuence of the Aragvi river brings one to Mtskheta, the spiritual heart of Georgia since Christianity was established. The Svetitshoveli Cathedral, where the mantle of Christ lies buried, still remains the setting for important ceremonies of the Georgian Orthodox Church. It had frescos as well but they were whitewashed during the Soviet regime. To many Georgians, the nearby Jvari Church is the holiest of holy places. An-
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With a transit in Dubai, FlyDubai services all the 3 capitals from Muscat. The estimated flying time is about 6 hours.
CASUS CALLS… other short drive away from the capital, albeit in the opposite direction, is Gori, the birthplace of Joseph Stalin. His house is now a museum, and still, many drive down to discover the man who governed the largest country in the world for close to 25 years. Kutaisi, Georgia’s second city built on the Rioni river, is one of the most ancient in the world. One can soak in the incredible historical legacy that the city carries. From cathedrals to mythological links to the change of ownership down the ages, Kutaisi has it all. Batumi is the country’s Black Sea resort and its port city as well. The iconic 130-metre Alphabetic Tower, adorned with Georgian script, with a seaside observation deck, stands on the
promenade. While in Georgia, sampling the famed Khacahapuri, a unique Georgian cheese pie with many layers of dairy, is a must. ARMENIA Armenia a former Soviet Republic, with its ancient monasteries and candle-lit churches, Armenia, again a former Soviet Republic, is among the earliest Christian civilisations. Hence, religious sites are aplenty. The Greco-Roman Temple of Garni, the 4th-century Etchmiadzin Cathedral, headquarters of the Armenian Church, and Khor Virap Monastery, a pilgrimage site near Mount Ararat, a dormant volcano just across the border in Turkey, are just some of the examples.
Soviet-era architecture symbolises Yerevan, the capital of the country. The hub of the city is the Republic Square, around which life revolves. The buildings around this section are all built in the neo-classical style. The National Gallery, showcasing an unbelievable range of artwork, the Matedaran Library housing thousands of ancient manuscripts, and the Museum of Armenia crowd the square. During the Soviet period, it was called the Lenin Square and a statue of Lenin was installed there. A bit to the north is the Cascade, a giant stone stairway, with Victory Park on the top, which gives an unobstructed view of the city and Mount Ararat. The exterior is of multiple levels and adorned with fountains and modernist sculptures. At the base of the Cascade is an Opera House-like amphitheatre. The western part of the city has the 18th century old Blue Mosque and the Genocide Museum overlooking Mount Ararat. But the real beauty of Armenia lies outside the capital city. Surrounded by stunning monasteries lies Lake Sevan in the heart of the country. A holiday destination for locals due to the recreational activities available there, the lake itself is majestic, with a lot of popular beaches in this land-locked country. The Sevanavank Monastery is worth visiting. Mount Ararat is one of Armenia’s most stunning natural sights, with the dormant volcano located in the north. It is Armenia’s highest peak and there is a lot of rock art to be enjoyed around its base, with paintings of animals and human-like figures dating back hundreds of years. Snow covers the peak almost all year. The best view of Mount Ararat can be found from the Khor Virap monastery, which is one of the most important historic sites in Armenia’s history, as it was here that Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned for 14 years before he cured King Trdat III of his disease. The king then converted to Christianity, paving the way for Armenia’s religious future. Monasteries are one of Armenia’s defining characteristics and the example at Noravank is one of the most beautiful in the country. Sheer brick red cliffs shield the monastery, which was built in the 13th century. Noravank is famous for its Astvatsatsin Church. If you choose only one monastery to go to during the trip to Armenia, Noravank would be a good selection. Armenia’s version of Stonehenge is Karahunj, made up of over 200 massive
stone tombs. The main area has 40 stones standing in a circular formation, supposedly built in honour of the Armenian main deity Ari, named after the Sun. AZERBAIJAN According to travel guides, Azerbaijan is “neither in Europe nor Asia, and is an incredible tangle of contradictions, a fascinating nexus of ancient historical empires”. The Azeri capital Baku is the largest of the Caucasus cities and the most cosmopolitan. It is famed for its medieval walled Inner City. Within the Inner City lies the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, a royal retreat dating to the 15th century, and the centuries-old stone Maiden Tower, which dominates the city skyline. Baku, the capital, is a Caspian coastline City. Other sights include the Flame Tower, which is a combination of three pointed towers covered with LED screens. The Carpet Museum houses a vast collection of ornate carpets, while the National Flag Square has one of the tallest flagpoles in the world. A short drive from the city is Yanar Dag, a continuously blazing natural gas fire. The Baku Museum of Miniature Books is the only such museum in the world. A collection of over 6,500 books from 65 countries are on display. The Baku Ateshgah, often called the “Fire Temple of Baku”, is a castle-like religious temple in Surakhani town. The temple was used as a Hindu, Sikh, and Zoroastrian place of worship. “Atesh” is the Persian word for fire. The pentagonal complex has a courtyard surrounded by cells for monks and an altar in the middle. It was abandoned in the late 19th century, probably due to the dwindling number of Indians in the area. The natural “eternal flame” went out in 1969, after nearly a century of exploitation of petroleum and gas in the area, but is now lit by gas piped from the nearby city. The Baku Ateshgah was a pilgrimage and philosophical hub of Zoroastrians from the northwestern Indian Subcontinent, who were involved in trade in the Caspian area via the famous Grand Trunk Road.
Indranil Chowdhuri is based in Oman and an avid traveller who has completed foot printing in more than 100 countries.
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THE HARD TRUTH STORY FARZEEN ASHIK
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s parents, we want the best for our kids. It almost seems like we keep wanting to raise the bar, so we turn into Supermoms and Superdads. But in the process, do we end up becoming a bit over-protective, aggressive, pushy, or overconcerned? Don’t think so? Let’s take a quick, hard look then. Are you the one finishing your child’s homework and school projects? Is it ultimately your responsibility to ensure that your child’s deadlines are met and work is submitted on time or even that the school bag has the right books for the lessons the next day? Do you take it as a personal affront if your child gets a low grade and get an immediate itch to send an email to the teacher about it? Do you pack your teen’s lunch box and iron his/her uniform? Does
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Farzeen Ashik is the author of the prize-winning novel ‘Rainbow Dorm Diaries-The Yellow Dorm’.
your child look at you when someone asks him/her about what he/she wants to do when he/she is older? A whole lot of parents will nod reluctantly. Let’s face the fact that we are a generation of helicopter parents. So, what is helicopter parenting? The term “helicopter parent” was first used in Dr Haim Ginott’s 1969 book Between Parent and Teenager, by teens, who said their parents would hover over them like a helicopter. The term became popular enough to become a dictionary entry in 2011. There might be a whole section of readers who strongly believe that they are doing nothing but their duty as good parents to be so involved in the lives of their children. The fact that there could be such a thing as over-involvement does not even occur to them. But as parents, don’t we also have a responsibility to make sure
our kids grow up making their own little mistakes and facing their challenges and fears? Here are some reasons why you should stop hovering over your children. LOW SELF-ESTEEM If you are constantly around then your children will get used to turning to mommy or daddy for all the answers. Not only that, they will start losing confidence in themselves and their instincts. Every time they make a decision, they will feel the need to run to you and check whether they are right. That’s because your constant presence sends out the signal that you don’t trust their judgement. LOWER ADAPTABILITY Kids today will be adults tomorrow and before you know it, they will be out there
battling it on their own. They have to graduate, get jobs, find partners, and finally raise their own children. Looking at your gawky teenagers now and imagining them doing all that will certainly seem remote to you but you have to start envisioning them doing things by themselves. Give them opportunities to adapt to different scenarios and challenges. Else, they will be misfits in the real world. ENTITLEMENT If mommy is going to polish his shoes and daddy is going to call up the teacher every time he gets a bad grade, then what is the son going to learn? He will think that there is someone always there to clean up his mess and pamper him. In this day and age, no woman is going to tolerate a husband who is an over-
grown baby. Not only that, your children will grow up thinking that they deserve certain things, like graduating from Oxbridge or living in the cool side of town, instead of working hard and earning the fruits. NO LIFE SKILLS Who will respect your children if they can’t make themselves a cuppa or boil an egg? I know girls who’ve never cleaned their rooms or made their beds. How are such children going to live alone in some far away city all by themselves managing a full course load, keeping their hostel rooms clean, doing basic cooking, having enough clean socks and underwear, and finding time to have a social life? These things don’t happen overnight. We have to train them to take care of themselves and it should start early.
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HI WE E KLY
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GNOME ALONE
LAST FLAG FLYING
THE MIDNIGHT MAN
Cast: Becky G, Josh Peck, and Tara Strong
Cast: Bryan Cranston, Laurence Fishburne and Steve Carell
Cast: Lin Shaye, Robert Englund, Gabrielle Haugh, Grayson Gabriel and Emily Haine
When Chloe discovers that her new home’s garden gnomes are not what they seem, she must decide between the pursuit of a desired high school life and taking up the fight against the Troggs.
Thirty years after they served in Vietnam, a former Navy Corpsman Larry “Doc” Shepherd re-unites with his old buddies, former Marines Sal Nealon and Reverend Richard Mueller, to bury his son, a Marine killed in the Iraq War.
Alex lives in an old mansion where she cares for her mentally ill grandmother. While searching for an ornate mirror Alex and Miles stumble across a box buried deep inside an old chest in the attic.
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PARI Cast: Anushka Sharma Kohli and Parambrata Chatterjee Pari is an upcoming Indian supernatural horror film. While the plot has been kept as a secret Anushka Sharma’s character in the trailers show her getting slowly bruised. In another teaser she is seen watching a cartoon on television and has a bruised face. Her hands and feet, also bruised, are locked up in chains and the nails of her feet start growing fast. In another scene Anushka and Parambrata are sitting on a couch, watching television when Anushka utters an eerie ‘I love you.’ A creepy smile is exchanged between the couple and the camera pans to the other side of the sofa, where Anushka’s character sees a bloody and battered version of herself. Keep guessing the story till you reach the theatres. Running at: Vox Cinemas, City Cinemas
Cast: Jayasurya, Anu Sithara and Ranji Panicker The film is a visual window into the life of the Indian Captain who was born to V. P. Gopalan Nair and Narayani Amma, married to Anitha and had a daughter named Athira. Captain is about V. P. Sathyan’s personal life, his struggles, depression and finally, death.
DEATH WISH Cast: Bruce Willis, Vincent D’Onofrio, Elisabeth Shue, Camila Morrone and Dean Norris Dr Paul Kersey is a surgeon who only sees the aftermath of his city’s violence as it’s rushed into his ER -until his wife and college-age daughter are viciously attacked in their suburban.
COMING SOON
CAPTAIN (Malayalam)
THE SHAPE OF WATER Cast: Sally Hawkins, Octavia Spencer, Michael Shannon
GRINGO Cast: : David Oyelowo, Charlize Theron and Joel Edgerton
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IRRESISTIBLE MILK CAKE
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ur first tryst with this unique dessert took place a year ago. We were in Dubai at an event and a plate full of pure magic was placed before us. It was presented to us as the chef’s signature dessert, known as milk cake, which not only attracted eyeballs but also tasted irresistible. In short, it was love at first bite. This week, we are taking you on a sweet adventure to Oman’s latest food fascination. So, what on earth is a milk cake? It’s a dreamy treat that takes the form of a soft, ultra-moist sponge cake drenched in a mixture of three types of milk: evaporated milk, sweet condensed milk, and heavy cream. It is then frosted with whipped cream and sprinkled with a topping of your choice.
The concept seemed like quite a mystery and we decided to dig deeper to find out more about our new favourite treat. Some research later, we found out that milk cake is believed to have the influences of the medieval era, which also introduced us to the likes of the Italian tiramisu and British trifle. The milk cake, however, originated in Mexico and was called tres leches. With our limited knowledge of Spanish, we only managed to understand that tres leches means three types of milk. Those who had the pleasure of indulging in this dessert would testify to its creamy, flaky taste, which is to die for. Now, some bakers love their cakes super soaked and perfectly moist, while others tend to leave the edges a bit dry. Some prefer it with a few drops of milk on the top, while others place it in a bath of milk. And the cherry on the top is that it remains moist for hours. The spongy cake retains moisture without falling apart or becoming soggy; it’s simply a dream for those with a sweet tooth. There are countless variations of the milk cake, but plain, rosewater, pistachio, and saffron are quite popular in town. Our absolute favourite was the rosewater cake. The subtle, floral fragrance of rose was just unbeatable.
CAKE GALLERY Qurum; Al Khuwair; Al Mawaleh +968 2448 4432 RICHOUX Opera Galleria, Qurum +968 9310 0100 ACHES FOR CAKES Azaiba, Bousher +968 9676 7284
At Richoux, they serve the three of the popular variations, as well as a new flavour for the chocoholics, made with Nutella. At the cafe, we decided to have a milk cake party and ordered the four flavours. The desserts came in deep, round plate, bathed in a pool of flavoured milk, and topped with a frosting. The presentation was eye-catching. Of the four two stood out when it came to flavours. The rosewater was an obvious winner as the refreshing aroma of roses mingled well with the soft pastry. They were adorned with edible flowers that added a crunch to the cake. The runner up was the pistachio cake; it was soft and moist, but had a fantastic nutty flavour. The frosting was sprinkled with a bunch of nuts, serving that desired crunch. Are you hungry or curious? Do you feel like taking a bite of these treats? Head over to Richoux Cafe (pictures), Cake Gallery, and Aches for Cakes to savour them in all their milky glory.
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SUDOKU
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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
6
3
7
5 8
4 3
3 6
8
5 6
8
1
3
1 4
7
9
3 6
9
5 1
8
1
7 3
9 4
2
Level | Moderate
9 4
8 6 3
6
5 3
5
4
3
9
9
1
5
2 8
2
3
6
8
3
5
MASS EFFECT
1
7
7 6
2
1
3
5
7
Level | Difficult
3 9 8
2 3
4
6
5
7 6
4
3
7
5
9 2
7
1
4
9
3 4
6
7 3
2
THIS WEEK’S SOLUTIONS
3
Easy
5
Medium
Difficult
IN THE YEAR 2148, humanity finally council’s best fighters, who act as their found an answer to the question ‘are we left arm, and do what needs to be done to alone?’ The answer is a resounding ‘yes’. keep the world safe. Humanity has discovered that inHumanity’s doggedness, though, sees terstellar space travel is now possible, Commander Shepard become the first thanks to the existence of portals known human to join this Special Tactics and as mass relays. These relays provide Recon unit, with his first assignment bespaceships with the momening to answer an emergency tum – based on the mass of distress beacon activated by THE SHORT AND the ship – required to jump soldiers on the planet of Eden SKINNY from one solar system to the Prime, where massive ships of Name: Mass Effect other. This ‘Mass Effect’ has alien make are decimating the Producers: BioWare allowed humanity to not just local populace and the forces Genre: Sci-fi/RPG/Action colonise other worlds, but stationed there. What it’s about: The interact with several diverse When Shepard and Lt Milky Way Galaxy is about races of alien species. Kaidan Alenko are sent to into face the biggest threat Welcome to the world vestigate, they’re instructed it has ever encountered. of Mass Effect, Bioware’s to team up with Turian SpecHumanity’s finest has standout RPG. Or one of their tre Nihlus. Landing at Eden answered the call, and he’s finest, anyway – Dragon Age Prime, Shepard and Alenko made sure that humanity is pretty awesome too. find far more than they’ve and its allies are not going Mass Effect is set in the bargained for – the geth (a to go out without a fight year 2183, when the humans race of mechanised artificial Where to buy: Massefhave joined the scientificallyintelligences) have taken over fect.com. Steam Store, gifted, reptilian Salarians, vast swathes of the planet Origin, G2A.com, the militaristic, communal and are either slaughtering Amazon, Microsoft Store, ornithological Turians, and or capturing as many of its PlayStation Store, Xbox the wise, all-female surprisinhabitants. They seem to be Marketplace ingly long-lived Asari on the searching for a beacon conPlatforms: Xbox 360, Citadel, the home of the Milky structed by the Protheans, Way’s galactic government. a now-extinct race of aliens Although humanity is now that at one point were the part of the intergalactic community, the pinnacle of civilisation, and controlled other three races which make up the Cit- an empire that spanned galaxies. adel Council – the galaxy’s top politicians Mass Effect is the sort of game that – see the humans as too impulsive and ropes you in over and over again, because unpredictable, and are therefore unwillof the bond that is shared between Sheping to give them a say in galactic politics, ard and his crew aboard the SSV Norand seem extremely reluctant to even let mandy, one of the galaxy’s fastest ships, humanity join the order of Spectres, the of joint human-turian construction.
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Celebrities from the Mollywood industry entertained the audience at Oman Automobile Club recently. The event titled ‘Vismaya Sandhya’ featured well-known Malayalam actors, singers and comedy artistes. – Photos by Purushothaman K.
VOLUME 11 ISSUE 11 MARCH 1, 2018
Muscat Gujarati Samaj, the Gujarati Wing of Indian Social Club Oman, recently staged a play ‘Rang Rangeela Gujjubhai’ at the Le Grand Hall, Al Falaj Hotel.
Indian School Wadi Kabir held a Valediction ceremony to bid farewell to Grade XII batch of graduating students who are to appear in the forthcoming CBSE Board examination in March this year.
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ROLLS-ROYCE OMAN WINS TWO TITLES AT ROLLS-ROYCE REGIONAL AWARD SHOW
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l Jenaibi International Automobiles, the exclusive importer and authorised dealer of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars in Oman, has been presented with two highly sought-after customer care awards at this year’s RollsRoyce Regional Dealership Conference and Award Show. Held last month, Al Jenaibi International Automobiles was presented with the ‘Spirit of Ecstasy Award for Aftersales Dealer of the Year’ while the ‘Certificate of Excellence for Aftersales’ was presented to valued Al Jenaibi employee, Adam Amos.
Al Jenaibi won the highly-coveted ‘Aftersales Dealer of the Year’ title for demonstrating the true meaning of Rolls-Royce levels of service with its highly-trained and dedicated team paying attention to the smallest details and treating each and every customer as the company’s most important asset. Adam Amos was awarded with the ‘Certificate of Excellence for Aftersales’ after he demonstrated excellence in handling customer complaints and queries as well as in achieving his aftersales targets as set by Al Jenaibi.
Vinay Piparsania, CEO of Al Jenaibi International Automobiles Oman, said: “Winning the ‘Spirit of Ecstasy Award for Aftersales Dealer of the Year’ and the ‘Certificate of Excellence for Aftersales’ is a wonderful achievement for everyone at Al Jenaibi and recognition of the great work and dedication the company has when it comes to providing our clients with the best. “This award means a great deal as it shows the great commitment and attention that goes into all of our aftersales efforts. “At Al Jenaibi we pride ourselves on
providing the highest levels of customer care in keeping with the long and proud Omani tradition of hospitality and friendship. It is important that our customers feel looked after and their needs expertly catered to throughout their relationship with Al Jenaibi. “Everyone at Al Jenaibi is extremely proud of Adam Amos, who has consistently performed his duties with exceptional skill, care and attention to detail. The award of ‘Certificate of Excellence for Aftersales’ is a well-deserved reward for his dedication and hard work.”
GIRNAR TEA WILL NOW BE AVAILABLE IN OMAN
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well-established brand in India, Girnar tea, is now making inroads in the Oman market with its innovative range of brew crafted by master blenders. The official launch in the country was marked by the presence of Sachin Bhansali, Director – Girnar Food & Beverage Pvt Ltd who announced the range that has been introduced in the market. Barakat Muscat International is the sole distributors for Girnar tea in Oman. Girnar’s tea line in Oman will offer connoisseurs a variety of blends that would include instant premixes, teabags as well as loose tea and detox kahwa. Girnar premixes are convenient and handy for those who want to grab a good cup of tea on the go. A ready combination of tea, milk, sugar and spice, this convenient single-serve sachet instantly dissolves in hot water for a refreshing taste of goodness of real brewed tea that is 100 per cent natural. The premixes will be available in cardamom, ginger and masala blends. On the other hand, the teabag collection would incorporate karak, masala, green tea and cardamom while Girnar Royal, karak and masala will be available as loose
tea for those who like to make their tea the traditional way. One of the bestsellers, Girnar Detox Kahwa not only helps to detox, as the name itself suggests, but also has numerous health benefits. It is especially good for seasonal cough and cold, as well as relieves the discomfort of bloated stomach. It comprises green tea, select spices and herbs such as black pepper, ginger, tulsi, asafoetida, clove, cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, and rock salt. “The selection of the varieties that will be launched in Oman has been made after understanding the tastes and preferences of those living in the region,” stated Araj Mohandas, CEO – Barakat Muscat International. Subsequently, in the coming months more varieties of premix and green tea will be incorporated to reach a wider audience. One of the top five tea exporters of the world, Girnar tea is sourced from the world’s finest tea plantations in India and Sri Lanka. It is processed and packaged in the state-of-the-art plants in Gujarat and Sri Lanka to ensure that each cup of the tea is consistently good in flavour and quality.