from the desk
APRIL 2011 Vol 8 No 96 EDITORIAL EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Salman Ibrahim Al Balushi GROUP EDITOR Mayank Singh DEPUTY EDITORS Rekha Baala Rana Alawneh ASSISTANT EDITOR Deepa Rajan CORRESPONDENTS Sushmita Sarkhel Myssaa Said Al Hinai DESIGN SENIOR ART DIRECTOR Sandesh S. Rangnekar ART DIRECTOR Minaal G. Pednekar SENIOR DESIGNERS Aliya Al Waheibi Rashida SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER Rajesh Burman PHOTOGRAPHERS Sathyadas C. Narayanan Motasim Abdulla Al Balushi PRODUCTION MANAGER Govindraj Ramesh ADVERTISING & MARKETING ADVERTISING MANAGER Pooja Verma ASSISTANT ADVERTISING MANAGER Fareeda Sulaiman Al Balushi MEDIA EXECUTIVE Benaifer CORPORATE CHIEF EXECUTIVE Sandeep Sehgal EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Alpana Roy VICE PRESIDENT Ravi Raman SENIOR BUSINESS SUPPORT EXECUTIVE Radha Kumar BUSINESS SUPPORT EXECUTIVE Zuwaina Al Rashdi DISTRIBUTION United Media Services LLC
HEALTH FOR ALL In the multi-tasking run of our lives, we as women, always tend to put others’ health and happiness ahead of ours. It may be unintentional but when it comes to health, we always put those ‘womanly instincts’ on the backburner. We tend to ignore those little aches and pains and the signals our bodies give us. And drag ourselves to the doctor only when things go out of hand. On the occasion of World Health Day, we have a few special pages dedicated to health in this month’s issue of Al Mar’a. Pay special attention to the Child Nutrition Campaign that brings to the fore the need for your child to have healthy eating habits to combat malnutrition. We also tell you why it’s important to take care of your health at every age. A woman’s health is also her family’s health. Here good health does not just mean being physically fit; it also includes mental well-being. So make your health and your family’s health top priority. Begin by being and staying informed. Learn to manage stress, eat healthy and get regular health check-ups. Also learn to surround yourself with positivity, especially people. Fill up your lives with good and healthy food. Listen to soothing and relaxing music that keeps you calm! Keep aside some ‘me-time’ for yourself every month. Set your mind free and see your spirits soar. Feel healthy to be healthy. See you next month. Until then, stay cool, people!
Published by United Press & Publishing LLC A Renaissance Services Company
P.O. Box 3305, Ruwi, Postal Code 112, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman. Tel: 00 968 24700896 Fax: 00 968 24707939 e-mail: almara@umsoman.com website: www.umsoman.com All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the express permission of the publishers. Copyright © 2011 United Press & Publishing LLC Printed in the Sultanate of Oman at Oman Printers & Stationers
e-magazine – logon to www.oeronline.com or email us at almara@umsoman.com to get your personal e-magazine.
What’s inside...
16
APRIL 2011 VOL 8 NO 96
WORLD HEALTH DAY SPECIAL
16 The ‘Child Nutrition Campaign’ in Oman and why prevention is always better than cure. 20 Some crazy fad diets celebrities have made famous... 24 How to take care of your health in your 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s...
COVER DESIGN: SANDESH S. RANGNEKAR
28
VOICES
The youth of today on freedom of expression and how social media is playing a huge part.
15
FEATURES
AM RECOMMENDS
Try the Thai Massage at Grand Spa. It has many physical, mental and psychological benefits.
54
TOP DRIVE
Al Mar’a test drives the BMW Gran Turismo
PEOPLE 36 INSPIRATION
Mothers talk about their ‘special’ children... Real-life stories that are lessons in optimism, strength and self-belief.
SOLUTIONS
WHAT-A-MAN
Football’s golden boy, Fernando Torres and why he’s hot on the field and off it!
48 40 PROFILE
32 EXCLUSIVE
Ayisha Al Ma’wali, advisor at Central Bank of Oman on life and work...
FOOD
WELL-BEING
There’s a certainly a wonderful connect between music and well-being, says Dr. Prema Seshadri.
52 HEALTH PLUS A Q&A session with Dr Smita Lulla, Obstetrician & Gynaecologist.
56 AT HOME
Practical ideas for your home and you...
IN EVERY ISSUE
72 CUISINE
Some delicious breads to make every meal truly special.
Your Say Life, etc Stargazing News, etc Reviews
FASHION & BEAUTY
53
34 PERSONA
Meet Ilham Al Toqi, Omani violinist who speaks on all things music.
Egyptian blogger and author Ghada Abdel Aal on her blog, book and highly popular TV series.
64
The Spring-Summer Collection from Rami Al Ali creates a ‘ripple’ effect!
42 BEAUTY BUZZ
Take care of your hands for they reflect the person you are, says Fatma O. Ali. CEO, Emirates Medical Centre.
44 BEAUTY PLUS
The Beauty Art Institute provides training and expertise for those wanting to make a career in the industry...
61
BEAUTY ZONE
•TOP FRAGRANCES OF THE SEASON. • THE LATEST IN SKINCARE PRODUCTS. • MAKE-UP MUST-HAVES.
WE’VE GOT MAIL
Address your letters to: The Editor, Al Mar’a, United Media Services, P.O. Box: 3305, PC 112, Ruwi, Sultanate of Oman or fax us at 24707939 or e-mail us at almaraoman@gmail.com
SUPER ACHIEVERS
The youth are the backbone of every nation. And with Oman having a large youth population, your focus on Young Achievers was a welcome and refreshing change. These women have proved that there are no limits to what we can achieve, except the ones we place on ourselves. Each of the women featured have made it through sheer hard work, grit and determination and this shone through their stories. And what diverse careers they have chosen! It was particularly interesting to read about Amira Al Saidi, the public prosecutor, Shayma Al Mughairi, the artist and Dalia Al Hassani, the Sultanate first 3G engineer. Hats off to the other women featured too… for they sought success on their own terms and were not afraid to reach out for the stars! Looking forward to more stories of these kind! Keep up the good work, Al Mar’a! SOUMYA RAGHAVAN DARSAIT
RIDING ON THE WAVES
Wow! The story on Layla Mohsin Nowrooz really took my breath away. And so did the photographs, especially the one of her on the mast of the sailing boat! And what an achievement! To be the GCC’s first offshore sailor is a great feat indeed. This is one gutsy woman who has attempted to go where no woman in the GCC has gone before and we should all be very proud of her. In the article, she also comes across as a very down-to-earth person content with her passion for her job, rather than speaking volumes about it. She sure has shown the world, the stuff women are made of! SHAIMA KHAN DARSAIT
6
APRIL 2011
SHOPPERS’ DELIGHT
Thank you, Al Mar’a for showing a side to Istanbul that I never knew of! I am all set to make a trip to Istanbul for the Istanbul Shopping Fest. Turkey was on the itinerary for my annual holiday and your feature all about shopping bargains has clinched the decision in Istanbul’s favour. KATE RICHARDS QURUM
WOMEN’S DOMAIN
The feature on the women’s souq in Ibra came across as a breath of fresh air. It not only brought out the Sultanate’s rich culture and heritage but also the fact that women enjoy a high status here, as proved by the souq that is totally a woman’s domain. I loved the
AWE-INSPIRING
way the article took us through the liveliness and exuberance of the marketplace and what was available there. It has prompted me to go there one Wednesday and see for myself what is on offer. RITA DHAWAN GHUBRA
GLOWING TRIBUTE Your tribute to H.E. Dr. Rajiha bint Abdulamir bin Ali, Minister of Tourism brought tears to my eyes. It was a moving account of the woman who was a wife, mother and minister and how she excelled in all these roles. It brought out different facets of her personality and achievements that we did not know about. A wonderful tribute, indeed! SHAYMAA AL RIYAMI QURUM
I read your article on Layla Mohsin Nowrooz, Sailing High in your last issue. It is very inspiring and the story speaks about the girl’s grit and determination and also confidence above all to convince her family of her conviction. Kudos to this generation of achievers, who can work their way to the top, completely passion-driven, in a desire to do something different. As an expatriate, I am enlightened to know about the progress of women in this part of the world. I wish those who live in the other parts of the world also know about this, giving away with many misconceptions about Middle East. IRA GHOSH AL KHUWAIR.
INTERVIEW NEWS
Get Closer All Nawras customers, here’s an incredible offer coming your way! As part of its sixth anniversary celebrations, Nawras is offering the lowest mobile call rates where all Nawras to Nawras calls will be only 10 baisas a minute on Friday, allowing you to get closer to your friends and family while enjoying fantastic value. The offer ends on midnight on April 22. So make the best use of it! And keep connected!
Perfect Finish Perfect skin is not just a dream. The new Match Perfection Range from Rimmel just works right for you. Match Perfection Range features SmartTone™ Technology, which mimics the skin’s texture and tone for superior blendability and a flawless finish. Secondly, Rimmel uses blue sapphire pigments, which deliver a more accurate, fresher colour. And thirdly, the formulation is enhanced with an Oxygenating Complex, which lets skin breathe, giving a more naturally radiant looking appearance and ensuring the colour stays truer for longer. Go, get it right now!
Timeless Luxury
Reap the Rewards
All for love With love in the air and a twinkle in every eye, this Valentine season Towell Auto Centre (TAC) took it upon themselves to do something memorable for their patrons by organising and supporting several Valentine’s promotions across Oman. Some of the promotions and events organised by TAC during the Valentine’s period included ‘spot the Mazda V-mobile’, ‘buy a Mazda3, and win a premium gift hamper’, and the ‘Sea Pearls You n Me Contest for Hi Couple 2011’. Under the ‘spot the V-Mobile contest’ promotion, Ronald Truno won a premium gift hamper (RayBan sunglasses and weekend getaway at Al Nahda Resort and Spa). Every Mazda3 customer also got the gift hamper along with a ‘Mazda TLC package’ that included soft cushions, a car fragrance and a 5-year extended dealer warranty, under this year’s Valentines promotion. There were other events too... and all in all it was one big celebration! 8
APRIL 2011
If you are a HSBC premier customer, there’s a lot of special offers coming your way. The bank is currently offering premier customers and successful referrals, rewards more than 200 riyals. The offer is available exclusively for the Bank’s signature ‘HSBC Premier’ account holders, who introduce a new successful ‘HSBC Premier’ relationship, or new customers opening ‘HSBC Premier’ accounts before the end of this month. The incentive includes a one night stay at the Grand Hyatt Muscat in addition to a one year ‘Advantage’ membership entitling customers to discounts in restaurants and lounges, complimentary birthday and anniversary cakes as well as pool passes. The limited offer will also grant customers a free ‘Club Hotel’ membership card, entitling them to benefits in more than 700 hotels worldwide. Wow, can it get any better than that?
Pamper your skin From Givenchy comes the Vax’in for Youth, an age-defying revolution that uses a completely innovative approach to prevent the appearance of the premature signs of ageing by stimulating its own prevention and repair functions. This vaccine-like serum is formulated with a unique complex capable of generating micro-stimuli, which encourage the skin’s cells to produce their own age-defying protein HSP70. The velvety, non-greasy formula preserves the skin’s youthful appearance, strengthens and repairs the skin’s defence mechanisms, and slows down wrinkle formation for a more luminous complexion.
Your quest for a luxurious mobile phone ends here. From Vertu comes the smartphone, Constellation Quest. It has been created to seamlessly complement and enhance a discerning lifestyle. The home screen is uncluttered, displaying only the essentials as chosen by the customer. These may include e-mail notifications, calendar appointments and selected news feeds. Also featured is a Vertu design signature – an analogue clock – which automatically adjusts to the user’s location. For more info, contact Khimji’s Watches.
NEWS
Get the whiff
Smart & Stylish
From Amouage’s Library Collection, now comes Opus V, Creative Director Christopher Chong’s new fragrance that is a floral and a woody neoclassical masterpiece. The raw and classical beauty of Orris and the seductive resonance of Agarwood strike a perfect balance that allows each to manifest symphonically in a trance-like aura while the Rose at the top and heart notes expresses many nuances; fragmented yet unremitting in an ingenious composition. The fragrance is rounded off with an opulent leathery and woody base. Truly an enchanting creation!
Here’s the latest must-have... Samsung and Google’s packaged smart phone, the Nexus S. The strikingly sophisticated 4-inch Super AMOLED touch screen phone is crafted with a curved design for comfort when held against the ear and has a sleek appearance. The brilliant Contour Display provides a premium viewing experience whether you are viewing Facebook photos, watching YouTube videos or simply browsing the web. Moreover, you will also be able to truly enjoy your photography experience with the 5 megapixel rear facing camera and camcorder, as well as a VGA front facing camera. For the multi-tasking woman, it’s certainly a smart companion.
A matter of trust
Moms’ day out It was fun and activities galore at the Busy Bees Nursery on Mother’s Day last month. Mothers had a wonderful time with games and competitions during the special evening. There was some dancing too and surprise gifts distributed during the event. There was also an awareness session by health experts on the importance of healthy eating. A special day for special people!
10 APRIL 2011
Al Qurum Jewellery, the official dealers of Patek Philippe recently played host to Thierry Stern, the president of Patek Philippe who visited Oman for the first time. “Patek Philippe is about a complication and art and it is indeed a matter of pride for us to be associated to the prestigious brand for 25 years now. We take this opportunity to thank Patek Philippe for trusting us and letting us be their image carrier in the country, a task we have accomplished with excellence,” said Hamza Ali Awadh, the director of Al Qurum Jewellery. Patek Philippe, watch makers for generations continue their legacy of being the most ideal time piece manufacturers around the globe, via sophisticated technology and impeccable design.
Helping Hand For multi-tasking women, here’s a kitchen appliance that understands their every need. Moulinex has launched the Faciclic blender which comes with 400 watts motor power and two-speed plus Pulse function. It also comes with a 1.5 litre blender jar and two attachments. The Mini Chopper attachment is ideal for chopping in seconds and the mini grinder can be used for all dry grinding jobs like grinding of pepper, coriander seeds nuts and cereals. The blender jar is very useful for making fresh fruit juices and milk shakes. Moulinex is distributed in Oman by Khimji Ramdas LLC and is available at all leading hyper markets and electronic stores across Oman including Khimji’s Luxury & Lifestyle outlets.
Keeping Time When the curtain raises on the next edition of the Olympic games, Swiss watchmaker OMEGA will assume its timekeeping role for the 25th time. To commemorate the occasion, OMEGA has created the Seamaster Aqua Terra 44 London Chronograph in two configurations. One features a bicolour case crafted from 18 Ct red gold and stainless steel and presented on an integrated black leather strap. The other is made of rugged stainless steel and is presented on a matching bracelet. The bold 44 mm case is polished and brushed and has a polished bezel. The distinctive blue PVD-coated dial features the characteristic vertically striped teak-pattern dial which has contributed to the enormous popularity of OMEGA’s Aqua Terra family. Omega watches are available in Oman at Mistal.
Green Initiative
Yum-Yum Here’s some yummy news! Pinkberry, the frozen yoghurt store of choice among Hollywood superstars, has made its debut in Oman with the opening of its first store in Oman at Muscat City Centre. You can enjoy a delightful cup of non-fat frozen yoghurt at Pinkberry with five distinct mouth-watering flavours of original, chocolate, passion fruit, pomegranate and coconut to choose from. And what’s even more delightful is that Pinkberry is fat free!
Catch’em young, goes the catchphrase. Keeping this and the green cause in mind, Panasonic organised a Eco Diary contest in which students between six and 12 years old from across the region took part. They also participated in an eco-workshop to design a hybrid car. The competition, which began on September 13, 2010, ran for a month, and the children had to illustrate and express the same in writing about any eco-friendly activity carried out at school or at home that are linked to protecting and saving the environment in the special “Eco Picture Diary”. Winners were also awarded at a special function. Novel idea indeed!
More is more
Attractive Duo Here’s more on mobile news. From LG comes two new flagship devices, the LG Optimus 3D, a stunning super-smartphone with unparalleled 3D performance, and the LG Optimus Pad, a true Android tablet optimised with Honeycomb OS designed to offer the full viewing experience of a tablet while still being easy to hold with one hand. The LG Optimus 3D packs exceptional features with performance in mind, including an advanced dual-core, dual-channel and dual-memory architecture. The LG Optimus Pad sets a new standard for tablets by utilising an 8.9-inch display in a form factor that’s comfortable to use one-handed. Both are power-packed with an incredible array of features. Check them out!
Beauty Buzz There’s a new full-fledged beauty centre in town. Saharz Beauty Centre at Madinat Qaboos offers you the benefits of both a beauty salon and a spa. Guests can expect the latest in hair care, colour services, a full range of skincare, waxing and makeup services in addition to a dedicated nail care section. The spa section expected to open soon will offer the latest in wellness treatments. Drop by for a rejuvenating experience.
Applauding women It was day for women to revel in the different shades of being a woman. On International Women’s Day, Ernst & Young, hosted a high-tea seminar with the theme ‘Keys to Success’ for its female employees at the Grand Hyatt Muscat. ‘Keys to Success’ had two of Oman’s leading female business leaders providing an insight into their professional lives, reflecting on their career development and analysing what success means to them. It also honoured Mazoon Al Lamki, Senior Consultant, Advisory Service Line as ‘Ernst & Young Female Role Model 2011’ for living and promoting EY values.
Check out the new Spring Collection from Max. The girls’ spring collection is all about girly fun and inspired by nature and freshness. Women’s wear at Max, has a brand new look for spring. Colours are light and soft, prints are fresher and it’s all about shedding those winter garments and getting ready for the sun. The homespun chic look is big this season with washed colours mixed with denim blues. Floral prints are mixed with crochet and lace detailing capturing the naive folksy feel. Chambray denim is important for this look with a variety of shirts, skirts, tops and trousers on offer. A variety of plaids is available, from pretty checks and washed plaids to micro ginghams. The Military look is also continuing this season with olive green, brown and earthy tones. There’s something new for children and men as well… Get the ‘hot’ spring look!
APRIL 2011 11
NEWS
Fresh & Floral
A fun day!
You like Kenzo Amour? You’ll like the new version even better! The original composition, a bouquet of scented sensations inspired by travels comes in a new, fresh scent, L’eau de Kenzo Amour. The crystal-clear c impact of sparkling bergamot, tea berga and bitter orange, b a rich floral heart delicate peony of delic acacia melt and aca exotic flowers over exo ylang-ylang and of ylangfrangipani blossoms frangipa blend to form the signature scent. The signat tender tende base lingers in sweetness sw with vanilla, incense and inc white musks. w Welcome to a W new n olfactory stroll… have st a fragrant journey! jo
It was a programme for women, by women, to celebrate women. Al Mar’a was there at the special Women’s Day celebration at Copper Chimney on March 8 and witness to loads of activities, laughter, dance and foot-tapping music. The chief guest of the programme was Ayisha Al Maw’ali, Advisor, Central Bank of Oman who spoke on the empowerment and role of women in today’s world. Prema Nagesh offered some tips on yoga and Dr. Bala from Apollo Medical Centre educated the women on health and fitness. It was truly a wonderful and festive morning!
World of Colours For the first time in Oman, Jotun Paints introduces the ‘Color Eye’ tool that can measure up to four colours simultaneously with high accuracy and backed by an extensive colour database. It is highly recommended for Jotun dealers, distributors and professionals in the design and decorative segment like architects and interior designers. The ‘Color Eye’ can take 27 colour-accurate images in less than one second. The images are taken from three different angles that search for the best matching colour from its database. Users can widely benefit from the tool — from measuring interior and exterior surfaces to harmonising, rendering and matching colours. The handy tool also provides its users with key information like the Jotun name, number and NCS number of the colour being measured.
For a cause The Embassy of the Republic of Turkey organised a Turkish Charity Bazaar that was held on March 12 and 13 at the Omani Women’s Association. It was in aid of the underprivileged in both the countries. There were many activities during the two-day event and a raffle draw was also held.
Right Connection This is good news indeed! Omantel has achieved the distinguished milestone of having its Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) Core services certified under the internationally renowned ISO 27001 Standards. The achievement shows the commitment of Omantel and its focus on adopting and implementing global standards and best practices to ensure effectiveness, efficiency, confidentiality and integrity of data transmitted through its MPLS infrastructure. Such a system offers the secure connectivity and reliability that an increasing number of company’s corporate customers are finding essential to help with their business. 12 APRIL 2011
Arabian Fantasy It takes inspiration from one of the world’s most epic tales of romances, fantasy and intrigue. Mouawad introduces the ‘The Mouawad 1001 Nights Diamond Purse’, a breath-taking creation that takes its place in the Guinness Book of World Records as the most valuable handbag in the world. The heart-shaped purse, handcrafted from 18K gold, incorporates 4,517 diamonds (105 yellow, 56 pink and 4,356 colourless) with a total weight of 381.92 carats. This bejewelled masterpiece was designed by world renowned Robert Mouawad and hand crafted by ten highly skilled artisans and is the second record-breaking creation from the House of Mouawad.
NEWS
Special Day It was a fun day for women at the special get-together for Priority Banking women customers of BankMuscat on Mother’s Day. The presence of a large number of customers reiterated the trust and confidence reposed by them in BankMuscat. The programme included a raffle draw and gifts to all attendees. Priority Banking is a specialised high-end service offered to an identified category of clients. A host of powerful banking features and lifestyle benefits are in-built into Priority Banking membership.
Music of the soul It was a wonderful setting. Fairy lights, a bright ‘supermoon’ and music that tugged at the heart-strings! We are talking of ‘Spring Tunes 2’ the annual music concert by the Art of Living Oman Chapter held at the Embassy Lawns last month that featured singer Vikram Hazra. He didn’t just play music; he opened a doorway for audiences to touch their own soul. A wave of positive energy surged through and uplifted all those present. Vikram Hazra is known internationally for his unique style of music, fusing ancient Sanskrit chants and secular wisdom with the sounds of the electric guitar to create a genre that transcends boundaries, uplifts the spirit and scintillates the audience. The aim of the concert was to raise awareness and interest about the Art of Living’s two educational projects – ‘Gift A Smile’ – a educational project for under privileged children in rural India and the ‘Yes We Can’ Programme for the empowerment of Omani youth.
Summer fun
Grace & Finesse
Funky prints, easy to breathe fabrics, stunning styles – you can see all this and much more at Babyshop this spring/ summer. The new collection seems to exude energy in terms of its bright colours, vibrant detailing, cool styling and tasteful prints. From toddlerhood to the teens, from casuals to beach wear, the clothing line from Babyshop offers some exciting designs which will make your kids’ wardrobe glow even more in the sunshine. To complete and enhance the look, stores also offer a wide variety of accessories and toys. We love it… and so will your kids!
The Audi A7 is all set to make a splash on Oman’s roads. This five-door, luxury-class coupe with a unique combination of prestige, sportiness and functionality blends together the benefits of a saloon, a coupe and a station wagon. On the interior Audi again gives proof of its leading role in automotive design. The A7 offers a new level of technical intelligence with logical, self-explanatory ergonomics. The extensive standard equipment includes the four-zone automatic air Audi offers the A7 with a 300 hp 3.0 TFSI engine an S tronic transmission and the latest generation quattro permanent all-wheel drive system as a standard. Its efficiency sets new standards in the vehicle class and features a recuperation system and thermal management as a standard. All this and more... Book a test-drive and check out, now!
14 APRIL 2011
RECOMMENDS
Where: Grand Spa Muscat Tel: 95588880
What’s it all about:
Thai massage is an ancient technique and is more energising and rigorous than the classic forms of massage. It is a combination of yoga stretching, calmness of meditation, with acupressure, exercise movement and reflexology that makes it a healing art. The Thai Massage has innumerable benefits. These include physical, mental and psychological benefits.
Physical benefits
• It increases blood circulation
and lowers blood pressure. • It’s good for muscle relaxation, increases flexibility in your muscles and increases mobility. • It improves breathing. • It improves posture, balance, corrects body alignments and dissolves energy blockages. • It improves breathing. • It improves athletic performance. • It helps in arthritis and back ache. • It helps tone the body, strengthen the joints and fights chronic joint problems. • It prevents illnesses and
What: Thai Massage
alleviates degenerative diseases. • It slows down the ageing process.
• Helps develop discipline and self-control. • It raises energy level and stamina. • It creates a natural confidence.
Mental benefits
• It improves your outlook towards life; builds an emotional balance. • Helps with concentration creativity, mind and body concentration. • Clears and calms your mind. • Helps you gain mental clarity.
Psychological effects
• Reduces and relieves stress and anxiety.
How it works
Thai massage is worked on the floor with the client dressed in comfortable and loose clothing. The Thai Massage uses mainly pressure points and stretching of muscles. And it’s not just the hands that are used to free tension stored in the recipient’s body; the feet and the elbows are used as well.
Our Verdict We found the Thai Massage unique as it is a kind of healing massage. It heals a person physically, emotionally and spiritually. It is highly therapeutic as well! Go for it!
APRIL 2011 15
WORLD HEALTH DAY - FEATURE
Buthaina Al Zadjali
Putting I the smallest
t is an alarming statistic. According to the UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) website, malnutrition is the reason for 40 per cent of the 11 million deaths of children under five in developing countries, and lack of immediate and exclusive breastfeeding in infancy causes an additional 1.5 million of these deaths.
FIRST
What is malnutrition among children? And why is it a major cause for concern? Nada Al Rubaiaih throws light on the situation in Oman, the ‘Child Nutrition Campaign’ and speaks to experts on the way forward…
In essence, malnutrition cripples children’s growth, renders them susceptible to disease, dulls their intellect, diminishes their motivation and saps their productivity. What is malnutrition? Contrary to proper belief, it is not always the state of being poorly nourished as a result of too little food. Of course, this is a major reason but it is also a combination of other factors like insufficient protein, energy and micronutrients, frequent infections or disease, poor care and feeding practices, inadequate health services and unsafe water and sanitation.
THE OMANI SCENARIO The National Health Survey conducted by the Ministry of Health in 1999 brought to light that 17.9 per cent of Omani children suffer from malnutrition. It was certainly a cause for concern and so the Ministry promptly constituted a committee to study various aspects of the problem and find solutions. UNICEF Oman and the Ministry of Health launched the ‘Child Nutrition Campaign’ in an effort to raise awareness on the importance of a healthy lifestyle and to promote behavioural changes to combat the problem. “The programme has brought to light the main causes for malnutrition among children in the Sultanate.
16 APRIL 2011
Dr. Samiya Al Ghanami
The findings point out that children consumed the wrong type of food at the wrong ages, leading to lower immunity, higher vulnerability to diseases that in turn, affected learning potential, weight and changes in behaviour,” said Buthaina Al Zadjali, Media & Programme Communications Consultant, UNICEF Oman. The sustained campaign brought about favourable results. The second National Health Survey in 2009 showed a sharp decline in figures with the level of malnutrition showing a sharp decline from 17.9 per cent to a commendable 8.6 per cent. This is expected to further decline to five per cent in 2015.
THE CAMPAIGN The statistics of malnutrition among children in Oman may come as a surprise to many. What are the reasons? We certainly are not a ‘poor’ country where children suffer from lack of food. Buthaina dispels a common misconception. “In the Sultanate, some children suffer from malnutrition due to lack of vitamins and proteins. This type of malnutrition is
Shaykhan Al Robaiey
closely linked to lack of awareness and the absence of spacing between births.” “The child nutrition campaign was initially implemented in the Dakhiliyah and North Sharqiya regions. Health educators advised mothers on the importance of breast-feeding and the quantity of complementary food. These portions were presented as a number of kahwa (coffee) cups. This made it easy for mothers to understand the quantity of food the growing child requires, said Dr. Samiya Al Ghanami, chairperson of the Community Dietary Department at the Ministry of Health. As part of the campaign, a number of publications were distributed and seminars and presentations conducted at schools. Imams of mosques also explained the implications of the situation. Oman Mobile also took part in the campaign by sending SMSs to its subscribers to alert them of the problems and advised people on how to overcome them.
GREEN SIGNAL Dr. Samiya advises all parents to carefully
ACCORDING TO THE UNICEF • The 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child recognises the right of all children to the highest attainable standard of health, and specifically the right to good nutrition. • Key tools in the effort to defeat malnutrition include: an adequate diet, which includes immediate and exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, and continued breastfeeding with age-appropriate complementary foods, micronutrients, prevention and treatment of disease and proper care and feeding practices. • Breastfeeding is the initial source of vital micronutrients, as well as providing overall sound nutrition and good health. The immune factors, growth factors, and other protective factors in mother’s milk cannot be found anywhere else in nature. Lack of breastfeeding exposes infants to an increased risk of death and disease in childhood, and increase the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes and childhood cancer.
Hamad Al Farsi
monitor the weight of children. The health card given by every health centre records the weight of the child. One must make sure that the child falls into the ‘green’ or healthy category. Anything above or below the green box would signify a difference in weight.
DAD ALSO KNOWS BEST It has been noted that engaging the father in a significant campaign like this will definitely lead to success. Therefore, the campaign actively stressed the need to include men who’d support their wives in issues related to child nutrition. They father could encourage the child to have his food and also spend a significant amount of playtime with the child. The quality time spent between father and child plays a decisive role in the physical and mental well-being of the child. Many fathers welcomed the campaign and what it stood for. “It is a great one and it is imperative that parents get acquainted with all aspects of nutrition so that the child is protected against malnutrition,” said Hamad Al Farsi, head of claims department at the Ministry of Social Development. “A father’s role is inevitable for the success of the campaign because if he understands the problem, he would devise ways to protect his children, especially taking care of those under the age of two. We must all understand that malnutrition comes with both physical and mental implications,” said Shaykhan Al Robaiey. He further noted that malnutrition has physical and health implications and causes problems in overall growth. As the old adage goes, “Prevention is better than cure.” Let’s all join hands in ensuring that our children lead strong and healthy lives. For in them, lie the future of the country and the world! Q
APRIL 2011 17
ADVERTORIAL
Cherished moments at Johnson’s® Babytime
WORLD HEALTH DAY - FEATURE
To eat or NOT to eat When it comes to over-the-top diets no one does it better than Hollywood. This month Sushmita Sarkhel brings you some of the crazy diets that celebrities have made (in) famous.
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hat do celebrities, to-be brides, high school girls, and even some of us at Al Mar’a (ahem, yours truly) have in common? We’ve all gone a little crazy at some point and in the throes of last minute anxiety attacks tried some insane fad diet. (Yes, even you dear reader.) Now don’t try to deny it, we know the truth. But far away from our world, in the land of the body-obsessed, we’ve learned that anything goes. With liquid cleanses and pseudo-scientific diets celebrities have proven that they’ll try just about anything to fit into the skinniest of skinny jeans.
MAPLE SYRUP DIET A.K.A. LEMONADE DIET A.K.A. THE MASTER CLEANSE As the name suggests, this one is the sensei of all diets - or as ‘experts’ label it, a fasting/detox programme. You’ll need an iron will to actually emerge successfully on the other side. Here’s what you may consume on this diet: a mixture of lemon juice, maple syrup, water and cayenne pepper. Eight to 12 glasses of this (hot or cold) each day and you’re good to go. And no, you may not consume any solids at all. The maple syrup cum lemonade concoction is said to have some essential minerals and vitamins that cleanse your system, help you lose weight and enhance tissue regeneration. Made famous by Beyoncé – she lost a total of 20lbs in less than two weeks for her role in Dreamgirls – the Master cleanse guarantees weight loss of up to 1lb per day (trust
BABY FOOD DIET As absurd as the name sounds, this diet does in fact exist! Basically, all you have to do is scarf down approximately 14 servings of baby food followed by one balanced adult (read: non-pureed) meal. Baby food is free of additives and fat, is full of vitamins and it comes in small portions. Also, on an average, a jar of baby food contains between 50 to 100 calories. It would seem that it’s a fool proof way to lose weight. And Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston are rumoured to have gone on this diet to shed some weight. But how much baby food can you actually eat? Imagine eating permutations and combinations of the same gloopy food day in and day out (even babies don’t seem like the food very much).
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WORLD HEALTH DAY - FEATURE
us, the only guarantee that it comes with is a major pizza binge within the first 24 hours). We wonder how she managed to take care of the kids, do laundry, cook and clean while on a 500 calorie diet – oh wait, she didn’t!
RAW FOOD DIET
CABBAGE SOUP DIET – Our next contender has all the ingredients of a fad diet – dangerously low calorie intake, limited food choices and not a hint of flexibility. All you’re allowed to consume is unlimited amounts of cabbage soup along with specific veggies and meat, pre-defined by a special diet plan. If you do manage to stick to this for a week then the diet guarantees weight loss of at least 10lbs in seven days. My Name Is Earl star, Jamie Pressly lost her post pregnancy weight (about 42lbs) on this diet. If you don’t get sick and tired of it, the copious-cabbageconsumption might just work.
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If you’re planning to start the raw food diet it’s time to say goodbye to all kinds of processed foods (bread, sugar, pasteurised milk, pasta – ultimately everything that you’ll find in your grocery store). This diet is based around fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and sprouts – all eaten raw or not cooked above 118 degrees Fahrenheit. Demi Moore has been rocking the red carpet in her hot-bod thanks to the raw food diet (and a little ‘help’ from modern science as likely as not). Even Alicia Silverstone is said to be staunch follower and has attributed her svelte figure to the raw-food-meets-vegan lifestyle. Sure, in some ways this ‘diet’ seems great but lacks some important micro and macro nutrients required by the body. Plus, what are you doing to have for dessert at social events? Organic-raw-vegan chocolate ice cream?
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7-DAY COLOUR DIET This one’s pretty straightforward: each day’s intake is limited to a particular food colour. For instance, Mondays are white, Tuesdays are red, Wednesdays are green, Thursdays are orange, Fridays are purple, and Saturdays are yellow. And on Sunday, all the colours of the rainbow! Sounds like a fun plan – until you hit Friday and are stuck with berries, cabbage and an eggplant. We really wonder how Christina Aguilera managed this one. It’s worth noting that she does work out, a lot! (Our cheat sheet: coloured icing on fairy cakes and you’re set for the whole week!)
GRAPEFRUIT DIET If it’s good enough for Kylie Minogue then it’s good enough for us, not! In this diet you’re supposed to have a grapefruit at every meal; either half a grapefruit or eight ounces of unsweetened grapefruit juice. There’s a specific diet plan charting out what you can or cannot eat and this has to be repeated every day for at least 12 days (we give this three days, tops). And since when is cooking veggies in liberal amounts of butter ever healthy?
OUR VERDICT! All the diets mentioned here guarantee quick results. And we’re sure if you actually stuck to the plan right till the end you could lose the weight. Unfortunately once you resume regular eating habits you will, for sure, put it all back on (if not a few pounds more). So stick to a healthy and reasonable plan, work out as much as you can and you’ll see definite (and long term) results in no time! Happy Living! Q (Disclaimer: Al Mar’a does not advocate any kind of diet without a dietician or nutritionist’s expert advice. Even celebrities work closely with nutritionists and trainers for their great bods. So exercise caution always!)
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WORLD HEALTH DAY - FEATURE
WHAT’S AGE GOT TO DO WITH HEALTH?
Being fit and healthy may not seem such a big deal in the 20s and even 30s, but as you climb the age graph, you might just need to sit up and take note of all those little symptoms.
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rushing teeth twice or more a day will ensure a fit heart. That is what new research has us believe. According to a 2010 UK study, people who brushed less than twice a day had a 70 per cent higher risk of death or hospitalisation from heart disease than those who brushed three times or more! Amazed? If you are the sceptical kind you will probably laugh it off as some gimmick from the toothpaste/brush manufacturers and continue with your regular routine of brushing once/twice or even more times a day. But if you are the sort who takes all such information with a pinch of salt, brushing teeth more often might not seem like such a waste of an idea. There is, generally speaking, certain element of credibility to most of the studies which have led to healthy lifestyle changing habits across the societies. If nothing, it has put the tag of caution across foods and habits that have been suspect for a long time, encouraging the general public to eat wisely and well, embrace a healthy lifestyle. And what is more important, it has made fitness a mantra even for those in the early 20s, if not the teens. Here’s a quick look at some health tips, that we have culled from various sources, to help you find age appropriate guidelines.
FOR THE
20’s
THE world is at your feet or so you have been told. You are done with your studies, have got your first job and are even planning on settling down with the man of your choice. Health is probably the last in your list of priorities, but for a healthier 30s and decades to follow, you would need to be on guard, say experts, more so with the food you eat. Researchers in the West have found that people in the 20s eat 25 per cent more fast food meals than they did in their teens. And when you add to this fast-food hazard the liberties of an independent life, which might include smoking and drinking, health could easily take a downward plunge. Obviously then, the easiest way to maintain good health in this dynamic stage of life is to eat and drink sensibly and quit smoking, and also introduce meaningful relationship changes. The reference in the latter is to friendships - it is believed that being in a good relationship, with enduring friendships, can add up to five healthy years to your life. In addition, establish a regular exercise routine and, importantly, learn to relax.
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COVER STORY-HEALTH
FOR THE
30’s BUSY defines you - you are married, have kids and a career. You have no time to spare a thought for your health, or even the weight that might have happened along with age. Health in the 30s then is all about eating right, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising and learning to chill out; finding the right balance on that proverbial home and office scale. A note of caution here: Weight and age might appear to have a common understanding, making it is difficult to shift weight from age, but putting thoughts of weight loss away might only make it worse in the 40s and the years after, when it will simply refuse to budge. Importance of exercise, it appears, can never be overemphasised at any age. But as one ages, it might just be the antidote for a healthy life. Regular exercise, as you know, is synonymous with higher levels of energy and efficiency in work. Pegged on to exercise are the relative topics of relaxation and sleep, which are a must to rejuvenate on a daily basis. For although lack of enough sleep appears harmless for many who have learned to curb it, research states that it could affect your body and also determine how well you work and enjoy life. Health dictates for 30s also includes screening and testing and also having knowledge of your medical history. Lifestyle related ailments like diabetes and high blood pressure are known to make their presence felt at this age. Working out is the most imminent – studies show that working out may lower a woman’s risk of breast cancer by 47 percent, osteoporosis by 45 per cent, heart disease by 14 per cent.
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ALL the responsibilities that the 40s bring on can be stressful, taking a toll on your health and general well being. 40s are known to be the busiest years as you try to make the most of your fast dwindling energies to meet that mountain of commitments. The long list of health dos and don’ts for this decade include: Don’t smoke, get at least seven hours sleep, drink moderately (alcohol), eat natural foods and whole grains
(lean proteins, whole grains, sources of calcium and vitamin D to help keep your bones healthy, and colourful fruits and vegetables containing antioxidants), de-stress, workout, move (30 minutes of moderate exercise from brisk walking and biking to swimming and dancing), be wise about the sun (choose sunscreen with sun protection factor of 15), follow a daily skin care regimen and learn to accept the way you look with a positive attitude to ageing. This is the time when you need to consider
undertaking mammogram, clinical breast exams, blood pressure and clinical test. Another area that is of concern is perimenopause, which is the transition period leading up to menopause. 40s are stressful as perimenopause can happen anytime in this decade and the only way to enhance your general well being at this time is to continue exercising, maintaining a healthy weight, taking multivitamin supplements, drinking at least eight glasses of water, regularising sleep patterns and decreasing the amount of alcohol intake.
FOR THE
50’s
WHETHER you like it or not, fitness has to become your number one priority now with minor ailments bogging you down often. This makes it mandatory to go for regular screening tests, more so for cancer. It is all the more important now to be aware of the health risks that could afflict one in this age. Also, diseases like breast cancer and other issues like osteoporosis and menopause can be of concern. It is important to be well informed and aware of the common ailments, including the importance of sleep and relaxation and also proper diet. Some of the health issues like inflammation, dehydration and cardiovascular health can seem a part and parcel of your life. Counter it by drinking lots of filtered water and opt for omega oils to ensure cardiovascular health, etc. Staying active is another big must for physical as well as mental fitness as dementia and depression become more likely to occur as one ages. The fifties is the time to get your act together and focus on longevity. The best way to go about this is to adapt to a healthy lifestyle, if you haven’t already. A study of people who were 45 and above found that three factors – stopping smoking, eating lots of fruits and vegetables and increased exercise added 11 to 12 more years to their life. Add to that sensible diet, regular fitness regimen and a positive attitude.
This stage might seem demanding emotionally too as one has to contend with the empty nest syndrome as children leave home for higher studies or for better job prospects. Believe in the new urban jargon – 40s are the new 20s – for a contented life.
FOR THE
40’s SLOW DOWN…
Communication between our stomachs and brains is, apparently, slow. It takes 20 minutes - for the stomach to tell the brain that you are full. So what happens if you eat fast is that you easily eat way past what you need and thereby gaining weight, developing chronic health problems and reducing your quality and quantity of life. Slow down that process to taste your food better, enjoy it and even lose weight. Follow these steps: • Put food in your mouth. • Put your fork, spoon, or chopsticks on the table. • Release your fork, spoon or chopsticks from your hand. • Chew your food. Chew it well. Pay attention to taste and texture. • Empty your mouth. • Pick up your fork and reload it with food. (Do not do step six until your mouth is 100 per cent empty.) • Continue the technique through the whole meal. Notice if your eating time increases. • Notice too if you naturally eat less.
Bon appétit! APRIL 2011 27
VOICES
Speaking UP! What is freedom of expression? And how can it be interpreted in today’s context? And does social media play an important role in the changing scenario? Myssaa Said Al Hinai finds out.
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esearch has pointed out that in the post-Iraq war era, social networking sites have played a significant role in the way young people think, act and behave. The Internet currently hosts more than 152 million blogs, 600 million users on Facebook and 100 million accounts on Twitter. These social networking sites have helped the youth in expressing their opinions, widened their horizons and encouraged them to be vocal about what they feel. These sites, however, may not be solely instrumental for the increase in self-confidence in today’s Arab youth. But they are important mediums of expression that has encouraged them to open up to one another. And speak up. Al Mar’a speaks to a few young people to understand their take on ‘the right to expression’, the reasons for the new ‘openness’ and role of social media in taking the message across.
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Liyan Al Ajmi has this to say about the right to expression. “Opinion is like air. Each person has the right to express his/ her own opinions, provided they do not go against the traditions or violate the laws of the land. However, in case of any inconsistency, the judiciary should have the final and binding say in issues regarding the freedom to express and to what extent it may cause violations of others’ rights.” What, according to her is the reason for the shift in approach among young people towards issues? “We may attribute this to the information revolution where we are increasingly seeing differing opinions and hearing different voices. In addition, international news agencies, with their extensive focus on the Arab world, especially in relation to Tunisia and Egypt and the writings of some journalists and writers have made this shift possible.”
orld w ught g n s bro i g one i n y a imes a h c omet the w s d r s i e v n e ch ed ; whi ; how secur mic a a n free ordination is divine, r n o to b y t s D one i o sub e righ ssion
th ht pre ing, s birt e has of ex an be says t give Freedom eryon hum n v ers,” e e a h d t s t a n o . e h t f “A t c p o e e hts esp ition d is d cogn e or r he rig up an dienc the re ash with t e y b b o cl nd called r. t and ons a s not write terne t doe religi l i n l i a l s c e a a i h by amic oph ong of t hilos d dyn s as l ence s p n u e , a i r fl erse r p n i d i ex l Am erate rs div able l e r A e f e f c a d c o i y i em net ons nt, a Badr ng th inter is a c eque maki here . The are fr h t d g t s t n n u e a i a o h h g an ess oac es t he y penn appr eliev nd ch s of t o al a b s n ’ , u c e o t y i g i c h a n n e S tell ynam s the opi “Tod n readi i d . t s s s l ’ u i l o B f ll. else, dua ence itsel its to as we ndivi ch or influ orld i a g s w n i o n i r a h e t t p ic ap ing as th confl n and able hang matio ometimes nd st p in c a l e e r h infor u s at d lso tam se an can a ted.” adop diver flow teres o n t n i o n i m t u i d ma ph ed an infor d hel focus re an n u t u c n u i str rema ould he w
“The increase in unemployment, decline in work opportunities and the drop in living standards are the other causes. These have brought about strong reactions and propelled the youth towards change,” she said.
Judiciary has the final verdict APRIL 2011 29
VOICES
Rights should be respected
Blogger Ahmed Al Maaini has an interesting view on the subject. “For me, the right to expression means the right to say and write what I feel and not be restrained by my limited knowledge or life experience. This right should not be controlled by any authority. My opinions and those of others should be respected so long as they do not violate anyone’s rights.” “The fierce aspiration to change is a natural outcome; youth has always been the backbone and focal point of any
change. The youth of today are more open and that has made them politically, intellectually and culturally aware of the need for change. It is important to try different approaches when it comes to significant and serious issues.” Commenting on the role of the internet in disseminating information, he admitted that it’s totally changed the current generation’s way of thinking. “Change is based on thoughts and information and social networking sites provide the means to exchange thoughts and information. Though they are in some ways similar to newspaper and television, online networks are different because they are not subject to any authority or censorship. Change is inevitable because it is not possible to receive all this information flow and expect change not to happen.”
the d to itter ferre e or Tw te r e k v o a o h b e ccura ports ld as Fac ost a ia re m r d o e e h mic em n, t ab w dyna d “Som in the Ar pinio n o a y e m g ge ositiv ut in essin chan e a ‘p witn on. B b . i s t s i d e u l l c d r ou fo orl revo two ct the ion w t’. rab w refle n by nd cript n e ur A a d s e l o v e r i e h r m t d k o e in ov uenc you bw ge d “I th ial m e infl f the chan e Ara n c h o o h e t o ms, i t r v s t r i e d a n t o i es i s an pow orm r ref g e f o i o e t n a pos t n f i h a e t s i h m l c oc nd al he rst is ese s rrent dia a one c ged t Al Arab The fi of th he cu is me oura er. If y c T h t d d f the t i ity.” i “ n l n o o e n a o r u s e c h e a h e n K n t s of un h r o s n e o h y m s c o c a i the n s m y h e m s er ,” w co the mon nges in ev ness h of e cha open echo d com f eac v l . i l n o l t i a i u s t w s in wa e po y’s oice his jo loped ently of Ta mak toda the v e to t deve that CEO u d , d i n rud , n b o s d a i i se ed p sue ess Har worl at wi react cal is impr h , i t t t te g i n l n d e i o e p ati ot ail romo ther from des prev een n ve been p r to p u e d b t e i hile o e h s t t w h t a w c o a o h e ; a a t p s y t v t h i I r a e g t h s t ia “ i t t n d rri ged oun pos you med men and Refe chan tire c and rom vern nto a three lien f n s i y o a e a r d t of g i s h a e e i fit h ilit his r th ing es tead bene yout to m turn ss fo edia ergo d, “T s ins d e d i t d y r n m e c a t t i n g a i s f r l o fl u o r n id e rea eso ge ive p to co Khal uenc d in ave r chan posit e led ga hifte e infl The nts h v s n h . e i a t e e d h m s v g d e a rn ha e ich han ess gove ded. tes in he chang n wh ntal mic c first witn onclu t ume tribu essio as c r n s h dyna e p e e o t s h p c h a t s instr u t ” h e s , – a e t n n b h s t s t i o t e w ay gh on erati phas ond at it em on m thou mati coop e sec ressi pe th wish ed th new h infor p o t p x l o h ; d t e e h s n ’ e all f h e c a t s o d u e w d l n o n n e , t m o a e o e ng rs a esp ive reed hang hang a cha of r in r ent powe posit hile f g about c rds c one; tion W viou a a r e a e v w m h i h n o r t e i t i in fo ing of b a pos heir tlook trans nder in br sed t tes to us ou ness the ity u u l o i b a , r i e r relea e n r ! t t s e le wi atio con to se opt a ngib will rmin want to ad t of o a ta hase l dete t d p u n n y s i a d b e s r d ar hi ght the t porte ed as thou ” d sup s, acquir and flow. n s a n a o e s i l s t a e id a o n e orm on g awar d inf comm d legal ia an d n e a l wm socia in ne ress g o r p
Positive Change
30 APRIL 2011
EXCLUSIVE
“We can do anything we want to do if we stick to it long enough.” – Helen Keller.
U
ltimately, success is not just about following a dream but sticking to it long enough to provide the sustained results you wish to see. It’s about taking steps, one by one in a planned manner, to achieve what you set out for. It comes from the courage, will and determination to be what you want to be. Ayisha Al Maw’ali, advisor at Central Bank of Oman has put in 37 years with just one
After completing my higher diploma in Banking and Finance, I came to Oman and joined the Oman Currency Board in 1974 as a supervisor in the Accounts Department. In fact, I was the first Omani woman to join the organisation. It was a small entity and I remember we did not have many departments at that time. In 1975, the Central Bank of Oman was established and I was promoted to the post of Assistant Manager – Accounts in 1976. In the first couple of years, I took the initiative to quickly learn many things aspects - relating to my job; about treasury and investment,
BANKING
ON SUCCESS Ayisha Al Ma’wali talks to Rekha Baala on life and work at Central Bank of Oman, where she has served for an incredible 37 years.
employer. She rose from a supervisor’s position to Vice President and now serves as an advisor to the Bank. Even though she has passed the retirement age, she continues to believe in doing full justice to her career and her employer. What makes Ayisha the exceptional person she is? A combination of hard work, honesty and utmost diligence in whatever she chooses to do and the ability to strike that work-life balance to achieve desired outcomes. Traits that all of us should adopt and emulate! In an exclusive interview with Al Mar’a, Ayisha, speaks of her journey to the top, making a mark in what is considered to be a man’s world and why hard work always pays.
THE BEGINNINGS… “My ancestors are from Oman but were in Zanzibar for a considerable amount of time. I was born in Zanzibar and then went to Sudan to pursue my education.
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being a cashier, an accountant, etc.”
WAS IT TOUGH BEING THE ONLY WOMAN IN WHAT WAS THEN ‘PERCEIVED’ AS A MAN’S WORLD? “It was tough at times. In 1975, I was also appointed as the clearing leader of the first clearing house in Oman. It was a very responsible and challenging job. I had to deal with clearing representatives from 15-20 banks and sometimes, it was tough to control the group. I handled it well and I believe my communication and inter personal skills helped me to a large degree to successfully fulfill the requirements of this key role.”
WHAT WERE THE DIFFERENT STOPS ON YOUR CLIMB TO THE TOP? “After I was promoted to the position of Assistant Manager, I was sent to the UK in 1982 to do my ACIB (Associate of the
Chartered Institute of Bankers) course. I returned in 1984 and was then promoted to the position of a Senior Assistant Manager. In fact, I was the first Omani to achieve this Associate membership. I became Manager-Accounts in 1988 and subsequently Senior Manager in 1993. After 10 years in this position, I was transferred to the Audit Department as Senior Manager – Audit. It was a like a cultural shock as I had served several years in different positions in the Accounts Department all the while. I took this move as a challenge; initiated a number of best practices and succeeded in changing the Audit Department from a conventional one to one that employed modern-day techniques of auditing. In 2007, I was appointed as the Vice-President (Audit and Security) and continued in that position until 2011 when I was appointed as an advisor. I was due for retirement in January 2011, but the Bank felt that they needed my expertise a little longer and hence offered me this new role as an advisor.”
HOW HAS THE JOURNEY BEEN? “I have put in a lot of hard work to reach where I am today. During the first five years, I’ve had to work doubly hard, more than my male counterparts to be taken notice of at the same level. It was a journey of constantly trying to prove myself. I must give due credit to my colleagues who have indeed helped me at every steps and recognised my potential. I have made my colleagues recognise my contribution and hard work and most importantly as equal partners in fulfilling the goals of the organisation. In looking back, I am indeed pleased that I developed my own leadership style and did not try to emulate the men.”
HOW DID YOU MANAGE TO ACHIEVE A WORK-LIFE BALANCE? “I am a mother of five children and luckily, there is a good age gap between them. I was very lucky to have my mother helping out when my children were born. Even when the kids were sick, she would come over to manage things at home. My husband is my greatest support; very loving and cooperative. He has always encouragedme
to follow my dreams and add value to my organisation. Even if I used to complain, he would assure me that things would pass and that my career was very important as it would help me do a lot for the Bank and also the country. Without him, I would not have been able to have such a long and rewarding career.”
IN YOUR LONG INNINGS AT CBO, IS THERE ANY ACHIEVEMENT THAT YOU ARE PROUD OF? “There are many but I’ve always been passionate about education and training. I continuously urge young Omanis to do Chartered Accountancy or Certification in internal auditing to enhance their professional skills. And I’m very happy when they achieve them. I believe that education is the backbone for the development of every country; Singapore being a moot case in point.”
WHO HAS BEEN YOUR GREATEST INSPIRATION IN LIFE? “My mother without any shadow of doubt! She was a teacher, a strong woman with a strong personality, and a wonderful human being! She would constantly help the poor, the sick and the needy and also encouraged us to do so. She was a great role model for all of us.”
WHAT WOULD YOUR ADVICE BE TO YOUNG WOMEN WHO WANT TO MAKE IT BIG IN A CAREER OF THEIR CHOICE? “Nothing is easy in this world, regardless of the fact you are a man or a woman. The bottom line is hard work. Don’t think that if you are a woman, you should be pampered or indulged. Do a good job and you’ll definitely be rewarded.”
WHAT IS THE MANTRA OR MOTTO THAT YOU LIVE BY? “At the end of the day, a combination of hard work and honesty always pays. One cannot work without the other. If you do hard work and are not honest, you will fail and vice versa. So make honesty and hard work, work for your benefit!” Q
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PERSONA
SOUNDS OF
MUSIC W
hen different sounds come together, the fusion is indeed sweet music to the ears. The Global Fusion concert organised last month by Sarasin Alpen and Alpen Capital saw a number of musicians from different parts of the world come together to produce music that touched the hearts and souls of discerning music lovers. The concert was led by renowned sitarist Ustad Shujaat Khan and saw spectacular performances by master musicians such as Rahim Al Haj, Taufiq Qureshi, Patrick Possey, Yogesh Samsi, Michael Glenn, Firas Shahrstan and Manjari Chaturvedi on Sufi Kathak dance. One of the highlights of the Fusion concert was the performances of Omani musicians Saleh Hadid Al Mukhaini on the viola and Ilham Salim Al Toqi on the violin.
Omani violinist Ilham Al Toqi speaks to Rekha Baala on all things music…
Al Mar’a spoke to Ilham Al Toqi, a leading violinist in the Sultanate about her music, her likes and fusion, of course…
CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR FORAY INTO MUSIC? “My interest in music began with playing the children’s keyboard. My father saw the interest and decided to take it forward. At the age of 11, I started learning the violin and the piano and later concentrated fully on the violin. I have completed a lot of exams through the Royal London College and the LRSM (Licentiate of the Royal Schools of Music) as well. I’ve been
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playing regularly since then and worked with groups and quartets.
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE IDEA OF FUSION MUSIC? “The idea is wonderful as it gets you together with musicians whom you have never seen or worked with before. We had a rehearsal just for 20 minutes and we could relate so well with each other. Fusion is exciting and challenging as well. I am a professional in Western Classical music more in tune with musicians like Bach or Mozart. In this concert, I am playing with musicians who are from the east and so it’s a big challenge. In classical music, one has papers and notes but in a fusion concert, one has to use imagination and creativity because it’s also a fusion of different sounds. I think we as musicians should do this more often!”
HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE A WOMAN IN MUSIC? “It feels great and I’m glad that more and more women are taking up music as their career or profession. I certainly didn’t and don’t find it a challenge to be a musician. The Omani people are very open and do know a lot about classical music.”
WAS YOUR FAMILY SUPPORTIVE OF YOUR DECISION? “I am married with a kid and my husband has been very supportive throughout. Before that, my parents were all for me pursuing my dreams. They had no idea
of classical music as it has nothing to do with our culture. But still, they helped me follow my dreams. My journey in music has been fun. It provides me solace when I am sad and give me immense happiness. When I play, I just forget myself and just become one with the music.”
WHAT DOES MUSIC REALLY MEAN TO YOU? “For me, music is all about feelings. I cannot play if I don’t feel the music. I have to give it my all. I also feel that music has no beginning and no end. It is a process of constant discovery. For example, a piece by Mozart can be performed many times and you cannot get bored of it. When you perform the piece, it sounds different with different conductors. Every time you play music, you discover a lot of things.”
WHO ARE YOUR FAVOURITE MUSICIANS? “I like Anne Sophie Martin and also love Isaac Perlman’s music. I actually listen to all kinds of music. Besides classical, I like Spanish flamenco as I also enjoy
playing the guitar. Bollywood music also fascinates me. I also find traditional Indian music very inspiring and passionate. I actually find a lot of similarities in different kinds of music sometimes in tunes and at other times the scales. So music is in fact, connected. I’d say it is a universal language.”
WHAT PLANS DO YOU HAVE FOR THE FUTURE? “I would like to be a conductor one day. There are not so many women conductors, especially in the Arab world and so that’s my dream.”
TO YOUNG WOMEN LIKE YOU WHO DREAM OF A CAREER IN MUSIC, WHAT WOULD YOUR MESSAGE BE? “Love your music. If you don’t, you won’t grow. Creativity is important. But the overriding factor would be passion. Open-mindedness follows passion… if you have the passion, even the difficult will seem very easy.” Q
APRIL 2011 35
INSPIRATION
“We Will Always Love You” April 2 is commemorated the world over as World Autism Awareness Day. Yes, awareness is key because we want only the best for our children. Rekha Baala brings you real-life stories of mothers of ‘special’ children and an expert’s view on the subject…
A
mother’s love is eternal, unconditional, encompassing and allgiving. For mothers of children with special needs, each day also brings with it, lessons in optimism, strength and belief. We bring you some heart-warming stories of mothers who share with us the challenges and the joy of being with their ‘special’ children. They see their children and love them for what they are – bundles of joy who have brought new meaning to their lives. These are also stories of immense courage and unflinching faith – in God and in themselves and their dreams and hopes for their children. God bless them and their little ones!
36 APRIL 2011
SHADYA ABDULLAH AL HARTHY “I am a mother of four children. Omran, my second child who is now 17 years old was diagnosed as autistic at the age of five. When he was very young, we noticed that he was different from other children. He wasn’t talking and was also hyperactive. We took him to different doctors in Oman to check for hearing impairment or other problems. But no one could pinpoint what the problem was. When he was four, my husband was posted to Norway and we moved there. Seeing his behaviour, my neighbour remarked that he could be autistic. We had never heard of the term before. My husband started reading on autism and discovered that Omran exhibited the same symptoms. We took him to experts, and through different tests, they diagnosed him as autistic after six months.” My initial reaction was one of shock, but slowly we learnt to accept and began different therapies. He was in a school with a ‘shadow’* teacher and continued there for four years before we came back to Oman. Here, we enrolled him at the Centre for Special Education at the Indian School Muscat. We were also lucky to get a good therapist who worked with Applied Behaviour Analysis and other social skills. Later, we moved to the US and Omran took a while to get used to the change. Special classes in both public and private schools continued but during the fourth year, we had to send him back to Oman as it was difficult to handle him. My family took care of him here and he was happy in familiar surroundings. Later, all of us returned to Oman. Presently, Omran attends the Creative Learning Centre during the mornings and three evenings in a week goes to a centre at Al Khoudh for physiotherapy and other skills. Two days in a week, they also involve him in outdoor activities. He sometimes eats by himself and does other work with instructions.
Sometimes, he plays with his siblings. But at other times, tends to withdraw into a shell. We encourage the kids to be with each other. My husband is a strong pillar of support and together we take good care of him. My child has his own special strengths - a ear for music, drawing and playing at the computer. But I wish there were more facilities in Oman like those in the West. What is the way forward for my child? I’d be very happy if he could be provided with vocational training to be independent to a certain degree. Yes, I do think about Omran’s future. Ultimately, it’s not about what we are doing now, but about when we’ll not be there for him. Initially, I would be depressed and
DON’T WAIT WATCH FOR THE RED FLAGS OF AUTISM (The following red flags may indicate a child is at risk for atypical development, and is in need of an immediate evaluation.) If your baby shows any of these signs, please ask your pediatrician or family practitioner for an immediate evaluation: • No big smiles or other warm, joyful expressions by six months or thereafter • No back-and-forth sharing of sounds, smiles, or other facial expressions by nine months or thereafter • No babbling by 12 months • No back-and-forth gestures, such as pointing, showing, reaching, or waving by 12 months • No words by 16 months • No two-word meaningful phrases (without imitating or repeating) by 24 months • Any loss of speech or babbling or social skills at any age (Source: www.autismspeaks.org)
always think, “Why me? Why my kid?”. But I have the faith, that God likes me so he gave me Omran and he gave me the strength as well. I’ve realised that, without him, I wouldn’t have been happy.”
UMM AL HASAN “I noticed that my son Al Haitham was not like other children in many aspects. His movements, way of sitting, walking and eating was different. He could not sit even at the age of 10 months and at two-and-ahalf, he still could not speak. He did not make eye contact as well. I went to the hospital in the UAE where he was born. A doctor there diagnosed that he was autistic. I came back to Oman where I took him to the Khoula Hospital for tests and continued to go there for therapy. My bundle of joy is always full of energy and some of his movements are perfect and much better than his ‘normal’ siblings. Sometimes, I think that he would become a world-famous sportsman in the future. There are a lot of challenges I have to face. It’s sad that there is no specialised medical centre that caters to autistic children. I stay in Ibri and have to travel often to Muscat to avail of facilities.”
SHEEBA** “Till the age of three-and-a-half, my son
APRIL 2011 37
INSPIRATION
was like any other normal child. He learned all the rhymes and prayers faster than my older son. We came to know something was ‘different’ about my son when we sent him to school. The teachers told us that he would not make eye contact and was not responding to calls. The school had invited an educational psychologist and from his talk, we got an idea of what autism is all about. Once he was diagnosed as suffering with mild autism, I quit my job. My child needed my attention. I was also feeling guilty at having left him with a babysitter when both my husband and I were away at work. He was also very clingy and reserved. After I started spending more time with him, I feel that there has been some improvement. My son is now seven-and-a-half and attends the Centre for Special Education at Indian School Muscat. They tell me that he can now attend normal school with ‘shadowing’. He cuts perfect patterns on paper and is interested in music. We are doing all we can so that he gets the love, care and acceptance he deserves.”
MAYA ** “When my daughter was close to three years, we noticed that she would not respond to her name. But when we called her using a soft drink or chocolate as bait, she would run to us immediately.
We would often tease her about it. The pediatrician noticed that she was not making eye contact and asked us to test her for autism in India. I was shocked. I had always related autism to ‘being mentally challenged’. I had no idea what it was. I was racked with guilt and thought that her condition happened because I did not spend enough time with her. The diagnosis took some time because she does not exhibit classical features of autism. I tried to work with her on my own as I did not know that therapy was available. Once I became more aware, we began speech and behaviour therapy. Now, she goes to a normal school where I ‘shadow’ her. My child enjoys music and dance.” Q (*A shadow acts as an interpreter to assist the child when a need arises but disappears into the background at other times to allow the child to experience as much independence as possible.) (** Names changed to protect identity.) (Al Mar’a spent a morning with Special Children’s Group (SCG) functioning under the SAI Group and interacted with volunteers, parents and experts. SCG holds Friday meetings at Indian School Al Ghubra for children suffering from autism and their parents. It comprises a group of experts, therapists, counsellors and volunteers who aim at providing motivational support to parents and involve children in various activities to develop their basic skills.)
I Will Always Love You Sweet child, I will always love you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. What joy you give me; what courage your show me. I respect your determination and fight to get better. Though my heart breaks for your struggle and what we go through, your condition and limitations only augment my love for you. For I love you enough to stand the things I must do. No matter what you need from me, I will be there for you. Anything that you can give, that’s all I’ll ask of you. Your love and strength inspire me; I will be there for you. - Elizabeth Burton Scott, MA, Author of Raindrop on Roman – Overcoming Autism, A Message of Hope
Occupational therapist P.S. Lakshmi Sarkar on the need for awareness and the mother’s role…
ON AWARENESS… “There is a lot of awareness these days as mothers can get all the information they require about a growing child on the Internet. But once a child has been diagnosed as autistic, what’s important is to take that first step out into the society. Mothers should understand that this is nothing to be stigmatised about as the stigma itself will hamper the development of the child. If you isolate him/her, the child will lose the societal diet he needs. What we also need is awareness camps to help the mother take that first step. Once you’ve taken that step, there are others to help you.”
THE MOTHER’S ROLE… “The mother is the first therapist as she is fully aware of the changes in her child right from the time she’s breast-feeding. Unfortunately,
38 APRIL 2011
even if she says something is wrong, no one believes her. Delay in diagnosis means valuable time lost for the child to reach the team of experts that include the development pediatrician, the clinical psychologist, the occupational therapist and others. So, mothers should learn to trust their instincts.”
INTEGRATION INTO SOCIETY… “Integration is very important. If the mother has taken the first step, worked with the therapist and is confident, then she’d be ready for shadowing the child. There has to be awareness and discussion on all fronts on the way forward with the principal, the school management, teachers and experts. Society comes last… for society is nobody but you and me.”
PROFILE
Woman’s
VOICE “I
am one of the 15 million girls between the ages of 25 and 35 who are pressured by society into getting married and blamed when they fail to do so, says Ghada Abdel Aal on her blog, www.wanna-b-a-bride.blogspot.com Her radical, sometimes tongue-in-cheek and other times, humorous and sarcastic take on the search for the ideal man on the blog has brought up women’s thoughts on the subject of gawaaz-al-salonat, or living room marriages. The Egyptian pharmacist, now in her 30s, started the blog in 2006 and her posts are witty accounts of these ‘living room meetings’, eccentric suitors, matchmakers – and all it takes to arrange a big, fat Egyptian wedding. There are socio-economic issues too – the pressure on women to get married and of course, the problems of finding the perfect man. She also writes about her own experiences that are immensely entertaining and comical in tone.
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From the blog came a highly successful TV series of the same name and also a book that has been translated into English as well. All three have met with resounding success making Ghada household name not only in Egypt but in the entire region. She also recently participated in the Emirates Arts Festival held at Dubai in March. The feisty young woman speaks to Al Mar’a on the blog, book and her take on marriage…
Why do you choose to create a blog to express your ideas? “It is simple. I started blogging about my experiences because all the other ways were blocked. I felt there was no other way to talk about this subject at universities or cultural associations. The internet provides you with the space and freedom to express your ideas without fear.”
Are the stories in your blog real or fictional? “While each story has its roots in reality, imagination has played a key role in shaping the details. It may be my story or
Egyptian blogger and author Ghada Abdel Aal has become a household name in her country and the region, thanks to her witty and humorous take on ghaaz al salonat (living room marriages) that has spawned a hugely successful TV series and book, says Rana Alawneh.
that of my friends. It might have also come out of pure imagination.”
Why is there a lot of sarcasm? “This is the style Egyptians use when they handle huge issues. We always mock our problems to make them look funny. It is also difficult to express such sensitive issues in a serious manner.”
Your book, ‘I want to get married’ has been translated into English, German, Italian and Dutch languages and has become very popular. So do you think women the world over identify with the same issues? “The response to the book has been great in these countries because the book highlights an issue which was not known in EU countries and the US. Many of them had a conviction that marriage takes place in the Arab countries at an early age and
girls do not have the right to say ‘no’. The book succeeded in casting light on areas that were not known before. “
Did you face any difficulty in writing the script for the TV series? “I had studied script-writing before publishing my book. So I was able to do the job with ease. I had many discussions with the director Rami Imam to make sure that the ideas were presented in the right manner.”
What has the response to the series been? “Before shooting began, many of my friends expressed reservations over the choice of the actress Hend Sabri saying that she was very pretty and how could a good-looking girl remain unmarried for such a long time. I was shocked by the comments as they were raised by unmarried women who were 30 and very pretty as well. This brought to the fore the impression that society has made them feel that way. I’ve tried my best to change these misconceptions.”
Social pressure is also an overriding factor… “Yes, society makes women feel inferior. They are also at times, forced to accept a partner who is not ideal for them. This pressure may also make women feel that she has no value in society, though she may be contributing significantly in her field of work.”
What is the message you’ve tried to convey through the blog, book and the TV series? “Women do not have expiry dates. Don’t blame her for being unmarried. I also advise parents not to pressure their daughters into marriage as the consequences would be disastrous. It’s better for a woman to stay unmarried for a period of time than having an unsuitable spouse.”
Can we ask why aren’t you married as yet? “I still have not found a suitable partner in whom I can place my trust and confidence… someone worthy enough to be my partner for life!” Q
APRIL 2011 41
HANDS ON!
BEAUTY-BUZZ
WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON DISEASES AFFECTING OUR HANDS AND HOW CAN WE PREVENT THEM?
Your hands reflect the person you are! They speak a lot about how you take care of yourself. So it’s important that your hands are free from skin problems. A common problem that affects hands is eczema. Dr. Fatma O. Ali, CEO of Emirates Medical Centre tells us what eczema is all about and how we can combat it…
First of all, I would like to point out that caring for your hands is not less important than caring for your appearance. Since we use our hands in most of our activities, visible problems on the hand may embarrass us. Eczema is one of the most common diseases affecting hands.
WHAT IS HAND ECZEMA OR HAND DERMATITIS? Hand eczema (also known as hand dermatitis) is very common. It usually starts with mild dryness and redness. Scaling can increase, leading to fissuring and crusting. Affected skin areas can be very itchy. Initially, the fingers and web spaces are involved. Eczema comes in cycles that differ in periods. The good news is that it is not a contagious disease.
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF HAND ECZEMA? Hand eczema is caused by hypersensitivity and inflammation of the skin. Various environments and substances can trigger a bout of eczema, including allergies, colds, dry skin, rough materials, heat, cold, and stress. A risk factor for eczema
42 APRIL 2011
is a family history of the condition.
HOW CAN I TREAT HAND ECZEMA? Hand eczema may appear or disappear spontaneously regardless of the treatment used. It may last longer with some people. Unfortunately there is no specific treatment that can prevent the eruption of eczema. There are some measures that could be followed to help you control the disease. In other words there is no treatment or diet that fits all patients. The list of treatments for hand eczema includes the following. Always seek professional medical advice about any treatment or change in treatment plans.
• Identification and avoidance of causative agents • Avoid heating or cooling the skin. Sweating within rubber gloves can worsen the dermatitis, so cotton gloves should be worn inside loosefitting rubber or vinyl gloves. • Wear cotton gloves to do general housework, as they can be washed instead of washing your hands too often. • Use soap alternatives such as emollient creams - or a hand wash that has PH.5.5. The normal soap may cause skin irritation. • Use lotions as these help you repair the damaged external layer of the skin. It also helps the skin to be more resistant to irritation. • It is better to avoid the use of products with additives such as fragrances to avoid recurrence of allergy.
H i, Ta am A in n A S h n A in n A S h n A in n A
Habiba Al-Hinai, Nabil Al-BuRumhi, Hamad Al Rumhi, AhFORTY i, Omar Al Mamari, Dr. Adhra EXTRAORDINARY Tariq Al-Barwani, YEARS.Ibrahim ALami Al-Zadjali, Maliha al Abri, FORTY Amr Ali, EXTRAORDINARY Khalid al Siyabi, Haji Maskari, Haji Sha’aban, KhaPEOPLE. in Al-Busaidi, Habiba Al-Hinai, ni, Azzan Al Rumhi, Hamad Al Al-Shanfari, Omar Al Mamari, Sinani, Tariq Al-Barwani, Ibrahari, Sami Al-Zadjali, Maliha al nai, Amr Ali, Khalid al Siyabi, Al Maskari, Haji Sha’aban, Khain Al-Busaidi, Habiba Al-Hinai, ni, Azzan Al Rumhi, Hamad Al Al-Shanfari, Omar Al Mamari, Sinani, Tariq Al-Barwani, Ibrahari, Sami Al-Zadjali, Maliha al nai, Amr Ali, Khalid al Siyabi, Al Maskari, Haji Sha’aban, Khain Al-Busaidi, Habiba Al-Hinai, ni, Azzan Al Rumhi, Hamad Al Al Sh f i O Al M i ONE OPPORTUNITY TO BE PART OF IT.
40 super achievers of the Sultanate
A timeless souvenir dedicated to the nation.
Jawharat Oman chronicles 40 extraordinary Omanis and their incredible deeds. To be part of this unique opportunity,
please contact Radha on 92801033, radhak@umsoman.com
BEAUTY PLUS
The Brains Behind Beauty With the right training and expertise beauticians can provide clients the best of treatments at their spas or salons. The Beauty Art Institute explains why...
D
uring the past few years, many beauty salons have opened up in Muscat. The disheartening fact is that most of them were set up only to make quick profits over a short period of time. This trend has ultimately affected the quality of service offered. Adel bin Jaloon, Founder of The Beauty Art Institute and his wife Latifa bin Jaloon, Manager have a few words to share with us. Beauty Art institute was founded in 2007 in a bid to empower Omani women in this field and provide them with the required skills and experience in hair cutting and styling, colouring, make-up, manicure and pedicure, the works. About 800 Omani ladies have graduated from the Institute with degrees certified by the Ministry of
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Manpower. There has been high demand for specialised centres in the beauty and aesthetics industry in the country and the certificate allows graduates to take the first step towards being professionals in this field. “The beauty industry in Oman is experiencing constant growth especially since efforts are being made to Omanise this sector,” says Adel bin Jaloon, founder of the Centre. “There is a strong need to establish training centres that provide Omani women with the required skills in this field.” Despite the fact that Muscat has witnessed a remarkable increase in the number of such beauty centres, there have been rising complaints on the quality of services
rendered. “As per the law, any girl with a degree from a specialised training centre may start her own venture regardless of the number of years she’s worked in the field or managed such a business. In some cases, entrepreneurs appoint women who lack the minimum qualification or training,” he added. In order to flourish, the industry needs to constantly keep pace with the changes in this field. Adel advises all institute graduates or would-be beauticians to acquire the required experience through constant training and practice. They should also follow up on the developments taking place in the industry as this ensures proper management of their venture.
The same also applies to the spa and wellness industry. “Spas are different from beauty salons in the sense that they provide more advanced and varied services for skin care and weight loss,” says Latifa, who’s in charge of Beauty Art Centre. “And during the last few years, many women have become more aware of the importance of visiting the spa regularly to ensure better skin and hair. The spas usually have experts that can provide you with valuable information.” There are many novel products available in spas especially targeted for women. ‘VIP’ is a novel Italian treatment that gets rid of unwanted cellulite using ultrasound helping you lose a few inches. Treatments comprise weekly sessions spread over five to 10 weeks. Says Latifa, “There’s an Italian gold face mask which has become very popular, especially since it has been proved to be effective in preventing skin ageing. The Brazilian Keratin is also a popular hair treatment.” At the end of the day, it is vital that beauty and spa aspirants work hard and establish their businesses based on quality and not join the rat race to make a quick buck. A good foundation programme or training course is an extremely important aspect. Good luck! Q For further details, contact 95192355, 92458141.
APRIL 2011 45
WHAT-A-MAN
Will football’s golden boy, Fernando Torres, manage to reproduce his glory days at Liverpool now that he’s pledged loyalty to Chelsea? If his stellar track record is anything to go by, we’re going to say YES!
KID’S PLAY!
W
ho is Fernando José Torres? If you’re asking that question, chances are you haven’t been very observant over the past... er... decade or so. Only a person with an acutely developed sense of inobservance could have missed football’s greatest star - El Niño. The two Spanish words - Torres’s nickname - are uttered with a reverence that belies their actual meaning – The Kid. Looking at him - on TV, in photos, on casually placed billboards - the words strike a chord. Blonde hair, chocolate brown eyes, wiry frame – he does look a little fragile. Breakable even. Torres admits, “When I was a boy, I was really thin, small, longhaired... I always looked young. People thought, he can’t play football.” The myth is quickly dispelled however once the striker is unleashed on the field. Moving with an agility that has to be seen to be
48 APRIL 2011
believed, this particular Chelsea striker is deathly clinical when scoring goals. Torres has an eye for the spectacular and an intensity and vibrancy on the field that had fans singing – really singing – his praises across stadiums when he was with Liverpool. The song went something along the lines of, “We bought the lad from sunny Spain. He gets the ball and scores again Fernando Torres, Liverpool’s number nine.” But life wasn’t always stadium songs and million dollar contracts for the 25-year-old footballer. He was born into a working class family to parents José and Flori. Growing up in Fuenlabrada, a suburb in Madrid, the young boy honed his football skills on the city streets. His older brother, a goal keeper, enlisted young Torres to help him practise... Quickly, he realised that the game called to his sense of competitiveness; he was out to conquer and football was going to be his weapon. Mastery of a sport was something he valued, “Tennis, golf… why play if you cannot win? And I am useless at them, so I don’t play.” Luckily, he was far from
‘useless’ at football. Recognising his talent, the Youth Team at Atlético Madrid signed him up at the tender age of eleven. His mother, Flori devoted her time to taking him to and from trainings, “We had to get a train, then a bus, then walk through a park and she did it twice a day”. All the commuting apparently paid off because by the age of 14, Torres had won his first title. He was voted the best player in Europe in his age group while playing for Atlético Madrid. In 1999, at the age of 15, Torres signed his first professional contract with Atlético Madrid. Atlético Madrid had spent a long time in the shadow of a far more glamorous club Real Madrid. Torres however, had always favoured Atlético while growing up. His loyalty was unwavering, instilled in him by his grandfather, who was also an Atlético Madrid fan. Torres explained, “Real Madrid represented something else. Glamour, big stars. But I came from a working-class family. Real did not mean as much to me. My father worked every day, my brother and sister had to travel many hours to study, so Atlético were for people like us.” By 19, Torres was captain of the team – the youngest captain in the history of the club - and a fast favourite with fans. His spectacular goals regularly set the stands on fire. However, his skill on the pitch soon started garnering the interest of international clubs. Torres was torn between loyalty to his club and a chance to play for the Big Leagues, “... after seven seasons there (Atlético Madrid) I never played in Europe (the Champions League). I knew I needed to find a solution.”
APRIL 2011 49
WHAT-A-MAN
The ‘solution’ was Liverpool. The club offered £23 million – a record for Liverpool - for the rising star and by 2007, Torres was officially the newest addition to the Liverpool Club. He made his debut for Liverpool against Aston Villa on August 11, 2007. By August 19th, he’d scored his first goal. And the rest, as they say, was history. His first season was marked by, well, goal after impeccable goal. He became Liverpool’s first player after Robbie Fowler to score more than 20 league goals in a season. On the international front, the young player also plays for Spain.
In January 2011, however, in a surprise move that rattled Liverpool’s fans, Torres transferred to rival club Chelsea for a reported fee of £50 million
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He debuted for the Spanish team in 2003, and has since participated in four major tournaments – UEFA Euro 2004, the 2006 FIFA World Cup, the UEFA Euro 2008 and the 2010 FIFA World Cup. His first ever international title came during the UEFA Euro 2008. Torres scored the winning goal against Germany in the final, later calling the magnificent victory a “dream come true”. His country welcomed him back with open arms and all bitterness over the transfer to Liverpool - if any had been remaining - was quickly forgotten, “There were 15 kilometres from the airport to the heart of Madrid and it was like a red sea, millions of people in the city centre all with Spanish flags, people stopping dead on the opposite side of the motorway to cheer us as we went by, getting out of their cars, standing on their cars.” But this hero wasn’t done yet. In December 2009, after scoring against Aston Villa, Torres became the fastest player in Liverpool history to score 50 league goals. In January 2011, however, in a surprise move that rattled Liverpool’s fans, Torres transferred to rival club Chelsea for a reported fee of £50 million, effectively
making him the most expensive Spanish player in history. Today Torres, when not striking fear in the hearts of defenders everywhere, is busy being father to two beautiful children and husband to wife Olalla Dominguez. His marriage to Olalla took place in May 2009, with a grand total of two – count ‘em, two – guests. Women everywhere, in love with the footballer’s surfer boy good looks mourned, but tears were futile. A highly committed father and husband, Torres’s larger than life on-field persona is in stark contrast to his ‘personal life’. He confesses a love for the mundane openly, “I try to live as normal a life as possible, because I am normal. I was born in a working-class place in Spain, my father worked every day of his life and I don’t like to be a big-head, or go to parties or events, or be seen about. I don’t like people talking about me. I prefer no one talks about me. I prefer to be at home playing PlayStation and being calm.” We’re sorry to disappoint you, El Niño but you’ve just started at Chelsea - and we’re willing to bet that the fun is just beginning! Here’s lookin’ at you Kid! Q
LIFE ETC.
T
THE
LEARNING HIGH
his is a direct invitation to make a move and a shift from being a ‘know-itall-person’ to a ‘learn-itall-person’. This is the moment that everything will change in your life. People are often trying to prove that they are right, and stick to the way they think and constantly repeat phrases such as ‘I know that’. Whereas we need to remember that if we ‘lived it’, we ‘know it’ otherwise we can only say ‘we heard about it’ or ‘we read about it’. On the other hand, successful people look for learning new ways of thinking, new actions, and therefore new results. That is why it is important that you It’s continue to grow. time to make If you are not a shift in your continuously attitude… Try and be learning, you a ‘learn-it-all’ person will be left and see the changes behind. You life brings, says have to do Dr. Nada Al Ajmi. whatever it takes to develop an attitude of learning and invest your time and money in experiences that will enhance such an attitude.
person in strength of character and mind, you will naturally be successful in everything and anything you do. Remember you have to ‘be’,’ do’ and then ‘have’. So, it is all about ‘who’ you are! The good news is that who you are is totally trainable and doable. On top of learning, you should make sure you learn from those who have already been where you want to go. So it is important to choose whom you will learn from. Always learn from true masters in their respective field, and not those who claim to be experts, but those who have real world results to backup their talk. I strongly suggest that you put a certain percentage of your income into an education fund. Use this fund specifically for courses, books, tapes, CDs, or any other way you choose to educate yourself, whether through the formal education system, private training, or one-to-one coaching. Whatever method you choose, put serious attention and energy into continuously learning and, at the same time, be cautious of whom you are learning and taking advice from. Q
Success is a learnable skill. You can learn to succeed at anything. For example, if you want to be a great guitar player, you can learn how to do it. If you want to be truly happy, you can learn how to do it. It does not matter where you are right now. It doesn’t matter where you are starting from, but what matters is that you are willing to learn. Becoming successful is about who you have to become in character and mind, and the fastest way to achieve your goals and be successful is to work on developing yourself, since your outer world is merely a reflection of your inner world. If you grow yourself to become a successful
(Dr Nada Al Ajmi is Assistant Professor, Sultan Qaboos University, Certified Trainer – Springboard Women’s Development and Life Coach – Aspire Training and Consultancy. You can write to her at life-almara@umsoman.com)
APRIL 2011 51
HEALTH PLUS
Have all your gynaecological queries answered by Dr. Smita Lulla — MBBS, M.D, D.G.O. (Gold Medallist), Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist at Qurum Clinic, Muscat. The veteran doctor has had advanced training in the UK in Obstetric & Gynaecological Ultra-sonography & Infertility.
YOUR HEALTH Q. I have irregular periods and so my doctor advised Duoluton L for 21 days. After that, I got my periods. My doctor then suggested Siphene 100 mg. Let me know what I should do next. I am trying to conceive. A. Siphene is fine to induce ovulation. I presume you have first used 50 mg of Siphene and since you did not ovulate with that, you have been advised 100 mg. Ensure that you have an ultrasound done on day 11 of your period to determine your most fertile period and also to ensure that you do not have too many follicles and your ovary is not enlarged. All the best! Q. I have been diagnosed with PCOS and prescribed with Modus 10mg to regularise my periods. Can I get pregnant while having this medicine and what are my chances of conceiving? A. I am not sure what Modus is, but it would not help you ovulate. You need to do a scan on the 12th day of the period to check whether you are ovulating or not. Let me know the result and also the contents of Modus - whether it is Medroxyprogesterone or Dydrogesterone, so I can advise you further. Q. I am 32 years old and trying to conceive since the past one year. I had a scan done by a radiologist
and my report identified PCOS (right and left ovary with multiple small follicles). The cervix is normal in size and showed a small nebothian cyst S/O of chronic cervicitis (no evidence of adnexal mass lesion and there is minimal free fluid noted in POD S/O of chronic PID.) My thyroid report is normal and the doctor had prescribed Fertab (Clomid). It’s my fifth cycle and I’d like to know if I can conceive. A: What has been the size of the follicle on day 12 of the period? I presume you have been monitored on ultrasound every cycle whenever you have taken Fertab. What is your husband’s semen result and are your fallopian tubes normal? Let me know all these, so that I can advise you further. Q. I want to know if Susten 100 can cause a miscarriage? A. Susten is a progesterone medication and cannot cause a miscarriage. In fact, it may help in preventing a miscarriage in some cases.
Q. I underwent a laparoscopy recently. I’ve missed my periods but am not pregnant. I also have a vaginal discharge which gives off a bad smell. What could be the problem? A. Laparoscopy helps in diagnosing whether your tubes and ovaries are
okay or not. It does not necessarily help in conceiving. Repeat your urine test for pregnancy to ensure that you are not pregnant. You need to do a scan on the 12th day of the period to check whether you are ovulating or not. Regarding your vaginal discharge, you can use Betadine vaginal pessaries for a week. Check with the pharmacist that you do not have an allergy to any of its ingredients. If your discharge persists, see your gynecologist who can then do a vaginal culture and sensitivity to determine the type of infection you have and treat you accordingly.
Q. My wife has been taking Sizodon Plus 2mg for the last two months and this month she got her periods for the third time. Is it because of the medicine? A. Sizodon can cause menstrual abnormalities. However, she needs to have an ultrasound done on the fifth day of her period to ensure that she does not have an ovarian cyst which may be causing the irregular periods. I hope you are aware that Sizodon is not very safe during pregnancy, so you should be careful that pregnancy does not occur.
Find more questions and answers fielded by Dr. Smita Lulla at www.omanaccess.com
52 APRIL 2011
WELL-BEING
I
would sit at the top of the stairs and listen to the majestic sounds of the piano keys roll around me while her soprano voice would rise above them and swirl around me and reach the ceiling. And in a strange way it would mesmerise me into a state of utter calm. The sedate grandeur of Mozart and the lustrous enigma of Verdi would fill me with an incredible sense of fullness and I would feel blessed. I continue to enjoy the soul stirring melodies of Indian music whether folk or classical or spiritual. All have the potential to stir me. They have the power to calm and stimulate. Conversely, I recollect a time eons ago, when I was coaxed into attending a so-called “Metalband” concert and how within a few moments of the ear and mind-shattering din, I actually ran out of the hall! I was petrified! Ancient scriptures have spoken at length about how sound relates to and helps define the human spiritual condition. The concept of the sacred sound is pervasive, important and the subject of much discussion in these early writings. The simple sound of a lullaby takes the child into a deep, contented slumber. The soothing strains of a guitar can obliterate the pain of a loss or disappointment. The screaming sounds from a confrontation make us lose our very equilibrium. That is the power of sound. Frequency, mass, and energy are the components that make this universe as we see it and all these can be associated with the phenomenon of ‘sound’, irrespective of whether our physical ears can ‘hear’. In relationship to our own lives, it is interesting to see how sound affects us. Peaceful sounds, like calm music and soothing, non-combative lyrics, are configured to energise while aggressive sounds and tones will de-energise. Or in the case of inanimate objects, sound can harmonically configure or distort and destroy their structures.
Live the MUSIC
Music brings harmony to the mind. It has the capacity to make us blossom like a flower, says Dr. Prema Seshadri. Take the instance of something as natural as cooking a simple meal. When our physical bodies are tired or our minds are disturbed, the quality of the food prepared also tends to dip. On the other hand, when our beings are in a state of joy or the activity is accompanied by joyous and soft music that does not rattle our systems, the end product reflects the same equanimity of spirit. A vast quantity of hard scientific data now corroborates traditional, and even the most obscure understandings of the transformative power of sound as it relates to the physical and psychological dimensions of human life. The theory of Theophrastus attributes the origin of music to the whole range of human
emotions. From prehistoric times, emotions were expressed by the rhythmic moving of the body accompanied by the striking one object against another, clanking of stones, pounding of wood, and other such actions. Rhythm denotes a thought. It is the expression of a purpose. Its fundamental role is intention, power. Melody on the other hand is an almost unconscious expression of the senses. It translates every emotion into sound. It is the natural venting mechanism for sensations like fury, sadness, joy, etc. Add to this, rhythm, and one reaches the zenith of expression. Yoga is a discipline that started more than 5000 years ago. The health benefit of yoga is unquestionable and now universally accepted and sought
after. Combine this ancient technique with ageless music; we then have two powerful approaches to optimal health. This has garnered enormous credibility globally in the last two decades. This is because the rhythm within us that gets disturbed due to any jolt that comes through a trauma, disease, illness or confrontation can be put back in order only when knowledge, deep relaxation and music run in a rhythm. Life then becomes harmonious. Music brings harmony in the mind. It has the capacity to make us blossom like a flower or make us as hard as a rock! So, selection of the right kind of music becomes vital. The power of music becomes multifold when it combines with spirituality. It becomes a potent remedy for people suffering from depression. It uplifts them, helps them come out of their state, and helps them start a new life with a great deal of newly found enthusiasm. For a stress-free life, it is important to embrace both spirituality and music. Soothing music takes us from words to silence, thus helping to create a calm and meditative state of mind. Health is not simply the absence of disease. It is a condition of the soul that invigorates our very being, making it possible to derive the most out of our lives. Search for that one other music – the special heavenly music that exists within you. When you relax deeply, you bring yourself close to that source of inner music which is all joy! Q
(Dr. Prema Sheshadri is a psychologist, writer and entrepreneur)
APRIL 2011 53
TOP DRIVE
Driven
perfection
by
54 APRIL 2011
A perfect blend of functionality and comfort, the BMW Gran Turismo lives upto its reputation as a prestigious sedan. A review by Mayank Singh
A
beemer raises expectations and the idea of reviewing BMW’s latest offering - the Gran Turismo (GT) for Al Mar’a saw my excitement rising appreciably before D-day. Parked in the driveway of the Al Jenaibi showroom the GT looked breathtaking. The exterior of the car combines the proportions typical of a BMW - an elegantly stretched silhouette and a coupé-like roofline, four doors with frameless windows to create one complete, harmonious unit. The front view of the car gives a feeling of dynamism through the sheer presence of the upright BMW kidney grille, large air intakes and dual round headlights slanted back at an attractive angle. The GT has been positioned as an ideal family saloon and it is hard to miss its all-round appeal. If safety is one the first boxes that you tick then the GT may be your best bet. An integral active steering gives the car better manoeuvrability and safety at both low and high speeds. State-of the-art technology offers a choice of calibrating the drive settings according to road conditions. Adaptive headlights - a function that varies the angle of the headlight beam active and passive warning systems keep the vehicle within its lane. So whether you are driving to office or dropping your kids to school, the GT ensures that
you do not fret about safety on the roads.
LAP OF LUXURY
As we drove the saloon through city streets and the Qantab stretch, our photographer asked for the saloon to be tested in various modes, inclines and speeds. As we oscillated from normal to sports and from straight to steep surfaces, the generous interiors and comfort of the GT became apparent. The driver and passengers can customise space to suit their individual requirements. Large windows and a panoramic glass roof enhances the feeling of luxury. The semi command driving position means that you get a better view of the road ahead.
cabin and the load space, topped by a solid parcel shelf edged with a stout rubber seal. In regular mode the partition and parcel shelf offer the silence and security normally associated with a regular sedan or coupe. But with the parcel shelf removed the partition can be moved through the same arc as the rear seats. With the GT you can pack in that extra luggage without sweating about the boot space.
OUR FINAL TAKE
The GT combines innovation and elegance in equal measure and if you are looking for a saloon that is comfortable, efficient and safe, then your dream car may have just hit the showrooms. Q
A wide range of comfort and entertainment options means that there is something for every passenger on board. A DVD entertainment system in the rear is a children’s delight, the multichannel audio system and a USB port give you the choice to play your favourite numbers and a 80 GB hard disk is where all the office data can be stored. The really clever stuff - and the key to the GT’s appeal - is the configurable load space behind the rear seats. Unlike most hatchbacks, wagons and SUVs the GT features a variable partition between the
APRIL 2011 55
AT HOME
• Place soda bicarbonate or rose essence in the refrigerator to keep away foul smells. • You can add a little water to leftover tea leaves and wipe your mirrors sparkling clean. • Clean your silver with a mixture of 1 cup water, 1 tab of household ammonia and one teaspoon of silver polish. You could soak a napkin with this mixture, leave it to dry and then use it to wipe your silver.
If your shoe keeps slipping off your feet, use bandaid on the inner soles of your shoe. • Scuff marks caused by shoes on vinyl floors, which usually take hard scrubbing to get off, can be easily removed by wiping it with a small quantity of eucalyptus oil on a paper towel.
There’s so much to do around the house… that sometimes you don’t know where to start. But here are some tips that’ll help you along the way…
Rub toothpaste over fine scratches on glassware. It smoothens the area.
• Old socks used at the end of a broom can collect fine dust particles. • If your pressure cooker has stains, add two teaspoons of citric acid and pour in two cups of water and bring to a boil. When cool, scrub the cooker. • To remove stains from your crockery, wash with a solution of baking soda.
• To clean dust and grease from exhaust fans and bulbs in the kitchen, wipe with coconut fibre dipped in kerosene. Follow this by a good scrub with a cloth dipped in washing powder.
• To remove grease marks from wallpaper place a blotting paper over the mark and press with a hot iron. • Don’t struggle to find the ends of a cellophane tape. Just place the roll in the fridge for 10 minutes. • Melting bits of candle, kerosene and a dash of turmeric powder in a tin can make wood polish at home. Heat and allow cooling and setting before using.
• Remove ballpoint pen marks on wood or painted surfaces with distilled white vinegar. Simply dab with a clean rag soaked in vinegar until mark comes off.
Loosen tight screws in old wood by dripping a little vinegar on their heads. When the vinegar penetrates the thread they will be easier to unscrew.
• To starch silk suits at home use liquid gum mixed with water. When the suits are dry iron them. • Remove pet hair from the upholstery and cushions effortlessly by rubbing a damp sponge over the required area. • Protect yourself from slipping on the floor when wearing new footwear by rubbing the soles with sand paper.
• Hardened glue becomes soft and usable if glycerin and warm water is added and stirred well.
• Stains on white footwear can be removed with the help of a nail polish remover.
• Before polishing your shoes hold the polishing brush in front of a heater or lamp to warm it and now polish your shoes with this warm brush to make them shine.
• Remove stains from concrete by scrubbing with a steel scouring pad, hot water and a heavy duty grease cutting detergent. •To remove wax from carpeting or other fabric, first scrape away the excess then place a brown paper bag over the wax and run a warm iron over the bag, the wax will melt right into the bag. Continue moving the bag around as you pick up the wax so you are always using a clean section. If a little grease stain remains on the carpet, sprinkle with baking soda and allow to sit overnight before vacuuming.
• For light burns on woollen carpets, rub over the affected area with a fine sandpaper to remove the brown singe marks. Wash the area with shampoo and warm water and a few drops of vinegar, then rinse off. Before attempting to remove marks from synthetic carpets, contact the manufacturer. Stop the tears flowing when peeling onions, especially with large quantities. Peel and cut onions in half, place in a plastic bag in a single layer and put in the freezer. When frozen, remove from the freezer, leave for a short time so they are not too hard, then chop or slice with a sharp knife.
Do share your fine housekeeping and personal grooming skills with other Al Mar’a readers. Write in to Al Mar’a, At Home, United Media Services, P.O. Box: 3305, Ruwi 112, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman or email us at almara@umsoman.com, Subject: At Home or fax us at 24707939. Do give us your name, address and GSM number.
56 APRIL 2011
REVIEWS
read
watch GOODBYE LULLABY by Avril Lavigne
TICK TOCK by James Patterson with Michael Ledwidge
COMMITTED: A Skeptic Makes Peace With Marriage by Elizabeth Gilbert The author of the hugely successful ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ continues the personal narrative in her new book, this time dwelling extensively on marriage. Elizabeth Gilbert speaks of her journey into herself and how she copes with her fears surrounding marriage. Her plunge into matrimony with Felipe, plenty of anecdotes and her conclusions on marriage make the book a worthwhile read. If you liked ‘Eat, Pray, Love’, you’ll love this one too!
Another edge-of-the-seat thriller from James Patterson. This one stars New York detective Michael Bennet who is enjoying a rare moment of peace and quiet on the beach with his family. He receives a call informing him that a bomb has gone off in the city. A series of crimes start to occur. There is panic and fear and Bennett plunges into it headlong as the clock ticks on...
BOOKS, MOVIES AND MORE... www.weardrobe.com
surf
For fashionistas, get the runway look straight from this website. You can be inspired by the girls here who create fabulous looks in many ways. Mix ‘n’ match to create a great look for a day out, for those formal occasions or for a party. You just need to follow these simple fashion rules for a ‘drop-dead-gorgeous’ looking you!
60 APRIL 2011
The Lincoln Lawyer starring Mathew McConaughey, Marisa Tomei and Ryan Phillippe Mickey Haller is a criminal defence attorney operating out of the backseat of a Lincoln town car. He signs on to defend playboy real estate agent Louis Roulet who has been charged with assault. He comes from a rich family and so cost is no issue. But while deep into the case, Mickey discovers that Haller is not what he appears to be. There is a sinister past and new developments in the present... A thrilling and must-watch!
The Other Woman starring Natalie Portman, Lisa Kudrow and Lauren Ambrose The story revolves around newly-weds, Emilia (Natalie Portman) and Jack (Scott Cohen). Jack is a high-profile New York lawyer and was Emilia’s boss before she married him. Life takes an unexpected turn when Jack and Emilia lose their newborn daughter. Meanwhile, Emilia also has to struggle to connect with her stepson William while trying to cope with interference from Carolyn (Lisa Kudrow), Jack’s ex-wife. A family story with the usual drama.
Avril Lavigne returns after a hiatus with her fourth studio album, Goodbye Lullaby, a rather stripped-down version this time! This is the Avril one has never seen before in an intensely personal avatar. She is introspective and sensitive as well. The stand-out tracks are Stop Standing There, Everybody Hurts, Push, Smile ending with the emotional Goodbye. Worth multiple listening!
MISSION BELL by Amos Lee This is Amos Lee’s fourth album and he sure has hit upon a winning formula. You just have to listen to Violin, a wonderful piece that resonates with its wonderful and sweeping harmonious influences. His collaboration with Joey Burns, frontman for indie Tex Mex mainstay Calexico produces other wonderful tracks like Behind Me Now, Windows Are Rolled Down and Cup of Sorrow. This one is sure going to be one of the big hits of the season!
listen
BEAUTY ZONE
A WOOD STORY
Experience a whiff of She Wood, the new perfume from Dueto Parfums. It brings you all the sensations of nature exuding splendour, joy and lively femininity. Revel in the richness of lemon, neroli, orange, musk, vetiver, cedar wood and ambery wood – each note intense and vibrant. Let the scent envelop you!
SWEET SYMBOL
A roundup of the top fragrances of the season…
Scents Unlimited
It’s captivating… and certainly a must-have this season. Pour Elle, from Mauboussin enchants with notes of rhubarb, rose, red fruits and jasmine, complemented by amber and sandalwood. And what better symbol of love than a ring? All three bottles are set with rings giving you the feeling of being enveloped in love. Get one for yourself and feel the surge of love!
COOL COMBO
Guerlain unveils its newest fragrance Idylle Duet, a combination of two distinct octaves to reveal the mysterious dimension of love in all its forms. The idea of mystery is expressed through rose and patchouli that harmonise in a refrain. The choice fell on a Bulgarian rose and Indonesian patchouli essence obtained by molecular extraction to add a lighter touch. A wonderful and heady combination that makes you feel light and beautiful!
A LOT LIKE LOVE
COLOUR OF LIFE
Colour is a key element in the soul of Cute Pink from Mandarina Duck. It is a romantic new eau de toilette inspired by the tenderness of lovely little things like dew on the grass, the brightness of a smile, a flower unfolding, ripening fruit, summer’s first heat or cool water. It combines the floral and fruity notes with tangerine, freesia, red apple, currant, ripe plum that finally blends into cedar and musk in the bottom notes. Try it!
She is elegant, spirited and a young woman in love! Miss Dior Chérie, a version of the legendary Miss Dior fragrance brings the spontaneous joie de vivre of today’s young woman. You’ll love the way the perfume glides from the sharp charm of a fresh, fruity, citrus prelude into blossoming floral notes, then onto the noble elegance of patchouli before finally concluding with musk. A fresh, floral scent that exudes simplicity like no other!
APRIL 2011 61
BEAUTY ZONE
ROCK ‘N’ ROLL
IN YOUR FACE
It’s time to amplify your cheeks and enhance the illusion of sculpted features. Bella Bamba, Benefit’s new 3D brightening face powder is laced with shimmering gold undertones! Wear it on cheeks or dust it lightly all over your face to look brighter, perkier and prettier. We’re sure that you’ll never use the traditional blush again!
Bourjois pays tribute to its early love of theatre and moves effortlessly between gracious ballerina and rock chic in its Spring 2011 collection. The effect is soft, romantic yet enchanting-smoky eye shades as delicate pink contrasts with intense black! The complexion and lips are discreetly illuminated in nude and pink, leaving the eyes and nails under the spotlight. Ready, steady… on tiptoes!
Make Me Over What’s hot on the make-up scene and why these are absolute must-haves…
BRONZE EFFECT
PHOTO FINISH
Flawless, airbrushed skin has just become easier to achieve! Revlon’s PhotoReady Compact Makeup is designed to provide perfected, poreless skin in any light with an easy-to-use compact cream make-up. The unique compact uses a liquefying screen to instantly turn cream into a weightless, blendable liquid offering smooth, even coverage with a soft powder finish that’s perfect in any light. The compact make-up also features an SPF 20 and comes in four shades. 62 APRIL 2011
The legendary Terracotta Powder from Guerlain backed by 25 years of expertise now comes recharged in the Terracotta 2011 Collection. It is nestled in a new case reworked in a more contemporary style and perfectly reproduces every shade of the sun to seamlessly replace it. And to prolong the Terracotta adventure, Guerlain invents Terracotta Skin, its first-light healthy glow foundation. The Terracotta Serum also revolutionises the cosmetics world by transforming every skincare product into a tan booster, while the Jambes De Gazelle mist embellishes tanned skin and refreshes the legs. Savour the summer with make-up just right for it!
GLOSS & GLAM
Take glossy lips to new limits with non-sticky Vinyl Gloss from Rimmel London. Its pampering technology features a boosted magnifying Vinyl Shine Complex for a perfectly sculpted pout that is up to 80 per cent shinier! The formula also boasts incredible light refraction and high colour retention for lips that are sure to catch attention. It’s the ultimate in glossy glamour with lips up to 40 per cent curvier. And you know what? They call it the London look!
BEAUTY ZONE
EYES & LIPS
Want younger looking eyes and a radiant smile? Nuxe brings the Nuxuriance, an eye and lip care solution with a natural effectiveness backed by six patents that offers a global antiageing action on the five visible signs of ageing of eye and lip contours. The formula helps you combat dark circles, wages war on brown spots, fights under-eye puffiness, hunts down wrinkles and says no to slackening!
BODY DOUBLE
From Clarins comes the Extra-Firming Body Care range that satisfies all skin types. Try the Extra-Firming Body Cream that is rich in texture, delivers exceptional glide and offers the comfort of shea butter, hazelnut and jojoba oils. On the other hand, the Extra-Firming Body Lotion leaves skin feeling soft and creamy and also delivers the exceptional comfort of nourishing shea butter. The formula also includes a menthol derivative for a subtly refreshing feeling. The Extra-Firming Body Care is surely a delicious way to take care of your body.
Glow Deep Skincare products for that warm, refreshing and rejuvenating feeling…
SILKY TONES SUPER SKIN
Here’s some good news. L’Occitane has added two new products to its Immortelle Range. The Brightening Exfoliator smoothens and makes skin more even-toned and luminous. It contains pure organic Immortelle essential oil, for anti-wrinkle and firming action. The Moisture Brightening Mask immediately drenches the skin in moisture and reveals a new-found radiance. When this fresh, gel-cream texture is massaged over the face, it boosts micro-circulation and brings a wonderful feeling of well-being.
From Sensai comes the Silk Peeling Mask that fuses superior performance with luxury. It draws on two decades of research in enzyme technology to gently and thoroughly remove dead cells and impurities while infusing the skin with moisture. One blissfully relaxing minute of treatment achieves a sensationally moist, clear and luminous finish. For an extrasmooth touch, the Silk Peeling Mask features Sensai’s original Silk Scrub that contains silk powder. Lovely!
APRIL 2011 63
FASHION
THE RIPPLE EFFECT Ripples, the Spring-Summer 2011 Collection by Rami Al Ali celebrates fluidity, evolution and movement‌ each creating its own ripple, a drop that oozes opulence and sophistication.
64 APRIL 2011
Like sensual echoes, the reverberation of a raindrop is beautifully captivating. Every expanding ripple across the water creates movement and colour that changes the face of what was once a still, solemn, single hued space. It is the provocation of one single drop that inspired Ripples, the Spring/Summer 2011 collection by Rami Al Ali Couture. APRIL 2011 65
FASHION The house is moved by the changeover from small subjective to large objectivity; Ripples is a fluid interpretation of the female form. The fluidity of each piece is expressed through layering, harmonised shapes and depth. Like a Ripple Effect, each silhouette starts from a single form then expands to create voluminous beauty.
66 APRIL 2011
Each gown moves with the most subtle touch; cascading down its subject from cinched waists to affluent sheaths. The ruffles are waves, creating movement and energy from the shoulder to the bodice. The skirting is a catchment guided by the curvature of the back, flowing almost at a trickle behind, with hems that lightly sweep the surface below. APRIL 2011 67
FASHION The silks float; integrating shades of turquoise, lavender, rose and coral, paralleling the reflections of the sky on the water. Each tone folds into the landscape of the gown, adding profundity to the silhouette. Bands of rich aquamarine and Prussian blue, mirror the plush life around a deep serene lake. Each bead creates its own ripple, a drop in sumptuous silk.
68 APRIL 2011
The collection comes together to tell a story of natural opulence and sophistication. A beauty that is spontaneously gorgeous. The story of Ripples is one of constant evolution and movement. APRIL 2011 69
CUISINE
Did you know that breaking bread is a universal sign of peace? It also means sharing your love for food and enjoying moments of togetherness. Al Mar’a presents three bread recipes to add zing to your meal.
Break LABANEH ZATAR BREAD Serves: 2 to 4
1 kg white flour 200 gm wheat flour 1 egg 25 gm sugar Salt to taste 10 gm yeast 50 gm ghee 20 gm labaneh (available readymade) 10 gm zattar (available readymade) Mix all the ingredients, except for the zattar and labaneh to form dough. Make the dough and shape it so that there’s room for the zattar and labaneh filling. Add them and then bake in the oven for 20 minutes. 72 APRIL 2011
(Recipe by Kargeen)
some bread LACHADAR PARATHA Serves: 5
500 gm wheat flour Water as required Salt to taste 1 tbsp oil Mix wheat flour, water, salt and oil to make soft dough. Make round balls of equal size. Use your palms to roll a ball of dough till it attains the shape of a long rope. Circle the rope and make a round to form a big circle. Bake in tandoor or an oven until brown in colour. Brush with ghee or butter and serve hot.
(Recipe by Kohinoor – Crystal Suites)
APRIL 2011 73
CUISINE
TAFTAN
Serves: 5 500 gm flour 100 gm butter or ghee 250 ml milk ½ tbsp sugar Water as required ½ tsp yeast 10 gm melon seeds Salt to taste
74 APRIL 2011
Mix flour, sugar, milk, ghee, yeast and melon seeds and knead into a soft dough. Divide into small balls of equal size and set aside for half-an-hour. Dust lightly with flour and roll into flat discs. Bake in a cooking range until brown in colour. Brush with ghee or butter and serve hot. Serve with any Indian curry.
(Recipe by Kohinoor – Crystal Suites)
STARGAZING
ARIES - When you are working in a group, experiment with holding back. Let other people work it out – they can handle things, and you could use a break from the rat race. Your influence is important, but people need to notice your absence as well. Work closely and observe well - it will help you work smart and also make some great connections in the bargain.
What the
stars
TAURUS - It’s a simple truth: If you balk at an obstacle, it probably means you don’t really want whatever is on the other side. Keep this in mind when you encounter a problem. What is your reaction? And what does it say about what you really, really want? The more thought you give this now, the better prepared you’ll be. Also, go out and network. There’s nothing wrong in mixing business with pleasure. GEMINI - It might feel as if your entire world is being filmed in slow motion. Things are throttling down, but you might not be ready for it. If people are not responding to you faster than you’d want them to be, give them the little push. Gently shove the slow ones and hint to the ‘slowto-realise’ ones that they need to understand just what really has to be done! CANCER - Intellectual and super-smart are the adjectives that describe you during the beginning of the month. You might even be so over-the-top brilliant that other folks have a hard time keeping up with you! By the very emotional (in a good way) 13th and 14th, you and a partner are really ready to bare your souls to each other. Let go of your ego, and the process will be really rewarding. LEO - You know what you want. But realise other people have wants too! This thought will come in handy when you go all out and party this month. Be careful with your investments, emotional and otherwise. In this case, you might really want to plan properly. Once you’ve felt
76 APRIL 2011
foretell...
out the situation, go for it! The rewards might just surprise you. VIRGO - There is some clutter in your life that must go. Don’t worry, you’ll have fun getting organised. Once you’ve cleared your mind (and soul), try something new. Routines can be wonderfully efficient and even comforting, but you are truly at your best when you’re experimenting with new things. So forget about everything else and do what you do best. LIBRA - Life’s all about fun in the first half of the month. Don’t go overboard since work is also equally important in the larger scheme of things. . You can bring your fun self to work and change the way others think, feel and behave! The end result? Everyone will love you for bringing in the ‘fun’ element. Make the most of it. SCORPIO - You’ve got so much going for you in nearly every life
arena you won’t know where to focus first. You thrive under intensity, so your ridiculously busy life won’t be a problem. It’s just that Saturn bearing down in your sector of sleep, dreams and retreat will feel like an on-going thorn in your side. Do take the time out to rebalance and shut out the demands of the big bad world. SAGITTARIUS - Jupiter, your lucky planetary ruler enters your work sector this month bringing some brilliant new opportunities for you to make money and build something lasting and meaningful. The more beauty in your world the better, and with Jupiter entering Taurus, you’ll have more than enough aesthetic influence to keep you grounded and inspired. Count your lucky blessings, Sag. CAPRICORN - Venus will be in your sign for the first 10 days of the month. You will be concerned with finances and resources; so keep a rein on that impulse to
splurge. Several planets in Pisces during the first half of the month will bring the desire to help others and get involved in community initiatives. AQUARIUS - It’s prime time to get busy. Activities that require focus or creativity will be supported. Physical strength and energy will encourage you to do something active. If you have been feeling sluggish, tired, or a little under the weather, expect an end to that. Let the artist in you take over and consider creative projects that take strength, such as building something out of wood. PISCES - Don’t stop believing, Pisces! If you’ve been procrastinating on turning your visions into a goldmine, this is your time to bust a serious move and catch the amazing non-stop momentum of April. There’s no spacing out, hiding home or escaping from reality. Things are just too good to miss!