Al Mara - English - March 2010

MARCH 2010 93

MARCH 2010 93

From the Desk MARCH 2010 Vol 7 No 83 Editorial EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Salman Ibrahim Al Balushi CONSULTING EDITOR Priya Nair ASSISTANT EDITOR (CONSULTING) Rekha Baala ASSISTANT EDITOR Rana Alawneh PRINCIPAL CORRESPONDENT Deepa Rajan DESIGN

COVER DESIGN : minaal G. pednekar PHOTOGRAPHER : BRUCE BOYD MODEL: AMY BROWNE

ART DIRECTORS Sandesh S. Rangnekar Minaal G. Pednekar DESIGNERS Aliya Al Waheibi Rashida SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER Rajesh Burman PHOTOGRAPHER Sathyadas C. Narayanan PRODUCTION MANAGER Govindraj Ramesh ADVERTISING & MARKETING GROUP ADVERTISING MANAGER Mimi Deb SENIOR MEDIA EXECUTIVE Fareeda Sulaiman Al Balushi

Dream On Can you imagine what the first woman to land on space must have felt? Russian cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova explained the defining moment in her life thus: “Anyone who has spent any time in space will love it for the rest of their lives. I achieved my childhood dream of the sky.”

A couple of years ago, we asked Cathy O’Dowd, the first woman to climb Mount Everest from both sides, what success meant to her. She said: “For me achieving success came through having the courage to move away from the more conventional definitions of success to pursue my passion for the mountains and the stories that came out of the mountain experiences.”

It is clear that we become achievers when we begin thinking beyond the ordinary. It also does not necessarily mean that that you should land on the moon to be one. But there’s nothing stopping you from aiming for the stars, though!

CORPORATE CHIEF EXECUTIVE Sandeep Sehgal EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Alpana Roy VICE PRESIDENT Ravi Raman SENIOR Business Support Executive Radha Kumar DISTRIBUTION United Media Services LLC

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

Look around you. And see how many women are making a difference... See the woman working at the supermarket, driving a taxi or working at the restaurant. Or fighting corporate battles in the boardroom, flying an airplane or even working on an oil rig! You name the place, they are there...

Doing themselves, and their country proud! Showing the world that women’s empowerment comes from not what others perceive of you... but from within... and how far you can take yourself.

March is the season for us to celebrate. Not that we need any special reason to do this. But once in a while, it’s good to pat ourselves on the back for the diverse roles we play in life. This year, the theme of International Women’s Day is ‘Equal rights. Equal opportunities. Progress for All’.

For us, it signifies the need to understand what we are capable of, and grab the opportunities available to us in every sphere of life. When we do this... we contribute not only to our own development but also to the world in which we live in.

There’s also something else you need to realise. You may be a wife, daughter, sister or a mother... but you are also a woman. While your life may revolve around the many relationships you share, there’s only one thing that you can do for yourself. And that is, believe in yourself.

And dare to dream. Do it because when you really embrace a dream, you set things into motion.

Team Al Mar’a wishes you a Happy Women’s Day! And a Happy Mother’s Day too!

We’ll see you next month. Until then... stay cool, people!

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced without the express permission of the publishers.

Copyright © 2010 United Press & Publishing LLC Printed in the Sultanate of Oman at Oman Printers & Stationers

e-magazine – logon to www. oeronline.com

MARCH 2010 3

18 COVER STORY What do men say about ‘Equal Rights.

Equal Opportunities. Progress for all’? The theme of IWD 2010.

AL MAR’A SEASON’S SPECIAL INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY& ARAB MOTHER’S DAY

26 Women on the most important lessons they learnt from their mothers... which make them what and who they are today.

32 Be a great partner in your child’s quest for knowledge...

34 Gifts of the sason — celebrate the joys of being a woman.

37 Spring a surprise for your mother with two special cakes from Cindy Lundberg.

FeatureS CONTEST

36

Simple answers to simple questions get you a gift hamper from The Body Shop.

48

Experience a taste of luxury on the high seas: Get on board the Costa Deliziosa!

TRAVEL

Discover the magic of Beirut, a modern, bustling city and a beautiful study in contrasts.

56

PEOPLE SOLUTIONs

SUPERSTAR

Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher have proved that an age difference has got nothing to do with a lasting relationship...

WORKWISE

62 To be successful

in life it is important to have self-esteem says Sabah Al Farsi, instructor at the British Council’s Springboard Programme.

44

PERSONA

42

Meet Nisha Kothari, a brilliant artist who bagged second place in the ‘Qaboos Oman’ competition last year.

HEALTH

64

The secret to a healthy body is a combination of a good diet and regular exercise...

HEALTH PLUS

66 A Q&A session with Dr Smita Lulla, Obstetrician & Gynaecologist.

WELL-BEING

74 It’s important to acknowl-

edge and nurture ourselves before thinking of others says Dr Prema Seshadri...

AT HOME

60 Practical ideas for your home and you...

Food

FOR THE FOODIE

58 Enjoy a ‘genuine’ Chinese experience at China Mood, Al Bustan Palace InterContinental Muscat.

In Every Issue

> Your Say > News, Etc. > Event — Nokia > Event — ‘India – Then, Now and Forever’ > Stargazing

Fashion & Beauty

80

Fashion

Dar Al Dibaj: A treasure-trove of ‘Jalabiyas’ and an exclusive line of captivating antique jewellery...

Al Mar’a Recommends 54 Discover the wonders of Genie at Essence Spa.

Beauty Zone 78The beauty booty checklist

YOUR SAY PRIZE-WINNING LETTERS

Simple and sweet Your cover feature, ‘Pure unadulterated happiness’ came as a breath of fresh air. In the rat race of life, when we are busy multi-tasking, we forget the simple things in life that give us immense happiness. Yes, the 15 simple things you have outlined definitely will ‘help see my dose of joy where I want it... within easy reach!’ Nothing is difficult in life... especially finding time for yourself and doing the things you love. The feature was indeed... an eye-opener... a reminder to slow down in the fast lane of life and take it easy. Ultimately, what also matters is ‘my own happiness’ and how I perceive what gives me utmost happiness. Well done, Al Mar’a and hope to see more such features in the future!

Khoula Al Balushi Qurum

Artistic passion Munira Fleyfel and her take on her passion for jewellery made a great read. I especially loved the way she spoke about her inspirations and her ideas for concepts. Here was a designer who is so passionate about what she does, and has not forgotten her roots as well.

Hope to see more of her designs with Omani influences here in Muscat.

Sultana Khan Ghubra

Novel concept Your fashion feature done in line with

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MARCH 2010

‘Valentine’s Day’ was novel both in concept as well design. I loved the way you combined the elements of fashion with that of ‘getting a gift for your loved one’.

Apart from that, there was plenty of reading material in Al Mar’a that was interesting, educative and entertaining as well. Keep up the good work, Al Mar’a!

Keerti Bhattacharjee Muttrah

Love All I really looooved your Valentine’s Special, guys! It was so exhaustive and a lot of fun

Incredible Artiste The interview with multi-talented Indian artiste Mallika Sarabhai was both interesting and refreshing. I especially liked the way she expressed her views. I was fortunate enough to attend her show, ‘Indian – Then, Now and Forever’ and what a performance it was! An evening of ‘unrestricted and unbridled’ dance and music that tugged at the heart-strings! Here is an artiste who has used her art form to showcase the rich diversities of her country... without any compromises. Hope to see more such of her kind!

Rajani Sharma Darsait

too! Your ‘Love in Real Life’ feature inspired me to sit down with my husband and watch two of my most favourite romantic movies, ‘Sleepless in Seattle’ and ‘Pretty Woman’ and that too, back-to-back! The gift pages were also simply beautiful. I am a perfume buff and so, showed my husband the ‘The Scent of Love’ page and the hint was enough for me to get two perfumes.

You really made my Valentine’s Day very special. Thank you, Al Mar’a.

Maryam Al Rahbi Al Khuwair

NEWS, ETC.

Wheels

Great Launch The Right Choice Why do more and more people prefer Renault? Well, for one, it’s been an automaker and a brand in tune with its times. It’s also really safe — the Renault principle of safety is outlined in its four basic points: Prevent, correct, protect and educate. Also, it offers an impressive model range to choose from such as the Logan, Clio, Symbol, Megane, Safrane and Koleos — their first 4WD. Renault is also environmentally friendly and has made wide progress in this direction.

When it comes to performance, Renault boasts of high performance parameters for each of its vehicles. So book a test drive right away and see whether the Renault excites you!

Perfect Present

It’s time to give your Mazda cars a spanking, new look. All you have to do is take advantage of Towell Auto Centre’s (TAC) latest promotion, ‘Give your past a present’. Owners of Mazda Models like the 323, 626, MPV, TRIBUTE, E Series and B Series — can avail of this offer by booking an appointment at any of the Mazda showrooms in the country for a pleasant surprise! The promotion will offer Mazda patrons free vehicle health check, free vehicle body wash, as well as attractive prices on parts and labour. While old may be gold, it needs a new sheen as well... What do you think?

A wonderful evening, a picturesque venue, perfect weather - it was a glamorous setting for the launch of the all-new 2010 Nissan Patrol in Oman. The importance of the event was underlined by the presence of the President & CEO of the Nissan Motor Company, Carlos Ghosn. The 2010 Patrol is unique. It has been through over 13,000 hours of testing in the Arabian deserts, and is packed with refinement and technology.

Performance inputs built into the 2010 Patrol include the world’s first Hydraulic Body Motion Control (HBMC) System for ultimate roll control and stability off-road and on-road, a new All Mode 4x4 system tuned for sand, on-road, snow and rock conditions, and a new 7-speed automatic transmission with Manual Shift Mode. But, the star of all the power packed into the 2010 Patrol is the new 5.6-litre V8 engine with best-in-class power and torque yet better fuel economy.

A Bundle of Offers

Here’s some good news if you are planning to buy a car... Moosa Abdul Rahman Hassan & Co. is now offering a triple promotion of free insurance for one year, free service up to 40,000 km, and a low interest rate of 5.5 per cent, along with a free gift on every GMC purchase. You could choose from four models that topped the award list of Consumer Guide, a leading US online authority in new and used cars. The GMC Acadia and Yukon were awarded top honours as ‘Best Buys’ in the mid-size and large SUV classes, and the Terrain and Sierra were named ‘Recommended Buys’ in the mid-size SUV and large pickup classes. So, which one are you getting?

Dynamic Debut

It’s magnificent and it is grand! It’s also a wonderful combination of innovation and elegance! The BMW Gran Turismo has arrived in Oman. It combines the characteristic features of a prestigious sedan, the functionality and space of an SAV and the elements of a traditional grand touring car. The front view of the car animates powerful dynamism; the interior is luxurious and in Oman, it comes with eight-speed automatic transmission and two engine variants – the in-line six cylinder 535i and the V8 550i. Check the beauty out at the nearest BMW showroom.

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MARCH 2010

NEWS, ETC.

Lifestyle…

A Tough Choice

It’s tough, rugged and packs in quite a punch. We are talking about the new range of mobile laptops from Panasonic called Toughbook.

Two new models were launched in Oman recently, the brand new Toughbook Business Mobile model, the CF-F8 and the ultra-portable CF-W8. The former, at 1,660g meets the demand for a lightweight, durable and high performance notebook and features the Intel Core 2 Duo standard voltage processor clocked at 2.26 GHz and up to 3 GB of RAM while delivering approximately six hours of battery life. The latter builds upon the advantages of its predecessor, the CF-W7, and packs improved hardware, ultra-low voltage Intel® Core 2 Duo Processor, 120 GB of hard disk space and a 12.1 inch display, all within its compact 1,290g frame. You must check this out.

Sweet Stuff

Now, this is what we call a real sweet proposition! The original IBONS ginger candies are now available in the Middle East. The world-famous candies were first introduced in Thailand way back in the 1930s. The IBONS ginger candies, which combine fresh ginger with a little sweetness to provide an extremely exotic but also exhilarating taste experience, are available in two distinct flavours — ClassicGinger and Ginger-Mango in the introductory phase. Sounds yum!

Hang on, they’ll be available in Oman soon.

The ‘Inn’ Thing

Destination Salalah

Oman gets etched deeper on to the global luxury holidays map what with the recent opening of the Salalah Marriott Resort, the first Marriott hotel in Oman. To celebrate its opening, a high-profile event was held at the Left Bank Restaurant. The Resort is set on the idyllic shores of the Arabian Sea on the white sandy beaches of the Mirbat Cove and at the foot of the Jebel Samhan. It features 237 well-appointed rooms with a choice of scenic beach or mountain views and you can stay in the Resort’s main building or in the surrounding chalets. We just got yet another reason to visit the beautiful city of Salalah! What about you?

Fun Fridays

Here is some great news for kids as well as their parents. While mom and dad are busy ‘being boring’ and having a leisurely meal on the terrace of the Mokha Cafe every Friday afternoon, the kids can hang out with all the other kids in a ‘parents free zone’ with video games, baby slides, comfort cushions and a lot more. You get a special buffet that is loaded with mini burgers, Spaghetti Bolognese and as much yummy desserts you can eat.

And the best part? Kids up to the age of 12 eat for free when dining with their paying parents! Now that’s one yummy treat!

Log On

Online contact is perhaps the most essential service for any kind of customer today. Keeping this in mind, Omantel has launched its new integrated website — www.omantel.om — that gives you a single point of online contact for all your requirements for mobile and fixed line telephony and Internet services. The new portal is now live and you can already log on to the new website to enjoy an enhanced experience. It is the first practical step of the phased rollout of the new enhanced brand and the ‘Together’ tagline Omantel announced last month. You will now be able to undertake a broad range of services on the new easy-to-use-and-navigate portal. Check it out.

Fridays are perfect for long and leisurely breakfasts. And Park Inn now has a great concept to help charge your batteries first thing on a Friday morning! Now you get to enjoy one buffet breakfast at The Palm restaurant on Fridays and you get another one completely complimentary! Priced at just Rials six (all inclusive) per adult (children aged 6-12 pay Rials three and below six years of age eat for free), this offer is a total steal! The added bonus is that the breakfast timings at The Palm restaurant on Fridays now begin at 6: 30am and have been extended up to 12 noon. So breakfast or brunch, the choice is yours.

10 MARCH 2010

Style Kitchens

If you are looking to give your kitchen a makeover, try one of the most sophisticated and trusted names in the business.

A kitchen from Poggenpohl is the centrepiece of any home.

Poggenpohl offers a unique range of materials, colours and options. It also employs an exciting interplay of proportions to create an unmistakeable look. For example, a Poggenpohl kitchen offers minimum design with maximum effect which is sheer style. In its kitchens, the technically aesthetic appearance of stainless steel blends harmoniously with the warm aura of natural wood. All-round spacer trims eliminate the need for handles on the fronts, highlighting the beauty of these surfaces and emphasising their tactile qualities. Also, what’s best is that the style of each Poggenpohl kitchen fulfils the aesthetic, practical and emotional needs of the person using it. So check out which style suits you best at Quality Furniture, the representatives of Poggenpohl in Oman.

NEWS, ETC.

Lifestyle…

Special Scents

Food on the Go If you love the special fragrances of Arabia, one of the oldest perfumes and cosmetics brands in the world, Maison Dorin has just the right fragrances for you. They recently launched the ‘Un Air d’Arabie’ range with the scents of oud, musk, amber and Rose of Taif. Interestingly, Maison Dorin has a rich history. In 1780, it was granted the honour of becoming the official purveyor to the Royal Courte of Versailles for powders and cosmetics.

A symbol of outstanding luxury, with a traditional approach to creative innovation, Maison Dorin has for the past three centuries, has been enthralling the fashion-conscious all over the world. Check out the Maison Dorin range in Oman at Capital Store.

Talk Time

If you are looking for exclusive timepieces, City Watch has opened exclusive watch stores at Centrepoint — Al Khuwair and Sohar. These stores are located in the Splash section and cater to both men and women.

Some of the brands available here include Axcent, Christina, Charles Delon, Danish Design, Foce, Freelook, Giordano, Jetset, Louis Cardin, Moog, Oxette, Royal Crown and many more, all at affordable prices. City Watch is also set to open its outlets in other Centrepoint locations like Ruwi, City Centre and Salalah. If you did not know already, City Watch is part of the Salmancorporation. Give the collection a looksee soon.

12 MARCH 2010

If you’re always on the go, and need to quickly grab a bite, then Pizza Hut’s new P’Zone pizza sandwich is just right for you. It is designed to be eaten ‘on the go’ by busy individuals who are looking for a convenient alternative to a sit-down meal at a restaurant. The P’Zone is available now at all Pizza Hut stores in five mouth-watering toppings including supreme, meaty, chicken, vegetarian and margherita. The P’Zone is also very aggressively priced at less than Rials two.

Try it out.

Timeless Luxury

It is not just a timepiece... it’s a work of art. The Raymond Weil nabucco range now boasts a new addition in titanium. The nabucco Va, Pensiero, is named after the famous Verdi chorus and exudes the same power and nobility as the great Italian composer’s opera. With its sober 46mmdiameter case and round bezel with tachometric scale set into the titanium, it is exceptionally resilient and water-resistant.

The timepiece’s elegant design is underscored by a saddle-stitched crocodylus niloticus leather strap with double push-piece security. Let the nabucco Va, Pensiero spirit you away on the wings of freedom!

NEWS, ETC.

Lifestyle…

R

anging from the basics of an urban uniform to the wilder tribal goddess style, from the clean Naval look to a ‘Wild West’ inspired American look, Splash unveils a vast array of high voltage fashion designs this Spring Summer!

High Voltage Fashion!

The Splash Spring-Summer 2010 collection offers a number of wide-ranging themes to create a multitude of choices and looks…

Their ‘New Uniform Line’ offers a fresh twist to all lovers of minimalistic fashion. Clean-edged and devoid of fastenings; it’s a return to precise and simple forms. The ubiquitous, soft white shirt features prominently for men; this can be worn with denim chambray trousers and a pre-1960s style vintage Trilby hat. University logo blazers, Polo tees and pin-stripe shorts complete the varied line.

Some of the key pieces for women feature biker jackets with military detailing, utilitarian dresses and the four-pocket jacket. The public school look is derived from cuffed shorts, narrow tailored shorts, culottes and cargo skirts. A visible return to the popular 1980s fashion trend is the peg top trousers.

The ‘Apocalyptic Tribal’ is a collection for women only. Splash adds a touch of the Mediterranean to your wardrobe this season with its collection of Toga dresses, which can be worn either short or long style.

The ‘Neo Admirals’ imply a look of naval neatness and maritime style. Appliqué tees, pinstripe shirts, blazers with crests, formal shorts… the yachting lifestyle strongly influences the graphics of this line.

Bringing in the rodeo sports flavour of the North American ranch culture, Splash unveils the ‘Country Rodeo’ line for men and women. Oozing with the carefree adventurous attitude of the Texan spirit, the key pieces in this collection include solid muscle tees in season highlights, desert denim washes, studded yarn dyed shirts and velvet jackets for men. Key cuts for women include long ruffled prairie skirts, washed denims ra-ra skirts, micro suede shorts and sassy laced denim bustiers.

Finally, as a salute to the outdoors, Splash’s new Spring Summer Collection introduces the ‘I went Camping’ line which generates visual images of outdoor fun and play. It’s all inspired casual wear like cotton shirts, cargo shorts, distressed jeans, tees bearing fun camping slogans and other details like appliqué and badges.

Earthy tones such as zest beige and buttercup yellow sit beside the 3D blue of lapis lazuli, intense black, Marlboro red and astro turf.

So check it out, all you have to do is to visit a Splash store and come out with the look you want to sport this season. There’s variety to match any mood, activity or personal style!

14 MARCH 2010

NEWS, ETC.

ACCOLADES, ACHIEVEMENTS AND UPDATES...

Well Done!

Great performance leads to greater rewards! That’s why the Khimjis Mart, the largest supermarket chain in Oman recently announced the winners of its Retail Awards 2009. The awards presented included ‘Best Outlet of the Year’ and ‘Best employee of the year’, ‘Best outlet manager of the year’, ‘Best ‘National’ customer service manager of the year’ out of the entries from 19 outlets and nearly 475 Khimjis Mart employees. Khimji’s Mart Al Khuwair won the Best Outlet of the Year award while Jitesh Bhimji Thanki, Jayaprakash S. Pillai and Ibrahim Issa Khamis Al Balushi bagged the awards in their category of Best Employee of the Year, Best Outlet Manager of the Year and Best ‘National’ Customer Service Manager respectively. Congratulations, you guys and keep it up!

Al Mar’a is now online!

Now, you can read your favourite magazine online as well! Al Mar’a is now available in a convenient, easy-to-read e-magazine format. All you have to do is to go online, click on www. oeronline.com and scroll down to click the link that takes you directly to the e-magazine of the current issue. It’s all there... exactly in the same format as the ‘printed’ magazine! For quick reading and easy reference. And you can always go back to the site if you want to check on something people are talking about and you may have missed. All the previous issues of Al Mar’a are also there – in the e-magazine format. Marking another first in the Sultanate’s publishing industry, United Media Services (UMS) – the publishers of Al Mar’a magazine, has graduated all its magazines onto to the digital platform. Oman Economic Review, Alam Aliktisaad Wala’mal, Al Mar’a English and Arabic, Signature, Oil and Gas Review, Dossier, Ruwad -- Oman’s leading publications are now available as e-magazines. All the e-magazines offer readers multiple benefits such as easy browsing, handling convenience, and the best advantage, your favourite magazine never gets misplaced. It provides ease and comfort to the end users who can utilise the magazines more effectively. Further, the magazines can be shared with peers and subordinates. The e-version acts as a digital replica of the magazine containing all the information that’s in the print version of the magazine — all images and features — increasing its value for the reader.

Extraordinary Women!

Women achievers are role models everywhere. But they need to be recognised and applauded for their efforts as well. The National Bank of Oman’s (NBO) Calendar 2010 is recognition of ordinary Omani women role models with extraordinary achievements. Omani role models who have participated in NBO’s Calendar 2010 include: Yuthar Al Rawahy, Founder of the National Cancer Awareness Society, Bushra Al Wahaibi, Omani novelist, Sukaina Haider a young entrepreneur, Hiba Al Rahbi, the first Omani woman to achieve the rare feat of standing on her horse in public, Nasra Al Adawi, a well known poet who has published several books, Alia Al Qalam, Oman and the Gulf’s first Aeronautical Engineer and Salwa Sultan, one of Oman’s first few teachers to pioneer education in the 1970s, to name a few.

16 MARCH 2010

Talking Innovation

Bread was well, just bread, until BreadTalk, the boutique bakery in Oman came along and took it to newer dimensions! Here’s what Hani Ali Mirza, Partner and Managing Director of Bin Mirza International that owns BreadTalk has to say on the revolution.

“Bakeries are no longer just about breads.

BreadTalk aims to fill the void in the industry by delivering the very best in high quality and freshly-baked products that combine inventive flavours and ingredients that not only match but also broaden the ever-changing palates to discover new preferences.”

A Helping Hand

The cause was great... and so the contributions kept pouring in! And by the end of the evening, a whopping Rials 204,000 was collected for a good cause. Did you know that Dar Al Atta’a recently hosted a charity dinner at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in an effort to raise funds for under-privileged families in Oman? Well they did and the special dinner was attended by H.E Maqbool Ali Sultan, the Minister of Commerce and Industry and H.E. Mohammed Al Zubair the Advisor to His Majesty the Sultan for Economic Planning Affairs and Chairman of Zubair Corporation.

The charity event was one of the latest initiatives hosted by Dar Al Atta’a in an effort to offer a helping hand to disadvantaged Omani families by raising funds to build homes for them.

18 MARCH 2010

Cover Story

Equal

Partners On International Women’s Day, Al Mar’a spoke to some of the leading lights in Oman’s corporate world about equal rights and equal opportunities for woman. What they think and what they feel is being done to take it forward...

It

is sad. But it is a fact. Despite the sweeping changes in the modern world, there are thousands of women out there who still don’t enjoy equal rights or equal opportunities.

Being assertive and independent as a woman is not about feminism or trying to be one up over the men. It’s about assessing one’s individual capabilities, making use of the opportunities available and realising one’s dreams. It means being able to do everything a man does without any restrictions or bias. It also means not adhering to stereotypes that tell us what a woman can or can’t do.

The theme of International Women’s Day 2010 that falls on March 8 is ‘Equal rights, Equal opportunities: Progress for all’. On this occasion, Al Mar’a asked some prominent men in Oman what their opinion was on the theme.

MARCH 2010 19

Cover Story Here’s what we asked them.

• Do you believe equal rights means equal opportunities at all?

• How would you say progress is related to it and is there enough being done to take this forward?

And here’s what they had to say...

Equal rights and equal opportunities go hand in hand. In today’s world it is impossible to separate the importance of men and women. Two heads are always better than one and three heads are always better than two. Let’s look at practical examples in personal and business senses. As the famous saying goes, ‘Behind every successful man is a woman’. I, for one, find great comfort in sharing my stories with my wife to get a different perspective than mine. Many large and successful businesses across the world are run by women; Oman today boasts three ladies as Ministers, which according to me is excellent progress.

Hritik Khimji

“The difference today is education: more and more women are being educated in the ‘conservative’ environments, which in turn leads to more opportunities and awareness.

What the world needs today is bright minds, and for that there is no room for differentiation. Socially and economically, women are playing important roles. Without the inputs and ideas from women, I feel that progress would be delayed considerably. Why has the United States elected a woman as Secretary of State? Why is Germany’s leader a woman? It’s quite simple: when comparing apple to apple, they were better qualified and suited for the job.

It is a thing of the past for having different classifications for males and females. For all those societies having restrictions on women to work or take on greater responsibilities, look forward and look for the betterment of the world.

Hritik Khimji Director Khimji Ramdas

Nawras is a great believer in equal rights and equal opportunities and we put this into practice in our pleasingly different human resource philosophy for every Nawras family member. As an example, we have almost double the number of ladies compared with the national average for companies in the private sector and you can see these professionals throughout the company including in some of the more senior roles.

“We believe in developing our people by investing in them in many different ways including leadership programmes, graduate programmes and succession planning.

During 2009 alone, we devoted more than 3,400 days to training.

“Our mission is to be the leading communications provider and the employer of choice in Oman and part of this will be achieved by realising the true potential of each employee. We are channelling our energies into our pleasingly different recruitment process and helping our people to develop as they follow their chosen career paths.

Ross Cormack

20 MARCH 2010

Laila Al Harthy, Nawras HRMS Technical Support Officer and part of the Nawras family since October 2004, before the commercial launch has this to say: “There is no

Cover Story

discrimination or favouritism shown in terms of employment at Nawras. Everyone is employed on an equal basis and encouraged to perform to the best of their ability to look after our customers.”

“Nawras people are at the very core of the Nawras success story because when we look after our people, they look after our customers and in turn, happy customers look after our shareholders.

Ross Cormack CEO Nawras Hani Mirza The Sultanate is the most progressive country in the Middle East, where women have for many years enjoyed and contributed to the success and development of the country.

They have been provided with equal opportunities in education, employment and health and social services. With the full commitment and support from His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, women have been empowered with knowledge and opportunities to become equal partners in all fields ranging from government officials to teachers, lawyers, doctors, engineers and more.

“Taking into consideration the active role women have as members of their families and of society as a whole, I strongly believe that equal opportunity is what you make of it by balancing responsibilities between home and the workplace. From my perspective as a business owner, I strongly believe in the role of women in the workforce and continuously strive to provide equal employment, treatment and pay opportunities to all Bin Mirza International employees. Leading by example, my business partner is my wife and together we have taken our company from strength to strength as one of the leading players in the food and beverage industry.

Hani Mirza Managing Director Bin Mirza International

I fundamentally believe in equal rights and opportunities for all, regardless of gender or background of an individual.

Christoph Franzen

22 MARCH 2010

“Anyone should have the right to choose any career they would like to pursue and should be supported in their choice. Traditionally women have been the ones staying at home and minding the family, and this is not going to change in the future, but they should have the right to choose to build a stable home for their family or to step out in the world of business and pursue a career. Especially in the western world a lot of

Cover Story

women are choosing a career over family, or laying the foundations for a family at a much later age than my parents’ generation.

“Having worked in the hospitality industry in several countries on three different continents for many years with people from different cultures, I can share with you an experience I have seen. In many instances the women work harder than their male counterparts; in one place I worked, it resulted in giving preference to female applicants over males.

Martin Van Kan

“I am sure we all agree that there has been a shift over the past decades, who would have thought that there would be female airline captains only 20 years ago? As we all become more multicultural in society from generation to generation, it is only a question of time until this ‘barrier’ dissolves. There is still a ‘glass ceiling’ in many corporate hierarchies, but even these start slowly to crack and will eventually shatter.

“As a father, I support my daughter and son in anything they want to do. I feel as an individual they should be able to make choices and build careers based on their interests and not gender.

Christoph K Franzen General Manager Grand Hyatt Muscat

In response to this topic, I would like to share with you three quotes that would illustrate my point. They are: “The single most important factor most people would like to see in their leaders is inspiration. However 11 per cent actually do.” – DTI 2003 Innovation Review “As long as we have inspiration and are inspired to move forward, do some actions with passion, the result will be positive.”

“Treat people as if they are what they could be, and they will become what they are capable of being.” – Goethe.

Martin Van Kan General Manager – Al Bustan Palace InterContinental Hotel Director of Operations – IHG Oman

Salem Al Kaabi We live in a time of globalisation where a woman plays important cultural and economic roles while working either for the public or private sector in different parts of the world.

24 MARCH 2010

“The difference between men and women in terms of creative abilities and has melted down over the years. Women now play a huge role in even developing economic strategies and policies as well. This achievement has been made possible through women’s endeavours to accumulate knowledge in different spheres of life. Therefore, there is no differentiation because both men and women now share the same responsibilities.

“No personal or public achievement can be made possible without a combined effort; working together as a team helps spread stability, security and welfare for all. This teamwork will have a positive impact on the progress and prosperity of nations.

“In recognition of the important role played by Omani Woman, His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has allocated a day to celebrate the Omani woman and her future either in terms of developing her personal capabilities or taking part in the development of her society.

“I very much like the idea behind celebrating International Women’s Day. For the women of the world, the day is an occasion to review how far they have reached in their struggle for equality, peace and development. This year’s theme about creating harmony between men and women in all walks of life is laudable.

Khalid Al Haribi

Salem Al Kaabi AGM -Human Resources, BankMuscat

In many countries, men and women have equal rights but unfortunately this is on paper only and not in reality. It is very important that both sexes have equal opportunities to allow women to improve their social and economic status.

“Countries that do not provide equal opportunities in all sectors of society will not make any progress as a considerable part of society will remain idle. Providing equal opportunities to all sectors of society enables everyone to develop his / her social and economic conditions and in effect, the overall condition of society will also improve.

“In other words, the status of the groups and communities as a whole will not improve if everyone is not provided with equal opportunities. If we did not allow everybody the opportunity to develop himself / herself, the status of the group will not improve. This means that providing equal opportunities for individuals and groups plays a pivotal role in the progress of countries.

“The Sultanate of Oman has made steady strides in providing women with every possible support through programmes such as the ‘Intilaaqah’ and the ‘Sanad’.

“But we still need more efforts and opportunities in this direction so that certain groups that have not been provided the opportunities may improve their social and economic conditions.

Khalid Al Haribi Managing Director, Tawasul Global

MARCH 2010 25

Season Special

On the two happy occasions of Arab Mother’s Day and International Women’s Day, Al Mar’a speaks to a cross-section of women on the most important lessons they learnt from their mothers...which make them what and who they are today.

Mum’s the

W rld!

26 MARCH 2010

FEATURE

“A daughter is a mother’s gender partner, her closest ally in the family confederacy, an extension of herself. And mothers are their daughters’ role model, their biological and emotional road map, the arbiter of all their relationships.”

Victoria Secunda

M

ums are closer to their sons is how the old cliché goes.

But every mother-daughter relationship is just as sacred. Sure it has its ups and downs like every other growing relationship but it is her we think of or turn to in times of happiness or distress or just for everything! Irrespective of age, there will still be times in our lives when

we will long for a comforting hug from her which somehow makes it all better.

Her influences shape your past, your present and future like no other. You acquired not just her genes, but you inherited her many characteristics as well.

Your mother is primarily who makes you who you are; she pretty much influences how you live your life.

On the twin occasions of Arab Mother’s Day and International Women’s Day this month, we asked a few women to tell us the most important lessons they have learnt from their mothers, which have made them the women they are today...

Get set for some emotional, straight-fromthe-heart tributes!

“I am proud to admit I have become my mother.”

“A mother’s love is unconditional and her acts are selfless. As Tenneva Jordan rightfully notes, ‘A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie!’ Throughout her life, my mother made choices with my best interests at heart, and gave her love and support generously — even when it wasn’t deserved! My mother has also touched the lives of many people; random acts of kindness were her trademark.

Whether it was a bake sale, a blood donation drive, a local charity or a neighbour who ran out of salt, she always offered to help. The outstanding example of the importance of simple day-to-day kindness has affected my character immensely, and I am proud to admit I have become my mother.”

Olga Kubrak (Hospitality industry)

Season Special

“She taught me to always follow my dreams and then success will not be far behind.”

“My mother has taught me that hard work with integrity is the most important lesson one can learn in life. A mother is not a person to lean on but a person who makes leaning unnecessary. It is because of my mother that I am what I am today. She quietly gave me space to grow to be what I wanted to be, without imposing anything, always guiding me.

During the confusion of the teenage days, we’ve had a lot of fights but every argument taught me a lesson on which my life is based upon. She is the person I have turned to in my darkest of times, someone who has loved me for my flaws and always been there for me. She has taught me to always believe in myself, to dream big and always have a goal in life.

One of the most important things she has taught me is no matter the circumstances, always follow your dreams and success will not be far behind. It is that mantra that has made me who I am. And as Suzy Oman says, ‘It’s always people first, then money, then things’.”

Sunita Agarwalla (Marketing)

“My mum gave me the most important tools to manage my life.”

As I was the eldest in our family, she was always teaching me how to be a responsible and grown up girl. Moreover, she taught me the value of hard work and why education was important for women to achieve their goals and be successful. The second important lesson she taught me is to be generous. If ‘karma’ is the only thing that motivates you, then sure, be generous because you know it will come back to you. However, we should all be generous, regardless of our circumstances. If you cannot be generous when you perceive yourself to be ‘poor’, you never will be.

The typical reason people are not generous is because they have this huge feeling of lack — like there isn’t enough and there never will be. That feeling remains, regardless of how much money you have.

Besides, generosity is not always about money. Often being generous with your time or knowledge or relationships is worth much more.”

Zahra Al Lawati (Public Relations)

“My mother has truly inspired me and enriched my life.”

“As I look back over my life and the influence that my mother had on me, I realise that the things she taught me have never left and will never leave my memory. They are burned into my character and will stay there forever. Her influence radiates in the lives of all her children. My mother was always working. She had excellent leadership qualities and business acumen. She was an extremely successful businesswoman. She set up her own thriving jewellery business when she was in her 20s.

Her influence radiates in the lives of all her eight children. She also taught me that being part of a family meant everyone chipped in. She also instilled in me an intense desire to work for what I wanted in

life. My mother was definitely a huge influence on me and I believe that this has had a huge impact on becoming the person that I am today. She was extremely generous, confident and she taught us not to be afraid of making mistakes but to learn from them. She taught us to appreciate a job well done and never to stop increasing our capacity, courage and capability. My mother has truly inspired me and enriched my life. She is, without doubt, the most influential person in my life. Her rank as such is undisputed and irreplaceable. She was also the perfect maternal figure. She was a strong woman and an extraordinary human being.”

Nadia Megnin (Teacher)

FEATURE “I have always looked up to her as my role model.”

“There are many important lessons my mom has taught me throughout the years that have shaped me into the ambitious and confident woman I am today. Inspiring me as well playing a huge role in my personal development…. Being the beautiful and independent woman she is, throughout my years I have always looked up to her as my role model.

As a single parent and successful business entrepreneur she has taught me that anything is achievable and that women are strong and can be independent by working hard and reaching their goals. She has taught me to cherish my health and look after it and live a healthy, balanced life. Though I live far away from home, she continues to encourage me to keep learning and embrace all my experiences that will ultimately make me wiser. She has taught me to appreciate and love animals and embrace my spirituality and seek the peace to inner happiness in times of despair. We have a very special relationship and when we see each other, we make up for lost time by continuing to enlighten and enrich each other and say… I Love You!”

Sherrin DAvie (Public Relations)

“My mother raised me to be self-reliant and confident.”

“She taught me from a very early age how to fill my basic needs without relying on others. But more importantly, she taught me to not rely on outside influences to figure out how I feel about any given issue. She taught me to think for myself, to always question, and then take my own decisions. Thanks to Allah I have been always able to take my own decision. However I always ask my family’s help during difficult times. It’s only because of my mother’s influence that I lead a fulfilling life. People admire me for what they perceive as my ‘fearlessness’ and ‘independence’. My fondest hope as a mother myself is to pass this freethinking, self-reliant attitude, independence and confidence on to my own kids — my daughter Orchid who is five years and my son Mohammed who is three.”

Yasmeen Mustafa Al LAWATI

“My mother is a great woman, and since I have become a mother, I appreciate her even more”.

“She has taught me and continues to teach me more about life than anyone else.

There are three things she has taught me right from the beginning which are: Not to be a HYPOCRITE: Be real to the world. This advice has taught me to be straight forward, professionally and personally.

Be PATIENT : Being a mother, daughter, sister or an employee at work… she has always taught me to deal with every situation with patience. This has really helped me in every role I play in life.

Be STRONG: My mother has always been my strength. Time and again, whenever I was in a mess, my mum taught me to be strong, have the courage to face facts and take my own decisions which has made me the person I am today.”

Tejas Kapasi (Marketing)

(Banking)

MARCH 2010 29

Season Special

“I am who I am because of my mum!”

“You always hear people say ‘I am who I am because of my mum’. That is very true! A mother always moulds her children to become who they are in life. I’m a strong believer of that.

My mother always believed in me no matter what stage in my life I was in. She always told me to follow my instincts and go towards my goals, but to always stay true to myself. I learnt courage and independence from her and I’ll always be grateful to her for that. Be a strong individual and have your own vision and view in life, was always my motto, and my mother appreciated that and always encouraged me to be that way. Her greatest advice to me then and today is ‘Be true to yourself’ and that to me is the best advice I could ever get from anyone. I’ve learnt that by being true to yourself you gain respect and selfconfidence. And to me, that is how you can overcome anything you go through in life, whether it’s good or bad.”

Shaymaa Al Kharusi (Public Relations)

“My mother is a very inspirational woman and has taught me many things in life.”

“I admire her courage and strength and her ability to care for others before herself. I think the most important lesson my mother has taught me was to be independent. My mother has always been very loving and caring to my sibling and me but at the same time she let us do things on our own and gave us independence. At a young age, I was able to travel by myself and make my own decisions. I think it is important to be protective of your children but never too protective and that is exactly what my mother did and I love her for it. I am happy with the path my life is taking and I can thank my mother for helping me become the young woman I am today.”

“The word ‘Mom’ means the world to me.”

“No matter from where we are, mothers are mothers everywhere.

Being a mother myself (of two wonderful kids, a daughter who is seven and a son who is all of three), when I say or hear the word ‘mom’, it brings me indescribable joy. My mother has seen many ups and downs in her life, but has stood firm on her principles and values, which were to never lose hope or give up. My father passed away when I was in the first year of college and it was not easy for her to bear the pain of this untimely loss but she never gave up and was and still is a pillar of strength for us. As for what I have learned from her, I would say everything!

But most importantly, never look back at the unpleasant past, never regret the decisions already made and never lose confidence, for only then will you stay on the right track of life. As she says, there is no happiness without sorrows and no victory without downfalls...”

Rashmi Nigam (Secretary)

Sarah Mageni (Communications) 30 MARCH 2010

(Compiled by Rekha Baala)

Season Special

The

Learning

Your children learn so much from you. Rekha Baala presents some tips on how you can be a great partner in your child’s quest for knowledge...

32 MARCH 2010

Connect!

N

o one said raising children is easy. Each stage in childrearing is a challenge and an experience in itself. Parents combine the roles of caregivers, experts, guides, and friends and teachers. The roles evolve as the children grow but one thing remains constant: your children are largely influenced by the person you are. And this resonates in the learning process too. Your attitude towards education can inspire theirs and help them understand what the process is all about and how they should face the challenges associated with them.

Your children learn their first words from you! During the early years, they mimic everything you do or say. So it goes

without saying that parents are the first and most important role models for their children. And hence they are their first teachers too.

So how can we as parents help in our children’s learning, academically or otherwise? There is so much we can do!

Al Mar’a presents a checklist that will aid you in your efforts... The advice is simple but the results will be far-reaching when it comes to your kids’ overall development.

Be a learner: For your children to understand the value of learning, they should see you assimilating knowledge in many forms too. You should read books, go to the library, watch

Parenting educational programmes on television and discuss new thoughts and concepts at home. Take that further and read with the children, play games with them and involve them in many creative projects in and around the home. If they see you doing productive things, they will also develop a profound love for knowledge that will be with them for life.

Pay attention:

Notice what your child is doing throughout the day, without being intrusive. If s/he is shy, engage her/him in as many activities as you can. Find out what interests her/ him and give her/him more opportunities to explore them. Let your child show you what s/he likes, or dislikes and then take them forward accordingly.

Communicate: It is

important that you communicate with your children about school. This includes talking to them about their friends, activities, teachers and assignments. Go through what has been taught during the day, find out whether there are problems that need to be addressed and give solutions, when needed.

Set realistic goals: Academic success is not

adverse effects. Not all people are born geniuses... But if you set realistic goals for your child, s/he will enjoy the success s/ he deserves. The goals should be doable, and should not overwhelm your child with extra burdens. By breaking large goals into realistic, smaller ones, you child is in a better position for long-term success.

Go slow: Don’t over-schedule your children by enrolling them in a multitude of extra-curricular activities. Be judicious about them. Let it not be race between curricular and extra-curricular.

Otherwise, there will be no joy in doing things. Monitor carefully what your child enjoys to do and if your child is not interested in a particular activity, don’t force her/him to follow it.

Make them responsible:

Your children have to understand that they are responsible for what they are learning. Let them take charge of school work (whether homework, projects or otherwise) when they reach an age where they can manage. Show them how engaging learning is... and why it’s always better

to learn from one’s successes and failures.

Help them make a time-table to follow everyday... They can always fall back on your help if they need it.

Make time: How much time

you spend with your children has a great bearing on what or how they learn. Many teachers encourage parents to read aloud regularly or do projects together. All said and done, never do your children’s homework for them. Find ways to make learning a part of everyday life, for example, use seeds to teach them how to add or take them to a vegetable market to show them the different types of vegetables first-hand. The conversations should always be give-and-take, you should tune into your child’s ideas as well.

As a wise man once said, “If you raise your children to feel that they can accomplish any goal or task they decide upon, you will have succeeded as a parent and you will have given your children the greatest of all blessings.” This really is all it takes! n

all that matters in life! But it is important. We know the benefits of being able to read and write well and solve problems.

But too much of policing or nagging can have only

MARCH 2010 33

Pretty &

Here are some ideas to make your life more convenient and meaningful. Buy them for youself or gift them...

Season

Practical Masterchef 8000 from Moulinex

Special

Black and gold sateen tote.

Fashonionable and functional...

Great for diapers, the beach, the gym .. or everyday use.

One Hot Minute Face Powder.

All it takes is a minute for a radiant rose golden complexion. Perfect for the multi-tasking woman.

Electra FitFlop sandals – for a great workout while you walk

34 MARCH 2010

Manicure set from Tavola

IDEAS

L’Air du Temps Mother’s day Gift set from Nina Ricci

Rowenta Brush Activ 1000 CF 9220 for beautiful, shiny har.

OIOI Bag for new mothers from Twinkle

Mama Tea – Scottish blend from Twinkle

MARCH 2010 35

Cuisine

Season Special

Cakes & More!

Spring a surprise this Arab Mother’s Day with these two extra, super special cakes...

M

arch is a memorable month for us women! There’s a double reason to celebrate. It’s International Women’s Day as well as Arab Mother’s Day… so that’s different shades of a woman to revel in!

And if you want to spring a surprise for your mother on Mother’s Day or simply want to honour the women in your life and tell them how important they are to you, we offer you two perfect ways to do so. These two special cakes will take any mother’s breath away and will warm the cockles of her heart.

Cindy Lundberg, a cake decoration expert who holds cake decorating courses in the Wilton method (using Wilton products) at Tavola, shows us how to make and decorate two cakes — the Chocolate Butter Genoise and the Yellow Butter Cake — easy-step-by-easy-step.

Cindy Lundberg

A little more on Cindy… she has an Associate’s Degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management and a Grande Diplome from Le Cordon Bleu Paris. Specifically for cake decorating, she has taken all the Wilton cake decorating classes at their headquarters in Darien, Illinois, USA. She has also worked at hotels, restaurants, bakeries and taught in a chef training programme in the US. Cindy presents two of her signature recipes especially for Al Mar’a. Happy baking, happy decorating, Happy Women’s Day and Happy Arab Mother’s Day!

MARCH 2010 37

Cuisine

Chocolate Butter Genoise

(A cake that spells I Love You Mama)

375 gm or 6-7 whole eggs 250 gm caster sugar 210 gm cake flour 80 gm butter, melted 45 gm cocoa powder Pre-heat the oven to 190 C or 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Prepare two 20 cm (8 inch) round baking pans by spraying with baking spray, lining the bottom with a parchment circle and spraying the parchment circle with baking spray.

Sift the cake flour and cocoa powder together and set aside.

Mix the eggs and sugar together in a bowl and place over a pan with slightly simmering water. Whisk the eggs and sugar together until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is slightly warmer than body temperature.

Immediately place in bowl of a stand mixer and whisk at a high speed or whisk with a handheld mixer if you do not have a stand mixer. Whisk until cooled and tripled in volume for approximately five to 10 minutes.

Gently fold in the cake flour and cocoa powder, one-third at a time. Remove some of the batter and mix it with the melted butter. Gently fold the butter mixture into the rest of the batter. Divide the batter evenly between the two pans and bake for 25-30 minutes.

Test if ready by inserting a toothpick in the middle of the cake. If the toothpick comes out without any batter stuck to it, the cake is done.

38 MARCH 2010

mixture until soft peaks form when the paddle is raised. If the mixture looks grainy it has been overbeaten, if it is overbeaten the mixture can be re-melted, chilled and beaten again.

Place the chocolate chips in a food processor and process until very fine. Heat the cream to boiling point and with the processor running; pour it through the feed tube in a steady stream. Process for a few seconds until smooth.

Chocolate Coffee Glaze 340 gm bittersweet chocolate 170 gm unsalted butter, softened 115 gm strong brewed coffee 20 gm corn syrup

Put the ganache into the large bowl of an electric mixer and refrigerate until cold, stirring a couple of times so it does not set up at the edges/bottom of the bowl. This will take about two hours.

Add the vanilla flavouring and beat the

Melt the chocolate gently in a double boiler.

Remove from the heat. Stir in the butter a little at a time. Check the temperature of the coffee — it should be 120F/49C. Add all at once to the chocolate mixture and stir until smooth. Stir in the corn syrup.

How to decorate: * Place the Chocolate Butter Genoise cake on a cooling rack. * Liberally coat the first cake layer with Chocolate Ganache and then place on top the other half of the cake. Continue coating the entire cake (top and sides) with the Ganache until it forms an even coating all over the cake except on the bottom. * Then gently cover the cake with Chocolate Coffee Glaze, pushing the excess off the top with a metal spatula and letting the excess flow down the sides. * Now using a decorating piping bag filled with Chocolate Ganache, draw spiralling decorating rounds around the cake. * To make the chocolate flowers, take a pencil (with no tip) and using a piping bag (with Chocolate Ganache) to carve petals. Once the flower is done, use a scissor gently to place them on the cake. • Using a piping bag with a thin tip write your special message.

Your special chocolate cake is ready.

Let the glaze cool, stirring occasionally, until a small amount dripped from a spoon mounds before sinking into the mixture.

Chocolate Ganache 250 gm chocolate 225 gm heavy cream Chop the chocolate into small pieces. Bring the cream to a boil and pour over the chocolate. Let it stand for a few minutes. Stir until the chocolate is completely melted and the mixture is smooth. (if all the chocolate is not melted it may be gently re-warmed just to melt the chocolate) the ganache can now be used as an icing or glaze or it may be cooled to room temperature and piped.

Store the ganache in the refrigerator.

HOW TO MAKE FLOWERS

Ganache Filling and Frosting 225 gm chocolate chips 400 ml heavy cream A few drops vanilla flavouring (extract or essence)

MARCH 2010 39

Cuisine

Yellow Butter Cake

(A Happy Mother’s Day Cake)

275 gm butter 355 gm sugar 7.5 gm vanilla sugar (1 small sachet) 4 gm salt (½ teaspoon) 200 gm eggs (approximately 3 whole eggs plus 1 egg white) 450 gm cake flour 18 gm baking powder (2 tablespoons) 300 ml milk Pre-heat oven to 190C/375F. Prepare two 20 cm (8 inch) pans by spraying with baking spray, lining the bottom of the pans with a circle of parchment paper and spraying the parchment paper with baking spray.

Have all ingredients at room temperature. Sift the cake flour and baking powder together and set aside.

If using a stand mixer, use the paddle attachment and cream the softened butter and sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This will take about 8-10 minutes. Add in the salt and mix. Add eggs one at a time, making sure making sure all ingredients incorporated evenly. Alternately add in the dry and liquid ingredients.

Begin with one-fourth of the dry ingredients, mix until just blended in.

Add one-third of the liquid ingredients, mix until just blended in. Repeat until all ingredients are mixed in.

Scrape down the sides of the bowl occasionally for even mixing.

Divide between the two pans and bake for approximately 40-45 minutes.

Test if ready by inserting a toothpick in the middle of the cake. If the toothpick comes out without any batter stuck

40 MARCH 2010

to it, the cake is done. Remove from oven and cool in pan at least 10 minutes prior to removing the cake from the pan.

Butter cream 120 gm eggs (approximately two whole eggs plus one egg white) 165 gm caster sugar 180 gm corn syrup 454 gm unsalted butter, room temperature ½ tsp almond essence or essence/flavouring of your choice

Have both the eggs and butter at room temperature. Keep ready a heatproof glass measuring cup that has been very thinly coated with shortening or butter on the inside.

Beat the eggs until light in colour and very foamy. Combine the corn syrup and sugar is a small saucepan and heat, stirring constantly until the sugar dissolves and mixture comes to a rolling boil. (the entire surface is covered with large bubbles). Immediately transfer the mixture to the glass measure.

How to decorate: * Liberally spread butter cream on the top of one cake.

Top with the other cake and continue spreading the cream evenly all over the cake. * Using a piping bag, decorate the bottom end of the cake with spiralling rounds. * Using readymade marzipan and icing colours, make two parts, one in pink for the flowers and one in green for the leaves. * Using a readymade mould set, shape the flowers and the leaves and place gently on cake. * Fill a piping bag with butter cream (with an icing colour of your choice) to fashion your message. Alternatively, you could use the ‘Make Any Message Set’, follow the instructions on the pack and write your message on the cake.

Immediately pour the syrup onto the beaten eggs in a thin stream while the mixer is going. Don’t let the syrup hit the beaters. If this is not possible, pour a little syrup into the mixture with the mixer off, then beat at high speed for several seconds and repeat until all the syrup is mixed in. continue beating until the mixture is cool. Gradually beat in the softened butter (the butter cannot be added while the mixture is still warm or it will melt) and the essence or extract of your choice.

HOW TO MAKE FLOWERS

Co-ordinated by: Rana Alawneh Photographer: Sathyadas C. Narayanan Baking implements courtesy Tavola, (Madinat Qaboos) Must-haves for cake decoration (Available at Tavola)

Disposable piping bags with 56-piece tip sets from Wilton, Cake turntable, Deko-Flex-Model Rose Mit Blatter , Icing colours from Wilton Stainless steel spatulas from Wilton, Make Any Message Set from Wilton, Cooling rack

MARCH 2010 41

Persona

Dear to her Heena Kothary has earned her muchdeserved time in the limelight after bagging second place in the ‘Qaboos Oman’ Open Forum competition late last year. Sushmita Sarkhel met her to know more....

42 MARCH 2010

W

ith her gentle and unassuming demeanour, Heena Kothary is the quintessential artist. Her art clearly reflects her unique cross-cultural experiences and is vibrant with vivid colours and energy. “I enjoy all kinds of art, but I prefer portraits. I do like abstracts as well, but not wholly abstract paintings, they need to have some form.”

Born in the city of Ahmedabad, in India, Heena has always lived a quiet life and to date follows her simple lifestyle. Heena had a passion for painting right from her childhood. While her siblings were more academically inclined, Heena preferred expressing herself through her paintings.

“I began drawing and painting from a very young age. I used to enter competitions, win prizes and doing that gave me a lot of joy. And I was very clear about what I wanted to do.” She adds reflectively, “Art actually came from my mother’s side.

She has always been extremely artistic.”

Her mother, she says, expressed the inner artist within her in the way she arranged and decorated her home and through her culinary skills. Furthermore, her father’s appreciation for art was also instrumental in her love for art.

Obviously, a regular nine-to-five job did not interest her. She knew she would be

I began drawing and painting from a very young age.

happy pursuing a career that gave her a lot of freedom, and where she could do what she loved the most. So after she finished school, Heena applied to a prestigious fine arts college and went on to graduate with a distinction. And she’s thankful for her family’s support throughout. Says Heena, “I’m very lucky indeed. My family wholeheartedly supported my decisions.

And I think somewhere in my father’s mind, he knew I’d achieve all this.” This talented lady, also has a Diploma in Fashion Design and yet another one in Vocal and Instrumental Harmonium (a free-standing keyboard instrument. Handoperated bellows blown through sets of free reeds resulting in an accordion-like sound.)

Heena prefers working with oils, however, her creations range from elaborate oil paintings to intricate pencil sketches as well as glass paintings. And although she doesn’t get much free time, she enjoys dabbling in bead work, collage art and card making whenever time permits.

When she came second in the ‘Qaboos Oman’ Open Forum Competition, Heena was thrilled beyond measure. “I wasn’t expecting that at all and was delighted with the outcome.” The competition was an open to all event in which more than 200 participants had to paint a portrait of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said.

Moreover, she was the only woman among the six finalists.

Heena moved to Oman 12 years ago, after marriage, and continued to draw and paint privately. “Albeit, rather slow, I would still occasionally paint and was therefore never out of touch with my work. I am blessed with two children and knowing how important the initial years of childhood are I decided to devote my full attention to my sons.” Now that her sons are a little older, Heena has decided to concentrate on her art.

Apart from painting, these days, Heena dedicates her time to teaching Oil Painting at the PDO Ras Al Hamra Club ‘Art Center’ and she also teaches arts and crafts to children under 10. Heena also spends some time working with children with special needs.

Her works, when exhibited in India were received warmly, and someday she wishes to hold an exhibition in Oman as well.

Heena’s paintings are a clear testament to her innate creativity and it is obvious that she draws infinite pleasure from art, a fact that’s reflected in each brush stroke in her thoughtfully painted works that push the boundaries of creativity and intellect.n

Superstar

The

‘Golden’

Couple!

44 MARCH 2010

h

ollywood romances are fickle, flighty things.

They never really seem to last. We thought Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston were going to make it and look what happened there.

But sometimes, despite all odds, a couple comes along and we have to re-evaluate all our preconceived notions about celebrity dating. Is it exciting whilst it lasts? Yes. Will it last? Well, if you’re Hollywood IT couple Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher, we’d certainly wager a pretttty confident ‘yes’.

Demi Moore was born Demitria Gene Guynes on November 11, 1962. She took her professional name from first husband Freddy Moore. Moore quickly rose He’s 31 and she’s 47. to the rank of a Hollywood A-lister But they have proved that by starring in very successful films age’s got nothing to do like ‘A Few Good Men’ (1992), with a lasting relationship.

‘Indecent Proposal’ (1993) and The unconventionality ‘Disclosure’ (1994). She was one of the relationship is of Hollywood’s most highly paid what makes it the most actresses in the 1990’s. And then Demi decided to take time off endearing... Demi Moore from the movies to concentrate and Ashton Kutcher have on raising her three daughters — proved it, and proved it Rumer, Scout and Tallulah — followreally well writes ing the breakup of her marriage to actor Mahreen Sohail. and father of her children, Bruce Willis.

Says Demi about her decision to take time off: “I didn’t want to work and drag my kids with me while they were trying to cross this huge transition. I wanted them to become as stable and as confident as possible. There are people who go through this and don’t have the financial means, but I did. It wasn’t a risk; it was the right thing to do.”

Christopher Ashton Kutcher was born February 7, 1978. Co-star of hit sit-com series ‘That 70’s Show’ and host and producer of MTV’s candid camera pranking show ‘Punk’d’, Ashton was Hollywood’s darling playboy. From playing spacey teen ‘Kelso’ in ‘That 70’s Show’ to the bewildered young husband in ‘Just Married’, the young man had carved a name for himself as Hollywood’s favourite goofball before long.

The two actors came from different worlds. They were in two different stages of their life — Demi had all but given up her career, whilst Ashton was just moving on up through the ranks of Hollywood.

They had a 16-year-age difference between them.

Demi had been married twice before and Ashton had not really had a very serious relationship till he met Demi. To the ordinary observer, it certainly did not seem like a match made in heaven.

The pair met in 2003 in New York and the sparks that flew were almost palpable. Demi was just making a comeback to the cinema screen with ‘Charlie’s Angel’s: Full Throttle’ (2003). Ashton was riding high on the success of ‘Punk’d’. The pair hit it off straight away. After a two year romance, the actors were married on September 24, 2005 in Beverly Hills in a traditional ceremony. Demi was 42 at the time whilst Ashton had turned 27.

Critics sniggered initially, convinced that the marriage would fall prey to problems that would automatically come with the 16-year age difference. Demi acknowledges that the pair had a lot of obstacles to face going into the union, “Talk about meeting your soul mate, I truly feel I have been given that gift. And believe me, I wasn’t some lightweight package. I’m, like, the package that didn’t just come with luggage — I had trunks!”

Fast forward to four plus years later and no one’s laughing now. Being with the older actor has visibly affected Ashton; the years with Demi have lent him a maturity and grace that he lacked earlier. Friends say he is madly in love with her, “Ashton just loves Demi.

He’s very loyal. He doesn’t flirt with anybody, ever.

When they’re together, they look at each other and smile.”

In his turn, he has brought some fun and youth into Demi’s life. Demi changed her

Superstar

After a two year romance, the actors were married on September 24, 2005 in Beverly Hills in a traditional ceremony.

name to Demi Guynes Kutcher. The pair enjoys a great relationship with the actress’s ex-husband, Bruce Willis. Demi says he is incredibly supportive of her marriage to Ashton. “It’s far more exhausting to be angry and blaming. You can dig deep within yourself and really have a desire for someone else’s happiness, which I feel I do have for Bruce and he has for me. He has a joy and appreciation for what Ashton and I share, and for how Ashton is with the girls.” Willis in his turn agrees with ex-wife’s statement, acknowledging that Ashton is indeed a great father: “It’s hard for people to understand, but we go on holidays together ... We still raise our kids together — we still have that bond ... I’m thrilled that Ashton turned out to be such a great guy.

I love Demi, and I know she loves me.”

to be.’ And, for some reason, that made sense to me.” The pair has not ruled out having more children yet, but both have their hands full with Demi’s three daughters from her previous marriage. Says Ashton, “There is not a human being I could love more than those girls and their mom. If I had a daughter that was of my blood, I wouldn’t love that child any more. I feel like I have three kids, and we’ll see whether we’re given another child.”

Critics who had panned the couple earlier admit that the relationship looks like it’s still going strong. Ashton admits that they have issues but these are worked out in time, “We deal with issues before they become arguments. I’ve never tried to change my wife, and she has never tried to change me ... Demi told me once, ‘When you’re right, that’s all you get

So are the flames of their marriage still blazing hot? We certainly think so. And so do the millions of fans who watched the Twitter exchanges play out online. Spunky, fun and still fresh, this couple will remain our favourite for a very long time. We wish you every happiness Demi and Ashton; who needed Brad and Jen anyway?!n

46 MARCH 2010

Most recently the two actors got flirty in front of the entire world, the twittering world that is. The pair flirted virtually through Twitter, whilst sitting merely yards away from each other in the same house. Ashton complimented his wife on her hat and she cheekily returned the compliment.

Feature

The new luxury cruise ship from Costa Cruises, Costa Deliziosa, came calling at Muscat recently.

Al Mar’a enjoyed a wonderful, guided tour...

La Dolce Vita A

s luxury cruise ships go, Muscat seems to be a favourite stop these days. Close on the heels of the Costa Luminosa, came calling the latest ‘diamond’ in the fleet of Costa Cruises, the Costa Deliziosa which anchored at the new cruise terminal in Port Sultan Qaboos on her way to Dubai. The 92,600tonne, 2,826-passenger ship also became the first luxury cruise liner to dock at the new terminal of Port Sultan Qaboos.

Co-incidentally, the new terminal was inaugurated on the same day.

It was also Costa Deliziosa’s grand inaugural cruise voyage from Savona (Italy) to Dubai with calls at Civitavecchia (Italy), Port Said (Egypt), Suez Canal Transit, Sharm el Sheik (Egypt), Aqaba (Jordan), Safaga (Egypt), Aden (Yemen), Salalah (Oman), Muscat (Oman) and Abu Dhabi (UAE).

She may have followed her sister to the

48 MARCH 2010

Costa fleet, but Costa Deliziosa has an impressive and luxurious identity of its own. Launched in February 2010 and like her sister Costa Luminosa, she has been crafted to cater to the higher-end of society with upgraded and more elegant materials used in creating public spaces.

Conceived by the celebrated architect and interior designer Joseph Farcus, the Costa Deliziosa’s design is characterised by the use of premium materials such as various types of marble and granite, stucco applied by spatula using the technique known as ‘spatolato veneziano’ and other decorative interior finishes including ‘parchment scroll’ lamé, refined Zebrano wood and Wenge timber, Murano glass, and stylish polished and glazed steel, 970 ‘La Murrina’ Murano chandeliers.

Arnaldo Pomodoro’s masterpiece in the Delle Delizie Atrium at the heart of the ship sets the standard for the whole of its

area of 100 square meters with a putting green; and the Grand Prix driving simulator: situated in one of the most spectacular places on board, this attraction is not a videogame but is produced from an original GP car and is the most accurate representation ever of Grand Prix driving on the world’s best racing circuits with the same software and technology used by the F1 champion drivers in training.

For gamers, there is the PlayStation World, an area on the ship totally dedicated to latest generation PS3-exclusive video gaming. Guests can also enjoy PlayStation 3 also from the comfort of their own cabins, thanks to the ‘PlayStation on demand’ service, with a large choice of videogames for rent. spectacular architecture. The art gallery offers pieces of artists who worked for Costa Deliziosa and other ships in the Costa fleet. An Art Director is at your disposal for guided tours to discover the rich art collection of ship, which includes 340 original works.

The Deliziosa also features the Samsara Spa, complete with accommodations that offer direct access to the wellness centre as well as other exclusive amenities. Costa was the first cruise line to introduce this innovative spa concept when launching the Costa Concordia in 2006. Elements of the spa’s treatments and design are inspired by the meaning of ‘Samsara’, which is associated with the path to spiritual enlightenment, bliss and balancing of life energies. A full menu of treatments based on Ayurvedic principles, a state-of-the-art fitness centre, and a specialty restaurant with a wellness menu are just some of the Spa>s features. You can continue living

healthy even if you are aboard a cruise ship!

All Costa ships, whether luxury or not, are family ships. Hence, there are endless opportunities for fun and entertainment on board for everyone, young and old. Kids are certainly welcome aboard the Deliziosa. The Squok Club earns positive Costa reviews, as it provides a social and recreational outlet for children up to age 17. The programme is separated into different age groups with activities geared to toddlers, children, tweens and teens. Babysitting services are also available if parents want to enjoy an evening out on their own.

You can enjoy a spectacularly entertaining 4D cinema with sound, lighting, images and special effects that combine to create a multi-sensory experience hitherto unheard of on a cruise ship. It also has a professional Golf Simulator, featuring thirty-seven 18-hole virtual courses plus an outdoor

There are many places onboard you can escape to, such as the library, the Internet room, the card room, the art gallery, or even the salon for some pampering or simply enjoy some gastronomical delights ranging from an à-la-carte dinner in the Deliziosa Club Restaurant to the stylish Albatross Restaurant, from lunch at the Restaurant Muscadins Buffet to the notto-be-missed spectacle of culinary art at the Grand Midnight Buffet!

If you to experience a taste of luxury on the high seas, this is the best time to do it.

This winter, Costa Deliziosa along with her sister, Costa Luminosa is positioned in the Arabian Gulf offering seven-day cruises. Costa Deliziosa will be sailing from Muscat every Tuesday from March 16 through May 4.

(To book your trip aboard the Costa Deliziosa, contact the Khimji House of Travel. E-mail costa@khimjistravel.com)

MARCH 2010 49

Event

Music on the

Nokia recently launched its ‘Comes with Music’ service with its device X6 in Beirut, Lebanon. Rekha Baala was part of the scintillating evening…

I

t was an event where music, mobile technology and entertainment came together in a terrific combination.

Nokia pioneered a new way for people in the Middle East, to experience music with the launch of ‘Comes with Music’, a ground-breaking service which will change the way people discover and enjoy music.

Held at the Music Hall in Beirut, Lebanon last month, the event saw journalists from all over the Middle East get a first experience of Nokia’s new offering in a night that that was explosion of both information and entertainment.

Everything was informal here; including the stand-up comic act by comedian Nemer Abou Nassar that kept the audience in splits throughout the evening.

The event was also punctuated with a number of musical performances, in both English and Arabic. The evening became

50 MARCH 2010

all the more special with the presence of Melhem Zein, popular Lebanese singer who regaled the audience with a couple of his popular songs.

Now here’s more about the service and the new Nokia device that makes it possible... ‘Comes With Music’ gives you an incredible opportunity to access and download four million tracks, for free, for keeps and in a very legal manner. Now to do so, you need to buy the Nokia X6 ‘Comes With Music’ device. Thereafter, for 12 months, you get unlimited access to millions of tracks from Ovi Music. Enjoy the music on the Nokia X6 device or your dedicated PC. The music is available from all major international and regional labels including Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, Warner Music, EMI Music, Rotana, Mazzika, Melody Music, Platinum

Records, and leading content aggregator The Orchard as well as thousands of independent labels. The content covers a wide cross-section of Western and Arabic music, as well as among others, Indian, Pakistan and Filipino catalogues.

The Nokia X6 is a powerful entertainment device, combining 16GB of on-board memory with a slick 3.2” finger touch interface. It also has a 16:9 widescreen optimised for photos, video and browsing.

With direct access to the Ovi Store, the Nokia X6 is a hive of activity that brings 20 friends and virtual communities like Facebook to your homescreen.

The Middle East launch covers 11 markets that include Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestinian territories, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman. The device with the service will be commercially available in the first week of this month, for an estimated price of US$ 600, excluding sales taxes.

Get yourself a Nokia X6 ‘Comes With Music’ and live it up!n

Ayman Chalhoub, Head of Retail Sales for Music at Nokia said, “We are happy to offer a broad catalogue of music from international artists but also the widest range of music from regional artists that we believe presents the best music service in the region. We believe that ‘Comes With Music’ will transform the way people enjoy music here. With unlimited access to the à la carte Ovi Music catalogue for a year, you can enjoy your favourite artists or delve into new genres without having to worry about individual track or album purchases.”

MARCH 2010 51

Event

The ‘India – Then, Now, Forever’, a show by renowned Indian artiste Mallika Sarabhai and her performing troupe Darpana, was a celebration of the cultural diversity of India. Rekha Baala enjoyed the multicultural pluralism and came away enriched...

ances

of life!

I

t is a known fact that Indian culture is diverse and varied. That India is a melting pot of these diversities is evident in every facet of life in the country. Whether they are customs, traditions or the performing arts, the sheer variety will never cease to amaze the discerning audience.

And it was this multicultural pluralism that was brought to the fore by one of India’s most renowned artistes Mallika Sarabhai and her Darpana Performing Academy in a scintillating show held at the Oman Auditorium of Al Bustan Palace InterContinental last month.

52 MARCH 2010

‘India – Then, Now, Forever’, directed by Mallika Sarabhai showcased the richness, history and diversity of Indian dance using classical, folk and contemporary choreography. It was a travel through time... that brought out not only dance in its purest form but wove in beautiful stories and striking elements as well.

The show began with a group performance of the ‘Rathwa’, a tribal dance form from the state of Gujarat.

This was followed by a tracing of South Indian temple art by a scintillating ‘Bharatanatyam’ (Indian classical dance form) performance by Mallika herself. She returned time, and again, literally setting the stage on fire, with her emotional and impeccable rendering of other dance forms including ‘Kuchipudi’.

Rare folk dances from India also found resonance in the show. There was the ‘Thali’ dance of the ‘Bhils’(a tribe in India), the vibrant and colourful ‘Ghoomar’ from Rajasthan, the graceful ‘Raas’ from Gujarat, ‘Chhau’ from the East and ‘Laiharoba’ from the North-East. Dancers also sizzled on stage, exuding grace and femininity as they performed Kerala’s ‘Mohiniyattam’ dance routine.

While dance formed a major part of the show’s format, the music too never failed to enthral. The audience enjoyed a spectacular musical interlude, with different kinds of instruments in a kind of musical fusion! The beats and sounds reverberated throughout the hall, creating a rhythm and musical union that celebrated diversity in all its flavours.

The conclusion of the show was an eyeopener, a call to see the truth. ‘Kaun?’ (which means ‘who’ in Hindi) was a beautiful, contemporary and moving piece with a strong message. The dancers, resplendent in white costumes danced with masks bringing across the point that we need to discard the several masks we wear if we need to find the truth in life.

‘India – Then, Now , Forever’ was both magical and mesmerising. Mallika Sarabhai and her troupe of talented dancers from Darpana proved that dance and music not just celebrates cultural diversity of a country, but celebrates life itself.n (‘India – Then, Now, Forever’ was brought to Oman by Alazm International)

AM Recommends

Get up to speed on what’s new in town... in beauty treatments Where:

Essence Spa, Al Inshirah Street Madinat Al Alam

What’s it all about:

A 10-minute facelift! We kid you not! Thanks to ‘Genie’, you now have a personal trainer for the face and body who provides a complete workout in just 10 minutes for the face and 20 minutes for the body.

A thousand times stronger than most other systems, it is the only one that actually rebuilds facial muscle mass.

The 10-minute facelift works on tired facial muscles by reverting them to their original position. The face actually develops a physical lift, becomes fuller and reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles.

Results are visible after the first treatment, and it’s to be seen to be believed! Combined with its biotech module, it encourages the skin’s natural ability to increase its protein supply and in particular collagen and elastin.

And for the body it can be used in the treatment of cellulite, loose skin, stretch marks and even to lift the bust.

The lymphatic drainage module for the face and body reduces puffiness especially around the eyes, speeds up the elimination of toxins, stimulates cell regeneration, increases metabolism, and helps relieve stress and fatigue.

For slimming, this is the closest you’ll get to an aerobic workout without actually going to the gym! And for toning, 20 minutes of this is equivalent to 360 reps in the gym!! A minimum course of ten to 15 sessions is recommended, depending on the area of body to be treated.

How it works:

The treatment is done using small electrodes that transmit a current through small pads which have been placed directly onto sagging muscles. These cause your muscles to contract and relax, which helps lift, tone and revive sagging skin. The contractions also boost circulation to make your skin more radiant. A course of ten sessions is recommended for best results and they say it will help soften those stubborn lines.

Our verdict:

If it erases the signs of ageing and makes you gorgeous without needing to go under the knife and deal with all the pains of post-op, hey, it sure works for us!

54 FEBRUARY 2010

Beirut is a modern, bustling city and a beautiful study in contrasts.

Rekha Baala comes back mesmerised by the whole experience...

A Symbol of Hope

Travel

56 MARCH 2010

I

t is a beautiful sight, indeed! As the flight descends into Beirut, on one side you see snow-capped peaks and on the other, the vast and almost never-ending expanse of the Mediterranean Sea. It’s winter, and the blue merges with the white to create a sensation that straightaway warms the cockles of your heart. Long before you descend, you feel that your experience is going to bring you a cornucopia of delights! Yes, Beirut brings out the best emotions in people.

This capital of Lebanon is a bustling city, an epitome of contrasts. Dubbed as the Paris of the Middle East, it is also a resilient city, which like the proverbial Phoenix, has risen from the ravages of war, time and again!

That’s perhaps, why Beirut is so full of life... a ‘wholesome city in many aspects’.

A short trip offers a satisfying smörgåsbord for the tourist wanting to pack in as much as he can in a matter of few days. So, here’s

where Beirut’s cultural cohesion both attracts and enthrals! There is also the sun, the sea, the sand and the beauty of the mountains to enjoy. There’s history too, and a culture that is still thankfully, undiluted by the wave of modernism that’s fast sweeping through this beautiful city.

It didn’t take long to discover that the city never sleeps... So it doesn’t matter whether you want to explore Beirut at the crack of dawn or at midnight. For us, it did begin with the first rays of the shining sun, on the promenade of the beautiful Beirut Corniche that starts at Ras Beirut at Ave de Paris in the east and ends at the St George Yacht Motor Club in Ain al Mreisse to the west.

Life literally buzzes on the Corniche, where people from all walks of life, take a stroll, jog or bring their own little chairs to gossip the morning away. As you saunter along, you are wonderstruck at the amount of activities people pack into their ‘little time’ at the Corniche. You see old men playing backgammon, well-dressed teenagers in colour-coordinated sportswear and make-up (the Lebanese are a very fashion loving people) or tea vendors calling out to people to buy tea. During weekends, the place is filled with people indulging in their favourite past-time, pole fishing, especially near the steps that lead down to the sea! If

you want to pack a bite in between, there are vendors selling ka’ik, delicious handmade Lebanese bread and corn.

The roads of Beirut are not very organised and traffic jams are plenty, but if you want to cross the road, cars will stop to wait for you to pass. Walking is the best way to explore the city, whether it is Downtown Beirut (the central district) or Hamra which before the war was referred to as Beirut’s ‘Champs Elysees’. Today, Hamra is a commercial district which is known for its high-end stores, hotels and coffee shops that cater to visitors.

Buses in the city are almost non-existent but there are plenty of taxis to take you around.

As your taxi swirls in and out of busy city traffic, stark contrasts hit you all the time.

In some areas, pristine and overbearing structures stand alongside crumbling or bombed-out buildings. But looking at what the city is now, you cannot help admiring the tenacity of its people.

If you are looking at exploring a few places away from the heart of Beirut city, then the ancient city of Byblos is a must-visit.

Situated 45 minutes up the coast, located 37 km north of Beirut, it is one of the oldest continually inhabited towns in the world

and still carries the vestiges of the ancient Phoenician port it once was. At Byblos, you can see the Crusader’s Castle, Egyptian temples and meander through the bylanes of restored medieval souks where you can shop for souvenirs. A little haggling is enough and more than once, the smiling shopkeeper thrust into our hands, an extra souvenir or two... for free! You can rest your tired limbs at one of the many quaint cafes that dot the souq and refresh yourself with piping hot coffee or tea.

The Beirut landscape is punctuated by many Biblical landmarks too. We took a cable car from the city that took us high above the busy roads and buildings to a mountain lush with cedar trees. High on top of the mountain is the shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon, devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The city is also a foodie’s paradise. It is full of little cafes and restaurants offering the choicest in food. Warm bread cackling in the oven, fresh fish off the sea and succulent meat dishes make sure that you are totally spoilt for choice! For those looking for an international experience, try one of the exceptional French or Italian restaurants.

Beirut has a vibrant nightlife and the French influence is very much evident in their culture. Whether it’s the old colonial houses, a party-hearty reputation or a strong sense of ‘fashion-consciousness’, there is joie de vivre in everything the Lebanese do. But it’s not all about flashy parties or even liberal mindsets though.

The people are warm, wonderful, kind and considerate. And not to mention, living life as they like it.

The few days I had were not quite enough to explore the contrasts Beirut has to offer... but the images and memories will remain with me forever. Along with an important lesson one learns, as a tourist in Beirut. Always believe in hope; for it is the only thing that sustains! n

MARCH 2010 57

For the Foodie

Bring Out The Chopsticks!

For an out-of-the-world, genuine Chinese experience, head to the China Mood at the Al Bustan Palace InterContinental Muscat. Rekha Baala found the experience intensely satisfying...

F

or those looking for a ‘genuine’ Chinese experience, sans any external influences or fusion, you must visit China Mood at the Al Bustan Palace InterContinental Muscat. The fivestar ambience apart, the food is ‘genuine Chinese’ and the experience, simply out-of-this-world! Here’s more of what we think...

The Place: Situated on the lobby floor of the hotel, China Mood is well-known among foodies in Muscat. We chose the place for lunch... prepared to spend as much time as possible to savour the experience. Once seated, we were welcomed with a tea show. A

58 MARCH 2010

lady dressed in colourful Chinese attire proceeded to acrobatically pour hot tea in our cups, without spilling a drop. The twists and turns are a delight, and you cannot help asking for an encore many times throughout the meal! Once the tea show is over, it’s time to get down to the food... Going through the exhaustive menu takes some time... but the helpful staff is on hand to help make a decision.

The Fare: Chinese cuisine is not just about food... it is an art that appeals to the senses, through its aroma, colour, shape and taste. There are eight main cuisines in China with special style of dishes from

each region. The bestknown ones however are Szechwan and Cantonese dishes! At China Mood, the menu includes an array of starters, soups, a mindboggling array of main course dishes, noodles, rice and scrumptious desserts. The food is light and quite easy on the stomach and there are many healthy options too!

The Mood: The restaurant has plenty of room and the unobtrusive seating makes dining out a pleasant, private affair. China Mood is swathed in earthy colours and dark reds with soft lighting to accentuate the atmosphere in every way. There are exclusive private dining areas within the restaurant, ideal for business meetings or for large groups.

The contemporary Chinese design of the restaurant offers a cosy atmosphere, with a care for detail, such as decorated panels and sculptures dotted throughout the restaurant. You can also take advantage of the weather and dine outdoors; it only adds to the overall experience!

Popularity Quotient: China Mood needs no introduction to food lovers in Muscat. Foodies swear by its fare and ambience. It’s hugely popular with in-house guests too. If you are planning to go during a weekend, we suggest that you reserve a table well in advance.

We sampled and We Recommend: A long-drawn out lunch was our idea of a review of the restaurant. Since starters were more in line with our interests, we decided to go all out on the Dim sums (‘To touch the heart’ is the literal translation

of the word Dim sum!). And the variety was almost heart-warmingly endless!

Chicken Shaomai, Vegetable Shaomai, Steamed Prawn Dumplings and Steamed Vegetable Dumplings set us in the mood for what was to come. The main course was a gourmet’s delight! Vegetable StirFried Noodles and Vegetable Fried Rice was served with delicious vegetarian and non-vegetarian accompaniments. Tofu with Chinese Mushrooms and the Braised Eggplant in Spicy Sauce were delightful with just a hint of spice! The nonvegetarians went ga-ga over the Beijing Roast Duck... the pièce de résistance of the meal. Here, the duck is prepared with a unique process of roasting and drying that gives it a unique, tender flavour. It is served with pancakes, sweet brown sauce and spring onions. The Stir-Fried Chicken with the Chef’s Special Sauce and the Sweet and Sour Hammour were also much appreciated. While we contemplated what

to have for dessert, the staff suggest why not try them all... So, despite a heavy meal, we heartily tucked into a Crispy Honey Banana with Vanilla ice cream, Chocolate Sampler (chocolate tart, chocolate ice cream and chocolate mousse), Banana and Coconut Tart with Vanilla Ice Cream and Lychee Crème Brûlée! Yup, we were truly stuffed but very, very happy!

Last Impressions: The menu is delectably Chinese... and you will love the myriad flavours associated with this cuisine. The portions are huge and the meal is not just about the food and its taste... it is a true fine dining experience.

Kudos also to the ever-smiling and courteous staff who bring more life to the gastronomic journey... If you are looking for a well-rounded Chinese experience, all you have to do is find an excuse for a celebration and then work up a good appetite. The rest comes relatively easy!n

MARCH 2010 59

AT HOME

Home remedies

for everyday

troubles…

• If you have dry eyes, you’ll need to shed a few tears. And the easiest way to stimulate your tearing action is to apply moist heat to your eyelids. Dip a small towel or washcloth in warm water, wring it out, lie down, close your eyes, and put the cloth over your lids for 15 minutes. Do this two or three times a day or as needed.

are the best remedies. They soak into your skin faster than creamy moisturisers. If your skin is extra dry and rough, opt for thicker oils like castor and avocado. If you’re prone to breakouts, try filtered jojoba oil. Spread a thin coat of the oil you choose to the dry areas twice a day.

• To avoid jetlag, drink lots of water while on the flight. A cup of water every hour would be ideal. During extended stopovers on a long-haul flight, try to grab a shower. Avoid travelling while suffering from a cold, cough, fever and flu. Don’t sit down for a long time. Get up from your seat and walk in the aisle after every hour.

Kick your shoes off to ease the pressure on your feet.

• If you want a quick fix for dry skin, almond and grapeseed oil

60 MARCH 2010

• If you have a sore throat, try these simple tips: Eat a balanced diet that

also mix rosemary oil or tea tree oil in a small quantity of water and use this on your underarms, neck, chest, back and thighs.

included green leafy vegetables, fruits, whole grain wheat, cereals, etc. Do not expose yourself to cold water and cold climate for a few days. Avoid oily / fried foods. Avoid foods with a cold propensity such as cucumber, bananas, watermelons, papaya, etc. Do not eat curds and other sour foods. Flavour your food with spices such as ginger, black pepper, salt and garlic.

• To get rid of body odour effectively, prepare a mixture of a few drops of glycerine and radish juice. It acts as a good home remedy to control body odour. Apply this mixture on your feet, underarms, neck, etc. You could

• Hiccups can be irritating. Here’s what you can do to stop them.

Close your ears with your fingers and drink water through straw.

Generally, hiccups are due to indigestion. Hence, opt for a light diet. A fibre-rich diet will also help.

The best tip will win a gift from Moulinex - Khimji’S LUXURY & LIFESTYLE 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.

Acrylic

Machine wash using warm water, softener may be added during the final rinse cycle. Machine dry using low temperature, remove promptly when done.

Cotton

Machine wash warm, tumble dry low. Use cool iron.

Nylon

Most items made from nylon can be machined washed and tumbled dried at low temperatures. Use warm water and add a fabric softener to the final rinse cycle. To minimize static electricity use a dryer sheet when machine drying. Remove articles from the dryer as soon as the tumbling cycle is completed. If ironing is required, use a warm iron.

Polyester

Use warm water add fabric softener to final rinse, machine dry low and remove promptly from dryer. If ironing is needed use a moderate warm setting. All polyesters can be dry cleaned.

Workwise

In

order to understand others you should start by understanding yourself first. Take this as a first rule in life; as you are a human being and a part of the society, so what applies to you applies to others as well.

Self-esteem or understanding yourself is the process of gathering information about yourself and knowing your strengths and weaknesses. Knowing your capabilities will ultimately help you get more out of opportunities and allow you to present yourself more confidently.

If you are the kind of person who finds it very difficult to find her self-esteem ask yourself these questions: • Is your job worthwhile? Do others respect what you do?

• Do you believe you are successful?

• How do you see yourself (your selfimage)?

• How do you feel about your strengths and weaknesses?

The Confidence Factor It is so important to have self-esteem; it helps you understand yourself and others, says Sabah Al Farsi, Instructor at the British Council’s Springboard Programme

62 MARCH 2010

Here are a few tips on building self-confidence: The above questions will help you build a small picture of how your self-esteem is.

Is it high or is it low? If you have negative thoughts and answers to these questions fall in the negative, then it is time to think about ways to change yourself.

Low self-esteem results from a poor selfimage. Your self-image is based on how you see yourself. Do you think you are a good, reliable, hardworking, honest and friendly person?

Low self-esteem also depends on other factors like your job. For example, do you value the job you do? Does the job you have help you be happy with who you are?

Low self-esteem feeds your negative thinking and makes you believe negative comments others make. This can cause you to lose confidence, so it is vital to end negative thoughts if you want to build your self-esteem.

The importance of self-esteem: It is very important for you to know how your self-esteem is; if it is positive or negative; as it affects the way you believe, act and behave with others. It affects your potential for success as well.

People with high self-esteem behave confidently while people with low selfesteem lack confidence in life. When I say confident, it does not mean only confidence in the work front but also in relationships, parenting, life skills, taking decisions and being constantly motivated to improve oneself.

At this point, you may begin to ask yourself where this self-confidence comes from. It may come from within, from others or from your own achievements.

Some people appear naturally confident but guess what? They’ve learnt how to be that way and so can you! If you lack self-esteem or self-confidence you must look for the reasons. You may be overly criticising yourself or telling yourself negative things like ‘I’m bound to fail’ or ‘I’m not good enough’ or even ‘I don’t

• Look for a role model (someone who has selfconfidence) and learn from him/her. What do they do to make them confident and how do they act?

• Focus on your achievements rather than your failures.

Be positive and overcome your failures by looking at the positive steps you have made to overcome the problems, and learn from the experience.

• Learn how to feel good about yourself • Focus on who you are and what you like about yourself. Why do your friends like you?

• Prepare thoroughly for any task so that you can be sure you are ready.

• Work on your skills, so you can never be over-trained or over-skilled for any challenge in life.

•Always smile and stand up straight.

• Set reachable goals for yourself and break difficult tasks into smaller steps •Reward yourself when you succeed no matter how small the achievement

deserve to succeed’. These will make failure likely.

How to get rid of negative thoughts: • When you find yourself being negative, question what you’ve just said. Ask yourself if it is really true that nobody likes you or that you have no friends, whatever it is. Try to justify a negative statement if you’ve made it. You’ll be able to see the truth, finally!

• If you’ve just heard yourself say two or three negative things, then stop a moment and try, (no matter how hard it is), to say one positive thing about the person or situation. There is nearly always a positive side somewhere • If you’re really down, try focusing on what is in your life to be thankful for and make a list of them. This will lift your mood and instantly you will feel less negative.

• List what you have achieved so far in your life and plan what else you want to

do. Becoming more focused on where you have been and where you want to go will help your mind to concentrate on a positive movement forward.

• Build your confidence so that you will feel more positive towards whatever you need to do.

Finally, I advise you not to be too competitive or compare yourself with others. Be yourself and accept that life is not a race against others but your selfconfidence depends on you and your personal needs.n

HEALTH

You’ve tried all kinds of new diets. Then you clocked many miles on that treadmill/ exercycle/step machine but where’s that flab going? By the looks of it, nowhere any time soon! So what’s a girl to do? Have you tried a combo of both?

D uble Whammy W

e know you’ve heard it time and time again, but one more time can’t hurt can it? The secret to a smokin’ body is not dieting.

Crazy fad diets do help you lose weight in the short-term, but you gain it all back as soon as you slip up. Some girls starve themselves all day and then raid the fridge at night. Binge eating is the most harmful sort of eating there is. We’ve heard of someone who survived solely on Coke, the odd bits of apple and some smokes. She was thin as a rake, but we’re betting her liver didn’t look so good. Neither did her skin or hair for that matter.

And on the other side of the equation is exercise. This, you might not have heard too frequently, so brace yourself. Exercise alone won’t help you lose weight either. A pound of body fat contains 3500 calories according to fitness experts. That means to lose a pound you have to exercise for several long hours. Although we don’t say no to the occasional jog on the treadmill, we do have a life, right? The average woman cannot spend hours working

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out in the gym everyday with the kids to be fed, the career to be managed and a husband who, as coincidence has it, also needs to fed.

So far the picture looks quite gloomy for the flab on our thighs. If dieting won’t keep it away for long, and exercise will take ages to take effect how are we ever going to look like we just walked off a modelling ramp? The only answer that works here is a combination of two things — diet and exercise. The National Weight Control Registry in the US says that 89 per cent of members lose weight with a combination of diet and exercise whilst only one per cent loses weight through exercise alone. Whilst taken individually, the two are (let’s face it) useless, together they make for a lethal combination. Hello, Halle Berry’s body!

Also, other than looking better, your insides get a makeover too when your daily routine includes an emphasis on healthy eating and exercise. Figures from the World Cancer Research Fund suggest that 80,000 cancer cases could

Congratulations!

for setting new standards of leadership, cutting-edge banking & ďŹ nance services and above all, an active partnership in the socio-economic development of the Sultanate for the past 25 years

HEALTH

be prevented each year if people were to exercise as well as take control of their diet.

Keeping this in mind, we bring you five fun ways to lose weight, look better and feel better!

Youtube it!

Okay, so you think you can trade in the bag of potato chips for a nice firm apple, but you don’t have time to hit the gym because it’s too far/too crowded/ too much of a hassle/ watching the impossibly skinny women in there batters your self-esteem? Fear not. Technology is everything these days, and you can work out at home. Stand in front of your PC (alternatively you can hook your TV up to your computer so the TV screen serves as your desktop) and stretch that fat away in the privacy of your own home! If you’re looking to work on specific areas of your body, just find clips from professional fitness instructors on Youtube telling you how to go about it. Can’t pay for a yoga instructor? Youtube it, invest in a Yoga mat and you’re set to go!

Work towards an occasion

Adopting a healthy lifestyle ‘just because’ never happens, because we keep putting it off. We lack the motivation to implement changes in our life that we know will be ultimately beneficial for us. Why not keep an end in sight and work towards

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it? Is there a wedding, a family party, a high school reunion coming up that you want to look good for? Work with that end in sight, changing your diet and exercise habits to look good for that specific occasion. Make sure it’s a couple of months away so that your new healthier regime has some time to take effect. Chances are that by the time D-Day approaches, you’ll be so used to your new lifestyle and so pleased with the way you look that you will keep it going even after the event has passed.

way to trim that fat. Experts say dancing is good for your heart, gives you stronger bones and muscle toning and some say it also helps with your confidence! Get your husband to go dancing with you to reignite the romance in your relationship!

If not, try dancing to music at home or get a group of your best girlfriends together for a chat session. Include a dance workout to really get the giggles going. You’re happier and you’ve burnt off some of the calories that you just consumed. Could life get better?

Get the family involved

Eat Breakfast

It’s no fun going it alone. While the kids (or your lucky skinny sister) are eating chocolate mousse, you’re stuck with broccoli and cabbage. But there are many recipes out there that actually focus on making meals tasty as well as containing low calorie count. Get your whole family to adopt a healthy lifestyle.

Other than making it easier for you to avoid temptation, it’s more fun and helps your loves ones adopt a lifestyle that will ultimately result in better health and fitness. Trade a boring old treadmill for family sports — take up tennis, badminton or water volleyball. It provides for some great bonding time and is great way to keeping fit!

Dance the body music

It’s fun, it’s hip, its sensual and it’s a great

Studies also show that if you eat breakfast you will maintain a lower calorie count throughout the day. So start stacking up on those cereals, energy bars and fruits!

Finally remember dieting doesn’t mean starving yourself. It means eating smarter and healthier rather than lesser. Also, just like Rome wasn’t built in a day, that weight didn’t pack on overnight. It took a consistently unhealthy life style to gain weight.

And it’s going to take a consistently healthy one to lose weight. Don’t lose patience ladies; just keep telling yourself that once the benefits of both exercise and dieting start to kick in people won’t be able to tell the difference between Megan Fox and you!n

available only at

HEALTH PLUS

YOUR HEALTH ave 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.

We have been married for eight months and have been trying for a baby for some time. We have not consulted any doctors. My wife is having her periods regularly. Please let me know whether we should wait for a while before consulting a doctor. We desperately want a baby.

You should have your semen examination done. Your wife should start taking folic acid tablets, to prevent certain abnormalities in the baby. Have her ultrasound done on day 11 of the period to determine whether she is ovulating or not. Let me know the results, so I can advice you further.

I got married in November 2008. I have a problem of irregular periods. My doctor prescribed Rogestrone.

After taking it, I got my periods. Then, from the third day, I was asked to take Fertomid tablets. The next month, I got my periods in 28 days. Again, I was given Fertomid and from the 14th day, I was asked to take Duphaston. Will this help me conceive?

Fertomid will help you form eggs and help you conceive. However, you should do a scan on day 12 of the period to determine whether you are ovulating or not. Duphaston should be

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given after you have ovulated. Also, have your husband’s semen examined and your fallopian tubes checked by doing an HSG (hysterosalpingography) or Laparoscopy.

All the best!

I had a miscarriage and a D&C done a week after.

It’s been four months and I still have not conceived. I have an eight-year-old son.

I checked my levels and it is lf 4.5 and fsh 5.1. When is the good time to become pregnant?

Sorry to hear about your miscarriage. You have not mentioned how many weeks pregnant you were when you miscarried and whether any reason was found for it. Anyway, have an ultrasound done on day 12 of the period to determine whether you are ovulating or not. If you are not, you would require Clomid tablets during the next cycle. Also, have your husband’s semen examination done.

I suffer from hypothyroidism and my TSH is below 5. My endocrinologist told me that to get pregnant; the TSH should be below 3. Is it true?

I have had a laparoscopy and no problem was found. My husband’s counts are fine. What would be the reason for not

conceiving? I am 33 years old.

Please check the normal range of the thyroid hormone in your lab. This varies depending on the kit used. Depending on that you would know whether below 3 or 5 is ok. Have you done an ultrasound to determine whether you are ovulating?

Have one done on day 12 of the period and let me know the result, so I can advice you further. Also, have your tubes been checked.

Find more questionS and answers fielded by Dr. Smita Lulla at www.omanaccess.com

Making headlines since 1975 Congratulations, Times of Oman, on completing 35 momentous years as Oman’s leading English-language newspaper.

Changing The Face Of Business - 'Women As An Economic Force' 25th & 26th April 2010, Intercontinental Hotel Muscat

Under the patronage of Her Highness Sayyida Aliya bint Thuwaini Al Said “Interact with internationally acclaimed businesswomen and experience workshops and lectures to inspire a new calibre of women in business.�

Dr.Asyah Al- Bualy

Ms. Ashley M Hunter

Mrs. Lydia Roux

Renu Kapoor, FCA

Archana Garodia Gupta

Advisor for Culture and Humanities, Research Council

President of HM Risk Group

Founder of Gauteng Talent Management Solutions

Project and Strategic Consultant and Director Indian Institute of Jewellery

Director, Touchstone Gems and Jewellery (India) Pvt. Ltd.

Additional speakers to be announced

To Register | Tel +968 24693133| Fax +968 24607717| Email info@enventoman.org| Website www.enventoman.org | Technology Partners

Educational Sponsors

Media Partners

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26

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Event

T

On the

Greens It promises to be a day of fun and excitement. The sixth edition of OER CEO Golf promises some great golfing action and plenty of opportunities for business networking as well!

he most anticipated corporate event in Oman, OER CEO Golf, will be played on Oman’s premier green golfing venue — the 18-hole Par 72 PGA-standard championship golf course at the Muscat Hills Golf & Country Club — on March 11, 2010. OER CEO Golf is presented by Nawras Business Solutions, in association with National Bank of Oman, in time with Rolex from Khimji’s Watches, and partnered by BMW. Much is happening in the business world here, and CEO golfing — as the event is now referred to by participants — is more than just golf. The OER CEO Golf event has been, traditionally, the unique networking opportunity every year for the crème-de-la-crème of Oman’s corporate society.

Nawras Business Solutions will again be the corporate captain at OER CEO Golf 2010. And that’s not all; the support has this year been signed up for three years up to the ninth edition of OER CEO Golf. Speaking about Nawras’ decision to commit to presenting OER CEO Golf, Nawras CEO, Ross Cormack said, “We are delighted to be sponsoring this event for the second year running and excited that this year it will be taking place on the first green golf course in Oman. This is particularly apt as Nawras is no stranger to introducing many communication ‘firsts’ for customers. Our long term commitment will see Nawras Business Solutions presenting OER CEO Golf with pleasingly different networking opportunities in this informal environment for the next three years.”

About the day’s programme, Cormack said, “Last year’s event was described as a tremendous success and without being able to give too much away at this stage, I can certainly say that we are looking forward to raising the bar even further this year. Each OER CEO Golf day is getting bigger and better and Nawras Business Solutions will be helping to ensure that the 2010 event will be a talking point for a long time to come.”

Oman’s customer-friendly mobile communications service provider, Nawras, is committed to enhancing people’s daily lives, making life more versatile and always a pleasingly different experience. For real

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corporate mobility, and enhancing business efficiency, Nawras Business Solutions has been the right choice for many organisations.

With their vision to enrich the lives of people in Oman, Nawras constantly strives to be caring, excellent and pleasing, striving to build close relationships. They believe that people should have the time to focus on the important things in life. For this reason, they are always on the lookout for avenues that significantly enhance the quality of people’s lives. Considering their corporate ethos, it is not difficult to understand why they have agreed to be the Corporate Presenters of the Sixth Edition of OER CEO Golf too.

Speaking about the three-year agreement, Sandeep Sehgal, CEO of United Media Services LLC says, “The partnership reiterates Nawras’ commitment to the event and brings value to it. Over the years OER CEO Golf has grown into a media asset that gives partners an opportunity to interact and engage with an elite target audience. The inherent strength of this property along with a preferred partner like Nawras ensures that OER CEO Golf will grow from strength-tostrength in the coming years.”

In addition to Nawras, OER CEO Golf is being partnered by National Bank of Oman (NBO).

David Power, NBO’s General Manager, Chief of Retail Banking said: “NBO is well known in the banking industry for launching many firsts. We are indeed honoured to sponsor the prestigious OER CEO Golf Tournament, which will be held at Muscat Hills, Oman’s first green golf course. The decision insures that professional golf will continue to grow in the Sultanate as we look forward to a long lasting relationship with OER and their many initiatives.” Humayun Kabir, NBO’s General Manager, Chief of Business Banking said: “NBO continues to remain committed to supporting all major sporting and community related events in the Sultanate.

We are proud to be ‘Associate Presenter’ of the prestigious ‘OER CEO Golf Tournament’.

The tournament provides us an ideal opportunity to mingle informally with our valued customers and high profile members of Oman’s business community.”

Rolex from Khimji’s Watches continues to partner the event this year too. Says

Anil Khimji, Director, Khimji Ramdas, “Rolex is associated with premium golf events globally; and it was quite natural for Khimji’s Watches to have tied up with OER CEO GOLF from its very inception. Rolex stands for perfection and class and these values resonate well with all those who would be participating in this event. Khimji’s Watches, the final word in luxury watches and accessories in Oman today, is happy to be associated again with this much anticipated and high profile event of the year. It’s a win-win situation for us as event partners; but for the most promising golfer-to-be this could be the most exciting win of all; when he takes home a Rolex. I wish this programme grand success.”

This year too, the day-long event is designed to provide nail-biting action for CEO golfers.

The main competition is an 18-hole affair on a golf course that has been delicately crafted around the natural Omani mountain ranges to produce the first course of its kind in the Middle East. Players in this competition will be able to experience, for the first time in Muscat, what it feels to compete on a course designed by internationally renowned golf course designer Paul Thomas of Dave Thomas Associates, and constructed by Southern Golf UK. The word has spread and the corporate world is excited and abuzz about the sixth edition of OER CEO Golf. “OER CEO Golf has always been an exclusive event.

It’s Oman’s biggest & unique golfingcum-business networking extravaganza,” says Sehgal. “For us, it’s exciting that Oman’s most awaited corporate golfing championship will see the ‘who’s-who-ofOman’ out there together on the greens”.

And ‘green’ is not the only unique facet about this year’s OER CEO Golf. Apart

from the 18-hole main event, Water Golf is also on the cards. It’s an exciting event for golfers, golfers-to-be and their spouses.

At the Serenity Lake at Muscat Hills, players will have to study the positions of a floating green, and aim to get their golf ball onto it. Got it? Great! Missed? Try retrieving your golf ball from the lake bed.

Yes, there’s much fun even for golfers-tobe this year.

Highlights of the day’s programme include a golf clinic for golfers-to-be, conducted by golf professionals, and a 4-hole round to experience the greens.

New, exciting and fun-filled activities have been planned to fill the day’s calendar, ending with the grand finale at the awards dinner — an evening that’ll be loaded with enthralling performances and mesmerising music. “This is the opportunity for real top-flight brands to be associated with a high-profile event in Oman. It’s become the most anticipated upmarket event of the year in Oman, and every year, we try to make it bigger, more exciting.

Throughout the day, and well into the night, it is going to be the best anyone has seen here in a long time,” says Alpana Roy, Executive Vice President of UMS. The other partners of the event are Times of Oman and Al Shabiba, the publicity partners; Hi!, Faces and Al Youm Al Sabe, the media sponsors. The category partners include Cybex (Fitness), OUA (Beverage), Infoline (Call centre), Axa Insurance (Insurance), Al Sawadi Beach Resort (Hospitality), Oman Printers & Stationers Co (Printing), Signature (Luxury partner) Muscat Hills (Venue), Samsung from SARCO and Capital Store (Prize partners), Al Turki, Matharoo & Company and Green Olive (Decor partners) and Agreeko (Energy Partner)n

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Well Being

This Women’s Day let’s remind ourselves that the person we need to first acknowledge and nurture first of all is ourselves says Dr Prema Seshadri.

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What Women Really Need...

O

ver the years I have come to believe that it’s the woman who is the true enigma of human creation. Just as much as she can create chaos through her unpredictable temperament, she can as easily produce the most breathtaking artistic piece in any field of life. And it’s not a ‘one of a kind’ and ‘once in a blue-moon’ kind of occurrence. She actually does it over and over and over again.

We women are phenomenally gifted! We are true multi-taskers.

And we are unconditional givers.

We are strong in our commitment and will probably kill ourselves to honour it. So, why then do we not revere ourselves? Why then do we not acknowledge our own efforts?

Why then do we constantly look for approval from others? The best pat on the back comes from the hug we give ourselves. Such a hug is just as liberating as it is comforting because it comes with no pressure to impress.

We don’t need to earn it. We deserve it and we get it. That’s how easy it should be because that’s how easy it is!

Often demands are so subtle that they slip in through the cracks of our psyche and invade the very core of our being. There is nothing wrong with demands because we have the strength and capability to handle almost anything. But unfortunately there is that invisible fatigue line which we, in our zest to satisfy others, tend to ignore. Others misconstrue that ceaseless giving of ourselves as infinite energy to work and increase their demands on us. Women must learn to say ‘no’. We must be able to say not just that we are tired but that we are understandably tired. More often than not, women, particularly the homemakers, feel guilty about feeling tired! And that, is an insult to womanhood.

Women are born nurturers. We

are happiest when we can care for people; which is indeed beautiful.

But we need to be nurtured too.

Very rarely do we ever voice this fundamental need. It’s time we asked to be taken care off. We need to put into words what we really want. Ask to be pampered. Those who love you will not only pamper you but would love you even more for asking. So go for it! Don’t hesitate to ask.

I have constantly emphasised the importance of having ‘me-time’.

That’s the time you have the right to be completely selfish and selfcentred. Use that time to catch up on your reading, a coffee with friends, and a movie, anything that’s going to act as a rejuvenator. It will help to break the monotony of a life of service and recharge your batteries.

And when you do, you have so much more to give others.

Vary your life. Every now and then ask yourself if you are falling into a set pattern. Boredom is a slow killer. Recognise it and tackle it immediately. Take that occasional trip to a new destination with friends, indulge in some adventure travel, work on community projects at your own time, find ways to expand your circle of friends… There are so many new things to learn and do!

Above all, make your own health a high priority. When we are weighed down by responsibilities, we tend to ignore our health. And that is absolutely unacceptable. We need to look good and feel good. Tuck a fitness programme into your daily schedule and enjoy it. Nothing boosts self-esteem as much as exercise does.

So, ladies, go for that all-important jog!

Love yourself, respect yourself, and elevate yourself not because you are just worth it, but because you are fantastic and the finest gift to society.n

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All the beauty stuff you simply must have…

Your

checklist...

beauty

Beauty Zone

Youth ‘full’

We’d love to drink from the proverbial ‘fountain of youth’, wouldn’t we!? Well Sensai from Kanebo comes pretty close. They take anti-ageing products to a new level with the Cellular Performance Hydrating Series. And this magic formula is hyaluronic acid, the gel-like substance that occurs naturally in the connective tissue of the skin, serving to hydrate and cushion it. The range includes the Hydrachange Eye Essence, Hydrachange Mask, Hydrachange Essence, Hydrachange Cream and the Hydrachange Mist.

AM says: Looking young has never been this easy!

Rule of 4

This season, pick a mood, decide on a demeanour, then mix it up for a fervent flash of authentic emotion! That’s what the MAC Spring Collection 2010 forecast does to you! It centres on four specific stories — coral, pink/ lavender, yellow/gold and plum/burgundy. The trick is to keep it monochromatic or cross over to the other side. The result? Deeply personal and vividly alive! The forecasts are featured in four parts on four displayers, each with a different couture colour trend inspiration making a strong impact on of its own. It also features two new limited-life introductions — Crush Metal Pigment and Blush Ombre.

AM says: Rock the party!

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Flower Power

Cherry Good

Try the magnificence and the soothing quality of cherries. L’Occitane uses them to great effect in the Cherry Trees of Provence New 2010 Collection. The Wild Cherry Tree Eau de Toilette is woody, fruity and offers a new fragrant interpretation of the cherry tree. The scent of the wild cherry blossom mingles with the sparkling notes of bittersweet berries, before settling into a soft, woody base. The Wild Cherry Tree — Perfume Refill brings the scent of nature and Provence to your home.

AM says: Totally refreshing! Try it...

Clarins presents the New Cotton Flower Spring Make-up collection, in delicate, subtle shades inspired by the softest, purest, most delicate flower found in nature — the Cotton Flower. A collection where white, evocative of serenity, is the star colour, for a natural, elegant you, whose beauty is defined by simplicity. Gentle, fresh-looking pastels, almost evanescent shades, are highlighted by more vivid tones for a singularly, elegant look. Check out the two Cotton Flower Limited Collector’s edition that includes the Cotton Flower Face Palette and the Cotton Flower Eye Quarter & Liner Palette.

AM says: Get it!

White Magic

Simply Timeless

The roaring 20s are back! The Dior Spring 2010 make-up collection draws inspiration from the charm of the 20s, offering you contemporary beauty enhancement in a range of pastel colours. This modern boudoir spirit, with its subtle combination of innocence and sensuality, is expressed in the products’ ultra fresh and smooth textures.

AM says: Little beats classic style!

The Parure Pearly White Collection from Guerlain celebrates the pearly whiteness of a dream complexion. Parure Pearly White is a soft, powdery foundation that brightens your complexion and lends it a beautiful matt finish; it’s combined with a concentrate of white light to sculpt your face and lighten areas of shadow. The Meteorites Pearly White is a smoothing, skin-perfecting gel, sparkling with the crystal-clear whiteness of opalescent pearls. The Meteorites Pearly White Brightening Face Powder is a monochrome collection of powder pearls in three divine shades of white — matt, pink and blue.

AM says: Perfect for adding that final luminous touch to your complexion.

Super scrub

Body scrubs are a great way to keep your skin healthy and beautiful through exfoliation. The Bum Deal Body Scrub from Benefit leaves your body energised and glowing. Use on hips, arms, your bottom and thighs. For best results, use two-three times a week.

AM says: For healthy and shining skin!

Get Your Vitamins

Anti-ageing gets a further boost from the Aroma-Valliance product range from Nuxe.

Available in two textures, depending on skin type, a melting emulsion or a rich cream, the new Aroma-Valliance multi-vitamin formulas provide exceptional action on the appearance of deep wrinkles and loss of skin firmness. It’s an essential and delightful daily beauty step for diminished wrinkles and a serene face.

AM says: Bring your skin back to life!

S fashion

ilk

oul of the

&the

ouk

Design duo Aida and Afaf Al Farsi’s Dar Al Dibaj define the fashion industry in the Sultanate. Eman Akbar Rafay avers every one of their creations is truly a oncelost-but-now-found jewel of Oman!

The everyday hustle and bustle of the historic Muttrah Souk is an unexpected muse in the realm of high-end fashion; quite easily and often forgotten in a world infatuated with all things modern. But for design duo Aida and Afaf Al Farsi, the ‘souq’ remains a central part of the design process and is the heartbeat of their upcoming luxury fashion line at Dar Al Dibaj.

This comprises a treasure-trove of ‘Jalabiyas’ accompanied by a limited edition line of captivating antique jewellery with a contemporary tone.

international designers.

Both Aida and Afaf lend a distinct element of their personalities to the brand, defining the modern day woman and celebrating the female form. A true sense of their passion for style remains timelessly embedded within their designs. They describe the Dar Al Dibaj woman as worldly, educated and confident but yet conservative in her style. She juggles a life in the Gulf and Europe and yet finds comfort, ease and sophistication in the versatility of Dar Al Dibaj.

Dar Al Dibaj, which means the House of Silk, was launched after two years of private fashion shows and fashion design consultations, a privilege reserved only for those near and very dear to Aida and Afaf. The brand made its debut at the most anticipated fashion show of the season; ‘Fashion Mischief’, alongside some of Europe’s most beloved fashion houses. And it became an instant hit, striking the perfect note by weaving modern day influences deep within traditional garments.

The full-length, regal velvet ‘Jalabiya’ proudly represented the Sultanate on the catwalk among designs by

Oman remains the pulse of Dar Al Dibaj throughout, with subtle references to the history of the Sultanate found in fabrics, laces and more obviously in the antique jewellery sourced from traders in souqs around the Sultanate. Each piece whispers stories of ancient times and practices that become a part of the modern day woman’s life, resting as treasures on necks and wrists, throbbing to the heart-beat of older times and tales.

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Both sisters also epitomise Dar Al Dibaj, and their infectious personality and true love for creativity shines

through not only through their ‘Jalabiyas’ and jewellery but also whilst they discuss and educate their patrons about the historical significance behind the antique jewellery they have sourced; excitedly explaining each nuance when going through the latest collection. Witnessing the design duo so passionately describe the spirit that lies behind Dar Al Dibaj, it is plain to see how hands-on they really are in shaping the future of this homegrown brand.

The spring/summer 2010 line from Dar Al Dibaj is a fusion of inspirations providing distinct designs to cater to a wide audience. There’s always only one dress in each design, offering each customer the total satisfaction of quality and exclusivity. Driven by popular demand, an additional capsule of the casual range of ‘Jalabiyas’, ‘Abayas’ and seasonal Moroccan inspired dresses, have been added to Dar Al Dibaj. The fashion house grows from strength to strength, spearheaded by the two versatile sisters who enthusiastically continue to define the fashion industry in the Sultanate.

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Creative Direction Photographer Photographer’s Assistant Location assistant Model Make-up artist

: Eman Akbar Rafay : Bruce Boyd : Faisal Al Bellucce : Batool Akbar Rafay : Amy Browne : Maya (Sarah’s Beauty Salon)

MARCH 2010 91

stars foretell ...

STARGAZING

What the Aries

Leo

Taurus

Virgo

March is the month of limitless energy. This month will see you pouring in a lot of energy into work and play too! However, don’t exert yourself too much as to cause a burnout.

Ease off all the pressure and you’ll see that much can be achieved at an easier and steadier pace.

It’s bonding time… Plan that all-girls trip to the nearest getaway… for lots of fun and relaxation. Or simply group together for a night out to recharge your batteries. A special girlfriend may be a source of inspiration and guidance to help you during certain difficult situations that may arise during the end of the month. As the cliché goes, a friend in need is a friend indeed!

Gemini

Time for some wonderful mind-reading this month! We are talking of that special talent you will have to read everybody’s minds.

You can use this ability to your advantage by guessing people’s thoughts, though whether this is a positive thing or not totally depends on you. Try not to indulge in mind games though!

Cancer

Though life continues on its monotonous, routine lane this March, you should look for a new line of pursuit that will give you immense happiness and help you break away from normalcy. But don’t make hasty decisions you’re bound to regret. Keep your ears and eyes open for an opportunity that will keep your mind occupied and will also be fun at the same time.

92 MARCH 2010

There are a lot of challenges that will take your attention this month. This may be due to the result of something that’s happened in your life recently or you may just feel that it’s time to address how you feel about some of life’s big questions. You may be surprised at some of the conclusions you may reach at.

It’s about relationships and more relationships this month. Perhaps there is a close family member you need to connect with more or you wish to find commitment with a loved one. Whatever your situation, now is the time to take action. Financial matters are also of concern. So be very careful about what you do, and what decision you take.

Libra

You may feel you’re spreading yourself a bit thin in the beginning of this month. But energy levels should be fairly high right now so it’s best to make the most of it, just try not to burn out. Money and relationship matters are likely to cause your head to spin this month and you may find you’re in a situation that’s either exhilarating or just plain exhausting.

Scorpio

Do you have something in your mind that’s been disturbing you lately? Or is there someone you have issues with? Get ready to let it be known to the person concerned. Your relationships are in the spotlight and if there are issues you’ve been ignoring, then it’s time they come to light. Believe us, you will feel sooo much better after talking it out!

Sagittarius

You could feel tempted to gamble on something this month… as you’re not afraid to take risks in life. But think many times before taking the plunge. Things may not be as they appear; maybe you should take a step back and assess the situation again… You may even look at things in a different light.

Capricorn

Despite all your best efforts, things may not go as you like this month. You may even feel frustrated and fed up. If the focus is on you to get things right, this will be an added pressure. However, you must realise that there will be ups and downs… and you’ll simply have to learn to go with the flow.

Aquarius

A change in circumstances is on the cards which can either be in a personal or a material way. You may feel confused by events that may spiral out of control. The best way to move ahead is to assess how you really feel about these issues? Maybe it’s your attitude? Maybe not? Ponder and you’ll get the answers.

Pisces

Like the onset of spring, you too are full of life this month. Be bold and dare to make those sweeping changes you’re itching to. Leave the old baggage behind and be ready to look at things in a new light. But beware of people who may try to borrow money from you. Take extra care of your finances.

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MARCH 2010 93