T14 09 2013 by Sahir Vayappat

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MODI NAMED AS BJP’S PM CANDIDATE Narendra Modi was yesterday anointed Bharatiya Janata Party’s Prime Ministerial candidate for the 2014 Lower House of Parliament polls, ending months of suspense over his elevation amid stiff opposition by party patriarch L. K. Advani. >A6

SATURDAY, September 14, 2013 / 8 DHUL QA’ADA 1434 AH

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OMANTEL PROFESSIONAL LEAGUE KICKS OFF AMIDST FANFARE History was made as the much-awaited Omantel Professional League kicked off amidst fanfare yesterday with Seeb entering the record books as the ﬁrst team to win a match in the pro era of Sultanate’s football, defeating Al Arouba 1-0, at Seeb Stadium. — Photo by Ismail Al Farsi See also >A11

Chemical arms: UN report may confirm it, says Ban Russia and US agree on a new push to negotiate an end to Syria’s civil war as they discussed a plan to destroy President Assad’s chemical weapons

UNITED NATIONS/GENEVA: A report by UN chemical weapons experts will likely conﬁrm that poison gas was used in an August 21 attack on Damascus suburbs that killed hundreds of people, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said yesterday. “I believe that the report will be an overwhelming, overwhelming report that chemical weapons (were) used even though I cannot publicly say at this time before I receive this report,” Ban said at a UN meeting. He was referring to a report by the UN expert team led by Ake Sellstrom of Sweden. Ban also said that Syrian President Bashar Al Assad “has committed many crimes against humanity,” though he did not say whether it was Assad’s forces or rebels who used chemical toxins in the August 21 attack. Civil war Meanwhile, Russia and the United States agreed a new push to negotiate an end to Syria’s civil war as they discussed a plan to destroy President Bashar Al Assad’s chemical weapons in order to avert US air strikes.

US Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met for a second day in Geneva to work on Moscow’s disarmament proposal; Washington remains sceptical and Kerry has said US military action is still possible to punish Assad for a poison gas attack in rebel territory last month. However, after meeting the United Nations envoy for Syria, both Kerry and Lavrov said progress on the arms issue in their talks could help relaunch their efforts to bring Syria’s warring sides together and negotiate an end to a conflict that has inflamed the Middle East and divided world powers since it began in 2011. Air strikes and artillery bombardments on rebel-held suburbs of the Syrian capital yesterday followed defiant comments from Assad a day earlier after he agreed, at prompting from his Russian ally, to sign up to a global ban on chemical weapons. Kerry told a joint news conference: “We are committed to trying to work together, beginning with this initiative on the chemical weapons, in hopes that those efforts could pay off and bring peace and stability to a war-torn part of the world.” He hoped a date might be set for peace talks, but added: “Much ... will depend on the capacity to have success here in the next hours, days, on the subject of the chemical weapons.” Geneva 2 meeting Lavrov, voicing regret at the failure of an international accord reached at Geneva last year, said he hoped a “Geneva 2” meeting could lead to a political settlement for Syria. “We agreed ... to see where we are and see what the Syrian parties think about it and do about it,” he said. -Reuters

COURT VERDICT

Death sentence for Delhi gangrape convicts NEW DELHI: Death sentence was yesterday awarded to the four convicts in the sensational December 16 gangrape-cum-murder case by a court here which said the “beastly” and “hair-raising” manner in which the crime was committed against a 23-year-old girl falls in the rarest of rare category. “Accordingly, the convicts be hanged by neck till they are dead,” Additional Sessions Judge Yogesh Khanna said after observing that the inhuman and ghastly acts of the convicts shocked the collective conscience of the nation and deserve exemplary punishment, which was pronounced nine months after an agonising wait. Delivering his 20-page order in a packed courtroom, the judge noted that the “ghastly acts” of Mukesh (26), Akshay Thakur (28), Pawan Gupta (19) and Vinay Sharma (20) requires withdrawal of the “protective arm of the community from around them”. “The crime of such nature against a helpless woman, per se, require exemplary punishment. I may leave here while saying the gravity of the incident depicts the hair-raising beastly and unparalleled behaviour. “Subjecting of the prosecutrix to inhuman acts of torture before her death had not only shocked the collective conscience but calls for withdrawal of the protective arm of the community from around the convicts. This ghastly

20-PAGE ORDER

JUSTICE DONE: Four convicts of the December 16 Delhi bus gan-

The December 16 gangrape and murder of the 23-year-old girl ‘deﬁnitely ﬁts in the bracket of rarest of rare’ case

‘Crime of such nature against a helpless woman, per se, require exemplary punishment’

grape case being taken away in a police van after the pronouncement of the sentence in the case, in New Delhi, yesterday. -PTI

act of the convicts definitely fits this case in the bracket of rarest of rare cases,” the judge said. The court said “the aggravating circumstances outweigh the mitigating circumstances in the case.” Hearing that they have been sent to gallows, a shocked Vinay started crying while the other three - Mukesh, Pawan and Akshay sought mercy. The death penalty reference has been sent to the Delhi High Court for confirmation. The “severity” of the injuries and the “unprovoked” suffering inflicted upon the “defenceless” victim were relied upon by the court while handing down the capital punishment. “Convicts in pursuance of their conspiracy lured the victims into

Wadi Darbat revels in its natural splendour

A2 ENVOYSPEAK — PAOLA AMADEI, ITALIAN AMBASSADOR TO OMAN Italian enterprises are eager to contribute to the ongoing extraordinary infrastructural plan in the Sultanate of Oman in implementation of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said’s wise vision. Read the column on Sunday

the bus, brutally gangraped the prosecutrix, inﬂicted inhuman torture and threw the defenceless victims out of the moving bus in naked condition, profusely bleeding on a cold winter night; their unprovoked crime demonstrated exceptional depravity of mind. “Her intestines were so severely damaged and the suffering inﬂicted on the prosecutrix was unparalleled. The brutality caused to her internal organs is extreme as is evident from the medical evidence on record and hence the act of convicts call for extreme penalty,” it said. Weighing the factors against and in favour of the convicts in deciding the punishment, the court said the aggravating circumstances are that the offence was

committed in an extremely brutal, grotesque, diabolical, revolting and thus dastardly manner so as to arouse intense and extreme indignation of society. He said the manner of crime demonstrated exceptional depravity and extreme brutality by which extreme misery was inﬂicted upon the girl before her death leading to grave impact on social order. The mitigating circumstances noted by the judge included the young age of the convicts, their socio economic status, citing which they had sought a chance for reformation, and their clean antecedents. The court concluded that the aggravating circumstances outweigh the mitigating circumstances. -PTI See also >A5

TOP THREE INSIDE STORIES

OMAN

Over 60 illegals held near Barka deported

The Royal Oman Police (ROP) deported 61 foreigners who had attempted to enter the country illegally on Wednesday morning. These inﬁltrators had been arrested while attempting to illegally enter the Sultanate on a boat near the Barka shores. Official sources at the ROP said the police, in cooperation with various agencies, has launched a campaign to prevent inﬁltrators from entering and staying in the country. >A3

PAKISTAN

WORLD

Proposal to privatise national carrier PIA

British police smash plot to defraud bank

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif plans to sell off a 26 per cent stake in ailing national carrier PIA and hand over management control in a bid to stem haemorrhaging losses. Pakistan International Airlines is one of the poorest performing state-run companies. >A7

British police smashed an “audacious” and sophisticated plot to take control of the bank Santander UK’s computer systems and steal millions of pounds. Detectives said they had arrested 12 men who had ﬁtted a device in a Santander branch in southeast London. >A10

S AT U R DAY, S E P T E M B E R 14 , 2 0 1 3

OMAN B O L LY W O O D

Gunday eyes Oman for multi-star film shooting schedule Times News Service MUSCAT: Bollywood movie, Gunday, directed by Ali Abbas Zafar and produced by Aditya Chopra, is likely to be shot in Oman. The director, who has already shot some parts of the film in Kolkata, is planning the last shooting schedule in Muscat. “I was in Oman, scouting locations for Gunday. Now back in Mumbai,” Abbas posted on his Twitter account, indicating that shooting could take place in Oman. The star cast of the movie includes Priyanka Chopra, Ranveer Singh and Arjun Kapoor. Irrfan Khan, selected for the role of an intelligence agent in the film, said, “I will be playing a ‘larger than life’ character in the film.” Reports suggest that it will be released on Valentine’s Day (February 14) next year. Ranveer Singh

and Arjun Kapoor will be playing the role of gangsters by the name of Bikram and Bala. Arjun and Ranveer Arjun and Ranveer are going through a fitness regime, including lots of physical exercises to make themselves fit for the role. The movie also captures Bappi Lahiri in action. When director Ali Abbas Zafar decided to make a cabaret song for Gunday, set in the Kolkata of the 80s, Bappi Lahiri was an inevitable choice. It brings together Yash Raj Films and Bappi Lahiri for the very first time, say inside sources. Recently, Oman featured in the Bollywood movie Once Upon a Time in Mumbai Again. The stars who shot for the movie in Oman were heard singing praise about the stunning locales of the country.

Wadi Darbat revels in its natural splendour Now is the time to visit the famous Wadi Darbat, located in Dhofar Governorate. Just 30 minutes drive from Salalah, Wadi Darbat is one of the most picturesque spots of Oman. This wadi carves its way through hills and highlands until it reaches Khawr Ruri, where it empties into the Arabian Sea. The wadi is distinguished by its thick botanical cover, in addition to a natural spring and a number of caves. The wadi’s water is the source of the water ﬁlling Teeq Cave’s cells. Travellers are often stunned by the spectacle — the effervescent contrast to the vast regions of desert in the north. During the height of the Khareef season, the wadi’s water descending from the mountains forms magniﬁcent waterfalls cascading from a height of up to 30 metres (100 feet). Camels, cattle, and other livestock graze the abundant grass on the banks, while birds nest in the wetland areas. Families from all around the region come to revel in the magic of the annual summer rains here. During the Khareef season, Wadi Darbat showcases the richness and colour of both the Dhofar landscape and the Omani culture. MPPH photographer Cio Datan captures the green beauty of Wadi Darbat

S AT U R DAY, S E P T E M B E R 14 , 2 0 1 3

OMAN TRAINING PROGRAMME

Over 60 illegals held near Barka deported

WIDENING HORIZONS: The programme would train 15 Omani

journalists, and hone their language skills. –Supplied photo

The ROP has launched a campaign to prevent

OJA to conduct English course for journalists

inﬁltrators from entering and staying in the country illegally

MUSCAT: The Omani Journalists Association (OJA) will start its ‘Inside-the-Sultanate English language training course’ next month, in collaboration with the Ministry of Information. The programme would involve training 15 Omani journalists, providing them with the language skills needed to interact in a variety of activities, conferences and events in Oman and abroad. The programme will last for six months and after the participants

have been tested, they would enrol at Al Bayan College, which is hosting the training course. Fawzyah Al Baluchi, an Information Ministry Consultant, pointed out in her meeting with the participants that the Ministry of Information would follow up with Al Bayan College on the progress of the participants. “This training course is just a beginning. There will be many more advanced courses in the future,” she said.

EXHIBITION

Times News Service MUSCAT: The Royal Oman Police (ROP) deported 61 people who had attempted to enter the country illegally on Wednesday morning. These inﬁltrators had been arrested while attempting to illegally enter the Sultanate on a boat near the Barka shores. Official sources at the ROP said

that the police, in cooperation with various agencies, has launched a campaign to prevent inﬁltrators from entering and staying in the country illegally. The officials added that some citizens are providing shelter to these foreigners and even offering them employment, which is a breach of the Labour Law and ROP regulations. This only encourages migrants to commit crimes such as theft and drug-trafficking. Inﬁltrators pose a threat to the society since they do not undergo medical check-ups, the sources said. Officials appealed to the citizens to report such cases by calling the emergency number 9999. Road accidents Twenty-one people died in road accidents in the Sultanate from September 1 to 7, sources informed Al Shabiba, the sister publication of the Times of Oman.

M U N I C I PA L I T Y D R I V E

Seven shops shut for violating norms Times News Service

IRAN ON SHOW: The photos show different seasons, sands,

greenery, architecture and mountains of Iran.– TIMES OF OMAN

Iran’s diversity in photos STAFF REPORTER MUSCAT: A collection of photographs by acclaimed Iranian photographer Amir Ali Jawadian opened on Tuesday evening at the Omani Society for Fine Arts. The exhibition, titled ‘Iran in the Eyes of a Photographer,’ features 50 photographs that showcase the country’s nature, architecture and its people. GREEN BUILDING

GUtech duo present ‘EcoHaus’ Times News Service MUSCAT: Two students from the Department of Urban Planning and Architecture of the German University of Technology in Oman (GUtech) participated in a two-day Green Building Oman Conference in Salalah recently. On the ﬁrst day, Amna Al Sharji and Shaharin Elham Annisa, both fourth year students at GUtech, presented the concept of EcoHaus. “One aim of the conference was to learn from each other and to understand the problems that are arising in the building and construction industry around the Gulf regions, and understand how eco-friendly solutions could help them move forward. The second aim was to apply some of the ideas in future industry rules and regulations that might be made for architecture and urban planning in the Gulf region,” said Amna. The students explained the concept of the GUtech EcoHaus, which is based upon 10 strategies to assure energy-efficiency: Protective Envelope, Optimal Orientation, Natural Ventilation, Radiant Cooling, Recovered Energy, Solar Energy, Local Material, Treated Water, Native Plants and Efficient Appliances. “As a result, the building can be operated with net zero-energy and yet achieve full comfort for its occupants. These 10 strategies can be wholly or partly translated from the EcoHaus project into future designs for residential and other purposes in the region. Our GUtech EcoHaus will be operational in 2014,” the students said.

Jawadian has captured Iran’s diversity — from its deserts to its mountains and from its mosques to its factories. His photographs document many angles of Iran, giving viewers a broad perspective of what the country is like. Filled with glowing light, vivid colours and breathtaking scenes, they tell many stories of what one may discover on a visit to Iran.

MUSCAT: The Muscat Municipality has closed seven shops for selling contaminated foodstuff and flouting health and safety regulations. Khiys bin Saliman Al Khashri, Director of the Health Affairs Department at Muscat Municipality, said 992 inspection raids were carried out by the municipality and the Royal Oman Police (ROP) from September 1 to 5, which resulted in the issuing of 31 chargesheets for violating health laws. In addition, 113kg of foodstuff items unfit for consumption; 154 packages, and two tonnes of vegetables and fruits were confiscated by officials and destroyed in Seeb. Moreover, 1,006 inspections were conducted at Mawaleh Central Market which led to the issuance of four violation charges and the destruction of 5,248kg of rotten fruits and vegetables.

BRIEFS

45,000 apply for 2,317 ministry job vacancies MUSCAT: The Ministry of Civil Service has announced that preliminary data for vacancy announcement issued by the ministry on February 28, this year for 2,317 vacancies in different ministries shows the number of applicants has exceeded 45,000. The Ministry of Civil Service, in a statement, said there were 13 applicants for three vacancies that require masters degree qualiﬁcations, while 8,322 applied for 1,001 vacancies that require bachelors degrees. Further, 7,012 applied for 556 vacancies that require postsecondary diplomas and diplomas from professional institutes. Additionally, 19,607 people applied for 157 vacancies that require a general education diploma and 10,208 applied for 600 vacancies that require less than a general education diploma. In total, 29,815 applied for jobs that require general education diplomas, which constitutes 66% of the total number of applicants. Additionally, 428 applied for the 55 vacancies held for persons with disabilities. The Ministry of the Civil Service will, at the end of next week, publish the announcement of the dates of written tests, interviews and lists of candidates. - ONA

Arab radio station next year MUSCAT: Participants at the Arab Tourism Media Campaign have recommended the establishment of a partnership between tourism authorities to highlight the enormous potential of Arab countries across various Arab media. The Arab Centre of Tourist Media (ACTM) announced the launch of the ﬁrst Arab radio station from the Sultanate, to begin broadcasting in January 2014. They also pitched in for utilisation of new media on the Internet for promotion of tourism. The participants stressed on the importance of training of Omani media about the basics of tourist media. Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, Sut Al Arab radio, Saudi News Channel, Tunisian radio, Egyptian Television and a number of Arab news agencies, including UAE news agency (WAM), Yemen news agency (SABA) and Kuwait news agency (KUNA), participated in the campaign. -ONA

Blood donation drive held MUSCAT: ‘Donate Blood Save a Life’ was the message of Indian Social Club’s Malayalam Wing’s blood donation campaign held in collaboration with Central Blood Bank, Bausher at ISC Hall, Darsait recently. The Malayalam Wing has been involved in many social activities aiming at the welfare of the community.

Al Khashri noted the importance of conducting inspections in assuring the public that health-related regulations are not being violated. 258 vehicles purchased The Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources has purchased cleaning equipment worth OMR7,940,065, including 258 heavy vehicles, as part of its efforts to promote the cleaning sector. The information was provided by Abdullah bin Mohamed bin Abdullah Al Hashimi, the General Director for Administrative and Financial Affairs at the ministry. The equipment would be distributed among all municipalities and directorates, Al Hashimi informed. Out of the 258 vehicles purchased, 237 would be replacing the old ones, and 21 others, including water tankers, trucks and small and big diggers, would be added to the ministry’s ﬂeet.

Fifty-nine accidents were reported during this period, including 34 vehicle-to-vehicle collisions, the newspaper reported. According to the National Centre for Statistics and Information, the total number of road accidents since the end of July this year stands at about 4,724. Further, 78 per cent of all road deaths during this period involved men, said sources. According to the Directorate General of Traffic of the Royal Oman Police (ROP), some 1,139 people died in road accidents in Oman in 2012, which marked the highest traffic fatality rate in the last 10 years. Despite the efforts of the ROP, all indicators show an increase in the number of traffic fatalities compared to past years. In 2010, the National Committee for Road Safety at the ROP headquarters developed a national

strategy for 2011 to 2020 to promote road safety and curb road accidents in the Sultanate by raising public awareness via media and other channels. Safety exhibition The Traffic Safety Exhibition 2013, to be organised by Xibo Oman Company in collaboration with the ROP, will be held from October 11-14. The event aims to attract motorists and owners of road transport companies with a view to promoting traffic awareness. The land transport companies’ vehicles are the biggest users of Sultanate’s roads, moving thousands of passengers and tonnes of cargo across the country. The organisers of Traffic Safety Exhibition 2013 urged all transport companies to implement trafﬁc safety programmes by providing proper training to drivers on loading and storage of luggage.

REGION STRIFE-TORN

SUPPORTING SYRIAN PRESIDENT Protestors loyal to Al Houthi group, also known as Ansarullah, march during a demonstration to show their support for Syria’s President Bashar Al Assad, in Sanaa, yesterday. Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday said the global community should welcome Syria’s decision to join a ban on chemical weapons, saying it shows the ‘serious intentions’ of Damascus. - Reuters

Two roadside bombs leave 30 dead in Iraq BAQUBA: Two roadside bombs killed 30 people outside a mosque in the Iraqi city of Baquba just as worshippers were leaving following Friday prayers, police said. The civil war in neighbouring Syria has strained relations between the two communities across the region, contributing to a resurgence of sectarian violence in Iraq. A further 25 people were wounded in the Baquba explosions, which occurred about ten minutes apart in the ethnically and confessionally mixed city, situated around 65km (40 miles) northeast of the capital Baghdad. The second explosion tore through a crowd of people who had rushed to help those hurt in the ﬁrst blast. “We were evacuating the wounded after the ﬁrst roadside bomb exploded inside a dustbin. Ten minutes later another bomb exploded about six metres away

NEW STEPS

Rowhani wants ‘swiftest solution’ to nuclear standoff BISKEK: Iran wants to end the stand-off with global powers over its nuclear programme swiftly but will not sacriﬁce its rights or interests for the sake of a solution, President Hassan Rowhani said yesterday. Meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of a regional security summit, Rowhani said it was a good time for new steps to resolve the dispute over a programme Western states believe is aimed at developing nuclear weapons. “Regarding the Iranian nuclear issue, we want the swiftest solution to it within international norms,” Rowhani said at the meeting with Putin in Bishkek. “Russia in the past has taken important steps in this sphere and now is the best opportunity for new steps from your side,” said Rowhani, whose country has observer status in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. Iran has been in on-off talks for years with six global powers seeking to ensure it does not develop nuclear weapons capability. A solution has been elusive and the most recent talks, in April, ended without a breakthrough. Talks Rowhani, who was elected in June, has said Iran will be more transparent and less confrontational in talks with the six powers — the United States, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany. But he made clear earlier yesterday he is only ready to go so far, indicating Iran would not give up its right to enrich uranium.

president Adly

Hassan Rowhani President of Iran

“I declare that only if there is political will, if there is mutual respect and mutual interest, and only if the rights of Iran’s people are ensured, can we guarantee the peaceful character of Iran’s nuclear programme,” he said. Western diplomats say Iran has continued to expand its uranium enrichment capacity in recent months. - AFP

Sectarian violence Separately yesterday a car bomb killed three pilgrims from Iran in the city of Samarra, where the bombing of a shrine in 2006 touched off the worst sectarian carnage to engulf Iraq after the US-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein. Violence abated from its peak in 2006 - 07, but in recent months insurgents have been regaining momentum, raising fears of a return to full-blown civil strife in Iraq. About 800 Iraqis were killed in August, according to the United Nations. That is still well below its height, when the monthly death toll sometimes topped 3,000. - Reuters

Mursi supporters hold protest rally in Cairo On Thursday, interim

I declare that only if there is political will, if there is mutual respect and mutual interest, and only if the rights of Iran’s people are ensured, can we guarantee the peaceful character of Iran’s nuclear programme

from the ﬁrst and I got some shrapnel in my stomach,” teacher Khalid Jameel, 25, said from his hospital bed. It was not immediately clear who carried out the attack.

Mansour extended for another two months a state of emergency in force since the midAugust bloodshed, citing security concerns

CAIRO: Thousands of Mohamed Mursi’s supporters rallied yesterday in Cairo against the military, as supporters and opponents of the deposed president clashed elsewhere in Egypt. The rallies come nearly a month after the August 14 crackdown by security forces on two pro-Mursi protest camps in Cairo that led to clashes in which hundreds of people were killed, the worst carnage in Egypt’s recent history. “Either we recover their rights, or we die like them,” protestors chanted of those who lost their lives in the crackdown, as they marched toward Rabaa Al Adawiya Square, the site of one of those camps. An AFP correspondent said soldiers used barbed wire to block roads to the square, in the Nasr City district, with troops in helmets and carrying shields standing

PROTEST: Supporters of ousted Egyptian president Mohamed Mursi raise up posters during a demonstration against the military-backed government in Cairo, yesterday. – AFP

guard. Protestors chanted slogans to army chief Abdel Fattah Al Sisi, as they passed a government building guarded by soldiers. The protestors, including several travelling in cars, carried flags with portraits of those killed in Rabaa Al Adawiya. They made a stop outside the apartment building of one of those killed. Police fire tear gas The dead man’s relatives had hung his picture outside a window of his apartment. His mother said he was killed when police broke up the Rabaa Al Adawiya camp. Mursi supporters also rallied in other parts of Egypt. State media and security sources said police fired tear gas when

the protestors clashed with opponents in the Nile Delta towns of Tanta and Mahalla. Clashes between the two sides were also reported in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria. Yesterday’s protests were called by the Anti-Coup Alliance, led by the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood to which Mursi belongs, under the slogan of “Loyalty to the Martyrs’ Blood.” Mursi, the country’s ﬁrst democratically elected president, was ousted by the army in July after massive protests demanding his resignation. The new military-installed authorities have since arrested more than 2,000 of his supporters. On Thursday, interim president Adly Mansour extended for

The rallies come nearly a month after the August 14 crackdown by security forces on two pro-Mursi protest camps in Cairo that led to clashes in which hundreds of people were killed, the worst carnage in Egypt’s recent history another two months a state of emergency in force since the midAugust bloodshed, citing security concerns. Meanwhile, Egyptian troops and helicopter gunships attacked militants in the Sinai Peninsula yesterday in a drive to crush a security threat now spilling over into the rest of the country. Three soldiers were wounded in clashes in three separate villages, security officials said. Rebel attacks have increased in the desert region adjoining Israel and the Gaza Strip. Rocket and grenade attacks on soldiers and policemen take place in the Sinai nearly every day and about 50 have been killed since July. - Agencies

S AT U R DAY, S E P T E M B E R 14 , 2 0 1 3

INDIA Leaders hail verdict in Delhi gangrape case We’re ﬁnally at peace, say parents of victim

Welcoming the decision, politicians from across spectrums say justice has been done and it will act as a ‘deterrent’ against such heinous crimes

MUMBAI/NEW DELHI: Political leaders including federal Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde and chief ministers yesterday welcomed the death sentence awarded to four convicts in SATISFIED: ‘This was the rarest of rare crime...Damini and her the Delhi gangrape case, saying family have got justice. I welcome the court ruling,’ federal Home justice has been done and that it Minister Sushilkumar Shinde said. – Bloomberg News will act as a ‘deterrent’ against such heinous crimes. “This was the rarest of rare lows the law and not political be zero tolerance for such crimes. crime...Damini and her fam- pressure.” Shinde also referred to That is the message that has gone ily have got justice. I welcome the the new legislation based on the out with this sentence,” he said. Delhi Chief Minister Sheila court ruling,” Shinde told report- Justice Verma Committee report which recommended amend- Dikshit said the severe punishers in Mumbai. “The ‘nyay devta’ has set a new ments to the criminal law so as to ment given to the convicts will example for such culprits that if provide for quicker trial and en- act as a deterrent and that she was you commit such a heinous crime, hanced punishment for criminals happy with the court verdict. “I welcome the judgement. Justhen you will get a stringent pun- accused of committing sexual asishment,” he said. Shinde was sault against women. The panel tice has prevailed. The fast track speaking shortly after the four headed by former Chief Justice court has delivered the justice exconvicts — Akshay Thakur, Vi- of India J. S. Verma was formed peditiously. I hope that the judgenay Sharma, Mukesh Singh and in the wake of the shocking Delhi ment would prove to be a deterPawan Gupta — in the December gangrape incident. “The new law rent,” Dikshit said in New Delhi. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minis16, 2012 gangrape and murder of has provision for hanging in rarter Shivraj Singh Chouhan said a 23-year-old physiotherapy stu- est of rare cases,” he said. the capital punishment served the dent inside a private bus in Delhi requirement of justice. “It shall were sentenced to death by the Dikshit and Chavan Welcoming the verdict, Maha- act as a deterrent against heinous Saket fast track trial court. “There was an atmosphere in rashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj crimes,” he said in Bhopal. - PTI the country after this incident.... Chavan said, “Nobody will dare do We expected such a punishment,” such heinous crime in future. Fedhe said. Apparently referring to eral Minister of State for Home R. HAVE YOUR SAY Defence counsel A. P. Singh’s P. N. Singh said justice has been Send us your comments at claim that the verdict was de- done ﬁnally to the 23-year-old facebook.com/timesofoman livered under political pressure, victim “Justice has been done. (I) blog.timesofoman.com Shinde said, “The judiciary fol- agree with the judge there has to haveyoursay@timesofoman.com TA X R E T U R N S

Girl student hacks Ambani’s I-T account MUMBAI: A young chartered accountant (CA) student from the southern Indian city of Hyderabad has allegedly hacked into the e-ﬁling of income tax (I-T) returns account of country’s leading industrialist Anil Ambani, with an intention to know his income and tax amount paid over a period of time, police said yesterday. The 21-year-old woman, who has been doing her chartered accountancy articleship at Manoj Daga & Company in Hyderabad, was booked under relevant sections of Information Technology Act on September 7, after a preliminary investigation and faces arrest in the case.

“The girl hacked Ambani’s efiling of Income-Tax returns account with an intention to check the industrialist’s income and tax amount paid by him over the period of time. After hacking the account of the chairman of Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (ADAG), she accessed the details of his income, tax amount paid, PAN card number and even changed twice the password of his e-account on the IT website,” an official said. According to police, a chartered accountant firm in Mumbai, which files 54-year-old Ambani’s individual tax details, was intimated. - PTI

NEW DELHI: “I can finally breathe, I am relieved and we are finally at peace. Our daughter has been given justice.” This is how the mother of the 23-year-old physiotherapy student, whose brutal rape on a moving bus on December 16 by six men triggered a nationwide outrage, reacted when a fast track court sentenced four men to death terming the crime as the ‘rarest of rare’. “It has been a difficult journey. The verdict has come. Justice has been delivered to us in true sense. We are happy with the judgement. If an appeal is filled, then also I think we will get justice,” the girl’s mother said at the Saket court complex here, with her husband by her side. The fast track court, set up following the massive protest in the city, handed down death sentence to Akshay Thakur, Vinay Sharma, Pawan Gupta and Mukesh Singh for their involvement in the rape and murder of the girl. One of the accused Ram Singh was found hanging in his prison cell in highsecurity Tihar jail. - PTI

BRIEFS

Jaishankar is new envoy to US; Kantha to China NEW DELHI: S. Jaishankar, India’s envoy to China, has been named the new ambassador to the United States, while his successor in Beijing will be Ashok K. Kantha, it was announced here. The announcement of the new envoys comes ahead of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to both the countries. Jaishankar is to succeed Nirupama Rao, whose ambassadorial tenure in Washington is coming to an end. Ashok Kantha is currently Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Both Jaishankar and Ashok Kantha are Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officers of the 1977 batch.

Asaram moves High Court for bail in rape case JAIPUR: Spiritual guru Asaram Bapu, arrested for allegedly assaulting a 16-year-old girl, yesterday moved Rajasthan High Court’s Jodhpur bench for bail, a lawyer said. The 72-year-old Asaram is currently lodged in the Jodhpur Central Jail after the district and sessions judge (rural) remanded him to 14 days’ judicial custody in the sexual assault case. The custody ends September 16. The lower court had rejected his bail application. The application is likely to come up for hearing on Monday. Asaram, who was arrested from his ashram in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore, sought bail claiming that police erred in booking him under rape charges, which is non-bailable.

Mission to make Kerala a zero-landless state by 2015 KOZHIKODE: The Mission Mode Project (MMP) to make southern Indian state Kerala a zero-landless state by 2015 has moved a step ahead with Kozhikode becoming the eleventh district to donate land under the welfare scheme. The first phase of the project was inaugurated by district panchayat president Kanathil Jameela on Thursday here. The district finalised its first phase under the MMP by identifying 1,520 beneficiaries who would be allotted three-cent plots here, sources said. The district administration had received 12,000 applications, of which 8,034 beneficiaries were selected using special software developed by C-DIT, they said.

CBI employee arrested for molesting doctor on train MUMBAI: A 21-year-old stenographer with India’s top investigative agency CBI was yesterday arrested for allegedly molesting a doctor while she was asleep in a Mumbai-bound Express train, railway police said. Chandraprakash Malkhan Singh was arrested after he was brought to Mumbai Central Government Railway Police (GRP) station yesterday following a complaint by the 31-year-old woman that she was inappropriately touched by the accused inside the coach of Gujarat Mail around 3am, Rajendra Trivedi, senior inspector said. - Agencies

S AT U R DAY, S E P T E M B E R 14 , 2 0 1 3

INDIA NORMALCY RETURNING

Curfew eased in riot-hit UP town; toll reaches 47 LUCKNOW: With the recovery of more bodies, the death toll in riot-hit Muzaffarnagar and adjoining areas of Uttar Pradesh touched 47 yesterday while the curfew was eased in the city for the fourth consecutive day. Now the district administration has shifted its focus to bridge trust-deﬁcit between the two communities in rural areas. “Though situation in the urban areas has improved considerably but in the rural areas doubts and suspicions with regard to different communities are still doing the round and now the administration is concentrating on restoring normalcy there,” Inspector General (IG) crime Ashish Gupta told newspersons here. “Police pickets have been set up in 547 villages in Muzaffarnagar and its surrounding areas, besides 536 mobile teams have been given the responsibility of three villages each,” Gupta said. Policemen in these teams will

RALLY FOR UNITED ANDHRA YSR Congress leader Y.S. Sharmila addresses a public rally during her Yatra programme for united Andhra Pradesh, at Ravulapalem in East Godavari district, yesterday. The Congress on July 30 decided to carve out a separate Telangana state with Hyderabad as its capital. It, however, said Hyderabad would serve as joint capital of the two states for 10 years. - PTI

visit villages, meet the locals and try remove their doubts and also inform seniors about the ground situation, he said. The IG said that the toll in the riots today reached 47. The IG said that two more bodies have been recovered from the canal in Muzaffarnagar and one in Meerut. IG, Gupta said that curfew imposed in three police station areas of Muzaffarnagar — Kotwali, Civil Lines and Nai Mandi, was eased for 12 hours since 7am. No untoward incident was reported from any part of the district during the curfew relaxation. Gupta said that there are reports of an objectionable video being uploaded on social networking site Facebook which is also being shared. “Talks are on with the officials of Facebook to get it removed and action will also be taken against those using it after collecting information about their IDs,” the ofﬁcer said. -PTI

Modi named BJP’s PM candidate for 2014 polls ‘Anguished’ Advani cuts a lonely ﬁgure

A deeply polarising ﬁgure, the Gujarat CM has made many enemies along the way, even within his Bharatiya Janata Party

NEW DELHI: Narendra Modi was crowned as the candidate for prime minister of main opposition party BJP yesterday, cementing the remarkable rise of a leader adored by business but tainted by deadly religious riots that broke out on his watch. On a path that from humble roots as the son of a tea shop owner to running for leadership of the world’s biggest democracy, Modi has methodically built a fervent fan base. But, a deeply polarising ﬁgure, he has made many enemies along the way, even within his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Supporters believe he has the drive needed to salvage a sagging economy and make India a regional superpower. Detractors see an authoritarian extremist who could fan sectarian tension in the religiously diverse nation. India is due to hold its largest ever general election within eight months. Modi’s elevation means the poll will pit the businessfriendly chief minister of Gujarat state against the centre-left Congress party, which critics say looks jaded after a decade at the head of a fractious ruling coalition. Modi’s success at chaperoning Gujarat’s economic growth was for years overshadowed by religious riots just months after he took office in 2002. At least 1,000 people died in the violence, most of them Muslims. A crowd of jubilant Modi supporters gathered outside the BJP’s headquarters in New Delhi ahead of the formal decision to name him the party’s candidate for prime minister, dancing, setting off ﬁrecrackers and handing out sweets. BJP president Rajnath Singh made the announcement in a brief

ELATED: BJP president Rajnath Singh greets Gujarat Chief Minis-

ter Narendra Modi after declaring him the party’s prime ministerial candidate for 2014 Lok Sabha polls, in New Delhi, yesterday. – PTI

F R O M T E A V E N D O R T O P M C A N D I D AT E

Modi‘s father used to run tea shop. As a boy, Modi would help him by selling tea at Vadnagar railway station. He weds but marriage not consummated

The young Modi was attracted by the RSS discipline and authority. In 1967, he broke away from his family

After 1971 war, Modi joined RSS as a pracharak

After serving RSS for a decade and a half, in 1988, was made general secretary of BJP‘s Gujarat unit

In 1991, he organised and accompanied then BJP president Murli Manohar Joshi on the KanyakumariSrinagar Ekta Yatra (Unity March)

In 1995, Modi played a role at the party‘s national level. In 1998, promoted as general secretary (organisation)

On October 7, 2001, he was sworn in as Gujarat chief minister. In December 2002, he returned with a massive majority

In December 2007, sworn in as chief minister for the second time

In December 2012, sworn in as CM for third time

statement to journalists. “I will work hard to achieve victory for the BJP in 2014 elections,” Modi said afterwards, describing himself as a “small party worker” from a small town. Modi, anointed as candidate just days before his 63rd birthday

is known for rousing speeches and biting attacks on the NehruGandhi dynasty that leads the Congress party. The government’s ﬁnal years have been tarnished by graft scandals and the poor performance of Asia’s third-largest economy. - Reuters

NEW DELHI: He was instrumental in BJP’s rise to power in the nineties and credited with its phenomenal growth, but L. K. Advani cut a lonely ﬁgure yesterday as the party announced Narendra Modi as its prime ministerial candidate, even as he voiced his “anguish” and “disappointment” at the move. Advani, 85, the seniormost leader in the BJP has seemingly not found it easy to reconcile with the growing mobilisation around Modi in the party and impact of his rise on party’s coalition prospects ahead of 2014 Lok Sabha elections. Advani is working chairman of BJP-led National Democratic Alliance and considered the leader most acceptable to present and potential allies of the party. BJP sources said Advani, along with Sushma Swaraj, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, had conveyed to party leaders that any decision on prime ministerial candidate should be taken only after the assembly polls to ﬁve states later this year. However, even as Sushma Swaraj and to an extent Murli Manohar Joshi sensed the party’s mood and overwhelming sentiments in Modi’s favour and fell in line, Advani decided to plough the lonely furrow. He held out till the end but decided not to speak out publicly against Modi’s elevation. -IANS

S AT U R DAY, S E P T E M B E R 14 , 2 0 1 3

PAKISTAN ‘IMMORAL’

Cellphone chat services banned after protests by parents, lawmakers ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has cracked down on “immoral” love chat services offered by mobile phone companies, stiﬂing hopes of illicit romance in the country where dating is frowned upon. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) said the ban was enforced last month due to protests from parents and lawmakers, but critics warn it is the latest attempt at creeping censorship. Pulling the plug The PTA ﬁrst pulled the plug on dirtcheap chat rates and late-night discounts in November, but operators simply started offering the services under different names. So the regulator tightened the ban late last month, ordering tel-

ecommunication companies to scrap immediately “all kinds of chat services, irrespective of the time of day”. In a country, where parents keep young people on a tight leash and dating is considered inappropriate, late-night chatting over the phone or Internet can be a way to find love below the radar. A 20-year-old university student who did not want to give his name said that the ban had hit him hard as he is now unable to chat with random girls and find new dates. “The cruel world has once again conspired against lovers and made it difficult for them to communicate,” he said. “It was so inexpensive and an easy way to find a date,” he added.

GLUED: A man talks on his mobile phone at a mobile market in

Rawalpindi., in this photograph taken on Tuesday. - AFP

The 25-year-old manager of a boutique in Islamabad said that he had found the “love of his life” through the service. “I am going to marry her,” he said.

There is no public data about how many people used the romantic chat, but of the 68.6 per cent of the population with access to a mobile phone, it is likely to have

Plan to privatise PIA PIA officially lost $320 million last year

The government is fully committed to reforming and restructuring all ailing state enterprises, including PIA

but the deﬁcit would have been much larger if the state had not been pouring money into its coffers in a bid to keep it aﬂoat

Nawaz Sharif Prime Minister

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif plans to sell off a 26 per cent stake in ailing national carrier PIA and hand over management control in a bid to stem haemorrhaging losses. Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is one of the poorest performing state-run companies in the country and businessmen were quick to welcome the decision, announced late Thursday. Priority Sharif who has made repairing the weak economy his top priority, ordered PIA management to slash losses to make the company viable for sale. The company has incurred heavy losses because of poor management, corruption

and inefficiencies. PIA officially lost $320 million last year but the deﬁcit would have been much larger if the state had not been pouring money into its coffers in a bid to keep it aﬂoat. The company has a staggering 18,000 employees for 42 planes, a ratio of more than 400 staff per aircraft, a PIA spokesman said. “The government is fully committed to reforming and restructuring all ailing state enterprises, including PIA,” Sharif said. Under the plan, 26 per cent of PIA’s shares will be offered to potential buyers along with the transfer of management control. The auction is expected to at-

MURDER OF POLICEMEN

INSURGENCY

Hashmi remanded to police custody KARACHI: The arrested former Muttahida Qaumi Movement MPA, Nadeem Hashmi, was remanded to seven days in police custody on Thursday in a case relating to the murder of two policemen. The Anti-Terrorism Court-II headed by Judge Khalida Yasin also directed the investigation officer to submit charge sheet against the suspect, who should also be produced, on the next date of hearing. The two constables were gunned down by unknown armed men on Tuesday night. Hashmi was arrested later during the night, which caused outrage among the MQM. Parts of Karachi were also shut down on Wednesday. Vehicles were torched and public transport stopped running. According to the prosecution, constables Mohammad Ali and Haris Iqbal were standing near a police mobile when suspects ﬁred at them and ﬂed. They succumbed to their multiple bullet wounds before receiving medical treatment. Hashmi was arrested from his

tract international players and could be a milestone for the country’s privatisation plan, analysts and businessmen believe. Pakistan sold its state-run telecom company in mid-2000 by transferring 26 per cent of its shares and management control. The government offloaded another 10 per cent of PTC shares later on. Arif Habib, chairman of Arif Habib Group of Companies and on PIA’s board of directors until last month, said that the airline could attract an international buyer. “If an investor injects some capital it could be turned around in a short span of time,” said Habib, who is a former president of

residence for alleged involvement and he was booked and arrested in terrorism and murder charges. On Thursday, he was brought to the court for remand in an armoured personnel carrier escorted by ﬁve police vans. The investigation officer informed the court that a co-accused, identiﬁed as Noshad, is still at large. He requested for Hashmi’s physical custody for two weeks to interrogate him and complete other legal formalities. Meanwhile, Hashmi told the court that on the day of the incident, he was on a visit to a friend whose father had passed away. He then returned home where he had dinner with guests. At night, he was arrested from his house for his alleged involvement in the policemen’s murders, he said. To another query, Hashmi said that he was a former member of the provincial assembly and union-council nazim. These days, he was doing a business of medicines. - Express Tribune

Gunmen torch Nato tankers, kill driver in Kalat QUETTA: Gunmen attacked a convoy of Nato oil tankers in southwest Pakistan overnight, killing a driver and torching eight vehicles, local officials said yesterday. The attackers ﬁred rockets and bullets at the convoy of 15 oil tankers travelling from Pakistan’s port of Karachi to landlocked Afghanistan. The attack happened around 300km from Quetta, the capital of the province of Balochistan that borders Afghanistan and Iran. “The gunmen attacked the convoy at a rest stop in Soorab town of Kallat district. They ﬁred rockets and bullets on the convoy from both sides of the road,” police official Yousaf Reiki said. “One Pakistani driver of a tanker died in the attack while eight tankers were burnt,” he added. - AFP

the Karachi Stock Exchange. “It would be a good public-private partnership model,” he said. Strong opposition Nevertheless the final sale is likely to face strong opposition from rival political parties and from employees. Farrah Marwat, head of research at JS Capital Markets, said good financial packages and retirement benefits could help to defuse the complaints. “We have a big market of 180 million people and no other sizable company to cater them so it would be a good attraction for the buyers,” Marwat said. - AFP

been a small number. Normal call charges are about two rupees ($0.02) a minute and Rs1.50 for a text message, but chat services were offered at an hourly rate for a fraction of those rates. A customer would dial a particular number after which a computer generated voice or text message guided subscribers through various options. For example, if you want to chat to a girl press 1, a boy press 2, then you select your preferred age group before being connected to another caller by SMS conforming to your criteria. Two of Pakistan’s ﬁve mobile phone companies said they had shut down romantic chat rooms, but would continue to offer calling services that stick to general inter-

ests such as hobbies. Another company said they had shut down all chat rooms and two others were not reachable for comment. Ban welcomed Saeeda Khan, a 45-year-old mother of three, welcomed the ban. “I am worried as they’re busy all night on the phone with their friends and cousins,” she said. Khan said she worried about “what kind of people” are in the chat rooms and that children “are exposed to strangers”. “I would never approve of chatting with unknown people,” she said. Mobile phone companies have ﬁled petitions in the Supreme Court against the ban, but no date has been set for a hearing. - AFP

T I M E S O F O M AN

S AT U R DAY, S E P T E M B E R 14 , 2 0 1 3

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Let there be a race to improve global health

THE INDEPENDENT

nternational health programmes have greatly reduced death and sickness worldwide over the past two decades but there is still a long way to go. The United Nations General Assembly will meet later this month to assess progress — impressive in some areas, halting in others — toward achieving the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals, which were adopted in 2000 and are supposed to be reached by the end of 2015. For instance, great strides have been made in reducing the maternal mortality rate related to childbirth, which has declined to 210 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births in 2010 from 400 deaths per 100,000 births in 1990. Still, that is far short of the Millennium target of 100 deaths per 100,000 live births by 2015. Many countries with high maternal death rates continue to struggle with lack of prenatal care; skilled assistance from a midwife, nurse or doctor for women during childbirth; and broad contraceptive use to prevent unwanted pregnancies, especially among adolescents. Another goal is a reduction of death rates for children under the age of 5. That rate dropped signiﬁcantly over two decades, to 51 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2011 from 87 in 1990. Even with the gains, some 6.9 million children under age 5 died in 2011, mostly from preventable diseases. The overwhelming majority of these deaths, according to the United Nations, occurred in the poorest countries of the world, with the toll especially high in sub-Saharan Africa, where one in nine children die before age 5, and in southern Asia. The Millennium target is to reduce the toll to 4.3 million deaths by the end of 2015. It can be done: Bangladesh and Liberia, two poor nations, have already reduced their death rates substantially enough to meet their 2015 targets. Progress in lagging countries will depend on greater efforts by local health ministries and the help of low-cost tools like antibiotics for pneumonia, rehydration salts and zinc for diarrhoea, and insecticide-treated bed nets to protect children from malaria-bearing mosquitoes. Another Millennium goal — providing antiviral therapy to all people infected with the virus that causes AIDS — has been hard to reach. While more people are getting the drugs, the need for treatment has grown even faster. Today, 10 million people are in treatment; the Millennium programme aims for 15 million by 2015. That’s still less than the 26 million people in low- and middle-income countries that could beneﬁt from such treatment. Many experts believe that redirecting the substantial sums already committed to AIDS around the world toward more treatment could help substantially. The 2015 goals are described by the U.N. secretary general as the “halfway mark” in a long-range agenda to eradicate extreme poverty by 2030, end hunger and malnutrition, protect the environment through sustainable development of natural resources, and enhance opportunities for all societal groups, including equal rights for women and girls. But without more intense efforts and money, the world will not even reach the halfway mark. - The New York Times News Service

SYRIA CRISIS

Mindfully uncertain & mindlessly certain

MAUREEN DOWD

Spectrum of opportunity

t long last, there appears to be some ray of hope for sanity to prevail. The Supreme Court of Pakistan appears on the verge of breaking the bureaucratic logjam that has hitherto been preventing the advent of the third generation (3G) of mobile communication technology from being launched in Pakistan. If the honourable Court is able to ﬁnally force the government to stop the inordinate delays and hold a free and fair auction of 3G spectrum, then the nation will be in its debt. The government should be doing its best to accommodate the telecommunication industry. The ﬁve telecom operators between them have accounted for over one-third of all foreign direct investment over the past decade. They account for one in every Rs20 paid in taxes and employ tens of thousands of people. Fair market competition between them has meant that Pakistanis ensure some of the cheapest telecommunications costs in the world. With the 3G auction, the industry has had a fairly simple demand: if the government sets a reasonable base price for the spectrum, they will not only pay the licence fee, but bring in billions of dollars in more investment into the country, in addition to dramatically improving the quality of telecommunications infrastructure in the country. Yet, the previous administration had been asking for far too high a price for the spectrum and delaying the 3G auction. The Nawaz Administration appears not to have paid too much attention to this problem it inherited, but we are grateful that the apex Court is forcing its hand. The advent of 3G spectrum in Pakistan would allow ordinary Pakistanis, armed with a cheap smartphone, to be able to access the whole world’s information, spurring innovation, productivity and economic growth. Its arrival on our shores has been delayed by government unreason. We are glad that the courts have decided to remedy that situation and we hope this administration will not make the same mistakes as its predecessors. - The Express Tribune

The US is pursuing ﬂawed counter-terrorism policy

G20 leaders failed to meet the challenge, expectations

This refers to the letter, American hegemony is collapsing everywhere (September 12). The United States, I am afraid, may be unwittingly creating conditions that spur more people to embrace terror by pursuance of a ﬂawed strategy and through its ﬂawed actions in the name of counterterrorism. “It seems clear that Faisal Shahzad’s alleged act — like most of the several other terrorist incidents in the United States over the past year — was motivated in large part by anger over US use of force overseas.” And it has burst yet another bubble. Far from insulating US mainland from terror attacks, the US has, in fact, augmented the vulnerability. S. K. Rajan Mumtaz

Developing a ﬂexible framework for co-ordinated macroeconomic policy is now the most critical challenge for the G20. The latest summit was an opportunity for G20 leaders to launch a process to guide the global transition. Unfortunately, the G20 leaders failed in what they were expected to do. Smriti Jha Al Khuwair

Where the mindlessly certain W. adopted a fig leaf of diplomacy to use force in Iraq, the mindfully uncertain Obama is adopting a fig leaf of force to use diplomacy in Syria

READERS’ FORUM “Insure with New India and be secure”

The implications of falling rupee on the economy It was a myth that has turned now into a reality now. Who would have ever imagined that the value of Indian rupee would have fallen so much? It is surprising to know the value of Indian rupee which in 1990 was just Rs18.11 for one dol-

ladimir Putin, who keeps Edward Snowden on a leash and lets members of a riotous girl band rot in jail, has thrown President Obama a lifeline. The Russian president had coldly brushed back Obama on Snowden and Syria, and only last week called John Kerry a liar. Now, when it is clear Obama can’t convince Congress, the American public, his own wife, the world, Liz Cheney or even Donald “Shock and Awe” Rumsfeld to bomb Syria — just a teensy-weensy bit — Pooty-Poot rides, shirtless, to the rescue, offering him a face-saving way out? If it were a movie, we’d know it was a trick. We can’t trust the Putin — his Botox has given the former KGB officer even more of a poker face — or Bashar Al Assad. By Tuesday, Putin the Peacemaker was already setting conditions. Just as Obama and Kerry — with assists from Hillary and some senators — were huffing and puffing that it was their military threat that led to the breakthrough, Putin moved to neuter them, saying they’d have to drop their military threat before any deal could proceed. The administration’s sabre-rattling felt more like knees rattling. Oh, for the good old days when Obama was leading from behind. Now these guys are leading by slip-of-the-tongue. Amateur hour started when Obama dithered on Syria and failed to explain the stakes there. It escalated last August with a slip by the methodical wordsmith about “a red line for us” — which the president and Kerry later tried to blur as the world’s red line, except the world was averting its eyes. Obama’s flip-flopping, ambivalent leadership led him to the exact place he never wanted to be: unilateral instead of unified. Once again, as with gun control and other issues, he had not done the groundwork necessary to line up support. The bumbling approach climaxed with two offthe-cuff remarks by Kerry, hitting a rough patch in the role of a lifetime, during a London press conference; he offered to forgo an attack if Assad turned over “every single bit of his chemical weapons to the international community” and promised, if they did strike, that it would be an “unbelievably small” effort. A State Department spokeswoman walked back Kerry’s first slip, but once the White House realised it was the only emergency exit sign around, Kerry walked back the walking back, claiming at a Congressional hearing that he did not “misspeak.” The president countered Kerry’s second slip with NBC’s Savannah Guthrie on last Monday night, de-

If the lessons of history teach us anything it is that nobody learns the lessons that history teaches us ANON

claring that “The US does not do pinpricks,” which Kerry parroted at the hearing the following day, declaring that “We don’t do pinpricks.” For good measure, Obama, in his address to the nation, made sure the world knew: “The United States military doesn’t do pinpricks.” Where the mindlessly certain W. (George W. Bush) adopted a fig leaf of diplomacy to use force in Iraq, the mindfully uncertain Obama is adopting a fig leaf of force to use diplomacy in Syria. Even as Democrats tiptoed away from the red line, eager to kick the can of Sarin down the road, their own harsh rhetoric haunted them. Kerry compared Assad to Hitler last week, and Harry Reid evoked “Nazi death camps” on the Senate floor. Again, an echo of the misbegotten Iraq. Making his hyperbolic case for war, W. was huffy with Germans on a visit in 2002, irritated that they did not seem to grasp the horror of “a dictator who gassed his own people,” as he put it to a Berlin reporter. Obama cried over the children of Newtown. He is stricken, as he said in his address, by “images of children writhing in pain and going still on a cold hospital floor” from “poison gas.” He thought — or thought he thought — that avenging the gassing was the right thing to do. But W., once more haunting his successor’s presidency, drained credibility, coffers and compassion. While most Americans shudder at the news that 400 children have been killed, they recoil at the Middle East now; they’ve had it with all the ancient hatreds. Kerry can bluster that “we’re not waiting for long” for Assad to cough up the weapons, but it will be hard for him to back it up, given that a new NBC/ Wall Street Journal poll indicates that Joe Sixpack is now a peacenik; in 2005, 60 per cent of Republicans agreed with W. that America should foster democracy in the world; now only 19 per cent of Republicans believe it. W., Dick Cheney and Rumsfeld launched a social engineering scheme to change the mind-set in the Middle East about democracy and the mind-set at home about the post-Vietnam reluctance to be muscular about imposing our values through war. They did manage to drastically change the mind-set in the Middle East and at home, but in the opposite way than they intended. In a crouch after 9/11, the country was happy to punish an Arab villain, even the wrong one. That mass delusion, plus the economic vertigo, has sent Americans into a permanent crouch. And that’s too bad. - The New York Times News Service

lar has currently surged to near Rs63.44 today against the US dollar. The million-dollar question for the ordinary citizens (aam aadmi) as well as the NRIs is does — this bode well for our economy. As a citizen I fail to understand how the value of the rupee has slumped so much. Is the ﬁnance minister, Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the economists as well as the policy makers doing anything to steer the economy from this mess. The print as well as the visual media has been churning out interviews and expert comments about the state of the rupee, but unfortunately the policy makers have yet to show the citizens that it is doing something concrete to control the situation. I hope the authorities in India wake up and do something so as to instil conﬁdence in the economy for

the investors, ordinary citizens as well as the NRIs. AK Sharma Jibroo

US appears to have given up in Afghanistan What would it take to describe the decade-long US military engagement in Afghanistan a success? What exactly was America’s mission objective in Afghanistan? How can the US’ war against terror in Afghanistan be quantiﬁed and described? And ﬁnally, why did the United States fail to achieve success in Afghanistan? Answers to these critical questions are necessary because the US has announced its withdrawal from Afghanistan next year. Tanveer Alam Al Khuwair

Letters, containing not more than 200 words with full name, address and telephone number, may be sent by mail (Times of Oman, P.O. Box 770, P.C. 112, Ruwi), by fax (24813153) or by e-mail (times@omantel.net.om)

S AT U R DAY, S E P T E M B E R 14 , 2 0 1 3

WORLD Taleban attack US consulate in Herat The US State Department said the attackers appeared to be wearing suicide vests and detonated a truck bomb that ‘extensively’ damaged mission’s front gate

HERAT: Seven heavily armed Taleban suicide attackers struck the US consulate in the Afghan city of Herat before dawn yesterday, setting off two car bombs and sparking a shootout with US forces. The sophisticated attack in the western city, a key business hub near the Iranian border, underscored how the Taleban are able to strike outside their main centres in the south and east. At least one Afghan guard was killed in the attack and 18 other people wounded, but US officials said there were no US casualties with all consulate staff safe and accounted for. The US State Department said the attackers appeared to be wearing suicide vests and detonated a truck bomb that “extensively” damaged the front gate.

SUICIDE ATTACK: Smoke rises from a burning vehicle near the US consulate after an attack by a car bomb followed by a gunﬁght in

Herat, yesterday. -AFP

Afghan security officials said six attackers took part in the assault, detonating a minivan bomb and then a four-wheel drive vehicle, before engaging in a gunbattle with security forces. The attack comes days after Pakistan said it would soon release its top Taleban prisoner, former military chief Abdul Ghani Baradar, in what Afghan ofﬁcials hope can ignite peace talks. The Taleban publicly refuse to

OPINION POLL

negotiate with the Afghan government, branding Afghan President Hamid Karzai a US puppet, but opened a liaison office in Qatar in June billed as a step towards talks with the Americans on a possible prisoner swap. “Today at around 5:30 am, a minivan suicide bomber detonated his car outside the US consulate in Herat city,” Abdul Hameed Hameedi, the deputy security chief of

Herat province said. “Another suicide bomber driving a four-wheel drive detonated outside the ﬁrst gate of the US consulate -- damaging the gate. “After that ﬁve suicide bombers engaged in a gunbattle with the Afghan security forces, and after a while, all of these suicide bombers get killed in the attack,” Hameedi added. He said an Afghan guard at the US consulate was killed and

two other guards and two policemen wounded. A number of civilians were wounded because of the powerful explosion, he said. Herat hospital spokesman Mohammad Raﬁq Sherzai said that 18 people were wounded, including four policemen and 14 civilians. Abdul Raouf Ahmadi, a spokesman for Herat police, conﬁrmed the same account and said that US and Italian forces were also called

to the scene and cordoned off the area. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, saying that there were several casualties on the Afghan and US side but the militia is known to exaggerate its claims of deaths and injuries. The front gate of the US consulate was “extensively” damaged, US State Department deputy spokeswoman Marie Harf told reporters. She said the attack started at 5:30 am when the gunmen, dressed in suicide vests, drove up to the front gate in a truck, opened ﬁre and then detonated the truck bomb. American and contracted security personnel reacted to the attack before it came to an end, Harf said. US Ambassador James Cunningham condemned the attack and thanked Afghan and NATO troops for their quick response in securing the building and keeping consulate staff safe. “We are reminded again of the very real human toll exacted by terrorism. The perpetrators of this attack have shed Afghan blood on Afghan soil,” he said in a statement. Taleban spokesman Qari Yousuf Ahmadi told AFP in a telephone call that the militia were responsible. “Our mujahedeen, armed with heavy and light weapons, attacked the US consulate in Herat. There are several casualties to Afghan and US forces,” he said. In the southeastern province of Paktika, a suicide truck bomber wounded at least 14 Afghan security personnel outside the town of Sharan when they stopped the vehicle, police said. -AFP

SHEER NEGLIGENCE

Berlusconi should 37 killed in Russia hospital blaze be barred: Italians ROME: Nearly three-quarters of Italians think ex-prime minister Silvio Berlusconi should be barred from the Senate after a conviction for tax fraud, and a majority want to avert a government crisis over the issue, according to a poll published yesterday. The issue threatens the survival of the fragile ruling coalition because Berlusconi’s supporters have threatened to pull out of Prime Minister Enrico Letta’s left-right government if Berlusconi loses his seat. The full upper house is expected to vote next month on whether to expel Berlusconi, a billionaire media tycoon who has served as prime minister four times. A cross-party Senate committee is expected to continue sitting next week before voting on whether to start expulsion

proceedings, which would end with a full vote on the ﬂoor of the Senate. According to a poll by the SWG institute for the state television station RAI, 73 percent of Italians asked said they believed the Senate should vote to expel Berlusconi. Sixty per cent of those asked in the poll said the centreright should continue to support Letta’s government for the good of the country even if Berlusconi is booted out. The poll indicated that centreright voters were split almost down the middle about what to do if Berlusconi is ousted. Fifty-two percent of centreright voters said the bloc should withdraw its support for Letta, potentially forcing him to resign. But 45 per cent said they should continue to support him and 3 per cent were undecided. -Reuters

MOSCOW: A fire killed 37 people in a Russian psychiatric hospital yesterday, the second deadly blaze at such a facility this year and it was likely to heighten concerns about Russia’s treatment of the mentally ill and other wards of the state. There have been many deadly fires at state institutions like hospitals and schools over the past decade, raising questions about safety standards. Russia is also dogged by transport and industrial accidents, and critics point to a culture of negligence bred by President Vladimir Putin’s top-down ruling style. The pre-dawn fire razed a dilapidated ward for severely ill patients at the hospital in a provincial village north of Moscow, apparently killing some while under sedation as fog slowed firefighters travelling from 45 km away. Emergency authorities had recently sought to have the

GRIM SCENARIO: Fireﬁghters continue to extinguish ﬁre in the

charring remains of a burned out psychiatric hospital in the village of Luka in the northwest Russian Novgorod region, yesterday. -AFP

run-down wood, brick and concrete building condemned as unﬁt for use, a senior official said. Federal authorities began a criminal inquiry into suspected lethal negligence.

State television showed ﬁreﬁghters spraying water on the smoking, blackened ruins of the ward at the hospital. A female orderly died while trying to save patients at the hospital in the vil-

lage of Luka, which is in Novgorod province between Moscow and St Petersburg, the regional branch of the federal Investigative Committee said in a statement. It said 37 people were killed, and the Emergency Situations Ministry said 15 bodies had been recovered by midday. More than 20 patients were evacuated after the fire broke out shortly before 3 am (2300 GMT on Thursday). Official initially said some others may have escaped on their own, but none had been found hours later by police combing the area. The fire left little but the concrete foundation of the single-story building housing male patients at the hospital. Volunteer firefighters began battling the blaze minutes after it started, but the nearest fire station is 45 km away and it took a crew 45 minutes to arrive on fog-shrouded roads. -Reuters

OPINES

Japan should start releasing Fukushima N-plant water: Expert

INSPECTING TEAM: Fukushima prefecture panel members inspect

a contaminated water tank which leaked radioactive water at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, in Fukushima, yesterday. -Reuters

TOKYO: Japan should begin preparing to release a massive tide of water from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean, once it regains public trust and can confirm the water has only low levels of radiation, a US adviser to the plant’s operator said on yesterday. Lake Barrett, a former head of the Department of Energy’s Office of Civilian Nuclear Waste Management, spent nearly a decade at the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission and led the clean-up operations after the 1979 partial meltdown at the Three Mile Island nuclear plant. He has been brought in by Tokyo Electric Power (Tepco) to advise it on the lengthy decommissioning process at Fukushima.

He said work should begin now to pump groundwater from the plant before it reaches wrecked reactors - a measure that has been stalled by local opposition. “They should start pumping as soon as practical,” said Barrett, adding that groundwater would have to be released into the sea along with water that had been treated to remove most radiation - by a system designed by Toshiba Corp. “I believe in a matter of a few months ... early next year ... water will be cleaned up and be ready to be discharged,” he said in an interview. But Barrett, who has said he would feed his grandchildren ﬁsh caught off the Fukushima coast if the clean-up proceeds as planned, said Tepco has lost its credibility to reassure a jittery public. “When

Tepco says: ‘trust me, this water is safe,’ that’s not enough,” he said. Barrett toured the Fukushima plant on Thursday and met Tepco’s president Naomi Hirose, part of an effort by the utility and Japan’s government to show they are following through on a pledge to take control of irradiated water leaks at Fukushima. Tide of contaminated water Tepco has been battling to contain a tide of contaminated water at the plant, which suffered reactor meltdowns after the station was crippled by a massive 2011 earthquake and tsunami. The utility is pumping 400 tonnes of highly radioactive water out of the reactor buildings’ wrecked basements every day,

treating it to remove most radiation and storing the water in hundreds of makeshift tanks around the plant. Some 330,000 tonnes of contaminated water - enough to ﬁll more than 130 Olympic swimming pools - has been pumped into storage pits and above-ground tanks at the facility. Tepco plans to more than double the storage capacity of tanks at Fukushima by 2016, but doesn’t have a plan beyond that. At least one tank has sprung a leak. Tepco has tried to win local support for a “bypass” that would route groundwater around the plant and into the sea, reducing the amount of contaminated water that must be treated and stored. -Reuters

A10

S AT U R DAY, S E P T E M B E R 14 , 2 0 1 3

WORLD UK police smash plot to defraud bank Cops arrest 12 men who had allegedly ﬁtted a device in a Santander branch in southeast London capable of transmitting the entire desktop contents of the bank computer TIMELY INTERVENTION: Customers use ATM machines at the Surrey Quays branch of Santander

LONDON: British police said yesterday they had smashed an “audacious” and sophisticated plot to take control of the bank Santander UK’s computer systems and steal millions of pounds. Detectives, who described the plot as the most signiﬁcant case of its kind, said they had arrested

Bank, while the premises remain closed, in Surrey Quays in south London, yesterday. -Reuters

12 men who had allegedly ﬁtted a device in a Santander branch in southeast London capable of transmitting the entire desktop contents of the bank computer. “In effect, this allowed the

suspects to take control of the bank computers remotely,” said a spokesman for London’s Metropolitan Police. “The device had been ﬁtted and officers believed that the group

would imminently have been in a position to go operational,” he said, adding they had avoided multimillion-pound losses. Santander UK said a bogus maintenance engineer pretend-

Cyber crime Cyber crime has become a major threat to companies and ﬁnancial institutions. In July, US federal prosecutors charged ﬁve men responsible for a hacking and credit

card fraud spree that cost companies more than $300 million, the biggest cyber crime case filed in US history. A week later, a panel of lawmakers said that Britain was losing the battle against cyber crime and needed a new crack crime unit to fight the growing problem. The cost of cyber crime to the British economy is estimated to be between 18 billion and 27 billion pounds and British financial services firms lost a total of 5.4 billion pounds as a result of fraud last year, according to government data. Banking fraud Fraud cost retail banks 475 million and online banking fraud cost 40 million pounds. London police said Thursday’s arrests were the result of a long-term, intelligence-led operation and had been achieved by working in partnership with banks. “This was a sophisticated plot that could have led to the loss of a very large amount of money from the bank, and is the most significant case of this kind that we have come across,” said Detective Inspector Mark Raymond. -Reuters

BRIEFS

UNMANNED DRONES

Tiny robots to revolutionise battlefield LONDON: Ex-US Marine Ernest Langdon pulls a pin and throws a small black object onto the ground. But it doesn’t explode. Instead, the robot rights itself and swiftly scuttles away, feeding infrared video back to a small radio control screen. Unmanned drones have become an almost ubiquitous presence on the battlefield for US and other high-tech forces. But the market for remote controlled vehicles is evolving from the sometimes multi-tonne craft that patrol the skies over Afghanistan or Yemen, carrying out reconnaissance and targeted strikes, to tiny robots that police and even film companies can use. The top end of the market continues to be dominated by US companies such as Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and General Atomics, formerly a division of General Dynamics and creator of the Predator and Reaper drones. Other major defence firms such as BAE Systems are pushing forward with next-generation drones with stealth and other features. Smaller companies are increasingly redefining the industry, however. Drones on display at this week’s DSEI defence fair at London’s Excel exhibition centre include undersea robots that can act as mini submarines or simply

ing to be from a telecoms ﬁrm had ﬁxed the device, which police described as a keyboard video mouse, to a computer in the Surrey Quays branch. It said it had been aware of the alleged fraud and had worked closely with officers, adding no staff members had been involved. “It failed and no money was ever at risk,” the bank said. “Santander operates multiple levels of controls to protect customers’ funds and this attack would not have been successful.” Detectives from the Metropolitan Police’s Central e-Crime Unit said they had arrested 11 men at an address in west London and another man in central London on Thursday, while houses across the capital were raided The 12 suspects, aged between 23 and 50, are being held in custody at a London police station.

and now director of US and international military programmes for the company. “Maybe that means you see there are children in a room so you don’t throw a grenade. Maybe it means you ﬁnd an IED (improvised explosive device).”

CLINICAL PRECISION: A Shepherd-MIL Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

is seen during the Defence Security Equipment International arms fair at ExCel, in London, on September 10. -Reuters

drive along the surface of the seabed to clear mines or conduct reconnaissance. Remote control “quadrocopters” with four or more rotors can be launched from backpacks. Even conventional military vehicles are becoming increasingly robotised. The stand of US truck manufacturer Oshkosh Corp showcases a picture of a convoy of military trucks it says are being entirely remote-controlled. Critics of the use of drones controlled remotely argue that they make warfare too clinical and easy, and too often end up killing in-

nocent people. Advocates say the reality is that a drone removes the three “D”s - “difficult, dull and dangerous” - making it increasingly difficult to justify deploying human beings in certain situations. ReconRobotics US-based ﬁrm ReconRobotics say their products, robots designed to help soldiers or police look inside a building before they storm it or under a vehicle to detect a bomb, are already saving lives. “It gives you eyes inside a room before you go there,” said Langdon, a former Marine Corps sergeant

Throwbots The company says it has sold more than 4000 of its 540 g (1.2 lb) Throwbots and slightly larger Recon Scouts. More than half have been sold to the US military, the vast majority for immediate use in Afghanistan, but police departments are also major buyers. Each unit retails for around $16,000. In March last year, French counterterrorism commandos used two Recon Scout robots before they stormed a house in Toulouse where a gunman, suspected of shooting three French soldiers, three children and another adult, was hiding. Operating almost silently inside the house, the robots were able to locate 23-year-old Mohammed Merah in the bathroom. He was shot and killed after a 30-hour siege. ReconRobotics’ next product will be a small tethered flying quadrocopter able to fit in an infantryman’s pouch, allowing the operator to silently check out higher floors, Langdon said. -Reuters

Malaysian court awards death to German peddler KUALA LUMPUR: A Malaysian court yesterday sentenced a German businessman to death for drug trafficking, his lawyer said. A high court outside the capital Kuala Lumpur found Bebou Akpo Bouraima guilty of trafficking, which carries the mandatory death penalty by hanging, his lawyer Karpal Singh said. The German, who is of Togolese descent and is reportedly 40 years old, was found guilty of smuggling 1.5 kilogrammes of methamphetamine at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport in 2011, he said. “She (the judge) didn’t believe his story... that his bag was intended for his girlfriend,” Karpal said.

Croatian customs seize smuggled weapons RIJEKA: Croatian customs have seized containers from Serbia carrying smuggled weapons, notably rockets, local papers reported yesterday. The undeclared weapons, seized earlier this week in the northern Adriatic port of Rijeka, included S-8 unguided aircraft rockets as well as rocket launcher parts and solid rocket fuel, said the inﬂuential Jutarnji List daily. The newspaper said the arms were found in several containers bound for Abu Dhabi, though the Vecernji List daily reported that the shipment was to be delivered to Sudan.

Six-hour jail to Ugandan girl for killing rapist father MASAKA: A Ugandan court has given a symbolic six-hour jail term to a teenage girl who killed her rapist father in a case that has drawn a wave of public sympathy. The 18-year-old girl, who is now pregnant after repeated attacks, had confessed to killing her father with a knife and machete. -Agencies

POURING MISERY

Three dead in Colorado floods, people flee to safer places BOULDER: Flooding that killed at least three people in Colorado, toppling buildings and stranding drivers, worsened on Thursday night as record rains pounded the state, forcing thousands more residents to flee to higher ground, officials said. The unusual late-summer downpours drenched Colorado’s biggest urban centres, stretching 130 miles along the eastern slopes of the Rockies from Fort Collins near the Wyoming border south through Boulder, Denver and Colorado Springs. In Boulder, the rainfall record for September set in 1940 was shattered, officials said, unleashing surging floodwaters in Boulder Canyon above the city that triggered the evacuation of some 4,000 residents late on Thursday. “There’s so much water com-

ing out of the canyon, it has to go somewhere, and unfortunately it’s coming into the city,” said Ashlee Herring, spokeswoman for the Boulder office of Emergency Management. Boulder Creek, which runs through the heart of the city, became a raging torrent that burst its banks and ﬂooded adjacent parking lots and streets as warning sirens wailed. Other towns nestled along the Front Range of the Rockies north of Denver were also hard hit. In Longmont about 14 miles northeast of Boulder, the St. Vrain River jumped its banks, cascading across main thoroughfares and making travel across the city impossible overnight. “Our city is completely divided,” by the ﬂoodwaters, assistant city manager Shawn Lewis told Reu-

ters. Lewis said 7,000 households were under mandatory evacuation orders. The city opened two emergency shelters for displaced residents. President Barack Obama approved a federal disaster assistance request, which will release funds to help with emergency protection, Governor John Hickenlooper’s office said late on Thursday. National Guard troops were dispatched with emergency supplies to the remote town of Lyons, north of Boulder, which was virtually cut off from surrounding areas when floodwaters washed out US Route 36, county officials said. A dozen major roads in northeastern Colorado remained shut with significant damage from flooding, mudslides, rockfalls and other debris, the Colorado Depart-

ment of Transportation said late on Thursday. Heavy summer rains are not unusual for Colorado, but the intensity and duration of the downpour that began on Monday night was unprecedented. The National Weather Service said at least 12.3 inches of rain have fallen on Boulder since September. 1, smashing a 63-yearold record of 5.5 inches (14 cms) for the month. A flood watch was extended until 6 am on Friday for the entire Front Range, the NWS said, and the rainfall is not expected to ease until later in the day. One body was found in a collapsed building near Jamestown, an evacuated enclave north of Boulder. A couple were swept away in floodwaters after FLOOD FURY: A man drops a sand bag to help funnel water down a stopping their car northwest of street as heavy rains cause severe flooding in Boulder, Colorado, on the city. -Reuters Thursday. -Reuters

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2013

S P O R S

Promising start to pro era

KICKING OFF IN STYLE: Action from the match between Seeb and Al Arouoba on the opening day of the inaugural Omantel Professional League played at the Seeb Sports

Stadium yesterday. – Ismail Al Farsi/Times of Oman

Seeb and Al Nahda made promising start to the GCC U-17 FOOTBALL

Omantel Professional League with victories

Oman settle for second place

yesterday. In the second half of the opening

MUSCAT: Oman settled for the second place after being beaten by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the ﬁnal of the GCC Under-17 Football Championship at Aspire Academy in Doha on Thursday night. According to information received here, the UAE managed to defeat Oman 3-0 via penalties after a tense battle during the regulation time and extratime, during which neither team managed to open their account. Earlier, Bahrain clinched the third place with a 2-0 victory over hosts Qatar.

full points

match, both Seeb and Al Arouba were trying to defend. But it was captain Ibrahim Al Zadjali who hit the net in the 67th minute to give Seeb

STAFF REPORTER

MUSCAT: Seeb beat three-time domestic League winners Al Arouba 1-0 as the inaugural Omantel Professional League (OPL) kicked-off with much fanfare at the Seeb Sports Stadium yesterday. Billed as the ﬁrst major step towards ‘professionalising’ football in the Sultanate, the 14-club League is being operated under criteria set down by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

In the opening match yesterday in front of their home fans, Seeb club, guided by Romanian coach Jijo Peter, were aggressive from the start of the game. With both sides trying to defend in the second half, it was captain Ibrahim Al Zadjali who hit the net in the 67th minute of the game to help the side secure their ﬁrst ever win in the OPL. Speaking to reporters after the match, a delighted coach Peter complimented both teams for their display of courage.

“Nobody is a winner till the final whistle. It’s great to win the first game on your home turf, but I must say that both these teams have played really well. It was tough, but we were lucky enough to have won,” Peter said. Skipper Ibrahim said the win would boost his side when they take on champions Al Nahda in their next game on September 19. “It’s a perfect start to the OPL. We prepared so well for this tournament, so we cannot let it slip away from our hands. To win at home is always special, but we will not be carried away. I have told my boys to prepare for our next game. Al Nahda is going to be a strong opponent for us, but we will continue the same way we played in Seeb,” Ibrahim said. Meanwhile, Al Nahda began their campaign with a 2-1 home victory over Sohar. In an exciting match, Al Nahda took the lead through a fine firsthalf goal by Avilay before Juma Saeed doubled the score in the second half. Jordanian recruit Hazim Jawdat capped a great fightback with a neat finish but his goal came too late for Sohar.

CRICKET

Sreesanth slapped with life ban NEW DELHI: Test fast bowler Shanthakumaran Sreesanth has been banned from cricket for life after being found guilty of spotfixing during the Indian Premier League (IPL), authorities said yesterday. Ankeet Chavan, a teammate of Sreesanth’s in the Rajasthan Royals team, was also handed a life ban following a probe by the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) anti-corruption chief Ravi Sawani. “Sreesanth and Chavan have been banned for life from playing any representative cricket, or in any way being associated with the activities of the BCCI or its affiliates,” the board said in a statement. The BCCI’s three-member disciplinary committee, taking action on Sawani’s report, handed a five-year suspension to Amit Singh, who played in the IPL till last year, for his involvement in spotfixing. Rajasthan Royals’ Siddharth Trivedi was suspended for one year after being found guilty of the lesser charge of not inform-

VERDICT: Sreesanth guilty on multiple accounts. – AFP

ing officials about approaches made by bookmakers. The case against Harmeet Singh, a 21-year-old spinner, who had also been suspected of hiding a bookmaker’s approach, was “closed in the absence of evidence against him”, the statement said.

The BCCI did not announce any action against another Rajasthan Royals player, Ajit Chandila, who was also accused of spot-ﬁxing by the anti-corruption officer. The BCCI have not released Sawani’s report but the Indian Express newspaper said that

Sreesanth, Chandila and Chavan were found guilty on multiple accounts, including conceding a “pre-determined number of runs per over in exchange for bribes”. Sreesanth, Chandila, Chavan and Singh are among 39 people who have also been charged separately in court by Delhi Police in the corruption scandal that rocked this year’s IPL. Sreesanth, 30, is the only one to have played for India, having taken part in 27 Tests, 53 One-day Internationals and 10 Twenty20 matches. He was a member of India’s victorious teams in the World Twenty20 in 2007 and the World Cup in 2011. The Indian Express quoted Sawani as saying in his report that he hoped the BCCI will “impose such sanctions as considered appropriate to send out a strong signal indicating the zero tolerance policy of the BCCI to any corruption in the sport.” The players were arrested in May along with scores of bookies as part of a police investigation into the spot-ﬁxing scandal. - AFP

Back at the Seeb Sports Stadium, a similar fightback by Al Shabab denied Fanja the opportunity to start their Pro League campaign with full points. In the final game of the opening day, Fanja took the lead the first but failed to maintain that as Al Shabab came up with a late equaliser to share points. Thanking sponsors Meanwhile, in a statement to the media yesterday, Sayyid Khalid Al Busaidi, chairman of Oman Football Association (OFA), thanked the general assembly for its support in launching the OPL. “Without their support, I think this wouldn’t have been possible. I would also like to thank Omantel for their sponsorship support and to all others who are behind this great initiative,” Sayyid Khalid said. Oman Under-22 national team coach Philippe Burle, who was delighted to watch the opening game of OPL, urged fans to turn out in large numbers for the coming matches. “The OPL itself is a great tournament. Everyone was waiting for it to begin. But I think what it

requires is the support from fans. It is not easy to get results out of just one or two OPL tournaments. You have to wait for years. Rome was not built in a day,” the Frenchman said. For now, the new season will witness professionalism when it comes to the set-up, ﬁxtures, match day, telecast and in many other areas. It will also pave the way for the Omani teams participation in the Asian Champions League from next March. Shabib Al Hosni, the OPL chief executive who is busy preparing for the championship, had this to say: “We have been working around the clock to make this happen. Finally it’s on, and the game has begun. What we want is the support from fans and the media. We assure you that this will turn into a great championship, but what we need is patience.” In today’s matches, Al Suwaiq will begin their campaign when they face Al Nasr in Salalah. That game will be preceded by Al Ithihad facing Sur. The week one action concludes tomorrow when Majees take on Dhofar and Saham meet Al Musannah.

A12

S AT U R DAY, S E P T E M B E R 14 , 2 0 1 3

SPORTS Misbah stands in Zimbabwe’s way SCOREBOARD

Set 264 to win, Pakistan were 158 for ﬁve at the close of play, setting up a tense last day with Zimbabwe having a realistic chance of sharing the series

HARARE: Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq stood firm as his side lost five wickets chasing victory on the fourth day of the second Test against Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club yesterday. Set 264 to win, Pakistan were 158 for five at the close of play, setting up a tense last day with Zimbabwe having a realistic chance of sharing the series and earning a rare victory against one of cricket’s major nations. Misbah was unbeaten on 26 and will resume batting today with wicketkeeper Adnan Akmal (17 not out), with Pakistan needing another 106 runs to win. Pakistan made an aggressive start to the chase after bowling out Zimbabwe for 199, breaking a trend of slow scoring on a wearing, cracked pitch. But they were forced to become more cautious

STEMMING THE SLIDE: Pakistan’s captain Misbah-ul Haq, centre, Adnan Akmal, left, walk off the pitch along with Zimbabwe’s skipper

Zimbabwe 1st innings 294 Pakistan 1st innings 230 Zimbabwe 2nd innings (overnight 121 for 4) B Taylor c A Ali b R Ali 27 V Sibanda c A Akmal b R Ali 10 M Waller c K Manzoor b S Ajmal 3 E Chigumbura c A Akmal b J Khan 3 R Mutumbami c A Rehman b S Ajmal 29 T Chatara c A Akmal b R Ali 1 B Vitori (not out) 0 Extras: (b-3, lb-11, w-5) 19 Total: (all out, 89.5 overs) 199 Fall of wickets: 1-13, 2-117, 3-121, 4-121, 5-136, 6-149, 7-156, 8-177, 9-199. Bowling: Junaid Khan 19-6-37-1 (w-1), Rahat Ali 24.5-5-52-5, Saeed Ajmal 22-756-2, Abdur Rehman 24-5-40-2. Pakistan 2nd innings K Manzoor c Waller b Utseya 54 M Hafeez c Vitori b Chatara 16 Azhar Ali b Chatara 0 Younis Khan b Vitori 29 Misbah-ul Haq (not out) 26 A Shaﬁq c Mutumbami b Utseya 14 Adnan Akmal (not out) 17 Extras: (nb-1, w-1) 2 Total: (5 wkts, 49 overs) 158 Fall of wickets: 1-30, 2-46, 3-90, 4-100, 5-133. Bowling: Panyangara 10-2-32-0, Vitori 12-2-55-1 (w-1), Chatara 13-2-29-2 (nb-1), Utseya 13-2-40-2, Masakadza 1-0-2-0.

Brendan Taylor and Malcolm Waller at the end of the fourth day’s play of the second Test match at the Harare Sports Club yesterday. – AFP

as the Zimbabwe bowlers struck at regular intervals. First-change bowler Tendai Chatara made a crucial breakthrough when he dismissed Mohammad Hafeez and Azhar Ali in

quick succession to reduce Pakistan to 46 for two in the 12th over. Opening batsman Manzoor Ahmed stroked his way to his second half century of the match, hitting 11 fours in an innings of 54 be-

fore he was caught at short leg off off-spinner Prosper Utseya. That brought Misbah in to join fellow veteran Younis Khan but Pakistan suffered a huge blow when Younis was bowled for 29,

shaping to play left-armer Brian Vitori to leg and losing his leg stump. Misbah might have given a difficult chance when he was on 14, with wicketkeeper Richmond Mutumbami diving far to his

right but unable to hold on to a low deﬂection. But Mutumbami made no mistake when Asad Shaﬁq tried to cut Utseya and top-edged the ball into the wicketkeeper’s gloves. — AFP

GOLF

OGC picks four for Arab amateur meet MUSCAT: Oman Golf Committee (OGC) is sending four young talents to the 14th Arab Amateur Golf Championships to be held in Port el Kantaoui, Tunisia, from September 26 and 28, according to a press release received from the OGC. The Oman junior national team players have earlier shown great potential by ﬁnishing second in 17th GCC championship on home soil in February this year. In preparation for the championship the team has undergone training with the national team coach and Almouj PGA pro Marcus Casey. On Saturday Oman Golf Committee concluded the selection process with a ﬁnal 18hole strokeplay competition at Almouj Golf. The three young talented and dedicated golfers to team up for the Sultanate in the under-15 category are Rashad Al Harthy, Hamood Al Harthy and Fahad Al Kitani. In U-18 category the Oman Golf Committee will send Ahmed Al Balushi, his last competition as a junior and one of the future talents for the national senior team. The players are getting ready to perform at their best at one of the most prominent regional tournaments. The 14th Junior Arab Amateur Championships will be held at the Golf El Kantaoui Course. Training and preparations before a major competition is crucial

REVIVING TIES

Pakistan’s domestic team to tour India

YOUNG TALENTS: Gearing up for the Arab challenge.– Supplied photo

and Marcus Casey, Almouj Golf pro and coach of the national team explains the process: ”The way to prepare the team for a major championship starts in advance and is holistic in its approach. The main area of focus will be on the players short game skills. Skills such as bunker shots and chipping and putting. “These are parts of the game that can be improved very quickly and without much disruption to the players overall technique. The

short game is the one area which can help a player no matter how well or bad they are playing.” Mundhir Al Barwani, chairman of Oman Golf Committee, says: “I am conﬁdent that together with experiences gained from participating at the GCC championship earlier this year, our young junior team will grow and develop their talent and play at their best in the 14th Arab Amateur Championships. Golf in Oman is still in the developing stages and we

have had only green golf courses during the last four years. Funding OGC is crucial for us to provide the best training and developing programmes for our national team, which is key to making sure they do their best at these regional events.” The national team will be accompanied by the Oman Golf Committee Chairman Mundhir Al Barwani, Vice-Chairman Ahmed Al Jahdhamy and national team coach Marcus Casey.

FAISALABAD: Pakistan’s domestic team Faisalabad Wolves will compete in the Champions League in India, with manager Haroon Rasheed calling it a “ﬁrst step towards reviving IndoPak cricket”. Uncertainty surrounded Faisalabad’s participation after recent attacks killed 11 people in the divided Himalayan region of Kashmir, but India issued visas to the players yesterday. Led by Pakistan’s Test and oneday captain Misbah-ul Haq, the Wolves will feature in the fourteam qualifying rounds starting in Mohali from Tuesday. Two teams will join eight other teams — three from India, two from South Africa, two from Australia and one from the West Indies — to compete in the Twenty20 event which ends October 6. Rasheed welcomed the clearing of the team. “This is a positive sign,” Rasheed said. “I think it will be the ﬁrst step

towards reviving Indo-Pak cricket which is so cruelly suspended.” Pakistanis featured in the inaugural Indian Premier League in 2008, but the Sialkot Stallions were the only Pakistanis to feature in the Champions League last year, as the event was held in South Africa. Pakistan Cricket Board chief operating officer Subhan Ahmed is in India to attend the Asian Cricket Council meeting in Chennai today and is expected to talk to his Indian counterparts about reviving ties. Rasheed said, however, that all players were excited. “All the players are very excited and we have no fears as the focus will only be on cricket,” said Rasheed. On his team’s chances, Rasheed said they are determined to reach the main rounds. “We have enough experience in Misbah, Saeed Ajmal, Asad Ali and Ehsan Adil and we will do our best to reach the main rounds.” - AFP

I S C TA B L E T E N N I S

Gopal bags a double, Suhail-Erica duo triumphs

FINALISTS: Veteran’s singles winner R Gopalakrishnan, right, and runner-up Ashish Panday. Mixed doubles ﬁnalists, from left in right photo, Suhail Khan, Erica Vaz, Rhea Bhatia and Armaan Sattikar. – Supplied photos

MUSCAT: In his first tournament appearance at the ISC, R. Gopalakrishnan claimed a double crown at the Annual Table Tennis Tournament of the Indian Social Club Muscat sponsored by Muscat Insurance Services (MIS). Gopalakrishnan, who was returning to tournament play after more than 20 years, added the veterans’ singles title to the Men’s A singles which he had won a couple of days earlier. In the veterans’ singles final, Gopalakrishnan who was seeded No. 4 upset second seed Ashish Panday with a fine 11-7, 9-11, 115, 11-9 verdict. One saw brilliant rallies being exchanged between the two. Ashish went on the offensive and won the second game for one-game all. Gopal showed consistency on both flanks and forced Ashish into errors. Gopalakrishnan and Ashish matched each other stroke for stroke before the former put the issue beyond Ashish with victory in

the fourth game. Gopalakrishnan had also reached the semifinals of the men’s singles before going down fighting to top seed Suhail Khan. Suhail Khan and Erica Vaz, the top seeds and defending champions of the mixed doubles, retained the title after recording a hardfought 9-11, 11-5, 12-10, 11-9, 11-6, 11-6 victory over first time finalists Armaan Sattikar and Rhea Bhatia in the final. Armaan and Rhea surprised the defending champions with a brilliant comeback that saw them rally from 3-6 down in the first game to win it. Suhail and Erica pulled back the second game but were made to fight hard before winning the third game. Armaan and Rhea squandered a healthy 6-2 lead in the fourth game which the top seeds rallied to win. Suhail and Erica had no further problems as they won the next two games to retain the mixed doubles title.

WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM S ATU RDAY, S E P T E M B E R 14 , 2 0 113 3

MARKE

DELL SHAREHOLDERS APPROVE $25B BUYOUT Dell shareholders approved a proposal led by company founder Michael Dell to take the iconic computer company private as it attempts to navigate a fast-changingg technology market. >B3

ECONOMY

US retail sales tick higher in August NEW YORK: US retail sales edged higher in August at a weaker than expected pace, led by auto and home furnishing sales, official data released yesterday showed. Retail sales, which reﬂects a key component of consumer spending that is the bulwark of the US economy, rose 0.2 per cent in August from July, the Commerce Department said. The increase was half the 0.4 per cent rise expected by analysts. But the department revised upward the July reading to 0.4 per cent from an initial estimate of 0.2 per cent. Excluding sales of motor vehicles and equipment, retail sales rose a mere 0.1 per cent in August, a marked slowdown from the revised 0.6 per cent gain in July. Mixed report Total retail sales in August were up 4.7 per cent year-over-year. The mixed report, showing a weak August but a stronger July, was the last signiﬁcant piece of economic data ahead of the Federal Reserve’s two-day monetary policy meeting that starts on Tuesday. The Fed is widely expected to announce a pullback in its massive monetary stimulus programme on Wednesday. The central bank has said it will taper the $85 billion a month asset-purchase programme if the economy continues to show

SONY HOLDS XPERIA Z1 JAPAN PREMIERE A member of the media tries out a Sony Xperia Z1 smartphone mounted with a lens-style digital camera Cyber-shot DSCQX100 after a news conference in Tokyo, yesterday. Sony is betting its Xperia Z1 handset will propel it to No. 3 in the smartphone market, leaping from seventh place by vaulting past competitors such as LG Electronics and Lenovo Group. — Bloomberg News

broad improvement. Higher payroll taxes, limited job gains and restrained income growth are discouraging consumers, whose spending accounts for about 70 per cent of the economy. Yesterday’s report is one of the last pieces of data before next week’s Federal Reserve meeting, at which policy makers will consider whether to dial back record monetary stimulus. “The consumer continues to tag along slowly but surely,” said Eugenio Aleman, a senior economist at Wells Fargo Securities in Charlotte, North Carolina. Wells Fargo economists are the top forecasters of retail sales in the last two years, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. “We have to see better job growth, better income growth,” he further added. Stock-index futures were little changed after the ﬁgures, with the contract on the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index expiring in December rising less than 0.1 per cent to 1,678.4 at 8:48am in New York. Estimates of the 85 economists in the Bloomberg survey ranged from gains of 0.2 per cent to 0.9 per cent after a previously reported 0.2 per cent increase in July. Eight of 13 major categories showed increased sales last month, led by auto dealerships, electronics outlets and furniture stores. — Agencies

Twitter announces plans for public stock offering Twitter ﬁled for an IPO conﬁdentially under a 2012 law intended to help emerging corporations with less than $1 billion in revenue go public

SAN FRANCISCO/NEW YORK: Twitter has ﬁled for an initial public offering with US regulators, the company said on Thursday, taking the ﬁrst step toward what would be Silicon Valley’s most anticipated debut since Facebook’s last year. The impending IPO of the microblogging phenomenon ignited a competition among Wall Street’s biggest names for the prestige of managing its coming-out party. Goldman Sachs is lead underwriter, a source familiar with the matter said on Thursday, which is a major coup for the Wall Street bank.

Twitter ﬁled for an IPO conﬁdentially under a 2012 law intended to help emerging corporations with less than $1 billion in revenue go public. Seven-year old Twitter, which allows users to send out streams of 140-character messages, has become an indispensable tool to governments, corporations and celebrities seeking to communicate with their audience, and for individuals seeking both news and entertainment. Chief Executive Dick Costolo has for years waved off suggestions it intended to go public, say-

IPO TWEET: A tweet from Twitter announcing its IPO is shown in

this photo illustration in Toronto, on Thursday. — Reuters

ing the company remained ﬂush with cash. Facebook’s mismanaged 2012 debut and subsequent share-price plunge also chilled the consumer-dotcom IPO market. Facebook, however, has clawed its way back to its $38 IPO price

EUROPEAN UNION

Eurozone finance ministers warn against complacency BRUSSELS: Eurozone finance ministers warned against complacency yesterday as the economy recovers from a record recession, insisting the return to growth does not mean that painful reforms can be relaxed. The bailed-out countries especially must stick to their targets, with no compromise, even though it is expected some such as Greece need further help. “The economic outlook is improving,” said Jeroen Dijsselbloem, head of the group of 17 euro finance ministers after a meeting in Vilnius. A return to growth after an 18-month recession is welcome, Dijsselbloem told a press conference, but unemployment stuck at 12 per cent “is still too high”. “We need to carry on with all our policies with strong resolve,” he said, citing controversial reforms which allow Brussels to vet national budgets before approval to ensure they meet EU rules on the public deficit and debt. “Complacency ... is simply a

Nearly all member states have breached EU deﬁcit and debt rules by a wide margin, made worse by the costs of the debt crisis, especially the rescue of failed banks, a major talking point at the meeting.

Jeroen Dijsselbloem. — Bloomberg ﬁle picture

luxury we cannot afford,” EU Economic Affairs Commissioner Olli Rehn commented. Dijsselbloem said the Eurogroup of ﬁnance ministers would hold an additional meeting on November 22 to review the draft budgets submitted to the European Commission, the EU’s executive arm which will police the system.

Making progress Dijsselbloem said the eurozone was making progress toward a ‘Banking Union,’ the new regulatory regime meant to prevent a repeat of the crisis. A key step was taken Thursday when the European Parliament approved setting up the Single Supervisory Mechanism, the ﬁrst pillar of the new system which will be followed by a Single Resolution Mechanism to wind up failed banks. After that will come a Deposit Guarantee System to reassure depositors their money is safe, even at times of stress. “Work on all the legs of the Banking Union are on track,” Dijsselbloem said. — AFP

in July, and the stock is at a record high after touching $45 this week. Twitter, which has been valued by private investors at more than $10 billion, should break even this year and is on track for 40 per cent annual growth at a $1 billion an-

nual revenue run rate, Max Wolff of Greencrest Capital estimated. “It’s completely conquered mobile. It has an enormous social network. It’s becoming a key utility as a second screen to TV and it’s literally the ﬁrst draft of history,” Wolff said. “Normally a company like Twitter would have been public for some time,” he said. Since Jack Dorsey, Twitter’s inventor, dispatched the ﬁrst tweet from a downtown San Francisco office in March 2006, the service has grown into a worldwide phenomenon with more than 200 million regular users contributing more than 400 million posts a day. The company makes money by inserting paid, targeted ads that resemble ordinary, user-generated content. Twitter’s success with its advertising model created a new paradigm for mobile advertising and prompted Facebook last year to adopt a similar ad product, called Sponsored Stories. — Reuters

GOLDMAN SACHS REPORT

Gold prices may dip below $1,000/ounce SINGAPORE: Gold is poised to extend declines as the US Federal Reserve withdraws stimulus and economic data improve, according to Goldman Sachs Group, which says that there’s a risk that bullion may drop below $1,000 an ounce. Futures retreated in New York. While debt-ceiling discussions in the US and the Syrian crisis may support bullion in the near term, gold will resume its decline into next year, Jeffrey Currie, head of commodities research, said in an interview on Bloomberg Television yesterday. The bank’s target for 2014 is $1,050, and the commodity may overshoot to the downside, Currie said in Singapore. Gold futures haven’t traded below $1,000 since October 2009. Bullion has dropped 22 per cent this year as some investors lost faith in the metal as a store of value, the US economy improved and stocks and the dollar rallied. — Bloomberg News

S AT U R DAY, S E P T E M B E R 14 , 2 0 1 3

FEATURE

For the past 25 years, Coke advertising has focused on the brand ﬁrst and foremost. The soda is a shared experience that’s supposed to remind you of friendship, family, adorable bears and other fuzzy associations

he inspired Pepsi Challenge marketing campaign of the 1980s was my childhood introduction to one of the fundamentals of scientiﬁc inquiry: the double-blind experiment. In a world beset with soft drink advertising, how could you really know which soda you liked best? Clearly what made sense was to put prejudice and branding aside, don a blindfold, and focus on pure ﬂavor. It was one of the greatest marketing coups of all time. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Pepsi steadily gained on Coke in terms of market share. Characters in the ads always picked Pepsi, of course, but so did most people who tried it in real life — the sweeter taste was more appealing. By 1983, Pepsi was outselling Coke in supermarkets, leaving Coke dependent on its larger infrastructure of soda machines and fast food tie-ins to preserve its lead. That was a success in its own right. But even better, Pepsi forced Coke into an infamous business blunder. Faced with eroding market share, Coke began a series of its own internal taste tests aimed at developing a superior product. Thus was born the dread New Coke, a sweeter cola reformulated to best both Pepsi and the classic formulation of Coke in blind taste tests.

The backlash was fast and furious, with over 400,000 letters of complaint pouring in to the company. Despite declining market share, Coke was still by far the market leader over Pepsi — and the company’s millions of loyal customers weren’t looking for a new flavor. Pepsi recorded the fastest year-on-year sales growth in the company’s history during New Coke’s first month, while a consortium of CocaCola bottlers decided to sue the company for changing the product. But then Coca-Cola’s senior leadership did something tough: They admitted that they were wrong. And they executed a strategic pivot that’s kept them on top of the rivalry ever since. They reintroduced the original formula under the name “Coca-Cola Classic” and sold it in parallel with New Coke for a while. Over time, the “new” Coke was phased out, and CocaCola Classic became just, well, Coke once again — a product so culturally iconic that across a significant swath of the United States it serves as a generic term for what decent people call “soda” and Midwesterners call “pop.” For the past 25 years, Coke advertising has focused on the brand first and foremost. The soda is a shared experience that’s supposed to remind you of friendship, family, adorable bears and other

fuzzy associations. And it’s worked great. According to industry statistics compiled by Beverage Digest, Coke owns 17 per cent of the American market for carbonated soft drinks. The next most popular choice is Diet Coke with 9.4 per cent. Pepsi languishes in third place at 8.9 per cent. Though it’s the flagship brand of a diverse beverage and snack company with over $65 billion in revenue, Pepsi is a definite loser in the popularity sweepstakes. Quintessential example Pepsi is a quintessential example of a “challenger brand” that’s seeking an edge against a dominant, iconic firm. Marketing has often emphasised the idea of Pepsi as newer or more youthful — “the choice of a new generation” — as a way of turning its second-place status into an advantage. But Pepsi works as such a great example of a challenge because despite decades of efforts, none of its different slogans or logos or celebrity endorsements has ever put it in first place. It’s a frustrating place for the company to be, because the Pepsi Challenge wasn’t just an ad gimmick. It really is true that blind taste tests suggest that people like it better than Coke. Yet people keep buying more Coke. One theory of this “Pepsi Paradox,” described by Lone Frank in Scien-

tific American, is that we should take the Pepsi Challenge at face value. Coke’s victory is a triumph of branding over flavor, and a clear sign that consumer companies should invest lots of money in advertising. Researchers intrigued by the paradox have suggested that Coke’s ads actually rewire the human brain. When Read Montague of Baylor College Medicine performed a version of the Pepsi Challenge with subjects hooked up to an fMRI machine, he found something interesting. In blind taste tests, most people preferred Pepsi, and Pepsi was associated with a higher level of activity in an area of the brain known as the ventral putamen, which helps us evaluate different flavors. By contrast, in a non-blind test, Coke was more popular and was also associated with increased activity in the medial prefrontal cortex. Montague’s interpretation: This prefrontal activity represented the higherthinking functions of the brain associating the soda with ad campaigns and, in effect, overriding the taste buds. But perhaps this is wrong. Felix Salmon notes that in blind taste tests of wine, people almost invariably prefer sweeter varieties. This hardly means sweeter wines are always better — and Pepsi is sweeter than Coke. On this view it’s actually Pepsi

that scored the marketing triumph, by convincing people that a blind taste test represents the true mark of soda flavor. Likewise, the idea that Coke triumphs because of ads rather than flavor has trouble explaining the failure of New Coke. New Coke had the same ads behind it as old Coke, but was specifically engineered to beat Pepsi in taste tests. But taste tests consist of relatively modest sips, and Americans don’t drink tiny sips of soda. We drink whole cans of soda. We drink 20-ounce bottles. We drink Big Gulps at 7-Eleven. We drink sodas so large that Michael Bloomberg wants to make them illegal. Serious soda drinkers consume multiple servings per day, every day of the week. And while we want something sweet, we don’t necessarily want that kind of long-term relationship with something too sweet. That’s why New Coke could succeed in a lab but fail in the marketplace. The Pepsi Challenge is a great marketing gimmick but not a viable path to displacing the leading brand. Some rivalries come down to the fundamentals. Coke just has a flavor that most people like better, and decades of brand-on-brand combat can’t change that. — Matthew Yglesias / Washington PostBloomberg News

S AT U R DAY, S E P T E M B E R 14 , 2 0 1 3

MARKET Dell shareholders okay founder’s proposal to take company private Under the terms of the transaction, Dell shareholders will receive $13.75 in cash for each share of Dell common stock

TEXAS: Dell shareholders have approved a proposal led by company founder Michael Dell to take the iconic computer company private as it attempts to navigate a fast-changing technology market. The proposal, worth about $25 billion, won an unspeciﬁed majority of votes from the holders of Dell stock, Dell said in a statement. The buyers consortium sweetened the deal in recent weeks in response to criticism from activist Carl Icahn and others, who had complained their offer undervalS U P P LY O F D R U G S

Indian pharma faces closer FDA scrutiny MUMBAI: United States inspectors visiting a factory in India owned by drugmaker Wockhardt in March found torn data records in a waste heap and urinals that emptied into an open drain in a bathroom six metres from the entrance to a sterile manufacturing area. And when an inspector asked about the contents of unlabelled vials in the laboratory glassware washing area, a plant worker dumped them down a sink and said the contents could not be determined, according to a July 18 letter from the US Food and Drug Administration to Wockhardt, which makes sterile injectable drugs and various forms of insulin. Habil Khorakiwala, chairman of Wockhardt, last week told shareholders that the problem at its Waluj plant “is an inexcusable lapse, but we have taken swift and definitive action, both corrective and pre-emptive,” including appointment of a new quality chief and hiring of outside consultants. India’s drugmakers, battered by a rash of US regulatory rebukes including a record fine for Ranbaxy Laboratories, face closer FDA scrutiny as the agency ramps up its presence in the country. Increased on-the-ground oversight reflects India’s growing importance as a supplier to the United States, and should ultimately bolster quality and confidence in Indian-made drugs. In March, India allowed the FDA, guardian of the world’s most important pharmaceuticals market, to add seven inspectors, which will bring its staff in India to 19. India produces nearly 40 per cent of generic drugs and over-the-counter products. - Reuters

ued the company. The deal comes against a backdrop of profound change in the technology sector with the rise of mobile technology and clears the way for Michael Dell and partner investment ﬁrm Silver Lake to transform the company away from the glare of public markets and the need to wow investors with great quarterly results. “In taking Dell private, we plan to go back to our roots” of entrepreneurialism, Michael Dell told reporters on a conference call.

“We stand on the cusp of the next technological revolution. The forces of cloud, big data, mobile and security are changing the way people live, businesses operate and the world works, just as the PC did almost 30 years ago.” Under the terms of the transaction, Dell shareholders will receive $13.75 in cash for each share of Dell common stock, plus a special cash dividend of 13 cents per share. The total transaction is valued at about $24.9 billion. Dell shares closed unchanged at $13.85. Voting system The buyers improved their offer in August, adding at least $350 million in exchange for a modiﬁcation to the shareholder voting system so that only votes cast would be counted. Previously non-voting shares would have been counted against the buyout. Icahn on Monday continued to

SEARCH SERVICES

Decision on Google EU probe outcome soon FLORENCE: Google will ﬁnd out within weeks whether its recent offer to European Union antitrust regulators was enough to settle an almost three-yearold EU probe into the way it operates its search services. “This investigation started in November 2010, it has been difficult,” Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia told a conference in Florence, Italy, yesterday. “It’s important but it cannot be prolonged forever, so we are now in the decisive weeks.” Almunia said “time is running fast” and he will “in the coming weeks” decide whether to accept Google’s settlement offer or go forward with a formal complaint, known as a statement of objections, and ultimately adopt “a possible negative decision.” Almunia said last week that Google had submitted a new proposal to address the European Commission’s competition concerns. A previous offer by Google in April to label its branded search services and show links to rival specialised search services was rejected as insufficient by Almunia in July. Google rivals, including Microsoft, have urged the EU to seek tougher concessions from the Mountain View, Californiabased company. Competitors and users were able to review Google’s proposed remedies the ﬁrst time around and are asking the Brussels-based European Commission to market test the latest offer as well.

NEW PROPOSAL Google has submitted a new proposal to address the European Commission’s competition concerns. A previous offer by Google in April to label its branded search services and show links to rival specialised search services was rejected as insufficient

“Our proposal to the European Commission addresses their” areas of concern, Al Verney, a Brussels-based spokesman for Google, said by phone today. “We continue to work with the commission to settle this case.” First offer The ﬁrst offer by Google sought to address concerns that the company promotes its own specialist search services, such as Google News and Google Finance, copies rivals’ travel and restaurant reviews, and has agreements with websites and software developers that stiﬂe competition in the advertising industry. The latest offer by Google isn’t public. The EU will adopt a statement of objections against Google “if we consider that the new proposals are not able to limit our concerns,” Almunia said. - Bloomberg News

Michael Dell. – Bloomberg News

criticise the proposal as undervaluing the company, but signalled an end to his campaign to derail the merger in light of the change to the voting system. Dell chief financial officer Brian Gladden told reporters that the company was on track to raise necessary financing by September 23. Moody’s rated $12.5 billion in Dell debt at a subprime level with a ‘stable’ outlook. Moody’s said the increased debt burden envisioned by the transaction “will limit Dell’s financial flexibility” and potentially hinder its shift to “faster-growing” new businesses. Moody’s also cited “considerable key man risk associated with Michael Dell’s majority stake” including limitations to the board’s ability to “exert effective oversight” over Michael Dell and “make strategic course corrections if necessary.” The transaction comes amid a

seismic shift in the technology sector with the rise of smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices at the expense of the once-mightly personal computer market. Michael Dell created the company from his dorm room at the University of Texas and grew the Round Rock, Texas-based company into a global heavyweight known for direct service to customers and cutting out the retail middle man. But diminishing PC sales have led to seven straight quarters of declining proﬁts. And the special committee established to consider Dell’s strategic options gave a bleak future outlook. - AFP

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S AT U R DAY, S E P T E M B E R 14 , 2 0 1 3

MARKET Global equity issuance may indicate market recovery United States.” M&A deals are certainly ﬂourishing. European shares hit a twoyear high on Thursday after Vivendi said it aimed to decide early next year on whether to spin off its struggling French telecoms unit SFR. Telecom Italia and KPN also received takeover approaches. Worldwide M&A activity has totalled $1.62 trillion so far in 2013, up two percent on the year, according to Thomson Reuters.

Both primary and secondary issuance is picking up steam, with Twitter becoming the latest company to announce plans to raise equity in an initial public offering on Thursday

LONDON: Companies around the world are increasingly turning to equity issuance to raise capital, a sign of growing corporate and investor confidence that could create a virtuous circle for the economy and financial markets. Both primary and secondary issuance is picking up steam, with Twitter becoming the latest company to announce plans to raise equity in an initial public offering (IPO) on Thursday. According to Thomson Reuters data, a total of $491.2 billion has been raised in equity capital so far this year, up 17 per cent from the same period last year. Equity financing is sometimes considered a last resort for funding, as a theory known as the ‘pecking order’ states that companies usually prefer internal source of funds from retained earnings and debt for raising capital. Selling additional stock to investors is also usually negative for share prices because it increases the number of shares outstanding

PICKING UP STEAM: Shares in social networking website LinkedIn hit a record high on Wednesday,

bringing year-to-date gains to around 120 per cent, days after it announced plans to raise additional equity capital to fund product development and expansion. – Bloomberg News

and reduces earnings per share. But markets are reacting warmly to those who have raised equity or said they will do so. Tesla Motors gains 93% Shares in social networking website LinkedIn hit a record high on Wednesday, bringing year-to-date gains to around 120 per cent, days after it announced plans to raise additional equity capital to fund product development and expansion. Similarly, shares of United States electric carmaker Tesla Motors have risen 93 per cent since it raised equity in May. The trend may reflect growing approval among investors for companies tapping equity markets to finance growth. They may also welcome the fact that firms remain cautious about leverage, having spent the past few years building up cash buffers amounting to $6.7 trillion. What is more, increased corporate finance activity on the back of growing confidence could support equity markets and help econom-

INDIAN MARKETS

Has been raised in equity capital so far this year, up 17% from the same period last year, according to Thomson Reuters data

ic growth in the long run. “Equity ﬁnancing will come back in a bull or positive equity environment,” said Bill Street, head of EMEA investments at State Street. “There’s a dilution effect, clearly, but in the context of a broader growth trajectory, the positive impact of having a liquidity-driven or very supportive monetary liquidity environment behind that will be able to absorb that.” According to law ﬁrm Allen and Overy, the global equity capital markets have rebounded to sit just below pre-crisis levels at $1.15

Funding corporate M&A Melman said a lot of capital raising is related to funding corporate mergers and acquisitions, where activity is picking up after years in which deal-making took a back seat to balance-sheet repair. “Due to a huge backlog of M&A inactivity, we think now the situation is normalising. We’re going to see a lot of operations in Europe. We think it’s the beginning of a strong move in Europe and the trend has already started in the

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Occidental to seek offers for 40% stake in Mideast unit NEW YORK: Occidental Petroleum, the largest oil producer in the continental United States, and which has operations in the Sultanate of Oman, has begun looking for suitors to take a minority stake in its Middle East unit for as much as $8 billion, said people with knowledge of the matter. Stephen Chazen, chief executive, has held talks with sovereign wealth funds and possible strategic partners for a 40 per cent stake in the Mideast business, whose value he pegs at $20 billion, said two of the people, who asked not to be named as the discussions are private. The chief executive is handling the talks himself and isn’t working with bankers now. Chazen, a former investment banker, aims to lessen dependence on the Middle East while keeping funds available for capital-intensive projects, one of the people said. No buyer has emerged and any deal may take several months, said that person, citing the challenge of transactions in the region. Some suitors are valuing the asset at about $15 billion, 25 per cent less than Chazen, which may further slow the process, said this person. Melissa Schoeb, a spokeswoman for Occidental, didn’t return calls seeking comment. Occidental jumped 1.4 per cent to $92.30. in New York. The shares had advanced 19 percent this year through on Thursday. Investor unrest over lacklustre returns has prompted Occidental, Hess, Apache, and other energy companies to pursue breakup plans and asset sales. Deutsche Bank analyst Paul Sankey said after a meeting with Chazen in May that Occidental would also consider selling a 25 per cent stake in its Middle East and North Africa operations. - Bloomberg News

ECONOMY

Sensex declines; rupee appreciates MUMBAI: Indian stocks fell for a second day, paring a weekly gain, after the prime minister’s economic adviser said a tight monetary policy should be maintained until the rupee stabilises and inflation cools. HDFC Bank dropped to a oneweek low. Tata Steel fell for a second day. HDFC retreated 0.8 per cent, ending its biggest six-day rally since May 2009. The S&P BSE Sensex decreased 0.3 percent to 19,732.76 at the close, with volume 29 per cent less than the 30-day average. Policy easing is dependent on a stable currency, Chakravarthy Rangarajan, head of Manmohan Singh’s economic advisory council, said today. The 6.7 percent rally in the rupee since Raghuram Rajan took charge as central bank governor on September 4 gives the authority a chance to reverse liquidity curbs aimed at shoring up the currency, BNP Paribas said in a report. “Hopes of monetary easing by the RBI have been tapered,” Gopal Agrawal, chief investment officer at Mirae Asset Global Investments, said by e-mail. “There was chatter that some liquidity-tightening measures may be diluted.” Rajan, who reviews borrowing costs for the first time on September 20, is under pressure to boost the currency and avoid a surge in import costs that would fuel inflation. The central bank has cut the repurchase rate thrice this year to revive flagging growth. India and Indonesia still have the highest policy rate among Asia’s biggest

$491b

trillion in mid-August. Growth was led by the United States, where the value of total equity issues rose 11 per cent in the year to August from the same period in 2007. “When you look at academic literature, it tends to say that on average equity issuance does not create value. But it can be positive for share prices,” said Benjamin Melman, head of asset allocation at Edmond de Rothschild Asset management in Paris.

Strong balance sheet There has been a rush of capital raising in debt markets as expectations grow that the Federal Reserve may start to slow its money printing, which has slashed borrowing costs, as early as next week. But year to date, debt financing activity is down one per cent from 2012. Growth in equity issuance may reflect the fact that some companies already find it expensive to raise capital in debt markets, especially after benchmark US yields hit a two-year high of 3.01 per cent last week. Japan —where strong reflationary policy by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is pushing up inflation expectations — has seen a 94 per cent rise in the volume of equity offerings this year. Sharp and Mitsubishi Motors may offer shares to the public to raise capital, possibly raising a combined $3.5 billion to transform their finances, according to media reports. Both shares prices fell after the reports , but investors may reward them. - Reuters

C O R P O R AT E

economies at 7.25 per cent, according to data. The Sensex has risen 1.6 per cent this year in rupee terms and trades for 13.9 times projected 12-month earnings, compared to the five-year average of 14.1 times. The gauge has lost 12 per cent this year in dollar terms. The MSCI Emerging Markets Index trades at 10.5 times, data show. Currency gains India’s rupee completed its biggest weekly gain since October 2009 on optimism steps announced by the new central bank chief will boost the supply of dollars. The Indian currency rose 2.8 per cent this week to 63.50 per dollar in Mumbai, the biggest advance since the five days through October 9, 2009, according to prices from local banks. The currency gained 0.1 per cent yesterday. In his first speech since taking charge as Reserve Bank of India governor on September 4, Raghuram Rajan offered to sell concessional swaps for lenders’ foreign-currency deposits and vowed to curb inflation. The steps will boost India’s reserves by $10 billion, Bank of America Merrill Lynch estimates. The recent RBI policies “are near-term positives for the rupee,” Barclays analysts, including London-based Christian Keller, wrote in a report yesterday. “However, it remains to be seen whether these measures will translate into better sentiment.” - Bloomberg News

Top advisor cuts India’s GDP forecast NEW DELHI: India’s top economic advisor yesterday cut his growth forecast for this year to 5.3 per cent, just above last year’s decade-low expansion, but insisted global ratings agencies had no reason to downgrade the country. The new forecast, while down from a previous 6.4 per cent projection, is broadly in line with central bank expectations but still higher than some private economists who say growth could be as low as 3.7 per cent. The projected growth for the ﬁnancial year 2013-14 is ‘still a very respectable’ level in the current global context, said C. Rangarajan, chairman of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council. The forecast comes as policymakers struggle to stabilise the Indian currency, which has fallen some 14 per cent against the dollar this year, hit by weak growth and a record current account deﬁcit — the broadest measure of trade. Rangarajan said it was imperative the central bank maintain its tight monetary policy until the rupee stabilises. The rupee now is off historic lows hit last month, lifted by a spate of measures to support the currency. He said the Congress-led government, accused of policy paralysis during most of its second term, had undertaken a string of reforms in the past year, opening up India to wider foreign investment. “The rating agencies have been talking about the reforms being put on the backburner. That’s no longer true. Much important legislation has been passed,” he

NEGATIVE TREND: C. Rangarajan, chairman of the Prime Minis-

ter’s Economic Advisory Council. said that the projected growth for the ﬁnancial year 2013-14 is ‘still a very respectable’ level in the current global context. – Bloomberg News

told a news conference. Standard & Poor’s, which has maintained a negative ratings outlook for India, has said there is a one-third chance of a downgrade. Rangarajan said he believed the government would meet its fiscal deficit target of 4.8 per cent of gross domestic product this year, although it would be a ‘challenge’. Current account deficit He added the current account deficit could be brought below the targeted $70 billion this year or 3.7 per cent of GDP from last year’s record $88.2 billion or 4.8 per cent of GDP, helped by government curbs on gold imports — a leading component of the shortfall.

“The current stance of monetary policy has to continue until stability in the rupee is achieved,” Rangarajan said, adding that the timeframe for that remained unclear. “Thereafter, if the current trend in the moderation of wholesale price inflation continues, which is in fact expected, the monetary authority can switch to a policy of easing.” The rupee has performed worse than most Asian currencies this year as slowing growth and a record current-account deficit hurt confidence in an economy with 1.2 billion people. Governor Raghuram Rajan, who reviews interest rates for the first time next week, is under

The new forecast, while down from a previous 6.4% projection, is broadly in line with central bank expectations but still higher than some private economists who say growth could be as low as 3.7%

pressure to support the currency and avoid a surge in import costs that would fuel price pressures. “India is likely to see a protracted slow growth recovery this year,” said Tirthankar Patnaik, a strategist at Religare Capital Markets in Mumbai. “Odds are stacked against Rajan lowering the rates.” India and Indonesia have the highest policy rate among Asia’s biggest economies at 7.25 per cent, according to data. Concerns over inﬂation, the rupee’s fall and industrial output that dipped in May and June prompted Standard Chartered last month to cut India’s economic growth forecast. - Agencies

B SECTION

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I H

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S AT U R DAY, S E P T E M B E R 14 , 2 0 1 3

ecent newspaper articles have argued that psychiatry is a “semi-science” whose practitioners cannot base their treatment of mental disorders on the same empirical evidence as physicians who treat disorders of the body can. The problem for many people is that we cannot point to the underlying biological bases of most psychiatric disorders. In fact, we are nowhere near understanding them as well as we understand disorders of the liver or the heart. But this is starting to change. Consider the biology of depression. We are beginning to discern the outlines of a complex neural circuit that becomes disordered in depressive illnesses. Helen Mayberg, at Emoryy University, and other scientists used brain-scanning techniques to identify several components of this circuit, two off which are particularly important. One is Area 25 (the subcallosal cingulate region), which mediates our unconscious and motor responses to emotional stress; the other is the right anterior insula, a region where self-awareness and interpersonal experience come together. These two regions connect to the hypothalamus, which plays a role in basic functions like sleep, appetite and libido, and to three other important regions of the brain: the amygdala, which evaluates emotional salience; the hippocampus, which is concerned with memory; and the prefrontal cortex, which is the seat of executive function and self-esteem. All off these regions can be disturbed in depressive illnesses. In a recent study of people with depression, Mayberg gave each person one of two types of treatment: cognitive behavioural therapy, a form of psychotherapy that trains people to view their feelings in more positive terms, or an antidepressant medication. She found that people who started with below-average baseline activity in the right anterior insula responded well to cognitive behavioural therapy, but not to the antidepressant. People with above-average activity responded to the antidepressant, but not to cognitive behavioural therapy. Thus, Mayberg found that she could predict a depressed person’s response to speciﬁc treatments from the baseline activity in the right anterior insula. These results show us four important things about the biology of mental disorders. First, the neural circuits disturbed by psychiatric disorders are likely to be very complex. Second, we can identify speciﬁc, measurable markers of a mental disorder, and those biomarkers can predict the outcome of two treatments: psychotherapy and medication. Third, psychotherapy is a biological treatment, a brain therapy. It produces lasting, detectable physical changes in our brain, much as learning does. And fourth, the effects of psychotherapy can be studied

THE NEW SCIENCE OF MIND

empirically. Aaron Beck, who pioneered the use of cognitive behavioural therapy, long insisted that psychotherapy has an empirical basis, that it is a science. Other forms of psychotherapy have been slower to move in this direction, in part because a number of psychotherapists believed that human behaviour is too difficult to study in scientific terms. Any discussion of the biological basis of psychiatric disorders must include genetics. And, indeed, we are beginning to fit new pieces into the puzzle of how genetic mutations influence brain development. Most mutations produce small differences in our genes, but scientists have recently discovered that some mutations give rise to structural differences in our chromosomes. Such differences are known as copy number variations. People with copy number variations may be missing a small piece of DNA from a chromosome, or they may have an extra piece of that DNA. Matthew State, at the University of California, San Francisco, has discovered a remarkable copy number variation involving chromosome 7. An extra copy of a particular segment of this chromosome greatly increases the risk of autism, which is characterised by social isolation. Yet the loss of that same segment results in Williams syndrome, a disorder characterised by intense sociability. This single segment of chromosome 7 contains about 25 of the 21,000 or so genes in our genome, yet an extra copy or a missing copy has profound, and radically different, effects on social behaviour. The second finding is de novo point mutations, which arise spontaneously in the sperm of adult men. Sperm divide every 15 days. This continuous division and copying of DNA leads to errors, and the rate of error increases significantly with age. Our understanding of the biology of mental disorders has been slow in coming, but recent advances like these have shown us that mental disorders are biological in nature, that people are not responsible for having schizophrenia or depression, and that individual biology and genetics make significant contributions. The result of such work is a new, unified science of mind that uses the combined power of cognitive psychology and neuroscience to examine the great remaining mysteries of mind: how we think, feel and experience ourselves as conscious human beings. This new science of mind is based on the principle that our mind and our brain are inseparable. In years to come, this increased understanding of the physical workings of our brain will provide us with important insight into brain disorders, whether psychiatric or neurological. But if we persevere, it will do even more: it will give us new insights into who we are as human beings. –Eric R. Kandel/The New York Times News Service

S AT U R DAY, S E P T E M B E R 14 , 2 0 1 3

ENTERTAINMENT CINEMA SCHEDULE

BAHJA CINEMA Turbo 3D (Animation/Comedy) (PG) Voice Overs: Ryan Reynolds, Paul Giamatti, Samuel L. Jackson 1:30, 5:30pm; CP No: 734 Getaway (Action/Crime) (12+) Cast: Ethan Hawke, Selena Gomez, Jon Voight 3:30, 9:45, 11:45pm; CP No:796 Kick Ass 2 (Action/Crime) (15+) Cast: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Chloë Grace Moretz, Christopher Mintz - Plasse 7:30pm; CP No:766 Planes (3D) (Animation/Comedy Adventure) (PG) Voice Overs: Carlos Alazraqui, Dane Cook, Stacey Keach 1:30, 3:15, 5:15pm; CP No:808 We’re The Millers (Comedy) (15+) Cast: Jason Sudeikis, Jennifer Aniston, Emma Roberts 7:15pm; CP No:743 Riddick (Action/Thriller) (15+) Cast: Vin Diesel, Karl Urban, Kate Sackhoff 9:30, 11:45pm; CP No:777 Percy Jackson 2 : Sea of Monsters (3D) (Adventure/Fantasy) (PG) Cast: Logan Lerman, Alexandra Daddario, Brandon T. Jackson 1:30, 3:30, 5:30, 7:30pm; CP No:802 The Colony (Action/Thriller) (15+) Cast: Laurence Fishburne, Bill Paxton, Kevin Zegers 9:30, 11:30pm; CP No:792

The Colony (Action/Thriller) (15+) 2:30pm; CP No:793 Percy Jackson 2 : Sea of Monsters (Adventure) (PG) 4:15pm; CP No:803 Grand Masti (Hindi-Comedy) (18+) 6:30pm; CP No:814 Getaway (Action/Crime) (12+) 9:15, 11:45pm; CP No:797

Planes (3D) (Animation/ Adventure) (PG) Voice Overs: Carlos Alazraqui, Dane Cook 11:30 am, 1:30, 3:30pm; CP No:809 Riddick (Action/Thriller) (15+) Cast: Vin Diesel, Karl Urban, Kate Sackhoff 5:15, 9:30pm; CP No:778 Getaway (Action/Crime) (12+) Cast: Ethan Hawke, Selena Gomez 7:30, 11:45pm; CP No:797 Turbo 3D (Animation/Comedy) (PG) Voice Overs: Ryan Reynolds, Paul Giamatti, Samuel L. Jackson 11:15 am, 1:00pm; CP No:735 We’re The Millers (Comedy) (15+) Cast: Jason Sudeikis, Jennifer Aniston, Emma Roberts 3:00pm; CP No:743 Percy Jackson 2 : Sea of Monsters (Adventure/Fantasy) (PG) Cast: Logan Lerman, Alexandra Daddario 5:00, 7:00 pm; CP No:803 Grand Masti (Comedy) (18+) Cast: Vivek Oberoi, Ritesh Deshmukh, Aftab Shivdasani 9:00pm; CP No:814 The Colony (Action/Thriller) (15+) Cast: Laurence Fishburne, Bill Paxton 11:45pm; CP No:793

PLAZA 1 Grand Masti (Comedy) (18+) Cast: Vivek Oberoi, Ritesh Deshmukh, Aftab Shivdasani 3:30, 9:30pm; CP No:815 John Day (Hindi) (Thriller) (15+) Cast: Randeep Hooda, Naseeruddin Shah, Shernaz Patel 6:30pm; CP No:816 PLAZA 2 Shuddh Desi Romance (Hindi) (Comedy/Romance) Cast: Parineeti Chopra, Sushant Singh Rajput, Vaani Kapoor 3:15, 8:15pm; CP No:790 Zanjeer (Action/Thriller) (PG) Cast: Ram Charan, Priyanka Chopra,

One Direction: This Is Us (Documentary/Music) (PG) Cast: Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn 5:30pm; CP No:821 Pullipullikalum Attinkuttiyum (Malyalam) (Comedy) (PG) Cast: Kunchako Bhoban, Namitha 7:30, 10:30pm; CP No:817

Sanjay Dutt 5:45, 10:45pm; CP No:786 PLAZA 3 Chennai Express (Action) (PG) CP No:692 Cast: Shahrukh Khan, Deepika Padukone 5:45, 8:30, 11:00pm Zanjeer (Action/Thriller) (PG) 3:15pm; CP No:786

Getaway (Action/Crime) (12+) Cast: Ethan Hawke, Selena Gomez 3:00, 9:30, 11:30pm; CP No:798 Percy Jackson 2 : Sea of Monsters (Adventure/Fantasy) (PG) Cast: Logan Lerman, Alexandra Daddario 5:00, 7:00pm; CP No:804 Planes (3D) (Animation/Adventure) (PG) Voice Overs: Carlos Alazraqui, Dane Cook 3:30, 5:30pm; CP No:810 Riddick (Action/Thriller) (15+) Cast: Vin Diesel, Karl Urban, Kate Sackhoff 7:15, 9:30pm; CP No:779 The Colony (Action/Thriller) (15+) Cast: Laurence Fishburne, Bill Paxton 11:45pm; CP No:794 Kick Ass 2 (Action/Crime) (15+) Cast: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Chloë Grace 2:00pm; CP No:766 Zanjeer (Action/Thriller) (12+) Cast: Ram Charan, Priyanka Chopra, Sanjay Dutt 4:00pm; CP No:784 Shuddh Desi Romance (Hindi) (Comedy/Romance) (PG) Cast: Parineeti Chopra, Sushant Singh 6:30pm; CP No:787 Percy Jackson 2 : Sea of Monsters (Adventure/Fantasy) (PG) Cast: Logan Lerman, Alexandra Daddario 9:00pm; CP No:804 Riddick (Action/Thriller) (15+) Cast: Vin Diesel, Karl Urban, Kate Sackhoff 11:30pm; CP No:779 The Colony (Action/Thriller) (15+) Cast: Laurence Fishburne, Bill Paxton 3:30pm; CP No:794

Riddick (Action/Thriller) (15+) Cast: Vin Diesel, Karl Urban, Kate Sackhoff 3:30, 11:30pm; CP No:780 Getaway (Action/Crime) (12+) Cast: Ethan Hawke, Selena Gomez 7:30, 9:30, 11:30pm; CP No: 799 Planes (3D) (Animation/Adventure) (PG) Voice Overs: Carlos Alazraqui, Dane Cook, Stacey Keach 3:30, 5:30, 7:15pm; CP No: 811 Percy Jackson 2 : Sea of Monsters (Adventure/Fantasy) (PG) Cast: Logan Lerman, Alexandra Daddario 5:30, 9:45, 11:45pm; CP No:805 Kick Ass 2 (Action/Crime) (15+) Cast: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Chloë Grace 4:00pm; CP No: 769 Zanjeer (Action/Thriller) (PG) Cast: Ram Charan, Priyanka Chopra, Sanjay Dutt 6:00pm; CP No: 785 Pullipullikalum Attinkuttiyum (Malyalam) (Comedy) (PG) Cast: Kunchako Bhoban, Namitha 8:30pm; CP No: 818

Planes (3D) (Animation) (PG) ) Voice Overs: Carlos Alazraqui, Dane Cook 3:30, 5:30pm; CP No:812 Percy Jackson 2 : Sea of Monsters (Adventure/Fantasy) (PG) ) Cast: Logan Lerman, Alexandra Daddario 7:30, 9:30pm; CP No:806

Riddick (Action/Thriller) (15+) Cast: Vin Diesel, Karl Urban, Kate Sackhoff 11:30pm; CP No:781 Getaway (Action/Crime) (12+) Cast: Ethan Hawke, Selena Gomez, Jon Voight 3:30, 5:15, 7:15, 11:55pm; CP No:800 Pullipullikalum Attinkuttiyum (Malyalam) (Comedy) (PG) Cast: Kunchako Bhoban, Namitha Pramod, Irshad 9:00pm; CP No:819

Planes (3D) (Animation) (PG) Voice Overs: Carlos Alazraqui, Dane Cook, Stacey Keach 11:30, 1:30, 3:30pm CP No:813 Percy Jackson 2 : Sea of Monsters (Adventure/Fantasy) (PG) Cast: Logan Lerman, Alexandra Daddario, Brandon T. Jackson 5:30, 7:30pm CP No:807 Getaway (Action/Crime) (12+) Cast: Ethan Hawke, Selena Gomez, Jon Voight 9:30, 11:30pm; CP No:801 Kick Ass 2 (Action / Crime) (15+) Cast: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Chloë Grace Moretz, Christopher Mintz - Plasse 12:30pm; CP No:766 The Colony (Action/Thriller) (15+) Cast: Laurence Fishburne, Bill Paxton, Kevin Zegers 2:30, 11:45pm; CP No:795 Riddick (Action/Thriller) (15+) Cast: Vin Diesel, Karl Urban, Kate Sackhoff 2:30, 4:30, 6:45, 11:45pm CP No:782 Pullipullikalum Attinkuttiyum (Malyalam) (Comedy) (PG) Cast: Kunchako Bhoban, Namitha Pramod, Irshad 9:00pm; CP No:820

Getaway (Action /Crime) Cast: Ethan Hawke, Selena Gomez, Jon Voight 4:00, 8:00, 10:00 & 11:55pm CP No: 1022 (12+) The Colony (Action/Sci-Fi/Thriller) Cast: Kevin Zegers, Laurence Fishburne 4:00, 8:15, 10:00 & 11:55pm CP No: 1023 (15+) Kick-Ass 2 (Action/Comedy/Crime) Cast: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Chloë Grace 2:00pm; CP No: 994 (15+) We’re the Millers (Comedy/Crime) Cast: Jason Sudeikis, Jennifer Aniston, Emma Roberts 2:00pm; CP No: 995 (12+) The Conjuring (Horror/Thriller) Cast: Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Lili Taylor 6:00pm; CP No : 917 (15+) Shuddh Desi Romance (Romance) Cast: Sushant Singh Rajput, Parineeti Chopra, Rishi Kapoor 6:00pm; CP No: 997 (PG)

Film Information - 24540856 / Advance Booking - 24540855 Website: www.albahjacinema.net

STARS CINEMA Film information 24791641 / 24786776 Thoofan (2D)(Telugu) (Action/Romance) Cast: Ram Charan, Priyanka Chopra and Prakash Raj 3:30pm (Cinema Main) 6:45 & 9:45pm (Cinema 3) Varutha Padatha Valibar Sangam (2D) (Tamil) Cast: Karthikeyan, Sri Divya and Sathya Raj 3:45, 6:45 & 9:45 (Cinema 2) Pullipullikalum Attinkuttiyum(2D) (Mal) (Comedy/Romance) Cast: Kunchako Boban, Namitha Pramod, Suraj and Joju 3:45pm (Cinema 3) 6:30 & 9:30pm (Cinema Main) Neelaksham Pachakadal Chuvanna Bhoomi (Mal) (Comedy/Romance) Cast: Dulqar Salman, Sunny Wayne 3:45, 6:45 & 9:45pm (Cinema 4)

For More Information 24789032, 24786776 Website: www.isurf.co.om

Do not waste “useless” assets

SUDOKU

1 8 3 5 6 8 3 5 9 4 2 2 7 6 9 4 5 7 5 9 3 2 1

HAROLD Wilson, who was the British prime minister for two separate terms, said, “I believe the greatest asset a head of state can have is the ability to get a good night’s sleep.” It does not pay to be sleepy at the bridge table, which is why many players consume caffeinated drinks. Today’s deal, though, is about declarer making the most of his assets, the cards. South is in four hearts. West leads a low spade. How should declarer proceed? North gets three points for his singleton, so it is easily worth three hearts. (His hand also has eight losers.) The North hand has few assets, but it is important to make the most of them. South must not call for dummy’s spade king at trick one. It is so unlikely that West is underleading the ace. And, here, if East does take the ﬁrst trick with his ace over dummy’s king, declarer will lose two spades, one heart and one diamond. Instead, let dummy play low. After East wins the ﬁrst trick with his 10, what does he do next? If East cashes the spade ace, declarer will discard his diamond loser on the spade king, ruff his club three on the board, and lose only two spades and one heart. Suppose East does not take his ace, shifting to a club. Then declarer wins in his hand; draws one round of trumps; cashes his two top clubs, sluffing dummy’s remaining spades; and, to get communication between the two hands, plays two rounds of diamonds. Whatever happens now, South can draw a second round of trumps, ruff his last spade on the board, ruff a diamond in his hand, and ruff the club three to get home. — By Phillip Alder

6 9

HOW TO PLAY Fill the empty cells with the numbers 1 to 9, so that each number appears once in each row, column and area. — Seven Galaxies

2 4

6 8 1 1 9 2 4

6 4 8 7 1 3

5 9 3 2 4 6

1 7 2 5 8 9

3 2 5 6 7 8

Othello’s betrayer Boom times Ill-omened Stretched the truth 59 Billings hrs. 60 Linear unit 61 Yukon hauler DOWN 1 Vaccine amts. 2 Mouths, in zoology 3 Floating platforms 4 Nerdy guy 5 Guitar part 6 Bullﬁght cheer 7 Woolen cap 8 Us, to Pogo 9 A law — itself 10 Duke or count 11 Heels 17 Winning margins 19 Sailor’s word 21 Urban transport 22 Draft animals 23 Stoles 24 Dog caller’s shout 27 African-born supermodel 29 Library warning

30 Where to do laps 31 Ex-Speaker Gingrich 33 Per (abbr.) 34 Rotates 39 Compete in a slalom 42 Down and out 44 Puts up boards 45 Inbox ﬁller (hyph.)

46 47 48 49 51 52 54 55

Baba au — Jumps Send packing Exceeded the limit — Maria (coffee liqueur) Bruin great — whiz! Peculiar

9 6 4 1 3 5

2 5 9 8 6 7

4 8 1 3 9 2

Previous puzzle Solution

B I G NAT E

53 56 57 58

8 1 7 9 2 4

7 3 6 4 5 1

2 8 3 4 6 7 1 5 9 5 1 6 9 3 8 4 7 2 9 7 4 1 5 2 3 6 8

MARMADUKE

CROSSWORD

ACROSS 1 Quantity of ﬁrewood 5 Observe 9 Merchandise ID 12 Gullet 13 Panache 14 PBS benefactor 15 Bank feature 16 Glued tight 18 Boat-deck wood 20 Heather habitats 21 Huxtable player 23 Reasons 25 Logging tool 26 Emerald Isle 28 “Baseball Tonight” network 32 Pollen distributors 35 Scratch or dent 36 Moccasin, maybe 37 Crisp cookie 38 Goodall subject 40 Ouch! 41 Quaint lodgings 43 Genuﬂected 46 Avignon’s river 49 Where Anna met a king 50 Roof

WITH LOVE

BORN LOSER

Answer to previous puzzle

ACES ON BRIDGE

ESHAAL AZEEM

DIVYA JAIN

V. AKSHAYA

September 13, 2010

September 13

September 12

Send us a colour photograph of the child (below 16 years) whose birthday you are celebrating, along with his/her full name, date of birth, address, telephone number and parents’/your name to Times of Oman, With Love, PO Box 770, PC 112, Ruwi or through e-mail to extra@timesofoman.com

KIDSPOT

H E A LT H C A P S U L E

S AT U R DAY, S E P T E M B E R 14 , 2 0 1 3

PRAYER TIMINGS

Dhuhr Asr Maghrib Isha Fajr (Tomorrow)

Y O U R B I R T H D AY

BORN today, you never enjoy doing things that you have to do, but you will throw yourself into any and all endeavours that you simply want to do. This means, of course, that you will be battling between “have to” and “want to” throughout much of your lifetime, and the result may bring you stress, discontentment and even sudden changes from time to time. All of this is in reaction to being bound, for whatever reason, to a line of endeavour that isn’t really for you. You know that you have a great deal to give, and have tremendous potential, but if you’re not doing something you enjoy, none of that really matters to you. You treat people as fairly as you can, and you are always willing to give others a break when they have, for whatever reason, behaved in a manner that rubs you the wrong way. You understand that it is impossible to understand where someone has been, or what he or she is going through, and therefore you try not to judge. Also born on this date are: Joey Heatherton, actress; Faith Ford, actress; Margaret Sanger, activist; Zoe Caldwell, actress; Sam Neill, actor; Clayton Moore, actor; Nicol Williamson, actor; Amy Winehouse, singer.

12.08pm 3.35pm 6.17pm 7.28pm 4.37am

Sunset Sunrise (Tomorrow) High tide Low tide

6.13pm 5.53am

2.05pm 9.43pm

FIND-IT-ALL

5.05am 10.30am

W E AT H E R

AIRLINES

artly cloudy skies along the coastal areas of Dhofar Governorate and adjoining mountains with chance of late night to early morning intermittent drizzle/fog over the mountains. Mainly clear skies over rest of the Sultanate with chance of early morning low clouds or fog along the coastal areas of southeast coast Governorate of Al Wusta. Chance of convective cloud developments and thundershowers over Al Hajar mountains and adjoining areas towards afternoon associated with fresh downdraft winds.

EXPECTED WINDS: Along the coastal areas of Oman sea winds will be northeasterly to easterly light to moderate during day becoming variable light at night and southerly to southeasterly winds light to moderate over the rest of the Sultanate. SEA STATE: Moderate along the southeastern coasts with a maximum wave height of 1.5 metres and slight to moderate along the rest of Oman’s coasts with maximum wave height of 1.0 metre. HORIZONTAL VISIBILITY: Good over most of the Sultanate becoming poor during thundershowers and fog.

Max

OMAN WORLD Max 38 Min 33 Max 22 Min 14

Max 35 Min 25

Max 35 Min 28 Max 16 Min 10

Max 34 Min 29

Max 15 Min 8

Max 41 Min 26

Max 42 Min 29

Max 41 Min 26

VIRGO

Max 36 Min 29

[AUG. 23-SEPT. 22] Your primary objectives must not get lost as you deal with unavoidable distractions. You are transitioning in a key way.

Max 34 Min 27

Max 28 Min 25

Max 33 Min 18

Max 30 Min 25 Max 27 Min 11

Source: www.met.gov.om

LIBRA L Inner strength will shine today. During morning hours, focus on that which requires the most energy and commitment. Time is a key resource.

SCORPIO S [[OCT. 23-NOV. 21] The unfamiliar provides you with an important new perspective. Your curiosity is piqued by a friend’s unexpected actions.

SAGITTARIUS S

FROM MUSCAT (RUWI) QURIYAT - SUR - JAALAN (Route 36) Dept Destination Arrival Time Time 15:00 Quriyat 16:30 15:00 Sur 18:00 15:00 Jaalan 19:30

GULF Abu Dhabi Doha Dubai Kuwait Manama Riyadh

40 38 40 43 37 44

27 30 28 30 29 27

WORLD Athens Baghdad Beijing Berlin Boston Cairo Colombo Frankfurt Hong Kong Istanbul Johannesburg Kuala Lumpur Lisbon Paris Perth Singapore Tokyo Toronto

27 41 30 21 21 36 28 18 29 23 31 32 28 18 18 30 32 18

21 24 12 14 12 23 25 12 24 17 17 23 19 12 7 26 25 12

TO AL BURAIMI (Route 41) 06:30 Sohar 06:30 Buraimi 08:00 Buraimi 13:00 Sohar 13:00 Buraimi 16.00 Sohar 16.00 Buraimi TO SINAW (Route 52) 17:30 Sinaw

TO MUSCAT (RUWI)

Operating Days Daily Daily Daily

FROM JAALAN-SUR-QURIYAT (Route 36) Dept Destination Arrival Operating Time Time Days 05:30 Sur 06:45 Daily 05:30 Quriyat 08:30 Daily 05:30 Ruwi 10:00 Daily

08:50 11:00 14:30 15:45 17:40 18.35 20:20

Daily Daily Daily via Ibri Daily Daily Daily Daily

20:50

Daily

TO AL BURAIMI (Route 41) 07:00 Sohar 07:00 Ruwi 13:30 Ruwi 13:00 Sohar 13:00 Ruwi 13:00 Sohar 17:00 Ruwi TO SINAW (Route 52) 07:00 Ruwi

08:55 11:40 20:20 14:55 17:40 19:20 22:15

Daily Daily Daily via Ibri Daily Daily Daily Daily

10:25

Daily

08:40 11:00

Daily Daily

[[NOV. 22-DEC. 21] You may have to sacriﬁce expedience for something that is more effective in a lasting way. Be prepared to put in some extra effort.

To Yanqul (Route 54) 14:30 Nizwa 14:30 Yanqul

16:50 19:30

Daily Daily

To Yanqul (Route 54) 06:00 Nizwa 06:00 Ruwi

TO IBRI (ARAQI) (Route 54) 08:00 Nizwa 08:00 Al Araqi

10:20 12:30

Daily Daily

TO IBRI (ARAQI) (Route 54) 15:40 Nizwa 15:40 Ruwi

17:55 20:20

Daily Daily

TO SUR (Route 55) 07:30 Sur 14:30 Sur

12:00 18:45

Daily Daily

TO SUR (Route 55) 06:00 Ruwi 14:30 Ruwi

10:45 19:00

Daily Daily

TO FAHUD - YIBAL (Route 62) 06:30 Fahud 06:30 Yibal

10:30 11:15

Daily Daily

TO YIBAL - FAHUD (Route 62) 12:30 Fahud 12:30 Ruwi

13:15 17:30

Daily Daily

TO MARMUL-SALALAH (Route 100) 07:00 Salalah 20:00 10:00 Marmul 20:30 10:00 Salalah 23:30 19:00 Salalah 07:40

Daily Daily Daily Daily

TO SALALAH -MARMUL (Route 100) 07:00 Ruwi 19:50 10:00 Marmul 13:15 10:00 Ruwi 22:30 19:00 Ruwi 07:30

Daily Daily Daily Daily

TO MARMUL (Route 101) 06:00 Marmul

Daily

TO MARMUL (Route 101) 06:00 Marmul

16:30

Daily

DUBAI TO SALALAH (Route 102) 15:00 Salalah 07:00

Daily

CAPRICORN [DEC. 22-JAN 19] Your own methods may conﬂict with those of a friend who, for reasons you have yet to understand, may be turning into a rival.

AQUARIUS [JAN. 20-FEB. 18] Financial issues come to the fore. You may not feel that things are stable enough to do what you most want to do.

16:50

SALALAH TO DUBAI (Route 102) 15:00 Dubai 07:00

PISCES [Feb. 19-March 20] That which usually provides you with energy and inspiration may be in short supply, so you’ll have to look elsewhere.

ARIES [March 21-APRIL 19] You want to hone your skills even further, and you can learn a great deal by watching someone you trust and admire.

TAURUS [APRIL 20-MAY 20] You may have to ﬁll in for someone who has been called away temporarily. You must still do things in ways that come naturally to you.

GEMINI [MAY 21-JUNE 20] Someone who has been in a difficult position may come to you for the kind of guidance that only you can provide.

CANCER [JUNE 21-JULY 22] You are on the right track, and you can focus more squarely on what will require greater effort. You’ll be rewarded by day’s end.

LEO [JULY 23-AUG. 22] A fast pace early in the day affords you a little more freedom later on, when you’ll want to experiment with a new social approach.

TO DUBAI (Route 201) 06:00 Sohar 06:00 Dubai 13:00 Sohar 13:00 Dubai 15:00 Sohar 15:00 Dubai

08:30 11:30 15:30 18:30 17:35 20:55

Daily Daily Wed,Thur Wed,Thur Daily Daily

TO DUBAI VIA FUJIRAH & SHARJAH (Route 204) Dept Destination Arrival Operating Time Time Days 07:00 Fujairah 11.45 Daily 07:00 Sharjah 13.30 Daily 07:00 Dubai 14.00 Daily

TO DUBAI (Route 201) 07:30 Sohar 07:30 Ruwi 13:00 Sohar 13:00 Ruwi 15:30 Sohar 15:30 Ruwi

10:50 13:40 16:15 19:10 18:45 21:35

Daily Daily Thur-Fri Thur-Fri Daily Daily

FROM DUBAI VIA FUJIRAH & SHARJAH (Route 204) Dept Destination Arrival Operating Time Time Days 16:00 Sharjah 16:30 Daily 16.00 Fujairah 18.15 Daily 16.00 Ruwi 23.00 Daily

LISTINGS

PHARMACIES Round the clock Al Hashar Pharmacy, Ruwi: 24783334; Appolo Medical Centre, Hamriya: 24782666; Muscat Pharmacy, Ruwi: 24702542, Salalah: 23291635; Atlas Pharmacy, Ghubra: 24503585; Ruwi 24811715 Muscat Region Apollo, Al Hamriya. Tel: 24787766 Muscat, A Seeb Market. Tel: 24421691 Muscat, Al Khuwair. Tel: 24485740 Muscat, Al Hail South. Tel: 4537080 Dhofar Region Muscat, Al Nahdha Road, Salalah. Tel: 23291635 HOSPITALS Al Amal Medical & Health Care Centre: 24485052 Atlas Hospital: Ruwi: 24811743/ Ghubra: 24504000 Al Musaﬁr Specialised Medical Clinic: 24706453 Hatat Polyclinic LLC, Ruwi: 24563641, Azaiba: 24499269, Sohar: 2683006 Al Raffah Hospital: 24618900/1/2 Al Massaraat Clinic & Laboratory: 24566435 Al Makook Medical Coordinance Centre: 24499434 Apollo Medical Centre, Hamriya: 24787766, 24787780 Capital Polyclinic: 24707549 Badr Al Samaa Polyclinic, Ruwi: 24799760/1/2 Capital Clinic, Seeb: 24420740 Ceregem National Raak: 24485633 Dr Harub’s Clinic: 24563217 Elixir Health Centre: 24565802 Emirates Medical Centre: 24604540 1st Chiropractic Centre: 24472274 Hamdan Hospital: 23212340 International Medical Centre LLC: 24794501/2/3/4/5 Kims Oman Hospital: 24760100

24 Hrs Emergency: 24760123 Lama Polyclinic, Sohar: 26751128, MBD: 24799077, Al Khuwair: 24478818 Magrabi Eye and Ear Hospital: 24568870 Muscat Private Hospital: 24583600 Welcare Diagnostic and Treatment Centre, Al Khuwair: 24477666 Al-Hayat Polyclinc LLC: 22004000 ROYAL OMAN POLICE Emergencies and inquiries: 9999 General Directorate of Passport and Residence: 24569603 Directorate General of Customs: 24521109 Traffic violations inquiries: 24510228 Public Relations Admin: 24560099 ACCOMMODATION Al Bahjah Hotel: 24424400 Al Bustan Palace: 24764000 Al Khuwair Hotel Apartments: 24478171 Al Madina Holiday Inn: 24596400 Al Maha International Hotel: 24494949 Al Fanar Hotel: 24712385 Al Falaj Hotel: 24702311 Al Qurum Resort: 24605945 Azaiba Hotel Apartments: 24490979 Beach Hotel: 24696601 Bowshar Hotel: 24491105 Coral Hotel Muscat: 24692121 Crowne Plaza Muscat: 24660660 Crystal Suites: 24826100 Golden Tulip Seeb: 24510300 Grand Hyatt Muscat: 24641234 Haffa House Hotel: 24707207 Hotel Muscat Holiday: 24487123 InterContinental Muscat: 24680000 Majan Continental Hotel: 24592900 Marina Hotel: 24711711 Midan Hotel Suites: 24499565 Mina Hotel: 24711828 Muttrah Hotel: 24798401

Nuzha Hotel Apartments: 24789199 Oman Dive Centre: 24824240 Park Inn: 24507888 Qurum Beach House Hotel: 24564070 Radisson Blu Hotel: 24487777 Ramee Dream Resort Seeb: 24453399 Ramee Guestline Hotel: 24564443 Ruwi Hotel: 24704244 Safeer Hotel Suites: 24691200 Sheraton Oman Hotel: 24772772 Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa: 24776666 The Chedi Muscat: 24524400 The Treasurebox Muscat Hotel: 24502570 AIRLINE OFFICES Muscat Airport Flight information (24 hours): 24519456/24519223 Aeroﬂot: 24704455, Air Arabia: 24700828, Air France: 24562153, Air India: 24799801, Air New Zealand: 24700732, Biman Bangladesh Airlines: 24701128, British Airways: 24568777, Cathay Paciﬁc: 24789818, Egypt Air: 24794113, Emirates Air: 24404400, Ethiopian Airlines: 24660313, Gulf Air: 80072424, Indian: 24791914, Iran Air: 24787423, Japan Airlines: 24704455, Jazeera Airways: 23294848, Jet Airways: 24787248, Kenya Airways: 24660300, KML Royal Dutch Airlines: 24566737, Kuwait Airways: 24701262, LOT Polish Airlines: 24796387, Lufthansa: 24796692, Malaysian Airlines: 24560796, Middle East Airlines: 24796680, Oman Air: 24531111, Pakistan International Airlines: 24792471, Qatar Airways: 24771900, Qantas: 24559941, Royal Jordanian: 24796693, Saudi Arabian Airlines: 24789485, Singapore Airlines: 24791233, Shaheen Air: 24816565, SriLankan Airlines:

SATURDAY

Min

L O N G D I S TA N C E B U S T I M I N G S ( O M A N NAT I O NA L T R A N S P O R T C O M PA N Y S A O C ) * S U B J E C T T O C H A N G E

[[SEPT. [S S 23-OCT. 22]

24784545, Swiss International Airlines: 24796692, Thai Airways: 24705934, Turkish Airlines: 24703033 MUSEUMS Bait Al Baranda: Corniche (seafront opp ﬁsh market), Open from Saturday to Thursday 9am to 1pm and 4 to 6pm Natural History Museum: Al Khuwair, Tel: 24604957, Open from Saturday to Wednesday: 8am to 1:30pm; Thursday: 9am to 1pm Museum of Omani Heritage: (former Omani Museum), Madinat Al Alam, Sat-Wed 8am to 1:30pm, Thursday 9am to 1pm, Tel: 24600946 Armed Forces Museum: Bait Al Falaj, Tel: 24312651, Open from Sat to Wed: 8am to 1:30pm; Thurs 9-12pm and 3-6pm; Fri 9-11am and 3-6pm. Al Hoota Caves 24498258; Turtle Beach 96550606/96550707 Children’s Science Museum: Shatti Al Qurum, Tel: 24605368, Open from Saturday to Wednesday: 8am to 1:30pm, Thursday: 9am to 1pm Oman-French Museum: near Muscat Police Station, Tel: 24736613, Open from Sat to Wed: 8am to 1:30pm, Thurs: 9am to 1pm Bait Al Zubair, Muscat: Tel: 24736688, Al Saidiya St., Muscat museum@baitalzubairmuseum.com Open from Sat to Thurs: 9:30am to 6pm. National Museum Ruwi: Tel: 24701289, Open from Saturday to Wednesday: 8am to 1:30pm, Thursday: 9am to 1pm Sohar Fort Museum: Tel: 26844758, Open from Saturday to Wed: 8 to 1:30pm Thurs: 9am to 1pm Muscat Gate Museum: at Al Bahri Road, Muscat open from Sat to Wed 8am to 2pm

SUNDAY FLT NO

ARRIVALS FROM

RIYADH 0005 JEDDAH 0005 SALALAH 0040 DACCA 0130 DACCA-CHITTAGONG 0130 KARACHI-ABU DHABI 0140 ADDIS ABABA 0350 SALALAH 0350 DUBAI 0355 DOHA 0355 BAHRAIN 0425 CAIRO 0500 ISTANBUL-BAHRAIN 0510 BAHRAIN 0600 AMMAN 0615 MUNICH 0620 SALALAH 0635 ABU DHABI 0640 JEDDAH 0640 RIYADH 0640 MALPENSA 0650 FRANKFURT 0650 ZURICH 0650 DAMMAM 0705 DOHA 0715 KUWAIT 0720 LONDON HEATHROW 0730 PARIS 0745 DUBAI 0800 TEHRAN 0800 DUBAI 0800 JAIPUR 0820 BOMBAY 0825 SALALAH 0900 BANGALORE 0910 SHARJAH 0915 HYDERABAD 0925 DELHI 0925 MADRAS 0930 DUBAI 0930 ABU DHABI 0950 DOHA 1010 TRIVANDRUM 1045 COCHIN 1050 DUBAI 1100 KHASAB 1125 SALALAH 1140 CHITTAGONG 1155 TURBAT 1215 MUKHAIZNA 1230 BAHRAIN 1230 ABU DHABI 1245 CALICUT 1305 DUBAI 1330 KARACHI 1350 LAHORE 1415 DUBAI 1545 ISLAM ABBAD 1545 BOMBAY 1645 LAHORE 1645 DELHI 1700 AMSTERDAM 1710 CALICUT 1715 LUCKNOW 1725 MUKHAIZNA 1730 HYDERABAD 1740 COCHIN 1745 BAHRAIN 1745 BAHRAIN 1745 TRIVANDRUM 1800 BAHRAIN 1810 ABU DHABI 1815 KATHMANDU 1830 SALALAH 1835 DOHA 1840 SALALAH 1855 SHARJAH 1915 DUBAI 2020 DUBAI 2020 SALALAH 2030 LUXORE 2100 MADRAS 2110 COCHIN 2115 DELHI 2125 COLOMBO 2130 LONDON HEATHROW-ABU DHABI 2130 BOMBAY 2130 DOHA 2135 DUBAI 2145 MADRAS 2200 FRANKFURT-ABU DHABI 2225 PESHAWAR 2230 BANGKOK 2230 ZURICH-DUBAI 2235 ABU DHABI 2235 BAHRAIN 2240 ABU DHABI 2240 SALALAH 2240 FRANKFURT 2305 AHMEDABAD-BOMBAY 2310 BOMBAY 2315 DOHA 2325 BAHRAIN 2335 SALALAH 2335 BANGKOK 2340 DOHA 2340 DUBAI 2345 ZANZIBAR-DARESSLAM 2345 DAMMAM 2350 KUWAIT 2355

WY682 WY676 WY406 WY916 WY824 4H583 BG021 TK776 EY384 ET624 QR170 EK866 FZ041 GF560 NL669 WY904 WY638 WY674 WY686 WY658 WY668 WY102 FZ043 WY602 WY274 WY202 WY342 NL768 G9114 WY236 WY242 EK862 WY252 WY226 WY212 WY268 EY382 QR166 9W530 WY3302 WY604 WY3922 WY372 WY3902 WY902 IX549 GF562 WY324 IX337 WY606 WY632 IX817 WY918 WY812 WY906 WY3304 WY610 QR6162 WY656 FZ045 WY346 WY204 WY246 WY292 QR164 WY664 WY254 WY232 WY284 GF564 WY646 WY3306 WY908 TG507 G9116 WY910 WY614 FZ047 WY152 9W534 WY312 WY312 KL441 AI973 6.00E+81 WY144 BA073 QR168 WY624 UL205 AI907 LH618 EY388 LX242 GF566 WY912 WY636 WY124 WY414 WY116 AI985 9W540 WY134 QR172 WY654 WY662 WY612 WY717 WY696 WY3906 WY348 WY406

RIYADH 0005 JEDDAH 0005 CAIRO 0030 SALALAH 0040 KUALA LUMPUR 0105 DACCA 0130 DACCA-CHITTAGONG 0130 ISTANBUL-BAHRAIN 0210 ABU DHABI 0310 ADDIS ABABA 0350 DOHA 0355 DUBAI 0355 DUBAI 0415 BAHRAIN 0425 SIALKOT 0600 SALALAH 0635 ABU DHABI 0640 JEDDAH 0640 RIYADH 0640 BAHRAIN 0640 DOHA 0715 LONDON HEATHROW 0730 DUBAI 0800 DUBAI 0800 JAIPUR 0820 BOMBAY 0825 LAHORE 0900 LAHORE 0900 SHARJAH 0915 HYDERABAD 0925 DELHI 0925 DUBAI 0930 MADRAS 0930 COCHIN 0935 TRIVANDRUM 0935 LUCKNOW 0935 ABU DHABI 0950 DOHA 1010 TRIVANDRUM 1045 MUKHAIZNA 1045 DUBAI 1100 JAALUNI 1110 COLOMBO 1115 SALALAH 1135 SALALAH 1140 TRIVANDRUM 1215 BAHRAIN 1230 KARACHI 1250 CALICUT 1305 DUBAI 1330 ABU DHABI 1345 MANGALORE-ABU DHABI 1425 KHASAB 1435 BANGKOK 1440 SALALAH 1440 MUKHAIZNA 1445 DUBAI 1525 DOHA 1530 BAHRAIN 1545 DUBAI 1545 ISLAM ABBAD 1545 BOMBAY 1645 DELHI 1700 CALICUT 1715 DOHA 1725 DOHA 1740 MADRAS 1740 HYDERABAD 1740 BANGALORE 1750 BAHRAIN 1810 KUWAIT 1840 MUKHAIZNA 1845 SALALAH 1850 BANGKOK-KARACHI 1900 SHARJAH 1915 SALALAH 1940 DUBAI 2020 DUBAI 2020 ZURICH 2030 COCHIN 2115 CHITTAGONG 2115 CHITTAGONG 2115 AMSTERDAM-DOHA 2115 DELHI 2125 BOMBAY 2130 MALPENSA 2130 LONDON HEATHROW-ABU DHABI 2130 DOHA 2135 DUBAI 2145 COLOMBO 2155 MADRAS 2200 FRANKFURT-ABU DHABI 2225 ABU DHABI 2235 ZURICH-DUBAI 2235 BAHRAIN 2240 SALALAH 2240 ABU DHABI 2240 MUNICH 2255 AMMAN 2300 FRANKFURT 2305 AHMEDABAD-BOMBAY 2310 BOMBAY 2315 PARIS 2315 DOHA 2325 BAHRAIN 2335 DOHA 2340 DUBAI 2345 ZANZIBAR-DARESSLAM 2345 DAMMAM 2350 SALALAH 2350 KUWAIT 2355 CAIRO 2355

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DEPARTURES TO

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BA072 AI986 QR173 SG062 9W539 WY685 WY251 WY201 WY281 WY313 WY601 WY273 WY235 WY657 WY431 WY115 WY643 WY637 WY903 WY241 WY667 WY691 PK226 4H582 BG022 ET625 EK867 WY3901 QR171 MS931 TK779 GF561 WY901 WY813 WY327 WY603 WY3301 WY917 FZ044 WY223 WY923 WY345 WY337 WY323 WY291 WY263 WY815 WY215 WY631 WY823 G9115 WY245 WY231 WY203 WY605 WY385 WY373 EK863 EY383 QR167 9W533 IX442 WY253 PK192 GF563 WY615 WY3303 WY655 WY101 IX350 WY905 WY3905 WY663 WY405 FZ046 WY675 WY613 PA451 WY623 MP95 WY911 WY681 WY647 GF565 EY387 WY695 WY653 WY909 WY635 WY661 G9117 WY915 WY611 FZ048 9W529 CV856 WY673 QR169 6.00E+82 AI908 AI974 GF567 NL668 EY381 LX243 LH619

ABU DHABI-LONDON HEATHROW 0001 BOMBAY 0005 DOHA 0025 AHMEDABAD 0030 BOMBAY 0030 RIYADH 0050 MADRAS 0110 BOMBAY 0115 BANGALORE 0120 CHITTAGONG 0125 DUBAI 0140 JAIPUR 0145 HYDERABAD 0155 BAHRAIN 0200 TEHRAN 0200 FRANKFURT 0205 KUWAIT 0210 ABU DHABI 0215 SALALAH 0220 DELHI 0225 DOHA 0235 DAMMAM 0235 KARACHI 0240 DUBAI-DACCA 0300 CHITTAGONG-DACCA 0300 ADDIS ABABA 0450 DUBAI 0500 SALALAH 0500 DOHA 0540 CAIRO 0600 BAHRAIN-ISTANBUL 0600 BAHRAIN 0730 SALALAH 0740 BANGKOK 0750 LAHORE 0750 DUBAI 0800 MUKHAIZNA 0800 KHASAB 0830 DUBAI 0840 COCHIN 0900 SALALAH 0900 ISLAM ABBAD 0915 KATHMANDU 0930 KARACHI 0930 CALICUT 0935 LUCKNOW 0935 BANGKOK 0940 TRIVANDRUM 0940 ABU DHABI 0945 KUALA LUMPUR 0950 SHARJAH 0955 DELHI 1000 HYDERABAD 1010 SALALAH 1025 DUBAI 1035 MALE 1040 COLOMBO 1040 DUBAI 1045 ABU DHABI 1050 DOHA 1115 COCHIN 1145 COCHIN 1150 MADRAS 1255 TURBAT-GWADUR 1300 BAHRAIN 1315 DUBAI 1325 MUKHAIZNA 1330 BAHRAIN 1345 LONDON HEATHROW 1400 CALICUT 1405 SALALAH 1430 SALALAH 1450 DOHA 1450 CAIRO 1515 DUBAI 1630 JEDDAH 1645 DUBAI 1715 LAHORE 1730 DUBAI 1805 SHARJAH-SINGAPORE 1830 SALALAH 1840 RIYADH 1850 KUWAIT 1850 BAHRAIN 1855 ABU DHABI 1915 DAMMAM 1930 BAHRAIN 1935 SALALAH 1935 ABU DHABI 1940 DOHA 1950 SHARJAH 1955 SALALAH 2040 DUBAI 2045 DUBAI 2105 TRIVANDRUM 2230 HONG KONG 2230 JEDDAH 2235 DOHA 2235 BOMBAY 2245 MADRAS 2300 DELHI 2310 BAHRAIN 2325 SIALKOT 2330 ABU DHABI 2330 DUBAI-ZURICH 2335 ABU DHABI-FRANKFURT 2345

BA072 AI986 QR173 9W539 WY685 WY811 WY251 WY201 WY211 WY225 WY601 WY273 WY371 WY267 WY235 WY115 WY123 WY133 WY151 WY637 WY903 WY241 WY657 WY667 WY143 WY341 BG022 4H584 TK777 ET625 EK867 FZ042 QR171 EY385 NL772 WY3301 WY3921 GF561 WY3901 WY901 WY603 WY323 FZ044 WY345 WY253 WY291 G9115 WY283 WY245 WY231 WY203 NL769 WY605 WY905 WY311 EK863 WY631 WY717 EY383 QR167 WY3303 WY917 9W533 WY655 WY331 WY609 IX554 GF563 WY645 WY413 WY663 WY101 IX350 WY405 WY907 IX818 WY3305 WY909 FZ046 WY433 WY675 QR6163 WY613 WY623 QR165 WY911 WY647 WY681 GF565 WY695 WY653 WY635 WY661 WY3905 G9117 TG508 WY611 WY915 FZ048 WY825 9W529 KL442 WY673 QR169 WY817 WY3903 6.00E+82 AI908 UL206 AI974 GF567 EY381 LX243 LH619

ABU DHABI-LONDON HEATHROW 0001 BOMBAY 0005 DOHA 0025 BOMBAY 0030 RIYADH 0050 BANGKOK 0100 MADRAS 0110 BOMBAY 0115 TRIVANDRUM 0120 COCHIN 0120 DUBAI 0140 JAIPUR 0145 COLOMBO 0145 LUCKNOW 0150 HYDERABAD 0155 FRANKFURT 0205 MUNICH 0205 PARIS 0210 ZURICH 0210 ABU DHABI 0215 SALALAH 0220 DELHI 0225 BAHRAIN 0230 DOHA 0235 MALPENSA 0235 LAHORE 0240 DACCA 0300 CHITTAGONG-DACCA 0300 BAHRAIN-ISTANBUL 0300 ADDIS ABABA 0450 DUBAI 0500 DUBAI 0500 DOHA 0515 ABU DHABI 0525 PESHAWAR 0700 MUKHAIZNA 0715 JAALUNI 0725 BAHRAIN 0730 SALALAH 0735 SALALAH 0740 DUBAI 0800 KARACHI 0830 DUBAI 0840 ISLAM ABBAD 0915 MADRAS 0920 CALICUT 0935 SHARJAH 0955 BANGALORE 1000 DELHI 1000 HYDERABAD 1010 BOMBAY 1025 LAHORE 1030 DUBAI 1035 SALALAH 1040 CHITTAGONG 1040 DUBAI 1045 ABU DHABI 1045 ZANZIBAR-DARESSLAM 1045 ABU DHABI 1050 DOHA 1115 MUKHAIZNA 1115 KHASAB 1140 COCHIN 1145 BAHRAIN 1145 KATHMANDU 1225 DUBAI 1235 TRIVANDRUM 1305 BAHRAIN 1315 KUWAIT 1330 AMMAN 1345 DOHA 1350 LONDON HEATHROW 1400 CALICUT 1405 CAIRO 1440 SALALAH 1450 MANGALORE 1515 MUKHAIZNA 1515 SALALAH 1540 DUBAI 1630 TEHRAN 1645 JEDDAH 1645 DOHA 1700 DUBAI 1715 DUBAI 1805 DOHA 1825 SALALAH 1840 KUWAIT 1850 RIYADH 1850 BAHRAIN 1855 DAMMAM 1930 BAHRAIN 1935 ABU DHABI 1940 DOHA 1950 SALALAH 1950 SHARJAH 1955 KARACHI-BANGKOK 2005 DUBAI 2045 SALALAH 2100 DUBAI 2105 KUALA LUMPUR 2115 TRIVANDRUM 2230 DOHA-AMSTERDAM 2230 JEDDAH 2235 DOHA 2235 BANGKOK 2240 SALALAH 2245 BOMBAY 2245 MADRAS 2300 COLOMBO 2305 DELHI 2310 BAHRAIN 2325 ABU DHABI 2330 DUBAI-ZURICH 2335 ABU DHABI-FRANKFURT 2345

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WY682 WY676 WY916 4H581 BG021 PK237 ET624 WY3904 EK866 QR170 GF560 MS930 TK778 WY658 WY412 WY122 WY904 WY638 WY674 WY686 WY142 WY114 WY154 WY692 WY668 WY644 WY102 WY132 FZ043 WY432 WY602 WY274 WY202 WY3902 WY282 G9114 WY236 WY242 WY252 EK862 EY382 QR166 9W530 IX443 WY604 WY918 WY902 WY314 PK191 WY3302 GF562 WY632 IX337 WY606 WY324 WY328 FZ045 WY346 WY204 PA450 WY246 MP95 WY292 WY264 WY3304 WY232 WY224 WY656 WY656 WY216 GF564 EY386 WY338 WY906 WY664 WY3906 G9116 FZ047 WY614 WY924 CV856 WY254 9W534 AI973 WY374 BA073 6.00E+81 QR168 WY624 AI907 LH618 NL771 WY814 LX242 EY388 GF566 WY636 WY912 WY116 AI985 9W540 QR172 WY654 WY910 WY816 WY662 WY612 WY717 WY696 WY648

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S AT U R DAY, S E P T E M B E R 14 , 2 0 1 3

EXTRA

THE BREAKFAST DILEMMA

B O L LY W O O D

Hosting Bigg Boss is uphill task: Salman THE SEVENTH season of Bigg Boss is ready to hit the tube tomorrow and Salman Khan is all set to take up the host’s seat for the fourth consecutive year. But he confesses that hosting is an uphill task, as he has to do things that he doesn’t enjoy doing. Bigg Boss - 7 will go on air on Colors and will see as many as 14 inmates, including celebrities, trying to survive and win the title. “As a host at times things bother me on the sets. And I am forced to take a stand, and I hate it. I don’t like to take a stand,” Salman said. “If I say something to someone, that guy has the right to give it back. It’s a difficult situation in which I am. It’s a difficult position to be in. So far we have been able to handle it,” said the 47-year-old. Salman, who entered the small screen as the host of Dus Ka Dum, joined Bigg Boss in its fourth season and has been hosting it since. The show fetches good TRPs, thanks to the heightened drama, mud-slinging, fights and emotions that take place in the Bigg Boss house. But the Dabangg star is not buoyed by the ratings, as his motto is to do a good work. Salman said: “I only have to do my work. If the show is good, people will watch, or else even I will not see it. I don’t understand this TRP game at all, so it doesn’t bother me at all.” Box office number games are not his cup of tea either. “Even with box office they say Rs100 crore, Rs200 crore, but I don’t understand this Rs100 crore game at all. It doesn’t matter to me. If the film is good, it will do well,” said the actor whose films Ek Tha Tiger, Bodyguard and Dabangg 2 had joined the Rs100 crore club.

He confessed as the host at times he lost his cool. “Last time I lost my cool. I lost it the year before as well. I think they were disrespectful to Sanju (Sanjay Dutt who co-hosted season five with him). I remember that stuck in my head for two weeks and I couldn’t handle that.” “As a person when I watch the show, I detach myself. As a host I am only there on Friday and Saturday. You go to the house as a common man. You are actually sharing your life with so many people. You behave like you are with your family, but that is your real personality.” Every year Bigg Boss gets into controversies when the inmates indulge in acrimonious fights, use bad language, etc. When asked if it would be a clean show this time, Salman said: “It depends on who is going in. I don’t know who is going in. It’s a wow types or awe types.” “I am sure they are going to have problems. But if they get along fine, tasks will be on a level that they will be forced to be broken.” At the same time, Salman praises inmates. He said: “They (inmates) are doing a big favour by letting you in their house, lives, and personal space. It is a very big thing.” “So much you can learn from this. It’s easy to say he or she was wrong, but when we are there in that situation, you think I would have reacted like this,” he added. Asked if he would ever like to be in the Bigg Boss house, Salman said jokingly: “It’s difficult. I don’t think I want to. Not for any other reason, but I will be too entertaining inside and TRPs would hit the roof and other people won’t be able to hit that.” — IANS

Madhuri Dixit loses father MADHURI DIXIT’S father, Shankar R. Dixit, died yesterday morning. He was 91. “We’ll miss him but we know he has lived a full life. We thank all those who have offered their condolences and prayers,” Madhuri said in a statement. The funeral was at 12.30pm at a crematorium in Oshiwada. “The actress’ father was staying with her. He had been unwell for a while and passed away at their Juhu residence in Mumbai,” Madhuri’s manager said. Subsequently a prayer meeting will be organised in a day or two. Her contemporary Sridevi took to Twitter to offer her condolences. “Shocked to hear about your father. My condolences to the entire family. RIP Shri Dixit,” she posted. — IANS

Does anyone exactly know what skipping breakfast might be doing to our bodies?

eat breakfast every morning — usually a bowl of Grape-Nuts with fruit, pecans, and a splash of goat’s-milk yoghurt. See how virtuous I am? My dietary habits have been endorsed by the leading gurus of good health: The Mayo Clinic (US) says that morning meals reduce hunger and stave off obesity; so do Dr Oz and WebMD, and the editorial page of The New York Times. According to the surgeon general, having a sensible meal to start your day “may be important in achieving and maintaining a healthy weight.” Cheerleading for Cheerios has even made its way into the nation’s highest kitchen — in the Obama household, skipping breakfast is not allowed. The pro-breakfast lobby has only gotten stronger in the past few months. In June researchers at the University of Minnesota published an analysis of 18 years of survey data from 3,600 young adults and showed that people who had breakfast every day gained 4 pounds fewer, on average, than habitual breakfast-skippers. The eaters were also at lower risk for obesity, hypertension and diabetes. In March another team found similar results among Malaysian adolescents, adding to a long list of cross-cultural conﬁrmations that breakfast is, in fact, the most important meal of the day. The same effect has been studied in Asia and in Europe, in children and in grown-ups, and the answer always seems to be the same: The more regularly you eat breakfast, the slimmer you’ll be. The mere fact of this association doesn’t tell us very much about what breakfast really does, of course, and it’s possible that the

Eating breakfast may not really help to keep you thin, but there isn’t any evidence that it makes you fat. It’s also possible that breakfast improves cognitive abilities and mood in kids and teenagers. So what’s the harm in trying, just in case it works?

case for eggs and toast has been overblown. A study published recently in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition starts with this simple fact — that in spite of all these association studies, no one knows exactly what skipping breakfast might be doing to our bodies. The study goes on to make a disturbing claim: Scholars in this ﬁeld of inquiry — breakfast science — have been fudging facts and misinterpreting the science. The literature shows signs of research bias. That doesn’t mean any of these studies is fraudulent or dubious. There certainly is a link between skipping meals and getting fat, but Andrew Brown, a nutritionist at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and lead author of the new critique, points out that large surveys of people’s diets and their health are at most suggestive. As a breakfast-eater, for example, I’m more likely to work out than other people. At least that was the ﬁnding of a breakfast study from 2008, which also found that breakfasters tend to be rich and white, and less likely to indulge in cigarettes and alcohol. Any of these factors might protect someone from obesity and

diabetes, so it’s hard to know what role might be left to eating breakfast. There are other confounds, too: People with lousy sleeping schedules may have less time for making pancakes. So what makes them fat — missing breakfast or not getting a good night’s rest? Here’s another: People who are trying to lose weight often make a point of missing meals. The fact that they’re on a diet, though, suggests that they’ve been gaining pounds, not shedding them. Does skipping breakfast make them fat, or do people who are getting fat choose to skip breakfast? Such questions will never get a thorough answer if we’re stuck with the sorts of studies that have been done so far, in which large groups of people are surveyed about their eating habits, then weighed and measured over time. Indeed, Brown and his coauthors in Birmingham show that research on breakfast and obesity has been stagnating in this phase for many years. They considered 58 studies of the question, conducted in 30 countries starting in the early 1990s. Then they pooled the data as it accumulated and plotted the strength of the association between breakfast and

obesity as it developed over time. (With each new study published, the link became more certain, since there were more data points in the cumulative analysis.) For many years scientists have known the association between breakfast and body weight. Yet they’ve continued to replicate the ﬁnding instead of doing follow-up work — in the form of randomised, controlled trials — that might extend our knowledge further. What accounts for this redundancy? It’s mostly to do with cost, says Mark Pereira, a University of Minnesota researcher who published the most recent association study on breakfast and obesity in June. At this point such research may not advance the state of knowledge very far, but it’s cheap to do. By drawing on an existing data set — the Framingham Heart Study, for example, or CARDIA — a scholar can ﬁnish an analysis for a few thousand dollars. Pereira would like to follow up his work with a randomised experiment in which subjects are assigned to breakfast and no-breakfast groups, then followed for two months. That would give a better sense of whether breakfast really prevents weight gain, but Pereira would need a $2 million or $3 million grant to make it happen and several years of research time. Still, it might not be such a good idea to wait around for better evidence. Eating breakfast may not really help to keep you thin, but there isn’t any evidence that it makes you fat. It’s also possible that breakfast improves cognitive abilities and mood in kids and teenagers. So what’s the harm in trying, just in case it works? - Daniel Engber/The Washington Post

W W W.T I M E S O F O M A N . C O M S AT U R DAY, S E P T E M B E R 1 4 , 2 0 1 3

SECTION

CONNEC T H E D A I LY G U I D E

RENT

EFFCON Technologies Al Hemayah Al Aliyah LLC

Security Systems and POS Hardware ~ SensormaƟc Antennas, Labels, Tags etc. ~ CCTV Camera, InstallaƟon, Service, AMC ~ Finger Print WEB based Time AƩendance System ~ Barcode Printers, Price Checkers, Scanners, PDTs ~ Asset Tracking, Warehouse Management System ~ Customized SoŌware SoluƟons

Contact : 98400153, 95046868, 24121350 Email : skumar@eﬀconme.com

VACANCY

CARGO

S AT U R D AY, S E P T E M B E R 1 4 , 2 0 1 3

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com Tel. 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

FOR RENT

Fully furnished apartments for Rent in Al-Khuwair and Ghubra. Contact 95113252 or 91138757 Plot Area: 400 Mtr Sq. Barka Near Mazoon Electricity Station (Qarhat Baloosh), Shops: 6 Nos, Store: 260 Mtr Sq, One Room with Kitchen and Toilet. Co-ordination - N:2621745, E:588876. Contact No: 92165165 Villa 4 rooms + 2 hall+ Majlis + 5 toilets & servant room with split AC in Khuwair opp. Grand Mall RO 1000. Contact 99738881 Single bedroom attached bathroom, living room in sharing available in Ghala opp to American School. Contact 98150655 Flat for rent at Qurum heights, ground ﬂoor, 3 bed rooms. Contact 95178930 New villa at Al Khuwair 33/ 6 bed rooms R.O 1000/- Monthly. Contact 99443834

400 sqm independent ware house space at Ghala. Contact 93731363 300 sqm independent ware house space at Ghala. Contact 93731363 Commercial / Residential Flat at Honda Road, Shop at Mawalah, behind city center. Contact 98087644

Premium office & Flats with A/c’s in Al Khuwair-33. Contact 94268564

2 BHK with split AC in Muttrah, opp Oman house. Contact 96708000

2 bedroom ﬂats in Salalah Jadeedah new building for rent on daily or monthly basis. (Fully Furnished) Contact 92760281

2 BHK with split AC in Bareeq Al Shatti. Contact 96708000

2 Bedrooms Flat with 1 family Hall, 1 Bathroom, fully furnished & Open terrace in Al Khuwair. Contact: 93885043/ 96360064 A beautifully presented family house located in highly desirable Qurum 16 opposite M.Q, reception, office , 2 family halls, 5 bedrooms. Contact 92883001 Store Ghala behind Kumatsu 100 mtrs. Contact 99414644 / 93666201 2 BHK with 3 Toilets & A/C. Near ISM, Darsait. R.O 300. #95474731 Twin villa 4BHK at Azaiba near 18Nov. Street. Contact 95117031 1& 2 BHK, opp. Oman House R.O270/190. Contact 95076261 For rent Misfa 1000 sqm Sinaya 2 rooms, bath, kitchen, full boundary wall. Contact 92989071/ 92087781/ 92353939 Independent Qurum/ Hail rooms. Contact 95529970 New showroom 1750 sqm Busher on express road and open office space 1750 sqm same building. Contact 94300909 2 BHK apartment in MSQ rent 450/- R.O. Contact 94300909 Deluxe 2,3 Bedroom Flats, Ruwi, Mumtaz, Al Falaj area. Contact 24707340 / 99472457

Luxury 6 Villas for rent in Al Khoudh. Contact 98559565 4 BHK villa in MSQ rent 950/- R.O. Contact 94300909

2BHK Honda Road way 6315, 305 rials. Contact 92017431 New Offices for rent in Mumtaz area behind Al Buri Hotel. Please Contact 95453813 3BHK ﬂat close ISG N. Ghobra, Way 4041 Building 4390. Contact 99319880

4BHK Commercial villa on express road. Contact 94300909

2BHK with 2Toilets at Ghala Industrial area, Bank Mct Building. Interested parties contact immediately on 92854747.

5 BHK villa M.Q shop Ghubra, near Al Maha International Hotel. Contact 99269751

New Offices for rent in Mumtaz area, behind Al Burj Hotel. Contact 95453813.

Profs for rent. GSM : 98087644 1 BHK available, Mumtaz area, Ruwi. Contact 99269751

Nice villa for rent 1 kitchen, 4 bedrooms, 1 hall, 1 d. room, 3 toilets, full AC at Qurum heights. Contact : 99237827 / 95515152

4 Villa with sitting room & hall & 4 bad room & 6 toilets with AC 850 RO. Contact 99738881

Flat for rent Mabailah Block no 8 near German University. Contact 99445177

Full furnished room for rent Weekly 70 OMR, Monthly 250 OMR. Contact 99251975 1 BHK in Darsait (2-minute walk distance from ISM) available for immediate occupancy. Contact: 92887915 2 BHK Mumtaz area RO 400/-. Contact 92144045 Flat for rent in Wadi Kabir. Contact 99388994. 1 BHK without AC Ghubra near to Indian School RO 250/-last. Contact 92144045 Furnished executive office in Darsait RO 260/-. Contact 99617464

1 BHK without AC Darsait RO 225/last. Contact 92144045 Villa 3 Bedroom in Hail South on the main road. Contact 93050900 1 BHK Wadikabir RO 250/- with out AC. Contact 92144045 Villa for rent in Ruwi RO 600. Contact 98559565 1 BHK flat Star cinema 240/RO. Contact 99358589/97079146 Commercial flat of 2 and 3 bedrooms in 18 November street 475 and 675 RO monthly. # 93191111 New 2BHK / 1 BHK flats with Ac spilt unit in Al Hail South 280, 250 RO. Contact 93121111 / 93191111

Small House Al Ghubra 2 Bedroom, small Hall 1 bathroom kitchen without AC 300 RO. Contact 92479515

Villas for rent. Contact 95178930

Villa in Qurum PDO 3 Bedroom, maid room with bathroom big hall Majlis with Ac split 750RO. Contact 92479515

2 BHK CBD. Contact 99024730

350 Sqm shop CBD. # 99024730

Shop in Mabailla phase 8 industrial area 36 sqm and cost is 350 RO. Contact 93191111

Flat, shops, basement for rent location : Ruwi area, MBD area. Contact 92433127 / 97293708

Flat in North Al Ghobra 3 bedrooms, 2 toilets and 1 kitchen. #95067716

Shop for rent at Wadikabir Industrial area. Contact 99893363

Store, Wadi kabir 146 m2. Contact 99441193 2 BR, 2 toilet, kitchen at Al Mawaleh. Contact 99444786 / 99747560

4 Bedroom Villa at Hail South with ACs. Contact 97055252

Flat for rent, near Al Nahda Hospital. Contact 95248509

2 BHK Wattaya without AC, near to Honda showroom RO 325. Contact 92144045

Flat for rent in Al Hail North new 3 rooms, 2 bathrooms, Kitchen. Contact 99353433

Store for rent 700m2 Barka Alharam. Contact 95643086

2 BHK with AC for Commercial MBD area. Contact 91162431

Store for rent Saham Sinaya 225 sqr-mtr . Contact: 99755088

Office Space/ Showroom 38m2 in new building at MBD south with split A/C including Electricity & Water charges. Contact 24714625 / 94460790

1 BHK with AC for Commercial MBD area. Contact 92144045

2 showrooms for rent Al Amerat behind Sultan Center. #97886169

1 & 2 BHK MBD area with AC. Contact 92144045

3 BHK Flat Darsait 450/RO. Contact 99358589 / 97079146

Furnished 1BKT Darsait Indian bachelors RO.180/-. Contact 93289652

2 BHK with AC Ghubra RO 325/-. Contact 92144045

1 BHK Flat Wadikabir 250/RO. Contact 99358589 / 95570288

For rent Barka Land for rent Boundary wall & Security , accommodation, small store available 500, 1000 & 2000 sq.mtr.# 99321325 / 95538172

2 Shops Wadi Kabir, 30 sqm / 56 sqm. Contact 99441193

Deluxe Villa Al Khuwair 25, 6 Bedroom. Contact 98914157 Store for rent at Wadi kabir. Contact 99893363 Coffee Shop for rent in Adheiba. Contact 96395822 1 and 2 BR Brand New Flats in Azaiba. Contact: 96793675

Flat in Wadi Adai. Contact 97134430

Flat 2 bedrooms, 2 toilets, hall, kitchen with split A/Cs in Wadi Kabir behind Residential Complex. Contact 92776764

Different sizes of shops in Wadi Al Kabir on main way, near Al Hassan company 300 RO and 400 RO monthly. Contact 93191111

For rent Store at Ghala 100 Sqm behind Kumatsu. Contact: 96477160 / 99414644

FOR SALE

2BHK ﬂats available for rent commercial & residential purpose Ghala opposite American School. Content 24597400 between 9 A.M to 2:30 P.M and 5 P.M to 9 P.M

Oil paintings For sale. .Contact 99737812 Used furniture dining table with chairs, cooking range, microwave oven, show case (big & small). Contact 96282677 Beauty Parlour for sale Mawaleh with license. Contact 95020852 Barber shop for sale Mawaleh with license. Contact 95020852 Porta cabin sale. Contact 96432604 Well running new Coffee shop at Hamariya for sale, with clearance. Contact 93660957 Running clinic with pharmacy for sale. Contact 95314738 Beauty Parlour for sale Contact 94062285. Shop for sale at Sohar Falaj Al Qabail. Contact : 99103077 2 years old Ariston 4 burner cooking range, RO45/- , King size bed for RO 40/-. Both in perfect condition. Contact 98232794

S AT U R DAY, S E P T E M B E R 1 4 , 2 0 1 3

DAILY GUIDE

M.V. FOR SALE

ACC. AVAILABLE Big two rooms for sharing opposite Al Nahda Hospital. Contact 98725208 Single bedroom ﬂat with A/C and car parking rent payment monthly basis. Contact 93569380 Single room for bachelor or lady, opp. Al Nahdha Hospital. Contact 92563206 Room for rent in Ruwi. 95372192 Semi furnished studio ﬂat is available in MBD area. Contact 99037554

2006 Model, Toyota Battery Operated Excellent condition fork Lift suitable for store & rack system. Contact 99371732

Furnished room in Al Falaj area with attached balcony & Wadi Kabir for Indian bachelor/Students single. Contact 96761960 MBD new building accommodation with attached bathroom and split AC available for couple or working lady rent OMR 150 including W & E. Contact 97268031 Sharing acc. available for Executive bachelor in Muttrah, near Oman house. Contact 95915399 Room bath attached furnished Wadi Kabir. Contact 99336206 Sharing accommodation available for Keralite family / bachelor near Al Nahda hospital. Contact 96040415 Room with attached bath available for Filipino. AlKhuwair 33, opposite Al Maya Supermarket. Contact 9338 2338 Sharing accommodation for Executive bachelor furnished room with separate bathroom, near Pencil building Wadiakabir. Contact 99251214

ACC. AVAILABLE Furnished single room for executive bachelor near Safeer hypermarket, Azaiba. Gsm 99761216 Sharing accommodation with attach bathroom and split A/C available near Al Hassan Mosque, Wadi Kabir. Contact 99577462

ACC. WANTED Female requires an elite 1BHK ﬂat in Azaiba, Al Khoud or Mawaleh. Contact 93539652

AVAILABLE

Excellent condition Toyota Camry 2007 beige colour, fully automatic, single owner maintained by Toyota KM 1,18,000 for sale. Contact 99315297 Toyota Fortuner model 2012, 2.7 LT, km 17000. Contact 99350092 Toyota Yaris Saloon 2008 Automatic transmission manual windows, full company service 2800/Neg. Contact 95277959

For Sale Lancer 2008 Bought 2009, Single handed Driven 60000 kms. Contact 99636424 Kia Sorento 4wheel full option RO2000/- . Contact 98423714 Toyota Yaris 1.3 Manual 2009, 128000 km Expat Driven OMR 2400. Contact 99889215 Pajero 2003 No-1 Automatic. Contact 99384640 Toyota corolla manual 2010. Contact 96754569

Inﬁniti M375 2011. Contact 92844996 For Sale Lexus 350Es model 2007 good condition. Contact 94480418 Dodge Charger 2012. Contact 92844996 Toyota Yaris 1.5 full option 2008, Expat driven 187000 KM, good condition for sale. Contact 96518020 Toyota Hilux P/up D/Cabon 4WD D-4D 2010, Toyota Avalon full Automatic 2001. Honda Accord 2012. Contact 99328075

Shared bachelor accommodation available in villa Rex road area, Ruwi. Contact- 99013227

Doctor Owned Lexus RX 350 excellent condition 2010 model km sixty thousand. Contact 99785613

BMW 740Li - Jan 2006, 145,500 km done, Golden Brown, used by top level Expat, well maintained through BMW dealer, for sale in showroom condition. Contact Pankaj – 95745434; Khalid al Balushi – 9905 6709 Range Rover sport HSE 2006 USA 97000 mile 9100/-RO. Contact 92857111 Chevrolet Captiva 2008 GCC, 20,0000 KM, 4100/-RO. Contact 97646282

TRANSPORTATION Room in Al Wattyah. Contact 98910213 1 room (with AC) with separate washroom, beside Kamat Restaurant in Al Khuwair for RO 150/-. Contact after 4 p.m on 95865170, 99381524 Sharing accommodation available in Al Khuwair (RED TAG Building). Contact : 93826090 Furnished accommodation available for Executive bachelors, near Oman House. Contact 93231403. 1BHK ﬂats furnished available at Muttrah near Oman house. Contact 93231403 Furnished room in CBD area for Executive bachelors free wi-ﬁ, non-cooking, Advance deposit. Contact 95934642

Fully equipped commercial kitchen with camp & storage facilities available at Ghala Industrial area. Interested Parties may #99024519

BUYING/SELLING We Buy all types of Wooden Scraps. Contact ahastco123@yahoo. com , Ph: 24458759/ 98539316/ 99318152 Good Quality Wooden Kicking blocks available 1.2 mtr & 2.6 mtr length. Contact ahastco123@yahoo. com , Ph: 99318152

NRI ONLY

FOR SALE

Running Carpentry work shop for sale or rent in Wadikabir. Contact 94107686 / 94107689

3 bedroom villa for sale kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu. Contact 92893243

Shop for sale in Wadi Kabir two shutters. Contact 96607448

Land for sale in Kollam Asramom 26.5 cent square plot with compound wall, 8.45 cent with 2 storey building in Umayanalloore near Industrial area, Ambalthumkala Ezhukone 9 cent with 2 storey building. Contact 00918086135254 / 92830626

Medical complex (GP, Dental, Pharmacy) for lease or sale urgently price negotiable. Contact 92611619 Crane, 30Tons for sale. Contact 99209427 Camp for sale Including Porta cabin, kitchen & Dining facilities with RO plant. For more information. Contact Nasser 99808067

Transportation. Contact 99509283

Transportation. Contact 93400744

Car with Graduate experienced driver. Contact +968 98267157

Transportation. Contact 98178135

Transport Pick & Drop. # 97581610

Transportation. Contact 96954496

Car with driver. Contact 95068976

Transportation. Contact98546606

Transportation Contact 95570429

MATRIMONIAL

Double Storey Villa 5 Bedrooms on 12.5 cents in Kodapana Kunnu Trivandrum for sale. Contact 99348960 between 8AM -11AM. 350 SQ MTS and plot, clear title, on 120 ft road near IIIT, Kalindipuram Allahabad, UP, India Serious buyers Contact 99236945

GOOD NEWS

Thiyya girl, MBA, working in Dubai, Rohini, 27 seeks alliance from BTech/MBA holders working in Oman/Dubai. Contact 97270140

Hindu Nadar Tamil boy, 32 yrs, B.Com with Hospitality Management professional working as Operation Manager in Oman seeking suitable girl. Contact 95172095

2 bedroom ﬂat near Muscat private hospital, Bausher. Monthly income OMR 300, OMR 60,000. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360

Door with frame for sale. Contact 99208798 / 95643086

For transport. Contact 92548219

Transportation available. Contact 95714934

Sunni Muslim hand some boy Graduate, 24 years working as a Divisional Manager, well settled seeking Dini Namazi good family for suitable alliance. Contact 92876040

1BHK ﬂat at Muttrah near Oman house. Contact 93231403

Porta cabin and Container for sale. Contact 99373256

Transportation. Contact99542393

Hindu Nair Girl from Aranmula doing ﬁnal year MCA in Kerala, Star Uthram, 165cm, DOB 5/11/88, seeks suitable alliance from well-placed/ educated Nair boys, upper middle class family. Dist. Pref. PTA/QLN/ KTM/ALPY/EKM. Contact 94213773 / 98657914 PQM4 Singla boy 13.11.82, 5’11’’ B.Tech working in Muscat, family settled in Punjab India. Contact 97233074 / 95140207 Email pksingla2013@gmail.com Kerala boy 38 years Chartered Accountant in Sultanate of Oman Hindu Nair seeking suitable alliance. Contact 97133729, E mail : kunjumonaca@gmail.com RC Goan Boy, 44, IT Engineer, MBAIT, seeks suitable alliance. #97139912

FOR HIRE

BUSINESS

Ayurvedic treatment for joint pain, backache, paralysis, massage, steam bath, obesity, spondylitis etc. Free consutation, Ideal Care Ayurvedic clinic, Azaiba. # 99639695 Art of Living waves of happiness program to relax your body mind and to overcome stress through various breathing techniques. From 16th Sep to 21st Sep from 7.30 PM to 10.15 PM at lL Khuwair. Contact 94039695 / 95429685 Genuine Ayurvedic treatments &massage, ayuredic clinic AL Khuwair. Contact 24478618/ 97263637/ 97109295 FREE INFORMATION ABOUT ISLAM. If you would like to know more about Islam, please call: 99425598, 96050000, 99353988, 99253818, 99341395, and 99379133. For ladies: 99415818, 99321360, 99730723 Orvisit: www.islamfact.com Ayurvedic treatment for backache paralysis arthritis etc. & massage All Season (Vaidyaratnam). # 24475280 / 95371664 / 92504980

Cranes and excavators available on hire. Contact 99209427 Party & Wedding equipment rentals. Full line, from Tables, Linen & Skirting, Chairs & Chair covers, Cutlery, Crockery, Glassware, Chaﬁng Dishes, Ice Sculptures, to Large Sound Systems and spectacular lighting. Call Andrea 9606 2222 for Catering and Croyden 9623 5555 for Sound & Light. www.tunesoman.com, E-mail: info@tunesoman.com Crane Trailor Hiab. #99354909 25/ 50 seater Buses for rent/ leasing with drivers in PDO Speciﬁcation. Contact 99839898

*Classified Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability

Looking for Omani partner for business development services. Contact 93194825 Email: edumass4@gmail.com

S AT U R D AY, S E P T E M B E R 1 4 , 2 0 1 3

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com Tel. 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

SIT.WANTED

SITUATION VACANT

SALES / MARKETING Job available with a leading food stuff Company at Seeb area: Salesmen, Light Drivers- For Omani National only, Sales Supervisors, prefer having frozen food stuff experience- all nationalities. Send your CV to : thekkutt@gmail.com Leading construction company requires Quality Assurance (QA) & quality control (QC) Electric Engineer, Personnel. Send CV to : nikunj@uniqueom.com

SECRETARIAL Office Secretary Female with 2 years experience. Send CV to: Email nationalhvac@ymail.com , Fax +968 24799442

Customer care, office admin, female, MBA, B. Sc, fluent in english ph : 95775221 email : rehnaarehman@gmail.com Indian male more than 15 years gulf experience in Office Coordinator and Administration with good computer skills and valid Oman Driving License seeks suitable placement. Contact 95149624 Qualified Female HR professional with MBA(HR),BE,PGDBM. 5 years of experience seeking suitable role in HR profile. Valid Oman D/L. Contact 94129462 ACCA 5 yrs experience seeks placement. Contact 95276276 Chief Accountant, 22 yrs. experienced, seeks immediate placement. Contact 95598477 / 99013963 Senior Accountant seeks part time job. Contact 99013963 / 98803439

SIT.WANTED Indian Kerala male, 23 yrs, BSC Chemistry, 4 months experience in building material shop as a Salesman in Oman, seeking suitable placement. Contact 91290076 / 95097507. Indian Female MBA with 3 yrs of experience in the ﬁeld of Business Development, HR and office administration on family visa seeks immediate placement. # 99179709 Networking, Hardware and Software knowing person looking for suitable job. Contact 98141356

ACCOUNTANT Accountant required for a reputed company in Oman. Young candidates with 3-5 years experience in accounting ﬁeld and knowledge of Tally may forward their CV to jobs. mgc13@gmail.com, Tel: 24541755 / 92946419

Male,25,ACCA ﬁnalist with driving license, seeking for permanent visa,1 year accounting and 2 month audit experience in audit ﬁrm, expected salary is 300 plus, expecting audit job only. G.S.M. No. 97654769, id:abdullah.nooralam@yahoo.com

A reputed construction company requires Accounts Assistant. Send C.V to azatllc@gmail.com

ENGINEERS/TECH ADMIN Office Administrator required for prestigious furnishings and design company, based in Qurum. Must have three years experience with Omani administration. Must have good bookkeeping and organizational skills. Must have Omani drivers license. Salary and bonuses. Email : tony@materials-plus.com

DRIVER Expatriate driver for Omani family required, middle aged person with at least 10 years clean Omani D/L. Contact +968-95523416 Wanted Driver. Call - 24170076 / 98936716. Send resume: tthrteam@gmail.com.

Omani Staff, for shop Sales, receptionist, Secretary for a building materials trading company, Persons with some experience in relevant ﬁeld and with good English. Please send CV: trend1993@yahoo.com

Urgently required experienced HV Drivers with local release. Contact 99364007

ARCHITECT / INTERIOR DECORATOR

DOMESTIC HELP

Required Architect for Consultancy office. 3-5 years experience in modern design innovation & 3D drawings proﬁciency. Email careerssabla@gmail.com Italian Branded kitchen showroom URGENTLY requires dynamic INTERIOR DESIGNER with sales skills to manage showroom. info@aliscogroup.com – 97882257

BEAUTY Required Indian lady beautician, Al Amerat, visa & accommodations available. Contact 92059502

Car Driver personal. Contact 96694954

Malayali Housemaid required for Indian (Keralite) family in Muscat. Full time for ONE (1) month (October) only. Contact immediately: 98988678”. Pakistani Family living at Ghubrah south is looking for house maid. Should be resident card holder and familiar with Pakistani cooking. Contact 99101958 / 93575206 House maid required. Visa available. Contact Deepak 96500750 Wanted full time Keralite Housemaid with Kids experience for a Keralite Family. Will provide visa and Accommodation. Contact immediately to 00968 99898741

Ladies beautician. Email : info@sparkles-oman.com

DESIGNER Required urgently experienced Beautician. Contact 99467033 Wanted Filipino / Indian professional beautician for saloon. Contact 99892289

CATERING

Graphic designer with Arabic & English knowledge for a printing press. Contact 99244470 Email excelpress1@gmail.com

Urgently required Quantity Surveyors (for tendering) Project Managers, Project Coordinators for a reputed construction company/ Interested candidates can send their CVs to mohamed@oasisgrace.com Contact 99881459 Fax: 24812226 Required Electrical Foreman (DIP/ degree) preferably Gulf experienced, holding Oman electric license & ROP driving license. Fax or email your CVs at fax: 24505447 Email: sadanand@modernee.com Contact 99353859 Looking for an Indian well educated Construction Technician with at least 5-10 years experiences in Oman, willing to start working with a newly established construction company in Muscat. Contact 96961306 BE Civil Engineer with minimum 2 years Oman experience and driving license, only for immediate joining. Email CV: md@dirbasoman.com or Fax: 24495398 Wanted Land surveyor with Oman driving license, min. 3 years exp. Contact 92509170 Wanted Civil Engineer. Email almoosaengineering@gmail.com MEP QS required for short term assignment (One Month). Contact: Tel. 24485560 / 24486561 Required CCTV Technician with minimum 3 yrs experience. Email birdymaan@hotmail.com Required Structural Engineer for Consultancy office. 3-5 years experience in structural design & supervision. Email careerssabla@gmail.com

ENGINEERS/TECH

Urgently required North Indian part time cook in mutrah. Contact – 99100314 Wanted Experienced Egyptian Cook. Contact 99466062 Required Continental Cook (1) 3-5 years experience. Contact +968 99364735 / 99652716

DRIVER Expatriate driver with car for Omani family required to pick & drop children from school, middle aged person with at least 10 years clean Omani D/L. call - +968-95523416

A reputed Engineering Contracting Company requires Project Manager (Piping) for Oil&Gas ﬁeld. BE (Mech),min 12 yrs exp in managing cross country pipelines, industrial piping etc. Thorough knowledge on HSE, QA and Environmental systems essential. Mail detailed CV to:- recruitbmen@gmail.com Require urgent for IBN Group, candidates having 3 – 5 years of experience: Chemical Engineers, Electro-Mechanical Engineers and Store Keepers with Chemical Engineering Background. Send your resumes to info@ibnbarter.com Urgently require A/C Technician with 3 to 5 years experience. Send CV to: Email nationalhvac@ymail. com , Fax +968 24799442

Receptions/ Dental Nurse with good English/Arabic speaking for a dental Clinic in Muscat. Contact 99785613 Wanted Doctor-MBBS-MD-with MOH license –Saham. Contact 96941772 Urgently require an Asst. Pharmacist with or without MOH license for a Pharmacy in Barka. Contact 93353186 / 26868839 Required a Nurse for a clinic in Al Khuwair with MOH license, Full time or Part time. Send CV ntestament@hotmail.com Contact 99355095 Required Asst. Pharmacist with MOH License for a pharmacy in capital area. GSM: 9282057 Wanted GP - Male & Female for well established clinic in Barka & Mabela. Call 99754628 / 95197358. Wanted a GP Doctor for a Clinic in Seeb. Mob. 99335216, 99726439

SALES / MARKETING

EDUCATION Wanted experienced Cooks. Contact 95529970

MEDICAL

Required Primevera P6/Stadpro teacher. Contact 98686852

MISC Urgently required experienced Fabricators, Welders 6G, Riggers, Grinders and Construction workers. Contact 99776471 / 95205473 Email ardharab@gmail.com Urgently required Mobile Technician (good experience), Sales staff (Indian, Filipino), Accountant M/F, Out door Sales executive, Graphic Designer M/F. Contact : 95227500 , tv_shopom@yahoo.com . Lady cleaner. Email : info@sparkles-oman.com

Urgently required PRO male or female Omani National minimum two years exp. in dealing with Govt. departments. Preferably female. Contact: 91375737 Email mian@mianandpartners.com A leading oil & Gas company is looking for active Sales Engineer with minimum of 2 years experience technical, sales marketing with valid license. Contact 99061232 / 99853353 Building material Salesman. Contact 95856070 Sales Executive for a building material trading company, Persons with 3-5 years experience selling/ promoting Sanitary ware, Tiles, Paints to Contractors and Architects, with Oman D/L. Send CV to : trend1993@yahoo.com Marketing company requires Sales Executive salary + incentive, visa available send CV at bdmrightway@gmail.com Contact 95748080

SIT.WANTED Indian female, 24 yrs, having 3 yrs experience in Hospiatlity & HR. Presently working as Customer Care Executive in a reputed ﬁrm. Seeks suitable post. # 94288397, email: rajeevrajan307@gmail.com

Seeking a placement Office boy, Coffee boy, Hotel boy in Oman. Contact :- 98494561 Indian male, Having 3years experience for furniture Sales in Oman and 5 years experience for electronics and Home appliances Sales in India with Valid Oman Driving License. GSM 96148228 , kmfiroz6@gmail.com 21 years Indian BBA (commerce) graduate with knowledge of E-Finance include tally, peach tree, Dac-Easy etc. 1+ year experience in India looking for a job kn accounts \ office assistance contact 95601158/94282894 Male, 27, MBA specialized in marketing, looking for suitable position. Having valid oman driving license. Contact. 99590408, E mail. aneesteepee@gmail.com Male Graduate 12 years experience in Oman seeks immediate placement as logistic coordinator/office coordinator/ office in charge or any suitable job. Contact 93393769 Indian Female Staff Nurse with MOH License & 5 Years of experience seeks suitable placement. Contact – 93979353 Male Nurse with MOH license seeks placement. Contact 93262628, nobitjohn@gmail.com Indian Male, 11 years experience in Oman with diversified business at Managerial positions in HR, Admin, Operations & Business Development seeks placement, #99634130 Seeking a Store keeper, Marketing Officer job in Oman, having 10 years job experiences with D/L. Contact: 95660533. BE (Hons) in Electronic & Telecommunication, Paki male with 2years technical sales experience in Muscat, seeking suitable placement in Oil & Gas or any electronic industry, able to design electronic circuits, well experienced in computers. Contact# 98068695 Officer Logistics, 11 years’ experience in coordinating clearing at Ports & Border & Logistics experience in construction field. Holding valid ROP license. Ph93539653, sskr1981@gmail.com Indian Male, 27 years, 5 years’ experience as a Customer/Client relation Manager in MNCs. Seeking suitable posts in Customer relations/Administration/HR. GSM: 93088407 B.Tech Mechanical,26yr Indian male having 4 yr experience in plant construction,structural fabrication & erection in India. Cntc0091 9546418417, E-mailmail2umesh 89@gmail.com

Accountant South Indian 40 yrs Gulf exp 7 yrs, B.Com Tally 9 ERP. Contact 94349797 Indian male 25 yrs B.Com Computer application, 3 yrs experience in Accountant, Auditing, Tax calculation and accounts finalization on visit visa seeking suitable placement. Contact 96462686 Email: nizammadathis@gmail.com MBA (HR & finance), experienced, in marketing. Contact : 95775221 Accountant, office admin, experienced. Contact : 99680178 Architect Indian female 31years B.Arch (COA) experience 5 yrs India 1year Oman currently working for a consultancy in Muscat AutoCAD, Archicad seeking immediate placement within 15 days. Contact 99569071 Autocad D/man, Architectural, Structural 3d, Photoshop, Gulf exp. Contact : 98225740 Pakistani female masters (M.Sc) Biology having 15 years experience of Gulf and Pakistan of teaching Biology and Chemistry, also worked as environment coordinator, seeking for suitable fulltime / part time placement. Contact +968 91280346 Indian female BE in Computer Science with 2 years of experience in a reputed Indian Engineering College, seeking a suitable lecturer position. Contact 95510957 Email : write2lathika@gmail.com Indian male, 25 years BE computer science with 2 years experience as radio frequency planning Engineer with Vodafone networks & android application developer seeking a suitable opportunity. Contact 92886515 Email: deepaknir@gmail.com Indian male, B Tech, NIT Trichy, Graduate Instrumentation & Control Engineering, having valid Omani driving license, seeking suitable openings. Contact 96760819 Email : mt.sanju@gmail.com 24 years, Engineering Graduate in ECE with 2 years exp NOC Engineer having certifications of CCNA & MCTS Looking to for suitable position in IT & Telecom Industry. Contact 99689445 Electrical Engineer male 27 yrs 4.5 yrs experience as Electrical quality head inspector in reputed heavy industry in India, China and South Korea currently in Muscat on visit looking for suitable placement. Contact 92521239 Email: electricalengineer.sk@gmail.com Experience Indian Civil Engineer, seeking partner for new existing construction company. Contact 98315754 Email muscatjoy@gmail.com IT Professional, Indian Male, BE Electronics & communication engineer having 2 years of experience in for BI/BA Technology with hands on experience in Cognos (Reporting) and Informatica (ETL) looking for an suitable opportunity. Contact 99878355 MSc IT holding Tasriya Resident visa office Management experience, 8 years Administration, HR, Teaching, Accounting, Finance. Email asghar.rasool@gmail.com Vehicle Mechanic / Supervisor/ service incharge : Diploma Holder : having 28 years experience in Oman ,having oman D/L, Good in Arabic Language , got excellent training in Toyota Head office Japan and Bahrain , seeks suitable placement. Contact : 93214484 in Oman 0091 9900776792, 0091 9743739993

S AT U R DAY, S E P T E M B E R 1 4 , 2 0 1 3

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED ADMIN Indian Female, having over 5 yrs of experience in Customer Care, Accounts & Administration, seeks suitable placement. #92801607 Sri Lankan female 27 years having 7years experience in Administration, customer service with excellent English and computer knowledge seeking suitable placement. Contact 96144390 Indian Male, 27 years, 5 years’ experience as a Customer/Client relation Manager in MNCs. Seeking suitable posts in Customer relations/Administration/HR. GSM: 93088407 Indian female 26 years MCA experience in Teaching and Admin, seeks suitable jobs, now in visit visa. Contact 95388696 Email ID: athulya.nair@gmail.com Indian female Currently on Visit Visa, looking for a job in Oman. Total Work Experience of 6 Years, Worked as a senior technical associate and Senior Technical Support Officer with Bank of America & Mphasis Mumbai respectively. Diploma in MBA (HR MANAGEMENT), B. Com Graduate from Mumbai University. Email : beena.bhatia24@gmail.com, daswaniash_2001@yahoo.co.in, Mobile : 98682715 / 95257148 Indian female MA, MBA (HR) with 5 yrs GCC exp, presently working as HR Coordinator in groups of company, seeks suitable placement. Contact 93498876 Manager HR Administration, 8 yrs. Oman experience, good knowledge of HR policies, appraisals and HR Management available immediately. Contact 92515583

ARCH/ INTERIOR Iraqi Architect 22 years experience. Contact 97608513 Indian female B. Arch (Architect) having 3 years Middle East experience with valid driving license on family joining visa. Contact 96908041 /99349047 Indian male, 3 yrs experience managing projects in interior designing & execution in Oman with valid Omani D/L seeks suitable placement. Contact 96678029 / 93285996 Email: kw251287@gmail.com 3D Max and Autocad designer, 2 years Gulf Experience Indian Male. Seeking parttime or full time job. Contact 98635975

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE Part time accounts / audit services. Gsm 99761216 Part time Accountant / Internal Auditor computerized and Manual Accounts, Driving own car. Accounts up to finalization. Contact Kumar 96414305 Chartered Accountant, with B.Sc Accountancy (special) degree, more than seven years of experience, looking for a position in accounts, finance or auditing department. Contact 93957919 B.Com Graduate male 22 yrs, MS Excel, Peachtree, Window OS knowledge, looking for entry level position. Immediate joining. Contact 98997746 Male, Indian 26 yrs Accountant 4 yrs in Oman. Contact 95960600 Accountant / Admin / store having 10 years experience with D/L seeking for suitable placement. Email: shamimshadab1973@gmail.com Contact: 92585921 Accounting and auditing services. Contact 95934758 Sir Lankan CA with B. ScManagement, 7 years experience (3 in Oman), 30 years, looking for a position in Accounts, Finance and Audit department. Contact 93397026 Indian male B.Com Tally with 8 months experience in Accounting is looking for Accounts Assistant job. Contact 94103460 MBA (Finance) , 8 years of experience in Banking, Finance, Audit & Accounting Industry seeks suitable placement. Contact : 97752854 Mumbai Born, male-24, PGPM + MBA (Finance) with one year experience as a financial analyst in India. seeks job in finance. Tel: 98711999 email: sharancherian@gmail.co

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE Indian Male 32, having over 10 yrs of experience in Finance & Accounts up-to finalization with complete admin knowledge, seeks suitable placement in middle management. Have valid Omani D/L. Contact 99881723 Indian male 39, Senior Accounting professional, having 15+ years experience in accounting, audit looking for good opening immediate joining. Contact 96675398 Chartered Accountant, Indian female 25 years, with good Knowledge and experience in Finance, Accounts, Audits, immediate joining. Contact 92530131 / 24785757 Email : muflihak@gmail.com Indian female 1 year experience profit Accounting MBA Finance, Tally, Peachtree. # 98998186. Chartered Accountant , Indian Female 25 years , with good knowledge and experience in finance , accounts, audits. Immediate joining contact GSM : 92530131 , 24785757 Email : muflihak@gmail.com. Female 33, Indian B.Com looking for suitable placement as back office support. Contact 95256416 Accountant, Indian, with UAE & Oman working experience in accounts, seeks suitable position in Muscat as an Accounts Executive. Contact : 96950764. email manipv.pv@gmail.com Indian female Accountant, having 15 years experience in Oman up to finalization with computer proficiency, seeks suitable placement. Contact 99739464 MBA Graduate currently in middle management position seeks similar position. 9 yrs work experience interested in real Estate Automotive. Contact 93690264 Accounts and administration or logistics, with 5 years of experience in Oman with valid driving license. Contact 93880414 Accounting & Finance ACCA, experience 5 years. Contact 92436843 Accountant M.Com, MBA, with 7 years experience looking for suitable placement. Email heams.merlin@gmail.com Contact 93029334 Indian male Accountant with 7 years experience (Expert in Tally ERP-9) seeks suitable placement. Contact 94251297 Email : milan.muscat@gmail.com

Experienced B.Com / MBA Finance 25 years Indian male, looking for Accounts/ customer relations/ Sales Coordinator. Contact 98250349 Male Accountant MBA, ICMAP (finalist) 6.5 years experience in finance, accounting, payroll, audit, administration, ERP,SAP,TALLY, seeking for good opportunity Email: faisalsaeedbana@hotmail.com Faisal Saeed : 97268088 Indian male, MBA with more than 14 years of experience as Warehouse Manager and Accountant, NOC available & can join immediately seeks suitable placement. Contact 92203972 Chartered Accountant young Indian Female 26 years with good knowledge and experience in Finance, Accounts and Audit of large corporate available for immediate joining. Contact 99887464 Email deepaj122@gmail.com Indian Male, MBA ( Finance) with 5 years experience as Senior Analyst at reputed company in India, Seeks job in Finance or Accounts. Contact 91378950 Email ms.sharief@gmail.com Indian female 25, B. Com with diploma in computerized Accounting (Tally, MS Office) one year experience seeking for suitable placement. Contact 98847165 Accountant Indian male, MBA & PGDFM having 9 years experience in Finance & Accounts (3 years) in Oman with D/L, seeking suitable placement. Contact 96710160 Email shinumath2007@yahoo.co.in Indian female 35 B.Com with 5 years experience & driving license, seeks suitable placement. Contact 95871492 Indian male B. Com 9 yrs exp in Oman FMCG – accounts, inventory control, logistics, with D/L seeking for suitable placement. Contact 92968951 Email: resumefmcgoman@gmail.com Part time Business Plan, Feasibility, Study systems Procedures, business financing, MIS, ERP Finalization. Contact 98571309 MBA Finance Indian male 3 years Indian exp as Accountant, seeks suitable placement. #95728856 Email vijeeshpv82@gmail.com B.Com 21 yrs with 1 yrs exp Indian male valid D/L. Contact: 95186796

Male Accountant 30 years B.Com Graduate 8 yrs experience (4 yrs in Oman) having exposure in ERP & MS Office. Contact 96956482

Indian male Accountant B.Com with 5 years experience in Oman having D/L seeking for suitable placement for ﬁnance & accounts. Contact 96709159

Jordanian Senior Accountant 11 Years Experience, Worked In Constructions, Tourism Company and Poly Clinic, Experience in Tally Erp9.Contact 96470036

Charted Accountant Indian Female, 3year experience in auditing and accounting seeks suitable placement. Contact-97019552. Email-cadeepsoman@gmail.com

Indian female MBA (ﬁnance) working with reputed company in Muscat with valid Oman D/L seeking for suitable placement in ﬁnance / accounts. Contact 97197683

Female B.Com, 2 years experience in Finance Accounts, having HR course and ICDL certiﬁcate for IT, ﬂuent in Arabic and English. Contact 98914030 / 99322154

Indian male, 25 years, MBAFinance Graduate, 1 year experience with computer knowledge, on the lookout for suitable openings in Oman. Contact 93870465 and email : fahadhv@yahoo.com .

Indian male 27, MBA, Specialized in Marketing & Finance having 3 years of experience skilled with MS Office, Tally, ERP online with valid Omani D/L. Contact 97036161 Email nikiniji@gmail.com

Muslim Chartered Accountant and M.Com, 12 Years of Experience, At present in UAE, seeking good Job in Accounts, Finance, Audit etc. Contact 00971 50 9607654, 00968 9985 7838, E mail : chishtiaca@yahoo.com

Indian male, 28 yrs, Chartered Accountant, looking for suitable placement in Finance and Audit Department. Contact 96357827 Email- ubaiskeeran@gmail.com

B.Com completed 1 year Indian Accounting exp seek suitable placement as Office Assistant, on visit visa. Contact 97104190 ACCA Member, 3 yrs experience, Well Versed in Tally ERP-9, Quick Book & MS office, Currently on visit visa. Contact: 97268263 Chartered Accountant with 10 years experience of which 5 years in Oman. Contact 93795838 Female European 31 yrs, Bachelor of Accounts, 13 yrs of Exp. as Showroom/Front Office Manager (Fashion Accessories/Jewellery)/ Office Secretary (Educational Consultancy). Can speak, write, and read English, Russian, Ukrainian, Polish, Hindi and Telugu. Seeking suitable Job, Contact: 93376354, Email: samuel.ndia@gmail.com Accounts works up to ﬁnalization on part-time / fulltime. #96247295

Chartered Accountant Young Indian female 25 years with Good knowledge and experience in Finance, Accounts and Audit of large corporate, available for immediate joining. Contact 92530131/ 24785757 Email muﬂihak@gmail.com

CATERING Indian male 23 B.Com with Hotel Management one year experience Oman looking for hotel service vacancy. Contact 91172990

DRIVERS Light Driver. Contact 97020205 Experience driver, 4 years in Oman. Contact 92417566 Corolla 2013 with driver. Contact 96772324 Light driver available, experience Graduate. Contact : 98987475

DRIVERS Looking for Driver cum curtain and Carpet job. Contact 98219182 Looking for a job as light duty driver 15 years experience, knowledge of Pakistani English Arabic language. Contact 94436276 Driver light duty English & Arabic speaking. Contact 97146169 Light driver. Contact 95387829 Driver light duty. Contact 94263433 20 Yrs Exp Light Duty Driver. Contact 91210747 Driver with car. Contact 93803781 / 95891174 4 yrs Experienced Indian Driver looking for job as driver. #93079087 Driver with Car Pick & Drop. Contact 97581610

DESIGNER Graphic designer / Interior designer, experienced, Autocad, Photoshop. Contact : 95897357 Web designer with experience in application design for Android and iOS platforms available for full time and part time employment. Email: monishak12@gmail.com. Gsm: 96103465 Graphic Designer with Oman D/L Diploma in CorelDraw, 1llustrator, Photoshop, Macromedia ﬂash, Adobe designing, Quark express in design. #98543702 / 99431708 Indian female, 25yrs Bsc-FASHION DESIGNING, 3yers experience in designing ﬁeld and teaching. looking for a sutable placement. Contact: 98785310. Email: vinaya.m.nair@gmail.com

DRAUGHTSMAN BSc Interior designer with 6 years in Mumbai and 2 years in Oman, seeking a suitable job for Site Co ordination. Contact +968 95796137 AutoCAD electrical draughtsman (2D) IND/M 5+years Gulf exp urgently looking for a job currently on visit visa. Contact 94459806 / 98192825 Auto cad d/man , Oman experienced, Arch, 3D, PH: 96722150 AutoCAD Civil Draughtsman 2D/3D IND/male 2 years Gulf experience & having Oman D/L seeking suitable placement. Contact 99147961 Email: ashratalikv786@gmail.com Pluming Draughtsman (Diploma in Mech. Eng) with 15 years experience (8 years Gulf), seeking suitable job. Contact 94070719 Electrical D/man, experienced, on visit visa. Contact :96516924 AutoCAD MEP Draftsman IND/M, 10+ yrs Gulf exp presently working in Oman seeks immediate suitable placement having Omani D/L. Contact 97697861 / 95291403 Looking for CAD Draftsman related jobs 6 years working experience in India. Also knowledge in Civil CAD Electrical CAD M/S Application Hardware and Networking Programming and Scripting and Web designing, looking for suitable job in Muscat. Contact +91 9835112958

EDUCATION 26 Years Indian female BA. B.Ed & MSW degree holder applying for Teaching & office administration post. Contact 94162888 Email sreelakshmi.kuttysree@gmail.com Indian female, BSc B.ED, fresher looking for a teacher’s job for secondary section from 5th to 8th for all subjects. Contact 97645135 / 93023379 Female, 26 undergraduate, majored in English IATA qualified with excellent communication, writing, teaching skills, Seeks suitable placement. Contact 96188745 MSc Economics B.Ed (Bachelor of Education) C.T (Certification of teaching) 3 years teaching experience, one year computer certificate. Contact 97104825

ENGG. / TECHNICAL Indian Female 23 years old, Aeronautical Engineering graduate with 1 year 6 months experience, expert in MS Office tools, Technical documentation, reports and excellent communication skill. mail: sandhyamenon057@gmail.com

25 years Indian male, B.E Aeronautical, 2 Years experience on Maintenance repair and overhaul. Hands on experience on Gas turbine engine and Autocad 2007. Contact 00919739656833 Email: midhu4u@gmail.com

B.Tech Mechanical, 26yr Indian male having 4 yr experience in plant construction,structural fabrication & erection in India. Contact 0091 9546418417 E-mail-mail2umesh89@gmail.com

Steel detailer, x steel , autocad, & tekla, diploma in civil , experienced, ph : 95775221 rehnaarehman@gmail.Com

Mechanical Engineer (DME) 20 years experience including 7 years in Gulf, knowledge of steel fabrication, erection, estimation and machine shop. Contact - 95698781 Indian female 30 yrs, Procurement Engineer having 9+ yrs experience in EPC sector, looking suitable job. Contact 96682307 Email: bgeetha2004@gmail.com Purchase / procurement officer, Gulf exp, exp in MEP Products. Contact 93243846 Electrical Engineer, Indian, Female, with 10 years experience, 4 years in consultancy ﬁrms in UAE seeks suitable job in Muscat. Mob: 91279796 Noor UL Huda Nasir from Pakistan searching job in Oman, MBA (MIS) in 2013 and BS Software Engineering in 2009 with relevant experience of one year’s full time job. Email : noor_mcpd@hotmail.com B.Tech Mechanical Engineering with Diploma in CADD Fresher. Contact 92144704 Indian male B Tech Chemical Engineer, looking for suitable placement in Oman urgently. Email sarellayeshwanth@gmail.com/ vanabalaji@gmail.com Indian female B.Tech Mechanical Engineer, presently in Salalah (visit), looking for suitable placement in Salalah urgently . Contact 96613978 Email divyasarella7@gmail.com

Fire and Safety Engineer, 9 years experience, male 28 years Indian, presently on visiting visa until (07/10/13). Contact : 98632132 / 92050014 Email ID : saneeshchandran25@gmail.com Engineer with MBA having 2.5 years experience in Warehousing and Logistics, Good communication skills, Looking for a suitable placement. # 97150403/ 93846564 M.Sc Agriculture / Horticulture Sudanese Female looking for suitable job. Contact: 95498223 Mechanical Engineer Indian male having 10 years GCC experience in HVAC & MEP with valid Omani D/L, seeks suitable job in a reputed company. Contact 96093552 Indian Female Masters Bio Medical & B.Tech Electronics & Communication with experience, looking for suitable office / teaching job. Contact 92315860 Email anjubiomedengg@gmail.com MEP Supervisor exp 15 years, HT, LT (exper.) with D/L, dp maintenance. Contact 96297274 Chemical Manufacturer 8 years experience in Oman. Contact 98651593 B.Tech (Civil), Diploma, Gulf experienced Site Engineer. Contact :96335260 Project Engineer B.Sc (Civil) 7 years experience, looking for suitable placement. Contact 94422489 Email gmssohel.ee@gmail.com

Land Surveyor 7 years experience 5 years in Oman know survey instruments, handle AutoCAD for call 96531364 email : eltamam-2003@yahoo.com

An Engineer with Management Background (22years exp), worked in Senior Management position in trading of Building/ Materials, Contracting, Building Maintenance, Interior Fit-0ut, thorough knowledge of Oman/Qatar Market, 10 yrs exp, valid D/L, available on salary + proﬁt sharing. GSM: 93859365.

B.Tech Electronic and Communication one year Gulf experience. Contact 99757846 / 0091 9496326492

Indian male 24, B.Tech Electrical. Contact 94460751 Email: alexpynadath@gmail.com

Sudanese Civil Project Engineer with 15years +5 in Oman seeks suitable project works, consultant Office supervisor, projects Omani D/L seeking suitable position. Contact 96302025 / 92123375

B.Tech Mech Engineer, quality control engineer, experienced, with driving license. Contact : 97314864

Diploma in Civil Engg, total 15 years experience, 4 years in Oman age 42 years. Contact 93101948

B.Tech (Electronics and Biomedical Engineering) and MBA (Marketing and HR) with 1.5 years experience in marketing and media ﬁeld. Contact 96175799 Email: aadil.azis@gmail.com Indian male 29 years B.Tech Mechanical Production Engineer with 4+ years experience in Mechanical Site Engineer H.VAC & Maintenance Engineering currently in Oman on visit. Contact 99343572 Email saqawathali@gmail.com MEP Project Manager with 9 years of experience in EPC sector seeking for a suitable placement. Contact:92858543,24626827 B.Sc Engineer (Civil), 5 Yrs experience with good construction skill, looking for suitable placement. Mobile: 93247929, Email: maislam03@hotmail.com Indian Male 35 yrs, Instrumentation Engineer, DEI, NTC, NAC, ATI-EPI. 14 yrs of Instrumentation Exp. in the ﬁeld of Sales, Construction, Commissioning & Maintenance with Reputed Co’s in Oman, UAE, Qatar & India. Have Indian D/L, and Oman L/L. Seeking suitable Job, #93376354, Email: samuel.ndia@gmail.com Male, 29 years, B. Tech in Electrical Engg having more than 5 years of experience in Electrical project Execution also having a valid Omani D/L seeking a good placement. Contact: 95583947 Service advisor, 5 years experience in Maruti Suzuki, Automobile Engineering. Contact-91038554, email: charancholakkil@gmail.com B.E Civil Engineer 7 years experience in Oman with valid Oman D/L, Seeks suitable placement. Contact 99612163

Indian female, B-Tech Civil Engg, 3 years (6 months in Oman) experience in QS, Estimation, Cost control & planning, seeks suitable job. Contact 92047375 Email vinujosephcm@gmail.com Indian Male, B.E. in Electrical & Electronics Engg with valid CCNA certiﬁcate and 6 yrs experience in BMS, project management & maintenance seeks suitable placement. Currently in India. Pls call Muscat contact No. 99639375 Indian Civil Project Engineer with 10+years Gulf exp, suitable for Project works/ QS works, Omani D/L, seeking a suitable position. Contact 93476959

INFORMATION TECH. ITIL, OCP, CRISC certiﬁed IT Professional with 20 yrs. exposure to Dubai & Oman markets having expertise in ERP, Cloud Computing, Virtualization, security, IT/Project Management, Citrix, Oracle etc. is looking for immediate placement. Contact: 95602424 Indian male 27 years old, Masters in Computer Applications with 4+ years experience, Key skills: Oracle Pl/sql and .net Seeking Suitable placement. Contact: +919538345624 sujithchennat@gmail.com IT Professional with 19 yrs. experience having expertize in ERP, Virtualization, Cloud Computing, Oracle Programming, Citrix, Microsoft, Lync is looking for immediate placement. Contact: 95602424 B.Tech (IT) Software Engineer, 2 years experienced in programming techniques, proﬁciency in Java, J2EE, PHP, C & C++, Data base MSSQL Server 2005, MS Access, Oracle, Currently on visit visa, seeks suitable placement. Contact Mahiban 92476403

S AT U R D AY, S E P T E M B E R 1 4 , 2 0 1 3

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com Tel. 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

SITUATION VACANT INFORMATION TECH.

MANAGER/ SUPER

PROJECTS

SALES / MARKETING

Indian male, MCA, 8 yrs exp, JAVA, J2EE, Struts, AJAX, Oracle, SQL. Contact 93858967 Email nrawat01@yahoo.co.in

20+ Years experience in IT (8 years in UAE, in an reputed company), served as Solutions Delivery Manager, IT Service Delivery In charge, NOC (Network Operation Center) InCharge, ServiceDesk InCharge, ITIL (V2) Certiﬁed, seeking suitable placement in Service Delivery, Customer Support or Services, Logistics, Procurement or Facility Management. Open for any suitable positions in supervisory level. Contact No. : +968 97199358

Looking for HSE Advisor job. Qualiﬁcation NEBOSH IGC and OSHA education masters in Geosciences age 28 years. Contact 93835938

MBA( MKTG)6 yrs exp Sales & Mktg valid OM D/L, Ind Male 30yrs currently working as an AQT manager. Contact 97757866

Indian female 24 years, B Tech Computer Science, having 2 years experience in C, C#, dot net, SQL server currently on resident visa seeking for suitable position in IT. Contact 96718502 Indian male 36 yrs, MCA Graduate,7yrs of experience as technical assistant(IT Dept) in Koc Ahmadi Hospital, Kuwait, seeking a suitable placement in IT field on visit visa Contact: 99318573 Indian Male with computer engineering (HONS) in Hardware and Networking, Seeking suitable placement. Contact 95249087 IT professional Indian Male ME in CSE, 12 years IT experience (6 months in Oman, 3 years in Dubai, Emirates Airlines/Project management, Software development in Dot Net, Training , Technical & Customer Support, Marketing) looking for suitable post, for immediate placement. Contact 92664161 or 98261787. Email: sh8301@gmail.com Indian 28 male, computer hardware & networking diploma, MCSE, 5 years experience at Bangalore, looking for suitable placement. Contact 92127185 10 Years of Technical presales experience, Graduate from University of Huddersfield UK, previous experience of working with ZTE, looking for job. Contact 91379396 Indian female, B.Tech, 5 yrs of exp, JAVA, J2EE, AJAX, Struts, Oracle, SQL. Contact 96200984 Email shiljyrajan@gmail.com Indian female MCA ( Result Awaiting), seeking suitable placement in IT field. Contact 99436069 Email ramanrami@rediffmail.com 24 yrs, B.E, ECE Engineering, having 2 years exp as NOC Engineer in Telecom and having certification of CCNA & MCTS, looking for suitable job in IT & Telecom. # 99689445, Email thousi4jb@gmail.com Indian male 26 years MSC telecom (UK) B.Tech (EC) having 3 years experience in IT/Telecom seeks suitable placement. #95285710 Email : prajith5678@gmail.com Indian female 26 yrs MCA with 2 years Software experience in WIPRO, seeking suitable placement. Contact 96704824 Email : vineetha999@gmail.com

MANAGER/ SUPER Commercial Manager (Contracts Specialist ) in Construction in Muscat till 30th September seeks placement 92829562 email: forwork283@gmail.com Indian auto parts store keeper 16 years exp Oman in a multinational co now on visit visa seeks suitable placement. Contact 97146910 Business Development Manager with 6 yrs experience in Oil & Gas, Business development, Sales & Marketing with Oman D/L, seeks a suitable placement. Contact 92961826 Email waseemprod@gmail.com 12+ yrs experienced Purchase Manager with D/L & release, seeks placement. Contact 97073942 Manager/Super 12+ yrs experienced Purchase Manager with D/L & release , seeks placement . Contact 97073942.

Indian Male 42, B.Com Graduate, 19 years experience in AC,LCD, LED installation Manager seeking sales, service or Supervisor post, on visit visa. Contact 98044075 Mail markarmstrong20068@gmail.com Finance & Accounts Manager having 25 years experience in Oman in Construction and manufacturing companies, seeks suitable replacement. Contact 93728127 Sales Manager having 15 years of experience in Retail management in Oman & Currently handling Electronics & home appliances, seeking suitable placement, Release available. Contact 93826379 Email marvelgeet@yahoo.com

MISCELLANEOUS

SALES / MARKETING

An Indian having rich Gulf experience in Sales Marketing ( in House) Procurement Admin, seeking suitable placement at Senior level. Contact parthinath123@gmail.com / Contact 93689602 Indian male having valid driving Omani license with 9 years experience in FMCG Electronics knowledge of complete Interior capital Route, Seeking for suitable job. Contact 91155541 Indian male MBA 6 years experience in IT Sales business development and training staff in telemarketing and customer service in Oman on visit. Contact 91380575 Indian male B Tech MBA with 4 years of marketing/sales experience on visit visa seeking suitable placement Ph 96010724 Indian male 27, 3 years experience in Sales & Marketing in Australia on visit, seeking suitable placement. Contact 93717152 Email engoor@gmail.com

Insurance underwriting/claims/ TPA Job opening. Indian Lady with experience of +15 years in Gulf & India. Mobile No. 00968-98505315

Indian male 24 MBA 2 yrs exp in Marketing on visiting visa. Contact 97138676 Email haris.hameedali@gmail.com

Indian (M) with 11 yrs exp. (7-India & 4-Dubai) in Sales & Office support with Omani D/L need a job in Oman. Call 98267793

Outdoor Salesman with 10 years Oman experience with valid driving license. Contact 93600795

MEDICAL

24 years female with D/L, BBA + BSc in Business & Management, 3 yrs work experience, seeking suitable position in Marketing/ HR or Office co-ordination. Contact 92462238/98123236 Email : hemapopat7@outlook.com

Female MBBS doctor with 3 years experience seeks suitable position in Muscat region. Contact 91218141

Indian male MBA Sales & Marketing, 7 years of experience holding Oman D/L, looking for a suitable position in the same. Contact 95475833

Indian female, 28, MBA looking for suitable placement. Contact 98435532

Pharmacist female with 5 years experience and MOH license require suitable placement in Store, Clinic or Hospital in Capital area. Contact 92363840 / 92694895 Indian Doctor female MD (Anesthesiology) with 3years post MBBS experience seeks suitable placement. Contact 96243418 Female DENTIST with MOH License, English & Arabic Speaking having an experience of 12 year seeks placement in and around Muscat. Contact : 95240638 Female physiotherapist with MOH Looking for suitable job. Contact 99545952,98147312 Indian female nurse with MOH license seeks suitable placement. Contact 94499120 Male Nurse Indian 26 years with 3 years experience & MOH license, ACLS, BLS & ITLS, seeking job. Contact +91007965, 99470508 Email: jomonthomas1313@gmail.com

Indian male MBA marketing / ﬁnance with 4 yrs of exp in sale & marketing looking suitable placement in sales/ marketing/ sales coordination/ customer care/ retail/ admin jobs. Contact 98443722 / 92409198

Young Qualified 7 years experience Indian W/ Driving L, worked as Sales executive all Hypermarket, key A/C experience, Seeking suitable placement. Contact 96412319 Bangladeshi male 26 having 3 years experience in FMCG with Oman D/L, Fluent in English, seeking suitable job. Contact 92950907 B.Tech E & I, 8+ yrs experience Sales, Marketing Procurement, etc, currently working in Oman valid D/L, looking for suitable placement. Contact 97233074 / 95140207 Indian male B.Com 33 years having 7 years experience in Sales Coordination, Office Administration and warehousing in Oman in the field of Furniture, EHA, IT Products. Contact 92786255 Indian male 6 yrs experience in Oman Sales field, having valid Omani Driving license, seeking suitable placement. Contact 92868522 Indian male MBA Sales & Marketing, 7 years of experience holding Oman D/L, looking for a senior position in the same. Contact 95475833 Indian male BBM Specialized in Marketing 6 years of experience as Transport Coordinator in an Earthmoving co, having valid Omani D/L, seeking for suitable placement. Contact 98465262 Email nikiniji86@gmail.com Job Searching for Sales Executive (outdoor/ indoor) 3 years of experience in GCC Oman valid driving license holder. Contact 92876824 Indian male 10 years experience in Sales with valid Oman driving license seeking for suitable replacement. Contact 98481925 An Indian Female Customer services Executive in BPO having 6 years experience at HSBC Bank, seeks suitable job. Contact 92106768 / 95318981 Indian male MBA (Sales & Marketing) 10+ yrs exp in Sales & Marketing, Purchase exp in Oman & Saudi with valid D/L, seeking suitable placement. Contact 95173538

Sudanese B.Sc Computer Engineer with 6 years experience, looking for Marketing, Sales, IT Jobs. Contact 97099676

22 yrs experience in Sales, 12 yrs in Oman with driving license seeks suitable placement. Contact 96698753

Electrical Sales Engineer with 9+ years experience in Marketing with D/L seeks immediate placement. Contact 92311830 or santoshritvik@gmail.com

Indian male 33, 12 years exp in marketing, D/L, excellent in Arabic. Contact 94243250

Indian male MBA 12 years Gulf Experience logistics, product and Business development seeking suitable placement currently on visit visa. Cont 95895451 Email : smartkhan76@hotmail.com Indian Male 30 having 5 yrs experience in Marketing having valid Oman driving license, Looking for a suitable position. Contact 93047608

Indian male Nurse with MOH License, 1 year experience from Oman as company Nurse is Looking for a job, now on visit visa. Contact 93645954

29 Male MBA Marketing with 5 years experience in GCC. Holding valid Oman D/L, Seeking for suitable placement. Contact 97268004

Indian Female staff Nurse, 27, holder of MOH license( currently in Oman on visit visa), Looking for suitable placement. Contact 95720390

Indian male age 25 MBA from England, 2 yrs exp in Marketing and Sales with valid Oman D/L, Looking for suitable placement. Contact 97267753

Indian male 37 yrs, having 6 yrs exp. in purchasing with D/L seeking suitable placement. Contact 99345732 15 yrs exp sales, purchase, store, ﬂuent English, Arabic, know computes, Omani D/L. Contact 99717061

SECRETARIAL & OFFICE

18 Years Oman experience Indian Female, Seeking suitable placement for Secretary. Contact 99758688 Indian Male 28 yrs Ms office T. FAP knowledge, DTP, looking for entry level position (Office Assistant). Contact 92648898 Email rchinchur@gmail.com Indian Female 36 yrs, 15 yrs exp as Secretary/Accounts Document Controller, Seeking suitable placement. Contact 96761271 Customer care / office admin, female, MBA, B.Sc, well exp, ﬂuent in English PH : 95775221 email : rehnaarehman@gmail.com

SKILLED / UNSKILLED Pakistani Male on visit visa looking for job as any Helper/Office Boy Contact:- 99002390

TOURS & TRAVEL 17 Yrs experience in Airline Travel agency Airport Sales Hotel, Seeks suitable placement. Contact 99144363

SITUATION VACANT MISCELLANEOUS Seeking a job as a watchman, Office Asst. cum Office boy. Having experiences in Dubai, Kuwait and Oman. Contact: 98494561/ 99712920. IT cum Buyer, Indian male,26years. BA, Computer proficiency: Operating system (Windows 2000xp & Windows7) E plus and Tally ERP9, 6 yrs Experience in Oman seeks suitable placements. Contact :95360255 Accountant cum Buyer,Indian male,28years.BA, Computer proficiency:Operating system (Windows 2000xp&Windows7) E plus and Tally ERP9, 6 yrs Experience in Oman.Seeks suitable placements. mob:95360255 35 yrs, male, seeking a job in Oman for the post of Office Asst. cum office boy. Contact: 98494561. Electrical maintenance works looking in Oman. Contact : 96136615 Looking a watchman job in Oman. Contact :-98494561/ 95813403 Indian Female Staff Nurse, 27, holder of MOH license (currently in Oman on visit visa) looking for suitable placement. Contact: 95720390 Indian female with GCC experience in office admin, Accounts and HR seeks suitable placement. Contact : 95584732 Indian female fresh MBA ( Finance and Marketing) having driving licence looking for suitable placement, Contact: 98447033 email: ank2755@gmail.com Indian Male, experience in Store/ Operation// Logistic/ Coordinator having good communication skills, seeking suitable change. # 94355675 Indian male, MCA, MBA-HR, B.Com with 9.5 yrs. Exp. looking for a suitable opportunity as IT Project Head & SAP HR Consultant (Multi tasking) presently come on visit visa in Oman, Contact : 92801761 E-mail : rishhi@msn.com Indian male, MCA, MBA-HR, B.Com with 9.5 yrs. Exp. looking for a suitable opportunity as IT Project Head & SAP HR Consultant (Multi tasking) presently come on visit visa in Oman, Contact 92801761 E-mail : rishhi@msn.com Indian male, Fresher, B.Com Graduate 22, currently on family visit looking for suitable placements. Phone: 91037088

BE (Electronics and Communication) graduate, Indian female with 3 years Oman experience, seeks suitable placement, currently on family visa. Contact: 99327912 / 92115948 Indian male-24 diploma holder, having 2 years of experience in sales looking for suitable position. Contact# 94355626 Indian Male, MBA, 41yrs. 16yrs experience in Oman. Seeking a senior post in Logistics, Import export management or inventory management. Contact : 91141206 24 yrs female with driving license, BBA plus I.A.T.A, 3 years experience seeking suitable position in secretarial, admin, hr, procurement, travel. Contact 95337828 or e-mail at hibhak@gmail.com. Accountant, B.Com(Hons), having 4 yrs experience in accounts, well versed in Tally Erp9, Peachtree and Ms Office looking for suitable placement. Release available. # 93244086 RSA female 13 years work experience + 4 years in Oman with Omani driving license seeks employment as an Office Manager, Administrator or BD Manager in a reputable company. Cell 93539652 Indian male Graduate, 26, 3 yrs exp in handling purchase in a reputed company in Oman looking for suitable placements. Phone: 95776353 Business Analyst and Business Development, 6+ years of experience across all areas of pricing, marketing, product development and sales, seeking for job opportunities. MBA. Contact: 99359870, 99031408. Email: saikat_3@yahoo.com Indian female, 27 years, B.Sc Maths, Msc Maths, bed maths, 2 yrs experience in India as teacher, good knowledge in Ms Office, looking for suitable placement as teacher. Contact 98470441, EMAIL: libeeshmadamby@gmail.com Indian Female MCA., M.Phil., Computer science 5 years experience as lecturer in reputed college and university in India seeking for immediate Placement in teaching ﬁeld. Contact : 97765173 mail : dtkthillai@gmail.com Indian male, 33 yrs Graduate with three years gulf experience, holding Oman driving license. Seeking suitable jobs at sohar. Contact 93507921, thellisanthabts@gmail.com

S AT U R DAY, S E P T E M B E R 1 4 , 2 0 1 3

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED CARGO

TOURS

COMPUTER

Dolphin Watch, Dhow Cruise with Buffet, & Land Tours Al Ainain Marine Tours- Contact: 98029602, 92808636

We arrange Tours to Jabel Alakhdar / Shames wahiba Sands. Contact 99839898

WEBSITE

RENT A CAR

CLASSES

MANPOWER Manpower supply maintenance & civil work contracting. Contact 98425389 Housemaid, male / female cleaner, driver, light and heavy gulf valid D/L, house boy, & skilled and unskilled categories, form Srilanka, India. Contact Mr jerry 95175192 Email: oman.manpower@yahoo.com

New Car 2013 model fully automatic available for rent with or W/out Driver. Contact 92128176

CLASSES Learn Drawing & painting for children. (MBD area Ruwi) Contact 99737812

WEB, ERP and Business Intelligence (BI) creation and management at rock bottom price. Contact: http//webviewoman

Morning Star Rent A car. Contact 94475478 / 24478505/ 24478589

S AT U R D AY, S E P T E M B E R 1 4 , 2 0 1 3

DAILY GUIDE

SERVICES

SIT.WANTED IT Professional, Indian Male,BE Electronics & communication Engineer having 2 years of experience in for BI/BA Technology with hands on experience in Cognos (Reporting) and Informatica (ETL) looking for an suitable opportunity. #99878355 Searching a placement for the post of office assistance in Oman, having 10 years experiences in the same ﬁeld and also skilled ms word, ms excel, internet and web browsing. Contact: 9849456 Indian Male, experience in Store/Operation//Logistic/coordinator having good communication skills, seeking suitable change. #94148866 Executive HR & Admin Coordinator, Indian male, 15 years experience (8 years in GCC / 5 years in Oman); Handled Recruitment’s, Office Administration, Secretarial work, Training & development Coordination, & Site office and vendors coordination, Assisting Payroll - Hardworking, Honest & meticulous. GSM 91129916, email: executivecoordinatory2k@gmail.com Seeking a watchman, Office boy, Coffee boy jobs in Oman. Contact :- 98494561.

SERVICES Contact 99367080 Marble Restoration, Mosaic tiles polishing, carpet shampooing, maintenance. Contact ABU QABAS99320217 /24788722 Water prooﬁng ABUQABASContact 99320217/24788722 House shifting, packing and Transportation. Contact 99657644 / 98518013 Split & Window A/C, Servicing. Contact 99380307 Painting / building construction & maintenance. Contact 99057348 A/C service RO7/- , repairing & installation, painting, building all maintenance. Contact 95563858 / 99326786 Cleaning Service, Carpet & Sofa Shampooing Marble grinding & Tile polishing, pest control. Contact 99448057 / 95401996 House shifting and transporting. Contact 92490422 Pest control water proof. Contact 99067923

Building maintenance, electrical, plumbing, painting cleaning, false ceiling, compound wall, interlock. Etc. Contact: 9408676 Carpet Shampoo, marble & tile polishing, pest control & antitermite treatment, general cleaning painting, Plumbing, Electrical, shifting. Contact Mundhir Al-Rizaiqi trading. L.L.C. Contact 24810137, 99450130 Electrical Works, Maintenance, Building Gas Pipelines, Fire Alarm & Security systems. Contact Amjad Majees Trading & Contracting: 99467936 Split & Window A.C Servicing & repairing. Contact 93769089 Dish Antenna Sales & Service, Dish TV, Tata Sky showtime & all other kind of satellite installation renewals. Contact 95779616 A/ C maintenance, servicing & installation. Split A/C Servicing RO 10.000 Only. Contact 94217681 / 99210141 MEP Projects and Maintenance.

Accounting and audit services project feasibility study. Contact97133729 Email: omanaudits@gmail.com MARBLE CRYSTALLIZATION restore the original shine of your marble.# 24793614/ 99314807

GUARANTEED CLEANING: Carpet & sofa shampooing, Contact 99314807/24792998

Split & Window AC Servicing & repairing. Contact 99557080

Split A/C window cassette type standing unit installation, maintenance servicing. Contact 97145652 / 99540621

Split & Window A.C Servicing & repairing. Contact 99380307 Marble polishing & crystallization building cleaning ﬂoor, ﬂoor polishing, carpet, sofa shampooing, pest control, anti termite, shifting, maintenance. Contact 99504275

Building maintenance, electrical, plumbing, painting, cleaning, false ceiling, compound wall, interlock, lift maintenance etc. Contact 95885106 / 95829331

Civil Maintenance, painting, Electrical land scaping. # 96465032

Electrical plumbing, Tiles interlock water prooﬁng maintenance & contract RIZWAN 99429071 / 91162345

Door to Door Computers repair specialist laptop software Website cartridges.Contact 99199376

Electrical Plumbing Painting Contract and Maintenance. Contact #98456535

1. A/C, Fridge & Washing Machine servicing & Repairing, 2. Painting , Plumbing, Electrical & Carpentry Works. Contact 97014234 / 24504281 Carpet, sofa- cleaning, glue removing, shampooing, house cleaning, polishing & painting etc. Contact – 99542979 / 98855815

FOR LADIES Special package for RO. 15/Home service available. (Threading, facial, waxing, pedicure, manicure, hot oil treatment) Home service available. Contact 99722031