Y Magazine #493, November 2, 2017

The Journey Begins…

Coffee With Y

47

PORTRAIT BY A NATION COMPETITION

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News: MINISTRY OF MANPOWER 10 WARNS OVER HIRING ILLEGAL WORKERS

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DESTINATION: Fins Beach TASTE TEST: Olivos Restaurant

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NOV 02 - 08 2017 / ISSUE 493 • WEEKLY

HELPING HANDS

PLUS!

MORE IN OMAN COME FORWARD TO HELP THE NEEDY

SAFE RIDE

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NOVEMBER 24 / ISSUE 258

26

MANGA MAGIC

28

ON THE EDGE

34

COMPETITION

EDITOR’S

NOTE

Here are the winners of our AGS Back to School Competition

Under 8: Yaaman Taha Ages 8-13: Sakina Ahmed

THE BAROMETER GOING UP

NUMBER OF BUSES ON THE ROAD Mwasalat is taking delivery of 98 new buses, which should cover the rising demand of commuters within the capital. The company has also started offering their services until midnight.

GOING DOWN

FUEL PRICE Before you get your hopes up, we must warn you that the price drop only applies to the high-grade M95 petrol. It currently stands at 201 baisas per litre, as opposed to the 205 baisas per litre from last month.

Welcome to Y Magazine – your top guide to the best of Oman every week.

Fast forward

M

any people may think that charity should begin at home, but then again, many people do not. It all depends on what people define as “home” – it could mean your own house, your community or even the country you live in.

In my opinion, charity does begin at home. I strongly believe that people should help others who are less fortunate than them in whatever way that suits them. However, charity does not just mean poverty or helping the poor; it also means helping those in need. This time last year when I was heading the alumni association of the Indian School Darsait, a school where I studied in, we sponsored the fees of 10 students from financially weak families.

There are hundreds of such cases but these stories are never highlighted. Charity organisations like Dar Al Atta’a must be appreciated for their efforts towards helping the needy. “It’s not new for Omanis as it (giving to charity) is part of Omani culture.

Despite that, the response has been overwhelming and it encourages us, keeps us positive and inspires us to give more,” says Maryam al Zadjali, chairperson of Dar Al Atta’a.

In this week’s cover story, we look at the bigger picture of charity works in Oman and speak to those unsung heroes who never wish to come to the limelight.

Happy reading!

THIS WEEK… Team Y spent some alone time at the Fins beach, headed for brunch at the Radisson Blu, and took a quick trip to India for the weekend.

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EDITOR IN CHIEF Sayyida Iman bint Hamad bin Hamood Al Busaidi SENIOR ONLINE EDITOR Nishad Padiyarath ART DIRECTOR Matthew Herbst

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NOV 02 - 08 / ISSUE 493

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contents

Features 22

NOVEMBER 02 - 08 2017

Your Oman

This Week

08 Voice Of Oman

Hasan al Lawati 10

News Ministry of Manpower urges against hiring illegal workers

12

News First auto assembly plant to come up in Oman

18

19

10

26 A Smooth and Safe Ride

Industry expert advices

about tyre care

Military Music ROHM to host the annual military music event, this week

19 Movies Justice League to hit

theatres in Oman soon

Sharing is Caring Y investigates how generous donors are pitching in and doing their part to help the hapless

28 Art With A Twist An Omani girl’s

interpretation of Manga

22

Food and Drink 44 Food Feature Oktoberfest

Cars and Adventures 32 Destination

Fins Beach 34 First Drive

Ford Edge Titanium 36 Postcard From

Portland, Oregon 38 Y-Fi

Money management applications

46 Taste Test

Olivos Restaurant

Health and Beauty 40 Fashion

Post-Halloween outfits 42 Health

Pre-conception health

44

40 39 NEXT ISSUE...

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NOV 02 - 08 / ISSUE 493

A

fter the fantastic success of last year’s first-of-its-kind art event, Portrait By A Nation is back, bringing the children of the Sultanate together to mark 47 glorious years under the wise leadership of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said.

Building on the historical inaugural event, this year’s instalment is set to be a much bigger competition, taking place in cities across the country, including Sur, Nizwa, Sohar, Salalah, as well as the capital. Children from all regions in Oman will be given the opportunity to display their creativity as they paint or decorate a printed canvas of His Majesty in any way they wish as they compete for huge cash prizes. We have also received over 1,500 entries so far.

The event will be powered by FRiENDi in association with sponsors Muscat Grand Mall, PUCK, IDdesign and Finland Eye Center. Meanwhile, eXtra will be the electronics sponsor for the event.

It will be held on November 4 and

N O I T 5 in the interior regions, and on November 10 and 11 in Muscat.

National Day is a special time in the Sultanate when everybody joins hands to commemorate the years of Renaissance and the road of evolution Oman has taken to become a nation that can proudly hold its own on the world stage.

The progress and prosperity of the past 47 years has been achieved under the guidance of His Majesty The Sultan, who continues to lead the country with a steady, inspirational hand, and there is no better way to celebrate National Day than by creating a lasting tribute to our visionary leader. Last year’s competition attracted more than 2,200 entries from children across the country, who came together under one designated banner to create their portrait. Now in its fourth year, this year’s Portrait By A Nation could see numbers double as we celebrate this momentous milestone together.

This year’s event will again be open to three age categories, each with prizes for first place, runner-up and second runner-up, giving children more chances to win. The age categories will be five to nine years old, 10 to 13 and 14 to 17. We will also be including a new category this year for children with special needs.

“Once again, we are very proud to present Y’s the fourth edition of our annual competition, Portrait By A Nation. The past three years of

HOW TO TAKE PART 1) Online at y-oman.com/register 2) Pick up registration forms from Y magazine’s office in Seeb, the IDdesign store in Markaz Al Bahja, Finland Eye Center, and Muscat Grand Mall.

3) You can also Whatsapp (Name of the children, Age, Gender, Contact no., Email Id, School, Age Category) us on 9715 8499

we believe that the 47th National Day will be even more special the competition have been a huge success and we have received an overwhelming response from many children across the Sultanate, all of them inspired by the wise leadership of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said Al Said,” says Nishad Padiyarath, editorial head of Y Magazine.

“And we believe that the 47th National Day will be even more special.”

At the end of the painting events, 47 finalists will be chosen by a panel of judges that includes representatives from our sponsors and Nishad.

The finalists will then be invited to a special ceremony on November 18 to reveal the winners.

The final 47 portraits will also be collated and

spread onto a larger canvas that will act as a collage of the many faces of His Majesty, as seen through the eyes of the nation’s children. This larger piece of art will then be on public display for the duration of the country’s National Day celebrations.

The art competition is a great chance for children to show their pride in the nation they call home and Y is encouraging as many children and parents as possible to get involved and support the initiative.

Portrait By A Nation is a fantastic opportunity for children to display their creative prowess on a wide platform and to also show their love for the nation and express their gratitude to His Majesty The Sultan.

Talking about the event, a spokesperson for Muscat Grand Mall says: “We are proud to be a part of Y’s Portrait By A Nation event, this year.

This is a wonderful opportunity for the children to showcase their talents and also nab some lucrative prizes.

“We feel this will make way for some healthy competition but also some really striking art,” he adds.

To take part, children need to register their interest and select the correct age category they will be entering. Entrants will be invited to take part in the event hosted by SABCO Media, Y Magazine’s parent company, at a designated venue depending on where they live. ■

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THE VOICE OF OMAN

HAVE YOU RECEIVED A REQUEST TO VOTE FOR SOMEONE YOU DON’T KNOW ABOUT IN SOME REGIONAL CONTEST? HASAN AL LAWATI DWELLS ON THE DECLINE OF SOCIETY INTO STUPID JINGOISM

correspondence DEBATE OF THE WEEK WE ASKED: Oman’s financial situation has shown signs of improvement due to a rise in oil prices in the current year, the Central Bank of Oman has said. What are your thoughts?

BILAL MOIN

M

any Omanis are participating in social media voting campaigns and encouraging their peers to blindly vote for local poets, inventors and, recently, filmmakers who participate in regional competitions without even checking what other contestants have to offer.

A powerful, yet disgusting form of patriotism.

Winners of such competitions are decided by the number of votes they get and talent is reduced to simply a participation criterion. In simple words, creativity is undermined by sheer patriotism.

At this rate, if it wasn’t for a judging panel, all AGCC poetry contests will be won by a Saudi Arabian and regional talent shows by an Egyptian, considering the population of the two countries.

However, I trust the ultimate winners are mobile service providers.

On a weekly basis, I receive requests from people asking me to vote for their relatives who are competing in some singing competition.

Never did that, and my refusal was frowned upon, always.

This is why we suffer from unfair employment practices and tribe-dominated elections, as family comes first in every aspect of life.

On a bigger scale, this ideology is what threw up racists and fascists, who glorify their nations over humanity and justice.

My friend once told me that merit is the best substitute for nationalism. He was right.

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Businesses are getting stable and new job opportunities are coming up, but these things are not going to solve the current problem. In simple words, the economy of the oil-dependant country will remain unstable as long as fuel prices remain down and fluctuate dangerously.

Oman has to come up with new ways of attracting foreign investments to stabilse and boost its economy.

GAUTAM GHOSH DASTIDAR

Had a rise in oil prices in the current year been the solitary reason for the signs of improvement in the present fiscal scenario in Oman, other nations too would have shown similar improvements. But that is not the case.

Economic development depends mainly on overall demographic state of affairs. I am confident that one day not very far off Oman will bring us the most successful example of an imperial government with a very deep-seated democracy, and usher the world toward a land of peace and progress!

MOHAMMAD OSAMA RAWAT

Let us hope for the best. I pray that the economy of Oman improves and the current insecurity among business owners and employees comes to a quicker end. Neither am I an economist nor am I a great observer of economic affairs, but I simply observe people around and find that most of them are quite positive about 2018. Also, two negatives when added become positive, so the two negative years of the economy of Oman are almost over and, come 2018, it should show positive signs.

I am optimistic about it. However, tough times

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teach us to diversify our activities to improve our sources of income. The authorities have rightly and successfully adopted various economic diversification measures which are certainly going to yield greater results in the long run.

ANITHA DINESH

The economic measures in Oman are taken in a systematic manner, due to which non-oil sectors have made considerable increases in their contributions to the GDP in recent times. The current oil price that stays above the $50 mark gives a positive push to the momentum. Still, the common man is far from feeling upbeat as his salary is not helping him make ends meet in the face a rise in the prices of essential commodities and services. Hope the recovering economy will give us better living prospects in due course.

MOHAMED ABDOULMAGUID

The Sultanate’s keenness on promoting economic diversification could bring good results. The policy of diversifying the sources of income is a step in the right direction and should focus on the sectors and projects that are more active and important in the Sultanate than those in other countries of the region, away from concentrating on the sectors and projects where there is stiff competition in the region. More need to be done for agriculture and fisheries as well as some other specialised industries, in addition to the tourism sector where foreign investments in some projects could yield better results. It’s time we moved away from heavy dependency on oil. Governments in the Arab Gulf Cooperation Council states go slow on the process of economic diversification as fuel prices climb up to comfortable levels, but that is the time the authorities should focus more on efforts to reduce dependency on oil by encouraging

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ZAHID SAEED

Thinking well is wise, planning well is wiser, and doing well is the wisest and best of all. Over-dependence on oil is not the way forward, so the current measures of economic diversification should be implemented over a reasonably long period of time for them to produce results. Oman is blessed with resources other than oil. Free-trade zones, global experts who could help upgrade business operations, new mines, fresh initiatives in the fisheries sector, encouraging production and exports, foreign investment in key sectors like tourism, etc. could help transform the economy and make it strong enough to face global challenges.

New Debate: A serious fire in a girls’ school has left 14 people being treated for smoke inhalation.

Do schools in Oman have proper safety systems in place to meet such hazards?

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NOV 02 - 08 / ISSUE 493

09

YOUR

OMAN

STOP HIRING ILLEGAL WORKERS:

MINISTRY OF MANPOWER

WOMEN ARRESTED FOR POSSESSION OF DRUGS

T

he Anti-Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Department, led by the Buraimi Governorate police, has arrested a woman for possession of 1,253 psychotropic tablets in Buraimi.

The ROP calls on all citizens and residents to cooperate with the authorities in combating the drug scourge and to report to the police of any information that helps detect drug smugglers and drug traffickers by calling 9999, the toll-free number of the General Administration for Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances 1444, or going to the nearest police station.

ROP ALLOWS DECORATION OF CARS FOR NATIONAL DAY

M

otorists will be allowed to decorate their cars with stickers as part of National Day celebrations from November 1 to November 30, the Royal Oman Police (ROP) has said in an official tweet.

The Sultanate celebrates its National Day on November 18.

According to ROP regulations, motorists may place stickers on the body of their vehicles and on rear windows as long as drivers can see through them the vehicles and objects coming from behind.

Stickers must not cover plate numbers, lights, the front windshield and side windows.

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T

he Ministry of Manpower (MoM) is taking to social media to alert – and urge – everyone in the country to stop hiring illegal workers.

To curb the issue, the ministry revealed that it has squads that has been operating and arresting “tens of thousands of illegal workers”, and a new electronic registration system to keep logs on the workers here.

But in an online statement, the ministry said that education is the key to stamp out the problem.

“As long as citizens and residents are willing to hire undocumented workers, the practice will continue,” the ministry announced.

As per the statement, the number of workers who are arrested for violating the labour system exceeds 20,000 cases every year.

“It is a tiring and costly figure to eliminate the absconding worker phenomenon,” the statement added.

“In most absconding worker cases, we find that the arrested workers work for proxy ownership of business.

“An institution that is apparently/superficially owned by a citizen, yet in reality (is) owned by an expatriate,” the statement read.

The ministry is adopting new methods to crack this practice, though.

In most absconding worker arrest cases, the fines amount to RO100 for the sponsor and the worker, in addition to the ticket cost of the absconding worker to be deported from the country. But now, the fines stand at RO1,000 for any employee that employs an absconding worker.

Moreover, the worker will also have to shell out an excruciating RO800.

“As a result of the new procedures, the number of absconding worker complaints has increased and the value of work permits in the black market has also increased to reach RO3,000, besides a monthly share from the absconding worker,” the MoM explained.

“The ministry shall cease its services for two years for sponsors who free absconding workers. New employers of absconding workers shall cover the deporting tickets of those absconding workers,” it added.

MWASALAT’S NEW FLEET

TO REVAMP OMAN’S TRANSPORT SYSTEM

T

he waiting period for commuters to board a Mwasalat bus will be cut short significantly following the addition of 98 new buses to its existing fleet.

The buses are expected to join the fleet from December, Mwasalat has announced. The buses are estimated to cost more than RO11.677 million, and will create 320 jobs for Omanis.

“The induction of the buses, in phases, will continue until August 2018,” the national operator said after signing the agreements.

Mid last month (October 20), Mwasalat extended its city routes until midnight.

You can now travel the city routes – Mabela-Ruwi, Ruwi-Muttrah, Muscat-Ruwi-Amerat and Ruwi-Wadi Kabir – from 6am to midnight, much to the delight of several night-time commuters.

“The new move is based on public feedback,” Mwasalat said in a statement to the media.

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YOUR

OMAN

NEWS

MARGINAL DROP IN PETROL PRICES FOR NOVEMBER;

DIESEL UP BY 2 BAISAS

R

esidents of Oman will continue to feel the pinch as the price of a litre of high quality M95 petrol continues to remain above the 200 baisas mark.

As per the latest prices announced by the Ministry of Oil and Gas, M95 petrol will now cost 201 baisas per litre – which is a 4 baisas drop from last month’s. Meanwhile, M91 petrol will continue to cost 186 baisas a litre.

The price of diesel is now 213 baisas a litre from 211 baisas a litre in October.

The average price of oil in Oman for November delivery has stabilised at $54.02, which is $3.63 per barrel higher than October delivery, this year.

HAAGEN-DAZS OPENS AT AVENUES MALL

H

aagen-Dazs has opened its first branch in Oman. Ice-cream lovers can now enjoy a luxurious experience at the Avenues Mall.

“This Haagen-Dazs not only raises the bar for indulgent desserts, but creates its own segment in the food and beverage industry in Oman,” said Sadiq Al Lawati, director of Mehdi Group, which brought the franchise to the Sultanate.

The menu boasts 20 flavours, as well as specialty creations with waffles, crepes and hot drinks.

This is the 61st branch of the international brand in the Middle East and North Africa, according to Al Lawati, who has no plans to stop with just one outlet here.

“By 2025, we are expecting – if we’re going according to our wish – at least 10 branches in the Sultanate,” he said in an exclusive interview with Y magazine.

“We have already three branches on our radar,

FIRST AUTO ASSEMBLY PLANT

TO COME UP IN OMAN

T

he Omani and Qatari promoters of a bus assembly plant project — the first of its kind in the country — will break ground on the landmark venture at a stone-laying ceremony set to be held at the Duqm Special Economic Zone (SEZ) on November 13, the Oman Observer has reported.

Doha-based Karwa Automobiles, a wholly owned subsidiary of Qatari national transportation company Mowasalat, is a 70 per cent shareholder in KarwaDuqm, the joint venture company which is developing the Sultanate’s first automotive plant in Duqm.

Oman Investment Fund (OIF), a sovereign wealth fund of the Sultanate, owns the balance 30 per cent stake. Total investment in the venture is estimated at RO160 million.

According to the Observer, when fully rolled out, KarwaDuqm will be capable of assembling as many as 2,000 units of various types of motor vehicles, including trucks, buses, vans and cars. Potential markets include the wider Middle East and Africa, among other destinations. As many as 400-500 direct jobs will be created by the project as well.

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there are no promises, but it is on the horizon, as they say,” he said.

Al Lawati owns a number of high-end restaurants in Muscat and he is very familiar with the F&B industry in Oman.

“HaagenDazs is an add-on that fills a gap in the local market. Part of our philosophy is to have a wow element in our pickings,” he explained.

Al Lawati expressed his satisfaction with the new location.

“I do not compromise on the location, a corner location like this in a happening mall like the Avenues fits my criteria,” he said.

Asked as to how he could stand out among the rest of eateries in town, Al Lawati had this to say: “Pick the right product, maintain the quality of service, use best ingredients. We never compromise on the quality of food. It is our redline,” he stressed.

OKTOBERFEST

GALLERY

INTERCONTINENTAL MUSCAT SUCCESSFULLY ORGANISED THE OKTOBERFEST, LAST WEEK [26TH OCTOBER], AT THE HOTEL PREMISES. THE FESTIVAL WILL CONTINUE UNTIL TODAY IN THE PALM LANE, BEFORE COMING TO A CLOSE. IN TRUE TRADITION, THE VISITORS PARTOOK IN GROUP DANCES AND INDULGED IN THE EXCLUSIVE MENU, SET BY THE CHEFS AT THE HOTEL.

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YOUR

DANCE-OFF

OMAN

JUTHOOR AL HAYA - ROUGHLY TRANSLATED AS ‘ROOTS OF LIFE’ - OPENED THE DOORS TO ITS DEDICATED DANCE STUDIO, IN ATHAIBA, MUSCAT. THE INAUGURATION WAS HELD ON THE 22ND OF OCTOBER, IN THE PRESENCE OF H.H SAYIDA HUJAIJA AL SAID AND H.H SAYIDA BASMA AL SAID. THE STUDIO AIMS TO PROVIDE VARIOUS DANCESTYLE CLASSES FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN. THE INSTITUTE IS FOUNDED BY ASYA AL-LAMKI AND NATALIA COSTA.

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GALLERY

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NOV 02 - 08 / ISSUE 493 Photo: Shaquel Al Balushi

Today’s inspiration: The crusaders of the desert.

In a new series, we look for inspiration from a variety of influences around Oman, including its people, places and wildlife.

THE WHAT’S ON GUIDE

NOV

02

THIS

WEEK

NBO GOLF CLASSIC GRAND FINAL

The NBO Golf Classic Grand Final has kicked off. The four-day tournament that began on Wednesday at the stunning Al Mouj Golf at The Wave has 45 professional players taking part in it. These world-class golfers will bid to secure a full-fledged European Tour Card for the 2018 season. The NBO Grand Final brings down the curtain to the European Challenge Tour 2017 Road to Oman season.

OMANISING COMEDY NIGHT The ‘Omanising Comedy Night’ will be held on November 4 at Radisson Blu Hotel in Al Khuwair. Hosted

by Yung Sluth Oman Comedy Central’s Sami, Joe, Nasser and debutant Ammar with headliner from Turkey AsliAkbay, seating is first come, first served and fills up quickly. Doors open at 6pm and the first comedian hits the stage at 8pm. Entrance fee is RO3 per person.

NOV

04

MILITARY MUSIC AT ROHM WHAT TO DO. WHAT TO SEE. WHAT TO HEAR.

N O V E M B E R Royal Opera House’s spectacular annual military music event continues to be the most popular event in the seasonal calendar. The event will be held on November 2 to 4 at 7pm.

In a proud display of military pageantry, scores of men and women will march in stunning formation on ROHM’s outdoor courtyard while playing classic military music in distinctive and colourful dress uniform. It is always a heart-stirring experience to witness the flawless military precision of the tattoo, to hear the bagpipes and the trumpets and to know that Oman’s military musicians are among the finest in the world. In an expression of friendship strongly symbolising Oman’s global outlook, first-class traditional guest bands from Europe and Asia will enrich the concert and open fresh windows on the world.

NOV

02

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H T I W E HANDL A

E R A C

nyone under the age of 18 is generally considered as a juvenile, and anyone who fails to obey the laws of the land is a delinquent, but when these two words get together in an unholy alliance, we have on hand a serious problem that requires a prudent approach. Obviously, the way forward is not by means of getting tough but by being caring and careful with the policies and programmes we put in place to handle young offenders.

Children are the future of any nation and if an increasing number of them tend to be antisocial owing to factors ranging from simple to complex, the nation will be deprived of its most precious resource to build, strengthen and gallop ahead.

Just as there is a range of risk factors that give rise to the problem of juvenile delinquency, there are many theories that try to define and address the issue with a view to bringing down the numbers. A child may engage in antisocial or criminal conduct either because he does not have the means to make himself happy and resorts to unlawful ways to meet his goals, or because he, after failing to meet the normal social standards, tries to form his own group of like-minded youngsters.

Punitive measures that seek to isolate and tough policies that try to discipline him might not work. A juvenile delinquent need to be brought back into the fold of society through the involvement of the whole of society – and that includes the child, his parents, the schools and others in the community. It is a collective work.

The new facility for juvenile delinquents that is coming up in Seeb has received generous support from society. Omani businessmen and corporations have come forward to lend their helping hands to the efforts being put in by the government to get the youngsters who have strayed off the mainstream back on the right track.

The Seeb facility has in its focus factors that could help a young offender get back into the mainstream. “The upcoming project will help the ministry organise more workshops and rehabilitation programmes as it will be located in Muscat, which makes it close to the educational institutions concerned,” said Adnan Mustafa Al Farsi, assistant director of the juvenile affair department in the Ministry of Social Development.

The current facility is located at the Central Jail at Sumail, but by choosing Seeb as the place for the new centre the authorities are looking at the possibility of taking advantage of the vast opportunities available in Muscat to reform and rehabilitate the young offenders. “Children between age 11 and 18 who commit crimes are sent to the rehabilitation centre while the guidance centre cares for the kids who are more prone to violate the law,” Al Farsi explained.

s might not ie c li o p h g u Get-to delinquents e il n e v ju g help brin , but an m a e r t s in a m back to the ting the a e r ‘t n o d e s approach ba ymptoms’ could, s cause not the san al Lawati writes Ha

He added that the police would only be in charge of the centre’s security and guard duty. While the Samail juvenile centre is managed by the Royal Oman Police, the new one will be fully operated by the Ministry of Social Development.

The new 4,000m² Juvenile Rehabilitation Centre will be opened in 2019, according to a source at W.J Towell, the company in charge of executing the project.

The ministry signed a memorandum of understanding on September 13 with the Towell group to fund the centre, according to the company’s twitter page. After a week, the company revealed that it invested RO700,000 in the first-of-its-kind project.

The hexagon-shaped centre will be divided into two sections – a rehabilitation centre and a guidance centre – according to Al Farsi. The centre will include a library, food court, gym, an outdoor football field and a mini school. The rooms will be designed to accommodate more than 70 juveniles.

“Juvenile delinquents in Oman are relevantly a small group and they need care rather than punishment. This way we can control them,” the Towell Group source said, adding that the project was still in the mapping stage and the company was working on getting some clearances.

Last year, the Ministry of Social Development reported a decrease in the number of juvenile offenders in the Sultanate. Around 445 crimes were recorded in 2016 compared to 506 in 2015, 423 in 2014 and 457 in 2013. The data shows that 137 juveniles were arrested in North Al Batinah Governorate, 68 in Muscat Governorate, 53 in A’Dakhiliya Governorate, 34 in Al Dhahira, while South and North Al Sharqiyah registered 47 and 38 respectively.

The charitable project comes amid a wave of donations given by Omani businessmen and corporations.

Local media reported in October that an Omani citizen, who chose to remain anonymous, donated 120 houses for underprivileged families and orphans.

In the same month, MB Foundation, the charity arm of MB Holding Company LLC, donated a new accommodation wing to the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH), which is expected to be ready next year.

Saleh Al Zarii, a local businessman, donated in October medical equipment worth of RO700,000 to Jaalan Bani Bu Ali Hospital, according to Atheer news website.

The Corporate Social Responsible initiatives have been highly appreciated by social media users in the Sultanate.

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Origin: Donkey’s milk Location: Serbia Cost: $576 per pound (RO221)

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Origin: Cow’s milk Location: Derbyshire County, England Cost: $450 per pound (RO173)

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Origin: Cow’s milk Location: Somerset, England Cost: $200 per pound (RO77) 020

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Origin: Cow’s milk Location: China Cost: $150 per pound (RO57.7) Source: Mental Floss

MOVIES MOVIES FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TIMES, GO TO: City Cinema: citycinemaoman.net Al Bahja Cinema: albahjacinema.net VOX Cinemas: oman.voxcinemas.com Star Cinema: Tel +968 24791641

The Little Vampire

chased by a retired cop (Mohan Lal). The cop’s past experience ends up influencing the killer’s fate in this gripping thriller that will keep you on the edge of the seat.

Starring: Jim Carter, Rasmus Hardiker and Alice Krige

Oman Release Date: 02 November 2017

Justice League

Murder on the Orient Express

Starring: Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot, Henry Cavill, Jason Momoa, Ezra Miller, Ray Fisher, Amy Adams and J.K. Simmons

Starring: Kenneth Branagh, Penélope Cruz, Willem Dafoe, Judi Dench, Johnny Depp, Josh Gad, Michelle Pfeiffer and Daisy Ridley‘

DC Comics is back and this time with a star-studded cast. After Superman’s (Henry Cavill) selfless act, Bruce Wayne a.k.a. Batman (Ben Affleck), reaches out to Diana Prince, a.k.a. Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot) to battle the looming threat. Together, they recruit Aquaman (Jason Momoa), Cyborg (Ray Fisher) and Flash (Ezra Miller) to save the planet from new evil brewing that’s threatening to wreak havoc and end the world.

Oman Release Date: 16 November 2017

In this animated kid-friendly, actionpacked funny movie, the story follows Rudolph, a 13-year-old vampire whose clan is being threatened by an infamous vampire hunter. Rudolph comes across Tony, a 13-year-old mortal who is obsessed with and fascinated by vampires, graveyards and creepy castles. The boys become fast friends and together, they battle the vampire hunting enemies and save Rudolph’s clan.

Oman Release Date: 26 October 2017

Villain Starring: Mohan Lal, Manju Warrier, Vishal Krishna Reddy, Hansika Motwani and Ranji Panicker

Black Sabbath: The End of the End Starring: Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Lommi and Geezer Butler

After reigning in the limelight as the heavy metal music legends for half a century, Black Sabbath took to the stage one last time on their home turf to a

sold-out arena in Birmingham, England before finally bidding goodbye to their die-hard fan base. “The End of the End” documentary includes exclusive interviews with Ozzy Osbourne and other bandmates, and rare insight into the musical icons’ journey together since they began in 1968 to how they came to be metal lords to their massive generationspanning fan base.

Inspired by Agatha Christie’s detective novel, “Murder on the Orient Express,” is an all-star cast murder mystery where a pleasant train ride through Europe turns into a chaotic, suspenseful murder scene for the 13 stranded passengers on the train who all become suspects. Christie’s usual protagonist, Belgian Detective Hercule Poirot (Kenneth Branagh) must solve the mystery before murder strikes again.

Oman Release Date: 09 November 2017

Oman Release Date: 21 September 2017

If you’re into crime-thrillers, this might be for you. The story follows a killer (Manju Warrier) on loose as he frustrates the entire police department with his meticulous crimes, only to be NOV 02 - 08 / ISSUE 493

021

is Caring Generous donors, both corporates and individuals, are ready to pitch in and do their part to help the hapless. Alvin Thomas takes a charity walk around the town with the givers, getters and takers

A thousand candles could be lit by a single candle, before going on to proclaim that happiness never decreases by being shared 022

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People of today are so engrossed in their daily lives that they tend to forget about others

A

wise man once said that a thousand candles could be lit by a single candle, before going on to proclaim that happiness never decreases by being shared. He was right, and little did he know that his words of wisdom would inspire so many and mean life or death for millions of people around the world.

While it is true how one person can indeed shine the light for the benefit of another, we must also realise how important it is to share our fortunes with one another.

And looking at the smile on young Tareq’s* face, we realise how one person’s gratitude could mean the livelihood of another.

The nine-year-old student from one of Oman’s schools is ever-so-grateful to his sponsor, who takes care of his schooling, meals and clothing – all done through a safe and anonymous channel.

It’s something one has to see to be believed; his smile is so captivating that it makes us realise that a good deed does go a long way.

We do not know who is sponsoring the young child but one of the teachers of his school believes that this is indeed what is helping a handful of students get through the early years of education.

The teacher – who is sponsoring a child himself through a charitable organisation in Oman – wishes to remain unnamed in our interview and says he has received nothing but

an abundance of “blessings from the prayers of the children”.

“People of today are so engrossed in their daily lives that they tend to forget about others. But, if there is something I have learnt throughout the course of my life, it is that a person will never lose his or her wealth by providing to the needy.

“It is also something that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) wisely taught us: “No wealth (of a servant of Allah) is decreased because of charity.”

“I started giving charity at the age of 18 when I got my first job as a clerk in the ministry,” he tells us.

“Back then, I used to give roughly RO15 (10 per cent) from my salary of RO150. Of course, now the tables have changed and the amount has increased; but I cannot reveal how much I donate now, because I think it would take away the relevance of giving.”

But the teacher is happy that he does not have to reach further than his credit card and smartphone to make a donation, thanks to the new online portal by Dar Al Atta’a.

For those of you who aren’t in the know, Dar Al Atta’a is an inclusive charity association that caters to the needy in the Sultanate. It is a non-profit volunteer-based charity organisation formed in 2002 and formally registered as a charity with the Ministry of Social Development in 2006.

And ever since its formal inception, the organisation has made leaps and strides to promote the welfare of needy citizens and provide more residents an opportunity – and a simpler platform – to promote charity giving.

“It’s funny how I do not need to buy an envelope and a stamp and send in my cheques by mail in order to make a donation today. I can do everything online and easily. This also means more people are motivated to make a donation,” the teacher says.

And he’s right. A quick search of the Dar Al Atta’a website shows us that you can not only sponsor a child through school, but also aid in constructing and maintaining houses for the poor, help waiver water and electricity bills, and also pay your zakah (a form of alms-giving treated in Islam as a religious obligation or tax).

You can also use the website to join the team as a volunteer, member, or even a corporate sponsor, by paying as little as RO12 a year.

But how has the response to the Dar Al Atta’a been? And what are the struggles that the organisation face on a daily basis? To get to grips with these questions, we have a chat with the chairperson of Dar Al Atta’a, Maryam al Zadjali.

“It’s hard to describe how incredible the support we have received from the Omani community has been,” she says, in response to our question.

“It’s not new for Omanis as it (giving to charity) is part of Omani culture. Despite that, the response has been overwhelming and it encourages us, keeps us positive and inspires us to give more.”

With more people in need of help, however, the responsibilities of the organisation have increased beyond boundaries.

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“With the increasing demand from Dar Al Atta’a, we struggle to keep up with it,” Maryam says.

“The focus of our activities is to create fund-raising programmes that are effective and diverse. We are continuously brainstorming for new ideas to raise more funds and at the same time engage our audience in order to have more effective results and achievements.”

And create programmes, they do.

A quick search on the internet reveals the work Dar Al Atta’a has conducted in recent times.

Just this week (October 29), the mobile library operated by Dar Al Atta’a began touring villages and towns across Muscat to collect donations for Oman’s Society for Petroleum Services’ (Opal’s) programme.

In an interview with the local daily Times of Oman, Musallam Al Mandhary, chief executive officer of Opal, said: “We worked with Dar Al Atta’a at the beginning of this year and we donated a library bus.”

The bus is aimed at helping Dar Al Atta’a’s mobile library programme, Maktabati, which promotes the habit of reading among young Omani children.

The bus goes to different villages, towns and schools of Oman to provide a range of books to children to choose from. The mobile library also makes appearances at special events and festivals.

“The bus is fully equipped as a library and is very nicely done,” Al Mandhary was quoted as saying.

The bus carries a wide range of books, including novels, short stories and poetry for children of different age groups, and is an offshoot of Dar Al Atta’a’s ‘Let’s Read Campaign’ that has been encouraging children to develop the habit of reading since 2007.

A few weeks ago, they also hosted a charity book sale wherein people could purchase books at discounts of up to 50 per cent to help those who cannot afford to get hold of newer and expensive books.

The discounted prices of books ranged from 500 baizas to RO1.

If that wasn’t all, Dar al Atta’a also commemorated World Food Day in cooperation with schools, companies and volunteers by collecting foodstuffs for the needy. The food items were distributed this month (October 16), and evoked good response.

A few months ago – in August – the organisation helped underprivileged students prepare themselves for the start of the new academic year by providing thousands of pupils with stationery and uniforms necessary for school.

The aid was supported by companies in Oman such as Al Hadash National Company, National Life and General Insurance Company and Dar Al Atta’a themselves.

In total, 69 schools received aid, and the number of students given stationery stood at 4,897, with 721 students from Dar Al Atta’a families. The number of students who

received school uniforms stood at 2,198, with 877 from Dar Al Atta’a families.

But, Dar Al Atta’a is only one of the few charitable organisations recognised by the government of Oman – and doing a job to make the country a place habitable to all.

The Oman Charitable Organisation (OCO) is another institution that aims at providing the needy with much-needed facilities and amenities.

Also in the list of active organisations is Al Rahma Association for Motherhood and Childhood, which opened doors to the less fortunate in 2005.

It is supported by the societal development committee in the wilayat of Al Seeb, and strives to help less fortunate families across the governorates by providing them with the necessary financial and non-financial support through donations from charitable sources.

The Ministry of Housing and Al Jisr Charity Foundation are also on a huge drive to provide roofs for several Omani families. This year, the organisation has handed over 36 homes to the underprivileged families who are entitled to zakah.

Of the 36 houses, 29 were newly constructed, six were purchased and one was renovated for accommodation.

A volunteer at Al Jisr Charity Foundation says: “There’s nothing more satisfying than watching the happiness seep through the eyes of those getting something they have always dreamt of.

“And our projects aim to give these people the opportunity to start off their lives at home. Many of these people have never experienced the warmth or the hospitability of a house, and we are slowly giving them that.”

Al Jisr Charity Foundation lists 2,300 volunteers who have completed a total of 5,720 projects since its inception.

Another new non-profit organisation giving a ray of hope to those in need is Eshraqa, which is part of the Khimji Ramdas social development arm. It is pushing

I do not need to buy an envelope and a stamp and send in my cheques by mail in order to make a donation; today, I can do everything online

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We are continuously brainstorming on new ideas to raise more funds and at the same time engage our audience in order to have more effective results and achievements

ahead with efforts to make the lives of a set of children easy: the blind students of the Omar Bin Al Khattab school.

The organisation primarily intends to provide education, health and well-being to the community by working hand in hand with various nongovernmental organisations (NGOs).

And as part of the initiative, they provided 10 new braille machines – dubbed the Braille Sense U2 – to the students of the school. Each machine costs over RO2,500 but provides the student with an advanced machine for learning.

“The older machine weighed over 8kg and made a lot of noise,” says Rajive Ahuja, head of corporate communications and corporate social responsibility (CSR) at Khimji Ramdas.

“The keys on the older machine were extremely hard to punch in and used to clutter a lot, too.

“Blind children use their sense of hearing to achieve many tasks, so such noises used to hinder their judgment. They also couldn’t concentrate on their work.

“The new machine is smaller, lighter and provides new technologies – for example – it supports voice guidance and can sync with another computer.”

Currently, the school – which is under the Ministry of Education – has over 600 students, including kids as young as five. Even more remarkable is that 120 students have finished their courses and are now in college.

In order to increase awareness within the local community, the organisation has released numerous videos of the handing over of the braille machines to the school, and an exclusive music video wherein a student, Noor al Mamri, sings an Arabic song thanking Eshraqa.

“We shot a one-minute video of Noor singing. We had a production company to do the film, following which we posted it on our social media platforms.

“This is not only important to create awareness but also to show the country the achievements of these talented children.

“Whenever we are given the chance to help with social development, it doesn’t stop with one initiative. We will follow up and help with the process,” adds Rajiv’s associate Ayman Hamza.

To watch the whole video, you can head straight to the Facebook page @ OmanEshraqa.

While large establishments such as Khimji Ramdas are helping giving back to the people, some expats are also chipping in to fund the activities of schoolgoing children.

Earlier this year, the Indian School Darsait (ISD) Alumni Association sponsored the school tuition fees of 10 students. The students were picked based on their academic excellence and financial background.

Hala Jamal, President of Indian School Darsait Alumni says: “We sponsored the school fees of 10 students from financially weak families. We scrutinised their documents before sponsoring and we selected those students who are good in studies. There are many cases we know but not everyone’s story is highlighted.”

“At the end of the day, if we can touch the lives of at least one individual, we know we have succeeded,” Ayman tells us.

“That’s what we – and a lot of people – who are involved in charities and other such initiatives are trying to do. We just hope that some day, more people will come together and work on making the lives of each other a better one.” *Name changed to keep anonymity

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D N A E A SAF

E D I R H T O O M S

hout t i w s n o i t a n i our dest o t s aking t u r g e n i h t t t i e e g e r n i a e e big rol pect w Tyres play a ccidents, but that’s an as Thomas shares with a a in meeting with r simply unaware of. Alv in tyre care for granted o ocal expert vital lessons l

T

here goes a saying: “If safety is a joke, then death is the punchline”. While it may sound like a quip that a comedian would crack in a standup show, the true meaning it brings to the table is immeasurable – and one that we must take into consideration throughout all our walks of life.

Of course, there are many things we can do – or partake in – to make our lives, and the lives of the people around us, safer.

And keeping in line with that very motto, Jaishankar, the general manager of the tyres division of the Bridgestone tyres in Oman, advises: “The goal to live a safe life starts with the things that you ignore”.

It’s true that what he says can be applied on a broad spectrum, but our interview focuses on the most forgotten part of a car – the tyres.

And as a veteran in the industry – with over 28 years of experience – Jaishankar is only eager – and apt – to talk about the safety aspects of tyres and how one can reduce the risk of an accident by simply checking the condition of their tyres.

He starts by saying: “Tyres differ according to various segments. Oman is a very unique market; the tyre you can use in the Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) areas, you cannot use in Muscat.

“So, there are specific tyres that you can use depending on the vehicle and the area.”

Tips for trucks “For trucks, if you are operating 100 per cent long haul, there is a specific tyre that you should be using. If you have a 50-50 on and off operation, there is a specific product that you should use.

“So, even if you take one size in the truck segment, there are 12 to 14 different patterns. Even when a salesman goes to meet a customer, he needs to understand the load, the travelling speeds, the shifts and how many kinds of terrains he operates on.

“Also important is to check if there is a rest time in between these shifts, how the maintenance team operates; if they are

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Tips when changing tyres

checking the inflation pressures regularly and doing the tyre rotation on time.

“They will also check if the tyres can be removed and re-treaded on time so that they can get a second life. So, a lot of technical selling is involved in the truck segment.

“We just cannot go by size and price. It’s almost like how a doctor prescribes medicines. For each application, we need to suggest the right product so that the customer gets the best value for money.”

Tips for cars “As a motorist, I can say that the tyres are the most ignored part of a vehicle.

“For instance, if your tyre has five pounds less pressure, you will continue to use the car not knowing that. Of course, most advanced cars of today have tyre pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) that will show the pressures on your dashboard. But there are cars that do not have those sensors.

“So, you need to have a physical check every 15 days to make sure the pressures are all proper.

Think like this: if your brakes do not function or your gears do not shift, you will immediately go to the garage. But if the pressure is less, you will not realise it unless you are a very alert driver.

“You can feel that on your steering.

“The tyre is a container that carries this volume of pressure. The air pressure inside is what is doing the job. It carries the load and absorbs all the shocks. So, my advice would be to choose the right tyre.

“Many people – at least 95 per cent of the people – do not know the tyre brand and size that is on their car. They also do not know where you can find the tyre pressure of your car and how often you should be checking these pressures.

“Another important thing is to ensure that the valve caps are on. They are very important; we all ride on tubeless tyres. The valve that holds the air without leakage has an inner core. If you do not use a valve cap, then in a dusty environment, there are possibilities that tiny particles of stone and dust that will go into the core of the tube.

“If it goes there, at one point of time, it will disturb the valve core. This means that there will be gradual leakage. But if it is with a valve cap then you can be completely sure that your valves are protected so that the pressure will not leak by itself.

“There is a certain amount of pressure that will seep through over a period of time. That is why it is ideal to check the pressure every 15 days. ■

“Always go with the recommended tyre pressure by the manufacturer and car. You must not change the tyre size if it is not recommended by the manufacturer. The size and the specifications must match.

“When I say specification and size, the last two data are very important – which is the load index and the speed symbol.

So, if you are changing the tyre on

your cars, you must make sure the specifications are close to that of the original tyre.

“For example, if the load index on your original tyre is 109, then you can go for that spec, or higher. It shouldn’t go below what is recommended. Because the manufacturer has identified that as the load index considering the vehicle’s GVW (gross vehicle weight) and passenger weight.

Additional tips: • Never bleed air when the tyres are hot.

• Always check your tyres when the tyres are cold.

• When you go for long hauls, please keep the pressure two pounds higher than recommended. Generally, people think that the heat generated by the tyre is more during a long-haul drive, so you shouldn’t be increasing

the pressure. But if you reduce the pressure, the flexing on your side wall reduces by a huge percent, thereby reducing the heat generation.

• Always do a tyre rotation every 10,000km. There’s a rotation pattern for every vehicle; for front-wheeldrive, rear-wheel-drive and a fourwheel drive.

Where to check the pressures “On the driver’s side, there is a panel that should show you all the tyre pressures.

You can find it in the fuel door on German and American cars. If you cannot find it anywhere, however, you should check for it in the vehicle manual.

Pros of filling your tyres with nitrogen “I would insist on nitrogen filling for your tyres. The nitrogen molecules are larger than normal atmospheric air and it is also the largest available gas.”

“It is also a cooler gas than normal air, so it cools down much faster. Moreover, for vehicles using steel rims, due to the moisture content in normal air the wheels can get rusted from the inside.

“Lastly, nitrogen seepage is less, so you will also only have to check the pressures every 30 or 40 days.”

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W

hat do Oman and Japan have in common?

Well, apart from a craving for fish and rice, their kindness and outstanding hospitality is one of the most visible, striking similarities between the two nations.

Such similarities and shared interests are fodder for Omani manga artist Nof Al Zadjali who fuses Omani and Japanese cultures in simple, yet astonishing strokes.

Al Zadjali exhibited her 17 works of art in June in two locations in Japan. The exhibition was held as part of an official launch of the third friendship association between Oman and Japan.

She was chosen by the Oman and Nara Friendship Association to represent Oman in the event.

“I thought of doing paintings which have a blend of both cultures for the occasion,” Al Zadjali said.

Her paintings captured the beauty of Oman and Japan across an array of topics ranging from fashion to jewellery, green tea and nature.

The first exhibition took place at the Takumi No Mura Art Institute in Kawakami village.

“There I met the mayor of Kawakami village and presented him a signed copy of my manga (Living Dreams).”

Later the exhibition was held at Tenri City, a beautiful little town in Nara.

“I had the opportunity to meet the mayor of that city as well, and I presented him an artwork which depicted a scene of one of the most famous shrines in the city, and an Omani tourist walking inside,” she said.

Al Zadjali’s love affair with anime goes back to her childhood. Funny enough, she did not know that anime was a form of Japanese art until she was in high school.

“I have been watching anime since I was a kid on German, Italian and French TV channels. And of course, I never understood what they spoke back then, which made me focus on the art details and the animation,” the 29-reay-old artist said.

After publishing her manga (a Japanese comic book), she is working on volume 2 of her book. Y magazine catches up with the emerging artist to know more about her craft and creativity.

So how does Nof Al Zadjali overcome artist’s block?

There are many ways to overcome artist’s block, for example, going through Instagram profiles of professional artists and surfing the Internet for creative communities and websites, watching art videos on YouTube, reading a good book and taking some time away from screens, etc. Then comes the sketching part, creating the idea on paper, from

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BACK HOME AFTER TAKING HER PAINTINGS TO TWO EXHIBITIONS IN JAPANESE CITIES, NOF AL ZADJALI IS EXCITED ABOUT THE SECOND VOLUME OF HER MANGA WORK. HASAN AL LAWATI SITS DOWN WITH THE LADY ARTIST TO GET A GLIMPSE OF HER PASSIONS, DREAMS AND INSPIRATIONS

scratch. There will be many “undo” clicks and erasing at this stage. But it is usually very enjoyable and it helps to let the stress out.

Some artists stop at this stage and prefer to share their unfinished sketches online. After that comes the outlining and clean-up stage where we have to go over the final sketch one more time and determine the right strokes and delete the others. We usually create very smooth and clean line art, but some like it to be messy, it depends on the artist’s style. The last part is the colouring stage, breathing life into your artwork. To me personally, it is the most fun part and I usually like to share my artworks fully coloured.

What message do you want to convey through your work?

Every artist must have a list of websites, artist profiles and books which they can always refer to for inspiration. Visual feeding is very important and effective. Nevertheless, continuous practice and the urge to learn more will make the difference. In the exhibitions we’ve also presented other Omani products along side my work, such as frankincense, Omani traditional clothes as well as photo books of Oman’s most beautiful places and educational videos about my country.

How did the Japanese react to your work?

They were kinda surprised at the ideas I came up with, but they were also interested in Omani culture and how it looked very similar to theirs. The artworks made them feel related and interested to know more.

Many visitors at the exhibition were fascinated by Oman, some of them never heard about it before.

They’ve showed interest to visit the country in the near future!

What is your biggest project so far?

Personally, I feel proud about my first manga book

titled Living Dreams. I wrote the story in 2008 and I wanted to publish it as a written novel, however I stumbled across many obstacles which put me down.

Then I realised that these obstacles were for my own good. I started to draw digitally on Wacome Cintiq screens, and greatly improved my art skills. Only then, around 2016, did I decide to start creating the story as a manga. So in 2017 I participated in the Middle East Film & Comic Convention (MEFCC) in Dubai, and self-published the very first manga. Drawing the manga took me about three months, from sketch to finalising to adding text, etc. Creating manga books is usually done by teams, but when it’s a one-man work, it takes a lot of effort and time.

The story is about a boy (Firas) who sees the same mysterious, lucid dreams every night and never understood their meaning. He decides to find out more about these strange dreams and then he meets a man (Hadi) and that’s when he realises that his dreams are much more complicated than he thought. They face a group of enemies (The Knightmares) who keep causing people awful dreams. ■

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GRAB IT BEFORE IT’S GONE GET YOUR FREE COPY OF Y AT THE FOLLOWING DISTRIBUTION POINTS… Capital Region Azaiba • Amara

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& Deli • Mood Café • Oman Oil Petrol Station • Papa John’s Pizza • Pizza Hut

• Saharz Beauty Salon • Starbucks Al Murtafa’a • Bank Muscat • KFC • Muscat Hills Golf &

Country Club Muscat International Airport • Caribou Coffee • Majan Lounge • Plaza Premium Lounge Mussanah • Millennium Resort Muttrah • Shell Petrol Station Qantab • Al Bustan Palace • Marina Bandar Al Rowdha • Oman Dive Center • Shangri-La Qurum • Al Araimi Complex • Balance Health & Fitness • Bank Nizwa • BMW showroom • Burger King • Chili’s Restaurant • Crowne Plaza • Finland Eye Center • Fun Zone • Gloria Jean’s Coffees • The Jungle Restaurant • Left Bank • McDonald’s • Mercedes-Benz Showroom • Mumtaz Mahal Restaurant • Nandos • Nissan Showroom • Oman Oil Petrol Station • Pizza Hut • Qurum Commercial Complex • Ras Al Hamra Club • SABCO Centre • Second Cup • Starbucks • The Sultan Center • Tche Tche Café Rusayl • Knowledge Oasis Muscat-1 • Knowledge Oasis Muscat-2 • Knowledge Oasis Muscat-3 • Knowledge Oasis

Muscat-4 (ITA) • Middle East College • Omantel • Waljat College of

Applied Sciences Ruwi • Apollo Medical Centre • Kamat Restaurant • KFC • Khimji’s Mega

Store – Swarovski Showroom • Khimji’s Watches • KM Trading • Oman Air • Oman UAE Exchange • Oman Trading Establishment • Saravana Bhavan Sarooj • Al Fair • Al Masa Mall • City Cinema • Ayana Spa • Cosmeclic • Emirates Medical Center • McDonald’s • Shell Petrol Station • VLCC Wellness Sawadi • Al Sawadi Beach Resort Seeb • Golden Tulip Hotel • McDonald’s Shatti Al Qurum • Bareeq Al Shatti Complex • Caribou Coffee • D’Arcy’s Kitchen • German Eye Centre • The Indus Restaurant • InterContinental

Hotel Muscat • Jawharat Al Shatti Complex • Kaya Skin Clinic • Muscat Eye Laser Center • Oasis By The Sea • Second Cup • Starbucks • VLCC Wellness Sifah • Sifawy Boutique Hotel SQU • Diplomatic Club • College of

Economics and

Political Science

• Students Banking Area • Reception/ Canteen Wadi Kabir • Al Maya Hypermarket • LuLu Hypermarket • Muscat Pharmacy • National Hospitality Institute • Pizza Hut • Shell Petrol Station Wattayah • Ahli Bank • Best Cars • BLS International Services • Chevrolet/GM showroom • Ford Showroom • Hatat House • Honda Showroom • Hyundai Showroom • Kia Showroom • Lexus Showroom • National Travel & Tourism • Passage To India Restaurant • Shell Petrol Station • Subaru Showroom • Suzuki Showroom • Toyota Showroom Al Mouj Muscat • Almouj Golf • Costa Coffee • Oman Sail • Shakespeare & Co. • Al Mouj Muscat

Head Office Other Regions Barka • Al Nahda Spa and Resort • LuLu Hypermarket Nizwa • University of Nizwa Sohar • Centrepoint (Splash) • Crowne Plaza • National Gift Markets • Ooredoo • Pizza Hut • Safeer Mall • Sohar Beach Hotel • Sohar Port and Freezone • Sohar University

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Adventures

Cars

Y- F i

Gaming

CARS AND ADVENTURES

ON THE EDGE

Ford’s new Edge is a surprise package that aims to penetrate the mid-size SUV market and also unsettle industry pioneers such as Porsche and Land Rover. -P34

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CARS AND OUTDOORS ADVENTURES

D E S T I N AT I O N C a r s

P o s t c a r d s Fr o m

Y- F i

Destination

Fins Beach

Last time it was the star-studded night sky and this time it was the winged beauties, but the third trip to Fin Beach only makes Shaquel al Balushi plan for the fourth, leaving him curious of the exotic company he will have

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Gaming

Fins Beach.

White sands, blue waters and a landscape that resembled that of the island of Saint Helena (which is a British Overseas Territory) aside, there’s a certain sense of inimitability that the beach retained over other locales in the Sultanate.

That’s also the reason why visited the beach for a third time (!)

I started off, as always, for the beach early in the morning, 4:30am to be precise. To get to the beach from Muscat, you must stick to Route 17 and continue until you see the signboards to Fins. The trip should take just two hours, but I took it slow and spent nearly three hours cruising around.

Unlike last time, I was also travelling alone so I could take things at my own pace. However, I must tell you that it’s best to travel to the beach with a group of friends, as Fins beach has nothing much to offer for lone wolves (like me).

Upon reaching the beach, I could tell that I was lucky. The sands of the beach were usually always occupied by campers and adventurists, but being there early I was able to pick spots of my choice.

I quickly settled down with my camera gear, portable chair and my essentials (drinking water, chips, bread and so on). It was then that I realised that I wasn’t alone; I was amidst some friendly companions from the wilderness.

No, I’m not talking about humans. They were flamingos who were flocking the beach like they owned the waters.

Because I was alone, I didn’t feel like getting too close to them. They may seem very peaceful, but I didn’t want to be pecked by an angry bird.

So, I did what any cautious photographer would

do: I snapped on the zoom lens to my Nikon D300 and started clicking away.

Unlike those pesky eagles – and other common birds found in the Sultanate – flamingos are more laid back. They seemed to be more in line of spending time with their companions and relaxing in the waters on one leg.

I then followed the tracks of the birds all the way to the shore. It was there that I came to grips with the beauty of the beach. The sandy and pebble-covered setting is perfect for escaping the busy and bustling life of the city.

I decided to take a dip in the waters to cool off. Oh, but don’t get me wrong, the day was incredibly cool and the temperatures were hovering around 25°C. My decision to jump into the water was to simply cool off from the daily stresses of work.

And that was exactly what happened. All my stresses seemed to melt into the blue waters.

I guess that’s what nature does to you: it takes away your stresses and gives you a fresh outlook on life. And this is my advice to all: if you ever find yourself to be reeling from the pains or struggles of life, simply head as far as you can from the city. This will instantly kick in positive thoughts.

By then it was already past noon. The weekenders had already started flowing in with their SUVs and noisy mates, so I made sure to head back home.

But I assured myself that this wasn’t my last trip to the beach. I may have spent days camping on the sands of Fins (for the story on that, refer to the issue dated December 28, 2016), but there’s always something new to look at. Last time, it was the starry night sky and this time it was the flamingos. I wonder what will lie in store for me the next time around. I’m eager and, frankly, quite excited.

HOW TO GET THERE It’s an easy drive from Muscat to Fins Beach. From the capital, take Route 17 via Amerat and proceed until

TRAVEL GUIDE

M

y long adventures to the outskirts of Oman continued for another week, and this time it’s to one of my all-time favourite beaches –

you see the signboard for Fins. The trip should take you a little over two hours.

GPS location: N22°57’13.5”; E59°11’55.9” NOV 02 - 08 / ISSUE 493

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FIRST DRIVE

CARS ADVENTURES

FORD EDGE

A wholesome package, bettered by the addition of the brilliant Sync3 system, the new Edge is an attractive proposition for a family of five. Alvin Thomas is happy to discover again how Ford kicks its accountants out

E

very so often carmakers showcase their concept cars at prestigious motor shows for the sake of awing the audience, but fail to pull it off when it’s time to put the actual vehicle on sale to the masses. I call it the “accountant’s jinx” wherein the (sensible) moneymen set the ground rules for the engineers to work upon.

While this is a global phenomenon, it doesn’t seem to be the case with Ford – at least not anymore.

Come to think of it, Ford, Range Rover, Lexus, BMW and Infiniti are the only car companies of today who stay true to their concepts. It’s a pernickety subject, and isn’t one that will have the buying audience up in arms.

Nevertheless, Ford has vanquished its accountants with the Edge; it’s a statement I said earlier when I was given the keys to the car earlier in 2016, and one that I continue to say today. Heck, it was so vogueish, I even added it to the list of my top pick of cars of last year.

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The Ford Edge is at the zenith of affordable “lifestyle” vehicles of today. But, before I get into the specifics, I must point out that the car I drove this week was the Ford Edge Titanium, and not the Sport (like I did the last time around).

Like its athletic sibling, though, the Titanium also comes with sporty design elements, the difference is apparent at first glance.

My tester came with smaller alloys, plastic body panels on the bottom and a mellow rear bumper.

The lack of active aero elements on the grille is also quite evident to those with a keen eye.

Still, the front fascia is edgy (no pun intended) with its sharp headlamps, pentagonal LED daytime running lights and a large chrome-plated hexagonal grille. The side profile is clean and simple, but is enhanced by sharp lines that run across the length of the car.

The rear tail light, however, sits high up on the C-pillar, and will split halves. But I found the tail lamps – which are connected by a signature light bar – to be quite striking, especially at night. The SUV also comes with dual functional exhausts, although it’s not integrated with the bumper for good cause.

Overall, however, the design translates to a very macho look, and one that can bowl over people of all age groups. Nevertheless, those looking to stand out are better off opting for the orange-coloured Edge Sport with the mammoth 56cm smoked alloys – it’s a head turner when compared to most other SUVs in this class.

The Ford’s interior has also come of age this time around: the panels are put together neatly with very little gaps and alignment issues.

I also appreciated the spaciousness inside the

cabin. As a matter of fact, I found it quite hard to rest my elbow on the door because of the sizeable gap between me and the door panel.

Getting inside the cabin, however, you’re greeted with a host of tech-toys. Sure, it’s not up there with the pricier Germans but you are still treated with Ford’s all-new Sync3 system and the 15cm touchscreen.

The interior is quite like what you would get in its current products, and you will find it easy to use, no matter how old you are. The Sync3 system is functional and intuitive, and presents itself in a very simple manner.

You can control everything from the music and maps to the air conditioning and even the interior ambience lighting. Throughout the course of my test drive, I didn’t notice any real lag from the system. Even the new preloaded maps worked like a charm; kudos to Ford engineers for mastering that.

Destination

P o s t c a r d s Fr o m

Y- F i

Those of you who don’t want to meddle with the kick down. I was also surprised to find the transmission touchscreen to change your music or a/c temperatures looking for gears when cruising; although that may be the can use the physical buttons that are neatly placed on the case to increase the fuel economy of the SUV. centre console of the dashboard.

Nonetheless, you can simply take control of the steeringIt’s very evident that the interior of the Edge is mounted paddle shifters to (more or less) control the shifts passenger-centric. There’s plenty of space – both head and stay within reach of the power and torque band. and knee room – for five full-size adult passengers. All the All of that means that I was hitting the 100kph mark a/c vents are also strategically placed and do well to cool from naught in eight seconds (on a hot 35-degree-Celsius down all the zones (front and back) with ease. Oh, day). But do keep in mind that the performance will and yes, the front passengers do receive heated and be much tauter on cooler days. cooled (ventilated) seats.

The exhaust note sounds glorious when IT’S VERY If I had a bone to pick, it would have to be you push the SUV, as the gearbox (briefly) EVIDENT THAT holds gears to allow the engine hit its limiter. the seats. They’re not just soft, they’re Ford THE INTERIOR Soft – that is to say you are encompassed And because the Edge comes with allOF THE EDGE within the softest cushions you can find in a wheel-drive, you can flirt with the limits of IS PASSENGER- grip all you want. The vehicle will hold its car. This means that the lumbar support and CENTRIC the bolstering is at a minimum. I found this to lines in the corners with ease. However, I did be the case in the Edge Sport, too. notice that the vehicle did roll more than its The interior is cladded in leather, and the dashboard sportier sibling when pushed into tight corners. adopts (relatively) soft-touch surfaces as well. But, as is the But, given a tight and slow racetrack, it will haul itself case with most cars, there are hard-plastic panels from the to keep up with the Sport – no doubt. Although it’s not knee down. a point-and-shoot vehicle like the latter; there’s only so My tester also came with a 12-speaker Sony audio much torture those 245/50 high-profile tyres can take system. It is much crisper and deeper than the Bose and before they let go.

Harmon/Kardon audio systems found in its competitors.

Ford also chucks in adaptive steering with the SUV. Now let’s talk about the prime difference between the It’s not the most conventional system you can use; it’s Edge Titanium and the Edge Sport: the engine. The almost like the setup from Audi’s new Q5 that I tested a Titanium comes packing a 3.5-litre naturally aspirated V6 few weeks back, but better. Yes! Ford’s system feels more motor as opposed to the 2.7-litre turbocharged ‘Ecoboost’ engaging and, dare I say, normal?

V6 found in the latter.

There’s The engine may be larger in displacement but there’s a sizeable difference in the power. It produces 280hp and 343Nm of torque, as opposed to the 340hp and 542Nm of torque pumped out by the Ecoboost (which is forcefully induced).

While the numbers may be contrasting, do not – not even for a second – think that the SUV is sluggish. The naturally aspirated engine revs up quickly into the power band. Most of the torque kicks in after the 3,500rpm range, and keeps pulling until it runs out of steam at around 5,000rpm, upon which you can simply shift up a gear.

Speaking of which, the engine is still mated to the same six-speed automatic transmission and puts power down to all four wheels.

The gearbox, however, is unhurried, especially to

Gaming

CARS

Ford Edge Titanium Specifications: Engine: 3.5-litre six-cylinder Transmission: Six-speed automatic Horsepower: 280hp Torque: 343Nm Top speed: 200kph (limited) Intelligent all-wheel-drive LED daytime running lights Halogen headlamps Ambient lighting 10-way adjustable driver seat Ventilated front seats 12-speaker Sony audio system Ford Sync3® system 15cms touch-operated infotainment screen LED tail lights with light bar Panoramic vista roof Leather upholstery Blind-spot information system Adaptive steering Four 12-Volt power outlets

also a fair bit of feedback translating from the rack to the steering wheel. The brakes on the Edge are superb, offering excellent stopping power. The pedal has a good feel to it and the power is distributed linearly.

In all, I found the Ford Edge Titanium to be a wholesome package, only bettered by the addition of the brilliant Sync3 system.

Now – after all these years – it should finally sit as an able proposition for a family of five looking for a car that can stand out from the rest of the crowd, but also offer superior levels of technology, comfort and performance.

For all others, though, there’s the Ford Edge Sport. And that – my dear friends – is an SUV that I still maintain to be the best bet for a performance enthusiast on a budget.

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CARS ADVENTURES ALL HAIL PORTLAND!

Portland may be a bustling city in the state of Oregon, but its peaking mountains and crystal clear waters sends you into a state of tranquility you could never have imagined.

1. See Mt. Hood from Rocky Butte Park 2. Visit the Freakybutture Peculiarium 3. Unwind in a quaint coffee shop 4. Take a photo at the Keep Portland Weird wall 5. Check out the delicious food carts at Rose City Food Park

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Destination

Cars

Y-Fi

Gaming

POSTCARDS FROM

Shishira Sreenivas recommends

PORTLAND, OREGON A

s the plane descended into Portland, I could see the snow-capped tip of Mt Hood majestically peaking through the billowing clouds. The first impression was a great one, and I couldn’t wait to explore and experience all the quirky, adventurous things Portland is famous for Portland (not to be confused with the one in Maine), the largest city in the state of Oregon, located in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States of America. With a population of over 600,000, the city boasts of being one of the greenest cities in America with its eco-conscious public transportations, farm-to-table dining and high rate of walkability and cyclability within the city.

During the time of my visit in late September, fall was just starting to set in and the weather was perfectly pleasant and crisp, and varied between 23-27-degrees Celsius.

I took the MAX light rail directly from the airport to reach the Airbnb in the downtown area. The tickets are quite frankly pretty affordable at US$2.5 for an adult (approx.

RO1) but it’s more economical to opt for the US$5 day pass. The commute was about 35 to 40 minutes and I chose to take an Uber from the station downtown.

The picturesque city is set among rolling hills and it’s a dream destination for nature lovers and adventurers alike. There are more than 10 national parks and several water falls within driving distance of Portland but for those looking to venture within the metro, there are plenty of historic trails, monuments, museums and amazing art and culture scene right in the city.

On my first night in the city, I walked about a mile to Powell’s Books - the largest independent bookstore in the world. It takes up a whole block and comes complete with a quirky cafe for the bookworms to delve into books from any genre your mind can comprehend. Portland is also home to many craft micro breweries and since the weather was so perfect, I settled for a nice dog-friendly local restaurant with outdoor seating.

Besides being environmentally-conscious, the cool city is also famous for its hole-inthe-wall quaint coffee shops and roasters. With a book in hand from Powell’s, I walked the tree-lined historic districts splattered with fall leaves and century-old homes and finally found a coffee shop to unwind in when it started to drizzle. A perfect time to soak in the friendly local culture. Due to its Northwest regional locations, Portland receives more the 64 inches of rain a year so the grey clouds constantly mask the city with a sombre mood.

Once the skies cleared, I walked on over to a bizarre museum called the ‘Freakybuttrue Peculiarium and Museum’ - a uniquely creepy and weird museum for odd things.

As for shopping, you’ll be happy to know that anything - I mean anything - you buy in this millennial-friendly city or the rest of the state happens to be sales tax-free!

Museums, bridges and gardens are quite popular in Portland so make it a point to visit The Grotto, Washington Park and Portland Japanese Garden for sure. As for bridges, St Johns Bridge, Tilicum Crossing and Hawthorne Bridge are perfect to watch the pinkhued sunset by the Willamette River that cuts through the city.

Besides appealing to nature-conscious millennials, the burgeoning beautiful city oozes originality and keeps it simple yet authentic making it completely in sync with the city’s motto: ‘Keep Portland Weird.”

FREMO

N T B R ID G

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IA R THE PECUL

IU M

My favourite place

Powell’s Books. For a bookworm like me, it’s a multistory paradise where the musky scent of old and used books still lingers in the air. It’s a perfect little spot to sip warm coffee with a book in hand.

Highlights Environmentally conscious citizenry. Everybody loves and respect nature and the surroundings. The friendly locals carry cloth bags to grocery stores and it’s refreshing not to spot plastic trash almost anywhere.

Lowlights The weather! The grey cloudy skies could handicap your outdoor travel plans and gloomy weather is almost a certainty.

Souvenirs Anything! Since all shopping is sales tax-free, it’s a great place to buy almost anything at a lower price.

Getting there While there’s an Amtrak train connection, it’s easier to fly into Portland International Airport Where to stay

ROSE

C IT Y F O OD PAR K

Radisson Hotel Portland Airport.

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-FI THE TECH IN YOU

Destination

Cars

Gaming

Y-FI

CALL IT SETTLED

A simple on-hand smartphone application could resolve all your money woes. Shishira Sreenivas scours the internet to find out the latest in money management technologies so that you don't have to

VENMO Like Google, Venmo has now become a verb among the millennials where it’s common to say, “Hey, I’ll just Venmo the money to you…” Besides being able to link your debit card or your bank account for easy, fee-free, instant money transactions, this cool, hip app has parallelly transformed itself into a social app. Users have the option to set their activity public and private with a username and a funky @ handle and profess their money transfer love via a bunch of likes and emojis. Venmo’s most prized feature is the user’s ability to request money directly from someone and send them constant reminders if they fail to complete the request.

Users also have the option to fill their Venmo account and use that for transactions, or if the money falls short, the account will deduct the money directly from your debit card or bank account. Users can transfer funds from the app to their accounts in just two business days. The app is available on both iOS and Android and it is free.

SNAPCASH VIA SNAPCHAT Looks like the endless filter-inflicted selfies you take on Snapchat are priceless after all. Jokes aside, Snapchat partnered with Square, a money-processing company, to allow its millions of users to send and receive money with a few simple taps. Talk about face value! To use Snapcash, both the sender and the receiver need to be signed for Sanpcash and be friends on the account, link their accounts to debits cards or bank accounts and be above the age of 18. The user has to swipe to chat mode on Snapchat and press the “$” sign followed by the amount.

Then once the sender hits the green button, the receiver has 24 hours to accept the money before the amount is nullified. This is all to ensure secure transaction. It’s available on both iOS and Android. Snap away for free.

WESTERN UNION

EDITOR’S PICK

UNLIKE OTHER SOCIAL MONEY TRANSFER APPS, WITH WESTERN UNION, YOU CAN SEND MONEY TO FAMILY AND FRIENDS ACROSS 200-PLUS COUNTRIES, OVER 130 CURRENCIES AND TO MORE THAN 1 BILLION BANKS! WESTERN UNION ALLOWS ITS USERS TO SCAN THEIR DEBIT OR CREDIT CARDS OR SIGN UP WITH THEIR BANK ACCOUNTS TO SET UP TRANSACTIONS OR PROVIDES AN INTEGRATED MAP TO REACH YOUR NEAREST AGENT TO SET UP FOR A CASH TRANSACTION. USERS CAN SEE THE TRANSFER FEES AND EXCHANGE RATES UPFRONT BEFORE THEY COMMIT TO SEND THE MONEY AND CAN EVEN TRACK THE MONEY VIA THE APP ONCE THEY’VE SENT IT. RECENTLY, THE APP ALSO INTRODUCED A REQUEST FOR USERS TO REQUEST TRANSFER OF MONEY FOR SERVICES AVAILED. THE APP IS AVAILABLE ON BOTH IOS AND ANDROID FOR FREE.

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WWE 2K18

Info Box

More than just puffed-up men and women, the latest WWE 2K18 game has an intriguing storyline. Alvin Thomas roams the training facilities and makes small talk with superstars

W

restling is fake and shouldn’t be tried at home. Now that I have got the facts straight, let me talk you through the latest in wrestling games – the WWE 2K18 game from the stables of WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment).

And you know what? It is the most realism I have ever seen from a professional “wrestler” or a wrestling match in an arena. With over 170 wrestling superstars (a record in fighting titles) WWE 2K18 brings to the table a game that not only gives you an opportunity to experience life from inside the wrestling ring but also offers you an insight into the training regime of several amateur and professional wrestlers.

That’s right, the game is more than just puffed-up men and women going at it against each other in a less-than-secure square ring; it also has a tantalizing storyline – one that you can craft from scratch.

For that, you must select the solo campaign (MyCareer), which will allow you to pick your character, or create one from scratch, and take him or her to the top of the ranks.

To do that, however, you must master the craft of wrestling, play mind games on your opponents, (more often than not) turn your back on friendly wrestlers, and work through the politics of the WWE board members; it’s the whole package.

I also enjoyed the post-match intervals wherein you can freely roam the WWE training facilities and make small talk with a number of superstars, make friends or even customise your wrestler.

Sadly, the conversation topics are limited and are almost like you would

Publisher: 2K Sports Genre: Sports game Series: WWE 2K Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows Developers: Yuke's, Visual Concepts Modes: Singleplayer video game, multiplayer video game

find in an old smartphone game, I must confess.

Still, walking around and witnessing wrestlers like John Cena and Seth Rollins do promotions for their matches is intriguing.

Of course, if you’re just looking to have fun, you can also choose from a variety of stars and head straight into battle with them. But be aware: it will take time to get to grips with the controls if you’re playing this game for the first time. But a couple of matches should have you right in the zone.

The graphics and the physics engine of the game, sadly, is a drag. There’s no sense of an enhancement from the games of yesteryears, and frankly, it just doesn’t make nous for a game designed in 2017.

Annoyingly, and for some odd reason, all bodyguards look like actor Ben Affleck (!)... and wear aviators.

On the upside, though, the lighting in the arena and the ring is superb, and the character illustration is bang on. Intricate details, like stretch marks, wrestling wounds and surgery scars are also on point; it’s almost unbelievable.

The focus of the game then is clearly on the stars. Despite its many cracks and flaws, however, WWE 2K18 still manages to please its target audience; youngsters.

It may not be the most sophisticated game out there, but then again, it isn’t originally based on rocket science, is it?

Seven on 10, in my books.

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HEALTH& BEAUTY

Health

Beauty

FAIRY SPOOKY

FASHION

Halloween has come and gone, but if you have another spooky-scary theme party happening soon or some time later, here are some fresh recommendations to keep it simple, classy and still Halloween-y

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k o o L e h

aran K e tin hris C , t ry tree esto s o h h g s e hi rmy h a t e o t H end e look. ram h g g hi th the to get n Insta m Fro s you tine o is help w Chr o Foll

T t Ge

You’ve got the wings, you’ve got dress, now, all you need is a beautiful, shimmery halo! We think this ‘Halo’ hairband from Claire’s, will complete your angel look! Buy it RO3.

Dressing up as a scary skeleton/ zombie is a classic.

But do you have the time it ‘put together the bones?’ Pick up this skeleton print t-shirt dress from NewLook! Buy it at RO6.5.

No matter what look you are going for, a white dress can always lay the base. Keep it pure to look like an angle or add a bit of a (fake) blood splatter to make it more vampy – your choice. Buy it from Miss Selfridge at RO19.7.

Looking for something to complete your ‘skeleton ensemble’?

How about these gold skeleton earrings from H&M? Perfectly fashionable, perfectly scary!

Shop it at RO5

Anyone looking for some white wings?

Claire’s got them stocked. Pair these white feather wings with a white dress, sprinkle some glitter and you are party ready! Shop it at RO7.

Want to quickly pull together a ‘vampire’ look? H&M has the right jersey top for you – it’s fashionable and seriously scary!

Shop it at RO5.

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HEALTH& BEAUTY

Dr Ashwini Gaddikeri, specialist-obstetrics and gynaecology at Burjeel Medical Centre, Azaiba, discusses the dos and don’ts for couple planning for a child

A

ll of us are aware of ‘health’, and we know how to take care of ourselves to stay healthy. But most of us are unaware of pre-conception health.

So, what is this preconception health?

Every couple who plan to start their family, wish to have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. But what most of us do not realise is that to fulfill this wish • We must have good health even before we plan to start our family • It is the health of both the partners which matters, not only the health of the woman

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This health status of a person (man or woman), before planning for pregnancy, is known as pre-conception health. Pre-conception health focuses on taking steps to have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.

Pre-conception health of women The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urges all women to make healthy living a priority. Following are some of the healthy habits for women: 1. See your doctor At least once each year, see your doctor for a health check-up. Talk with your doctor about

preconception health care. Be sure to talk with your doctor about the following: • Medical Conditions: If you currently have any medical conditions, be sure they are in control and being treated.

Some of these conditions include sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), diabetes, thyroid disease, seizure disorders, high blood pressure, arthritis, eating disorders, and chronic diseases. If you are planning for pregnancy, make sure that the medicines you are taking are safe. A few medicines may need to be changed,

Beauty

•

without compromising on your medical condition, before you get pregnant.

Vaccinations: Getting the right vaccinations at the right time can help keep you healthy. This will help protect you and your child from serious diseases. For example, rubella is a contagious disease that can be very dangerous if you get it while you are pregnant. It can cause miscarriage or serious birth defects. Make sure you have a pre-pregnancy blood test to see if you are immune to the disease. If you need to get vaccinated for rubella, you should avoid becoming pregnant until one month after receiving the MMR vaccine and, ideally, not until your immunity is

confirmed by a blood test.

2. Take 400 micrograms of folic acid every day Folic acid is a B vitamin, and is very essential for the formation of DNA. It is required by the body for producing new cells every day. Folic acid also is important to help prevent major birth defects of the baby’s brain and spine. Ideally, folic acid intake should be started at least one month before you plan to get pregnant. Because most of the pregnancies are unplanned, it is recommended to take folic acid daily.

3. Stop smoking and drinking excessive amounts of alcohol 4. Avoid toxic substances Exposure to toxic substances and other harmful materials at work or at home, such as synthetic chemicals, metals, fertiliser, bug spray, and cat or rodent feces, can hurt the reproductive systems of men and women. They can make it more difficult for a couple to get pregnant. Exposure to even small amounts during pregnancy, infancy, childhood, or puberty can lead to certain diseases.

5. Reach and maintain a healthy weight People who are overweight or obese have a higher risk for many serious conditions, including heart disease, type-2 diabetes, and certain cancers (endometrial, breast, and colon).

People who are underweight also are at risk for serious health problems. The key to achieving and maintaining a healthy weight isn't about short-term dietary changes. It's about a lifestyle that includes healthy eating and regular physical activity. Staying in control of your weight contributes to good health now and as you age.

6. Learn your family health history Your family health history can help your doctor provide better care for you. It can help identify whether you and your future children have a higher risk for some diseases. And, it can help in looking for early warning signs of disease. If there are any genetic diseases running in the family, you should get screening done to know if you’re a carrier of such genes, even if you are not suffering from the disease. Ideally, it is suggested to get it done even before marriage as it helps in choosing a partner who is not a carrier of the same gene. This avoids children getting the disease.

7. Get mentally healthy Mental health is how we think, feel, and act as we cope with life. To be at your best, you need to feel good about your life and value yourself. Everyone feels worried, anxious, sad, or stressed sometimes.

However, if these feelings do not go away and they interfere with your daily life, get help. Talk with your doctor or another health care professional about your feelings and treatment options.

8. When you are ready — planning your pregnancy One day, you might decide that you’re ready to have a baby. When that time comes, one of the most important things you can do is plan your

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Fashion

pregnancy. For some women, getting their body ready for pregnancy takes a few months. For other women, it might take longer. It’s never too early to get ready for a healthy pregnancy and baby.

Pre-conception health of men When most people hear the term preconception health, they think about women.

But it is equally important for the men to take the responsibility in starting their family. There are things men can do for their own health, as well as for the women and children in their lives.

1. Prevent and treat sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) Get screened and treated for any sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Continue to protect yourself and your partner from STDs during pregnancy. Pregnancy does not provide a woman or the baby she is carrying any protection against STDs. The consequences of an STD can be significantly more serious, even life threatening.

In addition, some STDs can cause infertility.

2. Stop smoking, using drugs, and drinking excessive amounts of alcohol Smoking is known to reduce the number and quality of sperms, causing infertility. Secondhand smoke (passive smoking) can cause early death and disease among children and adults who do not smoke. A pregnant woman who is exposed to secondhand smoke has 20% higher chance of giving birth to a baby with low birth weight than women who are not exposed.

3. Be careful about toxic substances 4. Prevent infertility Sometimes a man is born with problems that affect his sperm. Other times, problems start later in life due to illness or injury. A man's sperm can be changed by his overall health and lifestyle. Some things that can reduce the health or number of sperm include: • Diabetes, obesity • Heavy alcohol use, smoking cigarettes.

• Drugs, such as marijuana, cocaine, and anabolic steroids • Hazardous substances, including bug spray and metals, such as lead • Diseases such as mumps, kidney disease, or hormone problems • Medicines (prescription, nonprescription, and herbal products) • Radiation treatment and chemotherapy for cancer • If you are concerned about fertility, talk with your doctor.

5. Reach and maintain a healthy weight • Obesity among men is associated directly with increasing male infertility. People who are underweight also are at risk for serious health problems.

6. Learn your family history 7. Get mentally healthy 8. Support your partner As partners, men can encourage and support the health of women. For example, if your partner is trying to eat healthier to get ready for pregnancy you can join her and eat healthier, too. Or if your partner has a medical condition, you can encourage her to see her doctor and remind her to follow her treatment plan.

It’s not only your health which is in your hands, but also the health of your unborn children. Protect and give a healthy life to your children so that they can grow to their full potential. ■

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Thought we were done with October? Oh, but we aren’t. Check out our exclusive recipe that you can try your hand at to celebrate Oktoberfest.

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Oktoberfest

Roasted chicken with spices

all over again Oktoberfest was a hit with gourmets who loved to do it the German way, forcing the organisers to host the gastronomic delight again. But the tickets are sold out, so cook it up by yourself and enjoy, says Alvin Thomas

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ctober has come and gone, but the Oktoberfest – one of Germany’s many premier festivals – fever is lingering in the air. Back in the days, the festival celebrated reaping the benefits of the wealthy crops of the year, but today it stands for people getting together and spending time engaging in binging on their favourite drinks and singing their chosen tunes.

Last week, scores of people took to the InterContinental Muscat to celebrate the beloved festival. And to fulfil the demands of the people, the team has come together to do it all over again.

The event is happening today (Thursday, November 2) and all the slots are reportedly booked out, too!

It’s a pity more people cannot take part in the festival, especially following all the positive feedback from the previous festival, which was hosted at the Palm Lane, on the hotel premises.

Nevertheless, the folk at InterContinental are giving you readers a chance to indulge in some traditional Oktoberfest delights; food that is only available to those who have the tickets to the annual event.

What you’re looking at here is the German-style marinated chicken. Try out this recipe crafted by chef Thusitha and let us know what you think.

Ingredients: Spices: § 1/2 teaspoon ground sweet paprika § 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin § 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander § 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice § 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon § 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg § 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves § 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom § 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric Garnish: § 1 medium red onion § 1 3 type of capsicum § 2 medium leeks § extra virgin olive oil § salt and pepper with sumac powder

Method: § Preheat the oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit with a rack in the center position. § Remove the chicken from its packaging (remove the giblets, if they came with the bird), and pat dry with paper towel.

In a small bowl, whisk together the spices blend until combined. Set aside one teaspoon for the vegetables. § Mix all the ingredients and marinate the chicken roast until the skin is crispy and golden brown, 45 minute time. § Mix all the vegetables and roast the vegetables for the garnish § Serve with roasted vegetable top of the half chicken

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Info Box

OLIVOS RESTAURANT

Al Khuleiah Street, Al Khuwair, Muscat Opening Hours: (Every Friday) 1:00 - 4:00pm Buffet for four: RO68 Verdict : 8/10 SERVICE 9/10 FOOD 7/10 AMBIENCE

OLIVOS RESTAURANT

Good food with an ambience to match. The service is also exemplary.

Y Magazine reviews anonymously and pays for its meals

WHEN BUSY, HUNGRY FRIENDS GET TOGETHER FOR A WEEKEND BRUNCH BREAK, THE URGE TO GORGE ON THE GOODIES IS AS IRRESISTIBLE AS THE NEED TO CHAT AWAY. ALVIN THOMAS TUCKS INTO A BOUNTIFUL BUFFET WITH HIS MATES

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here’s something satisfying about indulging in a hearty brunch session. Not only does it set the mood for the evening that lay ahead, but it also gives you a chance to interact with your peers; think of it as a social outing than just gobbling down food.

Of late, however, I haven’t had a chance to sit down and relax with family or friends for brunch partly because of my friends’ work schedules and partly because of the lack of brunch options here in Oman.

But, when I was told that the Radisson Blu was hosting brunch at weekends, I was quick to book three of my friends and myself a table.

And by 1:30pm, we were present on the premises, eager to sit down and get cracking. The atmosphere at the Olivos Restaurant – where the brunch is hosted – was simply superb, and you can also opt for poolside dining, if need be.

We, however, resorted to sitting inside, as it was quite balmy on the day and also closer to the buffet.

Then it was time to indulge in the foods. It took us a good five minutes to scour through the wide variety of foods that were on offer on the table. As soon as I was done furtively scampering around like a lion looking for feed, I grabbed a plate and started with some seafood sushi.

The sushi was delightful, to say the least. The nori was delightfully dry and intact, and the medium grain rice was well steamed. However, the highlight of the day was the prawns. It didn’t have the nauseating smell of raw fish and, therefore,

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IT’S NOT EVERY SO OFTEN THAT WE GET TO INDULGE IN A DAY LIKE THIS. SO WHEN WE DO, WE MAKE SURE TO MAKE THE MOST OF IT

it didn’t feel stodgy, thanks to the lack of oil and other fatty additives.

My friend Roshan loved his seafood paella, which was a mix of shrimps, mussels and risotto rice, garnished heavily with mild spices. While he didn’t particularly enjoy the mussels, he seemed to take a shy at the shrimps and rice.

“I don’t eat mussels or clams,” he told me, as I questioned him about leaving out the mussels.

Lastly, we headed straight for the dessert station, which by far had the most variety of items. I quickly filled my plate with a serving of chocolate mousse, a slice of strawberry cheesecake, chocolate Swiss rolland an éclair.

All of the desserts were splendid, but my favourite had to be strawberry cheesecake and the chocolate mousse. They were all agreeably fresh and overall magnificent. The cheesecake was soft and the crust crunchy. I also admired how the cheese was not overly sugary like what you would find in most restaurants in Oman; this one was splendid from all facets.

I insist all of you with a sweet tooth to try out the desserts’ station.

In all, we all enjoyed the brunch. It’s not every so often that we get to indulge in a day like this. So when we do, we make sure to make the most of it.

And keeping in line with that, we left our tables with full tummies and wide smiles on our faces.

added to the overall palate of the sushi. I quickly declared it the best sushi I had ever eaten; even more so than what I found in the Japanese Yo!Sushi restaurant in Dubai.

Meanwhile, my friends stayed away from the sushi and instead opted for the salads, hummus and the lamb bread. They were quite satisfied with Do you have a favourite restaurant that you’d like to see the starters, and my friend Praveen specifically reviewed? Let Y know at editor@y-oman.com commended the consistency of the hummus and freshness of the salads.

Next, I raided the main course station. I grabbed a gravy-soaked serving of lamb chop, chicken roulade with tomato provencal, roast beef and mashed potatoes.

While all the dishes were exquisite and scrumptious, I found the lamb chop and the mashed potatoes to be outstanding. The lamb was soft and flavoursome, while the gravy was quite light and not all that oily (as is the case in most restaurants). The mashed potatoes were butter-smooth and the taste was delightful. Again,

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