Y Magazine #496, November 23, 2017

The final stage

47

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YOUR TOP GUIDE TO THE BEST OF OMAN, EVERY WEEK

NOV 23 - 29 2017 / ISSUE 496 • WEEKLY

STROKES &

SHOCKS PLUS!

STROKE RISK RISES IN OMAN OWING TO UNHEALTHY LIFESTYLE

RISING TENNIS STARS

01

NOVEMBER 24 / ISSUE 258

26

WINTER KIDS

40

WHOLESOME & HOMELY

44

EDITOR’S

NOTE

On the occasion of the 47th Omani National Day

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

Fast forward W

Special offer on the LASIK surgery

hen was the last time you visited hospital to do a full health check-up?

If it’s been a while, then you must do it quickly. The reason: stroke in Oman is rising steadily in recent years.

Stroke is usually a disease that had been associated with the older population but that is not the case anymore. Stroke among youngsters has become a whole different category. “Most of these diseases are related to our lifestyle,” says Minister of Health Dr Ahmed Mohammed Obaid al Saidi in an exclusive interview with Y magazine.

The Central Stroke Unit at the Ministry of Health receives on average two cases per day, which means a total of 14 cases per week and 56 cases per month and around 672 cases per year.

Stroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide – and the third leading cause of disability in the world. “We are running a small study now; I can’t tell you the final results because we are still undertaking it. But there has been an increase in the number of young patients who developed stroke in Oman. I have seen individuals in their 20s, 30s or 40s with stroke and my youngest patient was only 18 years of age,” says Dr Amal Al Hashmi, senior consultant neurologist and head of the Central Stroke Unit.

In our cover story this week, we talk to experts about this dangerous disease and finds solutions to prevent stroke cases.

Have a great weekend!

editor@y-oman.com

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

REPORTER Alvin Thomas PHOTOGRAPHER Shaquel al Balushi DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING Feroz Khan

Cover model: Zaki al Zadjali Cover photographer: Shaquel al Balushi

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NOV 23 - 29 / ISSUE 496

03

contents

Features 20 A stroke of bad health

Stroke cases are on the

rise across the age- groups

NOVEMBER 23 - 29 2017

Your Oman

This Week

08 Voice Of Oman

Hasan al Lawati 11

News Merge 104.8 celebrates National Day with biggest radio show ever

18

#JoinTheTrials Register yourself to experience the new Muscat International Airport terminal

15 News

Blessing in breakdown

28 Portrait by a Nation

Entering the final stages

of our art competition

20

18

15

Food and Drink Cars and Adventures

44 Food Feature

Easy-to-make food recipes

32 Destination

Quoeil Beach

46 Taste Test

Bakery and BBQ

34 First Drive

Mercedes-Benz

S450L AMG 38 Y-Fi

Cheap gadgets

Health and Beauty 40 Fashion

Winter wear for children 42 Health

Happy days

44

40

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THE VOICE OF OMAN

INSANE IN SIZE, GORGEOUS IN DESIGN AND THE VERY BEST IN FACILITIES. HASAN AL LAWATI, SUMS UP HIS EXPERIENCE AT THE ALL-NEW MUSCAT AIRPORT IN ONE WORD: AWESOME!

correspondence DEBATE OF THE WEEK WE ASKED: The Ministry of Manpower announced last week that private companies in Oman will have to adopt the new wage protection system to ensure that all employees, including expats, are paid on time, beginning this month. What do you think about the move?

MICHAEL RAMIN

L

ast week I had a rare opportunity to have a 360-degree travelling experience at the soon-to-open Muscat International Airport.

The Oman Airport Management Company (OAMC) is in the process of choosing 17,000 people to take part in the trial runs, which is the final step prior to the official opening of the eagerly awaited project.

The participants are being selected on a first-come-firstserved basis, but demographics, gender and children-adult balance are also taken into account.

I was one of the lucky ones, and I would like to share with you my experience of being part of a realtime scenario that could crop up in the functioning of the airport.

I was in a group of around 20 “foreigners” on a large Mwasalat bus that took us to the airport in the early morning.

On arrival, we registered our names and got the safety kit (white helmets and heavy, uncomfortable boots).

Soon I was given a dummy ticket that had all the information about my trip. Apparently, I was coming from Duqm to Muscat and transferring to Salalah.

So I went to the counter to get my boarding pass, which had the name Mrs Mitchell.

The group made fun of me. I did not look like any Mrs Mitchell.

Anyway, all the participants started looking for their gate, and I used the opportunity to explore the massive airport.

It is gorgeous. The design is simple, yet very modern and artistic. And the size is just insane.

It will easily be one of the biggest airports in the Middle East.

The workers were giving the final touches to the main terminal and they looked happy and proud of their accomplishment.

I did not have the time to explore the other terminals because my dummy flight to Salalah was about to take off.

Can’t wait until it opens to the public!

08

NOV 23 - 29 / ISSUE 496

It is a great move to ensure that employees are paid on time. But there is another side to the issue. With the current economic situation and with most businesses being down, we cannot overlook the fact that there will be delays due to problems in collections and payments both on the part of customers and vendors. It’s a choice between the greater good or the lesser evil: whether to delay the salaries or to close down the company.

SHAILLY SINGH

NARENDRA SINGH

The new wage protection system is a fantastic initiative made by the government that came as part of its effort at improving the working conditions here. Though a majority of private sector companies follow the wage payment rules in place, some corporations and entrepreneurs default on salary payments sometimes. The new system will be the voice of voiceless, helpless and poor workers who don’t dare to complain for fear of getting terminated. The introduction of the wage protection system will help prevent malpractices by employers.

BRINDA KALYANI

The recent initiative by the Ministry of Manpower is a commendable measure to keep the parsimonious companies who have adopted an unethical work culture in check.

Though many of the engineering companies faced difficulties in executing new projects as a result of the oil price plunge, some companies used this as a pretext for nonpayment of wages and held back salaries of employees ranging from engineers to unskilled workers, and at the same time provided them with accommodation and food, which was actually aimed at

WRITE TO US AND YOU COULD WIN

squeezing them out without payment. This strategy was brought to the notice of the government by the media through a case reported from Sohar when the employees of a company who were deported without getting paid for many months had filed a petition in the labour court. The new measure taken by the Ministry of Manpower will help the authorities to prevent such malpractices. This marks the beginning of a new era where a few companies who spoil the work culture of the nation will have no option but to fall in line.

The new wage protection system is a prudent, much-needed and welcome step to ensure regular wage payments to the employees in the Sultanate.

It will put fear in the minds of the unscrupulous employers who had not been paying salaries to their employees on time. The new system has been widely appreciated, however its efficacy will be known once it is implemented and tested.

MELBA MENDES

In the month of Oman’s 47th National Day, the implementation of the wage protection system is a feather in the cap of the Ministry of Manpower showcasing His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said’s objective towards building a stable economy where labour rights are respected and protected even in the time of global economic recession. Every job, besides the process of self-gratification to succeed in life, provides the much-needed income to an individual, be it an Omani citizen or an expatriate. Families need to be taken care of and the basic necessities of life such as food and shelter have to be provided.

Their social fabric, be it their community service or family leisure, is intertwined with their financial strengths. The new system will encourage every company here to develop proper work ethics and pay

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salaries on time which in turn will help further motivate employees to put in their best and thus a happy atmosphere for all will be created.

ZAHID SAEED

/YTABLOID

@YTABLOID

/YMAGAZINE

MOOSA ALI QANBAR AND SREERAM SANKAR were spotted with their favourite Y Magazine in Muscat

The first thing that could help eliminate the current crisis in salary payments is an overall economic improvement. The real estate sector must come out of the slump and there should be more free-trade zones. We need to think of new ways to best utilise the available resources. How can we come out the crisis to pay the wages on time? Hope this will be the next topic of discussion.

MOHAN ANANDAN

The wage protection scheme must be heartily welcomed. It is the culmination of yet another revolutionary measure undertaken by the government of Oman towards employee welfare. Even though the Labour Law stipulates prompt payment of salaries, employers find many excuses to delay them, thus putting employees into lots of financial hardships. The wage protection scheme has made the process transparent now since every employer is required to transfer the salary promptly using this module. The fact that the Ministry of Manpower is closely monitoring the system and punitive action will be taken against the defaulting employers has now settled the matter in favour of employees. The labour market will see more stability with this initiative and the employee happiness quotient will improve, helping the economy to grow further.

New Debate: Getting away at peak holiday times has always been expensive as airlines take advantage of increased demand. But is this really fair, and can anything be done to stop airlines from hiking up the prices?

Share your view with us and you could be in with a chance of winning dinner for two.

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THIS IS YOUR SPOT! Just send us your picture with Y Magazine or pose with our photographer and we will publish it on this page

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Y Magazine reader Rajesh Kumar took this beautiful photograph of Nizwa using his Canon 600.

Send your photo to editor@y-oman.com to be featured in our new section, Through Your Eyes. Include where it was taken, your name and a few details about your photograph, such as the camera used.

PHOTO: Rajesh Kumar

NOV 23 - 29 / ISSUE 496

09

YOUR

OMAN

H

NEWS HIS MAJESTY PRESIDES

OVER 47TH NATIONAL DAY

MILITARY PARADE

is Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, the Supreme Commander, has presided over a military parade to celebrate the 47th National Day. Organised by Royal Oman Police (ROP) on Saturday evening, the parade was staged at the military parade ground at the headquarters of the Police Special Force (PSF) in the wilayat of Seeb in the Governorate of Muscat.

Accompanied by a group of motorbikes, His Majesty the Sultan received a guard of honour from the military on arrival at the gate of the Police Special Force. The royal motorcade then headed to the military parade ground surrounded by ROP horse riders.

His Majesty the Sultan was received by Gen. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Nu’amani, Minister of the Royal Office; Sayyid Badr bin Saud bin Harib Al Busaidi, Minister Responsible for Defence Affairs; and Lt Gen Hassan bin Mohsen Al Shraiqi, Inspector-General of Police and Customs.

Upon His Majesty’s ascension to the Royal Dais, the parade columns gave the military salute; the Royal Anthem was played by the joint military parade band while the artillery fired a 21-gun salute to His Majesty.

Afterwards, the joint military bands staged a music performance while passing before the main dais until they stood at their places behind the columns of the protocols guard.

The columns of the Protocols Guard staged a

performance in regular columns to the rhythms of musical beats.

At the conclusion of the parade ceremony, His Majesty the Sultan received a commemorative gift from the Royal Oman Police which was presented by Lt Gen Hassan bin Mohsen Al Shraiqi.

His Majesty the Sultan was accompanied during the parade by their highnesses, the chairmen of the State Council and Majlis Al Shura, their exellencies the ministers, advisers, Dr Abdulatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Secretary General of the GCC, commanders of SAF, ROP and the military and security apparatuses.

NATIONAL DAY, PROPHET’S BIRTHDAY HOLIDAYS TRIGGER BOOKING RUSH

T

he dual holiday announcements of National Day and the birthday of the Prophet (PBUH) have triggered a rush for travel bookings, both overseas and local.

The government announced on Sunday that the National Day holidays are from December 3 to 4 and Prophet’s birthday holiday on December 5.

According to travel agents in Muscat, there is a huge rush for booking, cancelling or reissuing tickets. “This is a usual trend that happens on the day when holidays are announced. It was hectic on Sunday, as we were flooded with enquiries,” said Arun Aravind, retail, sales and operations manager at Fahad Express.

As many were expecting holidays at the end of the month, Arun said his phone never stopped ringing on Sunday to reissue or cancel those tickets that were purchased in advance.

“Many thought the holidays will be on November 28, 29 and 30. I received more calls to reissue these tickets. These passengers lost quite a lot of money because of this,” he said.

According to Arun, flights to Indian destinations like Mumbai and Kochi are soon filling while people are also looking to purchase tickets to Georgia, Thailand and Sri Lanka.

With Oman Air offering a 47% discount on tickets as part of its National Day offer, passengers are wasting no time to book flights.

“Oman Air flights to some of the destinations are almost full compared to other flights and I

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NOV 23 - 29 / ISSUE 496

think that is because of the phenomenal offer they are giving passengers,” Arun said.

“We have packages starting from RO90.

This is excluding tickets but includes hotel stay, tours, etc,” Arun added.

NEWS MERGE 104.8 CELEBRATES

NATIONAL DAY WITH

BIGGEST RADIO SHOW EVER

O

man’s premier radio station Merge 104.8 has commemorated the 47th National Day of Oman with the largest radio show to be ever broadcasted in Oman.

The show lasted a whole 47 hours – non-stop – from 3pm on November 18 to 2pm on November 20.

Listeners from across Oman also received prizes ranging from highend smartphones to hotel stays, gym memberships, dining vouchers and watches.

The show kickstarted with the programme director and presenter, Chris Fisher, giving away ‘Cake by the Ocean’ at Seeb beach.

Meanwhile, Neal Bowden, the head of music and presenter, hosted a late-night show with Chris, and

presenter Tom Green broadcast the biggest ‘Breakfast Show’ ever. The shows also hosted several guests from across the Sultanate.

The team then unveiled their new bear mascot and conducted a competition on social media to name the new team entrant. The bear was named Mergie.

“It was great to give away all those prizes and a show of this scale is something that has never been done before in Oman,” said Chris Fisher in an interview with Y. “Several local advertisers stepped up to the aid to sponsor gifts and prizes, and we have to thank them all for that.”

He then jokes: “It’s the first time we three did something together. It was exciting and incredibly rewarding.”

GOLDEN TULIP SEEB MAKES OMAN

FLAG OUT OF CAKES

I

t’s not every day that you get to see a flag made out of cakes.

But, in a bid to celebrate the 47th National Day of Oman, Golden Tulip Seeb came forward

and showcased a 60-square-foot cake.

If you thought that was exceptional, you should know that the cake was crafted like a puzzle using 47 individual cakes laid out to emulate the colours of the Oman national flag.

“We made something huge that no one did this year in Oman,” said Fady Abi Khalil, the general manager of¬ Golden Tulip Seeb.

After the ceremony, each cake was put in a box and given to a family.

NOV 23 - 29 / ISSUE 496

011

YOUR

ROAD SAFETY

OMAN

WITH AN AIM TO EDUCATE THE FUTURE DRIVERS WITH THE IMPORTANCE OF TRAFFIC SAFETY, HYUNDAI - OTE GROUP INITIATED A CSR PROGRAM TITLED ‘SAFER ROADS, HAPPIER FAMILIES’. UNDER THIS INITIATIVE, A SERIES OF DRAWING COMPETITIONS AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS WERE HELD FOR THE STUDENTS. THIS PROGRAM WAS AIMED SPECIFICALLY TO CREATE AWARENESS AMONGST CHILDREN AT A VERY EARLY STAGE, AS MOST DRIVERS INVOLVED IN THE ROAD ACCIDENTS ARE YOUNG.

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GALLERY

Blessing in breakdown Getting stranded in the middle of nowhere was unspeakable horror for a solo woman biker, but two Omani strangers turned her nightmare into an ‘incredible gift’. Hasan al Lawati listens to a Canadian life-defining experience

G

etting stranded on the road can be a nightmare in many parts of the world. You are a soft target for thieves, bad weather and dehydration. And solo travellers are more prone to get into such tough, unpleasant and dangerous situations than others.

But this Canadian tourist had an eye-opening experience when her bike broke down in a remote area during one of her adventurous rides in Oman.

Biker and vlogger Rosie Gabrielle was deeply moved when two Omani strangers offered her help after her motorcycle malfunctioned in the middle of nowhere on Masirah island.

The two men not only fixed her bike but also offered her food and juice, leaving Gabrielle with moist eyes and an unforgettable story, which she described as an “incredible gift”, to share with the world.

“I’ve lived my whole life for this moment!” the adventurer said.

She filmed the story and, on September 19, uploaded it on YouTube. In less than two months, the video crossed 81,000 views.

The eight-minute video documented the whole story from when she lost control of her motorbike until the two men said goodbye to her after taking a beautiful selfie.

“Their character and kindness warmed my heart and overjoyed me. I felt as though I had lived my entire life for this moment here,” she said.

“All the struggles and challenges in my life have brought me to this point where I can go out there and document the incredible kindness of strangers.”

Gabrielle is not happy with the way some western media stereotype the Middle East.

“The world does not get to see this. The negative image the media and some countries paint of Muslims and the Arab region upsets me terribly. I want the world to know the truth, that these people are just PEOPLE, and not only that, but some of the kindest people I have ever met,” she stressed.

“These days in the west, people are hardened, afraid, and close minded. They become too consumed with selfishness and fear and forget what living is all about: connection. There is a huge disconnect in the world. I did not feel this when I was in Oman,” Gabrielle added.

Gabrielle lived and worked in Oman for nearly nine years.

“I only just decided to ride a motorcycle here in early 2016 when I first started vlogging. I thought it would be a great place to start because I loved Oman so much. I was very comfortable here and considered it home,” she said.

The first ride she did in Oman in 2016 was on a Royal Enfield motorbike.

“I rode the coast down to Sur passing by the sink hole and (Wadi) Shab.

Visiting Ras al Hadd and looping back up

/rosiegabriellephotography /rosieGabrielle

through Nizwa, visiting Jebal Shams, then to Muscat,” she narrated.

She drove a total of 2,500km over a week.

This year, she broke her record covering almost 3,000km in eight days.

“I rode to Rustaq through Wadi Bani Auf, staying up at Jebal Shams.

Riding through to the coast, hoping over to Masirah and then looping back to Muscat,” she told Y magazine.

“Be so proud. Be proud of your heritage, your country and its people,” she said, addressing the people of Oman.

“As a nation, you really have set an incredible standard. This is something to celebrate and to keep this essence alive. As the cities grow, the community expands, instil these values in your children and keep the core soul of Oman alive. Don’t lose the integrity that Oman is so rich and full of,” she urged. ■ NOV 23 - 29 / ISSUE 496

015

YOUR

OMAN

Racers Al Faisal Al Zubair and Khalid Al Wahaibi flutter the national flag high at the GT3 Cup Challenge in Bahrain, reports Hasan al Lawati

I

t was the Sultanate’s 47th National Day when two Omani teen racers made their country proud at the prestigious Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East on the Sakhir Formula One circuit in Bahrain on Saturday.

Al Faisal Al Zubair made two podium finishes in both the races, held on Friday and Saturday.

On Saturday, the 19-year-old Omani racer shadowed Kuwait’s Zaid Ashkanani and England’s Tom Oliphant to the chequered flag where he was passed on lap eight by Oliphant, who also overtook Ashkanani on the penultimate lap to snatch victory.

Al Faisal finished third twice, on Friday and Saturday, which put him on second position behind Oliphant in the championship standings, as Ashkanani was registered as a guest driver.

After the second race, he posted on his Instagram: “Double overall podiums at the opening rounds of the Championship! Good way to start the campaign and collect some good points. Gave it a good shot for victory in Race 2 with an amazing battle against @zaidashkanani! Coming back to Round 2 even stronger!”

The other Omani racer, Khalid Al Wahaibi, made his debut in style.

At only 17, making him the youngest racer in this year’s

competition, Al Wahaibi claimed the top spot in the Bronze category in both the races.

“I do not think of it (his age) as a disadvantage but rather an advantage because I have more time to learn,” he said.

Khalid finished overall ninth and tenth respectively in the first and the second race of the opening round that comprised a grid of 17 drivers.

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“It was like a learning experience. It was definitely a good race for me especially that it was my first and finishing in the top ten is a great achievement,” he told Y magazine.

Khalid was proud to represent his country on its National Day. “As a racer It is great to raise the flag (Oman’s flag) internationally and regionally as well. I am proud to be Omani and proud to show this patriotic self in my races,” he said.

NOV 23 - 29 / ISSUE 496

017

Photo and Quote: Shaquel Al Balushi

Today’s inspiration: Don’t wait for others to take you to the house of God.

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

Participants will be selected on a first-comefirst-served basis to explore the new airport.

Starting from December, the #JoinTheTrials campaign could run into 2018. More than 17,000 people are expected to take part in the trial runs and explore the new Muscat International Airport 018

NOV 23 – 29 / ISSUE 496

O

ver 17,000 people are expected to take part in the trial runs and explore the new Muscat International Airport from

December.

Oman Airport Management Company (OAMC) launched the campaign with a roadshow, ‘#JoinTheTrials’, on November 19, which will be held at several commercial and educational institutions, including Oman Avenues Mall to start with, followed

by Muscat and Qurm City Centers and Muscat Grand Mall (MGM).

According to Pablo Lorenz, trials manager, OAMC, interested people from Muscat should register themselves on omanairportstrials.om.

While the participants will be selected on a first-come-first-served basis, other factors such as demographics, gender, and children-adult balance will be also taken into account. “We will try to present a possible real-time scenario that could crop

up in the functioning of an airport,” Lorenz said.

The selected participants will be asked to assemble at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC), from where they will be taken to the new airport by bus.

Starting from next month, the ‘#JoinTheTrials’ campaign could run into 2018. It will be open to more participants, depending on demand. The campaign will be promoted extensively on social media.

According to officials, Operational Readiness and Airport Transfer (ORAT) trials are entering the last phase after the successful completion of a series of internal, technical, logistical and airport management operations among internal stakeholders.

The campaign is aimed at assessing real-time experience of customers and at checking if the operations are in line with the requirements.

The stakeholders supporting the

roadshow and ORAT trials include the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MoTC), the Public Authority of Civil Aviation (PACA), the Royal Oman Police and Oman Air. Speaking to Y Magazine, Saud bin Nasser bin Said al Hubaishi, general manager of Readiness, OAMC, said: “Muscat International Airport development is the largest project ever undertaken in the history of Oman to date. We are excited to be part of the journey and introduce the public to what we believe will be the gateway to opportunity.”

Trials involving the public will provide the ORAT team with an opportunity for live assessment.

The trials are intended to test all systems, facilities, procedures and personnel under real operational conditions, which allow for a comprehensive analysis and mitigation of potential problems well in advance of the opening day.

Once fully operational, the airport will have a capacity to handle 20 million passengers annually. ■

NOV 23 – 29 / ISSUE 496

019

Stroke cases are on the rise across the age groups in Oman and patients include youngsters below 20. Team Y check out the good, bad and ugly truths about the leading cause of death in the world

A Stroke

OF BAD

N EWS

H

itherto our conversation with the Minister of Health – Dr Ahmed Mohammed Obaid al Saidi – in Oman, little did we know about the biggest killer lurking around in our society. But when the experienced doctor firmly pointed out that it is our very own “lifestyle” that spearheads us to an early grave, there was no way out but to heed his words.

Until our conversation with Minister of Health Dr Ahmed Mohammed Obaid al Saidi, little did we know about the biggest killer lurking around in our society. But when the experienced doctor firmly pointed out that it was our very own “lifestyle” that takes us to an early grave, there was no way out but to heed his words.

Dr Ahmed had more to tell us during our brief meeting at the signing of the agreement to assign new hospital projects in the country.

“In the Sultanate – like the rest of the region – unfortunately NCD (non-communicable diseases) like diabetes, cancer, heart disease and strokes have become the major causes of death.

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“All these may be major causes of death, but more people are dying because of heart diseases at a younger age in Oman than what we see in Europe and North America,” the minister emphasised.

“Most of them (diseases) are related to our lifestyle. We can modify our lifestyle to prevent 40 per cent of these. When I say modifying lifestyle, I mean diet, exercise and stopping smoking and reduction of the consumption of alcohol. Health is ultimately the responsibility of the individual.”

However, this piece of advice may have come a bit too late for some people, like Indian expat Sanjeev who had been working in Oman for the last three decades.

Forty-eight-year-old Sanjeev had gone back to his hometown in India to help with the final touches of his cousin’s wedding. He had left his family back in Oman and promised to take them to India in time for the marriage.

But, a few weeks into the preparations, Sanjeev’s wife got a call from his family – a call that changed their life forever.

Sanjeev had suffered a hemorrhagic stroke and had been lying unconscious in the toilet for several hours. He was taken to hospital immediately but it was too late – much of his brain matter had already been rendered dead.

Recollecting the incident, Sanjeev’s son said with teary eyes: “Dad lay there in the toilet for around four hours and no one knew of his whereabouts. But one of my uncles suspected that something was wrong when he saw the bathroom door locked for such a long time, so he kicked down the door.

“That’s when he saw dad lying on the floor.

Initially, he thought that dad had suffered from a heart attack – and that he may have already passed.

“But there was a pulse, and that’s when he called for the ambulance. In shock, he tried giving dad water but he wouldn’t swallow.

“We immediately took him to the nearby local hospital. The doctors diagnosed that he had just suffered a severe stroke but said that they couldn’t do anything to save his life.

“So the ambulance was called again and he was transferred to Lakeshore hospital in Kochi where he underwent surgery to drain the blood that had hemorrhaged around the brain. The procedure lasted for hours, but it felt like days to us.

“And then the doctor came out with the news: ‘Sanjeev has survived the ordeal but will be paralysed and will suffer from memory loss’.”

The recovery process took him a year-anda-half but Sanjeev constantly suffered from short-term memory loss and was confined to a wheelchair.”

His son added: “The greatest part is that he survived. It doesn’t matter if he doesn’t remember that I’m out of school and have also finished my college. Sometimes he asks me how I did in school, and if I am studying well. The important part is that he remembers me.”

The son has completed college in Oman and is now working as an engineer in Muscat.

“We’re only glad that we have him by our

side. It kills us when he forgets our names or loses track of what we talk but just seeing him on the wheelchair is motivating enough for me to educate everyone around me as to how one must take care of oneself to not be in this situation,” he told Y. Sanjeev suffered a stroke at the age of 48.

The average age for a patient suffering from stroke is 69.3 (as per the findings of livescience. com). This sheds light on one important matter: the average age of a patient suffering from stroke is dropping – and it’s falling fast.

The reason for the vein in his brain “bursting” was attributed to his lifestyle.

Sanjeev was suffering from high cholesterol, diabetes and was diagnosed with hypertension.

He was also a light smoker.

But what is it that causes strokes and, above all, what makes it one of the most leading killer of diseases among people today?

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) data published in May 2014, deaths due to strokes reached 950, or 10.94 percent, of the total deaths in Oman. In our neighbouring country UAE, it was reported that annually 7,000 to 8,000 patients suffer stroke, which means every hour a person is hit by a stroke.)

STROKES ARE ON THE RISE AMONG THE YOUNGER AUDIENCE GLOBALLY. STROKE AMONG YOUNGSTERS HAS BECOME A WHOLE DIFFERENT CATEGORY

NOV 23 - 29 / ISSUE 496

021

To get to grips with the subject, we sat down with Dr Amal Al Hashmi, BSc, MD; FRCPc, senior consultant neurologist and head of the Central Stroke Unit in the Ministry of Health. She is also Oman’s first woman adult neurologist and an associate editor at the International Journal of Psychology and Neuroscience, a member of the Omani Human Rights Commission, and former vice president of the Oman Medical Association.

“To come to terms with the issue, everyone needs to have an understanding of what a stroke is,” said Dr Amal.

She went on to explain: “A stroke is a neurovascular disorder and is also the commonest form of acute neurological disorder. Stroke itself is considered to be the second leading cause of death worldwide – and the third leading cause of disability in the world.

“Of course, with an ageing society, increasing risk factors like hypertension, diabetes, atrial fibrillation, etc. the burden of the disease is even expected to increase. With changing lifestyle the numbers are expected to increase year by year. I think the Gulf (Middle East) area is not much different from the rest of the world because we are also inheriting this modernised lifestyle and are running on the same path.

“Our figures (of stroke cases) are not going to be any different from the figures in western countries, considering the size of our population. The Central Stroke Unit receives on average two cases per day which means a total of 14 cases per week and 56 cases per month and around 672 cases per year. These numbers exclude cases admitted at peripheral hospitals in all the governorates and regions. In addition, around 12-14 cases are seen per week in the out-patient departments.”

The doctor then went on to explain strokes. “There are two different types of stroke: 1) Ischemic stroke, which is caused due to the cut of blood flow to certain parts of the brain; and 2) hemorrhagic stroke, which is a rupture of blood vessel within the brain.

“Ischemic stroke is a more common form of stroke and contributes to around 80 percent of cases we see here in Oman. I have done a study on stroke numbers in Oman and found out that our figures are similar to that of western countries. This study showed consistency with the trend seen in the western countries, the percentage of ischemic strokes always hovers around the 80 to 85 per cent range out of the total percentage of patients who have suffered from stroke. Whereas the hemorrhagic stroke only represents 10-15%.

The numbers vary from region to region. In the eastern countries (India, China, Japan, etc.), the figures for ischemic stroke are lower and hemorrhagic stroke contributes 30 percent of the total stroke cases.”

Dr Amal then made a startling revelation: “Strokes are on the rise among the younger audience globally. Stroke among youngsters has become a whole different category.”

Those who are classified under this category fall below the age of 50 – which puts Sanjeev in the mix, too.

“Stroke is usually a disease associated with the older population, but that is not the case anymore.

“We are running a small study now. I can’t tell you the final results because we are still undertaking it. But we saw there has been an increase in the number of young patients who developed stroke. I have seen individuals in their 20s, 30s and 40s with stroke and my youngest patient was only 18 years of age.

Still, stroke in the younger audience is different from that of the older population.

“Age was considered to be the number one factor, originally. The older you are, the higher the risk of having a stroke,” Dr Amal said.

“That is only one factor. Others that we recognise today include hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, cardiac disease, atrial fibrillation, etc.”

While these are diseases you likely contract as you age, it is also prevalent among today’s younger population, said Dr Amal.

“In addition to the risk factors that we have already talked about, there are other things like obesity, which is prevalent in the young population because fast food is part of one’s diet; and reduced mobility.”

Apart from that, these are some other reasons usually linked to causing health problems that can result in one suffering from a stroke: 1) Lack of exercise and eating food that has bad carbohydrates, sugar and other fatty foods.

2) Smoking cigarettes and shisha has been linked to complications that can result in a stroke.

3) Consumption of alcohol. “I am not sure how much this applies to this society, but it’s also a factor that can lead to this,” said Dr Amal.

4) Drug use. It has been proven that drugs like heroin and cocaine can lead to young addicts suffering from stroke.

“One thing that you should keep in mind is that these are not the only factors that contribute to a stroke at a young age; all of the aforementioned and everything that affects the older population can be risk factors,” Dr Amal explained.

“So when you look at it, their (younger population) plates are fuller,” she added.

This has come into the spotlight in another recent study published by the WHO. It stated that targeting risk factors like diet and tobacco that are closely related to cancers, heart disease and stroke, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases Our figures of is vital in Oman. stroke cases are More than 50 percent of Omani men and women are overweight or obese, more than 40 not going to percent have hypertension, and 12 percent have be any different been diagnosed with diabetes. from the figures in western One in five Omanis die before their 70th countries, birthday, most from largely preventable cardiovascular diseases. considering Strokes, in general, are classified, based on risk the size of our factors, into two: modifiable and non-modifiable.

population

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NOV 23 - 29 / ISSUE 496

1. Face drooping 2. Arm weakness.

Check if one arm of the patient is drifting downwards.

3. Slurred speech. Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like “The sky is blue”.

Check if the person is able to correctly repeat the words?

If the above three criteria has been met, immediately dial 999. Other symptoms include: 1.

Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech.

2. Sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg.

Especially on one side of the body.

3. Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.

4. Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.

5. Repeat the words?

NOV 23 - 29 / ISSUE 496

Source: strokeassociation.org

been treated at a stroke unit have better outcomes when compared to patients who have been admitted in general medical wards.”

Dr Amal presented her findings on stroke units to the American Academy of Neurology at the 68th annual meeting in Vancouver in 2016.

“We are currently working on a study on stroke cases in Oman.

Hopefully it will be accepted in one of the journals,” she told Y. We then asked her about the various challenges she faced on a day-to-day basis, working as a neurologist.

“Neurology itself is a very challenging field but stroke in particular is the most demanding per say, because you deal with acute cases.

“Here you’re dealing with brain matter, and if you don’t act very fast you could lose some valuable brain tissues, and then the consequences might not be what you want.

“At times, we get extreme cases where the patient has had massive bleeding or massive infarctions, which is when you have to stand on your toes to maximise the therapy that you can offer to these patients.

“The ultimate outcome may not reflect what you want at times, but we do not give up on patients – that’s something we’re trained to do.

“Another challenge is the time frame these patients reports to emergency.

Some patients might arrive late to us which leaves us with very limited options of treatments. The earlier they report to ER, the better their chances of recovery.

“So, I would like to advise everyone to get periodical checkups and control their risk factors. Of course, if you’re feeling any of the symptoms of a stroke, immediately call the ambulance or report to the nearest emergency department.

“But, as a doctor who has worked on many cases, my final advice to everyone: Prevention is better than cure. As explained before, there are several risk factors, and if you’re prone to them, then you should tend to it. Also, take your medication correctly and always check with your practitioner before making a drastic change in your lifestyle.

As for those who have had a stroke, the doctor advises: “Do not give up easily.

Fight with all your might, and we’re all here to support you.” ■

Symptoms of a stroke

“Modifiable risk factors are the ones that you can alter and fix. You can improve your ultimate outcome. For example, you can control your blood pressure and blood sugar levels. This will lead to a better control of chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, cardio diseases and dyslipidemia. You can also quit smoking, drinking and doing drugs, to alter the health of your heart.

“Non-modifiable risk factors are those that you can’t do much about. Age is one; everyone is growing older by the second. Then you have genetics; some people are more prone to develop certain genetic disorders because they have inherited it.

“There are certain things that run in the family; we don’t have explanations to them but they are risk factors,” she stressed.

The Ministry of Health has already included non-communicable diseases (NCD) prevention in the delivery of primary health care. An NCD screening programme for all adults aged 40 years and over is in place to augment the services addressing diabetes, hypertension, heart failure, asthma and stroke.

Dr Amal then walked us through to the next part: treating a stroke.

“How we manage a stroke patient is important. The treatments always must be tailored case by case; it’s never the same for every patient. We have to modify the mode of treatments based on the medical history of the patient, clinical presentation and what the investigation is going to tell us.

“Overall, however, the treatment depends on the type of the stroke a patient has suffered. For example, ischemic stroke is treated in the very acute phase and within the first 4.5 hours of the onset of symptoms with thrombolytic therapy in a simple ward. This is a special medication given intravenously to help dissolve and destroy the clot inside a blocked artery inside the brain.

Other modes of intervention can also be taken when needed. Patients who suffered from ischemic stroke also will require close monitoring of their vital signs especially the blood pressure. Other modalities of treatment include using antiplatelet and antilipids medications. Not to forget the crucial role of early rehabilitation that helps stimulate the brain to restore the affected functions.

“Treatment of hemorrhagic stroke is completely different from that of ischemic stroke, as in hemorrhagic stroke you should administer special medication to reduce the increased brain pressure and at times you might need to interfere surgically to remove the blood from inside the brain. Once these patients pass the hyper acute phase there will be a set of investigations done while the patient is admitted at the stroke unit, aiming to identify the direct case for developing a stroke.”

On the other hand, one cannot talk about stroke and avoid talking about the importance of stroke units. In short, stroke units are dedicated medical outlets – complete with the necessary equipment and trained staff – for patients suffering from strokes. These units are linked to hospitals but almost never share patients from general wards.

“A stroke unit is a defined geographical space for these patients. If you don’t have a stroke unit in the hospital it means that these patients will be admitted in scattered beds across the hospital.

“Also, these units are equipped with electronic beds with multiple functions.

You cannot keep stroke patient on normal beds as most stroke patients are paralysed and can’t move around. The patients will also be hooked to monitors that will show all their vital signs.”

But the general idea of a stroke unit, according to the doctor, is not just to have a common geographical space but also to have a multi-disciplinary team dedicated to taking care of these patients.

“A stroke unit will have a strokologist, who is a consultant specialised in strokes; nurses who are trained to take care of these patients; a rehabilitation team to handle these cases; and staff from the intensive care unit (ICU) for the times you might need some urgent support.”

Sometimes the team also shares cardiologists and endocrinologists.

“But that’s not all,” said Dr Amal.

“You also need to have the community nurses, a discharge planner and social workers. Everybody has to come together because we know these patients need emotional, as much as medical, support.”

“There is very strong evidence that patients who have

023

R E D N U S L NADA

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Association The Oman Tennis re keen on a n a m O is n n e T ro and P and making g n u o y m e th g in h catc ams of the re d ir e th e v li m e th in Thomas lv A . d in k r re e d e F Nadalvolleys with d n a s e rv se s e sh a unle aches the kids and the co 026

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t’s 8am on Oman National Day. For most children, it’s a day off wherein they can pamper themselves watching cartoons or indulge in some homely activities.

Maybe, if the mood is right, they may even get a chance to witness some of the fervour and zest on the roads.

But, it’s a completely different story for two young tennis players – Vivek Kolluru and Surya Mariappan – who are out in the sun, sweating their energy away. The determination in their eyes is enough to realise that they’re not forced to be on the tennis court at the Crowne Plaza – and that they’re there of their own accord.

Even the parents outside the court are sitting down to soak in the early morning sun.

Anxiety and excitement soon pervades the atmosphere as Andrei Razvan – the coach of the two young players – hurls the ball towards Vivek.

The young player takes a mighty swing at it as the ball soon finds its way to the far end of the court – but well within the lines.

Surya, meanwhile, anticipates the move and is prepared for a quick forehand.

A couple of good returns from the two players see the parents back on their feet to eagerly watch their children play. Just as the duel intensifies, though, the coach steps in to break the flow, and the match.

Why? Well, that’s probably because this isn’t a match but rather one of the practice sessions of the day. The duo, however, aren’t too pleased, as I can see their eyes gleaming from the dazzling rally that they have just completed.

Andrei, who has been training young tennis stars for decades, has a few pointers for the children.

“Vivek, keep it a little lower and closer to the net,” says Andrei. The young boy confirms that he has understood with a firm nod.

Surya, meanwhile, is asked to move around the court a bit more so that he can access the

corners of the play area effortlessly.

“The level and talent of these children is good,” says the coach, who takes a moment to talk to Y. “But we need more competitions to improve their experience.

“These kids are fabulous in practice but if they need to perform more under pressure. And it’s my duty to prepare them for tournaments and improve their general performance.”

Andrei has been with Pro Tennis Oman for the last six years, and takes care of roughly 25 students.

“I have kids from all nationalities (i.e. Germans, British, Indians, South American and so on),” he proudly says.

“I think tennis in Oman has developed a lot in the last years. The Oman Tennis Association is on its motto to organise more tournaments; I hear they’re going to start monthly tournaments for these kids.

“Little by little, the quality of the players is also going to increase. In two to three years, these kids are going to be competing in international tournaments,” he adds.

It’s hard to conceive why they wouldn’t. Vivek, 12, for instance started playing at the age of three!

“It’s my dream to be a tennis player,” says Vivek, who chants that he is a committed Rafael Nadal fan.

But to get to grips with just how committed he is, I speak to Vivek’s parents Shyam and Dr Mythili Kolluru.

Shyam, a former cricketer and player in the prominent Ranji Trophy in India, takes pride in telling me that Vivek’s game is built on intense “hard work and determination”.

“When Vivek was three-and-a-half years old, he was naughty like every other boy. We couldn’t control his aggression. We had a tennis court near our house and we took him there. That’s when he started playing tennis.

He has since dedicated his life to the game; he plays tennis every day.

“After moving to Oman, we were posted in Ibra. There were no courts there. We painted our courts, drew the lines and even bought our own nets.

“It was me who coached Vivek for five years in Ibra.

“That’s when we signed up for the tournaments here with Pro Tennis Oman. We started coming here consistently and have won many tournaments.

“But even then, we knew we would come to Muscat one day. It took us five years but neither Vivek nor we gave up our passion for the game.

And we exactly know where we are going in the next five years.

“The family goal is tennis,” the father says.

“It has been six months with Pro Tennis Oman, and we are very happy.

Seeing a parent and a coach in the same person is challenging. Now it’s been easier for us also. The roles are now designated, and Andrei is doing a fantastic job coaching Vivek,” says Dr Mythili.

“Just look at how Andrei conducts the classes,” Shyam exclaims. “He was a tennis player during his time and he knows what a player must do on the court. This is what budding players need at this age,” he then tells.

He then goes on to praise the Oman Tennis Association (OTA): “I don’t know of any other association that conducts monthly tournaments.

That encourages these young kids to do well.”

Cristina Grecu, a coach with Pro Tennis Oman, adds to Shyam’s statement, saying: “The OTA has been extremely supportive of the young children. The tournaments are held regularly now, and it’s one way to get the children to get motivated and also professional at the same time.

“I’m also sure that due to all the efforts of the young players, the OTA, the parents and the coaches, Oman will soon become a hub for tennis,” she adds. ■ nts based on aches that trains studethe American co t en fer dif ht eig s Pro Tennis Oman ha regime. The children can be trained at and at the their age and trainingMouj, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Golden Tulip British Academy, Al Ghubra. training grounds in Al to suit various packages rs fe of an m O is ● Pro Tenn ents different requiremfor an hour’s lesson in a group ild for an hour ch r pe 5 ● It’s RO n RO15 and RO20 or ee tw be st co s on ● Individual less ation, go to protennisoman.com ● For more informis Oman on Facebook search Pro Tenn NOV 23 – 29 / ISSUE 496 027

THRILL OF

THREE

PICKING 47 FROM 2,200 WAS DIFFICULT, AND NOW THE JUDGES HAVE THE TOUGHEST OF THE TASKS: HOMING IN ON THREE FROM 47. PORTRAIT BY A NATION HAS COME TO AN EXCITING CLIMAX

Associate Sponsor

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NOV 23 - 29 / ISSUE 496

I

t has been a tough task, but Y’s Portrait By A Nation judges have whittled down the 2,200 entries received this year to 47 as we enter the final stages.

The students were chosen based on their creativity and overall presentation, but this year the judges have added some extra brownie points for painting skills and crafts.

For example, we took a special liking to one contestant who used pencil shading to finish her portrait, and another who used poster colours to make the portrait look life-like.

Still, there can only be three winners, and the pot is overflowing with several prizes that are valued at RO3,150.

This year’s competition was powered by FRiENDi, in association with sponsors Muscat Grand Mall, PUCK, IDdesign and Finland Eye Center. eXtrawas the electronics sponsor for the event.

“We all have our favourite paintings but, at the end of the day, it is the judges who have the final say,” says Y’s editorial head Nishad

Padiyarath.

“Choosing 47 from 2,200 has been a daunting task but we did it. It was amazing to see the level of creativity that has been showcased.

“I am proud to say that this was the biggest art contest organised by Y magazine.

The response from the students participating in this competition was so overwhelming. We had the highest number of entries compared with that of the previous years and more than 200 spot registrations at the venue. This shows the popularity of this competition,” he added.

This year’s event – touted as the nation’s largest art event of its kind – witnessed a staggering 2,200 young artists take on one other to show their love for His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said last weekend (November 11-12). ■

We all have our favourite paintings but, at the end of the day, it is the judges who have the final say

NOV 23 - 29 / ISSUE 496

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Adventures

Cars

Y- F i

Gaming

CARS ADVENTURES

A CLASSY AFFAIR

Mercedes-Benz is back with its S-Class for the 2018 model year with a host of new changes that puts it on top of the league. Check out what Alvin Thomas has to say about this German powerhouse.

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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

Gaming

Destination

QUOEIL BEACH Away from civilisation and free from anything – not even a cellphone tower or litter – that disturbs the tranquillity of nature is a beach you must visit. Shaquel al Balushi muddles through the pebbles 032

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will have to travel 11km on Route 17 before you head off the road.

From then on, you will be driving on pebbles and rocks, so it’s best you bring your A-game. The pebbles make it hard for the SUV to travel on, and you may have to resort to letting air out of the tyres. Still, choosing the right path is the key to your safety. Remember: when in doubt, always bail out.

Nevertheless, in another 45 minutes – and about 850m of off-road driving – we reached the beach.

And boy, it was definitely worth all our efforts. The beach was deserted, making it the ideal place for photography. However, I did notice that the beach was home to fishing boats. There were no fishermen on the scene, though, as it was a Thursday (an off-day for fishermen).

I proceeded to click a few photos of the worn-out boats and the beach.

As you could see from the photos, the beach was striking. There’s also no litter on the sands, which added to the overall appeal of the location.

That’s why the pebbles stood out in all my photographs.

There’s not much else to see at Quoeil, but I feel that it’s one of those locations that you must visit – overnight – with your friends to completely experience. Else, you’ll find yourself lonesome and abandoned – like Robinson Crusoe.

In some ways, that’s what Imran and I felt like, too. The beach was completely secluded from civilisation and there’s no one or anything to disturb the aura – not even a cellphone tower to provide you with connection to worldliness.

This is a place you could visit to get away from the eyes of the

public. I’m darn sure that you’d have to light a fire or send some signals to the sea (if there are no fishermen on the shore) to actually be rescued if you find yourself in a tough situation.

That said, Imran and I quickly went for a dip in the waters before we headed back. This was when I realised that the beach was a naturally-existing bay. This was probably why there were boats docked on the shores.

We didn’t spend more time there, lest we find ourselves struggling to find the road in the dark. So, by 3pm, we retreated to our SUV and found our way back to civilisation – where wild things happen.

HOW TO GET THERE

TRAVEL GUIDE

W

inter has arrived, folks. And that only means one thing: it’s time to hit the beach.

Yes, I understand that “normal” people usually head to the waters for a dip during the summer months.

But here in Oman, we do things a bit differently.

Anyone who has been living in the Sultanate for long will tell you how scorching the sands can get during the midsummer months. To be completely honest, you could even risk losing skin if you walk barefoot on the sands.

So, when I got the opportunity to hit the beach last week with my friend Imran, I didn’t dither. I quickly grabbed my beach gear and headed straight out.

As always, we started before the crack of dawn. But Imran quickly suggested that we visit someplace that we hadn’t visited before – and it seemed like a brilliant idea.

We started mining through Google Maps for a location to hit upon, and ‘Quoeil’ seemed like the spot. It’s a strange name for a beach but we knew that it was the place to go to.

From the satellite view of the locale, we came to know that we would be off-roading for a bit, so we prepared ourselves, and my Jeep, for the journey that lay ahead.

Quoeil is situated past Quriyat and en route to the beautiful beach in Qalhat, which I featured in the Y Magazine a few weeks back.

The drive is fairly straightforward and without any hitches. But you will have to keep your smartphone with you at all times, as you will have to take a turn-off towards Quoeil after Fins Beach and Tiwi.

But, to be a bit more specific, you

Take Route 17 from Muscat and head towards Quriyat. Continue on the road until you pass Bimmah, Fins and Tiwi. Roughly 11km from Tiwi, take the exit towards the dirt road. From here on, you must be careful; a 4x4 is essential.

Simply follow Google Maps and head to the shore. From the highway, it should take you roughly 45 minutes to get there.

Coordinates: 22°45’07.1”N; 59°19’35.0”E NOV 23 - 29 / ISSUE 496

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FIRST DRIVE

CARS ADVENTURES

Q

MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS

Wrapped up in ultra luxury, the new-gen S-Class redefines the sedan appeal in a market that has started to shift its focus. Alvin Thomas romances the beauty with the smarts

uick! Can you answer these questions? 1) Which was the first car to debut with an airbag? 2) Which was the first car to come installed with pretensioners in the seatbelts? 3) Which car came first with anti-lock brakes (ABS) as standard?

The answer to all these questions is the same: It’s the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

And after all these years, it’s hard to believe that the S-Class is still considered to be one of the bestselling full-size luxury sedans of all time. I mean, it’s hard to argue with all of the four-million customers who have purchased an S-Class, right?

All jokes aside, however, it’s commendable how proficiently Mercedes-Benz continues to shift its ultra-luxury sedan in a market that has started to primarily change its focus to luxury full-size SUVs and smaller crossovers.

But then again, the S-Class appeals to a niche market – a market that solely lusts for hand-crafted leather seats; sophisticated aluminium and grained

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wood panels in the interior; adequate space in the back for lying back; and above all, a three-pointedstar ornament garnishing the bonnet.

That’s what the Mercedes-Benz S-Class is all about. It’s not a car you drive; it’s a car you want to be driven around in.

I was handed over the keys to what seemed like the umpteenth generation (well, sixth to be specific) of the S-Class last week. And I couldn’t help but feel a bit perplexed standing next to it. The S-Class is a car I grew up worshiping; a car that denoted success and accomplishment. One of my best friend’s dad had one, and I couldn’t help but envy him for it.

Quite a lot that has changed since then, though.

For starters, it looks curvaceous and shapely as opposed to looking like a bulky square-edged sedan.

Sure, it takes cues from its pre-facelift variant, which was revealed back in 2014, but the designers have honed it further for this model year.

The headlights, for example, now have three strips of pulsating LED lights up front instead of one, and there are three additional signature LED dots that complement the projector headlamps. Moreover, the fascia is complemented by two thin chrome strips on either of the front air intakes. To round things off, there’s a chrome strip that runs across the front lip of the bumper. The changes are subtle but evident.

The side profile – as expected – is stretched, as is denoted by the ‘L’ on my 450L test car. This extended wheelbase essentially translates to better interior legroom in the rear, but there’s a ‘Pullman’ variant if you want more.

The rear carries forward the trend by chucking in three individual rear LED lights in the tail lamps.

Even so, the reverse lights are mounted on the

lower-middle portion of the bumper and there are dual exhausts, which are wrapped around elliptical chrome-plated covers.

My tester was also embellished with a touch of ‘AMG’, as was seen with the 51cm 14-spoke diamond cut alloys and the sportier bumper elements.

Moving on to the interior of the car: not much has changed from that of the previous variant of this model year, but everything has just been refined a little more than usual. For instance, there’s only one large screen acting as the instrument cluster as opposed to two, there’s an aluminium spoke connecting the steering wheel, and there are newer touch-sensitive

Destination

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

Y- F i

tabs on either side of the steering wheel for easier access and was splendid on so many levels. You can alter the to the on-screen functions. colours, as per your choice.

The single screen, however, has two separate highBut because the S450L is a luxury limousine, don’t for a resolution 32cm-wide 8:3 format colour displays for second think that it isn’t mechanically capable. My tester the tachometer and infotainment functions. I didn’t get came fitted with a 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6, mated enough time to dawdle with all the tech, though. There’s to a nine-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. It pumps plenty of electronic nannies to talk about, albeit I’d out 333hp and a stout 480Nms of torque. require a whole magazine to describe all of The engine is torquey and there’s very little that. Just to give you a whiff of what’s on board, turbo-lag before the twist takes over. This results I can tell you that the vehicle can drive you or in a 0-100kph time of about 6.1 seconds, but the hit the emergency brakes by itself, if needed. initial thrust is what makes the S450L a capable The cabin itself is littered with city cruiser. This also means that it’s easy to THE S-CLASS varnished wood, aluminium inserts overtake.

MANAGES TO GRIP and perforated leather. Most of the Even astounding is the way the gearbox THE AUDIENCE LIKE shifts; the cogs are aligned effortlessly, and surfaces you’ll touch are also soft, and NO OTHER VEHICLE the shifting occurs even faster than the sufficiently-padded. Even the areas IN THIS CLASS under your shin are made of highblink of your eye. And yes, you can also quality plastics. take control of the gears using the steeringAll of the panels are aligned well for most parts – and mounted paddle-shifters. Although, I must point out that without any gaps. There wasn’t as much a squeak coming the shifts can get from the cabin while I was cruising the roads; it’s really a bit jerky in lower gears, as is characteristic of that well-engineered. dual-clutch setups.

You will also be treated to a panoramic moonroof, The ride of the S-Class is silky smooth when you’re in which is only split by a chassis reinforcement bar that runs the ‘Comfort’ mode. I’m not sure if my tester came with through the middle of the glass. the “magic” thingamajig suspension that Mercedes-Benz Rest assured, you will have a relaxed time inside the brags about, but no matter what, the ride was steady and cabin of the S-Class. Space is available in plentiful and composed always. you can control each of the four seats individually. Of Switching to ‘Sport’ mode changes things drastically: the course, you can also fold away the centre armrest – which suspension gets stiffer, the tranny and the throttle faster, ironically doesn’t have a screen (or maybe that’s left and the steering wheel gains weight. You can also risk for the Maybach to fulfil) – and make space for a fifth spinning your RO49,000 car on the road by relaxing the passenger. Meanwhile, both the other rear-seat passengers electronic stability programme (ESP). can recline their seats to their desire.

When you do that, the vehicle shows its true AMG The bolsters on the driver and co-passenger seats are colours – even though it isn’t by much. It’s incredibly easy designed to grab your shoulders while you take fast and to lose the back-end to a slide when you slam the throttle sharp corners. For a few extra bucks, the robotic seats can mid-way through a corner. also massage the passengers. It wasn’t an option that was ticked in my tester, though.

The mood-lighting, however, was an option that was ticked on the car,

Gaming

CARS

Mercedes-Benz S450L AMG Specifications: Engine: 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged six-cylinder Transmission: nine-speed dualclutch automatic Horsepower: 333hp Torque: 480Nm Top speed: 250kph (limited) Pre-safe brakes 51cm alloys Radar-guided cruise control Traction Control Brake-Assist Plus Suspension lifter Massage programs on seats Dual-screen instrument cluster Magic Body Control Night Vision Assist Plus 360-degree surround camera Lane-departure warning w/ steering assist Active Park Assist

This isn’t advisable, but it’s something the S-Class is capable of. Oh, and when you do oversteer, the traction control cuts in ever so slightly to save you from embarrassing yourself.

Mind you: the ESP is not as intrusive as it is on other AMG products.

Still, the S450L AMG handles itself (its length) very well for a vehicle of this size.

The steering is well-weighted in ‘Sport’ mode, but loses any form of communication when set in ‘Comfort’ mode. Although, none of this is a concern, as most S-Classes will be driven mellow. You should be happy to know that the brakes are progressive and offer excellent levels of feedback.

It’s not easy to be captivated by a full-size luxury sedan. Let’s get the fact straight: no one really wants a sedan anymore. But, somehow, the S-Class manages to grip the audience like no other vehicle in this segment.

But what is it that sets the S-Class apart: Is it the technology? Is it the German quality? Or is it the tripointed-star on the hood? Whatever be the answer, I can assure you that this flagship luxury limousine is here to stay, and it’s not letting go of its place in the market, nor its locus in our hearts.Your turn, BMW.

NOV 23 - 29 / ISSUE 496

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-FI

Destination

Cars

Gaming

Y-FI

CHEAP AND CHEERFUL

THE TECH IN YOU

For less than RO250 you could have four trendy, useful products: a personal assistant, earphones, a writing board and a portable laptop. And that sure is a real bargain, says Alvin Thomas

THE RIGHT CALL Isn’t it infuriating when your brand new, expensive set of earphones break after a month of use? But fret not, because one Chinese company is on a mission to make quality earphones at budget prices. The MXStudio Earbuds with Mic are a relatively inexpensive set of headphones for music enthusiasts who don't want to worry about damaging or losing an expensive pair. The device produces excellent bass and midtones, but also offers users features such as noise-cancellation and a built-in microphone.

What’s amazing is that all of this is bundled into a package that costs only RO7.7. Order yours from Amazon.com

DASHING ASSISTANT There’s nothing more annoying than spending hundreds of Riyals for a personal assistant gadget and having to leave it back home when you go out shopping.

Well, there’s an answer to all your first-world woes: The Amazon Dash Wand. The device is as big as a flash drive and should fit right into your pocket. Apart from being handy, the device is Alexa-enabled, so you can ask it questions, search online and even stream music (using external speakers).

The party piece of the Dash Wand, however, is its ability to scan barcodes. This means you can carry it around and scan prices of goods without having to use the scanners fitted in supermarkets.

It’s also water-resistant, durable and magnetic (so you can stick it on your fridge). Buy it from amazon.com for RO7.7

NOTE IT Leave notes for your friends or family, or simply doodle images using this tablet. Not only is this 10-inch wide writing board inexpensive, but it is also light and easy to use. Dubbed the Sarki LCD Tablet, the device’s screen comprises durable plastic materials and is pressure-sensitive; you can create lines with different thicknesses based on how hard you push, just like using a pen and paper. There’s also a built-in lock and key to keep your important messages, notes and drawings safe. This, coupled with the fact that the screen will last for more than 100,000 drawings, makes this the bargain of the decade. Buy it from amazon.com for RO7.7

POCKET-FRIENDLY

EDITOR’S PICK

HOW COOL WOULD IT BE TO HAVE A LAPTOP THAT FIT RIGHT INTO YOUR POCKET? WELL, IT’S A DREAM NO MORE, AS LANRUO – A NEW STARTUP FIRM – HAS RELEASED ONE OF THE WORLD’S FIRST ULTRAPORTABLE LAPTOPS. IN REALITY, THE LANRUO GPD TAKES PORTABLE TO WHOLE NEW LEVEL; IT WEIGHS A MERE 480G AND HAS A SMALL 7-INCH-WIDE SCREEN (!) BUT, THE MOST MIND-BLOWING FEATURE IS THAT IT RUNS WINDOWS 10, AND PACKS A 1.6GHZ INTEL ATOM PROCESSOR, SUPPORTED BY 4 GIGS OF RAM. WHILE THE SPECS MAY NOT BE TOO OPULENT, THE SUPPORTING SSD HARD DRIVE AND THE LOW-RESOLUTION SCREEN PAVES WAY FOR A SLICKER INTERFACE. IT’S THE PERFECT GADGET FOR PROFESSIONALS ON THE MOVE. BUY IT FOR RO223 FROM AMAZON.COM

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JULY NOV 2303 -- 2909 // ISSUE ISSUE 496 327

Info Box

Initial release date: Q1, 2018

Developer:

HAZELIGHT STUDIOS

Publisher:

ELECTRONIC ARTS

Genre:

MULTIPLAYER ACTION-ADVENTURE

Director:

JOSEF FARES

Platform:

PS4, XBOX ONE, MICROSOFT WINDOWS

Josef Fares is at it again. The latest co-op has engaging situations full of challenging variations with two convicts working hand in hand. Alvin Thomas gets ready for quirky pursuits

R

emember the 2013 game ‘Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons’? It’s a game that I believe to have brought along a wind of change in multiplayer gaming. With its intriguing storyline and strong character bonding, it has to be – till date – the most enthralling action-adventure multiplayer game to be released on a gaming console.

Kudos to the creator Josef Fares for that. Next year, however, we will witness the release of Fares’ latest game; A Way Out. I’m not sure if it will be a sequel of Naiee and Naia (protagonists of Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons) but my guess is that the character line will be completely revamped from last time.

The game is said to instead focus on the tale of two convicted prisoners who must work hand in hand to break free from prison and run from the authorities. As usual, the players can control either characters, and make use of each other’s skills to make the escape easier.

For instance, during one of the prison escape scenes, a player needs to distract a guard, while another has to find a tool to aid their prearranged escape.

These roles are not fixed, though, so either player can swap the role around. Both characters will also have stories that will play out simultaneously on-screen; even if one character is in a cut-scene, players can still control the other.

Moreover, you can reportedly interact with many non-playable characters, and there are dialogue options for players to choose from.

All of this smells a bit like the plotline from Splinter Cell: Double Agent, but I just hope that the game will bring in some new and interesting elements like its predecessor did.

Still, producers EA Originals do mention that there’s an online version of the game, if the players require it.

A Way Out will launch in early 2018. The game is being developed

by Hazelight, Fares’ new production studio.

JULY NOV 23 03 - 29 09 / ISSUE 496 327

039

HEALTH& BEAUTY

WINTER KIDS

Just like Jon Snow’s saying in the previous season of ‘Game of Thrones’, winter has come.

That means it’s time to layer up; but not just ourselves. We’ll have to tend to our little toddlers as well, and preferably in fashionable winter wear, like this adorable nature lover.

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Health

Beauty

FASHION

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

Looking for something to keep your small hero warm indoors? Is he a fan of dinosaurs?

Then how about this printed jersey from H&M that is, in one word, cool? Add it to your shopping list. Buy it at RO5.

We are just a few weeks away from Christmas and adding some Christmas colours to your child’s wardrobe may not be a bad idea, like this bright red sweater from Monsoon. Shop it now at RO9.

Casual yet smart, warm yet stylish, this pair of slim denim jeans from H&M is very comfortable, especially if he wants to run around with his friends. Shop it at just RO5.

First question, do they make these for adults too?

Because we are absolutely loving it. It is all the three Fs — Fun, Fashionable and Fabulous!

Shop these joggers with applique from H&M at RO8.

We know Halloween is over, but that’s not a reason not to dress your kid as a chic Batman of Muscat. This trapper hat from GAP Kids is sure to keep him warm too. Buy it at RO10.

Turn your kid into a warm burrito in this soft quilted parka with (faux) fur-rimmed hood from ZARA. It’s soft, easy, comfortable, stylish and we are sure your kid will just love it. Buy it at RO33.

No matter what we tell kids, they will run around making us run behind them — kids be kids. So, give them something easy, light and fashion forward, like these corduroy boots from ZARA, available at only RO18.

NOV 23 - 29 / ISSUE 496

041

HEALTH& BEAUTY

Brushing

BASICS

A quick guide to clean your pricy make-up brushes and keep the soft beauties pristine and completely bacteria-free

N

ow, let’s be honest: make-up brushes are quite expensive, and for a variety of reasons we want to own them all. It’s a big mystery to men that why we ladies need so many make-up brushes, but then a lot of things about us is a mystery for them.

Since these soft beauties are pricy, we want them to be in the most pristine condition. Also, unclean brushes lead to a bacteria build-up which can affect our skin. Hence, these glam tools require regular clean-ups.

Here are some ways in which you can keep your make-up brushes fancy, beautiful and clean.

The Bar Soap: This is pretty much the easiest way and it works well too. Wet your brush with lukewarm water and slowly massage it against a soft, sturdy bar soap. Once you think the brush has been massaged well and the soap has covered up all the bristles, wash it off with lukewarm water. Once the soap is off, tap it down on a soft, dry towel or a paper towel. Make sure you don’t get the brush holder/barrel wet as it may loosen up the hold and make the bristles fall off.

The Deep Clean: This is for those of you who have not cleaned your brushes for ages. As suggested by naturallivingideas.com, mix one

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tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with half a tablespoon of liquid dish wash soap in one cup of warm water. Soak your brushes in the mixture for a good amount of time, or till you see all the product build-ups break down. Then remove the brushes and rinse them with cold water, tap them off excess water with a soft paper towel and let them dry overnight. Your brushes are as good as new and absolutely bacteria-free!

The Baby Way: Got a child at home, then we are sure you have baby shampoo too.

Take a pea size amount of baby shampoo on your palm, wet your brush and slowly start swirling it around. The shampoo will lather and residue will fall out. Once you think the dirt is out, wash the brush with warm water, pat it dry with a soft paper towel and let it dry completely. Your brushes are as soft as baby’s hair.

There you have it, three different ways to keep your make-up brushes clean and beautiful. Now let’s glam up!

Beauty

HEALTH

Fashion

BE HAPPY

FROM WITHIN

Happiness is what we seek time and again but find only now and then. The key to enjoy sustained happiness involves starting from the inside What is happiness? We can say happiness is this or that, but in terms of life, your life energies are happening in a more exuberant way than it normally happens," according to yogi, visionary, and thought leader Sadhguru.

Although children are naturally happy with things as simple as an empty box or a bucket of sand

and some water, the cost of happiness increases in adulthood, Sadhguru explains. Many adults find that their happiness depends on outside forces, such as relying on someone else, obtaining something else, or engaging in additional activities.

"Everybody has been happy, but the problem is they're not able to maintain it," Sadhguru notes.

"All this effort of life, everything that you did — education, career, business, family, whatever you did — was in pursuit of happiness. Everything that humanity has done on this planet is in pursuit of happiness," he observes. But these factors can be seen as externally rather than internally driven. By contrast, another way to achieve sustained, long-term happiness involves starting from the inside. Sadhguru's latest book, "Inner Engineering" offers guidance on how to achieve long-term happiness by focusing on yourself. The role of an Isha yoga practice, as outlined by Sadhguru, is one element in the process of developing sustained happiness.

Isha yoga can help individuals develop happiness from within by building confidence and health.

According to a recent survey of 536 adults who practised Isha yoga, 98 per cent reported improved mental clarity, 94 per cent reported improved inner peace, and 92 per cent reported improved emotional balance.

In addition, the Inner Engineering course "helps you put your life on self-start so you become in charge of your happiness, joy, and peace," according to Sadhguru.

The course includes guidance on how to manage all aspects of one's being: mind, body, emotions, and "the fundamental life energy within."

Source: NewsUSA NOV 23 - 29 / ISSUE 496

043

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FOOD DRINK

Trend

New Restaurant

IN NO TIME

Reviews

Tending to your family’s needs can be quite hard, especially if you’re a working parent. Our recipe for rice and chicken should you have you covered for a quick but healthy dinner.

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NOV 23 - 29 / ISSUE 496

W &HOMELY holesome

Four easy, practical tips to get the whole family to sit down and tuck into a meal together

15-Minute Chicken and Rice Dinner

I

f you are like most families, the stress of having kids and maintaining hectic schedules can heat up the happiest of households in no time — especially when it comes to trying to decide what to have for dinner.

However, with a little planning and some cooperation, even the busiest family can find time to sit down and enjoy a meal together.

The following tips will give you an idea of how you can streamline the dinner process, while squeezing in some muchneeded family time: ① Get the whole household involved. Not only on chores like washing and drying dishes, but on tasting and choosing the menus. ② Schedule a mock cooking class. If you want to get family members involved, make time on a weekend for a prepping and cooking session, where everyone can share knife skills, recipes, and other culinary lessons. ③ Do a taste test. Let’s face it, every family has that one member who’s finicky. To combat that, have them weigh in for taste tests. This way, you can plan to cook that dish in bulk. ➃ Strive for leftovers. Whoever is cooking can make extra of anything that’s a hit with family members and store leftovers in the fridge or freezer. Two roasted chickens (instead of one) are great for hot or cold sandwiches, soup, salad, and great filler for fajitas or burritos.

To help you get started, the maker of Minute Rice is giving out this one-stop shopping, anyone-can-make recipe:

Source: News USA

Ingredients: § 1 tablespoon oil § 4 small, boneless, skinless chicken breast halves § 1 can condensed cream of chicken soup § 1/2 cup water § 1/2 cup chicken broth § 2 cups Minute White Rice, uncooked § 1 teaspoon garlic powder § 1 teaspoon onion powder § Fresh parsley, chopped (optional) Method: § Heat oil in a large nonstick frying pan on a medium-high heat. Add chicken; cover. § Cook for four minutes on each side or

until lightly browned on both sides.

Remove chicken from the frying pan. § Add soup, water, and chicken broth to the pan; stir. Bring to boil. § Stir in rice, garlic powder, and onion powder. § Top with chicken; cover. Cook on a low heat for five minutes or until chicken is cooked through. § Let sit for five minutes or until liquid is absorbed.

Serve sprinkled with chopped parsley, if desired. § Substitute: For a whole-grain alternative, use Minute Brown Rice for the Minute White Rice and cook for an additional five minutes. § Yield: 4 servings.

NOV 23 - 29 / ISSUE 496

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FOOD DRINK

Tr e n d

New Restaurant

REVIEWS

Info Box

t arke

BAKERY AND BBQ

Arjan Towell Building, next to Qurum Park Roundabout Dinner for four: RO28

m Mid

Verdict : 7/10 SERVICE 7/10 FOOD 6/10 AMBIENCE

BAKERY AND BBQ

A local brand with all the right elements to stand out.

Y Magazine reviews anonymously and pays for its meals

THE CHICKEN THAT ARRIVED WITH A SEDUCTIVE SMOKY SMELL AND IN BEWITCHING SHADES OF RED WAS THE COCK OF THE WALK. HASAN AL LAWATI STUFFS HIMSELF WITH LEBANESE DELICACIES

F

ood does not usually taste good during restaurant openings. The waiters get nervous, the chef makes mistakes, and the guests’ expectations are just too high. But when I visited Bakery and BBQ (BandB) restaurant in Qurum, I struggled to find glaring flaws in their food or service.

For years, I have been trying to find an authentic OTHER LEBANESE RESTAURANTS Lebanese restaurant in Oman where they do IN TOWN SHOULD WORRY ABOUT not serve microwave-reheated falafels or canned THIS AMBITIOUS COMPETITOR hummus, and BandB was one of the very few I managed to find.

My head screamed “jackpot!” when I tasted their hummus. I scooped the Lebanese appetiser with loaves of warm, freshly baked bread (yes, they have an oven that delivers them), and it was fantastic.

Later I gorged on the fattoush, a Levantine salad made from toasted pieces of flat bread and mixed vegetables, such as radishes and tomatoes. It was overflowing with tasty herbs.

Then I had caesar salad. The bowl was large enough to feed at least four people.

The restaurant has a Lebanese theme but also offers some Italian dishes — a great mix.

Then came the mini hot fatayers, stuffed with zaatar, meat, cheese and olives. I had two cheese fatayers which were okay and one zaatar which was dry.

The restaurant served me a complimentary strawberry juice, which would have triggered a sugar rush. Not that I am complaining of extra sugar but the drink was more suitable to be served after dinner — it just did not go well with the food.

So, instead, I ordered lemon with mint.

Then it was time for the signature dish, the halloumi sahwarma, which was great for both 046

NOV 23 - 29 / ISSUE 496

carnivores and vegetarians. It tasted different from the classic halloumi sandwich which you find at Starbucks or Costa Coffee. Not sure if it was better or worse — just different, that’s it.

I was having dinner with three Lebanese nationals and we were having a nice chat until the main course arrived. The smoky smell and the different shades of red of the chicken tawouq and kebabs were breathtaking.

The chicken was the highlight of the dinner.

Though by then we stuffed ourselves with delicious foods, we could not help but to lick the plate clean.

The chicken was perfectly cooked and the chef did a great job in mixing the spices.

Overall, the restaurant serves well-cooked meals in a simple and practical way that goes well with its fast food-themed setting.

And with its prime location in Qurum, I think other Lebanese restaurants in town should worry about this ambitious competitor.

Do you have a favourite restaurant that you’d like to see reviewed? Let Y know at editor@y-oman.com

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