Y Magazine #583, September 5, 2019

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ARTIST MALVIKA ASHER’S VIBRANT WORLD Pen pals OMAN’S LOST ART OF LETTER-WRITING

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LESSONS LEARNED

PLUS!

More students have enrolled for admission for Oman’s 2019 academic school year than have done so in the last decade. Record numbers indeed, but the modern classroom is looking very different as more young learners are choosing to opt out of bricks-and-mortar schools in favour of alternative forms of education as expanding minds meet the expanding classroom.

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THE Y GEEK SQUAD: SWITCHED ON FOR SCHOOL

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YUMMY OMAN: CELEBRATING ONAM WITH A SADHYA FEAST

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EDITOR’S

NOTE

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

IN THIS ISSUE…

T

hey say that the best teacher is life. A broad statement, yes – but true, nonetheless. And the classroom keeps changing. Four walls and a blackboard have become one monitor and a WiFi connection – and, for some pupils, even these conventions are becoming more fluid with each new academic year.

Our point being – education is evolving, and so are its mediums. With more students enrolled in schools across the Sultanate today than witnessed a decade ago, in this week’s back-to-school cover feature we take a look at how Oman is managing its resources to provide quality education, while also incorporating new technologies that will sculpt its future generations.

We also delve into the makings of a new type of learning environment – online schools, to find out the impact they’re having on students and how they aim to connect greater numbers of students with qualified educational professionals in the nation’s quest for a smart, knowledge-based economy. Flip over to Page 12 to read more.

Also in this issue, we’re waiting eagerly by the postbox as we bring you a feature on the lost art of letter-writing in the Sultanate – a practice that until now, is still the preferred method of long-distance communication in Oman’s interior governorates where the old ways of life still value the kind of connection that comes from putting pen to paper.

Plus, we meet one Muscat-based artist whose unusual animated doodles have been featured on the world’s most-visited website – the Google homepage – and now, she’s putting her art to use to highlight the stories of women in Oman. Also, we’re marking Kerala’s annual rice harvest festival of Onam over in Yummy Oman with a vibrant celebration of Sadhya, jetting to Madrid in our Postcard section for a weekend in the Spanish capital, and bringing you the best of back-to-school in our Fashion and Y-Fi pages to help you settle back into a year of learning with ease!

Until next week, happy reading!

EDITOR IN CHIEF Sayyida Iman bint Hamad bin Hamood Al Busaidi ADMIN MANAGER Yousef al Harrassi REPORTER Hassan al Lawati

Team Y

PHOTOGRAPHER Ismail Al Farsi DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING Feroz Khan MANAGER – DIGITAL MEDIA SALES Umair Mehmood

(Cover image for illustrative purposes only. Selected photography

by Alvin Thomas. Additional images courtesy of Shutterstock.)

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contents SEP 05 - 11

Your Oman 08 News Oman to host 2019 E-Commerce Conference 08 News Oman Air joins ban on MacBook Pro devices from checked luggage

2019

This Week 07 Season opener The Royal Opera House Muscat draws the curtain on its new fall season with Georges Bizet’s ‘Carmen’.

11 Movies Opening this weekend in Muscat, Pennywise the killer clown returns to terrorize the Losers Club in ‘It Chapter 2’

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Cars and Adventures 22 Destination

Al Ain Sahban 24 First Drive

The snazzy MG RX5 28 Y-Fi

Switched on for school

Health and Beauty 29 Beauty Tips and treatments for thinning hair

Features 12 The changing classroom With more online schools flourishing in the Sultanate, we’re weighing on the traditional vs. digital debate when it comes to crafting a bespoke learning environment that affords every young mind the opportunity to excel.

16 Pen pals Letter-writing may be considered a ‘lost art,’ but it’s still the method of choice for long-distance communication in Oman’s interiors. We explore the connection that comes from putting pen to paper.

18 Coffee with Y Painting the world in colour with Muscatbased digital artist Malvika Asher.

Food and Drink 32 Yummy Oman An Onam celebration of Sadhya 34 Taste Test

Chez Sushi

30 Fashion Best looks for back-to-school

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32 NEXT ISSUE...

FEATURES / COFFEE WITH Y / NEWS / MOVIES / EVENTS / BEAUTY / DESTINATION / TRAVEL / FASHION / FIRST DRIVE

brity ch and the latest celeve got at w to ts tis ar e th e’ From e hits of the week, w gossip to your ultimat from the pulse of the music your superstar dose Radio Oman 100.9 FM world, with Virgin

Cover girl surprise Seventeen-year-old singer-songwriter Billie Eilish is currently at the top of her game, absolutely killing it on the music scene. It’s no wonder that the media can’t get enough of her either, but one particular coverage recently left Billie reeling after Germany’s Nylon Magazine used an image of her on the cover of its current issue – without her consent. The picture, which was digitally rendered, depicts a bald, robotic-like portrait of the young artist. Taking to social media, Billie expressed her upset over the risqué image in an Instagram post: “What is this? I was never approached by Nylon about this piece whatsoever. I didn’t know it was happening, nor did anyone on my team. This is not even a real picture of me. I had no creative input.” The publication has since issued an apology to Billie and pulled the offending cover from their current issue online.

Centre, the ‘Want To Want Me’ singer will be sharing the hosting duties on-stage alongside YouTuber Haifa Beseisso. About the news, Jason was pumped: “We’ve got a thrilling show planned, and I can’t wait to be on-stage celebrating with the kids.”

We can’t wait either!

Ed’s end of the road?

After his staggering 260th show of his mammoth two-year-long ‘Divide’ world tour, singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran announced at the tour’s final performance in Ipswich, UK that he’s going to take a hiatus from music to focus on settling down to family life with his wife Cherry Seaborn. One of the largest world tours in music history, Ed performed to around nine million fans over two years of touring the globe – while still managing to release a Number 1 album ‘No 6 Collections Project’ along the way. Speaking to fans in the crowd at Ipswich he said: “This is my last gig for probably 18 months. We’ve played all around the world – Glastonbury, Wembley Stadium. All these amazing venues. America, New Zealand, Australia, Asia. It’s been a wild one.” Rest well, Ed!

Hollywood theft Actress Jenna Dewan was left shaken after discovering she’d been a victim of theft after her Tesla was recently broken into and her purse stolen in broad daylight. Her SUV was parked on LA’s Sunset Strip, when a woman allegedly approached the vehicle, smashed the window, and took Jenna’s $3,000 USD purse before driving off in her own car.

Luckily, paparazzi were there to identify the woman and her vehicle to police.

Jason’s coming to Abu Dhabi!

The Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards will be held in Abu Dhabi, UAE on September 20 and Jason Derulo is going to host them! Taking place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition 06

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Wealthy ‘Widow’ It’s official – Scarlet Johansson is the world’s highest-paid actress. The ‘Avengers’ starlet earned the Number 1 spot on Forbes’ list of highestearning celebrities for the second time in a row. Yes, you read that right. Scar-Jo raked in a staggering $56 million dollars last year, all thanks to Marvel Universe and her role as Black Widow.

Post production Post Malone has finally released his highly anticipated single ‘Circles’ off his upcoming album ‘Hollywood’s Bleeding’. The album is set to drop on Friday, September 6 and with this latest teaser track Post unpacks his emotions to bare it all. The backing instrumentals are typical Postie, but with a more mature vibe. Guests artists on the album will include Meek Mill, Da Baby, Ozzy Osbourne, SZA, Travis Scott, and more!

New music from Alessia!

We all know Grammy Award-winning singer Alessia Cara from tracks like ‘Scars to Your Beautiful’, ‘Ready’, and ‘Growing Pains’. Now, she’s just dropped another new single called ‘Okay Okay’ following the release of previous songs ‘Ready’ and ‘Rooting For You’. This is Alessia’s way of teasing fans ahead of her new EP called ‘This Summer’ that’s slated for release on September 6.

Lana’s back!

Crooning songstress Lana Del Rey is out with her sixth album called ‘Norman Rockwell’ and it’s already being heralded as her most critically acclaimed release yet. Featuring singles such as ‘Mariners Apartment Complex’, fans can expect Lana’s signature velvety lyrics and moody delivery. We for one, can’t get enough of this musical offering!

Be sure to keep it locked to Virgin Radio Oman 100.9 FM, and don’t miss your Tea Time with Maya Noise, daily on The Breakfast Show with Dan and Maya.

POOL PARTY

THE WHAT’S ON GUIDE Looking for some weekend entertainment set to some thrumming beats? Head over to the Park Inn Hotel Muscat’s Sama Terrazza rooftop for a pool party splash at their season opener bash! The Wet Republik 2019 event kicks off on Friday, September 6 and will feature headliner DJ Tobias Sabido on the decks spinning the tunes you want to hear all night long. Also taking turns at the turntables are DJ Pharaoh, DJ Lil L, DJ Leon, DJ Nass, DJ Ernest, and the Zo-Electric Project. The party starts in time for sundowners at 4:00 p.m. and goes till late. Entry fee for gents is RO 10. For more information and VIP table bookings call (+968) 9709-8681, or (+968) 9980-5525.

Sep

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SPICE ROUTE

Sep

10

Head over to the Crowne Plaza OCEC’s Mosaic restaurant to satisfy your mid-week curry craving with their ‘We Love Curry’ night every Tuesday! Experience an explosion of global flavours – from North and South Indian varieties, to Thai, Sri Lankan, and Indonesian options coupled with some spicy beats to set the mood down this spice route! There’s also a salad, bread, soup, and dessert buffet to round out your meal and the all-inclusive price is just RO 15 from 7:00 p.m. till 10:00 p.m. For more information or to book your table call (+968) 9065-4364.

THIS

WEEK

ROHM SEASON OPENER Sep

11

WHAT TO DO. WHAT TO SEE. WHAT TO HEAR.

S E P T E M B E R The Royal Opera House Muscat raises the curtain on its 2019-2020 season with the season opener performance of Georges Bizet’s iconic opera ‘Carmen’. Performed by the Teatro Colón Buenos Aires and conducted by Antonello Allemandi, ‘Carmen’ returns with original set-pieces from ROHM’s inaugural season, alongside inspired choreography by the Antonio Gadès Company. José Cura, one of the greatest tenors of our time, will sing the role of Don José, a naïve soldier who loses his heart to the capricious gypsy, Carmen, sung by charismatic mezzo-soprano Elena Maximova. ‘Carmen’ will run from September 11-14, and the show starts at 7:00 p.m. For more information or to book your tickets visit www.rohmuscat.org.om.

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ix months following Oman’s Ministerial Decision 128/2019, the Sultanate will start implementing the Gulf Standard Specification (GSS) for safety requirements for cosmetics and personal-care products at the end of January 2020. This decision was announced by Oman’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry, reports Oman News Agency.

“The issuance of the decision came due to the increasing manufacture, import, and sale of cosmetics and personal-care

OMAN IMPLEMENTS GSS SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR COSMETICS products recently, and to provide safe products for human health and adequate safety when using cosmetic products under normal and reasonable conditions,” said Shaimaa Khamis Al Balushi, a quality control specialist for chemical products in the Directorate General of Standards and Metrology at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The decision is in an effort to harmonise common Gulf markets The GSS covers requirements and standards of public safety

and, Al Balushi explained, all products must be free of pork derivatives, free of any decomposed materials, and must be homogeneous and stable. A product’s compounds specifications should not be variable during its expiry period when stored and used in accordance with the instructions.

Lists of added coloured materials, preservatives and UV filters should also be indicated by the manufacturer, in accordance to the conditions of the standard specification.

OMAN TO HOST 2019 E-COMMERCE CONFERENCE

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epresented by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the Sultanate will host the upcoming Oman E-Commerce Conference – OEC 2019 from September 16-17 at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Organized in cooperation with Anovexis Company the event aims to highlight the growth and transition of global e-commerce as a key pillar of international business strategy. The conference will also present Oman as an untapped and promising investment market for e-commerce ventures.

OEC 2019 will bring together companies from a diverse set of industries across the MENA region, including e-commerce, logistics, business institutions, leading banks, e-payment networks, and telecom operators with payments solutions and partners. More than 50 speakers will conduct educational e-commerce workshops, while exhibitors of the latest industry-standard technology will highlight their most innovative solutions in the realm of online retail.

In a statement to the Oman News Agency, H.E. Mohsen bin Khamis Al Balushi, Advisor to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and Chairman of the Organizing Committee of OEC 2019, explained that the Ministry, in coordination with all relevant parties in the private and government sectors, seeks to maximize the benefits of the Oman E-Commerce Conference through the expansion of understanding and consolidation of the culture of e-commerce among businesses and consumers in terms of laws, legislation, the rights and duties of online retailers, areas of work, and opportunities for the beneficiaries – in particular young entrepreneurs in Oman who represent the foundation of the Sultanate’s Small and Medium Enterprise sector.

OMAN AIR BANS MACBOOK PRO DEVICES FROM CHECKED BAGGAGE

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ollowing Apple’s recall of several models of 15-inch MacBook Pro laptops, Oman Air joins a growing list of international carriers who have prohibited the laptops in traveler’s checked luggage.

Apple recently announced a recall program in August regarding the danger of carrying MacBook Pro laptops in checked-in baggage. Affected models were sold primarily between September 2015 and February 2017.

“Apple has determined that, in a limited number of older-generation 15-inch MacBook Pro units, the battery may overheat and pose a fire-safety risk,” said Apple in a statement on their website.

Additionally, in a statement from the Oman Air website, that airline confirmed the ban: “Guests are to refrain from bringing the affected models in checked baggage. They may be allowed as hand-carry provided [they] remain switched off throughout the flight, protected from accidental activation, and not to be charged during the flight.”

Oman Air also advised its guests to visit Apple’s MacBook Pro Recall Program page for more details and information.

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Other airlines and carriers across the world have expressed safety concerns over the laptops, fearing they would self-combust.

These carriers include Etihad Airways, Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, and Virgin Australia.

Concerns grew after the US Federal Aviation Administration alerted major US airlines about Apple’s recall. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency also issued its own warning about the specific MacBook Pro models.

In their statement, Apple has voluntarily decided to replace affected batteries for free, given proof of their eligibility. Consumers can find out their device’s eligibility by following the instructions on Apple’s MacBook Pro Recall Program page.

correspondence

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DEBATE OF THE WEEK WE ASKED:

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ANANYA ROY

Stress and anxiety are the prime cause of most health issues that people face, and yet they’re the most underrated and least talked about subject.

Increasing expectations and growing, unhealthy competition among youth are, I believe, major reasons behind it.

However, although stress levels among youth are increasing, less people are talking about it. We do have mental health experts who are wonderful in their jobs, but people with stress and anxiety issues are still hesitant to go and talk to them. People are also hesitant to talk to their family and friends about it – which can actually lead to further depression.

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adolescence.’ Increases in these numbers of cases could be due to the change in society’s views regarding mental health here in Oman.

It’s no longer the taboo it once was, and more people are unafraid to speak out.

SOBHA JOSEPH

Rates of anxiety and depression among youth in Oman continue to rise as per mental health experts. What do you think are the factors contributing to this issue, and is enough being done to tackle the problem?

The increase in use of social media is a major cause towards anxiety and depression these days – with kids comparing their lives to people online and feeling self-conscious.

Being bullied at a young age is another factor that’s become common among youngsters and can cause insecurity. Anti-bullying awareness should be made at schools and at home.

Over thinking and stress lead to anxiety and depression – therefore, stress management, as well as yoga can help tackle this, while having a healthy diet also leads to a healthy mind.

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At this point, what I feel is most important is to increase awareness about stress and anxietyrelated problems so that people stop taking them as a hoax, and youth can comfortably talk and discuss them with friends, family, and even health experts. Every school, college, and workplace should discuss [mental health] issues and also organize stress awareness and ‘how to deal with stress and anxiety’ programs to create more awareness to help make our nation stressfree.

CHAKRABORTY PINKY

We should aim to tackle our problems headon and we have to think positively and optimistically. Though, understandably, with anxiety and depression it can be extremely difficult to adjust one’s mind-set towards the positive.

According to Oman’s Ministry of Health’s Annual Report, mitigating factors behind the number of mental health-related cases in the Sultanate included ‘mental and behavioural disorders due to drug or substance abuse, delusional disorders, stress-related disorders, mental [development delays], and emotional disorders during childhood and

Youth today are under more pressure than ever before and their constant dependence upon technology for validation has only fed into a mounting sense of inadequacy that plays a significant contributory factor towards rates of anxiety and even depression among adolescents and children at an ever-younger age.

The expectation is there among parents and teachers that a child must achieve a certain level of academic success in order to have positive value to society. Social media takes that one step further by adding on to that a self-imposed pressured to youth to ‘keep up appearances’ so to speak. They are constantly being judged by an online jury of their peers – very few who have their best interests at heart – to present themselves a certain way, look a certain way, portray themselves a certain way.

It’s a completely superficial persona that they must adhere to online in our Instagram-obsessed world, and for young, impressionable minds it’s an added pressure that’s not sustainable when coupled with the already very real pressures of academia and worrying about disappointing their family if they’re not the topper of the class, or not getting into the best college if they don’t maintain a high grade-point average.

We are creating bottle-rockets of stress in our children that could eventually explode in the form of mood disorders, psychological disorders, or even substance abuse or self-harm just to cope.

The solution? Let our children be who they are.

Encourage those skills and talents they excel in naturally, rather than pigeon-holing them as parents into our perception of who and what they should be. Limit access to social media and provide an open, nurturing environment in the home where youth are unafraid to speak up about what’s bothering them, the stresses they’re facing, and the insecurities they feel. The society towards mental health here in Oman is slowly changing for the better. But its we as parents who must continue to be that change at home for the sake of our children.

New Debate:

With more entertainment options in development, is Oman on the brink of becoming a hub that offers visitors more than an escape to nature?

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

Win a Thai set dinner for two at Tiptara Restaurant

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SEND US YOUR letters, photos, news and views to info@y-oman.com / /ytabloid. The winning correspondent will receive a voucher for a Thai set dinner at Tiptara Restaurant,

Centara Muscat Hotel. Vouchers must be collected from Y’s Seeb office in person. Only one winner per week; editor’s decision is final. For other terms and conditions, see the Centara Muscat Hotel voucher.

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YOUR

CULTURAL SNAPSHOTS

OMAN

ISMAIL AL FARSI CAPTURES THE END OF THE 2019 SALALAH FESTIVAL AS KHAREEF SEASON DRAWS TO A CLOSE

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MOVIES MOVIES Surkhi Bindi Cast: Sargun Mehta, Gurnam Bhullar, Rupinder Rupi

It Chapter 2 Cast: Bill Skarsgård, James McAvoy, Jessica Chastain The second installment of Stephen King’s 1986 creepyclown masterpiece is set to have us shivering in our seats as ‘It Chapter 2’ hits theatres across Oman this weekend. The follow-up to 2017’s ‘It’, the continuation of the film’s story sees the Losers Club kids all-grown up and gone their separate ways after the childhood summer where their blood ran cold in the grip of Pennywise the Dancing Clown.

When the Losers receive a devastating phone call from their old friend Mike in their hometown of Derry, Maine, they learn that children have started to go missing once more and that Pennywise has returned to its old hunting grounds.

Knowing that the only way to stop the killings is to face the

Light of My Life Cast: Casey Affleck, Elisabeth Moss, Anna Pniowsky

This dystopian drama takes viewers along on the journey of a Dad (Casey Affleck) and his daughter Rag (Anna Pniowsky)

monster that once threatened to tear them apart, the Losers return to Derry for a final showdown against an even deadlier Pennywise. Their only chance at snuffing out the killer clown is if they can face their own dark fears within them once and for all.

Unlike most run-of-the-mill horror movies that rely on the standard tropes of jump-scares, monstrous entities, or disturbing apparitions, ‘It Chapter 2’ takes us where few films dare tread – the danger with us. As through the characters secret fears, Pennywise will seek to destroy them.

A fantastically frightening conclusion to Master of Horror Stephen King’s all-time best novels.

as they navigate through the neighbourhoods of suburbia a decade after a pandemic wiped out most of the world’s female population.

As Rag grows, so do the challenges of protecting her against those who would do her harm – putting her father’s capacity to keep her safe well and truly to the test. The question this film strives to answer is – how long can a father remain his daughter’s keeper in a world of lawlessness and toxic masculinity. This is one thinkpiece of a nail-biter.

Rano is a brilliant makeup artist, yet her profession is looked down upon in her home state of Punjab. And, like most girls her age she dreams of marrying a foreigner – a ‘Prince Charming’ from Canada to be specific. Things get complicated when she’s fired from her job at the salon, angering her father who then fixes an arranged marriage for her to an ordinary clerk named Sukha.

Terrified of falling into a life where she feels trapped, Rano is determined to carve out a place for her own identity and fulfill her wishes of going abroad. Just how will she do this? Watch this feel-good flick to find out!

Chhichhore Cast: Varun Sharma, Sushant Singh Rajput, Shraddha Kapoor

This Hindi comedy-drama follows the life of a group of friends from their college days in 1992 up until the present day. It’s a colourful journey that takes audiences on a joyride of young adulthood, finding true friendships, being mesmerized by first loves, and facing life’s challenges together. While the film’s premise initially gave us some fond memories of ‘3 Idiots’ the crux of the story is a tear-jerker – as we watch these life-long friends come together to help a friend in need, years after life took them their separate ways.

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 2479-1641

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hange is inevitable across all spheres of life – especially given our proclivity towards technology, which seems to advance by the day. If there ever exists a time to focus our sights on the tides of change, it’s now – the future is here.

Whether it’s advancements in the field of medical or space research, the coming of new telephony such as 5G, or artificial intelligence to create a ‘smarter’ smartphone, there comes a point where technology interweaves itself to create a strong statement on its own behalf.

Case in point: education.

It’s a phase of life long-believed to be enclosed within the four walls of a school. A part of life that most children between the ages four and 18 must experience if they’re to come out of it with their heads held high.

But this is a mindset that’s quickly changing, and schools are no longer being confined within a classroom – all thanks to one advancement in technology: the internet.

Today, home-schooling through e-learning is quickly replacing traditional schools, and Oman is also witnessing this change.

Amal al Harthy, a 13-year-old Omani girl from Seeb, is one among many children who are attending online schools. The grade 7 student has been taking classes online for four years.

While there are several Omani schools in the city, her parents – both Omanis educated abroad in the UK – believe that she can receive the same standard of education through an online school even though they’re pleased with the ever-developing local systems.

In an interview with Y, Amal’s father Salim, says: “Education is one of the many things in life we give importance to. It’s like food or water – it’s that important in shaping your child’s view of life.

“While both of us [Amal’s parents] believe in the importance of going to a local school and interacting with teachers and students, there’s a level of flexibility that you just can’t receive there as you do in an online school.”

Signed up with OMTUT – a first-of-its-kind e-learning website that provides more affordable alternatives for home-schooled students in Oman – Salim says that they can tailor Amal’s education based on her interests.

“Back when we were in school, we had to take up subjects that we weren’t interested in.

But with online schools, we can choose packages that are a bit more inclined to what the child wants.

“Then, there’s the matter of co-curricular activities. Amal’s schooling hours are set based on the subjects she chose, so she has enough time for her swimming classes and playing games on her PlayStation.”

It’s a valid point Salim makes; the average hours for regular schools is between 6.5 (in the West) and 8 hours (in Asian countries). It would be difficult to gauge a global average due to the sheer number of schools and curricula they follow.

However, the average tutoring time with an online school stands at a mere 4 hours – thereby giving children added time for other activities.

Today, more than six million students are a part of e-schools, colleges, and universities around the world – a mere drop in the bucket when compared to standard-format schools around the globe.

As of 2018, Oman alone had 700,000 students enrolled across various traditional bricks-and-mortar schools as per statistics revealed by the Ministry of Education (MoE); though, the numbers in online schools haven’t been determined yet.

Yet more parents of young students are inclining themselves towards it due to the ease of signing up and the overall cost.

OMTUT, for example, offers affordable schooling solutions where students can opt for packages, which will determine the number of subjects and, ultimately, the cost which can range anywhere between RO10 (Bronze Package), which is for one course from a total selection of 15, and RO30 for five subjects (pricing from 2018).

At first glance, these are small numbers, but it must be kept in mind that e-schooling is a profitable business. In fact, Forbes projects that the e-learning market will be worth US $325 billion by the year 2025.

That’s a two-fold jump from the US$ 165.36 billion that was clocked in 2014(!)

People in Oman are seeing other benefits to e-schools – benefits such as stronger interaction with tutors, cutting down long travel times, and curbing issues such as bullying in schools.

Preeti Thakur, a 15-year-old expat student in grade 11 with Edukart – an online school based out of India – strongly advocates her school. She says: “One of the concerns for expat families in Oman is planning out their holidays.

“When we all leave for our holidays, our school vacation dates must coincide with our parents’ leave dates. This means we can only take off between June and July every year.

“But, with online schools, I don’t have to worry about that.

The best part is that I can carry my school in my pocket.

“And because the curriculum is set earlier, I can use my laptop or even my smartphone to learn on-the-go. There’s no concern for me at all – except when the internet gets a bit choppy.”

But, as per a mathematics teacher from an Indian school in the Sultanate, who wishes to remain unnamed, the cons of e-schools outweigh its positives. She remarks: “It’s hard to justify why one

Perhaps that’s what’s making online schools more lucrative in the region. And with education curriculums such as K12 – one set in the United States – being recognised around the globe, achieving students can also use their certificates to apply to colleges or universities around the globe.

In a previous interview with Y, Mohammed al Lawati, the founder of OMTUT, said: “Unlike schools, e-learning is known for its flexibility, since students can access these [educational] videos at any time and place. In addition, the videos can be viewed repeatedly, which improves the student’s understanding of the topic.

“E-learning also acts as a platform for enhancing the student’s research and knowledge skills through acquiring additional information from online academic resources that would not usually be covered in the syllabus.”

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the strengths of each school are accessible to all our students throughout the Sultanate.”

To further strengthen the initiative, a VLE coordinator was appointed for every school to coordinate access to the portal for staff and students, while also giving everyone workshops and training in the pursuit of implementing the technology.

The portal is flexible. It can be accessed via different devices such as smartphones, tablets, or PCs – and it offers several hundred hours of videos and learning resources.

That said, accessibility of stable internet in rural areas is still a matter of concern for e-schooling companies.

Oman spans over 309,500 sq km and internet services are not accessible over all corners.

But Mohammed remains optimistic, “It might be true that the availability of internet in rural areas across the Sultanate is very limited, however this shouldn’t act as an obstacle to OMTUT’s objectives.

“Technology is constantly evolving and so will the development of these areas in the coming years.

“In fact, e-learning will be the future of education in the Sultanate of Oman and competent authorities will seek to would opt for an online school when there are so many good schools develop these regions once education starts to rely on technology.”

Salim reiterates Mohammed’s point, adding: “It’s companies like OMTUT and in Oman.

BYJUS (an Indian learning app) that are making e-learning more accessible than it “The country has done a great job in setting the educational already is in the Sultanate. framework. Everything from the local schools to the international “It’s won over a lot of students and continues to add more as the days go by. And schools have excellent teaching standards. if that isn’t a testament to the success of e-schools, then I don’t know what is.

“More importantly, there are schools everywhere.”

“Everyone knows that the world is moving towards a technology-driven future.

As per MoE data, Oman has 1,125 public schools serving some We’re giving up books and 579,024 local students. papers in favour of “So, why should we focus our attention on a newer form smartphones and of education? And, if we do, we must address the concern of e-readers. And standardising the internet connections across the country. while we’re in “Online classrooms work by setting a peer-to-peer network that pursuit of that, if connects students with teachers. This means students are directly the very basis of a linked to a feed – either video or audio – from the tutor’s laptop. child’s well-being “There are a lot of things that can go wrong if there’s a loss of isn’t developing, transmission. You could have several hours of downtime and lost then we aren’t hours if one of the parties lose their internet.”

The teacher makes a strong case, but it’s not one of great concern, creating a sustainable future says Salim (Amal’s father). at all.

He explains: “While the teacher is correct about how Oman has “This is why a strong educational network and how learning depends on the e-schools are the internet connection itself, I think she needs to accept that this is the future of learning. future.

It’s a modern “A few years down the line, even she may be offering her courses extension of the online – one can never be too sure. classroom.” ■ “As for her concerns on online schools cutting out due to bad internet connections; it’s not really valid anymore. e-schools offer strong archive systems that you can use to retake classes you missed, or even go through before an exam.

“It’s very convenient, and I think it offers a level of intuitiveness that no other physical classroom can offer.”

Salim’s prediction on the teacher offering classes online could ben reality sooner than expected as the Board of Indian Schools in Oman showed off a new Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) portal to the public.

Expected to ‘empower teachers by creating virtual classrooms’ and allowing students to access learning resources and interactive videos around the clock, the portal is the first of its kind for Indian schools in the region.

The portal, isovle.net, was inaugurated by Dr. Hamoud bin Khalfan Al Harthy, Undersecretary of Education and Curricula, Ministry of Education, earlier this year.

In an interview with local media, Dr. Baby Sam Saamuel, Chairman of the Indian School Board, was quoted as saying: “The ISO VLE portal will serve as an online platform that will give teachers and students access to the best of our school resources.

“With this, the Board aims to create learning solutions that exist beyond the confines of the classrooms where

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Pen pals

IN OUR TABLET AND SMARTPHONE-OBSESSED WORLD, PUTTING PEN TO PAPER TO WRITE A LETTER SEEMS A REVOLUTIONARY ACT. YET IT’S ONE THAT PERSISTS ACROSS THE INTERIORS OF OMAN WHERE THE OLD WAYS CLING ON, AS SWATI BASU DAS DISCOVERS THAT THE ‘LOST’ ART OF LETTER-WRITING IS STILL VERY MUCH FOUND

“T

he excellence of every art is its intensity, capable of making all disagreeables evaporate.” It was 18th-century poet John Keats who penned this very concept in one of his letters to his brother. And while his words have persisted throughout the centuries, the medium on which he penned them is finding its place once more in our post-modern world.

Handwritten letters are, as Keats intoned, forms of intense art unto themselves – one that frames our emotions – inhaling expectations and exhaling unfeigned thoughts.

Our services certainly accommodate enhanced traditional postal solutions, but we’re also futureready. Oman Post has invested in new technologies, focusing on e-commerce and freight services.

We offer a full suite of postal services to individual and corporate customers across the Sultanate including the enhancement of our new Express Mail Service (EMS).

Hamyar Al Raisi,

Process Manager, Oman Post The staple of communication for centuries, letters are more than just pen and paper. This indomitable medium has been used through the ages to share news, keep loved ones connected, and make strangers the most articulate pen pals. Staying close through the post is an act that conveys thinking, caring, and love.

As she narrated her daily experiences and small comforts in letters to her grandmother – a new dress, gifts, and her braces, Dutch diarist Anne Frank’s penmanship is a classic example of how handwritten notes with can evoke a deeply personal sense of time and place. Her letters and subsequent diary are a legacy became symbolic as a voice of hope and survival in the era of World War II and would go on to become one of the most influential voices in history.

A prolific letter writer, English naturalist and biologist Charles

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Darwin, best known for his theory of evolution, exchanged no less than 1,400 letters with his best friend, botanist Joseph Dalton Hooker. Letters sketch feelings which only the handwritten word can express. When Persian Queen Atossa wrote the first letter circa 500 BC, could she fathom how remarkable the art of literacy and penmanship might become?

Handwritten letters which once regularly conveyed warmth wrapped in cream-coloured envelopes until the beginning of the 21st-century is now a dying art. But why are millennials of Generation Y forgoing the charm of snail-mail? To put it bluntly, it’s a fast-paced world, and it’s a slow form of communication. “[Letter-writing] is considered old-fashioned in the current era of instant messaging,” says Hamyar Al Raisi, Process Manager at Oman Post. “Tapping on emoticons shows our emotional status immediately, while swift. messaging can instantly determine the wellbeing of a friend or loved one.”

Yet, with simple pen and paper their tools, authors throughout the centuries honed their craft to make the art of letter-writing a form of mass communication.

The flair of penmanship went beyond poets and novelist, to spread among politicians, soldiers, and civilians.

In today’s era, the fact that people are writing fewer letters is undeniable. Yet it’s an old truth that handwritten notes retain a certain charm that digital platforms can’t quite convey. So, is Oman Post a witness to their dwindling numbers and how can the modern post office thrive in the digital age?

“Relying more on digital platforms to connect, exchanging instant messages are more comfortable and immediate,” elaborates Al Raisi. “We have less – or, for that matter, no time to write a letter and post it. Either way, [Oman Post] supports both traditional and digital channels with our range of innovative solutions from regular, registered and express mail, to parcel shipping and P. O. Boxes, and e-services like Oman ePost and Matjar. Oman Post has made significant investments in

technology to enable more efficient postal operations and better services all round.”

As we trade in old modalities for new, are we deliberately eliminating penmanship? Perhaps not. Across Oman’s interior governorates it’s a method of communication that persists, as tradition eschew the vagaries of technology for the comfort of old habits. Oman’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has also previously organized annual letter-writing competitions for students in schools across the Sultanate. Under the auspices of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) such competitions act as a means of instilling a value towards letter-writing as a skill and also to help advance literacy.

Yet, speed and time are hard acts to follow.

“The increasing [pace] of digital communication means that letters delivered via traditional mail can’t compete when it comes to convenience,” continues Al Raisi.

“Although they’re not the default, they’re sometimes still sent for sentimental reasons

– particularly when it comes to greetings for special or personal occasions.”

Technology has, unequivocally, made our world smaller, bringing people closer together and helping business take place in the blink of an eye.

“Worldwide, there’s been a drastic drop of nearly 50 per cent in the volume of letters handled by traditional postal companies over the past decade,” states Al Raisi. “However, while mail volumes have declined, parcel volumes have grown. Oman Post is undergoing a huge transformation, to continue to offer the latest products and services according to our ‘Driving Transformation through Business Excellence strategy.”

Call it sentimental, but the value of a soul-searching letter, the delicate art of penmanship, and the personal offering we make by putting our thoughts on a page may be fast evaporating on a global scale – but here in Oman, even in this digital age, not all hope it seems is lost as we wait for the postman to knock.

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COFFEE WITH Y MEETS A DIGITAL ARTIST DEVOTING HER TIME TO HIGHLIGHT THE LIVES OF THE GAME-CHANGING WOMEN OF OMAN

A

rt is an expression of freedom. It defies the very act of silence and is perceived as a bold medium of communication that reaches out indelible way to the masses.

When it comes to boldly expressing their art, few can beat Malvika Asher – a 27-year-old Oman-based artist breaking norms and securing international acclaim.

For those acquainted with the digital artist’s works her posters, splashed with brazen palettes of red, orange, black, and blue, are instantly recognizable while still maintaining an individual or character as the focus of her piece.

Her work is captivating and the colours she uses often go beyond the aesthetic value of the work alone – they’re intended to convey a message.

Some of her pieces the hone-in on the Indian and Omani cricket teams and football teams now hang in the homes of world-famous sportsmen and women. She also frequently speaks her mind with fictional works of Marvel and DC superheroes.

But it’s her shifting focus that’s gaining attention on social media: the empowerment of women in Oman.

In an interview with Y, she gets candid, saying: “Oman has been a part of my life for a really long time, and I want to do something that can connect my art with the location, the culture, and its people.

“I’d always wanted to talk about the journeys of women – both citizens and expats – who have made a difference in the community or have gone on to achieve success in their respective fields.”

To complete the first chapter of her series, she chose women such as Madam Yuthar al Rawahy – a four-time cancer survivor who also happens to be the founder of the Oman Cancer Association (OCA), an organisation that has saved countless lives with free breast cancer screenings across the Sultanate; Rumaitha al Busaidi – the youngest woman to scale Mount Kilimanjaro and traverse the South Pole; Nadhira al Harthy – the first Omani woman to summit Mount Everest; and Sayyida Basma al Said – a promoter of mental health in Oman, and the founder of the Whispers of Serenity Clinic; among many others.

“Coming from a media background in Oman, I’m very aware of the women who are making a difference over here – but there are many people who [aren’t] – and with these portraits, I intend to change that.

“You have several awards and ceremonies happening annually, and there are hundreds of people who attend them. But, the recipients of the awards are always the same.

“With my work, I want to shed light on those women who are either making a difference or are beating norms here in Oman – but have long been away from the public eye. In short, I want to talk about the people who have come up on their own feet.”

“All this work isn’t in pursuit of likes and followers, but it’s been an initiative to show the world who these women are

and how they’re impacting society at large.”

Malvika’s images strive to create dramatic visual references.

Take for instance her portrait of Madam Yuthar. It’s a simple, yet dynamic, piece at first glance that soon factors in complexity with its clever strokes of red and orange.

These are two bold colours that work wonders on their own, but together they represent the might and valor of her subject.

“The most important thing in any poster is the emotion,” Malvika explains. “That’s what I try to create with the dramatic strokes of colour.

The subject is always in focus, but the colours I use are bold, and may seem like they’re just about to overpower the subject.

If you thought digital painting was easy, think again. Each portrait takes up to three days to complete, and Malvika must devote several hours a day before she can complete it.

Having found solace in art after struggling to find a job back in 2012, Malvika created pages on Instagram and Behance to promote her work – and has since raked up over 14,000 fans across both platforms.

“The process of creating digital illustrations begins with imagining the final work. For that, I create a line drawing of the portrait. Then, I start layering it up with the strokes, skin tones, highlights, contours.

“I didn’t learn art the traditional way – so, it’s difficult to match up to the brilliance of the local artists here in Oman. In fact, my talent doesn’t lie in fine arts; it’s more towards digital art.

“I find it very attractive. It’s also rather forgiving – you can delete, create, and recreate any segment you aren’t happy with,” the digital illustrator of seven years says.

“Something about bold colours really bring sout emotion in digital art. Perhaps that’s why it works very well with the profiles that I choose to illustrate.

“The colours I visualise when I see these strong women are bold – just like their characters and minds. I hope that with my art, I can do justice to the hard work these women have put in and, in turn, create more awareness on their journeys.

“And, that would be my journey.” ■

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Adventures

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CARS AND ADVENTURES

IN THE SLIPSTREAM

The crystal-blue waters of Al Ain Sahban are one of the Sultanate’s best-kept natural wonders

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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

AL AIN SAHBAN

Paul Reddington heads westbound on his adventure to the ends of Oman, pausing at the baby-blue waters of Al Ain Sahban – long-known for their medicinal properties 022

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back of our minds.

The journey to Al Ain Sahban took a good three hours – and the drive can be a bit monotonous (if you’re travelling alone). The spring lies nestled safe outside the cities and is dissected by both Sohar and Buraimi.

Though, it was a drive worth the effort if we could indeed find this elusive spring in all its glory.

Once you get close to the coordinates, there’s quite a distance to travel on foot (if you don’t have a 4x4). This got quite exhausting for the three of us who had to walk the rocky terrain in the mid-30-degreeCelsius heat.

Some 10 minutes into the trek, we

health benefits, such as relief from arthritis and skin diseases such psoriasis and eczema.

Whether any of that’s true is for you to believe – but what we can tell you is the warmth of the water touching your body after a walk in the sun was nothing short of soothing.

A quick dip was all it took to dispel any stress in our body. Think of it as nature’s very own sauna and a way of detoxifying yourself from the grips of the city.

There’s something humbling about spending time in Al Ain Sahban. Its solitude and magnificence embraced us within its eco-system – an eco-system we hope will remain unspoiled for as long as possible.

Yet, there’s just no getting past its status as a location worthy enough to warrant a few intrepid tourists every year to help boost the local economy. After all, Al Ain Sahban can easily star as a key attraction in a country that’s long been known for its natural splendour.

HOW TO GET THERE

TRAVEL GUIDE

I

magine a world without colour, the Earth chalked up in shades of grey. From the blue skies to the green trees and the flamboyant flowers – everything would look singular.

But that’s not the case and, here in Oman, it blessedly allows us to find ourselves in pursuit of the rainbow.

It’s exactly what we did this week as we chased tales on the baby blue waters of Al Ain Sahban.

With rumours of its locale supported by countless pictures to back up its beauty, we headed on an adventure to the outskirts of the country in search of this storied spring, thoughts of “Can its waters really be that blue?” always in the

stumbled on the gold… or, rather, we should say ‘blue.’

Momentarily awestruck, we quickly grabbed the camera and began snapping up images of the water – though photos couldn’t do its pristine cobalt water justice. A local man, scouting the area with his friends, even chimed in to tell us how the water was laden with sulfur, thereby giving it its ethereal lightblue hue.

To us, it seemed like the work of a child or an amateur editor who had just learned the art of Photoshop.

The bright hues and highlights alongside the still waters emanated an atmosphere of calm tranquility, the water snaking through its natural boundaries and into the man-made aflaj to feed the nearby villages with fresh water.

Al Ain Sahban is still a relatively discreet spot with hardly a single soul (but for our Omani guide) in sight for miles. That’s partly because it remains hidden, with no signboards leading there and, also, because many are wary of the sulfur content in the water.

Google, however, refutes the latter.

In fact, swimming in sulfur-rich water could allegedly have several

Take the road from Muscat to Sohar. After arriving near Sohar, take the turn that leads to Al Buraimi. Follow the road until you find a brown mosque.Enter the small tunnel to your right and follow the GPS coordinates to reach the destination.

GPS Coordinates: 24°11’13.1” N; 56°18’58.0” E

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CARS ADVENTURES

MG RX5

FIRST DRIVE

A

British marque that’s owned and operated

by China: it’s a match not many would’ve reckoned would be sensible given the dark clouds that marred the history of the once relevant motoring conglomerate – British Leyland.

Yet, seven years have passed since the acquisition of MG Motor by Shanghai-based state company – SAIC Motor – and the brand has gone on to achieve so much more than it ever had in the latter chunk of the 20th-century as a stand-alone brand.

Call us crazy, but this also gives us reason to believe that the RX5 is only a start of things to come; not only from MG but from the plethora of carmakers that are flooding the Chinese marketspace today.

Part of that belief comes from the fact that the RX5 is a true revelation and a testament of what a crossover must be: a people-pleasing car with the brawniness of an SUV, tech from a smartphone, and design to please the lot.

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The Chinese-built MG RX5 impresses as an all-round contender in this year’s lineup of SUVs.

The RX5 pulls an attractive face from most angles, pulling away from the over-the-top designs, that border on the gaudy, as seen on European vehicles.

The lines around the headlamps are sharp, and the daytime-running LEDs are thin enough to keep the reflector LEDs from being obscured from vision.

Then there’s the grille – a sizeable (yet not overlyso like some European SUVs) intake flanks the fascia, with chrome lines running from the proudly advertised ‘MG’ logo upfront, and deep into the lights themselves.

The side profile is understated, blending subtly with the two bold character lines that emanate from the bumper and the fender, respectively, and the multi-spoke 18-inch alloy wheels.

Completing the crossover are the two LED taillamps that are neatly integrated into the tailgate and rounded off by dual chrome-tipped exhausts. It must be noted that even upon thorough inspection, we

couldn’t find anything as near as a wide-panel gap, let alone any other imperfections.

Inside, the RX5 takes a minimalistic approach; the dashboard is constructed out of molded plastic but high-quality ones at that, while soft inserts fringe parts of the door panels.

There’s a dual-tone interior that breaks up the monotony in the cabin and a dash of wood and piano black trims up on the dash.

Tech conundrums are kept to a minimum: there are knobs and buttons to control everything – from the A/C, to the music, and even the now clichéd pushbutton start – though some of the functions can also be accessed by the 10.4-inch touchscreen display.

The screen is easy to operate and there are plenty of functions built in as standard – music player, navigation, reverse camera, and the like. There’s even a gallery app for viewing images.

Space is great for five passengers – even those who may be freakishly tall can fit in easily. The head and leg-room levels are classleading, though it’s undercut by some slightly larger (and much pricier) German rivals – though, the Germans fail to outdo the RX5 in terms of fit and finish.

D e s t i n at i o n

Boot space is pegged at 595 litres with all the seats in position and 1,639 litres with seats folded flat, which is up there with segment leaders such as the Volkswagen Tiguan but, had vehicles such as the Hyundai Tucson beat by a long margin.

MG rounds off this package with a cracking motor – a 2.0-litre turbocharged in-line four-pot banger that produces 221 horses and 350Nms of torque. The figures – both performance and efficiency – are in line with that of its competitors.

Po s t c a r d s Fr o m

Y-Fi

The turbo tuning is designed with fuel economy in mind, thereby leaving the engine to deal with a decent fit of turbo lag.

Torque kicks in at about 2,000rpm, though there’s no real heft in the way it pulls away aside from the slight jolt that creeps in initially. It’ll still manage to settle into its speed quite well and do the 100kph dance in an impressive 8.2 seconds.

Power is put down to all four wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission. The transmission is quick-witted to say the least, even if it hunkers down when slowing down – keeping the gears high to keep the revolutions low.

Slipping the transmission into manual doesn’t change much either, making swift overtaking maneuvers a bit tricky – but figure out how you can find the right gears and you’ll be fine. It’s all about tinkering with the throttle to eke the correct gear out.

Keeping the revs low does come with its own perks: the noise, vibration, and harshness levels in the car are kept to a minimum. This, coupled with the smooth power delivery and the high profile tires makes for a silky-smooth ride.

Meanwhile, body-roll is controlled well, and the RX5 corners gracefully – although, there’s

Gaming

CARS

MG RX5 Specifications: • Engine: 2.0-litre in-line fourcylinder turbocharged • Transmission: Seven-speed automanual • Power: 221hp • Torque: 350Nms All-wheel-drive Reverse camera Cruise control Leatherette seating and upholstery Parking sensors 10.4-inch screen with navigation Panoramic sunroof 18-inch alloy wheels Locking differential Hill descent control Apple CarPlay Auto hold assist

Retraction

In the First Drive segment in last week’s issue of Y Magazine – dated August 29, 2019 – we published a story on the top car releases of 2019 in which we stated the selling price of the Toyota Supra. It is now known to us that the price listed in the article was incorrect.

We have since amended the article and deeply regret the error. not much to write home about on the latter front.

The steering itself can be sensitive – a little too much at times – and lacks feedback like most other cars we drive today. Nevertheless, its lightness at low speeds make it a breeze to maneuver in city traffic.

Brake force is reassuring, and there’s a solid progression that’s almost reminiscent to a system fitted to a Mercedes-Benz, BMW, or an Audi – and that’s saying something.

As we proclaimed earlier: the MG RX5 is a revelation. Packaging all the necessities you’d need in a car that costs as much as a Japanese sedan – that’s the dream. And somehow, MG has tapped into that market… and with great success.

While all of that could be signs of things to come from the People’s Republic, it’s already started reaping the rewards of its decades of perseverance – MG is a shining example. The coming of Chinese cars into mainstream car-making was always inevitable, but what we may have missed is that the time has already come.

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CARS ADVENTURES

‘REAL’ MADRID Peel back its layers

and you’ll rediscover the true heart of the Spanish capital

1. Relive Madrid’s history at the Wax Museum with over 400 wax figures.

2. Contemplate the works of Baroque and Renaissance masters at the Paseo del Prado.

3. Revel with the crowds this August at the Virgen de la Paloma Festival.

4. Tour Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, home of Real Madrid.

5. Get your bearings of the city with a walk along the Gran Via.

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Ashlee Starratt recommends

MADRID, SPAIN F

rom the cacophonous thrum of the Plaza Mayor with its flocks of pigeons and tourists, to the vibrant clamour of the Gran Via and the cathedral calm of the Prado Museum, Madrid is an assault on the senses - and ultimately elevates them. From its cultural history, shopping, and foodie scenes, to its plethora of parks and green spaces, this walking-friendly city should be on your summer radar.

Voted the ‘10 th Most Livable City in the World’ in 2017, the Spanish capital is considered the economic epicentre of southern Europe, while a modern infrastructure coupled with the architectural preservation of its historic neighbourhoods makes for a metropolis rooted firmly in the contemporary while holding close the influence of its’ past.

The political hub of Spain’s historic dynasties, Madrid is a city that’s endured under the reign of monarchs and dictatorships; wander through any of its iconic plazas and you’ll see the monuments of history, immortalized tall and statuesque. It’s also a city whose inimitable artists revolutionized their crafts, their masterpieces surviving repression and war throughout the centuries.

For culture vultures, traversing Madrid’s ‘Golden Triangle of Art’ along the Paseo del Prado is a rite of passage - as is shouldering your way to the counter in one of the city’s local tapas eateries and indulging in some of Spain’s iconic ‘pintxos’.

While it’s always more fulfilling to wander off the beaten path when exploring any new city on foot - or rediscovering it again for the second time round- there are a few touristic landmarks of historical and cultural significance that you really shouldn’t miss. The Royal Theatre with its fully-restored opera house that dates back to 1850 is one, while the Neo-Classical Plaza de Cibeles with its iconic fountain is another, followed by the National Library - founded in 1712 it enjoyed its hey-day in the 19thcentury, and Buen Retiro Park - founded in 1631 it’s one of the city’s oldest (and largest!) green spaces formerly belonging to the Spanish monarchy.

In Madrid, you’ll find a museum for every artist and artistic movement - from Romanticism to modernism, and for every cultural discipline from anthropology and local history, to museums of industry. Spending a day planning a walking itinerary to take in even just a few - at nominal entrance fees - is time well-spent. The Reina Sofia National Art Museum, dedicated to 20 th-century Spanish art, and the Convent of Las Descalzas Reales - housed in the former palace of King Charles I of Spain are two unmissable stops.

After a day of culture, sight-seeing, and eating your way around Madrid, a cup of strong Spanish coffee at one of the cafés along the Plaza del Sol - or the ‘Gate of the Sun’, Madrid’s largest and busiest plaza - is the perfect way to cap off the afternoon with a bit of people-watching in a city where history lives in the moment.

THE ST ATELY GRAND E PLAZ A MAY UR OF THE OR

Y THE -C R A FT P L PLEASURE O PARK U E N R E T IR LAKE AT B

My favourite place

No sojourn to Madrid is complete without a visit to the Royal Palace of Madrid. The official residence of the Spanish Royal Family, it’s 135,000 sq ft of floor space and nearly 3,500 rooms make it one of Europe’s largest palaces. While King Felipe VI and his family don’t make stay in residence, it’s a bastion for tourists eager to glimpse some of Spain’s most vital cultural heritage. The palace is home to artworks painted by likes of Francisco de Goya, Caravaggio, and Giovanni Battista Tiepolo. Its collections of artifacts preserved there also include the Royal Armoury of Madrid, royal furniture and table settings, and the only complete Stradivarius string quartet in the world. And did we mention the palace grounds are stunning?

Highlights The mind-bending buskers in the Plaza Mayor, the regal grandeur of the Basilica de San Francisco el Grande, the vibrant jazz lounges and live music venues found in the city’s Bilbao and Atocha neighbourhoods, the myriad tapas eateries on every corner, and the Temple of Debod – an ancient Egyptian temple which was painstakingly moved to Madrid as a token of gratitude to Spain for their help in constructing Egypt’s Aswan Dam.

Lowlights Take precautions when out in the crowded plazas and squares in the city centre as pickpocketing is, sadly, still prevalent in Madrid.

Souvenirs Colourfully-painted Spanish ceramics, hand-held flamenco fans, a pair of ‘alpargatas’ – the unofficial Spanish summer shoe, Majórica pearl jewelry, and a Real Madrid football jersey.

Getting there

Oman Air offers daily service from Muscat to Madrid, as do most other major Gulf carriers such as Qatar Airways, Emirates, and Etihad.

Where to stay

AN A COBBL FTERNOON G LOW ON ES OF AT THE S T R E E Y P IC A L M A D TSCAP R ID E

All the world’s major hotel chains can be found in the Spanish capital, and can be booked through sites such as Expedia, Kayak.com, or Booking.com. But the city is also a boutique hotel and Airbnb haven and a little digging online can find you a gorgeous little loft in the Bohemian quarter, or a Best Western right off the Puerta del Sol.

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-FI THE TECH IN YOU

D e s t i n at i o n

Cars

Gaming

Y-FI

SWITCHED ON FOR SCHOOL The Y Geek Squad rounds up four school-ready gadgets and apps that can help power you through those long hours of study ROCKETBOOK

DO IT RIGHT Let’s face it: nobody likes homework.

But it’s a chore associated with schooling you just can’t ignore. If you’re like us, though, you’d best want to download the myHomework app.

Don’t be fooled by the name – this app won’t do your work for you, but it will help you organise it on the basis of date of submission, class, teacher etc., and will even give you notifications a few days before your assignment is due. The app also has a live tutor setting that can be made use of by downloading the paid variant from the Google Play or iOS stores. For basic tasks, it’s best to stick to the adheavy free version.

Adding a touch of 21st-Century to the humble notebook is the Rocketbook Everlast – a smart notebook that can (literally) be used endlessly... While this paper-saving gizmo classifies itself as ‘green’ technology, it can also save you plenty of dough with its re-writable polyester sheets. This can be achieved by simply using the provided solution to wipe away ink from the page – but not before it’s all scanned to an online cloud. What’s more is that each page is QR-coded to help you identify – using an application – the various contents of the page. Think of it as a smartboard that’s pocket-sized for everyday use.

The accompanying app can also be hooked up to your favourite cloud services and tweaked to help you power through those notes with ease; all while giving you access to it on-the-go and at your desired time. Get it for RO11.45 from rocketbook.com.

SCAN IT Don’t be fooled by the name.

The C-Pen Exam Reader could be a breakthrough gizmo helping those with dyslexia or cognitive challenges in reading.

The small, pen-like device comes with a builtin scanner to skim through the content on a page and translate it to speech for the user. It’s simple to use too: all you need to do is pass the nib across a word or line of text and the pen reads the word or sentence back to you. With languages such as English, Spanish, French, Italian, and German pre-loaded onto the device we’d like think of it as quite a versatile gadget. The pen weighs in at 50g and has a 3.5mm headphone adapter to go along with it. Buy it from amazon.com for RO50.1.

JACK OF ALL TRADES

EDITOR’S PICK

PORTABILITY IS EVERYTHING. SOMETIMES LUGGING AROUND A HEAVY LAPTOP IN YOUR BACKPACK JUST WON’T CUT IT. ENTER THE HUAWEI MEDIAPAD M5 PRO – A TABLET COMPUTER THAT PACKS IN ALL THE ESSENTIALS AT HALF THE PRICE OF ITS COMPETITORS. THE TABLET COMES PACKING A LARGE 10.8-INCH SCREEN WITH A RESOLUTION OF 2560 X 1600, HARMAN/HARDON TUNED SPEAKERS, A MASSIVE 7,500 MAH BATTERY THAT CHARGES IN A MERE 2.9 HOURS TO GIVE YOU SOME THREE DAYS’ WORTH OF CHARGE TIME, A KIRIN 960 OCTA-CORE CHIPSET, AND YOUR USUAL SUITE OF FRONT AND BACK CAMERAS. ASIDE FROM THAT, THERE’S ALSO A STYLUS – THE M-PEN – THAT ALLOWS STUDENTS TO TAKE DOWN NOTES, DRAW, OR EVEN DOODLE. THE STYLUS ALSO HAS 4,096 PRESSURE-POINTS THAT CAN HELP THE USER TAKE CREATIVITY TO THE NEXT LEVEL; YOU CAN DRAW DETAILED IMAGES USING THE PEN. YOU CAN BUY THE TABLET FROM THE HUAWEI EXPERIENCE STORE STARTING FROM RO120.

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HEALTH

&

Health

BEAUTY

Fa s h i o n

Home

Fa m i l y

Through

THICK AND THIN

If your locks are lacking in the volume department don’t stress – you have options. Here, we bring you some top tips when your tresses need boosting

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aybe you were one of those babies who were just born with a full head of hair and have been rocking a luscious mane ever since. Or maybe you’ve always had baby-fine hair, but there was still a lot of it.

Whatever the tresses you were gifted with thanks to genetics, those same genes coupled with environmental factors can cause hair to thin and fall over time. From hormones to hard water, to the effects of dandruff or product build-up, and even diet and stress – all can combine to strip hair of its vitality, causing hair-loss and thinning.

And while it’s a topic that cosmetic consumer-culture most commonly (and inaccurately!) attributes to men, the reality is that more women are affected by some degree of thinning or hair-loss than we realize. This also includes certain autoimmune conditions such as alopecia which can cause spot baldness or complete and total hair-loss.

That being said, if you’re suffering from unexplained hair-loss, always consult your doctor or healthcare professional. And in the meantime, here are some self-care tips for your scalp that you can ease into.

Cool it down

Heat damage can lead to broken strands and unwanted hair-fall. So, if your hair is already fine to begin with or prone to split-ends and breakage – nix the high heat settings on your flat-iron or blowdryer and, instead, let your hair air-dry as much as possible before blowing it out.

This way your strands aren’t exposed to as much prolonged direct heat and you don’t run the risk of over-drying. Also, your tresses will feel much softer for it.

You are what you eat

It’s an adage that never goes out of style – because it’s true. If you’re following a diet rich in sugar and simple carbohydrates, its effects on

your hair can be just as sinister as those it’s having on the rest of your body. Instead, try to start incorporating more Vitamin B, selenium, zinc and copper-rich foods into your diet, such as dark leafy greens, legumes, mushrooms, shellfish and whole grains, and see if your strands don’t strengthen over time. Or, try adding a pinch of cayenne pepper, chili powder, or cinnamon to your dishes as these circulation-boosting spices can help improve blood-flow to your hair follicles and encourage growth.

Shake it off

Over time, chronic dandruff can cause hair to fall and become thin.

So, keeping your scalp healthy with ensure you (and your hair) stay happy. Regular scalp massage can boost circulation and encourage the release of your hair’s natural oils which can help alleviate dry skin on your scalp which causes dandruff.

Product we love: Oribe Serene Scalp Soothing Leave-On Treatment (RO18.4). It’s aloe, chamomile, and peppermint extracts help soothe your scalp, while it’s exfoliating compounds help release dead-skin build-up. Plus, it’s got a hint of bloodboosting caffeine to wake up your follicles. Buy it online at www.dermastore.com.

Hairbrush hacks

Actually, this isn’t so much of a hack as it is a worthwhile piece of advice for those with thin hair or hair-fall. Throw away your hairbrush and considering combing instead of brushing. Using round or thick-bristled paddle brushes can tear your strands more easily, thus causing them to fall out – especially when detangling your hair straight out of the shower. Instead, opt for a wide-tooth comb that allows you to gently separate strands and always start detangling from the ends of your hair first, working your way up to the roots.

Product we love: Ouidad Double Detangler Comb (RO9.9). This essential post-shower tool has a double row of teeth so no strand gets left behind – and neither do any tangles.

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HEALTH& BEAUTY

TOP OF THE CLASS

Start the new school year off right with a smile, a positive attitude, and some colourful essentials to help you along your way.

Ready? Set? Learn!

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Health

Beauty

FASHION

T t Ge

k o o L e h

, reet ook t s l gh e hi get the h t d to you to n e gh ps e hi att hel h t rr Fromlee Sta Ash

Start the school year by standing out.

This cartoon-motif hoodie from H&M will help you do just that in a funky, fun print that’s the ultimate in lunch-time cool. Own it for RO7.6.

Ditch the school uniform and let your personality shine through in this pink leopard-print shift dress from Matalan.

Pair it with a grey or white long-sleeved T-shirt and you’ll be set until the final bell! Price: RO2.5.

Keep all your books, lunch kit, gadgets and stationery in one place with a backpack that goes the extra when it comes to space and durability. The splashy print of this version from MAX has an urban vibe and comes with multiple compartments adjustable straps. Wear it for RO9.3.

Learning is thirsty work. Stay hydrated so you can reach for those stars with a water bottle that’s out of this world. This space-age version from M&S is made of lightweight, BPA-free plastic and is virtually spill-proof.

Grab it for RO3.3.

Make sure young minds are kept properly nourished with a healthy lunch.

We especially love this Yumbox lunchbox for its perfectly-portioned compartments so making sure your little one has the right amount of protein, grains, fruit, and dairy is a breeze.

Pack it up for RO16.6 from Virgin Megastore.

Kids do an awful lot of running around.

Send them to school in a pair of footwear that’s going to last them through recess all year long. These comfy mid-tops from Aldo with easy laces and a tie-dye print are just the ticket. Buy them for RO11.5.

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Tr e n d

New Restaurant A CELEBRATION OF SADHYA

YUMMY

This Kerala festival is all about vegetarian delights that celebrate the annual harvest

Extraordinary

ONAM

With the ten-day harvest festival of Kerala well underway until September 13, Keralites here in Oman will also be celebrating Onam through a culinary tradition known as ‘Sadhya’.

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Reviews

Sambhar If rice is the foundation of a Sadhya, then Sambhar is its star pillar. A quintessential staple in daily Keralite cuisine, this savoury gravy is made using every vegetable available – from lady’s fingers (bhindi/okra), to potatoes, carrots and beans.

Thoran

This gorgeous stew made with red beans, grated coconut, and pumpkin is a Sadhya comfort food at its finest. Pour it over some Chor and dig in!

This common Malayali side dish is made mainly with shredded cabbage or carrot with a generous serving of grated coconut added in.

Whichever way you slice it, it’s a healthy dose of fibre and flavour all in one!

Most Onam Sadhya preparations involve two varieties of pickle to add spice and sourness to cut through the coconut-base of most of the dishes.

The classic mango pickle (Manga) and lemon pickle (Naranga) will do the job nicely.

Pachadi This yogurt-based curry is simply moreish, made with either bitter gourd or even pineapple, with heaps of fresh grated coconut, it’s the perfect balance of tangy and sweet.

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The ultimate monsoon comfort food, a hot cup of rasam can cure all that ails you. But this spicy tamarind soup is often ladled over Chor with heaps of tempered curry leaves and tomatoes lending an even greater depth of flavour.

Ellisheri

Manga and Naranga Curry

he end of South India’s monsoon season marks the time for the annual rice harvest in the state of Kerala, and the celebration of Onam. An agrarian Hindu festival, it’s celebrated by Keralites worldwide and has transcended religious denominations to be observed as a cultural festival by non-Hindus alike.

In Hindu belief, Onam is a time when the beloved Daitya King Mahabali marks his yearly homecoming after being banished to the underworld by the dwarf Vamana – the fifth avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu. Onam’s significance as a religious and cultural celebration is marked by one of its key observances – the culinary tradition of ‘Sadhya’.

A vegetarian feast, Sadhya is served on a banana leaf and can be comprised of up to 28 dishes traditional to the occasion and presented in a single course. Usually served for lunch on Onam, heapings of ‘Chor’ (rice) form the base of the Sadhya from which all other dishes are paired with and eaten by hand.

Here are just a few of the tasty veg delicacies you might find on a typical preparation of Sadhya!

Rasam

Banana chips No Sadhya is complete without a bit of crunch – either from classic fresh Pappadams hot from the pan, or freshly-fried banana chips.

We love the latter, sprinkled with a bit of salt. Fair warning though – they’re hard to stop snacking on once you start.

Payasam

Parripu Curry Another daily staple in every Indian household – with Kerala kitchens being no exception – the humble moong dal is another Sadhya pillar that anchors its culinary tradition. It doesn’t get any more simple yet flavourful topped with black sesame seeds and red chilies.

Rounding out all that spice with a sweet ending is Payasam, a pudding made with boiled milk and sugar, vermicelli noodles, and flavoured with raisins, cashews, saffron, or cardamom. It’s a traditional dessert at Onam and tastes even better when you mix it with some crushed Poovan Pazham (a small banana) for added texture and sweetness.

ONAM ON-THE-GO

Don’t have time to prepare a full Sadhya spread at home this Onam? Here’s where you can find traditional Sadhya for dine-in or takeaway, right here in Muscat: Nesto Hypermarkets Locations: Mabelah, Al Hail, Wadi Kabir Price: RO2.39 per set Pick-up timings: September 11, 2019 11:00 a.m. till 12:30 p.m.

Contact: Visit the hypermarket customer service desk Nesto’s hot-food section is offering up 24 Onam delicacies for advance Sadhya orders offering up everything from Koottu Curry to Injipuli and Pachadi.

Al Salam Restaurant Location: Al Khuwair Price: RO3, dine-in RO3.2, take-away Pickup timings: September 10 & 11 12 noon to 4:00 p.m.

Contact: (+968) 9358-6189 Enjoy a freshlyprepared, familystyle Sadhya for dine-in or takeaway and take the stress out of planning this Onam.

Utsav Colors & Flavors Festival 2019 Location: Hotel Al Madinah Holiday, Ghala Price: Call for ticket price.

Timings: September 13 11:00 a.m. till 10:00 p.m.

Contact: (+968) 9139-1325/26/27 This Onam-Fest cultural celebration will feature games for the whole family, displays of traditional arts, and a 23-course Sadhya meal prepared by Nalukettu Restaurant. The perfect way to celebrate Onam with the whole family!

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FOOD DRINK

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New Restaurant

REVIEWS

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an id-R

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Info Box

CHEZ SUSHI The Walk, Al Mouj Opening hours: 12 noon to 12 midnight, daily Contact: (+968) 8007-8744 Dinner for two: RO24.9

Verdict : 7/10 SERVICE 7.5/10 FOOD 7/10 AMBIENCE

Fast and fresh sushi and Japanese dishes on-thego with upmarket ingredients at franchise prices.

Y Magazine reviews anonymously and pays for its meals

CHEZ SUSHI TEAM Y HITS UP THE POPULAR FRANCHISE TO SEE IF JAPANESE FARE FOR THE MASSES CAN HOLD ITS OWN IN AUTHENTICITY.

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his Team Y tester was a late bloomer when it came to embracing sushi. Long before it became our go-to craving after spending a stint teaching English in Japan, our unaccustomed palate was marred by an initiation to the cuisine via the pre-packaged cold-case in a university cafeteria.

Not the best introduction to what is, inarguably, one of the world’s most beautiful and delicately crafted cuisines. Call us a food snob, but since that benchmark moment never had we ventured back to the fast-food sushi counter.

Until now that is.

Located along The Walk at Al Mouj, Chez Sushi had long caught our eye with its inviting green façade and bold call to action – ‘Let’s roll!’ it exclaims. Let’s indeed. So, roll in we did one work-day weeknight after a late shift at the office (deadlines!) had us demanding a take-away and craving sushi.

The Al Mouj branch of Chez Sushi (they have another in Qurum) is a splash of primary colours – orange and green – with light-wood tables, a small banquette seating area, and a window-front bar-stool counter making up the cozy dining room.

The walls are adorned with Japanese kitsch – large plastic maki rolls and the like that lend the space a pop-art feel. We place our order for takeaway at a large counter where, samples of

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ingredients used in their sushi rolls are laid out on display similar to the plastic food displays you see in restaurant windows in Tokyo – true to Japanese style.

We put in an order for portions of their Spicy Tuna, Prawn Tempura, and Spider Maki Rolls – 6 pieces each and one of their Creamy Chili Rock Shrimp Tempura. Their menu is vast with an array of entrées, mains, ramen bowls, sushi ‘burrito’ bowls, sashimi, maki, and bento boxes.

Eyeing their mains, we decide against our better judgment to also go for an order of Fried Chicken Katsu Curry – only to have our waiter inform us that tonight they have a buy-one-get-one offer on main courses. So, an extra Beef Teriyaki it is!

Reaching home with our feast, we spread out its array and tuck in in front of the telly. Unsure what to expect of Japanese food from a franchise chain, we’re more than pleasantly surprised by the freshness and quality of the generously-sized maki rolls. The Spicy Tuna is piquant and flavoursome, the rice moist and not dry and fish extremely fresh.

Ditto the Spider Maki roll topped with delicate, flaky unagi (eel) and plump prawns. The Tempura Prawn rolls were also nicely fresh with their batter still crisp – though a little heavy on the dollops of spicy mayo.

Armed with ample condiments included we’ve got enough pickled ginger and wasabi to last us through the meal, with small (re-fillable!) bottles of soy sauce thrown in for good measure.

Moving onto the Fried Chicken Katsu Curry, the slices of chicken cutlet – delicately-breaded in panko crumbs manages to retain both its heat and its crispness on the ride home, while the rice is cooked to a glutinous-perfection that makes it easy for even the greenest chopstick novice to pluck up with ease. The curried Katsu gravy was a little thin for our liking, but its flavour was strong – albeit wee bit over-salted.

The only two letdowns were the Beef Teriyaki and the Creamy Chili Rock Shrimp Tempura.

The teriyaki sauce earned points for flavour but its vehicle – the strips of steak were over-cooked and a bit tough on the tooth. While the Rock Shrimp Tempura, which came in a bowl over a tossed green salad weren’t at all what we’d expected – although maybe this was down to us.

We’d neglected to ask our server to include the sauce on the dish itself and, instead, they put it on the side so what we had were naked, somewhat soggy-batter shrimp that didn’t hold up so well when you glopped the sauce on after the fact. The tossed salad, however, was lovely and came with a miso-sesame dressing that we couldn’t get enough of.

While there were some misses, there were more hits; bulls-eyes in fact with all maki rolls and the chicken katsu curry massively exceeding our expectation to prove that sometimes food for the masses can be done right – and ‘franchise’ doesn’t have to be a bad word in our on-the-go search for fast and fresh Japanese cuisine. ■ Do you have a favourite restaurant that you’d like to see reviewed? Let Y know at editor@y-oman.com.

2 million customers said Hayyak today.

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C.R. No: 1640747

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