Community

P6
P20
Community
Twenty-five
Japanese
language
learners in Qatar
participated in the
8th Annual Japanese
Speech Contest recently.
Community
HWW
conference,
attended
by HR specialists,
recruitment agencies and
aspirants, is a highlight on
Doha’s event calendar.
Monday, May 16, 2016
Sha’baan 9, 1437 AH
DOHA
28°C—38°C TODAY
LIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE 13
PUZZLES 14 & 15
Making a
difference
Sri Lankan Majlis Qatar continues
to engage with the community
on multiple levels to support
empowerment initiatives. P4-5
BRIGHT SIDE: Winners of this year’s Independence Day competition.
COVER
STORY
NEXT ATTRACTION: Toot Sweets from “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,” a play that is being performed
by The Doha Players at the Qatar National Theatre from Wednesday onwards. Details on Page 10
2
GULF TIMES Monday, May 16, 2016
COMMUNITY
ROUND & ABOUT
PRAYER TIME
Fajr
Shorooq (sunrise)
Zuhr (noon)
Asr (afternoon)
Maghreb (sunset)
Isha (night)
3.24am
4.49am
11.30am
2.58pm
6.14pm
7.44pm
USEFUL NUMBERS
Emergency
999
Worldwide Emergency Number
112
Kahramaa – Electricity and Water
991
Ooredoo Telephone Assistance
111
Local Directory
180
International Calls Enquires
150
Time
141, 140
Doha International Airport
40106666
Labor Department
44508111, 44406537
Medical Commission
44679111
Mowasalat Taxi
44588888
Qatar Airways
44496000
Weather Forecast
44656590
Hamad Medical Corporation
44392222
44393333
Qatar General Electricity and
Water Corporation
44845555
44845464
Primary Health Care Corporation
44593333
44593363
Qatar Assistive Technology
Centre
44594050
Qatar News Agency
44450205
44450333
Q-Post – General Postal
Corporation
44464444
Qatar University
44033333
The Angry Birds Movie
GENRE: Action, Animation, Comedy
CAST: Peter Dinklage, Jason Sudeikis, Kate Mckinnon
DIRECTION: Clay Kaytis, Fergal Reilly
SYNOPSIS: The movie takes us to an island populated
entirely by happy, flightless birds – or almost entirely. In
this paradise, Red (Jason Sudeikis, The Millers, Horrible
Bosses), a bird with a temper problem, speedy Chuck
(Josh Gad in his first animated role since Frozen), and the
volatile Bomb (Danny McBride, This is the End, Eastbound
and Down) have always been outsiders. But when the
island is visited by mysterious green creatures, it’s up to
these unlikely outcasts to figure out what the animals are
up to.
THEATRES: The Mall, Royal Plaza
Hepta The Last Lecture
GENRE: Drama, Romance
CAST: Nelly Karim,
Yasmin Raeis, Ahmed Malek
DIRECTION: Hadi El
Bagoury
SYNOPSIS: Dr Shukri
Mokhtar is a renowned
social psychology specialist,
best known for his ability
to answer the simplest
questions, who decides to
give one last lecture about the
very simple question: how
do we love? He gives a full
description of the different
stages of love by recounting
four different love stories
going through curves and
various crises. Although the
four stories do not seem to
be connected, they share
one essential element that
connects them all to each
others and even to the
seemingly sick lecturer.
ote Unquote
u
Q
Wise men
speak because they have
something to say; Fools because
they have to say something.
– Plato
Community Editor
Kamran Rehmat
e-mail: community@gulf-times.com
Telephone: 44466405
Fax: 44350474
THEATRES: Royal Plaza,
The Mall
Mall Cinema (1): The Trust (2D)
11am; 24 (Tamil) 1pm; The Perfect
Match (2D) 3.45pm; All Roads
Lead To Rome (2D) 5.30pm; Term
Life (2D) 7.15pm; The Trust (2D)
9pm; 24 (Tamil) 10.45pm.
Mall Cinema (2): Angry Birds
Movie (2D) 11.30am; Angry Birds
Movie (2D) 1.15pm; Angry Birds
Movie (2D) 3 & 4.45pm; Captain
America: Civil War (2D) 6.30pm;
Captain America: Civil War (2D)
9pm; Hellions (2D) 11.30pm.
Mall Cinema (3): Term Life (2D)
11.15am; Azhar (Hindi) 1pm; Kangar
Hoppiena (Arabic) 3.15pm; Hepta
(Arabic) 5.15pm; The Jungle Book
(2D) 7.15pm; Hepta (Arabic)
9pm; Jacob’s King Of Heaven
(Malayalam) 11pm.
Royal Plaza Cinema Palace (1):
Angry Birds Movie (2D) 11.30am,
1.30, 3.15 & 5pm; The Jungle Book
(2D) 6.45pm; Captain America:
Civil War (2D) 8.30 &11pm.
Royal Plaza Cinema Palace (2):
Azhar (Hindi) 11.15am; The Trust
(2D) 2pm; The Perfect Match
(2D) 3.45pm; All Roads Lead To
Rome (2D) 5.30pm; The Trust
(2D) 7.15pm; Hepta (Arabic) 9pm;
Azhar (Hindi) 11.15pm.
Royal Plaza Cinema Palace
(3): All Roads Lead To Rome (2D)
11.15am; Term Life (2D) 1pm; Mah
- E - Mir (Urdu) 2.45pm; Kangar
Hoppiena (Arabic) 5.30pm; Hepta
(Arabic) 7.30pm; Term Life (2D)
9.45pm; Hellions (2D)
11.30pm.
Asian Town Cinema: Jacobinte
Swargarajyam (Malayalam) 6, 7,
8.30, 9 & 10pm; 24 (Tamil) 7, 9
& 10pm; Baaghi (Hindi) 3.15pm;
Azhar (Hindi) 5.45 & 11.30pm.
Monday, May 16, 2016
Skydive Qatar
DATE: Until May 31
VENUE: Al Khor Airport
For the first time in Qatar, everyone will
get a chance to experience skydiving with
a team of certified skydivers to jump from
approximately 13,000ft high. Participation
fees: QR1899 for individuals, including
photos and a video footage of before, after
and during the jump. Tickets are available
online, at Lagoona Mall, Qatar Foundation
and Virgin Mega Stores.
Exhibition for Transport and
Logistics
DATE: May 24-26
TIME: 5pm-9pm
VENUE: Doha Exhibition and
Conference Center
Trans4 is a major marketplace for
transport services, attracting leading
professionals from Qatar, the Middle
East and the world. It will address issues
concerning the development of the Qatari
transport system, and new information
systems for interaction among different
modes of transport, as well as addressing
the logistics issues in the global market for
transportation and logistics services.
Art Workshop
DATE: May 17-19
VENUE: Youth Art Centre
Keen to develop youth talents and art
skills, the Youth Art Center will organise
workshop this May. The workshop on
manufacturing art books will be held from
May 17-19. For registration, please call at:
44665650.
Shifting Sands
DATE: Until July 7
VENUE: Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim
Museum, Alsamariyah
MA students of UCL Qatar are organising
and curating an exhibition as part of
UCLQurates. In the very recent past, Qatar
has undergone a significant transformation;
through these developments, people have
had to adapt to the changing landscape in
which they live.
3
COMMUNITY
ROUND & ABOUT
EVENTS
GULF TIMES
Interpretations Art Exhibition
DATE: May 26-June 6
TIME: 10am- 9pm
VENUE: Katara Art Center, Building 5
The International School of London
Qatar’s Visual Arts Department inaugural
exhibition will take place in the Katara Arts
Center from May 26– June 6. The works of
the ‘Interpretation’ exhibition represents
a wide range of ages and stages of artistic
development and are selected from the
school’s IB Middle Years and Diploma Years
Programmes students. It is through sensory
exploration and interaction that students
learn to explore their feelings and confirm
their understanding of the world through
the senses.
Al Gannas
DATE: Until Oct 30
TIME: 9am -11:30am
VENUE: Al Gannas Society
Al Gannas Association is participating in the ‘Our culture is a school’ programme by
organising many activities for the students every Monday and Wednesday of the week.
These activities include explanations on hunting and related tools, kinds of falcons and
preys, in addition to workshop on how to carry a falcon, set a traditional tent (made of goat
& camel hair), prepare traditional Arabic coffee, etc.
Karting & Mini Moto Track
DATE: Until July 1
TIME: 6:30pm
VENUE: Losail International Circuit
Starting tomorrow, the Karting and Mini
Moto Track will be open every Thursday
and Friday until July 1 after which the track
will close until further notice. QR100 per
session of 15 minutes. Helmet mask QR15 –
not refundable.
Pant 4 PAWS Inaugural Triathlon
DATE: May 20
TIME: 5:30pm
VENUE: InterContinental Doha
Pant for Paws 2016, an inaugural event,
will be championed and led by Live Life
Crossfit and supported by a number of
other crossfit boxes and gyms in Doha. A
beach triathlon consisting of three stages:
3hrs duration.
Cultural Diversity festival
DATE: Until May 31
TIME: 7:30-9pm
VENUE: Katara Beach
Over 20 countries from all over the world are showcasing their traditions and heritage.
Aspire In-Side-Out Fun Run
DATE: May 20
TIME: 7pm
VENUE: Aspire Zone
Aspire In-Side-Out Fun Run 2016 is an
exciting way to lead an active and healthy
lifestyle. Join us on May 20 at 7pm at the
Aspire Zone Warm Up Track. The untimed
race is approximately 5km of fun, where
runners make their way around both
an indoor and outdoor course, giving
participants an exclusive chance to discover
locations and areas of Aspire Zone they
would not normally see.
Dance Classes with Salsa n Candela
VENUE: Hilton Hotel-West Bay
Salsa n Candela offers variety of dance
classes for kids and adults at Hilton Hotel,
Eforea Spa Studio, such as Salsa, Bachata,
Kizomba, Swing, Tango and Greek classes.
Price at QR 60 per class per person.
similar interventions to ensure outcome in
competition are also apparent in animals
(horses, dogs, camels). Practices such as
administrations of steroids, inorganic
substances such as cobalt, as well as, gene
doping may be far more prevalent amongst
competing animals.
QSports Summer Camp
DATE: June 19-Sept 1
TIME: 8am-1pm
VENUE: Al Jazeera Academy
Registration for QSports Summer
Camp 2016 is now open. QSports summer
camps are committed to providing a safe,
fun and skill-based experience for kids
between the ages of four and 14. We have a
dedicated team of specialist kid’s coaches
and classes and activities are safe, planned,
progressive, active, creative, inclusive and
designed to maximize participation of all
children by offering a variety of
activities.
Yamativo Salsa Classes
DATE: Every Monday
TIME: 7pm
VENUE: Radisson Blu
It’s always fun and always challenging.
Let’s meet and learn some moves every
Monday night. You don’t need to do
anything, just join us. Level 1 (intermediate
level) 7pm and for beginner level 8pm. Be
there are Radisson Blu Hotel Cabana Club.
Anti-Doping in Humans and Animals
DATE: May 31-June 1
TIME: 8am
VENUE: Doha Marriott Hotel
ADLQatar’s 6th Annual Symposium:
Anti-Doping in Humans and Animals:
Parallels and Divergences: As with doping in
humans to enhance sporting performance,
Spring Exhibition MIA
DATE: Until July 16
TIME: 10:30am- 5pm
VENUE: QM Gallery Al Riwaq
An exhibition of 15 contemporary
Chinese artists, curated by internationally
acclaimed New York-based Chinese artist
Cai Guo-Qiang, will be on view at the
QM Gallery Al Riwaq. The exhibition will
be the major highlight presented in the
context of the Qatar China 2016 Year of
Culture. Artworks exemplifying each and
every artist’s unique artistic language and
methodology will be displayed in individual
galleries.
Qatari Agricultural Product Yards
DATE: Until June 30
VENUE: Al Mazrooa, Al Zakheera, Al
Khor, Al Wakrah
The Ministry of Environment has opened the
4th season of Qatari agricultural product yards
for selling locally produced fruits, vegetables,
poultry, fish and livestock. Work in these yards
will continue for seven months. The yards will
operate three days a week on Thursdays, Fridays
and Saturdays from 7am to 5pm, with livestock
vendors in Al Mazrooa operating at the same
times throughout the week.
FOODIE CHOICE
RESTAURANT: Sushi Minto
LOCATION: Al Muthanna Complex,
Salwa Road
Japanese cuisine. It’s located on the busy
Salwa Road, just past the Ramada Junction.
A lot of effort has been put in to make this
place as chic and stylish as possible, whilst
still being true to its Japanese roots. There’s
a very trendy outdoor area overlooking the
street, and whilst it’s not the quietest place
to sit out and eat, there’s a definite winning
charm to it.
Compiled by Nausheen Shaikh. E-mail: gtlisting@gmail.com, Events and timings subject to change
4
GULF TIMES Monday, May 16, 2016
COMMUNITY
COVER STORY
The good Samaritans
Established in 2001 with the aim to bring Sri Lankan families living in Qatar together,
SLMQ has been facilitating interaction and fellowship besides serving the community by
supporting community-building efforts both in Qatar and in Sri Lanka. By Umer Nangiana
DISTINCTION: Hazim Hamza, President of SLMQ, presenting a shield to a student at a symposium.
T
heir contribution in the
works of community
development and
charity is continuous.
In the running year, Sri
Lankan Majlis Qatar (SLMQ) have
contributed to the construction of
a Building Block at CSM School for
Special Needs in Akurana, Sri Lanka
with QR20,000.
They also awarded five one-year
scholarships to deserving students
Al-Khaira Foundation, Mawanella
with QR17,000 to enable them to
continue their studies. And now the
community welfare organisation
based in Qatar, is considering
helping build kitchen and dining
places for Dharul Hasanath, a home
for orphans in Hemmathagama, Sri
Lanka.
They are also planning to
collaborate on a project with
Muslim Aid in the Colombo district
to help deserving women who are
widowed breadwinners to enhance
their earning under the programme
‘Enriching Lives.’
Established in 2001 with the aim
to bring the Sri Lankan families
living in Qatar together, the SLMQ
has been facilitating interaction
and fellowship among Sri Lankans
in Qatar besides serving the Sri
Lankan community by supporting
community-building efforts both in
Qatar and in Sri Lanka.
“Initially, the aim was to bring
all the Muslim Sri Lankan families
living in Qatar together through
different community activities.
At that time we had some 5060 families living here. We also
initiated Holy Qur’an classes,”
Hazim Hamza, President of SLMQ,
tells Community in an interview.
“As we grew (with membership
and outreach), there were demands
to move into some areas of charitable
nature. We started helping the
charitable causes with the sources
that we had,” adds the president.
The main source of fundraising,
he says, is through sponsors
and well-wishers. They started
organising an annual symposium
where they would print a souvenir
and get advertisements which
remain the main source of funds.
A part of it is used to promote
Sri Lanka and organise events in
Qatar for the Sri Lankan Muslim
community.
“Our main focus is on education.
Then, we also support single
mothers with vocational training.
Whenever there is any natural
calamity, we come forward by
organising and collecting aid and
sending it forth,” says Hamza.
They were at the forefront of
rescue activities when tsunami hit Sri
Lanka. SLMQ collected about four
container-loads of relief goods for
the affected people and sent to Sri
Lanka.
Besides sponsoring the deserving
children continue their education
in Sri Lanka, the SLMQ through
different initiatives has been
providing regular career guidance
to Sri Lankan students based in
Qatar as well.
In Qatar, the SLMQ is also there
to help the Sri Lankan community
whenever there is a need. They help
the affected through all possible
means in case there is a fire in
a camp or an individual needs
assistance.
Having more than 200 Muslim
families based in Qatar, in its
membership, and a wing for
bachelors or singles, the SLMQ
has been active in community
Monday, May 16, 2016
5
COMMUNITY
COVER STORY
“Our main focus
is on education.
Then, we also
support single
mothers with
vocational
training.
Whenever there
is any natural
calamity, we
come forward by
organising and
collecting aid and
sending it forth,”
says SLMQ head
Sri Lankan ambassador Prof Dr W M Karunadasa addressing the SLMQ symposium.
development and community
engagement in Qatar.
“We have a calendar of activities.
Some of them are focused on
Muslim families while others are
national focusing on Sri Lankan
identity. We participate in the
activities of all important days of
Qatar, engaging Sri Lankan families
and children,” says Mohammed
Lafir, the General Secretary of
SLMQ.
Recently, they introduced a
Young Muslim Writers’ Award and
Independence Day Competition,
targeting Sri Lankan children,
aimed at their extra-curricular
development. In other community
activities, the SLMQ organises an
annual Cookery and Talent Day for
women.
Their marquee event every year,
however, is the symposium where
they engage the local Sri Lankan
community in their activities.
The organisation also regularly
organises Islamic lectures which
are both public and family-oriented
only.
“On education, we have funded
students from high school to
higher studies. Roughly more
than 50 students would have
been funded through different
initiatives in Sri Lanka. We have
also been organising examination
preparation seminars for O and A
level students,” says Lafir.
The SLMQ has also helped
undergraduate university
students with skill development
GULF TIMES
SLMQ has been organising Islamic lectures for its members regularly.
programmes by sending experts
and trainers.
“Whatever projects we are doing
in Sri Lanka is monitored by one
of the local organisations familiar
with the area and report to us on
the progress,” says Hamza. The
positive impact the SLMQ projects
have been making on people’s lives
is already becoming visible.
A daughter of one of their
members studied medicine and has
gone on to become a doctor, the
SLMQ president proudly adds.
Every year, they have a theme
such as ‘Unity and Brotherhood
in 2012’ that governs their
activities for the year. In 2013, the
theme was community welfare
and development. In that year,
the organisation carried out
several community development
programmes.
SLMQ alongwith YWMA
in Sri Lanka assisted over 24
single mothers to set up their
own income sources. Sewing
machines, gas cookers and
electric ovens were distributed
among them. The organisation
SLMQ members, who participated in Qatar National Sport Day activities this year, with the Sri Lankan ambassador.
also funded a vocational training
programme for under privileged
young women.
SLMQ also contributed to cater
to the educational needs of the
children with special needs by
helping erect a centre for such
students. Located in Dehiwala,
Sri Lanka, the centre is fully
operational, up and running.
The community organisation
also provided financial assistance
for a teachers’ training programme
at Hameed al-Husseini College in
Colombo to enhance the quality
of teaching methodologies in key
subjects.
Besides many other initiatives,
the SLMQ sponsored to share 50
percent of expenses of a major
scholarship programme with its
affiliated body Al Huda Foundation
for vocational training courses for
youth with Insight Institute, Sri
Lanka.
In 2014, the SLMQ organised and
helped community interactions
between Sri Lankan Muslims
and other ethnic groups through
different events to promote better
understanding and brotherhood.
Hamza says the Muslim
community, who are mostly
professionals, living in Qatar are
always forthcoming.
They participate in good
numbers in all activities organised
by SLMQ throughout the years.
“It is a religious duty as well.
God has gifted us all with some
qualities and wealth, so it is our
responsibility to give back to the
society and to share it everyone
with whatever we have — wealth,
spare time or skills,” says Hamza,
explaining his personal motivation
to join the organisation.
He thanked Prof. Dr W M
Karunadasa, the ambassador of
Sri Lanka, and the embassy for
their continuous support to SLMQ
and its activities. Hamza and Lafir
along with their colleagues as
SLMQ pledged to continue their
contribution to social development
through SLMQ.
6
GULF TIMES Monday, May 16, 2016
COMMUNITY
Eighth Annual Japanese Speech
Contest held at Qatar University
WINNER: Salman al-Khaldi, the winner of 5 minutes free topic section,
receiving certificate from Ambassador Tsuda.
T
he embassy of Japan and the
Japanese Teachers’ Association
in Qatar (Jaltaq), in co-operation
with Qatar University, hosted
“The 8th Annual Japanese Speech
Contest” at Qatar University on Saturday.
Twenty-five Japanese language learners in
Qatar participated in the contest under three
categories and made speeches in front of 145
people.
Salman al-Khaldi who spoke about “My
Japanese Language Memories” was declared
the winner of ‘Free Topic Five Minutes
GROUP PHOTO: Ambassador Tsuda with the participants.
Speech’ in Category C. He was awarded two
round-trip tickets to Japan, sponsored by
Qatar Airways.
The rest of the winners received prizes
offered by Fifty One East, Junko Sushi &
Japanese Dining, Chubu Electric Power,
Japan Foundation, Marubeni Corporation,
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Sumitomo
Corporation and Jaltaq.
Japanese ambassador Shingo Tsuda
expressed his sincere appreciation to all the
generous sponsors for their support to this
annual event. The ambassador presented
Ambassador Shingo Tsuda giving opening remarks.
a letter of appreciation to the Japanese
Club in Qatar University who performed
an excellent traditional Japanese sit-down
comedy, ‘Rakugo’ (literally “fallen words”, a
form of Japanese verbal entertainment) while
participants were waiting for the result of
judging panel.
In his opening address, ambassador Tsuda
said that more than 130 million people speak
Japanese currently as native language in
the world, which means that Japanese is
the 9th most popular language in terms of
population, of more than 3,000 languages
worldwide. There are more than 3.6 million
people who study Japanese language in more
than 130 countries, he added.
He also expressed gratitude to Qatar
University where the speech contest
was held. Qatar University and Tariq Bin
Ziyad Independent Boys High School are
two locations in Qatar where Japanese is
taught.
The contest ended with a reception where
all the participants and audience mingled
together and were served Japanese Washoku
cuisine.
Rakugo, “fallen words”, was presented by a member of the Japanese Club at Qatar
University.
Monday, May 16, 2016
GULF TIMES
7
COMMUNITY
Nepal’s first professional wrestler
interacts with community members
INTERACTION: Nepalese Tiger interacts with the community members at the restaurant.
Tiger said that in his meeting with Ali Marafi, the president of Qatar Pro Wrestling Association
(QPWA), Marafi has already promised support for any future wrestling event.
By Usha Wagle Gautam
N
epal’s first professional
wrestler, Himalayan Tiger
was in Doha recently to seek
opportunities for wrestling
matches in Qatar.
A large number of Nepalese —
entrepreneurs, community leaders, social
workers, intellectuals and journalists —
gathered at the Mazza Restaurant in Doha
on a recent weekend to meet with the
Himalayan Tiger. They asked him questions
about his life and the game.
Tiger said, “If the Nepalese community
provides assistance, we can schedule
interesting fixtures with players from
Japan, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, Pakistan,
India, Europe and America.”
Nepal, he said, has many gifted people
who can do well in wrestling. However, the
“lack of technical facilities and the absence
of appropriate practice rings in Nepal have
spoiled the wrestling scene in the country.”
Tiger said he has repeatedly raised the
issue with the government, but the players
there have received little to no support.
He also talked about his organisation,
the Nepal Wrestling Association, and its
membership criteria.
Tiger said that in his meeting with
Ali Marafi, the president of Qatar Pro
Wrestling Association (QPWA), Marafi has
already promised support for any future
wrestling event.
Community leader TB Karki said it won’t
be difficult to organise a game if Nepalese
community comes together to support the
event. Community leaders Binesh Tamang,
Ishwor Kafle, Bimal Subedi and Ganesh
Shiba said they are more than eager to help
with such an initiative.
Tiger — who has been to 44 countries so
far and has lived 11 years in the USA — is
also a Goodwill Ambassador of the Nepal
Tourism Board. In his meeting, he also
urged the Nepalese in Qatar to contribute
to the reconstruction of the historic
Dharahara, which collapsed in last year’s
earthquake. He also said that Nepal is still
a safe destination for tourists and has the
infrastructure intact to support tourism.
Nepalese Tiger, or Bharat Bahadur
Bisural, joined the Royal Nepalese Army
after completing high school. He served
in the army for 11 years, where he acquired
skills that would eventually see him in
action in the ring.
Investiture ceremony at Bhavan’s Public School
The official swearing in ceremony of the School Parliament members of Bhavan’s Public School was held at its Al Wakrah campus recently. ICBF president Arvind Patil was the chief guest. The newly
elected student council is led by Head Girl Gail Angela M Bautista from XII Science and Head Boy Milind Abdul Gafoor from XII Commerce.
8
GULF TIMES Monday, May 16, 2016
COMMUNITY
Pibaq’s 2016 Ambassador’s
Cup off to a flying start
A
spectacular display
of colours by
different teams
graced by bigwigs
in the Filipino
community marked the opening
of 2016 Ambassador’s Cup/
Ooredoo of Pinoy Basketball of
Qatar (Pibaq) over the weekend at
Al Gharafa Training Gym.
Pibaq president Pat Carido
welcomed Philippine ambassador
Wilfredo Santos at the opening.
Joining the ambassador was Ed
Anami, president of United Filipino
Organizations in Qatar (UFOQ) and
Antonio Valdez Cruz, protocol and
board affairs head of Ooredoo, the
tournament’s host.
Carido also sits as Samahang
Basketbol ng Pilipinas’ (SBP)
Qatar Head, Referees and Sports
Development Program.
He announced that the
tournament would serve as the
league’s preparation to a bigger
Filipino tournament dubbed
as PIDC-GCC Invitational
Championship Cup on June 16-17
to be held at Al Attiyah Arena. That
tournament will host Filipino ball
clubs from Saudi Arabia, Bahrain,
Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
The Gulf-wide Filipino basketball
tourney is supported by Doha
League, which will be one the
SPEECH: Ambassador Wilfredo
Santos speaking at the opening.
highlights of 118th Philippine
Independence Day celebration of the
large Filipino community in Qatar
next month.
“We will assure that we will hold
a truly professional league that will
strictly follow the SBP rules,” Carido
said.
The opening game proved to be
highly-competitive with Pampanga
(Alicafe) clinched a narrow two-
The two teams before the opening match.
point victory, 78-76, over Ilocos
(Windmills).
Carido said the new format will
not be only highly-competitive
but a proud sporting battle among
regional team representation back
home and enlivening the glorious
past of the hardcourt stars who are
now in their 40s and above.
Three divisions will be competing
in the season including Inter Region
Division, Aspirants and the Seniors
Division.
The 2016 Ambassador’s Cup is
fully supported by Qatar Basketball
Federation with the Philippine
Embassy in Qatar and United
Filipino Organizations in Qatar. It
is presented by Alicafe with Diana
Jewellery & Watches as major
sponsor and Power Horse Energy
Drink, Boracay Filipino Restaurant
and Control P- Advertising as minor
sponsors.
Pakistani products a huge draw at Project Qatar
Construction products and materials exhibited by the
Pakistani pavilions proved to be crowd pullers during the
recently concluded Project Qatar 2016.
Significant among the products exhibited were natural marble,
onyx, electrical cables, electrical panels, stainless steel wires,
mesh cable tray, safety equipment, and cotton leather gloves.
Pakistan is a key producer of some of the finest natural
construction materials and leading manufacturer of
construction equipment. The Pakistani marble and onyx are
unmatched and are highly sought after the world over.
The Pakistani companies that participated in Project Qatar
have described the response from buyers as excellent and
noted that there is a huge demand for their products in Qatar.
They have also appreciated the support and assistance of
Pakistani embassy and regarded the arrangements of the
organisers as quite satisfactory.
The Commercial Attaché at the Embassy of Pakistan,
Arbab Qaisar, said that following the successful
participation for Pakistani construction products
manufacturers in Project Qatar 2016, the Trade
Development Authority of Pakistan has approved
Hospitality Qatar 2016, which will allow the participation
of a sizable number of Pakistani companies dealing in
hospitality sector in the forthcoming event.
Monday, May 16, 2016
GULF TIMES
9
COMMUNITY
MES wins honour in International French Language Olympiad
Students of MES Indian School participated in the International French Language Olympiad, IFLO 2016, conducted in collaboration with the Silver Zone Foundation in New Delhi. Altogether 53 students
from Classes VI to X participated in the examination and 15 of them were awarded gold, silver, bronze medals and certificates of merit for their creditable performance. Olympiad examinations from
Silver Zone are conducted across 14 countries for its 9,000 registered schools.
ICBF hosts Kalyanji Anandji Musical Evening
The Indian Community Benevolent Forum (ICBF) recently organised a musical evening titled “Kalyanji Anandji Musical
Evening” at DPS-MIS. Nostalgic tunes from the past were performed at the event. The highlight of the show was a
beautiful song rendered by the legend Anandji himself, Kasme Vaade pyar wafa sab bate hai baton ka kya from the film
Upkaar. The event was attended by the ICBF committee along with RK Singh, the deputy chief of mission at the Indian
embassy, and other prominent committee members.
Comedy Central HD launched exclusively on OSN
T
he worlds of Arabic
and Western comedy
came together in
Dubai recently to mark
the official launch of
Comedy Central HD, the world’s
foremost comedy channel from
Viacom International Media
Networks, on OSN, the region’s
leading pay-TV network.
Available exclusively on OSN
(Channel 207) for viewers in the
Middle East, Comedy Central HD
was launched by Trevor Noah, the
host of The Daily Show and one of
Saudi Arabia’s leading stand-up
comedians Fahad Albutairi.
Comedy Central HD is the latest
in a slew of new channels being
added to the OSN roster this year,
underlining its commitment to
delivering compelling ‘nowhere
else’ content for its subscribers.
The new launch follows an
agreement by OSN with Viacom
International Media Networks,
a leading global media company.
Comedy Central HD is the third
brand for VIMN in the region
adding to the popular MTV,
Nickelodeon and NickJr offerings.
David Butorac, Chief Executive
Officer of OSN, said: “More than
ever before, the region is witnessing
an unprecedented growth in
comedy content both online and
through the flourishing comedy
clubs. With the launch of Comedy
Central HD, available exclusively
on OSN, we are raising the bar of
comedy by bringing the world’s
most popular shows to the Middle
East.
“The fact that every single
show on Comedy Central HD will
have Arabic subtitles, is hugely
important to us, it widens our reach
Comedy Central HD is the latest in a slew of new channels being added to the OSN roster this year.
and ensures that our subscribers
can fully engage in the quality
programming we provide. Having
Trevor Noah and Fahad Albutairi,
come to Dubai to launch Comedy
Central HD marks our commitment
to bringing the best talents closer to
our viewers.”
Raffaele Annecchino, EVP and
MD of VIMN South Europe, Middle
East and Africa, said: “Comedy
Central HD will mark a shift in how
comedy is viewed and enjoyed in
the region, giving fans access to our
great content exclusively on OSN.
With the launch of Comedy Central
HD we are improving further our
offer in Middle East, delivering a
wide range of content for all age
demographics, from kids to adults.
This launch is representative of
Viacom’s continued investment in
the Mena region, where we have
an exciting future planned and we
are looking forward to ongoing
success.’’
10 GULF TIMES Monday, May 16, 2016
COMMUNITY
Timeless tale of a car t
The Doha Players will be performing the play ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ at Qatar Natio
The Doha Players cast of ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’.
By Anand Holla
E
ver watched a play and
felt your imagination
literally taking flight?
The fantastic musical
adventure “Chitty Chitty
Bang Bang” promises to make such
flights of fancy come alive in Doha
with its heady blend of “madness,
intrigue and exuberance”.
Qatar’s long-standing theatre
group The Doha Players has been
steadfastly rehearsing for the
musical that will play nightly at
7pm, from Wednesday to Saturday,
and two matinee shows at 2:30pm
on Friday and Saturday, at the Qatar
National Theatre. Priced at QR100,
tickets are available at The One in
Villaggio and Landmark malls.
While this is often said rather
emptily, there definitely is
something for every age in this
show – more than a dozen song
and dance numbers, colourful
costumes, and a “brilliant, amazing
machine”, to name just a few
highlights. Originally billed as “the
most phantasmagorical musical in
the history of everything”, “Chitty
Chitty Bang Bang” is authored by
Ian Fleming, famously known as
the creator of James Bond.
Featuring an out-of-this-world
car that flies through the air and
sails the seas, “Chitty Chitty Bang
Bang” by The Doha Players is
directed by Angela Walton with
the help of musical director, Laura
Dziubaniuk.
The musical tells the story of
eccentric inventor Caractacus Potts
(Edward Hake) who, with the help
of his children, Jeremy and Jemima
(Stephen Beveridge and Georgia
Kendall), their lovable grandpa
(Dave Solomon) and the everlovely Truly Scrumptious (Lauren
Wiese), sets about saving a former
Grand Prix-winning race car from
the scrap heap, The Doha Players
tell Community. Soon they discover
the car has magical properties,
including the ability to float and
take flight.
After word gets out about its
extraordinary abilities, trouble
ensues when the evil Baron and
Baroness Bomburst (Gary Mond
and Trish Slade) decide they want
it all to themselves, launching
Caractacus, Jeremy, Jemima, and
Truly on a series of high-flying
high jinks to save the miraculous
motorcar. The 1968 film by the
same name, by Ken Hughes, stars
Dick Van Dyke as Caractacus
Potts, Sally Ann Howes as Truly
Scrumptious, and Lionel Jeffries as
Grandpa Potts.
Amidst the flurry of rehearsals,
Angela Walton, the director of the
play, tells Community why she
thinks this musical has endured
and will continue to endure.
“’Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ is really
very funny, with great songs, and
great dance numbers. The stage
show is quite different from the
movie. The underlying themes
in Fleming’s story are timeless.
The song Teamwork, for instance,
where the kids are told that
although they might be unable to
accomplish a certain project as
individuals, they can as a team, is
something that’s true for society
through the ages. Of course there
are also the timeless themes of
love and romance between the
two leads, and the victory of good
over evil where the evil Baron is
beaten by the Potts, Chitty and
the children. These are all timeless
themes,” Walton says.
Back in the early 60s, Ian
Fleming, recovering from a heart
attack, wrote this bedtime story
that he would tell his son Caspar. A
children’s novel with illustrations,
Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang: The
Magical Car shows up a lot many
aspects of Fleming’s life. The
advice Pott gives to his children, for
instance, echoes that of Fleming’s:
Never say ‘No’ to adventures.
Always say ‘Yes’, otherwise you will
lead a very dull life. Chitty-ChittyBang-Bang, the car, was based on a
composite of two cars – Fleming’s
own Standard Tourer, and a series
of aero-engined racing cars called
Monday, May 16, 2016
GULF TIMES
COMMUNITY
that flies
onal Theatre from Wednesday
The Potts family in the play.
Photos by Dave Solomon
Chitty Bang Bang. The book was
first published in three volumes
starting October 1964, two months
after Fleming had succumbed to a
heart attack.
The musical, a breezy singing
and dancing spectacle, showcases
the talents of a chorus of adults
and children alike. Actor-standup comic Trish Slade, who plays
Baroness Bomburst, seems totally
kicked about being part of it. “I am
overwhelmed to be working once
again with Angela on this fantastic
show,” Slade says, “’Chitty Chitty
Bang Bang’ was one of my favourite
shows as a child. With its beautiful
songs, fantastic costumes, and
amazing car, it captured my
young imagination. I knew all the
songs by heart, and most of the
dialogue, too! So how could I resist
auditioning for the chance to bring
this childhood classic to life for the
Doha audience?”
To match her chirpy enthusiasm,
Slade was cast as the “flamboyant
villainous Baroness.” She says,
“I have been enjoying every evil
moment. Between the witty
dialogue, six costume changes,
and catchy solos, this character
has been the most entertaining
and challenging one I have ever
played. And I am overjoyed to be
showcasing her on the beautiful
Qatar National Theatre stage along
with one of the most talented and
amazing casts I have ever worked
with.”
Walton, too, seems pleased at
how preparations have gone thus
far. “The cast came to auditions,
they had to sing, then put
through a sequence of steps by
the choreographers and then read
from the script. We have a lot of
newcomers to this production who
are all so talented. The two children
Stephen Beveridge and Georgia
Kendell who play Jemima and
Jeremy have been amazing to work
with, and I will miss them when
the production is over. There are so
many talented people in the show
that it would be unfair to name any
in particular,” Walton says.
Of all the behind-the-curtains
efforts, the real challenge was
devising the car. “But I have Jamie
Honey and Phil Mitchell who built
the car for ‘Grease’, the helicopter
for ‘Miss Saigon’, and now Chitty
herself,” Walton says, “However,
we do actually have three cars.
So we needed a huge stage, huge
wings, and we are very fortunate
to have secured the Qatar National
Theatre.”
Slade, like many in the crew, is
happy to be part of introducing
and re-introducing this story to
the people of Qatar. “As excited
as I am to be part of this fantastic
production, I am even more excited
to be sharing this story with a
whole new generation, which
includes my own son. To introduce
such a classic and important part
of my childhood to him, and see
the same wonder and excitement
in his eyes that shone in mine so
many years ago, is a joy to behold.
I really hope the Doha audience,
both young and old, come out
to experience this magic for
themselves.”
Trish Slade as the evil Baroness.
11
12 GULF TIMES Monday, May 16, 2016
COMMUNITY
INFOGRAPHIC
Monday, May 16, 2016
GULF TIMES
13
COMMUNITY
LIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE
5 tips to embrace messes
W
armer months bring days
spent outdoors, sweet treats
and backyard barbecues.
Spending time with loved
ones outside can also mean
many messes, big and small. With kids out
of school, outdoor entertaining and keeping
the house clean become serious challenges
— even for the most organised families. Here
are five easy hacks to keep your house (and
kids) clean while embracing the mess.
DIY ice pop drip catcher
Kids love an ice pop after playing outside,
but the melty drips can be a nightmare. To
help catch drips and save clothes, simply
insert the ice pop stick into the bottom of
a paper cup or cupcake wrapper. Pull the
ice pop all the way down and the catcher
instantly serves as protection, saving
clothes and hands from getting sticky!
Kiss stains goodbye, naturally
Summer fun usually brings stubborn
grass stains to clothes. Easily remove pesky
stains with pure white vinegar. Simply soak
the stained area of clothing with vinegar,
wash as usual, and voila — clean clothes
without the use of harsh chemicals.
after a long day playing outside. And even
if you do, it seems as though sand, dirt, and
other messes somehow manage to find their
way into the home. To help keep dirt and
sand outside where they belong, create a
decorated shoe basket to leave at the front
door. Your floor will thank you.
Combating faucet stains is a piece of
cake
As you transition inside after a long
day, first things first — wash your hands!
Installing a faucet that resists fingerprints
and other stains is a no-brainer. A faucet with
SpotShield Technology such as the Delta
Merge lavatory faucet helps resist unsightly
water spots and stains while staying clean for
longer periods of time. Available online and
in stores such as The Home Depot, this faucet
translates to less clean-up and more time
spent at the summer barbecue.
Easy craft clean up
Not all fun is had outdoors. When kids
are inside creating crafty masterpieces,
keep the glue and glitter in one place by
laying out an old sheet or piece of canvas
on the floor or table. When the crafting is
complete, simply toss it into the wash or
garbage for quick and easy clean up.
Keep sand in the sandbox
It’s easy to forget to kick off your shoes
ARIES
March 21 — April 19
There is no reason to try to force yourself to do something you really
don’t want to do right now Aries. Instead, work on all those things
that need a retweak.
CANCER
June 21 — July 22
If you aren’t able to help someone out today, don’t worry or stress
about it too much. You’ll be there for them next time. Right now, the
focus is on you.
LIBRA
September 23 — October 22
If you think someone is trying to get one over on you or con you
in some way, listen to your intuition and don’t move forward with
anything that feels wrong in some way.
CAPRICORN
December 22 — January 19
If you can’t think straight right now and you really feel as if you are
unable to make a rational and well thought out decision, there’s your
answer. Stop pushing yourself and just sit it out.
TAURUS
April 20 — May 20
Don’t let your opinions on something or someone sway you into
making a bad or misguided decision today Taurus. There is nothing
like ‘negative publicity’ to turn a good situation into a bad one.
LEO
July 23 — August 22
Jupiter and the Moon shine on your second house of money and
self–esteem today and makes it a good time to review your financial
situation and make any adjustments.
SCORPIO
October 23 — November 21
With today’s Moon and Jupiter shining on your hopes and wishes
zone, now is a good time to ask yourself, what do you want out of
life? Hold that thought for now Scorpios, but write it down!
AQUARIUS
January 20 — February 18
Be open and honest with yourself today and make sure you aren’t
overestimating yourself in any way. Right now, there is a lot of
emphasis on your 8th house of joint projects and resources. Can you
play well with others?
© Brandpoint
GEMINI
May 21 — June 20
Get used to doing something the way you have had to do it recently
versus trying something new. Right now is not the time to change
your direction.
VIRGO
August 23 — September 22
Don’t let the past scare you too much about going into the future
Virgos. Once Mercury your ruler moves direct on the twenty-first,
the world is your cosmic oyster!
SAGITTARIUS
November 22 — December 21
There is nothing worse than being all dressed up with nowhere to
go, is there? That may be the case today or later this week when
plans fall apart. That’s the way it goes with Mercury out of phase.
PISCES
February 19 — March 20
Mars the planet of energy and passion continues his retrograde
parade through your tenth house of career and ambition this week.
Don’t push for anything at work — just bide your time.
14 GULF TIMES Monday, May 16, 2016
COMMUNITY
Wordsearch
Adam
Pooch Cafe
Mountaineer
ABSEIL
ALPS
ASCENT
AVALANCHE
BLIZZARD
BOOTS
CLIFF
CLIMB
COLD
CRAMPON
CREVASSE
FISSURE
FROSTBITE
GLACIER
GOGGLES
HARNESS
ICEFIELD
LEDGE
OXYGEN
PICK
PITON
RIDGE
ROCK FACE
SHEER
SLOPE
SNOW
SUMMIT
Codeword
Puzzles courtesy: Puzzlechoice.com
Every letter of the alphabet is used at least once.
Squares with the same number in have the same letter
in. Work out which number represents which letter.
Garfield
Sudoku
Bound And Gagged
Sudoku is a puzzle based
on a 9x9 grid. The grid is
also divided into nine (3x3)
boxes. You are given a
selection of values and to
complete the puzzle, you
must fill the grid so that
every column, every anone
is repeated.
PUZZLES/CARTOONS
Monday, May 16, 2016
15
COMMUNITY
PUZZLES
Quick Clues
ACROSS
1. Prudent (9)
8. Sever (3)
9. Compassionate (11)
11. Intoxicated (7)
12. Intelligence (5)
13. Lampoon (6)
15. Connect (6)
17. Wrong (5)
18. Appal (7)
20. Parity (11)
22. Untruth (3)
23. Handbook (9)
GULF TIMES
Colouring
DOWN
2. Arid (3)
3. Loose (5)
4. Following (6)
5. Edible (7)
6. Applause (11)
7. Untypically (9)
10. Climber (11)
11. Despicable (9)
14. Echo (7)
16. Tremble (6)
19. Souvenir (5)
21. Vehicle (3)
Cryptic Clues
Answers
Wordsearch
ACROSS
1. Prudence will supply a part for the gun
(9)
8. Sign some of the negotiable orders (3)
9. Do men resent unusual indication of
approval? (11)
11. Barrow-boys show a little hesitation in
the prices (7)
12. A group of vocal stall-holders (5)
13. The sort of court where bad drivers
suffer (6)
15. Meal in which father interrupts the
others (6)
17. Islamic leader is not wholly critical, I
find (5)
18. One vehicle leaves the loads (7)
20. Indicate agreement with a capital
movement (3,4,4)
22. Kind of line for a buzzer (3)
23. Beastly back-breaker, we’re told (4,5)
DOWN
2. Have an extract from Browning (3)
3. Wait to do military duty (5)
4. Lubricate a variety of gears before the
start of the expedition (6)
5. The sweet result of mixing claret with
the end of the wine (7)
6. Verdi’s adaptation of “Travel to Rio” (2,9)
7. Doesn’t object to the French charges (9)
10. Averse to being put back on the level?
(11)
11. Were they constructed by an early
Italian underground movement? (9)
14. He doesn’t believe in breaking up the
field (7)
16. Gets on the track of foreign money, we
hear (6)
19. Right practices or crafty tricks (5)
21. She is named by a District Attorney (3)
Codeword
Yesterday’s Solutions
QUICK
Across: 7 Portly; 8 Boxing; 10 Receive; 11 Place;
12 Icon; 13 Maker; 17 Trite; 18 Pair; 22 Limit; 23
Routine; 24 Patent; 25 Avenue.
Down: 1 Upbraid; 2 Tractor; 3 Claim; 4 Complex;
5 Vital; 6 Agree; 9 Departure; 14 Pretend; 15
Valiant; 16 Breeder; 19 Slope; 20 Amity; 21
Curve.
CRYPTIC
Across: 7 Urbane; 8 Motion; 10 Justice; 11 Skate;
12 Cave; 13 Avoid; 17 Broom; 18 Tome; 22 Ruing;
23 Excited; 24 Inside; 25 Flagon.
Down: 1 Subject; 2 Abusive; 3 Antic; 4 Worship;
5 Sinai; 6 Onset; 9 Leave over; 14 Tragedy;
15 Postage; 16 Heading; 19 Train; 20 First; 21
Scold.
16 GULF TIMES Monday, May 16, 2016
COMMUNITY
BOLLYWOOD
Censored again
HER VERSION: Preity has denied that she abused the coach of her cricket team
after a decision that cost them a win.
All’s well,
except
cricket
P
reity Zinta, fresh after her
marriage to the American
financial executive Gene
Goodenough in Los
Angeles, returned to India
for a grand reception that the who’s
who of Bollywood attended. Before
that Preity with her husband took
a short detour to the Taj Mahal and
put up their images from that symbol
of love. Meanwhile, she also hit the
gym pretty hard working out to get in
perfect shape for the reception.
But there was only one thing that
somewhat marred this celebratory
mood and like most of Preity’s
troubles in recent times, it came
from the ownership of the cricket
team that plays in the Indian Premier
League. Her co-owner was her
former boyfriend, the industrialist
Ness Wadia, and there were even
police cases registered after a spat
during a game when Ness found that
seats had not been reserved for his
guests in the owners’ enclosure and
had berated Preity in public for it.
This time however he had no part
in the controversy. Instead, if the
reports are to be believed, it was
Preity’s own doing or rather a lack of
discretion when losing her temper.
The team had been playing in Mohali
and at one point had been doing well
in the match and seemed like they
could win. But then in a decision by
the captain and coach, the player
they sent down to bat didn’t do well
and the team ended up losing.
There was another batsman who
had been in fine fettle and it could
be argued that at that moment this
batsman should have been sent
to garner the winning runs. But
these are regular occurrences in
sports, sometimes a decision pays,
sometimes in doesn’t. But Preity,
who had come to watch the match
with her family, apparently couldn’t
handle the disappointment.
A tabloid reported on its cover
story that she had gone to the team
after the loss and in front of everyone
given a dressing down to the coach
for the loss. And, allegedly, she had
even thrown abusive words at the
coach.
Preity however denied it as soon as
she saw the report. She wrote on her
Facebook account that the reporter
had deliberately maligned her. And
that even the coach had denied her
doing anything like that. She said the
story reeked of sexism because male
team owners wouldn’t be treated like
this by the media.
Anurag Kashyap’s run-ins with
the censor board, which certifies
movies, is the stuff of legend. He
just doesn’t like any changes to
his movie and they have a history
of obstructing him.
His movie Ugly was released
almost a year after its scheduled
date because Anurag didn’t
want to add a disclaimer on
smoking being injurious to health
whenever there was a scene of
cigarettes being smoked in the
movie. Ultimately however he
agreed.
Another movie, Gulaal had to
go to a revising committee before
it got passed for screening with a
number of cuts. The first movie
he made, Paanch, did not get
released at all because the censors
wouldn’t pass it. At the time he
was just beginning his career as a
moviemaker and did not have the
resources or stature to fight back.
But since then Anurag has
become a more influential figure
of the filmmaking community. He
has also become somewhat more
amenable to understanding the
futility of fighting the censors.
His movies now get passed
without too much hassles, like
Gangs of Wasseypur that had
almost no cuts. But they usually
get an ‘A’ certificate making only
adults eligible to see them in
theatres.
STAND: The censor board has recommended six cuts to his latest film,
which he has decided to appeal against.
His latest movie, Raman
Raghav 2.0, is now slated for
release on June 24 and it too is
seeing the censors drawing out
their scissors. The movie’s title
refers to a famous serial killer
who haunted the streets over
50 years ago and Nawazuddin
Siddiqui plays a similar character
in it.
The trailers of the movie have
been well received and it promises
it to be a violent fare. The censors
passed it with six cuts which they
say don’t affect the narrative of
the movie. But Anurag apparently
is not satisfied and is planning
to go into appeal. What he will
definitely not do is to get into a
conflict and delay the release.
Uncomfortable work
REASON: A tabloid reported that Sushant and Ankita
broke up after he got cosy with another actress.
It is, of course, difficult when former lovers are
forced to maintain professional commitments
which involve them working together. Jagga Jasoos,
the movie for which Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina
Kaif, are shooting has been seeing the strain of
their break up.
There were first the tensions that arose out of
cancelling a foreign shoot and replacing it with an
Indian location, with the production company not
happy about such a change. Later, the crew had to
go abroad to Morocco for a shoot and predictably
issues are cropping up between Ranbir and Katrina.
According to the gossip mill, the two didn’t
want to stay in the same hotel and got booked
at separate locations. And they also took
separate flights to reach Morocco. A clip of their
rehearsing there for a dance in the movie came
out recently and they seemed to avoid smiling or
making eye contact in it.
Split news
Till a few months ago, it was
reported that Sushant Singh
Rajput was going to marry his
girlfriend, television actress
Ankita Lokhande, by the end
of 2016. But then in March end
suddenly came news that the
two had broken up.
Recently, a gossip website
reported that just before the
break up the two had gone for
a party and after a few drinks,
Sushant was getting cosy with
another actress, which Ankita
spotted and she then yelled
at him in front of the whole
gathering. Sushant however
tweeted that this was false
and ridiculed the news items
saying, ‘Truth -Your Source Was
getting close 2himself,didn’t
like it,got drunk&then abused
Ranbir and Katrina’s break-up is making it hard for them to perform
together professionally.
himself 4being close 2himself:)’.
Meanwhile there are also reports
that he is getting close to actress
Kriti Sanon and they are being
spotted together often.
Send your feedback to
bollywood.eye@gmail.com
Monday, May 16, 2016
GULF TIMES
17
COMMUNITY
BOLLYWOOD
Indian TV content a huge
sign of worry: Prachi Desai
CRITICAL: Prachi Desai
By Kishori Sud
S
hows that are progressive
in outlook are the need
of the hour on Indian
television, says actress
Prachi Desai, who feels
the content on the far-reaching
medium is in a dismal state of
affairs.
Prachi moved into the film world
after successfully establishing her
name with a lead role as Bani in the
once-popular daily soap Kasamh
Se, which dealt with the trials and
tribulations of three sisters. With
no immediate plans to return to
CALLING IT A DAY: Sonu Sood
the small screen medium for a
fiction show, Prachi told IANS in
an interview: “Honestly, (Indian)
television right now makes me really
sad. It is a huge sign of worry.”
“Looking at where the country
is going and the things that are
happening around us, we should
open our eyes and give content to
the people accordingly. I am not
saying that the medium is a social
service, but TV impacts so many
people on so many different levels,
in a huge way,” she added.
The 27-year-old actress, whose
latest Bollywood release is Azhar,
strongly believes that since TV
caters to a huge audience, “we
definitely need way better content
and not content which is so
regressive and just so shocking at
every level”.
“We need to improve so much...
Years ago, we used to have way
more advanced shows in terms of
outlook and relatability,” added
the Once Upon a Time in Mumbai
actress.
Having played roles featuring her
in a mature and calm demeanour in
most of her films and in her debut
TV show too, Prachi says that she
has no idea why this stereotyping
happened. In fact, she would love to
be cast in more fun roles.
“Ask my directors why they give
me such roles! I honestly have
no idea myself. I am completely
opposite. My roles are beyond my
age too.
“On one hand, I should be happy
that in spite of not being this person
in reality, I am able to bring such
maturity in my roles, but at the
same time I should be having a lot
more fun, closer to my age ... Pair
me up with younger actors who do
more youth-based films,” she said.
In Azhar, which narrates the
highs and lows of Mohammad
Azharuddin’s life for most of the
1990s, Prachi essays the first wife
of India’s former cricket captain.
Asked if the trend of biopics is
becoming an overdose for the
audiences, the Bol Bachchan
actress said: “Trend is a pattern
with everything — be it fashion or
cinema. Everyone wants to dabble
in that until it reaches its saturation
point. I am extremely happy about
the trend. I think human stories are
always interesting. Each life has a
story, each human has a different
story.”
She feels that the biopic trend
should go on for a longer time. —
IANS
Sonu Sood wraps up
Kung Fu Yoga shoot
Bachchan asks fans to hop on
TE3N express
Actor Sonu Sood has finished
shooting for the forthcoming
film Kung Fu Yoga, which
features international star
Jackie Chan in a lead role.
The 42-year-old actor took to
Twitter to cherish his journey
on the film’s set and praised
Chan, who is known worldwide
for his action films.
“And it’s a wrap! The last
shot of Kung Fu Yoga! What
a journey with the most
grounded man I ever met.
Jackie Chan,” Sonu tweeted
along with an image of himself
and the Rush Hour actor.
Kung Fu Yoga is a multilingual action-adventure
film to be directed by Stanley
Tong. The film, which is a coproduction by India and China
— by Taihe Entertainment and
Shinework Media — will also
feature actors Amyra Dastur,
Disha Patani, Aarif Rahman
and Jain kumar. — IANS
With a special campaign — Te3n
It Around — megastar Amitabh
Bachchan has asked fans and
audiences to join the journey of TE3N
by coming up with innovative ideas
for the promotion of the forthcoming
film. The 73-year-old took the digital
route to ask fans for suggestions. In a
special video, the actor is seen saying,
“This time we want to know how you
want to promote the film and market
it.”
Set in Kolkata, the film is about a
crime that affects its three principal
characters. Amitabh plays John
Biswas, a grandfather in relentless
pursuit of justice for eight years, while
Nawazuddin Siddiqui plays Father
Martin Das, whose life was changed
forever by the same crime that claimed
the life of John’s granddaughter.
Vidya Balan essays the role of a
police officer named Sarita Sarkar,
who swings into action when an
identical crime happens eight
years later. TE3N is the emotionally
explosive journey of these three
COVER GIRL: Daisy Shah
Daisy Shah wants
to do a love story
Actress Daisy Shah says that she
wants to do a love story especially
for the kind of songs in the genre.
“I have tried girl-next-door. I have
done the role of a corporate woman,
a love story is something that I
would like to work on,” Daisy said
at the unveiling of the magazine
Savvy’s cover featuring her.
“The songs in a love story are
very good, very mellow, the kind of
songs I have not done either in the
south films or here. Maybe that’s
one of the reasons why I want to do
a romantic film,” she added.
Daisy played a girl-next-door
in her debut Jai Ho and a corporate
woman involving in some steamy
scenes in her second film, Hate
Story 3. Both films had a romantic
angle to it but were not out-andout love stories. About doing a
female-oriented film, she said,
“I would love to, a biopic maybe.”
Superstar Salman Khan was one of
the reasons behind Daisy entering
the industry. The magazine cover
has Daisy’s lines for Salman which
read as ,”I want to fall in love with
him, hug him, …”.
When asked about the lines, she
said, “I have already fallen in love
with him as a person. I love his
personality. He is a great person and
I’m really blessed to have a person
like him in my life.”
“He is a friend. He is a ‘Hitler’
and a mentor depending on the
situation. If you’ve done wrong
then he can be a Hitler, if you’ve
done good then he’s a friend and if
you’re going wrong somewhere he
is a mentor.”
“Given a choice I would only
want to work with Salman again
and again, but that’s not how the
industry works,” she added.
Daisy also denied that he was a
godfather, saying, “No, I have only
one father.”
Daisy also said that there
were some projects of her to be
announced in a few days. — IANS
BIG PUSH: Amitabh Bachchan
people who find their fates
intertwined in their quest for justice
and redemption. Amitabh and the
team have taken the initiative to
promote their film, in an all inclusive
way. They wish that the audience
drives the film’s promotional
campaign by taking part at all levels —
like the posters, music, information,
and games, read a statement.
In the video, Big B says: “We want
you to take TE3N forward...how do
you see it? What do you want to see
next in a poster, song or a game? You
can connect with us now in just three
steps. Log on to www.te3nitaround.
in, choose the activity you want to take
part in and then submit your entry.
Come be a part of TE3N.”
Produced by Kahaani director Sujoy
Ghosh, the Ribhu Dasgupta directorial
is set to release on June 10. — IANS
18 GULF TIMES Monday, May 16, 2016
COMMUNITY
HOLLYWOOD
Being Lyndon Johnson
Bryan Cranston tackles a gigantic personality in All the Way, LBJ biopic on HBO
BIG SHOES: Bryan Cranston as Lyndon B Johnson in All the Way.
By Neal Justin
A
ny doubts that Bryan Cranston
belongs on the shortlist of
America’s greatest living actors are
vanquished in an early moment
from All the Way. The HBO
biopic chronicles the chaos thrust upon — and
generated by — Lyndon Baines Johnson in the
period between the assassination of John F
Kennedy and his own election as president in
1964.
In the scene, the newly minted commander
in chief is being tailored for a suit in the Oval
Office while talking turkey with Minnesota’s
Sen Hubert Humphrey, cracking vulgar jokes
with his aides, kissing up to FBI director J Edgar
Hoover, cooing over the Rev Martin Luther
King Jr, barking orders to his staff and firing a
secretary on impulse, insisting her replacement
have a “little meat on her bones.”
It’s a tour de force performance, one that
may very well lead to an Emmy to place beside
the four Cranston earned for Breaking Bad.
It also has the benefit of being accurate. “If
you asked any of the individuals who worked
with Johnson over the years, they would
say something like, ‘He was the kindest,
cruelest, most selfless, selfish, warmhearted,
conniving, lying, decent man I ever met,’”
said screenwriter Robert Schenkkan, who also
wrote the play that bears the same title. “They
wouldn’t be lying.
Schenkkan and Cranston earned Tonys in
2014 for their stage collaboration, and it would
have been as tempting as lifting a beagle by its
droopy ears to simply re-create the heralded
production.
Instead, with the prompting of director
Jay Roach and producer Steven Spielberg,
the movie takes full advantage of a more
intimate medium, cutting out numerous phone
conversations and monologues, while zooming
in on emotionally wrenching moments, such
as the one in the middle of the Republican
National Convention when a vulnerable LBJ,
convinced that the world is plotting against
him, curls up in his hotel bed like a child who
accidentally saw too much of Rosemary’s Baby.
“Steven said there was an opportunity with
the camera to be in these most desperate places
with Johnson where there was no hope, those
moments of a personal meltdown,” said Roach,
who had just finished directing Cranston to an
Oscar nomination in Trumbo before taking on
his third film for HBO. “Steven said, ‘Commit
to those quiet moments. Just make sure they are
cinematic.’ I thought that was great advice.”
Cranston also had to prepare for his closeups.
On stage, the actor took a minimalist
approach in the dressing room, applying his
own makeup and mixing a bit of gray dye into
his slicked-back hair. For the film, he spent 21/2
hours in the makeup chair every day, having
prosthetics glued onto his ears and adding
lifts to his shoes. The results make him almost
indistinguishable from the black-and-white
stills of the actual Johnson displayed during the
closing credits.
“Fortunately my own natural physical
makeup is what every man searches for: beady
eyes and thin lips,” Cranston said, who added
that the extensive cosmetic work informed his
performance. “It helped me stay in character
throughout the more logistical issues of making
a movie and moving from scene to scene.”
In addition to the makeup department,
led by Bill Corso, Cranston got able support
from a stellar cast, which includes Bradley
Whitford, who has Humphrey’s nervous energy
and clipped delivery down pat, and Anthony
Mackie, who imagines King with a James Bond
brand of cool.
Cranston also relied heavily on research,
poring over the daunting stacks of books on his
subject and spending two long nights locked
inside the LBJ Presidential Library, searching
for the key to unlock the man. It was during his
second visit that he found it.
“There in the corner, right past the
assassination display, was something I
missed the first time,” he said. “There wasn’t
a lot of light on it. It was a letter from Jackie
(Kennedy) to LBJ dated four days after the
assassination. It said, ‘Dear Mr. President,
I want to thank you for writing these lovely
letters to my two children about their father
and how much you loved and respected
him. They don’t know it now, but they will
appreciate it in the future.’
Cranston continued: “So within days of
taking on the most pressure-packed job in the
world, this man sat down and wrote to two
children when he had all these things that he
needed to pay attention to. That spoke to me.”
Of course, every moment of tenderness in the
biopic is countered by a slap across the face. At
one moment, the president is fawning over his
most trustworthy aide, calling him the son he
never had. When the aide is arrested for lewd
behavior in a men’s restroom just days before
the election, Johnson abandons him, insisting
that he’s been stabbed in the back.
Historians will argue for centuries to come
just how big a heart Johnson truly had for
Kennedy, his loyal posse and the civil rights
movement. Did he truly believe in a Great
Society or did he just want to win, win, win?
After watching Cranston’s performance, you’ll
swear the answer is both.
LBJ ON SCREEN
Bryan Cranston isn’t the only actor going All the
Way with LBJ. Woody Harrelson is tackling the
36th president in a film, directed by Rob Reiner,
scheduled for release this year. Cranston and
Harrelson are joining a small but prestigious club:
(1983): Donald Moffat makes the most out of his
brief appearance in this epic tribute the Mercury
7 gang, blowing a gasket when one of the
astronauts’ wives won’t play politics with the thenvice president.
LBJ: The Early Years (1987): Before high-tailing
it to Canada, Randy Quaid did his patriotic duty,
honoring his fellow Texan in this sweeping TV
movie that covered the period from 1934 to 1963.
Path to War (2002): Michael Gambon’s upcoming
portrayal of Winston Churchill for a PBS film very
well may have been informed by his blustering
performance of LBJ in this HBO production that
focused on the Vietnam War.
Lee Daniels’ the Butler (2013): The biography of
a White House staffer is continually interrupted
by oddball casting — Robin Williams as Ike, John
Cusack as Richard Nixon and Liev Schreiber as LBJ.
Selma (2014): Tom Wilkinson, who had played Joe
Kennedy Sr, Benjamin Franklin and Washington
insider Howard Baker, finally got his chance to be
commander in chief, one consistently at odds with
the Rev Martin Luther King Jr on civil rights issues.
“I feel like a lot of times where actors fail is
when we read a script and we’re like, ‘Oh, he’s a
bad guy because of this’ or ‘He’s wrong because
he did this,’?” said Mackie, best known as
Falcon in the Captain America movies. “What
makes Bryan’s performance so powerful and so
great is that there’s no judgment. It’s him just
presenting Lyndon. You rarely get to see that.
It’s enjoyable.” — Star Tribune/TNS
Monday, May 16, 2016
GULF TIMES 19
COMMUNITY
HOLLYWOOD
I was used to being
bullied: Bündchen
S
VIEWPOINT: Chris Evans
Hollywood is radically
different for men: Chris
Captain America: Civil War star
Chris Evans says Hollywood is a
“radically different landscape” for
men. On the talk show Chelsea,
Evans said: “You can’t stick
your head in the ground like
that. Being a guy, it’s a radically
different landscape. I think there
is a gender gap that is ubiquitous
in Hollywood, and I think a lot of
times it’s hard to even identify.
“It’s not even about the contracts
(or pay). If you look at that project,
there’s probably about nine roles...
(eight) guy roles and one girl role.
So even before you get to the point
of money there’s already an issue
going on underneath.”
The 34-year-old actor previously
insisted he doesn’t take his own
success for granted, reports
femalefirst.co.uk. “I grew up
watching the Oscars, so being there
makes me appreciate how far I’ve
come. I can’t deny that it’s (the film
industry) had an effect, but I think
it’s a positive one. Instead of trying
to figure out how to play the game,
I’ve come to realise that it’s more
important to remind myself that I
don’t have to win today and I don’t
actually have to play at all.
“Obstacles and hurdles are
man-made. I won’t say it’s not
useful to self-reflect, but I realise
the part of you that’s fuelling the
self-reflections actually more akin
to your ego than to the situation
you’re in,” he said. — IANS
upermodel Gisele
Bündchen admits she
was “used to being
bullied” while growing
up because she was “tall
and skinny”.
The 35-year-old says she was
always made fun of when she was
younger, reports the New York
Times.
“Even before I got into the
business, I was used to being
bullied because I was always
tall and skinny and stuck out,”
Bündchen said. “I got really
red all the time from playing
volleyball, red like a pepper. So I
thought bullying was just the way
life is.”
Bündchen had previously
revealed she was told her nose
was “too big” for her to be on
magazine covers. “I remember
some people telling me my nose
was too big or my eyes were
too small, that I could never be
on a magazine cover. It wasn’t
easy to be 14 and hear that kind
of criticism. It made me feel
insecure,” she said.
Bündchen is now keen to take
some time away from modelling
so that she can focus on her
family life. “I am not retiring, I
love learning and I love creating
and I feel that will always be a
part of my life. I am just emptying
my glass, so I can fill it with
things that are more aligned with
who I am today,” she said. — IANS
LOOKING BACK: Gisele Bündchen
Jennifer Lawrence to join
Ocean’s Eleven reboot?
Actress Jennifer Lawrence is said to be
discussing joining the all-female Ocean’s
Eleven remake with actress Sandra Bullock.
The Silver Linings Playbook actress, if
confirmed for a role in the reboot, would be
reunited with her The Hunger Games director
Gary Ross, whom she reportedly attempted
to join for two other movies that did not get
made, reports independent.co.uk.
The script, which is reportedly being
penned by Little Women screenwriter Olivia
Milch, will see Bullock arrange the theft of a
necklace from the Met Ball in New York City,
and an attempt to frame a gallery owner for
the crime. It is also reported that Lawrence
would be set to play Bullock’s sidekick. George
Harington on falling in
love with Rose Leslie
GAME OF LOVE: Kit Harington, left, and Rose Leslie
Actor Kit Harington
recalled the moment he and
girlfriend and former Game of
Thrones co-star Rose Leslie
fell in love.
The actor, who plays Jon
Snow on the HBO series,
and Leslie, who played his
character’s love interest
Ygritte, have been dating on
and off since 2012.
In a recent interview
with Vogue Italia magazine,
Harington reminisced about
how the two fell in love while
filming Game of Thrones.
He called his time shooting
season two in Iceland his
favourite show memory,
reports eonline.com.
“Because the country
is beautiful, because the
Northern Lights are magical,
and because it was there that
I fell in love,” Harington said.
“If you are already attracted
to someone, and then they
play your love interest in the
show, it becomes very easy to
fall in love,” he added.
Harington and Leslie,
who keep their relationship
private, officially stepped out
as a couple at the 2016 Olivier
Awards at the Royal Opera
House in London in April. —
IANS
Clooney, who will take a producing role in
the movie, is also rumoured to be getting
some screen time, although it is thought he
may adopt a cameo purely to link the films
together.
There has been no word on whether his costars Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Julia Roberts and
Don Cheadle will return to the fold, or who the
other female stars will be. — IANS
Kristen Stewart to
take break from acting
Twilight star Kristen Stewart has decided
to take a break from acting. Stewart is thrilled
she has chosen to step behind the camera for
the next few months to work on a short film
about the power of women, reports people.
com.
“I just did like five movies over a two-year
period, and I think it’s a very good decision
for me right now to stop acting in movies
for just a moment. I’ve never really done
that. I’ve never changed my appearance,”
Stewart said at the ongoing 69th Cannes Film
Festival.
“I’ve always really stayed neutral since I
was like 10 years old, so I was like, ‘I’m going
to direct a short (film), and I’m going to
%%** up my hair’,” she added. – IANS
20 GULF TIMES Monday, May 16, 2016
COMMUNITY
HWW forum hosts
women jobseekers
Now in its fifth year, How Women Find Work conference, attended by HR specialists,
recruitment agencies and aspirants, is a highlight on Doha’s event calendar
ONE PLATFORM: A number of past participants shared their experiences at the HWW conference this year.
By Umer Nangiana
O
ne of the prominent
forums to help
women with finding
employment
opportunities in
Qatar, How Women Work (HWW)
recently organised a HWW FIND
Work Jobseekers’ Conference &
Recruitment Fair to bring together
women seeking employment in Qatar
with HR specialists, recruitment
agencies and employers.
Now in its fifth year, the How
Women Find Work conference is a
highlight on Doha’s event calendar
as many women, despite having
excellent experience and a wealth
of skills, still struggle to find
suitable jobs.
This year to ensure that
candidates’ expectations were
met, HWW added a pre-screening
application process which allowed
candidates to know whether their
profile matched the criteria that
recruiters are currently looking for
or not.
“We added the pre-screening, so
that candidates could make a more
informed decision on whether they
wanted to buy a ticket. Everyone is
still welcome but we didn’t want to
raise false hopes, it wouldn’t be fair
to our participants,” said Carolin
Zeitler, the founder of HWW, in her
statement.
Several women who had been
hired from previous events
were present as speakers and
company representatives this
Many women looking for jobs were connected with HR specialists and experts
time around. Others told their
stories beforehand, so that hopeful
candidates could feel inspired.
“When we first moved to Qatar I
was happy to spend a few months
of being a stay-at-home mum.
However, as time went by, I was
starting to get rather bored and felt
I was ready to start working again.
That’s when I came across HWFW
and decided to volunteer for the
cause,” said Lisa Lindgren who
had been hired at the fourth How
Women FIND Work conference in
November 2015.
“The day itself was very
engaging. I met many interesting
women and learned a lot about
how to find work in Doha. During
the conference I spoke to a GEMS
representative, and two months
later I started working with them!
I’m so happy to have finally found a
great job,” she told the audience.
Having recognised that this was
an issue that affected many women
of all ages and backgrounds, in 2012
the How Women Work (HWW)
community decided that something
needed to be done to help.
The HWW community partnered
with a number of respected local
recruitment agencies, who were
willing to share insights into how
to get hired in Doha, and the How
Women FIND Work conference
series was born. The conference
has evolved into a popular event
that not only allows women to
learn more about the ‘how’ and
‘why’ of getting hired in Doha, but
also hosts a small fair that allows
candidates to speak directly to
recruitment agents and officers
who are currently hiring.
The next event in the How
Women FIND Work series is
scheduled for November 2016.
The HWW Community was
founded in 2009 with the aim
of empowering women to grow
and succeed; reaching hearts and
minds, breaking down barriers
and promoting understanding
across cultures and genders. It
brings women with aspirations
and ambitions together to share
knowledge, ideas, and ambitions,
enabling them to find sustainable
ways to success.
HWW is presented by Tataowar
Coaching & Consulting. In
everything we do at Tataowar
we believe that meaningful,
sustainable growth fulfils the true
needs of the individual and the
greater good.
The HWW community includes
leaders, employees, executives,
business owners, entrepreneurs,
graduates and students, as well as
women who want to re-enter the
workforce. The group welcomes
any woman with aspirations and
ambitions.
One of the group’s first
initiatives was to set up an
annual conference devoted to
the development of professional
women in Qatar. The inaugural
conference, entitled A Conference
on Women’s Leadership and Career
Development, was held on April 22,
2010.
It saw an enthusiastic
response, with over 100 delegates
from more than 30 nationalities
attending two keynote speeches
and participating in 15 workshops
and panel discussions. From
there on the conference grew
consistently.
While the annual conference
remains the flagship event, How
Women Work has now grown
into a community that is active
all year round with several event
series, like ‘How Women FIND
Work’ and ‘How Women Thrive
Amongst Men’, as well as a monthly
workshop series ‘Equipped To
Succeed’, the Mastermind and Soul
Sisters groups and the CSR book
project ‘How Women Succeed’.