P7 P16

Community Community
Best Buddies Nepali
Qatar Village expatriate
opens in Gulf community
Mall as part of will enjoy
International two musical
Month performances
celebrations. on March 9.

Monday, March 5, 2018

Jumada II 17, 1439 AH

DOHA 19°C—29°C TODAY LIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE 11 PUZZLES 12 & 13

FIND: An artist's rendering of how the first stars in the universe may have looked.

COVER
Signal discovery
STORY A rare signal from early universe sends
scientists clues about dark matter. P4-5
2 GULF TIMES Monday, March 5, 2018

COMMUNITY ROUND & ABOUT

PRAYER TIME
Fajr 4.38am
Shorooq (sunrise) 5.54am
Zuhr (noon) 11.45am
Asr (afternoon) 3.07pm
Maghreb (sunset) 5.40pm
Isha (night) 7.10pm

USEFUL NUMBERS

I, Tonya down when her ex-husband conspires to injure Nancy

Emergency
Worldwide Emergency Number
Kahramaa – Electricity and Water
Local Directory
International Calls Enquires
Hamad International Airport
Labor Department
Mowasalat Taxi
Qatar Airways
Hamad Medical Corporation
Qatar General Electricity and
Water Corporation
Primary Health Care Corporation
Qatar Assistive Technology
Centre
Qatar News Agency
Q-Post – General Postal
Corporation
Humanitarian Services Office
(Single window facility for the repatriation of bodies)
Ministry of Interior
Ministry of Health
Hamad Medical Corporation
Qatar Airways
DIRECTION: Craig Gillespie Kerrigan, a fellow Olympic hopeful, in a poorly conceived
CAST: Margot Robbie, Sebastian Stan, Allison Janney attack that forces the young woman to withdraw from the
SYNOPSIS: In 1991, talented figure skater Tonya Harding National Championship.
999 becomes the first American woman to complete a triple axel
112 during a competition. In 1994, her world comes crashing THEATRES: Royal Plaza
991
180
150 The Shadow Effect
40106666 DIRECTION:
44508111, 44406537 Obin Olson, Amariah
44588888 Olson
44496000 CAST: Jonathan
44392222, 44393333 Rhys Meyers, Cam
Gigandet, Michael
44845555, 44845464 Biehn
44593333 SYNOPSIS: A
44593363 young man’s life is
turned upside down
44594050 when his violent
44450205 dreams begin to
44450333 blend with reality.
Obsessed with gene
44464444 regeneration, and
fascinated by the
phenomenon of the
waking dream, Dr
40253371, 40253372, Reese (Jonathan Rhys
40253369 Meyers) explores the
40253370, 40253364 psyche of Gabriel
40253368, 40253365 Howarth (Cam
40253374 Gigandet), the young
man whose life is
turned upside down.
THEATRES: The
Mall, Royal Plaza,
Landmark

uote Unquote
Q The biggest The Mall Cinema (1): Gnome
ingredient in a best Alone (2D) 3pm; Death Wish (2D)
friend is someone whose 5pm; Black Panther (2D) 7pm;
The Shadow Effect (2D) 9:30pm;
actions you respect and who Death Wish (2D) 11:15pm.
you can truly be yourself The Mall Cinema (2): Captain
(Malayalam) 2pm; Gnome Alone
around.— Renee Olstead (2D) 4:30pm; Gnome Alone (2D)
6pm; Death Wish (2D) 7:30pm;
The Midnight Man (2D) 9:30pm;
Captain (Malayalam) 11:15pm.
The Mall Cinema (2): Black
Panther (2D) 2:30pm; The
Community Editor Leisure Seeker (2D) 5pm; Talq
Kamran Rehmat Sena3y (Arabic) 7pm; Black
Panther (2D) 9pm; Veerey Ki
e-mail: community@gulf-times.com
Telephone: 44466405 Wedding (Hindi) 11:30pm.
Landmark Cinema (1): Captain
Fax: 44350474 (Malayalam) 2:30pm; Maya
Royal Plaza Cinema Palace
(1): Gnome Alone (2D) 3:30pm;
Gnome Alone (2D) 5pm; Special
Nadhi (Malayalam) 5pm; The Show (2D) 7pm; Death Wish
Shadow Effect (2D) 7:30pm; (2D) 9pm; Death Wish (2D)
The Midnight Man (2D) 9:15pm; 11pm.
Maya Nadhi (Malayalam) 11pm. Royal Plaza Cinema Palace
Landmark Cinema (2): Gnome (2): Captain (Malayalam)
Alone (2D) 2:30pm; Gnome 2:30pm; Talq Sena3y (Arabic)
Alone (2D) 4pm; Gnome Alone 5pm; Black Panther (2D)
(2D) 5:30pm; Black Panther (2D) 6:45pm; I, Tonya (2D) 9:15pm;
7pm; Death Wish (2D) 9:30pm; Captain (Malayalam) 11:30pm.
Death Wish (2D) 11:30pm. Royal Plaza Cinema Palace
Landmark Cinema (3): (3): Death Wish (2D) 2:30pm;
Talq Sena3y (Arabic) 2:30pm; Maya Nadhi (Malayalam)
Black Panther (2D) 4:30pm; 5pm; The Shadow Effect (2D)
Death Wish (2D) 7pm; Captain
7:30pm; The Leisure Seeker (2D)
(Malayalam) 9pm; The Shadow 9:30pm; The Midnight Man (2D)
Effect (2D) 11:30pm. 11:30pm.

ROUND & ABOUT
EVENTS
HMV Superhero weekend
WHERE: Mirqab Mall
WHEN: March 9-10
TIME: 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm
To celebrate the launch of our iconic British
Music and Entertainment Brand and the launch
of our first store in Qatar, HMV will be hosting
a Superhero Weekend Activation as a part of
the launch on the March 9 and 10 between
5:00pm to 10:00pm at Mirqab Mall. After the
success of Q - Cosplay and their latest cosplay
competition during Video Games Live, they
are pleased to bring you this new competition.
To register: Please send your: name, age,
gender, e-mail, mobile number, cosplay pic (if
possible ), audio/video file and cosplay name
to the following email for the HMV cosplay
competition on March 9 superhero@hmv.
Doha Triathlon 2018
WHERE: Museum of Islamic Art Park
WHEN: March 16
TIME: 5:00 am - 12:30 pm
Doha Triathlon will take place on Friday
March 16 2018, in the surrounding area of the
Museum of Islamic Art, with the scenic view
of Doha’s skyline in the background. This is the
second edition of the event which started on
January 20 2017. In addition of the full Olympic
Triathlon and Sprint distances that we offered
last year, we are happy to announce that we
are now bringing in a Super Sprint distance
for teenagers aged 12-13 and 14-15 years old,
individually or as teams.
Specialised Master in Strategic Business
WHERE: 14th Floor, Tornado Tower, West
Bay
WHEN: Tomorrow
TIME: 4:30-5:30pm
The aim is for attendees to know more about
this World-Class Executive Program from the
Academic Director and Admissions team, in
order to know more about the program, the
admissions process, and financing options.
The Information Session for the revamped
Specialized Master’s Degree in Strategic
Business Unit Management (SBUM) will take
place on 6 March. This part-time degree
program is designed as a practical foundation
for managing a business. It will give you the
opportunity to learn international best practice
from world-class faculty. Find out how it will
help you take your career forward.
Rang Barse Doha
WHERE: Doha Marriott Hotel
WHEN: March 30
TIME: 3:00pm-11:00pm
It is that time of the year. When we decide
to colour you up!! Yeah you heard it right Red
Apple Events and Media presents you for the
seventh time in a ROW...RANG BARSE 2018. As
always Doha Marriott outdoors will be turned
into a festival Arena. Every year we bring you
the best in music and a crowd who parties like
there is no tomorrow...To take care of Music
as always we are bringing the Badshah of
Bollywood DJ AKHTAR, he has already been
featured in 3 Rang Barse’s and ensured we
danced till our feet cant handle more.
Qatar International Boat Show
WHERE: The Pearl Qatar
WHEN: March 13-17
Qatar International Boat Show is a
must-exhibit event for boaters and anyone
thinking of getting into boating as it serves
as an ideal maritime-industry networking
platform and a key business driver for the
marine sector boosting regional marine
industry. Each year this event brings
the entire recreational boating industry
together ¬ manufacturers, dealers and
boating consumers. Qatar International
Boat Show 5th Edition will take place from
13th March to 17th March 2018 at Porto
Arabia, The Pearl- Qatar.
Extreme Desert Show
WHEN: Ongoing
TIME: 1:30pm - 6:30pm
Experience the desert in a real traditional
way. It includes a desert safari, dune
bashing and a trip to inland sea. Watch a
thrilling Extreme Desert Show only for
170QR per person. Call 3339 3323 for more
inquiries.
Babies, Pregnancy & Parenting
Workshop
WHERE: Wyndham Grand Regency
Doha hotel
WHEN: March 10
TIME: 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Starfish Lane Kids nurseries has joined
forces with HUGGIES and Doha’s maternal
and paediatric experts to deliver the second
“Babies, Pregnancy & Parenting” event in
March 2018. Parent education is a key to
building strong families and communities.
“When parents know better, they do
better”. This non-profit community event
is only possible through the support of our
sponsors and partners and the speakers
who will share their knowledge with
parents.
Date festival
WHERE: Souq Waqif
WHEN: Ongoing till March 15
The festival “Souq Al Tumur Al Musami
(Seasonal Dates’ Market) started from
February 15 and would continue till March
15, 2018, said a release. The registration is
free for local and international companies
producing, importing and supplying dates.
The venue of the festival, Souq Waqif
is a destination for visitors and tourists
from Qatar and abroad and is highly
popular among citizens and expatriates,
for its activities, exhibitions and festivals
throughout the year. The seasonal market
for dates will provide a platform for
companies to showcase varieties of dates,
and the products made of dates.
Halal Qatar Festival
WHERE: Katara Parking Area 01
WHEN: Ongoing till March 10
The theme of the festival centers on a
distinct feature of our heritage, one that
is drawn from deep within the deserts of
Qatar sheep and goat breeding. The festival
will present specific methods that help in
breeding and raising sheep and will also
showcase numerous traditional events
along with educational and recreational
activities. Here is an opportunity to revive
the Qatari heritage and relive their simple
lives amidst the dunes, at Al-Mazain,
Monday, March 5, 2018
COMMUNITY
Al-Mazad Auction, and sheep barns
presentation at Katara.
The Katara International Beach
Volleyball Cup
WHERE: Katara
WHEN: Tomorrow till March 10
The Katara International Beach Volleyball
Cup 2018 will be held at Amphitheater in
Katara from 6 to 10 March 2018. Be there and
experience the beach volley ball
Qatar Running Series
WHERE: MIA Park
WHEN: ongoing till April 13
TIME: 7am
Get ready for Qatar Running Series at MIA
Park. The events will take place in Mia Park and
comprise of distances ranging from 3k to 10k.
All events will be run on accurately measured
short courses with multiple laps and will be
restricted to a maximum of 130 participants.
Mall of Qatar Fun Fair
WHERE: Mall Of Qatar
WHEN: Until April 15
The Mall of Qatar has expanded to bring you
“Doha’s best outdoor theme park”. Come with
your family and friends to enjoy the new rides
and attractions – Trampoline, Giant Slide,
Wind Tunnel, Disco Tagada, Meltdown, Surfing
and much more to enjoy with family and
friends. Come all and enjoy life.
Souq Waqif Spring Festival
WHERE: Souq Waqif
WHEN: Ongoing
TIME: Evening
Souq Waqif is hosting Spring Festival
events until April 25. The festival is organised
by the Organizing Committee of the Private
Engineering Office. This year’s festival offers a
range of family-friendly fun including parades,
shows, plays, music featuring top stars and
children’s entertainment. Spring Festival will
also present fine arts events in the various
sections of Souq Waqif Arts Center, including
workshops directed to all visitors.
Foodex Qatar 2018
WHEN: May 3-5
WHERE: Doha Exhibition and Convention
Centre
Qatar is the most urbanised nation among
the GCC states. Urban lifestyles have raised
the standard of living of individuals and
changed their eating pattern, resulting in a
shift in the diet towards protein rich foods as
well as packaged and fast food. Consumption
of such premium products has contributed to
the growth of the food industry. FOODEX will
strengthen the Qatari food industry to meet
the standards of rising expatriate population,
tourism, and developing tastes of Western
foods.
Remote-controlled car racing track
WHERE: Aspire Park
WHEN: Thu, Fri, Sat
TIME: 4pm-10pm
Aspire Zone Foundation has created a
custom-made track specially designed for
remote-control car racing, for car lovers across
Doha. Interested motorsport enthusiasts can
try the race track opposite the Aspire Academy,
from 4pm to 10pm on Thursdays, Fridays, and
Saturdays.
Outdoor and five-a-side football pitches
WHERE: Aspire Zone
WHEN: Daily
TIME: 7pm-11pm
Aspire Zone’s five-a-side football outdoor
pitches opposite Al Waab Street are available
every day from 7pm until 11pm from Sundays to
Thursdays, and on Fridays and Saturdays from
7am-11pm.
Compiled by Nausheen Shaikh. E-mail: gtlisting@gmail.com, Events and timings subject to change
GULF TIMES 3
Mahaseel Festival
WHEN: Thu, Fri, Sat
WHERE: Katara
TIME: 9am-10pm
Visitors to the festival can expect a variety
of products from local vegetables, flowers,
honey and meat, poultry and diary items. For
those of you looking for traditional Qatari food,
there will also be stalls selling homemade foods
such as Machbous. Farm-grown goods include
aubergines, peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes,
courgettes, cauliflower, herbs, and chilies.
There are also animal products such as chicken,
milk, cheese and eggs from Qatari companies
like Baladna and Al Waha Poultry Company.
B.Square Mall Grand Event
WHERE: Al Thumama, Doha
WHEN: Ongoing
TIME: 6:30pm
The only mall in Qatar dedicated to
entertainment, B.Square Mall will occupy a
total space of 26,000 sq.m and 250 car parking
spaces, as well as provide a range of shopping,
services, and entertainment options.
Torba Farmers Market
WHERE: Education City
WHEN: Ongoing
TIME: 9am
Qatar Foundation (QF) has partnered with
Torba Farmers Market, a Qatar-based initiative
that aims to deliver organic and locally-grown
food and homemade products, to host a weekly
market in Education City. Open to the public,
the market be held at QF’s Ceremonial Court,
accessible from gate 2, every Thursday from
9am-4pm and every Friday from 8am-11am
and 2pm-5pm.The name ‘Torba’ is derived from
Arabic, and means “the pure soil that feeds,
nourishes, and nurtures.” A wide range of fresh,
locally-grown items will be on offer, including
organic fruits and vegetables, homemade
preserves, syrups, and butters, as well as
handicrafts and gardening supplies.
Breakdance Classes
WHEN: Sunday-Wednesday
Breakdancing is part of the Hip Hop culture
that originated in New York and has since
spread all over the world. Breakdancing is an
athletic and acrobatic style of dancing, which
can often appear to defy the laws of physics.
This extreme dance-sport uses tremendous
upper-body strength for tricks and poses and
a great way to get into shape and have fun.
Register now by calling 33003839 or e-mail
registration@atelierqatar.com
Salsa Nights
WHERE: The Irish Harp-Sheraton Grand
Doha
WHEN: Every Wednesday
TIME: 9pm
Get ready for some Latin beats every
Wednesday night, where all the salseros and
salseras in town meet and party all night. Entry
is QR50 for gents. Ladies enter free. For details
call 4485 3000.
Off -Road biking tour
WHERE: Zekreet
WHEN: Fridays
Blue Pearl Experience Qatar is offering the
country’s first off-road biking tour. Ride in the
desert on a fat bike to explore the local flora and
fauna spot desert wildlife, hike up jebels, chill
in the magic of the Richard Serra statues and
this unique landscape. Participants will get to
cross the desert riding fat bikes from Zekreet
to the Richard Serra statues, on a route of
approximately 13kms. The route is easy to ride
and suitable for people with average fitness.
You must be able to ride. Kids aged 9 and older
are also welcome. The fee is QR 220 (QR190
for ages 9-14) and includes bike and safety
equipment. The activity lasts about 2.5 hours.
4 GULF TIMES Monday, March 5, 2018

COMMUNITY COVER STORY

Telltale fingerprints
The signal, imprinted more deeply into the Big Bang’s afterglow than scientists expected,
could reveal much about the universe’s youth and hint at the nature of dark matter

SPECTACULAR: One of the largest images ever taken by Nasa’s Hubble Space Telescope of the Crab Nebula shows six-light-year-wide expanding remnant of a star’s supernova explosion. The orange
filaments are mostly hydrogen.

Nature, excited theoretical and years old and has billions more expanding, and that expansion is a subtle fingerprint from those
By Amina Khan experimental physicists alike. years to go.) stretching that ancient starlight primordial stars. That’s because
“To my mind … it’s Nobel When these short-lived stars into longer, “redder” wavelengths. ultraviolet starlight would have
Prize-worthy twice, if it’s real,” went supernova, their explosive That means that even Nasa’s shifted the hydrogen atoms’ energy

U
sing a deceptively
simple antenna roughly
the size and shape of
a dinner table, radio
astronomers have
made an unprecedented discovery:
telltale fingerprints from the
earliest stars in the cosmos, pressed
into the afterglow of the universe’s
birth.
That signal, imprinted more
deeply into the Big Bang’s afterglow
than scientists expected, could
reveal much about the universe’s
youth and hint at the nature of dark
matter, that mysterious substance
that far outweighs all the normal
matter in existence.
The findings and the theoretical
work describing dark matter’s
potential role, described in
two papers in the journal
said Avi Loeb, a Harvard University
theoretical astrophysicist who was
not involved in the research. “Not
only did they detect the signal,
but it actually is bigger than one
can accommodate in the standard
cosmological model. And you need
new physics in order to explain a
signal as big as they detected.”
The first stars in the universe,
born on the order of 100 million
years after the Big Bang, some 13.8
billion years ago, were not like
the stars of today. Because they
coalesced out of the soup of neutral
hydrogen (and a little helium) that
filled the early cosmos, these stars
grew large, burned bright and blue
and then died quickly, probably
surviving around 100 million years,
give or take. (Our own sun, by
comparison, is already 4.6 billion
deaths forged heavier elements
that seeded generations of stars to
come. So understanding that stellar
vanguard that brought light to the
universe is key to understanding all
the stars in galaxies today.
“We knew they should be
different, and they really lay
the seeds for everything that
comes after them,” lead author
Judd Bowman, an experimental
astrophysicist at Arizona State
University, said of these primordial
stars.
But it’s exceedingly difficult to
glimpse actual evidence of those
first stars, and thus to get a firm
grip on the timeline of events in
this epoch of cosmic history. That’s
partly because there aren’t a lot
of stars to see in this early era. But
it’s also because the universe is
Hubble Space Telescope, which
has been able to see galaxies from
400 million years or so after the Big
Bang, can’t spot them.
In a project dubbed EDGES
(short for Experiment to Detect
Global EoR Signature), Bowman
and his colleagues decided to take
a different approach. In recent
years, astronomers have studied the
radiation afterglow of the Big Bang,
known as the cosmic microwave
background, or CMB. This radiation
is subtle but extends over the
entire sky, and astronomers have
studied its tiny fluctuations in
order to understand the underlying
structure of the early universe.
The scientists realised that the
cosmic microwave background,
mixed with that soup of neutral
hydrogen, might actually hold
state, allowing them to absorb a
particular wavelength out of the
cosmic microwave background.
Somewhere in the wavelengths that
make up the CMB, they’d find this
telltale slice of missing light.
Finding this fingerprint in the
universe’s afterglow was easier
said than done. The local universe
hurls an overwhelming amount of
radio waves at Earth, drowning out
this muted signal. On top of that,
the scientists were using a fairly
simple instrument — a single radio
detector roughly 6.4 feet long,
about the size and shape of a dining
table. With this single antenna,
looking for a signal in one particular
part of the sky would have been
impossible.
Instead, they looked at the
average radio spectrum across

COVER STORY
WHOPPING: This timeline of the universe reflects the recent discovery that the first stars emerged by 180 million years after the Big Bang.
the entire sky and searched for
discrepancies. They also placed
their detector in a remote region of
Australia, in the hopes of being as
far away from human-generated
radio waves as possible.
Sure enough, the scientists
discovered a drop in the radio waves
at 78 megahertz — a wavelength
of light that had been dramatically
stretched, thanks to the universe’s
expansion, from the original
frequency of 1,420 megahertz.
(The higher a wave’s frequency,
the shorter its wavelength.) This
wavelength must be missing,
scientists say, because it was
absorbed by the hydrogen gas that
was primed by the light from those
early stars.
“I think it’s a little bit like
winning the lottery, in a sense,”
said study co-author Alan
Rogers, a radio astronomer at
the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology. At the same time, he
admitted, luck often favours the
prepared. “We spent a lot of time
improving the calibration of the
instrument.”
The results show that these first
stars were already shining just 180
million years after the Big Bang. As
those early stars died, they likely
left behind black holes, neutron
stars and supernovas, producing
X-rays that further heated the
hydrogen gas. Thanks to all this
heating, the telltale absorption
signal disappears around 90 million
years later.
Monday, March 5, 2018 GULF TIMES 5
COMMUNITY
“This is a huge potential result
that’s really a breakthrough in
the more-than-a-decade-long
effort to detect signals from the
very early universe,” said Gregg
Hallinan, a California Institute of
Technology radio astronomer who
was not involved in the work. “This
measurement is our first step to begin
to understand that era where the first
stars and galaxies actually formed.”
While the signal’s location
matched theoretical predictions, its
shape did not. The dip in the light
curve was flat-bottomed, like a U,
and also twice as deep as scientists
had predicted. That depth appears
to imply that the hydrogen was
much cooler than it should have
been, at that point in time.
In a separate paper, theorist
Rennan Barkana of Tel Aviv
University presents a possible
explanation: The hydrogen may
have interacted with dark matter. If
it turns out to be true, this would be
groundbreaking, because until now
dark matter has only been known
to interact with normal matter
“To my mind … it’s Nobel Prize-worthy twice, if it’s through its gravitational influence.
(That gravitational influence is
real,” said Avi Loeb, a Harvard University theoretical pretty clear at large scales because
there is more than five times as
astrophysicist who was not involved in the research. much dark matter as normal matter
in the universe, even though it can’t
“Not only did they detect the signal, but it actually is be seen or touched.)
bigger than one can accommodate in the standard But the first step, scientists
said, would be for independent
cosmological model. And you need new physics in experiments to confirm that this
signal really is out there. —Los
order to explain a signal as big as they detected” Angeles Times/TNS
6 GULF TIMES Monday, March 5, 2018

COMMUNITY
HOPE students celebrate QNSD with a difference
Intellectually and physically challenged students at HOPE (Help, Opportunity, Participation, and
Education) Qatar Centre recently marked Qatar National Sport Day (QNSD) with a range of
sporting activities.
In a specially organised event, over twenty five students donned special uniforms and participated
in a range of sports activities that brought about loads of energy and enthusiasm. While boys
and girls of various ages put to the test their individual challenges, they were cheered along and
encouraged by their classmates and friends.
In his brief address to the participants, Dr Rajeev Thomas, Founder and Advisory Board member
of HOPE Qatar, told the students not to let any of their challenges – physical or intellectual - deter
them from their goals in life.

Doha College children celebrate World Book Day

A
mass celebration of
books swept over Doha
College Primary and
Secondary recently as
the students and the
staff went to great lengths to show
their love of reading.
The day was packed with
activities such as a book character
costume competition, staff book
quote T-shirts, quizzes, a five-part
story read by teachers, a two-
sentence story competition for
sixth form students and a massive
second-hand book sale. Year-VI
students created video diaries of a
day in the life of the book character
they were dressed as, created movie
trailers of their favourite story and
created quizzes on literature.
One of the highlights of the
day was a visit of accomplished
children’s author Kay Woodward.
She has written over 150 children’s
books, published in three
countries. Writing both fiction and
non-fiction, she is published by
Puffin, Scholastic, Andersen Press
and Wayland to name a few. Her
latest book entitled What would
she do? (Carlton Books, 2018),
includes real-life stories of 25
inspirational women who changed
the world.
Kay visited the West Bay
campus of Doha College on World
Book Day 2018, where she spoke
about writing and answered
many questions from inquisitive
students. “It was great to meet
children and teachers so amazingly
enthusiastic about books,’ she said,
adding, ‘I had a smashing time.’
Some year groups had a shared
theme like “How to Train your
Dragon”, some classes enjoyed
special sessions such as Year-I
reading books in a make-shift
tent using torches, while others
held ‘extreme reading’ photo
competitions. Pupils particularly
enjoyed DEAR – Drop Everything
And Read, which all staff and
students did at periodic intervals.

Best Buddies
Village opens
in Gulf Mall
B
est Buddies Qatar
celebrates Best Buddies
International Month
along with 60 chapters
around the world in
March.
In connection to the celebrations
of the International Month, Best
Buddies Qatar Village was recently
opened in Gulf Mall, where Best
Buddies Qatar’s members and
visitors could enjoy different
activities such as colouring, story-
telling, collecting puzzles, memory
games, and question mazes.
On the day of opening
ceremony Best Buddies Qatar
Executive Director Laalei Abu
Alfain said, “Best Buddies Qatar
holds numerous activities across
the country in March every year.
We are very glad to bring joy
to the organisation’s members
and involve more children and
their families to our event. Best
Buddies Qatar Village is a great
event where any child can play
games and do art. Meanwhile, the
community can learn about Best
Buddies Qatar mission to enhance
and improve life of people with
and without intellectual and
developmental disabilities
through social integration
and one-to-one long lasting
meaningful friendships. We
express appreciation to Gulf Mall
management.”
Mohammed Mournir Shahin,
Administration Manager of
Gulf Mall, said, “As Gulf Mall
management, we do believe that
its part of our social corporate
responsibly to support Best
Buddies Qatar empowering people
with and without intellectual and
Monday, March 5, 2018 GULF TIMES 7
COMMUNITY
developmental disabilities giving
them the opportunities to be
even particles of our community
development. Gulf Mall mission is
similar in terms of improving life
of people through the experience
we intend to give them. And we
are looking forward to host more
events of Best Buddies Qatar and
have a positive feedback from out
visitors.”
Ibrahim al-Bashri , a famous
Qatari story-teller was invited to
hold reading classes in Best Buddies
Qatar Village. Children listened to
his reading with great excitement
and curiosity. He said, “I see no they are all even to me and it is The mission of the organisation
difference between people with really fun to see them joyful. I think is to enhance life of people with
and without disabilities. It is my your organisation does a great job and without intellectual and
great pleasure to be invited by for the community in Qatar.” developmental disabilities though
Best Buddies Qatar to this event to Best Buddies Qatar is a social integration and one-to-
contribute to their mission. I enjoy governmental non-profitable one long lasting meaningful
communicating with all children, organisation, established in 2008. friendships.
Former Qatar resident dies in India
Obituary
Philip Mathew, a former long-time Doha resident,
recently passed away at Ernakulam in Kerala, India. He
was 57. Philip Mathew remained the chief operating
officer of Landmark Mall and Business Trading
Company from 1995 to 2017.
He was the son of the late P P Mathew, who was
based in Florida, US. Philip Mathew is survived by his
wife Khairiya Abdulrahman Juma al-Bulushi and their
daughters Sara, Susan, and Sherin. Reena and Reggie
are his siblings.
The funeral prayers will be held on March 6 at
Elamkulam Mar Thoma Church Parish Hall, Ernakulam,
from 9.30am. The funeral will take place at Puthen
Kurishu cemetery at 12 noon.
8 GULF TIMES Monday, March 5, 2018

COMMUNITY

Mövenpick celebrates 70
years of culinary innovation
M
övenpick Hotels & Resorts
is kick-starting 2018 with a
burst of gastronomic vision
and flavour as its parent
company, the Mövenpick
Group, celebrates seven decades of culinary
excellence and innovation.
To mark the company’s 70th anniversary,
its Food & Beverage Director Europe Thomas
Hollenstein and his team of chefs have
unveiled a menu of seven remarkable dishes
that marry the old with the new – popular
classics and guest favourites reimagined for
the modern palate, inspired by cuisines and
gastronomy trends from around the world.
The ‘70 years of culinary excellence’
promotion, available in restaurants at all
Mövenpick properties globally from March
10 to April 20, introduces seven inventive
dishes that pay tribute to Ueli Prager, who
when founding the Mövenpick brand in
1948, redefined the European restaurant
scene and paved the way for a new style
of modern hospitality, based on a simple
premise: ‘doing normal things in an
extraordinary manner’.
Just as Prager introduced diners to
unpretentious cuisine with a twist, such as
curry-based Riz Casimir – a first in Europe
– so 70 years on, Mövenpick chefs have
created an inspiring menu of uncomplicated
but surprising creations, all of which use
fresh, authentic and health-promoting
ingredients.
They include: Scallops & avocado tartare
- a reinvention of Mövenpick’s popular
beef tartare, influenced by Mediterranean
cuisine; salade belle fermière - a lively
interpretation of Salade François, made
famous in the 1948 American musical film,
Easter Parade; mille feuille saumon & caviar
d’olive - a savoury take combining delicate
smoked salmon, puff pastry and golden olive a new restaurant concept: a sophisticated à la carte - a refreshing alternative to founded on a commitment to service,
caviar; mushrooms and vegetables Zurich yet relaxed place where guests could sample conventional set menus and the first of authenticity, culinary excellence and
style - a meat-free version of Zurich-style dishes at affordable prices – the name for many Mövenpick innovations. innovation, and in 2018 we celebrate these
veal that pairs aromatic root vegetables which came when he least expected. Twenty-five years later, in 1973, Prager values and our rich heritage in the way we
and smoky Shitake mushrooms; seafood As he strolled the shores of Lake capitalised on the brand’s reputation for know best – by treating our guests around
Casimir - a medley of steamed seafood, Zurich with a friend and considered the quality food, affordability, staff training the world to an inspiring gastronomic
fish and salicornia (sea asparagus), and an possibilities, a seagull (or Möwe in German), standards and innovation by opening the experience,” said Olivier Chavy.
assortment of citrus fillets, paired with swooped down to skilfully pick up food company’s first two hotels. This marked “The ‘70 years of culinary excellence’
wild rice; bare beef burger Café de Paris – a mid-flight. That one elegant movement the official launch of Mövenpick Hotels promotion is a fitting tribute to Ueli Prager
prime beef cut paired with crispy ultra- encapsulated his idea and so ‘Mövenpick’ & Resorts and today, his values penetrate who was truly ahead of his time when he
thin parmesan-dusted fries; and carrot (Möwe pick) - and Europe’s first casual every aspect of Mövenpick Group’s founded our company, and we continue
waffle - a quirky reinterpretation of classic dining experience - was born. business, including Mövenpick Gastronomy, to build on his legacy with experimental
Swiss carrot cake. These dishes not only Prager’s first restaurant, Claridenhof, Mövenpick Wine and Mövenpick Fine cuisine and new concepts that keep his
take inspiration from Prager’s visionary opened in Zurich in July 1948, offering Foods. original vision in mind – doing normal
approach to cuisine, but his original idea for simple dishes that could be ordered “Mövenpick’s story is astonishing, things in an extraordinary manner.”

Warwick Doha welcomes Andrea

Guidi as new Italian chef de Cuisine
Warwick Doha has warmly announced the appointment of
Andrea Guidi as the new Italian Chef de Cuisine of the Italian
Restaurant, Carisma. In his position, Chef Andrea will be at
the helm of the Italian culinary and stewarding team for
the restaurant and supporting operation in other food and
beverage outlets, banqueting and outdoor catering.
Chef Andrea, an Italian national, has over seven years of
culinary and pastry experience working in fine dining
restaurants in 4 and 5 star hotels in Italy, France and US.
Chef Andrea also carries the experience of working in three
different 1 and 2 star Michelin restaurants.
It is his first time to work in Middle East. Chef Andrea is
enthusiastic of his role at hotel Warwick Doha, and glad to
work hand in hand with the culinary and food & beverage
teams of Carisma to deliver the best Italian cuisine.
“My expectation is to improve our cuisine, proposing new
Italian dishes with a modern yet classical and international
touch. I will take inspiration to mix the Arabic and the Italian
cuisine. It is an honour to join hotel Warwick Doha and
looking forward to share all my experience and deliver my
passion for food to our guests. In my new capacity, I will be
overseeing Carisma, our Italian restaurant and will showcase
my extensive knowledge of food preparation, with the best
quality ingredients and contemporary Italian cuisines to
express my talent and passion in order to enhance the
dining experience for all guests. One of my intentions is to
continue the promotion “Giro d’Italia”, where each month, an
Italian region will be chosen with its best dishes, to show that
Italy is not only pasta and pizza.” said Chef Andrea.
“We are pleased to have appointed such a young and
talented Italian chef for our Carisma, Italian Restaurant. He
will add the special Italian touch with his rich experience
across Italy with some of the finest restaurants and chefs
(such as Chef Enrico Bartolini) he has worked for. Guests
will be delighted to talk and share experiences with him
and it will be our pleasure to try out and create new dishes
and menus,” said Marco Saxer, General Manager of Warwick
Doha.
The Carisma Italian Restaurant is situated at the Ground
Floor, open from 6:30pm to 11:30pm daily.
 Monday, March 5, 2018 GULF TIMES 9

The Melting Pot Doha is formally open now
Al Amthal Hospitality is proud to announce the official opening of The Melting Pot Doha. The
company now operates four brands; The Melting Pot Doha, Zahr El Laymoun, Cantina Laredo and
Café Blanc.
The Melting Pot Doha offers guests a delicious menu of cheese and chocolate fondue, as well as
an additional Doha specific all-day breakfast selection. With currently 119 global restaurants, the
COMMUNITY
opening of The Melting Pot Doha will take the number to 120.
Located in Shoumoukh Towers, Al Sadd, The Melting Pot hosted a grand opening event recently
with hundreds of VIP guests and influencers in attendance. The evening commenced with an
official ribbon-cutting by a senior commercial representative of the US embassy and Al Amthal
Hospitality, followed by a formal and tasty dinner.

Banana Island Resort Doha redefines

the business meeting experience
B
anana Island Resort
Doha by Anantara
announces to re-
establish the all-
inclusive business
meetings packages at the iconic
island resort. The new all-inclusive
food and beverage package for
meetings of minimum 10 delegates
can be set up either for a half-day
or a full-day. The packages are
designed in recognition of the
growing importance of taking
time between meetings to unwind
and thereby enhance the meeting
experience for delegates.
At Banana Island Resort Doha
by Anantara, delegates can soak
in breath-taking views of the
azure blue waters, enjoy a game of
bowling as well as two-way luxury
boat transfers. Meeting organisers
can now book the package at the
resort, which includes use of the
meeting room at no additional cost.
The meeting rooms are equipped
with Internet access (Wi-Fi), flip
chart and markers, plasma screen
with audio and visual, Anantara
stationery and bottled water. The
meetings can be interspersed with
coffee breaks and delegates can also
enjoy the scrumptious lunch buffet
at Azraq Restaurant complemented
with water and one round of soft
drinks.
Thomas Fehlbier, Area General
Manager for Qatar, said, “We look
forward to welcoming customers
to experience this new way of
business meetings at Banana Island
Resort Doha by Anantara. With
Qatar transforming into a unique
business and leisure destination,
we are reinforcing our commitment
with this new concept that include
everything any corporation may
require to conduct effective
meetings, incentive trips, or team
building activities. We too believe
innovative meeting spaces like this
will inspire the mind and provide
a perfect blend of business and
leisure.”
Interested participants in a multi-
day conferences and meetings can
receive special group room offer
rates. While the half-day package is
being offered at QR275 per person
during weekdays and QR325 during
weekends. The full-day meeting
package will cost QR330 per person
during weekdays and QR380 on
weekends, inclusive of an afternoon
coffee break.
10 GULF TIMES Monday, March 5, 2018

COMMUNITY INFOGRAPHIC
 Monday, March 5, 2018 GULF TIMES 11

LIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE
Highly restorative night cream
important before beauty sleep
S
leep is important for your beauty,
but so is a proper skincare regime.
Use a highly restorative night
cream, which will help moisturise
and protect your skin while you
take rest, say experts.
Swati Kapoor, Co-Founder of SoulTree,
Blossom Kochhar, Chairperson, Blossom
Kochhar Group of Companies, and Pallavi
Mehra, Marketing Manager at VanityCask, have
shared tips:
Face cleansers: Regular skin cleansing at
night is critical to maintaining a healthy skin. A
clean and dirt-free face helps keep pores open
and aids the skin to breathe better. Restore
the skin’s natural balance by using cleansers
made with Ayurvedic ingredients such as aloe
vera, turmeric, honey that leave the skin clean,
hydrated and nourished.
Moisturise: Moisturising should be an
essential step in your night skincare regime. It
helps in repairing your skin, keeping it soft and
prevents it from sagging. Apply a cream that has
natural and nourishing ingredients like kokum
butter and honey, especially for hands and feet
before going to sleep at night.
Under eye gel: The area under the eyes
is the first to show signs of ageing. Apply an
under-eye gel every night before going to bed
to reduce puffiness, wrinkles and dark circles
under the eyes.
Lip balms: An effective lip balm keeps
moisture in and protects lips from dryness
and cracking. Pick a lip balm that is made with
COMMUNITY
natural ingredients such as ghee and almond
oil, that will help heal, condition and keep your
lips soft and supple.
Dark circles: Dark circles make your skin
tone look uneven. Avacado and almonds are
not only good for your health but for your eyes
too, apply their oils and wake up with puffy-
less eyes and reduced dark circle; with regular
application, say bye-bye to them.
Sleep on silk pillow: A silk night suit is an
excellent choice but a silk pillowcase will be
even better. Silk is easier on your face and your
hair, as it reduces split ends and gives you a
crease-free face in the morning.
Let your skin breathe in and breathe
out: One mistake most people make is
sleeping with their make-up on. Not only is
it unhealthy for your skin but there is a big
chance that it might lead to breakouts and
skin dehydration. It is extremely essential to
remove your make-up before sleeping for a
rejuvenated skin.
CTM process: After you are done with
cleansing and toning, use a light moisturiser
for nourishment, then use nourishing serum
and a night cream post that. For night, you need
products with more nourishing ingredient and
no SPF involved.
Pamper your hands and feet: Beauty is
not only about your face. It is achieved when
the entire body feels great. Give your hands and
feet the care they deserve by moisturising them
before hitting the bed. Nourishment is essential
for a happy and healthy body. — IANS

ARIES
March 21 — April 19
TAURUS
April 20 — May 20
GEMINI
May 21 — June 20

Sudden changes in your situation could occur today, Aries. If you’re
currently committed to someone, expect some surprising propositions
from your partner. If you’re involved but not committed, a marriage
proposal might be in the picture. If you aren’t currently involved, you could
meet someone new and exciting under unusual circumstances.
As the world economy continues to boom, Taurus, don’t be surprised if
you’re surrounded by new work possibilities. More than one chance to
increase your income could come your way today. The problem will be
wading through all these opportunities and trying to decide which is the
most appealing and workable for you. List your options and outline the
pros and cons of each.
You should be feeling especially creative at this time. Social events
could put you in touch with some exciting new people, Gemini. Contact
with those in interesting professions could open up new personal and
intellectual avenues to explore today. New friends could come your way,
and your romantic situation should intensify.

CANCER
June 21 — July 22
LEO
July 23 — August 22
VIRGO
August 23 — September 22

One or more exciting new people could come into your life today, perhaps
through friends or group activities of some kind. They might actually visit
you in your home. Expect to be inspired and motivated by your contact
with these people and others, Cancer, and to have a lot of new possibilities
for your future running through your head. You might also begin to
contemplate a move.
Today is likely to prove very busy, Leo, and full of interesting, unusual
developments. You might find yourself having to run a lot of errands in
your neighbourhood, perhaps also making a few short visits. A lot of letters
and phone calls, some with intriguing news, could also be on your agenda
at this time. It could take some time for you to process all the information
and make sense of it.
Opportunities to increase your income by working out of your home could
well present themselves today. There might be more than one, and you
could be tempted to take them all on. Think about this carefully before you
commit, Virgo. You’re feeling energetic today, but that could flag on future
days. Consider the situation honestly and objectively before making any
firm decisions. You don’t want to regret it later.

LIBRA
September 23 — October 22
SCORPIO
October 23 — November 21
SAGITTARIUS
November 22 — December 21

Paperwork regarding financial matters may need to be executed at some
point today, Libra. You’re in the mood for some adventure. You might
be tempted to participate in challenging sports, such as river rafting or
downhill skiing, or you might decide to attend a group meeting and see
what opportunities for contacts — not to mention partners! — come your
way.
Today, Scorpio, a subject that particularly interests you could cause you to
delve into obscure sources to shed more light on it. Your intuition should
help, but today you’re more inclined to search for solid evidence. You
might find what you seek in an unusual place and in an unconventional
way. You might want to carry a notebook and pen with you today, even if
it’s just to the corner store!
Today should find you continuing to work toward cherished career and
other goals. Personal matters may come to the forefront, Sagittarius. If
you’re currently involved, unexpected events could bring you that much
closer to your partner. If you aren’t involved, you could meet someone
exciting, perhaps through some kind of group activities. Also, a longtime
friend could suddenly appear to you in a new light.

CAPRICORN
December 22 — January 19
AQUARIUS
January 20 — February 18
PISCES
February 19 — March 20

A lot of effort, energy, and enthusiasm that you’ve put into various
business or personal projects in the past could finally pay off today. Don’t
be surprised if you receive some unexpected praise or acknowledgement
for your work. Friends are likely to be very proud of you for this,
Capricorn, so don’t be surprised if you receive a lot of compliments and
congratulations. Go out and celebrate tonight!
Unexpected communications from people far away could open up new
opportunities regarding career, education, travel, or other broadening
experiences. As a result, Aquarius, new friendships could develop, as well
as new ideas and possibly exciting new goals. Modern technology could
play a major role in this development. A trip by air could be on the horizon,
probably to a place you’ve never been before.
Career and business continue to play a powerful role in your life now,
as new ideas, new people, and considerations as mundane as modern
equipment open up new doors for you, Pisces. In addition, friendships
could intensify. If you’re currently committed to someone, expect to grow
closer. If you’re involved but not exclusive, a proposal could be on the
horizon.
12 GULF TIMES Monday, March 5, 2018

COMMUNITY CARTOONS/PUZZLES
Wordsearch Adam

Pooch Cafe
Tinker, Tailor
ARTIST DOCTOR SAILOR
AUTHOR DRAPER SINGER
BANKER EDITOR TAILOR
BARBER FARMER TINKER
BROKER JOCKEY TRADER
CABBIE LAWYER WAITER
COWBOY MILLER WELDER
CUTLER PORTER WRITER

Codeword
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.
Puzzles courtesy: Puzzlechoice.com

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
Super Cryptic Clues
ACROSS
1. Knocks when one’s not there
(9)
8. It’s a sign there’s a number left
out (7)
9. He got up to go to a doctor (7)
10. Fish inside, then scatter seeds
about for the bird (7)
13. In the certificate, is called mad
(8)
14. According to the Cockney,
he didn’t have eggs alone for
breakfast (4)
16. Taking it may make baby cry,
but keep talking (6,4)
20. In case you don’t stop a
second going through (4)
22. She came back in a sorry state
(4)
24. Call again (10)
28. Aim to load a number into the
vessel (4)
29. Such a suspicion as you have
that someone’s an informer?
(8)
31. Because one asks, vetoes it (7)
34. To do with a stain produced by
wine (7)
35. He’s taken beer and not a
cocktail in it (7)
36. Needs to adjust the
instrument in it to have it
raised in tone (9)
Yesterday’s Solutions
Across: 3 Hack writer; 8
Manage; 9 Ewer; 10 Jam session;
11 Rap; 13 Hill; 14 Shingle; 15 Neat;
17 Snaps; 20 Liner; 22 Sort; 24
Realise; 25 Mole; 27 Ash; 28 Holy
orders; 29 Idle; 30 Eleven; 31
Right dress.
Monday, March 5, 2018 GULF TIMES 13
COMMUNITY
Colouring
DOWN
1. Is he shutting up shop and
about to go on a cruise? (7)
2. The hairless animal is put
outside for show (7)
3. The shade is black and badly
worn (5)
4. The girl with the funny ears (7)
5. Putting them the wrong way
round weakens the springs (4)
6. Make it fuse, causing a furore
(4)
7. In the beginning we stood up
for him (7)
11. Member of the team with
whom the president had a row
(6)
12. The city is in order again?
Quite the contrary! (4)
15. A note’s been added to it,
lamentably (4)
17. Since having a shot at it (3)
18. Coming back with a permit to
seize the creature (4)
19. Made, one was told, the first
fifty leave (6)
21. Tear off with “4” to get a book
(3) Answers
22. The villain has the bird in a
panic (7) Wordsearch Codeword
23. Box I left Paris with, parcelled
up (4)
25. She has a bald patch and no
hair combed round it (7)
26. In the beginning, having a
feeling for teaching (7)
27. Being very mean, he’s raging
mad over the figure (7)
30. Play the prima donna and get
an award - about time, too (3,2)
32. The upshot for the cricketers
(4)
33. When one hears the word
“confiscate,” catches on (4)
Down: 1 Vacation; 2 Damsel;
3 Hessian; 4 Chair; 5 Wren; 6
Tarragon; 7 Reappear; 12 Till;
14 Star; 16 Erse; 17 Streamer; 18
Abashing; 19 Slip; 21 Enlarged; 23
Thrones; 25 Madder; 26 Place;
28 Held.
14 GULF TIMES Monday, March 5, 2018
COMMUNITY
The death of an icon
T
he shock of Sridevi’s became an actress. ‘To refer to
death is still being felt all of us as mere fans would be a
across the industry. disservice to her. When the news
Numerous shoots were first broke of her passing, I was
postponed. People cried immobilised. All I could do then
on live television. Priyanka Chopra was listen to songs from her films,
did an article in the international revisit her interviews and watch
news magazine Time that Sridevi her iconic scenes over and over
was a major reason why she again,’ she wrote.
Can he do it again?
Imran Khan’s fall has been one of
the most spectacular in Bollywood in
recent times. He started with a bang
in the 2008 superhit movie Jaane Tu
Ya Jaane Na. For about three years, he
managed to just about hang on with an
occasional hit even though the flops
still outnumbered. And then, all the
movies began to tank until slowly there
were just no takers for him anywhere.
His last movie was Katti Batti! was in
2015 and that, too, did dismally at the
box office.
But he might get a second
chance now, though it is his family,
particularly his uncle Aamir Khan,
who is helping him out. Aamir,
UNCERTAINTY: Fallen stars incidentally, was also instrumental
like Imran Khan have a hard in launching him with Jaane Tu. This
time resuscitating career. time, he has reportedly offered Imran
Winning combo
which were big hits. The two movies and Sonu Ke
A surprise hit has been the recently released Sonu Titu Ki Sweety were all by the same director Luv
Ke Titu Ki Sweety. It was made at a low budget with Ranjan. They are all of the same genre of romantic
relatively new actors. But the movie has raced to comedy. And the combination seems to always get
Rs50 crore in collections and, for the budget and its magic correct in the box office, so chances are
absence of big stars, that is a very good showing. there will probably be a sequel to Sonu Ke Titu Ki
The main actors of the movie have appeared Sweety. After all, why would anyone not keep a good
together in Pyar Ka Panchnama and its sequel, thing going?
Shah Rukh returned from
Sridevi’s funeral and tweeted,
‘How can one not just feel love
& beauty & be grateful for a life
that became a part of yours in
some small way by making it
prettier....isn’t it just easier to
feel love & give towards that life,
even in death...the comfort of
a role in the mega-venture around the
mythology Mahabharata that Aamir
is planning. It is said to be a project
spanning five movies and Aamir might
set aside a decade exclusively to work
on it. And because the story has such
a wide range of strong characters, it
might not be too difficult to fit Imran
in somewhere.
Whether that will resuscitate his
career as a star is, of course another
question altogether. Unless someone
shows that he has the ability to draw
in a substantial initial audience,
Bollywood really has no sympathy for
any fallen star. And in Imran’s case that
point might have long since passed.
Working with Aamir, he might be part
of a huge blockbuster again but there
might not be enough credit given to
him unless he pulls off an incredible
performance.
appreciation and gratitude.’
Sridevi was even accorded a
state funeral, an honour that few
get unless they have done yeomen
service to the country. Whether
Sridevi, as an actress and not
someone involved in public issues,
should have been given one was
also a topic of discussion in social
DECLINE: Sonakshi Sinha.
BOLLYWOOD
media but it was argued that she
had received the Padma Shri,
a government award, and that
entitled her for consideration.
Most probably, the government
saw the level of public sympathy
and decided to accord her the
state funeral. This was all amidst
a really shameful display by the
media, especially of the regional
languages, which went into
overdrive speculating on the
nature of the death. They had
animations of her dead body
in a bathtub and one television
reporter even went into a bathtub
while talking about the death.
One Bollywood insider who also
made controversial comments
at such a sensitive time was Ram
Gopal Varma. While saying that
he was deeply affected by the
death, he wrote an open letter to
her fans revealing some aspects
of Sridevi’s life that he thought
they should know. He said that
she had been unhappy, betrayed
and robbed by many who had been
close to her. He wrote that her
father handled all her finances
and when he died the people he
had entrusted the money with,
didn’t give it back to Sridevi and
on top of that her mother made
terrible investments.
He added, ‘…and all those
mistakes combined made her
almost penniless by the time
Boney came into her life. He
himself was in huge debts and all
he could afford was to give her a
shoulder to cry on…So in effect
the woman desired by millions in
the world was all alone and almost
penniless in the world except for
one Boney.’
Run of flops
Sonakshi Sinha is now acquiring
the reputation of an actress who is
unable to deliver a hit, no matter
what she tries. Her latest movie
Welcome to New York has flopped
badly in the box office, registering
not even a whimper. What makes
it worse for Sonakshi is that she
has had four flops — Akira, Force
2, Noor and Ittefaq — just before
this. They were either movies in
which she herself was the central
character or had a big A-list male
star opposite. With a total of five
movies that has not even recovered
their money, Sonakshi’s career
might just be on terminal decline.
The silver lining is that her next
is almost certain to be a huge
blockbuster. This is because it is the
third edition of the Salman Khan
franchise Dabangg. The industry
will expect it to make a minimum
of Rs 200crore but Salman will
walk away with all the accolades.
Sonakshi might just get a short
lifeline but after that she will once
again have to come out with some
winners to stay in the running.
Send your feedback to
bollywood.eye@gmail.com

HOLLYWOOD
Why the Oscars have lost
their mojo and relevance
By Jeffrey Fleishman
D
o the Oscars matter
anymore?
The question is
sacrilege in this town,
where image and myth
have so subsumed reality that red
carpet scrutiny over what Margot
Robbie wore on Sunday night
will be as intense as coverage of
how the Russians interfered with
US elections. It will all get rather
breathless as media, studios and
stars play assigned roles in what
in essence is a marketing event
dressed up in glamour to celebrate
the art of film and ponder who rates
a ticket to Vanity Fair’s after-party.
That’s not to suggest that
movies shouldn’t be recognised.
The industry, after all, has been
handing out prizes for months. Is
anyone fatigued? But this year’s
awards come amid rising oceans,
sexual abuse scandals and slain
schoolchildren. Our country
is divided; our president is a
Twitter fiend. Our immigrants feel
unwelcome and our working poor
can’t afford healthcare.
The Oscars seem insignificant
amid the clamour. But they roll
along in sequins and swag, offering
rehearsed outrage but mostly
escape for the collective soul.
We have followed them for 89
years, through wars, race riots,
recessions, assassinations and
other cruelties that have tested
our national will. The Academy
Awards remind us that films can
inspire and at times shine wisdom
on how we live. Yet despite our
insatiable need to conflate, most
films are not “monumental”
or “landmark” or anything
approaching “genius.”
The Oscars face a number of
problems over their relevance.
They are not hip or clever enough
to draw in the young, and they
don’t honour enough blockbuster
titles to entice the popcorn set. The
show’s political asides, less brave
than long overdue, and moments
of industry self-deprecation, more
calculated than pure, fail to capture,
even though they will jab at them,
the deeper currents of our visceral
#hashtag times.
The American audience for the
Oscars has steadily fallen, from
46.3 million in 2000 to about 32.9
million last year. More than 103
million watched the Super Bowl.
The Academy of Motion Picture
Arts and Sciences estimates
worldwide Oscar viewership
at several hundred million. But
consider that 3.2 billion watched
the last monthlong World Cup
soccer tournament.
The ceremony’s three-plus
hours can feel as soul-depleting
and exhausting as traffic on the
10. The show bobs along on an
air of predictability, a shrug of
insouciance. If things don’t veer
off-script — last year, Warren
Beatty opened the wrong envelope
in exciting live TV drama that made
the Oscars fallible and human — the
awards are forgettable: Who won
lead actor two years ago? Does
anyone remember The Artist?
The decline in viewership is in
part a symptom of an atomised
entertainment universe that has
grown from a handful of channels
to Netflix, Amazon, YouTube
and endless other streaming
possibilities. Technology has
allowed us to be varied and
adventurous in our tastes, and there
are fewer movies, Black Panther
aside, that rise to a shared cultural
moment.
To be sure, though, movie
stars and those in the glow of the
paparazzi still fascinate in their
Teslas, Champagne and pearls.
Shows like the once mocked
Monday, March 5, 2018
COMMUNITY
Golden Globes have fed a seasonal
hype driven by horse race odds,
speculation and a flood of ads and
stories about who’s in the running.
But by Oscar night, how much
more can be said of Jordan Peele’s
zeitgeist, Meryl Streep’s undeniable
Streep-ness or Gary Oldman’s
Winston Churchill makeup and fat
suit?
There has been a shift too in the
cult of celebrity. Selfies, Instagram
and YouTube have made us our own
celebrities; the real ones posing
beside us at film premieres and
restaurants have become extras in
our videoed romans a clef. They
don’t seem as otherworldly as they
once did.
President Trump is another
matter all together. He will
inevitably be lampooned by Oscar
host Jimmy Kimmel and others, a
safe target for Hollywood’s liberal
persuasions. But Trump, a former
reality show star, is — like many
who will collect statuettes inside
the Dolby Theatre — a celebrity.
They may disdain the man and
be repelled by his politics, but
he, like them, was made by the
entertainment industry. And his
base is as dismissive of Hollywood
as Hollywood is of him.
Political and social causes will
GULF TIMES 15
be voiced — Kimmel has been quite
outspoken on his late night talk
show — between song numbers and
acceptance speeches. This is, after
all, an era of reckoning: #MeToo,
#TimesUp, #OscarsSoWhite and
#NeverAgain, which arose after the
recent school shooting in Florida
that killed 17 students and staff.
Some are reminders of Hollywood’s
failings over the years at diversity
and stopping alleged sexual
predators.
ABC and the producers would
prefer a night that doesn’t stray too
far from glorifying the art of film
and showcasing beautiful stars.
But if the Oscars really want to be
relevant, perhaps someone might
address criticism of on-screen gun
violence in wake of the recent mass
shootings in Parkland, Florida, and
other places.
Don’t count on it. The Oscars live
in a tricky no-man’s land between
the real and the imagined. They
aspire to be topical but are careful
— some would say timid — in what
they choose as a cause and how
they offend.
That leaves them a few steps
— and a degree of courage — be-
hind the times to which they are
speaking. — Los Angeles Times/
TNS
16 GULF TIMES Monday, March 5, 2018
COMMUNITY
Nepali community will enjoy two
musical performances next Friday
ACTRESS: Niruta Singh
COMEDIAN: Jeetu Nepal.
By Usha Wagle Gautam
N
epali community is going
to enjoy performances by
different artistes from their
country on March 9. The
prominent performers include
comedian actor Jeetu Nepal, actress Niruta
Singh, actor and dancer Shankar BC and
pop singer Anil Singh.
The performers will share the stage next
Friday when the programme titled ‘Kumari
Boom Super Star Night’ will be held. The
list of artistes includes actress Sarika
Ghimire and Anu Shah, musician Rajan
Raj Siwakoti, singer Yubaraj Chaulagain,
pop singer Angila Regmi, Bhojpuri and
Mahitili singer Selina Kunwr and Santosh
Raj, Nepali folk singer Debika K C and Rit
Kumar Shrestha. Naresh Bhatterai will host
POP SINGER: Anil Singh
the programme.
The musical programme organised by
Kumari Bank and Boom Remit will be held
in Asian Town, Sanaiya. The programme
will kick off at 4pm on March 9.
Shankar B C is the most popular model,
who has been appearing in hundreds of
folk music videos. He is an artiste, singer,
choreographer and dance teacher.
Jeetu Nepal is very popular among the
TV audience in Nepal where he is the actor,
writer and director of the popular comedy
show Jire Khursani (Hot Chilies). He has
also acted in 2013 comedy feature Chha
Ekan Chha, Chnaka Panja 1 and Chanka
Panja 2.
Niruta Singh was introduced in Nepali
film industry by noted director Tulsi
Ghimire in a 1993 movie Dakshina. The
success of the movie helped her to get
the position of one of the top actresses
in the industry. Along with being a very
ACTRESS: Anu Shah
good actress, she is also a singer. She
first officially recorded the title track for
director Deepak Raymajhi’s NTV family
drama series Vansha and later she sang for a
music album titled Deepshikha. Anil Singh
is a pop singer. His first album was titled
Gayak and included the single Prem Patra.
Anu Shah is an actress of potential in
Nepali movie industry. She debuted in
the movie The Yug Dekhi Yug Samma.
Apart from acting in movies, she is also a
successful model and music video actress.
Santosh Raj is a music director, composer
and singer in Nepal music industry and
in Bhojpuri film/music industry. He has
composed more than 400 Maithili, Bhojpuri,
Nepali and Hindi songs in last 10 years. He is
founder of Sraj Productions Pvt. Ltd.
Similarly, there will be a separate musical
programme on March 9 at Al Dana driving
school. Two top Nepali TV comedian
actors Arjun Ghimire (Panda) and Kumar
Katal (Jigri) are coming to Qatar for the
programme. Nepali local artistes Nabaraj
Shrestha and Rym K lama will also perform
at the programme.
Kumar Katel and Arjun Ghimire are
the writers of Nepali top comedy serial
Bhadragol (Unmanaged). It is one of the
most viewed Nepali television programme
and both Ghimire and Katel are in main
roles. The show revolves around the daily
happenings of a village in Nepal. Katel plays
a young crook who, along with his fellows
Bale and Cockroach, commits petty crimes.
Ghimire , one of the central characters of
the serial, is the most cunning man in the
entire village. He is expert in befooling and
cheating the villagers with his funny ideas.
According to programme co-ordinator
Deepak Gautam, the programme is totally
for the social cause related to street and
orphan children in Nepal. The programme
will start from 12pm.