D 16 C—24 C TODAY LIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE PUZZLES II for …

DOHA 16°C—24°C TODAY PUZZLES 12 & 13D LIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE 11L P

Thursday, December 14, 2017Rabia I 26, 1439 AH

CommunityBangladeshi ambassador’s wife

organises the country’s traditional “Pitha Utsob” to celebrate winter harvest at her house.

P6 P16 CommunityOne team of scientists is hoping to

bring freshly-baked bread to astronauts in space.

I for IdealI for Ideal

COVERSTORY

Ideal Indian School

principal Syed Shoukath

Ali opens up on the array

of ideas that have made

the school tick. P4-5

CANDID: “I believe a good teacher is like the backbone of an institute,” says Syed Shoukath Ali. Photo by Thajudheen

Thursday, December 14, 20172 GULF TIMES

COMMUNITY ROUND & ABOUT

Community EditorKamran Rehmat

e-mail: [email protected]: 44466405

Fax: 44350474

Emergency 999Worldwide Emergency Number 112Kahramaa – Electricity and Water 991Local Directory 180International Calls Enquires 150Hamad International Airport 40106666Labor Department 44508111, 44406537Mowasalat Taxi 44588888Qatar Airways 44496000Hamad Medical Corporation 44392222, 44393333Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation 44845555, 44845464Primary Health Care Corporation 44593333 44593363 Qatar Assistive Technology Centre 44594050Qatar News Agency 44450205 44450333Q-Post – General Postal Corporation 44464444

Humanitarian Services Offi ce (Single window facility for the repatriation of bodies)Ministry of Interior 40253371, 40253372, 40253369Ministry of Health 40253370, 40253364Hamad Medical Corporation 40253368, 40253365Qatar Airways 40253374

USEFUL NUMBERS

Quote Unquote

PRAYER TIMEFajr 4.49amShorooq (sunrise) 6.11amZuhr (noon) 11.28amAsr (afternoon) 2.26pmMaghreb (sunset) 4.48pmIsha (night) 6.18pm

For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for

beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the

knowledge that you are never alone. – Audrey Hepburn

Jeepers Creepers 3 DIRECTION: Victor SalvaCAST: Stan Shaw, Gabrielle Haugh, Brandon SmithSYNOPSIS: A sergeant and his task force embark on a

mission to destroy the Creeper on its last day of feeding. The Creeper soon fi ghts back when they get close to discovering its mysterious and dark origins.

THEATRES: Landmark, Royal Plaza, The Mall

Paddington 2 DIRECTION: Paul

KingCAST: Ben

Whishaw, Hugh Grant, Hugh Bonneville

SYNOPSIS: Settled in with the Brown family, Paddington the bear is a popular member of the community who spreads joy and marmalade wherever he goes. One fi ne day, he spots a pop-up book in an antique shop – the perfect present for his beloved aunt’s 100th birthday. When a thief steals the prized book, Paddington embarks on an epic quest to unmask the culprit before Aunt Lucy’s big celebration.

THEATRES: The Mall

The Mall Cinema (1): Fukrey Returns (Hindi) 3pm; Aman Ya Sahby (Arabic) 5:30pm; Unexpectedly Yours (Tagalog) 7pm; Unexpectedly Yours (Tagalog) 9:15pm; Jeepers Creepers 3 (2D) 11:30pm.The Mall Cinema (2): Paddington 2 (2D) 2:15pm; Coco (2D) 4pm; Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2D) 6pm; Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2D) 8:45pm; Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2D) 11:30pm.The Mall Cinema (3): Punyalan Private Limited (Malayalam) 2pm; The Bachelors (2D) 4:15pm; Sheikh Jackson (Arabic) 6pm; Jeepers Creepers 3 (2D) 7:45pm; Sheikh Jackson (Arabic) 9:30pm; The Killing Of Sacred Deer (2D) 11:30pm.Landmark Cinema (1): Coco (2D) 2:30pm; Coco (2D) 4:15pm; Sheikh Jackson (Arabic) 6:15pm; Jeepers Creepers 3 (2D) 8pm; Sheikh Jackson (Arabic) 9:45pm; Jeepers Creepers 3 (2D) 11:30pm.Landmark Cinema (2): Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2D) 3pm; Star Wars:

The Last Jedi (2D) 5pm; Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2D) 8pm; Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2D) 11pm.Landmark Cinema (3): Aman Ya Sahby (Arabic) 2:30pm; The Bachelors (2D) 4pm; Unexpectedly Yours (Tagalog) 5:45pm; Unexpectedly Yours (Tagalog) 8pm; Aman Ya Sahby (Arabic) 10pm; The Killing Of Sacred Deer (2D) 11:30pm.Royal Palza Cinema Palace (1): Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2D) 3pm; Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2D) 5:45pm; Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2D) 8:30pm; Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2D) 11:15pm.Royal Palza Cinema Palace (2): The Bachelors (2D) 2:30pm; Sheikh Jackson (Arabic) 4:30pm; Unexpectedly Yours (Tagalog) 6:30pm; Unexpectedly Yours (Tagalog) 8:45pm; Jeepers Creepers 3 (2D) 11pm.

Royal Palza Cinema Palace (3): Coco (2D) 2:30pm; Aman Ya Sahby (Arabic) 4:30pm; Jeepers Creepers 3 (2D) 6pm; The Killing Of Sacred Deer (2D) 7:45pm; Sheikh Jackson (Arabic) 9:45pm; Aman Ya Sahby (Arabic) 11:30pm.Asian Town Cinema: Richie (Tamil) 12:30pm; Richie (Tamil) 2:45pm; Richie (Tamil) 5pm; Richie (Tamil) 7:15pm; Richie (Tamil) 9:30pm; Richie (Tamil) 11:45pm; Punyalan (Malayalam) 12:30pm; Punyalan (Malayalam) 3:15pm; Punyalan (Malayalam) 6pm; Punyalan (Malayalam) 8:45pm; Punyalan (Malayalam) 11:30pm; Kodiveeran (Tamil) 1pm; Richie (Tamil) 3:45pm; Kodiveeran (Tamil) 6pm; Richie (Tamil) 8:45pm; Richie (Tamil) 11pm; Punyalan (Malayalam) 1:15am; Punyalan (Malayalam) 1pm; Punyalan (Malayalam) 3:45pm; Furkey Returns (Hindi) 6:30pm; Punyalan (Malayalam) 9:15pm; Punyalan (Malayalam) 12am.

3Thursday, December 14, 2017 GULF TIMES

COMMUNITYROUND & ABOUT

Compiled by Nausheen Shaikh. E-mail: [email protected], Events and timings subject to change

EVENTS

PAW Patrol WHEN: Today – Dec 18TIME: 4-4:30pm; 6:45-7:15pm;

9-9:30pmWHERE: Doha Festival CityIn celebration of Qatar National Day,

tech savvy Ryder and his heroic puppies will welcome everyone to Adventure Bay at Doha Festival City. The plucky rescue pups are set to have the whole family entertained at the Middle Eastern premiere of “PAW Patrol - The Big Show Rescue!” But that’s not all, visit the whole PAW Patrol town on the first floor, with games, activities and photo opportunities. PAW Patrol is an action-adventure preschool series, with a unique blend of problem solving skills, cool vehicles and physical humour, as they work together on high-stakes rescue missions to protect the Adventure Bay community. Each pup brings a unique personality and skill to the team, modelling the importance of teamwork and good citizenship. Entry is free.

See fireworks from the seaWHERE: 32 Al Khaleej St.WHEN: Dec 18TIME: 7pm-9pmSee the colourful skies of Qatar and

enjoy the National Day. Be there with your family and be a part of the rich heritage and culture of the country. Limited seats and space. Book yours now at: +974 5000 8830 or +974 5000 8820.

Qatar National Day mangroves and flamingo kayaking

WHERE: Al ThakiraWHEN: Dec 11-18TIME: 10am-2pmAquasports Qatar will take you

through the network of channels that have been carved out by tidal action. The area supports a lot of birdlife including flamingos. This tour is aimed at spending some time with the flamingos in a beautiful setting next to a mangrove beach island.

Wakrah Sports ClubWHERE: Wakrah ClubWHEN: Dec 18The Wakrah Sports Club will host shows,

march-pasts and cultural performances by students of MES Indian School, Pakistan International School Qatar, Bhavan’s Public School, DPS-Modern Indian School, Pak Shamaa School, and SIS. A musical concert by famous Pakistani artists will be staged from 6pm until 9pm. Musicians and performers include Rauf Lala, Karan Khan,

Nilo, Deeba Kiran, Laila Nihal, Shama Adil, Soukat Mehmood, Kashmal, Shahid Ali Khan, Bul Bul, Attaullah, Gullai and Khan Zeb. The Harley Davidson Riders will also display their shows at the venue.

Cricket MatchWHERE: Cricket Stadium Asian TownWHEN: Dec 18The cricket stadium in Asian Town

will host a mega cricket tournament with participation of international players from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and India. The players include Misbah-ul-Haq, Umer Gul, Wahab Riaz, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Butt, Abdul Razzaq and Fawad Alam from Pakistan; Dilhara Fernando and Jeevan Mendis from Sri Lanka; Elias Sunny, Inam-ul-Haq and Ashraful from Bangladesh; and Lakshmipathy Balaji and Badrinath from India.

Secret Village at the SealineWHERE: Sealine BeachWHEN: Dec 22TIME: 2pm365 Adventures-have announced their

special event for families, individuals, expats, children and friends. Inclusions in the event: Pick-up and Drop-off facility from Doha, one-hour dune bashing, camel riding for additional QR20 per person, camping at the Inland Sea, sunset experience at the Inland Sea, secret Santa gifts distribution, meet and greet with Santa, BBQ dinner with Mediterranean appetisers, camping tents with LED lights and music.

Amazing African CircusWHERE: Hyatt PlazaWHEN: Jan 8-21TIME: 5:30pmFrom January 8 to 21, the Amazing

African Circus will be at Hyatt Plaza food court area starting from 5:30pm. Bring your friends and family and come enjoy the show. Entry is free.

Gold Workshop For Teachers WHERE: Marriott MarquisWHEN: Jan 17This one-day workshop will be about

English, Math, Science, Social Studies, History, ICT and new technologies for your classroom. Part of workshop will include working through a selection of new resources and materials relevant to Early Years up to University teaching environment.

Remote-controlled car racing track at Asipire

WHERE: Aspire ParkWHEN: Thu, Fri, SatTIME: 4pm-10pmAspire Zone Foundation has created a

custom-made track specially designed for remote-control car racing, for car lovers across Doha.

Interested motorsport enthusiasts living in Qatar 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 ZoneWHEN: DailyTIME: 7pm-11pmAspire 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.

B.Square Mall Grand EventWHERE: Al Thumama, DohaWHEN: OngoingTIME: 6:30pmThe 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 MarketWHERE: Education CityWHEN: OngoingTIME: 9amQatar 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.

Evolution Sports QatarWHERE: Evolution SportsWHEN: OngoingEvolution Sports will mark its

anniversary by hosting a number of exciting events throughout 2017 as well as some amazing promotions, ten years on from when the club was formed on September 1, 2007. The club has been working with a panel of coaches and directors to plan the events which will be announced over the coming months. Members should look forward to a variety of different occasions, suitable for all ages so the whole family can get involved in the birthday celebrations. To kick-off things off, Evolution Sports recently launched their 10-year anniversary

logo. The emblem has been designed by Toyan Greaves, the man behind the original Evolution Sports logo and will be used on all documentation, both online and offline for the next 12 months.

Breakdance ClassesWHEN: Sunday-WednesdayBreakdancing 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 [email protected]

Reggae Beachfest DohaWHEN: Thursdays and FridaysWHERE: Oyster Beach Bar at St. Regis

HotelTIME: 8pm onwardsIn collaboration with Reggae Beachfest

in Dubai, Qatar will witness the best rasta nights around. The organisers say, “We’ve got the setup sorted to get you feeling the Caribbean vibe. Along with our resident band Earthkry all the way from Jamaica, we have so many big names in the Reggae scene lined up at this huge beachfest!” Entrance fee is QR50 at the door. For more information, please call 44460105.

Dance & Fitness Classes WHERE: Music and Arts Atelier, Villa 57,

Bin OmranWHEN: OngoingAtelier is the newest music and arts school

in Doha that off ers dance and fi tness classes for kids to adults such as ballet, hiphop, salsa, tango, and other Latin dances, Zumba, Tae Kwon Do, Yoga, kickboxing. Contact at [email protected] or 33003839.

Reggae Nights every SundayWHERE: Sheraton Grand DohaWHEN: Every Sunday TIME: 9pmSpend your summer nights with some good

“irie” reggae music every Sunday. Doors open at 9pm at The Irish Harp. Entrance Fees is QR50 for gents. Ladies enter free. For further information, please call 44853000 or e-mail at F&[email protected]

Salsa NightsWHERE: The Irish Harp-Sheraton Grand

Doha WHEN: Every WednesdayTIME: 9pmGet 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 tourWHERE: ZekreetWHEN: FridaysBlue Pearl Experience Qatar is off ering the

country’s fi rst off -road biking tour. Ride in the desert on a fat bike to explore the local fl ora 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 fi tness. 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.


COMMUNITY COVER STORY

“If you are not updated, you are outdated”

— Syed Shoukath Ali, IIS principal

TRAINING: "Once a teacher is a part of the school, we keep on providing training," emphasises Ideal Indian School principal Syed Shoukath Ali. Photo by Thajudheen

By Mudassir Raja

The Ideal Indian School is a one-of-a-kind learning experience for young minds in Qatar. Established in 1985 as a

no-profi t, no-loss institution by community leaders in Doha, the school aims at supporting Indian community and education. It still runs on a no-profi t, no-loss basis.

The school was initially started in a rented building and now owns one that it got eight years ago. It has fi ve diff erent blocks. The school has approximately 5,600 students,

300 teachers, and 550 employees, including all support staff .

Khalid Mohammed Ghanem Mayoof al-Kubaisi is its chairman and Dr Hassan Kunhi M P the president.

Syed Shoukath Ali is the school’s principal. He has been the head of one of the biggest schools in Qatar for fi ve years. The 45-year-old started his career as a principal in Bangalore, India. Community sat with him to

know more about what makes the school tick and future ideas.

Please tell us briefl y about yourself.

I joined the IIS in November 2011.

I have MPhil in Zoology and am currently, busy completing my PhD in the subject. I started my career as an educationist and principal some 22 years ago. I was very lucky to get a breakthrough as a principal. I benefi ted from schooling in English medium thanks to my father’s willingness to spend on the education of his children.

I am married with two daughters; one is in Grade 4 and the other in Grade 5. Both study in the IIS. They are my asset.

Give us a snapshot of what’s noteworthy about the school and your contribution to it.

The IIS is the best in Doha. We

“The best thing here is the support and co-operation education sector gets from the Qatari government.

The land is given almost free with minimal rents for a school. Facilities like water and electricity are

provided to the schools free of cost. The vision of the government is very clear. They want to turn Qatar into

a knowledge campus. That is wonderful”


COMMUNITYCOVER STORY

have the best teachers in Doha. We have very good students. We have achieved very good results — both in academics and extracurricular activities. We have been focusing on teaching Islamic values, our culture, school decorum, and local rules and regulations to have a good environment in the school. We pay more attention on students to groom them as better future citizens besides being successful students.

When I joined, the school was already doing well. I have however, added some new and better things. We have installed 100 new LED screens in classrooms for students. It was a costly project, but a necessary one. I have upgraded all school labs. I have had 100 new computers installed for the school and added a small auditorium for KG students with a play area.

Further, I have introduced students mentor mechanism; we have four mentors in every class selected from the students. The idea is to develop leadership qualities. The mentors are given diff erent responsibilities and they interact with other students and monitor their activities. One of the four mentors will be the chief mentor every month in rotation.

I have formed discipline committees and placed discipline indicators both for students and teachers. There are also discipline targets that they have to achieve in a certain period of time.

Every Thursday, during the last 30 minutes of the school timings, students are asked to write about whatever they want to. They have to write, discuss, and explain their ideas. We display better ideas in the school assembly and the best ideas are published in the school magazine. The idea behind these activities is to inculcate writing skills and explain the ideas.

I also pay extra attention to extracurricular activities. Our school has been doing very well at the national level, especially in the last fi ve years. We have won the Qatar National Award for National Day events in succession.

How do you select new

teachers and train those in service?

I believe a good teacher is like the backbone of an institute. A school cannot excel without a better qualifi ed, devoted and upgraded teacher.

We follow a transparent mechanism to hire a teacher. First of all, our HR staff will contact an aspiring candidate.

Then, after initial working, the head of the relevant department will do the interview and oversee demonstration. Finally, the principal and the school management select a recommended candidate. We emphasise more on the class demonstration from aspiring teachers besides evaluating their qualifi cations and experience.

Once a teacher is a part of the school, we keep on providing training. I follow a policy of training, not terminating. We are all human and can learn new things. I always tell my teachers that if you are not updated, you are outdated. There are a lot of sources of knowledge for students nowadays. The teachers have to be updated and the school

helps them in doing so.

What diff erence have you observed while being the principal in Qatar as compared to back home?

Well, there is a lot of diff erence when comparing with the environment and system in India. Here, we have more variety of students and teachers. We have students from 33 diff erent nationalities in the school.

Parents are generally very busy here. They however, are very concerned about their children. They are very co-operative with the school. We also learn from the students at the same time.

What I have learned is to be

calmer and more attentive. I have to listen to the problems of the students and teachers. The new experience has made me more patient and approachable.

The best thing here is the support and co-operation the education sector gets from the Qatari government. The land is given almost free with minimal rents for a school. Facilities like water and electricity are provided to the schools free of cost. The vision of the government is very clear. They want to turn Qatar into a knowledge campus. That is wonderful.

What are your future plans for the school?

I want to have a new and bigger campus for the school. We need a bigger auditorium. I want to further improve the quality of education in the school. I want my students to excel not only in examinations, but in their lives as useful citizens. I really want to have one-to-one teaching sessions in the school and I am working on the project.

It seems that all people want to have their children enrolled in the IIS. We are not costlier and, at the same time, we do not compromise on quality of education. I have been receiving a lot of applications for new admissions.

How do you see life in Qatar?Firstly, I never thought or

planned about coming to any of the Gulf countries. I have relatives working in other Gulf countries. My wife always encouraged me to look for an opportunity in the GCC. Finally, I got the chance.

Qatar is amazingly peaceful. The quality of life is very good. I’m very happy to be here with my family. The Qatari government has very clear vision for future development. I especially like their vision and commitment for education.

IN FOCUS: Ideal Indian School. Photo supplied

A SPORTING CHANCE: The Ideal Indian School playground. Photo supplied


COMMUNITYBangladeshi ambassador’s wife hosts ‘Pitha Utsob’ celebrationsBangladeshi ambassador’s wife, Rebeka Sultana organised a traditional Bangladeshi “Pitha Utsob” recently at her house. The event was in line with similar celebrations currently taking place in different corners of the rural Bangladesh at the advent of the winter season.Women in Bangladesh have a tradition of spending their leisure time in preparing various kinds of pithas to enjoy with friends and families after harvesting. Pitha, a special delicacy of the post-harvesting leisure season, is made of mainly rice or wheat flour, palm, coconut,

molasses and oil. Meat and vegetables are also used in preparing some kinds of pithas. This sweet food is often eaten at small meals, such as breakfast or as a snack with tea. Names of pithas also depend on their ingredients and the way they are prepared.The wives of different country’s ambassadors in Qatar also joined and enjoyed the traditional Bangladeshi ‘Pitha Utshb’ celebration, which featured cultural performances by students of the local Bangladeshi school.

City Centre Rotana Doha showcases artworks of Ooh at Teatro

Teatro at City Centre Rotana Doha is hosting an exhibition of artist “Sinchai Zonputh” from Thailand, also known as

“Ooh” among his colleagues in the art society. The exhibition will run until December 19 and will be open to all guests from 12.30pm and on weekends from 5pm.

Ooh is an in-house artist from Paint The Town Qatar and his 12 exhibits at Teatro will reflect the culture and heritage of the State of Qatar and will act as a precursor to Qatar National Day celebrations.

While indulging in gastronomic delights at Teatro, guests can admire the artworks of Ooh and indulge in a set menu arranged with the items that he selected with a special price. They can also watch the live cooking of their food at the restaurant’s show kitchen or Sushi Bar. Teatro offers a comprehensive à la carte menu creatively blending dishes from Chinese, Indian, Italian, Japanese and Thai cuisines that will be available throughout the day.

To celebrate the art festivity, Teatro is offering a 5 course set menu for a price of QR199. On arrival, guests can enjoy steamed Edamame with spicy Himalayan sea salt. Followed by this, Japanese food lovers can opt for screaming salmon, Salmon with jalapeno and traditional ponzu, while those wishing to experience Thai cuisine can treat their taste buds by opting for Tom yam soup spicy hot-sour broth, lemongrass,

Thai basil and shrimps.Furthermore, diners, who relish

South Asian cuisine can enjoy mini lamb seekh, kebab, butter naan and mint chutney prepared in Indian style, while those craving for Italian food will not

be disappointed, and can enjoy grilled corn-fed chicken, potato-onion ragout, sautéed chanterelle mushrooms. And for the finale, diners can try Trio of Teatro mini deserts as well as a selection of fine teas and hand crafted coffees.

Speaking on the occasion, Martin Kendall, General Manager City Center Rotana Doha, said, “At Teatro, it’s all about having an unforgettable experience. It stands out as a venue for theatrical dining and through a range of stunning art work on display at the entrance, visitors to the hotel can immerse themselves in the stunning collection of artwork.”

“The exhibition perfectly complements the vibrant festive season, and we look forward to welcoming guests to enjoy the show,” he added.

Artist Sinchai Zonputh – Ooh said, “There is a special movement of fine art taking place in town these days with exhibitions showcasing the love for Qatar under the current

circumstances. Many artists are working on leaving their prints in art exhibitions taking place in town to showcase their love, and I am delighted to be one of those artist taking part in these exhibitions through my paintings reflecting my feelings towards Qatar.”

Besides being a painter, Ooh has mastered the craft of recycling discarded paper products. He advocates eco-friendly campaigns such as protection of the environment, recycling, or saving the trees and the rain-forests. He already has a loyal fan following since he joined the QatArt Handmade Community in 2015. The group is composed of Qataris and expatriates dedicated in producing one-of-a-kind handicrafts.

ON DISPLAY: Sinchai Zonputh with one of his paintings.

PERSPECTIVE: A painting of the Doha Skyline by Zonputh.


COMMUNITY

Intertec Group signs Channel Partner Agreement 2018 with HuaweiIntertec Group signed Channel Partner Agreement 2018 with Huawei recently. The signing ceremony was held at Huawei Headquarter in Shenzhen, China. On the occasion, Intertec Group CFO & Advisor to Chairman George Thomas and Huawei Consumer Business Group CFO Ted Peng signed and handed over the agreement. Daniel Wang, MEA Channel

Department Director, conveyed his happiness and gratitude towards the success in 2017 and expressed his expectations about 2018. Asraf NK – Divisional Manager at Intertec Group, Robin, Country Director of CBG Huawei Qatar, and other officials also attended the ceremony in China.

Movenpick ‘world’s most sustainable hotel group’

SUSTAINABLE: An organic farm at Movenpick Resort Sharm El Sheikh.

Movenpick Hotels & Resorts has been named the world’s most sustainable hotel group for the second year running by world-renowned certifi cation body

Green Globe.The international hospitality fi rm has also

been hailed a “global sustainability leader” in the ‘Green Globe Report 2017’, with more than 50% of its certifi ed properties worldwide achieving the entity’s prestigious ‘Gold’ status – an accolade bestowed on hotels and resorts that have achieved Green Globe certifi cation for fi ve years or more.

These properties have been independently audited across 385 performance indicators and consistently met or exceeded the standards and criteria this rigorous certifi cation process entails.

Looking to 2018, the hospitality fi rm has set

ambitious Green Globe targets for its new and existing properties, explained Olivier Chavy, President & CEO, Movenpick Hotels & Resorts.

“I am immensely proud of what we have achieved in 2017, with our Green Globe ‘Gold’ status cementing our position as a hotel group raising the benchmark for sustainable hospitality practices, but as a company that never rests on its laurels, we will push the boundaries next year, ensuring our new and existing properties not only uphold, but exceed the standards we have set,” he said.

“Adhering to Green Globe’s stringent criteria not only ensures we can legitimately meet our ambitions to protect and contribute to the destinations where our hotels and resorts are located, but also assures guests they are staying with a truly ‘green’ hotel group.”

ScorePlus Qatar wins international awardScorePlus Qatar has been presented with the International Net Promoter Award for the years 2016-17. The award was presented at the International Partner Meeting in Seoul, Korea, and signifies that “ScorePlus Qatar’s educational services, instructional quality, and customer satisfaction are unparalleled internationally.” Since 2002, ScorePlus has been helping students ease their academic and admission stresses by providing pragmatic solutions for test preparation, skill building, and navigating

university admissions. The combination of its exceptional teachers and operations personnel, eff ective materials, and unique instructional methodologies has contributed to its becoming one of Qatar’s premier providers for exam preparation and admissions consulting. The continuing appreciation from students for its outstanding teaching and admissions support highlights the determination of this institution to better prepare its students for universities, both in Qatar and around the globe.


COMMUNITY

IIS honours Talent Fest ’17 winnersA Prize Distribution Ceremony was organised to honour the winners of Talent Fest 2017 – the school cultural competitions. More than 1,700 students from Junior, Boys’ and Girls’ sections took part in this talent recognition exercise. Divided in four categories – Sub-junior, Junior, Intermediate, and Senior – the competitions were conducted for 4 days at 8 venues in 27 events ranging from performing arts

to painting, vocal and instrumental music, classical and folk dances, songs, poem recitation, rangoli, face painting , public speaking, essay. There were also Qur’an memorisation, Tajweed and Adhan competitions exclusively for Muslim students. Principal Syed Shoukath Ali presented the trophies and certificates to the winners. Heads of sections and departments attended the function.

Bhavan’s students interact with scientist

Science exhibition at PISQ junior wingThe science teachers of the Junior Wing along with the students of grades three and four organised a healthy food activity under the supervision of Vice Principal Muhammad Rizwan. Principal Nargis Raza Otho and chief guest Hafiz Junaid Amir Syal, Vice Chairman of Pakistan International School

Qatar, inaugurated the activity. The two visited the stalls, where students presented the charts that they had prepared. Each student was given one topic to explain, which included topics such as importance of food, avoiding junk food, food pyramid, food groups, importance of water, importance of physical exercise and BMI etc.

An informative interactive session was organised at Bhavan’s Public School at its Matar Qadeem campus recently. The resource person, a noted scientist and eminent STEM educator Dr Hemant Pande from the Department of Science and Information, Government of India, told the students

to advance and diversify their scientific talents and gain access to resources that will help them to achieve their educational goals. Director Administration Anjana Menon, Science India Forum, guests and teachers from the science department of the school attended.


COMMUNITY

Highlighting the need to fight for the environment

PANELLIST: Intiqab Rawoof.

The United Nations Climate Change Conference known as COP23 took place in Bonn, Germany recently. Governments work to complete the fi nal negotiation decisions as the

COP23 is an important milestone on the road to completing the implementation guidelines of the Paris Agreement in 2018.

Intiqab Rawoof, a panellist speaking on ‘What can governments do to foster the engagement of Youth, NGO, and businesses to take an active role in awareness raising and mainstreaming climate change into education at the Nordic Pavilion (Nordic Council of Ministers) at United Nations Climate Conference COP23 in Bonn, Germany’, said: “To make the world sustainable, all of us need to think and act for the future we want.”

Rawoof also mentioned the recent campaign My Climate Action Photography Competition, which was initiated by Earth Lanka in collaboration with the German Embassy Doha was a signifi cant activity that was held last month during the Qatar Sustainability Week 2017.

He added that educating the young people now on sustainability is the key to overcoming environmental and climate change challenges in the future.

The central goal of the Paris Agreement is to keep the average global temperature rise well below 2 degrees and as close as possible to 1.5 degrees. About one degree of that rise has already happened, underlining the urgency to progress further and faster to cut the greenhouse

gases that cause global warming. The Youth Dialogue reveals that the young people want to take an active part in climate politics. The report advocates that youth participation should be made permanent.

However, much can be done to minimise the risk of displacement linked to climate change, and to guarantee rights and protections for people who are forced to move. Eff ective climate action requires tapping renewable sources of both energy and materials, and extracting from them the most societal value and utility. That’s because around 67% of global greenhouse gas emissions is related to material management. Taking Europe as an example, 95% of the product thus produced is waste after just one use-cycle.

One month until deadline of 2018 Sony World Photography Awards

Photographers worldwide have just one month left to enter the 11th edition of the Sony World Photography Awards. To mark this deadline, the World Photography Organisation, the creators of the Awards, has released a new selection of entries from the Open competition. Submitted by photographers

from around the world, the images cover a wide variety of topics, from stunning aerial shots to intimate portraits and animals in the wild.

The Sony World Photography Awards are widely recognised as one of the world’s leading photography competitions, with many of its shortlisted and winning photographers gaining global exposure and recognition. Past shortlisted photographer Simon Butterworth said, “It’s impossible to overstate the importance of this achievement to my career, the global coverage was amazing, in fact, interest in my work as a direct result of the awards continues to this day.” All entries to the Awards are free at www.worldphoto.org/swpa

The 2018 judges have been tasked to reward the very best contemporary photography from the past year across the following competitions:

Open – best single image

Youth – photographers aged 12-19, best single image

National Award – best single image taken by a local photographer from 60+ countries

Deadline: January 4, 2018

Professional – best series of works

Deadline: January 11, 2018

The juries are chaired by Mike Trow, Picture Editor, British Vogue (Professional competition) and Zelda Cheatle, Curator (Open, Youth competitions and National Awards).STUNNING: Two of the images that have been released by World Photography Organisation to mark the deadline.


COMMUNITY INFOGRAPHIC


COMMUNITYLIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE

ARIESMarch 21 — April 19

CANCERJune 21 — July 22

LIBRASeptember 23 — October 22

CAPRICORNDecember 22 — January 19

TAURUSApril 20 — May 20

LEOJuly 23 — August 22

SCORPIOOctober 23 — November 21

AQUARIUSJanuary 20 — February 18

GEMINIMay 21 — June 20

VIRGOAugust 23 — September 22

SAGITTARIUSNovember 22 — December 21

PISCESFebruary 19 — March 20

Communication with family members and the friend in your life

could be frustrating today. Either you aren’t in accord or you keep

missing each other. Don’t be frustrated. It’s the planetary energy

running a little interference. By tomorrow this aspect will have

passed and you’ll once again find yourselves on common ground.

You might be planning to attend a social event today. You’re looking

forward to it. Paperwork could take up so much of your time today

that you wonder if you can make it. The paperwork doesn’t seem to

be that urgent. Do as much as you can and then take off and go to

your party. You deserve it.

Your mind is sharp and ready to take on anything thrown your way.

Family members or friends could pick up on this pretty quickly, so

don’t be surprised if they come to you for help and advice. You’ll

probably give a lot of it today, so be prepared. Paperwork might be

a bit overwhelming. As long as you take it one step at a time, you’ll

get it all done.

Today you should feel especially optimistic and enthusiastic about

life. You’ll have a lot of great ideas about what to do with your day,

but unfortunately, your ability to put these plans into motion will

probably be curtailed by other responsibilities. This could have you

champing at the bit all day, but what the heck? Tonight you can do

whatever you want!

Plans for travel or advancing your education could be on your

mind. Your excitement might keep you from focusing on whatever

tasks you have to do. Don’t worry about it. Your steadfastness will

enable you to get your tasks completed in spite of anything that

may distract you. Either that, or the people around you will keep

reminding you of your responsibilities!

Frantic communications involving a project or family aff airs could

have you feeling scattered and unfocused. Too many important

concerns have hit you at once. It can be confusing, but take them

one at a time and don’t be tempted to try to accomplish everything

at once. Your mind is steady and analytical today. Go with the flow

and all will get done.

Books and magazines on psychic, spiritual, or metaphysical matters

could take up a lot of your attention today. Your inclination could be

to let your routine tasks go in favour of continuing to read calling

all your friends to tell them what you’ve learned. Save it for this

evening. You’re too conscientious to let your work slide, and you’d

feel derelict in your duty if you did.

Discussions about serious issues could come up during your day.

A recent rush of intuitive revelations could cause you to want to

expound on your beliefs, but this could backfire. This isn’t the day to

try to convince others of anything. This also isn’t a good day to think

in terms of getting away for a while. Kick around a few ideas, but

make definite plans later.

Dreams of a wonderful evening with friend are foiled by work that

needs to be done right away. This might concern finances. It could

involve a lot of deep thought on subjects that don’t particularly

interest you. Don’t let this get you down. Get through the chores and

then plan your evening. It won’t be too late to have fun.

Good news about money could fill you with ideas about how to

spend it, particularly on your home. Maybe you need new furniture

or have been thinking about painting or redecorating. This is a great

time to do it as long as you’re careful and not to let your exuberance

get the better of you. You don’t want to have to repaint or take

unwanted furniture back to the store.

A fairly recent goal that you’ve set for yourself might seem a bit

overwhelming. You might wonder if you’ll get it done. Though you

could easily become distracted, you can focus when you try, and

this is what you should do now. Finances may need attention, and

possibly paperwork, but this is only routine work.

Friends or a group with which you’re aff iliated might run into

financial diff iculties and ask for your advice. It wouldn’t be a good

idea to give it, at least not today. Your thoughts aren’t as focused as

they should be. You might use a little intuition to guide you. Your

ability to see under the surface is good now.

Twitter may help restore sense of well-being after a bad dayA

t times when you feel nervous about calling a friend to talk about a tough day at work, or share a scary medical

news, writing a small post on Facebook or Twitter could provide an easy alternative to vent out negative emotions and help restore a sense of well-being, suggests new research.

“When people feel badly, they have a need to reach out to others because this can help reduce negative emotions and restore a sense of well-being,” said Eva Buechel, Professor at University of South Carolina in the US.

“But talking to someone face-to-face or on the phone might feel daunting because people may worry that they are bothering them. Sharing a status update on Facebook or tweet on Twitter allows people to reach out to a large audience in a more undirected manner,” Buechel said.

The fi ndings, published online in the Journal of Consumer Psychology, suggest that the social networking platforms could be particularly useful for those who feel socially isolated or

apprehensive about one-on-one interactions.

Sharing short messages to an audience on a social network is called microblogging.

To test whether people are more

likely to microblog when they feel socially apprehensive, Buechel asked participants in one group to write about a time when they had no one to talk to at a party, while the control group wrote about offi ce products.

Then she asked the participants who had an online social network account to log in and spend two minutes on their preferred social network.

When the time ended, she asked people if they had microblogged. The results showed that those who had been led to feel socially apprehensive were more likely to microblog.

“There is a lot of research showing that sharing online is less ideal than having communication in person, but these social networks could be an important communication channel for certain individuals who would otherwise stay isolated,” Buechel said.

While there is a danger for those who start to rely on social media as their only form of communication, the study suggests that when used wisely, microblogging can be a valuable means of buff ering negative emotions though social interaction. — IANS


COMMUNITY CARTOONS/PUZZLES

Adam

Pooch Cafe

Garfield

Bound And Gagged

Codeword

Wordsearch

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.

Puzz

les

cour

tesy

: Puz

zlec

hoic

e.co

m

Sudoku

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.

Pots and Pans

ASHPAN BEDPAN BRAINPAN CRACKPOT DEADPAN DESPOT DUSTPAN

FLOWERPOTHARDPANHONEYPOT HOTPOT INKSPOT JACKPOT MARZIPAN

SALTPAN SAMPAN SEXPOT TAIPAN TEAPOT TREPAN


COMMUNITYPUZZLES

Colouring

Answers

Wordsearch Codeword

ACROSS1. Anyway, the name is about to

die out (7)5. Make out the diners are

locked out, with the key inside (7)

9. The English said otherwise about the concepts (5)

10. She’s a beginner (9)11. Note the evidence of

campers, though it is concealed (6)

12. A singer of risque songs? (8)14. A new rota you wouldn’t be

without (5)15. The last two men come out

for presentation (9)18. Society high-fliers? (3,3,3)20. A very little grass seed is

scattered round the borders (5)

22. Can’t turn inside out in the interval (8)

24. And possibly ringing Eva in America (6)

26. Oust from the hammock to get somewhere to sleep? (5-4)

27. Having turned bad, an egg is green (5)

28. He waits until you go ashore (7)

29. Plead with one again to erect a tent outside (7)

Super Cryptic Clues

Yesterday’s Solutions

ACROSS: 1 Special favour; 8 Stretch; 9 Instils; 11 Nassau; 13 Paradise; 15 Salve; 16 Stopped; 18 Hessian; 19 Aroma; 21 Illumine; 23 Mewing; 25 Essence; 26 Appoint 28 Spirit writing.

DOWN: 2 Perusal; 3 Cat; 4 Ache; 5 Fair amount; 6 Vista; 7 Unified; 8 Sands of time; 10 See straight; 12 Avers; 14 Assignment; 17 Place; 18 Holds up; 20 Opinion; 22 Minor; 24 Lair; 27 Pat.

DOWN1. With fish and a tin opener,

showing great ability (9)2. Clumsily sew the jagged tear

in the garment (7)3. Fire? (9)4. Not all water is non-alcoholic!

(4)5. Put two and two together,

romantically (6,4)6. Plant out “20” (5)7. The woman has a row with

her (7)8. Was curious about the big

end, anyhow (5)13. A lot of idiots gathered

together? (5,5)16. Got rid of all but the seeded

ones? (6,3)17. Will try to get at the chaps

inside (9)19. Seen wandering about,

rushed back to catch (7)21. It’s hard, shaking with anger,

to hold it (7)22. Is disheartening, at our age,

going in for records (5)23. Ring up to get a time (5)25. Meanness got her in a mess

(4)


COMMUNITY REVIEWS

By Rafer Guzmán

High-school history teachers just got the third title in a cinematic curriculum on the events of Dunkirk this year. The fi rst was the middling but well-

researched drama Their Finest, about a group of British fi lmmakers who help mythologise the heroic rescue mission. The second was Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk, a boots-on-the-ground depiction of events. Now comes Darkest Hour, about Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s leadership of Britain during the days leading up to the Dunkirk evacuation.

It’s an extremely well-crafted period piece, with an information-rich script by Anthony McCarten and quiet, understated direction by Joe Wright (who handled

Dunkirk a bit more showily in 2007’s Atonement). But the main attraction here is Gary Oldman as Churchill. As an act of physical transformation and emotional expression, it’s something close to supernatural.

The fi lm begins on May 9, 1940, as Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain (Ronald Pickup) gets the boot from a typically rowdy parliament. As a replacement, Churchill’s name is generally uttered as if it’s been stepped in, but he is nevertheless approved by King George VI (played by Ben Mendelsohn with a mix of noblesse oblige and realpolitik). Suddenly, the portly fellow with the stubby cigar and the spittle-soaked voice must save a nation on the brink of disaster.

Like Nolan’s Dunkirk which fl ipped the war genre by focusing on a rescue mission after a failed battle, Darkest Hour focuses on

a wartime leader remembered for his refusal to consider peace. Viscount Halifax (Stephen Dillane), who relentlessly pushes for talks with the Nazis, serves as the fi lm’s villain, as it were, but we have to wonder how strong our own resolve would be in the face of Hitler’s frightening campaign across Europe.

Darkest Hour benefi ts from the great Kristin Scott Thomas as Churchill’s faithful wife, Clementine, and Lily James as his secretary, Elizabeth Layton, but this is Oldman’s movie. Aided by undetectable prosthetics, the naturally slim actor settles into the portly Churchill like a spirit into a host body. (Kazuhiro Tsuji, the makeup artist lured out of retirement by Oldman, seems destined for an Oscar). Darkest Hour would be a top-notch period piece by any standard, but Oldman’s performance might just make it one for the history books. – Newsday/TNS

Women in Wonder Wheel are ruinedBy Michael Phillips

Set in 1950, which doesn’t stop one character from catching the 1933 movie Flying Down to Rio at the local bijou, Woody

Allen’s Wonder Wheel is narrated by a budding dramatist working as a Coney Island lifeguard. Justin Timberlake plays our host, who sleeps with a needy, disillusioned clam house waitress, played by Kate Winslet. He’s also sneaking around with her stepdaughter (Juno Temple), costumed by Suzy Benzinger like a hard-luck Depression-era chorine. She’s on the lam from the mob and fi ve years estranged from her father, the waitress’ carousel operator husband (Jim Belushi).

We’re long past worrying about spoiler alerts with a Woody Allen movie. The women in Wonder Wheel are ruined, and the writer comes out fi ne, and unlike the similar dynamic in Chekhov’s The Seagull, the primary ripoff point for Allen this time, the male instigator in the relational chaos isn’t examined critically or even dramatically. He’s just a guy talking to the camera, in between shots of beautiful women, beautifully lighted, and mired in a fi lmmaker’s creative exhaustion.

In code, Wonder Wheel sneaks around the edges of the writer-director’s off -screen life, namely the allegations by Dylan Farrow, Allen’s adopted daughter, of sexual molestation, and Allen’s controversial marriage to Soon-Yi Previn, the adopted daughter of Allen’s then-partner Mia Farrow.

As with so much in the culture this year, this cascading year of reckoning for so many transgressive men, watching Allen’s latest is not easy for two reasons: the movie itself, and the score-settling that seems to be going on in the margins. At one point, the waitress, a onetime actress, accuses her husband of “unnatural” aff ection toward his daughter. There’s no evidence, of course, so the accusation is just another sign of her instability and vindictiveness. Take that, Mia!

Innuendo aside, Allen has criminally little to say about men and women beyond how females are always “unravelling,” “acting crazy” or “losing it” (they said “losing it” in 1950?). The best a female cliche can hope for in Wonder Wheel is for a smarter, more confi dent male cliche to swoop down and “not

make me feel so dumb,” as the Temple character squeaks.

Half the Winslet scenes, particularly the later ones, play like outtakes from Blue Jasmine, Allen’s shameless Tennessee Williams Streetcar Named Desire rewrite. Winslet’s giving as valiant a performance as the one Cate Blanchett won an Oscar for in Blue Jasmine, but she’s acting in a vacuum. Line to line, Wonder Wheel clunks and groans. “The dramatist in me sensed she was in some kind of trouble,” the lifeguard voiceovers at one point. “Her body language read ‘vulnerable and desperate.’ ” Elsewhere, waitress Ginny recalls her fi rst husband. “Someone I loved. (Pause.) A drummer. (Pause.) Whose rhythm pulsated with life.” The gangster’s moll coos over the lifeguard: “I think he likes me, and is sincere.” “And is sincere”?

That’s not a line that reads all right but sounds awkward in an actor’s mouth; it doesn’t even read well.

Shooting digitally, cinematographer Vittorio Storaro colour-codes the characters’ crises in symbolically loaded fashion, with the screen awash in heavily saturated midnight blues and sunset orange. Everything’s lit by neon; the key location, the apartment overlooking the Ferris wheel of the title, begs for it. But the colour schemes are more like colour conspiracies. Allen’s direction is actually improving at this stage of his career; whoever designed the shots here, he or Storaro or both, occasionally there’s a longish, fl uid take that makes Wonder Wheel feel like a movie, moving, as opposed to a bad play standing still. – Chicago Tribune/TNS

UNRAVELLING: Kate Winslet in a scene. In code, the film sneaks around the edges of the writer-director’s off -screen life.

WELL-CRAFTED: Oldman as Churchill. The film is an extremely well-crafted period piece, with an information-rich script

Gary Oldman in must-see solid wartime drama Darkest Hour

Thursday, December 14, 2017 15GULF TIMES

COMMUNITYSHOWBIZ

RECOGNITION: A scene from The Shape of Water. The nominations were announced on Monday.

Both The Shape of Water, Big Little Lies top Golden Globes nominations

Fantasy drama The Shape of Water leads the nomination pack in the film section at the 75th annual Golden Globe Awards with seven mentions, while Big Little Lies got the lion’s share of six nominations in the television category.

Indian-American comedian Aziz Ansari scored a nomination for best performance by an actor in a television series – musical or comedy for Master of None.

The nominee list was announced on Monday morning at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles by presenters Alfre Woodard, Garrett Hedlund, Kristen Bell and Sharon Stone, with Hollywood Foreign Press Association President Meher Tatna.

Close behind in the film section are The Post — presented by Indian media and entertainment conglomerate Reliance Entertainment — and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri with six nominations each.

Lady Bird followed with four nominations, while Call Me By Your

Name, The Greatest Showman, All the Money in the World, Dunkirk, and I, Tonya each nabbed three.

In the television categories, Feud: Bette and Joan clinched four mentions, with This Is Us, Fargo and The Handmaid’s Tale tying for third place with three each.

Interestingly, Christopher Plummer has been nominated for a supporting actor in a motion picture Golden Globe for All the Money in the World — a role in which he replaced Kevin Spacey after a string of sexual harassment allegations were made against the latter.

In a move seen as that of embracing diversity, Helen Mirren and Judi Dench are among the British nominees. They are in the best performance by an actress in a motion picture – musical or comedy category with Margot Robbie, Saoirse Ronan and Emma Stone.

A Variety.com report said: “Although 2017 has been called the year of the woman, the Golden Globes managed to overlook two of the biggest female-led hits of the year — Beauty and the Beast the most successful movie of 2017 so far, was snubbed in the musical/comedy category, and Wonder Woman.” – IANS

Tiger Zinda Hai not political, only a human story, says director Ali

By Durga Chakravarty

Tiger Zinda Hai, a fi lm about two spies — one Indian and the other Pakistani — is largely a story about humanity, says its director Ali Abbas Zafar, who feels handling

sensitive topics can be a “double-edged” sword these days.

Even at the best of times, tackling a movie with Indian and Pakistani protagonists can be tricky. How did he handle it?

“The fi lm is a very human story. it is not political at all. The idea is that when there is a fi ght between right and wrong, what is at stake is humanity. And there’s nothing bigger than

humanity,” Zafar told IANS over phone from Mumbai.

Given the current times, there’s a question mark on the creative freedom of fi lmmakers in India, especially when it comes to sensitive topics. What does he have to say on that?

“It’s a double-edged sword,” he said.“As a fi lmmaker and a creative person, I need

to be sensitive to what is happening around me.

I always personally think that no matter what happens, everything can be solved through dialogue. We should not take ourselves too seriously. At the end of it, it is a fi lm. We work because of our conviction at the same time it should not off end anyone.”

Tiger Zinda Hai is the sequel to the 2012 actioner Ek Tha Tiger, which was directed by Kabir Khan. The fi lm featured superstar Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif as Indian and Pakistani agents, and the two stars are back on-screen after fi ve years in the same roles.

Working on the sequel, produced by Yash Raj Films, has been challenging for Zafar.

“But we are hopeful that the second part is going to live up to expectations. The story is the most important aspect of the fi lm. Of course, Salman and Katrina are there. Both of them came on board after hearing the story, and they said that irrespective of whether it was a sequel or not, we had to do the fi lm,” he said.

“Both of them are so comfortable with each other off -screen that as soon as a little bit padding from a scene or song happens, their chemistry blooms on camera. I think that is an asset for a director because I don’t need to push for it too much.”

Zafar describes Salman as a “director’s actor”.“He has given me what I have required from

him and he has worked really hard to make the fi lm look a certain way,” he added of the fi lm, which is said to be laced by some stunning action sequences.

The fi lm’s visual appeal itself will be enhanced by the picturesque destinations in Austria, Greece, Morocco, Abu Dhabi and India, where it has been shot.

Admitting that it is a “big budget” fi lm, Zafar said: “I don’t know the exact number. But it is bigger than Sultan (his last fi lm). We were very clear — both Aditya Chopra and I — that a story like this can only look real and authentic if we pay attention to the details and for that you need a certain amount of budget.” – IANS

CANDID: Ali Abbas Zafar says handling sensitive topics can be a double-edged sword these days.


COMMUNITY

Space bread: the new science of baking in the beyond

The hazards of stray breadcrumbs and high temperatures are too high for

astronauts on the International Space Station. But one team of scientists is

hoping to put an end to their tedious tinned-food diet. By Irena Guettel

ADVANCED TECH: Food technician Malte Gerken puts a bit of bread into a high-tech piece of baking machinery designed for use in space.

SPECIALISED: While an oven on Earth is an ordinary appliance, it's a potential hazard to astronauts in space. Under no circumstances should it allow heat to escape, which would hang in the air and not disperse throughout the station.

Food technician Malte Gerken is cutting a bread roll in half. Nary a crumb falls on the cutting board. Just to

make sure, he flattens the roll halves with his hand. Still no crumbs at all.

That’s important. You can’t tell by looking at it, but the roll is special. It’s a space roll, so to speak.

Gerken is part of a team aiming to provide astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) with freshly baked rolls, until now about as common as pie in the sky. Behind the plans to leaven space travellers’ freeze-dried meals with a touch of home is a start-up called Bake in Space, based in Bremen, Germany.

The company’s ultimate goal is to recreate the entire value chain – from growing the grain to baking the finished product – in microgravity, with an eye to future manned missions to the moon and Mars. For starters, though, ISS astronauts will simply be able to warm up rolls pre-baked on Earth

– itself a major challenge since the bread can’t shed any crumbs.

“That would be a safety risk,” says Sebastian Marcu, managing director of Bake in Space. Crumbs floating around in the near-weightlessness of the station could damage equipment, or the astronauts could inhale them and choke.

So Bake in Space has enlisted food experts from the Technology Transfer Centre (TTZ) in Bremerhaven – a research institution in the fields of food, health and the environment – to come up with absolutely crumb-free rolls.

“We’re working on the basis of a perfectly normal [pretzel-type] dough,” says Florian Stukenborg, who is in charge of developing the recipe. His team has already tested about 30 different types.

In any event, the dough will be saltier than is usual. “In space, like on an airplane, things taste diff erent,” notes Stukenborg, alluding to the dulled sense of taste that prompts astronauts to ask for condiments like hot sauces.

Space bread will be designed to keep for at least a half year due to the long intervals between resupply missions to the ISS. And they’ve got to be nice and soft despite the electricity limits on the oven as well as other constraints.

While an oven on Earth is an ordinary appliance, it’s a potential hazard on the ISS. Under no circumstances should it allow heat to escape, which would hang in the air and not disperse throughout the station.

“The astronauts could be injured,” says Volker Schmid, mission manager at the German Aerospace Centre (DLR), chief partner of Bake in Space.

They will have to put the rolls into a cold oven and not take them out until the oven has cooled. So the baking time will be much longer than on Earth, and the temperature will be lower.

“If you don’t add moisture, something like twice-baked bread comes out,” explains Matthias Boehme of OHB, a Bremen-headquartered multinational

technology corporation with expertise in aerospace. He was tasked by Bake in Space to develop a prototype of a space oven, which the food technicians are now using to test their recipes.

It’s small, with room for only three rolls. The astronauts won’t even be allowed to switch it on themselves, as the entire baking process will be controlled from the ground.

A lot of effort is obviously going into giving them a baked break from their bagged and tinned meals. “It might sound trivial, but it’s a quality-of-life boost for the astronauts up there,” Schmid says.

Launching pre-baked rolls into space may work for an ISS mission, which typically lasts about six months, but wouldn’t be practicable for longer ones, for example to the moon or Mars. “You can’t maintain a supply chain from Earth to Mars,” Schmid says. “So we’re trying to develop closed loops.”

This is precisely what Bake in Space has in mind too, and it

plans to use the ISS as a testing platform. The next step is to have the astronauts make their own dough in space, and later to grow their own grain and grind it to flour there.

“All this is technically possible,” says Schmid, adding that the problem at present is a financial one.

Marcu estimates the total cost of bringing fresh rolls to the ISS at between 1.5 million and 3 million euros (about 3.5 million dollars). Although they were supposed to be delivered along with the oven next year, the ambitious timetable can’t be met. Bake in Space, founded this past spring, hasn’t yet been able to raise all of the money needed.

That means German astronaut Alexander Gerst, who is to command the European Space Agency’s ISS Horizons mission in spring 2018, will have to make do with standard, ready-made space meals. He had been selected by Bake in Space to be the first astronaut to bite into a space roll. - DPA

Documents

D 16 C—24 C TODAY LIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE PUZZLES II for …