The sequel - Gulf Times

CommunityPISQ organises the second edition of

three-day workshop for the professional development of the teachers.

P6 P16 CommunityThe increase in demand of avocados is

leading to the indiscriminate destruction of land.

The sequelCOVERSTORY

Margaret Atwood reveals more about why she

is following on The Handmaid’s Tale. P4-5

Monday, December 3, 2018Rabia I 25, 1440 AH

Doha today: 170 - 280

BOLLYWOOD HOLLYWOOD

Ranveer’s mantra: Say yes

to everything wife says.

Page 14

Disney’s animated series

inspired by Indian culture.

Page 15

Monday, December 3, 20182 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 4.42amShorooq (sunrise) 6.03amZuhr (noon) 11.23amAsr (afternoon) 2.23pmMaghreb (sunset) 4.45pmIsha (night) 6.15pm

“Good, better, best. Never let

it rest. ‘Til your good is better and your better is best.”

— St Jerome

The Girl in The Spider’s Web DIRECTION: Fede AlvarezCAST: Claire Foy, Sylvia Hoeks,

Lakeith Stanfi eld SYNOPSIS: Fired from the National Security Agency, Frans Balder recruits hacker Lisbeth Salander to steal FireWall,

a computer program that can access codes for nuclear weapons worldwide. The download soon draws attention from an NSA agent who traces the activity to Stockholm. Further problems arise when Russian thugs take Lisbeth’s laptop and kidnap a math whiz who can make

FireWall work. Now, Lisbeth and an unlikely ally must race against time to save the boy and recover the codes to avert disaster.

THEATRE: The Mall

Robin HoodDIRECTION: Otto BathurstCAST: Taron Egerton, Jamie Foxx, Ben MendelsohnSYNOPSIS: A war-hardened Crusader and his Moorish

commander mount an audacious revolt against the corrupt English crown in a thrilling action with gritty battlefi eld exploits, mind-blowing fi ght and a timeless romance.

THEATRE: The Mall

The Mall Cinema (1): Thugs Of Hindostan (Hindi) 2:30pm; 2.0 (Tamil) 5:30pm; 2.0 (Tamil) 8:30pm; 2.0 (Hindi) 11:15pm.The Mall Cinema (2): 2.0 (Telugu) 2:15pm; Creed II (2D) 5pm; The Girl In The Spider’s Web (2D) 7:30pm; Robin Hood: Origins (2D) 9:30pm; Creed II (2D) 11:30pm.The Mall Cinema (3): Ralph Breaks The Internet: Wreck It Ralph 2 (2D) 3pm; Ralph Breaks The Internet: Wreck It Ralph 2 (2D) 5pm; Tourab El Mass (Arabic) 7:30pm;

Instant Family (2D) 10:30pm.Landmark Cinema (1): 2.0 (Telugu) 2:30pm; Creed II (2D) 5:15pm; Creed II (2D) 7:45pm; 2.0 (Hindi) 10:15pm.Landmark Cinema (2): Ralph Breaks The Internet: Wreck It Ralph 2 (2D) 3:30pm; Ralph Breaks The Internet: Wreck It Ralph 2 (2D) 5:30pm; 2.0 (Tamil) 7:45pm; 2.0 (Tamil) 10:30pm.Landmark Cinema (3): Detective Conan: Zero

The Enforcer (2D) 3pm; 2.0 (Hindi) 5:15pm; Instant Family (2D) 8:15pm; Tourab El Mass (Arabic) 10:30pm.Royal Plaza Cinema Palace (1): 2.0 (Tamil) 3pm; 2.0 (Hindi) 5:45pm; 2.0 (Tamil) 8:30pm; 2.0 (Hindi) 11:15pm.Royal Plaza Cinema Palace (2): Ralph Breaks The Internet: Wreck It Ralph 2 (2D) 2:30pm; Ralph Breaks The Internet: Wreck It Ralph 2 (2D) 4:30pm; Creed Ii (2D) 6:45pm; Instant Family (2D) 9:15pm; Creed Ii (2D) 11:30pm.

3Monday, December 3, 2018 GULF TIMES

COMMUNITYROUND & ABOUT

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

EVENTS

Ajyal Film FestivalWHERE: KataraWHEN: TodayTIME: 10am – 10pmSound, Camera, Action. Qatar Living is

proud to be the official media partner of the sixth edition of Ajyal Film Festival where you can have a week-long exposure to the art of film. Ajyal Film Festival is Doha Film Institute’s annual celebration of film. The word Ajyal means generations in Arabic and the audience for this festival is people from ages 8-21 who are categorised in different generations. This festival is all about watching global cinema, analysing them and discussing afterwards.

Explore Coral Reefs and Discover Diving

WHERE: Doha English Speaking SchoolWHEN: December 5 TIME: 7pmFew people know the divable waters of

Qatar like Khaled Zaki, Diving Consultant/Master Instructor. His talk will provide a brief introduction to coral reefs, with some interesting statistics and underwater (UW) footage from Qatar. The history of diving will also be discussed along with the positive effects it has on the environment and communities in Qatar and worldwide. The talk will also cover how the UW videography and photography can positively affect conservation of marine life.

Katara Dhow festivalWHERE: KataraWHEN: OngoingTIME: 3:30pm – 10pmBe there to witness exciting activities

and events at Katara 8th Traditional Dhow Festival, scheduled to take place at Katara’s beach. During the month of November be there and experience the cultural heritage of Qatar.

Acting ClassesWHERE: Retaj Al Rayyan, West BayWHEN: Ongoing till December 19TIME: 3pm – 7:30pmThe Talent Factory is having an acting

monthly course for kids and adults. Gentë Retkoceri Rrahmani, Teaching artist and actor, will take care to create an amazingly entertaining and socialising class for kids and adults. Both programmes are specifically designed to fit different ages with the main purpose to develop the participant’s self-esteem, especially when in front of audiences. Kids course fee is QR600 and adult course fee is QR800. For further details, e-mail at [email protected]

Katara Beach - School StudentsWHERE: KataraWHEN: OngoingTIME: 9am – 12pmBy participating in the programme of

‘Our culture is a school’, Katara Beach emphasises the Qatari marine tradition and introduces to students the meaning of Dasha, Al Qafal and various type of pearls. The students will discover all details of the Fath El-Kheir journey.

Ballet LessonsWHERE: Music and Arts AtelierWHEN: OngoingTIME: 4pm – 8pmFor more info e-mail at registration@

atelierqatar.com or call on 33003839.

Cycling: Losail Circuit Sports ClubWHERE: Losail CircuitWHEN: OngoingTIME: 5pmLosail Circuit Sports Club, in association

with Qatar Sports For All Federation, invites all cyclists, runners and walkers to train under the floodlights of Losail International Circuit every Wednesdays.

Meditation RetreatWHERE: Banana Island ResortWHEN: December 14 – 15Imagine waking up with the peaceful

silence of a paradise beach as your senses are lured by the smell of essential oils, vegan food and fresh herbal tea. With each breath, your whole being feels relaxed and recharged. You can finally release all the tension you’ve been carrying for years. The bright sunlight warms your face as you walk on the beach to join morning yoga, sound healing and mindfulness meditation.

Heritage Library’s Permanent Exhibition

WHERE: Qatar National LibraryWHEN: Ongoing till December 31TIME: 9am – 8pmThe exhibition displays around 400 items

from the QNL Heritage Library collection that illustrate the spread and evolution of ideas throughout the Arab and Islamic world, as well as document interactions between Arabs and the West over the past several centuries. The exhibition features books, manuscripts, historical photographs maps, globes and travellers’ instruments that tell the story of Qatar, along with the history of science, literature, writing, travel in the region, and much more.

The Colour RunWHERE: QNCCWHEN: January 26TIME: 8:30amCelebrate the hero in you in a realm

where nothing is impossible and you are

unstoppable. Soar to new heights in the all-new Super Zone and suit up in gear fit for only the most super of heroes as you collect your medal at the Finish Line! 2019 will also include the Foam Zone. Gates will open at 7am on January 26, with our first Color Runners setting off at 8.30am.

Arabic Calligraphy WorkshopWHEN: Saturday – WednesdayTIME: 6pmArabic Calligraphy workshop is back.

Come and learn the artistic practice of Arabic handwriting and calligraphy at Music and Arts Atelier.

The lessons will take place every Saturday, Monday and Wednesday at 6pm. For more information, contact [email protected]

After School ActivitiesWHERE: AtelierWHEN: OngoingMusic and arts Activities for students

taking place after they finish their day in school includes Group Music lessons, Hip-hop, Ballet, Drawing and Painting, Drama Theatre & Taekwondo. Ages between 5 and 10 years old after school hours.

Hobby ClassesWHERE: Mystic Arts Centre behind Al

Hilal Focus Medical CentreWHEN:Wednesday – MondayMystic Art Centre, is a holistic

performing artsinstitution and a one stop solution for adults as well as children looking to explore their talents in various art forms. We offer classes in Carnatic Music, Hindustani Music, Karate, Yoga, Zumba, Classical Dance, Salsa, Hip Hop, contemporary and Bollywood dance forms. For details, call 33897609.

Dance and instrument classesWHERE: TCA Campus, Behind Gulf

Times BuildingWHEN: Wednesday – MondayLearn the movements of dance styles

in Bollywood, Hip Hop and also the musical instruments such as Piano, Guitar, Keyboard for adults as well kids and move in the world of music. For details, contact 66523871/ 31326749.


COMMUNITY COVER STORY

“I have rules, but I don’t necessarily obey them”

— Margaret Atwood, poet, novelist, literary critic

People don’t like being preached to when they’re reading fiction, and avoiding that is manuscript-specific. And with any manuscript, some people are going to like it, some people are going to hate it and some people are going to be indifferent

‘’By Ashley Lee

Margaret Atwood is writing a sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale, her prescient 1985 novel later

adapted for a hit series on Hulu. Announced last Wednesday and expected in September 2019, The Testaments is set 15 years after the protagonist’s fi nal scene in the original book and is narrated by three female characters.

An informed expert on dystopian, patriarchal societies, the prolifi c Canadian author of Alias Grace, Oryx and Crake and the MaddAddam trilogy will also be honoured today by leading women’s

rights organisation Equality Now. The Make Equality Reality gala will also laud The Hate U Give actress Amandla Stenberg and behavioural geneticist Sue Smalley at the Beverly Hilton hotel.

Atwood, 79, spoke with The Times about penning a Handmaid’s Tale sequel and writing work that inspires readers to take action.

Congratulations on being honoured by Equality Now.

Yes, I’m being honoured but really, I’m helping them to raise money. They fi ght for women’s rights, and that’s the kind of feminist I am. They’re based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which everyone should go back and read because they’ve forgotten about it. They are real


COMMUNITYCOVER STORY

activists, that’s what they do every day. I’m not a real activist. The diff erence between them and me is that I’m just a person who doesn’t have a job, so people like me have the privilege of getting to mouth off because nobody can fi re them.

The Handmaid’s Tale has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity, from the Hulu series adaptation to the use of its signature garb in legislative demonstrations. Why write a sequel?

That’s easy to answer. Number one, it’s fun. But that’s a very frivolous answer. Number two, I’ve been asked these questions by readers for 35 years. “Oh, come on, Margaret!” So it’s time to address some of the requests. It’s not a continuation that starts fi ve minutes after the book ends and then I tell you what happens next. It takes place 15 years after the book ends. [I’ve had the idea] over the past fi ve years or so. I’m almost fi nished with it.

Your Wednesday announcement said it’s inspired by “the world we’ve been living in.” What did you mean?

The news has become so much more extreme. What about these people in Ohio that are saying motherhood should be mandatory? They haven’t done it yet, they’re talking about it. But when people talk about things like that, being the age I am, I’m remembering that Hitler said it all in Mein Kampf and then he did it. If they had the power, they would do it. These ideas have been tried before.

What I’m fi xated on now, of course, like all Canadians, is we’ve got our faces jammed up against the plate-glass window, looking into your country. What kind of shenanigans will they be up to next? What’s gonna happen next? I’ve never seen anything like it, and neither has anybody else. On one hand, it’s just riveting, and on the other hand, it’s quite appalling.

What’s the key to any successful sequel, even if it’s more than 30 years after a previous instalment?

Who knows? Let’s see if it does work. The jury is not in. But I did the MaddAddam trilogy, so I think this is true for any world invention: You have to be consistent with your own axioms.

I’m not going to say more [about The Testaments]. You can’t pry it out of me. I can tell you that [my publishers] do have a cover, and they will be releasing it later. And they are going to release a newsletter that people can subscribe to. It’ll probably be things like, “Got up this morning, had some coff ee, did some copy-editing … ” Stuff you really need to know. That’s their idea, that it’s sort of like a diary. “Now it’s at the printer, and I got it back, and there were 115 typographical errors!” [Laughs] Well, that is not going to happen.

What women’s rights initiatives have excited you lately?

Just yesterday, I was having a

meeting about a new development under the umbrella of the Canadian Women’s Foundation called AfterMeToo. It will be a web-based initiative available to all that will provide people with the things they want and need the most: safe reporting, immediate counselling and third-party investigation. As in, not from within the company or educational institution because when it comes from within, is the main goal to fi x our PR or to help the person? As we know, they tend to do what’s best for them. It’s been super troubling to watch over the years.

This will help people make informed decisions, presenting them with their options and chances of success and steps you need to take. If I do this, what will happen? What sorts of resources can I depend on? If I’m going to be a witness in a court case, do I get to have a lawyer? The knowledge of this is almost nonexistent among the kinds of people who are the most vulnerable.

What advice do you have for authors aligning their fi ction with social-justice issues?

People don’t like being preached to when they’re reading fi ction, and avoiding that is manuscript-specifi c. And with any manuscript, some people are going to like it, some people are going to hate it and some people are going to be indiff erent. You have a problem if everybody hates it, and you

probably have a problem if everybody likes it.

So it’s then, what is good writing? The “art for art’s sake” people will have a diff erent answer than the Victorian moralists. Look at the trial of Madame Bovary. People forget these things and they forget that Hitler and Stalin and the Inquisition were big book burners. It’s always gonna be this tug of war between a freedom of expression and “in the interest of the public good, we’re not only gonna burn your book but also fry you at the stake.” So how much of a lynch mob do you want to inspire?

We’re not there yet. We’re not seeing big piles of books being burnt in the streets. Remember, you can have totalitarianisms on the left as much as you can on the right. It’s not a question of, this side is good, this side is bad; it’s when things get to an extreme, they look much the same.

You’re active on Twitter, which can be overwhelming with our current news cycle as well as reader questions. How do you manage?

I can’t read everything. It’s not humanly possible. I have rules, but like everybody else, I don’t necessarily obey them. “Now I’m going to go to bed” isn’t always a self-admonishment to which I liveth. I would love to have a schedule that I actually paid any attention to.

—Los Angeles Times/TNSTHE PEAK: Margaret Atwood’s prescient 1985 novel The Handmaid’s Tale was adapted for a hit series on Hulu.

“You can have totalitarianisms on the left as much as you can on the right. It’s not a question of, this side is good, this side is bad; it’s when things get to an extreme, they look much the same”


COMMUNITYPISQ organises three-day workshop for facultyAs a part of its on-going teacher training programme, Pakistan International School Qatar (PISQ), in collaboration with Oxford University Press (OUP), recently organised the second edition of three-day’ workshop for the professional development of the teachers. The workshops, included ‘Activity based teaching focusing on new approaches and methods’, ‘Teaching of English, new approaches and methodologies’, and ‘Teaching of Mathematics, new approaches and methodologies’. The workshops highlighted all the OUP resources available for the subjects. Uzma Khan and Shazia Asad, both representatives of OUP, conducted the workshop. On the first day, two sessions of ‘Activity based teaching focusing on new approaches and methods’

were arranged simultaneously in the Exam Cell and Library of PISQ. The teachers were divided into two groups. On the second day, PISQ teachers attended the workshop ‘Teaching Methodologies in Mathematics’ and third day focused on ‘Teaching of English, new approaches and methodologies’. Nargis Raza Otho, Principal of PISQ, took special interest in all the sessions and observed the workshops. According to her, the goal of these training workshops is to enable teachers to be suff iciently prepared, confident and competent enough in making full use of the benefits of these wonderful training sessions in and out of the classroom.

KP contributes to Chief Minister of Kerala’s Distress Relief FundKochery & Partners LLP (KP), the 1st Indian Law Firm licensed by the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC), recently contributed Rs20 lakh to the Chief Minister of Kerala’s Distress Relief Fund for the flood relief, rebuilding Kerala activities. The cheque was handed over to Shri Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister of Kerala, by Dr Nizar Kochery, Managing Partner of KP, in the presence of other ministers, including Shri K T Jaleel and Shri VS Sunil Kumar along with K K Sankaran, former Director of Norka Roots and Rizwin Kochery.The funds were raised through a one-day Seminar on ‘Legal Environment in Qatar’. The seminar was also attended by Nathapol Khantahiran,

Ambassador of Thailand. Other notable personalities who attended the session, included businessmen, legal consultants, general managers, hr managers, finance managers, administrators and contract managers. The session was presented by Dr Nizar Kochery and Adv Rizwin Kochery, and covered topics, including constitution and court system of Qatar, law relating to contracts, companies, foreign investment, trade, agencies, income tax, consumer protection, e-commerce, intellectual property, privacy and data protection, lease, arbitration, employment, immigration, permanent residency, negotiable instruments, wills and inheritance.

IEI holds technical seminarThe Institution of Engineers India (IEI)-Qatar Chapter recently organised a technical seminar on ‘Quality and ISO Standards and Privacy Engineering and Assurance’ at Ashoka Hall, Indian Cultural Centre. The seminar was well attended by over 100 members of IEI. Abdul Sathar, Chairman IEI, welcomed the gathering and introduced the guest speakers to the audience. He also spoke about the active role of IEI-Qatar Chapter in the professional development of its member engineers, outlining the forthcoming programmes. He said that IEI plays a significant role for the development of agriculture and food processing, infrastructure, education and healthcare, information and communication technology, critical technologies and strategic industries such as nuclear, space technology and defence technology with larger objectives.The seminar was conducted by Ajay Singh, QA /QC Manager, and Rakesh Jha,

Founding Director and CEO of Privacy Virtuoso Global Pvt Ltd. Ajay elaborated on the quality and ISO standards. He said that these are based on seven quality management principles that senior management can apply for organisational improvement on, including customer focus, leadership, engagement of people, process approach, improvement, evidence-based decision-making, relationship management.Speaking on the occasion, Rakesh said that privacy engineering and assurance is the engineering methodology to bridge the gap between laws and principles and technologies and is intended to foster the birth of the new professional.Abdul Sathar presented the mementoes to Ajay Singh and Rakesh Jha for their contribution as guest speaker. The event was compered by Dr Abdul Hameed, Secretary of IEI, and Sajeet George, Treasurer of IEI, proposed a vote of thanks.


COMMUNITY

Doha College hosts three-day MUN conferenceDoha College recently organised Doha College Model United Nation (DCMUN). Some 600 students from 18 schools of Doha, participated in a three day conference of presenting, lobbying and deliberating. Apart from polishing students’ public speaking, negotiation, leadership and communication skills, the conference brought into focus many topical issues of today.The theme of the conference was ‘Life Without Fear’ and touched upon 41 issues. The issues were grouped into 13 categories, including ‘Disarmament and International Security’, ‘Economic and Financial’, ‘Social, Humanitarian and Cultural’, ‘Legal’, ‘Environment Commission’, ‘International Atomic Energy Agency’ and others. Issues, including Protection against the acts of cybercrimes towards multinational corporations, Reducing the eff ects of nuclear waste on natural life, Combating the issue of age-based discrimination, and the question of regulating and ensuring the stability of cryptocurrencies were discussed at the conference. Rajalakshmi Ravinuthala, Director of MUN from guest school Al Khor International School, said, “When I was in school, we did not have such opportunities. We gain more knowledge working with the students.” Doha College MUN students organised the event along with the team of teachers. They also developed a website that detailed the benefits of getting involved, the resources and the training the students can get, and information about the past and current

conferences. David Moore, Director of DCMUN and faculty of history and sociology at Doha College, said “As well as improving a plethora of skills in leadership, organisation, chairing and public speaking, DCMUN gives its members skills that are usable beyond Doha College, including in further education, volunteering and employment. Not to mention meeting top-level diplomats, ambassadors and global activists. I am proud that members of DCMUN research and address issues that need more attention in our media and speaks for those who have no voice and little power.”Tajwaar Shafiq, President of DCMUN for 2018-2019, said, “All who have chosen to participate in MUN, in any role, will be all the better for it, either by pushing the boundaries of their own thought process while opening their minds to others’, or by learning the ‘behind the scenes’ of conferences and event planning, to name just a minute fraction of what students will learn throughout their MUN career.”The participating schools, included Sherborne Qatar, Lycee Bonaparte, Qatar International School, Doha College, Newton International Academy, DPS – Modern Indian School, International School of London Qatar, Birla Public School, Gulf English School, Al Khor International School, Dukhan English School, Qatar Academy, Al Jazeera Academy, Parkhouse English School, SEK Qatar International School, Noor Al Khaleej, Doha Academy (Girls), Doha Academy (Boys) and English Modern School.

BPS organises Annual Sports DayBirla Public School recently organised its Annual Sports Day at Al Wakrah Stadium. Around 700 students of BPS participated in the sports day activities. Samba was the chief guest at the event. Speaking on the occasion, he emphasised on the importance of sports in a child’s life. He was happy to observe the untiring eff orts invested by the school to achieve excellence in all spheres of education and personality development of the students. In his address, he congratulated the achievers for their commendable performance in sports and academics and urged to equip themselves with versatile talents to take on the challenges of life. The event kicked off with a melodious Arabic Stick Dance, which was followed by thrilling pyramid formation, flag hoisting, Qatar and India’s National Anthem and a march past by the four houses of BPS, including Mars, Neptune, Jupiter and Saturn. The field events of 100m, 200m, 400m, 4x100m inter house

relay were also part of the event,In the Girls Category the winners, included Minha Fathima, a student of Grad-V, scored 11 points in Junior 1; Andria Mary, Grade-VI, 15 points in Junior 2; Nuha Zakiya, Grade-VII, 13 points in Intermediate; Harsha Jackson, Grade-X, 13 points in Senior; and Sindhu Nithyananda, Grade XI, 13 points in Super Senior. In the Girls Category the winners, included Bala Mohan Krishna, a student of Grad-V, first in Junior 1; Adhishesh Chitrakumar, Grade-VI, Junior 2; Azam Ahamed, Grade-VII, Intermediate; Amil Rajesh, Grade-X, Senior; and Ashvin Viju, Grade-XII, Super Senior. The positions of the houses, include Mars, first position with 252 points; Jupiter, second with 196 points; Neptune, third with 172 points; and Saturn, fourth with 164 points.


COMMUNITYPIM felicitates successful examinees of SPLE-CPAThe successful examinees of Special Professional Licensure Examination – Certified Public Accountant (SPLE-CPA) recently received their Plaque of Recognition from the Philippine Institute of Management (PIM) Holiday Villa Hotel. The mentors, included Kentry B Ayson, AFAR Mentor; Liezel Santos, Audit Problems Mentor; Emma T Vitor, Tax Mentor; Rolando Matutis, MAS mentor; Atty Daisy B Garcia-Tingzon, LLB- RFBT mentor; Jeff rey Quinto, Theory mentor; and Rodelle Avila, Audit Theory mentor.

QFSSA kicks off with a football tournamentThe Qatar Foundation Schools’ Sports Association (QFSSA) was off icially launched recently with a football tournament at Awsaj Academy, part of QF’s Pre-University Education. Open to QF elementary school students, under the age of 11, the competitions were held at the football field of Awsaj Recreation Centre, and brought together nearly 120 students from Qatar Academy Al Wakrah, Qatar Academy Msheireb, Qatar Academy Al Khor, Qatar Academy Sidra, and Awsaj Academy.Qatar Academy Al Khor Boys Team and Qatar Academy Msheireb Girls Team were the two tournament champions, with the two Qatar Academy Sidra teams taking second and third place for the boys, and the Qatar Academy Al Wakrah and Qatar Academy Sidra teams taking second and third places, respectively for the girls.

Mark Hughes, Director of Awsaj Academy, said, “The successful launch of the Qatar Foundation Schools’ Sports Association is a joint eff ort, and I’d like to thank all those involved in organising the event, including the teachers from across the diff erent schools. The aim of the program is to discover talented young players, refine their talent, and off er training which enables them to maximise their sporting potential training. I believe that it is an important initiative in the development of future generations of sportspeople.” Sandijs Baskevics, Lead Physical Education Teacher at Awsaj Academy, said, “Our schools house a selection of fantastic sports facilities, therefore allowing us to host these events. The competitions enable our students to represent their schools, while demonstrating their skills, ability to work within a team, and positive sportsmanship.”

Students of PISQ excel at Elocution and Holy Qur’an Recitation CompetitionStudents of Pakistan International School Qatar (PISQ) recently participated in the 27th Inter-School Elocution Competition and 24th Holy Qur’an Recitation Competition, organised by MES Indian School. A total of 36 candidates from 9 expatriate schools participated in the competition. In the Elocution Competition, Master Muhammad Subhan, a student of Grade-XII at PISQ, won second position in the senior category. The topic for senior category elocution competition was ‘Regime of Prophet- an Ideal Regime for

All Rulers’. Master Ahmad Nasir participated in junior category and spoke on the topic of ‘Islam Enlightened Human Souls With Divine Wisdom’. Ahmad was felicitated with a certificate of excellence for his performance. Master Saarim Khan and Master Umar took part in the Holy Qur’an Recitation Competition in the senior and junior categories, respectively. Saarim and Umar bagged third position in both the categories. Nargis Raza Otho, Principal of PISQ, felicitated and congratulated the participants.

Greg Malouf joins forces with Julien Al KhalGreg Malouf, Michelin Star Chef and acclaimed Author, recently joined forces with Julien Al Khal, Executive Chef of Marsa Malaz Kempinski Hotel, to present a special Modern Middle Eastern menu at Al Sufra restaurant at Marsa Malaz Kempinski. The menu was a combination of Arabic delights with a special twist of new flavours and seasonings from the cuisines of the world. The menu included an interesting selection of servings, including Sultan Delight, a whipped smoky eggplant, Akawi cheese saffron and brick wafers, Stone roasted king prawns with green Chermoula, fennel and whipped feta, Organic rose petal ice cream with caramel apples, rose jelly and wafers.


COMMUNITYBOOK REVIEW

The Best of Us recounts story of love and death

Joyce Maynard has built much of her literary career on the subject of her own life. Her

most recent memoir, is the most moving chapter of that life yet. By Colette Bancroft

Half fairy-tale romance, half a grim record of devastating grief, The Best of Us recounts how Maynard met and

married the man of her dreams decades after she gave up on love, and then, less than two years after their wedding, lost him to pancreatic cancer, one of the most savage varieties of that disease.

Maynard’s life has been well-examined. She gained fame early with an essay in the New York Times called ‘An Eighteen-Year-Old Looks Back at Life.’ For years she wrote a popular syndicated newspaper column based on her experiences as a wife, mother, reporter and novelist. In 1998 she published At Home in the World, a hugely controversial account of her brief relationship (she was 18, he was 53) with Catcher in the Rye author J D Salinger.

The Best of Us fi nds her in her late 50s. She had married in her 20s, raised three children and made a home she loved, but the marriage ended in a bitter divorce. Focused on her professional life, she has had a number of relationships over the years, but she doubts she’ll ever feel lightning strike again.

She meets many of the men she dates in that most 21st century fashion. Some of them are disasters (as she comically recounts), but then there’s Jim Barringer. A San Francisco estate lawyer, a long-divorced father of three children he aches to be closer to, a handsome guy who loves fast cars and rock ‘n’ roll, he sweeps her off her feet, and the feeling is mutual.

Early in their relationship, Maynard writes, they celebrate her 58th birthday. “Jim took me out for dinner in San Francisco. Driving across the Golden Gate Bridge in his silver Porsche past the palace of the Legion of Honour, the gold dome of City Hall, the Opera, I saw our life before us like the glittering waters on San Francisco Bay, dotted with sailboats. Here was the life I had dreamed I would know one day, the picture I’d constructed over my many years alone of what a perfect relationship would look like. Music and dancing, good meals and a drive home with the top down, to climb into bed. We were tourists in the country of love.”

They marry, and it’s great.

And then Jim sees a doctor about a nagging back pain and is diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Maynard writes, “How does a person describe the moment her world ends? I felt it in my heart, as real as a knifepoint going in.”

The mostly joyful tone of the book’s fi rst half pivots as the realities of cancer overwhelm them. Pancreatic cancer is extremely diffi cult to treat; even when it’s discovered early, which is rare, the fi ve-year survival rate is about 12 percent. Barringer’s cancer is found relatively early,

which makes him a candidate for something called the Whipple procedure, a gruelling and extremely complex surgery (his will take 14 hours) that itself has a high rate of complications and death. But for Maynard and Barringer it becomes their greatest hope, even if simply getting him well enough to have the surgery requires a regimen of chemotherapy and other treatments that leaves them reeling.

For Maynard, fi nding a way to beat the cancer becomes a

full-time job. She obsessively researches doctors, hospitals, medications and clinical trials. She fi nds a pancreatic cancer survivor group (a pitifully small one) for Jim to attend; she fi nds herbal treatments and macrobiotic diets; they even take one doctor’s advice to “eat good dirt.”

Barringer, with her help, tries to cram as much living as he can into what time he has left. They travel, they ride his motorcycle, they spend time with friends and family. But the sicker he gets, the more often that pursuit

of great experiences has dire consequences. A climb up a mountain in Chile is exhilarating, but a sip of creek water on the way back leads to infection with the bacteria cryptosporidium. For her it’s a day of stomach upset; for him it’s a life-threatening event that could delay or cancel the Whipple. And it’s just one of multiple severe infections to come.

As the book descends into the nightmare world of Barringer’s hospitalisations and side eff ects and physical and mental decline, Maynard does not spare the reader. She describes it all in detail, as vividly as she described their golden romance. But amid all that darkness and pain, she shows us her husband’s courage and humour and determination.

Just weeks before his death, failing fast and in hospice care, he insists on attending a Bob Dylan concert at the Greek Theatre, an outdoor venue in Berkeley. “I’m taking Joyce on a date,” he tells friends. He has to watch Dylan’s performance from a wheelchair, but he dresses to the nines and stays for the whole show, monitored by nurses. Then Maynard takes him home: “He did not leave his bed again.”

The Best of Us is not a romance with a fairy-tale happily ever after, but it is a love story, bravely lived and told.– Tampa Bay Times/TNS

DETAILED: As the book descends into the nightmare world of Maynard’s husband’s hospitalisations and side eff ects and physical and mental decline, she does not spare the reader. She describes it all in detail.

MEMOIR: Half fairy-tale romance, half a grim record of devastating grief, The Best of Us recounts how Maynard met and married the man of her dreams and lost him in less than two years of marriage to pancreatic cancer.


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

Things should go well for you today, Aries. Don’t shy away from the

obvious attraction that you have toward one special person. Today is

the day to amplify that feeling instead of hide from it. Show off your

friendship with the brightest, boldest colours and actions possible.

There is magic in the attention that you give and receive.

Put your incredible sensitivity to work for you today in a way that

inspires action, Cancer. There’s so much within you that needs

expression at this time. Don’t hold back any longer. When it comes

to issues regarding friendly relation, feel free to make a move. You

may be attracted to those who tickle your brain cells. Philosophical

discussions will be quite rewarding.

You should find that you have an extra amount of creative energy

now, Libra, and you should do what you can to make this force work

for you. There’s a time and place for everything, and now is the time

to work together with your higher self to channel some of the artist

within. Don’t let your self-doubt keep you from using the creative

force that’s brewing inside you.

Feel free to strike out for new territory today, Capricorn. It could be

that you’re so scared of losing what you have that you refuse to take

risks to obtain something better that you want. Realise that you will

never get any further than the rut you’re in until you take a deep

breath, aim high, and shoot for your dreams.

There may be too much fiery energy in the day to make you feel

comfortable with the situation, Taurus. Instead of trying to resist this

powerful force, it would be better if you embraced it. Use this day

to draw out some of your inner flame and let it radiate toward the

people you care about the most. This is a day to take action on your

feelings instead of swallow them without a word.

Things should be going well for you today, so don’t miss the

opportunities that await you, Leo. There’s a sparkle in your eye that’s

unmistakable, and you will find that issues regarding relationships

are especially potent. Love is on your side. Take a trip with the

people you enjoy most.

You may have been a bit indecisive lately when it comes to

relationship, Scorpio. Perhaps your mind is drawn to one person

while your heart is drawn to another. Perhaps you’re trying to trick

your mind into seeing a certain quality in someone while you ignore

parts that you don’t really like. Make sure you accept people for all of

who they are and not just the individual parts.

Things regarding relationships may be climactic for you now,

Aquarius, and you may bump heads with someone in a way that

makes it diff icult for either one of you to be content. More than likely

there’s an issue of freedom versus control that’s making it diff icult

to find a resolution. Perhaps you need to give a certain issue a break

and come back to it later.

You may find that others are hostile toward you today, Gemini. Try

not to take it personally. Realise that there are other people and

situations with which you can connect that will help bolster your ego

instead of drag it down. Make deeper connections with your friend

tonight by indulging in some adventure. Shared experiences will be

extremely rewarding at this time.

Don’t let other people’s insensitive actions dictate your mood today,

Virgo. Your state of mind is your responsibility, and you should work

to come to a point at which you have full control over what you feel

at all times. If something isn’t working out, let it go. This isn’t a good

time to try to stick a square peg in a round hole.

You took off like a bullet a few days ago, making great progress

in a short amount of time. Now you’re grappling with doubts that

are undermining all of your energy. Reflecting on the events of the

past few days, it’s obvious that you were somewhat reckless in your

headlong pursuit of your goals. Don’t give up, Sagittarius. Rethink

your strategy.

You may find that you’re taking a much more daring approach when

it comes to relationships now, Pisces. If you aren’t, than maybe you

should. You will never know the possibilities until you at least give it

a try. You may find that there’s something spurring you on today. Use

that impulse to initiate a new path toward the object of your desire.

Yo-yo dieting can be fatal: StudyY

o-yo dieting, or weight cycling, or the cyclical loss and gain of weight is associated with a higher death risk, researchers have warned.

A study found that this form of dieting leads to adverse health outcomes and 80 per cent of

people who lose weight gradually regain either the same weight or even more than they had before going on a diet.

The Endocrine Society’s Scientifi c statement on the causes of obesity found that this was because once an individual loses weight, the body typically reduces the amount of energy expended at rest, during exercises and daily activities.

While it increases hunger, thereby creating conditions for weight gain.

“This study shows that weight cycling can heighten a person’s risk of death,” said Hak C Jang, Professor from the Seoul National University (SNU) in South Korea.

The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, also showed that weight loss from weight cycling can reduce diabetes risk in people with obesity.

The health benefi ts of weight loss overshadowed the adverse eff ects of weight cycling for individuals with obesity looking to lower their diabetes risk.

“We also concluded that weight loss as a result of weight cycling can ultimately reduce the risk of developing diabetes in people with obesity,” Jang noted.

For the study, the team examined 3,678 men and women.

Yo-yo dieting or yo-yo eff ect is a term coined by Kelly D. Brownell at Yale University, in reference to the cyclical loss and gain of weight, resembling the up-down motion of a yo-yo. — 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.

More Five-letter Females

JANETJENNYJODIEJOSIEJOYCEJULIAKARENKELLY

KITTYKYLIELAURALEIGHLIBBYLINDALORNAMABEL

MAEVEMANDYMARIEMEGANMERLEMITZIMOIRAMOLLY

NANCYNAOMIOLIVEPATSYPAULAPEARLPEGGYPOLLY

RHODASALLYSUSANTAMMYTRACYWENDYZELDA


COMMUNITYPUZZLES

Colouring

Answers

Wordsearch Codeword

Across 1. Being rather on the dim

side, it’s too much to put up with (1,3,5)

8. I’m taking the seed - it’s a sudden inclination (7)

9. Liqueur sloshing around in baths (7)

10. On return, the salesman picks a hundred out for the captain (7)

13. To everyone it’s obvious it means the danger’s over (3-5)

14. The kingdom detail is quite authentic (4)

16. High quality meat for a number at the Red Lion, anyhow (10)

20. Are too difficult for one to defeat (4)

22. Plenty of luggage (4) 24. It may involve using

twice as many words, but it amounts to nothing (6-4)

28. The animals return to grass (4)

29. Horse article I included is highly thought of (8)

31. Bobby’s such a bright one (7)

34. One run by British Rail for churchgoers? (7)

35. Is at home, cooler, thanks to the princess (7)

36. Wrongly informed about there being anything beyond the fog (9)

Super Cryptic Clues

Yesterday’s Solutions

Across: 3 Metropolis; 8 Monica; 9 Even; 10 Highwayman; 11 Got; 13 Bass; 14 Stretch; 15 Shot; 17 Tepid; 20 Tapes; 22 Lows; 24 Instead; 25 Cute; 27 Vet; 28 Broad-sword; 29 Idle; 30 Earned; 31 Greensward.

Down: 1 Dominate; 2 Dishes; 3 Manages; 4 Tramp; 5 Open; 6 Long-stop; 7 Switches; 12 Trot; 14 Stew; 16 Hold; 17 Thieving; 18 Positive; 19 Drew; 21 Extorted; 23 Studied; 25 Coward; 26 Sonia; 28 Bees.

Down 1. It’s stubborn of mother, putting a

worker out (7) 2. Slight reduction in the hormone (7) 3. Like the music of a quartet on a long-

playing record? (5) 4. Biblical character contrived lies

about the ham being cooked (7) 5. Deceives the children (4) 6. How to get water out of a shoe (4) 7. Where the man turned up with the

new trio in the U.S. (7) 11. An officer, do we hear, to the core?

(6) 12. Foreigner seen outside a barber’s

shop (4) 15. Wrongly encourage the sailor to pick

up the note (4) 17. Are turning up but taking an age (3) 18. A bout of illness, and you might be

given it (4) 19. Is the puzzle why it’s got so many

holes in it? (6) 21. A boring one, but it has its place in

the Shaw library (3) 22. An undisguised victory for the PM

(7) 23. The King George alphabet is familiar

to Austrians (4) 25. In certain vehicles see women

wearing them (7) 26. Lowering a silver-coated dish (7) 27. It would be most considerate were

the tin desk to be shifted (7) 30. She stands, identifying herself as a

man (5) 32. Hazel’s crazy, losing her head with

such enthusiasm (4) 33. I leave the New Zealander about to

go a-roving (4)


COMMUNITY BOLLYWOOD

WELCOMING: Parineeti Chopra has welcomed Nick to her family and is all praise for her brother-in-law.

ALL PRAISE: Shah Rukh Khan says the people of Mumbai are very resilient.

CANDID: Ranveer Singh with his wife Deepika Padukone.

We need to make Mumbai magical: Shah Rukh

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has said that people of Mumbai need to make a magical Mumbai for themselves.

Shah Rukh Khan was addressing the media at the ‘Mumbai 2.0’ event here on Saturday. It was organised by the Government of Maharashtra along with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Talking about the people of Mumbai, Shah Rukh lauded the resilience and patience of the city of Mumbai and it’s people.

“I think more than patience, people of Mumbai have resilience in their

personality. Most of the times, we have seen that whether it’s raining, traffic jams or another kind of wrongdoings but Mumbai has always been resilient, has come forth, stood forth and fought everything of with love and kindness plus with a lot of guts,” he said.

“I think the other thing that we should add to Mumbaikars is to add the magical part of Mumbaikar. Our Mumbai is resilient and beautiful but we need to make a magical Mumbai,” he added.

Shah Rukh next will be seen in Anand L Rai’s Zero along with Katrina Kaif and Anushka Sharma.

It is releasing in theatres on December 21. – IANS

Ranveer’s mantra: Say yes to everything wife says

Newly wed Ranveer Singh knows the secret for a happy married life: Say ‘yes’ to everything your wife says.

He made the remark while looking at his wife Deepika Padukone at their wedding reception on Saturday night that brought together a host of personalities ranging from Bollywood megastar Big B to cricketer M S Dhoni.

Amitabh danced to his song Jumma Chumma and superstar Shah Rukh Khan hit the dance floor with actress Malaika Arora on their hit track Chaiyya chaiyya at the star-studded gala which saw the stars letting their hair down.

Ranveer and Deepika hosted a wedding reception, a black-tie industry party night at The Grand Hyatt on Saturday in Mumbai, where well-known personalities from Bollywood, sports and political background were present.

From the pictures and videos of the party circulated on social media, it seems the celebs had a gala time at the event, which has rounded up days of celebrations around their nuptials which took place in mid-November in Lake Como, Italy.

Not only Big B and SRK, actors like Karisma Kapoor and Varun Dhawan danced their heart out with Ranveer on a song from Judwaa.

In one of the videos, the Band Baaja Baaraat actor can be seen rapping along

with rapper Divine.But it was Ranveer’s speech which

added a spunk. Though new to married life, Ranveer already seems to know what it takes to have a happily ever after.

Actress Shilpa Shetty Kundra’s husband Raj Kundra uploaded a video in which Ranveer can be seen sharing words of wisdom.

“The key to success in life is to say yes to everything that she says,” he said, pointing at Deepika.

“So when baby says, ‘Baby, change the vibe of the music’, I have to oblige,” Ranveer said.

The list of attendees also included, actor Hrithik Roshan, Sara Ali Khan, Ishaan Khatter, Disha Patani, Tiger Shroff, Aditi Rao Hydari, Radhika Apte, Jim Sarbh, Lara Dutta along with husband Mahesh Bhupathi, Vidya Balan with Siddharth Roy Kapoor, Hema Malini with son-in-law Bharat Takhtani, producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra and his wife Anupama Chopra, Vicky Kaushal, Rekha, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, Kalki Koechlin, Nimrat Kaur, R Madhavan and his wife Sarita Birje.

For the evening, the couple arrived looking nothing short of regal. Ranveer wore a classic black piece suit with a bow tie designed by Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna. Deepika was dressed in a deep red Zuhair Murad ensemble. – IANS

Parineeti happy about union between Jonas, Chopra families

Actress Parineeti Chopra penned an emotional note as her cousin, actress Priyanka Chopra married American singer Nick Jonas. She is happy about how the culturally diff erent families of the bride and groom have united.

Sharing a picture from Priyanka’s mehendi on Instagram, Parineeti welcomed Nick to her family and is all praise for her “jiju” (brother-in-law).

”The job of us bridesmaids was to make sure the bride was happy and comfortable at all times. But we did not have to worry about it because Nick promised to do it all his life.

“Welcome to the family Nick jiju! I am so so happy that the Jonas and Chopra family is now united,” she wrote.

The couple also took to Instagram on Saturday to not just share glimpses of their ‘mehendi’ festivities, but also their thoughts about following both traditions to get married.

“One of the most special things that our relationship has given us is a merging of families who love and respect each others’ faiths and cultures. “And so, planning our wedding with an amalgamation of both was so amazing.”

Priyanka looked every bit the ‘desi girl’ in a bright multi-coloured and festive lehenga choli for her mehendi ceremony, which took place on Friday. While she looked carefree and joyous, Nick also seemed to be enjoying the customs to the hilt in a kurta-pyjama.

“An important part for the girl in an Indian wedding is the mehendi. Once again we made it our own, and it was an afternoon that kicked off the celebrations in the way we both dreamed,” read the post accompanying the pictures, which drew millions of fans across the world who had been

waiting to catch a glimpse of the closely guarded wedding.

Priyanka and Nick exchanged wedding vows in a Christian wedding on Saturday. On Sunday, they will wed as per Hindu traditions at the Royal Umaid Bhawan Palace.

Hollywood celebs like Mindy Kaling, Gisele Bundchen, Julianne Hough and Sofi a Vergara were among those who took the social media route to wish them a happy married life. – IANS

Monday, December 3, 2018 15GULF TIMES

COMMUNITYHOLLYWOOD

I don’t have a type: Rita Ora

Pop star Rita Ora, who has been romantically linked to actor Andrew Garfi eld, says she doesn’t have a type.

“I never know what I’m looking for. I don’t actually (have a type), at all,” Ora told people.com

The singer, who has previously dated personalities like Calvin Harris and Rob Kardashian, has just released the single Let You Love Me, which touches on the struggles of committing to a relationship.

The British beauty says she no longer has any trouble letting romantic love interests into her life.

“I don’t have that much trouble anymore. I have great friends around me who are very local and we try to keep it small and compact and tight,” she said.

Ora said that her past relationship experiences are similar to those of most other people.

She said: “Let You Love Me wasn’t that deep.“It was just kind of like a moment in time for

me that I felt like everyone kind of goes through when they’re not mentally ready to commit to something, so it was more about running away from something that you didn’t feel like you could handle at that moment. It was more of a sense of relief.” – IANS

Poppy Delevingne plays it safe

Model-actress Poppy Delevingne says that when she’s unsure about a dress code, she doesn’t wear anything “too out-there” as she doesn’t want to “get in trouble”.“If I am very unsure of a dress code, I like to keep it very, very simple. I think it’s always a little scary if you go too out-there. For me, what I’ll do is maybe a little black dress with a statement heel and a red lip. Nothing too out-there that’s going to get me into trouble,” Delevingne told Vogue Australia.

The Kingsman: The Golden Circle actress is no stranger to attending prestigious events and was recently a guest at the royal wedding of Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank on October 12, at Windsor Castle, and thought that the bride was “more beautiful than she’d ever seen her”, reports femalefi rst.co.uk

She said: “It was beautiful – the whole thing was beautiful, she was more beautiful than I’ve ever seen her, just the most glowing bride. It was really a weekend to remember.” – IANS

Mira, Royal Detective, an animated mystery-adventure series inspired by the culture and customs of India, is slated

to debut on Disney Junior channel and programming blocks around the world in 2020. The production has already begun.

Set in the magical Indian-inspired land of Jalpur, the series follows the brave and resourceful Mira, a commoner who is appointed to the role of royal detective after solving a mystery that involves saving the kingdom’s young prince.

The role of Mira will be voiced by 15-year-old newcomer Leela Ladnier.

“We are eager to introduce kids and their families to the rich, diverse cultures and customs of India through Mira, a young girl who looks at things with

her own unique lens to gain diff erent perspectives and help others in her community.

“We hope that she will encourage our audience to actively engage with the inspiring world around them and appreciate the little details that make life extraordinary,” Joe D’Ambrosia, Senior Vice President, Original Programming, Disney Junior, said in a statement.

As a royal detective, Mira travels throughout the kingdom helping royals and commoners alike. Along with her friend Prince Neel, a talented inventor, creative cousin Priya, and comical mongoose sidekicks Mikku and Chikku, she will stop at nothing to solve a case, taking young viewers on adventures that highlight critical thinking and encourage deductive reasoning.

Rooted in India’s vibrant heritage, each episode will weave authentic music, dance and customs into two 11 minutes stories.

In addition to Ladnier, the Mira, Royal Detective voice cast includes, Freida Pinto as Queen Shanti; Hannah Simone as a young commoner named Pinky; Jameela Jamil as Mira’s Auntie Pushpa; Kal Penn and Utkarsh Ambudkar as Mikku and Chikku respectively; Aasif Mandvi as Mira’s father; Sahil; Sarita Choudhury as Prince Neel’s Great-Aunt Rupa; Aparna Nancherla as Mira’s cousin Meena; Kamran Lucas as Prince Neel; Karan Brar as Prince Veer; Karan Soni as twins Ranjeet and Manjeet; Sarayu Blue as the palace tailor; Parvesh Cheena and Sonal Shah as bandits, Manish and Poonam, respectively; and newcomer Roshni Edwards as Mira’s cousin Priya. – IANS

US going through grotesque version of nationalism: De Niro

Actor Robert De Niro made a stringent criticism of the US administration without naming President Donald Trump as he accepted his honorary award at the Marrakech Film Festival.

De Niro was emotional as he received the honour from fi lmmaker Martin Scorsese, whom he called his “friend, lifelong collaborator” and “one of the greatest blessings of (his) life”, reported variety.com

The Oscar-winning actor said: “Sadly, in my country, we’re going through a period of grotesque version of nationalism. Not the kind of nationalism where we celebrate the quality and character of our diverse population; but rather a diabolic form of nationalism marked by greed, xenophobia and selfi shness under the banner of

‘America First’.“This stands in contrast with

what brings us tonight. The arts don’t respect borders... the arts celebrate diversity, origins and ideas. Look at us here tonight we’re enjoying fi lms from 29 countries; we’re united in our love for fi lms and our common humanity,” added De Niro, drawing repeated ovations and cheers from the audience.

Scorsese introduced De Niro’s tribute with a moving, funny and vibrant speech in which he paid homage to the actor’s “amazing body of work” before showing a sprawling and meticulous selection of clips – some of which were entire scenes – from De Niro’s films.

The filmmaker said De Niro has the “uncanny ability to get the viewer to empathise with some really horrifi c characters” and draw the viewer “to the humanity inside the monster.” – IANS

Disney’s animated series inspired by Indian culture

CAREFREE: Rita Ora says that she never knows what she is looking for.

CRITIC: Robert De Niro made a stringent criticism of the US administration at an award ceremony.

SIMPLE: Poppy Delevingne says if she is unsure of a dress code, she likes to keep it very simple.

ADVENTURE: Mira, Royal Detective is set in the magical Indian-inspired land of Jalpur.


COMMUNITY

Ever growing popularity and demand of avocados

In Mexico and other countries where the fruit is grown, the increase in demand is

leading to the indiscriminate destruction of land and the exploitation of growers

By Amelie Richter

The smell of moist earth and fresh resin from pine and oak trees hangs heavy in the air in Michoacan. Nature in

this western Mexican state comes in lush green tones and so does the region’s most lucrative fruit, the avocado.

Michoacan is one of the largest avocado-growing regions in Mexico. And while the fruit’s boom in worldwide popularity has brought money to the growing region, it’s also caused problems for the environment.

According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the amount of agricultural land dedicated to growing avocado around the world grew from 381,000 hectares in 2006 to 564,000 hectares in 2016.

A large part of that land is in Mexico, where the avocado originates from. Avocado trees are planted in endless uniform rows in the fi elds around the city of Uruapan.

Nearly 2 million tonnes of avocados have been grown on some 200,000 hectares over the past year. And the surface area used to produce them is still growing. Mexican biologist Arturo Chacon Torres, founder of the campaign group Academia Mexicana de Impacto Ambiental, says avocado

plantations continue to stretch into forests and mountain ranges.

It’s estimated that between 600 and 1,000 hectares of forest are being destroyed in the region per year to be turned into agricultural fi elds. Piles of small woodchips remain as traces of the destruction.

In addition, the fruit requires lots of care to grow properly, especially when it comes to water.

There are multiple small-time avocado growers in the region, several of them working illegally. In 2018, Mexican authorities caught several producers who were illegally felling pine trees in order to use the area to grow avocados.

According to a 2012 Mexican study commissioned by the government, increased avocado production has contributed to a loss in diversity as well as environmental pollution and soil erosion. It has also damaged the natural water cycle and endemic species in the area.

“We are striving to fi nd a balance that allows us to maintain the advantages and income, but also develop a more sustainable form of production,” says Ramon Paz Vega, spokesman for the Mexican association of avocado producers and exports, APEAM. The group supports a reforestation programme, among other initiatives.

According to estimates by the Mexican Agriculture Ministry, global demand for avocados is set

to grow about 48.98 per cent from 2017 to 2030. Global consumption is expected to increase from 2.84 million tons to 4.24 million tons per year.

Mexico’s powerful cartels haven’t missed the memo about the avocado’s popularity, organised crime also has its fi nger in the ‘green gold.’ Producers are often threatened and kidnapped by gang members. Some have formed defence groups and even called on the federal police to intervene. The problem has lessened, but it does still exist.

Mexico isn’t the only country with problems due to the huge growth in demand for the fruit.

In the past few years, more than 110,000 tonnes of avocado were produced and some 65,000 tonnes were exported. The numbers mark a steady rise: In 2016, 101,000 tonnes were produced and 47,000 tonnes exported.

The fi rst avocado trees in this region were brought to what was then Palestine roughly 100 years ago. Today, the green fruit is grown on about 8,500 hectares in, according to the local fruit-growing association. Avocados are a staple of the diet - average consumption is about 5 kilograms per person per year.

In light of the high demand and large profi ts, more and more growers are increasing the amount of land avocados are grown on. Often, they replace land used to grow citrus fruits, says Marcelo Sternberg, professor of plant

ecology at Tel Aviv University.One possible problem that he

foresees, “Avocado trees need lots of water.” A kilogram of avocados requires about 600 litres of water.

“In nature, nothing’s free,” he warns.

The avocado boom has also reached South Africa, especially the north-eastern provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga. Those regions enjoy a warm and subtropical climate, and the area

used for cultivation has risen steadily since the turn of the millennium; about 1,000 hectares are added every year.

South Africa produced about 120,000 tonnes of avocados in 2017, according to the local association of avocado growers. Ten years earlier, that fi gure was only 74,000 tonnes. Without artifi cial irrigation, however, it would not be possible to grow avocados in South Africa.– DPA

CARE: Avocado requires lots of care to grow properly, especially when it comes to water.LARGEST REGION: Michoacan is one of the largest avocado-growing regions in Mexico. Avocado trees are planted in endless uniform rows in the fields around the city.

ON THE RISE: In the past few years, more than 110,000 tonnes of avocado were produced and some 65,000 tonnes exported. The numbers mark a steady rise: In 2016, 101,000 tonnes were produced and 47,000 tonnes exported.

Documents

The sequel - Gulf Times