black & white mag issue 37

Vol.

2 Iss

ue 3

7IIO

cto

ber

21-N

ovem

ber

6,

2011

FREE F

ort

nig

htl

y23 D

h-Q

a'd

a –

10 D

h H

ijja

ww

w.b

lackandw

hit

eom

an.c

om

YANNI YANNI in town in town p24

4 October 21-November 6, 2011

No passes! Absolutely no passes!By Adarsh Madhavan

I am not Dr Satish Nambiar (*), I told my friend. Dr

Nambiar is the honorary chairman of the Indian Social

Club (ISC). A man, who is a doctor (general practitioner)

and also into organising events – big time events and

perhaps, the organiser of one of the biggest events in

Oman’s history so far (he organised the A.R. Rehman

show a year back; a record which we are going to break

now, but don’t tell him).

I was talking to a friend about our Yanni event at the

Grand Hall of the Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) --

you are probably witnessing it now – and how to quell

the repeated requests for free passes from people here

who are so rich, they could probably buy all of the seats

themselves. I was tired of telling them that it is a charity

event, where we are supporting and raising awareness

of the visually challenged in Oman also trying to integrate

them to society. I tell them about Omar bin Khattab

Institute for the Blind; about providing vision correction

treatment for 200 economically and visually challenged

children and support to the Ministry of Health Research

Unit for the treatment equipment for visually challenged

children and I hear a stifled yawn from the other end of

the line; I tell of rich people in big positions to whom I

send requests for buying tickets and support this cause

and they reply back saying they want good tickets FOC

(free of cost, if you wondered what that stood for!).

My friend tells me calm down, all are not like that –

there are many out there who are charitably inclined and

he tells me not to worry; people will support. When, I ask

him, when? After the event is over?

“You do one thing,” my friend advises me. “Why don’t

you guys put an ad in the newspapers, saying ‘NO FREE

PASSES’ for the Yanni show? Then, they will not trouble

you at all.”

It was to this advice I had replied: “I am not Dr Satish…”

I said like that because, Dr Satish, who is quite an

eventful man, has done that – gone to the media after

being inundated with calls and requests whenever he [email protected]

does events. I remember how he was hounded by

many with requests, sorry no, demands for free

passes for the Rahman show and when he had no

other recourse, he went to the media and put in a big

ad saying no free pass.

Did it work? I wouldn’t think so. It never works

especially when you are a popular figure and so

many people know you and you cannot afford to

refuse them passes, even though you are right,

because they are going to remember – especially

when you need them for some official reason.

“I am not Dr Satish,” I repeated to my friend. “I don’t

have his guts to go all out and say ‘NO’!” Some of

my senior colleagues have got the guts, but I am a

bit whimsical in this respect. I snake away, slithering

to some hole when troubles hound me and I try to

hide until it blows over. But, in this passes’ respect,

like I said, they are going to remember the er, ‘slight’

(of refusing a free pass) until the end. And, honestly,

I am tired of making enemies and I am almost on

the verge of compromising myself and telling these

freebie request makers that we are going to throw

open the doors of the event for them free! Free, free,

free! I voiced this to my friend and he stared at me

for a moment and then touched my forehead.

“Everything okay, buddy?” he asked gently. Nope,

I said. But, it is alright, I said, we will manage.

Our team is good. They have the ability to handle

anything and everything and after all it is just

passes…I said. To which my friend replied: “…and

don’t forget about me. My wife and my two kids

would love to come…four of us, are our passes

ready?!”

*(Apologies for dragging the ISC chairman’s name

in this piece; this apology also stands good for

something I wrote about him in 1993 in a newspaper

for which he almost sued me! No passes for

guessing what that was for!)

All a

bout

X,

Y &

Z


Published by: Muscat Press & Publishing House SAOC

Black & White

Postal address: P O Box 86, PC 115, Madinat Sultan Qaboos

Office location: Hatat Complex A, Office no: 212, II Floor

Ph: 24565697 Fax: 24565496

Website: www.blackandwhiteoman.com

Editorial: [email protected]

Printed at Mazoon, Muscat, Oman

Xclusive

Yanni in town

Yanni is coming to Oman for the first

time. The Yanni live in concert at

the Grand Hall of the Sultan Qaboos

University (SQU) is one of the first ever

shows in the Middle East. Organised

and presented by the Black & White,

this charity concert for the visually

challenged in Oman will also see the

congregation of the biggest audience

ever for a musical show in the country

Editor-in-chief Mohamed Issa Al Zadjali

Managing editor Priya Arunkumar

Work editor Adarsh Madhavan

Design & production Beneek Siraj

Photographer Ali Al Raisi

Advt. & marketing Shannon D'Souza

Priyanka Sampat

Conte

nts

58

38

24

Mammography – the preferred examination for breast cancer

Stevie Wonder’ of the desert

Worried about getting old?

Some of the fears are quite

common. And the most

important factor for men is

power. As you age, your

power in every aspect

diminishes. This is what

worries men the most

Digital mammography diagnosed

quite a good percentage of cancers

in women under 50 with dense

breasts, thus making this method a

better option for them

Hamed bin Abdullah Al Suleiman is

a perennially cheerful soul. He may

be a man without sight, but he is

someone with full vision. And it is this

vision within him that is taking him

places.

12

7Black & White

T H E G I F T O F K I N G S

W W W . A M O U A G E . C O M


‘We are not creatures of circumstances; we are creators of

circumstance’ -- this line of the famous thinker Benjamin Disraeli

comes to my mind after reading the cover story, Cane and able

(issue 36). The story of Her Highness Sayyida Sharifa bint Khalid

Al Said which spoke of the irony of fate that made her plunge into

the world of darkness at a tender age was quite revealing and

touching. It was heartening to know that despite the loss of sight;

she braved all odds to pursue her studies. It was her unwavering

hope and determination that made her pave a new path in Oman,

by advocating the usage of cane and trying to make others see the

vibrant colours of life as a self-dependent individual. The whole

article is truly an inspirational account of one….braving the sight

unseen!

I would like to share with you all an incident about a young doctor

couple. They used to go to work together by the public transport

(buses, which are common in India). One day they met with an

accident and the lady lost her sight. In order to go on in life, her

husband tried his best to console her and at the same he managed

to get her a simple job in an office to keep her self busy. Soon

they started their morning schedule of going to work as usual,

but now, their work places were in different locations. To make

her self dependant he trained her with a cane. Once she asked

him, “Why don’t you accompany me until I reach my destination?”

He replied,” Sorry, but, it will cost us more.” Hearing this, the wife

felt quite sad and thought that since she became blind he was no

longer in love with her. Days…months… rolled by and one day the

bus conductor, who was quite familiar with her, asked: “Why do

you always look so sad and depressed when there is someone to

love and care for you?”

‘What do you mean?” she asked him. The conductor replied,

“Since months I have noticed that when you take the front seat

of the bus with the aid of the cane, your husband takes the back

seat and is there with you till you get down at your stop. After

that he steps out to take another bus to reach his office.” The

woman was flabbergasted after hearing this and she could hardly

utter a word. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she flung open her

cane and with a new sense of determination headed towards her

destination.

Dr Ishtiyaq Ahmed Khan, dental surgeon, Sinaw

Darkness has its own colour

Readers

Colu

mn

I read “Beware the anger of a patient woman” (issue 36) with

concern as a parent in Muscat who could witness and, to a certain

extent, address school-related issues. Though my children have

finished schooling here, I still keenly observe the school scenario.

With this background, I would like to know more about the teacher’s

trauma. Would appreciate it if you could share some information?

Viswanathan P, Muscat

Read it with concern



Mail your views and opinions at

[email protected]

It is good to see that such cases ("Beware the anger..."–Issue 36) are being

brought to the notice of the public. This type of harassment can happen to

anyone and might have happened to someone earlier but very few people have

the courage to ask for their rights. Hats off to this lady that she has taken a

stand in trying to put an end to such an injustice. Next time people would give a

second thought before attempting to accuse an innocent person. I am surprised

that the Indian Embassy is keeping quiet in this matter. They should take

necessary action and see to it that no one under their authority goes through an

unfair situation like this lady and her family is going through because it must be

affecting their social, mental and physical status. I hope she gets justice soon.

Maha, Muscat

The growth of values by Laila Ibrahim Obaid Al-Gharbi (Issue 34, August 7,

2011) was a reality checker. The values which we imbibe from elders and

society peeks out somewhere or the other at a certain time. That is the reason

why we all want our kids to pick up good and positive values. Youngsters

are the future of tomorrow…and it is necessary that they understand the true

meaning of values and should even try to adopt it. True, today’s youngsters are

picking up trends and values from the television and the people around. But

in the end, the atmosphere at home is one thing that really imbibes values in

an individual. Family members have a great role to play, to right the wrong in

a child and till the time elders are taking care of this, values will not go away.

Keep a check on your child but explain the significance of whatever you teach

them. With learning, they will understand the values!

Charu Pant, Khasab

This world is peopled with unusual characters. I think Sheikha Laila (issue 34)

is one such unusual being. I was totally engrossed reading that tale about her

and her camels. She is really out of this world! I have a dog at home and I find

it really hard to take care of her. She is just three years and is a real sweet dog,

but it has not been an easy trek for me to look after her. Since my wife and I are

working, we are mostly out of the home and our Sandy is alone till evening. I

sometimes feel so guilty about keeping her alone at home, but then there is no

choice. So, I was amazed at reading about Lilliane and her eight camels. How

does she manage? That is one point, but the other is I am bowled over by the

remarkable aspect of Lilliane. Despite being diagnosed with breast cancer, she

had the guts to travel across the desert with her camels. Remarkable woman!

Great story!

Varsha Tilak, Seeb

Hats off to the brave teacher!

Growth of values a reality check

Unusual tale, rare character

Readers

Colu

mn


11Black & White 11Black & White 11Black & White


Men r

ead

Worried about GETTING OLD?ARE YOU WORRIED about getting old?

Who is not? The older they get and the

more it shows, the more the worries. “I

have seen many women with real fears of

aging, but surprisingly, there are an equal

number of men with the same worries,”

reveals a psychologist of a well known

clinic here. This is indeed surprising

because usual surveys note that the elderly

are more content with life, less depressed

and less fearful of death than the young.

COMMON FEARS

Some of the fears are quite common.

And the most important factor for men is

power. As you age, your power in every

aspect diminishes. This is what worries

men the most. In fact, men hate weakness,

especially physical weakness. “People harp

about knowledge being power, but men,

in reality is more keen on getting physical

power – given a choice, they will choose

the latter,” Simmons, a writer of men’s

issues says. Of course, not all men are

like that, and it is wrong to paint everyone

with the same brush. But, the fact remains

that for majority of men, physical power is

everything. Most men value strength and

vigour more and when their bodies weaken,

they feel like it is the end of the world.

PALE GHOST

“I had a fantastic body, or at least that is

what I used to believe in. But, now at 52,

I am hardly the size I was before and my

muscles have somehow gone flabby. When

I look in the mirror, I feel as though I am

just a weakling. It is a pity that I have to

face this at my age.

Even when I was 40, I was in quite

good shape. I don’t know how I lost so

much weight and power in the last few

years, I feel quite low,” confesses Damien

Drake, a construction worker, who was

quite a power horse in his heydays. But,

today, he is a pale ghost of his old self

and he feels totally at loss. No amount of

encouragement from peers, friends and

family seems to make him understand that

it was just a process of nature for a person

to become old.

YOUTH IS NOT FOREVER

Like Dr Aaron Sanchez notes: “When you

age, your body also ages and when that

happens, you do feel weak. So, there is

no need to feel as though it is the end of

the world. My advice to aging ‘bulls’ is this:

You can’t stop the ravages of time. Nobody

lives forever. So, let us understand that we

cannot hold on to our youth forever!”

But, tell that to Eric Warp. “I am not

bothered about living forever, but, as long

as I live I need to be fit and strong and

also have a good body to boot. I am not

interested in the aging factor. Who said

that if you age, you are to lose weight and

muscles and become weak? I do not want

to be weak in any manner. Men are not

weak either mentally or physically – that is

my belief. And, if a man thinks he is weak

then he has signed his own death warrant.”

DISCONTENTED CLICHÉS

“Why are fully grown men, who have

actually settled down and leading

relatively pleasant lives, slowly becoming

discontented clichés?” queries Simmons.

But, is this worry only among the middle

aged or those who have just crossed that

unmistakable signpost of youth? For the

really aged, or the ones who have hit the

60s and 70s or are past it, seem to enjoy

their youth in quite a remarkably joyous

manner. “I am quite comfortable and happy

about aging at 65 than I was at 55,” Derek

says. He confesses that when he hit 50,

he was quite disturbed and seemed to

have indulged in a lot of foolishness, “like

a second resurgence of adolescence; I

wanted to have a second chance at sowing

my wild oats.”

Derek, thankfully, is able to laugh at it

today, but would it mean that all of them

have to wait till they are 60 to realise that it

was just one of those ‘aging’ things?


Your Heart is Safe in Apollo’s Hand

P. O. Box 1097, Al Hamriya, PC 131 - Sultanate of Oman. Tel: 24787766, 24788263, 24788265


is not a crimeWEARING PINK

Some think it is a crime against masculinity. But, there are many who are changing

that view. I refer to the colour pink and men. Some say that the twain does not

meet and these two don’t match etc. Men and pink don’t go together…or, do they?

There is a growing interest in pink and it is not women who are after this colour. If

you keep your eyes open, you are bound to notice that there are many guys out

there wearing pink in public. Since pink has a stigma of femininity, some are of the

opinion that it is a crime for men to wear them. “Imagine the Ceo of a company

coming to a business meeting wearing pink,” shudders Sarah Mathew.

MEN LOOK GREAT IN PINK

“What’s the big deal?” queries Anita Evans. “Pink is not

an ugly colour and I think men do look great in pink.

Like any colours, it just needs to be made

sure that the combination is right and

garish shades are not chosen.”

A well-stitched powder pink

dress shirt under a beige, grey

or a navy suit will look great, she

says.

“Pink can actually add a welcome

breath of fresh air into the everyday

mundane office attire,” she added.

BABY BOYS WORE PINK

Maybe pink can be thought of as a female colour.

But, it wasn’t always like that. History notes that baby

boys wore pink and men of the 19th century made this colour

quite popular.

All of you must be aware of the popular phrase ‘in the pink’? Well,

this is said to have originated from the demand for scarlet hue for

men’s jackets in the 18th century.

“In the 1800s, both boys and girls wore long white dresses. Even

as late as 1829, children were dressed in unisex dresses. In the

1920s, Macy’s tried to distinguish a colour for boys and girls to

discourage hand-me-downs,” a report notes.

“In Christian tradition, red has always been a strong colour. And

it was associated with men. So, pink became a colour associated

with boys, while blue was associated with

the Virgin Mary and therefore considered a girls’ colour,” the

report adds.

Men r

ead

By Mylene Ranger

After the World War I and soldiers’

uniforms were made in blue, it

became associated as a masculine

colour. After the 1940s, pink became

more of a feminine colour. The idea

was later perpetuated by marketing

groups that pushed the post-war

consumer boom and the creation of

the middle class in the 1950s. Barbie,

introduced in 1951, solidified the

feminisation of the colour pink.”

COLOUR PURPLE HAS NO

PROBLEM

Back in the 80’s men used to wear

fluorescent pink shirts and they never

seemed to look feminine, fashionistas

note. Colour cousins of pink like

maroon and purple did not have the

same stigma. “I have seen many men

wearing purple and maroon shirts

and no one even cast them a second

glance,” notes Tim Reddy, a fashion

lover who has several pink shirts in

his wardrobe.

MEN LOOK SWELL IN PINK

“Why can’t men wear pink?” asks

Nivedita Sarkar. “This is the age of

metrosexuality and men are into

grooming big time. I would say that

it is a new age thing, more and more

are into wearing pink and they are

not looked down upon anymore.

Again, let me make it clear that it

is mostly men who have a problem

wearing pink. Most men can find

it hard to wear something that has

been labeled as being feminine.

“I would personally say that

whatever the colour, if men can carry

it off, who is complaining? I think men

look swell in pink!”


By Adarsh Madhavan

O

ff th

e wall

Rotten tomato

[email protected]

I want to get up from my seat. Just

get up from my seat, move couple

of paces, reach the office pantry

and make myself a cuppa. I have

been mulling over it for the last 15

minutes, or more. And it has not been

happening. I am not just a victim of

procrastination; it is much more than

that.

Everyone around tells me that I

shouldn’t be drinking -- drinking tea

that is – so much and finally I think

I am listening to them. Because,

I danged well cannot get up. My

stomach feels bloated; I just want to

shut my eyes, lean my head on my

laptop – no, that won’t work because

then one of the keys might go ‘fffffffff

ffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff…’.

Yeah, it rhymes with zzzzzzzzzzz…

No, it is better to push the chair to

the side and hit the floor under my

desk. No one is going to see. It is not

that I am feeling sleepy, but I want

to sleep; it is not that I am tired, but

I am feeling something like that; it

is not that I have done lot of work,

rather, I haven’t been doing anything

at all these days…I have to write but

(yawnnn) something gets in the way.

I have loads to finish; major, major

chunks of work to get over, but then

I can’t, I simply can’t because I feel

dead. Every part of me feels dead.

Everyone around me are active,

running around, full of energy and I

feel as though my life has come to a

standstill…some days I just go home,

Off

the w

all

dragging myself up the stairs,

pull off my clothes and tumble

on to the bed…there is more to

say, but I don’t feel like it. I have

been this way since some years now.

I feel like a loser. My mind is clogged;

my heart feels drained, my limbs are

numb…

Some days I feel so enthusiastic, so

full, so energetic, I think I can rule the

world, but the feeling soon dissipates

and I am left clutching emptiness.

My diabetes is sick. Not me. I am

well. I am good, but my diabetes

is rotten. And it makes me feel the

same way. I feel down, dumb and

rotten. Like a tomato, yeah. Like

a squashed tomato and left in the

street to rot. I don’t know how and

why it hit me.

And I also took my own sweet time

to discover it. I have been feeling

the discomforts associated with

diabetes since a decade or so back

and all that while I thought I was

having arthritis. I have seen one of

my editors shrink in arthritic pain and

discomfort and whenever I had some

kind of pain, I told myself that I was

having arthritis. Yeah, dumb...

It is not just about feeling lethargic,

listless, frustrated and dead…it

was much more than that, a kind of

feeling that I simply cannot fathom.

Because it is difficult to pin it down.

Diabetes is a silent killer, they say,

but, I would like to add here that it is

a silent, dirty, ugly killer, which kills

inch by inch, tortures and mutilates

you from within and without.

It is not just the frequent nature

call alarms, or the excessive thirst.

Nowadays, I can’t see anyone

without squinting. Sometimes, people

wave at me from a distance and I

go like, are they waving at me, and

I don’t tend to recognise them until

they are at arm’s length. My teeth

have been hurting me for some

time now and now my pearlies have

become dirty yellows.

Of course, life goes on, but then the

quality of it has deteriorated so much

that I feel ashamed to talk about it...

Because, you know, I am afraid to

hurt myself. Not getting squashed

under the wheels or fall of from a

10-storey building.

But, even a small cut, not only

hurts, it hardly heals. I can’t even get

a pin prick because it takes a month

or more to heal. As days pass by

the feeling of emptiness coalesces

with a feeling of worthlessness and

purposelessness…I feel as though

my heart and mind are in wheel

chairs and my spirit amputated. I

know a disease should not rule our

lives, but, I can’t seem to break its

shackles.

17Black & White

Nawras is offering a free trial of high speed broadband to around 200

customers living in Al Mabailah North. For a three month period, customers

will be invited to experience the benefits of Fibre-To-The-Home (FTTH)

with download speeds of between 10 Mbps and 100 Mbps, completely

free. This pilot project marks the exciting beginning of this new service.

Nawras is delighted to be working with Haya Water Company and the

Telecommunications Regulatory Authority to implement the fibre optic

technology needed to provide high speed broadband.

“Obtaining customer feedback is always of great importance to our caring

company,” says Said Al Shanfari, Nawras strategic business development

manager - FTTX Project Manager. “The launch of new products and services

incorporates comments and experiences gathered during the planning stages

to ensure that final offerings reflect real customer needs.”

Nawras free trial of high speed broadband

The all-new 2012 Chevrolet Sonic was unveiled in

Oman by General Motors & OTE Group recently in

the presence of Abdallah Madhoun, sales business

manager – Oman and Qatar at General Motors Middle

East Operations and Cyrus Vevaina, managing director,

OTE Group.

The all-new Sonic is available for sale now across

Oman and is designed to be a successful car in the

highly competitive small car market. It will be offered

as a five-door hatch and a sedan, each delivering

excellent ride and handling characteristics and a sporty

and sophisticated design, as well as roominess and fuel

efficiency. The OTE Group is the exclusive dealer for

Chevrolet in Oman offering excellent sales and after-

sales service support on par with global standards with

a nationwide service network.

Contact: 800 – 77007.

All-New 2012 Chevrolet Sonic launched in Oman

The book signing event of ‘An Autumn Melody’ by Sunaina

Ahluwalia held at W. H Smith, Jawaharat Al Shatti recently.

The guest speakers on the day were Sally Sleep, president

of the Womens Guild in Oman (WGO). DSR Rao, member

of the Muscat Book Club and Owner and Chief architect,

Architectural Wall systems and Dr Sandhya Mehta,

assistant prof (Eng Dept.) Sultan Qaboos University (SQU)

Published by Rupa Publications and launched in India

this September, ‘An Autumn Melody’ is Sunaina’s third

book after ‘A Safe Harbour’(2008) and ‘Point of No Return’

(2010). The book is now available at all WH Smith outlets

in Oman.

Book signing of ‘An Autumn Melody’


HSBC launched a campaign presenting

new HSBC advance account holders

with a world of privileges in Oman and

86 other countries. Upon opening and

funding an HSBC advance account at

any of the Bank’s branches and customer

service centres across the Sultanate,

holders are eligible to receive sign-up

gifts comprising of a complimentary night stay at the

Grand Hyatt Muscat and significant discounts on food and

beverage when dining at the Hotel’s restaurants. Head

of retail banking and wealth management

at HSBC Oman, John E. Stubbs said, “The

five-star services of the HSBC Advance

account pays attention to every detail in

our customers’ lives, safeguarding them

with full financial protection. With the

backbone of a dedicated customer service

team and accredited financial planners,

HSBC Advance account customers are guided through

managing their finances in the present to get them where

they need to be in the future.”

Word

pre

ss

Renowned surgeon from

India, Dr Abha Singhvi has

joined Al Raffah Hospital in

Muscat as a General Surgeon.

Always a standout in the field

of medicine and with more

than 17 years’ experience,

Dr Abha has most recently

worked at Nizwa hospital where

she was responsible for the

management of the Breast

Clinic. A Member of the Royal

College of Surgeons, UK, since 2009, Dr Abha has

impressive academic credentials. “We are delighted to

welcome Dr Abha to our team here at Al Raffah hospital,

she brings a wealth of experience as a distinguished

surgeon and we have no doubt that she will meet every

challenge head on. Her expertise in the area of breast

cancer comes at a time when instances of the disease

are rising in the Sultanate and we feel that her skills in

this area will alleviate this,” said Seeniya Biju, senior

operations manager, Al Raffah Hospital .

New general surgeon at Al Raffah

BankDhofar recently launched the Visa Platinum

Debit card and the Visa Infinite Credit Card for its

discerning customers. The bank constantly conducts

market research to tap customer needs to come up

with new, value-added products. Speaking on the

occasion of the launch, Faisal Hamad Al Wahaibi,

AGM retail banking, said, “We are delighted to

be able to offer our customers these privileges.

Cardholders can now enjoy better services, products

and have access to more venues locally and

internationally.”

BankDhofar Visa Cards

BankMuscat is all set to extend its footprint with a representative

office in Singapore. Sheikh Khalid bin Mustahail Al Mashani,

chairman of BankMuscat, said: “The decision to open the

Singapore representative office comes at a time when banks

and financial establishments around the world are passing

through a difficult period, but such challenges do not deter us

from identifying growth opportunities and going ahead with viable

projects at home and abroad. In this context, BankMuscat is

charting new territories and making its foray in Singapore.”

BankMuscat representative office in Singapore

HSBC Oman advance account campaign

19Black & White

FRiENDi GROUP is the winner of

the prestigious Best MVNO award

revealed last night at the 5th Annual

Telecoms World Middle East Awards

dinner ceremony. This is the second

consecutive year FRiENDi GROUP

has been awarded the honour.

FRiENDi GROUP was the first to

introduce the MVNO (Mobile Virtual

Network Operator) concept in the

Middle East, and has now firmly

positioned itself as the market leader

in the region. Upon receiving the

award, Mikkel Vinter, founder and

Ceo of FRiENDi GROUP said: ‘We’re

honoured and very proud to receive

The Telecom World Middle East

award for Best MVNO once again.

To have our efforts and commitment

to the region and our customers

recognised means a lot to all of us

and encourages us to work harder.

We hope to continue bringing our

friendly, customer focused and multi-

cultural mobile services to customers

across the region by offering greater

value and the very latest of what

technology has to offer. I would like

to thank our FRiENDi Mobile valued

customers, talented employees and

all of our partners for their support in

making this possible.”

FRiENDi wins award

Kenya Airways inaugurates Jeddah – Nairobi link

The inaugural flight by Kenya

Airways from Nairobi to Jeddah

landed at King Abdulaziz

International Airport on October 19 at

hours (12.30) with a full complement

of passengers.

Present at the airport were a number

of dignitaries, including Mohamud

Saleh, the ambassador of Kenya

to the Kingdom, Abraham Joseph,

Kenya Airways area manager –

Middle East and Pakistan amongst

other executives from the airport

authorities and Kenya Airways

management team.

Commenting on the inaugural flight,

Mr. Abraham Joseph, area manager

– Middle East and Pakistan for

Kenya Airways said, “Saudi Arabia

is a very important market for Kenya

Airways and an important addition

to the airline’s growing Middle

East network. We are delighted

to welcome Jeddah as the 56th

destination in our global network,

and we look forward to extending

our hospitality to guests on this

new service. The initial response

to the launch has been extremely

encouraging and we look forward to

rapidly establishing our presence in

the Saudi Arabian market.”

Mazda Motor Corporation, in collaboration

with Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd. and

Aisin Takaoka Co., Ltd., has become the first

automaker to successfully develop vehicle

components using 1,800 MPa ultra-high tensile

steel. The super strength steel will debut in the

all-new Mazda CX-5 crossover SUV that will

commence its global launch in early 2012.

Mazda to use 1,800 MPa ultra-high tensile steel NPA Events has once

again garnered glory at the

industry leading IFEA/Haas

& Wilkerson Pinnacle Awards

competition conducted by the

world’s leading International

Festival & Events Association

(IFEA) of Boise, Idaho, U.S.A. This coveted recognition was

awarded for the innovative and path-breaking launch event

of the new Mercedes Benz CLS, for Zawawi Trading Co titled

CLS Cruise, which saw the car being launched onboard a

luxury yacht which sailed into the sea with guests on board

for the first and yet only time ever in the Middle East Region.

In fact, no one has ever thought of such an innovative and

breathtaking way to launch an automobile – in the sea!

NPA Events wins award


Word

pre

ss

Success and faith in oneself are two sides of the same

coin; if one is endowed with the power of faith, success

is sure to come by. That was the underlining message of

the speech delivered by Adil Taqi, Ceo of Muriya, to the

students of Asila bint Qais Al Busaidi School, recently.

Addressing students on the values that one needs to

uphold to attain success, Taqi made references to real

life success stories and experiences. He peppered the

speech with his success mantra and provided hints and

ideas on understanding the myriad facets of time, the

concepts of time management and multi-tasking - key

indicators of success in the life stories of people around

the world. Students also gathered how to incorporate

National Bank of Oman (NBO) formally

launched its ‘Sadara Elite’ account for

high net worth customers, at a press

conference held yesterday, at NBO’s

Sadara Center, in Shatti Al Qurum.

The unique and innovative Premium

banking solution‘Sadara Elite’ account

is aspecial deposit account for NBO’s

Sadara customers. It is specifically

designed keeping in mind the unique

banking needs of the elite.

The key feature of this account is

the interest rate which is as high as

2.75 per cent without any charges

penalties on deposit withdrawals.

Moosa Al Jadidi, NBO’s head of

wealth management, commenting

on the occasion, said: “Our Sadara

Wealth Management is an exclusive

banking service, tailormade to provide

our most privileged customers with

personalised attention, preferential

services as well as the widest range

of exclusive banking products.In the

recent past we launched the exclusive

‘NBO Gold Savings Account’ for

Sadara customers and now ‘Sadara

Elite’ is yet another step towards

extending aspecial account facility to

meet their financial needs. This elite

account merits the very same service

standards of excellence that we have

extended to all our existing Sadara

customers”

Muriya Ceo outlines his success mantra to students

these factors in their lives and achieve the set targets in

their scholastic as well as extracurricular activities.

NBO launches Sadara ELITE Account

Omantel conducts workshop

The corporate business unit of Omantel

conducted a workshop for different

government organisations and major

corporates in the Sultanate on the

Multiprotocol Label Switching System

(MPLS) at Grand Hyatt Muscat. The

workshop was organised to shed light

on this unique service and the benefits it

brings to corporate customers. During the

workshop, many MPLS existing customers

demonstrated their experience with the

service and how it helped them improve

the quality of services rendered to their

customers. The MPLS service that is only provided by Omantel and

is ISO certified is the ideal solution to the most sophisticated needs of

government organisations and major corporates that have operations

in different regions of the Sultanate and who are looking for fast,

reliable and yet secured connectivity solution.

Oman Oil Marketing Company

(omanoil) has joined hands

with the national movement to

challenge road accidents at

the second Traffic Safety Expo

by addressing the impact

of calamities on the Omani

society in an innovative campaign that explores the golden-age of

communicating. The company’s sponsorship of the committed initiative

by the Royal Oman Police follows a string of steadfast road safety

programs that omanoil has employed in its capacity as an advocate of

best practices both inside and outside the work place.

Omanoil supports second traffic safety expo

21Black & White

Topaz Energy and Marine has announced that Roy W

Donaldson, chief operating officer for the company’s Topaz

Marine division, has been awarded the 'FRIENDSHIP

ORDER' of Azerbaijan by decree of the president for merits

in development of the country’s oil industry. On the recent

occasion of Azerbaijan’s Oilman’s Day, President of Azerbaijan

IlhamAliyev decorated three foreign civilians with the high

honour of “Dostlug” or Friendship Order for their contributions,

among them Donaldson.The petroleum industry in Azerbaijan

produces an estimated one million barrels of oil per day.

Topaz Coo awarded Friendship Order in Azerbaijan

Voltamp’s new Power Transformer Factory was

formally inaugurated by His Highness Sayyid

Shihab bin Tariq Al Said recently.

Dignitaries present were Sheikh Sa’ad bin

Mohammed Al Mardhouf al Sa’adi, minister of

commerce and industry and W Y Lin, president

TATUNG Co, Taiwan and officials from the

ministries, government, semi-government, Oman

Utility Companies, oil and gas sector, industries,

banks, financials institutions, etc.

The new green filed power transformer is one of

its kind, a world class manufacturing facility has

As the festive season unfolds, Spicy Village is all set for

Home Centers’ Star Chef Hunt 2011. The first ‘Star Chef

Hunt’ held last December was a grand success. 1173

recipes, 980 contestants, 120 finalists, 41 winners – the

numbers speak for themselves. The winners got glittering

prizes including LCD TVs, microwave ovens, washing

machines, jewellery and most importantly 20 per cent

royalty on their recipes, which comprise a special menu at

Spicy Village, paid quarterly.

Home center Star Chef Hunt 2011

Entries open: Star Chef 2011 will be bigger and better in

every respect. Contestants can send in their recipe by

visiting http://www.spicyvillage.com/star-chef-competition.

html and entering the recipe. The grand finale will be held

on November 18.

Home Center is the presenter of this year’s event, while,

other sponsors included Oman Fisheries with their Taca

brand, Friendi mobile and Star Oil of the Star Chef

Contest is the award winning Khafeef oil.

Anyone can participate, this year 50 percent of the

winning dishes will be on the traditional Omani dishes,

while others from all other cuisine. Contestants can send

in their recipe through our website by www.spicyvillage.

com. Entries is now extended to November 5, noted

Dayaparan of Spicy Village. “Remember, your innovative

recipe could earn you cash month on month for the next

12 months, other than name and fame with attractive

glittering gifts and prizes... so get creative!”

Calling judges: If you are a connoisseur of food and

would like to join the panel of judges for Star Chef 2011,

you can apply the website http://www.spicyvillage.com.

Contact http://www.facebook.com/spicyvillagellc or

99224718.

Voltamp launch

been built at a Project cost of OMR 11 illion over factory built up

area of 14,500 sq m on a plot of 80,000 sqm. to the latest global

standard.

Spicy Village is all set for Home Centers’ Star Chef Hunt 2011


He quit. And the office was shocked. His direct

staff, all thirty two of them moaned and groaned

and wrung their hands in agony and said they

would never get a boss like him, those were the

days, the best was gone, things would never be

the same again. They said they felt professionally

orphaned and from now on things would be only

downhill. A few even suggested that they would

start looking for jobs because now that the boss

was leaving, there would be no fun, no point

sticking around. They also said that wherever he

went they would follow since no other boss could

replace him.

Overwhelmed by all this touching stuff, he went

home and shared the warmth and the glory with his

wife.

I can’t believe it, he said, they were devastated,

some of them even wept, I almost feel guilty

leaving.

His wife said uh, huh, and continued working which

he thought was rather churlish of her seeing as

how he was basking in the sun-kissed popularity

radiating from a loyal and supportive staff, all of

them like an extended family. He reminded himself

he must write them all first rate testimonials and

even considered taking a couple of the chaps with

him to his new assignment, when that happened.

On this high note he entered that 30 day notice

period, which is rather like a stretch of no man’s

land. You are there but you are not, you count but

you don’t, you are in but you are out.

And then, on the eighteenth day the replacement

arrived and was ushered into the small room next

doors which would be his temporary office until the

incumbent left two weeks down the road.

The staff of thirty two did not take all day to shift

allegiance from the old boss to the new one. In the

desperate rush to shuffle themselves into positions

of ingratiation and score points they took about

twenty minutes.

The old boss was nonplussed and then even

confused when in the executive toilet he overheard

one of his most loyal ex-staffers outside in the

corridor tell the girl who had cried at his resignation

that it was a bit much the old boy not giving the new

boss the office, merely good manners, don’t you

think, I mean, you don’t need it, you are history, tee

off, go, why do they hang around, he’s yesterday’s

people.

And she said, he was always one of those hang in

there till the end types and wasn’t the new fellow

really nice, it will be a pleasure to work for him.

Get some action around here, said the loyal ex-

staffer, he looks like a go getter, thank goodness

things will be different.

Over the next week, so as not to be identified with

the old regime and thus risk annoying the new

boss, the thirty two sidled past the old chief’s door,

waved surreptitiously, grinned sheepishly, avoided

his eye and cheerfully mauled him in conversations

with the new boss.

The departee heard how he had been an indecisive

leader with no new ideas, how he had led from

behind and not from the front, how he had belonged

to the old school and was not on par with modern

methods and there was not a kind word, not even

a hint of the mass hysteria the day he had resigned.

On the last day, he packed his personal things and

went down to the car park with not one of the thirty

two escorting him for the final drive away...all to

busy. He came home, went to his room and began

to tear up all the testimonials he had drafted.

Then he went looking for his wife. At least, and so

he hoped, her loyalty would not be in question.

The new bossBy Bikram Vohra Bikram Vohra, internationally-

known Gulf based scribe

Sunny s

ide u

p


23Black & White

THE ONE AND ONLY YANNI

We always used to think the man waving his hands

in front of the group of musicians was majnoon

(crazy)! He always had a little stick in his hand and

he was waving it all around as though it was making

all the music. We never could understand what was

going on. Little did we know that this was the man

who was actually conducting the event…

EXPOSURE TO MUSIC

Our only exposure to classical music was through

the Oman Television, which used to relay them in

the early 1970s. And, as for me, it took me many

years to open my mind to classical music and

performances.

ART AND CULTURAL MAP

Again, this is thanks to our wise ruler His Majesty

Sultan Qaboos bin Said who showed us the way and

opened our minds to the rich classical world in the

early 70s itself. Today, every national and resident in

Oman can be proud of an exciting new landmark that

has added more charm to Oman’s musical profile –

the unique Royal Opera House (ROH).

I am sure that ROH will take Oman to new heights

and position Oman as the capital of art and culture in

the region and also put the Sultanate on the art and

cultural map.

CLASSICAL MUSIC – A CLASS APART

Though I have nothing against new generation

music, or any of the new trends, I believe the young

should be initiated in to the world of classical music

for their own creative enhancement. It is good to

This is Yanni’s first visit to Oman and we hope we can give him good life experience during his visit here… and dear readers, we hope you will all enjoy the show!

Mohamed Issa Al ZadjaliEditor-in-chief

In Black...

& White

In B

lack &

Whit

e

have different schools of thought here, but, classical music

and fans of classical music are of a different cult.

TASTE OF OMAN

Oman, as a nation, is rich in its traditions and culture.

Our art forms are also unique. Each region has its own

signature art forms. One of my friends who play the

traditional Yola music and dance will be giving a special

performance for Yanni during his visit here. It will be a

short and sweet performance to give Yanni and team a

glimpse into Oman’s unique art forms. Yola is a traditional

dance and live musical from the northern part of Oman.

YANNI IN TOWN

Oman is ready to welcome the one and only Yanni to town.

So are we at the Black & White. This issue features the

first exclusive interview (in Oman) of Yanni; his views and

thoughts and will be surely a good read. What can I say

about Yanni? His music is magical; he transforms us to

a different world, inspires us and most importantly gives

us that little push to look forward in life. Personally, I am

a great fan of his, and am sure there are many out there

who are equivalent, if not more. This is Yanni’s first visit to

Oman and we hope we can give him good life experience

during his visit here… and dear readers, we hope you will

all enjoy the show!

B&

W X

clu

sive

24 October 21-November 6, 201124 October 21-November 6, 2011

25Black & White 25Black & White

B&

W X

clu

sive


Sorry, it took so long to visit Oman:


27Black & White

Yanni is coming to Oman for the first time. The Yanni live in concert at

the Grand Hall of the Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) is one of the first

ever shows in the Middle East. Organised and presented by the Black &

White, this charity concert for the visually challenged in Oman will also

see the congregation of the biggest audience ever for a musical show in

the country. While fans await eagerly to witness the musical giant in

action, this is what he had to say to his fans here:

“I am extremely excited to be coming to Oman for the very first time!

I am sorry it took me so long! I won’t let it happen again. Looking

forward to seeing you all at the concert!”

27Black & White

B&

W X

clu

sive


Such is the power of music.

Some of them bring down the rain.

Some of them can bring down the

pain.

The 57-year old American-Greek

instrumental music composer and

keyboardist, Yanni (nee Yiannis

Chryssomallis) rains down hope,

love, strength and peace into the

lives of people.

MUSICAL MIRACLES

Music has always brought about

miracles.

In other words, there has always

been music.

And then came Yanni…

Yanni came bringing in more

miracles…more hope, more strength,

peace and love…

Yanni has with his music brought

back people from the brink of

despair, suicide, from the edge

of death; gave hope to the dying,

sprung new life into the hopeless,

cemented torn relationships, in fact,

he has, with his scintillating musical

masterpieces, brought about sheer

miracles into the life of many.

TOUCHED BY MUSIC

“I have personally met with people

who have avoided suicides, gone

through the pain of chemotherapy

etc because they were touched by

music,” the music megastar of this

era says in his first ever interview

-- with any media in Oman – to the

Black & White magazine.

“…many have been inspired to

change their lives, and have found

light in their darkest hours (thanks

to his music) and I am very humbled

and encouraged by this,” Yanni

reveals.

Music lovers have not just been

mesmerised by his music -- they

The Musical HypnotistHe was just 18, lost, lonely, miserable

and despairing…

Life certainly had no meaning and

he had enough of it. There was no

need to exist even for a second and

so he took a rash decision in the

heat of that despair --- he was going

to give up, quit, take his life…say

goodbye to this one cruel world!

And, then from somewhere, like

an angel of hope, he heard it…like

the pitter patter of rain on a rooftop,

like the sweet noted melody of a

nightingale, music…music that

touched the heart, music that flowed

from the heart, music that gave hope,

love, strength and peace…

Enchanted, like mice following the

dulcet tunes of a Pied Piper, this

young hopeless lad went, suddenly

finding a newfound hope in that

melodious notes…he never thought

of taking his life again (*).

29Black & White

have been hypnotised enough to

change their lives for the better. And

is there anything greater than that?

His fans would even believe that

music did not exist before Yanni and

perhaps, there never will be, after

him (many do believe).

SECRET OF LIFE

His is not the music that just

creates a feel-good factor; it goes

beyond, changing the course of life

for many...a fact, which dumbfounds

even this great musician. Of course,

he knows he is on to something

huge and he subtly lets it flow. He

understands that music can unearth

and unlock something deep and

mysterious in us…that secret of life!

VOICE WITHIN YOU

“Listen to the voice within you – that

will show you the way,” Yanni tells

us and we realise that the key to

unlocking that secret is a message,

a code, a feeling, or something still

unexplained in the music that he has

created. We don’t know what that is.

And, we needn’t either, for it does

work wonders to many of us. It gives

us the light in the darkest hours of

our lives.

PASSION AND LOVE

“Passion and love…” the musical

colossus tells us in our first-ever

interview with him. It is not easy to

describe his entire life in music in just

a few lines, but the one singular force

that has made Yanni what he is today

is his passion and love for his music.

HAVE FAITH

Planned or just happened…how did

it all come about in his journey into

the world of music?

“It is impossible to plan all that has

happened to me. You have to have a

lot of faith, endurance and tolerance

to pain,” he says.

ACCOMPLISH THE IMPOSSIBLE

He is a man who has accomplished

the impossible with his music. As a

child, who was his role model? Any

role models still? “My parents…

Socrates…just to name a few. I tend

to get inspired by human beings who

accomplish the impossible!”

MUSIC WITHOUT LABELS

Music means so many things to so

many people, and there are purists

who tend to club them, label them

and confine them to certain tags,

names and the like. Yanni hardly

sees the difference. There are those

who have called his music, ‘new

age’; there are others who called it

‘contemporary instrumental’…what

does Yanni wants to call his music?

“Music! I just want to call it music.

I never liked labels when applied to

any form of art!”

NO LANGUAGE BARRIERS

There are those who don’t listen

to classical music for reasons best

known to them. But, the sheer

popularity and the amazing fan

following Yanni has proven not

only that he is the biggest proof of

classical music’s immense popularity,

but also that people are there in

huge numbers who love it. “Because

my music is mostly instrumental,

the message in it breaks through

the language barrier and crosses

borders. “I feel very fortunate to be

able to connect emotionally and

spiritually with so many cultures

around the world.”

GREATEST REWARDS

This musical ability to connect with

people has brought in rich dividends.

Besides, his charitable bent of mind

also helps him assist those in need.

“Charity plays an extremely important

role in the world, particularly with

the difficulties we are faced with

nowadays. For me, it makes me

extremely happy when I know that I

have helped someone in some way.

It is one of the greatest rewards in

my life to know that my music has

touched people around the world.

When I was starting out as a young

composer I didn’t know if my art

would be able to cross borders and

boundaries. Thirty years later, and

after countless letters and messages,

it touches me beyond belief to

know that people give birth to their

children, get married and get over the

overwhelming pain of the loss of a

loved one with my music.

“How is that possible?” he himself

wants to know.

MEANING TO HIS LIFE

Throughout the 30 or so years of

his career, he has come into contact

with people who have been changed

positively by his music. What more

could anyone ask? “I have personally

met with people who have avoided

suicide, gone through the pain of

chemotherapy, have been inspired to

change their lives, have found light in

their darkest hours and on and on. I

am very humbled and encouraged by

this. It gives meaning to my life!”

UNSHAKEABLE FAITH IN

HUMANITY

There is so much of poverty, pain

and unhappiness in this world –

Could Yanni’s music try to heal,

break the shackles of misery, etc…?

“Absolutely. Who you are determines

everything that you create and I am

an eternal optimist because of the

way I was raised. I was fortunate

enough to have two amazing parents.

My faith in humanity is unshakeable.

B&

W X

clu

sive

30 October 21-November 6, 2011November 6, 2011

B&

W X

clu

sive

30 October 7-20, 2011

All that my parents have put in me,

coupled with all of the experiences

that I have had over the years from

coming in contact with so many

cultures goes into the music; and I

know that when people listen to it, all

that I know is transmitted to them.

“Hopelessness is horrible. I try to

bring hope to people, make them feel

better about themselves, bring them

love, strength and peace. This is an

extremely important goal to me.

“I tend to avoid writing music about

initial reactions to situations in life;

like frustration or anger etc. I rather

go though life’s problems and then

write music about lessons learned.”

Teach them to live

He may have started out as a young

composer, but, today, he is the king,

an icon of music… And this gives him

the power to create more change. If

and when he gets the opportunity to

help those in need, what would be

that first act of his?

“Create an environment where

they could learn to take care of

themselves. I believe in the adage

that ‘it is better to provide someone

a fishing rod and teach them how to

fish rather than to give them fish’,”

Yanni says.

Touched by miracles

There must be so many hundreds

of great moments in his life, but could

he relate one of them; something that

stood out? “There are no absolutes

in life. It is all in the moment. It is

impossible for me to single out

one because it would minimise the

others. What is more important? My

performance at the Acropolis in front

of my family for the first time? Or

knowing that an 18 year old boy did

not commit suicide because of my

music. Like I said earlier, I have been

very fortunate in my life. I have been

touched and moved so many times.”

It is not just Yanni’s music alone, his

stage presence is equally hypnotic.

And he has the gift to change people

with his music, his words and his

presence. And he advocates us, the

hoi polloi, to do the same…But, what

should we all do to make a difference

to our lives and to this world like he

has?

“There are as many ways to live life

as there are people on this planet. I

do not like to preach. If people closed

their eyes and listened to the voice

inside them they would know the

way. It is all there. We are just not

trained or educated enough to be

able to listen.”

(*) Partly adapted from a real life

incident related by Yanni


Are you a fighter?

“I am a Spartan. Once I engage, I do not quit. But I try to pick my

battles well. However, there are certain lines I will never cross.”

What angers you?

I try not to give in to anger. It clouds your judgment and in general

impairs your ability to cope with situations in life intelligently.

What gets you down?

Many things but I don’t stay down too long.

What does a smile mean to you?

Everything. It is one of the most important expressions that a

human being can gift you with.

What does life mean to you?

“Life? Life is priceless – all of life!”

Anyone who has seen Yanni perform cannot but miss

the bulging muscles in his arms, which must surely be

coming from his indulgence in some sport. And that is a

fact, not just now, but as a teenager, he had made quite

a splash as a swimmer. It was not a mere indulgence

then. As a competitive swimmer in Greece he had set

a national record in the 50-metre freestyle competition

when he was just 14. Even today, he has not forgotten

his strokes...When he is not into music, he is seen happily

swimming…”I love anything that has to do with the ocean.

Swimming, sailing, scuba diving, wind surfing…” He

lives life to the fullest. What moves him, what else is he

passionate about? “Anything can move me. I live life to

the fullest!”

Different strokes

The Spartan My music is not dependent on my hairstyle!Yanni cuts a striking figure

with his handsome lion-like

demeanour: flowing mane

of black hair, thick sexy

moustache…sorry, what

moustache? That is off. Since

some time now Yanni is sans his

trademark moustache and he

is sporting a clean shaven style

–his current look! We asked him

why? They say that a moustache

makes a man, so why is Yanni

who is always known to sport a

sexy moustache shave it off, we

asked him, to which he retorted:

“If my career as a composer

was dependent on my

moustache or the length of my

hair, I should not be writing

music!”

B&

W X

clu

sive


YANNI’S MUSIC

Music is both calming to the soul and inspirational at

the same time. It can make you happy when you are

feeling sad; help celebrate occasions and bring in good

friends. Yanni’s music lifts you and carries you on a

journey.

FAN OF YANNI

I was introduced to Yanni many years ago by friends

and have been a fan of his work ever since. The

opportunity to experience his music live is probably

a one-in-a-lifetime . I am really looking forward to

attending this concert and really appreciate the music

of this great artist.

PERSONAL AND COMPANY’S TAKE ON CSR

(CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY)

I was always interested from a personal as well as a

corporate prospective to offer all types of assistance

and support to a lot of charities and organisations in the

community, The company always invested in CSR in

different levels and fields as our company’s vision is to

empower the people of Oman who are the future of this

country. Our policy welcomes all type of ideas which

affect the community positively in all aspects.

BEST PART OF GIVING

It is definitely the satisfaction one gets from knowing

that you have helped others. It also makes you

remember that you are fortunate and in a position to

make a difference to those who are not so fortunate. If

you chanced upon a visually challenged person…

I think it is important to be mindful of their needs and

disability and make sure to offer assistance wherever it

may be required. However, we must be careful not to

patronise them. I would say that we treat them just as

we would sighted people.

Time to make a difference to the less fortunate

Abdel Karim Awwad,

national marketing and sales manager, Audi Oman

35Black & White

YANNI’S MUSIC

For me, music is a relief and an element of power that

could easily change the mood and touch the emotions,

whenever, wherever. Music is being used in order

to maintain the health of people; we call this ‘music

therapy’. One of the earliest mentions of music therapy

was in Al-Farabi’s treatise ‘Meanings of the Intellect’,

which described the therapeutic effects of music on

the soul. Yanni is an inspirational artist who has

entertained millions with his outstanding performances;

his music contains so much love and soul. I personally

admire him for many reasons, but mostly because

he is a self-taught musician who developed his own

approach to musical creativity and because he has a

persistent desire to bring his music to the world.

FAN OF YANNI

I am a big fan of Yanni and I have many of his albums

(Keys to Imagination, Out of Silence, Reflections of

Passion, etc…). I’ve been listening to Yanni since the

80’s when I was first introduced to his music.

PERSONAL AND COMPANY’S TAKE ON CSR

(CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY)

My personal interest is Sabco Media’s interest in

CSR and it’s of our values to embrace responsibility for

Sabco Media’s actions and encourage a positive impact

Music for the mind, heart and soul

One called it music therapy; another said it lifted the

spirits and yet another feels that it was universal.

Some of the key sponsors of the Yanni Live in Concert

at the Grand Hall of the Sultan Qaboos University

(SQU) showered praise on their musical hero, Yanni,

displaying their love for the superstar.

Personal admiration apart, these sponsors, who

are also music lovers, explained how musicians like

Yanni had the capacity to move and change the world.

They also spelt out their reasons for contributing

and supporting a charity cause and said that it was

disheartening to find that there were people out there

with sight, yet had no vision.

Nadim Attieh,

station manager, Al Wisal/Merge

through its activities on the environment, consumers,

employees, communities, stakeholders and all other

members of the public sphere.

BEST PART OF GIVING

The best part of giving is the feeling that follows this

action, a lot of people give, not because they like the

person they are giving to, but because they love the feeling

they have, the feeling of satisfaction and goodwill, which

helps them look good in the eyes of God. But in order to

have this great feeling, you should really feel that you are

giving; what’s the point of giving OMR5 when you own

millions? At the same time, there are some who own just

few thousands and yet they give OMR5 or OMR10 and

I am sure they feel much better than those who have

fortunes. When you want to give, give from your heart,

before giving from your pocket.

If you chanced upon a visually challenged person…

Personally, I react normally but what shocks me and

makes me feel that it is the greatest tragedy in life is

people who have sight but no vision.

B&

W X

clu

sive


YANNI’S MUSIC

Music is a universal language. Yanni’s music in

particular connects emotionally with every individual – it

is beautiful and uplifting. It is a blend of world music,

very ethnic and has no boundaries.

FAN OF YANNI

I’ve been a fan of Yanni for over 10 years.

Personal and company’s take on CSR (corporate

social responsibility)

I’m a member of the CSR committee in Shangri-La

and we do conduct monthly meetings implementing

environmental safe practices as well as participating

in several CSR activities from donations to charities.

Shangri-La is committed to protecting the environment

and participates in the awareness programmes related

to climate change and corporate social responsibility

activities as part of its ongoing environmental efforts.

Music has no boundaries

Eihab Attia,

communications manager, Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa

The resort is also an Environmental Management System

ISO14001 certified by the United Registrar of Systems Ltd

(URS) – the first hotel in Oman to receive this important

landmark award in the commitment to environmental

preservation.

BEST PART OF GIVING

I believe most of the world’s great leaders, scientists,

spiritual figures, musicians, artists, businessmen…

etc. were all great givers, to those in need, to charities

and foundations. At a certain stage, it’s important to

give and share your fortune, talents and wealth to those

less fortunate. The sense of satisfaction and the feeling

associated with giving and sharing is possibly the greatest

act a person could do in his life.

If you chanced upon a visually challenged person…

I would treat him /her as a normal human being, should

the person require assistance, I would be happy to do so.

37Black & White

B&

W X

clu

sive


‘Stevie Wonder’ of the desert

Hamed bin Abdullah Al Suleiman is never late for any

appointment. But, this time, it was nearly 30 minutes from the time

he was supposed to meet us and still no sight of him. When we

called to enquire, he said: “Sorry, but the cops caught me for over-

speeding and took away my license. Now, I am waiting for my driver

to drop me back!” For the non-discerning that seemed like it is a

perfectly normal thing to happen. When you over speed, you will be

stopped. Law of the land. But, then, wait a moment. How did Hamed

Al Suleiman get caught for over speeding? He cannot drive! He is

visually challenged!

39Black & White

A BRILLIANT LESSON

For a moment, he had us there. The ever pleasant, the ever smiling

Hamed, who hails from Saham, was a perennially cheerful soul. He

may be a man without sight, but he is someone with full vision. And it

is this vision within him that is taking him places. His ready smiles, his

effervescent and charming nature has always wooed the world, but

more importantly, taught us a brilliant lesson: smile with the world and

it will smile back at you.

For us, this is an important message; we, the sighted, have never

learnt to do that. We have always frowned at the world and the world

has, naturally, frowned back at us. We have always looked at the

world and nature negatively and we have been pounded back with

nature’s fury.

Let us learn something from a man who has barely seen the world

and cannot see anything now, yet has no regrets, no pain, no hatred,

virtually no negative emotion even though, in all respects, he cannot,

like us, see the wonders of this world.

“I was not born blind,” Hamed tells us, sipping some hot coffee. “I

have some vague memory of myself seeing the world, but that is all.”

Hamed was just an infant when high fever and related ailments and

infection affected his eyes. “And by the time I was 10, I was quite

blind, but could still manage to see the primary colours.”

HE REMEMBERS COLOURS

Hamed is 40 now. But, he still manages to mentally visualise the

colours he had seen. “Red, yellow, brown, green…” he says, as our

eyes mist. We see these colours everyday and we don’t even care.

“Yes, I remember the colours – especially the dark ones,” he says

smiling a trifle wistfully though.

NO REGRETS AT ALL

But, that is just about it. He does not show any trace of regrets.

“I have no complaints whatsoever. I am a happy man because I

strongly believe everything happens for a reason and if God takes

away something, by all means, he will compensate with something

bigger. Nothing is in our hands. I understand this perfectly well. I lost

my sight gradually and I have no other choice but to accept what has

happened and learn to live with it in all humility and understanding.

“Why should I be angry and to whom? Why should I be sad? I am

content. I have a very supportive family who is there at my beck and

call – what more should a man ask for?”

B&

W X

clu

sive


41Black & White

Text: Adarsh Madhavan & Priya Arunkumar Photos: Najib Al Balushi

NOT A CANE FAN

But despite his challenge, Hamed is not a champion of the cane. He

did undergo some mobility training with the cane, but, it has not helped

him get out of his inherent mistrust of the cane. “I feel lost with a cane,”

he said and we did not probe further.

MUSIC BRINGS GOOD CHEER

Now, the real life of Hamed is one filled with music and poetry. “In

spite of the blackness that I live in, the Almighty has given me a very

creative mind. I love poems and ever since my childhood, I am creating

poems. Music is very close to my heart and I also managed to learn the

Oudh when I was young (22). And, I am glad that I chose to learn it.”

Hamed was not carrying his Oudh at the interview, otherwise he

would have strung some notes and belted out a few songs. “My music

adds good cheer to me as well as the listening public and the best

part of my singing and music is that I have managed to make so many

friends on the way.”

DESERT WONDER

Hamed is lucky to have so many good friends who has helped him

socialise and even lead a good life. “My friends have helped me live

a pretty normal life, take walks, or, even attempt some adventurous

trips… I have been on many desert crossing trips too and I just love it.”

In fact, we opened our mouths when we heard the number of times

he has crossed the desert: 20. On almost all these occasions, he has

regaled the members in the group with his Arabic music and songs.

Hamed’s musical exploits in the middle of the desert has also earned

him the tag, ‘Stevie Wonder of the Desert’!

“It is so tranquil and peaceful out there. I am able to charge myself

completely from such serene surroundings! Somehow, I always able to

calm my heart – tranquility lies within us and I am able to control it; flow

with it!”

NOT A HANDICAP

To a query, Hamed also noted that he did not want anyone to

believe they were having a handicap if they happened to be visually

challenged. “But, I believe your life is your choice. Anyone can live

happily, if they chose to do so. I speak for myself when I say I am

content. I am happy and have no regrets.

“What if I had normal vision? I don’t know, but I think I would still be

the same old Hamed – full of life!”

Hamed however confesses that he misses out having a good career.

“I wish Oman offered us the chance and opportunities for those with

special needs. But for the fact that I cannot see, I am normal. So, there

must be a job out there for me somewhere. I really want a fulltime job –

I don’t want to depend on anyone!”

Oman's first

comprehensive

online directory

More details: [email protected]

www.omanonlinesearch.com

Coming Soon!

43Black & White

Thank you Mr Steve Jobs

By Dr CK Anchan

Dr Anchan C.K.

managing director,

World Wide Business House

Steve Jobs will be remembered as one of the

greatest visionaries ever. His contributions for

the technological as well as entrepreneurial

world, will remain as history.

Steve Jobs always stated that “keep it simple,

silly” – he revolved technology which were

simple to use by the masses. Everything Jobs

built made life easier. It was rare to ever hear

him babbling about features he created; instead

he focussed on how these products made life

easier for others. His focus was on solving

problems that people were experiencing.

Most companies launch products and then sell

them. Jobs didn’t do that with Apple. He let the

public know what he was going to sell them,

how it solved their problems, and that they

could pre-order the product online. He created

altogether a different chain of supply: don’t wait

for your product or service to be released. Start

selling it now. The money you earn today will

help cover your costs and it will help solve any

cash flow issues you may encounter during

distribution.

When we want to think different and big today,

one of the first name comes in to anyone’s

mind is Jobs, he always thought Big, If you are

in business, you are there to make money. If

not, you shouldn’t be an entrepreneur. If you

are going to create a business, create one that

changes the world. You won’t be able to create

a big company unless you solve big problems.

Jobs was smart; he always focussed his energy

on a some big products instead of trying to

create thousands of small ones. In other words,

he went for big wins instead of looking to hit

singles and doubles.

He focussed on one product or a service at

a time. Jobs created an ecosystem around

Apple products. By doing this Apple didn’t have

to sell their products, other companies were

doing it for them. Not only were they selling

their products, other companies started to

build products on the Apple platform and their

customers were encouraged to buy and use

Apple products.

Jobs was not afraid to enter a saturated market.

He had the willingness to take the product to

the next level were competitors cannot reach.

The iPod wasn’t the first mp3 player. There

were hundreds of others that were already out

before Apple released the iPod. He just one

upped everyone by creating a better product

and demolishing all the competitors.

Jobs had a salary of $1 a year? That’s right, he

didn’t care for money and he stated it publicly.

He cared about the company, their products,

and changing peoples’ lives. Jobs worked hard

even when he was sick… that’s how much he

loved what he was doing. Although Jobs wasn’t

the Ceo throughout all of Apple’s history, he

always took care of the company. He came

back, and turned the company around.

When Jobs got sick, he left Apple to spend his

final moments with his friends and family. He

knew what was important to him. It ‘s one of the

greatest lesson - to figure out what’s important

to us, no matter how much time business or

job takes from our life, not to forget about

what’s important.

I am sure we all miss him ...and thank him for

the way we compute today and tomorrow to

come.

Managem

ent

talk

43Black & White

www.blackandwhiteoman.com

Read our magazine ONLINE

Log on to

Blackandwhite OmanFind us on facebook

45Black & White

Sudoku is a number-placing puzzle based on a

9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object is

to place the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares

so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box

contains the same number only once.

Solution:

519362487

872594361

364817952

957436128

486921573

231785649

795243816

643178295

128659734 20

10 C

once

ptis

Puz

zles

, D

ist.

by

Kin

g F

eatu

res

Syn

dica

te,

Inc.

Difficulty Level 8/18

534129786

981637245

627485193

395871624

476253918

812964537

263798451

159346872

748512369 20

10 C

once

ptis

Puz

zles

, D

ist.

by

Kin

g F

eatu

res

Syn

dica

te,

Inc.


936248

7

4

1

3

7

2

9

12

178564

9

3

6

6

8

5

1

73

2010

Con

cept

is P

uzzl

es, D

ist.

by K

ing

Feat

ures

Syn

dica

te, I

nc.

By Dave Green


41

9

8

3

2

6

5

9

3

6

4

7

1

8

2

7

6

7

1

9

4

7

5

23

2010

Con

cept

is P

uzzl

es, D

ist.

by K

ing

Feat

ures

Syn

dica

te, I

nc.

By Dave Green


AJAY ENTERPRISESPO BOX 54, PC 100.

TEL : 24815485 FAX : 24815490E-MAIL: [email protected]

Website: www.albahja.com

AJAAYY EENNTTEERRPPRRIISSEESPPPPPPOOOOOO BBBOOOOXXXXX 5555544444,, PPPPPCCCCC 1111100000000000..

TTTTEEEELLL ::: 22224444888811155544888555 FFFAAAXXX :: 22448811555449000EEEE--MMMMAAAAIIIILLLL:: mmmmmaaaarrrrkkkkeeeeettttiiinnggggg@@@aallbbaahhhjjaa..ccoomm

WWWWeebbbbsssiiiitttee:: wwwwwww..aaaalllbbbaaahhhhjjjaa..ccoommm


New ideas and

announcements at work will cause

much discussion amongst co-

workers. Although information is

scattered or unreliable, the underlying

theme is solid: workplace change

will be forthcoming in the next three

weeks. Discuss your feelings openly

with friends and close relatives:

others may need to hear your ideas.

Over the next three

weeks many Cancerians will begin

to see the faults and vulnerabilities

of business partners. Key spiritual

issues involve admiration for

unethical individuals or accepting the

flaws of past teachers, mentors and

leaders. All of this will, eventually, be

quite liberating.

Spiritual awareness and

emotional strength are highlighted

this week. Pay close attention to

dreams, intuitions and insights into

the behaviour of others. Watch

contracts and important documents

for hidden clauses or potential

mistakes. Messages and invitations

from family members may be

misleading.

Plan to spend extra

time with close friends and

romantic partners. Others may

need emotional encouragement

concerning long term business

goals and family decisions. Be

supportive and optimistic: at the

moment, friends and lovers are

vulnerable and open to suggestion.

Your expertise and

confidence will attract attention

at work. Expect colleagues and

business officials to rely heavily

on your advice or ask your opinion

concerning personnel, office

dynamics or future policy. For some,

this may cause minor conflicts with

co-workers or a subtle shift in office

relations.

Over the next few days the

added scrutiny of minor finances and

spending habits will bring increased

income over the coming three weeks.

Avoid lending, offering business

advice or taking on new financial

obligations. At the moment, many

Virgos will feel a strong desire to help

others.

March 21-April 20

June 22-July 23

April 21-May 20

July 24-August 23

May 21-June 21

August 24-September 23

Your staARIES

CANCER

TAURUS

LEO

GEMINI

VIRGO

Horo

scope

AISHWARYA RAI BACHCHAN (BORN 1 NOVEMBER 1973)

is an Indian film actress. She worked as a model before starting

her acting career, and ultimately won the Miss World pageant

in 1994. Rai has acted in over 40 films in Hindi, English, Tamil,

Telugu, and Bengali. Often cited by the media as the "most

beautiful woman in the world", Rai made her acting debut in

Mani Ratnam's Tamil film Iruvar, and had her first commercial

success in the Tamil movie Jeans. She gained the attention

of Bollywood through the film Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam,

directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Her performance won her

the Filmfare Best Actress Award. In 2002 she appeared in

Bhansali's Devdas, for which she won her second Filmfare Best

Actress Award. Rai's off-screen roles include duties as brand

ambassador for various charity organisations and campaigns.

She is married to fellow actor Abhishek Bachchan. In 2009 she

was honoured with Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian award

given by the Government of India.

Expect close friends to reveal their vulnerabilities

or doubts concerning business decisions and relations with

authority figures. Offer advice and words of encouragement: it

may now be important for others to improve their reputation and

impress business officials.

At the moment, your romantic insights are strongly

accurate and may lead others to search out your wisdom and

observations. Pay close attention to dreams, intuitions and

glimpses at the true character of others. Key issues may involve

attitudes toward parent/child relationships.

Delicate information at work or conflicts of interest in

business relationships may be the theme. Expect colleagues and

business partners to reveal a series of recent ethical mistakes or

misunderstandings. Key issues may involve office policy, hidden

alliances or finding fault with the reputation of a friend.

You will develop a fresh approach to expressing

emotions and setting boundaries in relationships. Spiritual and

emotional awareness is high at the moment. Over the next few

days expect others to be drawn to your confidence and frank

method of self expression.

Expect slow but steady emotional movement in key

relationships over the coming few days and weeks. Some

Sagittarians may also now discover an exciting new lover, group

of friends or social outlet. If so, expect this to arrive quickly in

your life and be highly passionate.

Expect the arrival of new documents or financial

information. Large corporations or government agencies may

now offer permissions, needed paperwork or delayed funding

applications. Business ideas are expansive and positive over

the coming three weeks.

September 24-October 22

December 23-January 20

October 23-November 22

January 21-February 19

November 23-December 22

February 20-March 20

arsLIBRA

CAPRICORN

SCORPIO

AQUARIUS

SAGITTARIUS

PISCES

AJAY ENTERPRISESPO BOX 54, PC 100.

TEL : 24815485 FAX : 24815490E-MAIL: [email protected]

Website: www.albahja.com

AJJAYY EENTERPRISSEESSPPPPPPOOOOOO BBBOOOOOXXXXXX 555555444,, PPPPPCCCC 111000000...

TTTEELL ::: 2224448881115554448888555 FFFFAAAAXXX ::: 22224444888881115555554444444999000EEEE----MMMMAAAAAAAIIIIIIILLLLL:::: mmmmaaarrrrkkkkkeeeettttttiiiinnnnngggg@@@@@aaaalbaaaahhjjjjjjaa.ccccooooooommmm

47Black & White


Kid

stuff


49Black & White

• An elephant calf often sucks its trunk for comfort

• Elephants prefer one tusk over the other, just as people are

either left or right-handed

• Elephants use their trunk as a snorkel when swimming

• Elephants waive their trunks up in the air and from side to

side to smell better

• An elephants’ skin is an inch thick

• Elephants flap their ears to keep cool

• Elephants spend up to 16 to 18 hours per day eating

• An elephant’s trunk is the fusion of the nose and upper lip

• Elephants’ tusks grow throughout their lives

• Elephants use their feet to listen, they can pick up sub-sonic

rumblings made by other elephants, through vibrations

in the ground

Facts about

ELEPHANTS10 Fun Facts About The African Elephant

Tongue TwisterEleven benevolent elephants

49Black & White


WADI KABIRBait al Zubair Bait al BarandaMarina Bander Al Bustan Palace HotelOman Dive club Shangri-La- Barr Al JissahSri Lankan School NHIPencil Building (Stationery shop)Al Maha bunk –Wadi Kabir Ajay Enterprises (Khimji) – (Next to Jingles nursery) Hotel Golden OasisSana FashionsAl Maya markets – (Old Rawasco) Scientific pharmacy – Opp to al Maya market ( Arab Udipi Rest)

CBD AREA TO DARSAITAl Amana Building materials – Opposite Jawad SultanAl Omaniya Financial Services office Oman oil bunk Khimji mart shopping mall – (Old shopping & saving)Khimjis Bait al Ahlam- CBD areaPizza Muscat (Opposite ministry of manpower)Pizza Hut/TFC – CBD areaCentre point-SplashMuscat Securities market Times of OmanShell petrol Bunk (Next to Sheraton)OCCI Library – Oman Chamber of commerce (OPP MSM)KFC – Ruwi Oman International Bank – RuwiPalayok Restaurant – Filipino restaurant Ever ready supermarket New India Assurance OfficeAl Fair – Ruwi high street Lakhoos Money Exchange, Ruwi High streetDamas Jewellery/office – Ruwi Oman UAE Exchange – OCC CentreAir Arabia Office- Shanfari TravelsRuwi HotelGulf air building – Gulf air officeSaravanabhavan Restaurant Sarco – Samsung showroom Khimji Megastore – Swarovski showroomOTEMoosa Abdul Showroom – next to al JadeedToshiba Showroom Al Jadeed shoppingBadr Al Samaa Samara video (next to Talentz, old bait al ahlam) after 5pmMinistry of Education – Opp Wearhouse – Ruwi Future management consultants -(opp Toshiba showroom)Haffa House HotelAl Falaj Hotel Muscat Bakery- Near church Pakistan School (after temple & church Darsait)Naranjee Hirjee office (before Hotel Golden Oryx)Hotel Golden Oryx Bank Muscat corporate office (Opposite Hotel Golden Oryx)Kamat Restaurant Uptown Restaurant Turtles Book shopAl Rima Clinic Lama Polyclinic

Oman Air – CBD NBO- CBD areaBank MuscatBank SoharHSBCStandard CharteredOman Arab BankHarmony Music Centre – Next to OAB Bahwan Travel Agencies – CBD banks areaOTTB – Oman Travels BureauAir India office – CBD next to Costas CostasPapa John Supa Save – CBDWoodlandsBank DhofarHorizon Restaurant – (Next to Moon travels)Oman post office Lulu DarsaitKhimji Ramdas Head office, Muttrah (Kanaksi Khimji & pankaj Khimji) Majan College – Darsait junction (canteen)Indian Social ClubMelody Music Centre – Next to ISMGerman Embassy – Hamriya roundaboutApollo Medical CentreComputer Xpress – Hamriya Roundabout Atlas Travels (Wadi Adai Roundabout (next to polyglot)Hatat HousePassage to IndiaBest carsHyundai/Subaru/GM showroomAl Asfoor FurnishingAhli BankShell marketing officeSEAT car showroom- Wattayah DHL office- Wattayah Honda ShowroomSabco Head office wattayahNTT travels WattayahToyota Bahwan Advertising – Ist floor – Toyota showroomLexusFord showroomShanfari AutomotiveWattayah Motors- VW showroomKhoula HospitalInstitute of Health sciences – opposite KhoulaKia showroom- wattayah

QURUM AREA TOWARDS AL KHUWAIRAl Harthy Complex- Pizza Muscat – next to Sultan Center in al Harthy complexSultan Center Nissan showroomBMW showroom Muscat Private School Qurum city centrePizza Hut – Qurum Capital StoreAl Asfoor PlazaKFCHardeesFono showroom next to Sabco centreShah NagardasSabco Centre- Barista coffee shop onlyAl AraimiPanasonic ShowroomNBO QurumAl Khamis PlazaAl Wadi commercial centre – Coffee shopMercedes showroom

CCC- StandCCC Al FairBollywood chatPizza Hut – Qurum Second CupNandos McDonaldsSalman StoresJawahir OmanHamptonsBusiness Services & Travel Amex office Ernst & Young buildg (OUA Travels) StarbucksHawthorne institute- ELS Fahud Street, opp Qurum parkMumtaz Mahal Left bankOman Association for the disabled Ministry of education (20 +20=20)Muscat Intercon Jawaharat Al Shatti complex- standOasis by the sea - crepe café standLNG OfficeAl Qurum resortBareek Al Shatti ComplexAl Qandeel head office -, Entrance of Bareek al Shatti Al Shatti Cinema - Dunkin DonutsAl Sahwa Schools– principal’s office next to Ramada hotelHotel RamadaAl Muriya Offices- next to Al sahwa schoolsGrand Hyatt MuscatAl Masa MallRadio ShackAl Sarooj ComplexShell Petrol Bunk- Al Sarooj Al FairRamee GuestlineRock BottomClassic Institute of Arts- next to Asas OmanAsas Oman ApartmentsCrowne PlazaCoral hotelQurum Pvt schoolPDORas Al Hamraa ClubOmanoil head office

AL KHUWAIR/MSQ TOWARDS AZAIBAELS – Al khuwair service roadBritish School Muscat – MSQBritish Council Oman oil- Madinat Qaboos Pizza HutKhimjis mart – MSQ Kargeen Café Al fairFamily Book shop- MSQ Tavola – Al Noor Hall buildgStarbucks Hana slimming centre – Ist FloorFotomagicAl Noor Hall Al JadeedEqarat office Above Welcare Clinic – al KhuwairDomino Pizza Oman mobileSafeer Hypermarket Mustafa SultanSouk TechniaOmantelOman international Bank – Al khuwair main officeIbis Hotel

Park inn HotelFriendi OfficeMuscat Bakery Tropical Ice creams SubwayPizza Hut service road Ice Skating RinkNational Training InstituteGolden spoon RestaurantShell Select- Al KhuwairMcdonaldsMct holiday Inn HotelOman Bowling Center HalliburtonCafé VergnanoKhimji Mart – Next to Verganano Safeer suitesAxa insurance (opp assarain Al khuwair)Zakher shopping MallPAN Furnishing Harley DavidsonThriftyAl Amal Medical Centre – Dr BashirHotel RadissonPizza Hut Al KhuwairOzone Video Shop(Next to Pizza Hut)American British School Omar Khayyam Restaurant, next to V kool Grill House (next door)V KoolTAISM Centre for British Teachers – CFBT Baushar Complex CaféAviation Club Restaurant

AZAIBA TOWARDS SEEBLulu Hyper market – BausharOman Medical collegeCollege for Business & financial Studies opp Oman medical, bausharAzzan Bin Qais school - BausharMuscat private HospitalDolphin Village – BausherRoyal hospital Ghala industrial area – NTINational mineral water – Tanuf ( next to Al Madina Holiday Inn)Oman oil AzaibaSpicy Village – Rusayl Pizza Hut – GhalaOman oil – GhalaTowell head office – Enhance & Ist floorMazda showroom Mcdonalds – Azaiba Select shell AzaibaOman Tribune – Al Watan officeNew India assurance Azaiba office Safeer HypermartNawras head office Zubair showroom and Yamaha corporate office(two places)- Yamaha Showroom – close to Zubair showroom – 1st floor Polyglot InstituteGU Tech – Beach road AzaibaChedi Muscat The wave Muscat corporate officeNACA – national cancer Awareness AssnMCC – Crepe CaféAl Bahja– Mood Café & food CourtAl Maya Super market Oman air Seeb office (Below Flyover, before Golden Tulip)Oman Tourisn College Golden Tulip HotelAir portSelect Shell – SeebPizza Hut airportKFC

PICK-UP POINTSPICK-UP POINTS

MUSCAT

Cir

cula

tion

51Black & White 51Black && White

SHOPPING MALLSLulu shopping centerAl- Istaqarar shopping center (Salalah)Dhofar shopping centerBab Al- Salam marketAl- Mashoor (Salalah)Al- Mashoor (Saada)Al-KhareefK.M TradingAl-Isteqarar (Saada)Al-Hoq super marketHamdan commercial marketFresh super market (Al-Sarat)Union Salalah MarketFamily bookshop

HOTELSCrown PlazaHilton Salalah Hamdan plazaDhofar HotelSalalah hotelHaffa HouseRedan HotelAl- Hanaa HotelBAMSIR hotelAl- Jabel hotelAl- Nile suite (Saada)Salalah Marriott

MINISTRIESMinistry agriculture & fisheries Ministry of educationMinistry of defenseMinistry of housing & electricityMinistry of waterMinistry of tourism Diwan of Royal court (Salalah)Ministry of primary court and justiceMinistry of Commerce & industryDhofar municipality (Baladia)Ministry of man power

PETROL STATIONS, BANKSShanfari filling Stationshell select, al saadaOman oilShell SalalahBank MuscatOmantelOman Arab BankPizza hutDhofar UniversityAl Maha souk

OIB, NizwaOIB, FirqBankMuscat, NizwaBM main branch, NizwaBankMuscat, FirqNBO, NizwaNBO, FirqBank AbudhabiToyotaOTEOmantelNawrasKhimji, NizwaKhimji, IzkiMuscat Bakery, NizwaPizza HutDiscount centreFamily shoppingAl Diyar HotelSafari hotelAl-Nif shopping, IzkiHungery Bunny, NizwaCollege of ScienceCollege of TechnicNizwa Medical CollegeBusmath ClinicThalal ClinicOmanoil, IzkiOmanoil, FirqOmanoil, NizwaOmanoil, MarfaShell, IzkiShell, FirqShell, NizwaAl-Maha, FirqNizwa university -Dept of foreign langAl-Maha, Marfa

Lulu hyper marketSafeer CentreAl Nahda resortAl Maha SoukOman Oil RumaisOman College of managementOIBNBOBank MuscatShellOTESARCONissan showroomOmantel

MUSCAT continued...

MUSCAT, SALALAH, SUR, SOHAR, NIZWA, BARKA, KASAB

SALALAH NIZWA

BARKA

SOHAR

SURAl-HasharLNGLNG, Club SurSur Beach HotelSur UniversityOTE, SurMitsibushiRawaya coffee shopToyotaNissanSur Plaza HotelMazdaKhimjiOmantelPrivate Hospital, SurBankMuscatSur HotelNBO, SurBank Dhofar, SurELS, Sur

Muscat golf hills, SEEBKOMSQU – SQUH hospital , SQUH 2- canteen, 3- Diplomatic Club, 4 – College of Commerce, 5 – Students banking area)Pizza Hut – al Khoud Sultan School al hail service road – principals’ officeCaledonian college – principal’s officeOman Foot ball association

RUSAYL AREARusayl Industrial EstateOman CablesSadolin PaintsJotun PaintsAl waqia shoesMehdi FoodsAreej veg oils

MINISTRIES AREA – AL KHUWAIRMinistry of tourism(Ghala, next to ISG)Ministry of social Development(next to Regional municipalities, Bank Mct)Ministry of foreign affairs

Spicy Village RestaurantLulu HypermarketJumeirah Shopping CentreKhimji’s MartAl Salem shoppingCentrepointMoosa Abdul Rahman – GMCToyotaNissanMitsubishiLG showroomSohar BakerySohar UniversityBank MuscatHabib BankBank SoharOman International BankAl Raffah HospitalBadr Al SamaaOman Arab BankBank DhofarHSBCTravel CityNational Travels and ToursUniversal Travels and TourismDHLDhofar InsuranceAl Ahlia InsuranceTaeeger Finance CoOmantelAl Jazeera GroupNarenjee Hirjee (International)

Circulation enquiries: 98675976/24565697

FREE FORTNIGHTLY MAGAZINEAVAILABLE ALL OVER OMAN ON 7TH & 21ST

20, 500 COPIES (BEING AUDITED)


Cookin

g

53Black & White

Lemons are the most commonly used flavouring ingredient in the culinary arts,

after salt and pepper. Used in everything from baking to sauce making to meat

and vegetable cookery, lemons bring their own tangy flavor and bright aroma,

while actually enhancing a dish’s other flavorsIf you love good taste and healthy

food add a squeeze of lemon to your recipes. Here are few lime fresh recipes…

Ingredients:

2oz Caster sugar

5tbsp lukewarm milk

2teasp Dried yeast

8oz Strong plain flour

Salt

Grated rind of 2 lemons

1 egg

1 egg yolk

2oz Butter

Ingredients:

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 1/2 cups flour

1/2 tsp. salt

3/4 cup butter, cut into small pieces

Topping:

4 eggs

1 1/2 cups sugar

rind of lemon, grated

1/2 cup lemon juice, fresh

3/4 cup whipping cream

powdered sugar, for dusting

ON THE MENUFRESH LIMES

Method:

Dissolve 1/2 teasp of the sugar in the milk and sprinkle the yeast on

top. Leave in a warm place for 15 minutes till frothy. Sift the flour

and a pinch of salt into a bowl and stir in the remaining sugar and

lemon rind. Add the yeast mixture, beaten egg and yolk and melted

butter and mix to stiff dough. Divide between greased 12-hole bun

tray. Cover with oiled polythene and leave to rise in a warm place till

doubled in size. Preheat the oven to 375F. Bake the buns for about 25

minutes till well risen. Cool on a wire rack.

Method:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Spray a 9 X 13in baking pan. Mix

sugar, flour, and salt into a bowl. With a pastry blender, cut in the

butter really well. Press the mixture into the base of the pan. Bake

until golden brown, about 20 minutes. For the topping, whisk the

eggs and sugar together until blended. Add the lemon rind and juice,

mix well. Lightly whip the cream and fold into the egg mixture. Pour

over the lemon bars and return to the oven. Bake until set, about 40

minutes. Cool completely before cutting into bars. Sift a small amount

of powdered sugar over each bar.

LEMON BUNS

LEMON BARS

Overall timing one hours plus cooling

Overall timing 1 hours plus cooling

53Black & White

FREE 20,500 copies (being audited)

Circulation Enquiries: 98675976/24565697Advertisement Enquiries: 97679290/24565697

www.blackandwhiteoman.com

AVAILABLEall over Oman on 7th & 21stof every month

First Free Fortnightly magazine

55Black & White

A lollipop, orange ice cream, a ribbon in the hair, a tiny chocolate,

a smile from a child, rain on a hot day, water in the desert, a warm

shawl on a chilly day, a friend when you are lonely, shade on a

sunny day, a slick dress when you have no clothes to wear, getting

a job when you are almost broke…so many simple things that

enrich our lives and cost almost nothing and yet its queer that we

run after complicated and difficult things in life and yearn for them

and are disappointed when we don’t get them….I tell you, we are

bizarre.

So many times I have seen people give up a fantastic relationship

because it is not challenging or complex enough. Whatever

happened to loving the simple and straightforward?

I think we run after the so called convoluted things in life because

they seem more precious to us as opposed to simplicity. Besides

they also seem to arouse a basic instinct in us of winning

challenges. But I don’t think it is necessary to create challenges

when none exist.

It’s like when we get things easily we believe something is wrong

and don’t appreciate it and a lot of times in the bargain we lose it all.

I would go with the simple and even look for it because not many

people will be looking for it and I can have it all to myself.

So many times just doing that we are able to give our relentless

running around a break and sit back and enjoy without the taxing

part. Maybe that’s why I even write simply as I don’t have to show

off my vocabulary and use BIG BIG words. I know my readers love

it and I am what I am because of my readers.

So next time before running after a sundae appreciate the simple,

no-nonsense, humble popsicle.

Till next time love and hugs.

Simplicity…where are you?

Vandana, award winning author (‘360 Degrees Back to Life')

By Vandana Shah

It's m

y lif

e

Vandana Shah, Author 360 Degrees Back To life, editor of Ex-Files. www.vandanashah.com.

Email me what you’d like to say on [email protected]

Follow me on twitter Vandy4PM

55Black & White


Shape n

sound

EXERCISE HATERS, stop, READ THIS!Are you an exercise hater? Study after study has shown that regular physical

activity -- even at moderate levels -- reduces the risk of heart disease,

cancer, high blood pressure and obesity and enhances physical and mental

functioning. If that is true, why are so many of us still choosing a sedentary

lifestyle? Truth hurts: many of us shun exercise because of a variety of

reasons. Even though our hubbies maybe exercise or fitness freaks (that itself

could be one reason), we tend to shy away because of reasons best known

to us. A bit of soul searching would lead us to one or many reasons

as to why we don’t like – rather hate – exercise. Some of these

issues would not just be personal, but deeply ingrained

in us since our childhood. Let us quickly explore

three or four key and common issues

in this regard. The biggest excuse

would be time:


57Black & White

NO TIME YAAKI

A trip to the gym or a quick walk

or jog is often sacrificed for less

trivial pursuits. For those who are

real exercise haters, anything and

everything can add up to be an

excuse. You may have had a bad

day at office, and ideally that is the

time when you should go all out and

exercise, shed not just the pounds,

but the office frustrations away, but,

instead, you may just flop down in

misery and then dunk into fattening

food and/or drown in liquid that

not only slips you away into a form

of escapism. That is precisely the

word: escapism. Exercise haters are

big-time escapists and instead of

hitting the floor and springing back

into shape and wellness, you double

up and slide down a path of misery

when things go down. Exercise is the

last thing on your mind when you are

down, which, honestly, should be the

other way around.

NO MONEY YAAKI

If this is a genuine reason, then,

fine, we don’t have much to say,

except that there is no reason to

have even a baisa in your purse to

be used for the purpose of exercise.

Funds may prove to be deterrent to

some women in their flailing or initial

attempts at fitness. But, again, the

truth is otherwise. You don’t need

any money to keep yourself fit. All

you need to do is buy yourself some

trainers, a suitable walking/jogging

wear and just pound the roads in

your neighbourhood. In fact, you

will bump into many exercise haters

who are fighting their excuses and

winning at it even.

So, don’t talk of funds being a major

hurdle on your path to fitness. We

don’t believe you. You don’t need a

baisa to keep yourself fit.

NO RESULTS, YAAKI

We live in a super fast age where

speed and immediate results are the

mantras we thrive on. Unfortunately,

you can’t expect to have become

fit after half an hour in the most

expensive gym. It doesn’t work that

way and there is no point in fooling

yourself that things work that way.

Exercise results do not happen like

microwave heating. You can’t just jab

your body into some fitness routine

and then expect results overnight.

But, the tragedy is that many women

give up long before they get there

because there aren’t any immediate

results or benefits of exercise. There

is no magic pill as far as exercise is

concerned. You have got to do it do it

do it do it and do it some more!

NO SUPPORT, YAAKI

Yes, sometimes it can be

discouraging when you dip your hand

into an arena of exercise, hoping to

find someone somewhere who can

hold it and take you along, not just

into a voyage of discovery, but into

a world of exercise bliss. It does

help when a spouse, a friend or a

family member provides that little, but

essential bit of encouragement.

Many have known to give up

mid way because of lack of

encouragement from this circle. So,

those reading this may please take

this chance to help a spouse, friend

or family member in need. They need

to exercise, lose weight or let it be

any reason – help them do it!

57Black & White


SYLVIA, 44, NOTICED A LUMP in her breast and

did a mammography. But the test did not reveal

anything. Thankfully, she also did a biopsy of the lump

and it revealed something dreadful: breast cancer.

“I was shattered but also heaved a sigh of relief that

I had managed to discover it before it got too bad.

However, I was surprised that the mammography did

not reveal cancer,” she says, adding that she was not

completely knowledgeable about her ailment so she

did not question this aspect of science. “But, a doctor

told me that is was nothing unusual. Women like me

don’t benefit much from traditional film mammography,”

Sylvia noted. What she meant there was that women,

who are either under 50 and have not gone through

menopause, have lumpy or dense breasts, who do

not benefit from traditional mammography. Digital

mammography diagnosed quite a good percentage of

cancers in women under 50 with dense breasts, thus

making this method a better option for them.

MOST DEBATED

Mammography is possibly the most intensely

scrutinised and debated medical procedure of our

time, but there is virtually no disagreement on two

points. First, there is no other breast cancer screening

tool that has a better combination of sensitivity and

specificity. Second, as practiced today, mammography

could be better. But, that is a big debate to be

looked into on another date. Mammography is the

preferred examination for breast cancer, especially in

women older than 40 years, the age group with the

highest incidence. Some studies have shown that

MAMMOGRAPHY– the preferred examination for breast cancer

The fight against cancer in Oman

has stepped up with great efforts by

the National Association for Cancer

Awareness (NACA). They were the

ones to introduce for the first time in

the country a Mobile Mammography

Unit (MMU). The MMU is meant to

serve women who otherwise might

not have access to breast cancer

screening and cancer education.

The NACA is currently running a

month -long campaign at the Qurum

City Centre (QCC). This initiative

includes the stationing of the Mobile

Mammography Unit in the premises

of the QCC between October 1 and

October 31. The unit, which will

provide women with free, easy and

convenient access to a mammogram

examination, is manned by an

all-women team, is equipped with

the latest facilities and would help

in early detection of breast cancer.

Between Saturday and Wednesday,

the MMU will be open between

10am and 1pm and 4pm to 9pm;

on Thursday it is open between

10am and 1pm and 4pm to 10pm;

on Fridays it will be open from 4pm

to 10 pm. The awareness campaign

was launched by Her Highness Dr

Muna bint Fahad Al Said, assistant

vice-chancellor, SQU and patron of

NACA. During the month, the NACA

will be using Qurum City Centre

as a venue and platform to create

more awareness of the disease

and to raise funds for research into

its cause, prevention, diagnosis,

treatment and cure through an

exhibition campaign titled ‘The Power

is in Your Hands’.

mammography may be particularly beneficial for women

who are 80 years of age and older.

ASSISTS EARLY DETECTION

The earliest sign of breast cancer is an abnormality

depicted on a mammogram, before it can be felt by

the woman or her physician. When breast cancer has

grown to the point where physical signs and symptoms

appear, the patient feels a breast lump (usually painless).

Ultrasonography, CT, nuclear medicine study, and MRI

have adjuvant roles. In younger patients, due to increased

breast density, which may mask small cancers, additional

tests such as ultrasonography, nuclear medicine study, and

MRI may be useful. Mammographic sensitivity for breast

cancer declines significantly with increasing breast density

and is independently higher in older women with dense

breasts. Hormonal status has no significant effect on the

effectiveness of screening independent of breast density.

SAVES LIVES

“Mammograms don’t prevent breast cancer, but they can

save lives by finding breast cancer as early as possible. For

example, mammograms have been shown to lower the risk

of dying from breast cancer by 35 percent in women over

the age of 50. In women between ages 40 and 50, the risk

reduction appears to be somewhat less,” notes experts.

Many experts recommend annual mammograms for women

over 40.Finding breast cancers early with mammography

has also meant that many more women being treated for

breast cancer are able to keep their breasts. When caught

early, localised cancers can be removed without resorting

to breast removal (mastectomy).

NACA’s month-long campaign

Shape n

sound



Shape n

sound

61Black & White

What makes you

WHAT MAKES YOU (the woman) happy?

No, it is not a loaded question. What is it that

makes you happy? Is it a good and loving

husband and family? Loads of money? Power?

Shopping? Cosmetics, clothes and a career

where you are free to do as you like?

Don’t get bogged down because you are

sitting before a smorgasbord of opportunities,

today. Go for whatever it is that suits you and

you will be happy. But, let us find out what

makes you happy from the general ones that

has been cited here (and around).

TO BE OR NOT TO BE

Today’s women are not like any other. We

have innumerable choices. We can choose

to be or not to be…we can choose to live a

married or single life or have one or plenty of

children. We can chose to have a marriage

and a career or just one of them alone. We

can even make our men share domestic

responsibilities.

AIR OF DISCONTENT

Yet, why this air of discontent? We have

everything: a fulltime career, children, a good

husband, family, friends, enough wealth to

splurge, no physical ailments, yet… Yet, we

are unhappy. We are not short of achieving

our goals, yet when we seem to gain one rung

of success, we are worrying about the next

one and this worrying seems to be making

us dissatisfied, discontented and constantly

seeking something more… Something more

than what even men want, it seems.

LOST SIGHT

“Women are 10 times more likely to be

severely depressed than they were 50 years

ago,” says Sarah Allen, a psychiatrist. “Most

women have lost that much-needed vision of a

simple life because the distractions are much

more; their needs and wants are much more.

And somehow on their way to perfection, they

seem to have lost sight of how to be happy.”

By Sarah Baker

LONG-LASTING HAPPINESS

But, Allen strictly feels that the only way that you

can nail the elusive long-lasting happiness is to get

in touch with your true self and what makes you

feel good. “When life lacks meaning, especially in

the frenzied run to gain something, then you are

bound to say: what is the point? And, that is when

you learn the hard way that life cannot be happy

unless you have an answer to this question: what

is the point?

It may not be that simple, but if you are going

to climb the ladder of happiness, you need to be

careful that it is not leaning against a different wall.

In short, unless we have a clear and well defined

idea of what is that we need to become happy, we

are all going to be one miserable lot, which is sad,

says Allen.

VICTIMS OF MULTIPLE CHOICES

Sad, yes. But Agony Aunt, Lucy Rice, has this

to say: “We live in a world where we are given

the freedom to choose, but in a multi choice

society, we finally become victims. For too much

of anything, even good, is not good. We often

come to this realisation too late and by the time we

home in to what we really want and that elusive

happiness becomes real, we are not equipped to

meet it.

“We, as women, are more bothered about what

the other person thinks and most of us constantly

live a life to meet other people’s expectations,

which is why we are suddenly hit by despair when

we realise we have been building our lives for

someone else’s likes or dislikes.”

BAIL OUT THIS UNREALISTIC NEED

Perhaps, if we drop this unnecessary

expectation, bail out this unrealistic need to prove

something to someone else in a sea of reasoning,

we may somehow get washed on to the shore

of happiness. And, when we push ourselves up,

shake off that despair and explore this new world

of happiness, we may, perhaps, enjoy a second

renaissance of happiness or whatever elusive

feeling that we have been chasing after all this life.

61Black & White

The book said 1001 quotes to transform your life.

Wow, 1001 sentences can change your life?

All my life I was and am talking or else listening to someone, but not one line

changed any day for me!

There were days when I knew I have said more than what I should have and

days when I knew I haven’t done my fair share.

Many a day went by with regrets for not saying what I should have!

But, not a word changed my life, or rather transformed my life.

Some of the marketing lines can hook you instantly and haunt you, until you

get it done, only in the hope that some miracle is going to happen and you will

be in the middle of it all!

I chose to walk away that day, not picking up the book, but the 1001 quotes

tag remained embedded in some corner of my mind. I knew I was hooked.

After two months, yesterday I finally bought the book; my mind believes that

my life could be transformed! Maybe, just maybe, there might be some line

out there on that 90 pages book that could really transform my life! Now, by

transformation, I am not looking at winning a lottery, just a little word that

could make me a better person.

Maybe I will learn to be a little more tolerant, a little kinder and little more

adaptable?

Jokes apart, we all believe there is something out there beyond our reach

that could magically change our lives for good! I’ve gotten many e-mails

from people asking me for advice. The common thread that runs through

them all is that they want to make sure they’re doing it right. And they think

I know better? We grow up with the idea that we have to look for others

for answers. But, who am I to say what they should be doing? There are no

guarantees in life, so how can I guarantee?

I am no different! I was never right.

I am not sure too, that I am doing right I just did!

Though I think I can do whatever I want to, there are many times, I come

down to practical levels to realise the bitter truth. Well, at least for a few

hours!

Being incurably optimistic, I feel, nothing can pull me down, other than for a

few hours, and then I bounce back. I know am responsible for how I feel. I

can blame external things, which I do conveniently, but it will never change

how things are.

Ok, here we go, I open a page and it says: Start living the life you want to live

today!

Now, that’s not easy.

And that’s not possible.

Maybe I can start?

How do I start?

By Priya Arunkumar

[email protected]

Live today!

black & white mag issue 37

Documents

free passes

passes respect

dr satish nambiar

dr nambiar

yanni event

rich people

repeated requests

free fortnightly23 dhqada