d 12 c—18 c today lifestyle/horoscope puzzles speed

DOHA 12°C—18°C TODAY PUZZLES 12 & 13D LIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE 11L P

Monday, February 20, 2017Jumada I 23, 1438 AH

Community23 students joined this year’s Qatar

Medical Explorer Winter Program, one of WCM-Q’s Enrichment Programs.

P9 P16 CommunityFunds generated from the

Empty Bowls initiative at American School of Doha will help schools in Mozambique.

Speed SistersThe similarly named documentary chases

after the first all-female race car team in the

Middle East and returns mesmerised. P4-5

COVERSTORY

POWER GIRLS: (L-R) Marah, Noor, Maysoon, Betty and Mona.

Community EditorKamran Rehmat

e-mail: [email protected]: 44466405

Fax: 44350474

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

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

USEFUL NUMBERS

Quote Unquote

Monday, February 20, 20172 GULF TIMES

COMMUNITY ROUND & ABOUT

Singam 3DIRECTED BY: HariWRITTEN BY: HariCAST: Suriya, Anushka Shetty, Shruti HaasanSynopsis: Si3 (also known as Singam 3) is an Indian Tamil-

language action-masala fi lm written and directed by Hari. A sequel to Singam II (2013) and the third fi lm in the Singam

franchise, it stars Suriya, Shruti Haasan and Anushka Shetty in the lead roles. Uncompromising police chief Durai Singam battles against a criminal operation dealing in deadly toxic waste.

LOCATIONS: Roxy Cinema, Asian Town, City Centre, Royal Plaza

John Wick: Chapter 2DIRECTION: Chad StahelskiWRITTEN BY: Derek KolstadCAST: Keanu Reeves, Riccardo Scamarcio, Ian McShane SYNOPSIS: John Wick: Chapter 2 is a 2017 American neo-

noir action thriller fi lm directed by Chad Stahelski and written

by Derek Kolstad. A sequel to the 2014 fi lm John Wick, the plot follows hitman John Wick, who returns to the underworld to repay and debt and then goes on the run after a bounty is placed on his head.

LOCATIONS: Roxy Cinema, Gulf Mall, Villaggio, Royal Plaza, The Mall, Landmark, City Centre

Mall Cinema (1): Running Shaadi:Com (Hindi) 2pm; Gold (2D) 4:15pm; The Last Face (2D) 6:15pm; Jolly LLB 2 (Hindi) 8:30pm; Munthirivallikal (Malayalam) 11:15pm.Mall Cinema (2): The Lego Batman Movie (2D) 3pm; The Lego Batman Movie (2D) 5pm; My Ex And Whys (Tagalog) 7pm; John Wick: Chapter 2 (2D) 9:15pm; Running Shaadi:Com (Hindi) 11:15pm.Mall Cinema (3): Munthirivallikal (Malayalam) 2pm; Fist Fight (2D) 4:45pm; The Lady Bloodfight (2D) 6:15pm; Fein Qalby (Arabic) 8pm; Fist Fight (2D) 10pm; The Remains (2D) 11:30pm.Landmark Cinema (1): Munthirivallikal (Malayalam) 2:15pm; Ballerina (2D) 5pm; The

Remains (2D) 6:30pm; Fist Fight (2D) 8:15pm; The Lady Bloodfight (2D) 9:45pm; Gold (2D) 11:30pm.Landmark Cinema (2): The Lego Batman Movie (2D) 2:30pm; The Lego Batman Movie (2D) 4:30pm; My Ex And Whys (Tagalog) 6:30pm; Jolly LLB 2 (Hindi) 8:45pm; John Wick: Chapter 2 (2D) 11:30pm.Landmark Cinema (3): Irada (Hindi) 2:30pm; The Last Face (2D) 4:30pm; Irada (Hindi) 6:45pm; Fein Qalby (Arabic) 9pm; Munthirivallikal (Malayalam) 11pm.Royal Plaza Cinema Palace (1): Munthirivallikal (Malayalam) 2:30pm; Fein Qalby (Arabic) 5:15pm; The Remains (2D) 7:30pm; Fist

Fight (2D) 9:15pm; Singam 3 (Tamil) 11pm.Royal Plaza Cinema Palace (2): The Lego Batman Movie (2D) 2pm; The Lego Batman Movie (2D) 4pm; John Wick: Chapter 2 (2D) 6pm; My Ex And Whys (Tagalog) 8:15pm; Munthirivallikal (Malayalam) 10:45pm.Royal Plaza Cinema Palace (3): Fist Fight (2D) 3pm; The Lady Bloodfight (2D) 5pm; Gold (2D) 7pm; Fein Qalby (Arabic) 9:15pm; The Last Face (2D) 11:15pm.Asian Town Cinema: Munthiri Vallikal (Malayalam) 4:30, 6, 7, 9, 10:30pm & 12am; Jolly Llb (Hindi) 5:45pm; Irada (Hindi) 8:30pm; Jomonte Suvisheshangal (Malayalam) 6:30pm; Singam 3 (Tamil) 9:30pm.

PRAYER TIMEFajr 4.49amShorooq (sunrise) 6.05amZuhr (noon) 11.48amAsr (afternoon) 3.04pmMaghreb (sunset) 5.32pmIsha (night) 7.02pm

Nations are born in the hearts of

poets, they prosper and die in the hands of politicians.

– Muhammad Iqbal

3Monday, February 20, 2017 GULF TIMES

COMMUNITYROUND & ABOUT

E-mail: [email protected], Events and timings subject to change

EVENTS

Screening of Kannada fi lm ChowkaWHEN: February 23WHERE: Westend Park Cinema (Asia

Town), Screen 1TIME: 7pmA special screening – only one show

– of new Kannada fi lm Chowka hits Doha this Thursday. Directed by Tharun Sudhir, Dwarakish Chitra’s 50th fi lm is an entertaining multi-starrer with an underlying message for the youth to contribute to the society. Four youngsters – Vijay Raghavendra, Prem Kumar, Diganth Manchale, and Prajwal Devaraj – from four diff erent eras end up in jail for no mistake of theirs. However, they reconcile to their fate until they meet an old man in jail who, too, is wrongly jailed. He inspires them to not waste their lives any longer. What these four men manage to do next is the rest of the story. For tickets, contact Subramanya Hebbagelu on 5564-1025.

Picasso-Giacometti WHEN: February 22 to May 21WHERE: Fire Station Artist In ResidenceThis exhibition brings together more than

120 works by Picasso and Giacometti, drawn from the collections of the Musée national Picasso-Paris and the Fondation Giacometti in Paris, as well as exceptional loans from French and other international collections, covering paintings, sculptures, sketches, photographs and interviews with the artists.

The exhibition refl ects two years of research undertaken by the Fondation Giacometti and the Musée national Picasso-Paris, which reveals for the fi rst time the previously unknown relationship between these two artists, who, despite an age gap of twenty years, shared many moments, both personal and professional.

The exhibition is organised in six sections, evoking diff erent aspects of each artist’s production, including the development of their work as young artists through to their modernist creations, showing the correspondences between their works, the infl uence of the surrealist movement, and the return to realism during the post-war period.

The exhibition will be accompanied by a series of lectures and an extensive education programme, as well as a self-guided handbook for the visitors.

A richly illustrated catalogue published as co-edition with Flammarion will accompany the exhibition, featuring new essays by art historians and the curators of the exhibition.

NaghamWHERE: The Backyard at Sheraton Grand

HotelWHEN: ThursdaysTIME: 8pm onwardsAfter the success of The Backyard, a

concept is born to introduce Arabic music adding a twist of International tunes. Live band music by Nagham’s offi cial band and guest artists every week. The entrance fee is QR100. For details, call 44853000.

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

HotelTIME: 8pm onwardsIn collaboration with Reggae Beachfest

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

Senorita- Ladies NightWHERE: The Club at St. RegisWHEN: TuesdaysTIME: 7pm The Club at St. Regis promises the ‘fi nest

weeknight in town with Cuban and Latin rhythms’. The event starts at 7pm. The dress code is “strictly fabulous-Latin vibe” and there are no entrance fees. For more information, please call 4446-0105.

Dia al-Azzawi: A Retrospective (from 1963 until tomorrow)

WHERE: Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art and QM Gallery Al Riwaq

WHEN: Until April 16Qatar Museums presents a monograph of

one of the most renowned modern artists of the Arab world: Dia al-Azzawi. The exhibition, showcasing over 500 works across fi fty years and a range of media, aims at mapping an itinerary of modernism and profi les the practice of the Iraqi artist. The exhibition is curated by Catherine David, Deputy Director of Musée National d’Art Moderne at the Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris.

Motocross World Championship WHEN: February 24, 25WHERE: Losail Motocross TrackThe opening round of the 2017 FIM MXGP

World Championship will take place at the Losail Motocross Track for fi fth time in a row. General access is free-of-charge, while a Paddock ticket costs QR100 for the two days. VIP tickets are going for QR1,000 for the two days. For details of what’s included in the Paddock and VIP tickets, please visit the Losail Circuit Sports Club website. The tickets will be available at the Welcome Centre of the Losail Circuit Sports Club during the week of the event.

Revival of Qatar’s musical heritage and Qatari Folk singing programme

WHEN: Thursday, Friday until April 28WHERE: Beach 15, Katara TIME: 6pm to 10pmResidents will have the opportunity to

watch and enjoy authentic Qatari musical arts and folk singing every weekend until April 28, 2017 at Katara.

The second edition of this cultural show dubbed as ‘The Revival of Qatar’s Musical Heritage and Qatari Folk Singing Programme’ is in line with Katara’s continuous eff orts to preserve the heritage of Qatar’s ancestors.

Some sideline activities at the event include training sessions, competitions, exhibitions, documentary research, publications, and lectures and seminars.

Chamber Music at MIA: Telemann Concerto for Four Violins

WHEN: March 2TIME: 6pmWHERE: Museum of Islamic ArtThe monthly free chamber music concert

by members of the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra in the atrium of Museum of Islamic Art will be on March 2, with the West Bay skyline as a backdrop. No tickets or reservations required. All ages welcome. Seating will be on a fi rst-come fi rst-serve basis.

Secrets of the SimpsonsWHEN: March 5TIME: 7:30pm to 9:30pmWHERE: Shangri-La HotelIn this fun-fi lled PG13-rated presentation

loaded with cartoon clips, Mike Reiss, a four-time Emmy Award winning writer of the Simpsons show, tells you the stories and secrets from behind the show: dealing with celebrity guests, surprising critics (including George HW Bush) and even more surprising fans (Pope Benedict).

You do not have to love The Simpsons, or even have seen the show, to enjoy this presentation.

Mike Reiss has won some of the most prestigious awards in the world of entertainment, including four Emmys and a Peabody Award, during his twenty-six years writing for The Simpsons. He ran the show in Season 4, which Entertainment Weekly called “the greatest season of the greatest show in history.” In 2006, Mike received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Animation Writers Caucus.

Reiss has written jokes for such comedy legends as Johnny Carson, Joan Rivers, Garry Shandling and Pope Francis!

He is also an award-winning mystery writer, children’s book author and playwright.

A limited number of tickets are on sale at the American Chamber of Commerce in Qatar offi ces in West Bay. The price is QR280 for adults and QR180 for children under 15, which includes dinner.

Qatar Superstock 600 Championship Round 3

WHERE: Losail International CircuitTIME: 10amWHEN: March 23, 24 and 25Qatar SuperStock 600 is a new road racing

championship organised by Qatar Motor Motorcycle Federation and Losail Circuit Sports Club.

The championship will have 12 races over 6 rounds at the Losail International Circuit.

The riders are competing using one-make bikes that will be used for the rest of the season, a stocked 600cc bike. The organisers bill it as “a great chance for every competitor to test themselves and fi ght for the title in fair racing conditions and in a professional environment”.

Grandstand and Paddock area are open for free to all the spectators.

Al Gannas(For school students) Until March 31, 20179am–NoonAl Gannas SocietyFree ( For boys only, requires

registration) Al Gannas association is participating in

the “Our culture is a school” programme, by organising many activities for the students every Monday and Wednesday of the week.

These activities include explanations on hunting and related items tools, kinds of falcons and preys, in addition to workshop on how to carry a falcon, set a traditional tent (made of goat & camel hair), prepare traditional Arabic coff ee and start a fi re. For further details, visit katara.net

Muhammad Ali: Tribute to a LegendDATE: Until February 25, 2017WHERE: Eastern Gallery, 4th Floor,

Museum of Islamic Art The temporary exhibition is curated by

Qatar Museums’ 3-2-1 Olympic and Sports Museum and presents a unique collection of artefacts from the boxing legend’s career, including photography from Ali’s outdoor exhibition bout at the Doha Stadium in 1971 and memorabilia spanning his journey to the 1960 Rome Olympics; Ali’s world title winning bout against Sonny Liston in 1964 and his final world title winning fight against Leon Spinks in New Orleans in 1978.

Qatar Music Academy(For school students) Until March 28, 201711am–2pmFree (Requires registration) Qatar Music Academy focuses on

teaching its students the principles of Arab and Western music. As part of the “Our Culture is a School” programme, Qatar Music Academy has off ered interested schools the opportunity to attend various workshops. These workshops will include an introduction to Arab and Western music and instruments, as well as the teachers giving a brief overview of the educational music programmes at the Academy. For further details, visit katara.net

Fitness TrainingDATE: Sunday, Tuesday, ThursdayTIME: 6pm-7pmVENUE: MIA ParkThere are fi tness classes in the park on

Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday nights between 6 and 7pm. Open to all levels of fi tness, Bootcamp is an intensive and fun way to train and also meet new people in the open and friendly group atmosphere. More information, from Bootcamp, Qatar or [email protected]


COMMUNITY COVER STORY

Substance and speedThe Speed Sisters of Palestine drive from Jericho to Jenin, from Bethlehem to

Ramallah, slipping into racing suits, squealing tires and counting the clock’s tick

By Jeff rey Fleishman

They rev their engines and race on a battered land.

They are fi ve Palestinians in what’s billed as the fi rst all-

female race car team in the Middle East. They roar beyond checkpoints of Israeli soldiers and zip through the glare of religious conservatives who curse their humming pistons and blowing hair. Shifting gears and beating clocks, they are restless souls in a sequestered world that cannot contain their visions.

They are the Speed Sisters of the West Bank. Male competitors have accepted them in a culture where tradition and patriarchy run deep. The young women have also grown up with the pop of Israeli tear gas and the whistle of stones hurled by youths. They fi x their makeup and paint their nails because, as Betty, one of the swiftest among them,

says, “it’s very important for me to show I’m not a tomboy.”

Amber Fares has captured their spirit, victories, rivalries and defeats in her documentary Speed Sisters. The fi lm moves past the politics of the Arab-Israeli confl ict and into the lives of fi ve women with fuel-injected dreams. The trappings of the region are inescapable — razor wire, barricades, gunfi re — but the fi lm’s Palestinian women, at least those in the West Bank, are more fully realised than the repressed

portrayals of Arab mothers and daughters common in the West.

“There’s a tendency for us to paint the Middle East with broad brushes,” said Fares, whose fi lm is available on iTunes. “Palestinian women have been involved in social movements throughout history. They were active in the intifadas. The US, especially, now really needs to see the nuances. Things besides terror, (ISIS) and what we’re exposed to so many times. I think the fi lm breaks a lot of stereotypes.”

The documentary focuses on Marah, Noor, Mona, Betty and team captain Maysoon. Noor boxes and lifts weight, Maysoon plans her marriage while driving along the walls that divide Israelis and Palestinians, Marah shares the racing zeal of her dentist father, Mona tends to get into wrecks and Betty has a ferocious desire to win. They are dedicated to the auto-cross racing of navigating obstacles and cones on small tracks, a fi tting metaphor for the geographical and political constraints that defi ne the

lives of Palestinians.“What are we supposed to do,

stop living?” asks Marah. “When this happens, the occupation wins.”

Fares met the women in 2009 at a race in Bethlehem at the helicopter pad of former Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. “Engines were revving, and these girls were putting on helmets, and I said, ‘What’s going on?’” said Fares. “They each have amazingly strong personalities. Even when you’re on the same team, emotions run high. It’s the nature of competition.”

The documentary focuses on Marah, Noor, Mona, Betty and team captain Maysoon. Noor boxes and lifts weight, Maysoon plans her marriage while driving along the walls that divide Israelis and Palestinians, Marah shares the racing zeal of her dentist father, Mona tends to get into wrecks and Betty has a ferocious desire to win. They are dedicated to the auto-cross racing of navigating obstacles and cones on small tracks, a fitting metaphor for the geographical and political constraints that define the lives of Palestinians


COMMUNITYCOVER STORY

That is born out in the rivalry between Betty and Marah, with Maysoon acting as peacemaker. Betty is horsepower and fl ash; Marah is quieter but no less ambitious. At once intrigued and amused, men and boys watch them from rooftops and walls surrounding vegetable markets and vacant lots. Women have raced in the Arab world for years, but not on a team and not in Palestine. Their notoriety spreads and headlines — Palestine’s Fast and Furious Females — create an air of gritty exoticism.

“It’s like the pepper in your food,” Betty says of the team. “The race without the girls is no fun.”

When Noor does an interview with a Dubai television station,

the Internet reacts quickly. Many support her, others not so much. One post reads: “You should resist the (Israeli) occupation with stones, not sports and fashion.” Maysoon shakes her head. Her fi ancé is a race-car driver from Jordan who has accepted that she’s particular about rpms and scouring junkyards for parts.

“The problem,” said Maysoon, who runs a clothing store, “is that men are afraid of a strong woman. They worry she will take over.”

But at home and along roads, where they often wait for sheep to scatter, the women follow news of the latest clashes and whether new curfews will be imposed. While driving to a practice course, Noor,

Maysoon and Betty encounter an Israeli army roadblock. The women get out to see what’s happening, and a soldier fi res a tear gas canister, hitting Betty in the back. Noor and Maysoon drive her to the hospital. She is all right, except for a large bruise.

The fi lm allows such moments to linger at the edges as if bits in a troubling, ever-present mosaic. “We wanted to show,” said Fares, whose family migrated from Lebanon to Canada more than a century ago, “how the occupation and the politics were authentic to their lives.”

Speed Sisters reminds viewers of the failure of the Arab Spring revolutions that swept the Middle

East and North Africa in 2011. The promise of those revolts, except in Tunisia, fell away to autocrats and chaos, diminishing prospects that the Israeli-Palestinian confl ict would be resolved. An expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and President Donald Trump’s comments and suspicions about Islam have further narrowed the likelihood of a two-state solution.

Still, the women are emboldened. They drive from Jericho to Jenin, from Bethlehem to Ramallah, slipping into racing suits, squealing tires and counting the clock’s tick.

On one day off , Maysoon, Noor and Marah head to the Mediterranean Sea. May-soon and Noor have Jerusalem identifi cation

cards, allowing them quick passage through Israeli checkpoints. But Marah must endure lines and searches. They arrive on the coast around dusk.

Marah has not been out of the West Bank for years. “We are separated by only a checkpoint and a wall, yet the diff erence is huge between here and there,” she says in the fi lm. “They took the most beautiful places we had.”

Wind blows through the palms. The sun slips toward the horizon. Noor and Marah run into the sea with their clothes on. They swim beyond the waves.

Maysoon waits on the shore, yelling for them not to go out too far. —Los Angeles Times/TNS

“There’s a tendency for us to paint the Middle East with broad brushes,” says Amber Fares, whose film is available on iTunes. “Palestinian women have been involved in social movements throughout history. They were active in the intifadas. The US, especially, now really needs to see the nuances. Things besides terror, (ISIS) and what we’re exposed to so many times. I think the film breaks a lot of stereotypes”

STRONG-WILLED: Maysoon's fiancé is a race-car driver from Jordan who has accepted that she’s particular about rpms and scouring junkyards for parts. “The problem,” said Maysoon, who runs a clothing store, “is that men are afraid of a strong woman. They worry she will take over”

BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: They fix their makeup and paint their nails because, as Betty, one of the swiftest among them, says, “it’s very important for me to show I’m not a tomboy”


COMMUNITY

High school students learn about life as a doctor at WCM-Q

The students, pictured here with WCM-Q faculty and staff , were all nominated by their schools to participate.

Choosing a career is not easy, but high school students from across Qatar have a better understanding of what

life would be like as a doctor thanks to programmes run by Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q).

The Enrichment Programs at WCM-Q have been running since 2008 and off er promising high school students in years 9, 10, 11 and 12 the opportunity to study at WCM-Q for two weeks, attending lectures, speaking to faculty and medical students, experiencing healthcare lessons and fi nding out whether a career in medicine would be for them.

In all, 23 students joined this year’s Qatar Medical Explorer Winter Program (QMEP), one of WCM-Q’s Enrichment Programs, and all of them were Qatari. All the participants were nominated by their schools based on their academic performance and career interests.

Noha Saleh, director of student recruitment and outreach at WCM-Q, said QMEP is a “wonderful opportunity to learn more about what life as a medical student is like, along with learning about the academic requirements.”

She said: “It can be intimidating for young people to have to choose a subject to study at university while they are still at a relatively young age. These decisions have a huge impact on their lives so it is vital that they understand the implications of any career choice and ensure that they are going to enjoy their work. “

Dr Rachid Bendriss, assistant

dean for student recruitment, outreach and foundation programmes, who handed the students their certifi cates of completion, said, “After their full engagement in this programme, these students have a greater understanding about the life of a medical student and doctor and I’m sure they all now realise how much work, study and dedication is needed. However, I also hope that they all realise how fulfi lling it is to be able to cure people and help them in their hour of need.”

He added, “We are also extremely grateful to all the students, faculty, and staff who volunteered their time and eff ort to make this programme a resounding success.”

This year, the high school students have been introduced to the basics of research and gained experience with driving simulators, visited Qatar Science and Technology Park to learn more about robotic surgery, took hands-on classes in the biology laboratories, learned about surgical techniques, and took part in student debates, among many other activities.

Noof Ali al-Mazrooei said: “The interactive QMEP programme held at WCM-Q is very benefi cial for students who are trying to fi gure out whether medicine at WCM-Q is the right path. This two-week programme not only gives you great insight into the student life of WCM-Q but also clears any mixed emotions you have towards medicine. Personally, this programme strengthened my motivation towards pursuing

medicine as a career.”Sara Abdulla al-Mulla said:

“I enjoyed every moment there, particularly as I got to know new people and became more social. I was a very shy person, but this programme helped me become bolder and talk to new people. This programme also helped me see what university feels like and this will come in useful when I graduate from high school.”

The QMEP also off ers two distinguished achievement awards; the fi rst is the Excellence Award that is presented to students who demonstrated excellence, leadership and motivation throughout the programme. This year’s Excellence Award went to Noof Ali al-Mazrooei from the Academic Bridge Program and Nawaf Ahmed al-Muhannadi from Qatar Academy Doha School.

The second award is the JO Achievement Award, which is named after Dr Jehan al-Rayahi and Dr Osama al-Saied, graduates of WCM-Q’s Class of 2008 who initiated the fi rst Summer Explorer Program back in 2008. The award is given to the students who show the most marked improvement during their participation in the programme. The JO award went this year to Lolwa Sanim Bahzad from Al Maha Academy for Girls, Ghaya Nasser al-Suwaidi from Michael Debakey High School, and Isa Waleed al-Mannai and Sultan Abdulla al-Raban from the Academic Bridge Program.

The other students who participated came from Al-Eman Independent School for Girls, Qatar Independent Secondary School for

Girls, Al Bayan Secondary School for Girls, and Mosab Bin Omair Independent School for Boys.

Along with the winter edition of QMEP, WCM-Q also runs a summer

programme. Any high school student interested in participating should submit an application. Forms will be available on the WCM-Q website early March.

The QMEP aims to show students what it would be like to study at WCM-Q and whether they would enjoy a career in medicine.

Dr Kuei Chiu Chen, Senior Lecturer in Biology, teaches laboratory techniques to the students.


COMMUNITY

Shantiniketan Indian School marks Qatar National Sport Day

From Beyond the Blue Oceans, the latest book by Doha-based author Dr Rajeev Thomas, was released by Indian

ambassador P Kumaran during a special function at the Indian embassy recently.

The fi rst copy of the book was handed over by the Indian ambassador to Jumma Ismail al-Boeinan, former Director of Administration of Qatar Petroleum. Also present at the function were Dr Nizar Kochery, legal activist; K M Varghese, president of Indian Business Professionals Network; P N Baburajan, Vice President of Indian Community Benevolent Fund; and others.

Speaking during the function, author Dr Rajeev Thomas explained how as a Non-Resident Indian himself, and having been working outside of India for over 25 years, he was motivated to conduct a research that led to developing a strategic framework for the return of NRIs to India, which also earned him his PhD.

He elaborated that the key fi ndings of the research were presented in the book From Beyond the Blue Oceans, which has been written in very simple language and in an easy to understand format aimed at a diverse range of readers.

This book explores the scope and hope at home for the returning Non-Resident Indians, and is being released at a time when many Indians from all over the world are returning to India permanently, or contemplating their next steps in wake of the socioeconomic and

political changes being witnessed in many parts of the world. While the falling oil prices have led to mass layoff s in many parts of the GCC countries, recent political developments in USA are also causing concern for many Indians especially from the Information Technology sector that could be aff ected. Thirty million overseas Indians across the world have thus far played an indisputable role in the development and prosperity of their host countries. Now some of them have packed their bags and are returning home to India for good, while many others are still contemplating. This book goes on to explore what’s holding some of them back and what’s motivating the others to return. It also explores if this is the right time for a return to India, and whether there would be enough jobs, and if so where?

Discussions are on for translating this book into other languages such as Hindi, Malayalam, and Tamil to ensure that it reaches the hands of many common Indians including the white and blue collared who desperately need the kind of information this book provides. At present there is no single source of information on the various options available for Indians if they had to return to India either in a planned manner, or by force, and this is what the author is attempting to overcome by writing this book.

Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) from all around the world had participated in the research which drew respondents from USAs, Africa, Russia, Australia, China, UK, Malaysia, the GCC countries, and from India.

The author employed what he calls a “fi ve dimensional approach” in his

research. While the fi rst dimension came from the NRI respondents themselves, the second dimension came from the many companies in India that were contacted. The third dimension was provided by the Indian ambassadors who were interviewed during the course of the research. Dr Thomas acknowledges the support of Dr George Joseph, former Indian ambassador to Qatar during his tenure in Bahrain, and Deepa Gopalan Wadhwa, during her presence in Qatar as the Indian ambassador. The fourth dimension was provided by experts and leaders of various Indian socio-cultural organisations in these countries. The fi fth and fi nal dimension came from interviews with NRIs who had returned to India after many years of work and stay overseas.

Speaking during the function, Indian ambassador P Kumaran stated

that even after working overseas for many years, persons with the right skills should fi nd it easy to enter into active employment or entrepreneurship in India even without the government having to make any special provisions for returning NRIs. He also explained how the government of India was making it easier for persons to start entrepreneurial ventures in India these days. Indian diaspora, he recalled, has created a niche for themselves through their law abiding and hardworking nature in any country of their employment. He reiterated that the topic of the book was close to many peoples heart, yet a complicated one; and he commended the author on the publication of this book.

From Beyond the Blue Oceans, published by Raj Villa Publications, has been launched simultaneously in India and in USA in both print and e-book editions. Plans are also in place to make copies of the book available in leading bookstores across GCC and through various other channels to make it easily accessible to the readers. The author has also proposed making copies of the book available to the readers through the Indian embassy and the Indian Cultural Centre, whereby a portion of the sale proceeds of the book will be donated to the Indian Community Benevolent Fund. A video preview of the book, together with links to stores where the book can be bought is available at the link www.tinyurl.com/rajeevsbooks

Doha based readers can also pre-order their copies on this link.

New book explores future options for NRIs

The first copy of the book was handed over by Indian ambassador P Kumaran to Jumma Ismail al-Boeinan, former Director of Administration of Qatar Petroleum.

The Shantiniketan Indian School marked the Qatar National Sport Day with various sporting activities for its staff members. Activities during the day included throwball, badminton, sprinting, cricket and football. SIS students participated in competitions conducted by the Indian Sports Club (ISC).

Kushi Mishra of Class VI finished first in ball throw, while Syeda Siddra and Mohammad Afras of Class IX finished third in ball throw and 100m sprint, respectively. The students participated in the ISC walkathon. SIS students also participated in the sports competition organised by the Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue.


COMMUNITY

BNI Doha Chapter organises ‘Guest’s Day’The Business Network International (BNI) Doha Chapter organised its Guest’s Day at Radisson Blu hotel recently. BNI is the world’s leading referral organisation – franchise owners provide their members the opportunity to increase business through a structured, positive and professional network that enables them to develop long-term, meaningful relationships with

results-driven professionals, dedicated to helping each other generate more sales. BNI’s mission is “to help professionals and communities thrive by bringing people together and harnessing the power of altruistic entrepreneurship.” The executive director of the Doha chapter is E P Abdul Rehman.

Holiday Villa Doha celebrates Qatar National Sport DayHoliday Villa Hotel & Residence Doha hosted a day full of activities for its guests and employees to mark the Qatar National Sport Day. In his opening remarks on behalf of General Manager Joey Chen, Operations Manager Ruban Jack said, “Today we rally towards loving our lives by being active and putting health as top priority. This holiday has given us to fight against laziness, obesity and poor health living. We do this for the welfare of our families back home, for

the growth of our company, strength of the community we belong in and, most especially, for ourselves.”Holiday Villa is further promoting the cause with its National Sport Day off ers: healthy buff et and 50% off on hotel gym day pass for the month of February and Get Fit room package.For inquiries, call the hotel at 48884086.

9GULF TIMES

COMMUNITYMonday, February 20, 2017

GES takes part in National Sport Day

The two sports days were held at Al Gharafa Sports Club.

The Gulf English School celebrated Qatar’s 6th National Sport Day (NSD) by hosting two sports days at Al

Gharafa Sports Club recently. Also in the spirit of this national event, GES Infant School ran a fi tness week for its youngest pupils.

The National Sport Day was launched in 2012 to develop a physically and psychologically active and healthy society where individuals can build their capabilities and interact with their social environment. It seeks to

educate people on the importance of physical activity and help develop and promote a culture of healthy living in the Qatari society. It further engages people in active and entertaining activities and provides information about diff erent sport activities in the country.

The activities began on Monday with GES Secondary Girls bracing the rain to participate wholeheartedly into the day’s events. Despite the weather, the girls showed great resilience as they took part in the full range of

traditional athletics events. These included the 60m sprint, hurdles, long jump, high jump, shot putt, 200m, 400m and javelin.

Furthermore, the female students fi lled the rest of their day with novelty events, which included sack race, bat and ball race, target throw, medicine ball toss, speed bound, stork balance, obstacle relay and tug-of-war.

Top performers again this year included Hissa al-Kubaisi, Mezna al-Hemeidi, Mariam Abuarab, Jennifer Owen and Aisha al-Kubaisi. During the sports day,

school records were shattered in the long jump, high jump and shot putt. The most exciting fi nishes were seen in the obstacle relay and tug-of-war.

“Our National Sport Day celebration would contribute to promote the sports culture among our students, encourage them to do physical exercise on a regular basis, and make them indulge into sport as a routine and daily lifestyle. No doubt, this would consequently improve their physical fi tness and mental agility,” said David Frame Head of Secondary at GES.

GES Secondary Boys had their day on Wednesday, a day that tested their performance, but also tested their determination to perform to the best of their ability throughout the whole day. They fi nished strong with some of the best results being delivered at the end of a full day of sports activities. School records were broken in the 60m, 200m, 400m and shot putt. Top performers were Hassan al-Daff a, Nasser al-Hemeidi, Chijindu Omah, Hamza Tayeb, Mohamed Hadi, Abdulaziz al-Hatto and Jaber al-Kuwari.

AMUAAQ welcomes former Indian national hockey team playerAligarh Muslim University Alumni Association Qatar (AMUAAQ) welcomed Padma Shri Zafar Iqbal on the occasion of Qatar National Sport Day. He was in the country to participate as a chief guest for a sporting event organised under the aegis of the Indian embassy. Iqbal is an AMU alumni and a famous Indian hockey player, who was part of the team that won a gold medal for the country in the 1980 Moscow Olympics. He is also the recipient of the Arjuna Award, the highest award given in sports by India. He served as the chief national coach for Indian hockey from 1993 to 1994.


COMMUNITY INFOGRAPHIC


COMMUNITYLIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE

ARIESMarch 21 — April 19

CANCERJune 21 — July 22

LIBRASeptember 23 — October 22

CAPRICORNDecember 22 — January 19

TAURUSApril 20 — May 20

LEOJuly 23 — August 22

SCORPIOOctober 23 — November 21

AQUARIUSJanuary 20 — February 18

GEMINIMay 21 — June 20

VIRGOAugust 23 — September 22

SAGITTARIUSNovember 22 — December 21

PISCESFebruary 19 — March 20

Today’s Moon shining on your ninth house of higher education,

philosophy and long distance travel will have many of you looking

online for travel deals. Ready for your next adventure Rams?

The Sun has moved into Pisces, your fellow water sign and ninth

house of higher education, overseas travel and philosophy. The Sun

encourages you to learn, to seek knowledge and to find out about

other countries for the next few weeks.

Mercury the planet of communication and clear thinking in your

romance zone makes this a prime time for you singles to be dating

and meeting new people. Aquarius and Aries are both correct

matches.

The Sun in your third house of communication and clear thinking for

the next few weeks puts you in the perfect position to start a book

club or finally see that film or show you’ve wanted to see for the

longest time.

If you aren’t sure about something today, ask questions. Ask for

guidance from others and ask yourself if your instincts are pointing

you in the right direction too.

Spokes Planet Mercury in your opposite sign of Aquarius and

relationship zone suggests that you should be working hard on all of

your relationships at this time Leos. Each and every one of them is

important to you.

There is nothing to be lost by simply going for it. And with the Sun’s

move into Pisces yesterday, your fifth house of doing for you and fun

is light from within. What do you love to do Scorpios?

Your second house of self–esteem and self–worth is highlighted by

the Sun and trying to keep up with the Kardashians may seem more

vital than usual. No it’s not! Being you is all the validation you need!

Letting bygones be bygones is never easy but sometimes, it’s the

only real way you can get past whatever it is that’s bothering you

twins.

The Sun settles into Pisces today, your opposite sign and relationship

zone, making this a great time to amp up your social life and branch

out and make new friends.

Being a happy go lucky and fun person can be stressful at times.

Especially if you aren’t feeling happy or fun or easy going! Days like

this you need a time out. You deserve it!

There is nothing wrong with putting your birthday celebrations on

hold or making the decision to do something small (aka nothing at

all). It’s your birthday after all!

From awards shows to politics and sporting events, the beginning of the year is packed with comment-worthy moments. Many of us take these opportunities to share

what we think are the smartest, sharpest and snarkiest takes and project online to our friends and beyond.

But as these major moments happen, are you really posting and reading content that’s worth your smartphone data? Follow this checklist from Straight Talk Wireless to ensure you’re delivering a dose of straight talk when it comes to the hottest trending topics on social media.

PoliticsWe all know social media is the unoffi cial

debate stage and with the recent election you may have taken a stance yourself. Did you confi dently craft your argument or did your post begin with, “Now, I don’t usually post about politics, but...”? If so, take a moment to question why not. Save yourself the long-winded debate with your

distant relative and post a picture of a puppy instead.

Breakfast gramsGetting ready to post a shot of that

delicious breakfast of yours? This one’s easy: don’t. No one really enjoys a photo of a soggy egg sandwich. Use your camera to capture

something more meaningful instead – like the group of friends you’re out to eat with.

Sweet talkPosting about your signifi cant other is like

an action movie with too many sequels. The fi rst one was great, but after the second and the third we all just want to move on. Keep

the romance to yourselves and save the public displays of aff ection for anniversaries or birthdays.

Baby photosRecently welcome a new little bundle of joy

to your family? See sweet talk above. We all want to see your little one and gush over a few sporadic photos. But we don’t need a play-by-play of their potty-training conundrums draining our data. Post away when they’re fi rst born and check in with us again at the next holiday.

Celebrity gossipDebating who wore it best on the red carpet?

Losing it over news that your favourite pop artist is having twins? So are a lot of other people. So mix it up. Tap those copywriting or photo editing skills to wow us with your sharpest take or hilarious meme. If a certain actresses’ dress looks like a giant pizza on the red carpet, let us know. We’ll probably agree with you.

©Brandpoint

5 tips to switch up your online commentary


COMMUNITY PUZZLES/CARTOONS

Adam

Pooch Cafe

Garfield

Bound And Gagged

Codeword

Wordsearch

Every letter of the alphabet is used at least once. Squares with the same number in have the same letter in. Work out which number represents which letter.

Puzz

les

cour

tesy

: Puz

zlec

hoic

e.co

m

ACTIONSANGELSAPPLEBEGGARSBIRDBROTHBUSHCHARITYCHOOSERSCLOUD

COOKSDAYDOCTORDOGFOOLSHANDHOMELEAPLININGLOOK

MOSSPIGPOKEROLLINGSILENCESILVERSPEECHSTONEWORDS

Proverbial Words

Sudoku

Sudoku is a puzzle based

on a 9x9 grid. The grid is

also divided into nine (3x3)

boxes. You are given a

selection of values and to

complete the puzzle, you

must fill the grid so that

every column, every anone

is repeated.


COMMUNITYPUZZLES

Colouring

Answers

Wordsearch Codeword

Across1. Treating people as dirt, if

crooked (5,3)

5. Food King (6)

10. Goes non-stop (7,8)

11. Plot with the fellow to turn a

local in (7)

12. Learns to play, for a start,

with a well-known team (7)

13. One of those fish that

always go in groups? That’s

awkward! (8)

15. The flying dean (5)

18. The Cockney’s more keen, as

a swimmer (5)

20. Does his writing create a stir

at first? (8)

23. Keep going, as it moves into

the light (7)

25. He has the money and he is

turning in the car (7)

26. Exactly what you said to the

liftman when about to leave

the store? (4,2,3,6)

27. They get carried away,

saying more than had been

intended (6)

28. As always, tear around to see

the minister (8)

Down 1. Soak the wool (6)

2. Silly dunderhead; the worker

is no longer needed (9)

3. Get up, about to let a

dishevelled me in. It’s

pouring (7)

4. Come out, child (5)

6. Gives you the treatment that

suits you? (7)

7. Are its leaves feather-like? (5)

8. Standing to lose the

appointment about it, is most

unhappy (8)

9. Not turning a hand (8)

14. At home, say incarcerating

the fool would be madness

(8)

16. Start with the home (9)

17. Think, as you do, red is out

(8)

19. In the list, put “a chicken” (7)

21. Give one another helping,

but it’s extra (7)

22. Or could be, indeed, minced

and eaten (6)

23. Cut back when married (5)

25. Tip of a tomahawk found in

an Indian island (5)

Super Cryptic Clues

Yesterday’s SolutionsQUICKAcross: 1 Saga; 8 Child’s play; 9 Immerses; 10 Ripe; 12 Kneels; 14 Notion; 15 Remiss; 17 Reason; 18 Less; 19 Accident; 21 Informally; 22 Side.Down: 2 Adam and Eve; 3 Ache; 4 Misses; 5 Edison; 6 Operetta; 7 Byre; 11 Pronounced; 13 Emission; 16 Spasms; 17 Recall; 18 Lair; 20 Days.

CRYPTICAcross: 1 Isis; 8 Methodical; 9 Sergeant; 10 Echo; 12 Sweats; 14 Spools; 15 Eschew; 17 Banish; 18 Peer; 19 Informal; 21 Chinchilla; 22 Lore.Down: 2 Sheer waste; 3 Smug; 4 Strays; 5 Booths; 6 Pipe down; 7 Alto; 11 Holds water; 13 Adherent; 16 Wright; 17 Befell; 18 Pace; 20 Real.


COMMUNITY BOLLYWOOD

FIRM FOOTING: Taapsee has managed to find her footing in Bollywood with unusual role choices.

AMBITIOUS: The poster for Govinda’s comeback film.

ON GOOD TERMS: Kangana Ranaut may be out of Salman Khan’s bad books for now.

Bygones

Is there any actress in Bollywood who would dare to refuse a movie opposite Salman Khan? The role might be just of an arm-candy but on the other hand the movie is guaranteed to be a mega blockbuster.

A big hit means a longer shelf life. But there is rumoured to be one actress who refused to act in a Salman movie, not once but twice. Kangana Ranaut was said to have been off ered both Bajrangi Bhaijaan and Sultan, and after thinking about it decided to not take them.

It is said to have made Salman angry enough to give her the cold shoulder. And Salman’s cold shoulder can go on for a long time. An online gossip magazine however reports that he might actually have made up with Kangana. Apparently, both found themselves at the same studio, Kangana to promote her next release Rangoon and Salman to do an ad shoot. They got talking for some time and the inference drawn was that bygones might now be bygones. Of course, only till Kangana says no to his next movie!

Send your feedback to [email protected]

The story of Govinda is one of rags to riches, and relentless ups and downs. From a young teenager who lived in an

outlying suburb of Mumbai, he rose to become for a brief while the most successful actor in town. And just as suddenly his stardom vanished. Then he dabbled in politics and failed in that too.

For many years he was nowhere to be seen until Salman Khan pulled him out the wilderness by taking him in a movie of his and Govinda then had a brief spell of playing character roles.

That might have been a good groove to settle in, but perhaps because of his own self-image of being a hero and also because a few of those movies too fl opped, once again he found himself out of work.

Now he is back again, this time

as the main hero of a soon to be released movie titled Aa Gaya Hero. Who would be willing to risk producing a Govinda movie when the chances of it becoming a hit is extremely remote? The answer is Govinda himself. Not only is he producing the movie but he is said to have even written its story of an ordinary man who becomes a hero for people following a mistaken identity.

He says he was forced to write the movie himself because he just couldn’t trust outside writers to do justice to what he had in mind and that they questioned too much. This is the sort of attitude that actors exhibit when they are the top of the league, when scripts don’t matter because their popularity itself can carry a movie. To be wary of writers is not a sign that the movie will have any depth. That

essentially is Govinda’s problem: he is stuck in superstar mould whereas the world has moved on ignoring him.

Recently, in an interview to an online portal, he made unprovoked jibes at Karan Johar. One of Govinda’s quibbles was that Karan had not called him on the television chat show he hosts. He also said that Karan was more dangerous than David Dhawan with whom Govinda had made 17 movies, many of them superhits. After Dhawan stopped casting Govinda the latter made desperate pleas to work together just one more time so that it would be 18 times together but with no luck. His present issue was that Karan was producing Badrinath Ki Dulhania with Dhawan’s son Varun which would release a week after Govinda’s movie thus eating into its profi ts!

Govinda makes another return

Smart choices

Taapsee Pannu, who starred in many out and out commercial movies in south Indian fi lm, did a drastic change of strategy when she shifted focus to Bollywood. Many actresses have tried to switch from the south to Hindi but very few manage to crack it. They come in a few mediocre movies and then return.

But Taapsee has managed to fi nd her footing in Bollywood. She took up unusual roles like the one of a deglamourised tough sidekick to Akshay Kumar in the action espionage thriller Baby. The movie was a big hit. And then last year, she was seen in Pink, a movie that once again was not in the commercial milieu but got a great reception.

She has been getting plenty of off ers and a number of movies featuring her are coming out now. Last week saw two of them releasing, Running Shaadi, a romantic comedy, and The Ghazi Attack, a war movie. She is also doing Naam Shabana with Akshay Kumar which will see a similar role to Baby. And there is also a movie with Varun Dhawan.

Her choice of movies is deliberate based on the reasoning that to succeed in Hindi movies a heroine needs to be more than just the usual element. So even though Baby had just 20 minutes of her, it got her noticed so much that its director then decided to make a movie around the character. Taapsee’s work ethic is also evident in her directors keen to work with her repeatedly.

Why experiment!

This week will see the return of Nana Patekar in a Hindi movie after a long hiatus. Wedding Anniversary is a thriller and a far cry from his last release which was a Marathi movie called Natsamrat. It had got a lot of critical acclaim and also did well in that market.

Patekar says that it is deliberate that his movies should be so diff erent in character. His theory is that the actor owes it to his audience to keep experimenting and giving something new. Otherwise, it doesn’t take too long for them to discard the actor.

Of late he has been involved in other issues besides movies. An initiative he started to help people in drought affl icted areas has found widespread appeal. In the same interview, he was also candid enough to say that he doesn’t even know how long he will be in movies! RETURN: Nana Patekar in his upcoming movie.

Monday, February 20, 2017 15GULF TIMES

COMMUNITYHOLLYWOOD

IN FOCUS: Farhadi, right, directs Taraneh Alidusti, left, in The Salesman.

By Glenn Whipp

When I tell people that Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences members often fi ll out their Oscar ballots without seeing all

the nominated work — sometimes without seeing any of the nominated work — they’re shocked. Shocked!

At which point I usually ask how much time they invest before casting a vote in a statewide election that has a mind-blowing number of ballot measures. (California sported 17 last November.) Did you wade through each and every one of the initiatives to understand the issues and ramifi cations? Did you know the records of the judges you voted for? Or did you just get a general gist of the lay of the land from your Facebook feed and vote accordingly?

To be clear: I’m not condoning voter ignorance or apathy. But it isn’t anything new. Many academy members diligently watch every movie, every performance, every short fi lm. Some do their best but follow the quarter-hour rule — if a movie doesn’t hold their attention after 15 minutes, it’s ejected, with a new screener taking its place.

And some simply ask their friends — or vote for their friends.

The races I’m examining in this column — foreign-language feature, animated feature and documentary feature — are, outside of the short fi lms, the three categories most often decided in the dark. And this year, that has some interesting implications.

Foreign-Language FeatureLand of Mine, A Man Called Ove, The

Salesman, Tanna and Toni ErdmannAnalysis: After the nominations were

announced, everyone — and I mean everyone — had Toni Erdmann winning this Oscar. Maren Ade’s brilliant, funny and profoundly moving look at a loving father’s eccentric attempt to shake his grown daughter out of a workaholic stupor had won dozens of honours, including awards from the National Society of Film Critics and the New York Film Critics Circle. All that acclaim gave it the highest profi le of the fi ve nominated movies. How could it lose?

Then President Donald Trump’s executive order suspending refugee arrivals and banning entry to the US from Iran and six other predominantly Muslim countries went down, meaning that Iranian fi lmmaker Asghar Farhadi would have to apply for an exception to attend the Oscars this year as a nominee for his latest fi lm, The Salesman. Farhadi, who won this Oscar for his 2011 drama, A Separation, has since said he will not attend the Academy Awards ceremony.

Suddenly a vote for Farhadi’s The

Salesman becomes a way of showing solidarity with all immigrants. And in this highly politicised awards season, you can bet that scores of academy members will act along those lines, even if they are late getting around to The Salesman — a strong, suspenseful movie that presents an intense moral debate at its core.

It’s also worth wondering how many voters have even seen the 162-minute Toni Erdmann or bailed on it sometime during its patience-trying fi rst hour. Ade’s movie contains some of the fi lm year’s most memorable scenes, but they come toward the end, and with the fi lm’s languid pacing, home viewers might not stick around to see them.

Documentary FeatureFire at Sea, I Am Not Your Negro, Life,

Animated, O.J.: Made in America and 13th.Analysis: If Toni Erdmann’s two-

hour, 42-minute running time served as a viewing barrier for some, what then of the nearly eight-hour-long O.J.: Made in America? And what about all the purists who were supposed to be indignant that

Ezra Edelman’s movie was predominantly viewed as a five-part miniseries on ABC and ESPN?

The brilliance of the ambitious, essential O.J. rendered all these supposed hurdles and objections irrelevant. I’m sure it will lose a few votes because of its format. And it will lose more because the other nominated documentaries are all worthy works of art.

In fact, you could make a pretty good case for this group being the strongest set of fi lms ever nominated in this category — and it still leaves out great docs like Tower, Cameraperson and Weiner. There has never been a better time to be a nonfi ction fi lmmaker.

Animated FeatureKubo and the Two Strings, Moana, My Life

as a Zucchini, The Red Turtle and Zootopia.Analysis: Zootopia has been the front-

runner all along. Its Producers Guild win doesn’t guarantee the Oscar, but the fi lm’s cautionary look at the dangers of discrimination and demonising the other does make it a movie that many voters will see as prescient. Let’s just say, when you have Cat Stevens name-checking your movie’s hero, rabbit Judy Hopps, from the stage before launching into Peace Train, it’s a good sign.

Moana has its fans too. It nearly rivals Zootopia in terms of viewership among academy members. And Laika’s Kubo did score a well-earned Oscar nomination for its innovative visual eff ects. But the message of Zootopia — “No matter what type of animal you are, change starts with you” — is pretty irresistible at this particular point in time. —Los Angeles Times/TNS

Oscar Gold Standard: A look at foreign, documentary and animated features

A vote for Iranian Asghar Farhadi’s The Salesman becomes a way of showing

solidarity with all immigrants. You can bet that scores of academy members will act

along those lines, even if they are late getting around to a strong, suspenseful movie that

presents an intense moral debate at its core


COMMUNITY

Students make bowls, serve soup to help out

Funds generated from the latest edition of American School of Doha’s

annual initiative will help schools in Mozambique. By Anand Holla

Benevolence took the shape of bowls at the American School of Doha (ASD) over the weekend. The Empty

Bowls initiative, headed by ASD ceramics teacher Dian Ritter, successfully held its fi fth annual Empty Bowls Evening.

Under the direction of Ritter, ASD students crafted ceramic bowls throughout the fi rst semester. Students were required to not only make one bowl, but they were also required to teach three other people to make a ceramic bowl. All of these bowls were then sold during the evening which then entitled guests to unlimited soup, all Africa-inspired and prepared by ASD volunteers, throughout the evening, points out Chi-Yan Shang, IB CAS Coordinator, ASD, in a note on the event.

Empty Bowls at ASD supports its home grown, student-initiated service project, Footy 4 Freedom (F4F) which refurbishes and expands ASD’s adopted schools in Xinavane, Mozambique. F4F was started by former ASD student Lawrence Chaplin when he met a

young boy in Mozambique who had been caught stealing vegetables from a garden to feed his family, as he had become their sole provider after the death of his father. From that point on, Chaplin was motivated to help that community.

Funds raised from previous Empty Bowls evenings have been used to refurbish three schools and most recently, to build a new school block for a community where students were studying in a makeshift structure made of sticks, Shang explains. “All of the ASD’s projects in Mozambique are supported by South African sugar company Tongaat Hulett’s Corporate Social Investment Programme,” he says.

Funds from this year’s event will also be used to continue building ASD’s new adopted school in Kenya, the Machakos Education Centre which is also the focus of this year’s ASD Annual Fund, the ASD’s main fundraising drive this year. The Machakos Education Centre is a project started by one of ASD’s former Security Guards, Robert David, and adopted by ASD’s National Honour Society

Chapter who have had a key leadership role in supporting its development. Multiple student groups at ASD throughout all divisions have worked to fundraise for Machakos and its corporate partners now include Al Fardan Group, the project’s premier sponsor. Ritter’s Empty Bowls evening raised well over QR7,000.

An international project to fi ght hunger, Empty Bowls is personalised by artists and art organisations on a community level. Its promotion and growth is managed by Imagine/RENDER, a non-profi t organisation, whose mission is “to create positive and lasting change through the arts, education, and projects that build community”. That said, each community’s events are self-developed and independent.

On their offi cial website emptybowls.net, Imagine/RENDER say: “Our major project is the Empty Bowls Project, an international grassroots eff ort to raise both money and awareness in the fi ght to end hunger. This project represents what we do best – develop creative, exciting,

and powerful models that are replicable and scalable by others wishing to work for social justice.” The project expands one group of concerned artists and students at a time, and events are currently held in many areas in the United States and Canada, often in conjunction with the United Nations sponsored World Food Day. Empty Bowls now supports food related charities around the world and has raised millions of dollars to aid in the fi ght against hunger.

At the ASD weekend event, the Doha Community Orchestra (DCO) provided the entertainment for the evening, providing sets of music from a variety of diff erent genres under the direction of ASD’s own Brita Fray. ASD’s Creative Arts Support Team (CAST)

sponsored side-dishes during the event, a further testament to the commitment of ASD’s Fine Arts programme to humanitarian service projects, Shang pointed out in his piece.

F4F is one of ASD’s fl agship international community service projects and organisers said that the Empty Bowls evening has taken its place among the many traditions at ASD. Among other interesting initiatives of ASD is its Learning Service Program, which encourages all members, stakeholders and partners of the ASD community to reach out and become positive, active global citizens. In doing so, the ASD says it “typically strives to foster student initiated projects” with a focus on development, conservation or education.

The school's fifth annual Empty Bowls evening raised well over QR7,000.

d 12 c—18 c today lifestyle/horoscope puzzles speed

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