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Shawwal 2, 1437 AHThursday, July 7, 2016

CommunityCommunity presents the top six Eid

al-Fitr events in Qatar that you should not miss.

CommunityFor a large number of expatriates in

Qatar, Halwa Puri is the biggest hit during Eid al-Fitr.

P6 P16

A dying breedFewer craftsmen left behind the tools that

make scientific research possible. P4-5

COVER

STORY

INSPIRATIONAL: Caltech’s scientific glassblower, Rick Gerhart, 71, makes all the intricate glass contraptions and beakers that Nobel laureates and grad student researchers need for complex chemistry experiments.

Features EditorKamran Rehmat

e-mail: community@gulf-times.comTelephone: 44466405

Fax: 44350474

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Those who won our

independence... valued liberty as an end and as a means.

They believed liberty to be the secret of happiness and courage

to be the secret of liberty. —Louis D. Brandeis

Thursday, July 7, 20162 GULF TIMES

COMMUNITY ROUND & ABOUT

EVENTS

Muhammad Ali: Tribute to a Legend

DATE: OngoingVENUE: MIA Museum of Islamic Art Qatar Museums will open

‘Muhammad Ali: Tribute to a Legend’, a homage to boxing legend and activist Muhammad Ali, in a unique collection of artefacts spanning the fi rst 18 years of his 21-year professional boxing career, from 1960 until 1978. The temporary exhibition will be on show from July 7 in the Museum of Islamic Art’s fourth fl oor eastern gallery.

Eid al-Fitr at The PearlDATE: Until TomorrowTIME: 4pm-9pmVENUE: Pearl QatarCelebrate a joyful Eid al-Fitr at

Medina Centrale. The Pearl-Qatar invites you to celebrate Eid al-Fitr with your family and friends and enjoy a wide range of activities such as face painting, balloon twisting, cartoon characters, a colouring station, and much more.

Bazar Souq MaqtooraDATE: Until TomorrowTIME: 4pm-9pmVENUE: The Pearl-Qatar

Celebrate Eid in Maqtoora Market at Souq Al Medina, Medina Centrale, The Pearl-Qatar from today until July 8, from 4pm to 9pm.

Vacation CompetitionDATE: Until Sept 21VENUE: FCC Offi ceWomen’s forum of Friends

Cultural Centre has announced competitions for Qatar-based Malayalee students of grades IV to XII. There are two competitions: Avadhikkalath will accept articles on vacation experiences, while Avadhikkalakazhchakal will accept photographic submissions. Article on vacation experiences should be prepared in Malayalam or in English with a minimum word count of 500 words. Photographs for the competition should be printed on A4 size art paper or photo paper. Pictures should not have been published before and should not be downloaded from the Internet. Entries for competitions need to be submitted to FCC Office on or before September 21. For more details, please call 4466-1213.

Alice in WonderlandDATE: Until July 10VENUE: City CenterCome enjoy Alice in Wonderland

shows with your kids this Eid al-Fitr at City Centre Doha Mall. All shows will start on the fi rst day and end on the fi fth day of Eid.

Mall Cinema (1): Sultan (Hindi) 9am; Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2D) 12pm; Swalef Tafash(Khaleeji) (2D) 2pm; Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2D) 4pm; Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2D) 6pm; Sultan (Hindi) 8pm; Sultan (Hindi) 11pm.Mall Cinema (2): Independence Day: Resurgence (2D) 10am; The Purge: Election Year (2D) 12.30pm; Finding Dory (2D) 2.30pm; Finding Dory (2D) 4.30pm; 30 Years Ago (Arabic) 6.30pm; Independence Day: Resurgence (2D) 9.15pm; Independence Day: Resurgence (2D) 11.30pm.Mall Cinema (3): Happy Wedding (Malayalam) 9am; Finding Dory (2D) 11.15am; Now You See Me 2 (2D) 1pm; Me Before You (2D) 3.15pm; Happy Wedding

(Malayalam) 5.15pm; Me Before You (2D) 7.30pm; Abo Shanab (Arabic) 9.30pm; The Purge: Election Year (2D) 11.30pm.Royal Plaza Cinema Palace (1): Finding Dory (2D) 10am; The Purge: Election Year (2D) 12.15pm; Finding Dory (2D) 2.15pm; Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2D) 4.15pm; Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2D) 6.15pm; 30 Years Ago (Arabic) 8.15pm; Sultan (Hindi) 11pm.Royal Plaza Cinema Palace (2): Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2D) 9am; Sultan (Hindi) 11am; Abo Shanab (Arabic) 2pm; Finding Dory (2D) 4pm; Independence

Day: Resurgence (2D) 6pm; Sultan (Hindi) 8.15pm; Independence Day: Resurgence (2D) 11.15pm.Royal Plaza Cinema Palace (3): Independence Day: Resurgence (2D) 9.15am; Me Before You (2D) 11.30am; Swalef Tafash (Khaleeji) (Arabic) 1.30pm; Me Before You (2D) 3.30pm; The Purge: Election Year (2D) 5.30pm; Abo Shanab (Arabic) 7.30pm; Me Before You (2D) 9.30pm; The Purge: Election Year (2D) 11.30pm.Asian Town Cinema: Happy Wedding (Malayalam) 12.30, 3, 5.30, 8, 8.30, 10.30pm & 1.45am; Sultan (Hindi) 12.45, 2.30, 3.15, 4, 5.45, 7.15, 9, 10pm, 12.15 & 2am; Kammati Paadam (Malayalam) 12.30 & 11pm; School Bus (Malayalam) 12.30 & 6.15pm.

3Thursday, July 7, 2016 GULF TIMES

COMMUNITYROUND & ABOUT

Compiled by Nausheen Shaikh. E-mail: gtlisting@gmail.com, Events and timings subject to change

Eid al-Fitr Festival: A Child’s DreamDATE: Until July 9TIME: 7.30pmVENUE: Katara EsplanadeIn an extension of its Ramadan festival

‘Qur’an and the creation of man,’ Katara will present a programme titled “A Child’s Dream” on Katara esplanade with three shows a day in Arabic and English. The fi rst show in Arabic starts at 7.30pm, the second in English at 8.30pm and the third in Arabic will start at 9.30pm. Eid gifts will also be distributed to children after the end of the fi rst and second shows. Fireworks will start after the conclusion of the third show daily.

Eidiah Tourist FestivalDATE: Until July 30TIME: 9pmVENUE: Qatar National Convention

CentreA whole family entertainment and

shopping experience under one roof! Opens from 9pm to 1am @eidiehqatar.

Aqua Park: Entertainment for EidDATE: Until TomorrowTIME: 10amVENUE: Aqua ParkAqua Park has a three-day event with

various entertaining activities planned for Eid! They have mascot shows, which change each day. There will be Balloon Twisters, Cultural Dancers, Oudtar Musicians, and other games for kids (such as painting and drawing).

Sculpture Art ExhibitionDATE: Today onwardsTIME: 3.30pmVENUE: Al Dosari Park, Shahaniya This exhibition is for visitors who want

to experience a unique and rare form of sculpture art. The venue of the exhibition is Al Dosari Park in Shahaniya and it will be held starting the second day of Eid. The timings for the fi ve-day-long exhibition are from 3.30pm to 7pm.

Themed Summer CoursesDATE: Until August 18 TIME: 9am-1pmVENUE: VCUQatarVirginia Commonwealth University in

Qatar (VCUQatar) has announced the details of its art and design summer programme for children and high school students. It provides opportunities for young people to learn art

and design skills who otherwise may not have access to them at their own schools, as well as other young people who want to further their artistic abilities during the summer holidays.

Contemporary Art from ChinaDATE: Until July 16VENUE: Al Riwaq Art SpaceQatar Museums presents “What About the

Art? Contemporary Art from China,” a major exhibition of 15 contemporary Chinese artists curated by the internationally acclaimed New York-based Chinese artist Cai Guo-Qiang. The exhibition will run until July 16 at the QM Gallery Al Riwaq, near the Museum of Islamic Art.

A Summer Workshop – Inspirational 66DATE: July 10-Aug 4TIME: 7.45pm-8.45pm VENUE: TCA Qatar, DohaInspirational 66, a summer workshop,

focuses on life-skills for children. It promises to be a “fun-fi lled, creative, and a happy way programme for your child to see approach life in a positive, perspective way,” say the organisers. This workshop is designed to cover fi ve prime skills of children which in turn will develop self, build confi dence, improve communication skills and explore creativity.

TCA Science Summer CampDATE: July 10-Aug 4TIME: 8.30am-3.15pmVENUE: TCA, C Ring RoadBilling itself as the “Qatar’s most exciting

summer camp,” the TCA Science Summer Camp will off er unique science workshops to introduce young children to the mysteries of science, through hands-on make-and-take projects with interactive experiments. For inquiries, call 66523871.

Freej Aspire 2016DATE: Until July 19VENUE: Aspire ZoneYou can come and enjoy fun and

entertainment at Freej Aspire in Ramadan. The events include live entertainment shows suitable for all family members, sports activities for kids, in addition to shopping and food outlets.

Blood and Arteries exhibitionDATE: Until July 11TIME: 9am-11.55pmVENUE: Katara, bldg. 18

Creative 4D Exhibition on blood and arteries with verses from the Qur’an and a free blood test.

Chinese Food Culture FestivalDATE: Until July 9TIME: 8pm-12pmVENUE: Barwa Commercial AvenueWant to taste Chinese food? Want to watch

breath taking Chinese performances? Well now you can enjoy the authentic taste and watch wonderful Chinese performances at the Dragon Mart China Mall. The festival is at Barwa Commercial Avenue, opposite Al Watan Petrol station from 8pm-12pm until July 9.

Summer Camp & ClinicDATE: Until July 14TIME: 9amVENUE: Alwaab, Al Bustan, DohaThe Camps & Clinics bills itself as a

fantastic opportunity to maintain contact time with your coach, whether you play soccer, basketball or are into multi-sports. Come along, learn new skills and meet new friends who have the same passion and desire for the game as you do.

QSports Summer CampDATE: Until Sept 1TIME: 8am-1amVENUE: Al Jazeera AcademyRegistration for QSports Summer Camp

2016 is now open. QSports summer camps are committed to providing a safe, fun and skill-based experience for kids between the ages of 4 and 14. They have a dedicated team of specialist kids’ coaches and classes and activities are safe, planned, progressive, active, creative, inclusive and designed to maximise participation of all children by off ering a variety of activities.

Shifting SandsDATE: Until todayVENUE: Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim

MuseumThe Museum and Gallery Practice MA

students of UCL Qatar are organising and curating an exhibition as part of UCL Qurates. In the very recent past, Qatar has undergone a signifi cant transformation; through these developments, people have had to adapt to the changing landscape in which they live.

Yamativo Salsa ClassesDATE: Every Monday

TIME: 7pmVENUE: Radisson BluIt’s always fun and always challenging.

You don’t need anything to join the classes. Level 1 (intermediate level) is at 7pm and the beginners class starts at 8pm. Both at the hotel’s Cabana Club.

Sketching with pencil and charcoalDATE: Sunday and WednesdayTIME: 5pm- 6.30pmIf you can hold a pencil, you can draw…

Discover techniques to make your drawing more realistic. Every Saturday and Wednesday from 5pm-6.30pm.

Pottery Workshop for KidsDATE: Every MondayTIME: 5pm-6pmKids will learn a new hand building

technique for creating and fi nishing artworks in clay. For more information, call 4486-5201.

FOODIE CHOICE

RESTAURANT: C. TasteLOCATION: Centro Capital DohaEnjoy a delicious buff et serving popular

Arabic dishes and various International fl avours along with a live cooking station and desserts. Guests are welcome to continue their evening at c.mondo and watch the European Cup while enjoying c.mondo’s titbits menu and refreshing mocktails. For reservations and more information, contact 4455-5000.

BOOKS1. Querkles by Thomas Pavitte2. See Me by Nicholas Spark3. Username: Evie by Joe Sugg4. Selp-Helf by Miranda Sings5. Girl Online: On Tour by Zoe Sugg6. Strengths Finder 2.0 by Tom Rath7. The Bamboo Stalk by Saud Al Sanousi8. Qatar Entertainer 2016 by The Entertainer9. Tropical Wonderland by Millie Marotta10. The Amazing Book Is Not On Fire by Dan Howell and

Phil Lester

TV-SERIES

1. Brooklyn Nine-Nine S22. Smallville S1-103. Endeavour S34. Better Call Saul S15. The Flash S16. Grey’s Anatomy S107. Downton Abbey S38. Big Bang Theory S1-89. Boston Legal S310. Lewis S9

MOVIES

1. The Revenant2. Star Wars: The Force Awakens3. Everest4. Solace5. Ride Along 26. Triple 97. The Hateful Eight8. Bridge of Spies9. Danny Collins10. The Man from U.N.C.L.E.

MUSIC

1. Maher Zain: One 2. Adele: 253. Various Artists: Now That’s What I Call Party 4. Prince: Very Best Of 5. Sia: This Is Acting6. Radiohead: Best Of7. Various Artists: Now That’s What I Call Relaxing

Classical8. Andrea Bocelli: Vivere The Bo 9. Various Artists: No1 Album Accoustic Cafe Db 10. Various Artists: Now 92 Db

Courtesy: Virgin Megastores, Landmark and Villaggio Mall

top 10

4 GULF TIMES

COMMUNITY COVER STORY

Thursday, July 7, 2016

In a glass of his ownIn Caltech’s one-man glass shop, where Rick Gerhart transforms a researcher’s

doodles into intricate laboratory equipment, craftsmanship is king. No two

pieces of scientific glassware are the same, writes Rosanna Xia

Hunkered down in the sub-basement of the Norman W Church Laboratory for Chemical Biology, underneath a

campus humming with quantum teleportation devices, gravity wave detectors and neural prosthetics, Rick Gerhart chipped away at a broken fl ask.

Blowtorch in hand, he pulled the softened glass apart like taff y, tweezing out glass shards with a fl ick of his wrist. Peering into the dancing fl ames, he examined his work for wrinkles — imperfections invisible to the untrained eye.

“It not only should be functional,” he said, smoothing the rim with a

carbon rod, “it has to look good.”Here in Caltech’s one-man glass

shop, where Gerhart transforms a researcher’s doodles into intricate laboratory equipment, craftsmanship is king. No two pieces of scientifi c glassware are the same, and for more than two decades, students and Nobel laureates alike have begun each project with Gerhart’s blessing that, yes, he can create the tools to make their experiments possible.

But Gerhart, 71, is retiring, and the search is on to fi nd someone, anyone, who can fi ll his shoes. In a cost-cutting world of machines and assembly plants, few glass blowers remain with the level of mastery needed at research hubs like Caltech.

“He’s a somewhat dying breed,” said Sarah Reisman, who relied on Gerhart to create 20 mazelike contraptions for her synthetic organic chemistry lab. “There just aren’t as many scientifi c glass blowers anymore, and certainly not ones that have Rick’s level of experience. Even a fraction of that experience, I think, just isn’t out there.”

Full-time university glass blowers are considered tops in their fi eld, but few institutions still off er such positions or give young glass blowers the chance to hone their craft. When Cal State LA’s longtime glass blower retired last year, the shop which he had run for 30 years closed

down. Similar fates have befallen glass blowing at UCLA and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. At the University of California, Riverside, which once had three full-time glass blowers and two glass shops, a glass blower now comes in one day a week.

The University of Southern California is the only other university in the LA area that still has a full-time glass blower, Gerhart said. Across the US, those who land such jobs tend to stay until retirement.

“So now, to take my place” — Gerhart paused, spinning through his mental Rolodex. He chuckled: “Looks like we have to steal somebody.”

To master scientifi c glass blowing, proper training and apprenticeships

are key. Only one school in the nation, Salem Community College in New Jersey, off ers a degree programme.

In addition to the hands-on training, which requires a knack for precision as well as co-ordination, students must take courses in organic chemistry, math and computer drawing.

“You need to know enough about everything, about mechanics, about chemistry, about physics, about thermodynamics — whatever a chemist can come up with, you need to know just a little bit to get that chemist through,” said Dennis Briening, instructional chair of Salem’s two-year programme.

SPECTACULAR: A catchy glimpse of the precision that goes into the work.

“And of course, you need to be very skilled, technique-wise. So it really takes a long time to get to a position like Rick’s.”

Gerhart enrolled in the Salem programme in 1965, after dropping out of college to give his father’s profession a try.

It was the heyday of scientifi c glass blowing. The craft, which dates back to alchemy in the second century, took hold in America by the 1930s and 1940s, after World War I cut off glassware supply from Germany. Glass — Pyrex and quartz in particular — remains popular because it can withstand high heat, reacts with very few elements and is transparent, allowing researchers to observe chemical processes.

The profession peaked after World War II, when booms in oil and government-funded research opened up numerous glass blowing jobs in many a lab. Scientifi c glass blowers didn’t only make research equipment, they created glass parts for such inventions as the laser printer.

At fi rst, Gerhart hopped around a number of fi rms and worked alongside more experienced glass blowers at TRW Inc. and UCLA.

When he settled at Caltech in 1992, the glass blower before him handed over the key to the shop and said, “Good luck.” On his own, Gerhart pieced together his patchwork of experience to twist and fuse glass beakers and snake glass coils over vacuum chambers.

In a production line, a glass blower might make the same product every day, “I was doing something a little diff erent every time,” he said. “That’s when I really started learning.”

These opportunities to learn on the job are now limited, though interest has not waned: This year, Salem Community College graduated 31 glass blowers — for years, the school graduated about 20 each year — and it expects 66 incoming students next school year. Social media videos have

sparked new interest in the craft, Briening said.

But while his students have no trouble getting entry-level jobs at companies like Chemglass Life Sciences, a glass manufacturer, and General Electric Global Research, rarely are universities willing to budget the overhead costs for more than one glassblower, if any.

“Years ago, all the universities had two or three people,” Briening said. “I think that’s going to be a problem, because you’re not bringing up those young glass blowers anymore.”

One of the few resources left for the next generation is the American Scientifi c Glassblowers Society, a close-knit group that hosts national workshops and swaps ideas when a researcher’s custom order stumps one of its members.

Its members also serve as Caltech’s best — and possibly only — options once Gerhart leaves. But membership has dwindled from 1,000 in the 1970s to 492 today, and only some of these glass blowers, after a steep learning curve, might be able to do all the work Gerhart has done at Caltech,

said Bob Ponton, who manages the organisation and has served as its president.

“Rick’s one of those glass technicians that I put in the top 5 percent,” Ponton said. “He developed the techniques and skills to specifi cally meet the needs of that university and its researchers. And that’s what the good ones do. He’s not going to be replaceable.”

Back in the sub-basement, Gerhart cradled the repaired fl ask into an oven lined with vermiculite. In addition to custom orders, he revives equipment shattered by

clumsy hands or too much pressure or heat.

One recent morning, he shuffl ed along a wall of ageing wooden cabinets lined with Tefl on valves, seal-grade quartz and glass tubes of widths ranging from 2 to 110 millimetres. Scribbled notes to himself, taped up years ago, off ered reminders of melting points and tips such as: “50 percent hydrochloric to remove silicon vapour.”

He handed a thin tube to Chris Roske, a physical chemistry grad student who, like others, looks forward to Gerhart’s cheerful banter after a frustrating day of research or when an experiment explodes. Roske gasped when Gerhart mentioned he was retiring.

“When?”“Tomorrow,” Gerhart said,

beaming.“No,” Roske said, drawing out the

syllable. “Are you serious?”Gerhart will miss teasing his

students. He assured Roske he’d stick around until Caltech found his successor.

The search so far has produced six applications — double what Gerhart expected. The job posting’s requirements were accommodating: “2 to 20+ years” of experience, depending on the repertoire. A committee of top chemists and Caltech administrators will review these candidates in hopes that one can fi ll all the holes.

“You need a person who has some idea about the scientific process and how to translate what a student wants to do into a piece of apparatus that really works,” said Bob Grubbs, a 2005 Nobel laureate in chemistry and professor at Caltech. “How do you get from a couple scratches on a piece of paper, to something you actually go use in a lab that you trust and is not going to blow acid in your face?”

—Los Angeles Times/TNS

5Thursday, July 7, 2016 GULF TIMES

COMMUNITYCOVER STORY

“Rick’s (left) one of those glass technicians that I put in the top five percent,” Bob Ponton, Manager at Caltech, says. “He developed the techniques and skills to specifically meet the needs of that university and its researchers. And that’s what the good ones do. He’s not going to be replaceable”

AT WORK: Caltech's scientific glassblower, Rick Gerhart, 71, going through the paces.

Thursday, July 7, 20166 GULF TIMES

COMMUNITY

Six things to do this EidBy Anand Holla

There is something for every kind of celebration-seeker this Eid. Be it aerial paragliding tours at Sealine off ered by the Qatar Air Sports Committee for the next three days

from 3.30pm to 6.30pm for QR250 per person, or the Al Samariyah Equestrian Centre near the Sheikh Faisal Museum off ering visitors free riding sessions throughout Eid, from 8.30am till 6pm — stagecoach riding will cost QR50 and a tour of Arabian horses will cost QR100.

Community presents to you the top six Eid events in Qatar that you should not miss:

Kids special at KataraThe fi reworks show at Katara pulls in the

crowd by throngs every Eid al-Fitr, and this year shouldn’t be any diff erent as the night sky is all set to be draped in an assortment of soaring strings of bright lights. An attraction that’s equally popular is the series of stage shows – 7.30pm (Arabic), 8.30pm (English), and 9.30pm (Arabic). Having started yesterday and going on until Saturday, from 7pm to 10.30pm, at the Katara beach, there will be three live shows every evening under the theme A Child’s Dream, apart from Eid gifts distribution or Eidiyya. The entry, of course, is free.

Water wonderHead to Aqua Park with your family and

friends to celebrate Eid with exciting rides on popular attractions such as Boomerango, Space Boat, Tube Slides, Kids’ Pirates Bay, and of course, the Wave Pool, apart from variously themed mascot shows every day. Some of the other featured highlights are balloon twisters, board game competitions, tannoura dancers, and oud players. The park is open from 10am to 10pm, and the tickets are priced at QR180 for adults and QR130 for kids. The online prices are QR155 for adults and QR105 for kids.

Family funAt Souq Al Medina, Medina Centrale, The

Pearl – Qatar, bring in Eid-al-Fitr with a load

of fun activities for the family and especially for the little ones. There’s a lot in store from 4pm to 9pm, today and tomorrow: game booths with small prizes, balloon twister, colouring station, pop-corn, ice-cream and cotton candy stalls, stilt walkers, face painting, mascots, photo booth, and the Maqtoora Bazaar which will cover a wide range of food, fashion, perfumes, jewellery, accessories, drawings, and designs.

Mall specialsHaving started with the fi rst day of Eid,

a long line of shows and activities such as magic shows and traditional dances are being held at some of Qatar’s top malls — Alice in Wonderland (City Centre Mall), Sleeping

Beauty (Dar Al Salam Mall), The Little Mermaid (Ezdan Mall), Snow White (Lagoona Mall), IftahYaSimsim (Hyatt Plaza Mall) and Dora’s Friendship Fiesta (Al Khor Mall).

Among other acts at these malls are Dr. Bubbles, Arda (traditional Qatari dance), oriental dabke, tannour dance, comedy show, kids’ circus, kids’ magic, and Equilibrium on the Reels. Entry to all the events at the malls is free.

Tourist festivalIf the plan is to make the most of family

entertainment and shopping opportunities under one roof, then dropping by at the Eidiah Tourist Festival at the Qatar National Convention Centre — it is on until July 30 —

would be a smart choice. The festival combines the Qatari heritage

events represented in the Heritage Village and the associated exhibition showcasing consumer goods and the bazaar featuring unique gifts, the region’s cuisine, and play area for kids, among other draws.

Soap sculptureHow does a sculpture exhibition made out of

various colours and kinds of bath soap sound? The fi ne array of work put out by sculptor-artist Biju C G looks as enthralling as it sounds. At Al Dosari Park, Shahaniya, the exhibition will be held for fi ve days, starting today, from 3.30pm to 7pm.

Sleeping Beauty is one of the many attractions at the malls.Fireworks at Katara are a regular Eid feature.

Aqua Park will be open from 10am to 10pm during the festival.

7Thursday, July 7, 2016 GULF TIMES

COMMUNITY

People flock to Al Khor Community Bazaar

By Umer Nangiana

People flocked to the much-awaited Al Khor Community Bazaar last week. The special stalls set up for Eid shopping witnessed a huge rush of women

from Pakistani expatriate community shopping for Eid dresses and jewellery.

Organised by Sohni Dharti, a socio-cultural organisation for Pakistani

expatriate community living in Al Khor, the Eid Bazaar featured multiple stalls of dresses, jewellery and food products from Pakistan.

Takreem provided a sweet surprise to the visitors with its traditional Pakistani sweets brought especially for the event. Famous women’s brands from Pakistan also sold their products at the bazaar that was attended by hundreds of people, according to the organisers.

“This is our biggest and most successful event of the year so far. Sohni Dharti has been

regularly organising such bazaars, providing an opportunity to the local expatriate community to have access to their favourite Pakistani products,” said Rana Anwar Ali, the chairman of Sohni Dharti.

Pakistan embassy commercial attaché, Arbaab Qaisar, formally inaugurated the event along with the members of Sohni Dharti’s executive committee.

Rana Ali also announced that they are hosting the much-awaited Mango Festival at Al Khor on July 21. The festival will feature multiple kinds of Pakistani mangos imported especially for the event.

Earlier this year, Sohni Dharti organised a similar mandarin festival, bringing multiple varieties of Pakistani mandarins that are otherwise not available in Qatar. The bazaar also featured Pakistani garments, leather items, decoration materials, and fresh vegetables and fruits.

The highlights of the event were the stalls of two famous Pakistani restaurants, Zauq and Zeeshan. They offered visitors mouth-watering Pakistani specialties like chicken karhai, gajar halwa (carrot-sweet), other sweets, as well as seekh kebabs, katakat, boti kebab and samosa chat.

Formed in 2012, the main objectives of the Sohni Dharti are to promote cultural, social and sports activities for Pakistanis residents of Al Khor Community. It also aims to contribute to the welfare and development of the community, especially to promote the preservation of environment of community and surroundings and integrate Pakistani community with other nationalities in Al Khor.

The membership of Sohni Dharti is open to the people of Pakistani origin residing in Al Khor, and to Qatargas and RasGas employees living in Doha.

Earlier last month, the organisation held its flagship Ramadan festival, Faizan-e-Ramadan, with members and non-members getting together over an Iftar-Dinner. Held at the Community Hall of Al Khor on June 15, the event started with a Qur’an Recitation Competition for children. The programme also featured an Islamic quiz, and a Naat recitation and speech contests.

Sohni Dharti is all set to celebrate Pakistan’s Independence Day falling on August 14, said the Sohni Dharti president. The community organisation is known for its celebrations marking the National Day and Independence Day of Pakistan with special performances by children and the number of visitors it attracts.

In a show earlier this year to celebrate Pakistan Day, Sohni Dharti attracted hundreds of people to its grand stage show titled Chand Meri Zameen, Phool Mera Watan (My country is like moon and flowers). It was a unique show in a way that it was hosted and conducted entirely by children.

A large number of children participated in different segments and competitions specially designed for the show, themed according to the significance of Pakistan Day. Children presented eight tableaus and speeches on the occasion. The entire Pakistani community living in Doha was invited and the show attracted a large crowd.

INAUGURATION: Arbaab Qaisar, Commercial Attache Pakistan embassy, second from left, with Rana Anwar Ali, the chairman of Sohni Dharti, inaugurating the event.

VARIETY: A large number of stalls of jewellery, dresses and food were set up for the visitors.

Thursday, July 7, 20168 GULF TIMES

COMMUNITY

Highlights at the Museum of Islamic Art

By Anand Holla

Exploring the many wonders of the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) could be daunting for some, given the wide array of artefacts

that the spectacular structure stores. To make matters easy for the culture curious, MIA has compiled a series of tours such as the Science in Art Tour and the Chinese Trail Tour. Here, we share with you MIA’s fascinating Highlights Tour:

Silk Velvet PanelSilk textiles such as this one were

highly prized during the rule of the Safavid dynasty in Iran (1501-1722 CE). In this panel, two elegantly clad females participate in the popular pastime of falconry. The pigeon wings tied around their waists alongside a cord and hood were meant to lure falcons. The long robes and pointed shoes are reminiscent of Safavid fashion at that time, but the small hats and deeper necklines indicate a European infl uence. Asian and European monarchs alike admired Safavid textiles for their use of silver, gold and other fi ne materials, and they were often given as political and diplomatic gifts. This piece – Voided Silk Brocade Velvet with Metal Threads SafavidIran, Early 17th century CE – can be found in the Pattern in Art Gallery on Floor 2.

Tilework CenotaphIn some regions of the Islamic

world, tombs and grave markers developed through history as artistic and architectural features. This cenotaph comes from the area around the city of Khiva in today’s Uzbekistan, and is decorated with Persian and Arabic poetic lamentations that mourn the deceased. The use of an early form of ‘thuluth’ script and turquoise and cobalt blue tiles are defi ning features of the region’s artistic style at this time. This piece — Glazed Ceramic,

Central Asia (Khiva), 14th century CE — can be found in the Writing in Art Gallery on Floor 2.

Shahnameh ManuscriptThe ‘Shahnameh’ or ‘The Book of

Kings’ charts the histories and myths of the Greater Persian Empire, which stretched across much of Central Asia, Iran and Afghanistan until the arrival of Islam. The Shahnameh was written 1,000 years ago by the poet Ferdowsi, and includes more than 50,000 Persian verses. This copy was made in Iran by the scribe Hidayat Allah Shirazi in his native city of Shiraz. This piece – Leather, Paper, Gilding, Watercolour, Ink, Safavid Iran (Shiraz), 1583 CE – can be found in the Figure in Art Gallery on Floor 2.

Carved Emerald PlaqueThe Mughal rulers of South

Asia held extensive treasuries of gemstones mined both within their own territories and abroad. Emeralds were imported from Colombia by Portuguese and Spanish traders to India for Mughal patrons where they were polished and shaped by master lapidaries at the royal court. This large emerald is inscribed on one side with a prayer in Arabic script and carved on the other with a fl oral motif. This piece — Emerald Mughal India, 1695-96 CE — can be found in the India 16th-18th century Gallery on Floor 3.

Coff ee-cup holderThis gold coff ee cup holder,

called a ‘zarf’ in Turkish, is made richly embellished with diamonds and rubies. Each gemstone has been carefully hand-cut to fi t into fl oral motifs by a master lapidary. This process was highly skilled and would have resulted in considerable wastage. Elaborate coff ee-cup holders were used for the ritualised drinking of coff ee popular through the centuries in Turkey, protecting the drinker’s fi ngers from the hot cup held inside. This piece — Diamond & Ruby-Set Gold Turkey or Europe (probably Switzerland), 19th century — can be found in the India and

Turkey 16th-18th century Gallery on Floor 3.

The ‘Cavour’ vaseThis vase is one of a small group

of blue-purple enamelled and gilded glass vessels made in Syria and Egypt during the Mamluk period (circa 1250 – 1517 CE). Its inscriptions carry the titles of an unnamed sultan. The name ‘Cavour Vase’ stems from a tradition — which remains unproven — that the vase once belonged to Camillo Benso, Count of Cavour (1810-61 CE). This piece — Glass, Enamelled, Gilded, probably Syria, 13th century CE — can be found in the Egypt & Syria 12th-13th century on Floor 3.

Architectural CapitalsThis set of architectural capitals

are believed to have come from the now-ruined palace city of Madinat al-Zahra outside Cordoba in Al-Andalus — the centre of the Arab empire that stretched across southern Spain and beyond for eight centuries (circa 711 – 1492 CE). The marble-carved capitals show vegetal designs reminiscent of the Roman and Visigothic cultures present in Spain before the arrival of Arab rulers, and exhibit the skill of stone carvers in the region. This piece — Marble, Umayyad Spain (Cordoba), 9th-10th century CE — can be found in the Early Islamic Art 7th-12th century Gallery on Floor 3.

Coff ee-cup holder

The Cavour Vase

A closer look at the Tilework Cenotaph

Silk Velvet Panel

9Thursday, July 7, 2016 GULF TIMES

COMMUNITY

Funding opportunities for projects at DFIBy Anand Holla

Post Eid celebrations, avid fi lmmaking talents of Qatar and the region are sure to fi nd themselves busy. The Doha Film Institute (DFI) Grants Programme has called for submissions of projects for a limited period — from July 14 to July 27.

The Programme enables funding to international fi lm projects that satisfy specifi c criteria. While development, production and post-production funding is available

for short and feature-length projects, for features, a fi rst- or second-time director must be attached. “Post-production funding is also available to established directors from Qatar and the Mena region. Funding is subject to criteria based on the nationality of the director,” DFI points out in its guidelines on the Programme.

The goals of the DFI Grants Programme are to identify new talent, seek out new cinematic voices and discover universally resonant stories. “The Institute’s approach is to champion projects whose thrust is to explore, expand and cultivate authentic storytelling, with a keen interest in propelling forward contemporary work that demonstrates a deep understanding of the specifi c possibilities of the medium of cinema,” DFI explains.

In the Fall 2015 session of the Programme — there are two grant submission cycles annually — 30 projects from 19 countries received grants. In that session — the eleventh of the Programme — 16 feature-length narrative fi lms, 10 feature documentaries and four short fi lms received funding for development, production or post-production. Twenty-four of the projects were from the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region — four out of which were from Qatar — while six were from the rest of the world.

DFI says that the Programme provides creative and fi nancial assistance for short and feature-length projects, subject to eligibility criteria, by Qatari and international fi rst- and second-time directors, as well as established Mena directors. Funding for experimental and essay projects is available to Qatar and Mena applicants only.

With regards to the Qatari applicants, DFI maintains that it seeks to strengthen and empower Qatari voices in fi lmmaking that have the potential to make signifi cant contributions

to the art of cinema. “Its focus on the growth and evolution of Qatar’s fi lm community includes providing creative and logistical support for, and fi nancial contributions to, work by fi lmmakers from Qatar,” DFI shares, “In addition to applying for funding through the grants programme, Qatari fi lmmakers with short and feature-length projects at any stage of evolution are invited to contact the Institute year-round at grants@dohafi lminstitute.com to discuss grants, co-fi nancing possibilities, internships with international productions, creative development seminars, mentorship initiatives and exhibition opportunities.”

While stories of displacement, physical or spiritual journeys, tales of family life, the power of nature and the importance of protecting the environment were highlighted in the selections in the Fall 2015 session of the Programme, it remains to be seen what sort of themes and tones dominate the submissions in this grants cycle.

For Mena applicants, development, production and post-production funding is available for fi rst- and second-time directors for feature-length projects. Short fi lms are eligible for production funding only. Established Mena directors may apply for post-production funding for feature-length projects. As for non-Mena applicants, post-production funding is available for feature-length projects by fi rst- and second-time non-Mena directors. Since application sent by e-mail won’t be considered, fi lmmakers must submit via the online form, which is accessible only while submissions are open from July 14 to the midnight on July 27.

The DFI Fall Grant 2012 and 2015 recipient Divines, French director Houda Benyamina’s debut feature, made its world premiere at Cannes 2016 in Directors’ Fortnight, where it won a special mention for the SACD Prize and received a rousing standing ovation that lasted 10 minutes. The fi lm follows the lives of two best friends, Dounia and Maimouna, who yearn for power and money in the rough Parisian neighbourhood where they live. They start to assist the drug dealer Rebecca, but talented young dancer Djigui also tempts Dounia into a diff erent kind of life.

Meanwhile, DFI recently announced the fourth edition of its annual Ajyal Youth Film Festival, from November 30 to December 5. Building on DFI’s history of community-based fi lm programming, the success of the Festival’s previous editions, as well as a year-round screening series, the six-day Ajyal, for the fourth year in a row, seeks to “bridge gaps and bring generations together through activities and events designed to inspire creative interaction among the various sectors of the regional community”.

A still from Houda Benyamina’s Divines, which made its world premiere at Cannes 2016 and won a special mention for the SACD Prize.

Thursday, July 7, 201610 GULF TIMES

COMMUNITY

11Thursday, July 7, 2016 GULF TIMES

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

Use your imagination today Pisces. You have a very vivid one and

when you put your heart and soul into something it pays off every

time.

Be open to new people and new things today Cancers. Life is too

short to stick to the tried and true Cancers.

If something isn’t working out for you at work, speak up. Say

something. Right now, the stars are aligned just right for you

astrologically.

If you need help, ask today. You have alot of good people around you

and they will definitely lend a hand.

Sometimes you have to rethink the way you do things bulls. Even

though you are usually very set in your ways its a good thing to

change things up.

Stop trying so hard to impress someone and instead focus on

impressing yourself Leos.

Mars the planet of passion in your sign is prompting and pushing

you to work harder and push forward with all those plans you have.

You are feeling very ambitious and should definitely follow through

on any and all dreams you have right now.

Be careful that despite your best intentions, you don’t overdo the

enthusiasm for something or someone today twins.

Ever thought about going into business with one or more friends

Virgos? Right now is the perfect time to go ahead with fab planetary

play in your friendship zone.

Stop and smell the roses today Sags. Don’t be too busy to ever stop

enjoying your life.

Use your imagination today Pisces. You have a very vivid one and

when you put your heart and soul into something it pays off every

time.

5 ways to shake up your summer beauty routineS

tay cool this summer and let your natural beauty shine with products that protect, hydrate and get you glowing. With the warmer months ahead, now is the perfect time to

lighten up your beauty routine with new, fresh formulas that will get you out the door in minutes and help you look and feel your best all season long.

Here are some expert tips to shake up your beauty routine just in time for summer:

Keep your makeup melt-proof by applying a primer as a fi rst step to your makeup routine. Even in warm weather enjoy a fl awless face all day.

Streamline your summer beauty routine with multi-benefi t products. The new, innovative Lancôme Juicy Shaker is a pigment infused bi-phased lip oil that is activated when shaken to combine essential oils and colour, providing the benefi ts of both a balm and a gloss. Available in 20 addictive shades and fl avours, Juicy Shaker provides a sheer wash of buildable

colour that hydrates for perfectly soft lips all summer long.

Fake the perfect summer glow with a sunless self-tanner. Fast-drying gel formulas are easy to blend and provide instant colour. Look for a formula that also works to nourish and protect skin with moisturising ingredients and Vitamin E.

Sun protection is always in style. To protect your face from harmful UVA and UVB rays, look for lightweight, oil-free, and fast-absorbing sunscreen formulas that can be used daily and worn under makeup.

Apply a deep conditioning mask to your hair before hitting the beach or pool to help protect hair from damaging elements.

With these expert tips and tricks, you have a complete summer-proof regimen that provides lasting benefi ts and eff ortless beauty looks.

© Brandpoint

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

AMPEREBATTERYCELLCHARGECIRCUITCONDUCTORELECTRICITYFLOWFORCEFUSE

NEGATIVEOHMPOSITIVEPOTENTIALRESISTANCERHEOSTATSWITCHVOLTWATTWIRE

Current 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.

12 GULF TIMES

COMMUNITY PUZZLES/CARTOONS

Thursday, July 7, 2016

Colouring

Answers

Wordsearch Codeword

DOWN1. Guesswork (5,3,5)2. Creek (5)3. Nourish (4)4. Scamp (6)5. Bucolic (8)6. Work (7)7. Sporadically (4,3,6)12. Disturb (8)13. Jeer (7)15. Smother (6)18. Supple (5)19. Deposit (4)

ACROSS1. Robber (5)4. Blame (7)8. Malady (7)9. Perspire (5)10. Unwilling (4)11. Landscape (8)13. Stick (4)14. Storm (4)16. Plea (8)17. Cut (4)20. Cook (5)21. Agitate (7)22. Ease (7)23. Iron (5)

ACROSS1. Chanticleer leaves beetle to fish (5)4. Primates - 1000 playing the piano! (7)8. Coarser shopkeeper, we hear (7)9. Serious accent (5)10. With strings attached? (4)11. Concerning rigid limit (8)13. Female would cast off (4)14. Scold for speed (4)16. Get rid of one side entirely (8)17. Clean warhead with remains of fire (4)20. Assign everybody to return (5)21. Form a new alliance in large shake-up (7)22. Finish smaller, though going on for ever (7)23. Put the squeeze on newspapers? (5)

DOWN1. Correct till now, without any backlog at all (5,2,2,4)2. Sailor takes poem home (5)3. Does he have a great crowd to entertain? (4)4. Came together round houseboat in trading centre (6)5. Drink put on at bedtime, perhaps (8)6. Inspect axe sent up to pit (7)7. Oos of sugary endearments? (5,8)12. Disparage command to avoid greatness? (8)13. Paid up and became a permanent resident (7)15. Athletic wear downed by drinkers? (6)18. A team taken apart (5)19. Getting fish to rise in practice? Not half! (4)

Quick Clues

Cryptic Clues

Yesterday’s Solutions

QUICKAcross: 3 Ephemeral; 8 Sure; 9 Pointless; 10 Author; 11 Midst; 14 Large; 15 True; 16 Realm; 18 Near; 20 Obese; 21 Lofty; 24 Penned; 25 Disappear; 26 Dawn; 27 Attendant.Down: 1 Assailant; 2 Fraternal; 4 Poor; 5 Ennui; 6 Enlist; 7 Also; 9 Power; 11 Meaty; 12 Triennial; 13 Defendant; 17 Mover; 19 Rotate; 22 Tepid; 23 Wilt; 24 Pain.

CRYPTICAcross: 3 Upper case; 8 Prod; 9 In concert; 10 Ermine; 11 Sheet; 14 Ditto; 15 Tame; 16 Titan; 18 User; 20 Obese; 21 Dozen; 24 Moslem; 25 Fast train; 26 Scan; 27 News flash.Down: 1 Spread out; 2 Committed; 4 Pine; 5 Epoch; 6 Cachet; 7 Sure; 9 Ingot; 11 Satin; 12 Take place; 13 Determine; 17 Not on; 19 Routes; 22 Errol; 23 Rage; 24 Miss.

13Thursday, July 7, 2016 GULF TIMES

COMMUNITYPUZZLES

Thursday, July 7, 201614 GULF TIMES

COMMUNITY REVIEWS

By Rick Bentley

The fi rst fi lms and TV shows that looked at the life and times of Tarzan had the King of the Jungle speaking broken English

and lacking a lot of social skills. Over the years, the approach shifted to starting with Tarzan as the more civilised John Clayton III and then fi nding a way to get him out of his

shirt and back into the jungle.The latest look at the vine-

swinging character created by Edgar Rice Burroughs takes that more civilised approach. Swedish hunk Alexander Skarsgard plays the title role with cinema’s current reigning beauty, Margot Robbie, as his spunky Jane. The pair are the best looking couple to hang with the animals in a beautiful jungle setting since Adam and Eve.

Clayton is lured back to the Congo to see the progress that has

been made in the central African nation. The truth is, he’s being brought back to the jungle by the wicked Leon Rom (Christoph Waltz), a mercenary who wants to trade Tarzan for a chest full of diamonds.

There’s a complicated story about war chests, slavery and honour but it all comes down to Tarzan going home and having to turn to his animal buddies for help. As long as that core element is present, the production works

whether Tarzan is dressed in a suit or loin cloth.

The two strengths of The Legend of Tarzan are Skarsgard and Robbie. He defi nitely has the physical presence to make the character stand tall in the jungle. Couple that with his brooding stare and limited dialogue and the actor brings the role to life.

Match that with Robbie, whose Jane is spunky without being overbearing. This is a Jane who through intellect and actions could

be just as interesting in her own movie.

The weakest casting is Samuel L Jackson as George Washington Williams (and yes, that makes him George of the Jungle). He’s an ambassador from the United States who pushes Clayton into the decision to go home so that he can tag along and see if the country is forcing the local population into slavery.

Jackson’s a good actor, but he has such a 21st century quality to him that he come across more like a lost time traveller than a 19th century champion. His comic relief is more of an annoyance than an accent on the story.

The screenplay by Adam Cozad and Craig Brewer remains respectful to the Tarzan legend. They manage to update the story with all of the political issues while holding on to many of the tropes from previous jungle tales.

They manage to fi gure out a way to add the line “Me Tarzan you Jane,” without it sounding like a comedy bit. And the memorable Tarzan yell has been altered slightly (but the writers add a line of commentary to acknowledge the change).

Director David Yates, best known for his guiding of four Harry Potter fi lms, delivers all these elements against a backdrop that is stunning. From mist fi lled jungles to rolling fi elds of grass, Tarzan’s world is shown in amazing scope.

He’s not quite as adept with the computer generated creatures, even to the point of some of them changing their size scale in a scene. It’s not a failing — more of a stumble in what is generally a solid take on a jungle story that has been presented on big and small screens since 1918.

The Legend of Tarzan is not the king of jungle movies, but it is presented with such royal reverence that some people will go ape over it. —The Fresno Bee/TNS

You might go ape over the entertaining Tarzan

By Moira Macdonald

Roald Dahl’s The BFG begins in the middle of the night; that magic hour of 3am when everything’s hushed and, in the book’s words, “all the dark things come out from hiding and (have) the world to themselves.”

Sophie (Ruby Barnhill), an insomniac girl living in a London orphanage, goes to the window to look out onto the quiet, wet street and sees a black-cloaked giant striding down the cobblestones, taller than a house. Soon, an enormous hand whisks her from her bed — and into an astonishing adventure.

First published in 1982, the book joined Dahl’s long list of classic, quirkily funny books for children. (Also among them: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, Matilda, Fantastic Mr. Fox, and if you didn’t grow up with at least a couple of these, you missed something.) The BFG was previously made into an animated movie in 1989, but really, it seems to have been waiting for Steven Spielberg to come along. The new fi lm, made with a mixture of live-action performance and digital techniques, is, at its heart, a story about dreams, beautifully captured in magical jewel-toned light.

The BFG (Big Friendly Giant, despite whatever R-rated possibility might occur to you), played by recent Academy Award winner Mark Rylance (Bridge of Spies), is, you see, a dream-gatherer. A kind, gentle creature who speaks

in a delightfully fractured language (this giant has, apparently, read Finnegans Wake) he catches dreams as they go “whiffl ing through the night air,” bottles them, and distributes them to sleeping children. And he’s a vegetarian, eating only vile snozzcumbers — unlike his nastier giant brethren, who dine on “human beans” and would gobble Sophie up, if only they could fi nd her.

Much of The BFG, perhaps a little too much, is devoted to watching Sophie madly scurry away from the giants; it’s a beautifully rendered chase but still just a chase. When the movie slows down to allow Rylance and Barnhill to converse, it fi nds its magic. Rylance, digitally rendered from motion-capture performance, fi nds a charming, gentle rapport with his young co-star, and his lilting wordplay (a television is a “telly telly bunkum box”; language is “a twitch-tickling problem”) creates its own music. And the third act, in which we learn of the complications that can ensue when a queen (Penelope Wilton) invites a giant to the palace for breakfast, is a delight. (Hint: Make plenty of toast.)

My 11-year-old assistant (who hadn’t read the book, but now wants to) pronounced it all good fun — “a solid three-and-a-half stars.” I’m knocking off half a star but overall agree with him: Spielberg, cinematographer Janusz Kaminski and screenwriter Melissa Mathison (E.T.; this was her last script before her death last year) fi nd some moments of genuine magic. “Make them all happy,” Sophie urges the BFG, as he prepares to spread an evening’s worth of dreams. This fi lm will likely have just that eff ect on its watchers. —The Seattle Times/TNS

BFG is a magical take on Roald Dahl’s classic tall tale

Ruby Barnhill and Mark Rylance in The BFG .

Samuel L Jackson, Margot Robbie and Alexander Skarsgard in The Legend of Tarzan.

15Thursday, July 7, 2016 GULF TIMES

COMMUNITYCELEBRITY

Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra, who has made a name for herself in international showbiz, says India is a diffi cult country and it will take time for things to change as far as the mindset towards women is concerned as well as in terms of the

diff erence between the rich and poor.“India is a diffi cult country. It is like one whole world wherein each state has diff erent traits, diff erent culture, diff erent language, diff erent writing, diff erent thought process and diff erent religion. It (change in mindset for women) is not going to happen tomorrow,” Priyanka said in New Delhi.The actress shared her views about the stereotypes that women are subjected to when she became a part of an event in the Indian capital.Priyanka, as a Unicef goodwill ambassador said this during the launch of a ‘Fair Start’ campaign. The session touched upon various issues like the gap between rich and poor, stereotypes that women face and how can more opportunities be created so that everyone in the country gets a fair chance to prove their potential. “We have forgotten humanity in this disparity. And we can overcome it by creating opportunity to include them (less privileged) in your life. Slowly you will make a diff erence. Opportunities should be created by the government, which they are (doing), but government cannot change mindset. Change will come from within us,” said the National Award winning actress.Asked to comment on how Indian women are still struggling

to get their rights, she said: “Since the time I remember, and it is not our country’s fault, the whole world treats women as second fi ddle. It will take some time to change that. And the change can only come when all the girls will stand united and ask for their right.”The Mary Kom actress shared that the most important thing to do right now is that all the “mothers should teach their sons to respect women”.The actress even urged the people of the country to give opportunities to girls so they can show their calibre. Dressed in a white shirt and long yellow skirt, the diva, who was appointed a Unicef national ambassador in 2010, however stood by her origins. “I am on more planes than I am on land, but I wouldn’t have chosen to be anywhere else except here,” Priyanka said, hinting at her busy schedule which includes juggling between her life abroad and in India.The event was not only high on Priyanka’s star power, but also stayed true to the essence of the campaign. There were children from various schools present, and students and media from Haryana also became part of the event through video conferencing. Using nursery rhymes from Ringa ringa roses, Jack and Jill, Twinkle, twinkle little star to Johny Johny, yes papa, the fi lm weaved a story of how the disparity and huge gap between the rich and the poor in the country is eating away the youth. It highlighted the gap, but also showed the similarities that ties the children together.

A 14-year-old girl, who shared the dais with Priyanka and Unicef representative in India Louis Georges Arsenault, shared her point of view, saying that “we need to connect to the less privileged. When we connect to the less privileged, then I think we start caring about what they are going through. When we start to care, then we start to empower them.”The actress, who has garnered fame at the home turf and internationally, was fl oored by the confi dence of the girl. “You remind me of me. I remember when I was 17 standing on the stage on Miss India and being asked big questions. It takes extra amount of bravery to share platform, to be able to bring your thoughts together. I am inspired by you. Thank you for doing it that hasn’t happened for a very long time,” Priyanka said. Priyanka, who has extended her support to several social causes, believes in the initiative, but says it will take some time for the change to seep in. “We can’t bring a change. We cannot eradicate poverty, we can’t bridge the gap of the wealthy and the less privileged. Let’s not live in a delusional world. But we can work towards an opportunity, help someone.” “I believe in equality of gender, career, equality in opinion and equality all around. We can talk about it. People will write and that will make people think about it. It will start a discussion... boond boond se saagar banta hai (drops of water make an ocean).” As part of the campaign, a series of impactful fi lms will give an insight into the lives of millions of children from various backgrounds, who are full of potential but less likely to grow up healthy and safe, less likely to attend school, less likely to learn and more likely to be married as children. —IANS

Priyanka calls for change of mindset towards women

Star bristles over Salman rape remark question

Priyanka Chopra remained fi rm on her stance of not commenting on superstar Salman Khan’s ‘raped woman’ analogy, which has been creating quite a stir. The actress says she feels sad that the media prefers to talk about the controversy rather than other important issues.Asked about her view on the controversy, she said: “I have been asked this around 35 times and I have answered some 20 newspapers. It makes me sad that media chooses to ask this question on a forum where we are talking about empowering the young generation of the country.”The actress went on to say that the remark was as callous as the question.Salman courted controversy when he said that he felt like a “raped woman” while walking out of the wrestling ring after shooting for his forthcoming fi lm Sultan.She said: “I will not add to the clutter and rather talk about important issues.”The Fashion star also shared that what one chooses to do or say is an individualistic choice.“I choose to be here and talk about this (empowering youths), but if someone doesn’t then we cannot blame them.”

CANDID: “We have forgotten humanity in this disparity,” says the top actress.

“India is a difficult country. It is like one whole world wherein each state has different traits, different culture, different language, different writing, different thought process and different religion. It (change in mindset for women) is not going to happen tomorrow”

Thursday, July 7, 201616 GULF TIMES

COMMUNITY

A time for traditional delicaciesBy Umer Nangiana

Marking the end of days of fasting and the holy month of Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr is the most joyous festival for Muslims across the world. For hundreds of expatriates from South Asia living in Qatar, it also brings with it that added delight of

savouring some of the best traditional delicacies from their own countries.

And Halwa Puri is the biggest hit on Eid days. People fl ock the outlets in town selling this deep-fried bread served with a traditional sweet and chickpeas.

This time again, long queues appeared in front of Pakistan Sweets, the 50-year-old sweets’ outlet that continues to be a huge attraction for the local communities particularly those from the subcontinent.

Moved to a bigger and a better location in Ghanim Qadeer near KFC from its original location in Mushreib, the shop catered to an even bigger audience this year than it normally does.

“People started lining up outside the shop right after the Eid prayers early morning. Dozens of them had already booked their orders on phone the night before and collected their orders early morning even before the Eid prayers,” said the owner of Pakistan Sweets, Nabil Ismail.

There is no compromise on taste. And when it comes to taste, the 50-year-old Pakistan Sweets off ers the best option available in town. People wait for hours under the scorching sun to get their share of the Halwa Puri.

“We try to accommodate as many people as possible and try not to send anybody empty-handed on this big day. This time we had prepared more puris and halwa than we used to do at our old shop,” said Ismail.

He opened the shop early in the morning, soon after the Eid prayers, and people started arriving immediately. His estimate was that the stock of Halwa Puris, for which they have been preparing ingredients over the night, will last about three hours. It lasted two and a half.

On the fi rst three days of Eid, it is just too many people, says Ismail, adding that Pakistani, Indian, Bangladeshi and Nepali expatriates just love Halwa Puri and Channay (chickpeas gravy) in breakfast on Eid.

Inside the shop, they sell traditional sweets. People get gift boxes in dozens of many diff erent varieties of Pakistani sweets prepared in what they call ‘desi ghee’, or clarifi ed butter.

Having limited seating capacity, the shop did not open the dine-in option for visitors and they had to rely only on take-away option. Ismail says he also gets a number of Qatari locals in his audience besides the people from sub-continent.

Other than Halwa Puri, this old shop is known for its Pakistani

street food such as samosas (a baked pastry with savoury fi lling), which Ismail says are particularly popular among the Nepali community.

He has also introduced many new varieties to the collection of traditional sweets including popular recipes from the food capital of Pakistan, Lahore.

These include the mouth-watering Pakistani Dahi Bhalay, Qulfi , Kheer (all milk and yogurt-based dishes), dry fruit halwas, and others.

Pakistan Sweets, Ismail says, has established its reputation for authentic taste in street food delicacies such as Gol Gappay, Lahori Pura and other street food using 12 diff erent kinds of spices.

“We prepare our sweets and other street food delicacies in Pakistani traditional style using the same recipes and ingredients. So it’s an authentic Pakistani taste that you would

get from our sweets,” he adds.They have also introduced gift packing for the sweets, as well

as smaller sizes of boxes for sweets, on public demand. In sweets, they have introduced new varieties of halwas that include walnut and coconut and other dry fruit halwas.

Two of the most popular desserts from Pakistan, Falooda and Qulfi Falooda also proved to be very popular among the visitors coming to the shop yesterday. Customers also savour the traditional Firni, says Ismail.

Apart from Eid and other special occasions, Pakistan Sweets off ers Halwa Puri breakfast every day. But Fridays are special. Fridays witness a similar rush of people starting early morning. Besides Halwa Puri and Channay, the bakery and sweet shop has also on off er diff erent varieties of Pakistani sweets, ranging from Rasmalai, Gulab Jaman, Rus Gulay, Dhoodh Halwa, and Coconut Halwa.

The savoury Halwa Puri is the most favourite breakfast option for many on Eid.Traditional sweets from Pakistan.

Hundreds of people lined up for Halwa Puri yesterday. Photos Umer Nangiana