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SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT INSIDE

Health alert to MERS flight passengers

REJIMON Kreji@timesofoman.com

MUSCAT: Passengers on board Oman Air’s June 15 flight WY815 have been advised by the airline to visit a medical professional to check their health status after a 75-year-old Omani business-man on the same journey was tested positive for MERS (Mid-dle East Respiratory Syndrome) virus in Thailand.

Currently, the Omani is admit-ted to a hospital and kept in isola-tion in Bangkok. Three relatives of the man are also being kept in isolation rooms at the Thai in-stitute and had tested negative for the virus, Surachet Satinira-mai, acting permanent secretary at the Thai health ministry, said on Saturday.

“If, within the next two weeks, any passenger on the same flight experiences acute respiratory ill-ness, including fever, cough, and shortness of breath, we urge them to seek immediate medical help,” the airlines said in a statement.

Meanwhile, an official from Oman Air told Times of Oman that the carrier is co-ordinating

with global health and aviation authorities to initiate steps for tackling MERS threat.

“We are co-ordinating with global and regional authorities from the health and aviation sec-tor on what has to be done next. The guidelines set by them will be followed strictly,” the official told the Times of Oman.

“Oman Air is working closely with all the relevant health and aviation authorities so that any risk to the health of fellow pas-senger is minimised,” said the of-ficial, adding that modern aircraft do not pose any such threat even if there is an infected passenger.

An official from Oman Airport Management Company said that they are also co-ordinating with global authorities to take pre-cautions in special situations.

Precautions“When these kinds of outbreaks occur, precautionary steps are taken at all airports globally. We are co-ordinating with the global authorities on health and safety concerns. The guidelines set by them will be followed,” the offi-cial from OAMC, told the Times

of Oman. A medic said that self-medication by patients who are infected with influenza can wors-en the situation.

“In the initial phase the fatality rate is only one per cent. But in the second phase, it will be 50 to 60 per cent. So, patients, and those who are close to such patients, should be more cautious. Scien-tists are not sure of the origin of the virus, but several studies have linked it to camels and some ex-perts think it is being passed on to humans through close physical contact or through the consump-tion of camel meat or camel milk. So, those who work in a camel butchery shops or those who con-sume poorly cooked camel meat should be cautious,” said Basheer A, a senior doctor at the general medicine department in Badr Al Samaa Ruwi Hospital.

On Friday, Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health said in a press statement that 85 people had come into contact with the Oma-ni businessman.

It was not clear though whether all 85, including a taxi driver, air-line passengers and medical staff, have been traced and quarantined.

The man landed in Bangkok on Monday and sought treatment that night at Bangkok’s Bumrun-grad International Hospital for a cough, later running a fever.

The private hospital kept him and his relatives in isolation be-fore they were moved to the state-run Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute just outside Bangkok on Thursday.

QuarantineThe hospital called a press con-ference on Friday, saying it had quarantined 58 staff members.

Meanwhile, the MERS pa-tient is “a little better”, Dr Sopon Mekthon, director of Thai Health Ministry’s disease control depart-ment, told The Straits Times. “He is out of the respirator,” he said.

Passengers at Bangkok’s Su-varnabhumi Airport underwent checks by thermoscan machines on Friday and health warning cards were issued on flights con-nected to high-risk areas for Mers.

The airport is a major aviation hub for the region, while the city is one of the world’s top tourism destinations.- With inputs from agencies

Taking steps to

tackle threat from

MERS, Oman Air

has advised all the

passengers on its

June 15 flight to

Bangkok to consult

a doctor if they feel

acute respiratory

illness, including

fever, cough, and

shortness of breathCO-ORDINATING EFFORTS: Oman Air is co-ordinating with global health and aviation authorities to

initiate steps for tackling MERS threat. - This picture has been used for illustrative purpose only

TARIQ AL HAREMItariqh@timesofoman.com

MUSCAT: Urging parents not to take their children at Sheesha cafes, doctors in Oman have said that children are at a greater risk from passive smoking.

Dr Mohammad Tarek Al Dairi, cardiologist at Al Hayat Hospital, explained that children get af-fected faster than adults, and par-ents should keep children away from smoke.

“Those who smoke sheesha in cafes mostly smoke at home too. So, if there are children at home, they get affected anyway,” said Dr Al Dairi.

Hanging out at sheesha cafes is a common activity and most people do that to relax. However, some families visit sheesha cafes

accompanied by their children, which experts feel is a cause for concern since children would be subjected to the smoke.

“Children’s respiratory sys-tems would be affected if they inhale smoke passively. My ad-vice to parents, whether they are smoking at home or in public, is to keep children away from the smoke,” he said. >A6

P A S S I V E S M O K I N G

Sheesha kept in cafes.

Omanis won’t go for 88% of expat jobs, says officialSALIM AL HASHMI

MUSCAT: Omanis are unlikely to take up at least 88.5 per cent of the jobs held by the expatriates, indi-cated an official from the Ministry of Manpower.

Speaking to Al Shabiba, sister publication of the Times of Oman, Salim bin Abdulaziz Al Meshaikhi, director general of employment at the Ministry of Manpower, said

that a majority of the expatri-ate workforce was unskilled and working in the construction and service sector.

“Omanis do not prefer such jobs,” he said. Also, he said most projects where expatriates work were temporary projects, and Omanis were hardly interested in taking up opportunities in such projects without long-term prospects. >A6

M I N I S T R Y O F M A N P O W E R

A5Passion for preserving Oman’s rich past

OMANDealing with drugs

1It is time to stop treating drug addiction as a crime and remove the stigma

attached to it if we want to eradicate the problem. >A2

OMANRamadan rations

2Dar Al Atta’a distributed Ramadan ration packs to 855

families across Oman. These packages were sponsored by different companies. >A3

MARKETPhoenix Power share

3Phoenix Power, which floated an IPO of OMR56.3 million, has

allotted a minimum of 3,000 shares. >B1

TOP THREE INSIDE STORIES

Don’t take your children to sheesha cafes, warn medics

Expats’ educational level (APRIL 2015)

2,157

636Ph.D

Higherdegrees

4,828

1,125Master degree

4,163

770Higherdiploma

76,501

16,109University

43,863

9,079Diploma

224,571

17,286Secondary

66,234Preparatory

126,227

19,675Primary

49,024Read & Write

19,306

2,110Illiterate

18,127

5,948Not stated

2,793

5,953

4,933

92,610

52,942

241,857

589,373

145,902

422,304

21,416

24,075

MenBy genderLevel Total

Women

1,420,852

159,231

Total stated

1,580,084

1,604,158TOTAL EXPAT WORKERS

1,416,162MEN

187,996WOMEN

Lowerdegrees

GraphicsSource: NCSI

523,139

373,280

11.5%

88.5%

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A2 S U N DAY, J U N E 2 1 , 2 0 1 5

OMAN

It is time to stop treat-ing drug addiction as a crime and remove the huge stigma at-tached to it if we want

to eradicate the problem completely.

More than 8,000 people are officially addicted to various illegal drugs in the country, according to hospital records. The tragedy is that about 40 percent of this figure involves young people under the age of 30 years. The second tragedy is that the age of getting hooked on drugs here in Oman is dropping at an alarming rate. About two-thirds of them have been addicted to drugs for years because they receive no help. That means only a third of them get proper help and beat the addiction. The lucky ones who kick the bad habit do it by flying abroad to rehabilitation centres.

Most popular destinations are Thailand, India and neigh-bouring United Arab Emirates. However, treatment in these specialised rehab centres is very expensive. Only drug addicts from rich families get the help they need. The rest, because they do not get the support they need, end up in prisons only to come out and go back in again.

Again hospital statistics should alarm many with the clear evidence that a good number of drug addiction ‘patients’ die of overdose by the time they reach the emergency wings. These are the ‘unneces-sary deaths’ that could have been prevented. The same goes for the convictions of young people in their twenties spend-ing time in prison for experi-menting with drugs instead of receiving specialised help.

Spreading awareness is key to combat the spread of drug addiction. For example, doctors say the drug which is becoming more popular among addicts in Oman is Tramadol. It is available only on prescrip-

tion but rogue traders sell it under the counter. Although Tramadol is not as strong as heroin, it shares many of the same effects and both are highly addictive. However, it is much easier to get in the country than heroin and its abuse is now widespread. The rising danger is that teenagers like to use Tramadol because it is accessible with relative ease. Most of them are students who do not do well at schools or dropouts who cannot find jobs. But to curb the spread of the lethal use of drugs will take more than police enforcement.

As in the case of Tramadol, monitoring the pharmaceuti-cal industry is crucial as well as fighting illegal smugglers to help drug enforcement laws. But more crucial is the under-standing why young people are increasingly turning to drugs. If they are caught, is throw-ing them in prisons the right solution? Social pressures, bad parenting and perhaps, mental incompetence are among the major causes, according to medical experts. They should know because they treat them all the time. Perhaps, classifi-cations of drug addicts must be uniform to all. For example, doctors call them patients while the police see them as criminals.

The gap between the hos-pitals and law enforcement agencies must be bridged when it comes to tagging drug users. Should they be punished or rehabilitated? Certainly the latter is the obvious choice. As we can see, we must do more than simply declaring war on illegal drug use. Targeting ad-dicted youths without banish-ing them from the society is a good start.

This way, we remove stigmas attached to them and clearly send a signal that drug users can be helped. Other-wise, they will go underground and cause more harm to themselves and the general public. Drug addiction not only kills users, but also increases the rate of crime and road traffic accidents. The most effective way of combating the problem is the establishment of a network of drug addic-tion specialists in every local health centre in the Sultan-ate. Awareness campaigns should be regularly conducted in educational institutions, through street posters, shop-ping malls, the media and even visits to homes in areas where it is most prevalent. It cannot be ignored in the hope it will go away by itself in time.

saleh@timesofoman.com

Drug addiction, a silent killerCOMMENTARY

H AV E YOU R SAY AT T W I T T E R.CO M /T I M ES O F O M A N O R S CA N T H E CO D E TO I N STA N T LY P O ST YOU R T H O U G H TS .

Only drug addicts from rich families get the help they need. The rest, because they get no support they need, end up in prisons

The gap between the hospitals and law enforcement

agencies must be bridged when it comes to tagging

drug users. Should they be punished or rehabilitated?

Certainly the latter is the obvious choice.

Sunday Beat

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OMANS U N DAY, J U N E 2 1 , 2 0 1 5

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More Omanis joining private firms

STAFF REPORTER

MUSCAT: Attractive salaries and other benefits have resulted in an increase in the number of Omanis joining the private sector, said a company owner.

“Now the benefits and work en-vironment in the private sector are almost the same as that of the pub-lic sector. So, Omanis have started to see the private sector as an at-tractive option,” Ahmed Hamoud Al Shabibi, managing director of Al Shabibi Global LLC, told the Times of Oman.

“Moreover, the career growth in the private sector is also promising if you are skilled and competent,” he added.

According to statistics, the total number of insured Omanis work-ing in the private sector till the end of last May reached 204,591, a 0.5 per cent increase compared to fig-ures last April.

Taxable incomeThis included 16,163 citizens who did not update their data as per tax-able income. The number of work-ers who received salaries ranging from OMR500 and OMR600 and between OMR600 and OMR700 recorded the highest percentage.

The latest statistics issued by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) indicated that the number of male Oma-nis working in the private sector reached 157,465, while females reached 47,126.

Salary dropThe category of workers who re-ceive salaries ranging between OMR325 and OMR400 recorded the highest drop in percentages of 1.1 per cent despite the fact that it represented the highest number

of Omani citizens working in the private sector with 63,069 citi-zens, comprising 42,859 males and 20,210 females. The category that receives insured salaries ranging between OMR400 and OMR500 decreased 0.1 per cent, to reach 46,295, comprising 40,577 males and 5,718 females.

Rising numbersAs for the category of salaries be-tween OMR500 and OMR600, the number of Omani workers under this category reached 20,546 com-

prising including 16,897 males and 3649 females, an increase of 0.8 per cent.

The percentage of Omani work-ers who receive salaries between OMR600 and OMR700 increased 0.8 per cent reaching 13,500 citi-zens, including 10,891 males and 2,609 females.

As for the category of work-ers who receive salaries between OMR700 and OMR800, the num-ber of Omanis reached 8,858, in-cluding 6,997 males and 1,861 fe-males, a 0.7 per cent rise.

The number of Omanis working in the private sector who receive salaries between OMR800 and OMR900 reached 6,448 compris-ing 4,870 males and 1,578 females, a 1.6 per cent rise.

DecreaseThere was a decrease in the cat-egory of Omanis receiving salaries between OMR900 and OMR1,000, who totalled 4,837, comprising 3,633 males and 1,204 females, a 0.7 per cent increase.

The percentage of Omani work-ers who received salaries between OMR1,000 and OMR2,000 in-creased 1.1 per cent to total 17,951, comprising 14,352 males and 3,599 females.

Top salary bracketOn the other hand, the category of citizens who received salaries exceeding OMR2,000 witnessed a decrease of 1.1 per cent. The num-

ber of Omani workers in this cat-egory reached 6,924 and included 6188 males and 763 females.

The number of workers whose data has not been updated accord-ing to the salaries subjected to the insurance subscription reached 16,163, including 10,201 males and 5,962 females. As for the distri-bution of Omanis in the private sector to the governorates of the Sultanate, the largest number remains in Muscat.

Muscat topsThe number of workers in Muscat reached 71,685, followed by North Al Batinah with 37,821, Al Dakhili-yah with 23,579 and South Al Bati-nah with 19,587.

The number of Omanis work-ing in the private sector in Dhofar reached 12,176. In Musandam, 1,079 Omanis worked in the pri-vate sector.

In Al Buraimi, there are 3,378 citizens working in the private sector, and in South Al Sharqiyah the number was 12,016.

North Al Sharqiyah recorded 12,091 citizens, and Al Dhahirah recorded 9,016, while in Al Wusta, there were 1,118 Omanis in the private sector.

With benefits and

work environment

in the private sector

reaching the levels

of the public sector,

more Omanis are

getting attracted to

jobs in the former

Source: National Centre for Statistics and Information Graphics

Omanis in private sectorOmanis have started to consider the private sector as attractive.

325-400(OMR)

By governorateWorkers by salary range

400-500

500-600

600-700

700-800

800-900

900-1000

1000-2000

2000 above

42,85920,210

5,718

3,649

2,609

1,861

1,578

1,204

3,599

763

40,577

16,897

10,891

6,997

4,870

3,633

14,352

6,188

Insured Omanis working in the private sector (May 2015)

204,591 Citizens who did not update

their taxable income data

16,163

Muscat 71,685

37,821North Al Batinah

South Al Batinah 19,587

Al Dakhiliyah 23,579

Dhofar 12,176

Musandam 1,079

Al Buraimi 3,378

South Al Sharqiyah 12,016

North Al Sharqiyah 12,091

Al Dhahirah 9,016

Al Wusta 1,118

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Al Mawalih Market

stocked for Ramadan

Times News Service

MUSCAT: Al Mawalih Central Market is been well stocked for the Holy Month of Ramadan. It has co-ordinated with suppliers and importers to offer products to everyone and facilitated the avail-ability of services to shoppers.

The market is located in south-ern Al Mawalih in the Wilayat of Al Seeb. It is a large commercial landmark and is also one of the largest markets in the Sultan-ate, with a total area of 185,000 square metres.

The market administration is keen on a number of measures approved by the municipality for the smooth functioning of the

market. Before the entry of any truck into the market the driver has to submit official documents from the country of origin to be recorded at the market gate by municipal employees. After that, the truck heads to the un-loading area, supervised by two customs clearance companies for imported products.

The truck and its cargo are weighed first by quarantine offi-cials, then inspected by customs officials, followed by an inspec-tion by the municipality and agricultural quarantine. After completing these measures, the custom-clearance officials un-load the truck and send the cargo to the selling area.

C I V I L S U P P L Y

DAR AL ATTA’A DISTRIBUTES RAMADAN RATIONS TO 855 FAMILIESDar Al Atta’a distributed

Ramadan ration packs

to 855 families across

the Sultanate in Sohar,

Quriyat, Sidab, Tanof, Ibri,

Bidiya, Siyaa, Masirah, Al

Hamra, Salalah, Samail,

Omeq Al Rubakh, Bidbid

and Rustaq. These pack-

ages were sponsored by

different companies and

banks such as Bank Dho-

far and Standard Char-

tered Bank, Bank Nizwa

and Bank Muscat, Oman

Flour Mills Company,

Ahmed and Fuad Com-

pany and Mazda. Maryam

Al Zadjali, Chairperson of

Dar Al Atta’a stated: “We

are delighted with this

initiative and support

from corporate sponsors.

In recognition of this

initiative we are look-

ing forward to long-term

relationship with these

companies and banks to

support Dar Al Atta’a As-

sociation’s programmes.”

-Supplied photo

ENOUGH FOR EVERYONE: The Al Mawalih Central Market

sees 25 to 30 trucks entering daily from outside the Sultanate

through land border posts.–ONA

Oman, Japan sign pact on investment, trade growthTOKYO: An agreement on en-couragement and protection of joint investment between the Sultanate of Oman and the Government of Japan was signed at the premises of the foreign ministry.

On behalf of the Government of the Sultanate it was signed by Khalid bin Hashil bin Mo-hammed Al Maslahi, the Sul-tanate’s ambassador to Japan, while from the Japanese side it was signed by Yasuhide Na-kayama, State Minister for Foreign Affairs.

InfrastructureThe agreement aims to encour-age Omani businessmen and investors and their Japanese counterparts to invest in both the countries by making availa-ble the infrastructure and other government support which help encourage commercial and in-vestment activities.

It also aimed to initiate a new stage of economic and commer-cial cooperation between the two countries.

The agreement follows the earlier agreement signed by both the countries on avoid-ance of double taxation on Jan-uary 9, 2014, during the Japa-nese prime minister’s visit to the Sultanate.–ONA

E C O N O M Y

A4 S U N DAY, J U N E 2 1 , 2 0 1 5

A overwhelming majority of reverts to Islam give the reason for adopting Islam as the Holy Quran. Little wonder then

the Holy Quran has succeeded in changing the hearts of many people. The Holy Quran, Muslims believe, is the final testament God revealed to the human beings through Prophet Mohammed (PBUH). Muslims be-lieve that that the Holy Quran af-firms everything that was revealed to all the previous messengers in the past including Prophets Abraham, Ismail, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and Je-sus (peace be upon them all). The Holy Quran is the heart and soul of Islam, the Wisdom of God. It is the Word of Allah, the Kalamullah.

Ramadan is the month in which the Quran was sent down, as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (between right and wrong). So every one of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting.”. This Quranic verse ex-plains the inseparable link between the Holy Quran and the Holy Month of Ramadan. It is an instruction manual for our lives, which we must not only read but also implement.

Allah says in the Holy  Quran: We will show them Our signs in the uni-verse and in their own selves, until it becomes manifest to them that this (Quran) is the truth  (42:53).  Indeed to reflect on Allah’s verses is a form of worship that will bring one closer to Allah,  The Most High. This reflec-tion is not a reckless and wandering one, rather it includes a study of the classical explanation of the verses being pondered over, as this would fulfil Ibnul-Qayyim’s great advice, Such as reflecting over a book which a person has memorised and he ex-pounds it so that he may understand what its author intends by it.

The Holy Quran was sent down in the month of Ramadan on the Night of Power Lailatul Qadr. (Al-Quran, 97: 1,2,3). It is the month of Rama-dan that Allah has honoured us by revealing the Holy Quran. Because of this strong relation between the Holy Quran and the month of Ram-adan, Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) used to read the holy book to Arch-angel Jibreel every Ramadan. The Holy Quran represents the culmination of all other earlier Re-vealed Books.

The last of the Revealed Books, the Holy Quran is the first religious book in the world, which requires belief in other revelations, a part of its Faith. Allah says  in the Holy Quran: Rama-dan is the (month) in which was sent down the Holy  Quran, as a guide to Mankind, also clear (Signs) for guid-ance and judgment (between right and wrong) (2:185). Allah has espe-cially mentioned the exact date and month of the revelation: We have indeed revealed This (Message) in the Night of Power. (97:1) So the pur-pose of the revelation of the Quran was for guidance of mankind.

Easy to learn and understandThe Almighty have stressed the simplicity of the Holy Quran in the following verse: “And we have in-deed made the Quran easy to under-stand and remember: Then is there any that will receive admonition?” (Al Qamar-17).

The statement that the Holy Quran is made easy prompts the reader to listen to the Message and turn to the Truth and Righteous-ness of the Quranic Invitation.

Its originality and authentic-ity has been guaranteed by no other than Allah. The  mankind and jinn are challenged to produce a Book like it and has not produced one.

It is the only Revealed Book whose text stands pure and uncorrupted today and will remain so for ever. Al-lah says, If the whole of mankind and jinns were to gather together to pro-duce the like of this Holy Quran, they could not produce the like thereof, even if they backed up each other with help and support. (17:88).

Since the revelation of the Holy   Quran, the enemies of Islam have been trying to distort it. First-ly, they said, it is not revelation, it is written by Prophet Mohammed (PBUH). Then they started attack-ing its authenticity and original-ity. In spite of their conspiracy, the teachings of Islam have been preserved in its original form. The Holy Quran is the only Book in the world, which has remained for the past 14 centuries pure without any interpolation or change and would remain so till the Last Day as Al-lah has guaranteed its purity in the Holy  Quran.

The Quran is the basis of the re-ligion of Islam, and on the preser-vation and propagation of the Holy Quran depends the very existence of this Faith. The message of the

Quran is universal and eternal. Hence the virtue of learning and

teaching the Quran is self-evident and does not need further elucida-tion. The Prophet (PBUH) said, The best amongst you is he who learns the Holy Quran and teaches it. (Bukhari, Daud and Tirmidhi).

Thus, Muslims are encouraged to read the Holy Quran regularly and even more so in the Holy month of Ramadan. Let us reap the benefits of Ramadan by reciting the Quran in this blessed month with trans-lation and act upon the guidance which it gives.

TODAY’S DUAA

‘O Allah, I seek refuge in you from grief and sadness, from weakness and from laziness, from miserliness and from cowardice, from being over-come by debt and from being overpowered by men (i.e. other people).’

Holy Quran & RamadanRamadan is the month in which the Holy Quran was sent down, as a guide to mankind. The Holy Quran is the book of God preserved from all forms of distortions and relevant for all times to come, writes AFTAB H. KOLA

HERE are nine great benefits for reciting the Holy Quran:

1 Reading and reflecting over the Holy Quran fulfils

an Islamic duty. Thus by reading and pondering over the Holy  Quran, one fulfils an obligation and is rewarded for that. Upon fulfilling this obligation, the Holy  Quran then becomes a proof for him on the Day of Judgment! This takes us to the second benefit.

2 The Holy  Quran  will be a proof for us on the Day of

Judgment. This is due to the Hadith of Prophet Moham-mad (PBUH): And the Holy  Quran  is a proof for you or against you.

3 The Holy  Quran  will intercede for us on the Day

of Judgment. A proof for that: Abu Umaamah narrated that Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said: Read the Holy  Quran,  for verily it will come on the Day of Standing as an intercessor for its companions.

4 Your status in this life will be raised. In Saheeh

Muslim, there is this beauti-ful story, that shows how a man from the people of Jannah (Paradise), Umar ibn Al-Khattab, understood this principle. Some men came to question him during his khilaafah (reign) about the leadership of Makkah, they asked, Who do you choose to govern Makkah? He said, Ibn Abzaa. They asked, And who is Ibn Abzaa? Umar replied, A freed slave from those we freed. They remarked, You left a freed slave in charge of the people of the Valley (the noble tribes of the Quraysh)!? So he answered them, Verily he is a reader of the Book of Allah and is knowledgeable about the obligations of the Muslims. Haven t you heard the statement of your Mes-senger? Verily Allah raises some people by this Book and lowers others by it.

5 You will be from the best of the people. Uthman Ibn

Affan (Allah be pleased with him) said that Prophet Mo-hammed (PBUH) said: The best of you are the ones who learn the Holy  Quran  and teach it to others.

6 There are 10 rewards for each letter you recite from

the Holy  Quran. Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) said: Whoever reads a letter from the Book of Allah, he will have a reward. And that reward will be multiplied by ten. I am not saying that Alif, Laam, Meem is a letter, rather I am saying that Alif is a letter, Laam is a letter and Meem is a letter. So try to recite as much verses of the Holy  Quran  as you can.

7 Those who recite the Holy Quran  will be in the

company of the noble and obedient angels.

8 Your position in Paradise is determined by the

amount of Holy Quran you memorise in your life!

9 The Holy  Quran  will lead you to Paradise!

The great benefits of reciting the Holy Quran

Hadith of the dayABU HURAIRA related that the Prophet said: Allah the Majestic and Exalted said: “Every deed of man will receive ten to 700 times reward, except Siyam (fast-ing), for it is for Me and I shall reward it (as I like). There are two occasions of joy for one who fasts: one when he breaks the fast and the other when he will meet his Lord” — (Muslim).

- Source: Islamonline.com

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Passion for preserving the past

SARAH MACDONALDsarah@timesofoman.com

AL KAMIL: When Khalfan Al Hashmi’s old family castle in Al Kamil was renovated, he didn’t want to leave it unused so he filled with over 14,000 antiques and oth-er items he had collected over the years and turned it into an award-winning museum.

Khalfan, 42, has been gathering antiques and other collectibles from around Oman since he was a teenager. An avid history buff, he worries that many people don’t value these things anymore so by buying them himself he can save them for generations to come.

The castle, which is four storeys high and includes a falaj running through one of the rooms, was originally built towards the end of the 17th century, Khalfan ex-plained. During the reign of Sultan Said bin Taimur, his family gave it to the government to use as the wa-li’s office. In 2003, thanks to orders from His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, the castle was renovated and given back to the family.

Glimpse of the past In 2009 Khalfan retired from his job at the Diwan in Muscat and moved back to the castle in Al Kamil, bringing with him thou-sands of antiques. In 2012 he opened the Al Kamil Old Castle Museum, where Omanis and tour-ists alike can get a glimpse into Oman’s past.

“This is my hobby. When I was 15-years-old I started (collecting). When the government built the castle again for us it came the idea to make the museum. I worked hard to bring the antiques from many cities in Oman, from Khasab to Salalah,” Khalfan explained.

Room after room is filled with a range of items that Khalfan has collected. There are rooms filled

with copper pots, pans and uten-sils, beautiful china dishes, com-memorative items depicting the sultans, old radios and TV sets, children’s toys and bowls and bags woven from date palms. There are old pottery pots and jugs, silver and gold necklaces and bracelets, glass bottles, telephone books, ex-pired passports, stamps and coins.

“There are many things here, an-ything for Omani heritage. I have silver for women. I have wood, like ‘mandoos’. I have silver for men, like khanjars. I have old guns. Any-thing about Oman you’ll find in my museum,” Khalfan said.

Some of the items date back hundreds of years but there are also some newer items, like plas-tic toys or children’s clothes from the 1980s, and modern-day phone cards and money. Khalfan said it was important to include some newer things because they remind people of the more recent past.

“It brings back memories for them, from 25 or 30 years ago. Not all the people like old things but these bring (memories) for them,” he said, pointing at an black rotary phone.

In some cases he has a few ex-amples of the different collecti-bles, but in others he has collected hundreds of examples of the same thing, like china bowls and plates and copper coffee pots. Khalfan ad-mits that some people have called him crazy because of his tendency to buy things by the hundreds, but he has his own reasons for collect-ing so many antiques.

“I need to save the antiques be-cause the people don’t appreciate it. They break them or lose the old things. I can bring one or two things, like other museums, but I want to save the antiques. Some-times I don’t have money but I still buy them to save them. I need them for the future for people (to) to learn,” Khalfan explained.

Collection Khalfan has become an expert on all the items in the museum and can tell visitors where each thing is from, what it was used for, and how it came to be in his collection. He organised the entire museum himself, insisting on doing it by himself without the help of others.

“I don’t like to ask for help. I had to do it by myself,” he said.

Khalfan said it was his grandfa-ther’s memory that inspired him to open the museum. As a teenager he lived with his grandfather, Halais Khadim Al Hashmi, who told him many stories about Oman’s his-tory and taught him to appreci-ate things which are old. He even dedicated one of the rooms to his grandfather, filling it with his pho-tos, letters, clothes, and personal items like his sunglasses.

His grandfather used to tell him he would become an impor-tant person, and now Khalfan has proven him right. The Al Kamil Old Castle Museum has just been awarded a certificate of honour from the Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council in rec-ognition for his contribution to preserving Oman’s history.

“Thanks to my grandfather I started this. He was always talk-ing about old things, old stories, old antiques. He would appreciate it too much if he knew what (I’ve done),” Khalfan said.

The castle, which

is four storeys high

and includes a falaj

running through

one of the rooms,

was originally built

towards the end of the

17th century, Khalfan

explained. During

the reign of Sultan

Said bin Taimur, his

family gave it to the

government to use

as the wali’s office. In

2003, the castle was

renovated and given

back to the family

HERITAGE HOUSE: Khalfan has become an expert on all the items in the museum and can tell visitors where each thing is from, what it

was used for, and how it came to be in his collection. – Photos, video: Venecio Datan

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There are many things here, anything for Omani heritage. I have silver for women. I have wood, like ‘mandoos’. I have silver for men, like khanjars. I have old guns. Anything about Oman you’ll find in my museum. It brings back memories for them, from 25 or 30 years ago

Khalfan Al HashmiOwner of Al Kamil castle

US, Oman officials discuss free trade agreement Times News Service

MUSCAT: United States-Oman Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and the mutual benefits derived from it, as well as ways to reinforce the strong bilateral economic ties were discussed during the visit of Dan Mullaney, assistant Unit-ed States trade representative (AUSTR) here.

He was accompanied by a del-egation from of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) and the Federal Trade Commis-sion. Greta C. Holtz, US ambas-sador, accompanied Mullaney and the delegation to a high-level meeting with the Government of Oman, represented by Dr Ali bin Mas’ud bin Ali Al Sunaidy, minis-ter of commerce and industry.

The USTR delegation also had the opportunity to discuss customs issues related to the FTA with the Royal Oman Police (ROP) Customs Directorate, and also discussed ways to maximise

the FTA’s reach and accessibil-ity to Omani businesses with the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI).

The USTR delegation partici-pated in a panel discussion, or-ganised by the Oman American Business Council, with the pri-vate sector and the OCCI. Both the US and Oman put immense efforts into negotiating the FTA to provide a legal frame-work for the private sector to benefit and increase bilateral trade and investment.

The US and Oman remain committed to this goal and to in-crease awareness and utilisation of the FTA as well as to ensure that all of the obligations in the agreement are fully met.

“The FTA has been an impor-tant part of our strategic trade relationship since 2009. The US-TR’s visit highlights our political and economic commitment to helping Omani businesses and the Omani government recog-

nises the FTA as a comprehen-sive and valuable agreement,” said Holtz.

The USTR discussions supple-mented the on-going US – Oman FTA awareness seminar in which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and OCCI have part-nered with the US embassy and the ROP Customs to present the FTA to businesses in Muscat and Sohar. The programme will con-tinue with presentations in Sala-lah, Nizwa and Sur.

The FTA came into force on January 1, 2009, and is respon-sible for a 50 per cent increase in trade of goods and services between the US and Oman since that time.

The FTA eliminates most im-port tariffs, provides national treatment for business owner-ship, investment, and financial services, and increases oppor-tunities for bilateral trade and partnerships.

D I P L O M A C Y

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OMANS U N DAY, J U N E 2 1 , 2 0 1 5

Outward Bound Oman celebrates the national day every year

in a unique and life-experiencing kind of way. We had the only

option to do the Kilimanjaro trip in June due to weather conditions

Sultan Al Jabri, Omani expedition leader

New Seeb school block to help admit more studentsTimes News Service

MUSCAT: To accommodate the growing number of children seeking admission at the Indian School Al Seeb, the authorities recently inaugurated a new block.

“We are so grateful to our school authorities who have made relentless efforts to facilitate us, giving us a larger space and more class rooms to facilitate the grow-ing number of Seeb children,” Jayasree Parameswaran, the KG Head of the Department, said in a press statement.

Apart from the 18 class rooms, the new block will feature an ex-tra library and a computer lab for primary section, an extra staff room, a humanities lab and a fine arts room to meet the needs of the newly affiliated Humanities stream for class XI.

Wilson George, chairman, Board of Directors of the Indian School in Oman; George Mathew, former President, School Man-agement Committee & M.D. Hus-sain Fadhil & Partners; and . Biju Koshy, President School Manage-ment Committee, were present at the opening.

The school’s principal, Nagesh Kelkar, spoke about the jour-ney of this dream project. He af-firmed that the project was the

culmination of the dedicated ef-forts of the team members of the school management committee, ex-principals and teachers of the current and the past years. He ex-pressed his elation and said that the new block was a milestone

and such ventures will prepare our younger generation to meet future challenges, acquire broad based knowledge which will help them become responsible citi-zens with a sense of global and national identity.

Wilson George congratulated the teachers on the excellent Board results and reminded them that “the real essence of life and nature was continuity and evolution.”

As responsible members of the teaching fraternity, it was their

duty to construct a new civiliza-tion, a new centre of culture and art and a new set of wonderful citizens within these four walls.

He said the school’s new build-ing block was made not only with the effort of the school people but also with the precious support of parent community which remains behind the scene. George Mathew sincerely thanked the president of the school, Biju Koshy, and the SMC members for having invited him and expressed his happiness to be once again a part of this dream pro-ject on the day of its inauguration.

He recollected the time when they found it imperative to initiate a new block to accommodate the growing number of children and how the Board of Directors of the Indian Schools understood the school’s difficulty and supported them through thick and thin.

The most awaited moment of inauguration and unveiling of the stone of the building by. Wilson George and George Mathew was the cheerful applause from the gathering of parents and well-wishers. After the inaugura-tion, the guests had the pleasant experience of moving around in the new corridors with the addi-tional 18 class rooms and meet-ing the exuberant class teachers of these classes.

I N D I A N S C H O O L

MILESTONE: Apart from the 18 class rooms, the new block will feature an extra library and

a computer lab for primary section, an extra staff room, a humanities lab and a fine arts room

to meet the needs of the newly affiliated Humanities stream for class XI. - Supplied photo

Indian School Ghubra students

attend UN conference in Rome

Times News Service

MUSCAT: Twenty-four students and two teachers from the Indian School Al Ghubra attended the Montessori Model United Na-tions conference in Rome from May 26 to June 1.

Aamir Tufail Ahmed was cho-sen as assistant director and Rhea Chandwani and Aparna Mehta as rapporteurs for this conference.

Adveteeya Ganti won the award for the best designed T-shirt on the theme Child Labour in the ‘T- shirt design contest’ at the con-ference. Her design was printed on T-shirts and sold at the con-ference. The proceeds of the sale were given to charity.

Sobaan Liyaquat Parkar and Rupsha Debnath were selected to present their committee resolu-tion at the Food and Agricultural

Organisation at the conference.The students put up a very im-

pressive performance and have been selected to be a part of the dais for the first Middle East Mon-tessori Model United Nations conference to be held in Dubai in January 2016. Participating in the MMUN conferences has been a great opportunity and an incred-ible learning experience for these young students.

M M U N C O N F E R E N C E S

IMPRESSIVE PERFORMANCE: The school students put up a very impressive performance and have

been selected to be a part of the dais for the first Middle East Montessori Model United Nations

conference to be held in Dubai in January 2016. -Supplied photo

Omanis scale Mount Kilimanjaro to start National Day celebrations

TARIQ AL HAREMItariqh@timesofoman.com

TO kick-start the 45th National Day celebrations, 10 Omani na-tionals, part of the Outward Bound Oman/Tahaddi, a personality de-velopment organisation, success-fully completed their trek to the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895 me-tres) located in Tanzania is the highest mountain peak in Af-rica and the highest free standing mountain (not part of a mountain range) in the world.

Sultan Al Jabri, who was lead-ing the expedition comprising 10 Omani nationals, said, “Outward Bound Oman celebrates the na-

tional day every year in a unique and life-experiencing kind of way. We had the only option to do the Kilimanjaro trip in June due to weather conditions.”

June to August is the best time to climb the mountain based on the fact that it is the driest season whereas March is the wettest.

The group went through vigor-ous training sessions in Oman pri-or to their trip to Tanzania.

“We filled our backpacks with all the things we needed and found the biggest building we could find. So we had to see how many times

we could climb up and down all the stairs,” said Al Jabri.

Stamina training was an essen-tial part of preparations for the hike as extreme weather condi-tions such as rain, high winds, low pressure and thin air could be encountered.

Trekkers suffer from discom-fort, shortage of breath, hypother-mia and headaches in addition to altitude sickness.

Rumaitha Al Busaidi, one of the two women who joined the expedi-tion said, “I was training normally in a gymnasium for two to three

hours doing something called aerobic conditioning. If you are in good condition, you can easily make the hike.”

Rain factor“Rain was a factor for us because you tend to get wet a lot and our tents would be soaking inside. That is why most of us became sick,” she added.

Although Kilimanjaro is the most difficult and steepest, 50 per cent of all climbers and sea-soned climbers prefer to take the Machame route, one of the seven

routes, to the Uhuru peak due to its scenic views.

“It took us five days to climb to the top and two days to climb back down,” said Al Jabri.

“It is not as hard as you think, and if you are mentally prepared you can make it,” said Rumaitha.

According to the Tanzania Na-tional Park, the youngest person who could climb the mountain is 10-year-old.

The mountain is a dormant vol-cano, which means it is not extinct, and comprises three volcanic cones, Shira, Kibo and Mawenzi.

Kibo is where the Uhuru peak is.Both Shira and Mawenzi are ex-

tinct but Kibo remains dormant which means it could erupt.

The last major eruption from Kibo occurred 360,000 years ago. The last volcanic activity hap-pened 200 years ago and resulted in today’s ash pit which is visible from Uhuru peak.

Mount Kilimanjaro is also the fourth highest mountain in be-tween the Seven Summits, which are the highest mountains in each continent with Mount Everest topping the list.

Omani group went

through vigorous

training sessions in

the country prior to

their trip to Tanzania

UNIQUE EXPERIENCE: Stamina training was an essential part of preparations for the hike as extreme weather conditions such as rain, high winds, low pressure and thin air

could be encountered. – Supplied photo

Children more susceptible

He urged people to refrain from smoking when children are around. Some parents voiced their opinion about bringing chil-dren to a smoke-filled environ-ment as being dangerous and a waste of their time.

Ahmad Al Noamani, a parent said, “It is a mistake to bring chil-dren along to sheesha cafes as it will affect their health.”

“It is also a waste of their time. They should take advantage of their free time by doing some-thing productive instead of sitting among smokers,” he added

Health risksThe Majlis Al Shura members had voted last year for a complete ban on sheesha cafes in Oman due to the health risks associated with them.

It endorsed the health com-mittee’s recommendation to stop issuing licences to new sheesha cafes, thereby ensuring that only the existing ones will be allowed to continue till their business comes to a halt.

Harmful smoke“I have noticed many a time in these sheesha cafes, how fami-lies bring their children along with them. Don’t they realise how harmful the smoke is for their chil-dren? I even saw a lady with a child who was not even a year old. It was outrageous,” said Sumaiya Khal-ique, a concerned resident.

“They can either leave their children at home when they want to visit sheesha cafes or these places should have a children’s play area away from the toxic smoke,” she added.

Children are more susceptible and easily affected by smoke com-pared to adults.

According to statistics from the World Health Organisation, worldwide, 40 per cent of children, 33 per cent of male non-smokers, and 35 per cent of female non-smokers are regularly exposed to second-hand smoke indoors.

Common misconception“Second-hand smoke is bad ir-respective of its source. There is a common misconception, that smoke from sheesha is safer be-cause it is ‘filtered’ by the water in the pipe,” said Dr V C P Moham-med, specialist Internal Medicine, at Atlas Hospital Ruwi.

“But even after it has passed through water, that smoke still contains high levels of toxic com-pounds which can cause respira-tory problems such as asthma and allergy,” he explained.

In infants, second-hand smoke can cause sudden death and in pregnant women it can cause low birth weight.

Smoking is hazardous no mat-ter how little users may inhale not only putting users at risk but also the people around them.

S M O K E F R O M S H E E S H A

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Omani graduates replacing expats

National Centre for Statis-tics and Information statistics showed that the total number of expatriates in the Sultanate holding general secondary school certificates and below amounted to 1,420,852 at the end of April 2015, representing 88.5 per cent of the total expatriate manpower of 1,604,158.

Official also added that work-ers associated with such projects leave for their home countries once the projects are completed and if there are no other projects on the anvil.

“The need for expatriate man-power will continue which is natural and a global necessity,” he said, adding that expatriate manpower is a basic partner in development and has contrib-uted to this along with Omani manpower. “Earlier, we needed expatriate manpower in all specialisations. However, we have seen gradu-ates of universities, colleges and external scholarships assuming their roles in serving the country, thanks to the policies adopted in this regard,” he said.

The statistics also showed that 160,000 expatriates held higher qualifications.

On the possibility of replace-ment of such employees with na-

tionals, he said that the replace-ment process could succeed if there is a real interest from the side of the employer and employ-ee besides the necessary training and the contribution of all related parties in cementing the work culture.

He also pointed to that the Ministry of Manpower focuses on Omanisation in terms of qual-ity and not quantity.

“A replacement would not be possible unless there is confi-dence in the competence and ability of the Omani youths in the private sector,” he said.

Training is a basic element in preparing the national man-power. For this there should be training at the university and col-lege level and on-the-job train-ing. Private sector companies and establishments should focus on training and qualifying their employees as stated in the labour law.

The employee should also be keen to utilise the opportunity and benefit from the training op-portunities and programmes that help in acquiring the necessary skills and experiences. “Some professions are 100 per cent Om-anised and some require expatri-ates in order for Omanis to ben-efit from their expertise,” he said.

F O C U S O N Q U A L I T Y

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REGIONS U N DAY, J U N E 2 1 , 2 0 1 5

Five Libyan troops killed by mortar in Benghazi

BENGHAZI: At least five Libyan troops were killed late on Fri-day when a mortar landed in the eastern city of Benghazi where pro-government forces have been fighting against a mix of militant brigades, medical sources said.

Benghazi is just one front in a complex conflict involving Libya’s two rival governments, and loose alliances of armed factions as well as militant forces taking advan-tage of the chaos to gain ground.

“Five members of the Libyan National Army were killed when a mortar shell landed among them late Friday evening,” the medical source at Benghazi’s Al Jala hos-pital said. The source said at least 20 troops had been killed in fight-ing in June. LNA Mohamed Hejazi said their forces had been fighting in around six districts in the city.

“These militant groups have be-come individuals who are taking high building as posts. The mili-tants have also booby-trapped all houses and streets,” Hejazi said.

Army forces loyal to Libya’s internationally recognised gov-ernment have been fighting sev-eral hardliner groups in Libya’s second-largest city as part of a wider struggle since the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

Fighters claiming allegiance to the IS militant group holding parts of Iraq and Syria have also claimed attacks in Benghazi as that group looks to expand its foothold in Libya. Pro-government forces in Benghazi have regained some ter-ritory lost last year. But progress has stalled as militants hole up in several districts and the port area despite claims by army command-er Khalifa Haftar that his forces control most of the city. Libya’s rec-ognised government operates out of the east since an armed faction known as Libya Dawn took over the capital Tripoli last summer and de-clared its own government.

Ongoing United Nations negoti-ations to end the conflict and bring the two main factions into a unity government and broker a broad ceasefire have struggled as both sides seek more concessions over their rivals.

On Friday, Tunisia’s govern-ment decided to close its consular operations in Libya’s capital Trip-oli after gunmen stormed its con-sulate a week ago and kidnapped 10 staff, Foreign Minister Taieb Bakouch told reporters. All 10 dip-lomatic staff have been freed and they returned to Tunisia on Friday. The government gave no details on the negotiations to free them, but their release came after a Tunisian court agreed to extradite a Libyan held in Tunisia on terrorism and kidnapping charges. — Reuters

N A T I O N A T W A R

Blast, air raids hit Yemen as peace talks fail

SANAA: A car bomb near a mosque in Yemen’s capital Sat-urday killed two people, as Sau-di-led warplanes bombarded second city Aden, after peace talks in Geneva ended without agreement.

The explosion in Sanaa, con-trolled by Houthi rebels, went off outside the Qubbat Al Mahdi mosque as people emerged from midday prayers, witnesses and security sources said.

As well as the two dead, an-other 16 people were wounded, medical officials said.

DamageThe blast damaged the entrance of the mosque and shattered the windows of a nearby house, an AFP photographer reported. The IS militant group claimed re-sponsibility for the attack, SITE

Intelligence Group reported, the latest in a series that has targeted Sanaa, which the Houthi rebels seized in September.

Since then they have ex-panded their control to other parts of Yemen, including Aden in the south, forcing President Abedrabbo Man-sour Hadi and his government to flee to Saudi Arabia.

On Wednesday, at least 31 people were killed and dozens wounded in five simultane-ous bombings, also claimed by the radical militant group at mosques and offices in Sanaa.

Saturday’s car attack came hours after Saudi-led warplanes launched 15 strikes against Houthi targets in the port city of Aden. A pro-government mili-tary source said the dawn strikes pounded the northern, eastern and western approaches to Aden, to isolate the Houthis and sup-port forces loyal to Hadi.

The objective“The objective is to close the noose around the Houthi rebels in Aden and assist the Popular Resistance Committees,” said the source.

Anti-rebel forces comprising pro-government fighters, tribes, and southern separatists are re-ferred to as Popular Resistance Committees.

They have been locked in fierce fighting against the Hou-this in Aden, which has been devastated by Saudi-led strikes

launched in March in support of Hadi. On Saturday the rebels shelled several neighbourhoods of Aden, killing four people and wounding several others, the military source said, a toll con-firmed by hospital officials.

The violence came after UN’s special envoy for Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed announced Friday in Geneva that talks be-tween the warring sides ended without agreement.

“I won’t beat around the bush. There was no kind of agreement reached,” the Mauritanian diplo-mat told reporters.

Blame gameYemen’s rivals blamed each oth-er for the deadlock.

“I am disappointed. We did everything to make the talks a success but there were too many obstacles, especially the demand for a withdrawal,” rebel delega-tion head Hamza Al Houthi said.

Yemen’s exiled foreign minis-ter blamed the lack of progress on the rebel delegation.

“We really came here with a big hope... but unfortunately the Houthi delegation did not allow us really to reach real progress as we expected,” said Riad Yassin.

The government is demand-ing in line with a UN Security Council resolution that the re-bels withdraw from the territory they control, but the Houthis have called for an unconditional halt to the air strikes before they consider a pause in fighting. — AFP

The car attack

came hours after

Saudi-led warplanes

launched 15 strikes

against Houthi

targets in the port

city of Aden

A “crowd of sanctimonious people who published one notice

after another denouncing the modest and decent girls and

women of this land” who “talked of confrontation used obscene

and disgusting insults that only befit themselves”

Shahindokht Molaverdi, One of Iran’s female vice presidents

Hardliners criticised over ban on women spectatorsTEHRAN: One of Iran’s female vice presidents launched a furious attack on Saturday on “sanctimo-nious” groups whose threats of violent confrontation at a volley-ball match ultimately prompted a clampdown on women spectators.

The remarks from Shahindokht Molaverdi, whose brief covers women and family affairs, could inflame a weeks-long row between the government and conservative opponents of its plans to ease re-strictions at sporting events. Vol-leyball is highly popular in Iran and Molaverdi last week said a limited number of women would, in contravention of a ban, be al-lowed to watch two eagerly antici-pated matches against the United States in Tehran.

ForbiddenBut security officials later contra-dicted her. Streets surrounding the Azadi Sports Complex were heavily policed before and during Friday night’s first match, with officers forbidding women from going anywhere near the venue. And although 200 special tickets for women were printed, an Ira-nian volleyball official told AFP the accreditations had not been authorised by security officials at the arena, and were thus invalid.

In the aftermath, Molaverdi, writing on Facebook, hit out at the ban, saying the government had re-spected the views of religious lead-

ers while trying to respond to “the legal demands of another section of society”. She criticised groups who said they would spill blood if wom-en were allowed into the stadium, suggesting such opposition came “from those who were denounced two years ago by voters, and who had crawled into their cave of obliv-ion for eight years”.

The comments — confirmed by Molaverdi’s office as genu-ine — suggested she was drawing a contrast between the plans of President Hassan Rouhani and the hardline two-term tenure of his predecessor, Mahmoud Ah-madinejad. Before and after the match women took to Twitter and other social networks using the hashtag #LetWomenGoToStadi-um in protest, with the row casting a shadow over Iran’s 3-0 victory.

Recent days have seen female volleyball fans were branded on on-line forums and on posters alleged-ly distributed in downtown Tehran. Molaverdi said publication of such notices by “those who call them-selves followers of Almighty... and which used words that one loathes to repeat, clearly constitute several offences under the law.”

A “crowd of sanctimonious people who published one no-tice after another denouncing the modest and decent girls and women of this land” who “talked of confrontation used obscene and disgusting insults that only befit themselves,” Molaverdi wrote on Facebook. “Even if one day our beloved girls and women forgive this crowd, they will never forget them and keep these days in their historical memory.” — AFP

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TARGETED: People look at the site of a car bomb attack outside the Qubbat Al Mahdi mosque in

Yemen’s capital Sanaa on Saturday. – Reuters

RESTRICTED: Women sit next to an Iranian flag during the

volleyball World League pool B match between Iran and USA

at Tehran’s Azadi arena on Friday. – AFP

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INDIAS U N DAY, J U N E 2 1 , 2 0 1 5

Death toll from Mumbai liqour poisoning climbs to 87: PoliceMUMBAI: The death toll in the Malad hooch tragedy on Saturday climbed to 87 even as the Excise department suspended four of its officials in connection with the incident in west-Indian state of Maharashtra.

According to Mumbai Police spokesman Dhanajay Kulkarni, 87 people have died so far while 34 are undergoing treatment at eight different hospitals across the city. The incident occurred at Laxmi Nagar slum near Gamdevi Jurassic park in suburban Malad on Wednesday night.

Police has already arrested five accused in the case but prime ac-cused Mainka Bai is still on the run. Earlier too, we had booked Mainka Bai alias Akka in connec-tion with spurious liquor but she managed to get bail, he added.

The officials who were sus-pended are: Jagdeesh Deshmukh, Rajendra Salunkhe, Versha Ven-gulkar and Dhanaji Dalvi, against whom a departmental enquiry would be launched soon, said

State Excise Department Com-missioner Shyamsundar Shinde.

“These officials were found to be incompetent and prima-facie its a case of dereliction of duty,” Shinde said.

Also, eight personnel at-tached to Malwani police sta-tion have been suspended after

the incident. Mumbai police has launched a manhunt to trace those who might have consumed spurious liquor that day to avoid further loss of lives as a precau-tionary measure.It is the worst case of its kind to be recorded in Mumbai since 2004 when around 100 people died. - Agencies

S P U R I O U S L I Q U O R

TRAGEDY: Wailing family members of Rohit Bhalerao who died after

consuming illicit liquor at Malad in Mumbai on Thursday. - PTI

Path to 10% growth not impossible, says Jaitley

WASHINGTON: The path to 10 per cent growth in Indian economy is not impossible, Finance Min-ister Arun Jaitley has said citing economic reforms, policy changes along with a good monsoon as the basis for his optimism.

“This (10 per cent growth rate) is reasonably possible. That is where India’s potential is,” Jaitley said at an event here soon after his arrival on the second leg of his nine-day US tour to attract Ameri-can investors.

The minister said India’s seven plus per cent growth rate came in the backdrop of a terrible mon-soon last year and a second round of crop destruction in March this year. The manufacturing sec-tor was almost crawling, and the growth rate was around five per cent, he said.

“Now with a lot more money being invested in infrastructure and governments even conducting their fiscal policy in order to help the manufacturing sector, there is a significant growth possible as far as this area is concerned,” he said.

Hopefully, with a better mon-soon this year, agriculture must do better and would add to the na-

tion’s economy, he said. Goods and Services Tax (GST) has the poten-tial to add at least one per cent to the GDP of India, he said adding that last year, India grew by 7.3 per cent in terms of GDP.

Target“It is important that we reach that target, but it is more important that we sustain it for a couple of years,” the finance minister said in his remarks on ‘Putting India back on track: A pathway to double-digit growth’, at the American En-terprise Institute (AEI), a top US think-tank.

“If we are able to sustain it for a couple of years, then I think, we will be able to have direct benefits as far as India is concerned, more jobs, better economy and hopefully over the next 10 years or so deplete the poverty levels in the segments that are more impacted by it,” Jait-ley said giving his overview of his

government’s economic policies.“I can’t say as to what figure In-

dia’s growth rate would achieve. But I am certainly of the view that the seven-and-a- half per cent growth that we are presently at is not India’s optimum potential. This year, we hope to touch about eight per cent,” he said.

Once the impact of policy changes made by the new Indian government and investments in key areas like infrastructure, agri-culture and industry is felt, Jaitley said, “I think there could be a sig-nificant growth”.

If inflation stays at moderate level, one should logically expect the interest rates to go down, which would directly impact and add to the Indian economy, he said.

“The cumulative effect of all these plus favourable global winds, I think the journey between eight and 10 per cent is not an impossi-ble journey,” Jaitley said. -PTI

Hopefully, with a

better monsoon this

year, agriculture

would do better and

add to the nation’s

economy, said the

Finance Minister

IIT admission fees

of UP brothers will

be waived: Minister

NEW DELHI: Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani on Saturday announced that Indian Institute of Tech-nology (IIT) admission fees of Partapgarh brothers Raju and Brijesh, sons of a daily wager, would be waived even as support poured in from several quarters including Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav.

The two brothers’ “registration fees will be waived and (they) will be eligible for scholarships that cover tuition, mess and other charges,” Irani tweeted, after the plight of the family to arrange the fees appeared in media.

Raju (18) and Brijesh (19), sons of a daily wager from Rehua La-lganj village in Uttar Pradesh’s Pratapgarh, have cleared the IIT Advanced examinations earlier this. Raju secured 167th rank in

his first attempt while his broth-er Brijesh stood 410th in the prestigious exam.

Earlier in the day, Congress Vice-President Gandhi spoke to the brothers over the phone and assured them all help. He, subse-quently, directed local party lead-ers including Rajya Sabha MP Pramod Tewari and his daughter and MLA Aradhana to extend all necessary help to them.

Extended help“Congratulations to all those who cracked the IIT. Spoke to Brijesh & Raju from Pratapgarh on their tremendous success against all odds,” Rahul said on Twitter. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yadav too extended help and an-nounced that his government would honour the two brothers and bear the expenses of their admission and education. - PTI

N U R T U R I N G T A L E N T

We have several other reforms in the pipeline. The bankruptcy

court, reducing the number of permissions required for setting

up businesses in India, a public procurement law, a law on

expeditious execution of disputes relating to big projects

Arun Jaitley, Finance minister

A9

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17 dead as bus falls into gorge in AlmoraDEHRADUN: Seventeen persons were killed and 22 others injured when a Delhi-bound public bus from Pithoragarh fell into a deep gorge in Almora district on Satur-day afternoon.

The Uttarakhand Roadways bus, carrying nearly 40 passen-gers, fell into a 100-ft deep gorge at Dhyari, nearly 65km from Almora, killing 17 persons on the spot and

leaving 22 injured, Almora Super-intendent of Police K. S. Nagniyal said over phone from the scene of the accident in Uttarakhand.

All the bodies have been recov-ered and the survivors rescued, Nagniyal, who supervised the res-cue operations, said. Twenty-two persons who sustained injuries in the accident were first rushed to Dhauladevi primary health centre

from where three were referred to a hospital in Haldwani and seven to Almora. The rest of the injured were discharged after first-aid, the SP said. Chief Minister Har-ish Rawat has expressed grief at the loss of lives in the accident and announced compensation of Rs100,000 to the next of kin of those killed, Rs 50,000 for those seriously injured. - PTI

A C C I D E N T‘PM should break silence on Lalit Modi controversy’

HYDERABAD: Congress on Sat-urday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of adopting “dou-ble standards” on corruption and said it expected him to break his silence on Lalit Modi issue and seek the resignation of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje.

“On one hand, the Prime Min-ister talks of bringing back black money and fighting corruption while on the other his senior col-leagues, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje are supporting somebody who has broken the laws of the land and against whom Enforcement Directorate has filed cases,” Con-gress leader Jairam Ramesh said here, referring to Lalit Modi issue.

‘Proclaimed offender’Alleging that the former IPL boss was a “proclaimed offender,” Ramesh alleged misuse of posi-tion and conflict of interest on the part of the External Affairs Min-ister and also referred to Raje’s son entering into financial trans-actions with Lalit Modi.

“The PM has spoken about cor-ruption and black money but here is a case of clear double stand-ards. Congress expects that after the International Yoga Day, the maun-vrat (silence) of the Prime Minister is broken and the PM

speaks something over this issue and also take some firm steps,” he said. In the last five days, Con-gress had asked 34 pointed ques-tions to BJP “but no answer has come”, Ramesh said, adding that the Prime Minister should break his “deafening silence” and move decisively to secure the resigna-tion of Swaraj and Raje.

“In the interest of the country....the sooner the Foreign Minister and the Rajasthan Chief Minis-ter resign, the better it will be,” he said. Ramesh also wondered why TDP and TRS were silent.”I am surprised that TDP, which is an ally of BJP, and TRS, which is hoping to be an ally of BJP, are completely silent....we want to know their position.”

Meanwhile, hitting out at Con-gress for threatening logjam in parliament in the monsoon ses-sion on the Lalit Modi row, Un-ion Law Minister D V Sadananda Gowda on Saturday accused the party of raising a “silly” issue but said government was willing to discuss “everything and any-thing” on the floor of the House.

As Congress continued its ag-gressive pitch for the exit of Ex-ternal Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Rajasthan Chief Min-ister Vasundhara Raje, he said “let them study each and every thing.

We are ready to discuss every thing and anything on the floor of the House. Simply threatening something- it doesn’t look nice.”

Seeking to turn the tables on Congress, he said “let them look into the matter, some personal transactions. How can you treat it as a corrupt practice? If at all these things have happened, what prevented them from taking ac-tion in last four years?” he said.

Gowda was responding to a question on Congress’ threat to disrupt the monsoon session of parliament if the External Affairs Minister and the Rajasthan Chief Minister did not resign.

Swaraj is facing the heat for her help to tainted Modi get British travel documents and Raje for her “secret” witness statement sup-porting the former IPL boss’ im-migration plea in Britain.

Gowda also slammed Congress of raking up a “silly” issue as “they don’t have anything to criticise the government.”

“Now just because they are not getting anything to stage their agitations (against government) they are talking all these silly is-sues. Personal matters how they can bring it.....” he said Asked whether BJP will defend its lead-ers in Parliament, Gowda said “that my party will decide.” - PTI

In the interest of the

country....the sooner

the Foreign Minister

and the Rajasthan

Chief Minister resign,

the better it will be,

Congress leader

Jairam Ramesh said

PROTEST Aam Aadmi Party members during a protest against External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj at her residence in New Delhi on Saturday. - PTI

Election panel stays Nitish’s ‘Bihar@2025’ campaign for now

PATNA: The Bihar Election Commission on Saturday put a temporary stay on Nitish Ku-mar government’s ‘Bihar@2025’ campaign, aimed at informing people about work done in the last decade and preparing a vi-sion document of development for next 10 years in consultation with the people.

“We have put a temporary stay on ‘Bihar@2025’ campaign till further orders from Central Elec-tion Commission,” Bihar Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Ajay V. Naik said.

Bharatiya Janata Party leader Sushil Kumar Modi and Opposi-tion leader Nand Kishore Yadav had on Thursday met Naik and submitted a memorandum al-leging that the state government had violated the model code of conduct by launching ‘Bi-har@2025’ campaign in the wake of Legislative Council polls on 24 seats on July 7.

The campaign, being run by Bihar’s Information and Public Relations Department, aims at

reaching out to four crore people, engaging more than 10,000 gov-ernment and civil society mem-bers for next 8 to 10 weeks.

The stay has come as a jolt to Nitish Kumar government.

Earlier in the day, senior ministers Vijay Chaudhary and Bijendra Yadav had stoutly de-fended ‘Bihar@2025’ campaign which was launched on June 9 by Kumar.

“The campaign in no case vio-lates model code in view of Leg-islative Council polls as there is no announcement of a scheme or any of government’s policy that could influence voters,” Chaud-hary told reporters.

“The Bihar@2025 campaign merely wishes to inform people about works done under Nitish Kumar rule in past 10 years and seek their opinion to prepare vi-sion document of development for next 10 years. There is no an-nouncement of any new policy in it,” Chaudhary, who is considered number two in the Nitish Kumar Cabinet, said. - PTI

J O L T T O N I T I S H G O V E R N M E N T

SPANNER IN THE WORKS: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar with JD(U) state president Vashist Narayan at state level youth convention of the party in Patna on Saturday. - PTI

A11

PAKISTANS U N DAY, J U N E 2 1 , 2 0 1 5

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$188m loan for Guddu barrage okayed by WB

ISLAMABAD: The World Bank has approved a $188 million loan for Pakistan to improve the reli-ability and safety of the Guddu barrage, which will extend the life of the project by another 50 years.

The Washington-based lending agency approved the loan under its Sindh Barrages Improvement Project aimed at rehabilitating the deteriorated infrastructure of the Guddu barrage. The country plans to invest a total $208 mil-lion on this project and remaining $20 million will be arranged by mobilising domestic resources.

The credit is financed from the International Development As-sociation (IDA), the World Bank Group’s grant and low-interest arm. It will be on standard IDA terms, with a maturity of 25 years,

including a grace period of 5 years.The rehabilitation work of

Guddu barrage will eliminate pos-sible sources of failure and poten-tially give the structure another 50 years of life, according to a handout issued by the WB’s coun-try office on Saturday.

To close the gap between wa-ter supply and water demand, Pakistan is placing emphasis on modernising its ageing hydraulic infrastructure and improving wa-ter resources management. The water sector will remain a critical contributor to sustained econom-ic development.

According to the statistics com-piled by the WB, Pakistan’s irri-gation and drainage system has a total investment value of around $300 billion. Nearly 43 per cent of the population gains employment from this system and it accounts for approximately $16 billion or one-fourth of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

It said due to the country’s arid climate, high susceptibility to

droughts agriculture in Pakistan is predominantly irrigated, and adequate irrigation infrastruc-ture is critical. Sindh Province, in particular, contributes 23% to the agriculture and has high potential for further productive development.

The primary function of the gated Guddu barrage is to service the irrigation of over one million hectare of agricultural land by feeding the Beghari Sindh Feed-er and the Desert Pat Feeder main canals on the right side of the river and the Ghotki Feeder on the left side. The barrage is also used for river control and flood management. It is also an important transport link across the Indus River and provides cooling water for the thermal power station at Guddu.

The continued operation and management of barrages require specialized expertise, experience, decision making, and continu-ity of the operation, said Rachid Benmessaoud, the World Bank

Country Director for Pakistan.He said in addition to physical

rehabilitation of barrage infra-structure, the project will also support the Sindh Government in training and technical assistance in procurement, financial, social and environmental safeguards for operating hydraulic irrigation in-frastructure.

Improve flowThe project will support the gate replacement work to improve the regulation and the flow of the bar-rage. All the 65 main barrage steel gates, 25 main canal head regula-tor gates, and hoist gears includ-ing all mechanical and electrical equipment will be replaced.

This project will also finance the independent Panel of Experts, who will review, monitor, evalu-ate, and help guide the rehabilita-tion process with regards to the safety of the barrage.

The effective operation and structural stability of the Guddu barrage are important for agricul-tural production and for averting potential disaster during floods, said Abdulhamid Azad, the task team leader of the project.

The primary beneficiaries of the project are over 2.6 million people of irrigated land in Kash-more, Ghotki, Jacobabad, Sukkur, and Shikarpur districts of Sindh, and Nasirabad and Jafarabad dis-tricts of Balochistan, who will re-ceive reliable supply of water.

The improved structure will mitigate the impact of floods and reduce risks of embankment breaches; since the capacity of the barrage to pass flood waters will improve. — Express Tribune

The lending

agency approved

the loan under its

Sindh Barrages

Improvement

Project aimed

at rehabilitating

the deteriorated

infrastructure of the

barrage

NEW LEASE OF LIFE: The rehabilitation work of Guddu barrage

will eliminate possible sources of failure and give it another 50

years of life, said a World Bank handout on Saturday. — Express Tribune

Sindh to give land to heirs of fallen army veteransKARACHI: The Sindh govern-ment will allocate 9,000 acres of forest land in Shikarpur district to Pakistan Army for distribution among the heirs of martyred sol-diers and injured war veterans.

Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah took this decision while pre-siding over a meeting at the CM House on Friday.

According to the chief minister, the army had asked the Sindh gov-ernment for allotment of 35,521 acres land in Garhi Yasin, Shi-karpur, in 2001. The file had been moving from one office to another.

“Since the request has been made for the rehabilitation of the families of martyrs and war-wounded mili-tary personnel, this request must be honoured,” he said.

Forest Minister Gianchand Is-rani said the land in question was located in the Golo Daro area of Garhi Yasin.

Around 5,000 acres of this land was recently retrieved by the Rangers from illegal occupation of some local influential, he said.

Out of the 25,000 acres of forest land, 5,000 acres belongs to pri-vate owners, whereas 9,000 acres was available, for which the for-est department has no objection, Israni said. Chief Secretary Siddiq Memon said the army’s request for land was for the rehabilitation of families of 500 martyrs, of whom 200 were from Sindh.

“Since the request is genuine, it should be entertained,” he was of the view.

Shoaib Siddiqui, senior member of Board of Revenue, said forest land could only be allotted for agri-

cultural purposes under the rules. “As Pakistan Army has already made a request to use it for agri-culture purposes, the government was authorised to allot the land,” he claimed.

Forest Secretary Sajjad Abbasi said under the policy, the lease holder of the forest land was bound to keep the forest on 20 per cent of the total holdings and cultivate on 80 per cent.

Qaim approved the allotment of the land to the army and directed the chief secretary to move the summary for approval. — Express Tribune

S H I K A R P U R D I S T R I C T

Since the request has been made for the rehabilitation of the families of martyrs and war-wounded military personnel, this request must be honoured

Qaim Ali ShahSindh Chief Minister

Kaleemullah becomes first Pakistani to sign for US football club

KARACHI: Kaleemullah’s dream of being the first Pakistani foot-baller to play in the US became a reality as Sacramento Republic FC confirmed his four-month con-tract with the club on Friday.

Kaleem spent 45 days in San Francisco, where he impressed the club’s coaches during the trials and also earned support from the Pakistani community.

“To be able to live your dream is the biggest opportunity you can ask for,” he told The Express Tribune.

“It’s something I’m proud of, but I know that I have to improve my game.”

The Chaman-based striker re-vealed that it has been two weeks since he signed the contract. “We were just waiting for the club to

sort out my visa proceedings and then make an official statement. Now that it’s all done, I’ll finally be playing at the US Soccer League [USL], which will always be a plus point in my career.”

The 22-year-old will be playing 15 matches in his four-month stay.

“Sacramento Republic is a big club, and it has the potential to qualify for the Major Soccer

League too,” said Kaleem. “It’s still a very long way to go, but I’m hoping to score as many goals as I can. I may even get to stay here for more than four months if I make a difference for the club this season.”

Kaleem was the top scorer for his former club FC Dordoi in Kyr-gyzstan last year,.

He also captained the national team in the all-important India-

Pakistan tour which the men in green won in Bangalore last year.

Sacramento Republic FC’s Technical Director Graham Smith confirmed Kaleem’s contract on the club’s website.

“The signing of Kaleem demon-strates the continued mission of Republic FC to bring the best play-ers from around the world to our Capital City.” — Express Tribune

M A K I N G H I S T O R Y

Kaleemullah

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The city of Charles-ton has only begun to mourn, and under-standably, baseball is the furthest thing from people’s minds. Yet after the shooting in a black

church that left nine dead and is being in-vestigated as a hate crime, baseball will go on in the city.

The Charleston RiverDogs, Single-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, an-nounced they would play Friday night’s game against the West Virginia Power as scheduled. The team also went ahead with its youth baseball camp in the morning, with “heightened security,” as the shooter was still at large.

In a statement on the team’s website, General Manager Dave Echols expressed his sympathy for the victims and their families, stating that the RiverDogs de-cided to go ahead with the game after con-sulting the mayor and local officials. Pro-ceeds from the game will be donated to the Mother Emanuel Hope Fund, a charity set up by the city to cover the funeral costs and aid the church that was targeted, the Ema-nuel African Methodist Episcopal Church.

“We feel it is our duty not to let the acts of one radical human being dictate our lives,” Echols said in the statement, add-ing the cliched refrain that sports can help return “a sense of normalcy” to a grieving community turned upside down. He brought up the role baseball played in helping cities and the nation heal follow-ing September 11 attacks and the Boston Marathon bombing.

But as The Washington Post’s Clinton Yates points out, those comparisons are as unfair as they are insulting. Major League Baseball (MLB) suspended its season for a week after the World Trade Center at-tacks, while the Boston Bruins postponed their game against the Ottawa Senators on marathon day. You could argue that in both cases, the decision to suspend play

was primarily out of concern for public safety; nobody knew in the days after 9/11 whether another attack was on the way, while Boston was embroiled in an ongoing manhunt for Dzokhar Tsarnaev. But the RiverDogs had decided play ball as of 8:45 a.m. -- nearly two hours before the FBI announced the capture of alleged shooter Dylann Roof.

It’s rather odd that the concern for pub-lic safety the Baltimore Orioles and MLB used to justify their decision to hold a game with no fans amid ongoing, mostly peace-ful protests went somewhat overlooked by the RiverDogs and Minor League Base-ball. In Baltimore’s case, the decision was overly cautious, serving only to feed the false narrative that the city was in chaos. In Charleston, the city has had just hours to try to process the act of terrorism .

In both Baltimore and Charleston, the discussion about playing a baseball game only serves to further illustrate the stark divides running through our cities and our country.

When I visited Camden Yards that late April day, one Orioles fan told me that his inability to go about his business as usual rendered the protests against police bru-tality moot in his eyes. As in Baltimore, I’m willing to guess that the attending a baseball game falls much lower on the list of priorities for those who feel they “can’t even be black in church anymore.”

Charleston remains a symbol for a coun-try built on the backs of slaves, an open se-cret we’re somehow still uncomfortable openly discussing. The city was the capital of the slave trade, the remnants of which remain etched in the Low Country land-scape. It’s a paradox neatly demonstrated in South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley’s, Republican, assertion that “we’ll never un-derstand what motivates anyone” to com-mit such a hateful act as the confederate battle flag flies outside the statehouse. It’s a problem that can’t be solved within the confines of a baseball field. — Bloomberg View

‘Play ball’ is no way for Charleston to mourn

The Charleston RiverDogs, Single-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, announced they would play Friday night’s game against the West Virginia Power as scheduled. The team also went ahead with its youth baseball camp in the morning, with ‘heightened security,’ as the shooter was still at large

Letters, containing not more than 200 words with full name, address and telephone number, may be sent by mail (Times of Oman, P.O. Box 770, P.C. 112, Ruwi), by fax (24813153) or by e-mail (akhtar@timesofoman.com)

HATE CRIME IN US

Pakistan and Iran share a common border and some of the same challenges as well. In recent years, there have been a number of impediments to the relationship between the two states, most

of them engendered by America’s antipathy to Iran and the regime of sanctions against it deployed by the US. Those sanctions have a spillo-ver effect on Pakistan as it may find itself the subject of American sanctions if it is seen to breach those imposed by the US — a potent threat. It has already blighted the proposed gas pipeline between the two countries. But nothing is forever and the Americans may be close to a nuclear deal with the Iranians that could free up a range of options in future. An area of mutual cooperation that seems not to upset any delicate balances is on the medical front, and the Iranian offer of the provision of free oral polio vaccines is to be warmly welcomed.

A delegation of medical and health education officials from Iran has been in Pakistan, and recently made the offer referred to above. Pakistan needs 40 to 50 million doses of polio vaccine every year, and a contribution by Iran of 4-5 million doses would be welcome indeed. The Tehran government is keen to support the anti-polio campaign, not merely through altruism; there is a strong element of self-interest. The potential that Pakistan has to ‘export’ the polio virus is already proven, and Iran would seek to minimise that potential for itself. Equally, there is to be cooperation on the eradication of malaria, an-other scourge. Many cases of malaria in Pakistan occur close to the borders of Iran, and there is a reasonable concern that it is no less ex-portable than polio. Iran is close to eradicating malaria, and as with polio is interested in strengthening its own defences against malaria.

Cooperative initiatives such as this are a healthy development, and not only on the diplomatic front. — Express Tribune

Medical diplomacy

A meeting of eurozone finance ministers on Thursday, which was billed as the last chance to stave off a Greek default and a Greek exit from the euro, collapsed in rancour and recrimina-

tions less than an hour after it started. Eurozone leaders then prompt-ly scheduled a summit meeting for Monday to deal with the crisis. After five years of this, the world can be forgiven for not heeding the serial cries of “wolf.” Only this time, there really is a wolf at the door.

With default a real possibility on June 30, when Greece’s next debt payment is due, Greeks are draining their bank accounts as fast as they can - a record 1 billion euros was withdrawn Thursday alone, putting major banks in danger of collapse. The Greek central bank darkly warned the government on Wednesday that failure to reach agreement could lead to “a collapse of all that the Greek economy has achieved” through membership in the European Union and the eu-rozone. Greece needs to make a debt payment of 1.6 billion euros to the International Monetary Fund by the end of the month, for which it needs to dip into its bailout fund. But Greece’s creditors - the International Monetary Fund, the European Union and the European Central Bank - are refusing to shell out another cent and are prepared to let the fund expire at the end of the month unless Greece agrees to some concrete reforms. The left-wing government in Athens, elected on an anti-austerity programme, has balked. It has balked especially at any cuts to public pensions.

A deal is possible. It always is, as five years of brinkmanship have demonstrated. The real problem is that the sides have slid into pro-found distrust since Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis came to office. Over the past week, Tsipras accused the lenders of seeking to “humiliate” Greece and charged the IMF with “criminal responsibility” for the debt crisis. When Thursday’s meeting collapsed, Tsipras flew off to a warm reception at a Russian business conference in St. Petersburg, blithely insist-ing that a deal was imminent. There is no question that the condi-tions initially laid down by Greece’s creditors were foolishly harsh, helping to shrink Greece’s economy by 21 per cent and swell unem-ployment to 25 per cent. But Tsipras has not made the changes his na-tion needs for long-term stability, like curbing tax evasion, clientelism and bureaucratic inefficiency.

More dangerously, many on both sides have moved toward a belief that if Greece were to abandon the euro it would not necessarily be disastrous. It is impossible to predict with any certainty what would happen should Greece leave the euro, but most observers warn of dev-astation for Greek banks, politics and credibility. — The New York Times

The endgame in Greece debt talks

K AV I T H A D AV I D S O N

Zardari outburst part of elaborate game of chessThis refers to the recent outburst of Pakistan Peoples’ Party co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari against the army. This comes as no surprise in the wake of certain incidents. After the arrest of super-model Ayaan Ali and interrogation of some other persons, some link to Zardari is rumoured to have come up. The Sindh government, run by the PPP, is carrying out a witch hunt against a former confidant of Zardari who has reportedly spilled the beans on his erstwhile benefi-ciary. However, in my opinion, his diatribe is possibly just a move in his elaborate game of chess. I cross my fingers at this point but feel the PPP leader will come on top as he is mentally very tough. Ahmed KhanMuscat

Need to monitor wayward drivers with mobile CCTV This refers to the way people drive in Muscat. It is extremely annoy-ing to see people flout the laws so flagrantly. Daily I travel to and from from Al Khoud to Wadi Kabir. I very rarely see people using indicators while changing lanes. It seems people like to take revenge on drivers who follow rules instead of respecting and learning from their road etiquette. I believe people on the road must drive day in and day out just as they did on the day they earned the driver’s licence. A method needs to be worked out by the authorities to check on the irregularities. A likely way forward would be installation of mobile CCTVs along the main roads and imposition of heavy fines. Joseph AllenAl Hail

Libya crisis just part of the global worsening state This refers to the Libyan con-flict caught in a vicious cycle of violence with no likely way out. It is hard to understand why the populace remains unable to find a leader after deposing Muammar Gaddafi. It is sad to see a stable country turning into a long-term conflict zone. The behaviour of militias there is heart wrenching as they mercilessly kill or torture migrants from all over Africa who seek a better future in Europe. It seems the country is simply not fit for democracy as no group is talk-ing of stopping hostilities before going for peace talks, which in my opinion are destined to fail. Such a state of affairs shows worsening state of living conditions globally.Mohan Jaggan Al Khuwair

Wonder how Nigeria lost opportunity to developI am writing about the figures released by a Nigerian oil company that in the last 15 years around $85b has been earned in exports. I find it hard to imagine how a country can remain mired in civil strife yet have such enormous earnings. The country is wrecked by the Boko Haram insurgency which there is a lesser known conflict taking place in the Niger river delta, the main oil region of the country. If the money had been used in an astute manner, the country would not be facing such a worrying situation. I hope some-how the situation in my native land would get better but it seems the insurgencies are being backed by the imperialist powers. Vivian AndrewMuscat

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PERSPEC IVET I M E S O F O M A N S U N DAY, J U N E 2 1 , 2 0 1 5T I M E S O F O M A N A13

I have a very rare and aggres-sive type of skin cancer - Mer-kel cell carcinoma - for which

there is no approved cure, and I’m participating in a clinical trial to deal with it. If successful, the trial will show that the drug I’m being given at least manages what is now an often fatal disease.

Unfortunately, participation in clinical trials by cancer patients is, like my disease, extremely rare. Only roughly 3 per cent of all can-cer patients in the United States ever agree to join a trial. Among women and many minorities, the participation rates are even lower.

This is not a (excuse the term) benign problem. Clinical trials are the way promising new drugs are tested and progress against cancer is made. The paucity of participants also significantly in-creases the time it takes for new medications and treatments to be approved because the trials take so much longer to complete. And that means that many people who would benefit from these drugs won’t get them in time.

There are many reasons par-ticipation is so low.

In some cases, a patient’s doctor may not know about the trial or may not want to lose the patient.

Or the doctor may be unwilling to spend the time it takes to enroll the patient in a trial, especially because physicians aren’t always paid to do so.

In others cases, patients may not know what a clinical trial is or whether one exists for their disease. They may be concerned about what the new drug will or won’t do. They may fear losing control of their treatment or be unwilling or unable to make mul-tiple trips to a hospital. Or they may not want to change doctors.

I had many of these same con-cerns. My first question was one many patients ask: What will hap-pen to me if I’m in the “control group” - the patients who don’t re-ceive the experimental drug?

My doctor explained to me that I had absolutely no chance of get-ting the new treatment if I wasn’t in the trial, but at worst a 50 per cent chance of getting it if I par-ticipated. I later discovered that in my particular trial, everyone would be getting the new drug.

On hearing that I was in a clini-cal trial, one colleague actually told me that he would rather take his chances with no treatment than be used as “a lab rat.”

I am not a lab rat.

What I am is a patient who needs and is receiving treat-ment. I’m being seen by one of the world’s foremost experts on my disease.

He has studied my cancer far more extensively than any other doctor I have seen (and there have been many) in the past two years. In fact, my other doctors used his research to advise me on options. I am ecstatic about working with him directly.

I’m also very much in control of my treatment. I was the one who decided that my previous treat-ment wasn’t adequate. Once I was told about this clinical trial, I was the one who decided to join it. If the time comes, it will be my deci-sion to stop participating in it.

I am also a collaborator. No, I won’t be presenting the results at a medical conference or writing a paper for a peer-reviewed journal, but my physical and emotional re-actions to the drug are being mon-itored and recorded, and that data will contribute to the results and conclusions. I’m also actively and enthusiastically reporting my re-sponses to help improve the way the trial is conducted.

One of my doctors called me a pioneer. — The New York Times

SYMPOSIUM ON WOMAN, CHILDCARE HELD MUSCAT: The Ministry of Health yesterday organised its fifth annual symposium in the national plan for woman and childcare which dealt this year with food and nutri-tion, under the auspices of Dr Ali bin Mohammed bin Moosa, minister of health. The symposium was attended by ministers, undersecretaries and representatives of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Unicef in the Sultanate and several state officials. Dr Ahmed bin Abdul Qadir Al Ghassani, undersecretary for health affairs at the ministry, gave a speech, in which he pointed to the Ministry of Health’s intensive ef-forts in improving nutritional situation in the community in the past decade, beginning with pregnant women who were given iron tablets, saying that national surveys and studies in 1999 had shown that the average of less weight among children under five had decreased in the Sultanate from 23.3 per cent to 18 per cent.

FROM OUR ARCHIVES

Insiders suggest the Pakistan Peoples’ Party supremo is feeling the heat of the Karachi clean-up operation that the Rangers are carrying out with the full backing of the army leadership, but that there may also be a personal connect at Asif Ali Zardari’s end to recent actions undertaken by them

Asif Ali Zardari, the shrewd Co-Chairman of the secular Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and former president, is the coolest politi-

cian in this South Asian nation boasting a rich mix. His deft political moves and a so-called ‘policy of

reconciliation’ — in contextual terms, power-shar-ing — defined his legacy during the party’s five-year term ended 2013. It won him friends, and even foes, who grudgingly admitted to being outfoxed and, of-ten, left at their wit’s end.

So the million dollar question is — what prompt-ed Zardari to go ballistic against the army leader-ship last week that has held Pakistan in thrall. Purely from the standpoint of TRPs, the unchar-acteristic sabre-rattling from one of the lesser elo-quent speakers, has had the private TV circuit in a frenzy it craves!

Of course, there’s that proverbial ‘no smoke without fire’ corollary attached to the develop-ment. Insiders suggest the PPP supremo is feeling the heat of the Karachi clean-up operation that the Rangers are carrying out with the full backing of the army leadership, but that there may also be a personal connect at Zardari’s end to recent actions undertaken by them.

In particular, the Rangers’ raid on Sindh Build-ing Control Authority and subsequent arrest of people suspected of involvement in massive ir-regularities (reports suggest corrupt money was also used to finance terror elsewhere) and, whose movers-and-shakers are alleged to be close friends of the former president, has rattled him.

Also, the arrest of Uzair Baloch, chief of a now-defunct militant group tied to the PPP, by the intel-ligence apparatus and his alleged confession dur-ing interrogation of targeted killings at the behest of the party leadership is reckoned to be another factor that has apparently had Zardari in a tizzy.

But Zardari being the ‘subject’ under review here, there is no way to tell if the dare he made at the army chief was a spur-of-the-moment thing or a studied gambit to knock back the creeping khaki rule on his home turf. Either way, it seems to have backfired, for now, because he has not been able to secure political support he had been hoping for to help him wrest back the province.

On Friday, Zardari invited heads of political par-ties to an Iftar after an aide counselled him against convening an All Party Conference that, in the event of a failure, would turn into a pronounced embarrassment. An Iftar no-show, on the other hand, could still be played down comparatively as

a ‘social’ rendezvous. As it turned out, it was still an embarrassment with only two heads of smaller parties making it to the reception and one of them publicly claiming to have advised Zardari to re-tract his statement against the army leadership! This forced the PPP leadership into a retreat, in-cluding presenting unconvincing interpretations of what it called a media-driven commotion that had no basis.

The PPP spokespersons, for instance, failed to make sense of how Zardari’s pointed reference to the incumbent army chief was really meant for past military dictators.

The former president can be clearly heard bris-tling in the widely aired footage: “You are here for only three years; we’ll stay forever.” An army chief has a three-year tenure — General Raheel Sharif has 18 months left — unless given an extension.

Even though the PPP leader charged the Rang-ers with overreach of their mandated powers to flush out terrorism and unearth terror financing in the troubled province bypassing the Sindh admin-istration, there is no small irony at play here.

Although reluctant to support the establishment of military courts, Zardari played a crucial role in bringing naysayers around to join cause with the National Action Plan devised by the military and political leadership in the wake of the tragic mass killing of schoolchildren in Peshawar last year by the Taliban. Last week however, Zardari lost his cool and thundered he would reveal the list of generals answerable for their actions from 1947 onwards if they continued a “character-assassina-tion campaign” against him and his party. He also warned he would “shut down the country” if his party was pushed to the wall. Farhatullah Babar, a PPP senator, also wondered on the floor of the House if the Rangers’ actions were not linked to the Sindh Government’s refusal to give lands they had demanded from it.

Be that as it may, it would be too simplistic to draw such conclusions given the overriding per-ception about the ineptitude of the crony-filled Sindh administration headed by an octogenarian chief minister — in office now for seven-and-a-half years — but remote-controlled by Zardari.

Is it the fear of governor’s rule — with the poten-tial to leave a rudderless PPP completely out in the wilderness — that’s at the root of the Zardari blitz-krieg, and therefore, a preemptive fightback?

Much food for thought!The writer is a senior journalist based in Islamabad

So what made Zardari go ballistic, and what next?

TODAY IN HISTORY1397 The Union of Kalmar unites Denmark,

Sweden, and Norway under one monarch.

1837 18-year-old Victoria is crowned Queen

of England. 1898 On the way to the Philippines to fight

the Spanish, the U.S. Navy seizes the island of Guam.

1920 Race riots in Chicago, Illinois leave two dead and many wounded.

1999 NATO declares an official end to its bombing campaign of Yugoslavia.

HISTORYNET.COM

GraphicsGraphic News /

Denmark’s opposition bloc wins election

Source: Wire agencies

Denmark’s centre-right opposition bloc led by Lars Loekke Rasmussen has beaten the governing coalition after a close general election

Seats in new parliament

175seats

Red (centre-left) bloc ofHelle Thorning-Schmidt: 85

Social Democrats : 47Danish Social Liberal Party : 8Socialist People’s Party: 7Red-Green Alliance: 14The Alternative: 9

May 15, 1964Lars Loekke Rasmussen born in Vejle, Denmark

1998Appointed mayor of eastern county of Frederiksborg & deputy chairman of Venstre party2001Joins cabinet of Anders Fogh Rasmussen when Venstre wins power. Serves as Interior andHealth Minister, then Finance Minister2009Becomes prime minister after Fogh Rasmussen is appointed Secretary General of NATO2011Loses election to centre-left bloc under Helle Thorning-SchmidtJun 18, 2015Rasmussen’s right-wing bloc wins general election with 52.3 per cent of vote, but support forVenstre drops 7.2 per cent. Far-right Danish People’s Party becomes second largest partyin parliament

1994Enters Danish Parliament

A

A

B

B

F

F

Ø

Ø

Å

Å

Blue (centre-right) bloc ofLars Loekke Rasmussen: 90

Venstre: 34Danish People’s Party: 37Liberal Alliance: 13Conservative People’s Party: 6

VOIC

V

O

I

C

President Vladimir Pu-tin’s annual keynote speech at the St. Peters-

burg Economic Forum, which he delivered on Friday, was highly anticipated as is it may be his most important eco-nomic message of the year. Yet anyone who expected Putin to reveal some kind of plan for dealing with Russia’s econom-ic crisis must be sorely disap-pointed. Crisis? What crisis?

Given Russia’s economic performance, much of Putin’s speech was first class, straight-faced stand-up comedy.

“The consumer demand that used to push the economy forward, has fallen slightly, too,” Putin said of the 7.7 per cent drop in retail volume in January through May, which included the steepest fall for January in at least 10 years.

“We have maintained con-trol over inflation,” Putin said. “Yes, it jumped due to the ru-ble devaluation, but now that tendency is dying down.” Then he went on to give month-on-month figures for inflation, which fell from 3.9 per cent in January to 0.4 per cent in May.

He neglected to mention that consumer prices are up 8.3 per cent since the end of December, and that while price growth is slowing, that’s probably the result of sinking demand, not any measures by the govern-ment, except perhaps the ex-change rate stabilization.

Putin boasted about the size of his government’s reserve funds, more than $150 bil-lion, without mentioning that most of this money is already reserved for large state com-panies that have lost access to Western capital markets be-cause of economic sanctions.

He bragged about the unem-ployment rate being lower than during the 2008-2009 financial crisis without saying that it was 5.6 per cent in May, up from 4.9 per cent a year earlier.

He skipped over the de-cline in industrial produc-tion, which has dropped every month since February, and neglected to mention that manufacturing is down 4.1 per cent year-on-year in January through May.

But he dwelled on the few areas in which production increased thanks to the ban on imports of many Western foods that has been in place since last year. Russia now makes much more cheese, meat, butter and fish -- be-cause these products can no longer be imported.

Even so, prices of these foods have increased in line with inflation.

“Yes, of course, we still have a lot to do in this area,” Putin deadpanned. Indeed, on Thursday, a top Russian agriculture official said the government had plans

to expand the embargo to foreign-made chocolate.

“I will repeat that we are not answering external restric-tions by closing our economy,” Putin said. “We answer by ex-panding freedom, by increas-ing Russia’s openness.”

In the world according to Pu-tin, foreign investors accept this line and choose Russia as an in-vestment destination.

“In the last year alone,” he said, “60 ventures with for-eign participation started op-erating in Russia.” According to the central bank, foreign direct investment in Russia dropped by a factor of 3.3 year-on-year in 2014, to just $20.9 billion, about as much as An-gola or Pakistan.

Putin didn’t even have to play this game. The data are available to all interested par-ties, and each potential inves-tor can determine whether the glass is half-empty or half-full. Though the economy is per-forming better than anyone could expect at the end of last year, when the ruble was in free fall and Russia’s interna-tional reserves were melting, Elvira Nabiullina, governor of the Russian Central Bank, said recently that the economic de-cline hasn’t bottomed out yet.

Yet the Russian leader chose to paint a rosier picture than any self-respecting ana-lyst would buy. This attempt at warping reality is characteris-tic of Putin’s recent public ap-pearances:

It’s as if he’s trying to con-jure out of thin air the world he’d like to see. He certainly isn’t trying to change the rather dire reality: He offered investors no new policies that might make Russia more attractive, only paying lip service to the importance of small and medium businesses and stressing the opportuni-ties created by tax breaks in Russia’s Far East.

Putin’s distortions were equally obvious in the ques-tion- and-answer segment, with TV anchor Charlie Rose serving more as interviewer than moderator. Most of his questions were about geopoli-tics, and Putin repeated fa-miliar answers: The West has infringed on Russia’s interests since the end of the Cold War, the crisis in Ukraine was not his creation, Russians and Ukrain-ians are one nation, all he wants is for his country to be respect-ed rather than humiliated.

Perhaps Putin gets the same questions every time a non- Russian gets a chance to talk to him because the interviewers hope some-thing is going to snap and the Russian president is going to reveal his true intentions. He’s already done that -- over and over. He wants a world in which Russia rules its im-mediate neighborhood and is never snubbed in matters of international trade and se-curity, and he will live in this world regardless of what oth-ers say or do. — Bloomberg View

Russia’s reality in eyes of Putin

Clinical trials need cancer patients

L E O N I D B E R S H I D S KY

S TA N C O L L E N D E R

KA M R A N R E H M AT

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GLOBAL EYES U N DAY, J U N E 2 1 , 2 0 1 5

HONG KONG: Competitors paddle their boat after racing during the annual Dragon Boat Festival in Hong Kong on Saturday. Dragon boat racing dates back to more than 2,000 years and has now developed into

a serious sport on the calendar of many countries around the world. – AFP

UNITED KINGDOM: Britain’s Queen Elizabeth and her husband Prince

Philip arrive at Royal Ascot Horse Racing, on Saturday. – Reuters

HONG KONG: The cruise ship, Quantum of the Seas, is seen berthed

in Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, near commercial and

residential building blocks, on Saturday. – AFP

BELGIUM: Re-enactors take part in the first part of a re-

enactement of the Battle of Waterloo, ‘The French Attack,

during the celebrations of the 200th anniversary of The Battle

of Waterloo, in Waterloo, Belgium, on Friday. – AFP

UNITED KINGDOM: A stall holder covers over a carousel at the end

of the day at The Hoppings fun fair, believed to be one of the largest

travelling funfairs in Europe, on its opening day in Newcastle upon

Tyne, North East England on Friday. – AFP

BULGARIA: People play with coloured powder as they celebrate Holi, the Festival of Colours in Sofia, Bulgaria, on Saturday. – Reuters

GERMANY: The crew of the racing yacht ‘Blue Marlin’ steer their boat as they take part in a regatta of

the 12mR class on the Baltic Sea on Saturday off the coast of Kiel, northern Germany, during the Kieler

Woche (Kiel week) sailing event. – AFP

FRANCE: Jets of the ‘The Patrouille de France’ perform during the first public day at the

International Paris Airshow in Le Bourget on Saturday. – AFP

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WORLDS U N DAY, J U N E 2 1 , 2 0 1 5

1,000 civilians were killed in Afghanistan during

the first four months of this year, a sharp

jump from the same period last year

Roadside bomb kills 14 of family in Afghanistan

KANDAHAR: A roadside bomb killed at least 14 members of an Afghan family, including women and children, in the country’s vol-atile south on Saturday, officials said, in the first major attack in the Holy Month of Ramadan.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack in the Marja district of Helmand prov-ince, a hotbed of Taliban insur-gents who are intensifying their annual summer offensive.

The militants had recently re-buffed requests from senior Af-ghan clerics to halt attacks during the fasting month of Ramadan even as a surge in violence has sent civilian casualties soaring.

“Fourteen civilians were killed and five others wounded in an IED (improvised explosive de-vice) blast in Marja district of Helmand province. All of them were from the same family,” Hel-mand deputy provincial governor Mohammad Jan Rasolyar said.

Helmand police chief Nabi Jan

Mullah Khel claimed a higher toll, saying 16 civilians, includ-ing women and children, were killed while three other civilians were wounded. Haji Fateh Mo-hammad, a tribal elder from the region, said he counted 15 bodies as he helped retrieve them from the twisted carcass of the vehicle.

Marja district in Taliban-in-fested Helmand province was the focus of a major US-led military offensive designed to clear out the insurgent group in early 2010.

The insurgents launched a countrywide offensive in late April, stepping up attacks on gov-ernment and foreign targets in what is expected to be the bloodi-est fighting season in a decade.

The surge in attacks has also tak-en a heavy toll on civilians, accord-ing to the UN mission in Afghani-stan. Almost 1,000 civilians were killed during the first four months of this year, a sharp jump from the same period last year, it said.

Afghan authorities have repeat-edly tried to jump start talks with the Taliban in the hope of ending the 13-year conflict, but the mili-tants have set tough conditions, including the withdrawal of all for-eign troops in Afghanistan.

NATO’s combat mission for-mally ended in December but a small follow-up foreign force of about 12,500 mainly US troops has stayed on to train and support local security personnel. - AFP

No group claimed

responsibility for the

attack in the Marja

district of Helmand

province, a hotbed of

Taliban insurgents

who are intensifying

their annual summer

offensive

NO RESPITE: A Hazara Afghan man sits on the top of his cave in

the old city of Bamiyan on Friday. The militants had recently re-

buffed requests from senior Afghan clerics to halt attacks during

the Holy Month of Ramadan even as a surge in violence has sent

civilian casualties soaring. - AFP

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Thousands join anti-austerity rally in London

LONDON: Thousands of dem-onstrators staged an anti-aus-terity march in London on Sat-urday, in the first major public protest since Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron won a general election.

Opposition politicians, trade union bosses and celebrities, in-cluding singer Charlotte Church and comedian Russell Brand, were among the crowds marching through the capital’s financial dis-trict. The “End Austerity Now” demonstration -- billed by organ-isers as the biggest in years -- will finish outside parliament, while a similar march will take place in Glasgow. There were several thousand marchers taking part in London, according to an AFP reporter at the scene.

Protesters called for the halt-ing and reversal of spending cuts imposed by the previous coalition government and further meas-ures proposed by finance min-

ister George Osborne. “We have seen a huge impact on our work at primary school,” said Sian Bloor, 45, a teacher from Trafford near Manchester.

“I regularly bring clothes and shoes for children and biscuits for their breakfast, just so they get something to eat.

“You can see how children are being affected by the cuts.”

Placard-waving protesters marched from the Bank of Eng-land and filed past the nearby

Royal Exchange, as the sound of drummers filled the air, creating a festival atmosphere.

Some of the placards read: “Austerity Doesn’t Work”, “No to Cuts”, “Get the Tories Out” and “Austerity is Class War”.

A wide variety of campaigners were at the rally, including those opposed to Trident, hunting, tuition fees, fracking, along with various trade unions. “It will be the start of a campaign of protest, strikes, direct action and civil disobedience up and down the country,” said Sam Fairbairn of organisers the People’s Assembly. “We will not rest until austerity is history, our services are back in public hands and the needs of the majority are put first.” — AFP

Opposition

politicians, trade

union bosses and

celebrities marched

through London’s

streets in the first

major public protest

since Prime Minister

David Cameron won

a general election

Couple detained by US during WWII get high school diplomasLOS ANGELES: A Japanese-American couple who were plucked from their California high school during World War II and forcibly detained at a US govern-ment internment camp were given honorary diplomas this week at the school’s graduation ceremony.

George and Miko Kaihara, both 90, were presented with their di-plomas in Tustin High School near

Irvine, outside Los Angeles, to a standing ovation from a crowd of several thousand people on Thurs-day, school district spokesman Mark Eliot said.

They would have graduated from the school on June 23, 1943.

“It really feels like graduating,” Miko Kaihara told local broadcast-er ABC7. To another local media outlet, the Orange County Regis-

ter, she said about the diploma: “I want to show it off.”

The US government forcibly de-tained more than 110,000 people in

10 such internment camps set up across the US West after the 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

JuniorsBoth George and Miko Kaihara were juniors at then-named Tus-tin Union High School when they were interned at Poston camp in Arizona in May 1942.

The couple, married in 1950 and

who now have four sons and seven grandchildren, completed their secondary schooling during their three-year stay at the camp.

“To each class we had to take our chair or stool along,” Miko Kaihara told ABC7. “We got our di-ploma in Poston, we were the first graduating class.”

The graduation ceremony 72 years later came after a former

classmate reconnected with the couple and called their alma ma-ter, which arranged the ceremony, Eliot said.

“It was really important to us, because I know it’s always been their dream to receive a diploma from Tustin High,” Eliot said.

Twenty-five family members were on hand to watch the couple officially graduate. — Reuters

U N I Q U E G R A D U A T I O N

Narrow escape for UK army paratrooper

LONDON: A British army paratrooper from the country’s famed Red Devils display team has had a narrow escape in front of hundreds of spectators, after he was caught mid-air by a fel-low team member when his par-achute failed to open properly.

The airshow in northwest England where the incident happened late on Friday said it was the first parachute fail in 25 years for the team, which is formed of 12 members of Brit-ain’s elite Parachute Regiment.

Spectators published dra-matic photos and video on so-cial media showing one soldier with a fully open parachute wrapping his legs around the ropes of his team mate’s tangled parachute below.

“It was awful watching them struggling, especially when they veered off course -- until we re-alised they were purposely tar-geting the biggest area of water for ditching into,” a spectator said on the airshow’s Face-book page. The men landed in a nearby marina. A British army spokesman said they were both unharmed and that the incident was being investigated. — Reuters

R E D D E V I L S

UP IN ARMS: Demonstrators congregate in Parliament square to hear speeches at the end of a protest march against the British government’s spending cuts and austerity measures in London on Saturday. – AFP

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Phoenix Power retail investors allotted minimum 3,000 shares

A E JAMESbusinesseditor@timesofoman.com

MUSCAT: Phoenix Power, which floated an initial public offering of OMR56.3 million, has allot-ted a minimum of 3,000 shares and 8.57 per cent of additional shares applied by retail or first

category investors. Oman’s market regulator Capi-

tal Market Authority (CMA) ap-proved the share allotment on Thursday, after taking into consid-eration the interest of small inves-tors who constitute a large chunk of investors.

As far as the second category or institutional investors are con-cerned, the allotment is merely 2.52 per cent of applied shares, ac-cording to the stock market regu-lator Capital Market Authority (CMA).

As many as 49,096 investors — 48,727 retail investors and 369 institutional investors — received allotment.

Sayyid Hamid bin Sultan Al Bu-saidi, acting chief executive officer of CMA, said that the demand for shares exceeded the offer by 18 times. The CMA considered the allocation of shares issue in such a way to provide small investors with good number of shares.

“CMA encourages all investors to focus on long-term investment and not to opt for quick exist to get the maximum benefit when the issuer has the ability to utilise revenues of the IPO in investment activities that will contribute to the growth of national economy and generate good yields.”

Refund of excess application money of the issue, which closed one-month subscription on June 8, will start on June 21 and the shares will be listed on June 22.

The primary issue was divided into two categories, on the basis of size of subscription. As many as 65 per cent was reserved for the first category, who apply for shares between 1,000 and 600,000, while the second category was institu-tions and high-net worth individu-als who apply for shares between 600,100 and 51,191,000.

The share offer was available for both Omanis and foreign residents.

The minimum allotment of

shares for retail investors is aimed at providing them opportunities to enter the stock market and gain from their investment.

The Phoenix Power IPO result-ed in a growth in number of new investors on the Muscat Securities Market (MSM).

The heavy oversubscription shows the trust of investors in Omani bourse.

As the largest power plant in Oman, Phoenix Power’s power capacity of 2,000 megawatt rep-resents 27.8 per cent of the main interconnected system. The $1.6 billion-independent power pro-ject has a 15-year power purchase agreement with a government en-tity, which will expire in 2029.

Oman’s market

regulator Capital

Market Authority

has approved the

share allotment

on Thursday

‘Japanese small businesses can offer a lot to Omani firms’ELHAM POURMOHAMMADI elham@timesofoman.com

MUSCAT: Japanese small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with world-class technology and craftsmanship have a lot to of-fer to Omani companies and the initiative by SME Support Japan can help them establish partner-ship, says Japan’s ambassador to the Sultanate.

“The Japanese semi-govern-mental organisation ‘SME Sup-port Japan’ has launched a web-site called ‘J-GoodTech’ which is a business matching site that showcases outstanding Japanese craftsmanship SMEs to overseas SMEs,” Ambassador George Hi-saeda told the Times of Oman in an exclusive interview.

He encouraged Omanis SMEs to learn more about Japanese firms through the website and find opportunities to work together.

Hisaeda added, “Not many Japanese SMEs are aware of the excellence of many Omani com-panies. Oman’s Public Author-ity for Investment Promotion and Export Development (Ithraa) held the ‘Oman Japan Investment Forum’ in Tokyo last year which helped to increase awareness of the Sultanate’s investment cli-mate in general.”

Visa facilitation Asked if any visa initiative is be-ing developed to promote trade between the two countries, the ambassador said, “We are pres-ently working on a visa facilita-tion initiative in accordance with the joint communiqué issued be-tween Japan and Oman following the official visit of the Japanese prime minister to Oman in 2014, which states that both sides have decided to continue discussions on visa exemption between the two countries for diplomatic and official passport holders.”

Commenting on Japanese companies active in the Sultan-ate, Hisaeda said that there are currently thirteen Japanese com-panies operating in Oman.

“Six of them are major busi-ness houses and play a central

role in Japan-Oman economic co-operation through their participation in wide-ranging economic activities, including general trading, shipping and investment,” he said, adding that there are no Omani companies in Japan at present.

Joint investment firmsAccording to him, there are presently two joint investment companies between Japan and Oman in the field of construction, namely Kobe Steel Sohar Project Construction & Co. LLC and Mit-subishi Heavy Industries Fertilis-er Project Contracting Construc-tion Co. LLC.

Direct investments Asked about the total value of the investments made by Japan in Oman, the ambassador said, “In 2014, direct investment from Ja-pan to Oman in finance and insur-ance as well as general machinery amounted to around 0.1 billion yen. I am optimistic that the sign-ing of the bilateral investment agreement anticipated in 2015 will see this figure rise.”

Hisaeda also said that attrac-tive incentives are being offered

to foreign investors keen to make investments in Japan.

Incentives “The Japan External Trade Organ-isation (JETRO), a semi-govern-mental organisation which works to promote mutual trade and in-vestment between Japan and the rest of the world, offers appealing incentives to foreign investors such as support measures which include tax breaks and patent fee exemption, in order to motivate global companies to locate their R&D facilities or regional head-quarters in Japan,” he noted.

The JETRO office in Dubai is responsible for Oman, he said, adding that the embassy regular-ly forwards enquiries there from Omani businesses interested in Japan and Japanese products, and JETRO are delighted to as-sist further.

Projects Asked about the projects that Japanese companies have imple-mented in Oman, Hisaeda noted a long list of projects, which shows Oman’s confidence in the high quality of products and services offered by Japanese firms. >B4

S M E S U P P O R T J A P A N I N I T I A T I V E

ROBUST DEMAND: Phoenix Power IPO resulted in a growth in number

of new investors on the Muscat Securities Market. — Supplied picture

HAVE YOUR SAY Send us your comments at facebook.com/timesofoman blog.timesofoman.com haveyoursay@timesofoman.com

George Hisaeda, Japan’s ambassador to the Sultanate. — Picture by O.K.

Mohammed Ali/Times of Oman

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Russia warns of retaliation for Yukos overseas asset freezeMOSCOW: Moscow threatened on Friday to retaliate against state-linked foreign firms operating in Russia after its official assets in Western Europe were frozen over legal claims by former Yukos oil company shareholders.

Russian officials said state ac-counts had been frozen in Belgium, and representatives of claimants from the defunct oil firm said Rus-sian assets were also blocked in France. The former shareholders are trying to collect some of the re-cord $50 billion in compensation awarded to them by an arbitration court last year for the way Russia seized and dismantled the compa-ny after arresting Yukos owner and prominent Kremlin critic Mikhail Khodorkovsky in 2003.

But President Vladimir Putin stressed that “Russia does not rec-ognise the authority of this court” and vowed instead to defend against the seizures.

“We will defend our interests by the route of justice,” said Putin.

Legal routeThe Russian leader did not specify what the legal route entails, but ear-lier, foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said in televised comments that Russian entities impacted by the moves were preparing to go to court to force the freezing of the assets of “foreign companies with govern-ment involvement” in Russia.

In Belgium, accounts of the Russian embassy in Brussels and representative offices at the Euro-

pean Union and NATO headquar-ters were among those affected, the Russian foreign ministry said Thursday.

In France, accounts in around 40 banks were frozen along with eight or nine buildings, Tim Os-borne, executive director of the

main shareholder GML, said.What our response will be —

time will tell,” deputy foreign min-ister Vasily Nebenzya told Interfax news agency, adding that “who-ever acts like this has to under-stand that there will be a counter reaction.” The speaker of Russia’s

parliament Sergei Naryshkin de-scribed the asset freezes in Europe as “highway robbery.”

Conflict in UkraineThe row came as relations be-tween Russia and the EU sank to a low over the conflict in Ukraine, with the Europeans accusing Mos-cow of supporting and arming the rebellion in the east of the former Soviet state — a claim that Russia denies. In response to the moves in Belgium, Moscow summoned the Belgian ambassador to explain the action, and threatened “reciprocal measures targeting Belgian assets in Russia.”

The Belgian foreign ministry said the seizures had been con-ducted by bailiffs without the

involvement of Belgium’s govern-ment, but Moscow dismissed that claim. State-run bank VTB said Thursday that some of the ac-counts of its affiliate in France had been frozen.

VTB chief Andrei Kostin insist-ed on Friday that he saw the move as “more of a judicial issue than a political one.” There was no fur-ther confirmation of any other as-set freezes in France from officials in Moscow or Paris. Yukos was once Russia’s biggest oil company, but was broken up after the arrest in 2003 of its owner, Kremlin critic Mikhail Khodorkovsky.

That came shortly after the Rus-sian President warned Russia’s growing class of oligarchs against meddling in politics. — AFP

D E F U N C T O I L F I R M

Suppliers cautious as Airbus, Boeing plan to hike output

PARIS: A rare note of dissent permeated the Paris Airshow this week as suppliers worried they might lose out if they invest to meet higher commercial jet pro-duction targets that ultimately prove unsustainable.

Airbus and Boeing plan to raise production rates of best-selling sin-gle-aisle planes by 25 per cent to 50-52 a month in 2017-18 and execu-tives at the Paris Airshow discussed the possibility of ramping up output towards 60, or even above.

That prompted some rare pub-lic pushback from suppliers in-cluding major engine suppliers GE and partner Safran, who said they needed to secure the start of a steep rise in output before com-mitting to even higher targets.

Their CFM joint venture makes the new LEAP engine to power Boeing’s revamped 737 MAX and some of the Airbus A320neo planes. There is also concern over how long any higher production rates may last, although Airbus CEO Fabrice Bregier dismissed talk of a bubble.

“I think (planemakers) will run into some resistance, based on how much money the sup-ply chain will have to put up and whether the 60 rate will last for any amount of time,” Agency Partners analyst Nick Cunning-ham said.

Uncertainty lingersSuppliers fall into two main cat-egories: those already producing at high volumes on existing technol-ogy but required to take a gamble by investing in extra capacity; and those involved in new technology, mainly in and around the engine, who face uncertainty about their future capacity and costs.

“The important moment will

be the entry into service of the A320neo. If that goes smoothly then I think many people will be more comfortable about dis-cussing further rate increases,” the head of a major components supplier said, who asked not to be identified because of relation-ships with manufacturers.

The A320neo enters service with Pratt & Whitney engines later this year, followed by a CFM version in 2016.

The CFM-powered 737 MAX enters service in 2017.

Company-sized gambleSeveral suppliers expressed doubts over whether planemak-ers would be able to increase production as much as they hope, though the industry has often dug deep to secure its growth.

Airbus said it would make a decision this year on a further increase, but Boeing said it would be cautious about taking any de-cision to raise the level towards 60 a month. Industry sources say it has, however, been testing the ability of the supply chain to han-dle 60, or even 70 planes, a month.

For the very largest suppliers, it may simply involve a judgment on commitment and timing. – Reuters

Several suppliers

expressed doubts

over whether

planemakers

would be able

to increase

production as

much as they hope

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Nigeria LNG exports reach $85 billion

LAGOS: Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Company, a joint venture between the govern-ment and foreign oil majors, has generated some 85 bil-lion dollars from exports since its inception 15 years ago, the company announced late Friday.

“For us, it has been a suc-cess story. Between 1999 when we came on stream and now, we have realised some $85 billion from exports of liquefied natural gas to buy-ers in Europe, America and Asia,” chief executive Babs Omotowa told reporters.

He said the company, which was set up to harness Nigeria’s vast natural gas re-sources and produce

The new administration of President Mohammadu Bu-hari, who became the first Ni-gerian to oust a sitting presi-dent in democratic elections in March, is facing a severe economic crunch. - AFP

F I F T E E N Y E A R S

B3S U N DAY, J U N E 2 1 , 2 0 1 5

MARKET

Investments in GCC small, medium firms touch $15.3bMUSCAT: Gulf Organisation for Industrial Consulting (GOIC) revealed that there were 13,480 small and medium-sized factories in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in 2014, includ-ing 10,809 small factories and 2,671 medium factories.

Abdul Aziz bin Hamad Al Aqeel, secretary-general of the GOIC point-ed out that the total investments in small and medium industries touched $15.3 billion in 2014, which is 4.1 per cent of the total industrial investments in the GCC countries, amounting to $380.1 billion.

In an interview, Al Aqeel point-ed out that GOIC depends on the division of industries on the uni-

formly invested capital standard to distinguish between types of Gulf industries, after a thorough review of the components of manufactur-ing industry database in the Gulf Cooperation Council states, where small industries are those indus-tries that have less investment than $2 million, and the medium-sized industries are those with a capital ranging between $2 million and less than $6 million.

According to GOIC data, the small and medium-sized factories formed in 2014 around 82.7 per cent of the total number of facto-ries operating in the manufactur-ing industries (16,292 factories), absorbing 44.1 per cent of the size

of the workforce, in spite of the small size of investments, which contributed by 4 per cent of the total investments in the manufac-turing industries.

He further said that the small and medium industries recruited 674,933 workers, or 44.1 per cent of the total number of workers in manufacturing industries, which recruit roughly 1.5 million work-ers. Small industries have recruit-ed 28.7 per cent of the total em-ployees while medium industries recruited 15.5 per cent.

Al Aqeel explained that small and medium industries are dis-tributed numerically on all indus-trial activities, but they are largely

concentrated on the activity of construction metals, transporta-tion and other industries, with 3,683 factories, constituting 27 per cent of the total number of small and medium-sized factories.

He added that the non-metallic materials industry, that is, build-ing materials came in second place with about 2,297 plants in 2014, accounting for nearly 17 per cent of the total number of small and medium-sized factories, fol-lowed by the food and beverage industries and rubber and plastics products by 11 per cent, and the re-maining industrial activities with smaller percentages.

In terms of accumulated capital,

the GOIC secretary general said that the construction minerals, transportation and other indus-tries came first, with $3.9 billion in terms of accumulated investments volume, accounting for 25 per cent of the total investments in small and medium industries.

Al Aqeel said that the building materials industry came in second place with $3.2 billion as the size of cumulative investment in 2014, followed by food products and bev-erages industry with $1.9 billion, amounting to 13 per cent of the total investments, followed by the rubber and plastics industry, with $1.7 billion, amounting to 10.8 per cent, followed by the rest of the in-

dustries at less percentages.As for the number of employees,

construction metals, transporta-tion and other industries came first with 184,000 workers, or 27 per cent of the volume of workers in small and medium industries, followed by the building materi-als industry in second place with 118,000 workers, forming 17 per cent of the total number of workers in small and medium industries, followed by food products and bev-erages industry by 71,000 workers and 10 per cent, then manufactur-ing of rubber and plastic products, with 65,000 workers and 53 per cent, followed by the rest of indus-tries with less percentages. — ONA

G U L F I N D U S T R I E S

US tech firm tipped as chip industry’s next consolidatorNEW YORK: Texas Instruments (TI) could be gearing up to make the next big deal in what has al-ready been a record-breaking year for semiconductor M&A, industry bankers and analysts said.

The Dallas, Texas-based chip-maker, which has a market capi-talisation of $56 billion, has so far stayed on the sidelines as peers In-tel, Avago Technologies and NXP Semiconductors made acquisi-tions worth tens of billions of dol-lars earlier this year.

TI is looking for large acquisi-tions as well, according to people familiar with the matter. It held talks to acquire Maxim Integrated Products Inc late last year but dis-cussions broke off when Maxim, which has a market capitalisation of about $10 billion, decided not to sell itself, the people said.

Freescale SemiconductorTI also considered buying Freescale Semiconductor before Freescale agreed to be acquired by NXP in March for $11.8 billion, the people said.

A TI spokeswoman said the company has a long-standing policy to not comment on market rumors and speculation or com-petitor activity. Maxim declined to comment and Freescale did not respond to a request for comment.

If Texas Instruments chief ex-ecutive Rich Templeton doesn’t make a move soon, the company could run out of high value tar-gets, FBR Capital Markets ana-lyst Christopher Rolland said. TI should act by the end of the year while NXP, one of its fastest growing rivals, is tied up await-ing approval for its merger with Freescale, he said. “If I was TI, I would think of what NXP’s next target would be and should I get there first,” Rolland said.

Driving TI’s appetite for M&A, according to the sources, is a de-sire to improve on its profitability and increase its share in the frag-mented market for analog chips, which process signals. - Reuters

T E C H N O L O G Y Commodity prices stable in first four months this year

MUSCAT: Commodity pric-es were stable in the first four months of 2015, and that may en-courage people to save.

A few years ago, high food prices forced households to in-crease their monthly spending budgets. However, the retreat of prices would add more money to savings or investment in various economic sectors.

By the end of April 2015, the inflation index for foodstuffs fell by 1.05 per cent to reach 101.5 points. It declined from 102.6 points last March and 105 points in December 2014.

Food and non-alcoholic bever-ages weight in the consumer price index stands at 23.9 points. The index of consumer prices, which consists of 100 points, includes 12 main groups, notably trans-port and communication services weighing about 26.4 points, trans-port group 19.1 points, restaurants and hotels 6 points, clothing and footwear 5.9 points, telecommu-nication group 5.6 points, miscel-laneous goods and services group 5.1 points.

The food and non-alcoholic beverages group includes 10 va-rieties whose data are monthly collected. According to the latest data, several varieties recorded a decline in prices, the foremost of which are fish and marine prod-ucts, vegetables, bread and cereals while other materials recorded

general stability.The price consumer’s indices in

the Sultanate rely on the weights derived from the family income and expenditure survey of average prices for the years 2008, 2009 and 2010.

2012 is base yearThe year 2012 is considered the base year, and the base price (100 points) is the average price from January to December 2012.

The National Centre for Statis-tics and Information (NCSI) col-lects data monthly from all gover-

norates of the Sultanate with the exception of the Governorates of Al Wusta and Musandam.

Prices are collected from 1721 selected sources while rental data are gathered from a sample of 1150 leased units. By the end of April, the annual inflation index in the Sultanate fell to less than 0.5 point as the consumer price reached 102.3 points.

Consumer goods prices are down in sync with the decline in oil prices in the global markets. In its latest data, the Food and Agri-culture Organisation (FAO) said

that its food price index recorded last May its lowest level since Sep-tember 2009 to reach 166.8 points, decreasing by 2.4 points, 1.4 per cent lower than its level last April, with a fall of 43.6 points, which represents 20.7 per cent from a year ago.

Statistics showed that the de-cline in grain and dairy product prices was the main reason for this decline, in addition to a fall in meat prices and the stability of oils and sugar prices.

Statistics also showed that the pressures still force international

prices of grain to increase due the abundance of stocks, coupled with expectations of favorable crops in 2015. The decline in trade expectations contributed to the general decline in prices as many importing countries have postponed their purchases to a later time this year. — ONA

A few years ago,

high food prices

forced households

to increase their

monthly spending

budgets

UNDER CONTROL: By the end of April 2015, the inflation index for foodstuff fell by 1.05 per cent to reach 101.5 points. It declined from 102.6 points last March and 105 points in December 2014. – ONA

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B4

MARKETS U N DAY, J U N E 2 1 , 2 0 1 5

State General Reserve Fund fills two executive positionsTimes News Service

MUSCAT: State General Reserve Fund (SGRF) announces two ap-pointment to key leadership posi-tions in investment and finance units, which both are reporting directly to the executive president.

Mulham Al Jarf has been named as chief investment officer to lead SGRF`s investment activities of both public and private markets including real estates, and assets management.

Prior to joining SGRF, Mulham was the Deputy CEO of Oman Oil Company (OOC) since 2004 where he was responsible for

overseeing the Group’s Strategic Business Units.

During his career with OOC, he held several leadership roles and positions including legal counsel and head of project and struc-tured finance. He brings a wide range of experience in commerce, international business, and fi-nance in the energy sector locally and internationally.

He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Marymount University, USA and earned a postgraduate Diploma in Law from The College of Law, UK in 1998. He is also a Barrister-at-Law of the Bar of England and Wales

and a member of The Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn, UK.

Additionally, SGRF has pro-moted Abdullah Al Harthy to the position of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to lead SGRF’s finance and investment perfor-mance activities.

With his new role, Al Harthy will be also responsible for over-seeing the Business Strategy, and the Information Technology. With over 14 years of career with SGRF, Al Harthy occupied several posi-tions in the investment, and the business strategy departments.

In 2010, he headed the Busi-ness Strategy unit which devel-

oped the fund’s asset allocation framework, build economic re-search capabilities in addition to managing internal and external portfolio mandates.

From 2005, he has been en-gaged in many initiatives which aimed at setting up investment platforms including joint ven-tures in Vietnam and Brunei.

Al Harthy holds Master of Busi-ness Administration (MBA) from IMD Business School, Switzerland and Bachelor degree in Finance from Sultan Qaboos University in 2001. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) since 2004, and a member of the CFA Institute.

N E W A P P O I N T M E N T S

Mulham Al Jarf. — Supplied picture Abdullah Al Harthy. — Supplied picture

EU and Greece’s creditors pursue weekend diplomacy

LUXEMBOURG: European Union (EU) leaders and Greece’s creditors headed into a flurry of behind-the-scenes weekend di-plomacy before high-level meet-ings to unlock aid for the nation flirting with default.

With markets closed, the week-end gives negotiators trying to avert a Greek exit from the euro some room to lay out a road map

for what will be a high-stakes week with an emergency sum-mit of EU chiefs on Monday. The clock is running down on a June 30 deadline to make payments and work out a new deal amid dis-agreements on pensions, sales tax and a deficit target.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and her French counter-part, Francois Hollande, spoke by phone on Friday. As leaders of the two biggest economies in the 19-nation euro bloc, they’ve presented a united front against Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, who has spent his five months in power trying to roll back the austerity policies under-pinning the country’s bailout.

“I want to say very clearly on expectations, that the summit meeting on Monday can only be a decision-making summit if a ba-sis for making decisions is there,” Merkel said at a Christian Demo-cratic party event in Berlin.

Last chancesGreece is running out of last chances. The euro-area bailout expires at the end of the month and that’s when about 1.5 billion euros ($1.7 billion) is owed to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). With its finances in tat-ters, it’s unclear how long Greece can hold out against the condi-tions attached to a fresh infusion of rescue loans.

European Union President Donald Tusk discussed what awaits Greece with European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi, IMF head Christine Lagarde and EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker. Those institu-tions control the purse strings.

Flying back from a visit to Rus-sian President Vladimir Putin, Tsipras will hunker down in Ath-

ens with his closest advisers to come up with a game plan. His country was given a few more days of financial breathing space from the ECB, which Friday increased again the maximum amount of emergency funding Greek banks can access.

On Monday, the ECB will revisit that emergency funding as depos-its continue to flee Greek banks at

dizzying rates. About 1.85 billion euros was withdrawn in the last two days alone, according to a per-son familiar with the matter.

At sea“We are in the midst of great tur-bulence,” Tsipras said in St. Pe-tersburg. “But we are a nation of seafarers, who know how to deal with storms, and aren’t afraid to sail to distant oceans, to un-charted waters, in search of a safe harbor.”

The 40-year-old leader, con-tending with hard-liners in his Syriza party who don’t want him to capitulate to creditors’ de-mands, has escalated the rheto-ric in search of a better deal. He is expected to speak by phone with Juncker.

After their meeting on Thurs-day ended in frustration, Europe-an finance ministers will convene again Monday, before the summit of leaders that could determine the future of the euro zone and Greece’s place in it. Fatigue has set in and expectations have been tempered after months of brink-manship and inconclusive discus-sions. Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis, in an opinion piece published Saturday by The Irish Times, blamed his European counterparts for showing no will-ingness Thursday to consider his “well thought-out” proposals. — Bloomberg News

With markets closed,

the weekend gives

negotiators trying

to avert a Greek

exit from the euro

some room to lay

out a road map for

what will be a high-

stakes week with an

emergency summit

of EU chiefs slated

on MondayGreek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras. — Reuters

‘Boring’ banks a safe haven in scary world

LONDON: When fears of a Greek default are mounting, stock mar-kets are jittery at multi-year highs, and the world’s biggest economy is preparing to hike in-terest rates, the idea of taking ref-uge in bank stocks might appear to be a hard sell.

Yet that’s exactly what some investors and brokers are recom-mending, on the basis that the sector is cheap, has been scrubbed cleaner post-crisis and may be able to pass on higher rate costs to clients in an improving economy.

“With some of the classic safe havens like precious metals and less risky stocks providing little protection, we believe investors should consider some less obvious places,” BlackRock Global Chief Investment Strategist Russ Koes-terich told clients last week.

Potential beneficiary“One is the financial sector, with banks a potential beneficiary of higher rates.”

It would not be the first time in-vestors have picked up banks again since the financial crisis, though eye-popping fines have left some with burnt fingers.

But Citi research suggests that European banks’ annual litigation provisions are expected to fall by more than half this year.

And meanwhile valuations suggest banks are the only bar-gains left.

The banking sector is still cheap relative to others: global banks trade on a price-to-earnings ratio of around 12 and a price-to-book ratio of around 1, one of the low-est-rated sectors.

Big European names like Deutsche Bank, Credit Suisse and HSBC are even cheaper.

There’s also a lot of optimism among investors about the ar-rival of new management at Deutsche Bank, Credit Suisse and Standard Chartered.

Banks have regularly been pitched as restructuring plays; the hope this time is for more aggres-sive changes, whether on capital or business lines.

CaveatsThere are caveats, of course.

Atlantic Equities analyst Chris Wheeler said a rise in rates was only good if it was gradual and if income from loan-books got more of an upward jump than payouts to depositors.

This would tend to benefit strong retail or corporate lend-ers rather than pure investment banks.

And while trading desks may cheer volatility as it drives vol-umes, parts of the fixed-income business may be squeezed.

“Higher volatility should sup-port higher sales and trading rev-enues and rising bond yields are generally good for banks, especial-ly ones that have a low loan-to-de-posit ratio,” said Kinner Lakhani, analyst at Citi.

“But not all banks will be affect-ed in the same way...credit trading may also be negatively impacted.”

Lenders themselves appear rel-atively sanguine.

Bank of America Chief Finan-cial Officer Bruce Thompson told an investor conference that rising rates were “neutral to actually a positive” but said that fixed-in-come credit was an area that tend-ed to “not be as robust” in a rising rate environment.

Analysis by Barclays on a sum-of-the-parts basis, or what each bank’s business line is worth on a standalone view, suggests that the sector’s cheapness can be justified - especially for big banks. - Reuters

S T O C K T R E N D S

‘Japanese firms

awarded many

major contracts’

According to him, in recogni-tion of Japan’s excellence in engineering technology and world-class work schedule management practice, a num-ber of Japanese companies have been awarded the engineering contracts of major industrial and infrastructure projects, including LNG trains in Sur, a refinery and chemical fertiliser plant in Sohar, and desalination plants in Ghubrah and Barka.

Kobe SteelOne such project is the iron di-rect reduction plant in Sohar, which was built by Japanese steel company Kobe Steel for the first time in the world with the most advanced environmental engineering technology to save electricity. Japanese firms are also involved in Oman’s water and electricity sectors.

Sojitz Corporation and Shikoku Electric Power Cor-poration were awarded the Barka 3 and Sohar 2 IPPs, which achieved full commercial oper-ations in April 2012. Both plants have a capacity of 744 MW, so the projects have added almost 1,500 MW of power to Oman’s current capacity of circa 4,500 MW. In 2011, two of Japan’s major general trading firms Marubeni and Chubu Elec-tric Power Company won the contract for Sur IPP in north-eastern Oman, which gener-ates 2 GW of electricity and ac-counts for around 30 per cent of Oman’s total electricity genera-tion capacity and an investment of approximately $1.6 billion.

In 2012, Sumitomo Corpora-tion was awarded another con-

tract for the 190,000 cubic me-tres per day Al Ghubrah IWP, near the capital Muscat, which will supply much of Muscat’s total water demand and signifi-cantly contribute to the steeply growing water demand in the city. State-of-the-art Japanese reverse osmosis technology will be used in this new plant.

Mitsui Corporation, which has a subordinate company called Mitsui E&P Middle East (MEPME) that is investing in upstream projects in Oman, also recently won the contract of Salalah 2 IPP in April 2015.

Acquiring the current plant in Salalah owned by the Dhofar Company, which generates 273 MW, Mitsui will operate two plants which will generate 673 MW in total.

Reputed for the most ad-vanced shipbuilding technolo-gies, Japanese shipyards have been awarded a contract to build a number of vessels for Oman Shipping Company (OSC).

Five LNG tankers owned by OSC have been built by Japa-nese shipyards, in addition to a number of tankers which in-clude very large crude carriers.

In addition, several Japanese companies have entered into joint ownership of the fleet of OSC vessels, holding substan-tial shares in all LNG tankers and others. Among them, Mit-sui OSK Line has been work-ing closely with OSC since its inception, playing an active role in all areas of the shipping in-dustry of Oman, including OSC corporate management, opera-tion of the fleet of vessels, and crew training.

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Bank Sohar hosts prize draw in Al Khaboura

MUSCAT: Under the patronage of Sheikh Saif bin Muhanna bin Said Al Hinai, Wali of Al Khaboura, Bank Sohar recently conducted its fourth monthly draw of the Al Mu-mayaz Saving Scheme with a prize amount totalling OMR55,000.

The prize was distributed among 10 lucky winners. The draw, which was held as part of a VIP client gath-ering in Al Khaboura, witnessed five Bank Sohar customers win OMR10,000 each and five minor account holders win OMR1,000 each, says a press release.

Representing Bank Sohar at the event which was held at the Al Ra-fahya Hall in Al Khaboura were R. Narasimhan, DGM and Head of Retail Banking, Khamis Masoud Al

Rahbi, AGM of Branches, Redha Al Lawatia, Head of Liabilities & Sales, and Abdul Jalil Baqer Al Ajmi, Sen-ior Branch Manager of Al Khaboura Branch, together with other senior members of the bank and branch managers, who welcomed the chief guest and the bank’s VIP customers from the area.

Documentary videoThe event commenced with a wel-come address by Abdul Jalil Al Ajmi, followed by an impressive performance done by an Omani band. Shortly after, a documentary video was played showcasing the journey of the Al Mumayaz Sav-ing Scheme together with its high-lights and various weekly, monthly draws, and year-end grand draw event. A comprehensive overview of the features of the 2015 savings scheme as well as presentation on various retail products was then delivered by Redha Al Lawatia, highlighting the main enhance-ments of the new scheme and oth-er value added advantages.

Commenting on the occasion, Narasimhan said: “We strongly

believe that in an industry as dynamic as the one in Oman, building and maintaining strong positive relationships with our customers is key to success. Over the past eight years, this principle has governed our operations and ensured our continued growth. Such gatherings further facilitate our customer focused approach by providing us with an opportunity to directly interact with them. It is their feedback and input that helps strengthen our relationship as well as facilitate the evolution of prod-ucts and services to meet their needs and aspirations. Such gath-erings also provide a great oppor-tunity to show our appreciation for the confidence that customers place in our organisation.”

Following the highlights on the scheme, a representative from Ministry of Education employees Relations Business unit and a child from the gathering conducted the children monthly draws which saw Eyad Al Siyabi, from Al Qu-rum branch; Dhahi Al Sibani, from the Seeb branch; Hoor Al Balushi, from Sohar branch; Duaa Al Hinai,

from the Al Qurum branch; and Adam Hussain, from Al Khoudh branch; win OMR1,000 each.

The guest of honour then con-ducted the draws to reveal the win-ners of the Al Mumayaz Savings Scheme Monthly Draws which saw S. M. A. from Al Azaiba branch; Sulaiman Al Nabhani from Bahla branch; Said Al Zarai from the Ja-lan Bani Bu Ali branch; Yousuf Al Farsi from Barka Branch; and Mo-hammed Al Habsi from Al Khoudh branch, win the monthly grand prize of OMR10,000 each.

“With customer satisfaction, financial planning and instilling the habit of saving at its core, the Al Mumayaz Savings Scheme has always offered customers an inno-vative way to secure their financial future; incentivising them to save by offering ample opportunities to enrich their present, thanks to our daily, weekly and monthly draws. As a matter of fact, with the 2015 Al Mumayaz Savings Scheme’s revamped prize structure, we are offering customers an even wider pool of prizes than we did last year, totalling over 1,100 winners,” com-mented Narasimhan. “I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate our monthly winners and encourage others to continue saving and wish them best of luck in all our upcoming draws.”

The event concluded by handing over a special token of apprecia-tion to Saif Al Hinai followed by a gala dinner. The event provided a great platform for the senior man-agement and staff for a one-to-one interaction with customers and proved to be a great success.

The draw, which

was held as part of a

VIP client gathering

in Al Khaboura,

witnessed five Bank

Sohar customers

win OMR10,000

each and five minor

account holders win

OMR1,000 each

Bahwan CyberTek,

ISB offer course on

career management

MUSCAT: The Indian School of Business (ISB), a premier global business school and one of the largest executive education pro-viders in Asia, and Bahwan Cy-bertek, an associate of the Suhail Bahwan Group, one of Oman’s foremost business houses, have joined hands to offer a ‘Certificate Programme in General Manage-ment for Business Executives’ in Oman and UAE in August.

The rapidly changing business scenario in the region offers di-verse opportunities but at the same time, brings with it several complexities. Against this back-drop it is a must for business ex-ecutives, especially those who are aspiring to move into leadership roles to keep themselves abreast of the latest business practices and the right skillsets to man-age effectively and thrive in an increasingly global competitive business environment.

This certificate programme is specifically tailored for tomor-row’s leaders and will help them become better leaders and busi-ness decision-makers.

Ideal candidates for this pro-gramme are executives with over five years of experience who aspire to reach the next level of leadership by enhancing their general management compe-tencies. Participants will have a holistic understanding of these competencies that will help them to enhance their personal effec-tiveness lead and motivate teams for greater performance and take strategic business decisions.

The Certificate Programme in General Management will be delivered by senior faculty who regularly teach Executive Educa-tion participants in ISB and other leading business schools. The methodology will be a mix of case studies, workshops, classroom learning and group activities cov-ering the following areas:

-lence

-tion excellence

managing stakeholders-

cation

profitable growth -

ecutives

Study while you work This seven-month programme is designed as a blend of online and on campus format.

This format ensures that work-ing professionals can continue their learning without disruption in their work schedules. Success-ful candidates will receive the ‘Certificate Programme in Gen-eral Management for Business Executives’ from the ISB, Centre for Executive Education.

The ISB and BCT have signed a MoU with the objective of providing executive education courses focused at grooming sen-ior and middle management in Oman and UAE in different areas aligned to the demand of the busi-ness landscape in the region.

C E R T I F I C A T E P R O G R A M M E

ahlibank, Al Hilal Islamic Banking launch auto financing promotionMUSCAT: ahlibank and Al Hilal Islamic Banking services, Islamic window of ahlibank, unveiled a unique and exclusive Ramadan fes-tive auto financing promotion for customers at a press conference held at its headquarters recently.

Under the promotion, customers who are interested in availing auto financing from the bank will be entitled to discounted rates of just 3.99 per cent for 12 months, and 4.49 per cent beyond 12 months, without the need of any salary as-signment, says a press release.

In addition to the most comple--

bank and Al Hilal Islamic Banking Services’ auto financing guaran-tees instant approvals till midnight

(for Ramadan), high amount up to OMR50,000, long tenor of up to seven years etc. bundled with the option of providing only postdated cheques instead of salary transfer.

Customer serviceCommenting on the launch of the Ramadan Auto Financing promo-tion scheme, Lloyd Maddock, CEO of ahlibank said “The Ramadan festive auto financing promotion underlines ahlibank and Al Hilal Islamic Banking Services’ com-mitment to our strategy that hing-es on customer service. We believe in building a close relationship with our customers and appreci-ate their trust in us. We hope this exciting promotion will brighten

up our customer’s festivities this Ramadan and Eid.”

He continued, “By offering a

our customers can enjoy greater freedom in making a quick pur-chase decision. Our auto financing product provides customers with an extremely fast and hassle-free

-ible terms, when purchasing the automobile of their dreams. The Ramadan auto financing scheme also offers customers a level of fi-

-ly unparalleled in the market.”

The Ramadan festive auto fi-nancing promotion will be valid during the whole month of Rama-dan, till Eid.

R A M A D A N S C H E M E

A’Saffa: Your answer to ‘real halal’ chicken this RamadanMUSCAT: Buy A’Saffa Foods products with confidence this Ramadan, as A’Saffa chicken is in accordance with ‘real Halal’ - hand slaughtered with knife as per Islamic Sharia.

The nation’s largest poultry producer, A’Saffa’s plant is locat-ed in Thumrait (Oman), and pro-duces high quality fresh and fro-zen poultry products. It is worth mentioning that A’Saffa poultry are fed with 100% natural fod-der, produced in a highly sophis-ticated factory, and slaughtered manually by knife (real halal) as per Islamic law (Sharia), says a press release.

Having best-in-class technol-ogy and equipment at their plant, the company is ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and HACCP certified, and has implemented the same in all sections of their farm manage-ment procedures, whilst strictly adhering to the highest biosecuri-ty and hygiene standards, thereby ensuring that their chicken are free from any disease.

Sidhartha Lenka, head of mar-keting and sales, A’Saffa Foods, stated: “For the slaughtering of our chicken the techniques that we use at our farm ensure that all of our birds are slaughtered by hand using a knife, processed in a way that is hygienic and ensures that the birds are of the highest quality

and fit for human consumption.”This Ramadan, customers in

Oman and across the GCC can rest assured that they can buy every A’Saffa chicken and chicken parts with the confidence that they have been raised and slaugh-tered by hand using actual halal techniques in accordance with Islamic Sharia; whereas many other poultry producers around the world practice killing their chicken using electrical impulses known as stunning.

As markets in the region con-tinue to import produce from companies around the world where there is no strong Islamic tradition, A’Saffa practices and reiterates that it is ‘real halal’.

“Using electricity dries up the

which means a lot of dried blood

and veins which is not hygienic. Through ‘real halal’ the slaughter-ing is done by hand from the top of the neck ensuring each drop of

bird and it is hygienic for con-sumption,” he explained. “Also, worldwide during stunning 3 to 4 out of every 100 chicken die be-fore slaughter which goes unno-ticed in mechanical slaughtering which means ‘halal’ is not guaran-teed. Mostly companies also use mechanical devices to slaughter

poultry which is also contrary to the strict guidelines that should be carried out to ensure that birds are slaughtered in accordance with proper Islamic Sharia.”

It is noteworthy that A’Saffa Foods specially employ trained Muslim staff to slaughter chick-ens by hand at their farm en-suring that the staff member pronounces ‘Bismillah, Allah ho Akbar’ while facing ‘Makkah’ dur-ing the slaughtering of each in-dividual bird in accordance with Sharia principles.

“‘A’Saffa’ chicken does not con-tain hormones, steroids, artificial

-servatives, synthetic ingredients and no artificial injection of wa-ter is used to increase chicken weight. This is part of our effort to give our consumers the most natural product - thereby making A’Saffa a trusted name in 100% natural, tasty and healthy food products. Biosecurity at A’Saffa Foods' farms is of utmost impor-tance, and several measures have been implemented to make sure that good hygiene practices are in place throughout our plant. This helps prevent the spread of disease not only in our poultry, but also for those that consume our products, and helps to protect public health and the community at large,” said Sidhartha Lenka.

P O U L T R Y P R O D U C E R

Ford honoured at Automotive Innovations AwardsMUSCAT: Ford Motor Compa-ny’s zealous passion to make driv-ing more rewarding and memo-rable has allowed it to take huge strides in the area of innovations and technology.

Ford Motor Company was named the ‘Most Innovative Vol-ume Brand 2015’ for its safety and semi-autonomous driver technol-ogies at the 10th annual Automo-tive Innovations Awards, says a press release.

The Centre of Automotive Man-agement based in Germany named Ford the category winner after con-sidering innovations from 18 global automotive groups representing 53 brands. The new Ford Focus also won in its class. Ford won the awards for safety and driver as-sistance systems including Active Park Assist that helps drivers to park alongside other cars, and in

parallel parking spaces.For Ford, innovation has always

been the lifeblood and it’s become more vital with the automotive in-dustry entering a period of rapid technological advancement. The technologies being introduced to-day are enabling a safer, more effi-cient and more connected journey.

The Centre of Automotive Man-agement is an independent insti-tute for automotive and mobility research and strategic consulting at the University of Applied Sci-ences, Bergisch Gladbach, in Germany. The Automotive Inno-vations Awards recognises auto-motive engineering innovation. The judging panel, led by centre director Prof. Dr Stefan Bratzel, in collaboration with Pricewa-terhouseCoopers AG, reported that driver assistance systems ac-counted for nearly 300 of the inno-

vations submitted.“Automotive Innovations iden-

tified the future trends in the au-tomotive industry on the basis of more than 1,200 technical innova-tions,” Bratzel said.

“The award for Ford as ‘Most In-

novative Volume Manufacturer’ proves the innovative power of the brand. With Focus, many of the in-novations have already found their way into production.”

Jurors also recognised Ford for the award-winning1.0-litre Eco-

Boost engine that last year became the first engine to be named Inter-national Engine of the Year three years in a row, and the company’s Electronic Stability Programme technology. In a speech in Frank-furt recently, Ford Motor Company

outlined Ford Smart Mobility, the company’s plan to help protect the freedom of mobility and change the way the world moves as it becomes increasing more crowded and ur-banised. In January, the company launched an initial 25 mobility pilot projects to foster innovation in the areas of connectivity, mobility, au-tonomous vehicles, customer expe-rience and big data.

The new Focus is sold in more than 140 markets worldwide and also offers voice-activated SYNC 2 technology that enables drivers simply to say “I’m hungry” to bring up a list of local restaurants, which they can then get directions to.

Ford vehicles are known the world over for their exceptional safety, luxury and unsurpassed technological superiority. In Oman, Ford vehicles are brought to you by Arabian Car Marketing Co.

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ROUND-UPBest performing companies hoglimelight at AIWA Awards 2015

MUSCAT: The traditional in-dustry leaders and fast growing younger companies walked away as winners in the annual AIWA Awards for Best Performing Com-panies, presented by Maserati, held on Wednesday.

This year marked the fifth edi-tion of the annual AIWA Awards. Top five best performing compa-nies, based on their performance on select seven financial param-eters in the financial year 2014, were felicitated in three different

categories – large cap, mid cap and small cap, says a press release.

The red carpet awards ceremo-ny was held at Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa. Nasser bin Khamis Al Jashmi, undersec-retary, Ministry of Finance, was the chief guest for the evening. It was attended by over 250 industry leaders and senior bureaucrats.

Leading brands in the Sultan-ate had joined hands with Alam al-IktisaadWalA’mal (AIWA), the leading Arabic business publica-tion from United Media Services, in bringing the AIWA Awards for Best Performing Companies to life. Maserati was the presenting sponsor, Shell Oman Marketing, Voltamp Energy and ACWA Power Barkawere the support partners. National Aluminium Products Co. was the official aluminium ex-truder for the event. Gulf Baader

Capital Markets (GBCM) was the knowledge partner whereas KPMG was the validation partner for the ranking process used for the awards. Times of Oman and Al Shabiba were the media partners and Ruwi Modern Printers was the print partner.

In the large cap segment, Al An-war Ceramic Tiles topped the list of winners. It was followed by four other winners including Bank So-har, Bank Muscat, National Bank of Oman (NBO) and ACWA Power Barka. In the mid cap segment, Oman Orix Leasing emerged on top. The other winners in the seg-ment included United Finance, Al Maha Ceramics, Muscat Finance and National Finance. The small cap category had Majan University College taking up the pole position among the winners. Dhofar Univer-sity, Sahara Hospitality, Voltamp

Energy, Oman Hotels & Tourism and Muscat Gases were the other winners in the small segment.

Furthermore, achievements that go beyond the balance sheet were also recognised through spe-cial awards. Talal Said Al Mamari, CEO, Oman Telecommunications Co. (Omantel) was honoured with ‘CEO of the Year Award’. The ‘Most Outstanding Corporate Leader Award’ was presented to Robert Holtkamp, CEO, National Alu-minium Products Co. (NAPCO). Eng. Hassan Ali Abduwani, CEO, Voltamp Energy, received the ‘Best Transformation Leader Award’. Takaful Oman Insurance was fe-licitated with ‘Most Promising Is-lamic Insurance Company Award’. The ‘Award for Excellence in Ex-ports Performance’ was presented to Areej Vegetable Oils & Deriva-tives. Hussain Jawad Abdulrasool, Chairman, WJ Towell Group was honoured with ‘Lifetime Achieve-ment Award’. The ‘Most Outstand-ing Entrepreneur Award’ was given to Hussain Ahmed Mohsin, Director, Ahmed Mohsin Trading Company. Oman Cables Industry walked away with ‘Manufacturer of the Year Award’. In addition, Maserati Pinnacle of Performance Award was given to Bank Muscat.

The event ended with a ‘Week-end with Maserati’ raffle draw where a lucky member from the august audience won the weekend experience with Maserati at Al Bustan Palace Oman.

Top five best

performing

companies, based on

their performance

on select seven

financial parameters

in the financial year

2014, were felicitated

in three different

categories – large cap,

mid cap and small cap

Winners of AIWA Special Awards

CEO of the Year: Talal Said Al Mamari, CEO, Oman Telecom-munications Co. (Omantel)

Most Outstanding Corpo-rate Leader: Robert Holt-kamp, CEO, National Alumini-um Products Co. (NAPCO)

Best Transformation Lead-er: Eng. Hassan Ali Abduwani, CEO, Voltamp Energy

Most Promising Islamic Insurance Company: Takaful Oman Insurance

Excellence In Exports Performance: Areej Vegetable Oils & Derivatives

Lifetime Achievement: Hussain Jawad Abdulrasool, chairman, WJ Towell Group

Most Outstanding Entre-preneur: Hussain Ahmed Mohsin, director, Ahmed Moh-sin Trading Company

Manufacturer of the Year: Oman Cables Industry

Winner Of Maserati Pinna-cle Of Performance Award: Bank Muscat

Winners of Aiwa’s Best Performing Companies:

Large CapAl Anwar Ceramic TilesBank SoharBank MuscatNational Bank of OmanACWA Power Barka

Mid CapOman Orix Leasing United FinanceAl Maha CeramicsMuscat FinanceNational Finance

Small CapMajan University CollegeDhofar UniversitySahara HospitalityVoltamp Energy Oman Hotels & TourismMuscat Gases Co

Meethaq launches attractive auto finance campaignMUSCAT: Meethaq, the pioneer of Islamic banking in Oman from Bank Muscat, has launched an attractive auto finance campaign coinciding with the holy month of Ramadan.

The special Meethaq Ramadan auto finance is available at 4.50 per cent profit rate, including life takaf-ul or insurance during the finance period, and special giveaways. The limited period offer is valid till July 31, says a press release.

The Shari’a compliant Meethaq auto finance is based on the con-cept of Murabaha wherein the cost of goods and profit is disclosed to the buyer. Meethaq purchases the vehicle as per customer request and sells it to them at a cost plus agreed profit.

The exclusive benefits of Meethaq auto finance include financing up to 80 per cent of the value of vehicles, repayment tenure up to 8 years and free life takaful or insurance coverage dur-ing the finance period. Notably, financing is also available for pur-chasing used vehicles.

The bank does not charge any processing fee and offers competi-tive pricing. With minimal docu-mentation and fast processing, the Meethaq car finance is available for citizens and residents.

Commitment to road safetyOman is home to the world’s best known auto brands and Meethaq remains committed to helping people to own their dream vehi-cles. By encouraging people to buy top quality vehicles, Meethaq reiterates its commitment to road safety, thereby spreading safety and happiness in Oman.

Meethaq strives to fulfil the needs of customers with innova-tive Shari’a based products and is well positioned to provide Islamic financial expertise to diverse seg-ments and thereby promote the

good of society as a whole.Meethaq has adopted the best

practices in Islamic banking and finance worldwide to combine a robust model which protects cus-tomers and complements the Is-lamic banking industry.

Every Meethaq product goes through the process of Shari’a compliance certification by the Shari’a Supervisory Board and is created in line with the guidelines of the Central Bank of Oman.

As the pioneer of Islamic bank-ing in Oman, Meethaq stands out for its independent Shari’a Su-pervisory Board, separate capi-tal allocation from shareholders’ money, unique risk management tools, complete fund segrega-tion, separate books of account, core banking system which sup-ports Islamic banking operations, stand-alone Islamic banking branches and proper profit distri-bution mechanism among invest-ment account holders/depositors.

R A M A D A N S C H E M E

The special Meethaq Ramadan auto finance is available at 4.50 per cent profit rate, including life takaful or insurance during the finance period, and special giveaways. The limited period offer is valid till July 31

Khimji’s Watches announces special Ramadan offer

MUSCAT: To make the holy month of Ramadan extra spe-cial for their customers, Khimji’s Watches — the home of luxury in Oman — has announced an excit-ing Ramadan offer.

Under this promotion, shop-pers can avail up to 60 per cent

off on some of the leading luxury brands of watches, jewellery, ac-cessories, writing instruments, sunglasses, handbags, scarves, ties and much more.

Madhursinh Jesrani, general manager, Khimji’s Watches, said: “Ramadan indeed is a very spe-

cial time as it fosters a spirit of fellowship and generosity which we highly value. It is a month of blessing and celebration when the people treat their loved ones with the gifts of their choice. Our pro-motion is designed in keeping with the pious occasion and the emo-

tions of gratitude. We offer some of the most exclusive and cherished global brands at smart prices. Our offer to our clients will make them feel special. They will certainly like it to shower their friends and family with pleasant surprises all through the holy month.”

F E S T I V E S P I R I T

Goan Wing May Queen concludes successfully

MUSCAT: May Queen 2015, or-ganised by ISC Goan Wing, was an overwhelming success. The annual mega event held at Murjan Hall, Civil Aviation Club at Seeb surpassed all expectations.

The gorgeous Sydelle Estibeiro was crowned May Queen 2015. Melody D’Souza was adjudged the First Runner-up and Saloni Singh was the Second Runner-up, says a press release.

The event was open to all com-munities in Oman and there were altogether 12 stunning young con-testants who vied for the crown walking on the beautiful ramp in turns. They were all very impres-sive and brilliant. The judges had a tough time in deciding the win-ners. In the end it was a very com-petitive contest.

Awards in the other categories were bagged by Miss Best Dressed: Melody Crescencia D’Souza, Miss Beautiful Smile: Mihika Anchan, Miss Photogenic: Pallavi Singh and Miss Beautiful Hair: Nisa Lin.

May Queen 2015 was profes-sionally carried out by a panel of respected judges, Eymard Estanislao, Sami Al Asmi, Fatima Hamayon and Cecille Rodrigues. Each contestant was a winner in her own way with sensational looks and elegance. The talent of the young participants was amaz-ing, and it was the confidence and participation that empowered every individual especially the women present at the show. Every participant was congenial and there was an exchange of com-munity values and skills that were

shared. Crimson Tides, the top most band was especially flown from Goa which rocked the floor with their individual lead per-formance. They ensured that the crowd received truly scintillating dance numbers.

The highlight of the evening was Cecille Rodrigues the runner-up of DID Supermoms, display-ing her sequence of dancing steps to all ages. Christopher Colaso, kept the crowd entertained with his emcee skill. Talentz were the sound partners and they gust up the music to poles apart along with the illumination that brought a difference on the dance floor.

Rashid Al Farsi, chairman of Al Noor Blind Association, along with his esteemed team, was very pleased to be part of the event. Truly, supporting a noble cause brought a difference to the life of every child at Al Noor Associa-tion. A part of the proceeds from

the event was presented in the form of a cheque.

During the course of the event, Antonio A. Goes, Convenor, gave a cordial warm welcome to the chief guest Mohammed Al Shikely, gen-eral manager, Marketing of Oman Air. He also extended his welcome to the other dignitaries, Gloria Gangte, deputy chief of Mission, A. P. S Chauhan, 1st secretary (culture and head of chancery), Dr Sathish Nambiar, chairman, Indi-an Social Club, P. Babu Rajendran, general secretary (ISC) and ob-server Goan Wing, distinguished guests and all the other people present at the occasion.

M.ohammed Al Shikely of Oman Air expressed his sincere appreciation and encouragement to the audience. To commemo-rate the successful launch of the direct flight to Goa, and to express Goans gratitude to Oman Air, a special cake was cut in presence

of the chief guest and the execu-tive committee members.

Anthony Lourenco, co-conven-or of ISC Goan Wing, extended vote of thanks on behalf of the Goan wing committee and to the sponsors confirming that it was a successful event especially with their generosity and great sup-port.

A ceremonial dinner along with Goan delicacy sweet Bibinca was served as part of the menu for that night. A lot of people went home with valuable and attrac-tive prizes which were given to the winners of the many exciting spot prizes, the traditional novelty dance and lucky entry coupons.

“The signature event received an awe-inspiring response. In-deed, this is what distinguishes us and the accomplishment is a tribute to the entire community,” remarked one of the committee members of the ISC Goan Wing.

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Special Ramadan offer on Mercedes GLK 250

MUSCAT: Offering a refresh-ing escape from the ordinary, the dynamic GLK 250 is winning the hearts of families across the Sul-tanate. As more and more people search for the ideal car that com-bines character with strength, Mercedes-Benz Oman has created a GLK package on the versatile and family-friendly vehicle through-out the Holy Month of Ramadan, says a press release.

With its ground-breaking looks

the GLK 250 is characterised by an exciting mix of boldly-drawn lines and generously-proportioned surface areas. Its distinct design clearly sets it apart from the crowd and gives the GLK 250 a beefy, mus-cular appearance, which is all the more remarkable given its relative-ly compact exterior dimensions.

Throughout the holy month of Ramadan, the GLK 250 can be pur-chased for only OMR17,995 with OMR1,500 cash back. In addition to this, GLK 250 buyers will also avail of the Mercedes-Benz exclu-sive Ramadan promotion, which

includes a three year or 45,000km service package, three years un-limited mileage warranty, three years Mobilo on road assistance, free registration, V-KOOL heat control film as well as a special gift for mind, body and soul.

Athletic in nature and a well-rounded performer, the GLK 250’s 211-hp (at 5,500 rpm) 1.9l four-cylinder engine is quick off the line with an acceleration of 0-100 km/h in 7.9 seconds and a top speed of 235 km/h. A car that seems to have been designed with Oman in mind, the GLK 250 has suspen-

sion that adjusts automatically to match road conditions, making it relaxed in every situation and as much at home on the school run as a weekend trip or family adventure. The GLK 250 achieves its superior performance and an exceptionally comfortable ride with low fuel con-sumption and reduced emissions.

Such solidity rarely comes with quite so much flexibility but the GLK 250 is an exception. Engi-neered to protect, as soon as the GLK 250’s engine is started, its sensors are on the alert, increasing safety for the occupants and other road users. The optional attention assist system can remind the driv-er to take a break if signs of drowsi-ness are detected. Another option, lane keeping assist, can detect if there is a risk of straying out of the traffic lane and alert the driver to help avoid a collision. The GLK 250 is equipped with the iconic brand’s most advanced intelligent safety features, guaranteeing the freedom that comes from knowing that wherever you want to go, you are in safe hands.

Throughout the Holy

Month of Ramadan,

the GLK 250 can be

purchased for only

OMR17,995 with

OMR1,500 cash back

Badr Al Samaa dermatologist is

now on La Roche-Posay board

MUSCAT: Dr Shibu Moham-med, a dermatologist in Badr Al Samaa hospital, Ruwi, has been drafted in as one of the board members of La Roche-Posay.

He attended a meeting held at Madrid, Spain recently with other members of the board in-cluding Dr Khalid Salem Al Nu-aimi from Al Ain, Dr Christeen and Dr Sawsen from Dubai and Dr Asharaf from Kuwait, says a press release.

Dr Mohammed held discus-sions about the dermatological cases and the newer modalities of treatment in GCC and compared

them with treatment methods of Spain with Dr Pedro Jaen, presi-dent of Spanish dermatologists and Dr. Salvador Gonzalez, re-nowned pathologist in Europe.

Dr Pedro Jaen and Dr Salva-dor Gonzalez were impressed with the board’s discussions on various lasers treatment in skin diseases and newer mo-dalities of treatment in hair growth like PRP.

Rachid Laanait, general man-ager at L’Oreal Middle East and Mohammed Osta, commercial manager of L’Oreal GCC were also presented at the meeting.

M E E T I N G

Guaranteed cash back on ZNA Rich pick-ups this Ramadan MUSCAT: In a short span of time, Zhengzhou Nissan Automobile (ZNA) Rich Pick-up has established itself as a dependable workhorse, a sturdy partner well-equipped to meet varying business needs and a complete value for money.

This Ramadan, the Rich Pick up becomes even more attractive as Towell Auto Centre (TAC) – its sole distributors in Oman – offers a guaranteed cash gift of OMR450 on all its models till July 23. There is in addition free 24 hours AAA roadside assistance package on its purchase. It is indeed remark-able that the starting price of these models is OMR4,799 only, says a press release.

Dependable for a wide variety of activities and known for its effi-ciency, power and utility, the 2015 models of ZNA Rich Pick up are available in single cabin 2 door and double cabin 4 door configurations with new enhanced interiors. The 2.4 litre 4 cylinder engine is pow-erful enough for a long drive to a faraway destination or for hauling heavy loads. The adjustable and compressible steering column, independent double wishbone suspension along with the plush interiors and a CD + USB + SD card enabled audio system makes sure

each drive is a comfortable one.A senior spokesperson from

TAC said: “At TAC, it is our con-stant endeavour to provide our customers with exciting promo-tions and Ramadan is a special time and an auspicious occasion when people want to buy a vehi-cle. The cash back offer on ZNA Rich Pick up has been specially designed for the small and me-

dium level businessmen who need reliable and affordable pick ups for their day to day activities.

“We are certain this guaranteed cash back offer will double their joy this Ramadan.”

With a network of 11 show-rooms, 13 service outlets and 10 parts outlets spread across the Sultanate, TAC is the sole distribu-tor of the ZNA range in Oman.

F E S T I V E O F F E R

Global Exchange opens new branch

MUSCAT: Global Money Ex-change Company, managed by the premier bank in Kerala, State Bank of Travancore (SBT), has opened a branch in Al Mabelah.

Opening of a branch in Al Mab-elah (South) has further expand-ed the company’s network to 32 branches. A group of officials of Global Money Exchange Com-pany inaugurated the Al Mabelah branch recently by cutting a rib-bon in the presence of K. S. Subro-moniyan, managing director; V. G. Rajeev, general manager; custom-ers, and other dignitaries, says a press release.

Speaking on the occasion, Sub-romoniya said: “We are pleased to have been recognised as a house-hold name by our customers, and we continue to provide our cus-tomers with excellent services year-after-year. It has been our policy to widen our reach across the length and breadth of the country, and our expansion plan is well-thought-out. Over the last 13 years, our network has grown consistently much closer to cus-tomers, and as we expand further, all our 32 branches are fully com-mitted to delivering excellence to citizens and residents.”

Global Money Exchange Com-pany is principally engaged in the business of remittance services to different countries through speed

remittance facilities directly to the beneficiary’s bank account, issue of demand drafts, instant transfer of cash, buying and sell-ing of foreign currencies etc.

Rajeev lauded the efforts of all staff members in delivering excel-lent services to customers, which continued to enhance the good-will of the company. “We are con-fident that our vision will help the company grow steadily serving the customers and actively par-ticipate in the economic activity of the nation.”

Al Mabelah (South) branch will function seven days a week, offering safer and speedier remit-tances, supported by the manage-ment and well-experienced staff

members. The company has been offering remittance facilities to various countries, including India, Bangladesh, Philippines and Pakistan. Services, includ-ing Western Union, Trans-Fast and Express Money, are also of-fered at Global Money Exchange branches, ensuring the best, very competitive exchange rates and free SMS confirmation. Further, Global Money Exchange has ar-rangements with Himalayan Bank, Nepal; Commercial Bank, Sri Lanka; and Ez Remit for in-stant cash remittances to various corridors. All branches of Global Money Exchange Company are authorised for exchange of all ma-jor foreign currencies.

M A B E L A H O U T L E T

EXPANSION: A group of Global Money Exchange officials

inaugurating the 32nd branch of the company. – Supplied image

Survey hails Rolex,

Tide, General ACs as

top brands in Oman

MUSCAT: The Khimji Ramdas Group recently received commen-dation for its outstanding reputa-tion of offering the best brands in Oman. The company joined a list of about 25 others that were featured in the latest edition of ‘Top Brands in Oman’ — a comprehensive di-rectory published by Al Omaneya Advertising and Public Relations a sister concern of the Oman Es-tablishment for Press, Publication and Advertising (OEPPA).

Commenting on the achieve-ment, Nailesh Khimji – Director said, “This is indeed is a great hon-our for the Khimji Ramdas Group. For decades we have been bring-ing the best of world renowned brands to Oman, raising the bar for quality, durability and class in consumer brands. As market leaders in the segment, Khimji Ramdas has also been setting a standard for the segment while

ensuring that it meets demands of the discerning customer.”

Reputed brands from across Kh-imji Ramdas’ various businesses were graded number one, among them – Rolex (Lifestyle Group), General air conditioners (Infra-structure Group) and Tide (Con-sumer Products Group), says a press release.

“It is an honour to be ranked the number one brand in Oman. Much credit for this success goes to our team at Khimji Ramdas and their astute business insights into the demands of the Omani market,” said, Jayachandran, general man-ager of General air conditioners.

The companies were chosen based on an independent survey by Simpa Marketing Research before they were featured in the book. Within the exhaustive publication there are 340 pages divided into four segments.

R E C O G N I T I O N

VLCC organises

wellness camp at

Education Ministry

MUSCAT: VLCC, the premier wellness brand across South Asia, South East Asia and the Middle East, conducted a well-ness camp recently here at the Ministry of Education.

The focus of the camp was healthy living and healthy diet. Nearly 100 staff members of the Ministry of Education attended the camp with numerous que-ries on various wellness and an-ti-obesity programmes of VLCC. All attendees of the camp were provided with free consultation, wellness check, body composi-tion analysis and skin/hair anal-ysis, says a press release.

VLCC expert Suhair Al Shan-ti made a comprehensive pres-entation on healthy lifestyle and healthy diet, and further highlighted the importance of healthy eating habits during the

Holy Month of Ramadan. Sanjeev Setia, Business Head,

VLCC International, said: ‘‘Over the years, VLCC has pioneered in wellness programmes for men and women. VLCC camps, since our inception in Oman in 2008, have always been creating greater awareness on the sig-nificance of healthy living and fighting obesity. At VLCC, we have been providing individual attention to each customer.’’

Suhair said: ‘‘VLCC empha-sises the need for following a balanced diet. One’s body re-quires a variety of nutrients, and it is very important that each in-dividual enjoys his or her meal. VLCC wellness programmes not only help people improve their lifestyle, but also provide them with ample freedom to enjoy their meal.’’

F R E E C O N S U L T A T I O N

LIFESTYLE: Ministry of Education staff members attend the

VLCC wellness camp held in Muscat. – Supplied image

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Kia Oman claims top service award

MUSCAT: The jury at the recently concluded Kia World Service Ad-viser Competition 2015 honoured Kia Oman with a top award. Kia cars are distributed in Oman by Re-liable International Automotive.

As the results were announced, it was a proud moment for KIA Oman when the National Service Adviser champion from Wattayah branch competed with partici-pants from leading nationals like USA, UK, Germany, France, Aus-tralia etc. and bagged the 3rd po-sition, winning the bronze medal

for Sultanate of Oman, says a press release.

The event serves to enhance participants’ understanding of Kia’s service spirit, adviser work process and field knowledge. As-sesses how participants properly apply appropriate service adviser knowledge and skills under certain situations and enhances the skills of qualified technicians resulting in greater customer satisfaction, the very core of Kia’s Family-like Care programme.

Reliable International Auto-

motive, the distributors for KIA in Oman, have established an enviable reputation for their ser-vice. Besides possessing assets like state-of-the-art equipment, skilled technicians with thorough knowledge of any Kia vehicle and more, they have also carved a niche for themselves by adding passion to whatever they do.

Service advisers are the ones who directly interact with custom-ers from the first day throughout their car ownership period. They enhance customer satisfaction. The roles and responsibilities of service advisors are growing in im-portance as customer expectation levels are rapidly increasing these days, which requires more sophis-ticated skills and knowledge.

“We are overjoyed with the out-come at the World Service Advi-sor Competition. We have always strived to do everything it takes to keep our customers happy. And we are delighted that the team from the Service division too are whole-heartedly participating towards achieving this important objec-tive,” said a spokesperson from Reliable International, Oman.

It was a proud moment for Kia Oman when

the National Service Adviser champion from

Wattayah branch competed with participants

from leading nationals like USA, UK,

Germany, France, Australia etc. and bagged

the 3rd position for Oman

ahlibank launches its Annual Charity DriveMUSCAT: As part of its continu-ing commitment to give back to the community, ahlibank, the Sultanate’s fastest growing bank, is all set to begin its ‘ ahlibank Charity Drive’.

The bank pledges to ‘give back’ to various social institutions — orphanages, schools, women’s associations, associations for the differently-abled and NGOs — during the course of the charity drive, says a press release.

The ‘ahlibank Charity Drive,’ is an annual campaign organized by ahlibank, whereby support by way of donations in cash or kind in different wilayats is provided to fulfil the basic needs of un-derprivileged persons or help is provided to charity organizations that require funding to help run their operations for the needy or special children.

Commenting on this yearly

initiative undertaken by ahli-bank, Lloyd Maddock, CEO, said: “The bank has witnessed a steady growth over the past seven years. Through our annual charity drive we aim to further foster the social ties between the bank, our valued customers and the community. We are particularly delighted at supporting and contributing to the development of Omani soci-ety during Ramadan as it demon-strates the spirit of giving at this

special time of the year.”ahlibank is pleased to continue

its long-standing community charity drive; encouraging their customers as well as prospects to share in the joy of giving this Ramadan. The success of ahli-bank’s campaign year on year has been incredible and with the in-creased scale of activity; the bank looks forward to being able to contribute more this year as part of charity during the holy month of Ramadan.

“As a responsible corporate entity, ahlibank invests heavily in the future of the nation’s dis-advantaged. The bank has con-sistently demonstrated care and compassion for the not so fortu-nate and looks forward to doing the same this Ramadan as well”, elaborated Amir Al Habib, de-partment head, Corporate Com-munications at ahlibank.

S O C I A L C O M M I T M E N T

Great benefits on Toyota Avalon

MUSCAT: The Toyota Avalon is a world-class sedan with an elegant and refined design. It has received rave reviews from many quarters and is recognised as one of the most upscale cars in its class.

Now this prestigious Toyota is even more tempting to own, given the extra large benefits that accompany it. These include a service package for up to three years/30,000km service (Which-ever is earlier) covering three services at 10,000km service in-terval (for petrol models based on normal operating conditions); Insurance for 1 year (Oman only), 1st year of registration and 1,000 litres of fuel, says a press release.

In lieu of the above benefits, customers can choose to avail of a cash gift of OMR750. Apart from this, every Avalon customer gets a gift voucher worth OMR25 and a chance to take part in an amaz-ing raffle which has nine units of 16YM Camry GL Executive to be won. “With so many cars, imag-ine how high the chances of win-ning would be! In fact, the earlier one buys and enters the raffle, the more are the chances of winning,” the spokesperson points out.

This exciting ‘Extra Large Ben-

efits! Extra Large Happiness!’ campaign is till August 5. Benefits are applicable for all purchases except government organisa-tions and ministries. Weekly raf-fle draw started from June 14 and carries on up to August 9, on all Sundays except July 19. Custom-ers will be eligible for raffle only upon taking delivery of the vehi-cle during the campaign period after completing necessary for-malities and not against booking. Conditions apply.

A unique Toyota, the Avalon is distinctly designed to catch the eye. The industry-leading Quad-rabeam headlight cluster comple-ments the Avalon’s design lines. These sleek and compact dou-

ble-eye PES headlights(with two square glass condenser lenses) have been adopted for low beams and outstanding lighting levels.

The Avalon’s interior elabo-rates on the exterior’s elegance to create a premium experience. The driver is engaged by an Op-titron-type combination meter, which produces a sharp, high quality display and 3.5-inch Thin-film Transistor (TFT) colour multi-information display.

In Oman, Toyota’s outstanding product quality is supported by the nationwide parts and service network of Saud Bahwan Au-tomotive. No wonder then that today, Toyota is one of the most trusted and well-known brands.

P R O M O T I O N

WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM

SPOR SY O U R G A M E

SECTIONC S U N DAY, J U N E 2 1 , 2 0 1 5M

AHMAD CONFIDENT AHEAD OF ENDURANCE SERIESAston Martin Middle East and North Africa ambassador Ahmad Al Harthy says he is quietly confident the Oman Racing Team will be able to challenge for its best result of the Blancpain Endurance Series campaign at Paul Ricard in France after preparing strongly. >C3

Shafiq, Sarfraz spur Pakistan

GALLE: Asad Shafiq’s seventh hundred and a belligerent 96 from Sarfraz Ahmed helped give Pakistan a sizeable lead against Sri Lanka on the fourth day of the opening test at Galle on Saturday.

Sri Lanka had hoped for quick wickets in the morning when Paki-stan resumed on 118 for five but a sixth-wicket stand of 139 between Sarfraz and Asad Shafiq (131) put paid to their chances.

Another 101-run stand for the ninth wicket between Shafiq and Zulfiqar Babar (56) gave the visi-tors the upper hand in the match. Pakistan were finally all out for 417 with a first-innings lead of 117.

Pakistan then piled on the pres-sure and picked up two wickets in the remainder of the day’s play as Sri Lanka reached stumps on 63-2 in their second innings, still trailing by 54 runs.

Kaushal Silva (five), a centurion in the first innings, and the expe-rienced Kumar Sangakkara (18) were the batsmen out.

Opener Dimuth Karunaratne (36) and nightwatchman Dilruwan Perera (nought) were at the crease for the hosts.

Earlier, wicketkeeper-batsman Sarfraz caused disarray in Sri Lan-ka’s disciplined attack with his in-novative batting and hit 13 fours in his 86-ball knock.

His downfall came when he tried an unorthodox sweep against fast bowler Dhammika Prasad, with the ball catching the inside edge and going on to hit the stumps.

The dismissal gave Prasad his third wicket of the innings.

Shafiq was calm and composed during the partnership and hit five fours in his 253-ball stay.

He brought up his hundred with

a boundary as the right-hander danced down the track to loft off-spinner Perera straight back over his head.

Shafiq continued to frustrate Sri Lanka’s bowlers with useful part-nerships with the tail.

He added 38 with Wahab Riaz (14) for the seventh wicket and another 29 for the eighth with Ya-sir Shah (23) that took Pakistan past 300.

The ninth-wicket partnership with Babar, who also posted his highest test score and first 50, took Pakistan’s lead into three figures.

Shafiq became the final Paki-stan wicket to fall when he was stumped by wicketkeeper Dinesh Chandimal.

Perera was the most successful Sri Lankan bowler with four wick-ets while Prasad picked up three. -Reuters

Sri Lanka had hoped

for quick wickets in

the morning when

Pakistan resumed

on 118 for five but a

sixth-wicket stand of

139 between Sarfraz

and Asad Shafiq

(131) put paid to their

chances

131runs from 253 balls

with 5 fours

ASADSHAFIQ

SWASHBUCKLING KNOCK: Pakistan’s Sarfraz Ahmed plays a shot as Sri Lankan wicketkeeper Dinesh Chandimal looks on. – AFP

Sri Lanka 1st innings: 300 (K. Silva 125, K. Sangakkara 50, Wahab Riaz 3-74, Zulfiqar Babar 3-64)Pakistan 1st innings (overnight 118-5):Mohd Hafeez c Karunaratne b Prasad 2Ahmed Shehzad lbw b Prasad 9Azhar Ali lbw b Herath 8Younis Khan b Perera 47Misbah-ul Haq c Sangakkara b Pradeep 20Asad Shafiq st Chandimal b Perera 131Sarfraz Ahmed b Prasad 96Wahab Riaz b Perera 14Yasir Shah c Chandimal b Pradeep 23Zulfiqar Babar c Vithanage b Perera 56Junaid Khan not out 6Extras: (lb-1, nb-3, w-1) 5Total (all out, 113.1 overs) 417Fall of wickets: 1-2 (Hafeez), 2-11 (She-hzad), 3-35 (Azhar), 4-86 (Younis), 5-96 (Misbah), 6-235 (Sarfraz), 7-273 (Wahab), 8-302 (Yasir), 9-403 (Babar), 10-417

(Shafiq).Bowling: Prasad 24-4-91-3, Pradeep 19-1-71-2 (nb2), Herath 30-4-99-1, Perera 31.1-3-122-4, Mathews 6-1-12-0 (nb1), Vithanage 3-0-21-0 (w1)Sri Lanka 2nd innings:K. Silva c Azhar b Wahab 5D. Karunaratne not out 36K. Sangakkara c Azhar b Yasir 18D. Perera not out 0Extras: (b-4) 4Total (for two wickets, 21 overs) 63Fall of wickets: 1-18 (Silva), 2-63 (Sangak-kara).Bowling: Wahab 6-3-11-1, Junaid 4-0-19-0, Yasir 7-1-21-1, Hafeez 4-1-8-0.Toss: PakistanUmpires: Richard Illingworth (ENG) and Paul Reiffel (AUS)TV umpire: Chris Gaffaney (NZL)Match referee: Chris Broad (ENG)

S C O R E B O A R D

Bairstow powers England to triumph in deciding tieCHESTER-LE-STREET: Eng-land beat New Zealand by three wickets on the Duckworth/Lewis Method to win the fifth One-day International at the Riverside on Saturday and so take the series 3-2.

Jonny Bairstow, only playing after injury ruled out first choice wicket-keeper Jos Buttler, made 83 not out as England, chasing a revised target of 192 in 26 overs, finished on 192 for seven with six balls to spare.

New Zealand, after losing the toss, made 283 for nine in their full 50 overs. Martin Guptill top-scored with 67, Kane Williamson made exactly 50 and Ben Wheeler bolstered the total with a quickfire 39 not out.

All-rounder Ben Stokes took three for 52 on his Durham home ground and leg-spinner Adil Rashid two for 45.Rain during the innings break delayed the start of Eng-land’s innings but their reply was set to begin in bright sunshine.

Earlier, Ben Wheeler’s quick-fire 39 not out took New Zealand to 283 for nine With the series all square at 2-2 after an orgy of runs where totals under 350 had seemed below par, England reduced New Zealand to 261 for eight heading into the last over of the World Cup finalists’ in-nings. But the 50th over saw fast bowler Steven Finn concede 22 runs, including three sixes.

Wheeler, who only faced 28

balls in total, ended the innings by striking Finn for a four and two sixes off successive deliver-ies. But with rain falling during the innings break, it was possible England would face a revised total rather than a target of 284.

All-rounder Ben Stokes led Eng-land’s attack with three for 52 in a maximum 10 overs on his Durham home ground. Leg-spinner Adil Rashid, whose eight overs in Eng-land’s series-levelling seven-wick-et win at Trent Bridge on Wednes-day cost an expensive 75 runs, bounced back well with two for 45 in 10 overs. New Zealand opener Martin Guptill (67) and the in-form Kane Williamson (50) both posted half centuries, while Ross Taylor, dropped on 19, made 47.

Highest aggregateTheir total did see World Cup fi-nalists New Zealand exceed their previous highest aggregate for a five-match ODI series of 1,460 runs set against India in 2014/15.

Any thoughts of a comfort-able England chase would have been tempered by the fact that last year at the Riverside, bat-ting second in similarly overcast conditions, they were dismissed for 99 by Sri Lanka in a 157-run ODI defeat.

After rain delayed the start, England captain Eoin Morgan saw his decision to field first rewarded with a wicket in the first over.

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum, one ball after lofting Finn for six, played on to Mor-gan’s Middlesex team-mate.

Williamson, whose previous scores this series were 45, 93, 118 and 90, again looked in excellent touch as he punched Finn off the back foot for four.

But he was out for exactly 50 when he bottom edged an at-tempted pull off Stokes.

Guptill too got to a fifty but, following an audacious upper-cut six off Durham paceman Mark Wood, was caught behind trying to cut Stokes by Jonny Bairstow, deputising for Jos Buttler after England’s first-choice wicket-keeper was ruled out with a hand injury suffered while training on Friday.

New Zealand promoted Mitch-ell Santner up the order after his rapid 44 at Trent Bridge, which included four sixes in one Rashid over. But Rashid turned the ball sharply to bowl left-hander Sant-ner leg-stump for six as New Zea-land’s 150 was transformed into 155 for four.

Rashid lured Grant Elliott (35) down the pitch with a googly and had the all-rounder stumped by Yorkshire team-mate Bairstow.

Then 210 for five became 212 for six with Taylor, who averaged over 93 for the series, well caught by a diving Bairstow off left-arm quick David Willey. - AFP

O D I S E R I E S

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Bruised India target turnaround in Mirpur

MIRPUR: After getting convinc-ingly beaten by hosts Bangladesh in the first One-Day International (ODI), India will aim to put up a much better performance and level the three-match series in the second ODI at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium here on Sunday.

Bangladesh produced a clinical all-round show to claim a memora-ble 79-run victory against India in their first ODI here on Thursday, thanks to left-arm pacer Mustafi-zur Rahman (5/50) who made a dream debut to fashion the victory for the home team.

It was Bangladesh’s only fourth win in 30 ODI matches against their mighty neighbours, which also avenged their controversial World Cup quarter-final loss that started hostility among the two cricketing boards, and cul-minated with the resignation of Bangladesh’s Mustafa Kamal as the International Cricket Council (ICC) president.

The home team got a rollicking start to their innings with openers Tamim Iqbal and Soumya Sarkar giving them a hundred-run stand in less than 14 overs. Later on fire-works by Shakib Al Hasan, Sabbir Rahman helped side reach a score more than 300.

India’s premier spinner Ravi-chandran Ashwin was the most successful bowler with 3/51, oth-er pacers and spinners all went for plenty.

In reply, India never looked to be prepared for the run chase as they lost wickets at regular intervals to make life difficult for themselves.

With the win, Bangladesh has enhanced their chances of secur-ing a 2017 Champions Trophy berth. The win took Mashrafe Bin Mortaza’s side past the West Indies in the ODI team ranking to the sev-enth spot in the ICC rankings. Both

Bangladesh and the West Indies had 88 points before the match. While the Caribbean side remain with the same number of points, Bangladesh have jumped to 91.

Nothing went right for India in the first ODI as Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman were both fined by the ICC on Friday follow-ing their mid-pitch collision in Thursday night’s match.

Dhoni was fined 75 per cent of his match fee, while Mustafizur was docked half of his fee.

On Sunday, the visitors will aim to put all the drama behind and look for a fresh start.

India has very few positives to carry out from the first ODI. Ash-win’s tight bowling and opener Rohit Sharma’s composed innings of 63 runs are the two which the visitors can take home from the

first game. Pacers Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav and Mohit Sharma, although picked wickets, failed to check the run flow. The trio will look to put up a much bet-ter performance if India are to stay alive in the series.

Openers Rohit and Shikhar Dhawan giving them a 95-run stand and Suresh Raina coming up with few big blows later in the in-nings, India has nothing much to show with the bat.

Virat Kohli, who’s last three ODI score being 3,1 and 1, will be ea-gerly waiting to get runs under his belt. Ajinkya Rahane also missed out cheaply.

Their opponents have proved they have done their homework well and will aim to put up another similar show and seal the three-match series 2-0 on Sunday itself. — IANS

Bangladesh produced

a clinical all-round

show to claim a

memorable 79-run

victory against

India in the first ODI.

Nothing went right

for India as MS Dhoni

was fined following

a mid-pitch collision

with Mustafizur

Rahman

WARMING UP: Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, left, stretches with teamamte Virat Kohli during

a practice session at The Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka. – AFP Before he was fined 75 per cent of his match fee for, what

match referee Andy Pycroft rightly pointed out, deliber-ately pushing and shouldering debutant bowler Mustafizur Rahman, and a little while af-ter Shakib Al Hassan trapped Umesh Yadav in front of the wicket that brought an end to the Indian innings inside 46 overs in the first ODI, Indian captain MS Dhoni spoke of the hurt — even when he seemed to seek comfort in the fact that neither the Bangla bowler nor him got really injured in the stupid incident.

Obviously, the hurt MS was nursing was not caused by the push-came-to-shove drama unfolded in the 26th over of the Indian innings. The hurt of the matter lay in the margin of defeat and the manner in which the Indian team folded up which forced Dhoni to talk of the need to go back to the drawing board. And, mind you, not just the misfiring, misbehaving batsmen. “Over-all, we need to sketch a new plan to see what the best way to beat Bangladesh is,” said the skipper who quite clearly lost his cool in the shove saga.

Dhoni’s talk about the need to redraw the sketch to have a new, effective plan raises some serious queries. For one, does that mean Plan A, which now requires a relook, was drawn on the guess that Bang-ladesh would hand India a 3-0 win on a platter, without even guys like Mustafizur getting in the Indian way of things, deliberately or otherwise?

There were no unknown el-ements in the Bangla package — except for Mustafizur — and the pitches in and around Dhaka had seldom known to harbour devils. Mustafizur is no Mitchell Johnson, neither in the built nor in the pace, and all that the Bangla boy has for intimidation of the Mitch sort is variation. “Pret-ty impressive,” said Dhoni of the pace variation, but is that something Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Suresh Raina and MS himself got a taste of for the first time? It’s absurd, even to harbour such thoughts.

What India seemed to lack, and what Bangladesh have in abundance, is passion. Look at the way they celebrated each wicket taken by Mustafi-zur. Selfless. As long as the Bangla players hold on to such unbridled passion and perform just as good as they did in the recent months, it’s going to be tough for any team to bell the tigers in their den, or elsewhere on the subconti-nent where the conditions are more or less familiar.

Bangla openers Tamim Iqbal and Soumya Sarkar played their natural, attack-ing games, though at times, especially in the early overs of the innings, it looked foolish on their part to get down the pitch and try mighty heaves which, in the beginning, were not really working. But they stuck to their plan and in the end got paid off handsomely.

Rohit Sharma is known to take a few balls to settle in but Dhawan, on the other hand, was until recently a delight-

fully aggressive bloke who set the pace of the innings. Some-how, Dhawan seemed to have lost his plot, but the best way forward for India is to hope that he gets his acts right. If he doesn’t, someone needs to tell him what he must do, which is actually taking the battle to the enemy — ruthlessly, with-out wasting balls, without allowing the bowlers to get an upper hand.

Guys like Rahane need to be told how to get going when the goings are gloomy, and that is by way of rotating the strike. At Mirpur, Rahane faced 10 dot balls before he scored his first run, and he managed just eight off the next 15, holding all the while the man-in-form Sharma up at the non-striker’s end. It’s time he learned from his mistakes, especially when the target is more than 300.

Now that the pre-match hype about a 3-0 Indian sweep and how that’s going to get the team closer to Australia in ODI ranking remains as absurd as the possibility of the Indian football team qualify-ing for the 2018 Fifa World Cup, Dhoni and his boys face the prospect of a series defeat. Unless their redrawn plan adds the missing fizz into their batting and bowling.

The writer is a freelance contribu-tor based in India. All the views and opinions expressed in the article are solely those of the author and do not reflect those of Times of Oman

When Mr Cool gets hurtC O M M E N T A R Y

Dhoni’s talk about the need to redraw the sketch to have a new, effective plan raises some serious queries. For one, does that mean Plan A, which now requires a relook, was drawn on the guess that Bangladesh would hand India a 3-0 win on a platter, without even guys like Mustafizur getting in the Indian way of things, deliberately or otherwise?

India must be at best to beat Bangladesh: Rohit

DHAKA: India have to play their best cricket if they are to come back in the three-match one-day series against Bangladesh, said batsman Rohit Sharma Saturday ahead of the second match Mon-day. India trail Bangladesh 0-1 in the series after they lost the first one day international by 79 runs on Thursday.

“They are playing some good cricket off late,” said Rohit in Mirpur. “We can’t take any team for granted. With the current form with them, we have to be at our best. From our point of view it’s very important that we stick to our game plan.”

Rohit top-scored for India with 63 in the first match as the visi-tors floundered to 228 all out, re-plying to Bangladesh’s 307 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.

“We knew what went wrong in the first match. We will think about it and when we come back and play the second ODI it will be a different Indian side.

“We have got certain plans coming their way, hopefully we will try and execute those plans and things will work in our fa-vour then. The Indian opener — the only player to score two double centuries in ODI cricket

— added that despite being be-hind in the series they are not feeling any pressure.

“There is no pressure. We just need to come and play the way we have been playing,” he said. “We just have to get our basics right and be a little more aggressive. This is the same Indian team that played in the World Cup, so I don’t see any reason why we cannot change the results in our favour.”

Bangladesh coach Chandika Hathurusingha said he was not satisfied with the performance of the team in the last match despite they won the game.

“Although we won, that’s the scary part,” said Hathurusingha.

“We still can improve, not only batting we can improve in our field-ing and bowling execution as well.”

Bangladesh, who beat Paki-stan 3-0 in their previous series, started well, putting 102 runs in 13.4 overs before a middle-order collapse stemmed the run flow.

“I think we played much bet-ter against Pakistan, some of the matches. So I think we are look-ing to improve in the next two games,” said Hathurusinghe.

The third and final ODI will be held at the same ground in Mirpur on June 24. - AFP

O D I

DIFFERENT APPROACH: Rohit Sharma speaking to media. – AFP

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The Wave keeps lead intact as Oman Air experience tricky day

MUSCAT: Oman Sail’s teams on-board The Wave Muscat and Oman Air continued their battle in Day 2 of Act 4 of the Extreme Sailing Series in Cardiff with breeze and sun out and a festive atmosphere ashore with plenty of onlookers flocking to the bay to watch the action.

Competition kicked off early af-ternoon in 22 knots and the lively conditions saw the Extreme 40s notching up 20knot boat speeds as they negotiated the very tight sta-dium course.

Leigh McMillan’s The Wave, Muscat crewed by Nasser Al Mashari, Sarah Ayton, Pete Green-halgh and Ed Smyth were super consistent securing six podium finishes out of seven races to close day two at the top of the leader-board, 21 points ahead of closest rival SAP Extreme Sailing Team.

Sister ship Oman Air started Friday in second place overall hav-ing had a fabulous first day, but found the gusty conditions on the Cardiff course a handful, not quite finding their stride. The team of Ali Al Balushi, Ed Powys, Nic Ash-er and Ted Hackney finished the day in fifth.

Olympic sailor and skipper of Oman Air, Stevie Morrison, was hungrier than ever to get back out on the water and racing again: “It was a tough day, the racing really comes down to the starts — yes-terday we were brilliant and we weren’t so great, but we know from day one that we can do it, so we will brush ourselves off and get on with looking at tomorrow.

“It was a good learning day for us – it was the first time we have raced with a reef in for example… I always tend to look at the day that we were very good and say well guys, why don’t we go out and do

that again tomorrow.” Oman Air had a special guest

onboard in the second day of Act 4 when MyAnna Buring, a UK based actress who grew up in Oman, of Twilight and Downton Abbey (Edna) fame, came to Cardiff to cheer on the team.

“I came to support Oman Air, Oman is very close to my heart as I grew up in the Sultanate, so when I heard that they were going to be in Cardiff this weekend, I just had to come along!”

Leigh McMillan and the crew on the Wave, Muscat had an incredi-ble day continuing the consistency

that they showed on day one. “It was pretty relentless – the condi-tions were fantastic but exhaust-ing at the same time,” he said.

“Everyone is pushing absolute-ly to the max but the difference for us this day compared to other events and other days was that our starts were more consistent and we were able to convert that and we kept on pushing as hard as we possibly could.

“It was a fantastic effort by the whole team in making it happen – if something goes wrong, they are incredible at making sure it doesn’t affect our results, we were

operationally really good.” The Omani teams welcomed OC

Sport’s exciting news that the Ex-treme Sailing Series is moving to foiling boats in the future.

Leigh said, “It is fantastic news, the Extreme Sailing Series has been an incredible showcase for the sport and these latest devel-opments of planning to go to foil-ing catamarans is really exciting. It is where the sport is going and OC have recognised that as the way forward and are taking the steps to make sure the Extreme Sailing Series is the circuit to be on. I think it will be incredible

to bring those kind of boats into a stadium environment.

“One of the most fantastic things about the Extreme Sailing Series is that they have amateurs and fe-male sailors as part of the rule and that is something I really support, so I think if the boats are designed well then that is something that can happen for sure.”

The final word of the day goes to Oman Air’s bowman Ali Al Balushi who is no stranger to the ups and downs of Extreme Sailing: “The opening day was awesome, but the second was not so. It is not over until it is over.”

Leigh McMillan’s

The Wave, Muscat

crewed by Nasser Al

Mashari, Sarah Ayton,

Pete Greenhalgh and

Ed Smyth were super

consistent securing

six podium finishes

out of seven races

GREAT GOING: The Wave Muscat crew in action as they dominated second day’s action in Cardiff. – Supplied photo

Oman’s Ahmad quietly confidentMUSCAT: Aston Martin Middle East and North Africa ambassa-dor Ahmad Al Harthy says he is quietly confident the Oman Rac-ing Team will be able to challenge for its best result of the Blancpain Endurance Series campaign at Paul Ricard HTTT in France af-ter preparing strongly for the six-hour third round of the season.

Although the Omani squad did lose vital track time during the opening practice on Friday after encountering some mechanical problems with its No.44 Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3, in the subsequent pre-qualifying ses-sion good steps were made with both speed and handling.

With a best lap of 1m59.778 seconds in the first track ses-

sion, the Oman Racing Team car lapped with similar pace in pre-qualifying although Ahmad and team-mates Jonny Adam and Daniel Lloyd focused on set-up work for final qualifying and the race, rather than outright practice performance.

“We had some mechanical is-sues with the car unfortunately in the first test, so that limited our running time”, explained Ahmad, “The second test though, for me, was good and I was able to put in some decent times – but we didn’t use any new tyres. We weren’t looking for quick times after the earlier problems, just figuring out the best balance for the car and working on set-up.

“I think we should be in good

shape for qualifying, we think we’ll have some strong pace in the car and the changes we made overnight should be positive. The track was hot on Friday and the

wind had some strong gusts, so that was challenging, but overall we had a productive day in the end. I’m sure all will be good for qualifying and the race, we’re all really looking forward to it.”

Muscat-based Ahmad, who is supported by Oman Air, Oman Ministry of Sports Affairs, Oore-doo, National Bank of Oman and Al Hashar Group, is relishing the Paul Ricard 1,000km race which will be the longest of the Blancpain season so far at six hours in duration.

The importance of the race for the Oman Racing Team in terms of its championship standing, the encounter will also provide excel-lent preparation for the upcoming Total 24 Hours of Spa in July.

M O T O R S P O R T S

FOCUSSED: Ahmad Al Harthy.

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GOOD GOING: Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team’s British driver Lewis Hamilton races during the qualifying at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg. – AFP

Hamilton survives spin to clinch career’s 45th pole at Austrian GP

SPIELBERG: Defending world champion and series leader Lewis Hamilton secured the 45th pole position of his career Saturday when he outpaced Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg in a dra-matic rain-affected qualifying for Sunday’s Austrian Grand Prix.

The 30-year-old Briton survived a last-gasp spin at the first corner of his final fast run to stay on top thanks to 29-year-old German Rosberg following suit by running off track at the final corner in his final push for pole.

For Rosberg, faced with a long trudge back to the pits, it was an ignominious end to a frustrating top-ten shootout after he had ap-peared to be fastest for most of the session.

“It was quite a difficult quali-fying with the track conditions,” admitted Hamilton, who is now third, alongside four-time champi-on Sebastian Vettel in the all-time list of pole-winners. Only Brazilian Ayrton Senna on 65 and German Michael Schumacher on 68 have

taken more poles.“I was grateful I got my third

lap in on the first run in Q3. I was pushing that bit extra on the next run and just locked the rears.

“I wasn’t too concerned about losing pole at that time because I was trying to get the car going, but obviously afterwards I was think-ing: ‘I probably lost it there.’

“Ferrari have really showed some great pace here so it is going to be a tough race. Every little bit of time will count tomorrow.”

Hamilton took his pole with a best lap of 1min 8.455sec, outpac-ing Rosberg by 0.2 seconds. Vettel was third fastest for Ferrari.

For Mercedes, it was a 19th suc-cessive pole position in a run of dominance that left their rivals, Vettel apart, in some disarray. Hamilton was the first Briton to

take pole in Austria since James Hunt in his title winning season of 1976.

Brazilian Felipe Massa was fourth for Williams ahead of Ger-man Nico Hulkenberg, fifth for Force India, and Finn Valtteri Bot-tas in the second Williams.

Dutch teenager Max Verstappen continued his impressive rookie season by qualifying seventh for Toro Rosso ahead of Russian Da-niil Kvyat of senior sister team Red Bull, Brazilian Felipe Nasr of Sau-ber and Frenchman Romain Gros-jean of Lotus.

On a cool, damp and drizzly day, with low temperatures — 12 de-grees Celsius for the air and only 22 for the track — and wet surface areas, conditions were treacher-ous. he struggling McLaren Hon-da team was already swamped by

problems with Briton Jenson But-ton, the 2009 champion, requiring a complete new power unit with gearbox and two-time champion Spaniard Fernando Alonso add-ing a new gearbox to his earlier new engine.

This meant that both men are set for 25-place grid penalties for Sunday’s race which, in turn, means they will start from the back of the grid and have to take timed penalties.

Button ended up finishing 17th in Q1, one place behind Mexican Sergio Perez of Sauber and one ahead of another unexpected flop Kimi Raikkonen of Ferrari. These three finished ahead of the regular back of the field Manor Marussia drivers Spaniard Roberto Merhi and Briton Will Stevens.

“I really don’t know what hap-

pened,” said Raikkonen, who has denied reports that he has been of-fered a substantial pay cut to stay with the Italian team.

“Obviously it’s a bad day and it won’t help us for tomorrow.”

Button was more philosophical. “The wet conditions were fun and a real test. I was P1 and P2 for a while, but when it dried out we just fell away.”

At the front, Rosberg was quick-est in Q1 ahead of Carlos Sainz with Vettel third, and Hamilton squeezing through in 13th as the conditions and tyre requirements changed. Rosberg was quickest again in Q2 ahead of Hamilton, with Vettel third, as Daniel Ric-ciardo missed the top-ten shootout for the first time in his Red Bull ca-reer, qualifying down in 14th ahead of Alonso. - AFP

The 30-year-old

Briton survived a

last-gasp spin at the

first corner of his final

fast run to stay on top

thanks to 29-year-

old German Rosberg

following suit by

running off track at

the final corner in his

final push for pole

HAPPY DUO: Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team’s British driver Lewis Hamilton, right, shares a light moment smile with teammate and

German driver Nico Rosberg after the qualifying at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg. Hamilton took the pole position ahead of Rosberg and

Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel. – AFP

SPIELBERG: Angry Kimi Raikkonen blasted his Ferrari team after he missed the first cut and qualified only 18th for Sunday’s Austrian Grand Prix. The 35-year-old Finn said Ferrari changed strat-egy and sent him out too late with a revised plan.

He was heard to use an expletive on the team radio and later added that he had been given “wrong” information.

“I was doing the same thing that I had been told when we went out and I never got the information that the first plan was not even possible and we missed one lap complete-ly. “I was basically doing the normal thing and I was not told that the plan had changed. The point is — they sent me out too late and we missed one lap and it cost us a lot.”

Raikkonen had looked strong during practice and was a likely contestant for a podium finish. Team-mate four-time champion German Sebastian Vettel qualified third. He said starting near the back of the field was a setback, but added: “We’ll try to do our best. It’s a long straight, but also there are two very tricky corners. — AFP

Raikkonen angry after Ferrari error

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It’s Federer vs Seppi in Halle final

HALLE: Roger Federer reached the Halle grass-court final for the 10th time after beating giant Cro-atian Ivo Karlovic 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (7/4) in Saturday’s semifinals.

The Swiss, who has won the title seven times, will go on to face Ita-ly’s Andreas Seppi, who advanced at the expense of Kei Nishikori after the Japanese world number five retired injured when trailing 4-1 in the first set.

World number two and top seed Federer needed two tie-breaks to claim a 13th win in 14 meetings with Karlovic.

The Croat, who stands 2.11m (6ft 11in) tall, had battered down 45 aces in his quarter-final vic-tory against Czech Tomas Berdych on Friday but against Federer he managed a mere 21.

“It is always difficult to play against Ivo but the important thing was that I remained calm,” Federer said.

“I was very lucky in the first set and so I’m all the more delighted to be in the final again.”

Federer is chasing a 15th title on grass as he warms up for Wimble-don, which begins on June 29.

Seppi, the world number 45 who last won a title in 2012, was in control of the first set of his match against Nishikori when the Japa-nese succumbed to an apparent calf problem.

He won his quarter-final against Gael Monfils on Friday when the Frenchman retired injured in the second set after crashing into an advertising board beside the court.

Federer has only lost once in 12 previous meetings with Seppi, although that came in the third round of this year’s Aus-tralian Open.

“I played him many times. For some time, we also practiced quite often. I think he hits the ball very well on both sides, especially cross court and then he can go down the line,” said Federer of the Italian.

“I think that’s what makes him a tough player. I think fitness-wise he’s very fit, you know, he won’t go away.

“He doesn’t have the best second serve but I think he has improved that over time. And because he hits the ball quite flat it actually helps him on the grass.” - AFP

The Swiss, who has won the title seven times,

will go on to face Italy’s Andreas Seppi, who

advanced at the expense of Kei Nishikori

after the Japanese world number five retired

injured when trailing 4-1 in the first set

GOOD GOING: Switzerland’s Roger Federer returns a ball to Croatia’s Ivo Karlovic during the semifinal

on Saturday. – AFP

Anderson into final after 34-ace barrageLONDON: South Africa’s Kevin Anderson blitzed his way into his first Queen’s Club final with 34 aces in a 6-3, 6-7 (6/8), 6-3 win over French seventh seed Gilles Simon on Saturday.

Anderson’s lethal serve proved the decisive factor in a hard-fought semi-final at the Wim-bledon warm-up event and the world number 17 will face either top seed Andy Murray or Serbia’s Viktor Troicki in Sunday’s final in west London.

The 29-year-old, who now has 96 aces in the tournament, will be appearing in his 10th tour-level fi-nal and his first on grass.

Anderson’s first final since he lost to Kei Nishikori in Memphis in February was secured in one hour and 52 minutes.

If he wins on Sunday it will be the Johannesburg-born star’s first ATP title since Delray Beach in 2012.

Anderson, who lives in the United States and plans to take dual U.S-South African citizen-ship later this year, had bludg-eoned his way to the last four with 62 aces in his three matches and

had dropped serve only once in his 40 service games.

French Open champion Stan Wawrinka and four-time Queen’s champion Lleyton Hewitt were among those unable to find a solu-

tion to the Anderson blitz.Simon was in the Queen’s semi-

finals for the first time after repel-ling a barrage of big serves from Ca-nadian third seed Milos Raonic in the last eight, but he was unable to

repeat that feat against Anderson.After a delay of over an hour due

to persistent drizzle, play finally got underway and it was Ander-son who landed the first blow with a pair of sizzling forehand win-ners in the eighth game.

Those blistering strikes se-cured two break points and he converted the second when Si-mon’s forehand drifted long.

His potent serve ensured that would prove a fatal miscue by Si-mon as the South African easily closed out the set.

Another booming Anderson serve at 5-5 in the second set tie-break gave him a first match point, but he shanked a backhand well wide and then lost his composure as Simon reeled off three succes-sive points to level the match.

Even that unexpected escape couldn’t provide Simon with the ammunition to breach Anderson’s impregnable serve.

The South African remained relentless and Simon eventu-ally cracked with a mistake-filled eighth game that presented An-derson with a break and the op-portunity to seal the win. - AFP

Q U E E N ’ S T E N N I S

IN FINAL: South Africa’s Kevin Anderson celebrates beating

France’s Gilles Simon. – AFP

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Four-match ban forces Brazilian ace Neymar out of Copa America

SANTIAGO: Brazil captain Ney-mar was sensationally thrown out of the rest of the Copa America on Friday after being hit with a four-match ban for headbutting a Co-lombian opponent.

South American football’s governing body CONMEBOL confirmed the 23-year-old’s pun-ishment following a hearing in Santiago to address Neymar’s dis-missal following Brazil’s 1-0 defeat to Colombia on Wednesday.

The Brazilian ace was shown a red card after appearing to aim a headbutt at Colombian goalscorer Jeison Murillo when an ugly brawl erupted after the final whistle of a stormy Group C game.

Neymar had already been given a provisional one-match suspen-sion, ruling him out of Brazil’s fi-nal group tie against Venezuela on Sunday, after collecting his second yellow card of the tournament.

But while a heavier sentence was always possible at Friday’s hearing, few had predicted that tournament chiefs would throw the book at the Barcelona striker,

one of the most recognisable stars of world football.

Neymar, who was also fined $10,000, can appeal the punish-ment. But unless the ban is re-duced it means he has played his last game of the tournament, with Brazil having a maximum of only four games left. Colombian player Carlos Bacca, who shoved Neymar following his butt on Murillo, was suspended for two games, CON-MEBOL confirmed.

Fall from graceNeymar’s shock early departure

from the competition marks a stunning fall from grace for the young forward, who had been car-rying his nation’s hopes as they chased a first Copa America crown since 2007.

There was already bad blood be-tween Neymar and the Colombian team heading into Wednesday’s match. The Brazilian suffered a tournament-ending fractured ver-tebra during a stormy World Cup quarter-final battle with Colombia last year following a rugged chal-lenge from Juan Camilo Zuniga.

However Neymar arrived in

Chile brimming with confidence and good form following a starring role in Barcelona’s treble-winning season, scoring the final goal in the Spanish giants’ Champions League victory over Juventus in Berlin on June 6.

The Brazilian was also in spar-kling form against Peru in his country’s opening game of the tournament, scoring one goal and setting up an injury-time winner for the five-time world champions.

Neymar’s humiliating exit gives under-fire coach Dunga a major selection headache, with

his most potent attacking weapon no longer available.

The 1994 World Cup-winning captain had put a brave face on the absence of Neymar before the four-match ban was confirmed.

“before. We have to be ready,” Dunga said.

Neymar had earlier slammed the performance of Chilean refer-ee Enrique Osses, saying after the Colombia match: “The rules are always used against me.”

Neymar’s team-mate Dani Alves had also accused Osses of trying to be “the star” of the game.

“Referees have to stop thinking that they are the stars, the stars are not them — they are there to con-trol the game,” Alves fumed.

“We are used to this in South America — everyone here is against Brazil.”

Alves also accused Colombia’s players of setting out to provoke Neymar as part of bad blood lin-gering from the World Cup.

“They know the personality of Neymar and they went in search of him,” he said.

“They tried to provoke him and make him nervous.” - AFP

The Brazilian ace

was shown a red

card after appearing

to aim a headbutt at

Colombian goalscorer

Jeison Murillo when

an ugly brawl erupted

after the final

whistle of a stormy

Group C game

We have played without Neymar before. We have to be ready.

The rules are always against me.

NeymarBrazil

DungaBrazil coach

Blatter backs German proposal for Fifa integrity checks

LONDON: Fifa’s outgoing pres-ident Sepp Blatter has endorsed a German proposal for integrity checks at world soccer’s govern-ing body as it grapples with the fallout of a massive corruption scandal. Blatter, himself un-der scrutiny, said in his latest column in Fifa Weekly maga-zine that German FA president Wolfgang Niersbach had put forward the proposal for in-tegrity checks of officials in all Fifa’s main committees.

“The message (Niersbach) has thereby sent out must ap-ply to everyone: only together can we continue to drive the process of reform forward. That is something I will stand for until my final day in office,” Blatter said. The proposal will be discussed at an extraordi-nary Fifa executive commit-tee meeting in Zurich on July 20 which is also when a date will be set for an election to find Blatter’s successor.

Blatter said a process had be-gun to make Fifa more demo-cratic and he added that wom-en should be proportionately represented on the executive committee. — Reuters

FOOTBALL

WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COMSECTIONC S U N DAY, J U N E 2 1 , 2 0 1 5WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COMSECTION S U N DAY, J U N E 2 1 , 2 0 1 5LIFE & STYLE

A new study claims that the length of a man’s fingers can predict his romantic behaviour.

Scientists have discov-ered that men who have a shorter index finger when compared with their ring finger make more effort to

impress women. They are more likely to pay for dinner, give romantic gifts and take care of their appearance.

A longer ring finger indicates greater exposure to the male hor-mone and it is this that makes what is known as the “digit ratio” - the dif-ference in length between the second and fourth fingers - significant.

Scientific studies have shown that the amount of testosterone we are exposed to before birth has an influ-ence over both our behaviour and our propensity to develop certain medical afflictions and that, bizarrely, this can be observed by studying the fingers.

The most recent study of 1,000 people, led by Canada’s Montreal University, also found that women with “highly feminised fingers” - that is a longer index finger to ring finger - were more likely to make a greater effort to attract potential boyfriends.

So what else do scientists claim to be able to tell from our hands?

A study published in February claimed men with ring fingers

longer than their index fingers are more likely to be polite.

Researchers at McGill Uni-versity in Canada studied 155 men for 20 days and found that men with comparative-ly longer ring fingers were more likely to laugh, com-promise, compliment oth-ers and smile.

Men with longer ring fingers are also more

likely to be casual according to re-search from Ox-ford University.

Men with longer ring fingers tend to earn more than people with shorter ring fingers because, ac-cording to academics at Canada’s Concordia Uni-versity, they are more likely to take risks. These alpha males are also more likely to have a work hard, play hard attitude.

Women with longer ring fingers have been found to enjoy greater pro-fessional success than women with longer index fingers. They are also more likely to be extroverts. People with shorter ring fingers tend to be more self-confident than people with shorter index fingers. They are also more likely to enjoy solitude.

People whose ring and index fin-gers are the same length are more likely to avoid confrontations than other people. They may also find conflict uncomfortable and are more likely to be faithful in a relationship.

According to a study published in 2011, greater exposure to testoster-one in the womb was more likely to make men attractive to women.

The digit ratios of 49 men were measured before pictures of their faces were presented in random order to a group of women who then rated them for shortterm attractiveness and long-term attractiveness. Men with longer ring fingers were consid-ered more appealing in both cases.

According to scientists at the Insti-tute of Cancer Research, men

whose index fingers are long-er than their ring fingers are less likely to develop pros-trate cancer.

A 15-year-study of 4,500 men found that having long

index fingers meant men were a third less likely to de-

velop prostate cancer over their lifetime.

A 2011 study, published in the Asian Journal of Andrology, sug-

gested that men with shorter in-dex fingers in relation to their ring

fingers were more likely to be better endowed. A long index finger suggests a lower risk of early heart disease, but a higher risk of breast cancer.

Women with a longer index fin-ger are believed to be more fertile. They are also more likely to suffer from allergies, eczema, schizophre-nia and hay fever.

And what about the shape of your hand? Palmists believe it too can re-veal your character.

People with square hands are said to be practical, logical, orderly and need structure in their work. People with long angular hands and large knuckles are believed to have a philo-sophic bent and to be philanthropic in outlook. People whose fingers ta-per towards the tips are believed to be impulsive, romantic, sympathetic and emotional.

Those with very fine hands and long, thin or pointed fingers are said to be visionary idealists who are artistic, love to dream and dis-like monotony.

And finally... To discover if you have a male or female brain, clasp your hands together so your fingers entwine. Now look at your thumbs. Which thumb is on top? If you are a man, the odds are it will be the left thumb. If you are a woman, it is more likely to be your right thumb.

Right thumb on top suggests the left half of your brain is dominant, which scientists believe gives you the more female attributes of being verbally skilled and having empathy.

Left thumb on top suggests the right half of your brain is dominant and that you excel in the male attrib-utes of being visually and spatially aware. — Jane Warren/Daily Express

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EXTRAS U N DAY, J U N E 2 1 , 2 0 1 5

Sardinia’s fascinating capital is Italy’s Capital of Culture for 2015. The city is full of fragments of the past – span-ning Carthaginian, Roman,

Byzantine, Spanish and Italian eras – overlaid with an indulgent layer of 21st-century dolce vita.

Get your bearingsSardinia’s capital is at the head of the Golfo degli Angeli in the south of the second-largest island in the Mediterranean (after Sicily). The harbour is detached from the city by the traffic-choked Via Roma, which concludes at the Piazza Gi-acomo Matteoti – adjacent to the railway station. In the middle of the square stands a CTM trans-port information office that dou-bles as a tourist bureau. It opens 9am-8pm daily; stock up on bus tickets here, because they cannot be bought on board; single-jour-ney tickets cost €1.20 for up to 90 minutes; day pass €3. Imme-diately north of Via Roma is the Marina quarter, founded by the Romans on a rough grid pattern. To the north, Castello occupies a rocky bluff roughly in the shape of a diamond; this is where most of the tourist attractions are lo-cated. Castello is connected to the rest of the city by steep lanes and flights of steps, augmented by a number of free lifts. Stampace, to the west, and Villanova, to the east, are working-class districts that are becoming gentrified.

Take a viewThe two-stage lift at the north side of the multi-storey car park on Viale Regina Elena elevates you to Piazzetta Mercede Mun-dula where you get excellent views across Villanova, the la-goon and curving coastline – as well as seeing, in the foreground, how the Castello district rises from the raw rock.

Take a hikeFrom the piazzetta, head down Via Martini to the Palazzo Vice-regio, whose opulent first-floor rooms are open 10am-6.30pm daily except Monday. A tourist office is tucked inside the en-trance (10am-7pm daily; cagli-ariturismo.it). Adjacent is the Cattedrale di Santa Maria, with a spectacular altar and a fasci-nating crypt. Open 8am-noon and 4pm-8pm daily, except on Sundays (8am-1pm and 4.30-8.30pm; main Mass 10.30am). Next to the cathedral, the former city hall is now an art museum (entry €4).

Take the steps that start op-posite the cathedral entrance and descend through the narrow, cob-bled lanes to the Elephant Gate – so called because of the stone elephant standing opposite. As you pass through the gate, note the threatening portcullis above you. On the downhill side, look up to see a marble elephant gazing out from the gate.

Either walk down the steps, or take the lift down to the Mercato di Santa Chiara (7am-2pm daily except Sunday), perched above Piazza Yenne, one of the city’s social hubs.

Lunch on the runYou could source a picnic from Santa Chiara market. Alternative-ly, seek out the brand-new Taccas, a cavern-like restaurant at 22 Cor-so Vittorio Emanuele II – already proving popular for its panadas, pasty-like pies filled with vegeta-bles, fish or meat. They cost €4-€5 each, with a €1 espresso to see you through the afternoon. Or hover at the entrance where panini are dis-pensed for €3.50.

Window shoppingCagliari’s prime corner, where Via Roma and Largo Carlo Felice meet, is occupied by the handsome, early

CAGLIARI20th-century bulk of La Rinas-cente – Sardinia’s leading depart-ment store, part of an 11-strong Italian chain (rinascente.it). Its six floors have plenty of upmarket fashion, with a food hall at the top. It also keeps long hours: 9am-9pm daily (from 10am on Sunday), un-like most shops, which take a break around 1pm-4pm. Via Giuseppe Manno, running south-west from Piazza Yenne, is the venue for brands such as Diesel and Sisley.

Dining with the localsThe main street for dining in the Marina quarter is Via Sardegna, parallel with Via Roma but a block inland. More than a dozen restau-rants compete. The least fancy, and most interesting, is the wonderful Trattoria Lilliccu at number 78.

The dining room looks un-changed since its opening day in 1938: narrow and austere, with the walls decorated with black-and-white photographs. Fresh seafood

and meat is served up cheerfully and economically.

Cagliari has a vast number of churches, great and small. The most revered is a tiny chapel hidden away in Stampace, de-voted to Sant’ Efisio – Ephy-sius of Sardinia, the island’s patron saint.

He was martyred in 303 and his subsequent intervention in battle is believed to have pro-tected Sardinia. The church fac-

es a small piazza; the entrance to the cavernous crypt, full of of-ferings to his effigy, is around the corner on Via Sant’ Efisio.

Out to brunchCagliari has a couple of classic Italian caffès. The handsome An-tico Caffè 1855, on Plaza Costituz-ione (anticocaffe1855.it; 7am-2am daily) was created by a Genovese in the style of the grand cafés in his home city. Its signature dish is the “Admiral’s Plateau”, comprising a half-dozen oysters, two shrimps, two prawns and two clams for €25. More modest dishes include mozzarella and smoked salmon for €4 or crêpes for €7. If all you want is an espresso and a cornetto (Italian take on a croissant, not an ice-cream), look no further than La Svizzera on the corner of Largo Carlo Felice and Via Crispi.

A walk in the parkThe Giardini Publici, at the highest point of Castello, where it narrows to a spur of rock, are former royal gardens now open to the masses. Take in the superb terrace views.

Cultural afternoonPiazza dell’Arsenale is the loca-

tion for a fine collection of antiq-uities, the Museo Archeologico (bit.ly/ArchMus; 9am-8pm daily except Monday, admission €5). It is largely devoted to the Nuraghic age, which took root in Sardinia in around 1800BC and continued for 13 centuries until Carthage took control. The chief artistic achievement comprised the bron-zetti – miniature bronze statues of human figures and bulls, fash-ioned with remarkable intricacy. The “giants” of Mont’e Prama are from the same era. These bigger-than life-size stone human statues were discovered in farmland close to Sardinia’s west coast in 1974.

Icing on the cakeEast of Cagliari lies a saline la-goon, populated by flamingos, and beyond that a beach named Po-etto. The beach has a fascinating range of buildings – at the north, derelict hotels and down-at-heel amusement park, to the south, ex-travagant villas with gardens spill-ing with palms and flowers. Bus PQ from the city centre runs the entire length of the beach; PF does two-thirds then heads across the lagoon, giving close-ups of the bird life. -Simon Calder/The Independent

ITALY’S CAPITAL OF CULTURE IN 2015 HAS 25 CENTURIES OF HERITAGE

DAVID Attenborough, an English naturalist and broadcaster, said, “Everyone likes birds. What wild creature is more accessible to our eyes and ears, as close to us and everyone in the world, as universal as a bird?” Also, everyone wishes that they could fly like a bird.

Do you like wild bridge deals, ones with crazy distribution? If today’s deal were played in a duplicate, there would be several different auctions, but the two most likely final contracts would be five spades by South (perhaps after the given auction) and six diamonds doubled

by East, who refused to sell out to five spades because of his side’s double fit in the minors.

How should the defense go against each of those contracts?

West used the Unusual No-trump to show at least 5-5 in the minors. North’s jump to four spades was pre-emptive: long spades, weak hand. East had an easy five-diamond bid. But then, when South persisted with five spades, East probably should have gone on to six. Although it would theoretically have been a phantom sacrifice (both five spades and six diamonds can be defeated),

when one has a double fit, it usually pays to declare.

Against five spades, West leads the diamond ace. Since the queen is on the board, East plays the nine, a count card showing an even number. West cashes the diamond king. Now East, with attitude and count known, should send a suit-preference signal by dropping the two to ask for a club shift. Then five spades fails. But if West leads a heart or a third diamond, the contract makes.

To defeat six diamonds, South must cash two heart tricks — not so hard.

- Phillip Alder

C9

ENTERTAINMENT

Two wild contracts for the price of one

B I G N A T E

B O R N L O S E R

M A R M A D U K E

A C E S O N B R I D G E

C I N E M A S C H E D U L E

K I D S P O T H E A L T H C A P S U L EC R O S S W O R D

Answer to previous puzzle

WITH LOVE

S U N DAY, J U N E 2 1 , 2 0 1 5

ANDREA SHERAL PINTOJune 21, 2006

ACROSS

1 Egg — yung 4 Mighty steed 8 Catamount12 Safe caller13 Black-tie affair, e.g.14 Without delay15 Novelist Rita — Brown16 Compelling attention18 Short trip20 Luau welcome21 Std.22 Carpet-buying decision26 — up (pay)28 Neglect to include31 Ms. Hagen of films

32 Garden-pond fish33 Not mine34 Centurion’s 1435 Accts. payable receipt36 Resistance units37 Sly tactic38 In want40 Olduvai loc.41 Melancholy43 Where Leo is46 It avoids embarrassment (hyph.)50 Hole-making tool51 Russian river52 Guarantee a pension53 Prefix for classic54 Witches’ brew

ingredient55 Jazzy — James56 Salt meas.

DOWN

1 Get steamed up 2 Rubaiyat author 3 Functioning effectively 4 Winery process 5 Cash, in Pretoria 6 Hirt and Pacino 7 Pitch water 8 Terrace 9 Exploit10 Checkers piece11 Fitting17 Minority groups19 Broad st.

23 Lush24 Redding of blues25 Go wild about26 Much like27 Zip28 “— -la-la!”29 Fall flower30 Capone foe33 Vacillates (hyph.)37 P.O. service39 Lived40 Major artery42 Gutter locale43 Grated citrus rind44 Leaves breathless45 Filly’s footfall46 Good times47 — you serious?48 Raven’s call49 Zoo staffer

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Eli (Tamil) (Act/Com) Cast: Vadivelu & Sadha

9:30 & 9:45 pm Cinema -2 & 4

Kakka Muttai ( Tamil ) (Drama/Com) Cast: Ramesh & Silam Barasan

9:45 pm at Cinema-3 (Programmes are subject to change)

Dead 2 India (Horror) (18+)Cast: Joseph Millson, Meenu Mishra, Anand Krishna Goyal 11:30 pmJurassic World (Action, Adventure) (3D) (PG12)Cast: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Ty Simpkins 9:00 /11:15 pmSpy (Action, Comedy) (18+)Cast: Jude Law, Raad Rawi, Melissa McCarthy9:15 pmHe Who Dares Downing Street Siege (Action) (12+)Cast: Tom Benedict Knight, Simon Phillips, Russell Kilmister11:45 pmABCD 2 (Dance, Musical) (PG)Cast: Varun Dhawan, Shraddha Kapoor, Prabhudheva, Raghav, Dharmesh9:00 pm

Spy (2D) (Action/Comedy) (18+)Cast: Jude Law, Raad Rawi, Melissa McCarthy11:15 pm He Who Dares Downing Street Siege (2D) (Action) (12+)Cast: Tom Benedict Knight, Simon Phillips, Russell Kilmister11:30 pm ABCD 2 (2D) (Dance/Romance) Cast: Varun Dhawan, Shraddha Kapoor, Prabhudheva,Raghav, Dharmesh9:00 pm The Homesman (2D) (Drama) (12+)Cast: Tommy Lee Jones, Hilary Swank, Grace Gummer11:45 pm

Jurassic World (3D) (Action/Adventure) (PG12)Cast: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Ty Simpkins9:15 pmGold Class: 9:00 pm

SCREEN 1

ABCD 2 (Dance/Musical ) – PGCast: Varun Dhawan, Shraddha Kapoor, Prabhudeva, Raghav and Dharmesh9.45 pm

SCREEN 2

Hamari Adhori Kahani (Rom/Drama) – PGCast: Emraan Hashmi, Vidya Balan and Rajkummar Rao9.45 pm

Jurassic World - 3D (PG12) Action |Adventure | Sci-Fi Cast: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Ty Simpkins9:15, 11:45 pm Premam - 2D (M) (PG) Comedy | RomanceCast : Nivin Pauly, Anupama Parameshwaran, Jude Anthany Joseph9:00 pm He Who Dares: Downing Street Siege - 2D (12+) Action Cast : Tom Benedict Knight, Simon Phillips, Russell Kilmister11:45 pm ABCD 2 - 2D (TBC) Dance | MusicalCast: Varun Dhawan, Shraddha Kapoor, Prabhudheva,Raghav, Dharmesh 9:00 pm Kaaka Muttai - 2D (T) (PG) Comedy, DramaCast : Ramesh, Vignesh, Iyshwarya, Babu Antony, Silambarasan, Dhanush9:15 pm Eli - 2D (T) (PG12) ComedyCast: Vadivelu, Sadha, Pradeep Rawat, Kitty 11:15 pm

Jurassic World - 3D (Action/Adventure/Sci-Fi) (PG12)Cast: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Ty Simpkins9:15 pmHe Who Dares: Downing Street Siege – 2D (Action) (12+)Cast: Tom Benedict Knight, Simon Phillips, Russell Kilmister11:30 pmPremam – 2D (Comedy, Romance) (PG)Cast: Nivin Pauly, Anupama Parameshwaran, Jude Anthany Joseph9:00 pmManglehorn – 2D (Comedy, Romance) (12+)Cast: Al Pacino, Holly Hunter, Harmony Korine11:55 pmKaaka Muttai- 2D (Comedy, Drama) (PG)Cast: Ramesh, Vignesh, Iyshwarya, Babu Antony, Silambarasan, Dhanush9:30 pmJurassic World - 2D (Action) (PG12)11:30 pm

Jurassic World (3D) (Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi) (PG12) Cast: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Ty Simpkins9:05, 11:15 pm

He Who Dares Downing Street Siege

Jurassic World (3D) (PG12) (Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi ) Cast: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Ty Simpkins9:15 pmKaaka Muttai (2D) (PG) (Comedy, Drama) Cast: Ramesh, Vignesh, Iyshwarya, Babu Antony, Silambarasan, Dhanush|11:30 pmABCD 2 (2D) (PG) (Dance, Musical) Cast: Varun Dhawan, Shraddha Kapoor, Prabhudheva,Raghav, Dharmesh9:00 pmThe Dead 2: India (2D) (18+) (Horror) Cast: Joseph Millson, Meenu Mishra, Anand Krishna Goyal11:45 pmPremam (2D) (PG) (Romance, Comedy) Cast: Nivin Pauly, Anupama Parameshwaran, Jude Anthany Joseph9:00 pmHe Who Dares: Downing Street Siege (2D) (12+) (Action ) Cast: Tom Benedict Knight, Simon Phillips, Russell Kilmister11:55 pm

(Action ) (12+) Cast: Tom Benedict Knight, Simon Phillips, Russell Kilmister.9:15 pm

Premam (Mal) (Comedy | Romance) (TBC) Cast: Nivin Pauly, Anupama Parameshwaran, Jude Anthany Joseph11:00 pm

SCREEN 3

Dil Dhadakne Do (Romance/Drama/Comedy ) – PG12Cast: Anil Kapoor, Ranveer Singh, Shefali Shetty, Anushka Sharma Priyanka Chopra 9.45 pm

The Dead 2: India - 2D (18+) HorrorCast: Joseph Millson, Meenu Mishra, Anand Krishna Goyal11:55 pm

C10

FIND-IT-ALLS U N DAY, J U N E 2 1 , 2 0 1 5

PHARMACIESRound the clockAl Hashar Pharmacy, Ruwi: 24783334; Appolo Medical Centre, Hamriya: 24782666; Muscat Pharmacy, Ruwi: 24702542, Salalah: 23291635; Atlas Pharmacy, Ghubra: 24503585; Ruwi 24811715Muscat RegionApollo, Al Hamriya. Tel: 24787766Muscat, A Seeb Market. Tel: 24421691Muscat, Al Khuwair. Tel: 24485740Muscat, Al Hail South. Tel: 4537080Dhofar RegionMuscat, Al Nahdha Road, Salalah. Tel: 23291635

HOSPITALSAl Amal Medical & Health Care Centre: 24485052Atlas Hospital: Ruwi: 24811743/ Ghubra: 24504000Al Musafir Specialised Medical Clinic: 24706453Hatat Polyclinic LLC,Ruwi: 24563641, Azaiba: 24499269, Sohar: 2683006Al Raffah Hospital: 24618900/1/2Al Massaraat Clinic & Laboratory: 24566435Al Makook Medical Coordinance Centre: 24499434Apollo Medical Centre, Hamriya: 24787766, 24787780Capital Polyclinic: 24707549Badr Al Samaa Polyclinic, Ruwi: 24799760/1/2Capital Clinic, Seeb: 24420740Ceregem National Raak: 24485633Dr Harub’s Clinic: 24563217Elixir Health Centre: 24565802Emirates Medical Centre: 246045401st Chiropractic Centre: 24472274Hamdan Hospital: 23212340International Medical Centre LLC: 24794501/2/3/4/5Kims Oman Hospital: 24760100

24 Hrs Emergency: 24760123Lama Polyclinic, Sohar: 26751128, MBD: 24799077, Al Khuwair: 24478818Magrabi Eye and Ear Hospital: 24568870Muscat Private Hospital: 24583600Welcare Diagnostic and Treatment Centre, Al Khuwair: 24477666Al-Hayat Polyclinc LLC: 22004000

ROYAL OMAN POLICEEmergencies and inquiries: 9999General Directorate of Passport and Residence: 24569603Directorate General of Customs: 24521109Traffic violations inquiries: 24510228Public Relations Admin: 24560099

ACCOMMODATIONAl Bahjah Hotel: 24424400Al Bustan Palace: 24764000 Al Khuwair Hotel Apartments: 24478171Al Madina Holiday Inn: 24596400Al Maha International Hotel: 24494949Al Fanar Hotel: 24712385Al Falaj Hotel: 24702311Al Qurum Resort: 24605945Azaiba Hotel Apartments: 24490979Beach Hotel: 24696601Bowshar Hotel: 24491105Coral Hotel Muscat: 24692121Crowne Plaza Muscat: 24660660Crystal Suites: 24826100Golden Tulip Seeb: 24510300Grand Hyatt Muscat: 24641234Haffa House Hotel: 24707207Hotel Muscat Holiday: 24487123InterContinental Muscat: 24680000Majan Continental Hotel: 24592900Marina Hotel: 24711711Midan Hotel Suites: 24499565Mina Hotel: 24711828Muttrah Hotel: 24798401

Nuzha Hotel Apartments: 24789199Oman Dive Centre: 24824240Park Inn: 24507888Qurum Beach House Hotel: 24564070Radisson Blu Hotel: 24487777Ramee Dream Resort Seeb: 24453399Ramee Guestline Hotel: 24564443Ruwi Hotel: 24704244Safeer Hotel Suites: 24691200Sheraton Oman Hotel: 24772772Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa: 24776666The Chedi Muscat: 24524400The Treasurebox Muscat Hotel: 24502570Sifawy Hotel +968 24749111Juweira Hotel +968 23239600

AIRLINE OFFICESMuscat Airport Flight information (24 hours): 24519456/24519223Aeroflot: 24704455, Air Arabia: 24700828, Air France: 24562153, Air India: 24799801, Air New Zealand: 24700732, Biman Bangladesh Airlines: 24701128, British Airways: 24568777, Cathay Pacific: 24789818, Egypt Air: 24794113, Emirates Air: 24404400, Ethiopian Airlines: 24660313, Gulf Air: 80072424, Indian: 24791914, Iran Air: 24787423, Japan Airlines: 24704455, Jazeera Airways: 23294848, Jet Airways: 24787248, Kenya Airways: 24660300, KML Royal Dutch Airlines: 24566737, Kuwait Airways: 24701262, LOT Polish Airlines: 24796387, Lufthansa: 24796692, Malaysian Airlines: 24560796, Middle East Airlines: 24796680, Oman Air: 24531111, Pakistan International Airlines: 24792471, Qatar Airways: 24771900, Qantas: 24559941, Royal Jordanian: 24796693, Saudi Arabian Airlines: 24789485, Singapore

Airlines: 24791233, Shaheen Air: 24816565, SriLankan Airlines: 24784545, Swiss International Airlines: 24796692, Thai Airways: 24705934, Turkish Airlines: 24703033

MUSEUMSBait Al Baranda: Corniche (seafront opp fish market), Open from Saturday to Thursday 9am to 1pm and 4 to 6pmNatural History Museum: Al Khuwair, Tel: 24604957, Open from Saturday to Wednesday: 8am to 1:30pm; Thursday: 9am to 1pmMuseum of Omani Heritage: (former Omani Museum), Madinat Al Alam, Sat-Wed 8am to 1:30pm, Thursday - 9am to 1pm, Tel: 24600946Armed Forces Museum: Bait Al Falaj, Tel: 24312651, Open from Sat to Wed: 8am to 1:30pm; Thurs 9-12pm and 3-6pm; Fri 9-11am and 3-6pm. Al Hoota Caves 24498258; Turtle Beach 96550606/96550707Children’s Science Museum: Shatti Al Qurum, Tel: 24605368, Open from Saturday to Wednesday: 8am to 1:30pm, Thursday: 9am to 1pmOman-French Museum: near Muscat Police Station, Tel: 24736613, Open from Sat to Wed: 8am to 1:30pm, Thurs: 9am to 1pmBait Al Zubair, Muscat: Tel: 24736688, Al Saidiya St., Muscatmuseum@baitalzubairmuseum.comOpen from Sat to Thurs: 9:30am to 6pm.National Museum Ruwi: Tel: 24701289, Open from Sat to Wed: 8am to 1:30pm, Thurs: 9am to 1pmSohar Fort Museum: Tel: 26844758, Open from Saturday to Wed: 8 to 1:30pm Thurs: 9am to 1pmMuscat Gate Museum: at Al Bahri Road, Muscat open from Sat to Wed 8am to 2pm

PRAYER TIMINGS

W E A T H E R

Dhuhr 12.13pmAsr 3.31pmMaghrib 7.01pmIsha 8.24pm Fajr (Tomorrow) 3.53am

Sunset 6:56pmSunrise (Tomorrow) 5:21am

High tide 11:02pm 12:31pmLow tide 5:39am 6:43pm

OMAN

Max 43Min 33

Max 42Min 33

Max 39Min 33

Max 45Min 31

Max 38Min 30Max 45

Min 28

Max 44Min 31

Max 33 Min 28

Partly cloudy to cloudy skies along the coastal areas of Dhofar governorate and adjoining mountains with chance of intermittent drizzle and clear to partly cloudy skies along the coastal areas of the Arabian Sea. Mainly clear

skies over rest of the Sultanate with chance of late night to early morning low level cloud or fog patches along coastal areas of Oman sea, chance of rising dust over the desert and open areas and chance of clouds development over al-Hajar mountains and adjoining areas may give isolated rain during the afternoon.EXPECTED WINDS: Easterly to northeasterly light to moderate along the coastal areas of Oman Sea during day becoming variable light at night, and along the coastal areas of Arabian wind will southwesterly moderate occasionally fresh, while it will be northwesterly light to moderate

occasionally fresh over the rest of the Sultanate.SEA STATE: Rough along southeastern coast with maximum wave height of 5.0 meters and slight to moderates along rest of Oman’s coast with maximum wave height 1.5 meters.HORIZONTAL VISIBILITY: Good over most of the sultanate becoming poor during fog.THE NEXT 48 HOURS OUTLOOK: Partly cloudy to cloudy skies along the coastal areas of Dhofar governorate and adjoining mountains with chance of intermittent drizzle. Chances of clouds developments over al-Hajar mountains and adjoining areas during afternoon. Chances of late night to early morning low level clouds or shallow fog over most of the coastal areas.

Max Min

GULFAbu Dhabi 38 31Doha 41 34Dubai 40 31Kuwait 48 30Manama 38 30Riyadh 43 27

WORLDAthens 28 22Baghdad 40 27Beijing 32 20Berlin 21 13Boston 21 18Cairo 33 21Colombo 31 25Frankfurt 22 10Hong Kong 31 27Istanbul 26 18Johannesburg 19 3Kuala Lumpur 33 28Lisbon 29 18Paris 29 13Perth 17 8Singapore 33 27Tokyo 23 19Toronto 21 18

WORLD

Max 28Min 23

Max 38Min 29

Max 21Min 12

Max 42Min 32

Max 27Min 17

Max 17Min 8

Max 27Min 18

Max 30Min 29

SUNDAYFLT NO ARRIVALS FROM ETA WY406 CAIRO  0005WY648 KUWAIT  0005WY676 JEDDAH  0005WY672 MEDINA  0005WY682 RIYADH  0010WY914 SALALAH  0020WY916 SALALAH  0120WY910 SALALAH  0130TK774 ISTANBUL  01354H585 DACCA  0200NL669 SIALKOT  0200PK225 KARACHI  0210GF560 BAHRAIN  0325QR1132 DOHA  0345ET624 ADDIS ABABA  0350EK866 DUBAI  0350EY384 ABU DHABI  0400FZ041 DUBAI  0415WY114 FRANKFURT  05154H586 DOHA  0600CV732 LUXORE  0635WY658 BAHRAIN  0635WY638 ABU DHABI  0640WY902 SALALAH  0645WY326 KARACHI  0650WY644 KUWAIT  0650G9841 RAS AL KHAIMA  0655WY686 RIYADH  0655WY154 ZURICH  0700WY144 MALPENSA  0705WY692 DAMMAM  0715WY668 DOHA  0715WY674 JEDDAH  0735WY132 PARIS  0735WY102 LONDON HEATHROW  0740FZ043 DUBAI  0800WY602 DUBAI  0805NL768 LAHORE  0830WY272 JAIPUR  0830WY202 BOMBAY  0835WY3932 SOHAR  0840WY236 HYDERABAD  0900G9114 SHARJAH  0905WY282 BANGALORE  0910WY226 COCHIN  0920EK862 DUBAI  0930WY210 GOA  0935WY242 DELHI  0935WY212 TRIVANDRUM  0950WY252 MADRAS  0955IX549 TRIVANDRUM  0955QR1128 DOHA  1000IX817 MANGALORE  1010EY382 ABU DHABI  1010IX443 COCHIN  10209W530 TRIVANDRUM  1045WY3922 DUQUM OMAN  1045WY3302 MUKHAIZNA  1110WY604 DUBAI  1110WY918 KHASAB  1115GF562 BAHRAIN  1130FZ037 DUBAI  1140IX337 CALICUT  1155WY384 MALE  1210WY822 KUALA LUMPUR-SINGAPORE  1215WY818 BANGKOK  1220WY634 ABU DHABI  1220WY904 SALALAH  1230WY670 DOHA  1250WY324 KARACHI  1300WY332 KATHMANDU  1305WY652 BAHRAIN  1330WY606 DUBAI  1340KU677 KUWAIT  1405WY906 SALALAH  1440WY920 KHASAB  1445WY348 ISLAM ABBAD  1515FZ045 DUBAI  1535WY3304 MUKHAIZNA  1550WY344 LAHORE  1605QR1126 DOHA  1650WY204 BOMBAY  1655WY632 ABU DHABI  1710WY292 CALICUT  1710WY264 LUCKNOW  1740WY664 DOHA  1745EK864 DUBAI  1745WY246 DELHI  1750WY232 HYDERABAD  1750WY610 DUBAI  1800GF564 BAHRAIN  1810WY656 BAHRAIN  1820TG507 BANGKOK-KARACHI  1900G9116 SHARJAH  1905WY374 COLOMBO  1915WY646 KUWAIT  1920FZ047 DUBAI  1940WY908 SALALAH  2000WY614 DUBAI  2025WY848 JAKARTA  2035WY338 KATHMANDU  2040WY386 MALE  2045WY434 TEHRAN  2055FZ049 DUBAI  2100WY124 MUNICH  21059W534 COCHIN  2115AI973 DELHI  21256.00E+81 BOMBAY  2130WY254 MADRAS  2135BA073 LONDON HEATHROW-ABU DHABI  2140WY624 DUBAI  2150UL205 COLOMBO  2155AI907 MADRAS  2200WY312 CHITTAGONG  2210QR1134 DOHA  2225LX242 ZURICH-DUBAI  2225GF566 BAHRAIN  2240LH616 FRANKFURT-DOHA  2245EY388 ABU DHABI  2300WY414 AMMAN  2300WY910 SALALAH  23109W540 BOMBAY  2315AI985 BOMBAY  2325WY662 DOHA  2335WY654 BAHRAIN  2340WY636 ABU DHABI  2340WY928 SALALAH  2345WY816 BANGKOK  2350WY696 DAMMAM  2355WY612 DUBAI  2355

MONDAYFLT NO ARRIVALS FROM ETA

WY672 MEDINA  0005WY648 KUWAIT  0005WY406 CAIRO  0005WY676 JEDDAH  0005WY682 RIYADH  0010WY914 SALALAH  0020WY916 SALALAH  0120TK774 ISTANBUL  01354H583 DACCA  0200PK229 LAHORE  0215GF560 BAHRAIN  0325QR1132 DOHA  0345ET624 ADDIS ABABA  0350EK866 DUBAI  0350EY384 ABU DHABI  0400FZ041 DUBAI  0415WY114 FRANKFURT  0515WY658 BAHRAIN  0635WY638 ABU DHABI  0640WY902 SALALAH  0645WY644 KUWAIT  0650WY154 ZURICH  0700WY144 MALPENSA  0705WY668 DOHA  0715WY674 JEDDAH  0735WY102 LONDON HEATHROW  0740FZ043 DUBAI  0800WY422 BEIRUT  0805WY602 DUBAI  0805WY346 ISLAM ABBAD  0815WY342 LAHORE  0825WY272 JAIPUR  0830WY202 BOMBAY  0835WY236 HYDERABAD  0900G9114 SHARJAH  0905WY226 COCHIN  0920EK862 DUBAI  0930WY210 GOA  0935WY242 DELHI  0935WY212 TRIVANDRUM  0950WY252 MADRAS  0955QR1128 DOHA  1000EY382 ABU DHABI  1010WY844 MANILA  10209W530 TRIVANDRUM  1045WY604 DUBAI  1115WY918 KHASAB  1115WY3302 MUKHAIZNA  1120GF562 BAHRAIN  1130FZ037 DUBAI  1140WY372 COLOMBO  1140IX337 CALICUT  1155PA450 LAHORE  1215WY705 DARESSLAM-ZANZIBAR  1215WY822 KUALA LUMPUR-SINGAPORE  1215WY634 ABU DHABI  1220WY818 BANGKOK  1220WY904 SALALAH  1230WY670 DOHA  1250WY324 KARACHI  1300WY332 KATHMANDU  1305WY632 ABU DHABI  1335WY606 DUBAI  1340WY920 KHASAB  1445FZ045 DUBAI  1535WY3304 MUKHAIZNA  1550WY656 BAHRAIN  1635QR1126 DOHA  1650WY204 BOMBAY  1655WY292 CALICUT  1710WY264 LUCKNOW  1740WY664 DOHA  1745EK864 DUBAI  1745WY232 HYDERABAD  1750WY246 DELHI  1750WY254 MADRAS  1750WY284 BANGALORE  1750WY3922 DUQUM OMAN  1755WY610 DUBAI  1800GF564 BAHRAIN  1810G9116 SHARJAH  1905WY684 RIYADH  1915WY646 KUWAIT  1920FZ047 DUBAI  1940WY614 DUBAI  2025WY848 JAKARTA  2035WY338 KATHMANDU  2040WY434 TEHRAN  2055FZ049 DUBAI  2100KL441 AMSTERDAM-DOHA  2105AI977 BANGALORE-HYDERABAD  2105WY124 MUNICH  21054H561 DACCA  21159W534 COCHIN  2115AI973 DELHI  21256.00E+81 BOMBAY  2130BA073 LONDON HEATHROW-ABU DHABI  2140WY624 DUBAI  2150WY906 SALALAH  2155AI907 MADRAS  2200WY312 CHITTAGONG  2210QR1134 DOHA  2225LX242 ZURICH-DUBAI  2225GF566 BAHRAIN  2240LH616 FRANKFURT-DOHA  2245WY717 ZANZIBAR-DARESSLAM  2250SG061 AHMEDABAD  2300EY388 ABU DHABI  2300WY910 SALALAH  23109W540 BOMBAY  2315WY908 SALALAH  2320AI985 BOMBAY  2325WY662 DOHA  2335WY654 BAHRAIN  2340WY636 ABU DHABI  2340WY928 SALALAH  2345WY816 BANGKOK  2350WY612 DUBAI  2355WY696 DAMMAM  2355

FLT NO DEPARTURES TO ETD AI986 BOMBAY  00209W539 BOMBAY  0020WY657 BAHRAIN  0055WY225 COCHIN  0105WY637 ABU DHABI  0105WY235 HYDERABAD  0110WY281 BANGALORE  0110WY211 TRIVANDRUM  0110WY685 RIYADH  0115WY201 BOMBAY  0115WY643 KUWAIT  0120WY251 MADRAS  0120WY271 JAIPUR  0135WY601 DUBAI  0145WY123 MUNICH  0200WY325 KARACHI  0210WY847 JAKARTA  0215WY241 DELHI  0215WY901 SALALAH  0215WY691 DAMMAM  0225WY667 DOHA  0225WY383 MALE  0230TK775 ISTANBUL  0230WY209 GOA  02554H585 DOHA  0300PK260 PESHAWAR  0310NL772 PESHAWAR  0330WY331 KATHMANDU  0350ET625 ADDIS ABABA  0450EK867 DUBAI  0450EY385 ABU DHABI  0500FZ042 DUBAI  0510QR1133 DOHA  0515WY3931 SOHAR  06354H586 DACCA  0700GF561 BAHRAIN  0715WY3921 DUQUM OMAN  0745G9842 RAS AL KHAIMA  0745WY903 SALALAH  0750WY603 DUBAI  0750WY3301 MUKHAIZNA  0800CV732 HONG KONG  0800WY917 KHASAB  0815WY347 ISLAM ABBAD  0830WY669 DOHA  0835WY323 KARACHI  0835FZ044 DUBAI  0845WY373 COLOMBO  0900WY815 BANGKOK  0905WY291 CALICUT  0915WY343 LAHORE  0915NL769 LAHORE  0930WY651 BAHRAIN  0935WY263 LUCKNOW  0940WY821 SINGAPORE-KUALA LUMPUR  0945WY843 MANILA  0955G9115 SHARJAH  0955WY231 HYDERABAD  1000WY605 DUBAI  1020WY905 SALALAH  1020WY203 BOMBAY  1025WY385 MALE  1040WY245 DELHI  1040EK863 DUBAI  1045IX554 TRIVANDRUM  1045WY337 KATHMANDU  1050QR1129 DOHA  1100IX818 MANGALORE  1100EY383 ABU DHABI  1105IX442 COCHIN  1120WY311 CHITTAGONG  11409W533 COCHIN  1145WY919 KHASAB  1145GF563 BAHRAIN  1215FZ038 DUBAI  1225WY3303 MUKHAIZNA  1230WY253 MADRAS  1255IX350 CALICUT  1255WY633 ABU DHABI  1300WY113 FRANKFURT  1320WY663 DOHA  1330WY631 ABU DHABI  1345WY143 MALPENSA  1350WY645 KUWAIT  1350WY655 BAHRAIN  1400WY101 LONDON HEATHROW  1400WY153 ZURICH  1420WY927 SALALAH  1430WY405 CAIRO  1440WY413 AMMAN  1440WY433 TEHRAN  1445WY609 DUBAI  1445KU678 ABU DHABI-KUWAIT  1505WY907 SALALAH  1540WY675 JEDDAH  1615FZ046 DUBAI  1620WY671 MEDINA  1705WY613 DUBAI  1710QR1127 DOHA  1750WY623 DUBAI  1840WY681 RIYADH  1840WY647 KUWAIT  1845WY909 SALALAH  1850GF565 BAHRAIN  1855EK865 DUBAI  1910WY695 DAMMAM  1915WY653 BAHRAIN  1920WY661 DOHA  1920G9117 SHARJAH  1955WY913 SALALAH  2000TG508 KARACHI-BANGKOK  2005WY635 ABU DHABI  2015FZ048 DUBAI  2025WY611 DUBAI  2035WY915 SALALAH  2100FZ050 DUBAI  2145WY421 BEIRUT  2215WY817 BANGKOK  22259W529 TRIVANDRUM  22306.00E+82 BOMBAY  2245AI908 MADRAS  2300UL206 COLOMBO  2305AI974 DELHI  2310WY705 DARESSLAM-ZANZIBAR  2310GF567 BAHRAIN  2325LX243 DUBAI-ZURICH  2325QR1135 DOHA  2330BA072 ABU DHABI-LONDON HEATHROW  2330WY673 JEDDAH  2350EY381 ABU DHABI  2355LH617 DOHA-FRANKFURT  2355

FLT NO DEPARTURES TO ETD AI986 BOMBAY  00209W539 BOMBAY  0020WY657 BAHRAIN  0055WY225 COCHIN  0105WY637 ABU DHABI  0105WY211 TRIVANDRUM  0110WY235 HYDERABAD  0110WY201 BOMBAY  0115WY643 KUWAIT  0120WY345 ISLAM ABBAD  0125WY271 JAIPUR  0135WY341 LAHORE  0145WY601 DUBAI  0145WY371 COLOMBO  0155WY123 MUNICH  0200WY901 SALALAH  0215WY847 JAKARTA  0215WY241 DELHI  0215WY667 DOHA  0225TK775 ISTANBUL  0230WY209 GOA  02554H584 DACCA  0300PK226 KARACHI  0315WY331 KATHMANDU  0350EK867 DUBAI  0450ET625 ADDIS ABABA  0450EY385 ABU DHABI  0500FZ042 DUBAI  0510QR1133 DOHA  0515GF561 BAHRAIN  0715WY603 DUBAI  0750WY903 SALALAH  0750WY3301 MUKHAIZNA  0800WY917 KHASAB  0815WY323 KARACHI  0835WY669 DOHA  0835FZ044 DUBAI  0845WY633 ABU DHABI  0900WY815 BANGKOK  0905WY253 MADRAS  0915WY291 CALICUT  0915WY263 LUCKNOW  0940WY717 ZANZIBAR-DARESSLAM  0940WY821 SINGAPORE-KUALA LUMPUR  0945G9115 SHARJAH  0955WY231 HYDERABAD  1000WY283 BANGALORE  1000WY631 ABU DHABI  1015WY605 DUBAI  1020WY203 BOMBAY  1025WY245 DELHI  1040EK863 DUBAI  1045WY337 KATHMANDU  1050QR1129 DOHA  1100EY383 ABU DHABI  1105WY311 CHITTAGONG  11409W533 COCHIN  1145WY919 KHASAB  1145GF563 BAHRAIN  1215WY655 BAHRAIN  1215FZ038 DUBAI  1225WY3303 MUKHAIZNA  1230IX350 CALICUT  1255PA451 LAHORE  1315WY113 FRANKFURT  1320WY663 DOHA  1330WY683 RIYADH  1335WY131 PARIS  1345WY645 KUWAIT  1350WY143 MALPENSA  1350WY101 LONDON HEATHROW  1400WY153 ZURICH  1420WY927 SALALAH  1430WY405 CAIRO  1440WY609 DUBAI  1445WY433 TEHRAN  1445WY3921 DUQUM OMAN  1455WY675 JEDDAH  1615FZ046 DUBAI  1620WY613 DUBAI  1710WY905 SALALAH  1735QR1127 DOHA  1750WY681 RIYADH  1840WY623 DUBAI  1840WY647 KUWAIT  1845WY909 SALALAH  1850GF565 BAHRAIN  1855WY907 SALALAH  1900EK865 DUBAI  1910WY695 DAMMAM  1915WY661 DOHA  1920WY653 BAHRAIN  1920G9117 SHARJAH  1955WY913 SALALAH  2000WY635 ABU DHABI  2015FZ048 DUBAI  2025WY611 DUBAI  2035WY411 AMMAN  2100WY915 SALALAH  2100FZ050 DUBAI  2145AI978 HYDERABAD-BANGALORE  22004H561 JEDDAH  2215KL442 DOHA-AMSTERDAM  2220WY817 BANGKOK  22259W529 TRIVANDRUM  22306.00E+82 BOMBAY  2245AI908 MADRAS  2300WY677 MEDINA  2310WY705 DARESSLAM-ZANZIBAR  2310AI974 DELHI  2310GF567 BAHRAIN  2325LX243 DUBAI-ZURICH  2325BA072 ABU DHABI-LONDON HEATHROW  2330QR1135 DOHA  2330WY673 JEDDAH  2350LH617 DOHA-FRANKFURT  2355EY381 ABU DHABI  2355

A I R L I N E S

LONG DISTANCE BUS TIMINGS (OMAN NATIONAL TRANSPORT COMPANY SAOC) *SUBJECT TO CHANGE

QURIYAT - SUR - JAALAN (Route 36)Dept Destination Arrival Operating Time Time Days 15:00 Quriyat 16:30 Daily15:00 Sur 18:00 Daily15:00 Jaalan 19:30 Daily

FROM JAALAN-SUR-QURIYAT (Route 36)Dept Destination Arrival Operating Time Time Days 05:30 Sur 06:45 Daily05:30 Quriyat 08:30 Daily05:30 Ruwi 10:00 Daily

TO AL BURAIMI (Route 41)06:30 Sohar 08:50 Daily06:30 Buraimi 11:00 Daily08:00 Buraimi 14:30 Daily via Ibri13:00 Sohar 15:45 Daily13:00 Buraimi 17:40 Daily 16.00 Sohar 18.35 Daily 16.00 Buraimi 20:20 Daily

TO AL BURAIMI (Route 41)07:00 Sohar 08:55 Daily07:00 Ruwi 11:40 Daily13:30 Ruwi 20:20 Daily via Ibri13:00 Sohar 14:55 Daily13:00 Ruwi 17:40 Daily 13:00 Sohar 19:20 Daily 17:00 Ruwi 22:15 Daily

TO SINAW (Route 52)17:30 Sinaw 20:50 Daily

TO SINAW (Route 52)07:00 Ruwi 10:25 Daily

To Yanqul (Route 54)14:30 Nizwa 16:50 Daily14:30 Yanqul 19:30 Daily

To Yanqul (Route 54)06:00 Nizwa 08:40 Daily06:00 Ruwi 11:00 Daily

TO IBRI (ARAQI) (Route 54)08:00 Nizwa 10:20 Daily08:00 Al Araqi 12:30 Daily

TO IBRI (ARAQI) (Route 54)15:40 Nizwa 17:55 Daily15:40 Ruwi 20:20 Daily

TO SUR (Route 55)07:30 Sur 12:00 Daily14:30 Sur 18:45 Daily

TO SUR (Route 55)06:00 Ruwi 10:45 Daily14:30 Ruwi 19:00 Daily

TO FAHUD - YIBAL (Route 62)06:30 Fahud 10:30 Daily06:30 Yibal 11:15 Daily

TO YIBAL - FAHUD (Route 62)12:30 Fahud 13:15 Daily12:30 Ruwi 17:30 Daily

TO DUBAI (Route 201)06:00 Sohar 08:30 Daily06:00 Dubai 11:30 Daily13:00 Sohar 15:30 Wed,Thur13:00 Dubai 18:30 Wed,Thur15:00 Sohar 17:35 Daily15:00 Dubai 20:55 Daily

TO DUBAI (Route 201)07:30 Sohar 10:50 Daily07:30 Ruwi 13:40 Daily13:00 Sohar 16:15 Thur-Fri13:00 Ruwi 19:10 Thur-Fri15:30 Sohar 18:45 Daily15:30 Ruwi 21:35 Daily

TO MARMUL-SALALAH (Route 100)07:00 Salalah 20:00 Daily10:00 Marmul 20:30 Daily10:00 Salalah 23:30 Daily19:00 Salalah 07:40 Daily

TO SALALAH -MARMUL (Route 100)07:00 Ruwi 19:50 Daily10:00 Marmul 13:15 Daily10:00 Ruwi 22:30 Daily19:00 Ruwi 07:30 Daily

TO MARMUL (Route 101)06:00 Marmul 16:50 Daily

SALALAH TO DUBAI (Route 102)15:00 Dubai 07:00 Daily

TO MARMUL (Route 101)06:00 Marmul 16:30 Daily

DUBAI TO SALALAH (Route 102)15:00 Salalah 07:00 Daily

TO DUBAI VIA FUJIRAH & SHARJAH (Route 204)Dept Destination Arrival Operating Time Time Days 07:00 Fujairah 11.45 Daily 07:00 Sharjah 13.30 Daily 07:00 Dubai 14.00 Daily

FROM DUBAI VIA FUJIRAH & SHARJAH (Route 204)Dept Destination Arrival Operating Time Time Days 16:00 Sharjah 16:30 Daily 16.00 Fujairah 18.15 Daily16.00 Ruwi 23.00 Daily

FROM MUSCAT (RUWI) TO MUSCAT (RUWI)

LISTINGS

-www.met.gov.om

BORN today, you enjoy trying to beat the odds. Indeed, the more unlikely victory may seem, the more likely you are to go after it wholeheartedly, with no fear, doubt or uncertainty. You like taking risks; indeed, you believe that nothing worth having in life comes risk-free. You must always face some sort of danger if you are to come out of a situation better, stronger and richer. Like most Cancer natives, you insist on doing things your own way, but there is often a small voice in the back of your head that suggests alternatives to you along the way. When you listen to that voice, you may behave in ways that are rather inconsistent and surprising to others.

If you can imagine it, you can make it real; this is the simplest expression of your attitude toward life. Nothing is impossible, as long as you can visualise it first. Once you have done that, you will work long and hard to express in reality what you first created in your mind. You are a dreamer, yes, but you can dream things true!

Also born on this date are: Prince William of Great Britain; Juliette Lewis, actress; Meredith Baxter, actress; Jane Russell, actress; Michael Gross, actor; Jean-Paul Sartre, philosopher and author; Mariette Hartley, actress; Kathy Mattea, singer; Al Hirschfeld, caricaturist; Tony Scott, filmmaker; Bernie Kopell, actor.

Someone who looks after you — without your knowing, of course — will have a few harsh judgments to offer before this day is out.

VIRGO [AUG. 23-SEPT. 22]

LIBRA [SEPT. 23-OCT. 22] LLLLLLLLLLLLLLL[S[S[S[S[[[S[[S[S[S[[S[S[SSS[SS[SSSS

SCORPIO [OCT. 23-NOV. 21] S[

SAGITTARIUS [NOV. 22-DEC. 21] S[[[[[[[[[[[[[[

AQUARIUS [JAN. 20-FEB. 18]

You’re likely to discover that a certain change in venue — one that you have been considering for a while — is actually a very good idea!

Just when you thought you were ready to move on to the next phase of things, someone will remind you of a promise you recently made.

You should be able to do exactly what you want to do without running everything by the usual authority figures. Enjoy this sense of freedom!

A fractured sense of your own accomplishments is keeping you from enjoying the praise you have earned from those in the know. Get it together!

You may have to give another a little more leeway than usual. What comes around, as a result, can do you a world of good.

You may have to pick up the pace somewhat in order to meet a new deadline. This was not something that you had anything to do with!

You’re ready to make a move, and you’re likely to model yourself after someone you very much admire.

PISCES [Feb. 19-March 20]

You may want to carry on in a way that doesn’t usually suit you, but by some stroke of luck, your antics are favored today.

GEMINI [MAY 21-JUNE 20]

CANCER [JUNE 21-JULY 22]

LEO [JULY 23-AUG. 22]

CAPRICORN [DEC. 22-JAN 19]

Y O U R B I R T H D A Y

ARIES [March 21-APRIL 19]

TAURUS [APRIL 20-MAY 20]

Now is the time for you to enjoy what nature herself has to offer. There are many seeming accidents that are actually intentional.

As the traffic passes by, you’ll realise that almost everyone has as much at stake as you have. It may be time to join forces.

The time has come for you to show someone in charge what you are capable of doing when the chips are down. You can score a major victory.

C11

EXTRAS U N DAY, J U N E 2 1 , 2 0 1 5

FOOD

MOST OF THE TIME, when I hear that someone doesn’t like vegetables, I ask a few questions and come to the same conclusion: It’s about texture — typically the texture that resulted from drastic overcooking (or, worse, canning) experienced in the eater’s child-hood. Slimy, mushy beets. Soggy Brussels sprouts. Gray, limp as-paragus. Which is when I’ll get on a soapbox about proper tech-niques: Foil-wrap and bake those beets just until a skewer goes through easily, but no further. Roast those Brussels sprouts at high heat, and in a big enough pan that there’s room for air to circu-late. Blanch or sauté or roast that asparagus just until it starts to bend at the tip when you pick it up — and not a second longer.

Some of us don’t mind mushy vegetables now and then, of course: I can boil or steam some squash until it’s soft, then mash it with a little olive oil and Parm and be a happy camper. But if I want to eat it with a little more intent — and, say, use a knife and fork instead of a spoon — I’ll treat it a little more carefully.

Sometimes, the technique involves cutting the thing to a proper size. When I fix squash or zucchini for my friend, who hates when the vegetable is soft, I slice it into big chunks, which gives me all that much more wiggle room when cooking it. That’s what I did with a recipe by Melbourne-based chef Matt Wilkinson for zucchini that you sear in a ridged grill pan then finish briefly in the oven before combining it with an amazing dressing that’s a riff on

Spanish white gazpacho, or ajo blanco. The finishing touch for this unconventional salad is nuts that have been sprinkled with my favourite fairy dust: smoked Spanish paprika.

When cooked that way, zuc-chini has the most wonderful tex-ture: just barely soft in the centre, slightly crunchy on the outside. It’s juicy, not mushy, and could help any zucchini haters come to their senses.— Joe Yonan/The Washington Post

You’ve just lost your excuse to hate zucchini

Millions of over 45s could be risk-ing losing their driving licence and potentially

their vision by not taking regu-lar eye tests, medical experts have warned.

According to new research by the International Glaucoma As-sociation (IGA), 18 per cent of the 1,000 over 45s surveyed said they had either not had an eye test in the last five years or had never had one at all.

There are an estimated 600,000 people with glaucoma in the UK, but 300,000 are undiagnosed. As there are no early symptoms of the condition in which the main nerve to the eye (the optic nerve) is dam-aged, resulting in patchy or miss-ing vision, it is vital that everyone over the age of 40 has eye health checks every one or two years.

There is at least a four times in-creased risk of developing glauco-ma if you have a close blood rela-tive with the condition.

The charity’s ‘Can You See to Drive?’ campaign in the UK is urg-ing drivers over 40 to have regular eye health checks to ensure they are safe to be behind the wheel. This is particularly important with glaucoma as it has no symp-toms in the early stages, but with early detection and continued treatment people will often retain useful sight for life and will be safe to drive for many years.

“The majority of us wouldn’t take our cars on the road with-out an annual service and MOT (Ministry of Transport) yet, we are happy to put ourselves behind the wheel without knowing if we can see safely to drive,” says IGA spokesman Russell Young.

“A visit to the optometrist will

quickly check our vision safety and detect if there is any risk of glaucoma. Without regular checks the condition can go unnoticed, causing serious sight loss and the possible loss of a driving licence.”

Glaucoma sufferers who have damaged vision in both eyes are required by law to report their condition to the DVLA ( Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency). If they fail to do so they can face a criminal conviction, a fine up to £1000 and may be uninsured to drive.

However Russell adds: “Most of the calls to our helpline are from people worried about whether their glaucoma is going to affect their ability to drive. Yet the ma-jority of those that report to the DVLA will not need further tests, and of those that do, the majority will be found safe to drive.”-Laura

Milne/Daily Express

Regular eye checks for glaucoma

are vital for all motorists over 45

CAN YOU SEE WELL ENOUGH TO DRIVE?

20-minutes of yoga can make you smarterEVEN A SINGLE, 20-minute session of yoga can significantly improve brain function immedi-ately, a study reveals.In the study, participants’ speed and accuracy on tests of working memory and inhibitory control - two measures of brain function associated with the ability to maintain focus and retain and use new information - im-proved immediately after practising Hatha yoga just for 20 minutes. The 30 study subjects were young, female, undergrad-uate students. The results were reported in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health.

Down syndrome linked to cortex thickness: StudyON AVERAGE, cortex is thicker in youth with Down Syndrome than in typically developing youth, even though the overall volume of the cor-tex is lower in those with Down Syndrome, new brain-imaging research says. The thickness of the brain’s cerebral cortex could be a key to find answers about intellectual development in youth with Down Syndrome.The result may also provide new insights to why individuals with this genetic neurodevel-opmental disorder are highly susceptible to early onset Alzheimer’s Disease later in life. The study appeared in the journal Cerebral Cortex.

Prevent polio’s re-emergenceTHE POLIO virus can continue to transmit silently for more than three years with no re-ported cases, says a study that suggests continued surveillance even after eradication of the disease.To ensure that the disease is truly eradicated, aggres-sive surveillance pro-grammes and vaccination campaigns must continue in endemic countries.-IANS

BR I E FS

C12

EXTRAS U N DAY, J U N E 2 1 , 2 0 1 5

Fans of Sherlock Holmes are likely to be wrong-footed by Bill Condon’s new fea-

ture. This is a subtle and very moving film with an exceptional performance from its lead actor but one that bears little resem-blance to the many other big- and small-screen yarns, even the more outlandish ones, featuring Baker Street’s most famous resident.

First spotted on a train, Ian McKellen’s 93-year-old Holmes looks nothing like the detective as played by Benedict Cumberbatch, Basil Rathbone, Robert Stephens, Robert Downey Jnr, Jeremy Brett, Peter Cushing, Clive Brook et al. His Holmes is a very ancient and very severe-looking man with wrinkled features and protuber-ant ears that make him look as frightening as any gargoyle.

The deductive reasoning pow-ers are still intact but McKellen’s sleuth is so forgetful that he has taken to writing down names on the sleeves of his shirt. His real en-emy here isn’t a criminal master-mind like Professor Moriarty, who doesn’t feature at all, but regret and ageing – and whatever is caus-ing his precious bees to die.

As the film begins, the detective is on his way home from Japan. He doesn’t live in London any longer but has decamped to a pretty Sus-sex farmhouse not far from the sea.

Disconcertingly, we notice the wing of a downed Luftwaffe plane sticking out in a field. Holmes, we realise, is in 1940s, post-war, Attlee England, not in Victorian London. There are references to Hiroshima and nuclear wasteland, something never found in Arthur Conan Doyle’s fiction. Dr Watson is long since dead. Holmes is a curmudg-eonly old man, not much liked by his housekeeper Mrs Munro (Lau-ra Linney) and who exasperates his doctor (Roger Allam).

Holmes has been retired for 30 years but some of the old celebrity remains. People stare at him on railway platforms, surprised he is still alive. Holmes professes to be irritated by the many inaccuracies in Watson’s “penny dreadful” style accounts of his cases but is also secretly flattered by the attention they bring him. In one scene, we see him watching a black-and-white Sherlock Holmes movie at the local cinema. Holmes is played in dashing but conventional matinee-idol fashion by Nicholas Rowe. (The casting itself is an in-joke; Rowe made his name play-

ing the detective as a teenager in Barry Levinson’s 1985 movie The Young Sherlock.)

Mr. Holmes, based on Mitch Cullin’s novel A Slight Trick of the Mind, has a complex storyline, flitting between 1947 and a case from many years before that still torments Holmes. This was a humdrum affair by comparison with The Hound of the Baskervilles or The Sign of Four. It concerned a bereaved young woman (Hattie Morahan). Holmes had been hired by her husband to tail her and to work out why she was acting in such an erratic manner.

In order to crack the mystery, Holmes needs to go beyond logic. The woman’s case comes with all the accoutrements of the typi-cal potboiler detective story – forged cheques, dropped gloves, a not altogether trustworthy me-dium (Frances de la Tour), sus-picions of infidelity and even a runaway train.

However, it is not a matter of simply deducing the facts. Instead, he has to try to understand the emotions that pushed characters to behave in ways that seemed, at least at the time, utterly baffling. He is in search of the human fac-tor – and that is what turns out to be far from elementary.

We are so used to McKellen on screen playing wizards and mu-tants in JRR Tolkien adaptations

or Marvel blockbusters that it is easy to forget his skills as a char-acter actor. This is one of his rich-est and most affecting roles since he played the simple-minded hero in Stephen Frears’ Walter in the early days of Channel 4. McKel-len’s Holmes is very precise in everything from the way he wears his clothes (the top hat and stick that make him look incongruously like Fred Astaire in the flashback sequences) to his handwriting. He doesn’t try to be ingratiating and only very slowly becomes aware of how cruelly he may have behaved in the past. One of the tricks of the storyline is to show a man of for-midable intelligence using that intelligence to cope with the dull-ing of his faculties. He can’t avoid a sense of panic as his mind and body begin to fail him.

Holmes always needs an aco-lyte. In this case, rather than Dr Watson, he has the housekeep-er’s precocious young son Roger (played in appealing fashion by Milo Parker), who dotes on his stories and becomes his devoted assistant in the apiary.

The sentimentality in the depic-tion of Holmes’s relationship with Roger seems deliberate. Without the blossoming of this unlikely friendship, the film might have be-come very bleak indeed.

Laura Linney is good value as the bossy Mrs Munro, clucking and fussing around Holmes in the same way that his old landlady Mrs Hudson did in countless ear-lier movies. The difference is that Linney conveys her character’s loneliness as a single mum, her de-votion to her son and her bristling resentment of the hold Holmes has over him.

The real object of the detec-tive’s last case study is himself – and he doesn’t always like what he uncovers.

In the summer of Jurassic World, Mr Holmes may struggle to make an impact at the box of-fice (in spite of being produced by the team behind The King’s Speech). It is about the wrong kind of dinosaur.

This is an intimate study of an ancient detective confronting his own mortality. However, director Condon, best known for The Twi-light Saga but who also worked with McKellen on Gods and Mon-sters, brings immense grace and humour to a film that benefits from its low-key but forensic ap-proach. -Geoffrey Macnab/The Independent

IAN MCKELLEN’S SHERLOCK STUDIES HIS

LAST CASE - HIMSELF

We are so used to McKellen on screen playing wizards and mutants in JRR Tolkien adaptations or Marvel blockbusters that it is easy to forget his skills as a character actor. This is one of his richest and most affecting roles since he played the simple-minded hero in Stephen Frears’ ‘Walter’ in the early days of Channel 4

Ian McKellen plays an ageing Sherlock Holmes, in a 1940s post-war,

Attlee England instead of a Victorian London

W W W.T I M E S O F O M A N . C O MSECTION

CONNECT H E D A I LY G U I D E

D

D4 VACANCY CARGO D7

S U N D AY, J U N E 2 1 , 2 0 1 5

RENT D2

DAILY GUIDE Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.comTel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461

FOR RENT

Basement Store, 146 SQM,

Wadikhabeer, Opposit Al-Hassan.

99441193, 93004802

We have 2BHK flats in Ghubra

North 18th November Street new

Mars Hypermarket flats with 2

rooms, 3bathrooms large sitting

hall & kitchen. Contact: 93782735 /

99208033

Furnished room for rent at

Al Khuwair R.O 225/- for family only.

Contact: 99251975

We have offices in Ghala, Ghubra,

Bousher & Ruwi different type of

available, open space, 2 BHK, 3 BHK.

Contact 93782735 / 99208033

We have 230 sq metre show room

in Ghubra main road very nice loca-

tion suitable for banks, showroom,

Retail shop or any business Golden

opportunity. Contact: 93782735 /

99208033

We have 1 BHK, 2 BHK flats in

Mabela + brand new building very

nice finishing on the main road,

1BHK 175/- OMR , 2BHK 200/- OMR.

Contact: 93782735 / 99208033

Shop /Comn /Resi building 1 & 2

bed flat available in Wadi Kabir (near

Lulu). Contact: 99451168

One bed rooms flat RO 200/-

Wadi Al Kabir. Contact: 99451168

Misfa land for rent 1000 SQM.

Contact: 99451168

1 BHK flat in Al Khuwair, 2 months

only. Contact 99792181

3 BHK Flat in Azaiba.

Contact 99792181

Labour Camp for Rent in Wadi Kabir.

Contact 99792181

2 BHK Flat in Al Khuwair. Contact

99792181

4 BHK single villa in Al Khuwair.

Contact: 97616158

4 & 5 BHK villa in Al Khuwair.

Contact 99792181

We have small building commercial

for staff accommodation in Bowsher.

There are 4 flats & 1 shop can be

used for store or staff accommoda-

tion. Contact 93782735 / 99208033

5BHK villa available for rent, near

Hamriya roundabout.

Contact-99366191

We have 1 BHK, 2BHK, 3BHK flats

in Ghala very nice building on main

road outside the building lot of park-

ing available. Contact: 93782735 /

99208033

For rent brand new villa 4BD.

Contact: 91963034

Flat for rent in Mabellah 8th.

Contact: 97147240

Two bed room flat with attached

bathroom near Omani Boys School

Ruwi . Contact: 91214537

Spacious room with bathroom

(separate) available for small family

or couples near Oman Boys School

Ruwi. Contact : 91214537

Ruwi near Police Station: Flats with

4 Rooms, 1 Kitchen & 2 Bathrooms.

Contact 93387962

Seeb Souq opposite HSBC: Flat with

3 Rooms, 1 Kitchen & 2 Bathrooms

and Studio at Terrace.

Contact 93387962

Shops at Muttrah opposite Port

Service Building on Main Road.

Contact 93387962

5 BHK Villa with parking & backyard

garden in Al Khuwair (House No.

1110 & Way No. 3914 ), near Radis-

son hotel, is available for rent @ RO.

1000/- p.m. Contact : 99024087 /

92620773

2BHK at Al Khodh commercial area

2 rooms, 1 hall, 2 bathrooms.

Contact: 99224748 / 99332297

Office / shop near Oman house

Muttrah. Contact: 99233116

D2 S U N D AY, J U N E 2 1 , 2 0 1 5

We have 5 BHK villa in Al Khuwair

33, 5 rooms, 6 bathrooms, sitting

hall, Majlis & large kitchen suit-

able for office or families. Contact:

93782735 / 99208033

Flats for rent near Indian School in

Wadi Kabir. Contact 99777122

1BHK flat one room, kitchen,

bath room near Wadi Adai R/A.

Contact : 96464598

3 Bedroom flat with 3 attached

toilets, split A/C, brand new

available, behind Kims Hospital.

Contact 95225662

1,000 sq mtrs industrial land in Mis-

fah Industrial area near to Khanco.

OMR 1,500 Monthly. It has Electricity

and boundary wall. Tel: 99333479 or

95215360

Tent for wedding Iftar party for rent.

Contact: 97380496/ 96242910/

94029752

3BHK special apartment at

Al Khuwair with wardrobe and A/C.

Contact : 94232344

Villa for rent (family residence) :

New 4 bedroom villa with majlis,

family hall and outside kitchen. With

split AC in Al Khoudh phase 7 close

to Seeb polyclinic. Call 99332525

(owner).

Apartments near Indian School

Ghubra (2 BHK with 5 split AC units).

Contact 94652485 / 99273774 /

99202278

Apartments near Al Nahdha Tow-

ers/ Vachas Hypermarket Azaiba –

Ghala (1 & 2 BHK with split AC units).

Contact 94652485 / 99273774 /

99202278

3 rooms with attached bath room,

hall Brand new in Mabelah near

Sharahe Noor. Contact 99663905/

99415119

3BHK flat for rent in Al Khuwair.

Villa type building with only 2 flats,

separate entrance, fully renovated.

Way No. 3922, building No 1839,

behind Al Aktham Restaurant.

Contact: 99462980

2BHK at Azaiba 2 room, 1hall, din-

ing, 3 bathrooms. Contact: 99224748

/ 99425665

Flat for rent in CBD Ruwi.

Contact : 92820734

New flats for rent in Wadi Kabir.

Contact : 92130703 / 96045478

Flat for rent in Al Khuwair.

Contact : 98151674

1BHK R.O 190/- & 2BHK R.O 250/- &

Store 140 sqm R.O 250/-

near Medical Darsait.

Contact: 98748925

2 bedroom flat at Hamriya, main

road with A/C. Contact 99331448

Flat in South Al Hail, 2 bedrooms,

Majlis, 2 bathrooms, kitchen RO

250/-. Contact 93221474

Flat in Ruwi Mumtaz 2 BHK RO 300

or 1 BHK 250 RO. Contact 98588240

Flats for rent behind Indian School.

Contact 99777122

Shop/Office 68 SQM, Wadi kabeer,

Opposite Al-Hassan. Contact

99441193, 93004802

2 BHK, 2 baths, Split A/C, Wadi ka-

beer, Near Indian Elementary School.

Contact 99441193, 93004802

Shop/Office, 56 SQM, Wadikabeer,

Opposite Al-Hassan.

Contact 99441193, 93004802

Flat in Amerat, Phase 5, 4 rooms,

3 bathrooms, kitchen with A/C.

Contact : 95522405

Luxury 3 BHK flat in Al Wattaya

with split A/C & private parking.

RO.500/- Contact – 93191111

Villa of 5 BHK in Al Ansab with split

A/C. RO.650/- Contact – 93191111

2 BHK flat in Al Ansab with split

A/C. RO.250/- Contact – 93191111

Villa for rent - Al Seeb/Al Mawelah

- Block 5 - 4 bedrooms with attached

bathrooms, Majlis, 2 halls, kitchen

and storeroom. split Ac and carpark.

Contact 99564616

Bath attached room for rent

Al Khuwair. Contact 99743569

Flats for rent Al Ansab (Ghala) 2

bedrooms, 2 toilets, 1sitting room &

kitchen. Contact: 94229023

Commercial 3 BHK flat in Al Ghobra

18 Nov Street. RO 700/- # 93191111

2 BHK flat in Al Azaiba near sea,

with split A/C. RO.340/-

Contact – 93191111

Brand new 6 BHK villa in Al Azaiba

with split A/C & lift. RO.1200/-

Contact – 93191111

For rent 3 industrial land.

Contact 92702891/ 95490842

Flats shops and store for rent in

Ruwi, MBD Honda road.

Contact 97293708 / 92433127

Labor camp available with all facili-

ties at Sohar Falaij (Near Sohar Sea

port) - Contact – 92982172

For rent in Darsait new flats.

Contact: 99777351

For rent in Darsait, new flats.

Contact: 99311525

Flats/villas owned by ROP pen-

sion fund available for rent in

Muscat. Contact 99349526

Villa for rent : 4 bedroom villa

with kitchen available in Azai-

ba. Sharing / Family. Contact :

98048207/99261773

Apartment in Al Khuwair 33/1,

4 bedroom 550/-R.O. Contact :

99340055 / 97557555

Flats, shops and basement for rent

in Khuwair, behind RAWASCO.

Contact: 99441122 , 95893518

3000 sq mtrs Industrial landß,

in Barka Sanaiya, with electricity

400KW, shed, staff accommodation

and office. Ready to start any kind

of factory. Contact 99384255.

Flat at Darsait. Contact 99326879

FOR SALE

Clinic for sale in al amerat.

Contact:93753655

Used & refurbished Porta

cabins, Toilets unit avail-

able for sales. Contact: 99215560

Email:omegaunitedoman@gmail.

com

Building material shop for sale at

al Ghubrah with two clearances.

Contact: 91295985

2,560 sq mtrs industrial land in

Wadi Kabir main road, First line on

way to Al Bustan hotel. Possible to

make petrol station or hotel. OMR

990 Thousand. Tel: 99333479 or

95215360

60,000 Sq Mtrs Agriculture Land in

Misfah, can be changed to Industrial

Land. OMR 29 Per Square Meter.

Tel: 99333479 or 95215360

5 Flats of 1 bedroom for Sale in

Boushar: OMR 35 Thousand each.

Monthly income OMR 270

Tel: 99333479 or 95215360

3 floor commercial building in

Muttrah behind Police. Generating

income of OMR 18 Thousand annu-

ally. Neat and well maintained. Built

on 197 sq mtrs land. 2 tailor shops

on ground floor and 6 flats. OMR

207 Thousand. Tel: 99333479 or

95215360

23,886 Sq Mtrs Agriculture land

with water well in Al Salwa, Barka.

OMR 260 Thousand. Tel: 99333479

or 95215360

Ice cream & juices shop in Ruwi,

good location for sale, 1.5 mt fish

display machine for sale.

Contact: 92150455

Training center with license.

Contact: 91121277

Commercial land for sale 3000 m

in quriyat road main high way can

use as a petrol station license

available asking

price 350,000

For more information please call on

99070701 with out name

Super market in (Hairoon Hairithi)

Thamrith road. Contact: 98189810 /

99675190

Shop for sale in Ibra and Bid Bid.

Contact: 95304693

2BHK flat + store room in CBD,

Ruwi with Split A/c’s, secured

access, car parking. Rent 400/.

Contact 99603696

3BHK & 2BHK in Darsait.

Contact 94268564

Deluxe 1, 2 BHK flats in Darsait,

AL Khuwair 1deal for office &

residence. Contact 99369081

/99142314

1BHK, 2BHK, 3BHK new flat avail-

able at Mabela in front of Modern

English School Contact: 96239126

Furnished flats for rent in

Al Buraimi, daily, weekly, monthly.

Contact 97819981 / 93593336

DAILY GUIDES U N D AY, J U N E 2 1 , 2 0 1 5 D3

AVAILABLE

Party & Wedding equipment rentals.

Full line, from Tables, Linen & Skirting,

Chairs & Chair covers, Cutlery, Crock-

ery, Glassware, Chafing Dishes, Ice

Sculptures, to Large Sound Systems

and spectacular lighting. Call Andrea

9606 2222 for Catering and Croyden

9623 5555 for Sound & Light.

www.tunesoman.com,

E-mail: info@tunesoman.com

*Classified Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon

for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability

MOTOR VEHICLE FOR SALE

Doctor driven Yaris, manual 2006

model 125000 K.M expected price

R.O 2000/-. Contact : 99747481

Yaris 2008, 1.3, 229 kkm full option

2100 expected. Contact: 93289652

Tata bus - 66 seater model -2008

KM, 85, 673, dealer service. Contact:

99444341 & 99352790

Land Cruiser 2012. Contact

99336093

Hyundai Accent 2004, fully auto-

matic. Contact: 99045803

TATA bus make model 2012 &

Peugeot boxer van make model 2013.

Contact: 93895941

Peugeot 206-2007 Model, expat

driven. Contact 99209285

2 Prime Movers Man 2008 with 40

ton petrol tank each working at the

moment in Al Maha. Price OMR 35

Thousand each. Contact 97000155

or 92688692

Ford Explorer 4WD, 2010 XLT, au-

tomatic km 72000, 4 yrs old, under

warranty. Agent serviced. Owned by

one owner (expat) white colour,

very good condition.

Contact 92824047

Expatriate driven Yaris 2008 model

100,000 kms & land rover 2005

model 93000 Kms, excellent condi-

tions. Contact : 97094797

Excellent big room, with A/C

kitchen available near Ontc bussta-

tion (Ruwi). Conatct 95569740

Semi furnished room with at-

tached bathroom for Executive

bachelors at CBD area behind

chamber of commerce. Contact:

96389375/93554942

CHANGE OF NAME

MATRIMONIAL

RC girl (28 yrs) hailing from

kanjirappally dioces working in

Royal Hospital looks for suitable

alliances. Contact: 92801093 /

97498373

Hindu Ezhava family, settled in

Muscat looking for suitable groom

working within Oman for their

daughter 25 yrs (MBA) working

with a reputed company in Muscat.

Contact : 98689663

ACC. AVAILABLE

Single room attached toilet & bath

for Executive bachelor rent including

electricity & water.

Contact: 99327158

Independent rooms in Qurum /

Al Hail. Contact 95529970

Acc. opp. OK Center for non cook-

ing bachelor. Contact 95126452

between 2 pm & 4 pm only.

Contact 95126452

Sharing flat in Wadi Kabir.

Contact: 99335057

Spacious bedroom, toilet & kitchen

in Wadi Kabir. Contact : 96098443

TRANSPORTATION

Pick & drop any time. Contact:

98522914 / 99512270

Required 40 feet open trailers to

UAE, on trip basis for transporting

our goods. Contact: 99352790 /

98037854

Transportation. Contact: 98178135

Transportation. Contact: 98505294

Transportation. Contact:

98244078

Transportation. Contact:

95190627

Pick & Drop anytime Contact:

91653903

Pick & Drop any time. Contact:

97014786

Pick & drop with car & driver

available any time. Contact:

9615828/ 96502406/92218001

Alliance invited for a Nair girl 24 yrs, 5ft, 1”, fair, slim, B.Tech

graduate reputed family of

Ernakulam dist. (Star Thiruvonam

Sudhajathakam) financially sound,

from parents of B.Tech nair boys

from Trissur, Palakkad and

Eranakulam dist. .

Contact :00919495924302

email: raveendrandr@yahoo.com

Kerala Nair girl, B.Com, 22 yrs, 5.2”

very fair, slim, (Star Uthrattathi)

Presently working in infosis, Chen-

nai. Financially sound, from parents

of nair boys from Trissur, Palakkad

and Eranakulam & Calicut dist. .

Contact :0091 8301865688

email: raveendrandr@yahoo.com

NRI

Ready / under construction apart-

ments / villas. Near guruvayur.

Contact: 00919846877773

Available Duplex flat 1900 sqmt

with 3 bedroom and complete POP

made at Manipal (Indrali) also fit-

tings and accessories are branded

from Gulf. #96440811 / 93804434

BUSINESS

General Investors. Contact

99674870

I Ellickal Mammoo (holder of Indian passport No. G8908369) son of P.P.

Abootty having permanent residence in blue heavens mission compound,

Nathur Tellicheery -5 , Kannur Dt Kerala, (complete postal address in India )

and presently residing in House No. 3914, Lane Way – 1059, Muttrah, Oman

(complete postal address in Oman) intend to change my name from Ellicakal

Mammoo (old name) to Ellikkal Kunh Imammoo (new name) for all practical

purpose. Any objection towards my name change may please be communi-

cated to Embassy of India, Muscat, diplomatic Quarters, Al Khuwair, P. Box

No. 1727, Postal Code 112, Ruwi , Sultanate of Oman.

One room separate bathroom for

Indian Executive bachelor near

Al Khuwair R/A. Contact: 99659513

Furnished attached bathroom at

Mumtaz area. Contact: 93103337 /

95212017

Furnished single rooms available

for Executive bachelors at Ruwi.

Contact: 98049288

Semi furnished single room for

Executive bachelors behind Kamat

Restaurant Al Khuwair.

Contact 94271085

Furnished room attached bath for

lady in Wadikabir (Mars Hypermar-

ket) – 95941515

ACC. WANTED

Required a room or studio flat in

Darsait / WadiKabir /Ruwi area.

Contact : 95405033

DAILY GUIDED4 S U N D AY, J U N E 2 1 , 2 0 1 5

SITUATION WANTEDSITUATION VACANT

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.comTel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461

CATERING

DOMESTIC HELPER

HOSPITALITY

ADMIN

ENGINEER

EDUCATION

SALES / MARKETING

SALES / MARKETING

ADMIN

Cook required for an Omani family

having experience in preparing

all kinds of Omani & Arabic food.

Minimum 5 years experience. Send

CV to abfarsi@omtel.net.om or fax to

24706990, Tel. 24786072

Housemaid wanted for an Indian

family in Al Hail. Must be able to

cook and take care of baby. Full-time

position. 96532872

Urgently needed full time, live-in house maid for cooking Indian non-

veg. food. Visa will be given. Maids

with release will be preferred.

Contact 99349924.

Required looking for full time House-maid for Omani family at Mabela, visa

available. Contact 92454170

SECRETARIAL & OFFICE

Required Office Assistant

160+25+Acc, Contact 99454425

ACCOUNTANT

DRIVER

MISCELLANEOUS

A company from UAE require 2 merchandisers in retail food

supply, store keeper with English

and invoicing experience. Email:

yesterdaysun@hotmail.com

Mason, C.C.T.V, Technician, Electri-cian cum Plumber.# 99383044

Urgently required: (1) female dermatologist with minimum 3 years

experience (2) female Omani recep-tion coordinator for a medical center

in Qurum. Contact: 96062933

Indian male 2+yrs oman exp in HR.

joing immediatly. release available.

Contact :93671437

MBA (international business) from

London, 4 years of UK experience in

operations with D/L, looking for suit-

able position. Contact 91710075

Indian Female 25 MBA in HR look-

ing for a suitable opening in Admin/

Hr. Contact 97013375

Indian female 29 MBA (HR) BSc,

4 yrs exp in HR& Admin looking suit-

able placement. Contact : 95619537

Over 14 years of gulf experience

in Admin /HR /Logistics, fluent in

Arabic & English with D/L looking

for suitable position.

Contact 95824598

Indian female with 10 yrs of experi-

ence in HR/Banking/Operations

seeks a suitable placement.

Can be contacted on 98919015 or

sherianne.coelho@gmail.com

Teachers required: Teachers for KG,

Grade I to IV class in English, Maths,

Science, Computer & Art. Qualifica-

tion: Degree in relevant subjects & B

Ed; IELTS or TOFEL plus two years

experience preferred. Please apply

to: burj@alhakkim.com

Required professional Teachers

for teaching Science, Mathematics,

Accountancy, Business Studies &

English IELTS/ TOFEL in schools &

Universities. Contact 99674870

Male 24, B.Com /PGD having 2

years experience in accounts and

inventory field looking for suitable

job on visit visa. Contact: 94129550

Accounts part time, up to finaliza-

tion of monthly accounts. Handled

by a CA. contact 96293120

Sudanese female MBA experience

5 years in Banking sectors, 1 years

exp. as Accountant in Oman seeking

for a suitable job. Contact : 92962621

Email: hindkameir@gmail.com

Indian male, with B.Com 1 year expe-

rience in Accounts or Sales, on visit

visa, Cont... 98295101

Senior Document Controller MCA

Indian male 9+ year’s total experience

5+ years experience in Gulf in oil &

gas sector and construction field on

visit visa in Oman. Contact: 95388197

Email: rojanchristopher@gmail.com

Indian male, B.Com, well experienced

in Accounts & Admin, knowledge

of Tally ERP 9 experience in Oman

with valid Oman driving license. NOC

available, looking for suitable job in

Oman, join immediately.

Contact 94245039

Accounts & finance Indian male

B.com M.B.A (F) Tally ERP9, 35 years,

8 years experience 1.5 years Oman

family visa N.O.C available.

Contact: 93257426

Email: sibigeorp@gmail.com

Senior Accountant 13 years experi-

ence FMCG & retail Noc available.

Contact: 93473942

MBA Indian male looking for suitable

position having 2 years working expe-

rience as an accountant now in Oman

a visiting visa. Contact: 99424803

Sudanese Accountant seeking job

in Nizwa state experience 10 years 3

years in Saudi Arabia, 7 yrs in Sudan.

Contact : 97796394 / 94003247

Indian male 22 yrs B. Com Graduate

1 year exp in Accounts, currently on

visit visa. Looking for suitable job.

Contact 94341848 /

Email – mohdhaji7272@gmail.com

MBA Graduate with 6 yrs exp in

finance/accounts/ auditing. Special-

ized in accounts payable dept, Oracle

app user, proficient in Sap (fico) end

user & tally 9.0. lean &six sigma

certified trainer on visit visa.

Contact – 91967213 / 99064780

Finance Manager, CPA, with more

than 15 yrs. of experience in GCC.

Fully knowledgeable in Finance,

General & Management Accounting .

NOC available. Contact 96209331

Accounts part time works up to

finalization on monthly basis. Profit

& loss A/C and financial statements,

MS Reports Etc. Contact: 96247295

ACCA affiliate , BSc Honors in applied

Accountancy advance diploma in Ac-

counting and Business, CAT Affiliate

1 year hand on working experience

of Oman, with Oman driving license

looking for a suitable placement in

Audit firm. Having NOC can join im-

mediately. Contact : 98989970

Motivated and energetic male 25

having 4 years of experience in

finance with Master’s degree in Eco-

nomics and CAT Certified seeking

opportunity in Accounts/finance/

audit in a reputable organization.

Cell no: 00968-94626209 E-Mail:

omerjawedshah@gmail.com

Urgently required baker (tandoori

bread maker) for a restaurant.

Contact 92764880

Chinese / Arab / Continental cook & helper wanted. Contact 95529970

Family in Muscat seeking to hire an experienced butler. Hotel experi-

ence is preferred. Candidate must

hold a valid driver’s license. Please

send CV’s on

vacancyinmuscat@gmail.com

Required Accountant with 3 yrs. exp.

in construction company.

Email : wadcocareers@gmail.com

Urgently required Junior Accountant. Please send CV: hr.azatllc@gmail.com

MEDICAL

SKILLED

Wanted urgently General practi-tioner, Gynecologist, Dentist, Staff Nurse and Lab Technician. Contact : 92603863 Email us to:

ruwistar@hotmail.com

Required Gynecology, General Phy-sician, Dentist, Staff Nurses, Lab technicians, Pharmacists, X Ray technicians. Contact : 95133572 / 96064925

Email: kunoozghala@gmail.com

Wanted Staff Nurse for a polyclinic

in Sohar. Contact :93457270

Urgently required G.P doctor with or

without MOH license for one month

from 01/07/2015. # 93824902

Indian driver required for light ve-

hicle with construction experience.

Contact: 92888337

DRIVER

Light driver looking for job.

Contact: 98219599

Sri Lankan driver available.

Contact : 97387112

Indian male office driver with 15

years of experience in Oman with

NOC / Release seeking suitable

placement. Contact: 98381826

Light driver. Contact: 99035942

Light driver looking for job, 4 yrs

exp in Oman. Contact: 94241385

Driver looking for job. Contact

94195818

Light driver. Contact: 96313100

Driver looking for job.

Contact: 99507039

Paksitani Driver with 6 yrs experi-

ence looking for job.

Contact: 93985087

Driver with car 3 years experience

looking for job. Contact: 92041902

Driver available with car and with-

out car. Contact 96771598

Pakistani male light vehicle driver

with 2 yrs exp looking for job.

Contact : 96342684

2 years experience driver looking

for job in companies or residence,

release available.

Contact: 98051400

Pakistani, male light vehicle driver

looking for job. Contact 97943750

Driver light with 5 yrs experience,

knowing English, Arabic, Hindi,

education B.A. Contact 98522914

Light driver valid GCC license look-

ing for job. Contact 99531802

Indian male, 3 yrs exp. as Driver in

Oman looking for job.

Contact 98238043

Driver with car. Contact:

97705694/98988208

Urgently required Sales & Marketing Executive for Electri-

cal & lighting products with Oman

driving license. Send CV at Email :

albasilinternational@gmail.com

Required Sales man - 1 Person

Qualification. Gulf Experienced

- Minimum 5 Years with Oman

Driving Licence Language - English

Education:- Any Degree Further

Contact :Mr. Abdul Hameed Na-

shabat - Mobile No: 97414307 and

-92807399 amn@yaqeeneng.com

Looking for Outdoor Salesman for

heavy equipment spare parts.

Contact - 93292015,

Email: mail.om@gulfcenter.co

Required male or female candidate with 5 years experience in renting of

properties. Interested candidates may

please mail to alqurumprop@gmail.com

Urgently required Sales and Market-ing Executive for Graphic designing

company. Contact: 96727631

mail: smartgraphic518@gmail.com

Marketing Executive for digi-

tal printing company. Contact:

94356769 / 96936564

Wanted Sales man with Oman driv-

ing license in advertising company

visa ready. Contact: 96440587 /

94055643

Urgently required a silk Screen printer with good knowledge and

release letter or NOC. Contact:

93280288 or send CV to

albayanstamps@gmail.com

Chef for Yacht. International cuisine.

Minimum 15 years chef experience.

alibadawy@gmail.com

Required Site Supervisor with 5

yrs. exp. in construction company,

electronic technician with 3 yrs

experience in gate motors systems.

Email : wadcocareers@gmail.com

Leading Construction company requires HSE Officer with minimum

4 to 5 years experience in building

construction line. Send your CV :

hseoman2015@gmail.com

(NOC require).

Mechanical / Civil Site Supervi-sor; diploma / ITI fitter; 3-4 year’s

exp in supervision of Erection work

of sheds, customer coordination,

and project execution. Omani D/L is

must. Contact: hr@khancogroup.com

/ 99102383

Construction Company in Oman

urgently requires following candi-

dates: BE Civil Engineer, minimum

3-5 years gulf experience & Civil site foreman, minimum 5 years gulf

experience, diploma not required.

Email: applyforoman@gmail.com

Construction Company in Oman

urgently requires the following:

B.Sc Civil Engineer, minimum 3-5 yrs Gulf experience.

Civil Site Foreman, minimum 5 yrs

experience with operating knowl-

edge of Tally. Please Email CV ;

applyforoman@gmail.com

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE

SITUATION WANTEDSIT. WANTED

SITUATION WANTEDSIT. WANTED

An Indian lady Chartered Account-

ant with five years experience

(including article ship) on family

visa in Oman looking for a suitable

job. Contact 9621 0347 / 99435346,

shincycrajan@gmail.com

Beautician exp Gulf, looking job

from India. Contact 99531802

BEAUTICIAN

Required Large format printer operator – for HP. Graphic Designer. Send CV to hr.oman@yahoo.com

DESIGNER

Vacancy for Omani PRO for Customs duties in Sohar. Email:

arabianseabridge@gmail.com,

Mob: 97990844

Indian male, 32 years, M. Com.

7 out of 9 years experience in Oman

in Accounts/finance. Having NOC and

valid Oman D/L.

Contact 98277143,

Email: anzarks@gmail.com

Indian male with total 5 year

experience (2 years experience in

Accountant cum sales co ordinator

in a FMCG Company in Oman) in

accounts field and NOC available.

Looking for suitable job Contact

92130188

M.Com, CA (Article ship), 15 years

Gulf experience looking for suitable

position in finance & accounts on

visit visa valid up to 10/7/2015.

Contact: 97767828, knowledge of

quickbooks,

Tally 9, Focus V.5 Email:

altabhossain2008@hotmail.com

ENGINEER

Urgently required for a first grade construction company Graduate Civil Engineer (5 years experi-

enced) shuttering carpenter mason

(Block, Plaster, Tile Fixing)

Civil Foreman building work.

Contact: 24700373/ 99427674

Fax: 24701368

Email: rajma@omantel.net.om

Required sales man for spare parts

shop preferably with driving license.

Contact : 96378289

A leading trading company is look-

ing for Sales Executives & outdoor sales coordinators with driving

license & release /NOC. Email CV:

alhajoil@omantel.net.om or

fax: 24701683

Sales Coordinator : Mechanical

Diploma holder with 3-4 yrs exp. in

sales department preferably in Metal

fabrication Company. Omani D/L is

must. Contact: 99102383

hr@khancogroup.com

Urgently required outdoor Sales Ex-ecutive for furnishing company with

valid Oman D/L and minimum 3 years

experience. Contact 93231403 /

rainbowfurnishing156@gmail.com

Indian male 25 yrs B.com having

experience in accounts for 3 yrs

currently on visit looking to job.

Contact: 97937868 Email:

rehman.naseer999@gmail.com

Indian Accountant: Male, M com,

7 Yrs experience in Accounts up to

finalization, having knowledge

of ERP, Tally, seeks suitable plac-

ment.Contact 93950138 Email:

lijinrajan123@gmail.com

Indian male, B.Com, 1 year Exp in

Accounts/ Sales, on Visit Visa,..

Contact – 98295101

DAILY GUIDES U N D AY, J U N E 2 1 , 2 0 1 5 D5

SITUATION WANTEDSITUATION WANTED

ENGG. / TECHNICAL

DESIGNER

DRAUGHTSMAN

MISCELLANEOUS

ENGG. / TECHNICAL

ENGG. / TECHNICAL

Quantity Surveyor with 5 Years ex-

perience (one year in Oman) looking

for job. Contact 91090036

Mechanical Engineer, Indian, 24

years with Piping Engineering,

Autocad, Ansys NX- Cad, pro-e,

Catia & PDMS now on visiting visa

seek suitable placement. Contact:

99168054 / 96684345

Email: : mbkishore@hotmail.com

BE ,Electrical Engineer with 5 Years

Gulf Experience in Underground

cable & Overhead line in HT and LT,

Distribution Substation, MEP. Oman

D/L available. NOC available.

Contact: 95054644,

00918807888109,

speninsam@gmail.com

Diploma in Electrical Engineer exp

5 years any type of industrial main-

tenance and installation, building

wiring system. Contact: 94544663

Email: motiurrahaman1989@gmail.

com

BSc Civil Engineer, 6 months

working experience in UAE as a Site

Engineer currently in Oman on visit

visa and looking for a job.

Contact : 98157833

Email: waqas.pasha22@gmail.com

Egyptian Civil Engineer, total experi-

ence 7 years - 2 years experience in

Oman. I am looking for Project Engi-

neer, I have good experience in site &

office works. Contact :91148708

Mech Eng 10 yrs Oman exp P&M /

logistics in oil & gas industry.

Contact : 95774585

Project Coordinator (B.E Civil)

6.5 yrs in Oman having 9+ years

relevant experience working in

MOD & ROP project need suitable

placement. Contact : +986 91129192

Email: azmot.uuet@gmail.com

Indian male B.Tech (ECE), MBA (HR)

2 years of experience in CCNA, CCNP

and hands on practice in Linux and

MCSE, looking for suitable job.

Contact: 93487225

Quantity Surveyor or Site Engineer

in civil, 5 years experience in Oman

have valid Oman driving license

looking for suitable posts, NOC avail-

able. Contact: 96394948/ 98294919.

Email: asvinsha@gmail.com

Civil Engineer, Expatriate Female, 3

yrs experience, on visit visa seeking

suitable placement.

Contact: 99195433

Iraqi Engineer specialized in

telecommunication net working &

PC experience in nuking network

and security systems. Contact:

92898329 / 99249124

Electronics & communications

Indian male, 2 years experience

seeking suitable placement.

Contact: 99456725 / 94678625

D.A.E Civil 4 years exp in land

surveyor and building work worked

on AutoCAD, T.S and G.P.S 1 year

exp in Oman looking for placement.

Contact: 92140890 / 98780156

Email: engrsafiullah91@gmail.com

Indian male 24 yrs B. Tech (Mech.

Eng) on visit 1 yr experience in

production field looking for suitable

placement. Contact: 98925685

Indian male, 28 yrs, Electronics &

Instrumentation Engineer with 4 yrs

experience in Industrial Automa-

tion (SCADA) seeking suitable job.

Contact 93154156 / 98416190

B.Tech in Electronics Engineering, Indian male 26 years with around 5

years of experience (Including work

experience in Japan) looking for a

job in any field & can join imme-

diately. Contact: 91902646 Email:

ajumalmajeed@gmail.com

MEDICAL

Indian female Dentist MOH Oman

passed seeking a suitable placement

in capital region. Contact– 91377681

hashimsarawat@gmail.com

Indian male Nurse, 31 years

Oman prometric passed 6 yrs ICU

experience. Contact : 94195150 /

92758895

Lab Technician, Civil (8yrs Gulf ex-

perience) looking for a suitable job

(NOC available) Contact-93344378

Indian female looking for suitable

position 2nd rank in MSC microbiol-

ogy, fresher now on visiting visa.

Contact : 91633089

Email: mansytk4@gmail.com

Omani Mechanical Engineer, has

3 years experience ,has HSE, H2S,

Riggers/Banks men Permit, Drawing

/ cad, SCBA, Safety Leadership and

Initial Fire Response Courses. good

with computer and English language

looking for suitable job. Contact

99224319-98454500

DRIVER

IT

MANAGER/ SUPERVISOR

Indian male, B.E ( computer science

engineer), MBA (finance), OCA certi-

fied, having 5 years of experience in

oracle Dba/ oracle apps Dba, seeks

a suitable position in the field of IT.

Contact: 96212062

email: zubairkhan11@gmail.com

MBBS lady Doctor experienced in

Medical insurance, direct billing,

preauthorization’s life rating, claims

registration, client query handling &

hospital insurance queries seeking

suitable placement. #97763918

Email: minmaths@yahoo.com

Well experienced MOH Licensed

Indian GP Doctor looking for locum /

permanent position in the

Capital area. Contact 98140024

email:drgpoman@yahoo.com

MCA, BCA with 2 yrs relevant expe-

rience seeking suitable opportunity.

Contact: 96377039

Ware house In charge or store

keeper 27 yrs Gulf experience 4 yrs

in Oman NOC available.

Contact: 97657823 Email:

rusaikmzm_2009@yahoo.com

Architect designer experience in

Architecture design in 2D, 3D visit-

ing to site : 2 years experience (in

Oman), fluent Hindi & English. Email:

zhussain9950@gmail.com

Contact: 94253074

Architect and Interior Designer 8

years experience design and execution

working with 3D max, AutoCAD, photo

shop, BOQ, NOV available looking for

suitable placement. #95273166

Graphics Designer/ prepress C.T.P

Pagination 3 yrs exp. in Muscat

Photoshop Illustrator, Indesign,

CorelDraw autocad premier preps

appoge Indian male now on visit

visa. Contact 97436606

20years exp CAD Drafts man

looking for suitable post.

Contact: 94027838 / 99020636

Indian male Diploma in Mechani-

cal Engineer with 14 years Gulf

experience in heavy equipments and

vehicles valid Oman driving license.

NOC available looking for a suitable

placement. Contact: 91985028 /

95463430

Electrical Engineer Pakistani male

4 years B. Tech & 3 years’ diploma

seeking a suitable placement.

Contact: 96752080

Email: ilyasoader97@gmail.com

Indian male 47 years DM Civil, PG

PGDMM, I& M, having 25 years of

experience Manager in Civil, Stores

Purchase, Inventory, cargo, trans-

ports, Admin ,

looking for best job in Muscat.

Currently on visit visa.

Contact: 91170749 / 97672647

Email: gdp4767@gmail.com

Indian Male, IT Support Engineer,

2 yrs in Oman & 5 yrs Indian experi-

ence. Contact 97311847 Indian male, B.Tech Mechanical

having 4 years experience with QA/

QC / CSWIP looking for a suitable

position. Contact: 99447106

Email: dhanubhasi87@gmail.com

Btech computer science graduate

2015 passout.. Android application

marketing.. Having good communi-

cation skills and mindset to work in

a team. Contact 91024385

Electrical Eng. Degree (MEP) need

suitable job of construction 12 yrs exp.

Email: mohd.ateeq.khan@gmail.com

Engineer with 3 yrs experience in

Indian in MEP, HVAC& mechanical

maintained field on visit visa looking

for suitable job. Contact 99191535

Email: fareed029@gmail.com

Indian female, B.Tech biotechnology with strong computer

skills and 2 years experience as

associate research analyst (Media

Monitoring) in Nasdaq Oman seek-

ing growth oriented jobs. Contact

92044603 /918056169148 or

angeline.babithac@gmail.com.

B.Com Diploma in Material manage-

ment having 12 years experience in

local / overseas prelease, logistics,

ware house. NOC available.

Contact: 96477638

TOURS & TRAVELS

Project / Construction Manager-

Electrical 15++in OMAN and UAE,45

yrs, married,D/L Oman, Qatar &

UAE),Manage with Arabic, Good

Knowledge in Metro Viaduct, UG &

OG stations, Live airport projects,

multi cuisine hospital project (Cleve-

land clinic Abu Dhabi,). Holding of

FEWA, ADCC and OMAN electri-

cal license. Contact Venkatesh on

+97477394707/

geetvenkat2002@gmail.com

Indian male, with 8 yrs exp. in

Oman (BA- Graduate) working as

a project Sales Coordinator, with

Oman D/L, looking for suitable job,

ready to join immediately with NOC.

Contact 95245057

SALES / MARKETING

SALES / MARKETING

Indian female (MTECH) having Gulf

experience in family visa seeking

suitable placement in Oman.

Contact : 94306164 / 91001194

Indian male MBA 7 years experience

in Hospitality industry, operation,

sales & marketing looking for suitable

vacancy. Contact 92115860

Email vibin.py@gmail.com

Indian Female having more than 8

years of experience in oil and gas

industry in sales and marketing & as

commercial manager, now in family

visa looking for a suitable placement

No. 94187012,

Email mvrajagd_d@yahoo.com

Sales /marketing experience 24

years old Indian male having valid

Omani license seeking suitable

position in FMCG company, pres-

ently working as a Supervisor of

the leading hypermarket in Oman.

NOC available. Contact: 91993785 /

93089757

Indian Lady 24 yrs with five years

experience as cabin crew in National

& International airlines seeking suit-

able job vacancy in good position.

Contact: 97623267

Procurement Manager with 17

years experience looking suitable

position. (Electrical Diploma Holder

with Oman D/L) Contact: 95979029.

pavithranmv@gmail.com

Indian worked MNC 15 years Oman

experience as Marketing FMCG /

TRAD Purchasing with visa license.

Contact: 98796982

MBA Graduate with D/L looking for

sales or marketing jobs.

Contact 94143154

Email: rinojnathen008@gmail.com

Male BA with D/L having 6 years

exp Oman wanted suitable job in

sales, inventory, procure.

Contact : 92191026

Indian female MSc, MPHIL (Chem-

istry) 3 years Teaching experience

currently on visit visa seeking suit-

able position. Contact : 96916534 /

91969756

Omani female exp in PRO with

Oman D/L. Contact: 91161736

Looking for good job 2 years

experience Oman sales marketing

valid driving license Indian Kerala.

Contact : 98626682

Outdoor salesman with car looking

for job. Contact 91615715

Indian male, 34 yrs, 10 yrs exp. in

UAE in sales & merchandise with

valid GCC license, looking for suitable

position. #93438747 / 93033252

Indian male, 39 yrs having 15 yrs

Gulf experience (UAE, Qatar, Oman)

in sales & marketing looking for a

suitable position with NOC.

Contact 94054730

8 years store experience Indian

male looking for placement. N.O.C

available. Contact: 98456535

8 years purchase experienced

Indian male looking for job. N.O.C.

available. Contact: 98161323

SKILLED/UNSKILLED

Experience skilled candidate with driver license seeks position in

sales in Salalah. Contact: 98579382

Mason, sh/carpenter, steel fitter, looking job. Contact 95175192

Electrician, Plumber, Welder , exp

gulf and india looking job.

Contact 99531802

Helper /cleaner looking for job.

Contact 95175192

SECRETARIAL/OFFICE

Indian female completed computer

literacy program (patiently funda-

mental, MS Office, word processing)

and offset printing, seeking suitable

job in Muscat. Contact : 97236545

Email: sun2giri@gmail.com

25 Indian female B.S.C. Fashion

Technology. 5 years experience in

textile industry as a merchandiser

and good in fashion marketing.

Currently available on visit visa,

seeking for a suitable job.

Contact 96990368.

Email: simmy.missy@gmail.com

Indian male Diploma, civil engineer

4.3 year experience at building

construction and consulting com-

pany with Oman driving licence

and N.O.C available seeking suitable

placement contact 95989500 email

cv.shihabedappal@gmail.com

B.E IT Eng, 6 yrs exp TCS with oil &

Gas Industry (Java /Oracle).

Contact : 97835922

Omani Citizen searching a job in

the field of computer especially in

data base professional in operating

Oracle SQL, PL/ SQL, form6i, Report

6i. Contact 96977368

Email: talaloml@yahoo.com

B.E Computer Science, Indian lady,

with 2 years experience in Oman

looking for suitable job in Muscat

having valid GCC driving license.

Contact: 97738624

Indian male, completed diploma in

Computer technology fresher, seek-

ing suitable position, currently on

visit visa. Contact : 93596096

M.Sc 3+ years exp from France &

India in IT Support Engineer / Hard-

ware & Networking / Server support

/ scientific system support looking

for suitable position. Indian, male

on visit visa, contact 98898781/

anoopys@gmail.com

Computer Networking/Facility

Mgmt 5 Yrs of Exp Holds B.E(ECE),

CCNA Looking for Good Opportunity,

Indian - Visit Visa. Contact 91911792/

arafakdnl@gmail.com

IT Desktop Support Engineer 2 years Oman 3 years in Indian Exp.

Contact 91937060

Network system Engineer B.E / ECE

+ CCNA & Ms certified with 4+ yrs exp

looking for a job. Currently in Oman

on visit visa. Contact: 92589502

Email: careersjegan@gmail.com

Male 26 completed MBA and

have 1.5 years experience, good

knowledge of computer, software’s,

looking for job in procurement /

warehousing.

On visit visa till 5th Sep /2015.

Contact: 00968 91795092

Email: jameel6345@gmail.com

IT & Media Sales specialist looking

for job opportunities also decent

exposure to H.R & customer rela-

tions currently in Muscat on visit

visa kindly.

Contact: 96238199 or 99874205

Email Id: m_cadri@rediffmail.com

Indian male, B.Sc (Mathematics)

PGDBM (Marketing). 9 yrs of Oman

experience in sales in midlevel

management, NOC available.

Valid Oman D/L. Contact: 95278838

Email: anup2p4p@yahoo.com

Indian Male, B.Com Graduate, 23,

with experience in Sales looking for

suitable placements. # 98371144

Pakistani Female Bachelor of

Information Technology with 8

years’ experience in Banking, Sales,

business development, retail & cus-

tomer service seeking for a suitable

placement. Having valid D/L& NOC

available. Contact 94699970 shehla.

chohan@gmail.com

Indian male 45+ yrs , 20 yrs exp as

sales supervisor in India looking for

indoor sales /stores /cashier or any

suitable placement can speak Hindi

, English, Malayalam, Tamil, kannada

can join immediately on visit visa.

Contact 93086105/33016546

Pakistani male 34 yrs Intermedi-

ate 2 yrs exp in sales & marketing

in Oman. Looking for suitable job.

Contact - 92146864

MISCELLANEOUS

Tunisian women looking for a job,

khnows english,frensh, italian and

arabic. Contact: 91171838

Content Executive, freshers with

good communication skills and will-

ingness to learn may apply on

job@socioholics.com

Business development Manager/Executive. Preferably minimum of

2 years experience. Valid driving

licence can apply on

job@socioholics.com

Experienced, competent, English

teacher for high school and college.

Contact: 91954541

English Teacher female (M. A. B. Ed)

Having 14 years experience with

11 years experience in Oman with

reputed institute and school.

Contact: 92289080 / 99318276

Email: babujosev@yahoo.com

Indian female MCA, Three years

experience in teaching field, seeks

placement currently on visit visa.

Contact: 93431567

Email: fivona.mel@gmail.com

EDUCATION

Looking for job driving Bangladeshi.

Contact: 97418036

Light driver for job. Contact:

95779594

Driver light. Contact: 91020999

Pakistani driving available.

Contact : 96913836

Light Driver needs Job.

Contact: 93284327

MISCELLANEOUS

Indian Female with over 9 yrs ex-

perience with good communication

skills seeks jobs in customer service

or sales field. Contact : 96108289,

shijipaul84@gmail.com

Part- Time Accountant, well experi-

ence senior accountant ,doing all

type of accounting works, Finaliza-

tion, Budgeting available.

Contact :98803439

13 Years UAE experienced in MNC &

reputed firms logistics distribution

looking for a suitable placement, on

visit visa contact 99838743,

gani.dawood@gmail.com

Filipino Male looking for a job &

have experience in sales, waiter,

barista, technical support / customer

service with good communication

skills. # 91789465

PART TIME ACCOUNTANT, Indian

male, M. Com, 35 years, 12 Years

exp. in Accounts, 8 years in Oman.

Knowledge upto finalization. Having

valid D/L, seeks suitable Placement.

GSM: 96249124

Egyptian Civil Engineer, total expe-

rience 7 years - 2 years experience

in Oman. I am looking for Project

Engineer, I have good experience in

site & office works.

Contact number:91148708

Indian Male 24 years, Looking for a

Suitable Job in Telecom / Network-

ing. 1 year sales experience. MSc.

Communications Engineering &

Valid Driving license.

Ph: 91280121.

Email: jackrprasad@yahoo.com.

ACCOUNTING – Indian male seeking

accounting job with 2 years

experience in accounting.

Contact: 94263445, E mail –

contactantonyxavieranand@gmail.

com

Sudanese male: 27 yrs, 2 years ex-

perience in accounting, other experi-

ence (purchasing – HR - Coordinat-

ing and Office Management), looking

for a job Omani Driving License,

NOC. Contact: 94174403

24 year Indian Chartered Account-

ant male with 3yrs of experience is

seeking suitable placement in Mus-

cat, currently on visit visa & ready

to join immediately. Contact him on

98201476 or email at

lokeshkaluri@gmail.com

Sudanese male (B.Sc, computer sci-

ence) (diploma computer engineer-

ing), 6 yrs. experience DBA oracle

PL-SQL, MS SQL - Server, MS visual

studio vba, network.

Contact 91415886

Syrian male 3yrs. exp in IT support,

Networking, Security systems, Serv-

er support, IT sales and marketing.

Valid Omani D/L seeking suitable

placement. Contact 91055584

PRODUCTION OPERATOR – Indian

male seeking production operator or

related jobs with 4 years of

experience in oil & gas field.

Contact: 94263445.

Email: tonyxavier4u@gmail.com

Indian Keralite Male 35 looking for

Scaffolding supervisor post having 5

years of Supervisor and HSE experi-

ence in GCC Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

Fluent in English Arabic and Hindi .

Contact 96155921, or mail

fysal.nellaya@gmail.com

Indian Male 28 yrs, having 7 years

Gulf + Indian experience in

HR and Admin field, looking for

suitable placement.

Contact:97914340,

Email: rajkv3086@gmail.com

B.Sc. Mechanical Engineer Suda-

nese 3 yrs of exp. In industrial field

available in Muscat on visit visa

seeking suitable job .

Contact: 95868922, Email:

almouthanaosman@yahoo.com

Indian Male MBA with two year

experience in H.R as a H.R As-

sistant, Now in India, Seeking

for an urgent suitable position.

Contact:-98620260 / 93895992 ,

Email:-deepakmb4@gmail.com

8 years successful experience.

Senior Accountant, Indian male,

29 years, presently working in oman

as a senior accountant with oman

driving license. NOC available.

seek suitable opportunity.

gsm: 97705854

Indian male 22 Mechanical Diploma

holder Engg with HVAC certified,

having 1 year exp. seeking suitable

position. Currently available on visit

visa. Contact - 92835952

DAILY GUIDE Tel. 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com

D6 S U N D AY, J U N E 2 1 , 2 0 1 5

Indian Male 28 years MSM, B. Com

having 6years experience in Gulf

and India as a HR and Admin looking

for suitable placement.

Contact :97914340.

Email: rajkv30@gmail.com

Sudanese male (B.Sc Computer sci-

ence) (diploma computer engineer-

ing) 6 yrs. experience DBA Oracle pl-

sql, MS sql-server ,ms visual studio

vba, network. Contact :91415886

Indian male with 8 yrs experience in

FMCG in Oman as Sales Supervisor

looking for suitable placement.

NOC available. Gsm: 96495206

B.Sc. Mechanical Engineer Suda-

nese 3 yrs of exp. In industrial field

available in muscat on vist visa

seeking suitable job .

Contact: 95868922, Email:

almouthanaosman@yahoo.com

IT system and Printer engineer ME,

5Years bank IT Management exp in

India looking for full time job visit

visa contact 94462150

24 year Indian Chartered Account-

ant male with 3yrs of experience is

seeking suitable placement in Mus-

cat, currently on visit visa & ready

to join immediately. Contact him on

98201476 or email at

lokeshkaluri@gmail.com

MCA IT Professional Indian Female

seek placement in Teaching/ Non

Teaching field. Presently on visit

visa. 9588 7051,

ashwininakod@gmail.com

ACCA Affiliate, Indian, 2.5Years

experience in Audit/ Finance in Big

6 Audit Firm and Oil Accounting in

PDO, For Permanent Placement for

Finance or Accounts or Audit. Re-

lease NOC Available on hand.

Contact #95140445,

a.saran891@gmail.com

Finance ACCA Affiliate, Worked as

an Auditor with 2.5 Years Experience

in reputed firm, Handled independ-

ent audit/finance assignments,

Looking for permanent placement,

NOC available. #95140445.

a.saran891@gmail.com

Piping Design Engineer, Indian

male 27, looking for suitable place-

ment in Piping Design & Engineer-

ing. Having 7 years of experience in

AutoCAD. Also familiar with PDMS

(11.6 Version),CAESAR ll. Contact :

97351786 / 96143708, E-mail :

mohammednazeer07@gmail.com

Indian Male, Graduate, 11 years

Sales experience in Lighting /

Industrial products, ready to join

immediately. GSM: 9710 5356

Indian heavy duty driver with 8

years experience in oman available

with NOC. GSM : 93601943

GSM : 94496457

Over 15 years experience in Gulf.

Interior Architect, Lebanese Nation-

ality, on visit visa seeking a suitable

Placement. 96268005.

Indian male, 28 yrs MBA (HR/M) 2

years experience in Indian Oman in

HR & admin seeks suitable place-

ments. NOC available.

Contact 97484159

Email: rameshkapa86@gmail.com

M.Sc 3+ years exp from France &

India in IT Support Engineer / Hard-

ware & Networking / Server support

/ scientific system support looking

for suitable positions. Indian, male

on visit visa, contact 98898781/

anoopys@gmail.com

Looking for managerial post (full

time ), More than Ten years of

experience in Team Development

,Training, planning, Administration,

Sales & Marketing, Advertisement

and Credit Control and Logistics.

#91076608 / 99322748. Release &

noc available

SITUATION WANTEDSITUATION WANTED

SITUATION WANTEDSITUATION WANTED

Indian male, 34years having 10

years of experience in Sales, Sales

Coordination and Administration.

Experienced in SAP and

MS Office. NOC available.

Contact # 94686594

British Beauty Therapist looking

for suitable position. please contact

:97175240

Indian Male MBA Marketing/HRM

3 year experience with Omani D/L,

seeking suitable jobs.

Contact: 97424188

email: dharwesh@gmail.com

Indian, Male, 23 years, BE Electri-

cal, having 2 years experience in

Electrical Works-H.T. cabling etc,

& Construction, looking for a suit-

able placement. # +968 96927880

(Oman), +91 9765376109 (India),

Email: rahulrevi6@gmail.com

Indian Female M.Com with Com-

puter Skills and Four Month Experi-

ence as Accountant ,Currently On

Family Visa Looking for a Suitable

Placement, Available Immediately.

Contact : 95846642,

Email : dhanyashree91@yahoo.com

ACCA Affiliate, Experience in

audit/finance of 2.5 years in Big 6

Firm and Oil industry, looking for

suitable permanent placement,

Release NOC available.

Contact: #95140445

a.saran891@gmail.com

B.Tech Computer Engineer Wanted

job to work on(IT/Banking/Admin-

istrator/Technical/Office works)

having NOC with the limited time

from (04/06/2015 to 13/06/2015).

Mobile:98402389

email:naresh6672@gmail.com

Highly Qualified & Experienced

Finance Manager Pakistani with

USA , UK & Canadian Degrees ,

CPA ,ACCA-UK . MBA-USA ,IFA-

Financial Consultants Canada ,

Corporate Analyst USA Professional

of Banking , Audits ,ERPs & Profit

Maximizations ( NOC available )

call 94 504505 – 94403270

27 year Indian female who has 4

years of experience with logistics

function in distribution of spares

for both heavy machinery & wind

turbine parts. Kindly contact me on

+91 9790769104

E-mail: joemohana@yahoo.co.in

Indian male Executive Secretary

having vast experience in admin,

logistics & procurement well versed

with computer .seek suitable place-

ment. Contact : 99514286

Indian male MBA (U.K), 10 Years

of experience in Admin, Sales, HR,

stores and logistics seeks suitable

placement. Contact 99271903.

Indian Female MCA, 4 plus Years

of experience in Web designing, Ad-

min, P.A, seeks suitable placement.

Contact 99486374

8 Years successful experience,

SENIOR ACCOUNTANT, Indian

male,29 years. Presently working in

Oman as a Senior Accountant

with oman Driving license seeks

suitable opportunity.

GSM: 97705854

7 and half years experience work-

ing accounts / inventory manager

looking suitable job.

Contact: 96991782

Email: srinivasu.sp@gmail.com

Indian female , MCA BCA, certi-

fication PL SQL , 6months train-

ing PHP, date warehouse looking

for suitable placement. Contact :

95694330 Email:

mondkashyapodl@gmail.com

B.Com with more than 5 yrs exp.

looking for an accounts part tome

job work. know with tally.

Email-shilpa_62@yahoo.com

Part- time accountant, well experi-

ence senior accountant , doing all

type of accounting works, finaliza-

tion, budgeting available.

Contact : 98803439

Indian male, looking for a part time

accounting job. Having additional

knowledge & experience in

HR admin & purchase.

Contact 99196621

HSE Advisor, NEBOSH IGC, Indian

male, 4 years experience in con-

struction and oil fields, seeking suit-

able jobs. Gsm: 97458900,

Mail: miroshbabu@gmail.com

Highly Experienced Finance

Manager, CPA ,ACCA-UK . MBA-USA

, Professional of Banking, Audits ,

ERPs Sap , Management as Team

Leader and Problem Solver call 94

504505 / 94403270

Indian male MBA Finance presently

OMAN IN visit visa, 26 years, look-

ing for an accountant job.

Contact 95240641, email Id

mohammadabdulazharuddin@

gmail.com

Admin Executive, 31, Indian Male,

having 9+ years exp. in reputed

companies. Seeking suitable place-

ment in any gulf region. Contact

+968 99276601 & 97693456. email :

muralimahdav77@gmail.com

Indian Female, 24yrs, M.COM (Ac-

counts) having 3yrs experience

in Accounts, HR, Administration,

Customer Service. Good Computer

Proficiency. Seeking Suitable Posi-

tion. Visa Transfer/NOC Available.

Contact: 99654913

MEP Quantity Surveyor-Estima-

tion-Project, 10 Years Experience

(3 years in Oman). Having NOC &

Oman D/L, looking for suitable job,

Contact - 98291626

Indian house maid looking full time

job. Contact : 98254909

B.E. Civil Engineer age 27, total 3

years of experience in Mumbai look-

ing for placement asap in oman now

on visit visa of 1 month

ph 9571 3441

Email. Khatrialeem@gmail.com

Indian Male, 29 years, CCNP, MCITP

having Bachelor degree and 6 years

of experience in Networking looking

for job. 96760618 /

varghese.manthara@gmail.com

ACCA affiliate, with 2.5 years

experience in Big6 audit firm and

Oil industry, looking for permanent

placement in Accounts/Audit.

Release available

Contact :95140445

a.saran891@gmail.com

Sudanese male, 31 year old, have 3

year Diploma in electrical engineer,

5 years experience in different activ-

ities . Mobile No ; +96894549609

Indian Female, Commerce Gradu-

ate, Total 9 yrs of experience in

India. worked as Accounts Assistant

and Business executive seeking for

suitable placement.

Tel : 96173533/24222457

Email : topranidivya@gmail.com

8 yrs exp Site supervisor cum 2d,

3d Draughtsman (holding Omani

driving license) seeking job.

Contact : 93790601

Indian Male, 29 years, CCNP, MCITP

having Bachelor degree and 6 years

of experience in Networking looking

for job. 96760618 /

varghese.manthara@gmail.com

Female Executive Assistant/Execu-

tive Secretary with 27+ experience,

worked with top management/Board

in financial services with shorthand

skills & Omani driving license,

seeks suitable placement.

call 95941515

B.E. Civil Engineer from India with

3 years of experience looking for

suitable vacancy in oman now on

visit visa. Contact 9571 3441,

Email . Khatrialeem@gmail.com

Indian male 21 IT Eng. networking &

computer hardware diploma, 1 year

experience, currently on visit visa

looking for a suitable job.

Contact 96036273

email: faizanfarooqui23@gmail.com

Indian, 32 years, completed M.A.

English, M.Sc. Psychology and B.Ed

in English. Searching for suitable job

in the field of teaching. To

Contact: 00968 99869535

Email: sahadkeyi33@gmail.com

Iraqi Pharmacist with 15 years

experience as regulatory affairs and

Marketing Manager seeking job in

pharmaceutical co. Mobile 96720441

Indian Male 24 years, Looking for a

Suitable Job in Telecom / Network-

ing. 1 year sales experience. MSc.

Communications Engineering &

Valid Driving license. Ph: 91280121.

Email: jackrprasad@yahoo.com

26 years Indian male with MBA &

PGDFM, Total 3.8 years experience

in Administration, seeking suit-

able placement in any gulf region.

Holding Oman valid driving license.

Contact :94501423

24 year Indian Chartered Account-

ant male with 3yrs of experience is

seeking suitable placement in Mus-

cat, currently on visit visa & ready

to join immediately. Contact him on

98201476 or email at

lokeshkaluri@gmail.com

Finance ACCA Affiliate, 2.5 years

experience in audit/finance and oil

company in reputed firms. Looking

for suitable permanent place-

ment. Release available. Contact

95140445, a.saran891@gmail.com

B.E Biomedical Engineer, having 5

years of experience in Diagnostics

division seeking suitable position.

94151658

Indian Male 34 years Mechanical

Engineer 3 years of Experience seek-

ing suitable placement immediately

Contact: 91991435, 93310821

Electronics and instrumentation

Engineer 28 year Indian male, elec-

trical, electronic, industrial, building

& automation exp of 4+ yrs in India.

Contact - 93154156

CCNP Network Professional with 6 years experience having

Bachelors degree on visit visa looking

for suitable job. #96760618 email:

varghese.manthara@gmail.com

Indian female with MBA (Finance)

on visit visa, seeks immediate place-

ment. Phone: 968-98430089

Civil Engineer, Diploma, Male 25, 3

years experience in site, CAD, 3d, MS

Project, Seeking job in Oman.

Contact 92875345,

jubincivileng@gmail.com

Indian male, Engineer, BE Mechani-

cal, having with 21 years of experi-

ence in India and 13 years in Oman,

In production, project management,

quality control and assurance and

MR for ISO and API Standards look-

ing out for a suitable placement

in Oman. GSM: 00968 97311616.

E-MAIL: fahazasa@yahoo.com

Indian female B.ED & BCA looking

for a suitable placement in school

or admin office, having 5 yrs exp in

same field. Contact – 97384206 /

rani_sweet786@live.com

Indian female, B.Com. knowledge of

MS Office & Tally, 4yrs experience in

Accounts &admin dept. looking for

good placement in any field.

Contact.98928220

CCNP Network Professional with 6

years experience having Bachelors

degree on visit visa looking for

suitable job. Contact: 96 76 06 18

Indian male, total experience is 5

years in Retail industry. Currently

supervisor in Sun and sand sports

Muscat City centre.

Contact : 96994345.

Email : jsp.jsr85@gmail.com

Male, 30 years Accountant, 1 year

Oman experience in accountants,

finance. Seeking suitable position in

Muscat .Can join immediately, NOC

available. Email: lalitbls1@gmail.com

Call: 97903175

Indian male, post graduate, cur-

rently in Oman on visit visa.

Seeks suitable placement.

Contact 92388346

Indian male 60 years old have 30

years Muscat experience in all office

works with Omani driving license.

Contact: 99024055

Sudanese male, 31 year old, have 3

year Diploma in electrical engineer,

5 year experience in different activi-

ties. Contact; +96894549609

More than Ten years of experience

in Sales & Marketing, Advertisement

and Credit Control and Logistics&

Administration.

Contact; 91076608 / 99322748

MCA IT Professional Indian Female

seek placement in Teaching/ Non

Teaching field. Presently on visit

visa. Contact 9588 7051,

Email: ashwininakod@gmail

Indian female BA graduate. My total

experience is 4 and half year in Call

Center looking for jobs in admin

and HR. Contact : 96089143, Email:

sharanjit_kaur2009@yahoo.com

Key Account Executive, Indian

male, currently working with a

reputed FMCG company Oman is

looking for a placement asap, NOC

will be given. Valid Omani driving

license. Total experience in Oman is

12yrs and particularly in Sales is 8

1/2 years. Contact 95589765 Email :

agnelfrancis@yahoo.co.in

25 Indian female, B.Sc fashion tech-

nologist, 5 years exp in merchandis-

ing, familiar with fashion marketing

& designing. Currently available on

visit visa, seeking for a visual mer-

chandising job. Contact : 96990368,

email jumshi@gmail.com

Indian male, MBA marketing &

finance with B com & diploma in

IFRS seeks job. Contact 99469726 /

99469729

Sudanese male BSC Telecommuni-

cations Engineer , 4 years experi-

ence in telecom field

Contact 97783092,

Email: Alrsheed88@hotmail.com

Indian male, 28 years, 7 years

experience in transporting & heavy

equipment renting company. Having

Omani driving license seeks suit-

able positions. Contact 94410485

Working as Senior Accountant, 4 yrs.exp.in oman, relevant computer

skills, Audit, Accounting upto fina-

lization, valid oman driving license,

languages known Arabic, Hindi.

NOC available can join immediately.

Tel: (+968) 96339599, E-mail-

(ahmedmohdkhan@gmail.com)

DAILY GUIDES U N D AY, J U N E 2 1 , 2 0 1 5 D7

SITUATION WANTEDCARGO

Dolphin Watch, Dhow Cruise

with Buffet, & Land Tours Al- Ainain

Marine Tours Contact- 98029602,

92808636

RENT A CAR

RENT A CAR

TOURS

GOOD NEWS

GOOD NEWS

Ayurvedic treatment for joint pain,

backache, paralysis massage, steam

bath, obesity, spondylitis IDEAL ,

CARE Ayurvedic Clinic 18 November

street, Azaiba. Contact 99639695 /

99117987

FREE INFORMATION ABOUT IS-LAM. If you would like to know more

about Islam, please call: 99425598,

96050000, 99353988, 99253818,

99341395, and 99379133.

For ladies: 99415818, 99321360,

99730723

Orvisit: www.islamfact.com

Ayurvedic treatment for backache,

paralysis, arthritis etc & massage,

All Season (Vaidyaratnam).

Contact 24475280 / 95371554 /

92504980 www.siddhayur.com

Genuine Ayurvedic treatments &

massage, Ayurvedic clinic at

Al Khuwair. Contact 24478618 /

97263637 /93309131

Butter cup rent a car presents fantastic offers all vehicles are model 2016.

Contact : 97249449

Available car with driver daily,

weekly and monthly basis.

Contact : 95518612

Ayurvedic massage backache, joint

pain & neck pain etc.

Contact: 98254909

DRIVING

Learn driving with professional

only automatic. Contact

94022250

DAILY GUIDE Tel. 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com

D8 S U N D AY, J U N E 2 1 , 2 0 1 5

SITUATION WANTEDSERVICES

Specialist available for explosive

growth in term of restructuring

all modules of businesses with

over 30 years of experience across

continents with a decade in Oman.

Contact 96733578

Email : profitoman@gmail.com

Split & window A.C servicing &

maintenance. Contact 93769089 /

95323517

House shifting & transporting.

Contact 92490422

Carpet & sofa cleaning, house clean-

ing. Contact 99542979 / 98855815

Split & window A.C servicing &

maintenance. Contact: 96236476

Carpet, curtain, sofa, floor,

cleaning, shampooing, marble &

mosaic tiles grinding, polishing

and painting. Contact : 93630133 /

95821193

House shifting packing.

99657644 / 98518013

Carpet Shampoo, marble & tile

polishing, pest control & anti-ter-

mite treatment, general cleaning

painting, Plumbing, Electrical,

shifting. Contact Mundhir

Al-Rizaiqi trading. L.L.C.

# 24810137, 99450130

Ramadhan Gifts with company

name printable advertisement

on t-shirt, clock.

Contact: 98796982

Water proofing ABUQABAS-

Contact 99320217/24788722

Marble Restoration, Mosaic tiles

polishing, carpet shampooing,

maintenance.

Contact ABU QABAS- 99320217

/24788722

WEBSITE

WEB, ERP and Business Intelli-

gence (BI) creation and man-

agement at rock bottom price.

Contact: http//webviewoman

CLASSES

COMPUTER

ACCOUNTANTS AND CONSULTANTSWE ARE PROVIDING

ACCOUNTING/ AUDITINGTAX/ CONSULTING

CONTACT: 24 567 251 / 95 498 033

GUARANTEED CLEANING: Carpet

& sofa shampooing, Contact

99314807/24792998

MARBLE CRYSTALLIZATION restore the original shine of

your marble. Contact 24793614/

99314807

House shifting. Contact

99708138

Learn Cup cakes, exotic cakes, Icing

decorations, handicrafts.

Contact 95941515

SITUATION WANT-MANPOWER

Window & split unit A.C servicing

& repairing. Contact 99557080

Split & window A.C servic-

ing & maintenance. Contact

93769089/95323517

Air condition maintenance split

and window services AC specialist

ducted and package type unites.

Contact: 98667326

SITUATION WANTEDSITUATION WANTED

MISCELLANEOUS

Mechanical Engineer, Indian, (B.E.)

on visit visa, seeking suitable post.

Contact :99534733

Email: rajesh92prince@gmail.com

Civil autocad draughtsman part

time work for job mob :96023726

Sudanese male BSC Telecommuni-

cations Engineer, 4 years experience

in telecom field.Contact : 97783092,

Email: alrsheed88@hotmail.com

Indian female, B.Com. knowledge of

MS Office &Tally, 4yrs experience in

Accounts &admin dept. looking for good

placement in any field.

Contact: 98928220

Piping Design Engineer, Indian

male 27, looking for suitable place-

ment in Piping Design & Engineer-

ing. Having 7 years of experience in

AutoCAD. Also familiar with PDMS

(11.6 Version),CAESAR ll. Contact :

97351786 / 96143708, E-mail :

mohammednazeer07@gmail.com

Key Account Executive , currently working with a reputed

FMCG company Oman is looking for

a placement asap, NOC available,

valid Omani driving license.

Total experience in Oman is 12yrs

and particularly in Sales is 8 1/2

years. Contact 95589765

Email : agnelfrancis@yahoo.co.in

Senior IT Professional, Indian Male,

more than 17 yrs. of experience in

software development(PB, Oracle,

SAP ABAP) and IT Support with valid

Oman DL and NOC available

Contact : 92193867,

Email : cp.prasad@gmail.com

Indian female MBA Finance cur-

rently on visit visa. Seeks immediate

placement. Phone: 968-98430089

23,Male, ACCA with 2.5 years ex-

perience in Big6 audit firm and Oil/

Gas,looking for permanent place-

ment in Accounts/Audit. #95140445

a.saran891@gmail.com

Male, 19 years of experience in

Finance and Administration cur-

rently on visit visa seeks suitable

placement. Contact: 99720132/

abidrafi33@hotmail.com

Civil supervisor-8 year’s experi-

ence in commercial and residential

building, including portable cabin,

natural and artificial play ground’s,

and Oxy petroleum field, at sultan-

ate of Oman. GSM :91249005. Mail

:sandeep88joseph@gmail.com

Indian Male 28yr age having 6year

gulf+ Indian experience in HR field.

Looking for suitable placement.

Contact: 97914340,

Email: rajkv3086@gmail.com

SUNDAY, JUNE 21, 2015 WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM

Times News Service

Summers are here, and all things cool are in – cool beaches, cool dressings, cool drinks, cool cars, and cool

homes. With temperatures rising, ef-

forts are on to keep the heat at bay, and playing saviour are the savvy summer appliances. Leading from the front are the air-conditioners. Nothing else feels better than stepping into a cool home after spending hours in the heat.

Crank one up in the ceiling, right above your head and feel the breeze, or place one right next to your bedside. If the window and split ACs were already not doing the job well enough for you, there are many more exciting ways to chill out this summer.

Electronic stores across the city, like Extra, Emax, Lulu Hy-permarket, Sharaf DG, etc are having a busy time, with huge de-mand for summer appliances, es-pecially white goods. Consumers are thronging the various depart-mental stores and hypermarket

outlets to beat the heat. “There has been a rise in the

demand for summer appliances in the recent few weeks. Major electronic brands like LG, Pana-sonic, General, Daikin, Toshiba, Hitachi, Blue Star, Haier, Sam-sung etc., are coming up with unique features to appeal to the well-informed customers who explore for more and more un-conventional options, especially air conditioners,” said Antonio Louis, customer service manager, Lulu Hypermarket (Ghubra).

According to Antonio, the lat-est trend among customers was choosing air-conditioners, based on their efficiency, features, and colour options, unlike ear-lier when the decision to purchase was more money-driven.

While white was still consid-ered the premium finish for white goods, a significant number of homeowners was looking for something different, said Antonio.

“More and more people are try-ing to look beyond the obvious. ‘Transitional’ is now the more common style, when it comes to ACs. Transitional style blends

traditional and contemporary to create a modern, classic look with simpler lines than traditional but a more elaborate style than con-temporary,” he added.

Better air-conditioning A salesman at EMax, another prominent electronics store in Muscat, said the recent advance-ments in technology had led to a significant improvement in the air-conditioners, as well as a drop in the prices.

“Thanks to recent improve-ments in insulation and compres-sors, today’s ACs use much less

energy than the older models. With an Energy Star certified appliance, you can maximise both your en-ergy and money savings without sacrificing the features you want. Energy Star certified ACs, for ex-ample, are about 9 to 10 percent more energy-efficient than non-conforming variants,” he said.

Customers at some of the popu-lar electronics showrooms were of the opinion that this year there were many options to choose from in the AC section. A housewife from Al Ghubra said they had changed their home air condi-tioners thrice during the past ten

years, and that they got the best deal this year before summer, as they bought the latest standing AC from Panasonic, which gives them the option of keeping every corner of their home cool enough.

Many other shoppers agreed that the choices this season were varied and prices too, were rea-sonable, but expressed concerns about after sales service, hoping they would be better too.

Brushing aside servicing wor-ries, Antonio said most of the prominent brands provided years of trouble-free performance, and that routine periodical >2

New technologies make it easier to beat the heat

BEAT THE HEATS P E C I A L S U P P L E M E N T

ON ACs & REFRIGERATORS

Muscat Electronics opens showroom in Sohar

Refrigerators in the market offer exciting choices and new features

Save energy to save money

2

3

4

As the weather warms up, high-tech air-

conditioners have flooded the markets in

the Sultanate and, with their smart energy-

efficient features, vibrant colours, trendy

designs, they are a big draw this summer

S U N DAY, J U N E 2 1 , 2 0 1 52

service was delivered by expert technicians on time. Modern ACs have advanced features

like auto-start, to auto tempera-ture control, to dehumidifier and air purification. Cool colours and trendy designs are another added feature of late.

One of the most in-demand for the current season is the Triangle Inverter series.

The AC’s unique triangular de-sign improves its performance, circulating cool air faster, farther and wider around your home. Its Digital Inverter also provides significantly greater energy effi-ciency, and its Virus Doctor and Easy Filter eliminates dust, con-taminants, allergens, bacteria and viruses - firstly using a filter and secondly with Virus Doctor.

The Triangle Digital Inverter AC range promises 10 year war-ranty on Digital Inverter Com-pressor, and features stabiliser free operation in all models, protecting the AC against sud-den voltage surge or drop. It also improves the look of your home since one does not need to install a separate stabiliser,” said a sales executive at Extra.

Sharp’s eco-inverter ACs are another big hit, with really chic designs and patented Plasmaclus-ter air purifier built inside.

The elegant floral designs of LG ACs are also very much to the lik-ing of the people.

Loaded with features like the 3M Micro Protection filter, which traps harmful microscopic substances through the strong electrostatic charge on its sur-face, thus ensuring clean air and enhanced cooling; an auto clean feature which dries the wet heat exchanger to help prevent mould and bacteria from breeding; and E Saver energy saving mode, which is an operation mode that con-sumes minimum energy while maintaining body comfort by applying Body Adaptation Time Algorithm (BATA) to air condi-tioners, the LG air-conditioners are definitely set to woo the cus-

tomers.Electricity consumption peaks

during summers. Along with using energy efficient appliances, smart usage of the same could also cut down significantly on the electric-ity bills, stressed Antonio.

“Air conditioners account for the biggest energy consumption during the peak hours in sum-mer. Set the temperature higher (26°Cel to 28°Cel) and refrain from using them from 9am to 8pm on weekdays as much as possible. Using an electric fan when the temperature is cool enough is a smart way to keep it cool and yet effectively bring down the elec-tricity consumption. Cleaning the filter frequently helps in efficient cooling,” he advised.

C O N T I N U A T I O N N E T W O R K E X P A N S I O N

< FROM

1

Muscat Electronics opens newly renovated showroom in Sohar

HIGHLIGHTS Electronic stores

across the city, are

having a busy time,

with huge demand for

summer appliances,

especially white goods

While white was

still considered the

premium finish

for white goods, a

significant number

of homeowners were

looking for something

different

Customers at some

popular electronics

showrooms believed

that this year they

had many options to

choose from in ACs

Many shoppers

were happy about

the choices and

prices offered in air

conditioners but were

concerned about after-

sales service

New technologies make it easier to beat the heat

MUSCAT: As part of its plan to expand its presence across Oman and to reaffirm its commitment to delivering quality customer service, Muscat Electronics (ME), a leader in air-conditioning and office auto-mation products, recently inaugu-rated its renovated showroom for commercial and residential air-con-ditioning systems in Sohar.

The showroom, covering an area of 600 square meters, is consid-ered an important step in the com-pany’s expansion strategy.

Muscat Electronics’ has over the years earned the trust of the people of Oman in the fields of air-conditioning, office automation, home appliances and their associ-ated services.

This new showroom will offer a wide variety of commercial and residential air-conditioning solu-tions which consist of window, splits, cassette, ducted, VRV and free standing units to meet the needs of all customers.

“The success of the Daikin brand of air-conditioners in the HVAC sector over the years has led to the expansion of the number of show-rooms located in various regions of the Sultanate of Oman,” said Geeju Paul, general manager, Air-condi-tioning division.

“The new showroom demon-strates ME’s continued commit-ment to invest and deliver excellent sales and after sales services to meet the needs of customers,” he added.

“The opening of our renovated showroom in Sohar is part of the company’s ongoing customer support and service strategy to strengthen our leadership position in this vital sector. The prominent presence of Muscat Electronics in local markets shall continue in harmony to strengthen Daikin and Chigo’s brand preference, which has gained the confidence of our valued customers all over the world,” he explained.

The company’s products and ser-vices are marketed under various brand names — Daikin, Chigo, and Breezair. Highly trained profession-

als at Sohar Showroom are ready to assist customers to make the right choices out of the wide range of products on display. ME boasts of a highly skilled design team for VRV, Ducted, package and chiller air-con-ditioning solutions among others.

In addition, ME has a highly trained installation team which su-pervises all installations and com-missioning.

Muscat Electronics also has a very sophisticated service center equipped with advanced computer-ized system analysis and the team is trained and well equipped to at-tend calls within two hours during normal working hours and also pro-vides 24-hour services on prior ar-rangement and AMCs. The service team caters services across Oman.

Muscat Electronics’ has over the years earned the trust of the people of Oman in the fields of air-

conditioning, office automation, home

appliances and their associated

services.

BEAT THE HEAT

S U N DAY, J U N E 2 1 , 2 0 1 5 3

Times News Service

Refrigerators have al-ways been on the top of the list of summer appliances. There’s nothing like a cold

smoothie on a hot summer after-noon. From ice-cream to juice to chilled water, there is only one place in your house that holds all that icy goodness — the refrigerator. And if you ever run out of any of the above, it makes sure you have a stash of ice-cubes to turn to.

As the summer season peaks, customers are thronging leading electronic outlets in the city to buy the latest refrigerators, to beat the heat in style. The latest variants from major brands like LG, Toshiba, Whirlpool, Panasonic, Samsung etc, have added cool features like tim-ers, defroster, water dispensers, and what not to woo the customers.

“We have been witnessing a sub-stantial rise in the demand for re-frigerators for the past few weeks. The major brands are up packing really cool features and yet quite at-tractive prices, to gain an edge in the market,” said Antonio Louis, cus-tomer service manager, Lulu Hyper-market (Ghubra).

A salesman at Extra, another prominent electronics store in Muscat, located at Al Azaibah, said the latest offerings had the most advanced of features, and yet were very competitively priced.

“From single-door to split, to 2-door, thanks to recent improve-

ments in insulation and compres-sors, today’s refrigerators are more efficient and less polluting. High on performance, and yet consuming less energy, the Energy Star certi-fied refrigerators can maximise both your energy and money savings without sacrificing the features you want,” he said. Customers visiting some of the popular showrooms for electronics were of the opinion that this year there were many options to choose from.

A shopper from Al Khuwair, Antonio Jose, said the range of re-frigerators on display was quite attractive, and that as households generally needed more than one re-frigerator these days, the expanded range would present customers with better options.

“I have an eight-year-old fridge, which still works well. But, I am looking for a new, bigger one, as I am married now, and my parents have moved in with me,” he said.

Many other shoppers agreed that the choices this season were varied and prices too, were reasonable.

The LG French Door model LMXS30776S looks the part of a premium appliance from top to bot-tom. It is impressive, and that is the point. Its 36-inch width will defi-nitely command a prominent place in your kitchen.

With the subtle curvatures and prominent controls, the latest fridge from LG feels high tech. The LEDs fade when not in use and make the fridge easy to customise without los-ing the simple elegance of the rest

of the unbroken silver, and it looks great. This is a high-end fridge with well-integrated features in a refined and beautiful package. The door-in-door lets you open a panel on the right door to access its own small bins, as well as the main bins in the right door, without opening the full door entirely. A plastic panel covers the inside to help keep cold air from escaping the main compartment.

Another giant, Sharp also offers a wide range of refrigerators for the season. This contains large four-door and two-door models, mid-size and small-size refrigerators. The models they are equipped with Plas-ma cluster Ion Systems, No frost functions, Hybrid cooling, and Hon-eycomb Deodorisers, in addition to Advanced LCDs, Ice Cube Makers, and Anywhere Carry Cases.

“All the fridges are in sophisti-cated designs and different colours, up to finest stainless steel material, available,” said a salesman at Emax Stores in Seeb City Centre.

The NR-B53V1 is Panasonic’s top-of-the-range US-style side-by-side fridge freezer and it is an imposing beast. It claims to be one of the most energy efficient on the market due to its Inverter compres-

sor technology, U-Vacua vacuum in-sulation panel and Twin-Eco cool-ing system. The energy efficiency is further enhanced by the use of a number of sensors to automatically select the optimum power level re-quired to efficiently run the refrig-erator on minimum power at times of low usage, such as overnight.

The U-Vacua insulation is an ultra-thin vacuum insulation panel that Panasonic claims performs 20 times better than standard refrig-erator insulation. The Twin-Eco cooling system allows you to inde-pendently control the fridge and freezer, unlike traditional systems that cool both at the same time. The stylish interior has ample grocery storage including a Vitamin-Safe compartment with an independ-ent temperature control to help in-crease the storage time for fruit and vegetables.

Of the latest lot in refrigerators, were the ones from Samsung, which were very much in demand with their unique crown design, and real trendy colours.

The 5-star certified range has cool features like the Coolpack feature in the freezer, which keeps food frozen up to 9 hours without power, main-taining a temperature below 0 °C. LED lighting, and Stabiliser Free Op-eration - which means it works very steadily and reliably and prevents electrical damage or a short circuit if there are any voltage fluctuations. It also has toughened glass shelves, an anti-bacterial gasket, and really efficient adjustable spacing. Giving a tip on the efficient use, Antonio said it was optimal to keep the tempera-ture of the refrigerator on medium during the extreme days of summer.

“Running constantly day and night, all year around, refrigerators are the second biggest energy con-sumers in home appliances. Always keep the temperature on medium during hot season, as it prevents the refrigerator from over-heating. Also refrain from overloading your refrigerator,” he added.

Refrigerators in the market offer exciting choices and new features It is summer and everything needs to be

cold — from cold water to cool shakes, to

chilled smoothies — and with refrigerators

in the market offering a wide choice this is

the time to enjoy all things chilled and keep

ourselves cool

MARKET FACTFILE

As the summer

peaks, customers are

thronging leading

electronic outlets in

the city to buy the

latest refrigerators

A salesman said the

latest offerings had

the most advanced

features, and yet are

very competitively

priced

Customers visiting

popular showrooms

are also of the opinion

that this year there

are many options to

choose from

The range of

refrigerators is

quite attractive, and

households generally

need more than one

these days

Keep the temperature

in refrigerators on

medium during

summer, as it prevents

over-heating

BEAT THE HEAT

S U N N DAY, J U N E 2 1 , 2 0 1 54

MUSCAT Air Conditioning and Electronics (MACE) has emerged as a leading consumer electronics, home appliances and office automa-tion company in Oman with brands like Sharp, Midea, General, Nazano and Wansa.

MACE now introduces Aux range of split, cassette, ducted and pack-aged ACs with category leading fea-tures and prices. The split air condi-tioners boast of a very elegant and aesthetic design which is pleasing to both ears and eyes. MACE is the exclusive distributor for Oman for full Aux range of products.

Aux Group ranks amongst the top 500 Chinese enterprises and is the fourth largest air conditioner man-ufacturer in China with sales reach-ing a mark of 6 million units in 2014. The total group turnover in 2013 reached RMB 48.16 Billions. Air-conditioning business is one of the core businesses of the Group which has emerged as the largest metering company in the world.

Aux air conditioners are crafted to work under harsh desert condi-tions and tropicalized to operate at even 55 degree centigrade and yet achieve a temperature of 16 degrees inside the room. They are the only ACs designed to have an airflow reaching 15 meters. Combined with a 4- way swing, it leads to quick and uniform cooling within a few min-

utes. To guard against the corrosive atmosphere prevalent in a few ar-eas in Oman the condenser has been given a special gold fin coating. The golden hydrophilic fin also improves the cooling efficiency by accelerat-ing the defrosting process.

The split ACs come in a range of 1.5 tons, 2 tons and 2.5 tons. Apart from their extraordinary good looks, AUX ACs are feature packed and are being introduced through MACE showroom at CBD, leading hypermarkets and leading dealers in Oman at very attractive and un-believable prices.

MACE launches feature-packed, affordable AUX air-conditioners

E L E G A N T & E F F E C T I V E

Aux ACs are crafted to

work under harsh desert

conditions and tropicalized to operate at

even 55 degree centigrade

Times News Service

Air-conditioner is one of the most expen-sive home appliances you purchase to make your life comfortable.

It is a complex unit that must be handled with care; otherwise, it will make you pay. ACs are known to consume huge amounts of electric-ity and the bigger the size the fatter the bill. As a consumer, it is impor-tant for you to know a number of things so that you can operate your unit at its best and save electricity. Here are top five of them:

Room size: You must know the exact size of the room where you

intend to install a new AC. The size of the room will determine the amount of air in the room that needs to be cooled.

Number of people: It is impor-tant for you to know how many peo-ple would be using the room every day because every human being emits heat and the AC needs to cool it. Lesser the number, lower the bill. Please remember that every item kept in the room will need to be cooled by the air-conditioner. So lesser the stuff, lesser the electric-ity consumption.

Electrical appliances: Be smart. Place your electrical appli-ances wisely to prevent your room

from overheating. Most electrical items emit heat, specially refrig-erators and bulbs, which can put extra load on your air-conditioner.

Windows: A room with more windows will mean more heat coming from outside. However, well-insulated windows reduce cooling load on your AC.

Walls: If walls are facing the sun they will add to the cooling load. Touch your walls and windows to check if they are hot or not. If they are, use effective insulation tips or techniques to prevent heating of the room. So act fast and smart to cut down your electricity bill by, say, 20 percent at least.

Save energy to save moneyBEAT THE HEAT

AIR-CONDITIONERS, REFRIGERATORS: 12 KEY MARKET FACTS

Advent of summer in

Oman always sees

sharp rise in sales

of ACs, refrigerators,

water coolers and fans

Split ACs have

replaced window ACs

as preferred choice in

residential buildings

Out of every 100 ACs

sold, approximate split

to window AC ratio is

65:35

Central air-

conditioning gaining

currency in Oman,

particularly in

commercial buildings

Japanese and Korean

brands hold the bulk

of market share

European, American

and Chinese brands

also attract customers’

attention

Big is better in Oman

as refrigerators above

400 litres sell more

than smaller ones

Latest refrigerators

with LCD display and

water dispenser are

more popular among

Omani families

Brand name and

salesperson’s advice

dictate most of AC

bargains

Public knowledge

about finer AC details

remains poor

Ruwi High Street most

happening place for

AC sales

Big villa owners

prefer purchasing

ACs directly from the

dealer for better after-

sales service. — Compiled by

Shahzad Raza