Celebrations to mark Muscat, the Capital of Arab Tourism 2012 ...

Yemeni honey
Page 10
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Tender coconut and juicy fruit
stalls of Salalah Page 8&9
Pakistani fashion
show P13
Majid takes spectacular photos
of nature Page 3
Weekend
Celebrations to mark Muscat, the Capital of Arab Tourism 2012 — Page 2

Weekend
THE Ministry of Tourism
has announced the programmes
for celebrating
Muscat as the Arab Tourism
Capital 2012 in the last quarter
of the this year. The programmes
include many events and tourism
activities emphasising the vital
role played by the Ministry in
promoting the Sultanate locally
and internationally.
“The Ministry is shedding
light on some of the features that
show the touristic landmarks of
the Sultanate,” said Maitha al
Mahrouqiya, Under-Secretary
of the Ministry of Tourism. She
pointed out that the activities are
selected carefully to correspond
to the events to reinforce the added
value to the Sultanate.
The Ministry organised on
October 7 a workshop for tourism
guidance which was attended
2 TOURISM WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012
Celebrations to mark Muscat, the Capital of Arab Tourism 2012
by many participants from private
and government institutions.
There will be a sea trip tomorrow
in co-ordination with marine
tourism offices and companies to
watch dolphins, enjoy the scenes
of creeks and the beautiful sea.
A cleaning camp of the corals
and the beaches is scheduled for
October 15 and 16 with the participation
of some skillful divers
and volunteers. On 25 October,
the Ministry will organise a sea
trip for the people of special
needs which aims to help them to
interact with others in the society
and to give them an opportunity
to enjoy the beauty of nature and
sea.
The Ministry of Tourism in
co-operation with the Ministry of
Social Development will organise
Arab Children Forum to introduce
Muscat as the Arab Tourism
Capital and to introduce children
to the different landmarks
in Oman along with providing
them interesting internal tours, al
Mahrouqiya added.
The Ministry of Tourism will
announce in November last the
Quality Award for tourism offices.
The contest aimed to establish
concepts and standards
of quality tourism, and raising
awareness of the importance of
improving quality of service, and
encourage commitment to quality
standards.
The Ministry will organise
in collaboration with toruism
related companies, a forum for
practitioners of tourism communication,
which aims to identify
workers in the tourism sector
with communication skills and
public relations in the sector.
On December 6, the Ministry
will organise endurance competition
‘triathlon’, which is a
physical endurance race consist-
The Ministry of
Tourism in co-operation
with the Ministry of
Social Development
will organise Arab
Children Forum to
introduce Muscat
as the Arab Tourism
Capital and to
introduce children to
the different landmarks
in Oman along with
providing them
interesting
internal tours Maitha al Mahrouqiya
ing of three main stages: first
stage: swimming in the sea for
a distance of 500 metres to the
beach; the second phase: jogging
to reach a specific point; and the
third and final phase is bike racing.
Al Mahrouqiya added that
the Ministry will conclude its
activities to celebrate Muscat,
Capital of Arab Tourism 2012 on
December 3 and 4 by organising
a workshop for tourism and
education in co-operation with
the Arab Organization for Tourism.
The workshop aims to raise
public awareness of tourism, to
improve the image of the tourism
sector as a magnet factor for
tourism and to improve the level
of education and training, and
providing employment opportunities
for students in the field of
tourism.

Weekend
By Huda al Jahwaria
HER eyes are not only filled
with surprise and questions
but also full of mysterious
sadness. Her body is hidden behind a
wall but you still can see her yellow
dress. She is wearing a dress similar
to what her grandmother used to wear.
She is playing the same role in a skillful
way.
She looks as if she is waiting for
something or someone. This is how
3 PHOTOGRAPHY WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012
Majid takes spectacular photos of nature
this little girl opens the door of question
with her mysterious look. This
picture which was titled “waiting”
won the FIAB prize in Marpol contest
in Slovenia.
Majid al Ameri shot this photograph
during Muscat Festival 2012.
“I was attracted by her silence
when she was looking at other visitors
of the festival. Before I get closer to
her, she was keeping her hands on the
wall and the beautiful henna was making
her tiny hands look gorgeous but
later when I got nearer, she changed
her position and she hid her hands. I
captured this picture when the movement
of visitors started slow down,”
Majid said.
Majid talked about the initial periods
of his photography. “My starting
in this field was by using mobile
phone as I used to take pictures of the
places I visit in my numerous trips to
the different areas of Oman. I wasn’t
sure that one day I would be able to
posses my own professional camera.
After some period, I visited the Omani
Association of Photography with my
The photographer
is the basis and
the camera is just
a tool supporting
him to be creative.
I like to take
pictures of nature
friend Mosa al Ruzaiqi and I repeated
the visits later. Then I thought that I
must have my own camera. I couldn’t
buy a camera at that time because of
the high price until last year when I
bought Canon D 1100. It wasn’t satisfying
my big ambition but I was
convinced that the photographer is
the basis and the camera is just a tool
supporting him to be creative. I like
to take pictures of nature. I go with
my friends — Mosa, Abd al Balushi,
Hamad al Manwari, and Ali al Ghafri.
Together, we had opportunities
to enhance our skills and the club is
helping us to meet with professional
photographers who can enhance our
knowledge on the subject”.

Weekend
INITIAL steps should come
from the driver’s company
whereby it should inform their
drivers about road safety so
that they are not involved in
any negligent driving incidents.
Courses for heavy vehicle drivers
should also be administered
by companies. Next, I would
suggest that the Royal Oman
Police responsible for Road/
Traffic safety impose a law that
any roads near or around school
areas should have sufficient
number of speed breakers, since
they automatically cause drivers
to reduce their speed.
I also believe that there
should be some responsibility
held by the school, especially
during the times when children
are outside their premises such
as when they arrive or leave
the campus. Schools should
have 'Adult Crossing Guards'
who could help children when
they enter or leave their cars.
The administration could also
produce road safety instructions
to be given to parents
so that they are aware of what
they can do to ensure their children's
safety.
— Asiya al Maawali
THE school areas are
prohibited for trucks and
trailers parking and the Royal
Oman Police used to fine those
erring drivers. But again, these
trailer drivers are parking their
huge vehicles behind the police.
Not only that, there should be
some dress code for Omani
drivers of school buses. They
are wearing shorts and T-shirts
and are driving these buses and
getting down at the school, at
the petrol stations, in the same
clothing. This is sending out a
wrong message on the Omani
tradition. I think there should
be some stricter rules regarding
the same. While taking care
of the kids from these trailers,
authorities should also focus on
saving our kids from receiving
wrong message about the
Omani tradition.
— Salem bin Saif Khalfan
al Riyami
THINK it shouldn’t be parked
I this area. This is a nuisance
and most of the time one can see
that trailers and cars and other
vehicles carrying children are
parked side by side but trailers
can’t see the smaller vehicles
and hence accidents happen.
This puts in danger the lives of
many tiny tots.
— Lisa
MANY a time we have
seen trailers being parked
near the school area. As you
know, one trailer would take up
nearly 10 cars’ parking space
and hence they are causing
traffic congestion. This is
because they are plying at odd
times and on wrong roads and
parking at no parking zones.
They used to keep some huge
empty barrels to prevent bigger
vehicles from parking here but
we can’t find such blocking
CITY 4TALK
materials any more.
— Ganesh
AS many road work and
projects are under way,
number of heavy vehicles
and trucks that drive around
neighbourhoods and especially
around schools areas where
children often play, has
increased. Having these
vehicles around schools, there
is always a likelihood of them
accidentally hitting a child and
them being run over!
Schools should pay special
attention to this issue because it
is very dangerous and can lead
to death and injuries of young
and innocent children. There
must be special signs around
schools alerting truck drivers to
be more cautious when driving
around school areas.
Meanwhile there should
be enough supervision for
children leaving the school
and crossing the road. There
should be new rules and regulations
by the police and the
traffic and safety department
for ensuring safety around
schools. And if heavy vehicle
drivers violate these rules they
should get a penalty.
— Joelle Bassit
THINK they need more
I awareness. They should be
aware of where they need to
park and where they can’t park.
A strong and constant campaign
among the parties concerned
can substantially help reduce
disasters from happening.
— Vineeth
RECENTLY, we all notice
the movement of heavy
vehicles around schools and
nurseries. Forklifts and mixers
are found at these places because
of the ongoing construction and
renovation works all around the
capital. But this also causes a
serious problem as it involves
children and their safety. I
believe that doing such activities
with heavy vehicles, in the
presence of children, should be
dealt with properly in order to
avoid regret before it is too late.
Regulations on driving these
vehicles should be established
in relation to working hours
(after school) and a perimeter
around those facilities should be
made mandatory to ensure the
safety of children. In addition to
that, someone should be posted
at those facilities to monitor the
movement of vehicles under the
rules and regulations enforced
on them and, if possible, an authority
to report any violation of
rules.
I hope the community will
have a better awareness level
regarding this matter and work
together to provide a safer, happier
and better future for our
children and country.
— Ahmed Adam
RE-EDUCATION and
reinforcement are must.
A number of drivers here do
not know the importance of
rules; educating them on the
dangers of their behaviour is
crucial. Different rules need
to be introduced, such as
black points, where serious
consequences will fall on the
drivers. Also, company policies
need to be changed so they also
bear responsibility for their
employees’ misconduct.
— Badr al Lawati
TRAILERS parking near
schools are a serious threat
to the lives of our small children
who are in their own world going
up and down the school. And
trucks parking near the schools
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012
How can we curb heavy vehicle traffic in school areas?
should be totally banned.
During the 10 years of my
stay here in the Sultanate, I
could see a lot of changes in the
traffic flow and in the attitude of
the drivers.
— Ruben Yohan Samuel
THE Sultanate is a
fast growing country,
especially if we consider
the past couple of years.
Development can be seen
in different spheres of life.
The most obvious ones are
the social growth and new
development of the cities and
towns.
Along with any development
there are advantages and
disadvantages.
For example, with the construction
of big buildings and
new roads there come heavy
vehicles.
They all play a major role
in the growth but also affect
the safety of our children
when construction is done
around school grounds.
Many schools in Oman are
not actual school buildings,
but are rented places which
are not suitable for schools,
nor for parking places, and are
a huge safety hazard for chil-
dren during this construction
time. In such schools, co-ordination
between the construction
workers and the school is
vital and both of them should
come up with a safe plan on
how the heavy vehicles can be
kept away from the schools
during school time. Such
steps should be taken in the
bigger schools and in both
cases, proper action should be
taken if drivers fail to follow
the safety rules.
— Dr Osama Raifai
Next topic: “What is deterring companies in Oman from successful implementation
of strategies and change management activities?”
If you wish to offer your brief comments on this subject, please e-mail us at: citytalk.observer@yahoo.com
including your name and passport-size photograph. — Compiled by Melanie Held

Weekend
5 EVENTS WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012
Omani students at Kentucky organise cultural festival
By Nasir al Khusaibi
THE Omani Association
of students in Kentucky
in the US recently organised
a cultural festival in cooperation
with other associations
and organisations representing
Arab and Asain countries like
South Africa, KSA, Sultanate
THE elections to the
Student Council at Bayan
College was held last week in
the Multipurpose Hall.
Twelve candidates contested
the elections; their names
were displayed on a board
and each of them was given
5 minutes for a short speech.
Several students put up posters
and distributed leaflets as part
of their campaigns.
The Dean welcomed both
new students and old, and
spoke of the importance of
elections such as this one.
Having a Student Council improves
interaction between the
students and the community,
and serves to motivate.
This was an open election
and foreign students were also
of Oman and India in order to
spread the cultures of the participating
countries and to introduce
the civilisations and traditions to
other parts of the world. The festival
was held in the yard of Engineering
College in Kentucky
University in Lexington.
The festival included many
activities and the Omani Asso-
Bayan College holds Student Council elections
encouraged to participate.
Al Ghaliya, one of the
college’s senior students, ex-
ciation participated with a solid
shape of a fort to feature the
historical and archaeological
character of Oman. A number of
books and pictures about Oman
and the natural landscape of the
sultanate were also shown to visitors.
The Omani hospitality can
never be missed in such gathering
as the Omani students of-
pressed her opinion of student
elections and emphasised the
importance of involvement
fered dates, coffee and the Omani
Halwa which was admired by all.
Omani students presented the
show in their traditional cloths
and they presented some traditional
dances like al Yola and al
Razha and the audience interacted
with the students.
Juma Briya, Chemical engineering
student said, “the festival
was an opportunity for us to
introduce our culture and to view
other countries cultures like the
American and Russian cultures.
We were happy that many people
attended the festival”.
Muzna al Mamari, Networks
specialist said, “I was so happy
that we were able to represent
Oman and so many ladies came
to us who wanted to learn how
of all. Another bright young
foundation student called attention
to the invaluable experience
students receive from
active participation in such
activities.
Abdullah al Balushi was
elected President of the Student
Council.
Assistant Dean of Bayan
College Dr Mongi Hamouda
said, “I believe in the Student
Council being a bridge
between the students and the
management. It also serves to
make detached, passive students
more aware and encourages
participation in clubs and
student activities. This will
bring life into the college. The
Student Council has our full
support”.
to put the scarf on and the men
wanted to learn how to put on the
Omani turban (masar). I think
that we have succeeded in presenting
a good picture about the
Sultanate”.
Oman Daily Observer would
like to take the lead in sharing
the joy with its readers. Send
us a colour photograph of
your baby (below 10 years)
along with name, date of birth,
address, telephone number
and parents’ names. Send in
your baby’s picture and other
details to:
observerfeatures@gmail.
com or Kids Corner, Oman
Daily Observer, P O Box
974, PC 100, Muscat,
Sultanate of Oman Angelina Rose Seby

Weekend
By Hasan Kamoonpuri
THE International Children's
Day was celebrated
in many countries recently
under the theme of "Every Child
in School". On this occasion
Oman Observer caught up with
the officials of the Association of
Early Intervention for Children
with Special Needs to learn about
their work and challenges.
The Association of Early Intervention
for Children with Special
Needs, a 100 per cent charitable
organisation that looks after
children with special needs upto
the age of six years, has come a
long way since its establishment
in the year 2000.
During the past 12 years, the
Association has carved a niche
for itself as the only centre in the
Sultanate to provide a wide range
of services for children with vari-
ous types of disabilities.
Sabah al Bahlani, who joined
the Association as the CEO in
April this year, says, ‘we owe
a huge debt of gratitude to the
group of 20 benevolent citizens
who set up centre’.
“We have about 90 children
in the centre and 170 children
we visit at home through portage
programme”, says Sabah, add-
6 SOCIETY WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012
ing that this is the only centre in
Oman providing early intervention
from birth to six years.
As for the support from the
corporate sector, Sabah says, “the
majority of our funding is coming
from companies, individual
donation and events conducted
by the Association”.
Soon after joining the Association,
Sabah set out planning
new initiatives for further improvements.
“We are in the process
of improving the services at
the Association and developing a
strategy for sustainability of the
Association. Training staff, and
introducing new services that
will benefit children with disability
in Oman are on our agenda,
she said.
Sabah al Bahlani, who is
a dynamic, caring and loving
person, developed a passion for
helping others when she was a
child, living in Kenya and during
her childhood here in Oman.
She has worked for Ministry of
Health for 25 years as Community
Health Educator and worked
as a “Programme Communication
Specialist” at the Unicef in
Jordan.
The aim of early intervention
is to have programmes that
would assess the children’s needs
and provide services that suit
those particular needs, she says.
All children in the centre are assessed
by a team of Physiotherapist,
Speech Therapist, Occupational
Therapist, Psychologist
and Special Education Teachers,
in order to provide individual
therapy, education, and daily
life skills. Also for children who
could not be served at the centre,
a programme called Portage was
initiated. Portage is an early support
and home visit programme
for children with disabilities, in
order to train parents and work
with the children as early as possible.
For Sabah, the joy in serving
the community and the tiny tots
is indescribable. Interacting with
children at the centre and plan-
Giving back kids
their innocence
The aim of early intervention
is to have programmes that
would assess the children’s
needs and provide services
that suit those particular needs
ning for their future is self-fulfilling
exercise that gives meaning
to life.
The centre aims at ensuring
the best possible start to life for
children with special needs and
is designed to take care of early
childhood needs. The centre has
chosen to focus on the earliest
years up to 6, since they are critical
to how the rest of early childhood
unfolds.
Sabah agrees that early childhood
should merit the highestpriority
attention of centres catering
to children with special
needs. This is when experience
and interactions with teachers,
family members, and society at
large influence the way a child’s
brain develops and when lifelong
effects of such factors as
adequate nutrition, good health
and emotional nourishment are
determined.
In classrooms, the children
are generally busy in exploring
new things, playing, singing,
learning basic life skills such as
eating, washing hands before eating,
going to toilet, and learning
colours, numbers and many other
skills.
The teachers help to increase
the children’s confidence, curiosity,
self-control and capacities to
communicate and relate to others.
“The most critical stage of a
normal child’s development in
general and those with special
needs in particular is the early
years, and provides the best opportunity
for investing in the
child and family future,” says
Sabah.
Researches confirm that in
the first 36 months of a child’s
life, brain connections multiply
and the motor that will fire the
child’s thinking and behaviour
patterns for the rest of his/her life
is formed.
Most of the brain development
happens before a child
reaches three years of age. Long
before many parents even realise
what is happening, the brain
cells of a new infant proliferate
and the patterns of a lifetime
are established. This is the most
vulnerable period in the lives of
children with special needs and
one that demands the most care
from society. Because these early
years (0-6) are a time of such
great change in the lives of children
with disability and of such
long-lasting influence, ensuring a
good start to life for them is one
of the main goals of the Association
of Early Intervention.
— Pictures by Saeed al Harrassi

Weekend
7 EXHIBITION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012
Discover the Treasures in Oman for Jewellery
By Ra’al al Jardaniya
A
FOUR-day exhibition
of “Discover Treasures
in Oman for Jewellery”
opened at Oman International
Exhibition Centre yesterday under
the patronage of HH Sayyida
Hujaijah bint Jaifar al Said. A
number of international companies
are participating in the exhibition.
The exhibition aims to show
the distinctive features of the
gold industry in the Sultanate
and the creativity of the artisans
as well as the latest developments
in this valuable industry
and the experiences of other
countries in the field.
This exhibition is one of the
specialised events organised by
the Exhibitions Center in order
to present the development in
this industry and the recent updates
in this important field.
This exhibition gives a
chance to bring global companies
specialised in this field in
order to co-operate with Omani
companies and develop the gold
industry and makes use of the
great experience in exhibiting
and marketing fields.
The exhibition is amazing,
the variety and the number of
countries participating in the
exhibition gives more options
in designs and shapes. This kind
of specialised exhibitions make
Omani women aware of the latest
styles in gold and jewelleries
worldwide. It is also nice to
join all these gold traders under
one roof, HH Sayyida Hujaija al
Said, commented.
Omani women should visit
this exhibition and discover the
treasures which come from dif-
ferent places right here under
one roof, HH Sayyida Hujaija
said, adding that such specialised
exhibitions are enriching
both tourism and business in the
Sultanate.
Oman Establishment for
Press, Publication and Advertising
(OEPPA), publishers of
Oman Daily Observer and its
sister Arabic daily, Oman, is the
media sponsors of the event.
The traders who participate
in the exhibition said that this is
one of the important specialised
exhibitions in the Sultanate, and
it is good to experience the gold
market in Oman and see how
Omani women are attracted to
gold. Ramesh Jewelleries, one
of the participants at the exhibition
said that this is the third
time they are participating in the
and each year they have special
designs from different countries
to satisfy women’s tastes.
Henry, another exhibitor from
Singapore, participating for the
third time said that this time he
is so optimistic that the exhibition
will witness great acceptance
from visitors because apart
from traditional shapes and designs,
they have expanded their
collection to a variety of unique
designs of jewelleries.
Amal Mohammed al Lawatiya,
said that this is the first time
she is participating in the exhibition
and the products they are exhibiting are mainly branded
watches. She is very optimistic
about her success as a first time
exhibitor.
Another exhibitor from Brazil
said that this is her first visit
to the Sultanate and the “main
reason we are here is because
we want to have an idea about
the gold market in Oman. Since
we are planning to open new
branches in Gulf countries, having
this chance is really useful
and we benefit from it a lot.”
— Pictures by Huda al Bahriya

Weekend
By Kaushalendra Singh
ANYONE who visits Salalah during,
before or after Khareef season cannot
afford to miss the roadside fruit
stalls dealing in fruits and vegetables which
are grown locally. The stalls are made of using
different parts of coconut tree and they are famous
mainly for selling coconuts, both tender
and mature.
Three months of Khareef season is the time
when the roadside fruit sellers of Salalah do
brisk business, but the charm of visiting them
remains the same all throughout the year.
Khareef, of course, gives them a festive look
due to large flow of tourists to Salalah from
GCC countries and major cities of the Sultanate.
The long stretch of stalls in Hafa and
Dahreej areas overflow with coconuts, bananas,
and various other fruits. The shops look
so natural that no visitor feels like passing by
them, without having a taste of the tender coconut
water, which is medicinal and a perfect
thirst quencher.
A visitor from UAE termed this as an exciting
experience to have fresh coconut water
sourced from local farms.
“We get it in UAE also but having the taste
of fresh coconut milk in such a natural environment
is just different. We are coming to
Salalah for the past five years and we never
miss to have fresh coconut milk and other
fruits available at these roadside shops. Now
we have build up very good rapport with the
shop owners and they have started recognising
us. It is really very soothing to be in Salalah
after coming from a very fast life of the UAE,”
he said.
These shops also have fruits cultivated in
Salalah. The Salalah visitors are amazed to
see locally grown fruits like papaya, banana,
lemon, avocado, sapota, custard apple, guava,
star fruit and sugarcane.
8 & 9 WILAYAT WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012
Tender coconut and juicy
fruit stalls of Salalah
The long stretch of stalls in Hafa and
Dahreej areas overflow with coconuts,
bananas, and various other fruits. The
shops look so natural that no visitor
feels like passing by them, without
having a taste of the tender coconut
water, which is medicinal and a perfect
thirst quencher
Sreeedharan, a shop owner in Hafa area,
did brisk business during the Eid holidays. “I
never saw such a crowd in Salalah. The fruit
shops remained open from 8am to 3 am,” he
said.
The flow of tourists during the beginning
of the Khareef season was less than the previous
years, but all those who could not make
it to Salalah during the early Khareef season,
came during the Eid holidays.
The Khareef season begins in Salalah from
mid-June and lasts till mid-September. It coincides
with the monsoon season in India, but
the phenomenon of rains here is quite different.
All through the season the Salalah mountains
receive constant drizzling, which converts
the mountains and plains into a lush
green area.
“It is amazing to see so much of greenery
in the heart of the Arabian Desert. This is my
first time in Salalah and I am planning to come
here again with family and friends during the
next Khareef season,” said Thomas who came
to Salalah to attend some business related
meeting.
Salalah has a very fortunate location. It is
a desert area on the edge of the mountains but
has enough rain to support substantial agriculture.
Year-round, Salalah’s coconut-fringed
beaches and farms of bananas and papayas
offer a flavour of Zanzibar in the heart of the
Arabian desert.
A visitor from
UAE termed this
as an exciting
experience
to have fresh
coconut water
sourced from local
farms. “We get it
in UAE also but
having the taste of
fresh coconut milk
in such a natural
environment is just
different. We are
coming to Salalah
for the past five
years and we
never miss to have
fresh coconut milk
and other fruits
available at these
roadside shops

Weekend
Chef Tommaso Moroni cooks pasta with sauce at the
Barilla Academy in Parma. World leading pasta-maker
Barilla is defying Italy’s recession by opening a $52 million
plant near its Parma home base, just as other big industrial
names are pulling out of the country or
freezing investments. — Reuters
10 FOOD WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10 2012
Food choices governed
by sensitivity of mouth?
WONDER why wine accords so well
with a meal — the secret lies in the
sensitivity of our mouths, say researchers.
A nice glass of wine goes well with a hearty
steak. The astringent wine and fatty meat are
like the yin and yang of the food world, sitting
on opposite ends of a sensory spectrum.
Now taste researchers think they may understand
why that is. They offer a whole new definition
of the balanced meal, a new way of thinking
about our eating habits, both good and bad, the
journal Current Biology reported.
“The mouth is a magnificently sensitive somatosensory
organ (sensing stimuli from the skin
and internal organs), arguably the most sensitive
in the body,” said Paul Breslin of Rutgers University
and the Monell Chemical Senses Centre.
“The way foods make our mouths feel has a
great deal to do with what foods we choose to
eat,” added Breslin, according to a Rutgers and
Monell statement.
It might explain the appeal of salad dressings,
with their characteristic acids and oils, for
example. Think also of the pink folds of ginger
on the sides of our sushi plates or the soda with
our burgers and fries.
When paired with dried meat, those astringent
beverages indeed counter the slippery sensation
that goes with fattiness.
This natural tendency for seeking balance in
our mouths might have benefits for maintaining
a diversity of foods in our diet.
“The opposition between fatty and astringent
sensations allows us to eat fatty foods more
easily if we also ingest astringents with them,”
Breslin said.
A man prepares meat on a stick at a Thai food stall at the “Taste of DC” festival
in Washington, DC. Over 50 local area restaurants are taking part
in the event to showcase DC’s culinary prowess. — AFP
A man prepares Jamican style “jerked chicken” at the “Taste of DC” festival.
Students work on fresh pasta at the Barilla Academy in Parma. World leading pasta-maker Barilla is opening a new plant near its Parma home base. — Reuters
Astronauts to get
ice cream treat
ASTRONAUTS aboard
the International Space
Station are in for a rare treat
as an unmanned cargo shuttle
that took off on Sunday night
is carrying a freezer containing
ice cream. The Dragon capsule,
built by the private spaceflight
company SpaceX, lifted off
from the Cape Canaveral air
force station in Florida.
A Yemeni vendor pours honey
into a jar at his shop in Sanaa.
The Yemeni honey, known
for its medicinal benefits,
is facing widespread fraud
as counterfeiters look into
making a quick profit. — AFP

Weekend
PHARMACIES
24-HOUR SERVICE
Al Hashar ph, Ruwi 24783334
Muscat ph, Ruwi, 24702542
Al Sarooj, 24695536
Scientific ph, Qurum, 24566601
Ruwi, 24702850
DAY DUTY
Muscat Al Waleed 24538713
Al Maha 24491803
Atlas 24811715
Al Badiya 24425024
Sur Sur 25545298
Ibri Al Mukhtar 25689839
Buraimi Yas 25653855
Nizwa Basmat Nizwa
25431060
Salalah Al Arabia 23294710
Sohar Muscat 26840211
NIGHT DUTY
Muscat Muscat 24537080
Muscat 24695536
Badr al Saama
24799760
Capital 24456760
Sur Muscat 25543660
Ibri Sara 25691424
Buraimi Yaas 25653855
Barka Scientific 26883673
Rustaq Al Murshid 26875561
Nizwa Al Hadhfa 25426102
Samayil Al Jinan 25351030
Salalah Muscat 23291635
Mudhaibi Al Muntasir
25524317
Ibra Ibn Salim 25570441
Sohar Al Rafa (Aster)
26841202
Saham Saham 26856323
Private & Other Wards
Working Days: 16:00-18:00. Weekends & Public Holidays:
10:00-12:00, 16:00-18:00
ICU
Working Days: 16:00-17:00. Weekends & Public Holidays:
16:00-17:00
Special Care Baby Unit
Working Days: Parents may visit at any time. Weekends & Public
Holidays: Parents may visit at any time
Hospital. . . . . .Board . . . . . Emergency
Royal. . . . . . . .24599000 . . 24590491
Health Services Dpt
Muttrah . . . . . .24797602
Quriyat . . . . . .24845001 . . 24845003
SQH, Salalah .23211555 . . 23211151
Police . . . . . . .24603988 . . 24603980
Al Nahda. . . . .24831255 . . 24837800
Ibn Sina . . . . .24876322 . . 24877361
Nizwa . . . . . . .25439361 . . 25425033
Al Rustaq . . . .26875055 . . 26877186
Sumayil. . . . . .25350055 . . 25350022
Izki . . . . . . . . .25340033 . . 25340033
Haima . . . . . . .23436013 . . 23436055
OTHER HOSPITALS
CINEMA
CRYPTIC PUZZLE
ACROSS
1 A hot number at altitude
(6)
7 Household chores done
by the children? (8)
8 Again, she’s a thousand
to one! (4)
10 At certain points, a
crooked deal seems
heavy to bear (6)
11 Write of some miscreants
breaking the law?
(6)
14 Figure to hearten Tottenham
(3)
16 Accommodation Theo
possibly left (5)
17 Tradesman from Ryde?
(4)
19 Change my one (5)
21 Temptations to break
the rules? (5)
22 A shelter; old, brokendown,
at the back of the
garage (5)
23 They will be themselves!
(4)
26 Tubular kind of hat? (5)
28 International honour can
go to one’s head! (3)
29 Became friendly in the
spring? (6)
30 Hardest to find in a fine
street (6)
31 Once, a prime minister’s
garden (4)
32 Touchingly, showed
undue greed for a portion
of fish! (8)
33 It’s swung to make a cut
(6)
DOWN
1 Shouted the way to be
guided! (6)
2 It’s powerless to fly! (6)
3 So slight as to seem less
than nothing? (4)
4 Gets somewhere concerning
one’s personal
discomforts (7)
5 Worked on transforming
the cottage interior (3,2)
6 One looking jolly like
Roger? (5)
8 Team companion? (4)
9 The chaps point to me
KHOULA HOSPITAL VISITING HOURS
Sohar . . . . . . .26840022 . . 26840099
Al Buraimi . . . .25650855 . . 25652319
Sur . . . . . . . . .25440244 . . 25461373
Tanam. . . . . . .25499011 . . 25499033
Masirah. . . . . .25404018 . . 25404018
Ibra . . . . . . . . .25470533 . . 25470535
Adam . . . . . . .25434167 . . 25434055
Bidiya . . . . . . .25483535 . . 25483535
Ibri. . . . . . . . . .25491011 . . 25491990
Saham . . . . . .26854427 . . 26855148
Khasab . . . . . .26830187 . . 26830187
Dibba . . . . . . .26836443 . . 26836443
Burkha . . . . . .26828397 . . 26828397
Sinaw . . . . . . .25474338
FILM INFORMATION
www.citycinemaoman.net
AL BAHJA CINEMA: 24540856, 24540855.
AL NASR CINEMA: 24831358, 24831809 (after 3pm)
AL SHATTI PLAZA: 24607360, 24692656 (after 2pm)
STARS CINEMA: 24791641, 24792360
CROSSWORD
(3)
12 Like Al, a boy in blue
(3)
13 Darling girl (5)
15 Write badly? (5)
18 That time of life when
you hearten mother? (5)
19 Something soft to sling!
(3)
20 When unmarried, in
some need (3)
21 Let down by an inferior
editor (7)
22 It’s supposed to be kept
in Bulawayo (3)
23 Hardly a bachelor to
depend on! (6)
24 Circular enclosure with
free access (4)
25 A seat in the regular
driving place (6)
26 It’s difficult to be hard
and inflexible (5)
27 No weather to be out,
since there’s little
sunshine around (5)
28 Villainous character in
Monica Dickens (3)
30 Comrades rolling
around at the snooker
hall? (4)
EASY PUZZLE
ACROSS
11 LEISURE WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012
1 Brigand (6)
7 Food of the gods (8)
8 Body powder (4)
10 Bad luck, informally (6)
11 Seize in transit (6)
14 Dowel (3)
16 Stories (5)
17 Precipitation (4)
19 Bet (5)
21 Stringed instrument (5)
22 Boy’s name (5)
23 Row (4)
26 Cheroot, say (5)
28 Glue (3)
29 Handsome youth (6)
30 Change in form (6)
31 Minute particle (4)
32 Brawny (8)
33 Ornamental tuft (6)
DOWN
1 Trouble (6)
2 Damp down (6)
3 Mexican snack (4)
4 Referee (7)
5 Customary (5)
6 Chops wildly (5)
8 Pith helmet (4)
9 Keep a record of (3)
12 Jam container (3)
13 Stop (5)
15 Proportion (5)
18 Pungent (5)
19 Be victorious (3)
ROYAL OMAN POLICE
EMERGENCY 9 9 9 9
DG of Passports & Residency, 24569603
DG of Customs, 24714626
Traffic offences, 24510227/228
ROP Public Relations, 24569270
Consumer Complaints Cell, 24817013
Muscat Governorate
Headquarters, 24560021
Muscat, 24736611
Wattayah, 24677990
Ruwi, 24701099
Muttrah, 24712211
Bausher, 24600099
Al Amerat, 24875999
Qurayat, 24845555
A’Seeb, 24420099
Al-Athaiba, 24521099
AI-Khodh, 24425012
Directorate of the University Security,
24513999
Directorate of Traffic Muscat, 24567898
Al Batinah Headquarters, 26840096
Al Rustaq Division, 26875099
Al Dakhiliyah, 25425099
Nizwa Division, 25425099
Samayil Division, 25350099
Al Sharqiyah Headquarters, 25545070
Ibra Division, 25570100
Al Dhahirah Headquarters, 25650099
Al Buraimi Division, 25650199
Ibri Division, 25689099
Al Wusta Headquarters, 23436099
Haima Division, 23436211
Special Task Force, 24560088
Coastguard Headquarters, 24714888
Dhofar Governorate Headquarters,
23234599
Salalah Police Station, 23290099
Thamrait Division, 23279099
Musandam Governorate Headquarters,
26730299
Khasab Division, 26731502
ROP websites: www.rop.gov.om, www.
ropoman.net and
e-mail: ropnet@omantel.net.om
20 Fuel (3)
21 Solemn (7)
22 Karate expert (3)
23 Teachers (6)
24 Mosque prayer leader
(4)
25 Regretful (6)
26 Pacifies (5)
27 Whin (5)
28 Intestine (3)
30 Market (4)
YESTERDAY’S
CRYPTIC SOLUTIONS
ACROSS: 1, Chess 6, Jeans
9, Wash-out 10, Unf-it 11,
North 12, Set in 13, Tea-
Cher 15, Mum 17, Arch
18, SE-date 19, Debar 20,
In-road 22, Love (rev.) 24,
Tin 25, Cow-ered 26, MiGht
27, Argue 28, Satin 29,
Sleight 30, Edits 31, Yodel.
DOWN: 2, Hunter 3,
Switch 4, Sat 5, Sh-e’er 6,
Ju-nipe-r 7, Eton 8, Not out
12, Sewed 13, Tacit 14, Acorn
15, Major 16, Me-wed
18, Sabot(-age) 19, Daniels
21, Nim-rod 22, Leg-a-to
23, Venice 25, Chair 26,
Must 28, Shy.
YESTERDAY’S EASY
SOLUTIONS
ACROSS: 1. Catch; 6.
Sugar; 9. Hideous; 10.
Ideas; 11. Rears; 12. Guard;
13. Funeral; 15. Cad; 17.
Oral; 18. Facade; 19. Civil;
20. Uneven; 22. So-so; 24.
Mad; 25. Penalty; 26. Utter;
27. Arena; 28. Rigid;
29. Diction; 30. Swoon; 31.
Bevel.
DOWN: 2. Ardour; 3.
Chapel; 4. His; 5. Seoul; 6.
Surreal; 7. Used; 8. Abroad;
12. Gamin; 13. Forum; 14.
Naked; 15. Carol; 16. Decoy;
18. Fiver; 19. Certain;
21. Narrow; 22. Saline; 23.
Strive; 25. Petty; 26. Undo;
28. Rob.
M USEUMS IN OMAN
FAISAL BIN ALI AL SAID MUSEUM,
Tel: 24641650
MUSEUM OF OMANI HERITAGE,
Tel: 24600946
CHILDREN’S SCIENCE MUSEUM.
Tel: 24605368
NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM,
Tel: 24641374
NATIONAL MUSEUM, Tel: 24701289
SULTAN’S ARMED FORCES
MUSEUM, Tel: 24312646
CURRENCY MUSEUM,
Tel: 24796102
MUSCAT GATE MUSEUM,
Tel: 24739005.
OMANI-FRENCH MUSEUM (Bait
Fransa), Tel: 24736613
BAIT AL ZUBAIR, Tel: 24736688
BAIT A’NAMAN, Tel: 24641300
SOHAR FORT MUSEUM.
Tel: 26844758
NAHKAL FORT, Tel: 26781384
BAIT AL MAKHAM. Tel: 24641300
BAIT ADAM MUSEUM, QURUM,
Tel: 24605033, 24605013
OIL AND GAS EXHIBITION
CENTRE AND PLANE-TARIUM,
Tel: 24677834.
PLANETARIUM, Tel: 24675542.
AQUARIUM at the Marine Science
and Fisheries Centre (located next to
Marina Bandar Rowdha, Sidab).
SALALAH MUSEUM, Tel: 23294549
CULTURAL CENTRE, Tel: 23294549.
SUR MARITIME MUSEUM,
Tel: 24541466.
BAIT AL BARANDA, Tel: 24714262.
ACROSS
1 Grasp (4)
4 Tree (3)
6 Sort (4)
8 Stick (6)
9 Charm (6)
10 Serpent (3)
12 Inn (5)
14 Unfastened (5)
15 Leaf (5)
18 Water-channel (6)
20 Agreement (6)
24 Sail-boat (5)
26 Leered (5)
28 Long (5)
30 Cunning (3)
32 Whole (6)
33 Fur (6)
34 Cowshed (4)
35 Summit (3)
36 Stagger (4)
DOWN
2 Wireless (5)
3 Rule (7)
4 Region (4)
5 Pile (4)
QUICK CROSSWORD
6 Claw (5)
7 Slice (7)
11 Spring (3)
12 Embrace (3)
13 Shelter (3)
16 Attempt (3)
17 Resin (3)
19 Exigency (7)
21 Timid (3)
22 Vessel (7)
23 Cask (3)
25 Everyone (3)
27 Exclusive (5)
29 Scope (5)
30 Chair (4)
31 Yap (4)
Q UOTATIONS FOR TODAY
The faith must express itself in charity and in
solidarity, which is the civil form of charity.
— Claudio Hummes
The only genuine elite is the elite of those
men and women who gave their lives to
justice and charity.
— Sargent Shriver
CARTOONS
YESTERDAY’S
QUICK
SOLUTIONS
ACROSS: 2, Crisp 7,
Genre 8, Repay 10,
Eased 12, Tan 13,
Tamed 15, Defiled 17,
Eluded 19, Car 20,
Refined 23, Step 25,
Draw 26, Damaged
30, Rot 31, Demote
34, Grasped 37, Coped
38, Din 39, Dozen 40,
Remit 41, Newer 42,
Unity.
DOWN: 1, Legal
2, Creed 3, Reader 4,
Sped 5, Retired 6, Panel
9, Pal 11, Decided 13,
Tense 14, Mused 16,
Fan 18, Debated 21,
Droop 22, Owned 24,
Parsnip 27, Mop 28,
Decent 29, Order 32,
Money 33, Tenet 35,
Aim 36, Down.
When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when
health is lost, something is lost; when
character is lost, all is lost.
— Billy Graham
Dreams are the touchstones of our character.
— Henry David Thoreau
ADAM @ HOME by Brian Basset
CALVIN AND HOBBES by Bill Watterson
GARFIELD by Jim Davis
STONE SOUP by Jan Eliot

Weekend
Eating tomatoes lowers stroke risk
EATING tomatoes and tomato-based
foods lowers
stroke risks, thanks to lycopene,
an antioxidant, suggests
a study from Finland. The study
found that people with the highest
amounts of lycopene in their
blood were 55 per cent less likely
to have a stroke than people with
the lowest amounts of lycopene
in their blood.
The research involved 1,031
Finnish men aged between 46
and 65 years, who were tested
for lycopene levels in their blood
at the beginning of the study and
were followed for an average of
12 years. During that time, 67
men had a stroke, (sudden loss of
TEENAGERS who play violent
video games become
more aggressive towards
other people over a period of
time, according to a study.
Researchers said the study was
the first to show a clear link between
a sustained period of playing
violent games and subsequent
increases in hostile behaviour, the
brain function caused by a blockage
or rupture of a blood vessel of
the organ), the journal Neurology
reports.Among the men with the
lowest levels of lycopene, 25 of
258 had a stroke. Among those
with the highest levels of lycopene,
11 of 259 men had a stroke,
according to a statement of the
University of Eastern Finland
(UEF).
When researchers looked at
just strokes due to blood clots,
the results were even stronger.
Those with the highest levels of
lycopene were 59 per cent less
likely to have a stroke than those
with the lowest levels.
“This study adds to the evi-
Violent video games ‘make teens aggressive’
Daily Mail reported on Monday.
Girls who play violent computer
games during their school
years were found to be affected
just as much as boys.
The research team at Brock
University in Canada said their
results were “concerning” and
wrote that violent games could
“reinforce the notion that aggres-
dence that a diet high in fruits
and vegetables is associated with
a lower risk of stroke,” said study
author Jouni Karppi, from the
UEF, Kuopio.
“The results support the recommendation
that people get
more than five servings of fruits
and vegetables a day, which
would likely lead to a major reduction
in the number of strokes
worldwide, according to previous
research,” added Karppi.
The study also looked at blood
levels of the antioxidants alphacarotene,
beta-carotene, alphatocopherol
and retinol, but found
no link between the blood levels
and risk of stroke. — IANS
sion is an effective and appropriate
way to deal with conflict and
anger”, according to the Mail.
Evidence suggests that longterm
players of violent games
may become more likely to react
aggressively to unintentional
provocations such as someone
accidentally bumping into them,
they added.
12 HEALTH WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012
Depressed
mums affect
babies’ language
development
MATERNAL depression
and specific antidepressants
can impact a
crucial period of language
development in babies,
according to researchers.
They found that treatment
of maternal depression with
a class of anti-depressants,
known as selective serotonin
re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs),
can speed up babies’ ability to
attune to the sounds and sights
of their native language while
such depression untreated by
SSRIs may prolong the period
of tuning.
SSRIs are a class of antidepressants
that work by
blocking the reabsorption of
serotonin in the brain, raising
their levels.
CHILDREN’S risk of developingattention-deficit/hyperactivity
disorder
(ADHD) later in life may be tied
to how much fish their mothers
ate while pregnant, according to
a US study.
Researchers writing in the
Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent
Medicine found that eating
at least two servings of fish
per week was linked to about a
60 per cent lower risk of kids
developing certain ADHD-like
symptoms.
But elevated mercury levels,
which can also come from eating
more fish — depending on
the fish — were tied to a higher
risk of developing the symptoms,
such as hyperactivity, impulsiveness
and inattentiveness.
Though the study did not
prove cause and effect, and did
not use a formal diagnosis of
ADHD, it may offer insights
into a condition that’s estimated
to have an impact on one in 10
children in the United States, researchers
say.
“The really important message
is to eat fish,” said Sharon
Don’t shy from seeking
help for mental problems
October 10 is World Mental Health Day
WITH stress becoming
an inescapable fact
of modern day existence,
doctors say depression
and other mental problems are
becoming common. Sadly, there
is not enough awareness of the
nature of mental illnesses, and
few people seek medical help
for them. The situation is worse
compounded by the fact that
mental illness comes with huge
social stigma.
“Mental illness is much like
physical illness. It is treatable.
Early intervention leads to better
outcomes and can prevent people
from reaching a crisis point.
It is also important that society
not stigmatise those suffering
from such illnesses,” says Sudhir
Joseph, Director, St Stephen’s
Sagiv, the study’s lead author
from the Boston University
School of Public Health.
“Just stay away from mercury-containing
fish, because these
protective effects are pretty important.”
Sagiv said it’s best to stay
away from “big fishes,” such as
tuna and swordfish, which typically
contain the most mercury.
Instead, stick to fishes such as
haddock and salmon.
Sagiv added that the nega-
Hospital.
Psychiatric illness and drug
abuse are leading contributors
to early death across the globe,
says a recent WHO report.
“Depression, anxiety, obsessive
compulsive disorder (OCD),
lack of self-esteem, hallucination,
schizophrenia, disorientation
— these are no longer taboo
words in western societies. There
is now greater openness about
mental illnesses in western societies,
and there is easier access to
quality frontline medical care in
many western countries. Family
support and rehabilitation centres
for the severely addicted,
depressed or ill has been made
available,” says Joseph, who is
associated with the Delhi Mental
Health Helpline.
Mother’s fish, mercury intake tied to kids’ ADHD risk
tive effects from lower levels of
mercury may be canceLled out
by the benefits from eating fish.
The children appeared to be 60
per cent less likely to exhibit
impulsive or hyperactive behaviours
if their mothers ate two or
more servings of fish per week.
In an editorial that appeared
with the study, Bruce Lanphear
at Simon Fraser University in
Vancouver, echoed Sagiv’s advice
on avoiding “big fishes.”
— Reuters

Weekend
James Ferreira scorches
the ramp with ‘thumkas’
A model presents a design by James Ferreria
during the second day of the Wills India
Fashion Week Spring- Summer collection
2013 in New Delhi. — AFP
WITH his child-like enthusiasm and his
“thumkas”, James Ferreira brought a
lot of drama on the ramp at the ongoing Wills
Lifestyle India Fashion Week (WIFW). His
exuberant act not only gelled well with his
collection “Ganesha frolicking with cherubs”,
inspired by baby Ganesha, but also made it
one of the best shows.
After his famous “Sheila ki jawaani” act
in the a previous edition, this time he became
a kid and choose to shake a leg on Devendra
Banhart’s “Well, I feel just like a child”.
His energetic dance act can give any item
girl a run for their money.
“These things are not planned. It just happens
on the spur of the moment and depends
on the mood of audience. If they are excited,
I get excited too and shake my legs,” said the
designer.
With “Ganesha frolicking with cherubs”,
he said, he made an attempt to revive kitsch
culture in the country. — IANS
An ode to fearless
women at WIFW
DESIGNERS Gaurav Gupta and Namrata
Joshipura paid an ode to the modern
women through their collections at
the ongoing Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week
(WIFW) spring-summer 2013.
Gupta’s collection titled “Cathode” showcased
outfits, which were heavy on bright colours including
pink and orange. And the use of neon and
fluorescent lights on stage brought uniqueness to
the show being held in New Delhi. The collection
was a sheer bliss for fashion enthusiasts.
“I wanted to give women a more modern approach
and that’s how the idea of using neon lights
came into being. The garments comprises of lot of
A-line dresses, sari inspired gowns to lot of jumpsuits.
My collection will appeal to all those who
want bright and glowing spring this time,” Gupta
said after the show.
While Gupta emphasised on giving women a
brighter look, Joshipura’s Gotha collection showcased
women in catwoman-style.
“Gotham, a fictional city, is a home to Batman
and the cast of colourful characters that inhabit
his universe. My girl is one of the denizens of this
vibrant and dangerous city. My collection depicts
women is glamorous, groomed and sophisticated,”
said Joshipura.
Her collection managed to grab eyeballs with
a range of outfits like dresses, playsuits, peplum
tops and wraps.
It personified the connection between fiction
and glamour with the ramp being transformed
into a superhero’s palace and models turning into
catwomen as they strutted on the ramp in the collection.
— IANS
13 FASHION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012
Models present designs during the Wills India Fashion Week
Spring- Summer collection 2013 in New Delhi. — AFP
Models present dresses by Pakistani designers Hina Butt, Sonya Batla, Asifa and Nabeel during the
Pakistan Fashion Design Council (PFDC) Bridal Week in Lahore. — AFP
Women told to be healthy not anorexic
DESIGNER Anupamaa Dayal says it’s high-time women start thinking
about being healthy rather than achieving a ‘size zero’ figure and her latest
collection at the ongoing Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week (WIFW) Spring-
Summer 2013, also personifies those women, who don’t follow such trends.
“My collection has got a story line with a heavy focus on Indian weaves and
colours. I kept the line very chic and easy-to-wear. The message that I wanted to
give to the women of today is to be healthy, live stylishly, with no compromise
on diet. Don’t try to hard to adopt size zero. Enjoy fashion and enjoy life just the
way you are,” Dayal told reporters.
Dayal’s new collection was mix of dresses, peplums, gowns and trousers with
a lot of resort-wear feel to it. — IANS

Weekend
Vultures in South Asia
NO vultures will be left
in India and the rest of
South Asia if no immediate
steps are taken for their
conservation, non-governmen-
tal organisations have warned.
South Asia once had millions
of vultures but over the
last one decade, 99 per cent of
them have disappeared.
Nobel winner once written off by teacher
A
BRITISH researcher who won the Their ground-breaking work has given report as saying: "I believe Gurdon has ideas
2012 Nobel Prize for Medicine was scientists fresh insights into how cells and about becoming a scientist; on his present
once dismissed by his school teacher organisms develop.
showing this is quite ridiculous.
about his ambition to become a scientist as The research may pave the way for radi- "If he can't learn simple biological facts,
"quite ridiculous", the Guardian reported cal advances in medicine that allow dam- he would have no chance of doing the work
yesterday.
aged or diseased tissues to be regenerated in of a specialist, and it would be a sheer waste
Sir John Gurdon, 79, of Cambridge Uni- the lab, or even inside patients' bodies. of time, both on his part and of those who
versity, Monday shared the prize in physi- According to his Eton schoolmaster, would have to teach him."
ology or medicine — and 744,000-pound Gurdon, at an age of 15, did not stand out as Speaking to reporters in London, Gurdon
cash — with Japanese scientist Shinya Ya- a potential scientist.
said it was "very gratifying" to be recognised
manaka, 50.
Writing in 2006, Gurdon quoted a school for what has been his life's work.
14 MELANGE WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012
"This is the fastest decline
of any bird species ever reported
anywhere in the world,"
Asad R Rahmani, director,
Bombay Natural History Society
(BNHS), said.
Rahmani, a scientist with
over three decades of experience,
said unlike some other
bird species which face extinction
because of poaching and
habitat destruction, vultures
were disappearing only because
of a drug called diclofenac.
He pointed out that though
the Indian government banned
the drug for veterinary use in
2006 to save vultures, it was
still being used. The pain killer
for humans is being diverted
for veterinary use.
Demanding that the government
make it a prescriptive
drug, Rahmani said vultures
feeding on carcasses of cattle
given diclofenac die in three to
10 days. "The study by Indian
Veterinary Research Institute
has shown that kidney failure
occurs in such vultures and
they don't recover," he said.
"For vultures, this drug is as
lethal as cyanide," he stressed.
— IANS
Learning a
language pushes
brain growth
face imminent extinction EARNING new languages is
La good way to keep the brain
in shape and could encourage
your brain to grow, shows a
study.
A group of researchers had an
almost unique opportunity to observe
what happens to the brain
when we learn a new language
in a short period of time.
Young recruits at the Swedish
Armed Forces Interpreter Academy
pick up a new language
very fast, 13 months to be exact.
Those with a flair for languages
learn to speak fluently in
Arabic, Russian or Dari within
13 months. From morning to
evening, weekdays and weekends,
the recruits study at a pace
unlike on any other language
course.
As a control group, researchers
used medicine and cognitive
science students at Umea
University — students who also
study hard, but not languages.
Both groups were given MRI
scans before and after a threemonth
period of intensive study.
While the brain structure of
the control group (not learning
a new language) remained unchanged,
specific parts of the
brain of the language students
grew, according to an Umea
statement. — IANS
Mexico opens new Mayan museum
VISITORS to Mexico can now
learn more about the achievements
of the ancient Mayan civilisation
in a new museum just opened in
Merida, capital of the state of Yucatan.
More than 500 works of art are on
display in the 22,000-square-metre
building. The Mayan kingdom once
stretched across large areas of southern
Mexico and Central America. The
famous pyramids of Chichen Itza (pictured)
are located near Merida.
The museum opening comes as the
date of December 21 approaches, the
point in the Mayan calendar when one
epoch of time ends and a new one begins.
— dpa
A sculpture is displayed as part of the ‘Roma Caput
Mundi’ exhibition inside Rome's Colosseum yesterday.
The exhibition ‘Roma caput mundi, a city between
domination and integration’, exploring the expansion
history of political and cultural ancient Rome, will be
held from October 10 to March 10, 2013. — AFP
Passiflora, a Brazilian Tapir, and her four-day-old baby are
seen at the Ramat Gan Safari, an open-air zoo
near Tel Aviv, yesterday. — AFP
A young greater kudu stands in her enclosure yesterday at
the Zoologischer Garten zoo in Berlin. The female antelope
was born at the zoo on August 26. — AFP

Weekend
Priyanka Chopra doing ‘great job’
SHE won the Miss World title
at the age of 18, got into
acting, is currently among the top
actresses of Bollywood, and also
works to save the environment,
that is why designer Rahul
Mishra is in an awe of Priyanka
Chopra. “I appreciate how
Priyanka has been working to
save the environment by being
associated with the Greenathon
Sonakshi loves to
be a shutterbug
SONAKSHI Sinha loves to
capture moments through
her professional camera, and
she went behind the lens
to click some memorable
pictures during the shooting of
her upcoming movie Son Of
Sardaar in Patiala.
The 25-year-old is quite passionate
about photography.
“I have always liked art and
sketching and since I have been
travelling to beautiful places for
my films, I want to capture all
those moments with my SLR,”
said Sonakshi. — IANS
initiative. I got to know that she
does not take any money for all
this. It is a wonderful thing,”
Mishra said at the ongoing Wills
Lifestyle India Fashion Week
(WIFW) yesterday.
He showcased his collection,
in which he used organic
fabrics and said he would love
to dedicate it to Priyanka. “My
collection is for someone who is
15 BOLLYWOOD WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012
very intelligent, travelled a lot,
responsible enough and knows
what she is choosing,” he added.
The 30-year-old actress, who
played an autistic girl in her
recent release, has been associated
with NDTV’s Greenathon,
an initiative to make people become
eco-friendly and look into
lack of electricity in multiple
rural villages. — IANS
I don’t believe in live-in
relationships: Neha Desai
FROM banking to journalism
to acting and now writing,
Neha Desai has tried many
things, but one thing that she
doesn’t believe in is live-in
relationships.
“The relationship between
a man and a woman is sacred.
If people believe in their relationship,
then they must be together.
I don’t believe in live-in
relationships,” the actress, who
is writing a fiction novel on romance
and relationship, said.
The first draft is ready, said
the 26-year-old and added: “I
took my time to write my book.
I was always interested in writing.
I used to write a column as
well. The experience was pretty
okay and it did not take a toll on
me.”
Originally from a banking
background, she entered journalism
and then left it for acting.
And now she is busy writing.
“I have read a lot and I
thought it won’t be that difficult
for me to pen my thoughts and
make some money. There is no
other way to show people what
you feel,” she said.
Talking about the book, she
said: “It’s an Indian fiction book.
A story of a strange relationship
is all I can say. Romance, and
relationships have always interested
me.”
Meanwhile, she wants to
continue to act and is in talks
with some producers.
Aiyyaa not
woman-centric:
Rani Mukherji
ACTRESS Rani Mukerji has
a meaty role in Aiyyaa but
feels it wouldn’t be right to call
it a “woman-centric” film. She
says it is more of a simple love
story.
“I would call it a romantic
film, and I wouldn’t categorise
this as a woman-centric story,”
Rani said in a press conference.
The story of Aiyyaa revolves
around a Marathi girl,
Meenakshi Deshpande (Rani),
whose parents are looking for a
suitable groom for her. She falls
in love with a Tamil boy, essayed
by Prithviraj Sukumaran.
Rani looked pretty in a
cream-coloured anarkali suit at
the event, where she was accompanied
by Prithviraj and
director Sachin Kundalkar.
Akshay Kumar
to inaugurate
IFFI this year
BOLLYWOOD superstar
Akshay Kumar
will inaugurate the 43rd
International Film Festival
of India (IFFI) which gets
underway next month, an
organiser said yesterday.
“We have just finalised
it. Akshay Kumar will be
inaugurating the IFFI this
year. He has also okayed it,”
Vishnu Wagh, vice-chairman
of the Entertainment Society
of Goa (ESG), said.
The 10-day IFFI will be
held in Panaji from November
20.
Akshay, who has several
super-hit films to his credit,
also has a house in Anjuna,
located 20 km north of
Panaji, Goa.
The name of Bollywood
legend Amitabh Bachchan
was also short-listed along
with Akshay to inaugurate
the festival, which is being
held in Goa annually since
2004. — IANS
‘Yes, I want to make a comeback’
HER journey has been great and there is no time for regret,
says Urmila Matondkar and adds that she is keen to “make a
comeback” but will wait till she gets an exciting offer.
“The journey has been great so far and there is no time for regret.
So right now I am only looking for a good script. I am absolutely
happy the way my career has shaped up,” the 38-year-told said.
In the 1990s, she gave hits Rangeela, Judaai, Satya, and Ek
Hasina Thi among others.
Last seen in 2007 release Karzzzz, Urmila added: “Yes, even I
want to make a comeback. But the kind of body of work that I have
done earlier I would only want to choose scripts that I have not done
before. Let’s see when it happens.”
When asked if she is planning to direct, she said: “No, I am not
eyeing direction right now.”
So, what keeps you busy?
“Many things keep me busy. I have been travelling a lot so I am
busy in my own world.” — IANS
Chitrangada wants to be Umrao Jaan
IF there’s one role that actress Chitrangada Singh wants to enact on
screen, it is Umrao Jaan, played by Rekha in Muzaffar Ali’s 1981
directorial venture.
“Everytime I am asked this (a female-centric role that I’d like
to play), I always say Rekhaji in Umrao Jaan. I think she played a
woman of her time... ‘Nautch’ girls were the feminists of that time,
I think they were the strongest women who went forward trying to
compete with men in a lot of other things,” the 36-year-old said in an
interview. “I think they were the true feminists of their time and if I
get a chance to play that in that time, I would love to,” she added.
Chitrangada says it is one of the best female characters she has
ever seen on screen. — IANS

Weekend
Actress Mila Kunis has been dubbed the most charming
woman alive by Esquire magazine in its November
issue out this week
Kerri Russell during a
photocall for a TV series
Plaza attends Glamour
Presents These Girls
Dr Ibrahim bin Ahmed al Kindi,
Chief Executive Officer
Fahmi Bin Khalid Al Harthy,
Editor-in-Chief
16
ENTERTAINMENT WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012
Brook was conscious of her looks
MODEL Kelly Brook
says she was very
conscious of her looks
when she was in her 20s.
The 32-year-old said
that gradually with time she
started getting comfortable
with the way she looked
and does not care about it
now.
"As you get older and
grow into your looks, you
become more confident,"
dailystar.co.uk quoted
Brook as saying.
"I spent a lot of my 20s
feeling self conscious, but
now I'm like: 'Who cares?'" she added.
The model is currently dating rugby
player Thom Evans.
Robbie Williams to appear on ‘The X Factor’:
Singer Robbie Williams will reportedly
Actress Sara Canning during
a photocall for a TV series
Gibson sells
Malibu mansion
ACTOR Mel Gibson's
Malibu mansion has
been sold for $9.3 million.
The 56-year-old actor
owned the house with exwife
Robyn Moorem, who
he divorced in 2011. According
to the Los Angeles
Times, multi-millionaire
reality TV producer Mike
Fleiss, who is responsible for
creating The Bachelor and
The Bachelorette, has reportedly
purchased the property.
The house boasts of six bedrooms.
— IANS
appear as a guest judge
on reality show “The X
Factor” to give unbiased
opinions.
The singer is expected
to come on the show to be
aired on November 4, and
will also sing his new single
“Candy”.
“The idea is to get the
famous acts more involved
in the show and the decision
making,” dailystar.
co.uk quoted a source as
saying.
“They would be there to
give their opinion as unbiased
judges without having a vested interest
in any of the acts,” the source added.
Other stars expected to make a appearances
on the show are Bruno Mars, Pink and
Gwen Stefani. — IANS
Bond girl worked without
Skyfa l movie script
BOND girl Tonia
Sotiropoulou worked
without a script for her
role in the new 007
movie Skyfall, and strictly
followed director Sam
Mendes' instructions.
The Greek actress
plays a love interest to
Daniel Craig's super-spy
character in the 23rd Bond
movie.
Sotiropoulou said that
due to strict secrecy protocols,
she did not know
what she was doing on
set until the time came to
shoot her scenes, reports
contactmusic.com.
"I was one of the
people who never had a
script. I just got told what
I'd be doing on the set by
the director. They have to
be so careful. You have
quite strict contracts that
say you can't say anything
about the plot. And everyone
respects that," she
said. — IANS
Actresses Mamie Gummer and Grace Gummer attend
Glamour Presents These Girls at Joe’s Pub
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