P6
Community
Best Buddies
Qatar
members
visit Al Magrabi Eye,
ENT and Dental Center
for checkups and a
workshop.
P16
Community
Twenty years
after Dolly,
the world’s
first successfully cloned
mammal, humans have
found multiple uses for
cloned animals.
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
Jumada II 1, 1438 AH
DOHA
15°C—24°C TODAY
LIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE 11
PUZZLES 12 & 13
STRUGGLE: Therapists are grappling with how to help patients affected by a national issue over which they have little control.
COVER
STORY
Save our souls
Why therapists in the US are having such a
hard time talking about Donald Trump. P4-5
2
GULF TIMES Tuesday, February 28, 2017
COMMUNITY
ROUND & ABOUT
PRAYER TIME
Fajr
Shorooq (sunrise)
Zuhr (noon)
Asr (afternoon)
Maghreb (sunset)
Isha (night)
4.42am
5.58am
11.47am
3.06pm
5.37pm
7.07pm
USEFUL NUMBERS
A Dog’s Purpose
DIRECTION: Lasse Hallstrom
WRITTEN BY: W Bruce Cameron, Cathryn Michon,
Audrey Wells, Maya Forbes, Wally Wolodarsky
CAST: Josh Gad, Dennis Quaid, Peggy Lipton
SYNOPSIS: A Dog’s Purpose is an American comedydrama film directed by Lasse Hallstrom, based on the 2010
novel of the same name by W Bruce Cameron. The film stars
Britt Robertson, KJ Apa, Juliet Rylance, John Ortiz, Kirby
Howell-Baptiste, Peggy Lipton, Dennis Quaid and Josh Gad.
The story of the film revolves around a dog who looks to
discover his purpose in life over the course of several lifetimes
and owners.
Loving
DIRECTION: Jeff Nichols
WRITTEN BY: Jeff Nichols
CAST: Ruth Negga, Joel Edgerton, Will Dalton
SYNOPSIS: Loving is an American historical drama
film that tells the story of Richard and Mildred Loving, the
plaintiffs in the 1967 US Supreme Court decision Loving v.
Virginia, which invalidated state laws prohibiting interracial
marriage. The film takes inspiration from The Loving Story
(2011) by Nancy Buirski, a documentary which follows the
Lovings and their landmark case.
The film was directed by Jeff Nichols, who also wrote the
screenplay. Joel Edgerton stars as Richard Loving, with Ruth
Negga co-starring as Mildred Loving. Marton Csokas, Nick
Kroll, and Michael Shannon are all featured in supporting
roles.
LOCATIONS: Villaggio, Gulf Mall, Royal Plaza, The Mall,
Landmark, City Centre
Emergency
999
Worldwide Emergency Number
112
Kahramaa – Electricity and Water
991
Local Directory
180
International Calls Enquires
150
Hamad International Airport
40106666
Labor Department
44508111, 44406537
Mowasalat Taxi
44588888
Qatar Airways
44496000
Hamad Medical Corporation
44392222, 44393333
Qatar General Electricity and
Water Corporation
44845555, 44845464
Primary Health Care Corporation
44593333
44593363
Qatar Assistive Technology
Centre
44594050
Qatar News Agency
44450205
44450333
Q-Post – General Postal
Corporation
44464444
Humanitarian Services Office
(Single window facility for the repatriation of bodies)
Ministry of Interior
40253371, 40253372,
40253369
Ministry of Health
40253370, 40253364
Hamad Medical Corporation
40253368, 40253365
Qatar Airways
40253374
ote Unquote
u
Q
Success
is having to worry
about every damn thing in
the world, except money.
– Johnny Cash
Community Editor
Kamran Rehmat
e-mail: [email protected]
Telephone: 44466405
Fax: 44350474
Mall Cinema (1): Winner
(Telugu) 2:30pm; Rock Dog (2D)
5pm; Eliminators (2D) 6:45pm;
Fukri (Malayalam) 8:30pm;
Yaman (Tamil) 11:15pm.
Mall Cinema (2): Rock Dog
(2D) 2pm; A Dog’s Purpose (2D)
4pm; Rangoon (Hindi) 5:30pm;
Lala land (2D) 8:30pm; Tresspass
Against Us (2D) 11pm.
Mall Cinema (3): Fukri
(Malayalam) 2pm; Munthiriv
Allikal (Malayalam) 4:45pm; My
Ex And Whys (Tagalog) 7:30pm;
The Worthy (Arabic) 9:30pm;
Rangoon (Hindi) 11:15pm.
Landmark Cinema (1): A Dog’s
Purpose (2D) 2pm; Winner
(Telugu) 3:45pm; Ballerina (2D)
LOCATIONS: Gulf Villaggio, City Centre, Royal Plaza
6:30pm; Yaman (Tamil) 8:15pm;
Fukri (Malayalam) 11pm.
Landmark Cinema (2): Rock
Dog (2D) 3pm; Rock Dog (2D)
5pm; My Ex And Whys (Tagalog)
7pm; Lala Land (2D) 9pm;
Eliminators (2D) 11:15pm.
Landmark Cinema (3): Rangoon
(Hindi) 2pm; Fukri (Malayalam)
4:45pm; Tresspass Against Us
(2D) 7:30pm; The Worthy (Arabic)
9:15pm; Winner (Telugu) 11pm.
Royal Plaza Cinema Palace (1):
Rock Dog (2D) 2:30pm; Rock Dog
(2D) 4:30pm; Tresspass Against
Us (2D) 6:15pm; Rangoon (Hindi)
8:15pm; Yaman (Tamil) 11pm.
Royal Plaza Cinema Palace (2):
A Dog’s Purpose (2D) 2:30pm;
Yaman (Tamil) 4:30pm; Lala
Land (2D) 7:15pm; Eliminators
(2D) 9:30pm; Eliminators (2D)
11.30pm.
Royal Plaza Cinema Palace
(3): Rangoon (Hindi) 2:30pm;
Loving (2D) 5:15pm; My Ex And
Whys (Tagalog) 7:30pm; A
Dog’s Purpose (2D) 9:45pm; The
Worthy (Arabic) 11:30pm.
Asian Town Cinema:
Munthirivallikal (Malayalam) 6 &
9pm; Fukri (Malayalam) 6:30 &
9:30pm; Rangoon (Hindi) 4:30 &
10:30pm; Winner (Telugu) 7pm;
Yaman (Tamil) 10pm & 1am.
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
Lecture on the Qur’anic Botanic
Garden
WHEN: March 1
TIME: 7pm (refreshments from 6:30pm)
WHERE: Doha English Speaking School,
Madinat Khalifa South
The Qatar Natural History Group, for
its March talk, will be hosting a lecture by
Fatma Saleh al-Khulaifi, Project Manager
at the Qur’anic Botanic Garden. Al-Khulaifi
will introduce the different types of gardens,
and the Qur’anic Botanic Garden concept
and objectives. She holds a B. Sc in Biology/
Chemistry from Education College, Qatar
University, and an MBA from Missouri
University (USA). For more details, please
visit the Qatar Natural History Group website
at www.qnhg.org
Picasso-Giacometti
WHEN: Until May 21
WHERE: Fire Station Artist In Residence
This exhibition brings together more
3
COMMUNITY
ROUND & ABOUT
EVENTS
GULF TIMES
than 120 works by Picasso and Giacometti,
drawn from the collections of the Musée
national Picasso-Paris and the Fondation
Giacometti in Paris, as well as exceptional
loans from French and other international
collections, covering paintings, sculptures,
sketches, photographs and interviews with
the artists.
The exhibition reflects two years of
research undertaken by the Fondation
Giacometti and the Musée national PicassoParis, which reveals for the first time the
previously unknown relationship between
these two artists, who, despite an age gap of
twenty years, shared many moments, both
personal and professional.
It has been organised in six sections,
evoking different aspects of each artist’s
production, including the development
of their work as young artists through to
their modernist creations, showing the
correspondences between their works, the
influence of the surrealist movement, and the
return to realism during the post-war period.
The exhibition will be accompanied by a
series of lectures and an extensive education
programme, as well as a self-guided
handbook for the visitors.
A richly illustrated catalogue published as
co-edition with Flammarion will accompany
the exhibition, featuring new essays by art
historians and the curators of the exhibition.
Nagham
WHERE: The Backyard at Sheraton Grand
Hotel
WHEN: Thursdays
TIME: 8pm onwards
After the success of The Backyard, a
concept is born to introduce Arabic music
adding a twist of International tunes. Live
band music by Nagham’s official band and
guest artists every week. The entrance fee is
QR100. For details, call 44853000.
Reggae Beachfest Doha
WHEN: Thursdays and Fridays
WHERE: Oyster Beach Bar at St. Regis
Hotel
TIME: 8pm onwards
In collaboration with Reggae Beachfest
in Dubai, Qatar will witness the best rasta
nights around. The organisers say, “We’ve
got the setup sorted to get you feeling the
Caribbean vibe. Along with our resident band
Earthkry all the way from Jamaica, we have so
many big names in the Reggae scene lined up
at this huge beachfest!” Entrance fee is QR50
at the door. For more information, please call
44460105
Senorita- Ladies Night
WHERE: The Club at St. Regis
WHEN: Tuesdays
TIME: 7pm
The Club at St. Regis promises the ‘finest
weeknight in town with Cuban and Latin
rhythms’. The event starts at 7pm. The
dress code is “strictly fabulous-Latin vibe”
and there are no entrance fees. For more
information, please call 4446-0105.
Dia al-Azzawi: A Retrospective (from
1963 until tomorrow)
WHERE: Mathaf: Arab Museum of
Modern Art and QM Gallery Al Riwaq
WHEN: Until April 16
Qatar Museums presents a monograph of
one of the most renowned modern artists
of the Arab world: Dia al-Azzawi. The
exhibition, showcasing over 500 works
across fifty years and a range of media, aims
at mapping an itinerary of modernism and
profiles the practice of the Iraqi artist. The
exhibition is curated by Catherine David,
Deputy Director of Musée National d’Art
Moderne at the Centre Georges Pompidou,
Paris.
Revival of Qatar’s musical heritage and
Qatari Folk singing programme
WHEN: Thursday, Friday until April 28
WHERE: Beach 15, Katara
TIME: 6pm to 10pm
Residents will have the opportunity to
watch and enjoy authentic Qatari musical arts
and folk singing every weekend until April 28,
2017 at Katara.
The second edition of this cultural show
dubbed as ‘The Revival of Qatar’s Musical
Heritage and Qatari Folk Singing Programme’
is in line with Katara’s continuous efforts to
preserve the heritage of Qatar’s ancestors.
Some sideline activities at the event
include training sessions, competitions,
exhibitions, documentary research,
publications, and lectures and seminars.
Chamber Music at MIA: Telemann
Concerto for Four Violins
WHEN: March 2
TIME: 6pm
WHERE: Museum of Islamic Art
The monthly free chamber music concert by
members of the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra
in the atrium of Museum of Islamic Art will
be on March 2, with the West Bay skyline as a
backdrop. No tickets or reservations required.
All ages welcome. Seating will be on a firstcome first-serve basis.
E-mail: [email protected], Events and timings subject to change
4
GULF TIMES Tuesday, February 28, 2017
COMMUNITY
COVER STORY
Trumped, and at a loss
Therapists across the US say they’ve been overwhelmed by the strong feelings
triggered by one of the most divisive figures in modern political history. They
say the last time so many people came to therapy was after the 9-11 attacks
By Soumya Karlamangla
I
n her 35 years as a therapist, Arlene
Drake has never heard so many clients
talking about the same issue. Week
after week, they complain of panic
attacks and insomnia because of
President Donald Trump. They’re too anxious
to concentrate at work. One woman’s fear
turned into intense physical pain.
“It’s just a nightmare,” said Drake, who
practices in West Los Angeles.
Drake was trained not to reveal her personal
beliefs, but now will agree with clients if they
say they don’t support Trump.
“If this were just another session, if this
weren’t such a big thing, if this weren’t so
evil, I wouldn’t,” she said. “But I have to stand
for what I stand for, and that does cross over
into politics.”
Therapists nationwide say they’ve been
overwhelmed by the strong feelings triggered
by one of the most divisive figures in modern
political history.
Some patients who support Trump say
they feel isolated because they can’t share
who they voted for in their workplace or
home for fear of being harassed or called
xenophobic or misogynistic. With few people
to talk to freely, they turn to online forums
and their therapists.
Opening up about voting for Trump has
Opening up about voting for
Donald Trump has stoked conflict with
family and friends. One therapist mediated a
case in which an adult son threatened to cut
off his relationship with his parents
because they voted for Trump
stoked conflict with family and friends. One
therapist mediated a case in which an adult
son threatened to cut off his relationship with
his parents because they voted for Trump.
Some mental health professionals, such
as Drake, have abandoned neutrality,
while others are struggling to maintain it.
Therapists on both sides of the political
aisle are grappling with how to help patients
affected by a national issue over which they
have little control.
“This is so monumental because we are
not in normal anymore,” said Randi Gottlieb,
a therapist who heads the LA chapter of
the California Association of Marriage and
Family Therapists. “It’s putting into flux and
questioning how do we practice, what is the
best way to support the people we care for.
We’re beginning those conversations — we
don’t really have good answers.”
Therapists say the last time so many
people came to therapy wanting to talk about
the same thing was after the September 11
attacks. Trump has been a topic of discussion
for months, even for people who see
therapists for issues as seemingly unrelated
as relationship troubles or eating disorders.
“I had a 10-year-old in my office who was
talking about it,” said Paul Puri, a psychiatrist
in Brentwood.
Over the summer, William Doherty, a
professor at the University of Minnesota and
a therapist in St. Paul, published a manifesto
online declaring Trump a unique threat to
America’s mental health.
More than 3,800 therapists signed it.
Doherty wrote that Trump’s campaign
was creating widespread alienation and fear
among Americans. Trump was normalising
behaviour that therapists fight to reverse,
including “the tendency to blame others
in our lives for our personal fears and
insecurities,” he said, and “a kind of hypermasculinity that is antithetical to the
examined life and healthy relationships.”
These issues haven’t gone away now that
Trump is president, Doherty said. He formed
a group last month called Citizen Therapists
for Democracy to consider issues raised
by Trump’s presidency. Therapists aren’t
accustomed to advising patients on how
to handle this kind of “public stress,” since
psychotherapy has traditionally been limited
to private lives and psychology, he said.
Among the unanswered questions for
therapists: Can they validate clients’ feelings
without wading too far into politics? What’s
the best way to uphold and act on their
personal values? How can they help people
deal with something that’s so pervasive and
unpredictable?
“It’s thrown therapists,” Doherty said.
“We’re struggling with it because we’ve never
dealt with it — and now we’re forced to.”
Mental health professionals have also
debated whether to diagnose Trump himself.
Though some have publicly done so, an
ethical standard known as the Goldwater Rule
prevents psychiatrists from diagnosing public
figures without personally evaluating them.
In 1964, more than 1,000 psychiatrists
said in a magazine survey that thenpresidential GOP nominee Barry Goldwater
was psychologically unfit to be president.
It was an ethical misstep that might have
eroded confidence in psychiatry, wrote
Maria A. Oquendo, the head of the American
Psychiatric Association, in a statement last
year reminding members to abide by the rule.
At the most recent board meeting of the
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
GULF TIMES
5
COMMUNITY
COVER STORY
William Doherty,
a professor at
the University of
Minnesota and
a therapist in St.
Paul, published a
manifesto online
declaring Trump
a unique threat to
America’s mental
health. More than
3,800 therapists
signed it
In her 35 years as a therapist, Arlene Drake
has never heard so many clients talking
about the same issue. Week after week, they
complain of panic attacks and insomnia
because of President Donald Trump.“It’s
just a nightmare,” she says
LA County Psychological Association last
month, therapists also discussed how to
talk about Trump, especially with patients
whose political beliefs might differ from their
own. It turned into an hour-long discussion
that Hillary Goldsher, a therapist on the
board, described as “emotional, challenging,
difficult.”
But Goldsher, who practices in Beverly
Hills, said that while she understands
therapists’ desire to condemn Trump,
she thinks opening up could isolate some
patients.
She wants clients to feel free from
judgment, so she redirects them if they ask
whom she voted for.
“You sign up for the notion that your goal
as a therapist is to hold a safe space regardless
of your own beliefs,” she said.
Patients who feel overwhelmed by the new
administration should set hard time limits
for consuming the news, said Allen Wagner,
a therapist in Mid-Wilshire who describes
himself as “solution-focused.” He tells
people to delete Twitter and Facebook apps
from their phones so they’re not constantly
tempted to check them.
Wagner has encouraged others to turn their
anger or frustration into action by attending
rallies or contacting their congressional
representatives. One of his clients wrote
thank-you letters to President Barack Obama
with her children.
“It makes them feel like it’s not something
they’re watching, like a train wreck, and
that there’s some level of control,” he said.
“Maybe it doesn’t change the larger narrative,
but it makes them feel as though they’re
being authentic with themselves.”
In many ways, the election has been more
challenging for his conservative clients, who
feel as though they can’t tell their spouses,
family members or friends that they voted for
Trump, Wagner said.
They fear being automatically labelled
bigots or accused of electing a new Hitler, he
said. They rely on secret Facebook groups to
express their feelings.
“It’s almost become irrational in terms of
the anger people feel toward each other and
the boxes they put each other in,” he said. “I
feel for the people on both sides.”
Robert Puff, a psychologist in Newport
Beach, said that many of his conservative
patients were upset by the way Trump
was portrayed by the media during the
campaign. They dreaded the possibility of a
Hillary Clinton presidency, especially after
what they saw as “eight years of Obama
oppression,” he said.
Puff zeroed in on ways each client could
increase happiness within his or her own
life, regardless of the political landscape.
Now his conservative clients are mostly
relieved Trump is in office, he said.
“They’re happy with what he’s doing,” he
said.
Amy-Lee Goodman, a rape survivor who
lives in Boston, said she broke down after
watching a tape last year of Trump saying,
in a vulgar way, that he could grab women by
the privates. She only felt more upset when
he denied subsequent assault allegations,
and then even more so after the election.
“I just had to turn off the news,” said
Goodman, 29. “It felt personal, like a
personal assault against me, like this whole
country had said what happened to me
didn’t matter, what happens to so many
women doesn’t matter.”
Julia Hochstadt, who is Goodman’s
therapist, said many survivors of sexual
violence had flashbacks and panic attacks
because of the assault allegations against
Trump during the campaign. Many saw
their worst fear, not being believed, play out
on the national stage, she said.
Even now, so many of Hochstadt’s
patients regularly talk about Trump that
she’s had to be extra careful not to get
overwhelmed.
She spends less time scrolling through
her Facebook news feed and watching the
news. She’s skipped a few recent episodes
of the political thriller Homeland, one of
her favourite TV shows, because it feels too
heavy at the end of the day.
“There are fewer and fewer places where
you’re not hearing people talk about this
stuff,” Hochstadt said.
“I have to be ever diligent about carving
out places for myself where I’m not talking
about this, I’m not listening to this.” —Los
Angeles Times/TNS
6
GULF TIMES Tuesday, February 28, 2017
COMMUNITY
BBQ members visit Al Magrabi centre for checkups, workshop
Best Buddies Qatar (BBQ) members visited Al Magrabi Eye, ENT and Dental Center for checkups and
a workshop to increase their health awareness and knowledge of different medical specialisations
and professions recently.
The BBQ members were aged 7-12 years and were from Umm Uslal Al Ali Primary School, Al Qudos
Primary School and Abu Hanifa Primary School for boys. In the end, the doctors and nurses handed
out gifts to Best Buddies Qatar members.
Dr Bassem Gamal, Pediatric Ophthalmology Unit Consultant, commented: “Vision screening is
important to identify children with visual impairment or eye conditions that are likely to lead to vision
loss. The paediatric ophthalmology team is happy to have checked the eyes of our little friends from
Best Buddies Qatar.”
Dr Kadry Shalaby, the administrator of the centre, said: “Al Magrabi’s mission is to provide customeroriented and top quality Ophthalmology, ENT & Dentistry services, in compliance with the highest
international standards. We are committed to deliver healthcare to patients in an environment with
high moral ethical principles. We exercise societal responsibility and commitment to the community
through Al Nour Foundation and other associated charity activities.”
Dr Kadry added: “It is our great pleasure to support Best Buddies Qatar mission and to host the
event for its members. We are glad to build up good relationships with the children.”
Laalei Abu Alfain, the Executive Director of Best Buddies Qatar, thanked Al Magrabi Eye, ENT and
Dental Center for their support of Best Buddies Qatar mission.
She said: “We are happy to co-operate with governmental and non-governmental entities in different
domains to hold the diverse events for Best Buddies Qatar members in order to improve their
knowledge and skills in arts, health, sports, music, cultural and other social activities. We hope to
expand the partnership with Al Margabi Eye, ENT and Dental Center as well as other institutions in
the country.”
City Exchange privilege card holders to get discounts at medical centres
City Exchange conducted its “Privilege Partner Meet” at Crowne Plaza hotel recently. The City
Exchange privilege card will available in two categories, Citex Gold card and Citex Silver card. Citex
Gold and Citex Silver card holders will get an opportunity to avail up to 25% discount on medical
services from Aster Medical Centre, Naseem Al Rabeeh Medical Centre, Focus Medical Centre and
Al Rabeeh Dental Centre. Additionally Citex privilege card holders can avail up to 50% discount for
doctor consultations from these partners.
City Exchange also offers a wide range of discounts to its privilege card holders from Qatar’s
leading restaurants like Mumbai Spices, Sammach, Al Osra, Aromas Ootupura, Spice Boat, Tofu
& Cake, Garden, Mr. Shawarma and Moms Kitchen. These restaurants are providing up to 15%
discount to the privilege card holders.
The exchange says that it will add more privilege partners in the coming days, officials said in a
recent press conference. The card is available at all the branches of City Exchange.
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
GULF TIMES
7
COMMUNITY
Qatari artist Ali al-Mulla’s work
on display at Shangri-La Hotel
From left, Resident Manager Laurent Bourgeois, Ali al-Mulla (in white), and General Manager of
Shangri-La, Alex Willats.
S
hangri-La Hotel Doha is
celebrating its first anniversary
with a fine arts exhibition by the
Qatari artist, Ali al-Mulla.
The art exhibition, which
opened last Thursday at an event held at
the Shangri-La, is scheduled to run until
March 31. The artwork will be showcased at
the Lobby, Lobby Lounge, Horizon Club and
Shanghai Club.
Al-Mulla, who is a member of the Qatar
Fine Arts Society (QFAS), is a unique artist
who often paints without using a brush.
Instead, he relies on the use of his skilful
hands with which he expresses a concept
of modern realistic expressionism using
imaginative techniques. As a result, his work
reflects his passion and dedication to art.
Ali al-Mulla commented: “I’m glad to be
part of the exhibition organised by ShangriLa Doha; it is a great experience for me
because I consider it as a successful push in
the artistic community. I’ll be presenting a
few celebrities in and outside of Qatar and
I’d also like to thank His Excellency Sheikh
Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani as well as the
curators of this exhibition for their efforts.
As a Qatari artist, I aspire to leave a footprint
in my community and I hope everybody will
like my work.”
Ali depicts some of the world’s most
famous faces in new perspectives and
colours. His various techniques include
the use of tools such as knives, brushes
and rolls. The use of colours is essential to
his multi-hued paintings that he achieves
through his remarkable skills with a knife,
which demonstrates his acrylic painting
techniques, according to the curators.
His unique paintings will be available for
purchase throughout the duration of the
exhibition.
The opening was attended by
esteemed guests including ambassadors,
representatives, corporate clients and key
opinion leaders, as well as several members
of the media. Guests were served creative
culinary treats and beverages by Shangri-
La’s expert chefs, designed to provide a
special hospitality experience. Guests were
also treated to mini birthday cakes as a token
of the hotel’s anniversary celebrations.
Alex Willats, General Manager of ShangriLa Hotel Doha, commented: “Shangri-La is
proud to welcome the special art pieces of Ali
al-Mulla to help us express the momentous
occasion of our first-year anniversary.
“Shangri-La Doha benefits from a wide
community in Doha, Qatar and beyond. As
a hotel, we love showcasing arts and culture
exhibitions and we invite everyone to come
and celebrate our first anniversary with us
while sharing our passion for local Qatari
talent.”
QMASS elects new office bearers
QMASS, a socio-cultural organisation functioning under the aegis of Indian Cultural Centre, has elected
its new office bearers for 2017-2019: President Lilar Parambath, General Secretary Shuhaib Kunhikkandy,
Treasurer Ullahas Kayakkandy, Vice-President Ashique Mahe, Secretary Sreejith, Joint Treasurer
Faisal Kandoth, Cultural Secretary Thaju Mamas, Sports Secretary Faisal Kedaran, Joint Cultural
Secretary Rilov Achambath, Joint Sports Secretary Anees C H, PRO Sibeesh T K, Assistant PRO Rizwan
Chalakkara, Auditors Synesh C and Lithesh K, Advisory Rijal T K, and Directors Q-care Manmmadhan
Mambally and Mubarak Abdul Ahad. M P Saleem is the patron, while Abdul Wahid, Noufal Keloth,
Ismath Kallaroth, Faisal Chalakkara, Rafath and Rajeesh T Pare the new executive members.
8
GULF TIMES Tuesday, February 28, 2017
COMMUNITY
Changing attitudes tow
The charity organisation Weyak is gaining popularity for its services in helping th
Mohamed al-Binali, the Executive Director of Weyak.
H
asina, a mother of
four, was completely
distraught. Life was
taking more than its toll
and she was at breakdown
point. In her moment of despair, it
seemed like taking her life would be
the only way out. Thankfully though,
she decided to make one last attempt
to get help and dialled the number of
a local organisation that is reputed for
its reliable counselling. The result?
Thanks to the good counsel she
received, Hasina is alive today and
getting the help she needs.
Hasina’s name is fictional but her
story is not; her help came in the
form of a Doha-based organisation
known as The Mental Health Friends
Association “Weyak”. The charity is
gaining popularity for its services in
helping those suffering from various
forms of mental illnesses in Qatar.
Like Hasina, Sarah is a young girl
who has been suffering from severe
depression. Although she lives in
Qatar, Sarah would make long distance
calls to London to receive counselling
for her condition. On hearing about
Weyak, she began seeking help from
the counsellors at Weyak and today
she has been able to effectively fight
her problem.
Sarah and Hasina are among
several individuals who suffer
from depression or some form of
behavioural health issues and whose
lives have been changed for the better,
as the result of the counselling and
help they receive through Weyak.
Established as a non-profit
association, Weyak provides free
support to people in need of mental
health services through specialised
programmes. Besides providing
support to those in need of help,
the organisation also strives to raise
awareness within the community
on the importance of mental health.
In working towards this goal, Weyak
conducts various programmes to
encourage people to make lifestyle
changes. It also seeks to promote a
positive outlook while persuading
individuals to look beyond their
limitations and circumstances, to
adopt a lifestyle where their potential
can be realised and their dreams
pursued.
In an interview with Community,
Mohamed al-Binali, Executive
Director of Weyak, spoke on the role of
Weyak and the challenges it faces.
Samira Mohamed Barre Abdullah,
Public Relation Specialist at Weyak,
helped with translation.
Tell us something about Weyak.
One of the pillars of Qatar’s national
mental health strategy is to raise
public awareness on mental health
and reduce the stigma associated with
mental illness.
Weyak means ‘with you’. Founded
in 2012 as a national voluntary
association based in Doha, the
association was officially launched in
July 2014.
In working towards Qatar’s vision
for mental health, our mission at
Weyak is to raise awareness in society
through community activities, training
programmes, and conferences. We
also provide psychological counselling
services that support people dealing
with mental illness, while promoting
studies and research on mental health.
Our work involves engaging closely
with local stakeholders and relevant
authorities and utilising local expertise
and media to achieve our goals of
making mental health an issue that
becomes an integral part of healthcare
in Qatar. I’m happy to say Weyak has
managed to achieve credible results,
over the years.
What is the inspiration behind
Weyak?
Research has shown that 1 out of
every 3 or 4 individuals suffers from
some form of mental illness, the
world over. Qatar too has its fair share
of individuals who face problems in
this area. The situation cannot be
ignored; if neglected, it will cause the
breakdown of the family and thus the
entire society, eventually leading to
greater repercussions and costs, to
both families and the government.
Tell us about some of the work
carried out by Weyak.
We have taken a multi-pronged
approach in working towards
spreading awareness within the
society on matters of mental health,
while helping reduce stigma. We
publish information on the subject
regularly, screen relevant films,
conduct lectures and workshops, and
also advocate our cause through social
media.
In addition we encourage people to
seek help rather than hide from mental
illness.
Our services include assistance
through online counselling, phone
counselling, and outreach activities
conducted in institutions. We also
conduct social and community events.
In addition media campaigns are
conducted on TV and the radio.
When people wish to avail of our
online counselling service, they can
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
GULF TIMES
9
COMMUNITY
wards mental illnesses
hose suffering from various forms of mental illnesses in Qatar. By Aney Mathew
post their questions on our website or
contact us through our mobile app;
these questions and problems are then
reviewed and answered by qualified
specialists.
While offering counselling and
other supporting services, we
always ensure the person’s privacy is
protected. Our assistance is not limited
to those suffering from the illness but
is also extended to the caregivers of
those affected by the condition.
Based on your experience, what
are some of the major mental
illnesses that you see in Qatar?
Like anywhere else in the world,
in Qatar too we see people suffering
from various conditions associated
with mental illnesses. However,
we have noticed that anxiety and
depression rank higher than other
problems. Feedback received from our
counselling sessions has shown that
family problems and domestic issues
contribute significantly towards this
situation.
What are some of the challenges
you face when working with
people living with mental health
issues and their families?
Stigma and shame associated with
mental illness is very high, leading
to denial of the condition or the
hesitation to seek timely help.
For instance, we always advise the
entire family to attend our therapy
sessions as they play a significant role
in the recovery process of the suffering
individual. However, ignorance of the
issue and denial of the condition, bring
about a situation where families do not
often take our family therapy sessions
seriously. They are also usually not
committed to the long-term therapy
that is often required.
Prejudice and bias associated
with mental illness is a global
problem. How do you help people
overcome this and seek help?
Stigma can only be overcome by
educating the public. That is why it is
important to work towards increasing
awareness in society through every
channel possible; media plays a major
role in this area.
At Weyak we value the
confidentiality and privacy of the
individual. People who contact
us through our phone or online
counselling services are offered help
without any fee, regardless of who
they are. Those seeking help are not
required to identify themselves. This
anonymity is maintained to encourage
people to approach us for help.
It is important that the society is
educated on the subject of mental
health, as this is the only way the
public learns to empathise with those
suffering from problems and become
supportive of their issues. It is also
important to extend support to the
caregivers and family members of
A mentoring workshop in progress.
those dealing with the problem.
Tell us about one of your
programmes aimed at increasing
awareness within the community
on this important issue?
The campaign “Kilna Weyak” which
translates into “All of us are with
you” is one of our programmes that
has made significant impact. It was
supported by leading public figures in
Qatar including celebrated sportsmen,
prominent writers, businessmen,
and social media influencers. The
campaign targeted society as a whole
through various events we conducted
and it included strong media
campaign. Social media was also
effectively used to break the stigma
surrounding mental health. Through
this campaign we also encouraged
discussion surrounding mental health.
From where does Weyak get its
support?
We are a charitable association,
and our support comes from various
organisations. As we work on different
projects, the funding is based on the
project being carried out. Local Qatari
NGOs including Qatar Charity, Jassim
and Hamad Bin Jassim Charitable
Two Weyak volunteers in discussion.
Foundation, and RAF are among those
who support us.
We cannot achieve our goals
without the help of our volunteers.
We have professionals and experts
working in the area of mental health
who are willing to volunteer their
services and provide counselling
to both: the individuals suffering
from mental illness as well as their
families.
Anything else you would like
to add.
One of the challenges we face is
that sponsors and organisations
that offer us funds often impose
restrictions and conditions with
the expectation of immediate
results. I would like to request
individuals, institutions and
organisations to come forward
and support our projects without
seeking immediate or short-term
results. It is important to bear in
mind that any worthwhile result
achieved as the result of working
towards educating a society on the
importance of mental health, or
helping a person suffering from a
mental illness cannot be measured
in a short period of time. Tangible
results in this area take time to bear
fruit.
Weyak conducts seminars and conferences to promote dialogue on the subject of mental health.
Children perform a skit on World Mental Health Day. Weyak believes that the stigma
associated with mental illnesses can only be overcome by educating the public.
10 GULF TIMES Tuesday, February 28, 2017
COMMUNITY
INFOGRAPHIC
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
GULF TIMES
11
COMMUNITY
LIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE
5 fiscally-friendly budgeting
tips for your family
K
ids grow up so fast.
As they do, those bills
grow up right along
with them – often
faster than you can
bring more money in, right? Yes,
your budget is tighter than ever
before, but you certainly don’t want
to sacrifice the fun things you do as
a family just because of money.
The good news is that you don’t
have to sacrifice fun. There are
plenty of budget friendly choices
and ways to cut expenses without
cutting the fun. Start with these
five tips below and you’ll keep your
family’s free time fun without being
financially frivolous.
Cut the cable
Your family loves watching
television shows together, and
when it comes to selection
you’ve got plenty to choose from
– network TV, cable/satellite,
streaming and DVD/Blue Rays.
And you pay for all of them when
you probably don’t need to. Record
your family’s TV habits for a couple
of weeks and see what you use and
what you don’t. If streaming is the
big thing in your home, you can
save money by eliminating cable
and you can probably cut back on
your DVD/Blu-Ray purchases as
well.
Look for value where you dine
Parents love the perks of dining
out – you get to skip the cooking,
serving and clean-up, and get to
focus on what’s really important:
spending time with family. While
dining out can be expensive, you
don’t have to sacrifice it in the
name of a budget, just be smarter
about where you choose to go.
Rethink your cell phone bill
You’re quick to ditch your old
phone the minute you’re eligible
for an upgrade, but you’re hesitant
ARIES
March 21 — April 19
There is nothing you can do about someone’s perception of you
right now Aries. Even if it’s completely off track. Actions speak louder
than words.
CANCER
June 21 — July 22
If you feel someone is deliberately trying to mislead you today,
ask yourself why? Do they mean to steer you off track or is it
unintentional? Or a bit of both?
LIBRA
September 23 — October 22
You have options today. Don’t think you don’t. Being an air sign you
can always come up with Plan B or even Plan C...so don’t worry you
are out of options.
CAPRICORN
December 22 — January 19
Don’t worry too much about something that was said about you at
work last week. Gossip is just that - people standing around with a
few facts and an active imagination.
to change providers. Don’t be.
With family cell phone bills
starting to resemble car payments,
it’s time to put this expense under
the microscope. The cell phone
market is more competitive than
ever and often there are real cost
benefits in switching plans. So
shop around and find the best
plan for your family’s needs. It’s
one upgrade worth getting excited
about.
Pull the plug
The modern home is always
plugged in and that shows up on
your electric bill. Many gadgets
– like your TV, cable boxes, DVD
player or computer – are actually
vampire electronics, meaning they
suck energy even when they’re
turned off. So unplug these items
when they’re not in use, it won’t
hamper your enjoyment of them
at all and it will save you money on
your monthly bill.
Plan a staycation
Vacations can be one of the
most expensive activities a family
does each year. Instead of breaking
the bank on a lavish trip, explore
the benefits of a staycation. From
historical sites to campgrounds
to free museums, you can save
hundreds of dollars and still have
fun by staying close to home. Be
TAURUS
April 20 — May 20
Be open to a new way of doing something you have done a hundred
times before. You tend to get stuck in your lane at times and every
now and again, you need to take a detour.
LEO
July 23 — August 22
Being passive aggressive is something that we all do and yet we all
frown upon and hate when someone is passive aggressive with us.
So don’t be that passive aggressive person today.
SCORPIO
October 23 — November 21
Sometimes you overthink things Scorpios and end up not being able
to make a decision and stick to it due to your utter confusion. It’s
usually the first thing that pops into your head.
AQUARIUS
January 20 — February 18
Avoid conflicts today. You’ve got your opinion and other people have
their opinions. If you can meld the 2 opinions together, all good.
creative! Check your city or state’s
tourism website or your local
newspaper for family-friendly
events, coupons and discounts for
local activities. You will be amazed
by how much money you can save
and how much fun you can have in
your own backyard.
©Brandpoint
GEMINI
May 21 — June 20
There is never a good time to break some bad news to someone. It
might be a conversation you’ve been putting off for way too long.
Make it a priority twins and get it over with.
VIRGO
August 23 — September 22
Unless you are 100% sure about something or someone, don’t put
too much of your time and energy into it Virgos. Save it for another
time and place.
SAGITTARIUS
November 22 — December 21
Make the very most of Venus the lover in your romance and fun
zone before she goes out of phase March 4. If you’re single, this is a
wonderful time to be out and about.
PISCES
February 19 — March 20
Money is going to be on your mind for months thanks to Venus the
lover in your second house (through June 6). Work up a budget and
stick to it, Pisces.
12 GULF TIMES Tuesday, February 28, 2017
COMMUNITY
Wordsearch
Adam
Pooch Cafe
Stars
ALDEBARAN
ALTAIR
ANTARES
ARCTURUS
BETELGEUSE
CANOPUS
CAPELLA
CASTOR
DENEB
FOMALHAUT
POLLUX
PROCYON
REGULUS
RIGEL
SIRIUS
SPICA
TAU CETI
VEGA
Codeword
Puzzles courtesy: Puzzlechoice.com
Every letter of the alphabet is used at least once.
Squares with the same number in have the same letter
in. Work out which number represents which letter.
Garfield
Sudoku
Bound And Gagged
Sudoku is a puzzle based
on a 9x9 grid. The grid is
also divided into nine (3x3)
boxes. You are given a
selection of values and to
complete the puzzle, you
must fill the grid so that
every column, every anone
is repeated.
CARTOONS/PUZZLES
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
COMMUNITY
PUZZLES
Super Cryptic Clues
ACROSS
1. ‘Fish and fruit? Goody!’ said
the Spaniard (5,4)
6. That’s the name, master, of
the game (5)
9. Plus being no less hard (5)
10. He helps the man in, as it’s
rocking (9)
11. Clowning on the part of the
cat? (10)
12. What the lawyer gave you
can be given back, too (4)
14. Is faster at cracking our nuts
(7)
15. Check the writing and the
plot, in case (7)
17. Favour the setter frisking
round inside (7)
19. Determines to get seats (7)
20. Point to the left less than the
others (4)
22. Cutting the cast drastically in
it, but not minding, now (4,6)
25. Nobody could make me do it!
(9)
26. Try on the brown for the
dance (5)
27. The man is, by the way, a
woman (5)
28. Rush and, thriving, beside it a
wild flower (9)
Colouring
DOWN
1. The smallest in the Latin
Quarter (5)
2. They get fed up with each
other! (9)
3. Quite good, as the car looks
after you’ve cleaned it?
(3,2,5)
4. They’re wise to have a big
clear-out in it (7)
5. Guarantees three points:
bound to go in (7)
6. He invites one into the
blazing sun (4)
7. Will or will not take (5)
8. They work, instead, to
counteract poisons (9)
13. Walked off with, lost in
thought (10)
14. Loves wandering about: sure
is different from us (9)
16. Delay for a flirtation (9)
18. Coats the woman’s put round
the boy (7)
19. Deliver to put on the house
(3,4)
21. Only about five finish the
puzzle (5)
23. The rumbling sound does
increase to one side (5)
24. Sole will get caught in it no
longer (4)
Yesterday’s Solutions
Across: 1 Dundee; 4 Cobblers;
10 Garbage; 11 Titular; 12 Echo;
13 Saxophones; 16 Ermine; 17
Decrial; 20 Arsenal; 21 Income;
24 Charitable; 25 Gist; 27
Recoils; 29 Explain; 30 Distends;
31 Prised.
GULF TIMES
Down: 1 Doggerel; 2
Northumbria; 3 Exam; 5
Outvoted; 6 Butchering; 7 Ell; 8
Stress; 9 Delay; 14 Neapolitans;
15 Indecisive; 18 Harassed; 19
Destined; 22 Scared; 23 Sleek; 26
Spar; 28 Cos.
Answers
Wordsearch
Codeword
13
14 GULF TIMES Tuesday, February 28, 2017
COMMUNITY
POP SPOT
in
brief
Rag ‘N’ Bone Man
Rag ‘n’ Bone Man has come a long way since being featured in this column last
year. The Sussex-based soul singer and songwriter, real name Rory Graham,
won the Critics’ Choice prize at the recent BRIT Awards and has now stormed
straight to number one on the UK chart with his debut album, Human.
The album proved so popular that it outsold the rest of the top ten combined.
Human is also the fastest-selling debut album by a male artist during the 2010s.
His sales outnumber those of hugely successful artists such as Ed Sheeran and
Sam Smith.
Only three debutants have sold more albums in one week during the present
decade. One Direction’s Up All Night, Rebecca Ferguson’s Heaven and Noel
Gallagher’s High Flying Birds’ self-titled LP. All were issued in 2011.
Rag ‘n’ Bone Man’s first week sales have also surpassed those of the nine
previous recipients of the Critics’ Choice Award. Only Emeli Sande’s Our Version
of Events, Jessie J’s Who You Are and Sam Smith’s In The Lonely Hour came
anywhere near the 117,000 sales of Human.
The first winner, Adele, shifted just 73,000 copies of 19 during her debut week
in 2008. However, first week sales for her latest album, 25, topped 800,000 last
November. Rag ‘n’ Bone Man’s popularity will have to increase spectacularly
before he can approach that kind of number.
The Beatles
RIDING THE SUCCESS WAVE: Starley was ready to quit and get what she describes as “a real job,” but that is now
in the past.
One last song places
Starley Hope in the charts
By Geoffrey Rowlands
S
tarley Hope was so close
to giving up on the music
business. The Australian
singer/songwriter had
left her home in Sydney
and travelled across the world to
London in search of success. But
years of playing in small venues
to appreciative but un-influential
audiences had taken their toll.
Starley was ready to quit and get
what she describes as “a real job.”
“People seemed to enjoy my
songs,” she remarked. “But they
weren’t the right people. I didn’t
have record company A&R men
telling me how good I was and
trying to sign me to their label. It
just felt like I was getting nowhere
and had no prospect of the
situation ever changing.”
Despite her despair and
apparent resignation to her
unhappy fate, there was still a
part of Starley which retained
that driving determination to
succeed. This emerged one night
in her bedroom when she decided
to write one last song. It was
this which became her smash hit
single, Call On Me.
“The song just poured out of
me. I think it was my subconscious
urging me to keep trying and keep
the faith that everything was going
to work out okay. I always say it
was like I created my own beacon
of hope in the realisation that
my dreams were not impossible.
I could figure it out. I needed to
follow my intuition and basically
called on myself to make it
happen.”
Although Call On Me did
attract interest from record labels,
sales success was by no means
immediate. The song made no
impact on the charts when it was
initially released last July. But a rerelease in October, accompanied
by a number of remixes, was met
with the kind of response which
was way beyond Starley’s wildest
dreams.
“My Spotify listeners went from
virtually zero to more than seven
million in just a few days. The
Spotify people said they had never
seen anything like this happen
with a brand new artist. The
numbers kept rising to more than
13 million monthly listeners.”
Online listening translated into
international chart success. Call
On Me has become hugely popular
throughout the world reaching
the top ten in numerous countries
and hitting the number one spot in
Sweden.
“The transformation in my
life over the last few months has
been unbelievable. I’m travelling
all over the world promoting and
performing Call On Me.”
Of the five remixes released with
the original recording, the version
of Call On Me created by Australian
DJ Ryan Riback has generated by
far the most interest.
“He gave it a more uptempo
house beat. This is the track that
topped the Swedish chart.”
One of the other remixes is by
Australian electronic dance music
duo Odd Mob. Although Starley’s
life has changed dramatically
through her success with Call On
Me, she got at least a taste of what
was to come last year when her
vocals were used on Into You, Odd
Mob’s EDM cover of Canadian
R&B singer Tamia’s 1998 hit, So
Into You.
“We stayed at number one on
the Australian Club Tracks chart
for seven weeks. That was a special
time for me. Music is my life, my
coping mechanism, my joy, my
love. I had tangible proof that all
the hard work and sacrifice was
finally beginning to pay off.”
Her success with Call On Me
confirmed Starley’s belief.
“I think people connect with
the raw emotion in the lyrics. Call
On Me is basically my soul under
a magnifying glass. Combine that
with a high energy tropical house
beat and the result is a meaningful
song which can fill dance floors.”
The Beatles classic song, Strawberry Fields Forever, recently turned 50 years
old. It was released in mid-February, 1967, as a double A-side single with Penny
Lane.
Despite being hailed as a defining work of the psychedelic rock genre,
Strawberry Fields Forever peaked at number two on the UK chart. This brought
to an end the four-year run of every Beatles single taking pole position.
The double A-side debuted at number five when Petula Clark held top spot
with This Is My Song. It then spent the next three weeks in second place behind
Engelbert Humperdinck’s Release Me.
Strawberry Fields Forever was inspired by John Lennon’s childhood visits to the
wooded garden behind Strawberry Field, a Salvation Army children’s home not
far from where he lived. The home, which closed in 2005, became a place of
pilgrimage for many Beatles fans.
Plans have now been made to revive the historic site. Proposals from the
Salvation Army include a training centre for young people with learning
disabilities, a haven for spiritual exploration and an exhibition space covering
the history of the children’s home, the song and John’s early life around
Strawberry Field.
A website detailing the project can be viewed at www.strawberryfieldliverpool.
com/
Donations are welcome but items are also available to buy from the online store.
At present, these are limited to a range of T-shirts and coffee mugs.
Al Jarreau
Al Jarreau, who died earlier this month, was the only singer to have won
Grammy Awards in the jazz, pop and R&B categories.
Although Al’s records were enormously popular in the genre charts, he was
never massively successful in the mainstream listings. His biggest hit single was
1981’s We’re In This Love Together. The song peaked at number 15 on Billboard’s
Hot 100. It was taken from Al’s biggest hit album, Breakin’ Away, which reached
number nine on the Billboard 200.
Television viewers who may not have been familiar with his body of work
will have heard Al performing the theme for the comedy-drama series,
Moonlighting. The show, which ran for five seasons during the mid to late 1980s,
launched Bruce Willis to stardom. The theme song reached number eight on the
UK singles chart giving Al by far his biggest British hit.
The video for We’re In This Love Together can be seen at www.youtube.com/
watch?v=otVH5cv9z1A
An audio posting of Moonlighting is at www.youtube.com/
watch?v=qZxLXuFfPvM
Al had continued performing during the 2010s despite contracting several
serious illnesses. But the toll was finally too great. He announced his retirement
just two days before succumbing to respiratory failure. He was 76.
Lana Del Rey
Apart from her 2010 self-titled debut LP, all of Lana Del Rey’s albums have
proved hugely successful reaching either number one or number two in Britain
and America. But her singles have not fared anything like so well. Just three
have reached the UK top ten and only one in the US.
Lana, real name Elizabeth Grant, is trying again now with the release of her
latest single, Love. The lead song from her forthcoming as-yet-untitled fifth
studio album, Lana announced the music video via a posting on her Instagram
account. This can be seen at www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlGicylOfwA
The video for Love is at www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-NTv0CdFCk
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
GULF TIMES
15
COMMUNITY
SHOWBIZ
Blame it on LA Times
TRANSFORMATION: Sunny Pawar, left, in a scene from Lion; and at the Oscars.
Another Mumbai
slumkid basks
in Oscar glory
By Quaid Najmi
M
umbai slumkid and Lion
star Sunny Pawar basked
in the limelight at the
89th Academy Awards
ceremony where he won
accolades from the audience having some
of the world’s greatest actors after reenacting a scene from The Lion King with
host Jimmy Kimmel. The seven-year-old
was selected from 2,000 children across
schools in India to play the role of the
young Saroo Brierley.
A Class 3 student of the Air India
Model School where he is good in studies,
Sunny and his younger brother and sister,
live with parents Dilip Pawar, a former
government office sweeper, and homemaker mother Vasu, in a slum in Kalina in
the western suburbs, near the airport.
Despite his humble background, Sunny
zoomed through auditioning rounds in
Mumbai and Pune to land a plum role in
the blockbuster Hollywood biographical
film Lion, sources close to his family and
the production house said.
“Sunny was selected from around 2,000
talented children in a hunt in schools
all over India, culminating in the final
auditions held in Mumbai and Pune some
one-and-half year ago. He fitted the role
perfectly,” a source said.
Sunny is cast in the role of a young Saroo
Brierley, who was stranded in a train which
catapulted him hundreds of kms away
from home to busy Kolkata. There, he ekes
out an existence on the footpaths, before a
young Australian couple adopts him. The
elder version of Saroo was played by Dev
Patel in the film.
Though he could barely speak English,
Sunny’s bubbly, charismatic presence
more than made up the communication
shortcomings, with the co-operation of
the entire film crew.
“Film director, Garth Davis had to
put in a lot of efforts with Sunny during
the shooting in India and Australia. For
instance, he used sign language to make
Sunny understand the dialogues, enact the
sad or emotional scenes,” said the source.
The first half of the film, mostly hogged
by the little Sunny, is in Hindi and he
delivered the dialogues with ease and
finesse.
But on the sets — his shooting schedules
spanned over three months in Kolkata and
Madhya Pradesh in India, and Melbourne,
Tasmania in Australia — he was accorded
ordinary treatment.
“No pampering of any sort, no special
treatment in any manner. After all, he
was playing a very emotional role and was
required to keep that demeanour,” the
source explained.
But, he chilled out a lot with his onscreen mother, Nicole Kidman, who he
also taught to play cricket, and with his
on-screen father, David Wenham. Some
of those scenes finally figured even in the
released film.
At the shootings, Sunny was
accompanied by his father and translator
Rahul to interact with the production team
and others.
Sunny has become the most popular
child star of the awards season.
Close on the success of Lion, Love Sonia
featuring Sunny and another Mumbai girl
Frieda Pinto is ready for release later this
year.
“However, he has not exactly been
swamped with offers from Bollywood. But
that is because he has remained extremely
tied up with Lion and Love Sonia and was
away from the country for several spells,”
the source said.
It is not known when Sunny will return
home, but he can surely expect a Lion’s
welcome!
Incidentally, exactly 10 years ago, some
slum children from Mumbai had grabbed
global attention with Danny Boyles’
Slumdog Millionaire, which incidentally
starred a much-younger Dev Patel in a key
role.
The main child actors in that multiOscar winning film — Rubina Ali,
Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail and Tanvi
Ganesh Lonkar — are now grown-up
teenagers leading normal lives in Mumbai,
away from the arc lights. — IANS
The 12th Academy Awards made history for a
number of reasons.
The ceremony honoured the films of 1939, a year
considered by many to have produced some of the
greatest movies of all time. Among the nominated
works: Wuthering Heights, The Wizard of Oz,
Goodbye Mr. Chips, Gone with the Wind and Mr.
Smith Goes to Washington.
Hattie McDaniel became the first African
American to win an acting award, for her role
in Gone with the Wind. And Judy Garland was
officially introduced to her Hollywood peers when
she won the academy’s Juvenile Award for The
Wizard of Oz.
It was also the last Oscars ceremony for which
the names of winners were released to the press,
or anyone for that matter, before the onstage
announcement.
Why did they turn to a secret system?
You have the Los Angeles Times to thank for that.
The academy’s official history lays blame on The
Times for breaking an embargo and publishing the
winners in the paper’s evening edition before the
ceremony was underway. Think of it as the era’s
equivalent of a tweet that scooped everyone else.
As the academy’s website says, the premature
publication took place “much to the Academy’s
dismay” and made the winners list “readily
available to guests arriving for the event.”
Not much suspense there. And this is an
industry that knows not to give away an ending.
The next year, the top-secret winners envelopes
— like the one that went awry at this year’s Oscars
— were put into action. The Times’ report on the
new system pronounced it pretentious.
“No vestige of an authoritative pre-release was
vouchsafed while the roll call of honorees went on
until the midnight hour,” the paper said.
The details about how La La Land won, then
lost, the best picture award to Moonlight, are still
being sorted. But the consensus is that it started
when presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway
were handed the wrong envelope. —Los Angeles
Times/TNS
Dum Laga Ke Haisha changed
my life, says Bhumi Pednekar
Actress Bhumi Pednekar, who was seen playing a
smart plus-sized girl named Sandhya in Dum Laga
Ke Haisha, says the National Award winning film
changed her life.
Dum Laga Ke Haisha completed two years since its
release on Monday. The 27-year-old actress says the
film is special to her.
“Two years to the day my life changed Dum Laga
Ke Haisha nothing can be as special as you... Sharat
Katariya, Ayushmann Khurrana... Two years of Dum
Laga Ke Haisha,” Bhumi tweeted.
The 2015 romantic comedy film revolves around
a boy named Prem essayed by Ayushmann, a school
dropout, who hesitantly marries an educated but
overweight girl, Sandhya. The couple come closer
when they take part in a race, which involves Prem
carrying Sandhya on his back. — IANS
FOND MEMORIES: Bhumi Pednekar.
16 GULF TIMES Tuesday, Febraury 28, 2017
COMMUNITY
The clones are still among us
Twenty years ago, a sweet little lamb caused a global sensation and gave birth
to a new fear of a genetically perfected human baby. Has cloning impacted the
genes of children or found its way into the food we eat? By Silvia Kusidlo
D
olly is looking a bit bemused at
the visitors arriving these days at
the Royal Museum in Edinburgh.
It was 20 years ago – February 23,
1997 – that reports surfaced about
the birth of an extremely exceptional lamb.
Dolly – named after the country and
western singer Dolly Parton – is now a stuffed
specimen, standing inside a glass showcase.
In case you’ve forgotten, we’re talking about
the world’s first cloned mammal. At the time,
this sweet-looking mountain lamb triggered a
wave of fear and heated debate about the ethics
of science. The question on everyone’s lips:
Will humans be next for cloning?
Dolly is a genetic copy of another sheep
and has no biological father, created in the
laboratory by means of a process called somatic
cell nuclear transfer (SCNT).
Scientists Ian Wilmut and Keith Campbell
of the Roslin Institute near Edinburgh were the
ones to remove the nucleus containing all the
animal’s genetic information from an egg cell.
The researchers then placed the nucleus
in another cell from the animal’s body. This
was placed in a nutrient solution, triggering
the start of the division of the cell. Then this
was implanted in the womb of a ewe to grow
further.
Following on the sensation of Dolly,
there emerged a genuine cloning race – for
example in horse and cattle breeding. At the
biotechnology institute in Munich, genetics
researcher Christoph Then notes that “in the
United States for example the sperm of cloned
bulls are for sale. There are also companies that
to a limited degree offer cloned racing horses.”
In South Korea, grieving dog owners can
order up copies of their deceased pet. And,
especially effective drug-sniffing dogs are now
also being duplicated, while China has reported
the birth of a cloned cow that was engineered
with an additional gene to improve the quality
of its meat.
Meat in Europe, meanwhile, is still far
removed from such a scenario, however. If used
at all, cloning is reserved for medical research.
At the Ludwig-Maximilian University (LMU) in
Munich, for example, animals that are ill with
diabetes or cystic fibrosis are cloned.
“On these animals one can test how
the illness evolves and whether certain
medications are effective,” says Eckhard Wolf
of the LMU genetic research centre. “This is a
very important supplement to our experiments
with mice.”
In such model animals the scientists will
often change the genetic material in order to
provide the cloned animal with specifically
new characteristics.
For example, this can range from accelerated
growth all the way to resistance to germs.
Professor Wolf was the first scientist
in Germany to clone an animal – a calf
called Uschi born in 1998. “Uschi became
a grandmother many times over and was
clinically healthy,” he says.
Dolly wasn’t so lucky. Born July 5, 1996 in
Scotland – the scientists only revealed the
scientific breakthrough event to the public
in February 1997 – Dolly lived in a tightlyguarded concrete building to protect her from
hailstones and protesters.
Dolly the cloned sheep, named after singer Dolly Parton, is now a stuffed specimen, standing inside a glass showcase.
She lived on a diet of pills filled with
nutrients but never was permitted simply to
graze on some grass. The animal was sickly –
aching joints and lung ailments plagued the
creature. Dolly was put down at the age of just
six, about half the normal age of sheep.
But, as Uschi the cow shows, such a fate
must not be typical for a cloned animal. Kevin
Sinclair, a researcher at Nottingham University,
carried out studies on 13 cloned sheep aged
seven to nine years – 60 to 70 years in human
terms.
Four of the animals – Debbie, Denise,
Dianna and Daisy – were from the same
cell line as Dolly, meaning they were of the
same genetic material. The sheep showed no
signs of premature ageing. The conclusion,
the researchers said in the journal Nature
Communications, is that cloned animals can
lead a long and healthy life.
All the same, there is a lot of criticism of
cloning of animals, among other reasons
because many experiments fail and the
embryos die. Veterinarian Christoph Then
says, “I am opposed for animal protection
reasons.”
Transparency and freedom of choice for
consumers is particularly important when it
comes to meat from cloned animals, he says.
“In Britain, cloned animal meat is already to be
found in shops.”
The most terrifying vision of many critics
Uschi the cloned cow became a grandmother many times over and was clinically healthy.
was the prospect of a cloned human being.
In 2003, the Raelian sect – which believes
mankind was created by extraterrestrials –
proclaimed such human copies were now
already living among us. However, no one has
seen any of these creatures, and experts back
then strongly doubted the claim.
Edinburgh scientist Ian Wilmut strictly
opposes human cloning. “How could I
ever cope with living with someone who
is exactly like me?” he once asked in an
interview. “I believe that most of us would
find it rather difficult, having to live with
ourselves.” -DPA