t17 09 2013

44
44 TUESDAY, September 17, 2013 / 11 DHUL QA’ADA 1434 AH timesofoman.com facebook.com/timesofoman twitter.com/timesofoman blog.timesofoman.com ISO 9001:2008 Certified Company Five young Omani musicians got an opportunity to play at the Royal Opera House Muscat (ROHM) on Sunday, an opportunity they are not likely to forget anytime soon. >A2 OMANI SYMPHONY ECHOES AT ROHM 176 His Majesty issues Royal Decree MUSCAT: His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has issued a Royal Decree No. (43/2013) Issuing a System for the Public Authority for Civil Aviation (PACA). Article One: The attached sys- tem shall be applied to the Public Authority for Civil Aviation. Article Two: The chairman of the Board of Directors of the Pub- lic Authority for Civil Aviation shall issue the necessary regula- tions and decisions to implement provisions of the attached system. Until such regulations are is- sued, the authority shall be gov- erned by the laws and regulations applicable to the state adminis- trative apparatus units for items not stated in the attached system subject that they do not contradict with its provisions. Article Three: Cancels all that contravenes with the attached system or contradicts with its provisions. Article Four: The decree comes into force from the next day fol- lowing its publishing. - ONA SYSTEM FOR PACA HM sends condolences MUSCAT: His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has sent a cable of condolences to Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasmi, Mem- ber of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah on the death of his sister Sheikha Alia. In his cable, His Majesty the Sultan has expressed his sincere condolences and sympathy, pray- ing to Allah the Almighty to rest the deceased’s soul in peace and grant Sheikh Dr Al Qasmi and his family patience. -ONA CABLE NEW YORK: For the first time America’s top beauty queen is a woman of Indian origin, and she is playing down racist tweets that say she looks like an ‘Asian terrorist’. The new Miss America is Nina Davuluri, a 24-year-old from New York who wants to be a doctor. She called her crowning Sunday night at the Atlantic City pageant in which she performed a traditional Bollywood dance a victory for diversity in America. “It was the first time Bolly- wood has been performed on the Miss America stage. It’s an hon- our for myself and my communi- ty,” Davuluri told ABC television yesterday morning. “Halfway through, I just start- ed crying because you know, it was such an incredible experi- ence being on that Miss America stage,” she said. “It was so mean- ingful and powerful.” Davuluri is beaming despite a spurt of racist tweets about her. She downplayed them, however. “I have to rise above that,” she said at a news conference on Sunday night after being crowned. “I always viewed myself as first and foremost Ameri- can.” Many described the beauty queen, who is believed to be a practicing Hindu, as an Asian who looks like a terrorist. Racial prejudice A user with the handle @emi_ad- kins said “It’s called Miss Ameri- ca. Get outta here New York you look like a terrorist. #bye #amer- icanforamerica.” Lue Brasili exclaimed “9/11 was four days ago and she gets Miss America,” while user Karl Sharro said “Al Qaeda influenced the liberal judges.” Others, like the Jezebel feminist blog, de- nounced the comments, saying “racists are being racist because Miss America isn’t white.” “This world is so ignorant. #Miss America Indian or not had every right to gain the title of Miss America. This is why I want to leave America!” chimed in @ CJlovebug. Davuluri competed on the platform issue of “cele- brating diversity through cultural competency.” “I’m so happy this organisation has embraced diversity,” she said at the news conference. “I’m thank- ful there are children watching at home who can finally relate to a new Miss America.”. -AFP NEW MISS AMERICA Chemical arms used in Syria, confirms UN UNITED NATIONS: A UN pho- tograph of chief UN chemical weapons investigator Ake Sell- strom handing over his report on an August 21 gas attack on Da- mascus suburbs shows that the report confirms use of the deadly nerve agent sarin. “On the basis of the evidence obtained during the investigation of the Ghouta incident, the con- clusion is that chemical weapons have been used in the ongoing conflict between the parties in the Syrian Arab Republic ... against civilians, including children, on a relatively large scale,” the report said. “In particular the environmen- tal, chemical and medical sam- ples we have collected provide clear and convincing evidence that surface to surface rockets containing the nerve agent sarin were used,” it said. The photo released by the Unit- ed Nations shows Sellstrom giv- ing the report to UN Secretary- General Ban Ki-moon. A reporter for UN Tribune website zoomed in on the photo revealing its contents. Reuters downloaded a high-resolution version of the photo and con- firmed what the text contained. The results of Sellstrom’s in- vestigation are not surprising. Several weeks ago US Secretary of State John Kerry announced that sarin had been used in the chemical attack on the Ghouta re- gion near Damascus. The US said 1,400 people were killed, includ- ing more than 400 children. Ban said on Friday that Sell- strom’s report would be an “over- whelming ” confirmation of the use of chemical weapons. He also said that Assad “has committed many crimes against humanity,” though he did not say whether it was Assad’s forces or rebels who were behind the August 21 attack. He added that Assad would be held to account for his crimes. The UN confirmation of the use of sarin gas on August 21 comes as France, Britain and the United States agreed at three-way Paris talks to seek a “strong and robust” UN resolution that sets precise and binding deadlines on removal of chemical weapons. The statement from French President Francois Hollande’s office followed talks involv- ing the foreign ministers of the three countries and Hollande in Paris, two days after Russia and the United States struck a deal on chemical weapons that could avert US military action. -Reuters See also >A7 The inspectors’ report says that chemical weapons have been used against civilians, including children on a relatively large scale CLINCHING EVIDENCE: Chairperson of the United Nations Com- mission of Inquiry on Syria, Paulo Sergio Pinheiro and Carla del Ponte, left, member of the Commission, attend a press conference following the presentation of the report, in Geneva, yesterday. – AFP GCC countries mull Anti-Monopoly Law MUSCAT: The GCC countries are considering the promulga- tion of Standards GCC Compe- tition and Anti-Monopoly Law for encouraging competition and combating any practices that may restrict trade, or prevent competi- tion among public organisations in these countries. Khalid bin Said Al Shuaibi, Di- rector General of Organisations and Trade Relations at the Min- istry of Commerce and Industry, said the law would apply to all economic activities in the GCC and will kick in if practices affect competition in any one or more of the GCC countries. He pointed out that some GCC countries have certain reserva- tions on the draft law but hopeful- ly, a consensus would be reached. He affirmed that the Public Au- thority for Consumer Protection, in collaboration with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Oman Chamber of Commerce and In- dustry and the Ministry of Legal Affairs, has already drafted the national competition and anti- monopoly law. Under revision The law is currently under revi- sion by the authorities concerned. He added that the law will en- courage competition, enhance efficiency of production, distribu- tion of services and ensure trade liberalisation. The national law will address the issues related to competition and monopoly at the national level while the Gulf law will deal with the same issues con- cerning the Gulf companies. -ONA BETTER TRADE PRACTICES HARBINGER OF RESPITE Dark clouds are seen gathering over the Al Hamra horizon in Al Dakhiliyah region, bringing in hope of much-needed respite from the current high temperature. — Cio Datan/TIMES OF OMAN A15 12 killed in shooting at US Navy Yard OMAN Positive outlook for Oman economy 1 The latest Mena Consumer Confidence Index Survey, conducted by Bayt.com, and YouGov, shows that people across the region anticipate a rise in the living cost in their countries in next six months.>A3 REGION Rowhani tells Guards to stay out of politics 2 Iranian President Hassan Rowhani told Iran’s powerful Revolutionary Guards yesterday they should not get involved in politics, in a carefully worded speech that sought to avoid antagonising the elite military force. >A6 MARKET Centre of excellence to meet railway needs 3 A major centre of excellence to cater to the emerging requirements of professionals in the railway sector from within the country and outside, will be formed in the Sultanate soon. >B3 TOP THREE INSIDE STORIES America’s top beauty queen downplays racist tweets NEW YORK: America’s top woman of Ind is playing do that say she lo terrorist’ . The new Mi Davuluri, a New York wh doctor. She ca Sunday night a pageant in wh a traditional B victory for div “It was the wood has been Miss America our for myself ty,” Davuluri t yesterday mor “Halfway th ed crying bec was such an ence being on stage,” she said ingful and pow Davuluri is spurt of racist She downplay “I have to ri said at a ne Sunday n crow vie an d ownp l a y s r a

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Page 1: T17 09 2013

44

TUESDAY, September 17, 2013 / 11 DHUL QA’ADA 1434 AH timesofoman.com facebook.com/timesofoman twitter.com/timesofoman blog.timesofoman.com ISO 9001:2008 Certifi ed Company

Five young Omani musicians got an opportunity to play at the Royal Opera House Muscat (ROHM) on Sunday, an opportunity they are not likely to forget anytime soon. >A2

OMANI SYMPHONY ECHOES AT ROHM

176

His Majesty issuesRoyal DecreeMUSCAT: His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has issued a Royal Decree No. (43/2013) Issuing a System for the Public Authority for Civil Aviation (PACA).

Article One: The attached sys-tem shall be applied to the Public Authority for Civil Aviation.

Article Two: The chairman of the Board of Directors of the Pub-lic Authority for Civil Aviation shall issue the necessary regula-tions and decisions to implement provisions of the attached system.

Until such regulations are is-sued, the authority shall be gov-erned by the laws and regulations applicable to the state adminis-trative apparatus units for items not stated in the attached system subject that they do not contradict with its provisions.

Article Three: Cancels all that contravenes with the attached system or contradicts with its provisions.

Article Four: The decree comes into force from the next day fol-lowing its publishing. - ONA

S Y S T E M F O R P A C A

HM sends condolencesMUSCAT: His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has sent a cable of condolences to Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasmi, Mem-ber of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah on the death of his sister Sheikha Alia.

In his cable, His Majesty the Sultan has expressed his sincere condolences and sympathy, pray-ing to Allah the Almighty to rest the deceased’s soul in peace and grant Sheikh Dr Al Qasmi and his family patience. -ONA

C A B L E

NEW YORK: For the fi rst time America’s top beauty queen is a woman of Indian origin, and she is playing down racist tweets that say she looks like an ‘Asian terrorist’.

The new Miss America is Nina Davuluri, a 24-year-old from New York who wants to be a doctor. She called her crowning Sunday night at the Atlantic City pageant in which she performed a traditional Bollywood dance a victory for diversity in America.

“It was the fi rst time Bolly-wood has been performed on the Miss America stage. It’s an hon-our for myself and my communi-ty,” Davuluri told ABC television yesterday morning.

“Halfway through, I just start-ed crying because you know, it was such an incredible experi-ence being on that Miss America stage,” she said. “It was so mean-ingful and powerful.”

Davuluri is beaming despite a spurt of racist tweets about her. She downplayed them, however.

“I have to rise above that,” she said at a news conference on

Sunday night after being crowned. “I always

viewed myself as fi rst and foremost Ameri-

can.” Many described the beauty queen, who is believed to be a practicing Hindu, as an Asian who looks like a terrorist.

Racial prejudiceA user with the handle @emi_ad-kins said “It’s called Miss Ameri-ca. Get outta here New York you look like a terrorist. #bye #amer-icanforamerica.”

Lue Brasili exclaimed “9/11 was four days ago and she gets Miss America,” while user Karl Sharro said “Al Qaeda infl uenced the liberal judges.” Others, like the Jezebel feminist blog, de-nounced the comments, saying “racists are being racist because Miss America isn’t white.”

“This world is so ignorant. #Miss America Indian or not had every right to gain the title of Miss America. This is why I want to leave America!” chimed in @CJlovebug. Davuluri competed on the platform issue of “cele-brating diversity through cultural competency.”

“I’m so happy this organisation has embraced diversity,” she said at the news conference. “I’m thank-ful there are children watching at home who can fi nally relate to a new Miss America.”. -AFP

N E W M I S S A M E R I C A Chemical arms used in Syria, confirms UN

UNITED NATIONS: A UN pho-tograph of chief UN chemical weapons investigator Ake Sell-strom handing over his report on an August 21 gas attack on Da-mascus suburbs shows that the report confi rms use of the deadly nerve agent sarin.

“On the basis of the evidence obtained during the investigation of the Ghouta incident, the con-clusion is that chemical weapons have been used in the ongoing confl ict between the parties in the Syrian Arab Republic ... against civilians, including children, on a relatively large scale,” the report said.

“In particular the environmen-tal, chemical and medical sam-ples we have collected provide clear and convincing evidence that surface to surface rockets containing the nerve agent sarin were used,” it said.

The photo released by the Unit-ed Nations shows Sellstrom giv-ing the report to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

A reporter for UN Tribune website zoomed in on the photo revealing its contents. Reuters downloaded a high-resolution version of the photo and con-fi rmed what the text contained.

The results of Sellstrom’s in-vestigation are not surprising. Several weeks ago US Secretary of State John Kerry announced that sarin had been used in the chemical attack on the Ghouta re-gion near Damascus. The US said 1,400 people were killed, includ-ing more than 400 children.

Ban said on Friday that Sell-strom’s report would be an “over-whelming” confi rmation of the use of chemical weapons. He also said that Assad “has committed many crimes against humanity,” though he did not say whether it

was Assad’s forces or rebels who were behind the August 21 attack.

He added that Assad would be held to account for his crimes.

The UN confi rmation of the use of sarin gas on August 21 comes as France, Britain and the United States agreed at three-way Paris talks to seek a “strong and robust” UN resolution that sets precise and binding deadlines on removal of chemical weapons.

The statement from French President Francois Hollande’s offi ce followed talks involv-ing the foreign ministers of the three countries and Hollande in Paris, two days after Russia and the United States struck a deal on chemical weapons that could avert US military action. -Reuters

See also >A7

The inspectors’ report

says that chemical

weapons have

been used against

civilians, including

children on a

relatively large scale

CLINCHING EVIDENCE: Chairperson of the United Nations Com-mission of Inquiry on Syria, Paulo Sergio Pinheiro and Carla del Ponte, left, member of the Commission, attend a press conference following the presentation of the report, in Geneva, yesterday. – AFP

GCC countries mull Anti-Monopoly LawMUSCAT: The GCC countries are considering the promulga-tion of Standards GCC Compe-tition and Anti-Monopoly Law for encouraging competition and combating any practices that may restrict trade, or prevent competi-tion among public organisations in these countries.

Khalid bin Said Al Shuaibi, Di-rector General of Organisations and Trade Relations at the Min-istry of Commerce and Industry, said the law would apply to all economic activities in the GCC and will kick in if practices aff ect competition in any one or more of the GCC countries.

He pointed out that some GCC countries have certain reserva-tions on the draft law but hopeful-ly, a consensus would be reached.

He affi rmed that the Public Au-thority for Consumer Protection, in collaboration with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Oman Chamber of Commerce and In-

dustry and the Ministry of Legal Aff airs, has already drafted the national competition and anti-monopoly law.

Under revisionThe law is currently under revi-sion by the authorities concerned.

He added that the law will en-

courage competition, enhance effi ciency of production, distribu-tion of services and ensure trade liberalisation. The national law will address the issues related to competition and monopoly at the national level while the Gulf law will deal with the same issues con-cerning the Gulf companies. -ONA

B E T T E R T R A D E P R A C T I C E S

HARBINGER OF RESPITEDark clouds are seen gathering over the Al Hamra horizon in Al Dakhiliyah region, bringing in hope of much-needed respite from the current high temperature. — Cio Datan/TIMES OF OMAN

A15

12 killed in shooting at US Navy Yard

OMANPositive outlook for Oman economy

1 The latest Mena Consumer Confi dence Index Survey, conducted by Bayt.com,

and YouGov, shows that people across the region anticipate a rise in the living cost in their countries in next six months.>A3

REGIONRowhani tells Guards to stay out of politics

2Iranian President Hassan Rowhani told Iran’s powerful Revolutionary

Guards yesterday they should not get involved in politics, in a carefully worded speech that sought to avoid antagonising the elite military force. >A6

MARKETCentre of excellence to meet railway needs

3 A major centre of excellence to cater to the emerging requirements

of professionals in the railway sector from within the country and outside, will be formed in the Sultanate soon. >B3

T O P T H R E E I N S I D E S T O R I E S

America’s top beauty queen downplays racist tweets

NEW YORK:America’s topwoman of Indis playing dothat say she loterrorist’.

The new MiDavuluri, a New York whdoctor. She caSunday night apageant in wha traditional Bvictory for div

“It was thewood has beenMiss Americaour for myselfty,” Davuluri tyesterday mor

“Halfway thed crying becwas such an ence being on stage,” she saidingful and pow

Davuluri is spurt of racistShe downplay

“I have to risaid at a ne

Sunday ncrow

viean

downplays ra

Page 2: T17 09 2013

A2 T U E S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 1 7, 2 0 1 3

OMANOmani symphony echoes at ROHM

STAFF REPORTER MUSCAT: Five young Omani mu-sicians got an opportunity to play at the Royal Opera House Muscat (ROHM) on Sunday, an opportu-nity they are not likely to forget anytime soon.

The musicians, all students from SQU’s Department of Music and Musicology, were at the end of their one-month-long training with the ROHM and got a chance to present a small concert for the

staff to mark both their internship and the beginning of the new sea-son. Playing alongside Wael Kak-ish, the ROHM’s Head of Educa-tion and Outreach, they performed a collection of songs from Leba-non, Turkey, Egypt and Oman.

“It is to thank the interns and have them do something they love and that we care about,” said Dr Nasser Al Taee, Adviser to the ROHM Board of Directors for Education and Community Outreach.

For the past one month, ap-proximately 20 interns from SQU and GUtech were getting hands-on experience at the ROHM. The mu-sic majors from SQU worked with Wael Kakish, while the GUtech students, who are pursuing more technical degrees such as engi-neering and architecture, worked backstage with the technical crews, Al Taee explained.

“The music majors helped us with research and programming. Those from GUtech, who are more

technically inclined, are getting some much needed experience in operational sound, light and so on,” said Al Taee.

Al Taee added that the intern-ships were a productive step for the students that they can do dur-ing their summer holidays be-tween semesters. The programme not only benefi ts the students, but is also a way for the ROHM to reach out to young, talented Oma-nis who may be interested in work-ing there in the future, he added.

Maryam Mohammed Al Kaabi, a 23-year-old, in her fi nal year of SQU’s music programme, said she was thrilled to have the op-portunity to do an internship at the ROHM. During her one month of training, she got to work with several people and learn more about music.

“When I heard about it, I thought it was a great thing. They do so many things here. I enjoyed working with the media, working on the programmes,” she said as

she put her kanun back in its case following the concert.

As a music student and bud-ding musician, Al Kaabi also found that the internship challenged her to learn more about the diff er-ent types of music and other per-forming arts. She was asked to do research on musicians she hadn’t heard about before.

Though now Al Kaabi and the oth-er interns have to head back to their university classrooms, the experi-ence they have had at the ROHM is one they won’t soon forget.

“It was a huge experience, in my view. I’m sad that it has come to an end as I enjoyed my time here so much,” Al Kaabi said.

The Barber of SevilleEarlier this week, The Royal Op-era House Muscat began its 2013-2014 season with an evening full of frolicking fun with an Italian production of The Barber of Seville.The comic opera by Gioachino Rossini tells the story of the mis-chievously clever barber Figaro who helps Count Almaviva in his pursuit of the woman he adores, Rosina. Rosina is the ward of Dr Bartolo, a man who wants to marry her himself so he can claim her dowry.

Using disguises, drugged serv-ants and other deceptions and dis-tractions, Figaro is able to sneak the count into Dr Bartolo’s home to see Rosina and eventually ar-range for the two to marry before the doctor can stop them.

The production by Teatro di San Carlo from Naples was directed by Filippo Crivelli and conducted by German maestro Sebastian Lang-Lessing. It featured an interna-tional cast including French mez-zo-soprano Géraldine Chauvet as Rosina, Argentine tenor Juan Francisco Gatell as Count Alma-viva and Italian baritones Simone Alberghini as Figaro and Filippo Polinelli as Dr Bartolo.

Alberghini was comical and charming, and his deep, rich voice fi lled the theatre and brought smiles to the faces of many in the audience as he sang the famous aria Largo al Factotum, in which the name Figaro is repeated.

Students from SQU’s Department of Music and

Musicology concluded their internship with a

concert. For the past one month, approximately

20 interns from SQU and GUtech were getting

hands-on experience at the ROHM

MUSICAL MEMORIES: Left and top, Omani musicians showcase their skills; right, The Barber of Seville heralds the launch of new season at ROHM.-Photos by Khalid Al Busaidi, ROHM

ESO launches inter-college environment speech contestSTAFF REPORTER

MUSCAT: The Environment Society of Oman announced the launch of its second Inter-College Environmental Public Speaking Competition on Sunday.

The competition aims to gener-ate awareness and concern for the environment among the Omani students with the hope that many students from various universi-ties and colleges across Oman would register for the contest, said Amor Al Matani, ESO Board member and Community Out-reach Offi cer.

“The objective of the competi-tion is to engage the future leaders of this country and to put them at the forefront of issues which defi -nitely concern Mother Nature,” Al Matani told reporters.

Topics for the competition this

year include water conservation, arts and the environment, the negative impact of technology on the environment, and local solu-tions for global problems.

Teams of students from par-ticipating universities will focus

on one of these areas and pre-sent solutions and fi ndings at the bilingual public speaking event, which will be held in Muscat on November 11. The winning team will go on to compete at a regional contest in Dubai.

The competition was fi rst launched by the Emirates En-vironmental Group in 2001 and expanded to other GCC states by 2006. The top Omani students, representing the University of Nizwa, competed in the regional contest in Dubai where they won the competition, beating 19 other teams. “I felt a sense of pride com-ing back with a trophy. Thanks to teamwork, we achieved more and could do better to protect the earth,” said Al Zahraa Khalfan Al Ghafri, who was the speaker fi elded by the University of Nizwa team last year.

E C O O U T R E A C H

Oman eyes European tourists

Times News Service

MUSCAT: Oman is eyeing more tourists from Germany, Austria and Switzerland in the next few months.

For this, the Ministry of Tour-ism has invited leading tour oper-ators from Germany, Austria and Switzerland so that they can pro-

mote Oman as a tourist destina-tion to European holidaymakers.

Speaking to Times of Oman, Janina Guenther, assistant mar-keting manager, Oman Tourism, who is based in Berlin, said that more than 100 tour operators and media persons from German-speaking countries have been invited by Ministry of Tourism

to showcase the Sultanate’s most attractive tourist spots. “This will help us in bringing huge num-ber of tourists from these coun-tries,” she claimed. As a part of this programme, InterContinental Muscat hosted a lunch for 45 Ger-man speaking tour operators called “The Marhaba Team” who are on an offi cial visit to Oman.

G L O B A L C O N N E C T

Amor Al Matani, ESO Board member.– Jun Estrada/TIMES OF OMAN

MARKETING GURUS: German-speaking tour operators have lauded Oman’s potential to promote tourism. –O.K. Mohammed Ali/TIMES OF OMAN

Page 3: T17 09 2013

A3

OMANT U E S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 1 7, 2 0 1 3 A3

Positive outlook for Oman economy

Times News Service

MUSCAT: The latest Middle East and North Africa (Mena) Consum-er Confi dence Index (CCI) Sur-vey, conducted by Bayt.com, and YouGov, a research and consulting organisation, shows that respond-ents across the region anticipate a rise in the cost of living in their countries in the next six months.

Oman is no diff erent, though respondents are mostly posi-tive that their personal fi nancial situation will improve during the same period. Almost a fi fth (19 per cent) of the region’s respondents state that their fi nancial situation has improved compared to what it was six months ago, with a ma-jority — 43 per cent — claiming it has remained unchanged, and 29 per cent claiming it has become worse.

Half of the respondents (52 per cent) state that their savings have decreased in comparison to last year.

Expectations for the future are high though, with half of the sur-vey’s respondents (46 per cent) an-ticipating their personal fi nancial situation to improve in six months. Somewhat contrary to this is the fact that 71 per cent per cent pre-dict that the cost of living in their countries of residence will in-crease during the months to come.

In terms of making major pur-chases, a majority of respondents in all the countries surveyed, with the exception of Oman, do not ex-pect to buy a vehicle in the next 12 months. For those who will be looking to purchase a vehicle, a majority, 48 per cent, will buy a used ones, compared to 45 per cent who will buy a new one.

Oman scenarioSix out of 10 (61 per cent) Oman re-spondents state that their personal fi nancial situation is now either the same as, or worse than, it was six months ago, with 29 per cent claiming it has improved. Only 26 per cent claim their savings have increased in the last year, com-pared to 31 per cent whose savings have decreased. The majority (57 per cent) expect their personal fi nancial position to improve in the six months to come, though 67 per cent also believe that the cost of living will increase during the same time span.

In the next 12 months, 38 per cent of Oman respondents do not plan to buy a vehicle, while 48 per cent who intend to purchase will look for a new vehicle (52 per cent, compared to 45 per cent who will buy a used one). Four out of 10 (39 per cent) respondents are looking to buy property within the com-ing year, with 35 per cent of these

will be looking for a villa, and 73 per cent of respondents will prefer new properties.

Consumers are looking to pre-dominantly buy desktop or laptop computers (27 per cent), furniture (26 per cent), and LCD or plasma televisions (21 per cent) in the coming six months.

When it comes to property, 63 per cent per cent of the Gulf re-gion’s respondents — comprising a majority in every country covered by the survey — will not be buy-ing any in the next 12 months. For the minority that is considering buying, new properties are more desirable than pre-owned (56 per cent versus 28 per cent), while 50 per cent of respondents want to buy an apartment as opposed to a villa (21 per cent). A fi fth (19 per cent) will be looking for commer-cial property.

Three out of 10 (28 per cent) respondents are planning to pur-chase a desktop or a laptop com-

puter in the next six months. Other popular purchases are

anticipated to be furniture (20 per cent) and LCD or plasma televi-sions (18 per cent).

Regional sentimentThe majority of respondents across the region (36 per cent) believe that the economy in their country of residence has receded in the last six months, especially so in Syria (84 per cent), Jordan (66 per cent), Lebanon (65 per cent) and Tunisia (63 per cent).

The situation is considered to have improved the most in Oman and Qatar (43 per cent each), fol-lowed by the UAE (39 per cent). These three countries also saw strongest predictions for a bet-ter economy in the future, while across the board, 42 per cent of regional respondents anticipate things to improve.

Business conditions are, on the whole across the Mena region,

considered to be ‘average’ by 41 per cent of the respondents, while 32 per cent claim that things are ‘good’ or ‘very good’.

Expectations are high across the region for conditions to turn better in a year’s time.

The employment scenario seems diffi cult, with 32 per cent of regional respondents stating that ‘there are few jobs available across few industries’, and 26 per cent stating that “there are few jobs available across various in-dustries”. Employment opportu-nities seem to be the maximum in the UAE and the KSA, followed by Qatar and Oman. In general, re-spondents anticipate more jobs in the coming six months

Oman’s economyFour out of 10 (43 per cent) re-spondents believe that Oman’s economy has improved in the last six months, while 11 per cent state that it has receded. Six out of 10 (61

per cent) anticipate better things to happen in the next six months. Business conditions in Oman are believed to be ‘good’ (36 per cent) or ‘very good’ (13 per cent), with 40 per cent stating that they are ‘aver-age’, while 69 per cent of respond-ents anticipate them to improve in a year’s time.

In terms of employment op-portunities, 24 per cent of Oman respondents state that “there are plenty of jobs available across various industries”, and 25 per cent believe that “there are plenty of jobs available across few in-dustries”. Half of all Oman re-spondents (50 per cent) expect an increase in jobs in Oman in the next six months, while 24 per cent expect the situation to remain the same.

Job perspectiveWhen asked about any change in the number of employees at their company during the last six months, a substantial chunk of respondents (33 per cent) say that there have been no adjust-ments; 30 per cent say that they now have more colleagues, and 29 per cent say that they have fewer. Just more than a third (36 per cent) expect their company to hire in the coming six months, while 35 per cent expect there to be no changes.

The major segment of respond-ents (43 per cent) are satisfi ed with the career growth opportuni-ties that their company presents them — especially so in the Sultan-ate of Oman (60 per cent) and Qa-tar (52 per cent).

Those most happy with their compensation packages live in Oman (48 per cent satisfi ed), Qa-tar (44 per cent) and Kuwait (43 per cent). However, 44 per cent of respondents are happy with their non-monetary benefi ts, par-ticularly in Algeria (57 per cent), Oman (52 per cent) and KSA (52 per cent).

Almost half (49 per cent) of re-spondents in Oman state that their companies have grown, employee-wise, in the last six months, while 14 per cent say that there has been a decrease in the number of people working with them. The majority (60 per cent) expect the number of employees to increase in the com-ing six months.

Oman respondents are satis-fi ed with their career growth op-portunities (60 per cent), current compensation (48 per cent), non-monetary benefi ts (52 per cent), and job security (56 per cent).

A majority of Omani

residents anticipate

that their personal

fi nancial situation

would improve in

the next six months

though fears of

increase in cost of

living persist

Education Ministry spent OMR1 billion last year MUSCAT: The expenditure of the Education Ministry last year has been pegged at OMR1 billion, according to the fi nal statement of the 2012 budget. The Ministry of Finance said the expenses of the Ministry of Education increased by about OMR28 million last year, which was OMR838 million earlier. The expenses of the Ministry of Education’s expenditure comprises a major segment of civil ministries’ expenses for the fi nancial year 2012 which was estimated at OMR3.5 billion.

Work underway for Al Hamra mosque restoration plansAL HAMRA: The Ministry of Heritage and Culture has launched the restoration work of Al Sheikh Abi Said Al Kadmi Mosque in Al Dakhiliyah governorate. The ancient mosque, located in the town of Al Aaradh in the wilayat of Al Hamra, was constructed in the 20th century. The mosque, also known as Al Aaradh Masjid, was named after renowned local person-ality Al Sheikh Abi Said Al Kadmi, who worked for the sci-entifi c and cultural development in the wilayat. The mosque refl ects the Omani style of Islamic architecture. The mosque consists of 17 columns, six doors and a number of arched and square entrances — all made of clay. — Times News Service

Consultation meeting held for setting up Darsait portMUSCAT: The offi ce of Wali of Muttrah held a meeting to discuss establishing a port in Darsait. Dr Hamad bin Said Al Awfi , the undersecretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Al Sheikh Yahyah bin Nasser Al Harasy, Wali of Muttrah, offi cials from Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) and consultants were present at the meeting. Diff erent solu-tions were discussed to address the diffi culties faced by fi sh-ermen in Darsait and Aynt. The project is estimated to cost OMR1.5 million.

Manpower Ministry nabs 162 for Labour Law crimeMUSCAT: The weekly report of the joint inspection team at the Ministry of Manpower informs that the number of work-ers violating the Labour Law during the period from Septem-ber 8 to 14 stood at 162. On the other hand, the Manpower Ministry statistics showed that 241 expatriate workers were deported for violating provisions of the Labour Law and min-isterial decisions executing the law. — ONA

B R I E F S

State Council shifts to new premisesTimes News Service

MUSCAT: The State Coun-cil will complete all formali-ties to shift to the new iconic Oman Council building in the Al Bustan area of Muscat today, as employees begin functioning from the new premises.

The transfer commenced gradually with the offi ce of the chairman, general secretariat of the council and other secretari-ats making the switch.

The employees exhibited great enthusiasm at the op-portunity to function from the state-of-the-art iconic building equipped with highly technical equipment.

Speaking on this occasion, Dr Khalid bin Salim Al Saidi, Secretary-General of the State Council, said, “We congratulate ourselves — including the chair-man and the employees — on this transfer to the new prem-ises of State Council, which will be included in the new building of the Oman Council.

“This edifi ce is, in itself, an expensive gift to the nation, fol-lowing the issuance of the Royal Decree of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said. This endow-ment to the people of Oman marks another milestone in the Shura march of Oman. The signifi cance of this transfer is heightened by the fact that the new Oman Council building will bring together the State Council and the Shura Council under the same roof. This will give a boost to the futuristic vision of His Majesty which clearly per-ceives on taking the Sultanate to an esteemed position. Such a unique level of state institutions is a step in that direction.”

I C O N I C B U I L D I N G

0102030405060708090

100110120130140150160

Indexlevel

Algeria Egypt Morocco Tunisia Bahrain Kuwait Oman Qatar S. Arabia UAE Jordan Lebanon SyriaAverages

13.4% 38.9% 21.9% 13.4% 15.8% 16.4% 15.6% 13.2% 11.3% 11.6% 26.6% 21.4% 42.1% 22%

Mashriq MaghrebGCC

347.

8728

5.83

377.6

033

3.04

328.

5423

6.50

353.

8229

0.31

302.

2226

6.44

366.

1631

6.15

384.

3433

0.16

424.

5736

7.43

424.

0837

4.52

387.0

434

7.69

396.

7435

5.58

272.

3121

5.02

270.

6322

2.90

194.

0813

6.60

Arab consumer’s confidence (From March to September 2013)Overall

consumerconfidence

Currenteconomicscenario

= +Expectedeconomicscenario

Employeeoutlook+

Overallconsumer

confidence

Variationbetween

March andSeptember

GraphicsSource: Consumer Confidence Index - September 2013, Bayt-YouGov

Consumer confidence is a measure of the economic well-being of a country. It is a reflection of consumer satisfaction levels and expectations based on various factors in the economy - inflation, stock market performance, job opportunities/salary structures, unemployment, investment avenues/returns, business growth, state economic policies, infrastructure, cost of living, interest rates, exchange rates etc.

156.97

144.55

123.05

111.36115.45

140.61

Sept.Mar.

Page 4: T17 09 2013

A4 T U E S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 1 7, 2 0 1 3

OMANSadhya feast marks Onam celebrations

REJIMON [email protected]

MUSCAT: Expatriates from the south Indian state of Kerala living in the Sultanate celebrated Onam, the harvest festival, yesterday, by enjoying the traditional Onasa-dhya, a rich and delicious platter comprising 26 food items.

While some enjoyed home-made Onasadhya, sharing it with Omanis and others in their neigh-bourhood, others who were not able to prepare it at home depend-ed on takeaways sold by catering centres and restaurants.

The Times of Oman found that hotels and catering establish-ments did a roaring business, and most of them were fi nding it dif-fi cult to meet the orders for Ona-sadhya. By 11am itself, Keralites, and some Omanis, were seen standing in long queues at many hotels, waiting for their turn to get a seat and enjoy the traditional Onasadhya.

“By 11:30am itself, we stopped taking further orders for takea-ways because we knew we would be unable to meet the demand,” said a hotelier in Ruwi.

With prices of vegetables and other essentials rising like never before, hotels and caterers were charging a minimum of OMR4 for an Onasadhya package, all packed in good quality plastic containers.

“We stay without our family in the Sultanate. So, it is quite diffi -cult to prepare the Onasadhya at home. So, we decided to depend on hotels. For a Keralite, having Onasadhya is the most important

part of the celebration. It is a nos-talgic feeling no Keralite will wish to miss,” Santhosh and his friends said while waiting in the queue for their turn to enjoy the Onasadhya.

“Even though this year the price is a little high, compared to previ-ous years, we don’t want to miss the Onasadhya today,” they added.

Omanis were also seen enjoying the Onasadhya in many hotels.

“I love Onasadhya. Last year also, I enjoyed this sumptuous meal from a restaurant. You eat with your hand and lick your fi n-gers to savour the stuff to the last morsel. I love this feast,” Abdul Aziz, a national engineer at a safe-

ty fi rm in Ruwi, said.“Now, I know how to have this

feast in a traditional way. Even though there are more than 22 items on the platter, we have to know the traditional way of where to begin and what to savour next. Only then will you be able to en-joy the food and satisfy your taste buds,” Aziz added.

Meanwhile, Keralite blue-col-lar workers were seen looking for a shade near construction sites to have their routine daily meal.

“Back in Kerala, my family will be celebrating Onam amid fun and frolic. However, here I have to do with only rice, chapati and a curry

sent by the camp kitchen. What can one do? We have to make ad-justments for the well-being of our near and dear ones. I miss them all,” a Keralite construction worker said as he was having his chapati under the shade of a tree near his construction site.

“This evening, we may be making some payasam, a dessert made with rice fl akes and jaggery, to celebrate Onam. That is all there will be to our Onam celebrations,” the work-ers added. There are approximately 500,000 Keralites residing in the Sultanate, of whom a majority are blue-collar workers who invariably miss Onam celebrations.

Keralites in Oman

were seen enjoying

the traditional

Onasadhya, a platter

comprising 26

food items. Having

Onasadhya is the

most important part

of the celebration; it’s

a nostalgic feeling no

Keralite will wish to

miss whether at home

or overseas

SAI conducts workshop on moral valuesTimes News Service

MUSCAT: Serve And Inspire (SAI) Group recently conduct-ed a workshop titled ‘Life is a Challenge; Meet it’, as a part of its endeavour under ‘Educare for All’ that aims at making everyone to pursue the path of goodness in their life journey.

The programme aimed at enlightening the parents, with a variety in dwelling the topics, but tagging everyone on ‘Values’.

It began with a short video presentation depicting the pre-sent day scenario with negativ-ity at its peak. It also showed that there is still peace left in this world, to be retrieved and rejoiced.

The underlined maxim was to unravel the issues in daily life on a strong foundation of val-ues. In this demanding world, while confronting the provoca-tions, how much are we able to be composed and carry on with positive energy and thereby make the surroundings posi-tive. This was drafted with the caption: ‘Values begin at home’.

Parents participated with keen enthusiasm, wherein they were divided into diff erent groups to discuss on questions relating to typical home situa-tions, either between the spous-es or with their children.

S O C I A L E D U C A T I O N

Call to start ground work for setting up railway project planMUSCAT: Deliberations at the symposium on ‘Investment Op-portunities in Railway Project‘ concluded at the Al Bustan Palace Hotel yesterday evening under the auspices of Dr Ahmed bin Moham-med Al Futaisi, Minister of Trans-port and Communications.

The symposium came up with fi ve recommendations:

Firstly, exploring opportuni-ties and developing a sustainable strategy to involve the capital and business sector, developing a de-tailed strategy for contracting and developing a plan to involve small and medium enterprises in the project.

Secondly, building up national capacities in terms of developing a system for interaction with the offi cial agencies, laying down the professional criteria for upgrading of skills and focusing on research and studies related to the project,

in coordination with the scientifi c and academic institutions.

The third recommendation was about developing a legisla-tive frame for regularising the sector; the next about evolving a comprehensive strategy for the logistics sector in the Sultanate; and the fi fth recommendation was for developing a fi nance plan for the project.

The symposium was aimed at upgrading the level of awareness about the project, identifying ar-eas and opportunities for the pri-vate sector’s participation and de-veloping a roadmap for enhancing the economic and social benefi ts.

Among the major outcomes of the symposium was a high level of participation and the forum’s success was not just in attracting a number of companies and busi-nessmen who interacted, but also ensuring quality interaction. — ONA

S Y M P O S I U M C O N C L U D E S

FESTIVE MEAL: For a Keralite, having the Onasadhya is the most important part of the celebration. Omanis were also seen enjoying the Onasadhya in many hotels. — TIMES OF OMAN

Page 5: T17 09 2013

A5

OMANT U E S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 1 7, 2 0 1 3

Cycling globally for social cause

Times News Service

MUSCAT: Globetrotter Somen Debnath is on a ride of his life. This 30-year-old from a remote village in India, called Basanti in South 24 Parganas district in West Bengal, is aiming to cycle around the world.

The ambitious journey cover-ing 191 countries and 200,000 kilometres, is aimed at spreading awareness about HIV/Aids and also to showcase the Indian cul-ture all over the world.

Debnath started out from his home province in Basanti on May 27, 2004 and has already peddled his way through 81 countries. Currently, he is in Muscat. “I am doing this for the world,” Debnath told the Times of Oman on Sun-day, having changed six bicycles and covering 98,950km so far.

Three of his cycles got stolen in Bulgaria, Poland and Germany. “Though I peddle alone, I never feel lonely as I make friends with so many people on the road. They come up to me and talk to me, in-vite me to their homes and try to learn various things and issues from me while I, too, learn a lot from them,” he said smilingly.

“At times, it is very hot and road conditions are bad. My cycle tyres burst a couple of times and

yet my journey goes on despite all these troubles,” he added. Deb-nath has been here in Oman since September 10.

He started his journey right after earning a bachelor’s degree in Zoology from the University of Calcutta in 2004. “I will be giving 16 years of my life to the world. My main aim is to share the hap-piness,” added Debnath.

Narrating an experience he called unforgettable, he said while cycling through Herat in Afghani-stan, he was captured by the Tale-ban, who believed him to be a spy. “I spent three weeks there as a hostage, kept in total isolation and unable to understand the com-mands of my captors,” he said. At the same time, he said that he can never forget the hospitality of the Inuit and the kind gesture of an old farmer in Bangladesh who came to his rescue after he col-lapsed in the scorching heat. “All

these memories will remain very close to my heart,” he said.

Speaking to the Times of Oman, he also said he was inspired from the age of 14 after he read an article titled ‘Aids is Deadlier than Cancer’.

“It was about a homeless per-son who was lying in front of the Medical College of Calcutta, In-dia, abandoned by his villagers and left to die alone. As a conse-quence, two years later, I decided to get speciality training at the West Bengal State Aids Control Society (WBSACS) and began an awareness campaign about the deadly disease starting by educat-ing my own teachers.

The untiring cyclist said he plans to build 25 houses on 20 acres of land in a remote part of his native area where inhabitants would adopt the motto of “simple living but high thinking” as it’s a way of life.

Thirty-year-old

Indian national aims

to peddle around

191 countries with

an aim of spreading

awareness about

HIV/Aids

CYCLE ODYSSEY: The ambitious cycle journey has covered 81 countries and 98,950 kilometres so far. — TIMES OF OMAN

Page 6: T17 09 2013

A6

REGIONT U E S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 1 7, 2 0 1 3

RAISING VOICE AGAINST RESTRICTIONSA Palestinian demonstrator puts up the Egyptian fl ag on top of barbed wire in front of the Rafah border crossing in the southern Gaza Strip, during a demonstration demanding it to be opened permanently and without restrictions or conditions on the passengers, yester-day. The Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip was closed following twin car bomb blasts targeting Egypt’s army. — AFP

Rowhani tells Guards to stay out of politics

DUBAI: Iranian President Hassan Rowhani told Iran’s powerful Rev-olutionary Guards yesterday they should not get involved in politics, in a carefully worded speech that sought to avoid antagonising the elite military force.

Rowhani’s speech, which in-cluded praise for the IRGC’s in-creasing economic might, could be an attempt to maintain its support, something that might be in doubt if the Guards see their interests threatened by the new president who has pledged more moderation in Iran’s foreign and domestic poli-cies. Rowhani told an assembly of IRGC commanders and offi cials that the founder of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, had recommended the military stay out of politics.

“The IRGC is above and beyond political currents, not beside them or within them,” Rowhani said, ac-cording to the Isna news agency. “The IRGC has a higher status, which is that of the whole nation.”

Both opposition activists and some establishment fi gures have accused the Guards of crossing a line into political action. Prior to the June elections, Guard com-manders made clear they would not tolerate protests similar to those held in 2009.

Army’s economic empireGuards commanders have issued statements welcoming the elec-tion of Rowhani, who used the speech to praise the economic prowess of the IRGC which has built a vast economic empire that

includes civilian infrastructure and engineering — something that worries some private sector business people who complain of having to compete with an over-mighty state giant.

“Today, in conditions in which our economy is a target (of sanc-tions), the IRGC must enter into ac-tion and take on three or four large national projects,” Rowhani said.

“The IRGC is not a rival to the people and the private sector ... the IRGC today must take on impor-tant projects that the private sec-tor is unable to take on.” —Reuters

New Iranian president

seeks to avoid

antagonising the

powerful military force

Iran off ers ‘enhanced’ cooperationVIENNA: Iran’s new nuclear chief said yesterday that Tehran was “optimistic” about upcoming talks with world powers, off ering “en-hanced” but unspecifi ed coopera-tion with the UN atomic agency.

“I have come here with a mes-sage of my newly elected president to further enhance and expand our ongoing cooperation with the (UN atomic) agency and with the aim to put an end to the so-called Iran nuclear fi le,” Ali Akbar Salehi said.

“We are optimistic about the outcome of the forthcoming fi ve-plus-one meeting, should the two parties join the meeting with good intentions and with the resolve of solving the aforementioned issues based on a win-win approach.”

‘Conducive environment’He said in a speech to the Inter-national Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) general conference of all members that the election in June of President Hassan Rowhani had created a “conducive environ-ment” to resolving the long-run-ning standoff . However, he added that Iran would never abandon its “right” to peaceful uses of nuclear

technology and that the country does not want the bomb.

The UN Security Council has passed six resolutions since 2006 calling on Iran to suspend key parts of its nuclear programme because of suspicions that Teh-ran wants atomic weapons. UN and Western sanctions targeting Iran’s vital oil industry and its ac-cess to the global fi nancial system last year began to cause major eco-nomic problems for the country.

Rowhani’s election has created hope that after a decade of false starts, a diplomatic solution to

the crisis can be found, with a new round of talks with the fi ve perma-nent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany (the P5+1 or E3+3) expected soon.

New Foreign Minister Moham-mad Javad Zarif earlier this month spoke by phone with EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, P5+1 chief negotiator, and the two are due to meet at the upcoming UN General Assembly. US Presi-dent Barack Obama said in a week-end interview that he and Rowha-ni had “reached out” to each other by exchanging letters.

Salehi, foreign minister under Rowhani’s more hardline prede-cessor Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, did not say on Monday what form the enhanced cooperation with the IAEA would take.

But two weeks ago he told state media that Iran might accede to long-standing demands to imple-ment the so-called additional pro-tocol, an accord with the IAEA giv-ing it greater inspection rights.

He said that the large number of IAEA inspections, including around 100 unannounced ones since 2003, on Iran’s nuclear fa-cilities made it the “second-most inspected country after Japan”.

A new round of talks between Iran and the IAEA is meanwhile set for September 27 in Vienna.

This meeting, following 10 other failed gatherings since early 2012, is aimed at clearing up allegations that Iran conducted nuclear weap-ons research before 2003 and pos-sibly since.

Salehi repeated Tehran’s asser-tion that these accusations, based in part on claims from spy agen-cies like the CIA and Mossad, are “baseless”. —AFP

N U C L E A R S T A N D O F F

Morocco hikes fuel prices to fi x budget defi cit

Yemeni negotiators closer to agreement on federal state

RABAT: Moroccan petrol prices soared yesterday as the cash-strapped government began im-plementing a fuel price indexation system aimed at reforming oil subsidies and plugging a budget defi cit, offi cials said.

The government is scram-bling to limit the impact of oil price fl uctuations on Morocco’s ailing public fi nances, with fuel subsidies weighing heavily on the budget of the North African country, which imports almost all its energy needs. Under the con-troversial indexation system, the price of diesel surged 8.0 per cent on Monday to 0.79 euros per litre, while petrol hit 1.14 euros per litre, representing a rise of 5.0 per cent, a government offi cial confi rmed.

Under the new pricing system, the cost of petrol, diesel and fuel oil will be reviewed on a monthly basis, and if their value over a two month period changes by more than 2.5 per cent, the retail price

will be altered accordingly. Fuel subsidies consume around

90 per cent of the bloated state compensation fund, amounting to 55 billion dirhams (6.6 billion dol-lars) of public spending in 2012.

“If we didn’t have this expendi-ture, the budget defi cit would be around 0.5 per cent” of GDP, rather than the 7.3 per cent that it reached in 2012, the minister in charge of subsidy reform, Najib Boulif, told reporters last week.

The current budget allocates 40 billion dirhams (4.8 billion dollars) to the compensation fund, with an oil reference price of 105 dollars per barrel, but this also appears to have heavily un-derestimated subsidy costs for 2013, threatening another gaping defi cit. Morocco’s Prime Minis-ter Abdelilah Benkirane approved the new price indexation system, which is a key aspect of the social reforms his government has been seeking to push through. — AFP

DUBAI: Yemeni delegates yes-terday were close to agreement on the shape of a future federal state to settle a long-standing dispute over the south’s status, sources close to a national dialogue said.

But the sealing of a deal was postponed after ousted presi-dent Ali Abdullah Saleh’s two representatives walked out of a 16-member committee handling the north-south issue, refusing to sign an agreed document.

Committee members were to sign the agreement to achieve a “just solution that would pre-serve the security and stability of a united Yemen on a federal and democratic basis”, according to the text of the document.

“We were supposed to sign the agreement today (on Monday) but that has been postponed,” committee spokesman Moham-med Qahtan said.

Long-serving Saleh, who was forced to step down in 2012 fol-lowing a year of nationwide dem-onstrations, is accused of seeking to impede the dialogue, stipulated

by the UN-backed plan that saw him out of offi ce.

Foreign Minister Abu Bakr Al Kurbi said last week that partici-pants in the reconciliation talks have agreed on the principle of changing the Arab republic into a federal state.

Diff erencesBut diff erences remain on the number of regions, he said.

Southern delegates to the dia-logue have been demanding a fed-eral state consisting of north and

south Yemen, while northerners are proposing more than two en-tities, according to the sources close to the talks.

In yesterday’s document, the regions would have broad admin-istrative, executive, legislative and economic powers.

Regional authorities will also decide on the exploration and management of natural resourc-es, in cooperation with the fed-eral government. But these re-sources would remain under state ownership. —AFP

R E F O R M I N G O I L S U B S I D I E S

N A T I O N A L D I A L O G U E

The IRGC is above and

beyond political currents,

not beside them or within

them. The IRGC has a

higher status, which is

that of the whole nation

Hassan RowhaniIran’s President

New nuclear chief Ali Akbar

Salehi said that the election

in June of President Hassan

Rowhani had created a

‘conducive environment’ to

resolving the long-running

nuclear standoff

We were supposed to sign the agreement today (on

Monday) but that has been postponed

Mohammed QahtanSpokesman of 16-member committee handling the north-south Yemen issue

Page 7: T17 09 2013

A7

SYRIA CRISIST U E S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 1 7, 2 0 1 3

Poor harvest, global curbs threaten food imports, aid

BRUSSELS: Poor harvests and international sanctions have damaged Syria’s ability to fund food imports and could sharply increase the number of people requiring food aid, the head of the UN’s World Food Programme said yesterday.

Syria’s most recent wheat har-vest was its worst in decades and traders say the country, mired in nearly three years of civil war, will need to import at least 2 million tonnes of wheat this year to help cover the shortfall.

While food purchases are not covered by Western sanctions imposed on President Bashar Al Assad’s government, a fi nancing freeze has hindered Syria’s ability to import grain, sugar and other food staples.

“Because of the deteriorating crisis the agriculture system is be-ing detrimentally impacted, and

Syria is now having a challenge purchasing food on the interna-tional market,” WFP Executive Director Ertharin Cousin said in Brussels. “We are watching that very closely, because if that chal-lenge escalates, that could dra-matically increase the number of people inside Syria who require assistance from WFP.”

The UN agency currently pro-vides food aid to about 3 million people inside Syria, and a further 1.2 million Syrian refugees in countries including Jordan, Leba-non, Egypt, Turkey and Iraq. The

total cost of the aid is about $30 million per week.

EssentialCousin expects the number of people requiring food aid in Syria to rise to 4 million by the end of the year, with a further 2.5 million Syrians outside the country need-ing help. That would increase the operational cost to about $42 mil-lion a week, she said, making do-nor funds ever more essential.

Despite the massive humani-tarian eff ort already under way, many Syrians remained trapped

in areas with no access to aid due to heavy fi ghting between govern-ment and opposition forces.

“There are parts of Syria that we haven’t been able to get in to for up to 10 months,” she said.

“I’m often asked ‘Who’s fault is this? Who’s stopping this?’ It depends on what area you go to. Bullets don’t say which side they came from, and it’s the ongoing fi ghting that keeps us away,” she said.

Since April, WFP has provided more than 23,000 tonnes of wheat fl our to households in mainly ru-

ral areas to combat bread short-ages following the poor harvest.

DeliveriesCousin said the agency was also working to provide wheat fl our to bakeries in urban areas, and hint-ed that it may increase deliveries in the coming months.

“Our goal is to evolve our deliv-ery of support to meet the needs of the people that we’re serving in-side Syria. And if that means that we’ll need to have more wheat fl our, then yes, we’ll have more wheat fl our.” —Reuters

Syrian government’s

inability to fund food

imports may sharply

increase the number

of people requiring

food aid to more

than 6 million by

the year-end

Learning to cope with chemical attackALEPPO: Mohammad Zayed, a former student at Homs Univer-sity, dedicates his days to teaching volunteers how to help fellow Syri-ans cope with a chemical weapons attack—just in case.

“The regime has sarin, the VX (nerve) agent and mustard gas,” chemistry student Zayed, 21, tells his team of volunteers in the northern city of Aleppo.

“If it’s a sarin attack, you need to open the windows to ventilate the houses. It’s a very lethal gas but it disperses quickly.

“VX is more dangerous. We can-not take off the protective clothing at any time because it penetrates the body not only through our res-piratory system but also through the skin and eyes,” says Zayed.

StudentsFor two months, Zayed has been training a group of 26 civilians in the hope they can respond to another such attack. His stu-dents include ex-fi refi ghters, students, welders and heavy machinery drivers.

“If the regime uses chemical arms to attack Aleppo city tomor-row, we will be ready to act and help the civilians,” Zayed says.

“They (the regime) won’t think twice before they use (chemical arms) against the civilian popula-tion, only to then blame the rebels for the attack,” he added.

Damascus and Moscow have fl atly denied Assad’s regime had

any part in the alleged chemical at-tacks near Damascus. But 45-year-old Abdel Moneim, who leads this unusual civil defence team, is con-vinced Assad is responsible.

“What happened in Ghouta is the work of Assad’s regime. If the rebels had chemical weapons, the war would have been over months ago. In any case, they would never use them against the civilian popu-lation,” he says.

Like Zayed, Abdel Moneim be-lieves the government might use chemicals to target Aleppo, large swathes of which fell out of army control after rebels staged an on-slaught in July last year. “Bashar

Al Assad would not hesitate to use chemical weapons against Aleppo. And he will accuse the rebels” of staging the attack, he said.

Rudimentary methodsDespite their rudimentary meth-ods, Zayed and Abdel Moneim have full trust in their team.

But their main problem is they only have 24 protective suits, which they obtained during a rebel attack against a loyalist army base, and just three gas masks.

“Without masks we won’t be able to do much for people, because even a moist handkerchief to cover the nose and mouth won’t stop the

chemical agents,” said Zayed. Still, he thinks it is “very impor-

tant that more groups like ours are set up in the country, to help the civilians. We know our limits but we will try to save as many lives as possible.

“Otherwise, people will die like they did in Ghouta,” said Zayed.

Evacuation drillIn a school in the New Aleppo dis-trict of Syria’s second city, two of Zayed’s students volunteer to par-ticipate in an evacuation drill.

They don protective gear and masks, and move down to the courtyard.

A student lies down on the ground and plays at being the vic-tim, while Abdel Moneim calls out instructions.

Meeting every day for class, “the students are trained in fi rst aid to help civilians in case of an attack”, says Abdel Moneim.

“Our team will follow instruc-tions of medical workers at the Zarzur hospital, which will be tasked with receiving patients” in case of a chemical attack, he adds.

The volunteers have started distributing leafl ets to Aleppo residents, explaining how to re-act to an attack, and how to “hold on until the rescue team arrives”, says Zayed.

Although Damascus has agreed to hand over its arsenal, residents of Aleppo’s rebel districts are still on guard. —AFP

T R A I N I N G T O H E L P C I V I L I A N S

Diehards set up ‘human shields’DAMASCUS: Dozens of Syrian pro-regime activists have set up a “human shield” camp on Mount Qassioun overlooking Damascus in an eff ort to stop any US-led strike on their country.

Despite Saturday’s announce-ment of a US-Russian deal avert-ing an immediate military strike on Damascus, diehard govern-ment supporters are refusing to budge. Mount Qassioun, site of a presidential palace, dominates Damascus and is traditionally a popular spot for family outings, to take in the view or enjoy the cool air and escape from the stifl ing summer heat of the city.

Now the Syrian army has set up artillery positions to shell rebel-held areas below, making it a prime target for any Western military action. Young support-ers of Syrian President Bashar Al Assad’s government have now pitched 25 tents on the steep road which climbs to Mount Qassioun, skirting a once-popular panoram-ic restaurant forced to shut by the war. “We will go on with our sit-in until the government announces that Syria has escaped from any threat of aggression,” said protest organiser Ogarit Dandash, a Leba-nese journalist.

“We are here on Qassioun to tell the Americans (if they want to strike) ‘over our bodies’,” said Mustafa Al Khani, a popular Syr-

ian comedian who has joined the protest camp.

“This is not a political decision, but a patriotic one,” said Khani.

Ahmad Hammud, 22, echoed him. “Our presence here as hu-man shields will not prevent America from striking, but should their missiles kill us, our ideals will not die with us,” he said.

Syrian fl ags fl utter over tents and along the road leading to the protest camp, dotted with post-ers condemning any attack on the regime, which denies charges of having carried out last month’s poison gas attacks. “Don’t touch Syria,” reads one message, while another says: “Syria’s enemies are the enemies of civilisation”.

The protestors, mostly young Syrians, also pray for peace to return to their country, where a 30-month-old confl ict has killed more than 110,000 people, accord-ing to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. “May peace take root in Syria,” one poster reads.

Nadia Khaddour, 26, travelled from the city of Hama in central Syria to join the group.

“The Syrian people are a stub-born people,” she said.

A 30-year-old woman said she volunteered to become a “human shield” because “I want to send a message saying we are here to de-fend our country as long as threats persist.” — AFP

R E F U S I N G T O B U D G E

Combatants urged to spare medical staff , facilitiesPARIS: Fifty leaders in world medicine, including three winners of the Nobel prize, yesterday urged all combatants in Syria to spare hospitals, doctors and nurses, warning that the country’s medi-cal infrastructure was being delib-erately targeted and was now on the brink of collapse.

“Systematic assaults on medical professionals, facilities and pa-tients are breaking Syria’s health-care system and making it nearly impossible for civilians to receive essential medical services,” they said in an open letter published by The Lancet.

According to the World Health Organisation, 37 per cent of Syr-ian hospitals have been destroyed and a further 20 per cent severely damaged. Makeshift clinics have become fully fl edged trauma cen-tres, struggling to cope with the injured and sick.

According to the Violations Documentation Centre, an es-timated 469 health workers are currently imprisoned, and about 15,000 doctors have been forced to fl ee abroad, according to the Council on Foreign Relations. Of the 5,000 physicians in Aleppo before the confl ict started, only 36 remain. The letter described the attacks as “deliberate and system-atic.... (and) an unconscionable betrayal of the principle of medical neutrality”.

“We call on the Syrian govern-ment and all armed parties to refrain from attacking hospitals, ambulances, medical facilities and supplies, health professionals and patients,” it said. —AFP

O P E N L E T T E R

If the regime uses

chemical arms to attack

Aleppo city tomorrow,

we will be ready to act

and help the civilians

ZayedStudent, 21

DETERIORATING SITUATION: While food purchases are not covered by Western sanctions imposed on President Bashar Al Assad’s gov-ernment, a fi nancing freeze has hindered Syria’s ability to import grain, sugar and other food staples. – Reuters

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INDIAT U E S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 1 7, 2 0 1 3

Advani praises Modi for Gujarat’s progress

KORBA(Chhattisgarh): After stubbornly resisting anointment of Narendra Modi as Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Prime Minis-terial nominee, L K Advani yester-day endorsed the party’s decision when he hoped that with Gujarat Chief Minister at helm all good work undertaken by BJP govern-ments in states will be replicated across the country.

“Today, if he (Modi) has been entrusted with the responsibil-ity of the country by my party BJP, then all good tasks undertaken by our governments in various states would be carried out all over the country,” Advani told reporters after his fi rst public speech at a rally in Chhattisgarh since Modi’s anointment on Friday.

Advani, who got isolated in the party over Modi’s anointment as BJP’s prime ministerial challeng-er, said, “Gujarat is the fi rst state in the country where electricity is available in all villages 24 hours a day and the credit for that goes to Narendra Modi.”

The BJP patriarch’s plaudit for Modi came three days after he went into a sulk following BJP Parliamentary Board’s decision to nominate him as the party’s prime ministerial candidate ignoring Ad-vani’s stiff opposition.

Though Advani, Sushma Swaraj and BJP veteran Murli Manohar Joshi were said to be against Modi’s elevation ahead of assembly elec-tions to fi ve states, both the Leader

of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, tand Joshi had attended Friday’s meeting of the Parliamentary Board where the decision was taken.

The BJP stalwart was address-ing a gathering after dedicating to the nation a 500 MW power plant of the Hasdeo extension project of Chhattisgarh state power genera-tion company limited.

Referring to Modi and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in the same breath, Advani praised the Gujarat Chief

Minister for being the fi rst in pro-viding electricity to all villages in his state, a task which has now been accomplished by Chouhan.

“It was Narendra Modi who did this task fi rst of providing electric-ity to all villages of the state,” Ad-vani said. “Shivraj Singh Chouhan took a pledge of providing electric-ity to every village in the state. He fi rst provided electricity in three districts. He has now completed this task. If someone who did this task fi rst of all, it was my colleague

Narendra Modi,” he said. After the announcement on

Modi, Advani had confi ned him-self to his Delhi residence before making an appearance at the birth-day celebrations of lawyer Ram Jethmalani on Sunday evening.

Though Modi was also present at the function, the cold vibes were all too apparent. Modi bent down before the BJP veteran in a gesture of respect and the two exchanged pleasantries but hardly talked to each other. - PTI

Advani’s plaudit for

Modi came three days

after he went into a

sulk following BJP

Parliamentary Board’s

decision to nominate

Modi as the party’s

prime ministerial

candidate ignoring his

stiff opposition

Today, if he (Modi) has

been entrusted with the

responsibility of the country

by my party BJP, then all

good tasks undertaken by

our governments in various

states would be carried out

all over the country

L. K. AdvaniBJP leader

PUTTING ON A BRAVE FACE: Senior BJP leader L. K. Advani ad-dresses the gathering during dedication of Hasdeo Thermal Power Expansion Project to public in Korba town, yesterday. – PTI

PATNA: Rashtriya Ja-nata Dal (RJD) President Lalu Prasad yesterday called Narendra Modi a “mask” of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and also attacked Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for fail-ing to contain the infl uence of saff ron outfi ts in Bihar.

“Modi and BJP are merely a mask....The real power lies with Nagpur (RSS headquarters),” Prasad said after fl agging off RJD Rath Yatra here.

Alleging that BJP is merely carrying the “communal agen-da” of RSS, the RJD chief said that saff ron party by holding political meetings at diff erent places in the country is vitiat-ing harmony in the society.

AllegedLalu also attacked Kumar saying while communal forces were increasing infl uence in the state, “he was sitting idle”. He alleged that Kumar allowed

saff ron outfi ts to spread its infl uence in Bihar.

“He (Kumar) helped RSS in organising camp at historic Gandhi maidan here,” the RJD chief said. “On request of Narendra Modi he (Kumar) as a railway minister then did not order a probe into burning of Sabarmati Express in Gujarat,” he alleged.

The RJD chief claimed that “Nitish is no factor in Bihar (in 2014 elections).” - PTI

Modi a ‘mask’ of RSS, says Lalu Prasad

Armies meet at Natu La to discuss cooperationKOLKATA: The Indian and Chinese armies discussed issues concerning mutual cooperation and maintenance of peace in the borders between the two nations during a meeting at Natu La in Sikkim, defence sources said yesterday. “A Border Personnel Meeting (BPM) between India and China was held at Natu La on Sunday. Uniformed members from both sides attended the BPM organised by India,” said a defence spokes-person. While Brigadier S.K. Sengar led an 11-member Indian delegation, a senior People’s Liberation Army (PLA) colo-nel led the Chinese side. “Various issues were discussed in a warm, cordial and friendly atmosphere. Mutual cooperation and maintenance of peace on the borders was also discussed during the meeting,” said the spokesperson. BPMs between the two armies serve as vital platforms for discussing local issues and enhance mutual understanding and confi dence to strengthen peace in various sectors.

Coal ministry submitsreport on missing fi lesNEW DELHI: The coal ministry yesterday submitted a re-port to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on the miss-ing fi les pertaining to the coal block allocations, said a probe agency offi cial. “We have received a report from coal ministry Monday evening but we are yet to read out the details of the report given to us,” said the offi cial. According to sources, over 150 fi les and documents were received by the CBI from the Coal Ministry. While hearing the case on August 29, the Su-preme Court had directed the CBI to give a list of documents, fi les and information sought by it within fi ve days to the min-istry which, in turn, was to furnish them within two weeks.The agency in its letter dated on September 2 to Attorney General G. E. Vahanvati had given an exhaustive list of over 50 allocations, the fi les of which had not been received by it. The court had told the ministry that if any document remains untraceable, then FIRs have to be lodged by it with the CBI within a week thereafter.

Congress in ‘no hurry’ to name PM candidateNEW DELHI: Congress yesterday indicated it was not in a hurry to declare its Prime Ministerial candidate and per-sisted with its attack on BJP’s nominee Gujarat Chief Minis-ter Narendra Modi, saying he was “not a national leader” like Rahul Gandhi. The party said that becoming Prime Minister was “not a big thing” for a leader like its Vice President Ra-hul Gandhi, who is more interested in taking up the cause of the weaker sections. “The country needs a national leader and not a mere prime minister,” party spokesman Bhakt Charan Das said while at the same time suggesting that the Congress has an open mind on the issue and would take a call as per “national need”. “Those who fi ght for the oppressed and the poor, the dalits and adivasis know that their only hope is Rahul Gandhi and there is no leader like him. The country needs a national leader and not a mere prime minister.” Das, who was subjected to a volley of questions on the issue of PM candidate of Congress, insisted that “it is not incumbent on Congress to immediately declare its PM candidate”. “Have patience. You will come to know of it in time,” he said.

BSF hands over Pakistani boy who crossed into IndiaATTARI: The Border Security Force (BSF) yesterday handed over a 12-year-old boy, who had inadvertently crossed into India, to Pakistani border guards. BSF Deputy Inspector Gen-eral R.P.S. Jaswal said that the boy, Kashim, who belongs to a village in Narowal district of Pakistan’s Punjab province, had recently inadvertently crossed over into India from the international border between both countries. BSF offi cials questioned the boy and did not fi nd anything suspicious in his entering India. - Agencies

B R I E F S

SLOW DOWNENJOY THE RIDE

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A9

INDIAT U E S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 1 7, 2 0 1 3

VICTIMS OF WRONG MEDICATIONChildren being treated at a local hospital in Arambagh locality of Hooghly district in West Bengal, yesterday. At least 114 children were hospitalised in Hooghly after they were mistak-enly given Hepatitis B vaccine orally instead of pulse polio drops, trigger-ing angry protests even as Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee ordered a probe and suspended four health workers. - PTI

Muzaff arnagar killers must be punished: PM

MUZAFFARNAGAR: Calling the communal violence here in Ut-tar Pradesh “a big incident”, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh con-soled families of some of the vic-tims and sought “strictest action” against the killers.

A week after the worst com-munal clashes in two decades en-gulfed Muzaff arnagar district, the prime minister fl ew to the area with Congress leaders Sonia Gan-dhi and Rahul Gandhi.

“Eff orts will be made to ensure that the strictest action be taken against those behind the (commu-nal violence),” a grim faced Man-mohan Singh said after touring some of the most aff ected places.

Manmohan Singh spoke to of-fi cials as he walked through Bassi Kalan village and later Tawli amid tight security.

At least 48 people were killed

and more than 100 injured as the communal violence from Septem-ber 7-9 quickly spread to villages, forcing the state government to deploy the military.

The orgy also saw more than 43,000 people take shelter in makeshift centres as they fl ed their rural homes after coming un-der attack from mobs — or because they feared violence.

No support, say victims Many of those who met the prime minister complained that the district administration and the state government did not extend to them the kind of support they should have.

“I, Soniaji and Rahul Gandhi have come here to share your grief and to understand the magnitude of the violence,” the prime minis-

ter told a group of journalists.“This is a big incident and the

culprits behind the incident must be brought to book. It is the govern-ment’s responsibility to safeguard life and property so that people can again return to their homes.”

He said his government would provide all necessary assistance to the Uttar Pradesh government to ensure that victims of the violence got all help.

Speaking to residents of Bud-hana Road in Muzaff arnagar, the prime minister said: “Please main-tain peace and calm.”

Both Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi also stopped by the roadside to talk to villagers of Barvala.

The prime minister was all ears as distraught people met him. “I am here to share your pain,” he said.

Manmohan Singh asked the

state government to ensure the rehabilitation of the thousands forced to fl ee their homes.

He also told reporters that he expected the security scenario to improve.

“People behind such ghastly violence would be punished and all help extended to the UP government.”

‘Secular tourism’Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) yesterday termed the visit of Prime Minister Manmo-han Singh, United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Chairperson So-nia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi to riot-hit Muzaff arnagar in UP as “secular tourism” and insisted that the government take appropriate action instead of doing votebank politics on the issue. - Agencies

A week after the worst

communal clashes in

two decades engulfed

Muzaff arnagar, the

prime minister visited

the area with Congress

leaders Sonia Gandhi

and Rahul Gandhi

At least 48 people

were killed and more

than 100 injured as

the violence from

September 7-9 quickly

spread to villages,

forcing the state

government to deploy

the militaryREACHING OUT: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress president Sonia Gandhi and party vice-president Rahul Gandhi interact with riot victims at a relief camp at Tawli in Muzaff arnagar, yesterday. – PTI

Dilip Kumar stable but still under observation MUMBAI: The condition of veteran actor Dilip Kumar, who suff ered a heart attack on Sunday, is stable in Lilavati hospital, a hospital spokesperson said yesterday. “He suff ered a myocardial infarction (heart at-tack) yesterday (Sunday). All treatment as per protocol was instituted,” said the spokesperson. Dilip Kumar, 90, was rushed to the hospital and admitted in the intensive care unit (ICU) and continues to remain there. In view of his advanced age and post-bypass status, he requires close monitoring in the ICU and is under the care of cardiologist Nitin Gokhale. “At present his condition is stable,” said the spokesperson. Ear-lier, his wife and former actress Saira Bano had told report-ers that the thespian had been admitted to hospital following “discomfort”. Later the hospital authorities informed that dis-comfort was caused due to heart attack.

Asaram’s judicial custody extended till September 30

JODHPUR: A court in Rajasthan yester-day extended, by 14 days, the judicial custo-dy of spiritual guru Asaram Bapu, arrested for assaulting a minor girl, while the state high court slated his bail plea for hearing tomorrow. Asaram fi led a bail application in the Jodhpur bench of the Rajasthan High Court on Friday. “The arguments on

bail application remained inconclusive today (Monday) and Justice Nirmaljit Kaur has now fi xed for September 18 as next hearing date, when the case diary will also be presented before the court,” said lawyer Jagmal Singh Chaudhry, one of the de-fence lawyers for Asaram. Eminent advocate Ram Jethmalani appeared for Asaram in the high court yesterday. Meanwhile, a lower court in Jodhpur extended Asaram’ judicial custody by 14 days, police said.

John Abraham conferred ‘Pride of the Nation’ Award NEW DELHI: Bollywood actor John Abraham was yesterday conferred the “Pride of the Nation” award for his attempt to raise the sensitive issue of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination through his role as a RAW agent in Madras Cafe. Constituted by Anti Terrorist Front, the award was presented to Abraham by its chairman M. S. Bitta at a function here. “Through Madras Cafe Abraham made a courageous attempt to unravel the con-spiracy behind the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi,” Bitta said addressing the gathering. - Agencies

B R I E F S

ONAM CELEBRATIONS: Army jawans celebrate Onam festival by decorating Pookalam (fl ower rangoli) at Ma-dras Regimental Centre in Nilgiris, yesterday. – PTI

DRDO ‘can develop’ 10,000km range missileNEW DELHI: Inter-conti-nental ballistic missile Agni-5, which can reach range of 5,000 km, will be ready for induction in the armed forces in two years, amid assertion by DRDO that it can produce a weapon system with a range of 10,000km.

Addressing a press confer-ence on a seminar to be held Tuesday, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Chief Avinash Chander said all the ballistic missiles in country’s arsenal would be can-istered to reduce the reaction time, in case of a nuclear attack.

He said by the end of this year or the beginning of the next year, the country’s fi rst indigenously-developed nuclear submarine INS Arihant would be carry-ing out weapon trials as part of its tests towards its induction in the Navy.

“Yes... actually range is least problematic part of the missile. We have full capability to go to any range. If we need a particu-lar range, we can achieve that in two or two-and-a-half years. The issue today is more with the accuracy of the missiles,” Chan-der said. The DRDO chief was asked if the premier research organisation would be able to provide 10,000km range mis-siles if government gives a go ahead to it. -PTI

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

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A10

PAKISTAN T U E S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 1 7, 2 0 1 3

TARGET OF ATTACK: Residents walk past damaged tankers of a Nato supply convoy after an attack a day earlier in Hub, about 25km from Karachi, yesterday. Fifteen oil tankers carrying fuel for Nato troops in Afghanistan were set on fi re by militants in southwest Pakistan on Sunday. The blaze tore through the tankers and they were completely destroyed. There were no reported casualties in the attack, according to local media.— Reuters

Taleban can’t dictate terms, says Kayani

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s mili-tary will not let Taleban rebels set conditions for peace talks as the government seeks dialogue to end the insurgency, the army chief said yesterday.

The statement from General Ashfaq Kayani came a day after two senior military offi cers were killed by a Taleban bomb in the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where the military is fi ghting Al Qaeda and Taliban-led militants.

Tehreek-i-Taleban Pakistan on Sunday announced preconditions for any peace talks, saying troops must be withdrawn from the trib-al areas and its prisoners released.

“It is understandable to give peace a chance through a political process but no one should have any misgivings that we would let terrorists coerce us into accepting their terms,” Kayani said.

Politicians last week gave their backing to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif ’s calls to begin talks with the Taleban.

But Kayani warned that mili-

tants “will not be allowed to take advantage of it (talks off er)”.

The army, he said, “has the abil-ity and the will to take the fi ght to the terrorists”.

On Sunday seven security per-sonnel including a major-general and a lieutenant-colonel died in four separate attacks.

Major-General Sanaullah Khan was general offi cer commanding in the Swat valley, where the army sent 30,000 troops in 2009 to ex-pel Taleban fi ghters.

Previous peace deals with the Taleban have quickly broken

down and been sharply criticised for allowing the extremists time to regroup before fresh attacks.

Pakistan says more than 40,000 people have been killed in bomb and suicide attacks staged by the Taleban and Al Qaeda-led mili-tants who oppose Islamabad’s US alliance. — AFP

Tehreek-i-Taleban

Pakistan on

Sunday announced

preconditions for any

peace talks, saying

troops must be

withdrawn from the

tribal areas and its

prisoners released

Fierce car enthusiasts in Karachi mean business

KARACHI: “Pakistani youth is not all about Kalashnikovs and violence. Here is your proof.”

These were the words of Suneel Sarfraz Munj, the chairperson of Pakwheels.com, as he pointed to-wards the throngs of people who had left their houses on a hot Sun-day morning, just to take a look at the vast array of cars people in Ka-rachi possess.

The mission of Pakwheels.com in organising this event at Port Grand in Karachi was to unite car lovers irrespective of class or creed of family background. “Eve-ryone who appreciates wheels is welcome here,” stated Suneel.

And everyone did show up.From toddlers to teenagers, the

crowd was all “oohs” and “aahs” for the spectacular spectrum of cars on display. This motor show featured vehicles broadly classi-fi ed into four diff erent categories, ie, vintage cars and modern clas-sics, bikes, exotic and muscle cars, 4 x 4s and off -roaders.

There was also a dome in which the fi rst ever Formula 1 replica in Pakistan was presented. However, the dome wasn’t set up by 3pm, even though the show started well before 12 noon. This ‘showstopper’ failed to attract many despite the live DJ and simulators.

Mohammad Raheel Khan, a car enthusiast and administrator of the RX8 Club Karachi, was un-fazed by this. For him, the high-light of the show was Nadir Mag-si’s Phantom Ghost Rolls Royce.

Breathtaking beautyThis 2013 model stood in all its glory; it’s black and silver surface shining marvellously as the sun beat down upon it. Right beside this classic was parked an equally breathtaking beauty — a Hup-mobile from 1929, also the oldest car of the show. The owner Ka-rim Chhapra, the director of the Vintage and Classic Car Club of

Pakistan, smiled sheepishly as he narrated how this very car secured the third place in 2012’s Kuwait concours d’elegance — an interna-tional auto show where cars from all around the world compete.

Close by stood a white SL-500 Lorinser Mercedes owned by Ghazanfar Agha. This car was a custom-built vehicle presented to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif by the emir of Qatar. It also secured the fi rst position in the Extreme Autocross that took place on Sat-urday, September 14.

Car enthusiasts in Karachi are indeed fi erce and they mean business.

“Please don’t touch the cars and stay behind the rope,” was a com-mon plea heard by many car own-ers as the spectators longingly ran their hands over the sides of the cars they were posing next to. Some even jumped on top of heavy bikes, shades and hair a direct rep-lica of Salman Khan, in a desperate eff ort to get their picture taken be-fore the guards shooed them away.

It is for this very reason that Karim Chhapra did not bring his 1924 Silver Ghost Rolls Royce to the show. This is this same car in which Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Lord Mountbatten rode on August 14, 1947, to sign the declaration of

Independence on August 14, 1947.“It’s too precious,” he stated sim-

ply with a shrug of his shoulders.There was a grand display of rare

cars, Imad Samad’s 1986 Chevrolet Corvette – the last ever Sting Ray produced – among them. However, Toyota and Suzuki had also pur-chased stalls to showcase vehicles for the average Joe.

“We are coming back to Karachi next year, that’s for sure,” stated the Pakwheels chairperson just as a man in a skullcap posed next to an NSX. Further on, a woman was overheard complaining: “They should let us drive the cars and not just look at them!” — Express Tribune

T H E O T H E R S I D E

It is understandable to give peace a chance through

a political process but no one should have any

misgivings that we would let terrorists coerce us

into accepting their terms

Ashfaq KayaniGeneral, Pakistan Army

HAVE YOUR SAY Send us your comments at facebook.com/timesofoman blog.timesofoman.com [email protected]

LOVE AFFAIR: Car enthusiasts in Karachi gathered at Port Grand on Sunday to take a look at the city’s collection of vintage and other vehicles. MPA Nadir Magsi displayed 12 of his cars. — Express Tribune

‘Slain leader Farooq was loyal to MQM’KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Khalid Maqbool said yesterday that the slain party leader, Imran Farooq was loyal to MQM.

On September 16, 2010, 50-year-old Farooq was on his way home from work when he was at-tacked in Green Lane, outside his London home.

Earlier yesterday, the London police, investigating the murder of Farooq, said the politician’s wish to launch a new political party before his death continued to be a key line of inquiry in the murder investigation. Talking to the media in Karachi, Maqbool said that he hoped Farooq and his family would be given justice.

“Whatever is being said against MQM is not verifi able enough to be presented as news,” he said, adding that he hoped facts would come forward.

MQM leader Haider Abbas Riz-vi said that people had been weav-ing tales of MQM’s involvement with Imran Farooq’s murder but to no avail.

Altaf quizzedMQM chief Altaf Hussain was previously interrogated by the London Police over the murder as well as suspicions of money laun-dering. “From Pakistan to Britain, people have been trying to frame MQM for Imran Farooq’s murder but MQM’s involvement in the killing is only a fi gment of some-one’s imagination,” he said, while talking to the media in Karachi.

The MQM leader said that when

people create stories, they want it to be real but a conspiracy is a conspiracy. Maqbool added that people can try their best to frame MQM but they won’t be success-ful. MQM protests against Karachi operation MQM staged a walkout in the Sindh Assembly Monday in protest of the recent arrest of party leaders.

‘No decrease in crimes’“Despite the Karachi operation, there has been no decrease in crimes in the city,” said MQM MNA, Asif Husnain.

The party demanded that their leaders who had been arrested be freed, including former MPA Nadeem Hashmi. Hashmi was ar-rested for allegedly fi ring at a po-lice mobile and killing two police personnel Muhammad Ali and Arif in Hyderi. — Exclusive, in arrangement

with Express Tribune

C O N T R O V E R S Y

Imran Farooq

Important posts remain vacantISLAMABAD: Even after the completion of 100 days, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government is yet to take deci-sions on fi lling important vacant slots such as envoys to important foreign countries, a chief for the corruption watch dog National Ac-countability Bureau (NAB), Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and many more.

The PML-N government is seemingly unable to get done with the process of such appointments that are directly linked with impor-tant national and regional matters.

Former senator and expert on legal matters S.M Zafar opined “the delay is inviting other insti-tutions to intervene as many par-ties are fi ling petitions in the apex courts to get rid of the delays hurl-ing the appointment on key posts.”

Zafar said PPP which holds the

offi ce of the leader of opposition in National Assembly and gener-ally the opposition that contains Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) will surely play a decisive role in the appointment of the CEC and chairman NAB.

Zafar also expressed the reser-vation that “not only NAB’s chair-man but also CEC’s appointment should be approved at earliest by government and opposition with consensus as the local government elections are approaching later this year and the timely appoint-ment of CEC would play a pivotal role to conduct these elections in a transparent manner.”

Zafar concluded that the PML-N has not failed to evolve a con-sensus over the appointment of chairman NAB as they have a lot of mess in their plate but should avoid further delays. — Express Tribune

F I R S T 1 0 0 D A Y S O F G O V T

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ASIAT U E S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 1 7, 2 0 1 3

Graft charges on sacked Sri Lanka chief justice COLOMBO: Sri Lanka yesterday brought criminal charges of corruption against former chief justice Shirani Bandaranay-ake whose sacking earlier this year was internationally criticised as a blow to ju-dicial independence. Bandaranayake, the country’s fi rst female head of the judiciary and the fi rst judge to be impeached, was brought before a Colombo magistrate who impounded her passport and scheduled a hearing for February. “The magis-trate invited her to take a seat among the lawyers, but she opt-ed to remain in the dock and hear the charges,” the head of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, Upul Jayasuriya, said. He said more than 100 lawyers signed up to defend Bandaranayake who is accused of failing to disclose bank accounts in line with an assets declaration required of her when in offi ce. “This is a frivolous allegation. She is accused of not declaring bank ac-counts where she had a zero balance,” Jayasuriya said. Under the Bribery Act, she could be fi ned a maximum of 5,000 rupees ($38) and imprisoned for up to seven years.

Typhoon Man-yi hitsJapan, two feared deadTOKYO: Typhoon Man-yi hit Japan yesterday, leaving two people dead and forcing the operator of the crippled Fuku-shima nuclear plant to release rainwater with low levels of ra-diation into the ocean. The powerful typhoon made landfall in Toyohashi, Aichi prefecture, shortly before 8am (2300 GMT Sunday), packing gusts of up to 162km per hour, the Japan Meteorological Agency said. Public broadcaster NHK said a 71-year-old woman was found dead as a landslide engulfed her house in Shiga prefecture, while a 77-year-old woman was also confi rmed dead in a separate mudslide in Fukui pre-fecture. Four people were still missing while 128 others were injured with more than 4,000 houses fl ooded and at least 270 houses damaged by strong wind or landslides, NHK said.

Cambodia rivals meet to defuse political crisisPHNOM PENH: Cambodia’s political rivals held fresh crisis talks yesterday as thousands of protestors massed for a sec-ond day following violent clashes against a disputed election that left one demonstrator dead. Prime Minister Hun Sen and opposition leader Sam Rainsy met for several hours at the Na-tional Assembly in search of a way out of the deepening po-litical standoff triggered by July polls marred by allegations of electoral fraud. In a joint statement released afterwards, they said they had agreed on three points — to heed the king’s call for an end to the violence, to set up a mechanism to bring about election reform in the future and to continue negotia-tions. The talks followed violent clashes in Phnom Penh on Sunday on the fringes of a mass demonstration with opposi-tion supporters demanding probe into the vote. - Agencies

B R I E F SPhilippines launches air attack on rebels

ZAMBOANGA: Philippine troops aboard helicopters fi red rockets on Monday at rebels occupying parts of a major city, intensifying eff orts to end an eight-day standoff that has left dozens dead.

The military said it was close to defeating the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) forces, who invaded southern Zamboanga city in a bid to derail a rival rebel group’s planned peace pact with the government.

“We know for a fact that the end

is near and they are trying to fl ee,” military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Ramon Zagala said shortly before the helicopter assault was launched.

Two air force helicopters fi red rockets towards the MNLF rebels held up in and around two coastal villages, the fi rst air strikes since the military began its off ensive on Friday. About 200 rebels ini-tially took dozens of hostages and burned hundreds of homes, forc-ing a shut down of Zamboanga, a city of about one million that is a key commercial hub in the region.

Zagala said there were only about 100 MNLF forces left, after dozens were caught and others fl ed, while key rebel-held areas had been over-run.

Precision strikesBut the remaining gunmen were hiding among civilians and Zagala acknowledged the rebels were be-lieved to still be holding some lo-cals as human shields.

Asked about the potential for the civilians to be caught up in the helicopter assaults, Zagala empha-sised they were “precision” strikes.

Human Rights Watch expressed concern about the growing dangers for civilians, four of whom had been killed in earlier stages of the confl ict.

“This defi nitely raises the level of danger for civilians in the area,” Carlos Conde, the Philippine representative for the New York-based watchdog, said.

“These are residential areas, how would they (soldiers) know which house or area to target? I don’t think they would have that precise information.”

Fifty-one MNLF fi ghters and six security forces, as well as the four civilians, have died during the standoff , according to Zagala.

Nearly 70,000 other civilians have fl ed the fi ghting, however many oth-er people are believed to be trapped inside the confl ict zones.

As many as 300 civilians in one village had sought shelter in an ice-making plant building after aban-doning their homes, while others had stayed behind to protect their belongings, according to Human Rights Watch. - AFP

The military said it

was close to defeating

the MNLF forces, who

invaded southern

Zamboanga city in

a bid to derail a rival

rebel group’s planned

peace pact with the

government

FIGHTING RAGES: Smoke billows from burning houses in a resi-dential district as fi refi ght rages between government soldiers and rebels in Zamboanga city in southern Philippines, yesterday. - Reuters

HAVE YOUR SAY Send us your comments at facebook.com/timesofoman blog.timesofoman.com [email protected]

Afghan presidential election race kicks off KABUL: Nominations opened yesterday for Afghanistan’s presi-dential election, with a large fi eld expected to register in the race to succeed Hamid Karzai.

The election next April 5 will mark Afghanistan’s fi rst-ever democratic transfer of power as Karzai steps aside after leading the country since the Taleban regime was ousted in 2001. The presi-

dential race, from which Karzai is barred after serving two terms, is seen as the key test of the eff ective-ness of 13 years of bloody interna-tional military intervention and billions of dollars of aid.

“Around 28 people received the information package for presiden-tial elections,” Independent Elec-tion Commission (IEC) spokes-man Noor Mohammad Noor told

reporters as the offi ce opened. All potential runners must regis-

ter with the IEC before October 6, and a fi nal list of verifi ed candidates will be published on November 16.

Presidential hopefuls must be aged at least 40, have a clean crim-inal record, provide 100,000 voter cards to prove they have a network of supporters and lodge a deposit of one million Afghanis ($18,000).

The tough new criteria were designed “to limit the number of runners”, Noor said, after around 40 candidates stood in the chaot-ic 2009 election that was marred by fraud. Karzai has dominated Afghan politics as the country has struggled to develop amid a Taleban insurgency, and there are no obvious front-runners to succeed him. - AFP

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

Page 12: T17 09 2013

COMMEN ARYT I M E S O F O M A NT U E S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 1 7, 2 0 1 3

Founder: Essa bin Mohammed Al Zedjali Chairman and Editor-in-Chief: Mohamed Issa Al ZadjaliDeputy Editor-in-Chief: Anees bin Essa Al Zedjali Chief Executive Offi cer: Ahmed Essa Al Zedjali

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Special to Times of Oman

Twenty years have passed since Is-raeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Palestine Liberation Organisa-tion (PLO) Chairman Yasser Arafat signed the Oslo Accords in Wash-ington, DC on September 13th, 1993. On the White House lawn, where

the signing took place, there was a sense of euphoria. When Arafat and Rabin shook hands, Arab Americans and American Jews, who had long been combatants in the public sphere, turned to each other to embrace and celebrate the moment. Two days later, in an eff ort to build on this positive sentiment, President Bill Clin-ton invited 150 leaders of both communities to the White House urging them to work together as a “con-stituency for peace.”

In Israel and the Occupied Territories there were also celebrations with leaders on both sides express-ing optimism about the way forward. Appearing on my live call-in TV show just days after the signing, Nabil Sha’ath the chief Palestinian negotiator was questioned about whether the fl edgling Palestinian government would be able to restrain perpetrators of acts of violence against Israelis.

He responded, “If the agreement works, and I be-lieve that it will, two years from now our farmers will be cultivating the land that has been liberated, our young men will be working at jobs that have been cre-ated, and we will be building the infrastructure of our new state. If, in the midst of all of this, someone were to commit an act of violence, the people would turn to us and say, ‘stop them, because they are threatening everything we’ve won.’”

There were also Israelis who looked confi dently to the future. Israel’s deputy Foreign Minister Yossi Beilin said, “Israel is another Israel, we are ready to change many of our ideas from the past to adapt our-selves to a new reality. The PLO is no longer the same PLO. Things can be done in the Middle East.”

But not everyone was pleased. Israeli critics ac-cused Rabin of surrendering to and giving legitimacy to Palestinian terrorists, while Palestinian critics charged that the Oslo documents had too many loop-holes and would only prolong the Israeli occupation.

By any measure, the Accords were incomplete. They were full of ambiguities, areas where the par-ties fudged over diff erences because they could not fi nd agreement. And resolution of the most critical is-sues of Jerusalem, borders, settlements, refugees, and security arrangements were put off until after a fi ve-year transitional period. One observer, at the time, described the Accords, more like “a cry for help” than a peace agreement. It was as if Israelis and Palestin-

ians were saying “this is a start—as far as we can go. We need help to get to the fi nish line”. But even with the fl aws and the ambiguities, what was undeniable was that Israel and the PLO had taken unprecedented steps, breaking taboos and shattering myths.

In the fi rst place, Israelis and Palestinians formally recognised each other as national communities. While Palestinians had committed themselves to a two-state solution in 1988, signing an agreement with the Israe-lis that recognised the legitimacy of an independent Israeli state represented a dramatic breakthrough. Is-rael also had an issue with recognition.

Until Oslo they had refused to acknowledge the ex-istence of a Palestinian people. And they refused not only to talk to the PLO but had insisted that others shun the group, as well. In 1985, speaking at a Wash-ington event, Rabin was quoted as saying “whoever agrees to talk to the PLO means he accepts in principle the creation of an independent Palestinian state” and this he said, was “unacceptable”. In acknowledging the PLO, Israel not only opened the door to the inevitabil-ity of a Palestinian state, it also shattered the anti-PLO taboo (that it had established). For years, the heavy-handed political clout of American supporters of Is-rael had tormented Arab Americans and others, pun-ishing them for “contact” with the “forbidden” group.

The Oslo Accords also shattered the myth that the Israeli-Palestinian confl ict was insoluble, the re-sult of an “age-old” confl ict that was “in the genes” of both communities. Oslo did not provide a solu-tion, but it demonstrated a willingness of both sides to fi nding one.

The Oslo Accords provided for an initial Israeli limited deployment that would lead to a fi ve-year transitional phase, during which negotiations would continue. It was at the end of this fi ve year period that the parties would begin work in earnest to resolve the so-called “fi nal status” issues. The operative assump-tion behind this approach was that with fi ve years of peaceful relations suffi cient trust would have devel-oped giving the negotiators the space to tackle the thorniest issues.

There were other breakthroughs resulting from Oslo. While no Palestinian state came into being, the locus of Palestinian authority and decision-making would move for the fi rst time to the Palestinian terri-tories. And while the occupation remained an oppres-sive fact of life for most Palestinians, even the limited pullback of Israeli forces from most West Bank cities and towns, gave Palestinians welcome respite.

The author in the president of Arab American Insti-tute. All the views and opinions expressed in the article are solely those of the author and do not refl ect those of Times of Oman.

Twenty years after Oslo, trying it again

Israelis and

Palestinians formally

recognised each

other as national

communities. While

Palestinians had

committed themselves

to a two-state solution

in 1988, signing an

agreement with the

Israelis that recognised

the legitimacy of

an independent

Israeli state

Railway will help Oman’s economy to grow faster This refers to the news story, Oman’s railway project to start on a ‘fast track’ (September 16). Hon-estly, I was very delighted to learn that a section of the project would become operational by 2018 and that the project is progressing ahead of schedule. This defi nitely will augur well for the Sultanate as railway will boost the country’s economy and put it on the fast track of growth. Railway will also become a big source of employ-ment generation in Oman.Ritu BaliAl Khuwair

TORCH is indeed showing light to many in Oman I take this opportunity to thank Times of Oman for starting the

legal column, TORCH. I have been reading the column since its launch and found it extremely helpful. I am sure many would have already found this column extremely helpful. It has helped me in having a better understand-ing and perception about some otherwise knotty legal matters. It would also be benefi cial if Times of Oman could consider off ering similar expert legal opinion and solutions on issues pertaining to education, diet, exercise, health, society etc. as it would help readers and people to gain better understanding about their rights.G.V.K. Durga RaviMuscat

Indians caught between the devil and deep sea Who will be the next prime

minister of India? Narendra Modi or Rahul Gandhi? If we take both into consideration we fi nd ourselves caught between the devil and deep sea. Consider Modi stirred up a communal sentiment through Godhra to ensure con-tinuation of BJP’s rule in Gujarat. He couldn’t stop violence in time as more than 2,000 people died. He has been claiming develop-ment of Gujarat, most of which subsequently turned out to be bo-gus. He may have brought in some development but is that enough to wash away his misdeeds? Rahul was born with a golden spoon in his mouth and into the fi rst family of Indian politics. But is that a qualifi cation enough? What has been his contribution to Indian politics or growth of India? R. MarakkarSeeb

Poaching will not stop until markets resistThe once rich wildlife of Nepal is now in a sad state of rapid depletion. With both rhino and tiger populations in the erstwhile monarchy depleted to almost half their populations that was there even fi ve years ago, Nepal has now become a favourite conduit for several transnational criminal gangs bleeding the nation almost every day, killing some animal or the other. The crime will never stop unless the market for animal body parts does not end, or these products are not boycotted. Also, countries need to collaborate with each other and share information and intelligence regularly. Mar-kets in China and the West off er a huge market for these products.Shiladitya RanaMuscat

READERS’ FORUM

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

Acceptance is not submission; it is acknowledgment of the facts of a situation

KATHLEEN CASEY THEISEN

WASHINGTON WATCH

“Insure with New India and be secure”

At long last, the Nawaz Administration is beginning to enact a clear policy agenda meant to set the country on the path of fi nancial self-reliance. The decision to privatise the Pakistan

International Airlines is long overdue and we welcome it. We would have preferred an outright sale, but the government’s decision to sell a 26 per cent stake along with managerial control is still a big step in the right direction and a positive macroeconomic signal for entre-preneurs. The business community has been growing impatient with the government as of late and there was even talk of the administra-tion being an early disappointment. An investment bank, issued a report earlier this week, citing low morale among corporate execu-tives and a waning appetite for capital investment. With this move, the government has taken at least some measures to begin living up to its electoral promises.

Having said that, the task they have chosen to take on is not an easy one. PIA’s union is openly hostile to the privatisation and has vowed to take the matter to court. It is imperative at this point that the gov-ernment ensure that it has followed the letter and spirit of the law in authorising this transaction. It would be a shame for a sound policy decision to be ruled illegal on a technicality. The union is waiting to pounce on any government slip-ups. The administration must not provide them that opportunity.

Yet, even if they get the technicalities in order, the union does have the upper hand, as the previous government discovered earlier in its term. The pilots’ union, for instance, can institute a ‘go-slow’ protest, where pilots deliberately fl y the planes at slow speeds to achieve the dual aim of inconveniencing customers and dramatically increasing fuel costs for the airline. Future buyers will likely know this, which may make it diffi cult to fi nd investors. Former PIA managers have welcomed the move, but warned that it could get violent. We sincerely hope they are proven wrong. - The Express Tribune

Divesting in PIA

The myths about the agreement between the United States and Russia on chemical weapons in Syria should not be allowed to distract us from its importance. The idea that Bashar Al Assad

could avoid military action by giving up his chemical weapons was more than an “off -the-cuff remark” by John Kerry, the US Secretary of State. It had been discussed by Barack Obama and Vladimir Pu-tin, Assad’s main sponsor, at the G20 summit the week before (or so it was claimed). So the idea that President Putin has outsmarted his country’s historical adversary by exploiting Kerry’s “blunder” is mis-taken. This is a deal that the US wanted too, and that the world should welcome. We do not have to be starry-eyed about the prospects of the terms of the deal being met to see that it is a step in the right direction.

The deal provides for the destruction of Assad’s chemical arsenal under United Nations supervision by the middle of next year. Kerry talked up the prospect of the UN authorising military action if Assad failed to comply, but those words are not in the text of the agreement, and Russia would in any case have to agree that the terms of the deal had been breached.

It is worth noting that the delay in air strikes sought by the Brit-ish House of Commons provided the time to make the deal possible. Globally, as Patrick Cockburn points out, the return of Russia to the international stage is one of the more important changes in geopolitics in the past two years. In part, this is simply a response to the winding down of American interventions in Iraq and Afghanistan under the Obama presidency, but Russia’s stepping forward was not inevitable. It was quite possible that, if the US had not taken the initiative in the region, no one else would have done so. And in the case of Syria, no one has. Whatever else we might think of a greater role for President Putin in world aff airs generally, to the extent that Russia is now engaged in the search for an end to the carnage in Syria it is a hopeful change.

Russia is not the only patron of the Assad regime, however. As Lord Williams writes, “Iran must be in the room for any settlement of the Syrian civil war”. Again, we should not be naive in assuming that the recent election of the “reform-minded” Hassan Rouhani as Iranian president, and recent semi-offi cial expressions of goodwill towards Jews, mean that Iran is now a force for peace too in the region. The agreement, however, could bring the Iranian leadership to see that its interests are best served by following the Russian lead and sharing some of the responsibility for ending the confl ict in Syria. However distant such a prospect might still be, anything that makes a settle-ment even a little more likely deserves cautious approval.- The Independent

Russia emerges asthe peace monger

D R J A M E S J . Z O G B Y

Page 13: T17 09 2013

PERSPEC IVET I M E S O F O M A N T U E S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 1 7, 2 0 1 3T I M E S O F O M A N A13

Literature is going global. In reportedly opening up to American writers, the Man

Booker Prize is simply following a trend which tends to weaken ties between writers and their na-tional communities.

When the Booker International was inaugurated in 2004 it was just

one of many new awards for writers from all over the globe. The IMPAC, launched in 1996, was another.

The shortlist of the Booker itself has long since looked like a fl ag pa-rade for the Commonwealth.

More and more a prize that only takes into account the literature of one country seems provincial; con-versely, authors are encouraged to feel they should be addressing the whole globe, otherwise they have set their sights low.

As a director of the Edinburgh Festival told me last year, “If a book is really good, it will reach out to ev-eryone the world over.”

Is this actually the case, or does it just refl ect enthusiasm for global celebrity and sales? I have judged both the IMPAC and the Booker In-ternational.

The IMPAC has gone to authors not writing in English just seven out of 18 times.

The biennial Booker Interna-tional just once in fi ve times. Be-cause however willing and cos-mopolitan a jury may be, a novel

that truly comes from a diff erent culture, written for that culture in that culture’s language, is a diffi cult creature to approach.

Do I really have the context to as-sess something written in Urdu, en-gaging a Pakistani audience in the throes of a historic crisis?

When prizes go to foreign books, they tend to come from authors who are consciously writing toward an international public; Orhan Pamuk and Michel Houellebecq both won the IMPAC; many Commonwealth authors competing for the Booker have professedly been mediating between their cultures and ours.

The prize process sucks foreign writers into Western tradition. The genuinely exotic is replaced by a palatable exoticism constructed for a global liberal community capable of granting the desired celebrity.

A reader seeking an intense expe-rience of the foreign would do well to look for translated novels that have not won international prizes.

Including American novels would not oblige Booker judges

to engage with language prob-lems (funnily enough, the last two Booker International Prizes went to Americans).

It would vastly increase the number of eligible novels (already far beyond serious assessment). It would reinforce the illusion that Britain and the US share a common culture.

Above all it would contribute to a growing feeling that the author is an international entertainer rather than an artist involved in a home community with a literary tradition.

In fact the rise of the internation-al award goes hand in hand with the decline of the novel as a serious infl uence in national debate, or a medium where the native language might be mined and renewed.

To top it all, the Americans, bask-ing in a global power that confers cultural self-suffi ciency, would be underwhelmed.

No American author will prefer the Booker to the Pulitzer. - The Independent

TODAY IN HISTORY

OPINION POLL

1796 President George Washington delivers his “Farewell Address” to Congress before concluding his second term in offi ce.

1862 The Battle of Antietam in Maryland,

the bloodiest day in U.S. history, commences. Fighting in the corn fi eld, Bloody Lane and Burnside’s Bridge rages all day as the Union and Confederate armies suff er a combined 26,293 casualties.

1903 Turks destroy the town of Kastoria in Bulgaria, killing 10,000 civilians.

1942 British Prime Minister Winston

Churchill meets with Soviet Premier Josef Stalin in Moscow as the German Army rams into Stalingrad.

TRAINING INSTITUTES CAN HELP BOOST OMANISATION IN HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY MUSCAT: Omanisation in the hospitality industry may reach 50 per cent in the coming years if all the new and major hotels in the country encourage the training institutes to meet their manpower require-ments. The National Hospitality Institute, which is meeting the training needs of the sector in a major way, is hopeful of seeing an expansion in the Omani-sation level in the hotels.

FROM OUR ARCHIVES

Images of war matter.

Images are capable

of changing the

narrative, possibly

affecting the course

of history. That’s

all the more reason

to handle them,

and others, as

thoughtfully and with

as much awareness

as possible

News photographs come and go. Here’s a may-oral candidate voting. Here’s a tennis player kissing a trophy. Here’s the president giving

a speech. But two recent front-page images in The Times, both related to the deadly crisis in Syria, were something far more powerful. Appearing exactly two weeks apart, they were such memorable, telling images that they deserve some attention here. The fi rst, had a caption that read: “In Damascus, the bod-ies of people who Syrian rebels and supporters say were killed on Wednesday in a government attack.”

Shrouded in white and unmarked by blood, at least four of the bodies are those of children. The one in the centre is a baby. And the accompanying article notes the “tell-tale signs of chemical weap-ons: row after row of corpses without visible injury.” The photograph was displayed boldly, across four columns at the top of the front page.

Michele McNally, the assistant managing editor in charge of photography, told me that she consid-ered many alternatives before recommending this one to the top editors who accepted it.

She also spent time “heavily scrutinising” the photographs that were becoming available after the poison-gas attack, checking and comparing to see if anything appeared to be staged or altered. Many of the early ones were from citizen journalists; later “very credible photographers starting sending, as they got on site.”

Before making a decision on which photograph to recommend, she used a tried-and-true method of determining how it would appear: printing out the photograph at the size it would appear on the page, and taping it onto an actual front page.

McNally describes herself as “by no means con-servative” when it comes to choosing photographs. She looks for “emotional content — something that aff ects you.” This photograph, shot by Bassam Kha-bieh for Reuters, certainly does that.

President Obama evoked images like this one when he spoke to the nation: “The images from this massacre are sickening. Men, women, children ly-ing in rows, killed by poison gas, others foaming at the mouth, gasping for breath.” Rallying support for a possible American strike against Syria, he urged citizens to look at them.

But presidents don’t always want people to see images of the dead. The fi rst Bush administration, for example, began a ban on photographs of fl ag-draped coffi ns at Dover Air Force Base that was lifted, after 18 years, in 2009. And it’s impossible to imagine Obama urging Americans to scrutinise im-ages of the victims of American drone strikes, which also have included children.

Last year, when Ambassador J. Christopher Ste-vens was killed in Libya, The Times kept a photo of the unconscious and dying ambassador on its Web

site — even after a request from the State Depart-ment to remove it — but stopped short of using such a photo in the next day’s newspaper.

The foreign editor, Joseph Kahn, told me that The Times tends not to show photographs of dead Amer-ican soldiers, partly because it never wants to make public the news of a death that the family may not yet know about. I also know that many readers fi nd graphic photographs of foreigners far easier to take than those of Americans.

The second front-page Syria photo showed Syr-ian government soldiers, trussed and lying face down, just before being executed by rebels. It was a screen shot from a video obtained by The Times.

The reporter on the accompanying story, C.J. Chivers, a former Marine and a Pulitzer-winning war correspondent, told me that the video was in-tended as a fund-raising tool for the rebels. Writing about it and showing it to the public “made people see the complexity of Syria,” he said.

“It helped people realize that the public narra-tives were incomplete.”

After misunderstanding information provided by the video’s source, The Times originally report-ed that the video was made in April of this year; it later corrected the record to say that it was from the spring of 2012.

The story, which led the paper, and the photo-graph, displayed over fi ve columns, might have been treated with less prominence if the correct timing had been known.

McNally described the photo as one that is “to-tally important and emotionally ridden,” but that “doesn’t take you over the edge.” The video appeared on The Times’ Web site, carrying a warning about its violent nature. Nevertheless, it was edited to go black as the gunshots were fi red. We hear but do not see that violence.

Some readers complained, calling it censorship. Editors constantly make decisions about what to include and what to leave out — the judicious crop-ping of a Boston Marathon bombing photo of badly wounded Jeff Bauman was one example.

Images of war matter. Some highly emotional photographs from Vietnam — the brutal execution of a Vietcong guerrilla, a Vietnamese girl burned by napalm — brought home the horror in a way that words never could. The same has been true more recently; think of the charred corpses of American contractors hanging from a bridge in Falluja, Iraq.

Now Syria. These two images are capable of changing the narrative, possibly aff ecting the course of history. That’s all the more reason to handle them, and others, as thoughtfully and with as much aware-ness as possible. And to remember that, powerful as they are, they are only pieces of the emerging truth. - The New York Times News Service

The delicate handling of the images of war

HISTORYNET.COM

Caissons(metal boxes)15 per side Floating

crane

Ship length290m

Grout bagsfilled with cement

Water depth: 20m

Listangle70°

Funnelremoved

GIGLIOISLAND

Retaining towers (12)

Anchorchains (24)

Groutbags

Caissons

Platforms

Pulling cables Caissonsadded

Caissonsemptied

Plan to salvage Costa Concordia cruise ship

GraphicsGraphic News /Source: Titan Salvage / Micoperi, wire agencies

An international team of engineers is making an ambitious bid to set upright the wreck of the cruise liner, which ran aground near an Italian island in 2012, killing 32 people. If the attempt succeeds, the 114,000-tonne ship will eventually be towed away for dismantling.

Anchor chains

Underwater platforms embedded in holes drilled into sea floor

1 2 3 4 5

ITALY

LAST POLL RESULTHas the possibility of US military actions in Syria receded indefi nitely?

Will the US-Russia deal help end the confl ict in Syria ?

Visit timesofoman.com to cast your vote

Yes100%

The decision to sell a strategic stake in na-tional carrier of Paki-

stan comes at a time when we have been told that the airline is tottering on bank-ruptcy. To give credit to the PM, he is trying his best to try and salvage the airline which we are reminded, ad nauseum, was once one of the best in the world.

Earlier, a new manage-ment was to take over. The choice of candidates was good especially after the politically connected were shed. But that was not to be. Now comes the sell off . Pos-sibly this too will be chal-lenged in court. But what op-tions do we have now.

No doubt, PIA has a glo-rious past. The airline was dependable, profi table and its staff was one of the best. Now all that is behind us. What we ask now is what the future holds. With one of the highest plane-to-employee ratios in the world, PIA be-came the golden goose for successive governments. People who had no business to be in the aviation sector were given jobs. Promotions were made on personal rec-ommendations. Consultants were hired on astronomical salaries. Those who were sacked earlier were brought back with full back pay.

Special assistants drew more salaries and allowanc-es than pilots. And the airline survived on successive gov-ernment bail-outs. One must mention that PIA continues to play a role in our lives that no other carrier does.

To name a few, only this airline ferries back the dead bodies of Pakistanis who pass away in foreign lands.

And only PIA fl ies to routes that are unprofi table and yet strategic within the country. PIA is also possibly the only airline that puts up with the kind of behaviour some of our fellow country-men and women indulge in.

Routinely, staff on board as well as on ground are threat-ened and abused. But they carry on. Truly great people to fl y with.

On the issue of profi tabil-ity, if anything, one can won-der how long PIA has been able to survive despite all that has been infl icted.

Of course we can thank some of the loyal employees who have helped stay the

course. But at the end of the day, the airline cannot sus-tain on the goodwill of peo-ple. There is internal bleed-ing. And corruption.

Many deals are dodgy – from the choice of aircraft to the chicken served on board fl ights. Accountability is held hostage by the all-powerful unions. Logic is defi ed when almost every fl ight is full and yet the airline does not make a profi t. Also, why other air-lines have been able to take away PIA’s passengers de-spite off ering fares that are usually higher.

One recalls novel attempts by PIA chiefs to regain lost ground. Like that of Cap-tain Aijaz Haroon to go into a code-sharing agreement with Turkish Airlines.

In retrospect, that would have helped steer the airline on course. But the most vocal opponents to that deal were those unions who were al-lied with today’s ruling party. One wonders why they are so quiet now.

Coming back to the deci-sion to sell, many have ques-tioned why we are selling the family silver. And more per-tinently who will buy it.

The best option would be for an employee buy-out. But for that to happen, one needs a dynamic leader like Shau-kat Mirza, who helped trans-form Exxon into Engro and then laid the foundations for the company to emerge as one of Pakistan’s only multi-nationals. In all probability, this won’t happen with PIA.

If we look at recent priva-tizations of public entities, KESC comes to mind. And if that is the example we are to follow, then it is one we should. Despite all the protests and the whisper-ings against them, the KESC management has turned around this public utility to a very large extent. Good employees are rewarded, bad employees are laid off . Ser-vice has improved by leaps and bounds for those who are willing to pay for it. Let us hope a similar future of meritocracy lies ahead for the thousands of PIA em-ployees. It was a sad day for PIA staff earlier this month when one of their jumbo jets – once the pride of their fl eet – was sold to junk deal-ers who will now take it apart piece by piece. One prays the same is not done with the airline itself – sold as junk and taken apart in bits and pieces. - The Express Tribune

The author is Editor of The Express Tribune

Past perfect,future tense

The decline of the novel

M A R G A R E T S U L L I VA N K A M A L S I D D I Q I

T I M PA R K S

And only PIA flies

to routes that are

unprofitable and

yet strategic within

the country

Page 14: T17 09 2013

A14

WORLDT U E S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 1 7, 2 0 1 3

Fire burns on Russian N-submarine for 5 hours VLADIVOSTOK: A fi re burned for fi ve hours on an atomic-powered submarine undergoing repairs near Russia’s east-ern port of Vladivostok yesterday, but naval and shipyard of-fi cials said there was no risk of a radiation leak and nobody was hurt. Black smoke poured from the submarine Tomsk, which is powered by two nuclear reactors, after it caught fi re at the Zvezda shipyard in Bolshoi Kamen, about 25km across a bay from Vladivostok on the Sea of Japan, authorities said. The fi re was the second on board a Russian nuclear-powered submarine in lass than two years. “There is no threat of radio-active contamination,” the state-run Itar-Tass news agency cited an unidentifi ed offi cial in Russia’s Pacifi c Fleet com-mand as saying.

‘NSA spied on Belgian telecom giant Belgacom’BRUSSELS: Belgian telecom giant Belgacom said yesterday its network had suff ered an “intrusion” which a media re-port blamed on the US National Security Agency (NSA) as it snooped on communications in Africa and the Middle East. Federal prosecutors said yesterday that state-owned Belga-com had fi led a complaint in July for “non-authorised access” to its servers. Prosecutors said the hacking could have only been done by an entity “with signifi cant fi nancial and logisti-cal means”.

Man shot over argumentMOSCOW: An argument over the theories of 18th century philosopher Immanuel Kant ended in a man being shot in a grocery store in southern Russia. RIA news agency quoted police in the city of Rostov-on-Don as saying a fi ght broke out between two men as they argued over Kant, the German author of “Critique of Pure Reason”, without giving details of their debate. — Agencies

B R I E F SSanctions against Iran shipping line scrapped

BRUSSELS/LONDON: The European Union’s eff orts to im-pose economic sanctions on Iran suff ered a new setback yesterday when a top court ruled that meas-ures against the Islamic Repub-lic’s biggest cargo carrier should be lifted.

The ruling by Europe’s second-highest court follows similar de-cisions in favour of some dozen Iranian companies in the last year, which have raised alarm in Europe and the United States.

Governments in the West have been using economic sanctions such as asset freezes against banks, shipping companies and other fi rms in an eff ort to curb Iran’s nuclear activities they fear aim at developing weapons.

But the Luxembourg-based General Court says the EU is failing to suffi ciently justify the need to impose sanctions against some targets.

In the case of the Islamic Repub-lic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL), the court said yesterday that the evidence of its alleged involve-

ment in nuclear proliferation of-fered by European governments “does not justify the adoption and maintenance of restrictive measures”. Yesterday’s ruling also included other Iranian shipping fi rms connected to IRISL.

EU governments have two months to appeal, and sanctions

will remain in place until the ap-peals process is exhausted.

A spokeswoman for the EU’s diplomatic service said the 28-member bloc would review the ruling to determine its response.

“We are fully aware ... of the consequences deriving from this and previous judgments. Refl ec-tion on all possible remedial ac-tion is already ongoing,” Maja Kocijancic said.

Challenge to governmentsSuch court cases are a challenge to EU governments who argue they cannot provide detailed proof of the plaintiff ’s activities because doing so can expose confi dential intelligence and undermine their eff orts to combat Iran’s atom work.

With dozens more cases pend-ing in courts, the pressure is on the governments to fi nd ways to coop-erate with courts better.

But lawyers for Iranian plain-tiff s have argued there simply is no evidence of illicit activities by their clients.

“This is not just victory for our clients but also for the rule of law. It’s a celebration of the independ-ence and integrity of our courts,” Maryam Taher, one of the lawyers representing IRISL and its affi li-ates, said. — Reuters

A top European court

ruled yesterday that

the EU’s sanctions

against Iran’s biggest

cargo carrier be lifted

CAT CAFE A consumer pets a cat at the ‘Cafe des chats’ (Cat Cafe) in Paris, yesterday. This is the fi rst ‘cat cafe’ in Paris, where customers can enjoy a drink while playing with one of the cats on the premises. The idea is inspired by a Japanese concept. — AFP

Woman allowed to go on trial in UK wearing veilLONDON: A Muslim woman will be allowed to go on trial in Britain wearing a full-face veil but must take it off while giving evidence, thought to be a legal fi rst, a judge ruled yesterday.

Lawyers for the 22-year-old woman from London had argued that removing the niqab against her wishes would breach her hu-man rights and be counter to Brit-ain’s tolerance of Islamic dress.

But Judge Peter Murphy, sit-ting at London’s Blackfriars Crown Court, said: “In general, the defendant is free to wear the niqab during trial.

“If the defendant gives evi-dence she must remove the niqab throughout her evidence.”

In his ruling Judge Murphy said concealing the face would “drive a coach and horses through the way justice has been admin-istered in England and Wales for centuries”.

He added: “The court may use its inherent powers to do what it can to alleviate any discomfort, for example by allowing the use of screens or allowing her to give evidence by live link.”

In preliminary hearings the woman had taken the veil off in a

back room to be formally identi-fi ed by a woman police offi cer.

The woman had argued it would be against her religious be-liefs to show her face in public.

She entered a not guilty plea to a charge of intimidation last week while wearing a niqab after the judge backed down from a previous decision that she would have to show her face to be prop-erly identifi ed.

But making his fi nal judgment today, the judge said: “The ability of the jury to see the defendant for the purposes of evaluating her evidence is crucial.” — AFP

P E R M I S S I O N G R A N T E D

DUBAI: A US web-hosting company has shut the website of an Iranian opposition leader held under house ar-rest in Tehran to comply with US sanctions, underscoring the unintended impacts of some of the curbs imposedon the Islamic Republic.

Washington has imposed sanctions restricting US entities’ trade with and provi-sion of services to Iran in a dispute over Tehran’s nuclear programme.

Hosting company Just Host shut down the website

of Mehdi Karoubi, a reformist cleric, in August, his former aide said.

Karoubi disputed the 2009 presidential election that re-turned Mahmoud Ahmadine-jad to offi ce, and protests broke out across Iran.

Mohammad Hossein Ziya, a former aide to Karoubi who runs his website from the United States, said he re-ceived a notice in August from Just Host telling him it could no longer host Karoubi’s per-sonal site, www.karroubi.ir. —

Reuters

US fi rm shuts Karoubi’s site

Page 15: T17 09 2013

A15

WORLDT U E S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 1 7, 2 0 1 3

COSTA CONCORDIA SALVAGE OPERATIONThe Costa Concordia cruise ship wreck emerges from water, yesterday, near the harbour of Giglio Porto. Salvage workers attempt to raise the cruise ship in the largest and most expensive maritime salvage operation in history, so-called ‘parbuckling’, to rotate the ship by a series of cables and hydraulic machines. Thirty-two people died when the ship, with 4,200 passengers onboard, hit rocks and ran aground off the island of Giglio, in January 2012. — AFP

‘Drone protest’ at Merkel rallyBERLIN: A small drone that hov-ered over a campaign rally by Ger-man Chancellor Angela Merkel before crash landing in front of her was a protest by the upstart Pirate party, it said yesterday.

Merkel looked on apparently amused as the about 40-centime-tre (16-inch) wide device, fi tted with a camera, dropped down on the podium just metres away from her at the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) event on Sunday in the eastern city of Dresden.

A week before Merkel seeks a third term in general elections, the Internet-freedom Pirates, who campaign for greater trans-parency in politics, said they wanted to take aim at the govern-ment’s stance on drones.

They had sought to convey to Merkel and Defence Minister

Thomas de Maiziere, on the po-dium with her, “how it feels to suddenly yourself be observed by a drone”, the party’s deputy chairman Markus Barenhoff said in a statement.

“For us, the use of drones with-

in the EU’s security framework is the expression of a disastrous trend,” he added.

It was also a protest against a scrapped spy drone deal which had already swallowed more than 500 million euros ($654 million) before being axed earlier in the year, said the statement, posted on the party’s website.

After police forced an uniden-tifi ed Pirate party member to ground it, he conducted an emer-gency landing “in the area in front of the stage in order not to endan-ger anyone”, he added.

A 23-year-old man was tem-porarily detained, national news agency DPA reported.

The Pirate party has seen its fortunes drop off recently and is credited with around three per cent backing in polls. — AFP

C R A S H L A N D I N G

12 killed in US Navy Yard shooting

WASHINGTON: At least 12 people were killed in a shooting yesterday at the US Navy Yard in Washington, where one suspect-ed gunman was among the dead and authorities were searching for two other possible assailants wearing military-style clothing, offi cials said.

The exact number of dead and wounded fl uctuated in the hours following the shooting, which took place about 5km from the White House, starting about 8:30am EDT (1230 GMT).

The Washington DC mayor and the police chief said there were 12 fatalities in the shooting at the Na-val Sea Systems Command, one of fi ve such commands where civil-ians, military personnel and con-tractors build, buys and maintain Navy ships and submarines. About 3,000 people work there.

“We have no indication of mo-tive at this time,” said Washington DC police chief Cathy Lanier.

Police described the two other possible suspects as a white man and a black man, each wearing military style clothing, although other law enforcement offi cials cautioned that it was still unclear whether more than one gunman was involved.

“We are confronting yet another mass shooting, and today it hap-pened at another military instal-lation, in our nation’s capital,” said President Barack Obama, who

vowed to enact “sensible” gun con-trol measures after a gunman shot dead 20 school children and six adults at an elementary school in Connecticut last December.

“They know the dangers of serv-ing abroad, but today they face the unimaginable violence that they wouldn’t have expected here at home,” said Obama, who spoke at the start of a speech on the US economy.

Patricia Ward, who works at the Navy Yard, said she hear three shots “pow, pow, pow” and then four more shots after a pause.

“Everybody was panicking and trying to decide which way to get out,” Ward told reporters.

Security guards told people to “run, run, run,” Ward said.

Washington police declined to

give a number of fatalities, saying there were “multiple victims de-ceased inside.”

Among the injured was a Dis-trict of Columbia police offi cer, who was in stable condition in sur-gery, and one other law enforce-

ment offi cer, offi cials said.Washington Hospital Centre

said it was treating three gun-shot victims, who were in criti-cal condition, and was expecting more to arrive but it was not clear how many.

At George Washington Uni-versity, a man in his 60s died of a single gunshot wound to his head, said Babak Sarani, head of trauma surgery.

Left templeThe man was shot in his left tem-ple and the injury “was not surviv-able by any stretch,” Sarani told reporters, adding he was unsure what type of weapon was used or whether the bullet had exited the victim’s body.

The other two possible sus-pects were described as black man, about 50, with a long gun a drab olive military uniform, and a white man with a pistol, a Navy-style short-sleeved khaki uniform and a beret.

The shooting hit the military es-

tablishment less than three weeks after US Army psychiatrist Ma-jor Nidal Hasan was sentenced to death for murdering 13 people in 2009 at Fort Hood, Texas, where he gunned down unarmed soldiers in what he later called retaliation for US wars in Muslim countries.

Dozens of police and emergency vehicles surrounded the complex in southeast Washington, which is about a mile south of the US Capi-tol. Helicopters circled the head-quarters with some touching down on the building’s roof.

The Federal Aviation Adminis-tration said it briefl y suspended departures at Reagan National Airport. The District of Columbia Public Schools have put six schools and an administration building on lockdown as a precaution. — Reuters

One gunman was

among the dead

and authorities

were searching for

two other possible

assailants wearing

military-style clothing,

said offi cials

Angela Merkel

Police described the two other possible suspects as

a white man and a black man, each wearing military

style clothing, although other law enforcement

officials cautioned that it was still unclear whether

more than one gunman was involved

UNDER SIEGE: Police and fi refi ghters respond to the report of a shooting at the Navy Yard in Washington, DC, yesterday. Right: A Park Police helicopter carries a sniper to the roof of a building on the Navy Yard complex, yesterday. — AFP

Page 16: T17 09 2013

A16

WORLDT U E S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 1 7, 2 0 1 3

EU court grants Berlin Zoo rights to the name of Knut BERLIN: Berlin Zoo will keep the rights to the name of Knut, the cuddly polar bear that cap-tured hearts worldwide and dev-astated fans when he died, an EU court ruled yesterday. The Luxembourg ruling was a victory over Knut IP Management Ltd of Britain, which had sought the trademark for “Knut - der Eisbaer” (Knut - the polar bear) for a range of merchandise. “Cute Knut”, born in December 2006, shot to global fame after he was abandoned by his mother and reared by hand by a zookeeper, quickly drawing TV crews from around the world. At the height of his fame, he appeared on the cover of Vanity Fair magazine and on German postage stamps, generating millions of euros (dollars) for Berlin Zoo. When he died in 2011 from a suspected brain seizure, fans left fl ower bouquets, written tributes and photos of the bear at his former den. A bronze sculpture called “Knut The Dreamer” went up last year. The General Court of the European Union said it had settled the zoo’s dispute with the British company which had in 2007 applied to registered the Knut trademark for clothing, shoes and sports articles and other goods. The court said Berlin Zoo had argued there was a likelihood of confusion with its Germany-registered trademark “Knud”, a slight variation on the bear’s name, for products including books, games, toys and dolls.

Albanian kids skip classes owing to brutal customET CONGUE: Hundreds of Albanian children will not attend the new school year starting yesterday as they hide at home from family blood feuds stretching back generations, a non-profi t organisation said. A total of 590 children, aged between three and 15, will miss out on classes due to a tradition from the Middle Ages that “blood can only be revenged with blood,” said Gjin Marku of Albania’s Organisation for Reconciliation.According to the tradition dating back to the 15th century, all males from a family, including babies, can be killed in revenge for a death of a murdered rival family member. The brutal rule is widely respected in the poor mountainous regions in the north of the country, but also in some villages and towns in other parts of Albania. “Most of those children (staying at home) are deprived of any communication, they cannot at-tend school due to their isolation,” Marku said.

Malawi court jails nine top policemen for fraudMALAWI: A court in Malawi has jailed nine senior police of-fi cers to 14 years each for fraud, a prosecutor said yesterday.The offi cers, most of them at superintendent rank, were con-victed of stealing a total of $164,000 from the police coff ers. “The nine had formed a network with civilians to siphon money from the Malawi Police Service through over-req-uisitioning of salaries and also underpaying taxes,” police prosecutor Happy Mkandawire said. Mkandawire, who led the prosecution team, said the nine were part of an original group of 15 suspects arrested in 2009 during a “clean-up exercise” of the police headquarters accounts department. One of the convicts, Isaac Moyo, was the chief paymaster of the 11,000-strong police force in the southern African country. -Agencies

B R I E F S

PAGEANT POSEThe 130 contestants from the Miss World 2013 beauty pageant pose at the GWK cultural centre, in Bali, on September 13. Indonesian billionaire media mogul, Hary Tanoesoedibjo, who brought Miss World to Indonesia, lashed out at the government yesterday for bowing to hardline pressure by moving the entire beauty pageant to Bali. -AFP

Titanic bandmaster’s violin put on display

BELFAST: The violin played by the bandmaster of the Titanic as the liner sank beneath the waves is to go on display at a museum marking the tragedy in Northern Ireland, offi cials said yesterday.

The instrument belonging to Wallace Hartley was found strapped to his body after he drowned with some 1,500 others on board the supposedly unsink-able ship in 1912.

It has an inscription on the back

from the 34-year-old’s fi ancee to mark their engagement.

For decades the rosewood violin was believed lost but it was found in the attic of a house in northwest England in 2006.

It will now be displayed at the Titanic Belfast exhibition from September 18 until October 13 be-fore it goes to auction in Wiltshire, southwest England on October 19.

“We are honoured and excited that Titanic Belfast has been cho-sen to display Wallace Hartley’s violin which he played on RMS Titanic,” said the museum’s chief executive Tim Husbands.

“This could very well be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for visi-tors to see one of the world’s most famous and most valuable Titanic artifacts before it goes to auction.”

The band played the hymn “Nearer, My God, To Thee” to calm passengers while they climbed into lifeboats as the Titanic sank beneath the icy waves in the North Atlantic after hitting an iceberg.

Hartley and his seven fellow band members all died.

Hartley was given the violin by his fi ancee Maria Robinson to mark their engagement in 1910. She had a silver plaque fi xed to the instrument engraved with the words: “For Wal-lace, on the occasion of our engage-ment. From Maria.”

It is now thought that the instru-ment was inside a leather bag that was found strapped to his body 10 days after the sinking, and was then passed to Robinson.

Robinson never married and after her death in 1939, her sis-ter donated the violin to her local Salvation Army band, where it passed into the hands of a music teacher and then to the unnamed owner in whose house it was discovered in Lancashire, north-west England. After seven years of testing, researchers said in March this year that the instrument was genuine. -AFP

The instrument

belonging to Wallace

Hartley was found

strapped to his body

after he drowned with

some 1,500 others on

board the TitanicVALUABLE ARTEFACTS: The violin played by bandmaster Wallace Hartley during the fi nal moments before the sinking of the Titanic is displayed in, Northern Ireland, yesterday. -AFP

Page 17: T17 09 2013

BMARKE

WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COMT U E S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 1 7, 2 0 1 3

CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE FOR RAILWAY TO BE FORMEDA major centre of excellence to cater to the emerging requirements of professionals in railway sector from within the country and outside, especially from the Gulf region, will be formed in the country soon. >B3

YOUR BIGGEST ROAD HAZARD IS IN YOUR HAND A TIMES OF OMAN

HANDS-FREE DRIVING INITIATIVE

Middle East billionaires possess $880b wealth

Times News Service

MUSCAT: About 5,300 rich indi-viduals in the Middle East possess a wealth of about $880 billion, according to a report.

Saudi Arabia tops the list of Middle East’s billionaires, with 64 highly wealthy individuals pos-sessing $204 billion in 2013, said

the Wealth-X and UBS World Ultra Wealth Report.

1,360 rich people in SaudiThere are a total of 1,360 rich peo-ple in Saudi with a total wealth of $285 billion, the report said.

The UAE came second with 1,050 wealthy people with a total

wealth of $190 billion, followed by Kuwait with 845 wealthy persons having $145 billion. The report said that 37 highly rich Emiratis possessed $45 billion.

“Despite ongoing economic and geopolitical uncertainties, the world’s ultra wealthy popula-tion reached an all-time high of

199,235 individuals with a com-bined fortune of nearly $28 tril-lion in 2013, growing by more than six per cent in population size from the previous year and add-ing $2 trillion to their combined wealth, greater than the gross domestic product of India,” the report said.

2,000 billionaires globallyThe report also identifi ed more than 2,000 billionaires glob-ally with a total net worth of $6.5 trillion, equal to 23 per cent of the world’s ultra high net worth (UHNW) total wealth.

Growth was largely due to North America and Europe, with the two regions responsible for a net gain of nearly 10,000 UHNW individuals and a total increase in wealth of $1.5 trillion. China and Brazil, the fourth and seventh wealthiest ultra high net worth nations in the world, saw a con-traction in their UHNW popula-tions and wealth due to economic slowdowns in these countries, the report said.

Asia rebounded from last year’s contraction, when there were 42,895 UHNW individuals in the region. As of 2013, there are 44,505 UHNW individuals in Asia

with a combined wealth of $6.5 trillion, an increase of 5.4 per cent from the previous year.

Although the United States and Europe grew faster than Asia in the past 12 months, Asia will pro-duce more UHNW individuals and wealth than both regions in the next fi ve years.

The report forecasts that at current growth rates, Asia’s ultra wealthy population and wealth will eclipse that of Europe in 2021 and 2017 respectively. Asia will have a larger UHNW population by 2032 and have a greater total wealth by 2024.

Also, the global UHNW popu-lation continues to be dominated by men, who form 88 per cent of the total population. Female UHNW individuals make up the remaining 12 per cent, or 23,505 individuals globally.

“The Wealth-X and UBS World Ultra Wealth Report 2013 is based on the depth and breadth of our research and analysis from our database, which enables us to pro-vide the most insightful intelli-gence on the world’s ultra high net worth population for individuals and organisations to make im-portant decisions,” said Wealth-X CEO Mykolas D Rambus.

Saudi Arabia tops

the list of Middle

East’s billionaires,

with 64 highly

wealthy individuals

possessing $204

billion in 2013, said

the Wealth-X and

UBS World Ultra

Wealth Report

Raeco fl oats EPC tender for power station in KhasabA.E. [email protected]

MUSCAT: The Rural Areas Elec-tricity Company (Raeco) has fl oat-ed a tender for an engineering, pro-curement and construction (EPC) contract for building a power sta-tion in Khasab.

The Khasab power station is expected to be part of a series of infrastructure projects being im-plemented in the Musandam gov-ernorate and will help electricity distribution in the region.

The tender, which was fl oated on September 15, will open on November 11.

The government has recently awarded Saudi National Con-tracting Co (NCC) a OMR37.7 million-contract to build the fi rst major power transmission line in Musandam governorate.

Raeco primarily undertakes electricity generation, transmis-sion, distribution and supply and desalination activities in the in-terior region. The company op-erates almost all over the Sul-tanate, covering Governates of Musandam, Dhofar (except Wilayat of Salalah), Al wusta and Wilayat of Masirah.

U T I L I T Y P R O J E C T

The Wealth-X and UBS World Ultra Wealth Report 2013

is based on the depth and breadth of our research

and analysis from our database, which enables us to

provide the most insightful intelligence on the world’s

UHNW population for individuals and organisations

to make important decisions

Mykolas D RambusCEO, Wealth-X

ED

n

Page 18: T17 09 2013

B2

MARKETT U E S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 1 7, 2 0 1 3

Meethaq inks 3 pacts with Al Madina group

Times News Service

MUSCAT: Meethaq, the pio-neer of Islamic banking in Oman from Bank Muscat, signed three agreements with Al Madina Group for the development of the fi rst Shari’a compliant 5 star hotel in Oman and an integrat-ed residential and commercial complex in Al Hail.

Sulaiman Al Harthy, Group

General Manager – Islamic Bank-ing, signed the agreement with Eng. Mohammed Al Ghassani, Board Member of Shaza Muscat Company, for the development of Grand Millennium Muscat Hotel. The OMR28 million hotel, sched-uled for completion by the third quarter of 2014, will be a unique addition to the hospitality sector in the Sultanate.

Sulaiman Al Harthy said: “Meethaq is proud to be associ-ated with the prestigious, fi rst of its kind, Shari’a compliant fi ve star hotel in the Sultanate, fur-ther reinforcing its strategy to attract customers through inno-vative Shari’a based products and services. With this agreement, Meethaq has once again taken

the lead in off ering banking prod-ucts and services to fi nance as-sets which are in line with Shari’a principles.”

Sulaiman Al Harthy also signed two agreements with Eng. Abdul-rahman Barham, Chief Executive Offi cer (CEO) of Al Madina Real Estate Company, for the devel-opment of Shaden Al Hail pro-ject, an integrated residential and commercial complex in Al Hail. The OMR11 million project coming up in a fast growing area close to the new airport comprises state-of-the-art luxury resi-dences, serviced apartments and commercial space.

Meethaq also signed a Master Retail Agreement with Shaden Al Hail project, providing Shari’a

compliant banking services and finance for retail customers who wish to own individual units in Shaden.

Eng. Abdulrahman Barham said; “We are happy to join hands with Meethaq Islamic Banking in developing two major projects in Oman. The synergy between the two leading institutions will give a boost to the hospital-ity sector as well as benefi t citi-zens across Oman to fulfi ll their dream homes.”

Sulaiman Al Harthy added: “Meethaq is proud to be associ-ated with Shaden Al Hail project. The real estate sector is a ma-jor component of the national economy and Meethaq Islamic Banking is committed to extend-ing all support aimed at off ering citizens easy access to Shari’a based home fi nance.”

Bank Muscat is the first com-mercial bank in Oman to re-ceive CBO approval and begin independent Islamic banking window operations.

The bank has invested in staff , systems and controls to en-sure the service is delivered in a professional, segregated and fully Shari’a compliant manner. Meethaq provides Shari’a based products and services to meet all fi nancial needs of customers.

The three agreements

with Al Madina

group are for the

development of

the fi rst Sharia

compliant fi ve-star

hotel in Oman and an

integrated residential

and commercial

complex in Al Hail

KKR competes with Abraaj for acquiring Saudi fi rm DUBAI: KKR, the private equity fi rm led by Henry Kravis and George Roberts, is competing with Abraaj Group to buy a majority stake in Saudi Arabian restaurant business Kudu, two people famil-iar with the transaction said.

Abraaj, the largest buyout fi rm in the Middle East, and New York-based KKR reached the second stage of bidding to acquire about 60 per cent of the fast-food chain, said the people, asking not to be identifi ed because the information is private. HSBC Holdings Plc’s Saudi unit is managing the sale of the business, which operates 200 outlets in the region, they said.

Two of Kudu’s four partners are selling their stake in a deal expected to value the company at between SR1.5 billion ($400 mil-lion) and SR2.0 billion, one of the people said. Abraaj, which man-ages $7.5 billion from Dubai, also plans an initial public off ering of oil-and gas-service company Stan-ford Marine Group as soon as the fi rst quarter, the person said.

Incomes in Saudi Arabia, the biggest Arab economy and home to 28 million people, are growing as the government executes a $500 billion investment plan to build industries, roads and housing. — Bloomberg News

M A J O R I T Y S T A K E

alizz islamic bank operations to start on September 30MUSCAT: The board of directors of alizz islamic bank said that the bank will offi cially launch its operations for customers on September 30, 2013. The bank will provide a range of Sharia-com-plaint products to its valued customers.

Al Anwar Holdings plans to sell plot at Airport Heights MUSCAT: Al Anwar Holdings said that its board has accepted a pro-posal to sell the plot meas-uring 5,000 sq meters, situ-ated at Airport Heights area at a consolidated price of OMR2.5 million, net of all brokerage, commissions, taxes and charges. This transaction is subject to ac-ceptance of the buyer and formal transfer of the land at the Ministry of Housing. The present carrying value of the land is OMR3 mil-lion and hence, the com-pany would be booking a loss of OMR500,000 on this transaction.

Bank of London and Middle East planning to list on Nasdaq Dubai DUBAI: The Bank of London & The Middle East (BLME), the largest Islamic bank in Europe, said it plans to list on the Nasdaq Dubai stock ex-change in October, be-coming the fi rst company to join the bourse in more than four years. The bank expects to price the shares at $2.57 apiece, giving it an implied market value of about $503 million, Chief Financial Offi cer Richard Williams told reporters in Dubai. Existing sharehold-ers will swap their shares for those in a new listed entity, BLME Holdings. —

Times News Service/Agencies

B R I E F S

India’s infl ation surges to 6-month high at 6.1% NEW DELHI: India’s infl ation surged to a six-month high in Au-gust, data showed, strengthening chances the new central bank gov-ernor will freeze interest rates de-spite a struggling economy.

Infl ation, as measured by the Wholesale Price Index, hit 6.10 per cent in August from a year earlier and was up from 5.79 per cent in

July. The data comes as former International Monetary Fund chief economist Raghuram Rajan, famed for forecasting the 2008 global fi nancial meltdown, pre-pares to chair his fi rst monetary policy-setting meeting on Friday.

India’s once-booming economy is caught in a quagmire of sharply slowing growth, stubbornly high

infl ation and a record current ac-count defi cit that has pushed the rupee sharply lower.

Rajan has already declared he sees his main role as sustaining “low and stable expectations of in-fl ation” and analysts said he could not ignore the latest price data.

They said the impact of the ru-pee’s sharp fall on the price of fuel,

most of which is imported, and other commodities would also soon start showing up in the infl a-tion fi gures. The August data sur-prised markets which expected the fi gure to be in line with July’s.

The infl ation increase was driven mainly by food price rises due to crop damage caused by monsoon fl ooding.

Onion prices, a dietary staple especially for the poor masses, soared a massive 245 per cent from a year earlier while the cost of fruit, eggs and other goods also climbed.

The central bank cut rates in early 2013 but was forced to tighten monetary policy again to try to stem the rupee’s fall. — Agencies

E C O N O M Y

KEY PACTS: Sulaiman Al Harthy shaking hands with an Al Madina group offi cial after signing three agreements. — Supplied picture

Page 19: T17 09 2013

B3T U E S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 1 7, 2 0 1 3

MARKETProposed centre of excellence to cater to diverse needs of railway

A. E. [email protected]

MUSCAT: A major centre of ex-cellence to cater to the emerging requirements of professionals in the railway sector from within the country and outside, espe-cially from the Gulf region, will be formed in the Sultanate soon.

The new centre, which is be-ing formed by Oman Railway Company, will not only provide

training, but also conduct applied research, quality assurance and licences to work in the railway fi eld, Dr Nasser Al Badri, gead of human resource development at the Railway Team, told ‘Times of Oman’ on the sidelines of a panel discussion at the railway investment opportunities forum here.

With Oman gearing up to award the fi rst engineering, procure-ment and construction (EPC) contract for the 2,244-km-long

national railway project next year, the centre of excellence will play an important role in training and providing professionals with spe-cialised skills.

It is also signifi cant in view of the fact that the GCC countries are investing as much as OMR100 billion for the pan-GCC railway network, which drives demand for specialised professionals in the

region.“It is more than just a train-ing centre. Our vision is to make it like a leading organisation of inter-national standards,” he noted.

He said Oman Railway Com-pany is presently taking 50 Omani engineers to provide on-the-job training with the two consultants — preliminary design consultant (PDC) and project management consultant (PMC) — of the project.

While PDC work went to Italferr (Italian engineering fi rm), a PMC consultant will be taken within a couple of months. Of the 50 candi-dates, 10 will be given on-the-job training by PDC and the remaining 40 will be trained by PMC.

Manpower requirementThe total manpower requirement for the railway project, which is expected to cost OMR5-6 million, is not yet known.

Abu Timam GrantThornton is helping the Oman Railway Com-pany in determining the human resources requirement and to es-tablish operational framework and organisational structure.

Dr Al Badri said a clear picture on the total manpower require-ment for the railway project will emerge either in the fi rst quarter or second quarter of next year, af-ter discussions with the consult-ants. “We are now trying to under-

stand the requirement of Oman Railway Company and accord-ingly we will formalise the centre,” he added. The railway project also needs a variety of professionals, including fi nance professionals and engineers.

Dr Al Badri said the recruit-ment for railway project will be carried out by Oman Rail-way Company, which was being formed by the Ministry of Transport and Communications.

He also noted that the railway project will be implemented by Oman Railway Company, while policy decisions are taken by the Ministry of Transport and Communications.

The centre, which is being formed by Oman

Railway Co., will not only provide training,

but also conduct applied research, quality

assurance and licence to work in railway fi eld

HAVE YOUR SAY Send us your comments at facebook.com/timesofoman blog.timesofoman.com [email protected]

Saudi Aramco plans to start export from JV this month DUBAI: Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest crude exporter, plans to make the fi rst shipments this month of oil products from a joint-venture refi nery that’s start-ing up at the Gulf port of Jubail.

Yemen’s Aden refi nery will this week award a tender for supply of gasoline, diesel and fuel oil for the fourth quarter.

Saudi Arabian Oil Company and partner Total said they will off er this month the fi rst fuel to be exported from their joint-venture refi nery at Jubail. Saudi Aramco may sell one or two cargoes of fuel oil from the venture known as Saudi Aramco Total Refi ning and Petrochemical, or Satorp, two people with knowledge of the situation said last week.

Exports of gasoline and diesel are set to follow next month as new units of the refi nery begin op-eration, the people said. Saudi Ar-amco Products Trading, an Aram-co division, will sell the fuel oil in cargoes of 80,000 metric tonnes through direct negotiation, rather than by tender, one person said.

Satorp, 62.5 per cent owned by Aramco with the rest held by To-tal, is processing about 120,000 barrels a day of Arab Light oil at a crude distillation unit, with an-other CDU to start up next month. A coking facility, which will break down fuel oil to produce diesel and gasoline, is to begin opera-tions in November and will ena-ble the refi nery to process heavier oil grades.

Aden Oil Refi nerySatorp confi rmed in a statement September 12 that the plant was starting and that it would export products this month.

Yemen’s Aden Oil Refi nery is

seeking to buy gasoline, gasoil and fuel oil for supply during the fourth quarter, according to ten-der documents.

Rabigh Refi ning and Petro-chemicals will take 16 days to repair ethane cracker furnaces damaged in a September 11 power failure at the facility on Saudi Arabia’s west coast, the company said in a statement.

Libya declared force majeure on crude exports from the Melli-tah, Hariga and Zawiya terminals on September 12 amid continued worker strikes, state-owned Na-tional Oil Corporation said.

The holder of Africa’s biggest oil reserves is pumping about

200,000 to 300,000 barrels a day, compared to its post-revo-lution high of 1.6 million barrels achieved a year ago, Prime Min-ister Ali Zaidan said in Tripoli on September 11.

Geopolitical eventsCrude prices are being aff ected by geopolitical events and Saudi Ara-bia will continue to keep the mar-ket well-supplied, Ali Al Naimi, that country’s oil minister said in Seoul September 12. The biggest member of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) is producing at the highest level in 32 years.

“The oil market’s fundamentals are good and the market is well-balanced,” he said. “Saudi Arabia and other producers remain will-ing and capable of meeting any additional demands.”

Oil commands premiumIraq, the second-largest Opec producer, last week released its October oil price diff erentials, raising levels to Asia and the United Staets Iraq boosted the premium for October shipments of Basrah Light crude to buyers in Asia to the highest since August 2012, raising it to 80 cents more than the average of the Oman and Dubai benchmarks, from a 15 cent premium for September.

The discount for October ship-ments of Basrah Light to the United States narrowed to $1.65 a barrel less than the Argus Sour Crude Index, from a $1.85 dis-count for September. The premi-um for Kirkuk crude rose to $1.40 more than ASCI for October, from $1.20 this month.

Discounts for October sales to Europe widened. - Bloomberg News

O I L S A L E

SATORP OUTPUT Satorp, 62.5% owned

by Saudi Aramco with the rest held by Total, is processing about 120,000 barrels a day of Arab Light oil at a crude distillation unit, with another CDU to start up next month

Page 20: T17 09 2013

B4

MARKETT U E S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 1 7, 2 0 1 3

MSM index in the red

MUSCAT: The MSM 30 Index ended lower at 6606.09 points, down by 0.25 per cent. MSM Sha-riah Index also closed down by 0.13 per cent at 1046.13 points.

Al Anwar Holding was the most active in terms of volume as well as turnover. Oman National En-gineering was the top gainer and gained 6.81 per cent, while Oman & Emirates was the top loser and closed down by 2.76 per cent.

Altogether 1,371 trades were executed in yesterday’s ses-sion, generating a turnover of OMR4.73 million with over 19.44 million shares traded. Out of 53 traded stocks, 13 advanced, 19 declined and 21 were unchanged. Foreign investors were net buy-ers to the tune of OMR139,000 worth of shares. GCC and Arab investors sold stocks amounting to OMR83,000, followed by Oma-ni investors at OMR56,000.

Financial Sector Index was down by 0.54 per cent at 8072.65 points. National Finance, ONIC Holding, Taageer Finance, Nation-al Bank of Oman and Bank Muscat increased by 1.24 per cent, 1.03 per cent, 0.65 per cent, 0.33 per cent and 0.17 per cent respectively.

Oman & Emirates, DBIH, Al Anwar Holding, Global Financial Investment and Transgulf Holding declined by 2.76 per cent, 2.06 per cent, 2.06 per cent, 1.88 per cent and 1.19 per cent respectively.

Industry shares fallThe Industrial Sector Index lost 0.13 per cent at 9570.35 points. Al Hassan Engineering, Dhofar Cat-tlefeed, National Aluminium Prod-ucts, Majan Glass and Voltamp Energy increased by 1.75 per cent, 0.39 per cent, 0.31 per cent, 0.30 per cent and 0.23 per cent respectively. Galfar Engineering, Oman Fisher-ies, Oman Textile Holding, Jazeera Steel Product and Oman Refresh-ment declined by 1.25 per cent, 0.96 per cent, 0.71 per cent, 0.33 per cent and 0.21 per cent respectively.

Services Sector Index closed

at 3458.16 points, down by 0.12 per cent. Oman National Engi-neering, Dhofar University and Renaissance Services increased by 6.81 per cent, 1.09 per cent and 0.31 per cent respectively. OIFC and Oman Telecom declined by 1.55 per cent and 0.50 per cent respectively.

Emerging stocks upEmerging-market stocks rose to a three-month high while bonds and currencies gained on bets Lawrence Summers’ withdrawal as a candidate to lead the Federal Reserve eases the risk of an early halt to monetary policy.

The MSCI Emerging Markets Index climbed 1.4 perc ent to 1,000.31 in London, set for the highest since June 4.

The United States agreed on a plan with Russia to eliminate Syria’s chemical weapons, boost-ing Turkey’s benchmark stock index by 3 per cent. The lira led advances in developing-nation currencies and Turkey’s two-year note rate slumped to a fi ve-week low. Gauges in the Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia gained at least 2.8 per cent. Russia’s Micex Index jumped 1.5 per cent led by Uralkali, amid bets a confl ict with Belarus will be resolved.

The MSCI emerging markets index has advanced about 106 per cent since the Fed’s fi rst round of bond-buying, known as quantita-tive easing, in 2008.

The gauge is valued at 10.6 times projected earnings for the next 12 months, versus 13.9 times for the MSCI World Index of developed-nation shares, accord-ing to data. onsumer discretion-ary and information technology companies led gains among the 10 groups in the measure for de-veloping-nation shares. Turkey’s Borsa Istanbul National 100 In-dex surged the most in the world on a dollar basis, led by banks. MSCI emerging markets index rose. - United Securities/Bloomberg News

Al Anwar Holding was the most active in

terms of volume as well as turnover. Oman

National Engineering was the top gainer

MUSCATSECURITIES MARKET

SHARE PRICE BULLETIN FOR MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16

REGULAR MARKET ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Security Name .................................................... Volume .....Turnover ... Trades ......... High .........Low ..........Close ......... Prev. .......... Diff . ............ Diff .............Last ..........Last ............ Last ................ Market Cap .........Par........................................................................................................................................................................................ Pr. ............ Close ........... RO ............... % .................Pr ..............Bid ............ Off er ............................................value

AL HASSAN ENGINEERING ...........................1,515,341 ...........352,395.............112 ............0.235 ......... 0.230 ............0.233 ............ 0.229 ............ 0.004 ............. 1.747 .............. 0.230 ............ 0.230 ............. 0.232 ............... 17,523,464.000 ......0.100ONIC. HOLDING ................................................. 10,000 ................3,940.................2 ............0.395 ......... 0.393 ............0.394 ............ 0.390 ............ 0.004 ............. 1.026 ............. 0.395 ............ 0.384 ..............0.393 ...............68,328,760.500 ......0.100TAAGEER FINANCE ..........................................24,000 ................3,720.................7 ............ 0.155 .......... 0.155 ............ 0.155..............0.154 ............ 0.001 .............0.649 ..............0.155 ............ 0.154 ..............0.155 ...............36,735,000.000 ......0.100DHOFAR CATTLE FEED ..................................... 95,622 ............. 24,386.................6 ............0.256 ......... 0.255 ............0.255 ............ 0.254 ............ 0.001 .............0.394 ............. 0.256 ............ 0.256 ..............0.259 ...............19,635,000.000 ......0.100NATIONAL BANK OF OMAN .............................280,967 ............. 84,273.............. 20 ............0.301.......... 0.298 ............0.300 ............ 0.299 ............ 0.001 .............0.334 ............. 0.301 ............ 0.298 ..............0.301 ............ 332,407,500.000 ......0.100NATIONAL ALUMINIUM PRODUCTS .................44,000 ............. 14,042...............17 ............0.320 ......... 0.318 ............ 0.319..............0.318 ............ 0.001 ............. 0.314...............0.318 ............ 0.318 ............. 0.320 ............... 10,709,292.550 ......0.100RENAISSANCE SERVICES ................................ 349,912 ...........224,273.............. 27 ............0.643 ......... 0.639 ............ 0.641 .............0.639 ............ 0.002 ............. 0.313.............. 0.639 ............ 0.635 ..............0.639 .............180,822,545.014 ......0.100VOLTAMP ENERGY ............................................ 15,861 ................6,837...............14 ............0.432 ......... 0.430 ............ 0.431..............0.430 ............ 0.001 .............0.233 ..............0.431 ............ 0.431 ..............0.435 .............. 26,075,500.000 ......0.100BANK MUSCAT ............................................... 838,010 ...........508,366.............. 93 ............ 0.614 .......... 0.605 ............0.607 .............0.606 ............ 0.001 ............. 0.165...............0.610 ............ 0.610 ..............0.614 ......... 1,306,422,235.188 ......0.100ACWA POWER BARKA ..................................... 228,185 ............131,143.............. 20 ............0.575.......... 0.572 ............ 0.575 .............0.575 ............ 0.000 .............0.000 ............. 0.575 ............ 0.575 ..............0.585 ..............92,000,000.000 ......0.100ALMAHA PETROLEUM PRODUCTS MAR. ...................37 ................... 766.................2 ...........20.700 .......20.700 ..........21.896 .......... 21.896 ........... 0.000 .............0.000 ............ 20.700 .......... 21.850 ........... 21.990........... 151,082,400.000 ......1.000AL SHARQIA INVESTMENT HOLDING .............340,237 ..............56,749.............. 33 ............ 0.169 .......... 0.165 ............ 0.167..............0.167 ............ 0.000 .............0.000 ..............0.165 ............ 0.164 ..............0.165 .............. 14,028,000.000 ......0.100GULF INTERNATIONAL CHEMICALS ................ 30,000 ................5,700.................3 ............0.190.......... 0.190 ............ 0.190 .............0.190 ............ 0.000 .............0.000 ............. 0.190 ............ 0.184 ..............0.190 .................3,990,000.000 ......0.100HSBC BANK OMAN ...........................................773,173 ............138,913.............. 29 ............0.180.......... 0.179 ............ 0.180 .............0.180 ............ 0.000 .............0.000 ............. 0.180 ............ 0.179 ..............0.182 ............360,056,302.200 ......0.100NAWRAS ...........................................................20,000 ..............10,560.................4 ............0.528 ......... 0.528 ............0.528 .............0.528 ............ 0.000 .............0.000 ............. 0.528 ............ 0.522 ..............0.528 ............ 343,698,553.440 ......0.100OMAN CABLES INDUSTRY ....................................2,500 ................4,670.................2 ............ 1.868 .......... 1.868 ............ 1.868..............1.868 ............ 0.000 .............0.000 ..............1.868 ............ 1.868 ..............1.890 .............167,559,600.000 ......0.100OMAN FLOUR MILLS ............................................1,000 ................... 641................. 1 ............ 0.641.......... 0.641 ............ 0.641 .............0.641 ............ 0.000 .............0.000 ..............0.641 ............ 0.642 ............. 0.660 .............100,957,500.000 ......0.100PORT SERVICES CORPORATION ...........................5,600 ................ 2,961.................3 ............0.529 ......... 0.520 ............0.529 .............0.529 ............ 0.000 .............0.000 ............. 0.529 ............ 0.522 ..............0.529 ...............50,276,160.000 ......0.100RAYSUT CEMENT ................................................3,000 ................5,865.................2 ............ 1.955 .......... 1.955 ............ 1.972..............1.972 ............ 0.000 .............0.000 ..............1.955 ............ 1.956 ..............1.989 ........... 394,400,000.000 ......0.100SMN POWER HOLDING ........................................... 500 ................2,872.................2 ............ 5.744 .......... 5.744 ............ 5.744..............5.744 ............ 0.000 .............0.000 ..............5.744 ............ 5.410 ..............5.700 .............114,670,688.640 ......1.000SOHAR POWER .....................................................1,014 ................2,322.................4 ............2.290 ......... 2.290 ............2.290 ............ 2.290............ 0.000 .............0.000 ............. 2.290 ............2.290 ..............2.411 ............... 50,611,290.000 ......1.000OMINVEST ..................................................... 165,939 ............. 76,384.............. 34 ............0.463 ......... 0.459 ............0.460 .............0.461 ............-0.001 ........... -0.217 ............. 0.460 ............ 0.459 ..............0.463 .............140,819,800.000 ......0.100AL JAZEERA STEEL PRODUCTS .........................127,560 ............. 38,460...............16 ............0.304 ......... 0.300 ............0.302 .............0.303 ............-0.001 ........... -0.330 ............ 0.301 ............ 0.301 ............. 0.304 ................ 37,719,183.920 ......0.100AHLI BANK ........................................................ 13,200 ................2,686.................2 ............0.204 ......... 0.202 ............0.204 ............ 0.205 ............-0.001 ........... -0.488 ............ 0.204 ............0.202 ............. 0.204.............257,833,590.600 ......0.100OMAN TELECOMMUNICATION ...................... 161,777 ...........258,840.............. 63 ............ 1.607 .......... 1.599 ............ 1.600 .............1.608 ........... -0.008 ........... -0.498 .............1.607 ............ 1.607 ..............1.609 ........ 1,200,000,000.000 ......0.100GULF INVESTMENT SERVICES .....................1,181,533 ...........206,341.............. 85 ............ 0.177 .......... 0.173 ............ 0.175 ..............0.176 ............-0.001 ........... -0.568..............0.174 ............ 0.174 ..............0.175 ............... 10,297,562.975 ......0.100OMAN FISHERIES .............................................. 47,391 ................4,881...............12 ............0.103.......... 0.103 ............ 0.103 .............0.104 ............-0.001 ........... -0.962 ............ 0.103 ............ 0.103 ..............0.105 ...............12,875,000.000 ......0.100BANK SOHAR ............................................... 1,627,035 ...........320,838.............. 63 ............ 0.199.......... 0.196 ............ 0.197..............0.199 ........... -0.002 ........... -1.005 ..............0.197 ............ 0.196 ..............0.197 ............ 216,700,000.000 ......0.100DHOFAR INT.DEV.AND INV. HOLD. .......................107,233 ..............65,051.................8 ............ 0.610.......... 0.605 ............0.607 .............0.614 ........... -0.007 ........... -1.140 ............. 0.605 ............ 0.605 ..............0.610 ............ 121,400,000.000 ......0.100TRANSGULF IND. INV. HOLDING ....................1,045,594 ........... 173,679.............. 75 ............ 0.169 .......... 0.164 ............ 0.166 .............0.168 ........... -0.002 ........... -1.190 ..............0.165 ............ 0.165 ..............0.166 ................11,101,250.000 ......0.100GALFAR ENGINEERING AND CON. ...................... 14,814 ................4,687.................5 ............ 0.321.......... 0.316 ............ 0.316............. 0.320 ........... -0.004 ........... -1.250 ..............0.316 ............ 0.316 ............. 0.320 .............. 83,945,400.000 ......0.100OMAN INVESTMENT AND FINANCE ..............980,820 ........... 249,041.............. 84 ............0.258 ......... 0.252 ............0.254 .............0.258 ........... -0.004 ........... -1.550 ............. 0.253 ............ 0.252 ..............0.253 .............. 50,800,000.000 ......0.100GLOBAL FINANCIAL INVESTMENT ..............2,574,196 ...........404,055.............112 ............0.160.......... 0.156 ............ 0.157..............0.160 ........... -0.003 ........... -1.875 ..............0.158 ............ 0.157 ..............0.158 .............. 31,400,000.000 ......0.100AL ANWAR HOLDING ...................................2,745,345 ........... 785,555............ 169 ............0.297 ......... 0.280 ............0.286 ............ 0.292 ........... -0.006 ........... -2.055............. 0.289 ............ 0.289 ............. 0.290 .............. 34,320,000.000 ......0.100OMAN AND EMIRATES INV. HOLDING ...........1,412,200 .......... 248,260...............71 ............ 0.181 .......... 0.174 ............ 0.176..............0.181 ........... -0.005 ........... -2.762 ..............0.175 ............ 0.175 ..............0.177 ...............21,450,000.000 ......0.100SUM: ................................................................................16,783,596 ........4,424,153........ 1,202 .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ......................35.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

PARALLEL MARKET ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ OMAN NATIONAL ENGINE. INVT. ....................... 21,400 ................ 7,382............... 11 ............0.345 ......... 0.344 ............0.345 .............0.323 ............ 0.022 ............. 6.811 .............. 0.344 ............0.340 ............. 0.344 .............. 27,600,000.000 ......0.100NATIONAL FINANCE ......................................... 10,000 ................ 1,630................. 1 ............ 0.163 .......... 0.163 ............ 0.163..............0.161 ............ 0.002 .............1.242 ..............0.163 ............ 0.163 ..............0.165 ............... 40,838,783.818 ......0.100DHOFAR UNIVERSITY .......................................... 4,150 ................5,003.................8 ............1.230.......... 1.200 ............ 1.205 .............1.192 .............0.013 ............. 1.091 .............. 1.200 ............ 1.200 ..............1.250 ...............16,870,000.000 ......1.000MAJAN GLASS ................................................... 12,000 ................4,027.................2 ............0.336 ......... 0.335 ............0.336 .............0.335 ............ 0.001 .............0.299 ............. 0.335 ............ 0.330 ..............0.337 ................14,119,828.800 ......0.100BANK NIZWA ...............................................1,009,534 ............ 109,611.............. 46 ............0.109.......... 0.108 ............ 0.109 .............0.109 ............ 0.000 .............0.000 ............. 0.108 ............ 0.108 ..............0.109 ............ 163,500,000.000 ......0.100CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS IND. ................... 710,244 .............. 51,132.............. 39 ............0.073 ......... 0.071 ............0.072 .............0.072 ............ 0.000 .............0.000 ............. 0.072 ............ 0.072 ..............0.073 .................6,120,000.000 ......0.100OMAN EDUCATION TRAINING INV. ....................... 5,510 ................ 1,047.................4 ............0.190.......... 0.190 ............ 0.190 .............0.190 ............ 0.000 .............0.000 ............. 0.190 ............ 0.182 ..............0.197 ...............13,300,000.000 ......0.100SHARQIYAH DESALINATION ................................1,300 ................5,532.................2 ............4.255 ......... 4.255 ............4.255 .............4.255 ............ 0.000 .............0.000 ............. 4.255 ............ 4.050 ............. 4.254 ................27,743,212.720 ......1.000SHELL OMAN MARKETING .......................................20 ......................45................. 1 ............2.240 ......... 2.240 ............2.250 ............ 2.250 ............ 0.000 .............0.000 ............. 2.240 ............ 2.225 ............. 2.250 .............213,750,000.000 ......0.100THE FINANCIAL CORPORATION ..........................4,980 ................... 548.................2 ............ 0.110 .......... 0.110 ............ 0.118 ..............0.118 ............ 0.000 .............0.000 ..............0.110 ............ 0.110 ............. 0.000 ................. 8,263,535.280 ......0.100OMAN REFRESHMENT .....................................10,070 ............. 23,665................. 1 ............2.350 ......... 2.350 ............2.350 .............2.355 ........... -0.005 ........... -0.212 ............. 2.350 ............0.000 ............. 2.350 .............117,500,000.000 ......0.100BANK DHOFAR .................................................. 56,000 ............. 20,334.................3 ............0.364 ......... 0.363 ............0.363 ............ 0.364 ............-0.001 ........... -0.275............. 0.363 ............ 0.362 ............. 0.364 .............439,276,507.923 ......0.100OMAN TEXTILE HOLDING .................................10,500 ................ 2,951.................3 ............ 0.281.......... 0.281 ............ 0.281 .............0.283 ........... -0.002 ........... -0.707 ............. 0.281 ............ 0.281 ............. 0.290 ................. 1,686,000.000 ......1.000ALIZZ ISLAMIC BANK ....................................... 664,218 ..............70,475.............. 24 ............0.107.......... 0.106 ............ 0.106 .............0.107 ............-0.001 ........... -0.935............. 0.106 ............ 0.106 ..............0.107 ............106,000,000.000 ......0.100AL BATINAH DEV. INV. HOLDING ...........................51,700 ................4,912.................3 ............0.095 ......... 0.095 ............0.095 .............0.097 ........... -0.002 ...........-2.062 ............ 0.095 ............ 0.095 ..............0.097 .................2,850,000.000 ......0.100SUM: ..................................................................................2,571,626 .......... 308,290............ 150 .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ...................... 15.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

BONDS MARKET ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ BANK MUSCAT CONV. BONDS 4.5 .................................. 71 ........................ 8.................4 ............0.106.......... 0.106 ............ 0.106 .............0.106 ............ 0.000 .............0.000 ............. 0.106 ............ 0.106 .............. 0.111 ............... 32,091,405.766 ......0.100BANK SOHAR BONDS 4.5 .............................................. 14 .........................1................. 1 ............0.103.......... 0.103 ............ 0.104 .............0.104 ............ 0.000 .............0.000 ............. 0.103 ............ 0.104 ..............0.107 ................. 7,436,000.000 ......0.100SUM: ................................................................................................85 ........................ 9.................5 .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ........................ 2.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

O M A N S T O C K S

INDICESIndex .................................................High .................Low ..................... Value ............... Prev . Value.......... Diff ...............Diff %MSM30 Index ....................................... 6,625.09 .............. 6,604.50 ................... 6,606.66 ...................6,623.09 ................ -16.43 .................. -0.25Financial Index .....................................8,123.86 .............. 8,068.25 ................... 8,072.65 ....................8,116.18 ................-43.53 .................. -0.54Industrial Index ....................................9,588.43 ...............9,570.35 ................... 9,570.35 ................... 9,583.12 ................ -12.77 .................. -0.13Services Index ...................................... 3,462.44 ...............3,458.16 ....................3,458.16 ...................3,462.44 ..................-4.28 .................. -0.12MSM SHARIAH INDEX....................1,047.50 ...............1,046.10 ....................1,046.13 ................... 1,047.48 ...................-1.35 .................. -0.13

Trading SummaryVolume ................ Turnover ..........Trades .............. Market Cap............. Up ............Down ............. Equal .........Sec. Traded19,443,397 ................. 4,734,742 .................. 1,371 ................ 13,416,259,121 ................ 13 ......................19 .................... 21 .........................53

Indian currency appreciatesMUMBAI: India’s rupee strength-ened beyond 63 per dollar after former United States treasury sec-retary Lawrence Summers with-drew from the list of people being considered for the United States Federal Reserve chairman’s post. Government bonds advanced.

The currency climbed 1 per cent to 62.85 per dollar in Mumbai, the strongest level since August 16, ac-cording to prices from local banks. One-month implied volatility in

the rupee, a measure of expected moves in the exchange rate used to price options, slumped 45 basis points to 17.51 per cent.

A Bloomberg Global Poll last week showed Summers would cut stimulus more than current Fed vice-chairman Janet Yellen, who is among the front runners to re-place chairman Ben S. Bernanke when his term ends in January. The Fed will probably trim its monthly bond-buying program by

$10 billion to $75 billion this week, a survey of economists showed this month. The rupee and 10-year notes pared gains intraday after data showed India’s infl ation unexpectedly quickened to a six-month high in August.

“The rupee is likely to lead gains in regional currencies,” Credit Ag-ricole CIB analysts led by Paris-based head of emerging markets research and strategy Sebastien Barbe said yesterday. - Bloomberg News

F O R E X M A R K E T

Stocks fall as infl ation rises to six-month high MUMBAI: Most Indian stocks dropped after infl ation unexpect-edly quickened to a six-month high, stoking concern the central bank may maintain liquidity-tightening measures at its policy meeting this week.

State Bank of India, the nation’s biggest lender, erased an intraday gain of 2.6 per cent. Iron-ore min-er Sesa Goa slid 3.8 per cent. Tata Consultancy Services, the na-tion’s largest software services exporter, declined 2.6 per cent after the rupee climbed to a one-month high.

Three stocks fell for every two that rose on the S&P BSE Sensex, which added less than 0.1 per cent to 19,742.47 at the close.

The gauge gained as much as 1.8 per cent earlier after former United States treasury secretary Lawrence Summers pulled out from the race to be Federal Re-serve chairman before a meet-ing starting today, at which the central bank is forecast to cut monthly stimulus.

New Reserve Bank of India governor Raghuram Rajan is due to make his fi rst interest-rate de-cision on September 20.

“Infl ation numbers have put to rest any hope one had of a mon-etary easing this week,” Kaushik Dani, a fund manager with Peer-less Mutual Fund, which has about $725 million in assets, said by phone. “The market will be guided by the Fed meeting.”

State Bank lost 0.9 per cent to Rs1,646. Sesa Goa tumbled 3.8 per cent to Rs176 rupees.

Tata Steel, India’s biggest pro-ducer, decreased 2.3 per cent to Rs291. Bharat Heavy Electricals, the nation’s biggest maker of pow-er equipments, plunged 5 per cent to Rs135, the steepest drop since

August 27. Tata Consultancy dropped 2.6 per cent to Rs1,902, paring this year’s advance to 52 per cent. Infosys, the second-larg-est software exporter, lost 1.1 per cent to 2,993, a fourth day of fall.

India’s wholesale-price index rose 6.1 per cent from a year ear-lier, compared to July’s 5.79 per cent climb, offi cial data showed, as the rupee’s slide stoked import costs. The median estimate of 25 analysts in a survey was for a 5.7 per cent climb.

Every 10 per cent decline in the rupee adds as much as 80 basis points to wholesale infl ation, ac-cording to Nomura Holdings.

A Bloomberg Global Poll last week showed Summers would cut stimulus more than current Fed vice-chairman Janet Yellen, who was his rival to replace chairman Ben S. Bernanke when his term ends in January.

The central bank will probably trim its monthly bond-buying program by $10 billion to $75

billion this week, a survey of economists showed this month.

Rajan, who took charge Sep-tember 4, inherited interest-rate increases from July aimed at shoring up the rupee. He’s pledged to contain infl ation expectations and stepped up eff orts to bolster foreign-exchange reserves.

The RBI raised two interest rates in July to boost shorter term fund-ing costs and capped cash injec-tions into the banking system, seek-ing to curb the supply of rupees.

The benchmark repurchase rate was left unchanged after cuts earlier in 2013. Rajan will keep it at 7.25 per cent at the September 20 review, Standard Chartered and Morgan Stanley said.

The Sensex has increased 1.6 per cent this year in local cur-rency terms and is valued at 13.9 times projected 12-month earn-ings, compared with the fi ve-year average of 14.1 times, data show. It has lost 11 per cent this year in dollar terms. - Bloomberg News

I N D I A N S T O C K S

Page 21: T17 09 2013

B5T U E S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 1 7, 2 0 1 3

ROUND-UPWattayah Motors announces Ramadan campaign winner

MUSCAT: Throughout the Holy Month of Ramadan, Wattayah Motors, the offi cial distributors of Volkswagen vehicles in Oman, gave customers purchasing a new Volkswagen vehicle, the op-portunity to win a brand new Polo Sedan.

Olfa bint Mohammed, who pur-chased a new Golf during the cam-paign period, has been announced as the winner and the proud owner of two outstanding examples of

German engineering. Sleek, spacious and comforta-

ble, the Polo Sedan delivers luxury and innovation while remaining aff ordable. Available with a 1.6 li-tre 105 PS engine and a 6 speed au-

tomatic transmission, the Polo Se-dan includes 15 inch alloy wheels, dual airbags for driver and pas-senger, ABS, spacious interior, and central locking with keyless entry.

Congratulating the prize win-

ner, Hemant Bhat, general man-ager of Wattayah Motors said, “Firstly, a big congratulations to our winner! Our annual Rama-dan campaign is a way for us to thank our customers and high-

light the impressive range of Volkswagen vehicles available in the Sultanate, to both new and existing customers.

“The Polo Sedan off ers drivers the highest standards of modern German engineering and perfor-mance, which our winner, Olfa bint Mohammed, can now enjoy.

“This year alone we have in-troduced the new seventh gen-eration Golf and Golf GTI to our model line-up. The design, performance and power of these legendary models have made them a fi rm favourite with car enthusiasts across Oman, while the Touareg, Tiguan and Passat remain consistent best sellers.”

Every customer who pur-chased a Volkswagen during the campaign period also benefi ted from a fi ve year warranty and a seven year service package, through which customers can be assured of complete peace-of-mind motoring for the duration of their vehicle ownership.

Sleek, spacious and

comfortable, the Polo

Sedan delivers luxury

and innovation while

remaining aff ordable

Twenty20 2013 live and exclusive on OSN channelDUBAI: This September, OSN will broadcast live and exclusive coverage of the Karbonn Smart Champions League Twenty20. Viewers will be able to watch all the action on CricOne and in glorious high defi nition on OSN Sports 1 HD.

Karbonn Smart Champions League Twenty20 (CLT20) 2013, will be played in India from today to October 6, 2013 and will follow a format similar to the two previ-ous editions, with a group stage preceded by a qualifi er. A total of 29 matches will be played in the tournament by the best do-mestic T20 teams from around the world, for total prize money of $6million. The qualifi er, to be played from today to Septem-ber 20, 2013, will feature four teams: Q1-Otago Volts (New Zealand’s HRV Cup champi-ons), Q2-Sunrisers Hyderabad (Fourth-ranked team in the Pepsi IPL 2013), Q3-Kandurata Maroons, the winner of Sri Lan-ka’s domestic T20 competition, and Q4-Faisalabad Wolves (Pa-kistan’s domestic T20 Champi-ons). The teams will play each other once, with the top two advancing to the Group Stage.

C R I C K E T

Bank Sohar supports ESO’s environment speech contestMUSCAT: In their fourth con-secutive year of support to the Environmental Society of Oman (ESO) and their diverse range of activities to better the environ-ment, Bank Sohar will support for the second year the annual Inter-college Environmental Speaking Competition that is to be held in November 2013.

The support in the form of a donation was handed over to Sana Tawileh, Marketing and Communications manager, Envi-ronment Society of Oman by Mu-nira Abdulnabi Macki, DGM, Hu-man Resources and Corporate Support of Bank Sohar, at Bank Sohar’s head offi ce.

Highlighting the importance of supporting educational and en-vironmental initiatives, Munira commented, “At Bank Sohar, we have always given the environ-ment top priority. Events organ-ised by ESO help us achieve a dual objective — contribute meaning-fully to sustainable development, and support the cause of develop-ing skills of young students in their pursuit of excellence.”

Lamees Daar, executive direc-tor, Environment Society of Oman commented, “We are delighted to strengthen our relationship with Bank Sohar this year, and are grate-ful for their constant support to our educational and environmen-tal initiatives. Corporate sponsor-ships are important in sustaining the livelihood of our projects and developing new ones and we look

forward to partnering with Bank Sohar in future projects.”

As a part of the competition, the contestants will be invited to research and prepare a presenta-tion on a topic relating to water conservation, climate change, arts and technology and its eff ect on the environment.

The bank has a long association with ESO, and has joined hands on various occasions to promote the cause of protecting the envi-ronment through initiatives and awareness programmes. In 2010, Bank Sohar signed up for ESO’s groundbreaking initiative to pro-mote sustainable recycling of cer-tain types of waste.

As a part of the campaign, Bank Sohar introduced a number of re-cycling initiatives in-house, with the bank’s staff having since rep-licated these activities at the head offi ce, branches and public places.

In 2011, the bank lent a hand to the ESO to organise their sixth fund raising ball. This event was not only a charity function to

raise funds for ongoing projects, but also a means to enhance awareness about conservation projects which were underway across the Sultanate.

Last year, ESO put together Oman’s First inter-college envi-ronmental speaking competition. This was directly not only towards developing the public speaking skills of the youth, but also to raise consciousness about environmen-tal causes and begin to infl uence the community positively. 2013 marks the fourth year in which Bank Sohar’s close ties with the ESO have matured, and keeping with the theme, the bank has once again demonstrated its commit-ment to the environment and built on its ‘green’ credentials.

Munira concluded, “Affi rming our longstanding support to sus-tainable development, it was our pleasure to sponsor Oman’s only inter-collegiate public speaking competition for the second year organised under the banner of the ESO.”

D O N A T I O N

Audi nanuk quattro concept car: Dynamics in a new formINGOLSTADT: Audi is show-casing the Audi nanuk quattro concept show car at the IAA in Frankfurt am Main. Its crosso-ver concept combines the dy-namics of a high-performance sports car with Audi’s quattro expertise on the road, on the race track and also off -road. The V10 TDI engine sets bench-marks for power and effi ciency.

Audi developed the Audi na-nuk quattro concept show car in collaboration with the designers from Italdesign Giugiaro. The re-sult is a sports car for any stage of life and for any surface — equally at home on the race track, the highway or a winding country road as it is off -road in the sand or in the snow.

Its crossover concept combines the dynamics of a mid-engine sports car with the versatility of a sporty recreational vehicle.

The two-seater is powered by a newly developed V10 TDI in-stalled longitudinally in front of the rear axle. The powerful 5.0-li-tre diesel engine produces over 544hp and delivers 1,000Nm of torque to the crankshaft from just 1,500rpm. Its twin-turbo register charging unit is controlled via the Audi valvelift system (AVS). A beefed-up seven-speed S tronic located behind the engine trans-fers the torque to a specially de-signed quattro drivetrain. The Audi nanuk quattro concept has a curb weight of around 1,900 kilograms. It sprints from 0 to

100km/h in 3.8 seconds, and the top speed is 305km/h. The inno-vative thermal management with its separate cooling loops and the steplessly regulated oil pump contribute to the excellent fuel consumption of just 7.8 litres per 100 kilometres on average.

The adaptive air suspension with electronically controlled dampers features the next gen-eration of technology from Audi. The driver can manually adjust the ground clearance of the Audi nanuk quattro concept in three stages: normal, 30 millimetres lower or 40 millimetres higher. The system also controls the level of the body itself based on driving speed and the predictive route data supplied by the navigation system. On the highway, for ex-ample, the body remains lowered even when the Audi nanuk quat-tro concept is moving slowly. It is automatically raised when turn-ing onto a gravel road.

Another technological high-light of the show car is the inte-gral steering, which resolves the

classic confl ict between dynamic handling and stability. When the driver steers at low to moderate speeds, the rear wheels turn up to nine degrees in the opposite direction of the front wheels. This shortens the wheelbase virtu-ally by around 100 centimetres, reducing the turning circle to roughly 10 metres. Handling also becomes more agile. The Audi na-nuk quattro concept turns in even more eagerly and is essentially neutral in corners.

At higher speeds the system turns the rear wheels by as much as 2.5 degrees in the same direc-tion as the front wheels.

This extends the wheelbase virtually by around 140 centime-tres for better stability. On the highway, the show car is fi rmly seated on the road and masters fast corners and avoidance ma-noeuvres with aplomb.

Components made of carbon fi bre-reinforced polymer (CFRP) comprise the outer skin and are fi nished in extreme red. Dynamic daytime running lights accentu-ate the Audi signature when the car is started and also serve as dynamic turn signals. Particu-larly distinctive, however, is the switch between the low beams and high beams made possible by the new Audi Matrix LED tech-nology. When driving with the low beams, the show car appears clean and open, but hunkered down and focused when driving with the high beams.

D Y N A M I C P E R F O R M A N C E

Oman’s biggest event for women from Dec. 17 to 19 MUSCAT: The 5th edition of Women Expo, an international exhibition of women’s products and services, will be the biggest and most comprehensive one in Oman to date, with added new and interesting features to the traditional exhibition.

Women Expo, the fi rst and only event in Oman dedicated to wom-en, will take place from Decem-ber 17 to 19, 2013 at the Oman International Exhibition Centre.

This year’s theme ‘Celebrating Women Empowerment’ under-lines organiser Omanexpo’s ob-jectives to inject social relevance to its trade events and adding further value to the already-es-tablished concept and platform known since 2005.

The event will feature an ex-tensive and varied display of products and services, covering such areas like health and beauty, fashion and lifestyle, career and education, home and kitchen, child care, banking and fi nance and bridal and wedding. It will also include edutainment activi-ties which will provide visitors a real feel and authentic learning and training experience.

This year’s edition will intro-duce and highlight the health and wellness segment, accompanied

by fi tness areas and aerobic ses-sions. Visitors will also be treated to live cooking demonstrations and other culinary activities make up demonstrations, and a fashion show-cum-competition. To further enrich experience, short courses will be conducted on the site.

Women Expo is eyeing the par-ticipation of about 150 local and international companies.

Women Expo was launched in 2005, being the only show in Oman that directly caters to the needs and interests of women. Showcasing products and servic-es specifi cally designed for them, it off ers them the opportunity to play a major role in the social and economic development of the Sultanate and enhance their position in society.

W O M E N E X P O

Toyota Prado Classic, a favourite 4WDMUSCAT: Prado, born with the Toyota Land Cruiser DNA in its bloodline, takes Toyota’s enviable 4WD legacy way further. That ex-plains why it is a top-seller in more than 170 countries and regions around the world.

As mentioned by an automotive blogger, “The Prado Classic is the perfect vehicle for anyone think-ing all-terrain, an amazing expe-rience, even in the most extreme conditions. It combines the rug-ged dominance of its Land Cruiser heritage with the revolutionary technology and sophistication for which Toyota is renowned. With sculpted looks, spoiling comfort and thrilling features, it’s all you need to conquer any terrain.”

The luxurious features in the powerful Prado Classic include dual-tone leather upholstery, wood and leather steering with control switches, wooden gear knobs; 4.2” back-view monitor on instrument panel; chrome-coloured side pro-tection moulding; front bumper guard; muffl er-cutter; chrome rear-lamp garnish; classic decal and impressive alloy wheels.

Prado Classic’s imposing front has a wide stance for a road-hug-ging ride adding to its stability.

The front and rear fenders are in-tegrated into the body-panel struc-ture with beautifully fl owing lines. The rear conveys strength, with the hatch door that accents rear form and wipers folding into the rear spoiler conveying functional-ity and stylishness.

The Prado Classic’s interior is refi ned and roomy to accommo-date up to seven occupants. Cush-ioned seats off er wonderful under-thigh support.

The Prado Classic also off ers top-end features including cruise control, steering angle display, active headrest, electric tilt & telescopic steering column, side step with illumination, smart en-

try and start/stop system, parking sensors, retractable outer mirrors (with turn signal); silver roof-rail and daytime running lights.

The Prado Classic’s safety fea-tures include a combination of ac-tive and passive safety systems to ensure optimum protection. These include DAC (Downhill Assist Con-trol) HAC (Hill-start Assist Con-trol), Airbags, VSC (Vehicle Stabili-ty Control), A-TRC (Active Traction Control) and Active Headrests for the Driver and Front Passenger.

Prado’s strong chassis off ers excellent impact protection while the long wheelbase and wide wheel track give excellent handling and stability.

R U G G E D

Kerala Wing to organise Onam-Eid celebrationsMUSCAT: Indian Social Club’s Kerala Wing will hold Onam-Eid celebrations with various arts and cultural programmes in Muscat on September 20, 21 and 27.

As tribute to the late Kerala social reformer and renowned philosopher Sree Narayana Guru, a memorial lecture on ‘The role of Sree Narayana Guru in creating modern Kerala’ will be delivered by Dr M. R. Ra-ghava Varier, a well known his-torian and writer in India.

The lecture which will be held on September 20 starts at 6pm at ISC Multi Purpose Hall at Darsait. A four-hour cultural feast with dances, music, skits, etc. created by the members of the Kerala Wing will be exhib-ited at the ISC Hall on Septem-ber 21 from 6:30pm onwards. Dr Raghava Varier will be the chief guest of the evening.

C U L T U R A L P R O G R A M M E

Page 22: T17 09 2013

B6

ROUND-UPT U E S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 1 7, 2 0 1 3

MEDC urges contractors to adhere to HSE guidelines

MUSCAT: Muscat Electricity Distribution Company (MEDC) has called upon contractors, whose nature of business involves the use of scaff olding, to take caution and adhere to safety procedures when working near electrical lines. This comes in light of a growing number of fatal incidents from falling scaf-folding on live power lines.

The company has recorded in the past two years an increasing number of incidents of electrocu-tion, resulting from scaff olding falling on live power lines and the subsequent exposure of workers to electric shocks. These incidents

occur especially due to the lack of compliance with safety proce-dures when construction contrac-tors are involved with the instal-lation of scaff oldings and their proximity to unprotected power lines. This is also attributed to the failure of contractors to provide workers with the instructions and the necessary equipment, result-ing in incidents of electric shocks that often lead to death.

Muscat Electricity Distribution Company has formed a special team to look into these incidents to fi nd solutions to reduce the oc-currence of such incidents. From the initial investigations, it ap-pears that this is due to the failure to follow safety requirements for scaff olding erection and the lack of a culture of safety protection and risk avoidance procedures when working near high-voltage overhead electrical lines. This is also due to the fact that workers attempt to move the scaff olding without dismantling them as they shift them from one place to an-other. Also, the lack of training, experience and a lack of protective equipment/personal protection have been contributing to this.

Sometimes the absence of direct supervision of the site supervi-sors of construction companies is a contributing factor, as they tend to leave the sites at the disposal

of non-qualifi ed expats who are not aware of safety matters dur-ing construction. This also can be traced to the need to improve the level of coordination between the agencies authorised to issue con-struction permits; the Ministry of Housing and the Muscat Munici-pality, particularly in areas related to extensions of existing land near power lines. In addition, the lim-ited knowledge of the workers on HSE procedures and the impor-tance attached to safety is usually met with an indiff erent attitude. Most workers do not wear protec-tive electric insulation gear that is required when working within reach of power lines.

Muscat Electricity Distribution Company has been carrying out periodic awareness campaigns

utilising various media channels including radio and print media. MEDC also works jointly with other sister companies to discuss issues and exchange experiences on best approaches to address this issue. MEDC HSE teams have structured, consistent fi eld visits to construction sites and is plan-ning to coordinate with the Mus-cat Municipality to use construc-tion sites to post cautionary ads on the dangers and other HSE in-structions using illustrations and images to make it easier for work-ers to understand the message as some workers maybe be illiterate or cannot read English.

According to Dr Juma Said Al Obeidani, HSE manager at MEDC, “The fi ve year plan of MEDC con-siders HSE as one of its fi ve pillars refl ecting the importance attached to HSE issues and this area will witness further improvement, as MEDC implements its business plan for the years ahead.” He added that there are guidelines issued by his department that are at the dis-posal of any contractor.

MEDC is a government-owned subsidiary of the Electricity Hold-ing Company and is the sole li-censed company to distribute and supply electricity to all sec-tors in the Governorate of Mus-cat with a customer base nearing quarter of a million.

Muscat Electricity

Distribution Company

has been carrying out

periodic awareness

campaigns utilising

various media

channels including

radio and print media

SIXT Rent-A-Car company chooses Nissan X-Terra

MUSCAT: The Nissan X-Terra is designed with the intent of be-ing a tough, essential SUV that inspires and facilitate outdoor enthusiasts’ active lifestyles.

All X-Terra models feature an advanced 4.0-litre straight-six engine, rated at a muscular 291 horsepower, along with Nissan’s rugged “F-Alpha” ladder frame platform for adventure-ready performance. The 2013 model boasts of enhanced features like navigation system, rear view camera, centre mirror with auto glare, digital compass and out-side temperature recording and USB /I-POD/AUX Connectivity.

Exclusive partnershipNow with the new 2013 Nissan X-Terra a hit amongst outdoor enthusiasts, it will make its pres-ence felt on the roads of the Sul-tanate through its exclusive part-nership with SIXT Rent-A-Car within the region.

Nissan Oman strives to achieve pioneering success through its services and activities off ered to its valued customers. Through a relentless pursuit of excellence and adopting aggressive market-ing style with an emphasis on customer satisfaction, backing it up with strong after-sales service network across the Sultanate, Nissan Oman has built a name on trust, superior customer services and value for money.

Nissan Oman boasts of a niche premium clientele comprising leading corporate houses and businesses, international busi-nessmen and tourists visiting the Sultanate of Oman and thus, the promise of Nissan X-Terra is to allow a broad but discerning car buying audience and tourists vis-

iting the city to ‘experience lav-ishness’. Many of X-Terra’s tech-nologies have never been seen in cars of this class before, refl ect-ing its aspirational and upscale SUV positioning.

Fleet vehiclesWith almost 60 Nissan X-Terras making up the major line-up of vehicles at SIXT RAC, Gururaj, deputy general manager, com-mented, “Performance of a vehi-cle has always been of key impor-tance to a discerning customer and Nissan boasts of high per-formance parameters in each of their models.

“Even their after-sales service is a key component, underpinned by service principles to guide development and actual deliv-ery. Not only does Nissan boast of having highly skilled certifi ed technicians, but they also use the latest approved equipment to ensure all Nissan vehicles are repaired to the highest standards. It gives us a great opportunity to be associated with such a world class brand like Nissan Oman.”

The Nissan X-Terra off ers drivers today a long list of ad-vanced technological features in-cluding a booming sound system and bluetooth hands-free phone system. X-Terra’s list of safety features and equipment in-cludes Nissan Advanced Air Bag System with dual-stage supple-mental front air bags with seat belt and occupant classifi cation sensors, driver and front passen-ger side-impact supplemental air bags and three-point front/rear seat belts with pre-tensioners and load limiters, tire pressure warning system and adjustable upper anchors.

I D E A L C H O I C E

Honda announces new ‘Exciting H Design!!!’MUSCAT: The Honda Motor Co., announced a new design concept, ‘Exciting H Design!!!,’ that will be applied to all Honda automobiles globally to promote a more unique character and stronger presence around the world.

The three exclamation marks in “Exciting H Design!!!” represent three design factors, namely ‘High Tech’ which represents an innova-tive spirit, ‘High Tension’ which represents the pursuit of a beauti-ful body structure and layout, and ‘High Touch’ which represents fi nely-honed surfacing and tex-ture. By incorporating these three factors into exterior and interior design, more unique and excit-ing Honda designs will be real-ised. This new design concept has

been fi rst applied to the all-new fi t model, with the application to be expanded in stages to other Honda vehicles around the world.

Exterior design High Tech: Honda’s new

design identity, ‘Solid Wing Face’, is adopted. While po-sitioning the “H” mark in the centre, the area from the front grill to the headlights will be designed in an advanced style as one uninterrupted fl ow.

High Tension: A well-toned body with beautiful proportion, ‘Athlete Form’, is realised.

High Touch: Honda strives to realise ‘Dramatic Surfacing’, well-elaborated form that provides an emotional attraction.

Interior design High Tech: Honda pursues

an easy-to-see/easy-to-use ‘Ad-vanced Interface’ by adopting ad-vanced technologies.

High Tension: A sporty and

emotional ‘Personal Cockpit’ is realised.

High Touch: Honda express-es its ‘Craftsmanship’ by creating thoughtful interiors with an em-phasis on the texture of materials.

S T Y L I S H

Tour Oman lauded by Indian travel industry decision-makers MUSCAT: Tour Oman, Oman’s leading Destination Management Company and the inbound tours division of Travel Point, hosted a contingent of 14 decision-makers from the Indian travel market for a short FAM trip of the city, dur-ing their transit stop in Muscat en route to Europe.

The guests were welcomed at the Muscat International Airport in traditional style by Omani ladies holding bukhoor and dates, which enveloped the guests with authen-tic Omani hospitality from the mo-ment they set foot in the Sultanate. The delegates were then escorted to a short guided tour of the Grand Mosque with the DMC’s English speaking Omani guide, which was followed by a private chartered tour of the city atop the Big Bus Tours Muscat.

“I can only describe Oman in two words — Destination Unex-plored,” said an elated manag-ing director of India’s renowned travel organisation, who was awestruck at the enchanting beauty of Muscat. “We’re certain that tourists, who visit Oman, will fall in love with this destina-tion. It has everything that caters

to the travellers, including the MICE industry,” he added.

“Oman is sure to become a big hit as a holiday destination in the Indian market,” observed another lady delegate who is the regional representative of a famous Indian travel business fi rm. The guests who had not visited the destination before were remarkably thrilled to experience a Middle Eastern destination that was bountiful of nature’s best treasures as well as meet local Omani people who were so warm and cordial. The pano-ramic tour of Muscat on the Big Bus lasted for a routine two hours, halting for short visits to the Mut-trah Souq, Al Alam Palace which were the highlights of the quick stopover city tour for the guests.

The delegates were then hosted by Tour Oman to an exclusive Indian buff et lunch in a traditional Arabic Majlis (tent) seating arrangement, which further augmented the Om-ani experience for the delegates.

“With the featuring of the Sul-tanate in the recent Bollywood movie, Oman is potent as a distinc-tive holiday destination for the In-dian market. Inviting the delegates from the Indian travel industry to experience the essence of the Sul-tanate during their transit stop in Muscat was an attempt to promote a destination like Oman to thou-sands of travellers from India,” said Sunil Prabhakar, CEO, Travel Point. The guests maintained that Oman being a short-haul, conveni-ent and palatable destination for

Indians, can soon become the new transit stop for passengers going to Europe or other destinations on Oman Air. “With exciting places to see and interesting things to do even during a short transit experi-ence like ours, can be refreshing, eternal and unique,” said the direc-tor of a leading travel company in India, who was on the trip.

Tour Oman intends to promote the destination vigorously in In-dia, from where they foresee pro-spective tourists. On the occasion Manoj Dass, head, Tour Oman said, “We have been successful in reaching out to travel and tour operators in many cities in India during the recently attended road-show organised by the Ministry of Tourism. Being able to host key players of the Indian travel trade here in Oman has helped us to fur-ther strengthen our positioning as a DMC for Oman in the Indian market, with a potential to cater to the taste and requirements of all Indian travellers.” The delegates looked forward to experience more of the Sultanate and con-veyed positivity in bringing more tourists into nature’s haven — the Sultanate of Oman.

H O S T I N G T R A V E L A G E N T S

Khafeef is ‘lightest frying oil’, say participants of ‘Best Chef Oman’MUSCAT: Participants of the recently concluded — ‘Best Chef Oman’ competition affi rm that ‘Khafeef’ is indeed the lightest fry-ing oil they have used to date.

Omanexpo, in association with Oman’s celebrity Chef Issa Al Lamki, organised ‘Best Chef Oman’, the first culinary com-petition for traditional Omani cuisine recently.

“It is every chef’s endeavour to ensure that their meal is cooked in the healthiest possible manner,

and using ‘Khafeef — the lightest frying oil’ made that possible for us at the ‘Best Chef Oman’ com-petition. We hope to use ‘Khafeef’ while preparing our day to day meals and will be recommending it to our family and friends as well,” said a few of the participants.

Salem Al Bortmany, DGM, Areej Vegetable Oils & Deriva-tives, manufacturers of Khafeef in Oman said, “It is no secret that Chef Lamki is a pioneer in the local culinary industry and well-known

for his expertise in cooking delec-table dishes. ‘Best Chef Oman’ was his vision of taking Omani cuisine to the next level, and our associa-tion with the competition hence became natural.

“Being the fi rst-ever culinary competition promoting tradition-al Omani cuisine, we are happy to have been able to support the event as we understand ‘frying’ is an important process in Omani cooking, and are glad that the chefs enjoyed cooking their dishes with

‘Khafeef’. We hope to continue to be a part of Chef Lamki’s delightful gastronomical endeavours in the years to come as well.”

Following its participation at the ‘Gulfood’ and ‘Omani Food Festival’ (a highlight of the Mus-cat Festival) this year, ‘Khafeef’ has demonstrated its commitment to showcasing the rich culture of Omani food as well as promoting the local food industry yet again through its association with the ‘Best Chef Oman’ competition.

C H E F ’ S C H O I C E

State Bank of India delegates visit Oman MUSCAT: Hemant G. Contrac-tor, managing director and group executive (International Bank-ing) and R. Karthikeyan, chief general manager (International Banking), State Bank of India (SBI), Corporate Centre, Mum-bai, India, are on a visit to Oman for strengthening the India-Oman ties, particularly related to business and commerce and banking and fi nance.

They will be attending several meetings in Muscat today, which includes meetings at the Central Bank of Oman and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

SBI has a full fl edged branch in CBD since 2004, off ering Cor-porate Finance, SME fi nance, Trade Credit and Retail Deposit schemes, with ATM services linked with Omannet, accessible from anywhere, any time.

State Bank of India, with a 200 year history, is the larg-est commercial bank in India in terms of assets, deposits, profi t, branches, customers and employees. The Government

of India is the single largest shareholder of this Fortune 500 entity with 61.58 per cent own-ership. SBI was ranked 60th in the list of top 1,000 banks in the world by ‘The Banker’ in July 2012.

B U S I N E S S D E L E G A T I O N

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ROUND-UPB7

New Ford Focus Titanium in Oman

MUSCAT: At fi rst glance, it looks exactly like the exciting Ford Fo-cus. But the similarities end there.

A closer look will reveal note-worthy diff erences between this model and its predecessors. Ford has taken exceptional eff orts to load the Focus Titanium with fea-tures that are arguably the fi rst in its segment. This way Ford aspires to present its customers with the fi nest technologies that usually feature on high-end luxury vehi-cles, for a price that will put a smile across their faces.

The German built Ford Focus Titanium is one of the top off er-ings in its segment with its precise, enjoyable handling, a useful array of high-tech features and a refi ned interior. The Titanium’s classy cabin charms with high-quality materials and a distinctive design.

There’s plenty of technology in-side. The Titanium comes stand-ard with SYNC, Ford’s bluetooth-based connectivity system that allows smartphone users to place calls and stream music by us-ing voice commands or steering wheel-mounted buttons. SYNC can also read incoming texts aloud to help the driver keep his or her eyes on the road.

Another feature that is set to change the future of cars in this segment is the Active Park Assist. This one-of-a-kind feature is all set to take away parallel parking woes. Compared with competitive systems, Active Park Assist is easy to use and requires less driver in-

terface. It uses an ultrasonic-based sensing system and Electric Power Assisted Steering to position the vehicle for parallel parking, cal-culate the optimal steering angle and quickly steer the vehicle into a parking spot. Drivers can oper-ate the system with the touch of a button and without ever touching the steering wheel. This feature is simply marvellous and a bless-ing for those who still have a tough time mastering parallel parking.

The Focus’ European heritage is also refl ected in its sturdy plat-form and well-executed mechani-cals, which make for a surprisingly fun small car.

With a multi-link suspension — that’s a sophisticated touch for this price point — and a well-weighted, communicative electric power steering system, the Focus Titanium is truly exceptional. Handling is further focused by a standard Torque Vectoring Con-trol system that automatically brakes the inside front wheel to reduce understeer.

When the driver is in the mood for a mellow cruise, the Focus obliges with a comfortable ride

and good uneven road impact absorption.

Power comes from a 2.0-litre Gasoline direct-injection four-cylinder that produces 167 horse-power and 146 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission is Standard.

The Focus Titanium comes standard with a 9-Speaker AM/FM/CD stereo with an aux input, SYNC, cruise control, a trip com-puter, steering wheel-mounted audio controls. The Titanium is equipped with dual-zone auto-matic climate control, a proxim-ity key, auto folding mirrors, push start button, rear parking sensors, 17-inch aluminium wheels, hill start assist, rear disc brakes, fog lights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter knob, a 60/40 split folding rear seat and an anti-theft alarm.

The Focus Titanium is also equipped with dual front, front side and full-length side curtain airbags in addition to traction and stability control systems.

In Oman, Ford vehicles are brought to you by Arabian Car Marketing Co.

The Titanium’s classy

cabin impresses

with its high-quality

materials and a

distinctive design

Maserati concept carto debut at Frankfurt MUSCAT: The Maserati Quat-troporte Ermenegildo Zegna Limited Edition concept car to be unveiled at the Frankfurt Mo-tor Show features a unique new look in colour scheme, materials and fi nish.

The car, presented as a limited edition concept, is intended for development into a pro-duction version in 2014 and will maintain the same per-sonality and quality of the current Quattroporte range.

Ermenegildo Zegna’s concept for the Maserati Quattroporte limited edition is the result of a close collaboration be-tween two companies that are linked by history, tradition and exclusiveness.

Exterior stylingThe exterior of the Maserati Quattroporte Ermenegildo Zeg-na Limited Edition concept car features a special effect paint finish that simulates the flu-idity and purity of metal, by using ultra-fine aluminium pigments. A gloss black primer amplifi es the brilliance of the al-uminium pigments and creates a sensation of depth.

The platinum metal colour eff ect fi nish is warmly nuanced to express the car’s classic and sophisticated yet technically ad-vanced character.

The material and chromatic research behind the Maserati Quattroporte Ermenegildo Zeg-na Limited Edition is based on a play between the classical and the contemporary.

A leading role in the Maserati Quattroporte Ermenegildo Zegna Limited Edition con-cept car is played by its in-terior. Classical warm hues like moka and greige are re-interpreted in a modern key to emulate Zegna’s latest men’s fashion collections, conveying a formal, sophisticated character.

Luxurious cabinInterior components such as seats, door panels and roof lin-ing are fi nished in genuine soft leather, in addition to a velvet-smooth, bright fabric that, due to Zegna’s vast experience and know-how, guarantees the level of performance needed for auto-motive applications.

Q U A T T R O P O R T E E R M E N E G I L D O Z E G N A L I M I T E D E D I T I O N

Oman Air participation at Salalah fest a big successMUSCAT: Oman Air announced its successful participation at the recently concluded Salalah Tour-ism Festival (STF), which is con-sidered to be one of the region’s premier events.

Oman Air held many events and weekly raffl es at its site at the fes-tival to add more colour and gaiety to the festive atmosphere, hence off ered visitors the opportunity to take part in a range of activities and to win prizes — which for the lucky winners meant taking home return tickets between two of Oman Air’s 43 destinations.

Head, corporate communica-tions and media, Oman Air, Us-ama bin Karim Al Haremi com-mented, “This event has been a wonderful opportunity for us to join up with our customers and the general public to celebrate the exceptional natural phenomena called ‘khareef’, also to partici-pate fully in the Salalah Tourism Festival of which Oman Air is proud to be the offi cial carrier and major sponsor.

“Apart from entertaining ac-tivities, the festival attractions included exhibitions, child and traditional villages and theatre shows. Most of the activities

were staged in the municipality’s entertainment centre.”

Great opportunity“As well as being a lot of fun, the event has been a great opportunity for us to engage with locals, and to show our appreciation for all their support and encouragement. We would like to thank all those who joined us and we look forward to continuing our support of the Sala-lah Tourism Festival, as well as other events that play a key part in the life of the Sultanate of Oman,” added Al Haremi.

The Salalah Tourism Festival

is held every year to coincide with the khareef, the monsoon season, which is unique to this south-ern tip of the Arabian Peninsula, bringing cool relief from the heat of the Gulf summer.

It has always been a practice with Oman Air to provide addi-tional fl ights to Salalah during the khareef season and the Sala-lah Tourism Festival, hence in-creased fl ights between the two cities during the months from June to September signifi cantly, resulting in a total of 88, 536 addi-tional seats being off ered during the mentioned period.

E V E N T P R E S E N C E

Connect global ration with Mini’s in-car WebradioMUSCAT: The ‘Not Normal’ car with the big attitude has wowed fans through a series of hi-tech, in-car infotainment off erings.

This time, using Mini con-nected technology, drivers and passengers alike can benefi t from the brand’s revolutionary Webra-dio, which connects them to global radio stations on-the-go.

So whether you are looking to tune in to a local news station

you can do so thanks to Mini Webradio.

Available across all seven Mini family members, includ-ing the newly-launched Mini Paceman, Mini connected is an optional in-car infotainment system that allows iPhone us-ers to go through the Mini connected app to connect and benefi t from a whole host of on-board functionality.

C A R E N T E R T A I N M E N T

Mitsubishi thanks over 7,000 FB fansMUSCAT: Celebrating yet another milestone for Mitsubishi in the Sultanate, General Automo-tive Company announced that the recently launched Face-book page for the brand has crossed the 7,000 fan mark, in just two months.

Mark Tomlinson, GM of Gen-eral Automotive Company said, “Facebook is one of the most dynamic mediums on the social platform and since the launch of the dedicated Facebook page we have been able to engage directly with owners and fans. We are overwhelmed by the response we have received from the on-line community in Oman, and look forward to growing fan en-gagement through social media in integration with the brand.”

He also added, “As a custom-er-centric brand, it is essential for us at General Automotive Company to ensure that our fans can reach out to us at any time, across a number of me-diums — hence the decision to establish a presence on Face-book and Twitter.

Phenomenal growth“Having crossed the 7,000 mark, we are very encouraged to see the phenomenal growth and would like to extend our thanks to everyone who has chosen to like us and follow our journey.”

Visitors to the Mitsubishi Oman Facebook page have ac-cess to a large variety of inter-esting content, from special of-fers to the latest brand activities, service promotions, contests and product news.

And, by tying in their offl ine activities with their social media eff orts, fans and owners are able to continuously stay up-to-date with everything Mitsubishi.

Offi cial pageThe offi cial Mitsubishi Oman Facebook page, powered by TBWA\Zeenah\Digital, also al-lows the brand to keep in touch with customers and fans on a continual basis, providing the opportunity to take onboard feedback given and support cus-tomers before, during and after every purchase.

Engagement is especially high when fans and visitors can showcase their brand knowledge by entering one of the many con-tests on Mitsubishi Oman.

In line with General Automo-tive Company’s industry-lead-ing technology and integrated service standards, Mitsubishi Oman will soon launch on Insta-gram, YouTube and LinkedIn as well, providing the public with even more channels to easily ac-cess information about the com-pany, its products and services.

F A N F O L L O W I N G

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ROUND-UPT U E S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 1 7, 2 0 1 3

Al Maimani inaugurates one-stop offi ce solutions, workplaces fair

MUSCAT: Oman Offi ce Show 2013, the Sultanate’s defi nitive trade fair for people passionate about innovative offi ce solutions and productive workspaces, be-gan at the Oman International Exhibition Centre yesterday.

The three-day event was for-mally inaugurated by Ahmed bin Sulaiman Al Maimani, undersec-

retary for Administrative, Finan-cial and Regional Aff airs at the Ministry of Commerce and In-dustry. Also in attendance at the ribbon-cutting ceremony were a number of government and private sector dignitaries.

Now in its second year, the an-nual show has been organised by well-known events management fi rm Global Exhibitions and Con-ferences (GEC). As can be expect-ed of the country’s signature trade event on the offi ce workspace, this year’s show has attracted the wid-est array of brands, products and services catering to the diverse and rapidly evolving requirements of the offi ce environment.

Exhibits spanning a wide range of product and service categories are showcased at the event, mak-ing it an unparalleled one-stop platform focused on this segment of the furnishing industry. Leading players from the region’s thriving fi t-out industry, as well as the glob-al furnishing and equipment sup-ply market are represented as well.

Exhibits on display span the fol-lowing product categories: Board-

room furniture, audiovisual equip-ment, fi ling and storage systems, modular systems, fi t-outs and interior designs, offi ce automa-tion and solutions, partitions and screens, paints, wall coverings and fl oorings, and security solutions.

Showcasing their latest off er-ings are some of Oman’s best-known offi ce equipment and furni-

ture suppliers, including Sharikah Fanniyah Omaniyah (SFO), Tee-jan Furnishing, Fahmy Furniture, Mohsin Haider Darwish (MHD), Offi ce Supplies, Bahwan Furnish-ings, Al Hajiry Furnishing and Hil-lion Furniture. Also showcasing their leading brands and services are Bahwan Electronics, Saeed bin Nasser Al Hashar, Al Saleh

Enterprises, Blue Rhine General Trading, Desert Dreams, Materials Plus, Super Granite and Marble, Power Infotech, Al Sinawi Engi-neering Services, Advance Tech-nology and Modern Engineering Designs amongst others.

Show participation also includes international companies like Bond Interiors, Krost Marketing, Art-

matrix, Kottoor International, Kiyo Offi ce Equipment, DS Naiki, Napoli Furniture and Messara Trading Company.

Oman Offi ce Show 2013 is also a must-attend event for retail and bulk customers, developers, inte-rior furnishers, and all manner of industry professionals. Visitors too will fi nd the fair an inspiring, invigorating and rewarding exer-cise in light of the plethora of envi-ronment-friendly, energy-effi cient and productivity-enhancing ex-hibits on display.

“Our annual Offi ce Shows have gone from strength to strength in terms of their vigorous exhibitor and customer appeal. This time around, we have not only pulled in an unprecedented number of participants, but also attracted the widest cross-section of products and services targeted at the offi ce environment. Given this strength of interest in the event, we expect visitor turnouts to be equally ro-bust on all three days of the exhibi-tion,” commented C. J. Paul, chief executive offi cer, Global Exhibi-tions and Conferences (GEC).

Oman Offi ce Show

2013 has attracted the

widest array of brands,

products and services

catering to the diverse

and rapidly evolving

requirements of the

offi ce environment

Savills Oman appointed as agents for Badr Al QurumMUSCAT: With Savills having sold all properties at the landmark real estate project, Badr Muscat Hills, the developers have selected them as sales agents for their next project, Badr Al Qurum.

The Badr Group is a relative newcomer to the real estate mar-ket in Oman but is already making its mark with innovative projects to refl ect the needs of today’s buy-ers. To be launched before the end of the year, Badr Al Qurum will boast 92 luxury one and two bed-room apartments in a prominent location in Qurum. The facilities on off er refl ect the needs of Mus-cat’s home-buyers and include a swimming pool, multi-gym and children’s play area. Underground parking will also be available for all tenants. The building will be an iconic landmark in the upmarket Qurum neighbourhood and will showcase contemporary design throughout with a fi nish and spec-ifi cation that will set the standard for buildings that follow.

With completion targeted with-in the next 18 months, Shiji Thom-as, head of Sales at Savills Oman,

is already seeing genuine enthu-siasm from the market. “Savills Oman is delighted to continue the relationship it developed with the Badr Group. After the success of the Badr Muscat Hills project where the quality of the homes was a refl ection of them listening to what the market wanted and supplying world-class properties, we are confi dent that this new venture will be equally successful. They are continuing this model with Badr Al Qurum by building a property that will fi ll a growing need for apartments that are spa-cious and well thought out with

amenities that will ensure resi-dents are very happy with their in-vestment,” he said.

The appointment was fi nalised in the Savills offi ces with a document signing and handshake between Sh-iji Thomas and Yasir A. Karim, pro-ject director of Badr Group. Savills is currently fi nalising all market-ing materials in anticipation of the launch, scheduled for the fi rst half of October this year. Pricing will also be released at the launch with early indications showing that the costs will be a further incentive for the fi rst-time buyer as well as the sea-soned investor.

S A L E S A G E N T

360° launches fresh new fl avours with updated menuSTAFF REPORTER

MUSCAT: Customers are sure to be impressed with the new options at 360° after the restau-rant launched its new menu on September 14.

The penthouse restaurant in Ghala, known for its great roof-top terrace views and its inter-national cuisine, has made some additions to its menu to increase its variety and fi ll in a few miss-ing fl avours, explained Kishore Singh, spokesperson for 360°.

“We’re extending the menu based on customer feedback. We didn’t have any Thai or Chinese items, for example. We’re also adding more vegetarian options,” said Kishore.

While many existing favourites remain, there are numerous deli-cious new dishes to try. The north-western region of India fi nds its place with dishes like succulent lamb chops with mint sauce from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.

Malaysia gets a nod with wok-fried Kueyteow noodles served with prawns and chicken sau-sage in a spicy sauce, an ideal

comfort-food kind of dish that is rich and satisfying.

Chef Allan Zarandin, master of the Japanese teppanyaki station, created interesting new sushi rolls, too. His Dynamite rolls fea-ture soft-shell crab and a wasabi sauce, with the outer layer rolled in crispy yellow dried Bonito fi sh fl akes. The fl avours build from slightly salty and fi shy to fi ery to give customers some excitement in each bite.

“Our chefs are going out of their ways to be innovative. They want to delight the customers even

more,” added Kishore, noting that the aim of the revamped menu was to keep the best items and add more options.

Other additions to the menu in-clude a fresh Caprese salad with fresh basil, tomato and buff alo mozzarella, a spicy stir-fried beef dish, a refreshing strawberry lem-onade, and fl uff y tiramisu.

“I’m sure our customers will feel good and positive because we’re trying to live up to their ex-pectations. The menu is based on their choices. They’ll be excited,” Kishore added.

D E L I C I O U S M E N U

BankDhofar issues payment cards at MGM and Muscat International Airport branchesMUSCAT: The award winning BankDhofar is the fi rst commer-cial bank to launch an innovative banking service aimed at provid-ing cutting edge technology and the best customer service by re-ducing wait time signifi cantly.

Instant Card Issuance Service is personalising customer payment cards whereby customers can col-lect their debit cards instantly at the same time they open their ac-count, and start using them imme-diately anywhere.

BankDhofar has enriched its debit card portfolio with a special-ly tailored all-in-one instant issu-ance system that allows customers to receive their new cards on the spot. The solution is outstandingly user-friendly and off ers custom-ers the highest level of security thanks to a wide range of encryp-tion methods and online-only per-sonalisation. Furthermore, this service is currently being rolled out to remaining branches as well as BankDhofar kiosks in malls around Oman — giving customers the fl exibility of conducting bank-ing transactions over the weekend or in the evenings.

Issuing magnetic strip enabled card in addition to issuing cards to new account holders, the service is also off ered for reissuance of cards as well as PIN numbers.

“This defi nitely represents added value for our customers — customers having to come back to the branch for a second time to collect their debit cards will be-come a thing of the past, and ena-bles us to reduce our costs by re-

ducing paperwork as well as back end operations at each branch. By providing technologically driven value added services, we can in-crease overall effi ciency in our branches,” said Abdel Hakeem bin Omar Al Ojaili, GM of Corporate Services at BankDhofar.

Mohammed Al Beraiki, MGM branch’s customer commented: “I walked into the branch to open a new account at MGM branch, where I was amazed that my debit card was issued instantly. I was able to utilise the card through online shopping, CDM/ATM, etc. The standard delivery of the expe-rience was extraordinary; no more waiting for instant card issuance has fulfi lled my need. I was also able to register for mobile bank-ing immediately and transferred funds between my two accounts.”

This new service in addition to their extensive branch network

and highly trained staff will pro-vide a truly exceptional experience as part of BankDhofar’s commit-ment to becoming the best bank in the Gulf and providing state-of-the-art technology and custom made services to their customers.

Commenting on the occasion, Faisal Al Wahaibi, DGM of Retail Banking said “We are extremely proud of our team that has ensured our services are consistent, reli-able and at the forefront of what the best technology has to off er. We at BankDhofar make every ef-fort to enhance customer experi-ence by researching and develop-ing products that are in line with their need. This service is off ered for the fi rst time to customers of conventional banks in Oman, a milestone BankDhofar is proud to achieve in aiding it to become the best bank in the Gulf, and the best bank for you.”

I N S T A N T S E R V I C E

NBO hosts training on ‘eff ective selling aspects’ for frontline staff MUSCAT: Academy of Excel-lence, the learning and develop-ment arm of National Bank of Oman (NBO), recently con-ducted a training course called ‘National Bank of Oman Sales Star’ for its frontline staff . The course is among the many new and custom-made off erings of the National Bank of Oman Academy of Excellence.

As part of its continuous ef-forts to makeover and transform the bank, the academy is stead-ily and positively building a sales character in the organisation by developing its workforce on knowledge, skills and techniques related to selling.

The training course is devel-oped to empower bank employees to hone their skills in selling and cross-selling the bank’s products

and services so as to grow the business volumes and increase the bank’s profi tability. The three-day practical and demonstrative workshop containing the bank’s home-grown ‘National Bank of Oman Sales Model’, included lots of activities and exercises that can be done and easily employed at the workplace.

The bespoke course has been built through signifi cant inputs from the staff and management of the bank. The participants found the course to be greatly useful in their daily work.

One of the trainees comment-ed, “The National Bank of Oman Sales Model that was discussed and demonstrated during the pro-gramme was something unique to the bank and its implementation will surely enhance our sales ef-

fi ciency and productivity.” Moosa Al Jadidi, National

Bank of Oman’s acting head, Re-tail and Private Banking said, “In the dynamic and ever-changing banking environment, the key to success will be through consist-ent and systematic selling system at all levels of the organisation. The staff at the frontline are the key towards executing the strat-egy of the organisation. The bank has been building a sales ethos through various initiatives and the performance and results have proved that we are on the right track. Learning interventions such as these have been devel-oped based on the strategic objec-tives and the emerging needs of the bank. Through such initiatives we are distinguishing ourselves from the competition.”

T R A I N I N G P R O G R A M M E

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WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM

SPOR SY O U R G A M E

SECTIONC T U E S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 1 7, 2 0 1 3

T20 OR TESTS, ART REMAINS SAME: BHAJJI Deprived of a place in the India A squads, Harbhajan fi nds himself with limited opportunities to stage a comeback, but the spinner is determined to make an impact in the upcoming Champions League Twenty20. >C3

Big three ready for opening night

LONDON: Experienced as they are there will still be a few fi rst-night nerves this week as Pep Guardiola, Carlo Ancelotti and Jose Mourinho set off on new Champions League journeys with plenty to prove and reputations to polish.

Each with two Champions League triumphs on their manage-rial CVs, two of them are attempt-ing to work their European magic in new surroundings while the third has returned to the club at which the continent’s biggest club prize proved elusive.

After a year-long sabbatical, having twice taken Barcelona to European glory in a glittering reign, Guardiola has arrived at Bayern Munich tasked with re-taining the trophy won in such style by Jupp Heynckes in May.

Ancelotti, after his brief stay at Paris St Germain, will be expected to deliver Real Madrid’s 10th Eu-ropean Cup without delay, having twice led Milan to the summit.

Mourinho, who Ancelotti has replaced in the Spanish capital, will seek to steer Chelsea all the way to the fi nal in Lisbon having returned to London determined to win club football’s biggest prize with a third club.

Guardiola’s Bayern open the defence of their crown at home to CSKA Moscow, Real Madrid will unleash Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale in Turkey against Gal-atasaray while Chelsea face Swiss side FC Basel at Stamford Bridge.

Rafa Benitez, another man-ager with a proven Champions League pedigree, will have to hit the ground running as his Napoli side host last season’s runners-up Borussia Dortmund in what looks like being a devilishly diffi cult Group F.

With so many Champions League masterminds among the 32 coaches setting off this week, Manchester United’s David Moy-es and Barcelona’s new coach Gerardo Martino look like rookies in comparison as they prepare for their fi rst ventures in the groups stages of the tournament.

Moyes will need all his steely calm and self belief as he plots United’s fi rst Champions League campaign in the post-Alex Ferg-suon era.

The Scot will have a tough bap-tism with Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen fi rst up today in a group that also contains Real So-ciedad and Ukraine champions Shakhtar Donetsk.

A good start in Europe will go a long way to helping Moyes establish himself but the Champions League, as even Fergsuon would testify to, can be an unforgiving place.

“(Ferguson) said he thinks this is one of the hardest draws United have had in the Champions League,” Moyes, whose only fl irtation with the competition was a fi nal qualify-ing round defeat while in charge at Everton, said. “If that’s coming from him it must be tough.”

Martino has started life con-fi dently at the Nou Camp and with Lionel Messi already hav-ing scored six league goals and with Brazilian Neymar about to

make his Champions League bow, Barca will again start as one of the favourites.

The Catalans are in Group H - the only section comprised of all former winners — with Celtic, Mi-lan and Ajax Amsterdam who they begin against tomorrow in one of the ties of the week.

While Moyes may be a novice at this level, albeit with a team containing the likes of Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney, rivals Manchester City have recruited a vastly-experienced European

coach in Manuel Pellegrini. City’s away tie against Group D

minnows Viktoria Plzen today will be the Chilean’s 45th in the Cham-pions League and the club’s owners will be expecting a vast improve-ment on the previous two seasons in which they have managed only three wins in 12 group games.

Bayern are also in City’s group, but Pellegrini, who steered Malaga to the quarter-fi nals last season, has warned against taking Czech side Plzen or CSKA Moscow lightly.

“If we think we are going to qual-

ify for the last 16 because the other teams are weak we will be making a mistake,” he said.

Mourinho, who announced himself as a coaching heavyweight by taking Porto all the way and re-peated the feat with Inter Milan, will be taking charge of his 108th Champions League game when Chelsea host Basel today.

The Portuguese’s last Cham-pions League game in charge of Chelsea was a 1-1 draw against Rosenborg in 2007 — a result that signalled the end of his fi rst

spell in charge of the club. Chelsea bowed out of the

Champions League at the group stage last season when they were the holders, but with Mourinho back at the helm and a kind group which also includes Steaua Bu-charest and Schalke a strong run is expected.

Ancelotti, who like Mourinho suff ered Champions League dis-appointment while at Chelsea, has a mouthwatering array of talent at his disposal but fi nding the best system to incorporate the likes of

Ronaldo, Bale, Luka Modric and Isco will be key to his chances of succeeding where others failed.

An away match at Galatasaray will off er some early clues.

The Italian clubs are not being touted as potential champions this year but Napoli, Juventus and Mi-lan will all bring plenty to the party in the coming months.

Paris St Germain, one of only two French clubs in the group phase, begin away to Olympiakos today while Marseille host English regulars Arsenal tomorrow. - Reuters

Each with two

Champions League

triumphs on their

managerial CVs,

Pep Guardiola and

Carlo Ancelotti are

attempting to work

their European magic

in new surroundings

while Jose Mourinho

has returned to the

club at which the

continent’s biggest

club prize proved

elusive

ALL SMILES: Wayne Rooney, third right, and his Manchester United teammates snapped during training on eve of their Champions League match against Bayer Leverkusen. – Reuters

MANCHESTER: Manchester United manager David Moyes has warned his own player Ash-ley Young to stop diving but said yesterday he could not guaran-tee the winger would change his ways.

England international Young was booked for tumbling over after a challenge by Crystal Palace’s Kagisho Dikgacoi in United’s 2-0 win at Old Traff ord in the Premier League on Saturday.

Later in the fi rst half, the referee awarded the home side a penalty and sent off Dikgacoi after the pair clashed again, although television replays sug-gested Young had fallen easily under minimal challenge.

The London club’s chairman Steve Parish said Young should have been sent off , while Moyes said he had spoken to the winger over the matter and reiterated his long-held view that there should be retrospec-tive action for diving to clamp down on it.

“You can never be sure it won’t happen again, but I’ve had a word with him privately,” Moyes told a news conference on the eve of United’s Champi-ons League Group A opener at home to Bayer Leverkusen.

“I’ve said for many years... we should have retrospective video for diving, I think it would help referees no end.”

It will come as little comfort to Parish that even Moyes was

unhappy with his own player over diving.

“The only player in the inci-dents that was honest was Kag-isho Dikgacoi and he’s sent off and banned for the next match,” Parish told the BBC on Sunday.

“Ashley Young has a yellow card and three points and we have no points and one less player to pick from for the next game.

“If preventing a goal-scoring opportunity is a straight red then trying to create one by cheating should be a straight red also. It might have cost us a point that might keep us up.

“(We) need to get some mo-mentum behind a straight red for a dive.”

United defender Rio Ferdi-nand said if there were to be changes to the ways in which diving was handled, the meas-ures would have to be imple-mented across the world.

“For instance, you go into the Champions League and we’re being told in the Premier League that you’re not meant to dive but you go in the Champi-ons League and you’ve got other countries that simulate,” he told a news conference.

“It’s diffi cult and obviously as a defender you don’t want people to just try and con the referee.

“If there’s contact, in today’s game the player has got the right to appreciate that he’s been con-

tacted and maybe go down. “You’ve got to defend a little

bit more with your head and think about how you try and combat the forward because they are cute and know how to do this type of stuff ,” he added.

“It’s a diffi cult thing for the referee to look at so retrospec-tive viewing and punishments may be the way to go.”

Young has gained an unen-viable reputation as a player prone to falling over in the penalty area and the latest incident has led to calls for him to be banned.

Former Premier League referee Graham Poll, writing in his column in the Daily Mail, accused Young of cheating.

“He should be banned for fi ve games, then he might stop diving to try and con refer-ees,” he said.

Former United manager Alex Ferguson said he had “had a word” with Young last year after several high-profi le incidents in which the former Aston Villa player had fallen over.

Last season in the Premier League, 34 yellow cards were shown for diving with former Tottenham Hotspur forward Gareth Bale the worst culprit, picking up six of them.

The Football Association can take retrospective action against players they feel were guilty of simulation, even if the referee deemed nothing was wrong at the time. — Reuters

Young may not change his diving ways, says Moyes

MOYES’ VIEW: Manchester United coach asks Ashley Young to stop diving. – Reuters

SOFOMAN.COMS E P T E M B E R 1 7, 2 0 1 3

ESTS, ART SAME: BHAJJI

ace in the India Ajan fi nds himself

portunities tock, but the spinner o make an impact g Champions 20. >C3

Page 26: T17 09 2013

C2

SPORTST U E S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 1 7, 2 0 1 3

Just how good is Mayweather?

IT was not even close on Satur-day night at the MGM in Las Vegas when Floyd Mayweath-

er expertly tamed Saul Alvarez over 12 repetitive rounds to claim a couple of pure gold light-middle-weight world title belts.

Mayweather made $19,213 per second, cleared $3.4m per round and collected a record guarantee of $41.5m (£26m) when he improved his record to 45 fi ghts without de-feat. He also raised a few questions after his punches took Alvarez to the very tipping point of quitting and the main two are: how good is he and who is next?

“I could have pressed it and got the late stoppage but experience played a major key,” Mayweather said at the end of a fi ght that had the type of crossover appeal that has eluded the sport since Mike Tyson’s best and worst days.

However, the brutal truth is that Tyson delivered something easily digestible in his controversies and violence, but Mayweather is far more diffi cult to understand be-cause of his aversion to risk.

There was a clear sense of con-fusion inside the arena on Satur-day night and the crowd became less vocal as Mayweather won without too much glitz. Some vet-eran Vegas hacks insisted that the crowd was too “white collar” to ap-preciate the fi ght, claiming the tra-ditional fans had packed the city’s sold-out big screenings, where 25,000 watched for $100 each.

In the hours after the fi ght Alva-rez looked like a man who would gladly have traded the cash for what Mayweather had robbed him of during the 36-minute box-ing lesson. The Mexican, who lost his unbeaten record, is only 23 but he looked desolate as he slumped through the obligatory post-fi ght search for an answer to the May-weather enigma.

“I didn’t know how to get to him,” admitted Alvarez. “It’s as simple as that and the frustration was getting to me in there.” It is the latest typical dejected, savage and pitiless assessment from one of Mayweather’s broken opponents; it has become a familiar lament, a weary off ering in the fading glow of a losing fi ght. It is also a lame excuse for a seasoned prizefi ghter to use, knowing that he is about to trouser in excess of $12m. May-

weather took his heart and that is a pact that no fi ghter agrees to.

Alvarez was, let us not conceal the truth, poor and came close in my opinion to walking away dur-ing the fi ght in what would have been a spectacular repeat of what the great Roberto Duran did in his rematch with Sugar Ray Leonard in 1980. Duran simply waved it off , uttered the deathless cry of “no mas” in round eight and walked to his corner; Leonard was not hurt-

ing Duran but the iconic Panama-nian simply could not get close enough to connect. On Saturday I saw that same look of total hatred a couple of times on Alvarez’s bro-ken face as he found his heavy legs in bad positions and was made to look clueless for most of the fi ght.

Mayweather never wasted a punch, clearly held back several times, and it is this seeming reluc-tance to fi nish fi ghts that creates the one potentially damning blot

on his brilliant resumé. The great boxers fi nish fi ghts and the very best, such as Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard, do it with an instant savagery that just seems to appear from a secret place once an opponent has been broken.

On Saturday Alvarez was bro-ken, his choristers in the building had packed away their hopes, and yet Mayweather let him survive. In private some of the best welter-weights and light-middleweights

from the last 30 years can barely contain their resentment at May-weather and dismiss any claims that he belongs in their company. Also, critics — and there are many in the boxing business —point out that at various times in the last 10 years Mayweather has chosen to avoid certain fi ghters. He has often, as a sensible businessman, waited a few years before agreeing terms and only then when it seemed that the fi ghter was no longer at his peak. It is a claim that has defi nite legitimacy but there are dozens of other similar instances in the box-ing record books.

It is the fi ghts involving Leon-ard, Duran, Tommy Hearns and Marvin Hagler, a quartet dubbed the four kings, that cause so much confusion in any debate about Mayweather’s place in history. It is the lingering memory of their sen-sational and fearless fi ghts which casts a historical shadow over Mayweather’s greatness. Perhaps it is also the case that there are just so few moments of raw excitement in a Mayweather fi ght that his ring brilliance is continually neglected.

However, there was some real drama on Saturday when it was revealed that one judge – who, by the way, was paid $8,000 for her night’s work – returned a score-card of 114-114. This was gross in every way and a simple glance in Alvarez’s direction at the fi nal bell told the real story of what was a ridiculously easy night for May-weather.

The American, who is 36, must now plan a potentially tricky fu-ture and an end to his glittering career, knowing that his last natu-ral and genuine opponent, Alvarez, has just been exposed. The boxer has four fi ghts left on a six-fi ght contract, worth $200m, that he signed with ShowTime earlier this year; there is the very real chance that he will fi ght until he is 40.

The plan now seems to be that he will meet Bolton’s Amir Khan in May next year, but Khan has fi rst to beat world champion Devon Al-exander in their December fi ght. Mayweather plans to have another payday in November.

There is a chance that the mid-dleweights Gennady Golovkin and Sergio Martinez are on Mayweath-er’s shopping list for his farewell tour. However, any attempt to boil the pair down to a suitable weight should be discouraged. Mayweath-er truly is a victim of his time and his ability, and pointing that out should not be considered a slight. He is a great fi ghter; he just needs a great fi ght and perhaps it is too late. — The Independent

An easy win over

Alvarez earned the

champ $3.46m per

round, but leaves

the big question still

unanswered, writes

Steve Bunce of ‘The

Independent’

LONDON: Amir Khan needs to re-dedicate himself to box-ing if he is to have any hope of achieving his stated ambition of defeating the sport’s superstar Floyd Mayweather, his trainer believes.

The British boxer is down to take on IBF welterweight champion Devon Alexander in December with a potential bout against Mayweather in his sights after that.

Khan, 26, was ringside in Las Vegas at the weekend to see

Mayweather stretch his record to 45-0 with a majority decision win over Saul Alvarez for the WBC and WBA light-middle-weight titles.

He is on record as saying he believes his speed in the ring could cause problems for the American and he was touted as a possible opponent when the pound-for-pound king next steps into the ring in May 2014.

But Virgil Hunter, who has trained the Briton for his last two fi ghts, thinks his

charge needs to show a greater dedication to boxing before any possible showdown with Mayweather.

“If he is going to be really competitive, he has to show the same dedication and desire Floyd Mayweather shows. If he doesn’t he will have a tough night,” Hunter said in the Times.

“If he changes his ideas and really commits to boxing and really becomes driven to be great in the sport, then I think

he could grow very quickly. “Amir has a lot of potential

and a lot of ability and he has to maximise what he has and make it his priority if he wants to be great. You can’t take months off boxing, running here and there and there, and think you can come into an eight-week camp and perform at the best of your ability.

“You have to live the life, I am not afraid to tell him that because I am trying to get the best out of him.” - AFP

More needed from Khan, trainer believes

Floyd’s plan

now seems to be

that he will meet

Bolton’s Amir

Khan in May next

year, but Khan has

first to beat world

champion Devon

Alexander in their

December fight

Unrest in the Bavarian club over Sammer’s outburstMUNICH: Bayern Munich begin the defence of their Champions League title today with unrest in the Bavarian club after director of sport Matthias Sammer slammed the team for “emotionless” football.

Bayern warmed up for today’s visit of Russian champions CSKA Moscow with a 2-0 home win over Hanover 96 on Saturday with Cro-atia striker Mario Mandzukic and France’s Franck Ribery scoring second-half goals.

But Sammer was scathing in his appraisal, accusing Bayern of playing “lethargic football”, “going through the motions” and “playing without emotion”.

His comments raised eyebrows as Bayern have won four of their fi ve league games, only dropping points at Freiburg a fortnight ago when Pep Guardiola’s side drew 1-1 and are second in the league.

“I understand Matthias wants to pour oil on the fi re, but I don’t think we need to fi re things up at the moment,” Bayern president Uli Hoeness told German daily Bild.

“We will certainly talk about it, because it gives a bad impression of Bayern Munich. “You get the feeling as if we’ve lost three of our fi ve games and drawn the other two.” Guardiola said Sammer was entitled to his opinion.

“Matthias is very emotional, like me,” said the Bayern coach.

“It’s the culture here in Germa-ny for people who work in the club to give their opinion. “We’d have a problem if that happened in Spain, but it’s normal here.”

League leaders Borussia Dort-mund hammered Hamburg 6-2 on Saturday and after fi ve victories they are the only Bundesliga side with a 100 per cent record — which has not escaped their Bavarian ri-vals’ attention.

“They must be laughing them-selves to death in Dortmund. Our position in the Bundesliga is not dramatic,” added Hoeness.

“He shouldn’t stir things up. Matthias needs to take care not to overstep the mark.

“If you do things like that every week, you are going to get your fi n-gers burnt at some point.

“The enemy is outside the walls, not within. The players are people who are sometimes careless.

“If we just want robots on the pitch, then there is no need to go to the stadium.” But Bayern’s ex-president Franz Beckenbauer, who coached and captained Germany to World Cup titles, said Sammer’s rant was in order. “I think Matthias is working under the motto: Fight from the start! I think his com-ments are called for. He had a le-gitimate point,” said Beckenbauer.

But ex-Bayern and Germany midfi elder Lothar Matthaeus said he was “really shocked” by Sam-mer’s outburst. “The players need trust, not criticism,” Matthaeus, a pundit for Germany’s Sky Sports, told Munich newspaper TZ.

“Comments like that just lead to a greater uncertainty, but that’s Matthias. “I’m not sure whether it’s the right time to say something like that.” — AFP

FOOTBALL

Matthias Sammer

was scathing in his

appraisal, accusing

Bayern of playing

‘lethargic football’,

‘going through the

motions’ and ‘playing

without emotion’

Page 27: T17 09 2013

C3

SPORTST U E S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 1 7, 2 0 1 3

Yuvi’s India A eyeing an encore

BANGALORE: Their confi dence on high after the comprehensive win in the opener, India A would look to seal the three-match unof-fi cial ODI series against West In-dies A in the second 50-over game between the two sides at the Chin-naswamy Stadium today.

Skipper Yuvraj Singh stole the limelight with a breathtaking cen-tury to guide India A to a thump-ing 77-run win over the visitors in the opening match of the series on Sunday, and come today the hosts would be looking for an encore.

All eyes were trained on Yuvraj on Sunday after he was handed a

lifeline to return to the ODI team by being named captain of the In-dia A team.

And the dashing left-hander grabbed the opportunity with both hands and staked his claim for a national berth by scoring a brutal 89-ball 123 against the hapless Caribbeans in the opening match.

Yuvraj produced a sensational exhibition of strokeplay by hitting eight fours and seven sixes in his scintillating innings to help India raise 312 for four after being put to bat in the match which was re-duced to 42-over-a-side aff air due to two-hour delayed start on ac-

count of wet outfi eld. India A then bowled out the visitors for 235 in 39.1 overs, giving the home side a 1-0 lead in the series.

Come today, India A, a team on a roll after the clean sweep against New Zealand A, would be hoping to carry on the winning momen-tum in their future matches.

During his dazzling knock on Sunday, Yuvraj shared two hundred runs partnerships with Mandeep Singh (67) and Yusuf Pathan (70 not out), who played perfect second fi d-dle to the left-hander.

Just like Yuvraj, Yusuf — who is also looking for a comeback to the ODI team — displayed his attack-ing skills and tore apart the West Indies bowling attack to score his runs off just 32 balls with the help of four boundaries and six hits over the fence.

And today, both Yuvraj and Yu-suf would be hoping for repeat performances to catch the eyes of national selectors.

But openers Robin Uthappa and Unmukt Chand, both of whom ex-celled against New Zealand A, failed

to replicate their form in the open-ing match against the Caribbeans. And the duo would be hoping to re-turn among runs which will ensure a rollicking start for the hosts.

Uthappa, who is in ODI exile, in particular would be hoping an im-proved showing with the bat to catch the eyes of national selectors ahead of the limited overs series against West Indies and South Africa.

In experienced Irfan Pathan and Praveen Kumar’s absence, the In-dian bowling attack led by R Vinay Kumar lived up to expectations in Sunday’s match. With a cushion of 312 runs to defend, the pressure-less Indian bowlers stuck to a dis-ciplined line and length against Caribbean batsmen on Sunday.

The quartet of Vinay Kumar, Sumit Narwal, Rahul Sharma and Yusuf Pathan scalped two wickets apiece to bowl out West Indies A for 235 runs. And Yuvraj would be expecting similar performances from his bowlers today.

The West Indies A, on the other hand, who performed well dur-ing their home series against Sri

Lanka-A in June, will look for im-provement. The Caribbean side would be hoping for a better show from their top-order batsmen, es-pecially Kirk Edward, who became the 14th West Indian batsman to score a century on debut and third West Indian to score a debut hun-dred against India.

The West Indies A top order — Nkruma Bonner (16), captain Kieran Powell (17) and Edwards (19) would be hoping to utilise their starts in the remainder of the series. Narsingh Deonaraine (57) and Ashley Nurse (57) were the only two batsmen who showed intent with fi ghting half centuries while chasing India’s mammoth total on Sunday.

The visitors would also be hop-ing for fi reworks from all-rounder Andre Russell, who has a reputa-tion of winning matches on his own.The West Indies A bowling attack cut a sorry fi gure against the ruthless Indian batting line-up on Sunday.

All the West Indian bowlers, in-cluding pace duo of Miguel Cum-

mins and Ronsford Beaton bled runs in the fi rst match.

The series is an opportunity for a number of young West Indian players to show their skills, espe-cially with the senior team set to tour India next month.

And the likes of skipper Powell, vice-captain Veerasammy Per-maul, Russell, Andre Fletcher, Devon Thomas, Edwards, Nikita Miller and Deonarine, all of whom have featured in the senior team, would be hoping to impress upon the selectors.

India A: Yuvraj Singh (Capt.), Un-mukt Chand, Robin Uthappa, Baba Aparajith, Kedar Jadhav, Naman Ojha, Yusuf Pathan, R Vinay Kumar, Jaydev Unadkat, Siddharth Kaul, Sumit Narw-al, Shahbaz Nadeem, Mandeep Singh, Rahul Sharma.

West Indies A: Kieran Powell (Capt.), Veerasammy Permaul, Rons-ford Beaton, Nkrumah Bonner, Jona-than Carter, Sheldon Cottrell, Miguel Cummins, Narsingh Deonarine, Kirk Edwards, Andre Fletcher, Leon John-son, Nikita Miller, Ashley Nurse, Andre Russell, Devon Thomas. — PTI

India A, a team on a roll after the clean sweep

against New Zealand A, would be hoping to

carry on the winning momentum in their

future matches

Spotlight on the WolvesMOHALI: Still trying to fi nd its foothold in the cricketing landscape, the Champions League Twenty20 will enter its fourth season today with the qualifying matches during which Pakistan’s domestic champi-ons Faisalabad Wolves are likely to hog the limelight. A league which was born out of the hugely suc-cessful IPL, CLT20 is gradually es-tablishing its identity but it would take some time for it to truly fi nd a connect with the fans.

The event will kick off with Fais-alabad Wolves, led by Pakistan’s Terst skipper Misbah-ul-Haq, taking on New Zealand’s Otago Volts in the fi rst qualifi er today. This would be followed by a star-studded Sunrisers Hyderabad, led by Delhi-dasher Shikhar Dhawan, squaring off against Sri Lanka’s Kandurata Maroons in the second qualifi er at the PCA stadium.

Barring Volts, the other three teams in the qualifi ers come from the sub-continent, but none among the four feels that either has any big advantage in the event.

The top two teams will advance to the main draw, which has three In-dian teams in fray — IPL champions Mumbai Indians, runners-up Chen-nai Super Kings and third-place fi n-ishers Rajasthan Royals.

In today’s opening match, the Wolves would mainly rely on their young players including promis-ing medium-pacer Ehsan Adil, Ali Waqas, Khuram Shahzad, Asad Ali, besides banking on the experience of skipper Misbah and Saeed Ajmal, who has been a national asset in all three formats after his Test debut four years back.

The Wolves, who had some visa issues when they landed in India,

will draw strength from the fact that at the domestic level, they beat teams that had many stars. The Wolves are only the second team from Pakistan to compete in the event after Sialkot Stal-lions last year. Their presence in the event was ensured after much speculation that arose out of ris-ing border tensions between India and Pakistan.

“Barring Misbah and Ajmal, we are mainly a young squad, but there is lot of potential in our young play-ers. We are confi dent that they will deliver at the big stage,” the team’s wicketkeeper and vice-captain, Mohamed Salman said.

“Even though we don’t have in-ternational cricket happening in our country, the standard of our domestic cricket is very high...I don’t see the lack of international cricket in Pakistan making any diff erence to our performance,” he said. Salman and coach Naveed Anjum feel that Misbah brings with him wealth of experience and has also performed brilliantly in the shorter version of the game.

“Misbah performed brilliantly for us in the shorter versions, es-pecially in the last season. He was the highest run-getter for us in our domestic T20 tournament.

Besides being highly important to the team as a batsman, he plays a very crucial role as the leader,” said Anjum. The team has been practising hard back home for the tournament and familiar surfaces of the sub-continent would be a bonus for it.

Volts, who crashed out of the 2009 season by losing their fi rst two matches, have the likes of swashbuckling skipper Brendon

McCullum and brother Nathan McCullum to negate any advan-tage the other teams may get by virtue of familiar surfaces.

The Kiwis arrived here after a training camp in Sri Lanka to get used to the conditions.

“This is a tough qualifi ers round. Look at all the teams, they are all good on the paper. We know it is going to be tough for us to get past the qualifi ers,” McCullum said. The Kiwi wicketkeeper-batsman said beating tough opponents will surely give them the confi dence as they go ahead in the tournament.

Today’s second game Shikhar Dhawan’s star-studded Sunris-ers Hyderabad, featuring the likes of Parthiv Patel, Cameron White, Darren Sammy, Dale Steyn, This-ara Perera and Ishant Sharma, would aim for a win.

Dhawan, who was named as the side’s captain after Sri Lankan Ku-mar Sangakkara opted to play for the Maroons, has been in rollick-ing form, earning the Man of the Series in the Champions Trophy in England. The 27-year-old left-handed batsman feels captaincy is a new challenge and he is looking forward to it.

Sri Lankan Lahiru Thirimanne, captaining Kandurata Maroons, will take solace from the fact that the presence of international cricketers such as Kumar Sangak-kara, Ajantha Mendis and Nuwan Kulasekara besides Rangana Her-ath, give his team a good balance of youth and experience.

“We are a young team but some of our players are very experienced and that makes for a very good combination,” the Maroons skip-per said. — PTI

C H A M P I O N S L E A G U E T 2 0

HAPPY BUNCH FROM PAKISTAN: File picture of Faisalabad Wolves after their triumph in home league.

NEW DELHI: Deprived of a place in the India A squads, Harbhajan Singh fi nds himself with limited opportunities to stage a comeback, but the out-of-favour spinner is determined to make an impact in the upcoming Champions League Twenty20 to force his way into national reckoning.

Unlike some of the other seniors like Virender Sehwag and Zaheer Khan who have been drafted into the India ‘A’ team for the series against West Indies A for their come-back trail, Harbhajan has no choice but to prove his worth in the T20 event.

“I am always happy to play any format, be it days cricket, one-dayers or T20. Whatever adjustments you make, the basic principles of success do not change. Whether it’s Tests or T20s, the art of picking up wickets remains the same,” Harbhajan said phone from Ahmedabad, where he is train-ing with Mumbai Indians squad for CLT20.

“You can think about being restric-tive in T20 format, whereas you can af-ford to experiment in Tests. But in both formats, you need to bowl those wicket-taking de-liveries that win you matches. At this point of time, I am totally focussed on doing well for Mumbai Indians in the Champions League T20,” the 33-year-old bowl-er, who played a pivotal role in MI’s IPL triumph with 24 wickets, said.

Harbhajan, who has taken 694 interna-tional wickets across the three formats, reckons that he still has the hunger and the ability to perform at the high-est level.

“There is a lot of hunger left in me to perform at the

international level. But I would like to concentrate on what I have at hand. I would like to take one match at a time and give my hundred percent. My job is to perform in whatever matches I am playing. I would be happy to play more longer format games but would like to wait till Ranji Trophy for that,” said Harbhajan, who last played against Australia in Hyderabad, in March this year.

Asked about whether he worked on anything specifi c

during the off -season, Harbha-jan stated, “I was in Jalandhar where I trained at my own academy under my childhood coach (Davinder Arora). I fo-cussed on the basics and that’s most important. Then I took a few days off and now I am again training with MI.”

On whether he faced compe-tition from current Team India regular Ravichandran Ashwin or the upcoming Pervez Rasool, Harbhajan said, “I only love to compete with myself. That has always been the case in my 14 years in international cricket and would like to keep it like that.”

MI had won the Champions League Twenty20 in 2011 under his captaincy and those happy memories certainly give him a lot of boost.

“Winning the Champions League T20 in 2011 was a great feeling. Whether CLT20 or IPL, any victory gives you

that confi dence. But that’s past and I would

like to focus on the present. I am happy that we won then but to win this time, we need to perform even better. That’s our endeavour.”

Asked wheth-er he watched one of his closest friend Yuvraj Singh’s breathtak-ing century against West Indies A, Harbhajan said he did not watch cricket on television.

“I don’t watch cricket on television.

It’s not about Yuvi but I have

never liked to watch the highlights

of my past matches also. May be when I become a retired crick-eter, I would love to sit back and refl ect on my achievements and may be watch those record-ings,” he concluded. — PTI

T20 or Tests, the art of picking wickets remains same: Bhajji

Page 28: T17 09 2013

C4

SPORTST U E S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 1 7, 2 0 1 3

Czechs rely on time-tested team for double success in Davis Cup

PRAGUE: The Czech Republic will bet on a time-tested success-ful team of Radek Stepanek and Tomas Berdych when they face Novak Djokovic-led Serbia in the Davis Cup fi nals from Novem-ber 15 to 17.

Defending champions, the Czechs won their eighth Davis Cup tie in a row when they swept Argentina in the semifi nals in Prague, while 2010 champions Serbia, led by world No 1 Djokovic, saw off Canada.

The Czech Republic and Serbia last clashed in the 2012 quarterfi -nals, which the Czechs won 4-1 on their way to the victory.

Two years earlier, Serbia had beaten the Czechs in the semifi -nals in Belgrade 3-2 to lift the tro-phy in the end too.

Against Djokovic and Janko Tipsarevic, the Czechs will pit a duo that has a stunning record since teaming up in 2007.

Berdych, the world No 5, and Stepanek, ranked 61st in singles and fi fth in doubles, led the Czechs to their third fi nal in fi ve years at the weekend, having won the 13th of their 14 Davis Cup doubles rub-bers together.

Experts praise their faithful-ness to the team — unlike others, Berdych and Stepanek typically skip Davis Cup ties only when they are injured.

“Radek and Tomas are a great team, they have been doing great for fi ve years and I hope we will take it to a successful end this year too,” Czech team captain Jaroslav Navratil said.

“The away game will defi nitely be more diffi cult, we saw this in Belgrade three years ago. But we’re not afraid, experience is on our side,” he added.

“The opponents are incredibly strong, but if we focus on ourselves and stay in the best shape, there is a chance,” said Berdych.

Still, Djokovic remains a con-cern given his record against the Czechs — 14-2 with Berdych, 8-1 with Stepanek.

“It’s terribly hard to travel to Serbia with minus two points,” said Navratil.

He added 23rd-ranked Tip-sarevic might be easier to beat and “we could win two points against him.”

In their home ties so far, the Czechs have relied on a superfast

court at Prague’s O2 Arena fi lled with thousands of frantic fans.

Now they know the surface will be diff erent.

“Neither Tipsarevic nor their doubles players can play on clay. They will choose a hard surface but a slower one,” Navratil said.

The crowd will be very diff erent, too.

“It’s one of the worst environ-ments, those are not tennis fans, those are football fans, we have already seen that,” said Navratil. “We have to fi ght with that and the boys must close ranks and get ready so we could succeed.”

Famous for wild fi st-pumping and determined self-motiva-tion when playing for the Czech team, Stepanek said a victory was “realistic.”

“We’ve been doing well and I be-lieve we have one more step ahead of us to make things even nicer,” he said. “We would like to keep the trophy because it’s beautiful.”

World number one Djokovic won both his singles rubbers at the weekend to down Canada and be-lieves home advantage in Belgrade will be crucial in the fi nal.

“Winning the 2010 trophy was an inspiration to all of us to excel the following season on the ATP Tour and that’s why the Davis Cup has a very special place in my heart,” said Djokovic.

“I’ve won a number of Grand Slams but nothing compares to sharing the joy of victory with your team mates, who are there for you and cheer on every shot you take on the court in the Davis Cup.” - AFP

Berdych, the world

No 5, and Stepanek,

ranked 61st in singles

and fi fth in doubles,

led the Czechs to their

third fi nal in fi ve years

at the weekend, having

won the 13th of their

14 Davis Cup doubles

rubbers together

FAITHFUL TO THE TEAM: Tomas Berdych, left, and Radek Stepanek, centre, typically skip Davis Cup ties only when they are injured. – Reuters

LONDON: Czech Repub-lic will be the top seeds when the draw for the 2014 Davis Cup is made this week, the Interna-tional Tennis Federation (ITF) said yesterday.

Winners last year, the Czechs have again reached the fi nal and will play Serbia in Belgrade next month.

Serbia’s run to the fi nal earns them the second seeding, followed by Spain and Argentina.

France, United States, Canada and Kazakhstan make up the eight seeded nations who will be kept apart in round one of the tournament.

The other eight teams in next year’s World Group are Australia, Bel-gium, Germany, Britain, Italy, Japan, Netherlands and Switzerland.

The draw takes place in London tomorrow. - Reuters

Czechs top seeds for 2014 Cup

Wallabies expect Horwill back for South Africa tripSYDNEY: Australia coach Ewen McKenzie expects James Horwill to rejoin his squad for next week’s trip to South Africa but has of-fered no assurances that the big lock will resume the captaincy.

Horwill suff ered a hamstring injury two weeks ago which ruled him out of the home Rugby Cham-pionship Tests against South Af-rica and Argentina.

The Wallabies missed both his leadership and physicality in the 38-12 drubbing at the hands of the Springboks and could do with both back for the return match in Cape Town on September 28.

Australia go on from South Africa for a re-match with Ar-gentina, who they edged 14-13 at the weekend, and McKenzie said Horwill would have to be fi t to train if he was to embark on the fl ight to Cape Town.

“There’s no evidence to say (he) wouldn’t be fi t by the weekend,” McKenzie told reporters in Perth

before the squad dispersed for a week off .

“I think James would know he has to be right to train 100 per cent on Saturday. That’s what we’ll look at and we’ll work it out. I think he is tracking well.”

When fi t, Horwill has been Australia’s captain since replac-ing Rocky Elsom in a shock move on the eve of the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand.

Having also led the Queens-land Reds to Super Rugby suc-cess for the last few years under McKenzie, his place as team leader looked assured when Rob-bie Deans resigned in the wake of the British and Irish Lions series defeat.

McKenzie, though, has dis-played a distinct lack of senti-ment with regard to his former Reds players since taking the reins at the Wallabies.

Firstly, against all predictions, he failed to restore fl yhalf Quade Cooper to a starting role for the

fi rst two tests of the champion-ship against New Zealand, which both ended in defeat.

In an even more stunning decision last week, McKenzie dropped scrumhalf Will Genia to the bench for the match against the Pumas in Perth.

Given those decisions, it should come as no surprise that McKenzie would not confi rm that Ben Mowen would hand back the team captaincy when Horwill returns.

“I haven’t thought about it,” he added. “I’ll work out where he is up to on the injury. I have to see if he is fi t enough to join the group fi rst.”

Given the problems at the scrum that have been exposed by the Springboks and Pumas over the last two weeks, it was no surprise either to hear that 59-cap loosehead prop Benn Rob-inson was under consideration for a return for the two-match tour. - Reuters

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

Du Plessis has red card expungedSYDNEY: South Africa hooker Bismark du Plessis has had the red card he received during last weekend’s match against New Zealand expunged from his re-cord after a judicial hearing de-cided his fi rst yellow card had been wrongly awarded.

Du Plessis was shown two yellow cards in the match, the fi rst in the 17th minute for a tackle on All Blacks fl yhalf Dan Carter that French referee Ro-main Poite adjudged was high and illegally executed without the use of his arms.

“Judicial Offi cer Terry Willis from Australia has removed a red card from the disciplinary record of Bismarck du Plessis,” read a statement from Sanzar yesterday. “(He) found that the decision made by referee Ro-main Poite to issue a yellow card as a result of the tackle by du Plessis on Dan Carter was wrong, as it was within the laws of the game.” - Reuters

W R O N G D E C I S I O N

Page 29: T17 09 2013

C5

SPORTST U E S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 1 7, 2 0 1 3

Ronaldo, Bale ‘will help each other’

LONDON: Gareth Bale and Cris-tiano Ronaldo, the world’s two most expensive footballers, will have no trouble forming a potent partnership at Real Madrid, ac-cording to assistant manager Paul Clement.

Both scored in Real’s 2-2 draw with Villarreal in La Liga on Sat-urday as Bale made his eagerly-awaited debut having signed from Tottenham Hotspur in a record 100 million euro deal.

Portuguese forward Ronaldo, who signed a new fi ve-year deal with Real worth a reported 17 mil-lion euros each year, remains the fulcrum of the side and is unlikely to be handing over freekick re-sponsibility to the Welshman.

However, despite the high-profi le of both players English-man Clement, who also worked with Real coach Carlo Ancelotti at Chelsea and Paris St Germain, says there will be no ego clash.

“There’ll be no issue between those two, none at all,” Clement was quoted in British newspa-pers which carried extensive coverage of Bale’s opening game in La Liga.

“Good players like to work with good players. They’ll help each other to achieve things for the club, I’m sure, and if they keep scoring, everyone will be happy.”

Bale lasted an hour before being

substituted and Clement said fans should be patient with the Welsh-man whose pre-season has been disrupted by the drawn-out trans-fer to Madrid.

“He seemed to grow when that goal went in,” Clement, who is helping Bale communicate with the non English speaking players in the squad, said.

“I’m sure it was quite a relief. The transfer was a long saga and ate into his pre-season, and I’m sure he’s glad to get that game out of the

way. “This is not easy for him but he’s got a lot of support here. He’s got a good friend here in Luka Modric who played with him at Spurs and is almost acting as an interpreter.

“Carlo speaks good English too but Gareth seems relaxed already in the dressing room.”

Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ron-aldo are expected to be in tan-dem again when Real begin their Champions League campaign against Galatasaray today.

Media speculationMeanwhile, Spain’s press said yesterday Ronaldo’s unstoppable goal-scoring netted him a world record pay packet when he signed a contract renewal tying him to Real Madrid until 2018.

Real gave no fi nancial details of the 28-year-old striker’s contract and estimates in the Spanish press varied widely.

Top-selling sports paper Marca said he would earn 17 million eu-ros ($23 million) net a year; El

Mundo said he secured 18 million euros net including easily reached bonuses; and sports daily AS said he would receive 21 million euros net.

“How could I not love you?” ran the headline on Marca’s front page across a photograph of Real Ma-drid President Florentino Perez embracing a grinning Ronaldo af-ter the deal was signed on Sunday.

The agreement extinguished ru-mours that Ronaldo could make a sensational return to Manchester

United when his former contract expired in 2015.

He had left Old Traff ord to join Madrid in 2009 for a then world record 94 million euros.

“When a footballer spends four years scoring a goal in every one of the 200 games he plays and one day he sits down to discuss his contract, you are talking about capitulation more than renewal,” analyst Carlos Carpio wrote in Marca. “It is easy. The player asks and the club pays.” - Reuters/AFP

Despite the high-

profi le of both players

assissant manager

Paul Clement, who

also worked with Real

coach Carlo Ancelotti

at Chelsea and Paris

St Germain, says there

will be no ego clash

NO ISSUES: Gareth Bale, left, and Cristiano Ronaldo are expected to be tandem again against Galatasaray today. – Reuters

Nine-year-old Swedish starlet joins BarcelonaMALMO: A Swedish club an-nounced yesterday the transfer of their nine-year-old prodigy, Zico Jr Marecaldi, to Spanish gi-ants Barcelona.

“On Wednesday Zico leaves for Barcelona for new challenges,” BK Olympic, a Swedish fi fth-tier club based in Malmo, announced on their website.

Following his appearance at a Barca recruitment camp, the Swedish press have kept tabs on the young midfi elder, whose idol is Lionel Messi.

He is hoping to follow in the footsteps of Henrik Larsson and Zlatan Ibrahimovic by becoming just the third Swede to wear the Barca colours.

“It’s going to be cool,” the youngster told Swedish daily Skaanska Dagbladet.

His father Antonio, who is the coach at BK Olympic, told the newspaper he would send his talented son to boarding school initially, with the fam-ily moving to Spain as soon as possible. - AFP

P R O D I G Y

Page 30: T17 09 2013

C6

SPORTST U E S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 1 7, 2 0 1 3

SMARTEN UPDRIVE SAFE

A TIMES OF OMAN HANDS-FREE DRIVING INITIATIVE

Mannan to race forFia Academy spot

DUBAI: Oman’s Mannan Al Raw-ahi will compete against 15 other rising stars of motorsport next week for the chance to earn recog-nition as one of the world’s most talented young drivers.

Al Rawahi represents the Oman Automobile Association (OAA) in the four-day Middle East and Mediterranean qualifying event at Yas Marina Circuit — home of November’s FI Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix — for the revamped Fia Institute Young Driver Excellence Academy.

Hosted by the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE, it is one of fi ve selection events being staged globally to deliver eight

of the best young drivers into the Academy, with the ultimate aim to turn them into future world champions.

One of the up and coming young drivers in Oman motorsport, the 19-year-old Al Rawahi is looking to make his mark on the Oman Rally Championship after fi rst catching attention on the national karting scene in the Sultanate.

“This is a great opportunity for all the drivers to display their

driving talent on one of the world’s best F1 circuits,and show they have other qualities needed to make it to the top in motor sport,” said Dr Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the ATCUAE and Fia Vice-President for Sport.

“We’re proud to be hosting the regional selection event on behalf of the Fia Institute for the new and improved Young Driver Ex-cellence Academy, which is there to develop future world champi-

ons in the right way, with safety as a focus.”

Getting under way next Sunday at Yas Marina Circuit, the region-al selection event will set a series of tests on the track, and in the classroom, for the 16 drivers who have been nominated by their re-spective national motorsport authorities.

The programme, using Abu Dhabi’s Grand Prix facility, is be-ing run by former F1 racer and double Le Mans winner, Alex Wurz, and 2001 World Rally Champion co-driver Robert Reid. On the fi nal day, the group will be cut to the top six who will compete in a shoot-out on track. The winner enters the full Acad-emy programme with winners from the other selection events in Europe, Africa, Asia-Pacifi c and the Americas, along with three wild card selections.

Featuring events at locations across Europe over the following season, the Academywill deliver a fully-funded training programme to help drivers develop their mo-tor sport careers, also increasing safety skills and promoting fair-ness and responsibility on and off the track.

Other drivers taking part in Abu Dhabi include the UAE’s Mansour Al Helei, Bahraini Abdulla Altha-wadi, Kuwait’s ZaidAshkanani, Saudi Arabia’s Abdullah Bamoga-ddam, Egypt’s Ahmed Sherif and Syrian Yazan Hamadeh.

The event was expanded for geographical and logistical rea-sons, and the line-up also includes drivers from Jordan, Cyprus, Pal-estine, Morocco, Sudan, Turkey, Iran, Georgia and Germany.

Mannan Al Rawahi

represents the

Oman Automobile

Association in the

four-day Middle East

and Mediterranean

qualifying event at

Yas Marina Circuit

for the revamped Fia

Institute Young Driver

Excellence Academy

DRIVING INTO FUTURE: Mannan Al Rawahi (inset) in action at a recent rally event. – Supplied photos

ISC to provide coaching for childrenMUSCAT: The Indian Social Club (ISC) Muscat has roped in Shiv Gupta to conduct cricket coaching for children at the club’s facility in Darsait.

According to a press release issued by ISC yesterday, Shiv represented his school team at the age of 15 at district level before making his presence at the university level in 1995-1997 and then turned out for Sherwood management team in 2000-2001. He joined PDORC in 2005 and was the vice-cap-tain of PDORC Cricket Team in 2012 Oman Cricket League.

Shiv has also played in the Cricket League New Jersey, New York Fare Buzz, New York Cricket, West Indies Boys Club Newyork; UPC, Sherwood Cricket Club (India) and Mauri-tius Cricket Academy.

Cricket coaching at the ISC will be open to members as well as non-members.

C R I C K E T

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Page 31: T17 09 2013

WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COMSECTIONC T U E S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 1 7, 2 0 1 3LIFE & STYLE

Zaha Hadid , 62Born in Baghdad, the Anglo-Iraqi Hadid is one of the world’s most celebrated ar-chitects. London has been her base for the past 40 years, her most recent project being the Sackler Gallery, an undulat-ing white canopy to the side of a Grade II-listed former gunpowder depot, as the latest extension to the Serpentine Gallery.Julia says we met in about 1994. I’m not very good with dates, but I do know that I became involved with the Serpentine in about 1995, 1996, when Lord Palumbo (former chairman of the Arts Council of Great Britain) invited me on to the Board of Trustees. I recall that I was asked to de-sign a temporary space for a bookshop of theirs. It didn’t happen, but then my role there was as an adviser. It was never part of my remit to design things for them.

But I have done just that now; in fact, three times over the years. The Serpen-tine is a very beautiful space for artists to exhibit their work. I think it’s invaluable, actually. In many ways, Julia and I are quite formal and professional with each

other, but I do consider her my friend. We also have lots of friends in common, and we often all have dinner together. She’s a tough lady, and very good at what she does. I’m sorry to say this, as I wouldn’t want the Serpentine to lose her, but I do think she should be running a very major institu-tion, whether in this country or abroad.

The work she does at the Serpentine is wonderful. I remember fi rst being ap-proached to design what became the Sack-ler Gallery many years ago by somebody else, but that never happened. So when the off er came again, I was very interested. It’s quite a small space, and the scale is modest, but it is an important message, I think, to show that you can achieve beauty through modesty.

The whole design and build took about two years. It’s always a tense time, full of budgetary concerns, time schedules, and so on. And we are both very opinion-ated people, but we do respect each other’s opinion. There is no point having an ad-viser if you are not going to listen to them; they are the experts. If I go to a doctor, I’m

confi dent he will give me the correct ad-vice. Well, the same was true here.

As architects, we rarely go in with carte blanche, but we do have a lot of privileges. At the same time, however, you always have to address the client – in this case, Julia — and what is exciting about this profession is that, despite all the con-straints, it’s also a lot of fun. It’s always nice to complete a project. I tend to like to go somewhere hot and relax for a few months immediately afterwards. I haven’t gone away yet, but then we haven’t opened to the public yet, and that’s why Julia and I haven’t celebrated. The moment of reck-oning comes when the public arrives. Over the past 20 years, we have collaborated to-gether three times. I expect and hope we will work together again.

Julia Peyton-Jones, 60Formerly a curator at the Hayward Gal-lery, Peyton-Jones has been a co-director of the Serpentine Gallery in London since 1991. She lives in London Back when I fi rst joined the Serpentine Gallery, the art

world was a very diff erent place. There simply wasn’t the appetite for culture the way there is now, and certainly not for modern art. People would look at it and say that a child of three could do it; they don’t say that now.

Redeveloping the Sackler Gallery here has been a twinkle in my eye for 15 years. I felt it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportuni-ty to create not only a beautiful exhibition space thanks to Zaha, but also a restaurant that will surely come to be seen as one of London’s best.

I must have fi rst met Zaha in about 1995 or 1996. She is a brilliant woman, and she is always very clear about what she wants. She is also incredibly supportive. I remember when my father died, she rang not only to express her sadness, but also to ask whether there was anything she could do. I thought that was enormously touch-ing. Her loyalty is notable. You can go to any opening of hers around the world, and you are quite likely to fi nd friends that she has had for years. —Nick Duerden/The Independent

Over the past 20 years,

Zaha Hadid and

Julia Peyton-Jones

collaborated together

thrice and wish to

collaborate more often

How they met

Page 32: T17 09 2013

C8

EXTRAT U E S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 1 7, 2 0 1 3

PICTURE THE PERFECT STARTAsk yourself what a great morning would look like. Would it start

with a run and a hearty breakfast or with good coff ee and a long-term project such as writing a book or a blog?

Think about how this vision could fi t in with the life you have.The good thing about fi lling the morning hours with important

activities is you’ll cut down on the things that are more time inten-sive than they need to be.

Allow 15 minutes for a shower and you’ll take 15. Give yourself fi ve and you’ll be out in fi ve.

People used to late nights may fi nd that counting back eight hours from the time they’d like to get up suggests an improbably early bedtime but there are plenty of ways to wind down.

Stop watching TV and checking email an hour before bed. Make sure your room is dark and cool. Try deep breathing, meditating or read something relaxing.

Come up with a plan to make your bedtime ritual easier and assemble what you need and don’t label this vision as impossible.—The Daily Express

TRACK YOUR TIMEPart of using your time better is knowing exactly how you’re

using it now.If you’ve ever tried to lose weight you know that nutritionists tell

you to keep a food journal.It’s the same with your time. Write down what you’re doing as

often as you can, in as much detail as you think will be helpful and try tracking a whole week.

The solution to morning dilemmas often lies at other times of the day.

For example, you may be too tired in the mornings because you’re staying up late. If you look at how you’re spending your nights you’ll notice you’re not always doing anything urgent or even enjoyable.

As for the morning you can be very organised but still not spend the time in a way that is in keeping with what you’d really like to achieve.

Track time carefully and question your assumptions about what you should be doing.

You may believe a good mother makes her children’s lunches but I bet you could fi nd several women you believe are incredible mums who give their children lunch money.

MORNINGS DON’T HAVE TO BE HECTICMornings area madcap time in many households and this is a

key reason most of us believe we have no time. The truth is we do but it’s consumed by chaos culminating in few accomplishments beyond getting out of the door.

Mornings don’t have to be like this. They can be joyous, produc-tive times used for developing habits that help you grow into a better person.

Learning to use mornings well can be what separates constant, regular achievement from being too stressed to get anything done.

Before the rest of the world is even eating breakfast the most suc-cessful people have already scored daily victories that are helping them to create the lives they want.

Make over your morningsInstead of despairing at early starts,

use those hours to achieve what you want

NURTURE YOUR RELATIONSHIPSIf you work outside the home and don’t see your family during the

day take advantage of the fact that many small children wake up at the crack of dawn.

People always pontifi cate about how important a family dinner is but this is not a reality for families with children who want to eat at 5.30pm, especially if one or both parents work later hours. Fam-ily breakfasts when treated as relaxed, fun aff airs are a great substi-tute for the evening meal.

Put off watching breakfast television or checking your phone and talk to the children about what’s going to happen during the day or anything they happen to be thinking about.

Page 33: T17 09 2013

H.E. Martz said, “He who builds a better mousetrap these days runs into material shortages, patent-infringement suits, work stoppages, collusive bidding, discount discrimination — and taxes.”

At the bridge table, when your contract appears hopeless, be a man, not a mouse, and see if you can trap an opponent into helping you. South blazes into six hearts despite West’s one-spade overcall. West leads the spade king. After winning with his ace, how should declarer continue?

After North made a limit raise, South bid what he hoped he could make. (Yes, a tournament player would have treated North’s three hearts as pre-emptive; he would have cue-bid two spades to show heart support and at least game-invitational values.)

At fi rst glance, South has two unavoidable spade losers. He also has only 11 top tricks: one spade, six hearts, one diamond and three clubs. Yes, the bidding tells declarer that East started with a singleton spade, but how does that help?

Declarer cashes his diamond ace and heart queen. When the trumps are 2-1, South plays a trump to the dummy, ruff s the last diamond, unblocks his two club honors, returns to dummy with a trump, and discards a spade on the club queen. Then comes the taxing play: Declarer leads dummy’s last club, and when East follows suit, South does not ruff ; instead, he discards another spade.

East is trapped. He has only diamonds left, and on this trick, declarer sluff s his last spade and ruff s on the board.

— By Phillip Alder

C9

ENTERTAINMENT

Use the bidding to aid the play

B I G N A T E

B O R N L O S E R

M A R M A D U K E

A C E S O N B R I D G E

C I N E M A S C H E D U L E

K I D S P O T H E A L T H C A P S U L EC R O S S W O R D

ACROSS 1 Stack 5 Likewise 9 Outback jumper12 Poles’ connector13 By Jove!14 Furniture wood15 — Jane Grey16 Blood feud18 Kissed loudly20 Like a bug bite21 Chinese dynasty22 Patronise Harrah’s23 Type in again26 Charms30 Pique31 Ad — (wing it)32 Is, to Klaus33 Fan spreader36 “Measure twice,

cut once,” e.g.38 Coal scuttle39 Livy’s trio40 Looked at

amorously43 Reveals47 Fishing boats49 — of scrimmage50 Nervous twitch51 End of a threat

52 TV genie portrayer53 Lyric poem54 Venetian-blind

unit55 Insect repellent

DOWN 1 Greer and Roach 2 Checkup 3 Opera by Verdi 4 Mind 5 Prime time hour 6 Like good brandy 7 Provide staff 8 Circular currents 9 Campus org.10 Four-letter word11 All right17 Sundance Kid’s girl19 Round Table

knight22 Lobster-house

wear23 Let ‘er —!24 Before, to bards25 Large green parrot26 Haegar’s creator —

Browne27 Narrow inlet28 Chow mein

additive29 Sault — Marie31 Arith. term34 Masticate35 Lots and lots36 Focus37 Rang up39 Picture in a picture40 Springfi eld bus

driver

41 Graph paper pattern

42 Draw together43 Bear constellation44 Fries, maybe45 Toddler’s perch46 Dropped in the

mail48 Angled

pipe

Ans

wer

to p

revi

ous

puzz

le

WITH LOVE 3 4 2 9

9 6 2 4

1 6

5 7 1

3 8 4

6 1 7 9 8 4

6 9 8 5 1

7 9 5 8

4 1 9 6

6 7 1 9 5 4 8 3 2

4 8 2 1 6 3 9 7 5

9 3 5 8 2 7 4 6 1

7 4 6 2 3 1 5 9 8

5 1 9 4 7 8 3 2 6

8 2 3 5 9 6 7 1 4

3 6 8 7 1 5 2 4 9

1 9 4 3 8 2 6 5 7

2 5 7 6 4 9 1 8 3

Previous puzzle Solution

HOW TO PLAY Fill the empty cells with the numbers 1 to 9, so that each number appears once in each row, column and area. — Seven Galaxies

S U D O K U

T U E S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 1 7, 2 0 1 3

BAHJA CINEMA

STARS CINEMA

Film Information - 24540856 / Advance Booking - 24540855

Website: www.albahjacinema.net

For More Information 24789032, 24786776

Website: www.isurf.co.om

Film information 24791641 / 24786776

Getaway (Action /Crime) Cast: Ethan Hawke, Selena Gomez, Jon Voight4:00, 8:00, 10:00 & 11:55pmCP No: 1022 (12+)The Colony (Action/Sci-Fi/Thriller) Cast: Kevin Zegers, Laurence Fishburne4:00, 8:15, 10:00 & 11:55pmCP No: 1023 (15+)Kick-Ass 2 (Action/Comedy/Crime) Cast: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Chloë Grace 2:00pm; CP No: 994 (15+)We’re the Millers (Comedy/Crime) Cast: Jason Sudeikis, Jennifer Aniston, Emma Roberts 2:00pm; CP No: 995 (12+)The Conjuring (Horror/Thriller) Cast: Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Lili Taylor 6:00pm; CP No : 917 (15+)Shuddh Desi Romance (Romance)Cast: Sushant Singh Rajput, Parineeti Chopra, Rishi Kapoor 6:00pm; CP No: 997 (PG)

Thoofan (2D)(Telugu) (Action/Romance)Cast: Ram Charan, Priyanka Chopra and Prakash Raj3:45, 6:45 & 9:45pm (Cinema 3)Varutha Padatha Valibar Sangam (2D) (Tamil)Cast: Karthikeyan, Sri Divya and Sathya Raj3:45, 6:45 & 9:45 (Cinema 2) Pullipullikalum Attinkuttiyum(2D) (Mal) (Comedy/Romance)Cast: Kunchako Boban, Namitha Pramod, Suraj and Joju3:30, 6:30 & 9:30pm (Cinema Main)Neelaksham Pachakadal Chuvanna Bhoomi (Mal) (Comedy/Romance)Cast: Dulqar Salman, Sunny Wayne3:45, 6:45 & 9:45pm (Cinema 4)

Send us a colour photograph of the child (below 16 years) whose birthday you are celebrating, along with his/her full name, date of birth, address, telephone number and parents’/your name to Times of Oman, With Love, PO Box 770, PC 112, Ruwi or through e-mail to [email protected]

Turbo 3D (Animation/Comedy) (PG) Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Samuel L. Jackson1:30, 5:30pm; CP No: 734Getaway (Action/Crime) (12+) Cast: Ethan Hawke, Selena Gomez, Jon Voight3:30, 9:45, 11:45pm; CP No:796Kick Ass 2 (Action/Crime) (15+) Cast: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Chloë Grace Moretz, Christopher Mintz - Plasse7:30pm; CP No: 769Planes (3D) (Animation/Comedy/Adventure) (PG) Cast: Carlos Alazraqui, Dane Cook1:30, 3:15, 5:15pm; CP No:808 We’re The Millers (Comedy) (15+) Cast: Jason Sudeikis, Jennifer Aniston, Emma Roberts7:15pm; CP No:743Riddick (Action/Thriller) (15+) Cast: Vin Diesel, Karl Urban, Kate Sackhoff 7:30, 9:30, 11:45pm; CP No:777Percy Jackson 2 : Sea of Monsters (3D) (Adventure/Fantasy) (PG) Cast: Logan Lerman, Alexandra Daddario, Brandon T. Jackson1:30, 3:30, 5:30, 7:30pm; CP No:802The Colony (Action/Thriller) (15+) Cast: Laurence Fishburne, Bill Paxton9:30, 11:30pm; CP No:792

Planes (3D) (Animation/ Adventure) (PG) Cast: Carlos Alazraqui, Dane Cook11:30 am, 1:30, 3:30pm; CP No:809 Riddick (Action/Thriller) (15+) Cast: Vin Diesel, Karl Urban, Kate Sackhoff5:15, 9:30pm; CP No:778Getaway (Action/Crime) (12+) Cast: Ethan Hawke, Selena Gomez, Jon Voight7:30, 11:45pm; CP No:797We’re The Millers (Comedy) (15+) Cast: Jason Sudeikis, Jennifer Aniston1:30 pm; CP No:743 Percy Jackson 2 : Sea of Monsters (Adventure/Fantasy) (PG) Cast: Logan Lerman, Alexandra Daddario3:30, 7:30 pm; CP No:803THAI FILM FESTIVALTimings: 5:30 pmGrand Masti (Comedy) (18+) Cast: Vivek Oberoi, Ritesh Deshmukh9:00pm; CP No:814 The Colony (Action/Thriller) (15+) Cast: Laurence Fishburne, Bill Paxton11:45pm; CP No:793

The Colony (Action/Thriller) (15+) 2:30pm; CP No:793Percy Jackson 2 : Sea of Monsters (Adventure/Fantasy) (PG) 4:15pm; CP No:803Grand Masti (Comedy) 6:30pm; CP No: 814 Getaway (Action/Crime) (12+) 9:15, 11:45pm; CP No:797

PLAZA 1Grand Masti (Comedy) (18+) Cast: Vivek Oberoi, Ritesh Deshmukh3:30, 6:30, 9:30pm; CP No:815 PLAZA 2John Day (Hindi) (Thriller) (15+) Cast: Randeep Hooda, Naseeruddin Shah3:30 pm; CP No:816Zanjeer (Action/Thriller) (PG) Cast: Ram Charan, Priyanka Chopra, Sanjay Dutt6:30pm; CP No:786Shuddh Desi Romance (Hindi) (Comedy/Romance) Cast: Parineeti Chopra, Sushant Singh Rajput, Vaani Kapoor9:30pm; CP No:790

Getaway (Action/Crime) (12+) Cast: Ethan Hawke, Selena Gomez, Jon Voight3:00, 9:30, 11:30pm; CP No:798Percy Jackson 2 : Sea of Monsters (Adventure/Fantasy) (PG) Cast: Logan Lerman, Alexandra Daddario5:00, 7:00pm; CP No:804Planes (3D) (Animation/Adventure) (PG) 3:30, 5:30pm; CP No:810 Riddick (Action/Thriller) (15+) Cast: Vin Diesel, Karl Urban, Kate Sackhoff7:15, 9:30pm; CP No:779The Colony (Action/Thriller) (15+) 11:45pm; CP No:794Kick Ass 2 (Action/Crime) (15+) 2:00pm; CP No:766Zanjeer (Action/Thriller) (12+) Cast: Ram Charan, Priyanka Chopra4:00pm; CP No:784Shuddh Desi Romance (Hindi) (Comedy/Romance) (PG) Cast: Parineeti Chopra, Sushant Singh Rajput6:30pm; CP No:787 Percy Jackson 2 : Sea of Monsters (Adventure/Fantasy) (PG) 9:00pm; CP No:804Riddick (Action/Thriller) (15+) Cast: Vin Diesel, Karl Urban, Kate Sackhoff11:30pm; CP No:779The Colony (Action/Thriller) (15+) 3:30pm; CP No:794One Direction: This Is Us (Documentary/Music) (PG) 5:30pm ; CP No:821

Riddick (Action/Thriller) (15+) Cast: Vin Diesel, Karl Urban, Kate Sackhoff3:30, 11:30pm; CP No:780Getaway (Action/Crime) (12+) Cast: Ethan Hawke, Selena Gomez, Jon Voight7:30, 9:30, 11:30pm; CP No: 799Planes (3D) (Animation/Adventure) (PG) Cast: Carlos Alazraqui, Dane Cook3:30, 5:30, 7:15 pm Percy Jackson 2 : Sea of Monsters (Adventure/Fantasy) (PG) Cast: Logan Lerman, Alexandra Daddario5:30, 9:45, 11:45 pm; CP No:805Kick Ass 2 (Action/Crime) (15+) Cast: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Chloë Grace Moretz, Christopher Mintz - Plasse4:00pm; CP No: 769Zanjeer (Action/Thriller) (PG) Cast: Ram Charan, Priyanka Chopra6:00pm; CP No: 785Pullipullikalum Attinkuttiyum (Malyalam) (Comedy) (PG) Cast: Kunchako Bhoban, Namitha Pramod8:30pm; CP No: 818

Planes (3D) (Animation/Adventure) (PG) ) Cast: Carlos Alazraqui, Dane Cook, Stacey Keach5:30pm; CP No:812 Percy Jackson 2 : Sea of Monsters (Adventure/Fantasy) (PG) ) Cast: Logan Lerman, Alexandra Daddario,

Planes (3D) (Animation/Adventure) (PG) ) Cast: Carlos Alazraqui, Dane Cook11:30, 1:30, 3:30pm; CP No:813 Percy Jackson 2 : Sea of Monsters (Adventure/Fantasy) (PG) Cast: Logan Lerman, Alexandra Daddario, Brandon T. Jackson5:30, 7:30pm; CP No:807Getaway (Action/Crime) (12+) ) CP No:801Cast: Ethan Hawke, Selena Gomez, Jon Voight9:30, 11:30pmKick Ass 2 (Action / Crime) (15+) Cast: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Chloë Grace Moretz, Christopher Mintz - Plasse12:30pm; CP No:766Riddick (Action/Thriller) (15+) Cast: Vin Diesel, Karl Urban, Kate Sackhoff2:30, 4:30, 6:45, 11:45 pm ; CP No:782Pullipullikalum Attinkuttiyum (Malyalam) (Comedy) (PG) ) Cast: Kunchako Bhoban, Namitha Pramod, Irshad9:00pm; CP No:820

Brandon T. Jackson7:30, 9:30pm; CP No:806Riddick (Action/Thriller) (15+) ) Cast: Vin Diesel, Karl Urban, Kate Sackhoff11:30pm; CP No:781Getaway (Action/Crime) (12+) ) Cast: Ethan Hawke, Selena Gomez, Jon Voight5:15, 7:15, 11:55pm; CP No:800Pullipullikalum Attinkuttiyum (Malyalam) (Comedy) (PG) Cast: Kunchako Bhoban, Namitha Pramod

PLAZA 3Chennai Express (Action) (PG) Cast: Shahrukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, 3:30, 6:30pm; CP No:692Zanjeer (Action/Thriller) (PG) Cast: Ram Charan, Priyanka Chopra6:30pm; CP No:786

Pullipullikalum Attinkuttiyum

(Malyalam) (Comedy) (PG) CP No:817

Cast: Kunchako Bhoban, Namitha Pramod

7:30, 10:30pm

MARIAM KHAZARSeptember 17

Page 34: T17 09 2013

C10

FIND-IT-ALLT U E S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 1 7, 2 0 1 3

PHARMACIESRound the clockAl Hashar Pharmacy, Ruwi: 24783334; Appolo Medical Centre, Hamriya: 24782666; Muscat Pharmacy, Ruwi: 24702542, Salalah: 23291635; Atlas Pharmacy, Ghubra: 24503585; Ruwi 24811715 Muscat RegionApollo, Al Hamriya. Tel: 24787766Muscat, A Seeb Market. Tel: 24421691Muscat, Al Khuwair. Tel: 24485740Muscat, Al Hail South. Tel: 24537080Dhofar RegionMuscat, Al Nahdha Road, Salalah. Tel: 23291635

HOSPITALSAl Amal Medical & Health Care Centre: 24485052Atlas Hospital: Ruwi: 24811743/ Ghubra: 24504000Al Musafi r Specialised Medical Clinic: 24706453Hatat Polyclinic LLC,Ruwi: 24563641, Azaiba: 24499269, Sohar: 2683006Al Raff ah Hospital: 24618900/1/2Al Massaraat Clinic & Laboratory: 24566435Al Makook Medical Coordinance Centre: 24499434Apollo Medical Centre, Hamriya: 24787766, 24787780Capital Polyclinic: 24707549Badr Al Samaa Polyclinic, Ruwi: 24799760/1/2Capital Clinic, Seeb: 24420740Ceregem National Raak: 24485633Dr Harub’s Clinic: 24563217Elixir Health Centre: 24565802Emirates Medical Centre: 246045401st Chiropractic Centre: 24472274Hamdan Hospital: 23212340International Medical Centre LLC: 24794501/2/3/4/5Kims Oman Hospital: 24760100

24 Hrs Emergency: 24760123Lama Polyclinic, Sohar: 26751128, MBD: 24799077, Al Khuwair: 24478818Magrabi Eye and Ear Hospital: 24568870Muscat Private Hospital: 24583600Welcare Diagnostic and Treatment Centre, Al Khuwair: 24477666Al-Hayat Polyclinc LLC: 22004000

ROYAL OMAN POLICEEmergencies and inquiries: 9999General Directorate of Passport and Residence: 24569603Directorate General of Customs: 24521109Traffi c violations inquiries: 24510228Public Relations Admin: 24560099

ACCOMMODATIONAl Bahjah Hotel: 24424400Al Bustan Palace: 24764000 Al Khuwair Hotel Apartments: 24478171Al Madina Holiday Inn: 24596400Al Maha International Hotel: 24494949Al Fanar Hotel: 24712385Al Falaj Hotel: 24702311Al Qurum Resort: 24605945Azaiba Hotel Apartments: 24490979Beach Hotel: 24696601Bowshar Hotel: 24491105Coral Hotel Muscat: 24692121Crowne Plaza Muscat: 24660660Crystal Suites: 24826100Golden Tulip Seeb: 24510300Grand Hyatt Muscat: 24641234Haff a House Hotel: 24707207Hotel Muscat Holiday: 24487123InterContinental Muscat: 24680000Majan Continental Hotel: 24592900Marina Hotel: 24711711Midan Hotel Suites: 24499565Mina Hotel: 24711828Muttrah Hotel: 24798401

Nuzha Hotel Apartments: 24789199Oman Dive Centre: 24824240Park Inn: 24507888Qurum Beach House Hotel: 24564070Radisson Blu Hotel: 24487777Ramee Dream Resort Seeb: 24453399Ramee Guestline Hotel: 24564443Ruwi Hotel: 24704244Safeer Hotel Suites: 24691200Sheraton Oman Hotel: 24772772Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa: 24776666The Chedi Muscat: 24524400The Treasurebox Muscat Hotel: 24502570

AIRLINE OFFICESMuscat Airport Flight information (24 hours): 24519456/24519223Aerofl ot: 24704455, Air Arabia: 24700828, Air France: 24562153, Air India: 24799801, Air New Zealand: 24700732, Biman Bangladesh Airlines: 24701128, British Airways: 24568777, Cathay Pacifi c: 24789818, Egypt Air: 24794113, Emirates Air: 24404400, Ethiopian Airlines: 24660313, Gulf Air: 80072424, Indian: 24791914, Iran Air: 24787423, Japan Airlines: 24704455, Jazeera Airways: 23294848, Jet Airways: 24787248, Kenya Airways: 24660300, KML Royal Dutch Airlines: 24566737, Kuwait Airways: 24701262, LOT Polish Airlines: 24796387, Lufthansa: 24796692, Malaysian Airlines: 24560796, Middle East Airlines: 24796680, Oman Air: 24531111, Pakistan International Airlines: 24792471, Qatar Airways: 24771900, Qantas: 24559941, Royal Jordanian: 24796693, Saudi Arabian Airlines: 24789485, Singapore Airlines: 24791233, Shaheen Air: 24816565, SriLankan Airlines:

24784545, Swiss International Airlines: 24796692, Thai Airways: 24705934, Turkish Airlines: 24703033

MUSEUMSBait Al Baranda: Corniche (seafront opp fi sh market), Open from Saturday to Thursday 9am to 1pm and 4 to 6pmNatural History Museum: Al Khuwair, Tel: 24604957, Open from Saturday to Wednesday: 8am to 1:30pm; Thursday: 9am to 1pmMuseum of Omani Heritage: (former Omani Museum), Madinat Al Alam, Sat-Wed 8am to 1:30pm, Thursday - 9am to 1pm, Tel: 24600946Armed Forces Museum: Bait Al Falaj, Tel: 24312651, Open from Sat to Wed: 8am to 1:30pm; Thurs 9-12pm and 3-6pm; Fri 9-11am and 3-6pm. Al Hoota Caves 24498258; Turtle Beach 96550606/96550707Children’s Science Museum: Shatti Al Qurum, Tel: 24605368, Open from Saturday to Wednesday: 8am to 1:30pm, Thursday: 9am to 1pmOman-French Museum: near Muscat Police Station, Tel: 24736613, Open from Sat to Wed: 8am to 1:30pm, Thurs: 9am to 1pmBait Al Zubair, Muscat: Tel: 24736688, Al Saidiya St., [email protected] from Sat to Thurs: 9:30am to 6pm.National Museum Ruwi: Tel: 24701289, Open from Saturday to Wednesday: 8am to 1:30pm, Thursday: 9am to 1pmSohar Fort Museum: Tel: 26844758, Open from Saturday to Wed: 8 to 1:30pm Thurs: 9am to 1pmMuscat Gate Museum: at Al Bahri Road, Muscat open from Sat to Wed 8am to 2pm

PRAYER TIMINGS

Dhuhr 12.06pmAsr 3.33pmMaghrib 6.14pmIsha 7.25pm Fajr (Tomorrow) 4.38am

Sunset 6.10pmSunrise (Tomorrow) 5.54am

High tide 7:09am 6:48pmLow tide 1:11pm 1:15am

W E A T H E R

OMAN

Max 37Min 32

Max 35Min 29

Max 36Min 28

Max 42Min 27

Max 38Min 29Max 39

Min 24

Max 39Min 24

Max 31 Min 26

Clear to partly cloudy skies along the coastal areas of Dhofar governorate and adjoining mountains. Mainly clear skies over the rest of the Sultanate with chance of convective

clouds development and thundershowers over Al-Hajar mountains and adjoining areas towards afternoon associated with fresh downdraft wind. Chance of early morning low clouds or fog patches along the coastal areas of south Al-Sharqiya and Al-Wusta governorates.EXPECTED WIND: Along the coastal areas of Oman sea wind

will be easterly to northeasterly light to moderate during day becoming variable light at night and over the rest of the Sultanate wind will be southeasterly light to moderate.SEA STATE: Slight to moderate along the southeastern coast with a maximum wave height of 1.5 metres and slight along the rest of Oman’s coasts with maximum wave height of 1.0 metre.HORIZONTAL VISIBILITY: Good over most of the Sultanate becoming poor during thundershowers, and fog.

Max Min

GULFAbu Dhabi 40 28Doha 40 31Dubai 39 29Kuwait 40 31Manama 41 27Riyadh 44 28

WORLDAthens 26 21Baghdad 38 22Beijing 27 19Berlin 16 8Boston 17 8Cairo 33 24Colombo 29 25Frankfurt 16 10Hong Kong 29 24Istanbul 26 20Johannesburg 27 17Kuala Lumpur 34 23Lisbon 24 19Paris 15 14Perth 17 11Singapore 32 26Tokyo 29 21Toronto 21 12

WORLD

Max 19Min 11

Max 36Min 24

Max 11Min 5

Max 34Min 26

Max 29Min 17

Max 28Min 12

Max 16Min 8

Max 29Min 25

LONG DISTANCE BUS TIMINGS (OMAN NATIONAL TRANSPORT COMPANY SAOC) *SUBJECT TO CHANGE

QURIYAT - SUR - JAALAN (Route 36)Dept Destination Arrival Operating Time Time Days 15:00 Quriyat 16:30 Daily15:00 Sur 18:00 Daily15:00 Jaalan 19:30 Daily

FROM JAALAN-SUR-QURIYAT (Route 36)Dept Destination Arrival Operating Time Time Days 05:30 Sur 06:45 Daily05:30 Quriyat 08:30 Daily05:30 Ruwi 10:00 Daily

TO AL BURAIMI (Route 41)06:30 Sohar 08:50 Daily06:30 Buraimi 11:00 Daily08:00 Buraimi 14:30 Daily via Ibri13:00 Sohar 15:45 Daily13:00 Buraimi 17:40 Daily16.00 Sohar 18.35 Daily16.00 Buraimi 20:20 Daily

TO AL BURAIMI (Route 41)07:00 Sohar 08:55 Daily07:00 Ruwi 11:40 Daily13:30 Ruwi 20:20 Daily via Ibri13:00 Sohar 14:55 Daily13:00 Ruwi 17:40 Daily13:00 Sohar 19:20 Daily17:00 Ruwi 22:15 Daily

TO SINAW (Route 52)17:30 Sinaw 20:50 Daily

TO SINAW (Route 52)07:00 Ruwi 10:25 Daily

To Yanqul (Route 54)14:30 Nizwa 16:50 Daily14:30 Yanqul 19:30 Daily

To Yanqul (Route 54)06:00 Nizwa 08:40 Daily06:00 Ruwi 11:00 Daily

TO IBRI (ARAQI) (Route 54)08:00 Nizwa 10:20 Daily08:00 Al Araqi 12:30 Daily

TO IBRI (ARAQI) (Route 54)15:40 Nizwa 17:55 Daily15:40 Ruwi 20:20 Daily

TO SUR (Route 55)07:30 Sur 12:00 Daily14:30 Sur 18:45 Daily

TO SUR (Route 55)06:00 Ruwi 10:45 Daily14:30 Ruwi 19:00 Daily

TO FAHUD - YIBAL (Route 62)06:30 Fahud 10:30 Daily06:30 Yibal 11:15 Daily

TO YIBAL - FAHUD (Route 62)12:30 Fahud 13:15 Daily12:30 Ruwi 17:30 Daily

TO DUBAI (Route 201)06:00 Sohar 08:30 Daily06:00 Dubai 11:30 Daily13:00 Sohar 15:30 Wed,Thur13:00 Dubai 18:30 Wed,Thur15:00 Sohar 17:35 Daily15:00 Dubai 20:55 Daily

TO DUBAI (Route 201)07:30 Sohar 10:50 Daily07:30 Ruwi 13:40 Daily13:00 Sohar 16:15 Thur-Fri13:00 Ruwi 19:10 Thur-Fri15:30 Sohar 18:45 Daily15:30 Ruwi 21:35 Daily

TO MARMUL-SALALAH (Route 100)07:00 Salalah 20:00 Daily10:00 Marmul 20:30 Daily10:00 Salalah 23:30 Daily19:00 Salalah 07:40 Daily

TO SALALAH -MARMUL (Route 100)07:00 Ruwi 19:50 Daily10:00 Marmul 13:15 Daily10:00 Ruwi 22:30 Daily19:00 Ruwi 07:30 Daily

TO MARMUL (Route 101)06:00 Marmul 16:50 Daily

SALALAH TO DUBAI (Route 102)15:00 Dubai 07:00 Daily

TO MARMUL (Route 101)06:00 Marmul 16:30 Daily

DUBAI TO SALALAH (Route 102)15:00 Salalah 07:00 Daily

TO DUBAI VIA FUJIRAH & SHARJAH (Route 204)Dept Destination Arrival Operating Time Time Days 07:00 Fujairah 11.45 Daily07:00 Sharjah 13.30 Daily07:00 Dubai 14.00 Daily

FROM DUBAI VIA FUJIRAH & SHARJAH (Route 204)Dept Destination Arrival Operating Time Time Days 16:00 Sharjah 16:30 Daily16.00 Fujairah 18.15 Daily16.00 Ruwi 23.00 Daily

FROM MUSCAT (RUWI) TO MUSCAT (RUWI)

LISTINGS

TUESDAY

FLT NO ARRIVALS FROM ETA

WY313 RIYADH  0005WY676 JEDDAH  0005BG021 DACCA-CHITTAGONG  01304H583 DACCA  0130NL768 LAHORE  0130WY3908 SALALAH  0235EY384 ABU DHABI  0310ET624 ADDIS ABABA  0350QR170 DOHA  0355EK866 DUBAI  0355FZ041 DUBAI  0415GF560 BAHRAIN  0425MS930 CAIRO  0500TK778 ISTANBUL-BAHRAIN  0510WY412 AMMAN  0615WY904 SALALAH  0620WY122 MUNICH  0620WY658 BAHRAIN  0640WY686 RIYADH  0640WY674 JEDDAH  0640WY638 ABU DHABI  0640WY142 MALPENSA  0650WY154 ZURICH  0650WY114 FRANKFURT  0650WY692 DAMMAM  0705WY668 DOHA  0715WY644 KUWAIT  0720WY102 LONDON HEATHROW  0730WY132 PARIS  0745FZ043 DUBAI  0800WY602 DUBAI  0800WY432 TEHRAN  0800WY274 JAIPUR  0820WY202 BOMBAY  0825WY3902 SALALAH  0900G9114 SHARJAH  0915WY242 DELHI  0925WY236 HYDERABAD  0925WY252 MADRAS  0930EK862 DUBAI  0930WY226 COCHIN  0935WY268 LUCKNOW  0935EY382 ABU DHABI  0950QR166 DOHA  10109W530 TRIVANDRUM  1045WY3302 MUKHAIZNA  1045WY604 DUBAI  1100WY918 KHASAB  1125WY902 SALALAH  1140WY314 CHITTAGONG  1155IX549 TRIVANDRUM  1215WY3904 SALALAH  1225GF562 BAHRAIN  1230PK191 GWADUR  1245WY324 KARACHI  1250WY606 DUBAI  1330WY632 ABU DHABI  1345WY328 LAHORE  1415IX817 MANGALORE-ABU DHABI  1425WY906 SALALAH  1440WY3304 MUKHAIZNA  1445QR6162 DOHA  1530FZ045 DUBAI  1545WY346 ISLAM ABBAD  1545KU677 KUWAIT  1605WY204 BOMBAY  1645WY3922 JAALUNI  1700WY246 DELHI  1700WY910 DUBAI  1710WY292 CALICUT  1715WY664 DOHA  1740WY232 HYDERABAD  1740WY656 BAHRAIN  1745WY908 SALALAH  1750WY284 BANGALORE  1750WY216 TRIVANDRUM  1800GF564 BAHRAIN  1810EY386 ABU DHABI  1815WY338 KATHMANDU  1830WY3306 MUKHAIZNA  1845TG507 BANGKOK-KARACHI  1900SV534 RIYADH  1900G9116 SHARJAH  1915WY910 SALALAH  1940FZ047 DUBAI  2020WY614 DUBAI  2020WY254 MADRAS  21109W534 COCHIN  2115AI973 DELHI  2125WY374 COLOMBO  21306.00E+81 BOMBAY  2130BA073 LONDON HEATHROW-ABU DHABI  2130QR168 DOHA  2135WY624 DUBAI  2145UL205 COLOMBO  2155AI907 MADRAS  2200LH618 FRANKFURT-ABU DHABI  2225WY814 BANGKOK  2230WY386 MALE  2230WY672 MEDINA  2235LX242 ZURICH-DUBAI  2235EY388 ABU DHABI  2235GF566 BAHRAIN  2240WY912 SALALAH  2240WY636 ABU DHABI  2240WY3910 SALALAH  2255AI985 AHMEDABAD-BOMBAY  23109W540 BOMBAY  2315WY916 SALALAH  2315QR172 DOHA  2325WY654 BAHRAIN  2335WY3912 SALALAH  2335WY816 BANGKOK  2340WY662 DOHA  2340WY717 ZANZIBAR-DARESSLAM  2345WY612 DUBAI  2345WY696 DAMMAM  2350WY648 KUWAIT  2355

WEDNESDAY

FLT NO ARRIVALS FROM ETA

WY676 JEDDAH  0005WY682 RIYADH  0005WY406 CAIRO  0030WY824 KUALA LUMPUR  0105BG021 DACCA-CHITTAGONG  01304H581 DACCA-CHITTAGONG  0130TK776 ISTANBUL-BAHRAIN  0210EY384 ABU DHABI  0310ET624 ADDIS ABABA  0350EK866 DUBAI  0355QR170 DOHA  0355FZ041 DUBAI  0415GF560 BAHRAIN  0425WY904 SALALAH  0635WY674 JEDDAH  0640WY686 RIYADH  0640WY638 ABU DHABI  0640WY658 BAHRAIN  0640WY692 DAMMAM  0705WY668 DOHA  0715WY644 KUWAIT  0720WY102 LONDON HEATHROW  0730WY602 DUBAI  0800FZ043 DUBAI  0800WY274 JAIPUR  0820WY202 BOMBAY  0825NL768 LAHORE  0830WY342 LAHORE  0900G9114 SHARJAH  0915WY242 DELHI  0925WY236 HYDERABAD  0925WY3902 SALALAH  0925EK862 DUBAI  0930WY252 MADRAS  0930WY268 LUCKNOW  0935WY212 TRIVANDRUM  0935WY226 COCHIN  0935EY382 ABU DHABI  0950QR166 DOHA  10109W530 TRIVANDRUM  1045WY604 DUBAI  1100WY902 SALALAH  1140WY918 KHASAB  1225GF562 BAHRAIN  1230WY3302 MUKHAIZNA  1230WY826 KUALA LUMPUR  1230WY826 KUALA LUMPUR  1245WY324 KARACHI  1250IX337 CALICUT  1305WY606 DUBAI  1330WY632 ABU DHABI  1345WY906 SALALAH  1440WY610 DUBAI  1525WY346 ISLAM ABBAD  1545FZ045 DUBAI  1545SV530 JEDDAH  1550WY3304 MUKHAIZNA  1630PA450 LAHORE  1645WY204 BOMBAY  1645WY246 DELHI  1700WY292 CALICUT  1715QR164 DOHA  1725WY664 DOHA  1740WY254 MADRAS  1740WY232 HYDERABAD  1740WY656 BAHRAIN  1745WY908 SALALAH  1750WY284 BANGALORE  1750GF564 BAHRAIN  1810G9116 SHARJAH  1915WY144 MALPENSA  1930WY910 SALALAH  1940WY614 DUBAI  2020FZ047 DUBAI  2020WY152 ZURICH  2030WY434 TEHRAN  2045AI977 BANGALORE-HYDERABAD  2105KL441 AMSTERDAM-DOHA  21159W534 COCHIN  2115WY312 CHITTAGONG  2115AI973 DELHI  2125BA073 LONDON HEATHROW-ABU DHABI  21306.00E+81 BOMBAY  2130QR168 DOHA  2135WY624 DUBAI  2145UL205 COLOMBO  2155WY914 SALALAH  2200AI907 MADRAS  2200LH618 FRANKFURT-ABU DHABI  2225LX242 ZURICH-DUBAI  2235EY388 ABU DHABI  2235WY912 SALALAH  2240GF566 BAHRAIN  2240WY636 ABU DHABI  2240WY124 MUNICH  2255WY414 AMMAN  2300WY116 FRANKFURT  2305AI985 AHMEDABAD-BOMBAY  2310WY134 PARIS  2315WY916 SALALAH  23159W540 BOMBAY  2315QR172 DOHA  2325WY3908 SALALAH  2335WY654 BAHRAIN  2335WY662 DOHA  2340WY816 BANGKOK  2340WY612 DUBAI  2345WY717 ZANZIBAR-DARESSLAM  2345WY696 DAMMAM  2350WY406 CAIRO  2355WY648 KUWAIT  2355

FLT NO DEPARTURES TO ETD BA072 ABU DHABI-LONDON HEATHROW  0001AI986 BOMBAY  0005QR173 DOHA  00259W539 BOMBAY  0030SG062 AHMEDABAD  0030WY685 RIYADH  0050WY251 MADRAS  0110WY201 BOMBAY  0115WY225 COCHIN  0120WY313 CHITTAGONG  0125WY601 DUBAI  0140WY273 JAIPUR  0145WY267 LUCKNOW  0150WY235 HYDERABAD  0155WY431 TEHRAN  0200WY643 KUWAIT  0210WY637 ABU DHABI  0215WY903 SALALAH  0220WY241 DELHI  0225WY657 BAHRAIN  0230NL769 LAHORE  0230WY691 DAMMAM  0235WY667 DOHA  02354H584 CHITTAGONG-DACCA  0300BG022 CHITTAGONG-DACCA  0300ET625 ADDIS ABABA  0450EK867 DUBAI  0500FZ042 DUBAI  0500WY3901 SALALAH  0500EY385 ABU DHABI  0525QR171 DOHA  0540MS931 CAIRO  0600TK779 BAHRAIN-ISTANBUL  0600WY3301 MUKHAIZNA  0715GF561 BAHRAIN  0730WY901 SALALAH  0740WY813 BANGKOK  0750WY327 LAHORE  0750WY603 DUBAI  0800WY3903 SALALAH  0820WY323 KARACHI  0830WY917 KHASAB  0830FZ044 DUBAI  0840WY345 ISLAM ABBAD  0915WY337 KATHMANDU  0930WY291 CALICUT  0935WY215 TRIVANDRUM  0940WY815 BANGKOK  0940WY823 KUALA LUMPUR  0950G9115 SHARJAH  0955WY283 BANGALORE  1000WY245 DELHI  1000WY231 HYDERABAD  1010WY203 BOMBAY  1025WY605 DUBAI  1035WY373 COLOMBO  1040WY905 SALALAH  1040WY385 MALE  1040EK863 DUBAI  1045WY631 ABU DHABI  1045EY383 ABU DHABI  1050WY3303 MUKHAIZNA  1115QR167 DOHA  11159W533 COCHIN  1145WY253 MADRAS  1255IX554 TRIVANDRUM  1305WY3921 JAALUNI  1315GF563 BAHRAIN  1315PK192 GWADUR-TURBAT  1330WY655 BAHRAIN  1345WY907 SALALAH  1350WY663 DOHA  1350WY101 LONDON HEATHROW  1400WY609 DUBAI  1410WY3305 MUKHAIZNA  1515IX818 MANGALORE  1515WY405 CAIRO  1515WY671 MEDINA  1540WY909 SALALAH  1540FZ046 DUBAI  1630WY675 JEDDAH  1645QR6163 DOHA  1700KU678 ABU DHABI-KUWAIT  1705WY613 DUBAI  1715WY623 DUBAI  1805WY911 SALALAH  1840WY3909 SALALAH  1850WY681 RIYADH  1850WY647 KUWAIT  1850GF565 BAHRAIN  1855EY387 ABU DHABI  1915WY915 SALALAH  1915WY695 DAMMAM  1930WY3911 SALALAH  1930WY653 BAHRAIN  1935WY635 ABU DHABI  1940WY661 DOHA  1950G9117 SHARJAH  1955SV535 RIYADH  2000TG508 KARACHI-BANGKOK  2005WY611 DUBAI  2045FZ048 DUBAI  2105WY825 KUALA LUMPUR  21159W529 TRIVANDRUM  2230WY673 JEDDAH  2235QR169 DOHA  22356.00E+82 BOMBAY  2245AI908 MADRAS  2300UL206 COLOMBO  2305AI974 DELHI  2310GF567 BAHRAIN  2325EY381 ABU DHABI  2330LX243 DUBAI-ZURICH  2335LH619 ABU DHABI-FRANKFURT  2345

FLT NO DEPARTURES TO ETD BA072 ABU DHABI-LONDON HEATHROW  0001AI986 BOMBAY  0005QR173 DOHA  00259W539 BOMBAY  0030WY685 RIYADH  0050WY251 MADRAS  0110WY201 BOMBAY  0115WY225 COCHIN  0120WY211 TRIVANDRUM  0120WY601 DUBAI  0140WY273 JAIPUR  0145WY267 LUCKNOW  0150WY235 HYDERABAD  0155WY115 FRANKFURT  0205WY123 MUNICH  0205WY643 KUWAIT  0210WY133 PARIS  0210WY151 ZURICH  0210WY637 ABU DHABI  0215WY903 SALALAH  0220WY241 DELHI  0225WY657 BAHRAIN  0230WY691 DAMMAM  0235WY667 DOHA  0235WY143 MALPENSA  0235WY341 LAHORE  0240TK777 BAHRAIN-ISTANBUL  03004H582 DACCA  0300BG022 CHITTAGONG-DACCA  0300ET625 ADDIS ABABA  0450FZ042 DUBAI  0500EK867 DUBAI  0500QR171 DOHA  0515WY3901 SALALAH  0525EY385 ABU DHABI  0525GF561 BAHRAIN  0730WY901 SALALAH  0740WY603 DUBAI  0800WY3301 MUKHAIZNA  0800WY323 KARACHI  0830FZ044 DUBAI  0840WY345 ISLAM ABBAD  0915WY253 MADRAS  0920WY917 KHASAB  0930NL769 LAHORE  0930WY291 CALICUT  0935WY815 BANGKOK  0940G9115 SHARJAH  0955WY245 DELHI  1000WY283 BANGALORE  1000WY231 HYDERABAD  1010WY203 BOMBAY  1025WY605 DUBAI  1035WY905 SALALAH  1040WY311 CHITTAGONG  1040WY631 ABU DHABI  1045WY717 ZANZIBAR-DARESSLAM  1045EK863 DUBAI  1045EY383 ABU DHABI  1050QR167 DOHA  11159W533 COCHIN  1145WY331 KATHMANDU  1225WY609 DUBAI  1235WY913 SALALAH  1240WY3303 MUKHAIZNA  1300GF563 BAHRAIN  1315WY655 BAHRAIN  1345WY413 AMMAN  1345WY663 DOHA  1350WY907 SALALAH  1350WY101 LONDON HEATHROW  1400IX350 CALICUT  1405WY405 CAIRO  1440WY433 TEHRAN  1445WY909 SALALAH  1540FZ046 DUBAI  1630WY675 JEDDAH  1645SV531 MEDINA-JEDDAH  1650WY613 DUBAI  1715PA451 LAHORE  1730WY623 DUBAI  1805QR165 DOHA  1825WY911 SALALAH  1840WY647 KUWAIT  1850WY681 RIYADH  1850GF565 BAHRAIN  1855WY915 SALALAH  1915WY3907 SALALAH  1930WY695 DAMMAM  1930WY653 BAHRAIN  1935WY635 ABU DHABI  1940WY661 DOHA  1950G9117 SHARJAH  1955WY611 DUBAI  2045FZ048 DUBAI  2105WY825 KUALA LUMPUR  2115AI978 HYDERABAD-BANGALORE  2200KL442 DOHA-AMSTERDAM  22309W529 TRIVANDRUM  2230WY673 JEDDAH  2235QR169 DOHA  2235WY817 BANGKOK  22406.00E+82 BOMBAY  2245AI908 MADRAS  2300UL206 COLOMBO  2305AI974 DELHI  2310GF567 BAHRAIN  2325WY817 BANGKOK  2325EY381 ABU DHABI  2330LX243 DUBAI-ZURICH  2335LH619 ABU DHABI-FRANKFURT  2345

A I R L I N E S

—www.met.gov.om

BORN today, you are sometimes so fun-loving that those around you fail to realise that you also take things very seriously, especially when it comes to your work. You love to laugh, carouse and carry on, yet there is always a method to your particular madness. Underneath the surface you are always considering how you can do something better, with more effi ciency. You may, when young, have trouble determining your true place in the scheme of things. While you may never truly know for sure, you will at least get used to feeling somewhat like a drifter!

You are no stranger to love, but what is more important to you than feeling in love yourself is the fact that others are sure to fall in love with you again and again with remarkable frequency. The word you need to learn, of course, is “no” — believe it or not, your life is not always best served by romantic entanglements.

Also born on this date are: John Ritter, actor; Ken Kesey, author; Anne Bancroft, actress; Roddy McDowall, actor; Hank Williams Sr., singer and songwriter; Nate Berkus, interior designer.

Something is standing in your way. Is it merely an unexpected circumstance, or is someone actively trying to halt your progress?

VIRGO [AUG. 23-SEPT. 22]

LIBRA [SEPT. 23-OCT. 22] LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL[S[[S[[S[[[S[[S[S[SS[SS[S[S[S[SSSSSSSS

SCORPIO [OCT. 23-NOV. 21] S[

SAGITTARIUS [NOV. 22-DEC. 21] S[[[[[[[[[[[

AQUARIUS [JAN. 20-FEB. 18]

You may be in need of a little pick-me-up, and a friend or loved one knows just what to do to help out. This is a special opportunity.

You may fi nd yourself in the best position to accomplish something that others are eager to accomplish as well. You can lead the way.

You may have to change your plans after certain environmental details are brought to your attention. You have an alternative ready to go.

You may have trouble getting started, but once you’ve made that fi rst move, it will be even harder for you to stop!

You may have everything arranged down to the last possible detail, but it’s not possible to control all external infl uences.

The way things develop will tell you a great deal about yourself and the way you fi t into the overall scheme.

You may experience a minor setback, but recovery should be quick and easy. You can use this as a learning experience, certainly.

You have been grappling with questions of right and wrong, but you’ll realise that certain issues are more complicated than that.

PISCES [Feb. 19-March 20]

You are feeling confi dent and capable, yet you may not be able to make the kind of headway you had hoped for until quite late in the day.

GEMINI [MAY 21-JUNE 20]

CANCER [JUNE 21-JULY 22]

LEO [JULY 23-AUG. 22]

CAPRICORN [DEC. 22-JAN 19]

Y O U R B I R T H D A Y

ARIES [March 21-APRIL 19]

TAURUS [APRIL 20-MAY 20]

You may have to think about things in a diff erent way in order to rise above a current fray and see where you are really going.

No good can come of confl ict at this time. See if you can’t avoid running afoul of someone who insists on being negative and aggressive.

Page 35: T17 09 2013

C11

EXTRAT U E S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 1 7, 2 0 1 3

The world’s fi rst fair-trade smartphone will be unveiled to the public in London this week, marking

a leap forward in ethical tech-nology. The Dutch fi rm behind the phone said it had worked closely with pressure groups to ensure the smartphone, called Fairphone, was the most ethi-cally sourced product available. Smartphone makers such as Apple and Samsung have in the past been criticised for failing to reveal that their products were made from resources mined in confl ict zones and manufactured in Far East factories where la-bour practices have been called into question.

The new handset, with a screen size of 4.3 inches (10.9cm), half-way between the iPhone 5 and Samsung Galaxy SIII, will retail at £272, but is not available until December. Almost 15,000 have al-ready been pre-ordered. Potential customers will be able to handle the new product at the London

Design Festival on Wednesday. A number of minerals used in smartphones often come from confl ict zones, such as the Demo-cratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The three Ts — tantalum, tin and tungsten — in particular, are extracted from mines in the region and armed groups control-ling them are alleged to benefi t, with profi ts fuelling the fi ghting.Fairphone’s tin and tantalum are extracted from confl ict-free mines — those where profi ts aren’t used for the purchase of

arms. Product manager Miquel Ballester said he decided to start building a fair-trade phone rather than simply campaigning against existing phones because “it would be too easy to stand by and criticise others”. The busi-ness started out as a campaign for fair wages and working con-ditions across the supply chain of smartphone makers, but evolved into a social enterprise. “It’s only as a manufacturer that you’re playing by the same rules as the big brands. Then you can have real impact,” he said.

Ballester is using tin from mines in South Kivu, in eastern DRC, despite on-going fi ghting among militias for control of the mineral trade, but insists that the company is working hard to en-sure its workers are fairly treated and the profi ts don’t get into the hands of the militias. “The whole point of the Fairphone social en-terprise and the campaign that came before it is to intervene on the ground where the problems have originated,” he explained.

In contrast to Apple’s sealed devices, the Fairphone handset can be opened by consumers and is easy to repair, extending its lifespan. It runs a custom version of Google’s Android operating system, built by the London-based developers Kwame Corporation. One innovative feature is a dual SIM card slot, which allows for business and personal phones to be merged into one, reducing the number of devices in circula-tion. This is a common feature of phones in Africa and Asia.

Ballester admitted that Fair-phone is not fully ethical, but claimed this was not the point. “With the classical social audit-ing of manufacturers that’s been done for the past 20 years, you can tick a few boxes and earn a certifi cation, but once you turn around and leave the factory there’s nothing to stop things from changing. For us, it’s about creating a business environment that favours ethical treatment from the outset.”

— Sebastian Salek/The Independent

World’s fi rst ‘ethical’ smartphone unveiled

Fairphone’s maker uses minerals from ‘confl ict-free’ mines and looks after its workers.

It will be on show in London this week

Glad Ayushmann not over-the-top, says wife

HIS ROMANTIC number Paani da rang may be high on romance and fetched Ayushmann Khurrana a lot of awards, but his wife Tahira says that in real life he is not a very expressive and romantic person. “Beyond the screen he is a real person. I don’t think anyone sings for a girl like this in real life. So he is a very real person and I am in love with the real Ayushmann. I am happy he is not over-the-top ro-mantic,” Tahira said at the launch of Ayushmann’s single O Heeriye. Ayushmann and Tahira are childhood

lovers and they have know each other since he was 16. She says Ayushmann hasn’t composed any special song for her yet.

Amol Gupte impressed with Saqib’s performanceFILMMAKER Amol Gupte, who is working with Saqib Saleem in his next fi lm Hawaa Hawaai, is impressed with the actor’s performance. “Frankly, I was not prepared for it, but I am proud to have Saqib on board. Whatever little we have shot has left me impressed,” Gupte said in a statement. Saqib plays the promi-nent character of a skating coach in the fi lm and is getting him-self trained for the role. The actor feels honoured to work with Gupte and says: “Amole and I spent a lot of time together before the shoot so that I could become familiar with his style of fi lm-making.” Saqib, who made his Bollywood debut in 2011 with fi lm Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge, has also played lead role in Mere Dad Ki Maruti, made by Y-Films, an arm of Yash Raj Films. He also worked with fi lmmaker Karan Johar for his 20-minute fi lm in Bombay Talkies.

‘Revolver Rani’ toughest role so far, admits KangnaFROM a gangster’s girlfriend to schizophrenic to spunky small town girl — actress Kangna Ranaut has portrayed a variety of characters on the screen in the past seven years, but she says her role in Revolver Rani is her toughest so far. “My role in Revolv-er Rani is very diffi cult to portray. I think ‘Revolver Rani is my toughest role so far,” Kangna told IANS. “It’s a very unusual fi lm, in which my looks are very diff erent. I have to look unattractive in the fi lm and for the fi rst time I have to take care that I do not look beautiful,” added the actress who apparently took training to use the revolver to make her role believable. Reportedly, Tabu was approached for the role before Kangna.

Not a feminist messiah, asserts Aparna SenACCLAIMED actress-fi lmmaker Aparna Sen says she is no feminist messiah and that she doesn’t believe that women can only make “delicate”, “women-oriented” fi lms which always show the gender in a positive light. “When a woman makes a fi lm, I don’t know why people think it will be about women only. I am not a feminist messiah that I will only talk about women’s issues if I am a woman. I think we should, like men, talk about human beings in our fi lms. And as a woman, I see no wrong in showing a woman as evil and corrupt. Why must we always show women as glorifi ed beings,” Sen said. —IANS

BOLLYWOOD

Page 36: T17 09 2013

C12

EXTRAT U E S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 1 7, 2 0 1 3

Trying to swat a fl y is like trying to shoot Keanu Reeves in The Matrix because time appears to move more

slowly in the minds of smaller ani-mals, a new study has claimed.

The ultra-nimble fl y is capable of processing nearly seven times as much information in a second as a human. This means a rolled-up piece of newspaper that is moving so fast that it appears as a blur to our eyes is, to the fl y, more like the slow-motion bullets that are easily dodged by Neo, Reeves’ character in The Matrix.

A paper published in Animal Behaviour journal today found the perception of time was linked to the size of an animal’s body and metabolic rate.

But it can also change depending

on the circumstances: time ap-pears to slow down during stressful situations like a car crash because in an attempt to avoid disaster, the brain increases the amount of in-formation it is taking in.

Dogs are able to process infor-mation at twice the rate of humans and so tend not to be interested in television. All they see is a fl icker-ing image, as if a projector had bro-ken and the fi lm slowed.

The scientists used the point at which a fl ickering light ap-pears as a solid beam as a way to examine how diff erent animals perceive time.

Housefl ies can see a light fl ick-ering at a rate nearly seven times faster than we can. “That’s because they are getting much more infor-mation per second through their visual system — so that second

feels longer,” one of the research-ers, Dr Luke McNally, of Edin-burgh University, said. “These ani-mals are perceiving the world in a very, very diff erent way.”

This explains why fl ies seem so hard to hit. “For the fl y it feels like you are moving so slowly to-wards them. It’s the same as the famous bullet-time scene where the bullets are moving at this in-credibly slow rate as far as Keanu is concerned,” Dr McNally said.

At the other end of the scale, time rushes by for the slow-moving leatherback turtle because it gets only about a third of the amount of information that humans do in a second. “This perception of time co-evolved with how fast you can move, how fast your metabolism is and how small you are,” Dr McNally said. “There’s very little point in

gaining all this information if you cannot react to it.”

However, there is at least one animal whose perception of time is at odds with its physical characteristics.

“Tiger beetles can run faster than their eyes can keep up,” Dr McNally said. “They run towards their prey, then they have to stop, and then sprint again and hope they’ll hit into it.”

Dr Andrew Jackson, from Trinity College Dublin, who led the study, said the eff ect may also account for the way time seems to speed up as we get old-er: “It’s tempting to think that for children time moves more slowly than it does for grown ups, and there is some evidence that it might.” —Ian Johnston/The Independent

New research claims that for some animals,

such as a fl y and a dog, time moves at a slower rate

Why is it so hard to swat a housefl y?

Page 37: T17 09 2013

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Page 38: T17 09 2013

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Store Ghala behind Kumatsu 100 mtrs. Contact 99414644 / 93666201

D2 T U E S D AY, S E P T E M B E R 1 7, 2 0 1 3

A beautifully presented family house located in highly desirable Qurum 16 opposite M.Q, reception, offi ce , 2 family halls, 5 bedrooms. Contact 92883001

Spacious 2 BHK Flat for rent, near ISG, N Ghubra. Contact 97624601

2 BHK with 3 Toilets & A/C. Near ISM, Darsait. R.O 300. #95474731

Independent Qurum/ Hail rooms. Contact 95529970

Nice villa for rent 1 kitchen, 4 bedrooms, 1 hall, 1 d. room, 3 toilets, full AC at Qurum heights. Contact : 99237827 / 95515152

2 BHK apartment in MSQ rent 450/- R.O. Contact 94300909

Deluxe 2,3 Bedroom Flats, Ruwi, Mumtaz, Al Falaj area. Contact 24707340 / 99472457

4 BHK villa in MSQ rent 950/- R.O. Contact 94300909

4BHK Commercial villa on express road. Contact 94300909

4 Villa with sitting room & hall & 4 bad room & 6 toilets with AC 850 RO. Contact 99548999

Commercial / Residential Flat at Honda Road, Shop at Mawalah, be-hind city center. Contact 98087644

Full furnished room for rent Week-ly 70 OMR, Monthly 250 OMR. Contact 99251975

2 BHK CBD. Contact 99024730

Profs for rent. GSM : 98087644

Flat for rent in Al Hail North new 3 rooms, 2 bathrooms, Kitchen. Contact 99353433

Deluxe Villa Al Khuwair 25, 6 Bedroom. Contact 98914157

Flat for rent Mabailah Block no 8 near German University. Contact 99445177

Store for rent at Wadi kabir. Contact 99893363

1 and 2 BR Brand New Flats in Azaiba. Contact: 96793675

New Offi ces for rent in Mumtaz area behind Al Buri Hotel. Please Contact 95453813

New Offi ces for rent in Mumtaz area, behind Al Burj Hotel. Contact 95453813.

Store for rent 700m2 Barka Alharam. Contact 95643086

Diff erent sizes of shops in Wadi Al Kabir on main way, near Al Has-san company 300 RO and 400 RO monthly. Contact 93191111

2 BHK Mumtaz area RO 400/-. Contact 92144045

Flat for rent in Wadi Kabir. Contact 99388994.

Fully furnished apartments for Rent in Al-Khuwair and Ghubra. Contact 95113252 or 91138757

Luxury 6 Villas for rent in Al Khoudh. Contact 98559565

1 BHK without AC Ghubra near to Indian School RO 250/-last. Contact 92144045

Flat, shops, basement for rent location : Ruwi area, MBD area. Contact 92433127 / 97293708

Shop for rent at Wadikabir Industrial area. Contact 99893363

2 BHK with AC for Commercial MBD area. Contact 91162431

For rent Barka Land for rent Bound-ary wall & Security , accommodation, small store available 500, 1000 & 2000 sq.mtr.# 99321325 / 95538172

1 BHK fl at Star cinema 240/RO. Contact 99358589/97079146

Commercial fl at of 2 and 3 bed-rooms in 18 November street 475 and 675 RO monthly. # 93191111

New 2BHK / 1 BHK fl ats with Ac spilt unit in Al Hail South 280, 250 RO. Contact 93121111 / 93191111

Villas for rent. Contact 95178930

350 Sqm shop CBD. Contact 99024730

Shop in Mabailla phase 8 industrial area 36 sqm and cost is 350 RO. Contact 93191111

Flat in North Al Ghobra 3 bedrooms, 2 toilets and 1 kitchen. #95067716

2 BR, 2 toilet, kitchen at Al Mawaleh. Contact 99444786 / 99747560

2 showrooms for rent Al Amerat behind Sultan Center. Contact 97886169

3 BHK Flat Darsait 450/RO. Contact 99358589 / 97079146

1 BHK Flat Wadikabir 250/RO. Contact 99358589 / 95570288

Plot Area: 400 Mtr Sq. Barka Near Mazoon Electricity Station (Qarhat Baloosh), Shops: 6 Nos, Store: 260 Mtr Sq, One Room with Kitchen and Toilet. Co-ordination - N:2621745, E:588876. Contact No: 92165165

Villa 4 rooms + 2 hall+ Majlis + 5 toilets & servant room, in Khuwair opp. Grand Mall RO 900. Contact 99738881

400 sqm independent ware house space at Ghala. Contact 93731363

300 sqm independent ware house space at Ghala. Contact 93731363

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DAILY GUIDET U E S D AY, S E P T E M B E R 1 7, 2 0 1 3 D3

M.V. FOR SALE

ACC. AVAILABLE

ACC. AVAILABLE

Toyota Corolla 1.6 Xli 2009 single owner. Contact 98180493

Luxus ES 350, 2007 model good condition. Contact 94480418

Subaru Impreza 2001 model for sale. Contact 99055410

Toyota Rav4, model 2009. Contact 96120459

FOR SALE

AVAILABLE

Fully equipped commercial kitchen with camp & storage facilities available at Ghala Industrial area. Interested Parties may Contact 99024519

2 bedroom, hall, kitchen fl at avail-able for sharing in Ruwi. Contact 99446498

Room available for single Ex-ecutive bachelor, behind Rawasco Supermarket Al Khuwair. Contact 97048700

Room for rent near Hamriya roundabout for Executive bachelor. Contact 93590332

1 Bedroom sharing K & T, family bachelor RO 100 in Al Khuwair. Contact 95154331

Furnished sharing accommodation available for Executive bachelor near Star cinema / Oman house. Contact 99886840

2 BR fl at 6 months old in Ghala with gym, near Vasantha Bhavan / vachas Hyper market, from 10 Oct. rent RO 360. Contact 99860874

Furnished room with sharing bathroom and equipped kitchen im-mediately available in a fl at in MBD area. Contact 95450250

Sharing accommodation with attached bath available at behind ISM, Darsait contact 94355675 Spacious room with A/C and attach bath for walking lady of executive bachelor in Wadi Kabir (Indian only). Contact 99720561

Single furnished room.#24833609

Acc available in Muttrah behind Oman house. Contact 99354340

For sale Lancer 2008 bought 2009 single driver 60000 kms 99636424

Renault Clio well maintained 2006 model Manual Expat driven RO 1750/-. Contact 95764290

Suzuki APV 7 Seater manual well maintained 2010 Expat driven RO 2750/-. Contact 95764290

For Sale Yaris 2006 full Auto-matic type 2. Contact 99845155/ 99588572

Camry 2011. Contact 94261000

Jeep Cherokee 2008. Contact 99336093

Honda Civic model 2010 fully au-tomatic pearl white, Expat driven. Contact 91275018

2006 Model, Toyota Battery Oper-ated Excellent condition fork Lift suitable for store & rack system. Contact 99371732

Chevrolet Captiva 2008 GCC, 20,0000 KM, 4100/-RO. Contact 97646282

Excellent condition Toyota Camry 2007 beige colour, fully automatic, single owner maintained by Toyota KM 1,18,000 for sale. # 99315297

Toyota Fortuner model 2012, 2.7 LT, km 17000. Contact 99350092

Infi niti M375 2011. # 92844996

Dodge Charger 2012. # 92844996

Pajero 2003 No-1 Automatic. Contact 99384640

BUYING/SELLING

Furnished single room for execu-tive bachelor near Safeer hyper-market, Azaiba. Gsm 99761216

Sharing accommodation with at-tach bathroom and split A/Cavailable near Al Hassan Mosque, Wadi Kabir. Contact 99577462

NRI ONLY

350 SQ MTS and plot, clear title, on 120 ft road near IIIT, Kalindipuram Allahabad, UP, India Serious buyers Contact 99236945

House for sale in Aynawaram Chennai G+3, plot for sale Ma-duranthagam 1200 sq ft, 1.75 lakhs. Contact 99354340 IND 0091-9840154225

3 bedroom villa for sale kodaika-nal, Tamil Nadu. Contact 92893243

Land for sale in Kollam Asramom 26.5 cent square plot with com-pound wall, 8.45 cent with 2 storey building in Umayanalloore near Industrial area, Ambalthumkala Ezhukone 9 cent with 2 storey building. Contact 00918086135254 / 92830626

MATRIMONIAL

MATRIMONIAL

LOST

CHANGE OF NAME

Thiyya girl, MBA, working in Dubai, Rohini, 27 seeks alli-ance from BTech/MBA holders working in Oman/Dubai. Contact 97270140

37 Years, Christian widow, 2 kids, working in Medical fi eld in Oman, looking for suitable alliance from Christian Orthodox Marthomite Roman Catholic denominations, Preferably working in Muscat. Contact 99838349

Orthodox parents seeks alliance for daughter, 26/158, B. Tech working in MNC in Muscat from well placed professionals. Email : [email protected]

Muslim Parents invite alliance for son, B.Tech doing Business, seek suitable Girl good family background age 21-23 Preferable Hyderabad / Bangalore. Contact 96731961/ Email [email protected]

Sunni Muslim hand some boy Graduate, 24 years working as a Divisional Manager, well settled seeking Dini Namazi good family for suitable alliance. Contact 92876040

Hindu, 35 yrs lady from Man-galore, Working as beautician in Oman, seeks suitable alliance. Contact 95208305

Hindu Handsome boy Kerala Graduate 35 years working at Sales leading Automobile com-pany at Muscat, seeking alliance from any cast or region. Contact 94176397 Email : [email protected]

Keralite Hindu 28 yrs Biomedi-cal Technician working in Oman need suitable proposal. CONTACT 99433516 Email: [email protected]

TRANSPORTATION

Transportation available. Contact 95068976

Transportation available from Ruwi to Ghubra. Call 96402727, 96761960

Transportation available. Contact 95714934

Transportation. Contact 93400744

Transportation. Contact 98178135

Transportation. Contact 96954496

Transportation. Contact98546606

For transport. Contact 92548219

Transportation. Contact 99509283

Car with Graduate experienced driver. Contact +968 98267157

Transport Pick & Drop. # 97581610

Car with driver. Contact 95068976

Transportation Contact 95570429

We Buy all types of Wooden Scraps. Contact [email protected] , Ph: 24458759/ 98539316/ 99318152

Good Quality Wooden Kicking blocks available 1.2 mtr & 2.6 mtr length. Contact [email protected] , Ph: 99318152

FOR HIRE

Cranes and excavators available on hire. Contact 99209427

Party & Wedding equipment rentals. Full line, from Tables, Linen & Skirt-ing, Chairs & Chair covers, Cutlery, Crockery, Glassware, Chafi ng Dishes, Ice Sculptures, to Large Sound Systems and spectacular lighting. Call Andrea 9606 2222 for Catering and Croyden 9623 5555 for Sound & Light. www.tunesoman.com, E-mail: [email protected]

Crane Trailor Hiab. #99354909

25/ 50 seater Buses for rent/ leas-ing with drivers in PDO Specifi ca-tion. Contact 99839898

Oil paintings For sale.Contact 99737812

Complete Aluminum fabrication Machineries, as good as new for sale. Contact 99489100 / 99294095

8seated sofa set brand new one month old purchased for 800/- RO, now 400/- bed room set, cupboard, AC. Contact 99326339

2 textile running shop Seeb souq main road & 1textile shop in Dhofar building. Contact 99326339

Restaurant for sale in Plaza Hotel Ruwi, opp. Bank Muscat Ruwi high street. Contact 99326339

Coff ee shop for sale in Sun City Hotel Ruwi. Contact 99326339

Full bedroom set (king size) show case. Contact 93569380

Restaurant with existing seating capacity of 50 people and potential for 90 people and lots of parking place in prime business location at Wattayah near Bank Muscat & Indi-an Passport Offi ce (B.L.S) in running condition is available for partner-ship or sale. Contact 95213273

Shop for sale in Ghubrah, good location. Contact 99055410

Household shop in Al Koud, Wadi Lwami, well running. Contact 98972021 / 95251676

Shopping centre Sale or rent in Seeb Souq. Contact 95204145

Brand new parlour for sale in Ghub-rah with equipments or partnership/Lease. Interested parties only call 96761960

Camp for sale Including Porta - cabin, kitchen & Dining facilities with RO plant. For more information. Contact Nasser 99808067

Used furniture dining table with chairs, cooking range, microwave oven, show case (big & small). Contact 96282677

Beauty Parlour for sale Mawaleh with license. Contact 95020852

Barber shop for sale Mawaleh with license. Contact 95020852

Porta cabin sale. Contact 96432604

Well running new Coff ee shop at Hamariya for sale, with clearance. Contact 93660957

Running clinic with pharmacy for sale. Contact 95314738

Beauty Parlour for sale Contact 94062285.

GOOD NEWS

Onam special fresh fl owers Jasmine- Marigold & 5 diff erent assorted colors fl owers available. Haridas Nensey Supermarket- Ruwi. Phone 24750784

FREE INFORMATION ABOUT ISLAM. If you would like to know more about Islam, please call: 99425598, 96050000, 99353988, 99253818, 99341395, and 99379133. For ladies: 99415818, 99321360, 99730723 Orvisit: www.islamfact.com

Ayurvedic treatment for joint pain, backache, paralysis, massage, steam bath, obesity, spondylitis etc. Free consutation, Ideal Care Ayurvedic clinic, Azaiba. Contact 99639695

Genuine Ayurvedic treatments &massage, ayuredic clinic AL Khuwair. Contact 24478618/ 97263637/ 97109295

Ayurvedic treatment for backache paralysis arthritis etc. & massage All Season (Vaidyaratnam). Contact 24475280 / 95371664 / 92504980

Flat for rent at Qurum heights, ground fl oor, 3 bed rooms. Contact 95178930

New villa at Al Khuwair 33/ 6 bed rooms R.O 1000/- Monthly. Contact 99443834

FOR RENT

Industrial Land for sale at Barkha SAGSOOK 1400 m2 and 14 Nos Shops. Contact 99229062 / 95977100

For Sale Steel workshop Wadikabir near Al Khaili showroom. Contact 97235996

Sale of all kind of Household items including medicated double mattresses, furniture’s and Elec-tronic items. Contact 92370923 / 94205904

Crane, 30Tons for sale. Contact 99209427

Shop for sale at Sohar Falaj Al Qabail. Contact : 99103077

2 bedroom fl at near Muscat private hospital, Bausher. Monthly income OMR 300, OMR 46,000. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360

Porta cabin and Container for sale. Contact 99373256

Door with frame for sale. Contact 99208798 / 95643086

Fully furnished Executive bachelor room with all facilities ac, washing etc in Mumtaz, Ruwi- Contact/SMS 99459843

Pent House single room with bath-room and kitchen in Wadi Kabir (RO 150). Contact 93878793

Big two rooms for sharing opposite Al Nahda Hospital. #98725208

Single room for bachelor or lady, opp. Al Nahdha Hospital. # 92563206

Room for rent in Ruwi. 95372192

Semi furnished studio fl at is avail-able in MBD area. # 99037554

Furnished room in Al Falaj area with attached balcony & Wadi Kabir for Indian bachelor/Students single. Contact 96761960

Sharing acc. available for Execu-tive bachelor in Muttrah, near Oman house. Contact 95915399

Sharing accommodation for Executive bachelor furnished room with separate bathroom, near Pencil building Wadiakabir. # 99251214

Shared bachelor accommodation available in villa Rex road area, Ruwi. Contact- 99013227

Furnished room in CBD area for Executive bachelors free wi-fi , non-cooking, Advance deposit. Contact 95934642

Kerala boy 38 years Chartered Accountant in Sultanate of Oman Hindu Nair seeking suitable alliance. Contact 97133729, E mail : [email protected]

Rana Mohammed Islam has lost Pakistan passport No BD 1801032. Finder please handover to ROP.

Abdur Rauf has lost Bangladeshi Passport no. AC 3900017. Finder please handover to ROP

Muhammad Asif Muhammad Nawaz has lost Pakistani Pass-port No. CM1887601. Finder please handover to ROP

Shah Sayed has lost Pakistani Passport No. SH 5144511. Finder please handover to ROP

Akter Hossain Abdur Razzak has lost Bangladeshi Passport No. AD 2155842. Finder please handover to ROP

I Ramakrishnan Venkatase-thuraman (name exactly as in present passport) son of Venkatasethuraman perma-nent residence at the follow-ing address in Darsait, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman, and having permanent address in India Plot No18 DoorNo.1/2,Moorthy Nagar,2 ND Street, Chettiar Agaram Chennai 600077,TN (as per present passport), holder of Indian passport No H 4409905 date of issue 10/08/2009 place of issue Chennai 600077, TN solemnly affi rm and declare that I have changed my name as Raamakrishnan Venkatase-thuraman (new name) for all purposes. Any objection towards this name change may please be communicated to Embassy of Indian, Muscat, Diplomatic Quar-ters, Al Khuwair, P. Box No.1727, Postal Code112, Ruwi, Sultanate of Oman.

*Classifi ed Advertisement space booking

with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next

day’s publication.* Subject to space availability

Page 40: T17 09 2013

D4 T U E S D AY, S E P T E M B E R 1 7, 2 0 1 3

DAILY GUIDE Tel. 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 431 / 456 / 461Fax: 24812624

Email: [email protected]

SITUATION VACANT

DOMESTIC HELP

MEDICAL

MEDICAL

MISC

DESIGNER

ENGINEERS/TECH

SALES / MARKETING

SALES / MARKETING

SALES / MARKETING

BEAUTY

ARCHITECT /

ADMIN

ACCOUNTANCY

INTERIOR DECORATOR

CATERING

Required Indian lady beautician, Al Amerat, visa & accommodations available. Contact 92059502

Exclusive Ladies SPA & Saloon in Salalah has an opening for female Operation Executive exp. min. 3 yrs, energetic & independent to operate. Guest relationship & strong knowl-edge in ERP. Send CV [email protected]

Required General Beautician, Indian Nationality with local release for beauty parlour at Al Ghubrah. Contact 95134495 / 95622129

Required urgently experienced Beautician. Contact 99467033

Required one House Cook for Capital area. Contact 24493666/ 99228454

Wanted experienced Cooks. Contact 95529970

Urgently required North Indian part time cook in mutrah. Contact – 99100314

Required Continental Cook (1) 3-5 years experience. Contact +968 99364735 / 99652716

Omani Staff Wanted : A reputed hospital in Muscat urgently needs Omani HR Manager, Reception Staff , Nursing Assistants, Technicians, Security, Drivers for immediate recruitment. Please send your CV to [email protected] or sms your name to 94267068, we will call you.

Required Pharmacist/Assist.Pharmacist with MOH license for a pharmacy in capital area. [email protected]

Shatti Al Qurum Medical Center is looking to employ qualifi ed and registered nurses (Dentist hygienist and Gyno). If interested, please send your qualifi cations and experi-ence to: [email protected] Tel: 93655425

A licensed dentist is needed to rent a running dental clinic in Sohar (next to Sohar university). Contact : 95603395

Wanted Ophthalmologist (DO), Staff Nurses (female) with MOH license for a polyclinic. Excellent Salary package. Contact 99006915 Email [email protected]

Urgently require an Asst. Pharma-cist with or without MOH license for a Pharmacy in Barka. Contact 93353186 / 26868839

Required a Nurse for a clinic in Al Khuwair with MOH license, Full time or Part time. Send CV [email protected] Contact 99355095

Required Housemaid Pilipino full time. Contact 98563312

Malayali Housemaid required for Indian (Keralite) family in Muscat. Full time for ONE (1) month (Oc-tober) only. Contact immediately: 98988678”.

Pakistani Family living at Ghubrah south is looking for house maid. Should be resident card holder and familiar with Pakistani cooking. Contact 99101958 / 93575206

Wanted full time Keralite House-maid with Kids experience for a Keralite Family. Will provide visa and Accommodation. Contact immediately to 00968 99898741

Required for a leading interna-tional company in the fi eld of IT located in Ruwi, CBD Area, a female employee (Administrative Secretary) holding a diploma in IT and familiar with public relations and staying in Wilayat Muttrah. CVs to be sent to the email: [email protected]

Offi ce Administrator required for prestigious furnishings and design company, based in Qurum. Must have three years experi-ence with Omani administration. Must have good bookkeeping and organizational skills. Must have Omani drivers license. Salary and bonuses. Email : [email protected]

Urgently required Qualifi ed & experienced Accountant, IT & Administration, for a Muscat based well known construction company. Email: [email protected] Fax 24488057

A reputed Engineering Contracting Company requires Project Manager (Piping) for Oil&Gas fi eld. BE (Mech),min 12 yrs exp in managing cross country pipelines, industrial piping etc. Thorough knowledge on HSE, QA and Environmental systems essential. Mail detailed CV to:- [email protected]

Testing & commissioning engi-neer required for lighting control & dimming system with 2 yrs of experience. Candidate with driving license will be preferred. Mail your CV : [email protected]

Urgently required Quantity Surveyors (for tendering) Project Managers, Project Coordinators for a reputed construction company/ Interested candidates can send their CVs to [email protected] Contact 99881459 Fax: 24812226

Required Electrical Foreman (DIP/degree) preferably Gulf experienced, holding Oman electric license & ROP driving license. Fax or email your CVs at fax: 24505447 Email: [email protected] Contact 99353859

Looking for an Indian well edu-cated Construction Technician with at least 5-10 years experiences in Oman, willing to start working with a newly established construc-tion company in Muscat. Contact 96961306

BE Civil Engineer with minimum 2 years Oman experience and driving license, only for immediate joining. Email CV: [email protected] or Fax: 24495398

Required CCTV Technician with minimum 3 yrs experience. Email [email protected]

Required for Consultant Managing Director 15 yrs Arch & STR Eng 10 years. Email [email protected]

SIT.WANTED

SIT.WANTED

Required an Arabic spoken offi ce boy from Kerala. Contact 92345861

Urgently required experienced Fabricators, Welders 6G, Riggers, Grinders and Construction workers. Contact 99776471 / 95205473 Email [email protected]

Urgently required Mobile Techni-cian (good experience), Sales staff (Indian, Filipino), Accountant M/F, Out door Sales executive, Graphic Designer M/F. Contact : 95227500 , [email protected] .

Job available with a leading food stuff Company at Seeb area: Sales-men, Light Drivers- For Omani National only, Sales Supervisors, prefer having frozen food stuff expe-rience- all nationalities. Send your CV to : [email protected]

Looking for effi cient Sales Ex-ecutives with experience. Omani driving license holders preferred. Fresher can also apply. Email : [email protected]

DRIVER

Urgently wanted one experienced House Driver. Contact 24493666 / 99228454

A leading Frozen Foodstuff Com-pany requires Heavy Duty Driver with valid Omani Driving license and having 5/10 years local experi-ence in driving 40 ft. Trailer Trucks. Please Fax CV to: 24793305 / Con-tact 92880150

Wanted Light duty driver. Contact 92341826

Wanted JCB operator with local release. Contact Ashley 99257975

Pakistani Family requires Driver at Ghubrah South. Call 99101958

Expatriate driver with car for Om-ani family required to pick & drop children from school, middle aged person with at least 10 years clean Omani D/L. call - +968-95523416

Expatriate driver for Omani family required, middle aged person with at least 10 years clean Omani D/L. Contact +968-95523416

Wanted Driver. Call - 24170076 / 98936716. Send resume: [email protected].

Car Driver personal. Contact 96694954

Graphic designer with Arabic & English knowledge for a printing press. Contact 99244470 Email [email protected]

Indian female, 24 yrs, having 3 yrs experience in Hospiatlity & HR. Presently working as Customer Care Executive in a reputed fi rm. Seeks suitable post. # 94288397, email: [email protected]

Part-time housemaid (Tamil/Ma-layalam) required in the afternoon, near Star cinema, Ruwi. Contact after 5 pm - 99682680, 92934990

House maid required. Visa available. CONTACE Deepak 96500750

DOMESTIC HELP

Wanted Outdoor Sales Executive with D/L and helper, for importer and Wholesaler Company, deal-ing with sanitary ware in Muscat. Please post your CV to under mentioned email address. Contact 97443656 Email: [email protected]

Sales Executive - experienced/fresher in building material /struc-tural steel. Apply to [email protected]

Wanted experienced Market-ing Executives with (valid Oman D/L) for a leading printing press in Musanah. Contact: [email protected], Mobile 96557079

Marketing company requires Sales Executive salary + incentive, visa available send CV at [email protected] Contact 95748080

Required Salesman cum Driver with Education certifi cate for trad-ing company visa ready. Contact 99250248

Indian male Graduate, 26, 3 yrs exp in handling purchase in a reputed company in Oman looking for suitable placements.#95776353

Filipina graduate of computer programming looking for suit-able job in Muscat Contact no: 96599254/95611624

Indian female with GCC experience in offi ce admin, accounts and HR seeks suitable placement Contact : 95584732.

Driver with car seeking a job in Oman as a company’s or family driver, having experiences 12 years in Abu dhabi and 2 years in oman. Contact: 93043871.

28 years, Male MBA in Marketing looking for suitable job on urgent bases, having valid Omani driving license and 2 years marketing experience in oman and 4 years marketing experience in Pakistan. Contact: 97136426

Indian, male, 26, Mechanical Engi-neer (HVAC) having 3 years experi-ence as project engineer in Oman seeks suitable placement holding valid Omani D/L. Contact 98050877

Indian Male, MBA, 16 yrs in Oman. Experience in supply chain mgmt, logistics, import export mgmt, pur-chase, domestic and export sales seeks suitable placement in Bank or money exchange sector. Having 15 years experiences in related fi eld. Contact: 922 60 508.Seek Job, Driver have car pick & drop. Contact : 96136615.

Male, 27, MBA specialized in marketing , looking for suitable position. Having valid oman driving license. Contact. 99590408, E mail. [email protected]

5 years experience in Accounts, 1 year experience in Oman, age 25, gsm -91130227.

Indian male, BBAM, 27 years, spe-cialized in marketing & fi nance, 6 years of experience as transport coor-dinator in an earthmoving co. having valid Omani driving license seeking for suitable placement. #93213160 email: [email protected]

Videographer for fi lming any occa-sion or event, website videos, corpo-rate profi les, promotional fi lms, ad fi lms. Also calendar, brochure, logo, poster designing. # 99631986

24 yrs female with driving license, b.b.a plus I.A.T.A,3 years experience seeking suitable position in secre-tarial ,admin,hr,procurement ,travel.please contact 95337828 or e-mail at [email protected].

Indian Female, B.Tech-IT, Fresher, Currently in Resident Visa, having C and JAVA Knowledge, seeking Suitable Position in IT. CONTACT : 97232497,99108857, [email protected],[email protected]

26 Years old Indian female Bachelor of Business Administration with 1.5 years experience, Looking for a Marketing Job, Contact # 968-99068641

Wanted Doctor-MBBS-MD-with MOH license –Saham. CONTACT 96941772

Required Asst. Pharmacist with MOH License for a pharmacy in capital area. GSM: 9282057

Wanted GP - Male & Female for well established clinic in Barka & Mab-ela. Call 99754628 / 95197358.

Urgently required for our Salalah Branch. Operation cum Sales representative with valid driving license and knowledge of English and basic Arabic language. Minimum 3 years of experience in land transport and freight forwarding industry preferred. Email [email protected]

Urgently required PRO male or female Omani National minimum two years exp. in dealing with Govt. departments. Preferably female. Contact: 91375737 Email [email protected]

A leading oil & Gas company is looking for active Sales Engineer with minimum of 2 years experience technical, sales marketing with valid license. Contact 99061232 / 99853353

Building material Salesman. Contact 95856070

Leading construction company requires Quality Assurance (QA) & quality control (QC) Electric Engi-neer, Personnel. Send CV to : [email protected]

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DAILY GUIDET U E S D AY, S E P T E M B E R 1 7, 2 0 1 3 D5

SITUATION WANTEDSITUATION WANTED

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE

ENGG. / TECHNICAL

ENGG. / TECHNICAL

ACCOUNT. & FINANCEADMIN

DESIGNER

DRAUGHTSMAN

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE

A BE Civil, 26 yrs male, with 4+ yrs of exp and having an ongo-ing exp in oil & gas with all HSE trainings, inductions and having defensive driving license is look-ing for urgent placement. Contact 93525766

Indian Female 23 years old, Aeronautical Engineering gradu-ate with 1 year 6 months experi-ence, expert in MS Offi ce tools, Technical documentation, reports and excellent communication skill. mail: [email protected]

B.Tech Mechanical, 26yr Indian male having 4 yr experience in plant construction,structural fab-rication & erection in India.Contact 0091 [email protected]

Telecom Engineer 4 years expe-rience in all Hnawei equipment MW& BTS of site survey mainte-nance. Contact 94462554

Part time accounts / audit services. Gsm 99761216

ARCH/ INTERIOR

DOMESTIC HELP

DRIVERS

DRIVERS

CATERING

Manager Accounts & HR MBA fi nance PGDHRM 10 yrs experience in India 14 yrs experience in Muscat Presently working in Construction/ Earth works co. in Muscat available to join immediately. # 91103856 Email [email protected]

Indian, B. Com graduate with 9+ years experience, great exposure in Accounting/Administration job(TallyErp9), seeks suitable placement. Omani Driving License, Contact: 96001864

Chartered Accountant with ICWA Inter having 5 years experience in accounts, costing, budgeting, Insur-ance, treasury & Banking operations - Available for Immediate Joining. Contact : 96596380 Email-fi [email protected]

Indian male 39, Accounting pro-fessional 15+ years experience in Accounting, Auditing, available for immediate joining. #96675398

Charted Accountant from India, Post Qualifi cation experience 21 years, working in Muscat since July 2011, at a Senior position in a group of SME’s, seeks suitable change. Contact 94201290 Email [email protected]

Indian male 40 yrs M.Com ICWAI (Inter) 12 yrs experience in Ac-counts and fi nance 7 yrs in Oman valid D/L. Good experience in IT and service Industry, looking for suitable in Finance. Contact 98334960

Part time Accountant with 15 yrs experience in Accounts Finance Audit & tax management. Contact 95857199

Finance Accounts Indian male B.Com MBA 31 years, Exp 6 years. Contact 93257426 / 92365310, Email : [email protected]

Finance Controller 15+ years versatile experience in Oman, seeks immediate openings. Contact 92439941

Indian male, 27 yrs Accounts 4 years experience in Oman, seeks similar position. Contact 93770862 Email [email protected]

Indian male, 27 yrs Sales Executive 4 years experience in Oman, with valid Oman driving license, seeks similar position. Contact 91161698 Email [email protected]

Accounts Manager, MBA Finance & PG Diploma in HR, total 24 yrs experience, working in Oman since 14 yrs now working in Oman since 14 yrs now working for construction co. in Muscat can join immediately. Contact 91387354, [email protected]

ACCA fi nance professional 5 years experience including 1 yr in Oman experience, looking for suitable placement. Contact 95174220

5 years experienced M.Com Ac-countant looking for part time job. Contact 94109930

Indian Male 32, having over 10 yrs of experience in Finance & Accounts up-to fi nalization with complete admin knowledge, seeks suitable placement in middle man-agement. Have valid Omani D/L. Contact 99881723

Chartered Accountant, Indian female 25 years, with good Knowl-edge and experience in Finance, Accounts, Audits, immediate join-ing. Contact 92530131 / 24785757 Email : mufl [email protected]

Indian female 33 years 5 years experience in Muthoot Finance Ltd, Now on visit visa, seeks suitable jobs. Contact 96214105 Email [email protected]

M.Com Accountant with 7 years experience, expert in Tally have driving license, seeks suitable placement. Contact 97283098 / 99711807

Indian male M.Com, Finance having 7 + yrs experience in Oman, Finali-zation, Audit, AR/ AP, Payroll with valid Oman D/L, seeks senior level position. Contact 93088436

Indian male 34 B.Com Senior Ac-countant 10 years experience (8 years in Oman) valid Omani driving license, seeks suitable placement ready to join immediately. Contact 91101645

Chief Accountant, 22 yrs. experi-enced, seeks immediate placement. Contact 95598477 / 99013963

Senior Accountant seeks part time job. Contact 99013963 / 98803439

Bio-medical Engineer (B-Tech), 3 years experience in India, on visit visa seeks suitable placement. Contact : 92163918, [email protected]

Indian male Biotechnology Engi-neer recently passed looking for a suitable opening and ready to join any time. Contact 95130163

Male Computer Technician Di-ploma in applied 4 years exp Elec-tronics & computer maintenance, language English, Arabic seeking suitable placement. #92501456

B. Tech in Electrical & Electron-ics Indian male 27 years single 4.5 years experience as Electrical quality inspector in reputed heavy industry abroad currently in Muscat placement. Contact 92521239 Email: [email protected]

5 Years experienced Network & CCTV Engineer, searching for job. Contact 98172626 / 93108249

Q.C. Inspector 25 yrs experience in Chemical and food. #92106143

Mobile Software Technician 2 years exp in Gulf, well known languages Hindi, Arabic & English. Contact 95330129

Computer Engineer (Indian), 21 yrs seeking a suitable job opportunities in Oman, Fresher on visit upto to 5th October. Contact 96306993

Civil Engineer 1 year Exp as (Design Engineer & Shop Drawing) professional @ AutoCAD ,ETABS, Revit, Robote structural analysis. Contact no : 91381068

Civil Engineer 6 years Exp as (Site Technical offi ce Engineer, QS, Planning engineer & Site Engineer) Professional @ AutoCAD, Sap, P3 & offi ce. Contact no: 91148708

Indian BE ( E & C) Engineer 5 months experience in maintenance & troubleshooting of PLC / PID/ VFD/ PG Diploma in industrial Auto-mation, well versed in PLC/SCADA/ DCS, 22 years in Oman, seeking placement. Contact 99345911

Experienced 12 yrs Gulf 1yr Oman exp. as land surveyor in building /road construction seeks immediate placement. Contact 97850467

Project Manager B.E Civil Eng. 11 years experience (8 years in Oman) in Projects Management, develop-ment, Construction, Real Estate & Business development, Omani D/L. Contact 93813851

Indian male Diploma with 9 years of Instrumentation experience in Automation (SCADA, PLC &DCS) based Industry, seeking a suitable placement. Contact 95868048 Email [email protected]

8 years experienced Civil Engi-neering diploma holder 5 years in Civil 3 years in PEB with valid Oman license seeking good oppor-tunities. Contact 97408346

Project Engineer Micro tunneling sewerage Network with 18 years experience infrastructure with good skill also having valid Omani D/L, seeking suitable placement. Contact +968 94220778 / Email [email protected]

Indian Keralite 33 years male ITI Electrician, 13 years exp, 5 years Gulf experience able to handle fi re alarm AVS PS system and Plumb-ing with valid Oman D/L looking for suitable placement in Muscat area. Contact 93367545

Indian female 30 yrs, Procurement En-gineer having 9+ yrs experience in EPC sector, looking suitable job. #96682307 Email: [email protected]

B.Sc in Civil Engineer 4 years experience in Oman and D/L, seeks suitable job. Contact 98475572 Email [email protected]

Mechanical Engineer western educated, 25 years, male looking for suitable placement with valid Omani driving license. #99624582 Email [email protected]

Indian Civil Engineer (BE & Diploma) with 2.5 years experience in Oman, 6 years in India with valid Omani Driving license, looking for suitable placement on release. Contact 91229885

Accountant: Indian male, 10 years experience, 6 years in Oman, with Oman driving license, seeking suit-able placement. Contact 97123002 Email [email protected]

CA, MBA (Finance) Indian male with 20+ years Oman experience seeks senior position in fi nance /Ac-counts in a reputed organization. Contact 99022386. Email: [email protected]

Accountant Indian male 2 years experience B.Com, Tally, Peachtree. Contact 93050561, Email rafi [email protected]

Accountant Indian Male, Hav-ing valid Omani driving license age 31, B.Com Graduate with 10 years of computerized Accounting experience in India, UAE & Oman, seeking suitable jobs. Contact +968 94058639 & +968 95704584

Accountant Indian male 13 years exp in Oman reporting up to fi nali-zation Payroll, immediate joining, Local release available having Omani D/L. Contact 97331967

Indian female 1 year experience profi t Accounting MBA Finance, Tally, Peachtree. contact 98998186.

Chartered Accountant , Indian Female 25 years , with good knowl-edge and experience in fi nance , accounts, audits. Immediate joining contact GSM : 92530131 , 24785757 Email : mufl [email protected].

B.Com 21 yrs with 1 yrs exp Indian male valid D/L. Contact: 95186796

Female 33, Indian B.Com looking for suitable placement as back of-fi ce support. Contact 95256416

Accountant, Indian, with UAE & Oman working experience in ac-counts, seeks suitable position in Muscat as an Accounts Executive. Contact : 96950764.email [email protected]

Accounts and administration or logistics, with 5 years of experience in Oman with valid driving license. Contact 93880414

Accounting & Finance ACCA, experience 5 years. contact 92436843

Accountant M.Com, MBA, with 7 years experience looking for suit-able placement. Email [email protected] Contact 93029334 Indian male Accountant with 7 years experience (Expert in Tally ERP-9) seeks suitable placement. Contact 94251297 Email : [email protected]

Jordanian Senior Accountant 11 Years Experience, Worked In Constructions, Tourism Company and Poly Clinic, Experience in Tally Erp9.Contact 96470036

Indian female MBA (fi nance) work-ing with reputed company in Mus-cat with valid Oman D/L seeking for suitable placement in fi nance /accounts. Contact 97197683

Indian male, 25 years, MBA-Finance Graduate, 1 year experience with computer knowledge, on the lookout for suitable openings in Oman. Contact 93870465 and email : [email protected] .

Indian male B.Com Tally with 8 months experience in Accounting is looking for Accounts Assistant job. Contact 94103460

Muslim Chartered Accountant and M.Com, 12 Years of Experience, At present in UAE, seeking good Job in Accounts, Finance, Audit etc. Contact 00971 50 9607654, 00968 9985 7838, E mail : [email protected]

ACCA Member, 3 yrs experience, Well Versed in Tally ERP-9, Quick Book & MS offi ce, Currently on visit visa. Contact: 97268263

Accounts works up to fi nalization on part-time / fulltime. Contact 96247295

Indian female 10 years experience in admin and customer care seeking for a suitable job. Contact 97132322 Email ID: [email protected]

29 Indian female MBA 2 years experience in Accounts and Administration skilled with MS Offi ce, seeking for suitable position. Contact 96962240

Indian male 4 years of HR experi-ence, looking for Admin, Recruit-ment job. Contact 99489496

Admin qualifi ed female HR profes-sional with MBA (HR), BE, PGDBM, 5 years of experience seeking suit-able role in HR profi le, valid Oman D/L. Contact 94129462

HR & Administration offi cer 15 years experience, looking for a suit-able opening. Contact 95893806

Sri Lankan female 27 years hav-ing 7years experience in Admin-istration, customer service with excellent English and computer knowledge seeking suitable place-ment. Contact 96144390

Indian Male, 27 years, 5 years’ experience as a Customer/Client relation Manager in MNCs. Seeking suitable posts in Customer rela-tions/Administration/HR. GSM: 93088407

Indian female Currently on Visit Visa, looking for a job in Oman. Total Work Experience of 6 Years, Worked as a senior technical associate and Senior Technical Support Offi cer with Bank of America & Mphasis Mumbai respectively. Diploma in MBA (HR MANAGEMENT), B. Com Graduate from Mumbai University. Email : [email protected], [email protected], Mobile : 98682715 / 95257148

Indian female MA, MBA (HR) with 5 yrs GCC exp, presently working as HR Coordinator in groups of company, seeks suitable placement. Contact 93498876

Artist Masters of fi ne Arts having 20 years experience of all kinds of Arts and decoration works in Oman, looking for suitable placement. Contact 92635029

Iraqi Architect 22 years experi-ence. Contact 97608513

Indian female B. Arch (Architect) having 3 years Middle East experi-ence with valid driving license on family joining visa. Contact 96908041 /99349047

Indian male, 3 yrs experience managing projects in interior de-signing & execution in Oman with valid Omani D/L seeks suitable placement. Contact 96678029 / 93285996 Email: [email protected]

Indian male BSc Hotel Management with 10 yrs experience and Oman D/L, seeking suitable replacement. Contact 95066454

Indian male 23 B.Com with Hotel Management one year experience Oman looking for hotel service vacancy. Contact 91172990

25 years Indian male, B.E Aeronautical, 2 Years experience on Maintenance repair and overhaul. Hands on experience on Gas turbine engine and Autocad 2007. Contact 00919739656833 Email: [email protected]

Male Accountant MBA, ICMAP (fi nalist) 6.5 years experience in fi nance, accounting, payroll, audit, administration, ERP,SAP,TALLY, seeking for good opportunity E-mail: [email protected] Faisal Saeed : 97268088

Part time Accountant / Internal Auditor computerized and Manual Accounts, Driving own car. Accounts up to fi nalization. Contact Kumar 96414305

EDUCATION

26 Years Indian female BA. B.Ed & MSW degree holder applying for Teaching & offi ce administra-tion post. Contact 94162888 Email [email protected]

Indian female, BSc B.ED, fresher looking for a teacher’s job for sec-ondary section from 5th to 8th for all subjects. # 97645135 / 93023379

Indian Female, having over 5 yrs of experience in Customer Care, Accounts & Administration, seeks suitable placement.#92801607

Indian male Accountant B.Com, 6 yrs exp in oman.prof.in tally erp9, sap seek suitable placement. #98455490 [email protected]

Indian male 25 yrs B Com Ac-countant having experienced of 3 years looking for a good placement Contact 97803996

Accountant, Indian, with Qatar ex-perience in Accounts, seeks suitable position in Muscat as an accounts Executive. Contact 94460349, E mail : [email protected]

14 Years exp Accountant Indian male. Contact 971506742791 UAE, 99337624 Oman

Indian male 28 Chartered Account-ant, looking for suitable placement in Finance and Audit department. Email [email protected] Contact 96357827

M.COM, ACMA (ICWA) 35yrs, 12 yrs exp (2 yrs in Oman with valid D/L) in fi nance, costing, budgeting & business plan, accounts fi naliza-tion, advanced excel presently at US MNC Chennai, India interested to relocate to Oman. Contact 91-9789900628 Email: [email protected]

Indian male Accountant B.Com 4 years exp in India prof in Tally ERP9 seeks suitable placement currently on visit visa. Contact 91377681

house Manager and Accountant, NOC available & can join immedi-ately seeks suitable placement. Contact 92203972

Chartered Accountant young Indian Female 26 years with good knowl-edge and experience in Finance, Ac-counts and Audit of large corporate available for immediate joining. Contact 99887464 Email [email protected]

Indian Male, MBA ( Finance) with 5 years experience as Senior Analyst at reputed company in India, Seeks job in Finance or Accounts. #91378950 Email [email protected]

Indian female 35 B.Com with 5 years experience & driving license, seeks suitable placement. Contact 95871492

Indian Driver required with 3 years experience with visa living in Ruwi area. Contact 96761960

Driver 6 years exp with car, have valid Oman driving license with AutoCAD knowledge. NOC available. Contact 95962384

Light Duty Driver more than 10 years experienced in Capital and interior areas of Oman well versed with every nook and corner of Oman looking for a placement. Knows Eng-lish, Hindi, Malayalam and Tamil can speak and understand Arabic. Contact 99771205

Offi ce Driver with car. #95615642

Indian male 24 yrs, looking for driver job, heavy duty 1year experi-ence in Oman. Contact 92473490Email [email protected]

47 years Indian Heavy Driver 16 years experience in Oman, looking for suitable placement. Contact 93842371 / 99389268

Light Driver. Contact 97020205

Experience driver, 4 years in Oman. Contact 92417566

Corolla 2013 with driver. #96772324

Light driver available, experience Graduate. Contact : 98987475

Experience Light duty Driver. Contact 95592452

Experience Light Duty Driver, 6 years in Oman. Contact 96246001

Heavy Duty Driver with Oman li-cense, now on visit visa in Oman, ex-perience 4 years Oman. #92775607

Light driver. Contact 95387829

Driver light duty. Contact 94263433

Srilankan Maid available, part time hard working, trustworthy good with Children & Animals, Cooking. Contact 98024739

Housemaid looking for part time job, good English experience. Contact 98024739

Housemaid looking for part-time/full time job. Contact 93889545

BSc Interior designer with 6 years in Mumbai and 2 years in Oman, seeking a suitable job for Site Co ordination. Contact +968 95796137

AutoCAD electrical draughts-man (2D) IND/M 5+years Gulf exp urgently looking for a job currently on visit visa. Contact 94459806 / 98192825

Autocad d/man, gulf exp, exp in Arch, interior, structural, 3D, PH : 96722150

AutoCAD Civil Draughtsman 2D/3D IND/male 2 years Gulf experience & having Oman D/L seeking suitable placement. Contact 99147961 Email: [email protected]

Electrical D/man, experienced, on visit visa. Contact :96516924

Looking for CAD Draftsman related jobs 6 years working experience in India. Also knowledge in Civil CAD Electrical CAD M/S Application Hardware and Networking Pro-gramming and Scripting and Web designing, looking for suitable job in Muscat. Contact +91 9835112958

AutoCAD MEP Draftsman IND/M, 10+ yrs Gulf exp presently working in Oman seeks immediate suitable placement having Omani D/L. Contact 97697861 / 95291403

3D Visualizers / designer having 2 D & 3 D experience in Oman, knowl-edge of interior & exterior, seeking for good place part time or fulltime, having Omani D/License. Contact 95268877

Web designer with experience in application design for Android and iOS platforms available for full time and part time employment. Email: [email protected]. Gsm: 96103465

AutoCAD 2D, 3D Technician 3 years exp with Oman driving license, NOC available. Contact 95962384

Indian female, 25yrs Bsc-FASHION DESIGNING, 3yers experiencein designing fi eld and teaching. looking for a sutable placement. Contact: 98785310. Email: [email protected]

Indian male B.Com 30 years 5 years experience in UAE, looking for Graphic designer job, visit visa. Contact 97166820

Chartered Accountant Young Indian female 25 years with Good knowl-edge and experience in Finance, Accounts and Audit of large corpo-rate, available for immediate joining. Contact 92530131/ 24785757 Email mufl [email protected]

Chartered Accountant, with B.Sc Accountancy (special) degree, more than seven years of experience, looking for a position in accounts, fi nance or auditing department. Contact 93957919

Male, Indian 26 yrs Accountant 4 yrs in Oman. Contact 95960600

Mumbai Born, male-24, PGPM + MBA (Finance) with one year experi-ence as a fi nancial analyst in India. seeks job in fi nance. Tel: 98711999 email: [email protected]

20 Yrs Exp Light Duty Driver. Contact 91210747

4 yrs Experienced Indian Driver looking for job as driver. #93079087

Driver with Car Pick & Drop. Contact 97581610

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D6 T U E S D AY, S E P T E M B E R 1 7, 2 0 1 3

DAILY GUIDE Tel. 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 431 / 456 / 461Fax: 24812624

Email: [email protected]

SITUATION WANTED

MEDICAL

TOURS & TRAVEL

SECRETARIAL & OFFICE

SKILLED / UNSKILLED

B.Sc Indian male 5.5 yrs exp Air-line /Travels, Diploma in Travels. Contact 97099386

Indian Male, PG in tourism, 23 years, seek suitable job in travel & tourism. Available for immediate joining .ph 92409102 ,[email protected]

SALES / MARKETING

SALES / MARKETING

PROJECTS

Looking for HSE Advisor job. Quali-fi cation NEBOSH IGC and OSHA education masters in Geosciences age 28 years. Contact 93835938

Indian Male 28 yrs Ms offi ce T. FAP knowledge, DTP, looking for entry level position (Offi ce Assistant). Contact 92648898 Email [email protected]

Indian Female 36 yrs, 15 yrs exp as Secretary/Accounts Document Con-troller, Seeking suitable placement. Contact 96761271

Pakistani Male on visit visa look-ing for job as any Helper/Offi ce Boy Contact:- 99002390

INFORMATION TECH.

INFORMATION TECH. MISCELLANEOUS

MISCELLANEOUS

MISCELLANEOUS

MANAGER/ SUPER

29,Indian, female, NEBOSH IGC, PG in Marketing, BSC & MSC Microbiol-ogy, 1.5 years experience, looking for suitable placement. Contact 95117139

LAND SERVEY, having 1 year exp. in Total Station, auto level, theodalite, on visit visa, 97249473

Indian Male, experience in Store/Operation//Logistic/Coordinator having good communication skills, seeking suitable change. Contact: 94355675

Indian (M) with 11 yrs exp. (7-India & 4-Dubai) in Sales & Offi ce support with Omani D/L need a job in Oman. Call 98267793

Indian female, 28, MBA looking for suitable placement. Contact 98435532

Female MBBS doctor with 3 years experience seeks suitable position in Muscat region. Contact 91218141

Commercial Manager (Contracts Specialist ) in Construction in Muscat till 30th September seeks placement 92829562 email: [email protected]

Indian total exp18 years with 10 years Gulf exp as a services center in charge in electronics & Gulf driv-ing License, seeks suitable place-ment in Oman. Contact 96527926

Purchaser/Procurement: Indian* *Male,10* years experience as Purchaser/Procurement Head in a construction comp. D/L. Contact No:92501871

Indian auto parts store keeper 16 years exp Oman in a multinational co now on visit visa seeks suitable placement. Contact 97146910

Business Development Manager with 6 yrs experience in Oil & Gas, Business development, Sales & Mar-keting with Oman D/L, seeks a suit-able placement. Contact 92961826 Email [email protected]

Manager/Super 12+ yrs experi-enced Purchase Manager with D/L & release , seeks placement .Contact 97073942.

Indian Male 42, B.Com Graduate, 19 years experience in AC,LCD, LED installation Manager seeking sales, service or Supervisor post, on visit visa. Contact 98044075 Mail [email protected]

Sales Manager having 15 years of experience in Retail manage-ment in Oman & Currently handling Electronics & home appliances, seeking suitable placement, Release available. Contact 93826379 Email [email protected]

A dynamic Sales & Mkt profes-sional with 9 years of experience currently situated in Muscat, look-ing for suitable position. Contact 95304232

Indian male 2 years exp in Oman, looking for job as Marketing Execu-tive in Van or mini truck. Contact 96148903

An Indian having rich Gulf experi-ence in Sales Marketing ( in House) Procurement Admin, seeking suitable placement at Senior level. Contact [email protected] / Contact 93689602

Indian male MBA 6 years experi-ence in IT Sales business develop-ment and training staff in telemar-keting and customer service in Oman on visit. Contact 91380575

Indian male MBA Sales & Market-ing, 7 years of experience holding Oman D/L, looking for a suitable position in the same. #95475833

Indian female, MBA( HR & Market-ing) B.Tech ( Electronics & Commu-nication) with experience. Contact 96963961

MBA, 30 Yrs, Indian Male with 7yrs of Marketing & Sales exp on visit visa. Contact 98823315

Indian male 25 yrs, Valid Oman driving license, 2 years experience, looking for suitable job. #98562921

India female, 26, MBA, experience in media marketing and market research, looking for suitable op-portunities in Communication/PR/Branding, Valid D/L. Contact details: [email protected]

Mechanical Engineer: Presently working in Muscat with valid Oman DL. Having 10 Years of experience in Technical Marketing, Project Sales & Execution. Looking for a suitable placement. Contact:96295282

27 years Indian male 8 years’ Indian market experience in the fi eld of Event Management, Sales & Customer Service, looking for a challenging opportunity in Muscat in relevant fi eld. Contact 96167803

Indian male 27 yrs having 6 years experience in Sales & Marketing including FMCG Products in Kerala, Fluent in English and Hindi, looking for immediate placement, currently in visiting visa. Contact 94041305 Email : [email protected]

24 years female with D/L, BBA + BSc in Business & Management, 3 yrs work experience, seeking suitable position in Marketing/HR or Offi ce co-ordination. Contact 92462238/98123236Email : [email protected]

Indian male MBA Sales & Market-ing, 7 years of experience holding Oman D/L, looking for a suitable position in the same. #95475833

Indian male 25 yrs MBA Mrkt BSc Biotech 4 yrs exp in Sales & Mrkt experience in Oman with valid Omani D/L, looking for a suitable position. # 94080049/ 95138285 Email [email protected]

Indian male 2 years exp in Sales, Have a valid Oman driving license, seeks suitable placement. #98613038

Marketing Manager 25 years expe-rience in Building materials in GCC/ Oman. Contact 94381598

Female European 31 yrs, Bach-elor of Accounts, 13 yrs of Exp. as Showroom/Front Offi ce Manager (Fashion Accessories/Jewellery)/Of-fi ce Secretary (Educational Consul-tancy). Can speak, write, and read English, Russian, Ukrainian, Polish, Hindi and Telugu. Seeking suitable Job, Contact: 93376354, Email: [email protected]

Indian male Graduate, 26, 3 yrs exp in handling purchase in a reputed company in Oman looking for suit-able placements. Phone: 95776353

Mechanical Engineer western educated 25 year old Male looking for suitable placement with valid Omani driving license. Email [email protected]

B-Tech Mechanical Fresh Engineer Indian male Presently in Oman, looking for suitable vacancy com-pleted PDMS course. Contact +968 96332565 / +968 95786556 Email: [email protected]

BE Mechanical Engineer, also completed advance diploma in Oil & Gas, seeking suitable job. Contact 93056016 Email: [email protected]

B.Tech Electronics and Instru-mentation Indian male with 2 year experience and valid Omani driving license, seeking suitable placement. Contact 95127955 Email [email protected]

Diploma-in- Civil Engineer, 4 years experience in Sultanate of Oman also having Omani driving license. GSM : +968 98899738, E-mail: hfi [email protected]

Purchase / procurement offi cer, Gulf exp, exp in MEP Products. Con-tact 93243846

Electrical Engineer, Indian, Female, with 10 years experience, 4 years in consultancy fi rms in UAE seeks suit-able job in Muscat. Mob: 91279796

B.Tech Mechanical Engineering with Diploma in CADD Fresher. Contact 92144704

Indian male B Tech Chemical Engi-neer, looking for suitable placement in Oman urgently. Email [email protected]/ [email protected]

Indian female B.Tech Mechanical Engineer, presently in Salalah (vis-it), looking for suitable placement in Salalah urgently . # 96613978 Email [email protected]

Land Surveyor 7 years experience 5 years in Oman know survey in-struments, handle AutoCAD for call 96531364 email : [email protected]

Sudanese Civil Project Engineer with 15years +5 in Oman seeks suit-able project works, consultant Offi ce supervisor, projects Omani D/L seeking suitable position. Contact 96302025 / 92123375

MEP Project Manager with 9 years of experience in EPC sector seeking for a suitable placement. Contact:92858543,24626827

B.Sc Engineer (Civil), 5 Yrs experi-ence with good construction skill, looking for suitable placement. Mobile: 93247929, Email: [email protected]

Indian Male 35 yrs, Instrumentation Engineer, DEI, NTC, NAC, ATI-EPI. 14 yrs of Instrumentation Exp. in the fi eld of Sales, Construction, Commis-sioning & Maintenance with Reputed Co’s in Oman, UAE, Qatar & India. Have Indian D/L, and Oman L/L. Seeking suitable Job, #93376354, Email: [email protected]

Indian Male, B.E. in Electrical & Electronics Engg with valid CCNA certifi cate and 6 yrs experience in BMS, project management & mainte-nance seeks suitable placement. Currently in India. Pls call Muscat contact No. 99639375

Indian Civil Project Engineer with 10+years Gulf exp, suitable for Project works/ QS works, Omani D/L, seeking a suitable position. Contact 93476959

Male, 29 years, B. Tech in Electrical Engg having more than 5 years of experience in Electrical project Execution also having a valid Omani D/L seeking a good placement.Contact: 95583947

B.Tech (Electronics and Biomedical Engineering) and MBA (Marketing and HR) with 1.5 years experience in marketing and media fi eld. Contact 96175799 Email: [email protected]

Service advisor, 5 years experience in Maruti Suzuki, Automobile Engi-neering. Contact-91038554, email: [email protected]

M.Sc Agriculture / Horticulture Su-danese Female looking for suitable job. Contact: 95498223

Mechanical Engineer Indian male having 10 years GCC experience in HVAC & MEP with valid Omani D/L, seeks suitable job in a reputed company. Contact 96093552

ENGG. / TECHNICAL

IT Professional, 32, Indian Male, Graduate, CCNA, MCSA, Sun Sola-ris SA1, 9years of exp. in Hardware Networking,Wintel/Linux/Unix Servers, Data Centre Administration & Service of Printers/MFP & Copier, Now on Visit Visa looking for the suitable post. #98327017 [email protected]

B.Tech Information Technology male with 1 year of Oman experi-ence currently working on SAP ERP, SQL server with one of the required company, looking for a suitable job. Contact 91057689, Email [email protected]

Indian male 26 yrs, Graduate with CCNA, CCNP, MCSE and MCITP, Ex-change server 2003 & 2013, 4.7 yrs experience in Networking, presently on visit visa. Contact 96157622

Indian male 33 years, with more than 10 years experience in hard-ware and networking specialization in network administration. Router confi gurations hands on experience in troubleshooting hardware net-works & software related problems looking for suitable placement now on visit. Contact 96206320

CCNA male 28 years with 4 years experience in system and network support, looking for job. #98479807

ITIL, OCP, CRISC certifi ed IT Professional with 20 yrs. exposure to Dubai & Oman markets having expertise in ERP, Cloud Computing, Virtualization, security, IT/Project Management, Citrix, Oracle etc. is looking for immediate placement. Contact: 95602424

Indian male 27 years old, Masters in Computer Applications with 4+ years experience, Key skills: Oracle Pl/sql and .net Seeking Suitable placement. Contact: [email protected]

IT Professional with 19 yrs. experi-ence having expertize in ERP, Virtu-alization, Cloud Computing, Oracle Programming, Citrix, Microsoft, Lync is looking for immediate place-ment. Contact: 95602424

Indian male 29 BSc. IT CCNA with 3 yrs experience, looking for a suit-able placement in Networking or IT service. Contact 98871199

Indian male, MBA (HR & IT), having 1.5 yrs. working experience as Asst: Mgr (HR & Admin), seeking for a suitable post. Contact 98031852 Email : [email protected]

Indian male, MCA, MBA-HR, B.Com with 9.5 yrs. Exp. looking for a suitable opportunity as IT Project Head & SAP HR Consultant (Multi tasking) presently come on visit visa in Oman, Contact GSM : +968 92801761 E-mail : [email protected]

Indian male, MCA, 8 yrs exp, JAVA, J2EE, Struts, AJAX, Oracle, SQL. Contact 93858967 Email [email protected]

10 Years of Technical presales ex-perience, Graduate from University of Huddersfi eld UK, previous expe-rience of working with ZTE, looking for job. Contact 91379396

IT professional Indian Male ME in CSE, 12 years IT experience (6 months in Oman, 3 years in Dubai, Emirates Airlines/Project management, Soft-ware development in Dot Net, Training , Technical & Customer Support, Mar-keting) looking for suitable post, for immediate placement. #92664161 or 98261787. Email: [email protected]

Indian female MCA ( Result Await-ing), seeking suitable placement in IT fi eld. Contact 99436069 Email ramanrami@rediff mail.com

Indian male 26 years MSC telecom (UK) B.Tech (EC) having 3 years experience in IT/Telecom seeks suitable placement. #95285710Email : [email protected]

Pharmacist female with 5 years experience and MOH license require suitable placement in Store, Clinic or Hospital in Capital area. # 92363840 / 92694895

Indian Doctor female MD (Anesthe-siology) with 3years post MBBS ex-perience seeks suitable placement. Contact 96243418

Arabic Dentist with MOH License looking for suitable Placement, contact 91138009

Male Nurse with MOH license and ACLS seeks placement. Contact 93262628 Email: [email protected]

Female Staff Nurse having MOH license, looking for job. #93028381

Indian female 23, M.SC Bio Chem-istry with experience in teaching and clinical lab work looking suit-able placement in teaching/ labora-tory technologist/ chemist. Email: [email protected], contact 97200435

M.Sc Biotechnology Clinical Research Clinical Data manage-ment IPR 4 Years experience. Contact 92136290 Email [email protected]

Female physiotherapist with MOH Looking for suitable job. Contact 99545952,98147312

Indian female nurse with MOH license seeks suitable placement. Contact 94499120

Male Nurse Indian 26 years with 3 years experience & MOH license, ACLS, BLS & ITLS, seeking job. Con-tact +91007965, 99470508 Email: [email protected]

Indian male Nurse with MOH License, 1 year experience from Oman as company Nurse is Looking for a job, now on visit visa. Contact 93645954

Indian Female staff Nurse, 27, holder of MOH license( currently in Oman on visit visa), Looking for suitable placement. #95720390

Indian male with GCC experience in Sales, Admin & Store, seeking suit-able placement. Contact 92893273

Young Male Graduate BA Hons (Marketing)- United Kingdom with 2 years experience & driving licence seeks suitable placement in Busi-ness development/Brand manage-ment/Logistics. call – 96402727

Male 28,B.Com, Having over 7 years of experience in Sales & Market-ing, valid D/L, seeking for a suitable position.Contact:96662739 or [email protected]

Male 36 Years 6 years experi-ence in Oman as Sales Executive, Home appliances fi eld with Driving License. Good Command in Arabic. Contact 94378787

Indian Counter Salesman experi-ence, Omani D/L. Contact 97438780

MBA, Indian male (30 yrs), 6.5 years experience in Sales / Market-ing / Admin with Omani D/L, seek-ing for suitable placement. Contact 95480402 Email [email protected]

MBA in Marketing & Finance with 2 years work experience in Oman, with valid driving license and good communication skills, Seeks suit-able placement. Contact 91181288 / Email [email protected]

Indian male B Tech MBA with 4 years of marketing/sales experience on visit visa seeking suitable place-ment Ph 96010724

Indian male 27, 3 years experience in Sales & Marketing in Australia on visit, seeking suitable placement. Contact 93717152 Email [email protected]

Indian male 24 MBA 2 yrs exp in Marketing on visiting visa. Contact 97138676 Email [email protected]

Outdoor Salesman with 10 years Oman experience with valid driving license. Contact 93600795

Indian male MBA marketing / fi nance with 4 yrs of exp in sale & marketing looking suitable place-ment in sales/ marketing/ sales coordination/ customer care/ retail/ admin jobs. #98443722 / 92409198

Sudanese B.Sc Computer Engineer with 6 years experience, looking for Marketing, Sales, IT Jobs. Contact 97099676

Indian Male 30 having 5 yrs experi-ence in Marketing having valid Oman driving license, Looking for a suitable position. Contact 93047608

29 Male MBA Marketing with 5 years experience in GCC. Holding valid Oman D/L, Seeking for suitable placement. Contact 97268004

Indian male age 25 MBA from England, 2 yrs exp in Marketing and Sales with valid Oman D/L, Looking for suitable placement. # 97267753

B.Tech E & I, 8+ yrs experience Sales, Marketing Procurement, etc, currently working in Oman valid D/L, looking for suitable placement. Contact 97233074 / 95140207

Indian male B.Com 33 years having 7 years experience in Sales Coor-dination, Offi ce Administration and warehousing in Oman in the fi eld of Furniture, EHA, IT Products. Contact 92786255

Indian male 6 yrs experience in Oman Sales fi eld, having valid Oma-ni Driving license, seeking suitable placement. Contact 92868522

15 yrs exp Purchase, Sales, Store & Admin, fl uent English, Arabic, know computers, Omani D/L. Contact 99717061

Indian male 10 years experience in Sales with valid Oman driving license seeking for suitable replace-ment. Contact 98481925

MBA( MKTG)6 yrs exp Sales & Mktg valid OM D/L, Ind Male 30yrs currently working as an AQT man-ager. Contact 97757866

Indian male MBA (Sales & Market-ing) 10+ yrs exp in Sales & Market-ing, Purchase exp in Oman & Saudi with valid D/L, seeking suitable placement. Contact 95173538

Indian male 33, 12 years exp in marketing, D/L, excellent in Arabic. Contact 94243250

Indian male 37 yrs, having 6 yrs exp. in purchasing with D/L seeking suitable placement. #99345732

BUSINESS

Indian Male with 8 yrs exp in Marketing, Branding, Business Development & Sales. Seeking job opportunities in Muscat. Currently on Visit Visa till 19th October , join-ing immediate. 99502772

ACCA tution for level 1 and 2 or related bachelors or master courses, gain eff ective training to pass, pleas send your requirements and subjects through email. Contact Ab-dullah-97654769,Email id:[email protected]

Indian male, experience in Store/Operation//Logistic/Coordinator having good communication skills, seeking suitable change. Contact: 94355675

Indian Male experience 26 yrs in sales co-ordination, marketing & logistics, import export, purchase seeks suitable posting having D/L. Contact : 97129061

Indian Female MBA with 3 yrs of experience in the fi eld of Busi-ness Development, HR and offi ce administration on family visa seeks immediate placement. # 99179709

Male,25,ACCA fi nalist with driving license, seeking for permanent visa,1 year accounting and 2 month audit experience in audit fi rm, expected salary is 300 plus, expecting audit job only. G.S.M. No. 97654769, id:[email protected]

Indian male, Having 3years experi-ence for furniture Sales in Oman and 5 years experience for electronics and Home appliances Sales in India with Valid Oman Driving License. GSM 96148228 ,kmfi [email protected]

MEP Supervisor exp 15 years, HT, LT (exper.) with D/L, dp mainte-nance. Contact 96297274

Project Engineer B.Sc (Civil) 7 years experience, looking for suit-able placement. Contact 94422489 Email [email protected]

Indian male 24, B.Tech Electrical. #94460751 Email: [email protected]

Indian female, B-Tech Civil Engg, 3 years (6 months in Oman) experi-ence in QS, Estimation, Cost control & planning, seeks suitable job. Contact 92047375 Email [email protected]

Indian female, B.Tech, 5 yrs of exp, JAVA, J2EE, AJAX, Struts, Oracle, SQL. Contact 96200984 Email [email protected]

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TOURS

TOURS

SITUATION WANTEDCARGO

Dolphin Watch, Dhow Cruise with Buffet, & Land Tours Al Ainain Marine Tours- Contact: 98029602, 92808636

RENT A CAR

WEBSITE

WEB, ERP and Business Intelli-gence (BI) creation and management at rock bottom price. Contact: http//webviewoman

CLASSES

Morning Star Rent A car. Contact 94475478 / 24478505/ 24478589

COMPUTER

We arrange Tours to Jabel Alakhdar / Shames wahiba Sands. Contact 99839898

Learn Drawing & painting for chil-dren. (MBD area Ruwi) Contact 99737812

DAILY GUIDET U E S D AY, S E P T E M B E R 1 7, 2 0 1 3 D7

Learn Baking Cakes & Icing Deco-ration, sugarcraft, creative water falls & Handicraft classes. Contact 96761960

BUSINESS

CANADIAN company .for immi-gration & manpower is looking for a partner in Oman with license !For contact [email protected]

Looking for Omani partner for business development services. Contact 93194825 Email: [email protected]

MANPOWER

Manpower supply maintenance & civil work contracting. Contact 98425389

Housemaid, male / female cleaner, driver, light and heavy gulf valid D/L, house boy, & skilled and unskilled categories, form Srilanka, India. Contact Mr jerry 95175192Email: [email protected]

Page 44: T17 09 2013

D8 T U E S D AY, S E P T E M B E R 1 7, 2 0 1 3

DAILY GUIDE

SERVICES

SERVICES

SERVICES

Accounting and audit services project feasibility study. Contact97133729 Email: [email protected]

Building maintenance, electrical, plumbing, painting, cleaning, false ceiling, compound wall, interlock, lift maintenance etc. Contact 95885106 / 95829331

Electrical plumbing, Tiles interlock water proofi ng maintenance & contract RIZWAN 99429071 / 91162345

Electrical Plumbing Painting Contract and Maintenance. Contact #98456535

1. A/C, Fridge & Washing Machine servicing & Repairing, 2. Painting , Plumbing, Electrical & Carpen-try Works. Contact 97014234 / 24504281

Split & Window A/C, Servicing. Contact 99380307

Water proofi ng ABUQABAS-Contact 99320217/24788722

Carpet, sofa- cleaning, glue remov-ing, shampooing, house cleaning, polishing & painting etc. Contact – 99542979 / 98855815

MARBLE CRYSTALLIZATION restore the original shine of your marble.# 24793614/ 99314807

Split & Window AC Servicing & repairing. Contact 99557080

Split & Window A.C Servicing & repairing. Contact 99380307

Marble polishing & crystalliza-tion building cleaning fl oor, fl oor polishing, carpet, sofa shampooing, pest control, anti termite, shifting, maintenance. Contact 99504275

Civil Maintenance, painting, Electrical land scaping. # 96465032

GUARANTEED CLEANING: Carpet & sofa shampooing, Contact 99314807/24792998

Door to Door Computers repair specialist laptop software Website cartridges.Contact 99199376

Split A/C window cassette type standing unit installation, mainte-nance servicing. Contact 97145652 / 99540621

House shifting, packing and Transportation. Contact 99657644 / 98518013

Carpet, sofa- cleaning, glue remov-ing, shampooing, house cleaning, polishing & painting etc. Contact – 99542979 / 98855815

Building maintenance, electrical, plumbing, painting cleaning, false ceiling, compound wall, interlock. Etc. Contact: 9408676

Carpet Shampoo, marble & tile polishing, pest control & anti-termite treatment, general cleaning painting, Plumbing, Electrical, shifting. Contact Mundhir Al-Rizaiqi trading. L.L.C. Contact 24810137, 99450130

Electrical Works, Maintenance, Building Gas Pipelines, Fire Alarm & Security systems. Contact Amjad Majees Trading & Contracting: 99467936

Dish Antenna Sales & Service, Dish TV, Tata Sky showtime & all other kind of satellite installa-tion renewals. Contact 95779616

A/ C maintenance, servicing & installation. Split A/C Servicing RO 10.000 Only. #94217681 / 99210141

Marble Restoration, Mosaic tiles polishing, carpet shampooing, maintenance. Contact ABU QABAS- 99320217 /24788722

Painting / building construction & maintenance. Contact 99057348

House shifting and transporting. Contact 92490422

A/C service RO7/- , repairing & installation, painting, building all maintenance. Contact 95563858 / 99326786

Cleaning Service, Carpet & Sofa Shampooing Marble grinding & Tile polishing, pest control.Contact 99448057 / 95401996

Pest control water proof. Contact 99067923

GULF INTERNATIONAL LLC all kind of pest control. Contact 92326955

SPLIT / WINDOW A/C servicing 5/10 RO. Contact 95084850