SOCIETY Feb 2020

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HOW ONE DRESS INSPIRED AN ARTIST TO CREATE A WORLD OF POSSIBILITIES

February 2020

EDUCATION: THE IMPORTANCE OF CHOICE

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FROM THE EDITOR

Celebrate all kinds of love

W

e’re all familiar with the complaint that Valentine’s Day has taken on too much of a material focus. And looking at it objectively, it’s pretty silly to assume that our feelings can be sized up in a dozen roses or a fleet of pink balloons. Yet, cards and chocolates aside, this heart-filled holiday is, for many people, an excuse to take time to express their loving feelings for their partner. A lot of couples seize the opportunity to table their respective issues and really appreciate the person they’re with. Research demonstrates that gratitude helps couples by prompting a cycle of generosity. It’s an occasion to exercise patience, humour, passion and kindness. However, Valentine’s Day needn’t only celebrate romantic love: people should take the opportunity to celebrate all kinds of love.

Romantic relationships are not the end-all-be-all of happiness: friendships result in high levels of intimacy, companionship, stability and trust according to “The Development of Romantic Relationships in Adolescence” by Candice Feiring. Indeed, the love and stability that friends afford each other deserves to be celebrated as much as the love and stability afforded to significant others, and Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to show that appreciation, as the holiday is a celebration of love. Moreover, expanding the holiday to include more than romantic relationships would lessen the romanticizing of romantic relationships and thus put less pressure on those in unhealthy relationships to remain in that relationship.

Younger generations already expand Valentine’s Day beyond its previous romantic symbolism. According to a survey conducted by Edible Arrangements, many people already celebrate Valentine’s Day beyond romantic relationships. 45 percent of respondents gave gifts to parents and extended family, and 62 percent gave gifts to their children.

Furthermore, 57 percent of generation Y – defined as being between ages 18 and 34 — consider the holiday less romantic than previous generations, a third of whom calling it “all-inclusive,” meaning that they celebrate with friends and family. To sum up, Valentine’s Day celebrates love, and celebrations are better when more people can join the festivities. So make Valentine’s Day better and more inclusive by including friends, family and other loved ones in the holiday. We love more people than our significant others, and everyone we love is as worthy of celebration as our partners.

Happy reading!

Make this V-Day your day Here are a few ideas that can bring you closer to your partner without breaking the bank or getting duped into someone else’s idea of what the holiday should be about.

P.28

Dress, dazzle and dominate Gone are the days when coveted styling was meant only for sample sizes. The chicest trends can be worn by anyone.

P.31

Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome: Everything you should know One of the main causes of many health conditions including infertility among women is PCOS. But what is PCOS?

Amjad Vanimal Editor

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amjad.m@gulf-times.com

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ISSUE 89 FEBRUARY 2020

Society • ISSUE 89 • February 2020

Advtg. & Mktg. Manager Hassan Ali Anwari

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HOW ONE DRESS INSPIRED AN ARTIST TO CREATE A WORLD OF POSSIBILITIES

February 2020

EDUCATION: THE IMPORTANCE OF CHOICE

GOURMET: MEDITERRANEAN MAGIC

Design & Layout Majeed Nadapuram

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Editor Amjad Vanimal Copy Editors Rajith R Shemna Bijith Steve Joseph Advertising Marketing Team

Contributing Writers

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CONTENTS HEALTHCARE

February 2020

GOURMET:

One of the main causes of many health conditions including infertility among women is PCOS. But what is PCOS?

52

32

The Mediterranean fare at OPEN restaurant at the Double Tree by Hilton, Al Sadd whips up flavours that you’re sure to remember for long.

58

40

EDUCATION:

Whilst many schools will have international staff, and an international curriculum, few can offer truly meaningful partnerships and a true choice of pathways to enter top Universities.

FLAIR

FREQUENT Photo of the issue

TRAVEL

Steeped in history and home to wellpreserved medieval architecture, Girona is perfect destination for a short break.

FOCUS

Healthcare

One of the main causes of many health conditions including infertility among women is PCOS. But what is PCOS? P.32

Education

Whilst many schools will have international staff, and an international curriculum, few can offer truly meaningful partnerships and a true choice of pathways to enter top Universities. P.40

Style P.44 Trends

Valentine’s Day is around the corner and nothing says “I love you” quite like a nice shiny piece of jewelry. Here are a few of our top picks P.50 Captured by Shijil Ainikkal

P.12

Gourmet

The Mediterranean fare at OPEN restaurant at the Double Tree by Hilton, Al Sadd whips up flavours that you’re sure to remember for long. P.52

Travel

Steeped in history and home to well-preserved medieval architecture, Girona is perfect destination for a short break. P.58

Next >>

CONTENTS Here are a few ideas that can bring you closer to your partner without breaking the bank or getting duped into someone else’s idea of what the holiday should be about

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36

Motivation

Cover story

Effective communication is a key interpersonal skill and learning how to improve your communication has many benefits. Read on and find out more

Spotlight

Spotlight Luigi Ballarin not only engages realism and abstraction in a conversation, but he makes peace with themes, subjects and colours that are mostly found in utterly contrasting spaces.

FOCUS

February 2020

18

Kane-Murrell doesn’t remember the name of the painting or the artist, but she has never forgotten the way a piece of art moved her to act

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Spotlight ‘I FEEL BLESSED TO HAVE THE LIBERTY TO PRODUCE WHAT I FEEL INSIDE’: Luigi Ballarin not only engages realism and abstraction in a conversation, but he makes peace with themes, subjects and colours that are mostly found in utterly contrasting spaces. P.14 HOW ONE DRESS INSPIRED AN ARTIST TO CREATE A WORLD OF POSSIBILITIES: Kane-Murrell doesn’t remember the name of the painting or the artist, but she has never forgotten the way a piece of art moved her to act P.18 AN IMPETUOUS PHOTOGRAPHER: Despite the challenges he faces day-to-day, Qatar-based photographer Bosco Menezes revels his craft and put it’s to better use for the cause he believes in – social upliftment of people with special needs P.22

Cover story:

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MAKE THIS V-DAY YOUR DAY: Here are a few ideas that can bring you closer to your partner without breaking the bank or getting duped into someone else’s idea of what the holiday should be about P.28

Read Society Magazine Online DRESS, DAZZLE AND DOMINATE: Gone are the days when coveted styling was meant only for sample sizes.

The chicest trends can be worn by anyone. P.31

Motivation :

Effective communication is a key interpersonal skill and learning how to improve your communication has many benefits. Read on and find out more P.36

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Captured by Shijil Ainikkal

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‘I FEEL BLESSED TO HAVE THE LIBERTY TO PRODUCE WHAT I FEEL INSIDE’ REVIEW: ‘Magnificent Cultures’ – Luigi Ballarin’s solo debut in Qatar

Luigi Ballarin not only engages realism and abstraction in a conversation, but he makes peace with themes, subjects and colours that are mostly found in utterly contrasting spaces By

L

uigi Ballarin is a contemporary visual artist who explores and works with Islamic Philosophy, Islamic Aesthetics, Ottoman Heritage and Sociology. He has had few international solo shows and his works have previously been exhibited in a number of art galleries in London, Rome, Venice, Istanbul, and now in Qatar. Having his pieces being a private collections, Luigi Ballarin produces high volume of work, which showcases experimental contemporary art produced in Islamic artistic fashion, fostering cultural understanding and social dialogue between ancient and

current, East and West, crescent and sun.

Luigi Ballarin not only engages realism and abstraction in a conversation, but he makes peace with themes, subjects and colours that are mostly found in utterly contrasting spaces.

Luigi was destined to become a peacemaker of contrasting concepts.

Graduated in linguistics, he had managed to build a successful career in tourism, which however, wasn’t meant to last for life. Born and raised in scenic Venice, from an early age he felt in love with art, while he was exposed to a vast ethnic

Gabriella B. / Photos by Jayan Orma

diversity pouring in crowds of thousands into his home city, annually. As a result of a magical gift from a relative, Luigi took his first imaginary voyage far away from the Venetian Renaissance palaces. It was a pivotal moment in his life. For Anatolia, Asia Minor and Northern Africa, called his heart, at once. His stimulated imagination engaged in envisioning those lands, and led him to the mastering of a new, highly expressive, and universal communication craft – artistry. Of his remarkable evolutionary growth, ‘Magnificent Cultures’ artworks speak, each with its own special “timber”.

Luigi Ballarin, artist, (left) with Beste Gursu, curator.

14 Society

and explore the Middle East and North Africa. Drawing was a hobby during my childhood, and so was my love for the Islamic world conceived around my infancy. Both were simply destined to get hand-in-hand as a result of a not-sosimple spiritual journey.

Q Today, you are privileged to reside and produce art between few of the most iconic cities in the world, and raging European art centres, Venice, Rome and Istanbul, yet the artist within you finds the Middle East being that “somewhere else” whereupon springs up inspiration, fascination and perhaps a comforting feeling of souldom.

Was becoming a migratory artist associated with Islamic art a decision that took a lot of consideration?

Excerpts: Q Hello, Luigi and welcome to Society Magazine. Surprising enough is to witness a Venetian artist producing intricately detailed Islamic art, not to mention that you are, in fact, a self-taught artist with almost a fairy-tale personal story that got you into this “messy” labour. A handful of golden sand from the dessert, given to you by a cousin, unleashed your creative energy and affection for the Islamic art in a way that has determined your future life and work. Please tell us a little bit more about young Luigi’s dreams. Did he come from a family with long-standing relationship with art? And when did his introductory encounter with Islam and the Islamic world take place?

A No, not at all. I have always felt deeply connected to these lands. Till this day, after numerous visits to the Middle East, I would still feel as thrilled as I had been on my very first trip, and simultaneously with that sense of assurance, one would feel only upon returning home. The colour, tranquillity, sense, touch and smell all bring me an experience of being alive. With the deep looked back. For twenty years, I have built sense of connection, “Finally!” I would a platform that allows me to be creatively exclaim to myself, whenever I return to active, to paint and travel full-time. the Middle East. The places I have stayed in for a period of time have all become My first memories of interaction with the home to me, and an integral part of my outside world are from England, where visual thinking, either psychologically or my parents would send me to spend the physically. I develop attachment easily. It summer holidays. During those, I had happened with Istanbul. I stood before its have the opportunity to meet Muslim majestic landscapes and knew instantly, people - it was around the time when I would soon return. It’s happening with many Lebanese people flee their country Doha as well; it’s already calling me Luigi Ballarin, artist, (left) with due to the war. On account of those, I back. Subsequently, my artistry evolves Beste Gursu, curator. grew ever more fascinated with this heavily around the enrolment towards fantasy land, and so in my adolescent, I apprehending the unique nature of these began to grab any opportunity to travel lands, their culture and inhabitants.

A First of all, I would like to thank you and Society Magazine for the interest in my work.

I am a self-made artist. I was taken on a very different career path due to my linguistic studies. I guess, though, I always had a passion for a form of common language that allows to befriend the stranger, transform the unknown or less known into comfort, or even, for that matter to make home outside home, as reflected by both my life and work today.

I left the tourism industry about twenty years ago, when I felt ready to devote myself to what I enjoy most, and I never

‘Domes’-mixed technic on canvas.

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‘Lightening & Strom’

Q Your muses need no introduction, for your artistic production, not only being a reflection of your inner emotions, but also a revival of a sophisticated and excellently executed hand-painted replica of the greatest glories of the golden age of the Islamic art, speaks profoundly of your abilities, and sense of belonging, which, indeed, only an “outsider” to Islam would have been able to create with similar attention, appreciation in such a grandeur fashion. Also, with a rich cultural substratum and an evident presence of talent it could be easily presumed that generating an art with a far-reaching effect has been a breezy venture to you, but it is not, when we talk religious sphere so complex, philosophical, and advanced such as Islam. What did the collection of this incredible knowledge base about Islamic art, and building the confidence of your artistic manner, demonstrated in ‘Magnificent Cultures’ - ultimate in colour and powerful in narrative, take?

A My beginnings into art were very different to what you witness today, a lot less preoccupied with landscapes. The art I produced then was somewhat tribal,

‘Colourful Gardens’ 16 Society

spontaneous. It took many years of hardwork, commitment and research to create the kind of dialogue I have today with my spectators. I have closely studied Islam, though, access to books was very limited back then. My interest, of course, matured during my travels. I would truly treasure every piece of literature, and optimize every trip to the Middle East in grasping information and developing my painterly vocabulary.

My appreciation to Islam is also deeply rooted in me, so embracing the challenges and focusing on the joy and selfsatisfaction during this journey has been accomplished with ease. I can be seen in the mosque, as well as in the church. The feeling that strikes inside me is more or less the same. It is a wonderful connection that I feel.

To me, Islam is the religion, which had has the credentials, the principles and moral pillars to somehow protect and preserve traditions, values, and move with people ahead of times. In today’s world where everything seem to be falling apart if not forever lost, Islamic countries are not only

standing strong, but experiencing growth, progress, and flourishment. Excellent example is their architecture, art and culture, behaviours, hospitality, and the attire of the local people.

Continuing to evolve is the prime force behind my dynamic creative energy. It’s all about what new and more I can bring to the table through self-development.

As ‘Magnificent Cultures’, consisting of carpets, tiles, ceramics, the holy Mecca, horses and more, showcases that being versatile and multi-disciplined is a must in the current contemporary world. To me it is essential to continue evolving through experimentation and risk-taking.

Q An eminent curator and passionate artisan, Beste Gürsu has opted for a gallery, which has the indispensable credentials to enhance and emphasise the magnificence of these opulent artworks, conceptually interconnected by a central idea, and yet grouped into several distinct subsections, each introducing an individual set of objects, ornaments, colours and symbolism. Around the Islamic pointed star geometrical configurations, iconographic symbols brought from historical contexts and Ottoman ornaments, the natural sunlight blazing in through the glass ceiling of Building 18 wraps a hue of mysticism, adding an extra value to the viewers’ experience. Speaking of your excessively intriguing technique, it could be suggested that the multiple layers of bold colours make the Islamic motifs vividly pop out, permitting the creation of glazes, which in turn, adds to the surface an authentic sense of ceramic.

Please tell us more about your bravery in mixing patterns, contrasting nuances and concepts.

A Colours vary according to my emotional state. I tend to use darker colours when going through a difficult period in my life. But what really matters is the emotion that gets transmitted onto the viewer. Coming from an honest place, always creates emotionally powerful paintings, which remain greatly appreciated in the course of time.

I have experienced this around the period when my mother was very unwell, I produced a work featuring small human figures made out of painted dots. It was subconsciously charged with emotion that drove response in almost every viewer. Emotions are pure.

Aesthetics are not my priority, I would be greatly rewarded if the viewer sees my soul in my artworks. Every work has a sentimental attachment to me.

Every piece of art belongs to a different phase of my spiritual journey. A memory of each’s production stays with you forever. ‘Domes’, for instance are inspired by the panoramic Istanbul’s skyline that takes my breath away every time I cross the Galata bridge on my way from the airport. Particularly pleased I am with the way ‘Colourful Garden’ happened to be displayed here in Katara. The spacious venue allowed me to create a whole marvellous wall of tiles, which I am very happy about. Ottoman tiles give me a great deal of energy. I cannot compare them with anything, we have in Europe.

Moreover the vivacious nuances that are widely associated with Ottoman tiles identify the spirit of the Arabs. I know them as highly-spirited, balanced and happy people.

Q Alexander the Great’s legendary horse Bucephalus or Marengo, the famous Arabian horse, with whom Napoleon won the illustrious battle of Austerlitz in 1805, strictly my eyes witness, galloping across the central wall at the gallery Building 18.

They all are depicted in action, hardly at rest, and mostly covered in the manyfaced aesthetic pleasures that Islamic art has to offer. The choice of horse, as an art subject could have potentially raised some iconophobic concerns in the Islamic world, however you have successfully dealt with the matter by executing your artworks in a manner that demonstrates in-depth

apprehension, mindfulness and tolerance towards Islam and Islamic values. Your in-depth study of Islamic art is reflected by your strong artistic ethics. The recognizable shape of the animals is filled up with ornamented patches of texture, which create rather a fantastic image of a horse. It all, above a colourful frieze located on the bottom of the canvas – another strategic element inspired by the traditions of Ottoman ceramic art and tiles – wild horses dressed in opulent chadors pose gloriously for the spectators, gets me wonder what brought the horses on?

A Horses are novelty in my work. They were created specifically for ‘Magnificent Cultures’ in honour to Qatar, and the immense pride the country takes in this animal. Arabian horses have been highly regarded across the whole of Eurasia throughout the history, found in service to the commoner and in friendship with nobles and monarchs, hence I felt like a special tribute to them and their role in the local culture is due to be paid. By the selection of this subject, and connecting its long-standing history in the classic artworks - horses were featured on the friezes of ancient Greece, adorn the walls of Egypt’s pharaohs, and the cave paintings of prehistoric man in Europe all the way to the Middle ages and the climax of the equestrian art, for their physical strength, loyalty and grace - I also feel enabled to most accurately portray my impressions of the unique grace, and ever-growing importance of the capital Doha, and Qatar as a country on the contemporary world map.

Q Symbolically powerful is the attentioncatcher ‘Continuation’, the artwork, I felt instant connection with. A successful metaphor of infinity, metamorphosis and a constant evolution, historically speaking, this artwork strikes chiefly with its illusory motion effect and colour palette. While you attempt to showcase a reflection of your personal impressions of the holy city of Mecca, I am being transported to pre 10th - century Istanbul, or Constantinople at the time, the capital of the Eastern Roman empire. My notice chomps on its resemblance with Byzantium mosaic.

Centrally-applied maroon, white and golden colours merges into shades of blue, so subsequently not only the title regains gravity, but the notion of “bridging art”, which your artistry is frequently referred to.

Do you hope for the viewer to apprehend your ideas or personal interpretation is what you encourage them to undertake?

And how much do you focus on painting commercially successful subjects?

A It is not my preference to explain my work. I would like to think that my artworks are the protagonist, not me, and so remaining behind the scenes is what I would do by choice. Due to the semi 3-dimensional appearance of my artworks, people often feel tempted to have a touch. Unlike many fellow artists, I enjoy that. It can only make me happy that people initiate a physical connection with my work. We all know that nice things are to be touched. Artworks can be repaired and fixed, I rather have visitors experiencing my work freely, emotionally and fully.

I feel blessed for having the liberty to produce what I feel inside. I wouldn’t say that I feel commercial pressure. Of course, producing art is costly, however there are many ways in which one can be smart about the not-so-pleasant logistics.

As long as one remains within their reach in relation to format, one doesn’t have to compromise with their subjects.

I choose to be smart about the scale of my exhibitions, and the size of my canvases, rather than having to obey any kind of commercial doctrines intended to advocate my creative process. Don’t be excessively ambitious, bite less to progress in your own terms.

Q What does the future hold for you, and how do you best prepare for it?

A My art work is preoccupied with selfexpression, therefore it is very important for me and the quality of my work to take occasional breaks. Preparatory process for an exhibition, including the research, collection and experimentation, can be a very exhausting process. It seems all very busy up until June for me, however.

Foremost, I am working on a double exhibition in Venice. Followed by a joined presentation of my work and a book release in Jordan during the week of the Italian language, in October, which I am very much looking forward to. And a second exhibition in Doha, Inshallah!

Gabriella B. is a British journalist in Qatar. She has a great passion for charity and for fun she likes to read printed history books.

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FOCUS

spotlight

How one dress

inspired an

ARTIST to create a world of possibilities

18 Society

Kane-Murrell doesn’t remember the name of the painting or the artist, but she has never forgotten the way a piece of art moved her to act By

Karla Peterson

www.society.qa 19

T

he first time artist Kathleen Kane-Murrell went to a museum, she got in trouble. She was 16 or 17 years old and not well-versed in museum etiquette, so when she saw a painting on the wall of the San Diego Museum of Art that moved her, she felt compelled to reach out and touch it.

they feel the images are approachable,” Kane-Murrell said during an interview at Sophie’s Kensington Gallery, where her new one-woman show is on exhibit. “I really don’t care if people know what they’re about. I just hope the paintings bring up memories of their own life experiences and speak to them about being human.”

the dress in “Memory” could be bubbles of sparkling water. They could also be chains. The words “wishing, waiting, wanting” scrolling in the background could be the hopes of a girl heading for the prom.

They could be the internal monologue of someone wondering when their life is going to start.

Oops. “I just went right up and put my hand on it,” Kane-Murrell said. “And this sweet old docent came up to me and said, ‘Oh my dear, you can’t touch that.’ I had never been to a museum before, and I didn’t have any guidance. I just didn’t know.”

The show is called “Addressing Her Story,” and it is all about exploring one dress and a whole bunch of feelings. Its 16 paintings offer 16 variations on the same elegant dress. And with each dress comes a story.

Or multiple stories, if the artist has her way.

“The contour of the dress really speaks to me. It’s something I can use to express what I want to express about memory, place and experience,” the 66-year-old Bay Park artist said.

Kane-Murrell doesn’t remember the name of the painting or the artist, but she has never forgotten the way this piece of art moved her to act. A few decades later, it inspired her to create paintings that help viewers get in touch with themselves.

The deep-blue dress featured in “Into the Woods” has graffiti-like scribbles at its hem and ominous animal-like scratches on the bodice. Maybe they are a reference to the sexual harassment she faced as a young woman working in the retail industry.

Maybe you will see something else. The pink, gold and orange pattern covering

“I hope when people come here that 20 Society

“I think a lot of women have a special relationship to clothing, but we tend to act like it isn’t important. To me, this image feels like it has strength. When you see that form, you know it’s a woman. Deciding to use this as a template for paintings was a real ‘Aha!’ moment. I thought, ‘I can do this.

This image works.’ ” When she was growing up, Kane-Mur-

rell did not think art was something she could do. As the second-oldest of six children growing up in a blue-collar family, Kane-Murrell said the big messages she got from her parents were (1) Don’t get pregnant; and (2) Plan on supporting yourself. With the idea of making art so far off the table it wasn’t even in the room, Kane-Murrell expressed herself by sewing her own clothes. And when she went to San Diego State, she majored in marketing.

That project turned into Fine Artists, an art-education program that trains adult volunteer docents to teach Kane-Murrell’s curriculum in elementary schools.

Kane-Murrell has since been an “Outstanding Educator” by the San Diego County Office of Education, and her students’ works have appeared in many local art shows, including the San Diego Museum of Art’s Young Art Show.

One of those works is “She Swims Ahead,” a shimmering blue dress shot through with the gold and orange flashes of koi fish, including one that looks ready to swim right off the canvas. The painting is a tribute to the famous pond at the Nanzenji temple in Kyoto. It is also a gift from the artist Kane-Murrell is now to the art-loving girl she used to be. The one who couldn’t keep her passions to herself.

After graduating in 1976, Kane-Murrell worked for the Gap and then for a local retail company. It was at the latter job that she had a #MeToo sexual-harassment moment that caused her to pack up her desk and leave. She remembers feeling worthless for a long time. After that, she dedicated herself to starting and raising a family with her husband, Tom. They had two boys, and when the boys went to school, Kane-Murrell offered to help amp up the art program.

And while she was teaching Kane-Murrell was also learning. She studied with Heather Pieters at the San Diego Museum of Art and with the late Reed Cardwell, who encouraged her to do work that explored the human condition. She had her first group show in 2007. Many group and solo shows followed, including “Prom Dress: Seventeen on Being 17” at the William D. Cannon Art Gallery in Carlsbad, the 2018 group show the inspired the works that appear in “Addressing Her Story.”

“For me, this painting captures the moment where I looked down and saw this one fish leading all of the other fish. She was way out in front, and when I looked at her, I was just sure it was a girl,” Kane-Murrell said.

“This is what art means to me. It is not about getting into shows. It’s about making a painting and having that pure joy of loving how the paint looks on the canvas.

That feeling of saying, ‘Oh my gosh, this is amazing.’ ”

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FOCUS

spotlight

An impetuous PHOTOGRAPHER Despite the challenges he faces day-to-day, Qatar-based photographer Bosco Menezes revels his craft and put it’s to better use for the cause he believes in – social upliftment of people with special needs By

Safvana Yasmine

Bosco Menezes

22 Society

H

aving dedicated almost two decades in media industry, Qatar-based professional photographer Bosco Menezes has carved a niche for himself both in photography and community welfare circles. Despite the challenges he faces day-to-day, Menezes revels his craft and puts it to better use for the cause he believes in – the social upliftment of people with special needs. With an unusually broad range of quality work – conflict reportage, social documentary, equine life, portraiture, and abstract – many would agree that his photographs have been an endowment. He shot his first set of acclaimed photographs while handling one of the largest PR accounts of the time for Asian Games in 2006. The work was published in various international publications gifting him recognition in the world of photojournalists.

Society caught up with Menezes for a chat.

Excerpts:

Q What influenced your shift to photography from a PR background?

A I believe it’s in-born. Everybody can learn photography, but I feel that not everybody can learn the art in photography. After all, artist is born an artist.

After 2006 stint at the Asian Games, I realised that I find my sanctum in photography. As you can notice, I have these nervous twitchings, but when I pick up my camera, I become still and calm, instinctively. Photography comes naturally to me. it gives me “Om”. It gives me serenity. I used to shun away

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from myself. However, I conquered my insecurities with time and let my work speak for myself. With all my inhibitions, I am trying to get the best out of life. I want to set an example through my work in life and hence, photography.

Q Can you shed some light on the evolution of your photography and the stories you tell through the images you capture?

A In the beginning, I did a bit of sports photography. Apart from these, I have been doing corporate calendars for the past 8 years. My recent collaboration was with Qatar Museums Authority and documented all the heritage villages situated in the North.

Now, I tell everyday life stories. I pick-up stories with human elements and nature. Areas like food and astronomy or any photography which requires too much technical skills postproduction, I do not get involved. I have come to enjoy capturing portraits, especially that of children, as my photography evolved.

Q In the age of social media influencers, where do you find yourself?

A See, I have lived through generations of hardcore journalists to social media influencers. Though people do insist on categorising me into the latter category, I call myself a social media activist.

I rescue animals. Even before social media came into play, I have been rescuing animals. I have been doing this for the past 25 years.

Similarly, every event I conduct, I plug-in an NGO as well.

When I visited India for the last Christmas, I travelled to rural areas of Mumbai, Maharashtra, and saw what Qatar Creating Vision was doing there.

Qatar Fund for Development and Qatar Creating Vision along with Orbis eye hospital is helping over 50, 000 children to correct their vision all over India. They are doing it in Nepal and Bangladesh as well. That’s why I am an activist and not a social media influencer. I want to show people action through my photography.

To challenge people, educate people, and bring communities together – through my photography and my initiative BigBMeetup.

Q What goes into creating a series or photo-essay? Is there a routine procedure that you follow?

A Spontaneity is something I enjoy

in work and life. As an impetuous person who goes with the gut feeling when it comes to my profession or personal life, I explore not knowing what exactly is in stock for me. My life is quite removed from the confinements of set mundane routines. But there is a method to the madness. Otherwise, organising such colossal events for a diverse community like that of Qatar would be beyond the realm of understanding. So far I have organised five solo and a community exhibition which I curated myself.

Q Tell us about a life-changing event that altered your perception towards life or something that changed the way you tell your stories through the images?

A I did have a downturn 3-4 years earlier. Then came the 2017 blockade. It was my first time documenting a conflict.

Though challenging it was, I felt that this aspect was important as it enabled me to communicate visually to my audience and connect with them on a visceral level in a unique manner.

I was the first photojournalist to document the blockade. My way of documenting children with His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani’s photograph and Qatar flags during the time of crisis received national recognition and appreciation. The images effectively ignited the flame of my national career and gave me the boost to work on my CSR initiative BigBMeetup.

Q Tell us more about BigBMeetup. What is in stock for BigBMeetUp in 2020?

A BigBMeetup is all about the community. The initiative is my brainchild which I founded in 2018 in memory of my mother who passed away 21 years ago. She worked in Qatar in the 1970s with Oredoo (Qatar Telecom then) for 15 years. Since I am closely connected to this country, I have been bringing diverse communities (from expats to locals) living here in forbearance, together.

With every chapter, the BigBMeetup is becoming bigger and bigger and I become

more excited in telling people about this community meet-up.

The recent one is the 6th chapter of the same. It is inspired by the resilience of people in Qatar and I have four topics that I focus on under this initiative - Sports and Wellness, Sustainability, Special Needs, and Celebrating Arts.

This year I am planning an event in Paris.

My first BigBMeetup outside Qatar. I chose the city because it’s the Year of Culture between Qatar and France. So I am looking forward to something in Paris.

Q BigBFotografi has become a synonym to your name. Currently, how involved are you with this passion of yours?

A Last year I barely gave time for

When I started in 2018, the focus was wellness and this would be the third meet-up I am having under the same banner. While Sustainability is an integral part of everything required by society, people who are differently-abled are its core. To my understanding, every person has one or the other special needs which is often not recognised by society. I do not agree upon the usage of the term disabled. I play with the phonetics of the word and changed it to ‘This-Abled’. So people with disabilities are real people with This-Ability, a better ability than all of us put together.

BigBFotografi as my entire focus on BigBMeetup. Nevertheless, I am planning to curate two photo-exhibitions this year.

One of the exhibitions will be based on sustainable art – for children and artists from different nationalities in Qatar.

Another photography exhibition called ‘Elements of Qatar’ with a monochrome abstract theme capturing images of the land is in its developing phase.

The pictures are meant to evoke the imagination and perception of the audience. I am planning to have around 40 images displayed under the banner.

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There will be two travelling photo exhibitions this year, one in Qatar and one may be outside Qatar. Hopefully, in the next six months, you will see the light of it .

Q Where do you find your creative inspiration from when you work on a project? Is there a photographer or an artist who influences you?

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A Not really. Photography is something I am genuinely involved in and an area that I keep working on. I garner my influence from nature and wildlife around me. Along with the living elements, I like abstracts and architectural buildings.

In simple terms, I get inspired by my surroundings. I believe, I possess a unique

angle of my own, a perception that is distinct when it comes to photography.

As a very laid-back person when it comes to reading books, I am not a bookworm who goes by rules. I like to experiment.

I feel I make my own rules. I feel I am a haphazard photographer. Hence, when it comes to technical knowledge when most of the photographers use photoshop or

Bosco Menezes (third from left) and other dignitaries at the BigBMeetUp 2020. lightroom, but I shy away from it. Honestly speaking, I do not know how to work on photoshop. I like to portray people in their real form - with all the beauty and blemishes. Enhanced images do not represent genuine or reality.

Q Speaking about your love for art, what do you love the most?

A I sketch and doodle because it has a very calming effect on me. As an artist, to grow, you need to create your own space and rules without restricting your niche by channeling your creativity. I believe in the inclusiveness of art rather than exclusivity.

I also think it’s also the personality of the person as well. My mind is not settled, it gets wavered. This again is an art for me. Having grown-up in Doha, all these years my subject has been mosques. I can sketch the splendid minarets of mosques even in my sub-conscious state and that’s one of the topics I fondly indulge in while creating images using my pen.

Q With an emerging trend in mobile photography, do you have preferences when it comes to the equipment you use?

A My first love will always be a camera.

Although I recently bought a new phone pertaining to the fact that carrying a camera everywhere is not a plausible

option and sometimes I find stories on the go. Nevertheless, I strongly believe that any professional or semi-professional photographer would always opt for a camera when it comes to capturing the stories he or she wants to tell.

However, phone photography is picking up a lot as well. Some of the phones are even better than average-professional cameras these days. The phone cameras have better quality and easy-to-use aspect which lures the users.

Q What is the current project you are involved in?

A This year, I am trying to dive deeper into my passion for art and photography, and get down to the nuts and bolts of BigBFotografi which got sidelined in the shadow of my brainchild BigBMeetup.

As of my on-going project, I am in the process of documenting the lives of garbage collector; the men who literally takes the trash out of our life without a single statement of displeasure. We expect them to come every day and we are habituated to their presence in our life that we forget their importance. So I call them “The Unseen Heroes of Qatar.”

While we slip into our sweet slumber every night, these unsung heroes get on to grease their elbows and even get cut or wounded somedays. Their resilience is an inspiration. www.society.qa 27

FOCUS

cover story

Make this

V-DAY your day Here are a few ideas that can bring you closer to your partner without breaking the bank or getting duped into someone else’s idea of what the holiday should be about By

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Erika Ettin

A

h, Valentine’s Day. Depending on where you are in a relationship (or where you’re not), it can be a day of roses and chocolates, love letters and hearts, uncertainty and stomach pangs, or leftover Pad Thai and a whole bottle of wine to drink solo. Whatever your situation this Valentine’s Day, I want to provide some date ideas for any stage in a relationship: Couples in very long-term relationships (including marriage): At this stage, you may have already exhausted your cute and romantic ideas when you were trying to woo each other at the earlier stages of your relationship. Something as simple as a romantic dinner out (especially if you have kids) to spend some quality time together will still be a great date idea. And a well-thought card expressing your love for each other goes a long way.

Many people in long-term relationships fall into the trap of wanting to conform to other people’s views of what Valentine’s Day should look like, especially when they see other couples posting their romantic evenings all over Facebook or Instagram. Often, the most secure couples post the least because, rather than broadcasting their relationship to the world, they are actually living in it. For that reason, if you don’t want to give into the hype that is Valentine’s Day, then here are a few ideas that can still bring you closer to your partner without breaking the bank or getting suckered into someone else’s idea of what the holiday should be about: • Stay home, cook dinner, and put your phones away. The last part is the key here. In order to be fully present, then we have to actively remove the stimulus that might be distracting. In other words, give yourself a break from your phones for a few hours!

• Repeat your first date. Presumably your first date wasn’t for a three-course dinner. (If it was, then we have some talking to do.) If you went out for a candle-light dinner at the restaurant around the corner, then that seems like the perfect way to spend the holiday.

• Do whatever you want! The point here is that you should celebrate however you want. If going all out is your thing, then do it. If it’s not, then don’t. Rather than trying too hard to do what you think you’re supposed to do, just ask your partner what he or she wants to do, then do that.

Couples in new relationships This is probably the most fun place to be for Valentine’s Day. You likely get butterflies just

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thinking about spending your first V-Day together. If you want to buy into the holiday (and I do partially mean literally, with the cards, flowers, and chocolate), then go for it! Why not? And if that’s not your style, then go crazy watching (or making fun of?) other people doing this stuff! Or just keep it low key if that’s more your thing, and declare it your own celebration.

People who just started seeing each other and aren’t sure where it’s going: This is where things may get a bit hairy.

I’ve had clients ask me, after having gone on one or two successful dates, “What do I do for Valentine’s Day? Do I make a

big deal of it? Do I even acknowledge it?

Do I buy something?” This holiday adds so much unnecessary pressure. I would treat your next date like any other second or third date, without the “V-Day pressure” creeping in. Maybe you’ll go to a comedy show, or maybe you’ll go play Connect Four at a cafe. If you want to go out with someone on Friday, great! If not, great! I wouldn’t buy into the hype when things are so fresh. The best thing you can do, whether you go out on V-Day or not, is to simply say, “I’m really excited to see where

things go.” It’s honest and simple.

Single people: Do not fret! Some people think that being single on Valentine’s Day is the kiss (or lack thereof) of death. It’s not. You don’t have to pay a fortune for fixed-priced menus, you won’t gain weight from eating the entire heart-shaped box of pecan clusters in one night, and you don’t have to read through all of the sappy Hallmark cards to try to pick just the right one. This holiday can be what you make of it, and I encourage you not to make a big deal of it. It’s just a day after all. Go out like you normally would on a Friday night. Have a ladies’ night or a guys’ night. No need to make faces at all of the people in couples.

Instead, remember all of the blessings you have in your life … most importantly right now, your freedom.

Whatever you decide to do on Valentine’s Day, stay true to yourself, and don’t let the pressure get the best of you.

If you’re with the right person, have a ball, and if you’re not, well, have a ball. It’s on a Friday night, after all.

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ress, azzle and ominate

D G

one are the days when coveted styling was meant only for sample sizes. From designers and runways to campaigns and supermodels, the one thing that each of them is proclaiming is that bold or stated, classic or innovative, fashion is for every size. The chicest trends can be worn by anyone.

As a brand that owns inclusivity, we urge all you curvy women out there to unlearn every rule that you’ve learned, bust every myth you’ve heard pick whatever feels true to you!

Dress, dazzle and dominate.

IANSlife lists down the most exciting trends 2020 has in store for you, shared by Tanvi Malik, Co-Founder, FabAlley.

Bold and Bright Every colour that is upbeat, sunny and pop, is in this season. Pepper your everyday wardrobe with bold and bright colours like blazing red, beaming mustard and peppy pinks.

If you want to keep it muted, pick a palette of pastels.

A colour like sea foam green feels fresh and pairs beautifully with neutrals.

Defined Silhouettes The key to looking stylish with a curvy figure is to define your look and not dress in frumpy, shapeless, straight silhouettes. Go

for wrap styles. From the figure-flattering design to its versatility and ease of wearing, the wrap silhouette scores high in every aspect. Feminine, romantic and equal parts modest and sexy, wrap styles are absolutely fool-proof!

Cold Shoulders This season, pick the chicer cousin of the off-shoulder. While the trend has been around for a while, it’’s safe to say that the cold-shoulder trend is here to stay.

It’s fun, feminine, flirty and can perk up

The chicest trends can be worn by anyone even the most basic jeans and maxi dresses. Zhush up the trend with embellishments and fresh prints.

Coloured Stripes Seamlessly slipping into our wardrobes from one season to another, stripes are officially the new neutrals. Make this classic pattern 2020-ready by picking up fresh and bright colored stripes. Think unusual matching like grey and yellow, or for that matter, a variegated rainbow. Don’t shy away from colour or even the direction of the stripes. Horizontal, diagonal or all mixed, own the pattern your way.

Skater Dresses While the skater dress isn’t a fresh trend, it’s making quite a splash this year.

With its A-line cut, this style makes it easy for plus-sized girls to accentuate their curves.

Printed or solid, embroidered or embellished, Skater dresses are an easy-breezy ace up the curvy girl’s sleeve for summer.

IANS

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FLAIR

health care

Poly Cystic

Ovarian Syndrome:

EVERYTHING you should know

One of the main causes of many health conditions including infertility among women is PCOS. But what is PCOS? Read on and find out By

Dr Lamees Kuvakkattayil, BHMS, is a medical practitioner, experienced family physician and seasoned family counsellor. She brings abundant experience in managing lifestyle diseases through medicines and lifestyle modifications. She has worked in senior consultant roles in many hospitals and clinics in India and abroad.

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Dr Lamees Kuvakkattayil

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o tell in one-word, PCOS is a hormonal mess. Polycystic ovarian syndrome is being very common among women of reproductive age.

It can affect all our system which will make women mentally and physically unhealthy. It involves neuro endocrine, metabolic and ovarian dysfunction.

PCOS is an example of biological system with multiple interconnected signaling symptoms.

ly ovulatory type with unexpected pregnancy. Bet we don’t want both of them.

There are two types in PCOS. Ovulatory and anovulatory PCOS. Anovulatory PCOS gift you with infertility and obvious-

The first visible symptom could be pimples. As you are more conscious about beauty at this time, you will be

How do we know it is PCOS? Some of the signaling symptoms will begin even before adolescence or in adolescent age. It’s normal to have physical changes during adolescence. But in the case PCOS, these changes could be terrific. Hormonal imbalance may show up in many ways.

shocked to see your first pimple. Soon you will come to know that it’s only a beginning, there will be more and more painful pimples. In medical terms we call it as inflammatory acne, which is one of the main symptoms of PCOS. Acne can be seen on chest, on back and on upper arms as well. Theses acne leaves black spots on healing and they are irresponsive to all topical treatments.

Then comes the next hit on your face.

The hair on your upper lip and beard become darker and thick and more and more visible. It’s called hirsutism in medi-

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cal terms which is another important sign of PCOS. You start feeling embarrassed to appear in front of your friends and public.

Another important change at the age of puberty is the appearance of periods.

In PCOS, the appearance of first periods may be delayed or come early. Delayed first periods is known as primary amenorrhoea. So primary amenorrhoea or early puberty could be another sign of PCOS. Starting from the commencement there will be different types of menstrual irregularities. More or less slight variation in menses is quite common and that is normal at this age. If it persists beyond two years of menarche then it is considered as an important sign of hormonal disturbance. Few of menstrual irregularities associated with PCOS could be: 1 Absence of periods. If menses is absent for three consecutive months then it is called amenorrhoea.

2 Prolonged bleeding. If left untreated you will keep on bleeding even for a month. It’s called menorrhagia 3. Some of you will menstruate in every 15 days or less and that is called metrorrhagia.

4. There will be very painful menstrual cramps that one cannot withstand, often leading to throwing up.

These menstrual irregularities are related to your ovulation in one or the other way.

Hair fall. Yes, your thick beautiful dark hair begins to fall off in bunches. You can hear knock of baldness on your door, another sign of PCOS. Severe mood swings and anxiety, even leading to depression.

Your eating habits become disordered and you will find yourself

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fatty and unfit for your young age. That means you are obese, yet another symptom of PCOD. The exhausting thing here is this obesity is caused by hormonal disturbance in you and it in turn adds on to this hormonal mess, a double-edged sword.

Another devastating feature of this is unexplained miscarriages or abortions.

Most of the time, PCOS are diagnosed late, in investigations following an abortion.

What exactly causes all these disturbances in normal flow of your life is yet to be known for which studies are going on.

One of the probable causes is high level of male hormones, androgens, which prevents ovaries from producing female hormones.

It is also known that PCOS run in families.

This may mean that, many genes not just one contribute to this disorder. Genes, insulin resistance and inflammation have all been said to cause more androgen production.

Insulin resistance which is one of the main consequences of this hormonal disturbance by itself can causes hormones to be more and worse. That is why we call it as inter-connected, as mentioned in the beginning of this article, all these causes and symptoms are interconnected. If not correctly managed, this hormonal

imbalance may cause complications like, diabetes, infertility, hypertension or cardiovascular diseases.

How to get rid of this?

It is purely a lifestyle disease. A life-long condition which can be reversed by changing our lifestyle. Lifestyle changes should mainly concentrate on diet plan and physical activity. It is said that “repair your metabolism and improve your fertility” Coming first to diet plan; No, don’t be struck on hearing about diet plan. You can make it easy. Just relax and make your own diet plan. But keep in mind that you should reduce the intake of carbohydrates that means you should cut-off starchy foods from your menu. Create a plan to make it easy for you to follow.

Always note that in PCOS, BMI should be two points below than normal range.

Try to maintain that body weight to match with the BMI • Sugary foods such as cookies, cakes, and candy

Cutting-off starchy food could be a difficult deal, but you will have to. Because the carbohydrates that we consume are partly used by our body to produce energy and the excess carbohydrate is stored in body in the form of fat, which makes us obese. So, let it be our first step towards losing weight, by reducing carbohydrate intake.

When you start losing weight, hormones will automatically begin to flow in right direction.

Drink more water and eat raw or partially cooked fruits and vegetables. Water will help to fill your stomach easily and thus reducing the quantity of food you eat.

Moreover drinking more water has many other health benefits too.

Raw vegetables and fruits contain plenty of natural antioxidants which help to reverse hormone imbalance.

Bring down the amount of food that you take each time. This is to be done slowly and gradually. You know that our stomach is elastic in nature. It can take whatever we give to it, like a balloon. If we slowly reduce our intake its capacity will gradually come down. One day we will be surprised that our stomach is filled even from a small quantity of food.

Always note that in PCOS, BMI should be two points below than normal range. Try to maintain that body weight to match with the BMI. Then comes the next step; physical activity, that is exercise. Important aspect is being regular. Do some regular exercise.

This will help us to be active and increase the energy level, keep us confident, motivated, reduce anxiety and depression.

Thus, it solves your anxiety and mood swings also, you will become pleasant and happy.

Regular exercise will mobilise and redistribute the deposited fat in your body and thus helping to lose weight.

Don’t take it as a burden, plan it according to your time and preference. It could be outdoor activities or indoor. It could be jogging, skipping, swimming, walking, or even dancing and such physical activity that help to burn body fat. Mere 20 minutes a day will do its job.

It is important to keep our mind always calm and relaxed. People with PCOS will always be anxious as it is one of its symptoms and this anxiety adds on to hormonal imbalance. Do things that help us to relax. Try to practice yoga as this exercise will help to reduce anxiety.

When you lose weight that will also help to reduce anxiety.

Some common food and beverages with starch content that you should try to reduce.

• Sweetened juice, canned fruit, and carbonated drinks • Starchy vegetables such as potato, peas and corn • Refined grains and things made with grain flour such as white bread, pasta, etc.

• Snacks such as potato chips, French fries, etc.

• All processed foods

Instead, the food we can choose from • Fruits and fresh juices without added sugar or frozen fruits • Whole grain such as whole wheat pasta, whole grain bread, oats, brown rice • Non-starchy vegetables such as broccoli, carrot, spinach • High fibre containing snacks such as popcorn, oat and biscuits • High fibre cereals such as shredded wheat, and all bran • Food which have low glycaemic index and high fibre content Look for cereals that have at least 5 gram of fibre per serving. We can have from all-natural unprocessed food.

The only target you should have in next six months should be to overcome this hormonal mess and bring back the rhythm and beauty of your life. You should push yourself in this battle for your life.

The happy thing about PCOS is that it’s self-manageable and you can defeat by yourself through some discipline and planning in your routine.

Some of home remedies that you can try easily by yourself include: • Apple cider vinegar: Mix 2 teaspoon with water and have in empty stomach. This will improve your insulin resistance. This is a home remedy for diabetics as well.

• Green tea: Drink regularly with one teaspoon of honey.

• Gooseberry juice: Mix half cup gooseberry juice with one cup of water and have it at least one time daily.

• Cumin water • Fenugreek seeds • Chia seeds • Cinnamon and honey or try cinnamon tea It is important to try the home remedies regularly at least for period of 3 months to start showing improvements in the body.

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FOCUS

motivation

Care in communication Effective communication is a key interpersonal skill and learning how to improve your communication has many benefits. Read on and find out more By

36 Society

Girish Jain

E

volution of Language and communication by humans through their voice started ages back. In the Stone Age, there was no language and humans used sign language by hands or facial expressions or by drawing pictures. Slowly, the sign language turned into symbols and then spoken language was developed. In this process, the world has created millions of words in thousands of different languages and dialect, even different words in same language having same meaning and impact. This gives rise to misunderstanding and needs extreme care in our communication.

What is communication?

The literal meaning of Communication is “the imparting or exchanging of information by speaking, writing, or using some other medium. In other words, an individual speaks to someone to convey information, feeling or instructions in a common language the other person can very well understand is communication. It is a dialogue or exchange of information or thoughts. The communication can be written, oral or written but the essence remain same.

Why do we need to communicate?

During my twenty plus years of service at various small to medium to large organizations and my association with many cultural and professional associations, I had the opportunity to deal with lot of people with multi-cultural background, gender, thought process and emotional quotient. In this part of the world, where English is not the native language for every expatriate, caution is the word we all need to care for. As Tony Robbins aptly said, “To effectively communicate, we must realize that we are all

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different in the way we perceive the world and use this understanding as a guide to our communication with others.” I would like to share few valuable lessons learnt to assist in understanding various aspects of effective communication skills: Two-way street: Unlike a speech or a lecture you may deliver at a symposium or in office meetings, communication is a two way street where response of both parties is required. If there is no response from other person, the communication cannot be termed as complete. Few years back my wife complained that she requested me to go out for shopping after I get back from office but I ignored. I denied ever listening her request. I asked her, “O dear, after you said it, did I reply and did I say - Yes, I understand.” If not, you should not assume that I heard it. Therefore, she realized reaffirmation is certainly critical to complete the communication cycle.

Articulate and to the point: Plato once said- “Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something.” How true it is!

We should always think rationally and then speak. There are various ways to formulate and say same message. Always try to think before the conversation starts on how to say it better without adding too many adjectives and conjunctions.

Formation of sentence with appropriate 38 Society

words can be a challenge for many but practice can make it happen.

(due to accent of other person). It is always better to request other person to repeat the sentence and if still some words are not clear, request to clarify what it means.

The simple rule is – repeat the sentence and ask if this is what was being said. Do not assume, else, there will be room for misunderstanding.

Uphold dignity: Instead of saying ‘Do it’, a much better sentence will be ‘Can you please do it’. I remember few years back, one of our neighbours ‘X’ came late at night and since could not find parking, parked his car in front of another neighbour ‘Y’ and placed a placard on his car’s dashboard with his mobile number. Next day was a Friday, early morning, ‘Y’ had to go with his family for an outing, saw this car and the number. He called ‘X’ on his mobile and in a blow of anger, said in a loud voice ‘Come down and remove your car’. ‘X’ did not show up for next half an hour and switched off his mobile while ‘Y’ was restless and honking furiously. ‘X’ came down and ‘Y’ started argument on wrong parking, his coming late. ‘X’ told ‘Y’, if you had told me ‘PLEASE come and remove your car’, I would have come immediately’. ‘Y’ had to suffer that day for his arrogance by not adding a simple word ‘Please’ into his initial call to ‘X’.

Believe you me, ‘Y’ had to apologize at the end instead.

Show respect and attention: When we start conversing, we should show our attention and care for the efforts of the other person and that gives a great comfort for other person to talk freely and without hiding anything. I remember my close encounter with chairman of one of my previous companies, feeling very nervous as meeting him in person for the first time.

I started with, ‘His Excellency, can I take 5 minutes of your time’. He turned his full attention towards me and said, “Yes, of course, take 10 minutes”. I was amazed to see such a polished and polite person at that high seat of responsibility and my nervousness was gone in seconds. I still carry a lot of respect for him for those words even after almost 2 decades post that meeting.

Vocabulary: For most non-native English speakers, their knowledge of vocabulary generally is limited and so it is highly likely that some of the words spoken by others are unknown (never heard) or not clear

Be ethical and say it right: The race, religion or gender does not matter, what matters most is that the person talking to you is giving their valuable time. Treat and respect their time and attention and so it

is your responsibility to convey and converse in whatever best possible way you can. If it is in office meeting - prepare well, rehearse and get ready with answers for possible questions. Always be ethical and make sure whatever you are conveying is in line with rules and regulations of the company you work for and the country you live in.

Think and speak positive: Negativity destroys a good conversation. Sometimes we assume about other person’s personality or his reaction even before starting the talk, which should be avoided. Our expressions should always be neutral before we engage in any conversation and according to the flow of conversation, can adjust facial expressions, smile or curiosity look. Focus on the message instead of messenger: There is a very famous English proverb, ‘Don’t shoot the messenger’. There is also a Hindi proverb ‘Eat mango, don’t start counting the seeds’.

It simply means to focus on the message or information delivered and its impact or use for us. Who delivered or how it was delivered sometime may not matter. Our attention on these unnecessary details may turn our focus off the real issue or the core message.

Control your temper: You cannot afford to lose temper in office unless you are the boss and owner. Sometimes we need to show our frustration or unhappiness for an awful job done by a subordinate, wait….

there are ways. One of my earlier American boss was highly skilled in handling such situations. He would be angry but never show it and will start the conversation by saying – “Can you please do me a favour, can you please do it this way from next time”. His frowned face and these words would just do the trick and he was able to convey his message without any hard talk.

Understand other person’s emotional needs: Every person is different in terms of background, gender, religion, country, and race and so their emotional needs will be very different from one another and accordingly their tolerance level. Few years back, I was delivering a presentation in office, cracked a simple joke that involved a friend and his wife. One of the attendees got offended. I had cracked the same joke in many out of office seminars and received a loud laughter every time.

That day I realized personal jokes can be dangerous in office and can give a different message to different people. Let us be careful in office by avoiding jokes or if you need to (to break the boredom of the presentation), bring in random people not at all connecting to you or anyone present there.

Find right platform for practice: You may need to find an appropriate platform where you can practice communication skills and get instant feedback. Toastmas-

ters is one of those platforms where you may share your stories; your feelings or your views in front of a large gathering of members like yourself. Toastmasters is a proven program where you may find lifelong friends and learn so many soft skills you might have not experienced earlier.

There may be other paid crash courses from companies engaged in personality development to gain the confidence and learn the art of public speaking.

In the words of Joel Osteen, “You can change your world by changing your words... Remember, death and life are in the power of the tongue”. Words spoken by you create a persona and that define and explain a lot about your character.

Be good to others in your conversation, never hurt or say, anything negative, be mindful of above lessons learnt and the good will come to you.

Girish Jain is a long-time resident of Qatar who is associated with CA Doha Chapter, Internal Auditors Qatar Chapter and Toastmasters. His views on communication and Indian economy have been regularly published in many publications. Reach him at: girishvms@gmail.com

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FLAIR

education

THE IMPORTANCE OF CHOICE By

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Simon Porter

T

here are many ways to identify a good international school, and whilst many schools will have international staff, an international student body and an international curriculum, few can offer truly meaningful partnerships and a true choice of pathways to enter top Universities.

Compass International School’s ground-breaking collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), one of the best universities in the world, falls into this category. MIT provide Compass students with unique challenges to develop their technological and thinking skills throughout the school year.

They also provide training for Compass staff and provide opportunities for Compass students to visit MIT to take part in student events. Compass’s collaborations do not stop there. Their Music, Dance and Drama curriculum is written by The Juilliard School, the world-renowned performing arts conservatory. Compass is the only school in Doha to offer this curriculum. Juilliard artists visit the school each term, and curriculum specialists visit the school to offer training and advice to teachers on a regular basis.

Parents send their children to international students to seek entry to the world’s top universities. Whilst most schools can offer only one pathway, via either the British style A-Level or the International Baccalaureate, Compass’s opening of their new state of the art Themaid campus mean that they can now offer both internationally-recognised qualifications. Students and parents in Year 11 receive intense counselling and information sessions to enable them to make the best choice for them. They can then move between the campus of their choice to do the qualification with best chance of getting them into the top institutions. Compass’s highly trained international staff will then give them the best opportunity of entering the university of their choice by choosing the most beneficial choice of subjects and qualifications. Top universities demand a fully balanced education in addition to excellent examinations results, and Compass’s unique collaborations with the best institutions in the world offers the best pathway to these goals.

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Compass International School is now offering A-Levels for the 2020/21 Academic Year, in addition to the IB Diploma. Find out how your child can succeed inside and beyond the classroom at cisdoha.com Every day is an open day at Compass International School. Contact our Admissions Team today for a personalised tour at any of our four campuses around Doha. Email admissions.cisd@nais.qa or call +974 4034 6801.

Simon Porter is the Director of Quality and Staff Development and Head of Secondary, Themaid Campus Compass International School. He is a Times Education Supplement “Subject Genius” for Science and contributed to Professor Deborah Eyre’s recent book on High Performance Learning.

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FLAIR style

MODEL OF THE MONTH Full Name: Kristina Butina Nationality: Ukrainian Occupation: Leasing agent All time style icon: Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn Favourite dress: Short black Favourite cuisine: Thai I like: Dogs I dislike: Beef Hobby: Sport Country I would like to visit: Cuba I want to change: Myself My biggest dream: To be happy always

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Are you an aspiring model?

If your answer is YES, this is an opportunity you don’t want to miss.

Society Magazine is always looking for fresh faces. If you think you have what it takes to be featured in the magazine, send us your sample photos for a chance to be considered.

Submit your short bio and sample photos to: society@gulf-times.com Have questions about the submission?

Give us a call: +974 444 66 413

Valentine’s Day

is around the corner and nothing says “I love you” quite like a nice shiny piece of jewelry and watches. Here are a few of our top picks

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Available at :

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FLAIR

gourmet

Mediterranean

MAGIC The Mediterranean fare at OPEN restaurant – Double Tree by Hilton, Al Sadd – whips up flavours that you’re sure to remember for long

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FLAIR

gourmet

Double Tree by Hilton-Al Sadd is a bright sand-coloured 139 guestroom stone building with inviting floor to ceiling windows and a contemporary design

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or a journalist who covers community-related stuff extensively, a bit of comforts and slackening in a restaurant is always an added-advantage.

However, what hits the sweet spot is when that ‘out of hectic’ time is accompanied by delicious food, and of course, arresting ambience. Going by that yardstick, this month we happened to be in a right space – OPEN restaurant at the DoubleTree by Hilton Doha, Al Sadd.

The hotel, which opened its door recently, is a bright sand-coloured 139 guestroom stone building with inviting floor to ceiling windows and a contemporary design.

Guests can expect an oasis of calm the moment they check-in to this beautiful property, with a colour palette of the palest creams and muted greys which come to life with vibrant green and orange accents – taking cues from the everchanging deserts that surround modern Doha. Located in Al Sadd, one of the oldest and most diverse neighbourhoods in Doha, the hotel provides excellent access to explore the city and is in close proximity to Doha’s traditional market Souq Waqif.

What makes this property different from the rest is they provide a truly one-of-akind dining experience and is among the best places to eat in town. In order to whet the interest of all kinds of foodies, they have different dining options to choose from. They are: Indo-Chin Restaurant, an open-kitchen that specialises in a wide variety of Asian cuisine including Thai, Chinese and Philipino. The restaurant is fun, friendly and informal, as well as featuring a private 54 Society

dining area which is ideal for business meetings or celebrations.

StrEAT Culture Urban Sports Bar is a gastronomical journey through the streets of far-flung lands with a street food style menu, whilst offering a relaxed atmosphere.

OPEN restaurant is an all-day-dining experience that transports guests through the Mediterranean and Middle East with some of the most exciting cuisines from each region. “I’m delighted to spearhead an important hotel opening in this evergrowing bustling city. DoubleTree by Hilton Doha – Al Sadd is a modern hotel in the heart of old Doha making it the ideal location for business and leisure travellers,” said Daniel van Wyk, general manager, DoubleTree by Hilton Doha – Al Sadd. “The team and I look forward to pleasing guests with our boundless energy, smiles, deep understanding of the city and its cosmopolitan occupants. We pride ourselves on caring about the little things that make a big difference”.

OPEN Out of three restaurants, we chose to go for OPEN and the pick was justified right from the moment we entered in. Whether you opt healthy food, snacks, or gourmet food all the way, they have got something to tickle your palate.

As we entered the restaurant, we were greeted by Sofija Dacevac, marketing and communications manager, who was extremely friendly and made sure that our experience was flawless from the beginning till we left.

To get the ball rolling, we were introduced to their executive chef Mekhael Estephane. Lebanese born Mekhael has almost two decades of experience in the Middle East and Africa across various restaurants that served Chinese, Asian, fine dining, Mexican, deli, flightlounge and buffet cuisine. At Aleph Doha Residences, Hilton’s new property in West Bay, Mekhael will head up ‘The Pantry’, a unique dining concept for busy Doha citizens.

“My love of cooking started when I was a little boy. I was heavily influenced by my mother’s cooking. I used to spend many hours with her, standing on a chair, preparing dishes for family meals”, said chef.

He is a keen traveller and enjoys nature.

His life is all about food, experimenting with new ingredients, fusing flavours from different countries and continents together and creating exciting new recipes.

Time to explore We started off with a perfect soup. I’m not a fan of soup but I made an exception for the ‘roasted tomato soup’ with celery and black olive crostini, while my partner opted ‘root vegetable soup’.

When in a Mediterranean restaurant, you know what will make its way to your table. So, we were not quite surprised when our table was filled with a variety of salads like quinoa and avocados, baked, and creamy mashed potatoes. And for the main course, it was a hefty ‘middle eastern grill’ which comprises of kofta of lamb,

chicken shish tawook mushrooms, lamb chops, along with grilled onion and tomatoes, among other things.

However, it’s the flavours that are likely to stay with you, like they did with us, long after you’ve had the meal. It’s probably a reflection of Chef Mekhael Estephane’s expertise in the kitchen, but also has something to do with how the ingredients are sourced, there’s no dependence on readymade spices, everything is ground in the kitchen itself. And the results show why that’s useful. And most of the ingredients they use, according to chef, are right from the local market.

PIZZA PERFECT Stuck between an Indian and a pizza?

Well, OPEN have you covered with their new chicken tikka pizza named

DELHI PIZZA. It boasts chicken tikka, red onions, capsicum, mozzarella, tomato sauce, and interestingly enough, green chillis, all on top of a tikka sauce.

Our verdict Perhaps the strongest aspect of the OPEN restaurant is its commitment to authenticity of flavours. The Delhi Pizza was the deal-clincher for me.

Subtle and succulent, it is a meat lover’s delight too. As for service, our attendants were exceptionally polite and genuinely wanted us to taste many more delicacies. It was a courtesy extended to most guests.

Given the taste and the ambience, OPEN restaurant – Double Tree by Hilton, Al Sadd is definitely value for money.

Chef Mekhael Estephane

THE DOHSA SEAFOOD Dish composition:

Seafood, gazette of crab Chard, beetroot rice cracker & black ink tuille, micro herbs, Seafood selection: Calamari 150g Prawns 300g Red snapper 250g Fresh crab 400g Mussels 300g Claims 300g Guazzetto: crab shells 75g 1n.medium onion – minced 2n.fresh hot pepper Minced 4ngarlic cloves – Minced Fresh ginger 8g Fresh parsley 15g fresh tomato 100g tomato puree 25g 3n. tablespoons vegetable oil Salt – to taste Water 2lt

Method: Sauté in onion, garlic, ginger and parsley in a pot. Add crab, tomato and water. Allow them to boil, then reduce the flame and make it to cook for 45 minutes. When cooking is done, strain, and allow it to cool in blast chiller.

Chard: chard leaves Butter garlic Salt & black pepper as per taste

200g 25g 5g

Method: Wash the chard and then sauté it with butter and the garlic, season it. Leave it to be little bit crunchy. Do not cook it for long time, so the colour won’t lost.

Beetroot rice cracker: 25g Rice 25g Beetroot 1n. tea spoon Corn flour Salt as per taste

Method: Add rice in a pot and cover it with water. Boil the water until to overcook the rice. Make sure the rice is very soft, and add a pinch of salt to taste. Strain it from the water and blend it very smooth, like a cream, add beetroot juice to give colour to the creamy… spread it on the tray and dry it in the oven for 2 hours at 90®C. after it cut off a pieces you like and fry it.

Black squid ink tuille: Black squid ink tuille: 5g 25g 60g 25g

Olive oil White flour water Squid ink

Method: Mix all the ingredients in a robber battle and shake it very well. Heat up a pan and add the mixture, just as mush need to cover the bottom, allow the compose fried and get dry.

Take it off and place on a paper napkin to dry.

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MARINATED MACKEREL Dish ingredients: Marinated mackerel Herbs bread slice Comfit shallots Wasabi & sour cream Pickles ginger Marinated mackerel: Whole mackerel Shallots Sugar Lemon juice All spices Juniper berries Coriander seed White vinegar Water Bay leaves Green/ black pepper corn

4 fillet 4 slice 4 pcs 4 tab.

Spoon 60g 2 fish 30g 20g 60g 1 pinch 6 pcs 1 tea spoon 250ml 100ml 3 leaves

Method: Clean and fillet the mackerel, make sure there are no bones in the fillet. Take the shallots and clean it from the skin, dice the shallots into thin. Then add the shallots in a bowl with all the other ingredients and mix it very well.

Place the filet of mackerel on a tray, season the fillets and add the margination of top of it.

Leave the fish to be marinated for 1 day.

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Herbs bread: White flour 500g Salt 5g Water 250ml tarragon 2g Chives 2g Dill 2g Parsley 2g Coriander 2g Olive oil 30g

Method: Add all the ingredients in the mixer machine.

Mix very well until the dough look very smooth and compact. Cut the bread on a loaf of 500g each one and allow it to rise for 3 hours. Bake the bread at 220®C for 20 minutes, between 5 minutes and 10 minutes

cooking add some water at the bottom of the oven. The steam will give brown colour to the loaf, then reduce the oven to 150®C for another 10 minutes

Confit shallots: Shallots Olive oil Rosemary small branch Thyme small branch Salt & black pepper

4 pcs 250g

Method: Choose a big shallot, add olive oil with the seasoning and herbs and put it in a container.

Add shallots, make sure they are covered from the oil, cook it in the oven at 95®C for 1h30m.

Goût de France at OPEN restaurant

A special gastronomic dinner that promotes France by combining local cuisine along with products and emblems of French culinary heritage.

QR 139.99 per person Thursday, 16 April 2020 18:00 – 22:00 OPEN restaurant DoubleTree by Hilton Doha- Al Sadd For more information and bookings contact: +974 400 47 400 or e-mail: doubletreealsadd@hilton.com

FLAIR travel

EXPLORE GIRONA - THE GAME OF THRONES TOWN

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Steeped in history and home to well-preserved medieval architecture, Girona is perfect destination for a short break

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irona in Costa Bravas Catalonia region of Spain is a city with rich history, culture and heritage that is evident through its vintage buildings, streets and squares in the old city centre. Located barely two hours from Barcelona, the stunning city of Girona was one of the chosen locations that hosted the filming of the legendary series Game of Thrones (GoT). GoT fans were transported

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to Girona’s medieval old town which served as the major setting for the city of Braavos while Girona’s Old Town was transformed into the streets and landmarks of King’s Landing and Braavos. V.R. Costa Brava offers travellers an exclusive guided tour linking architecture with one of the most famous medieval fiction stories, a recommended activity for all Game of Thrones fans.

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Cathedral of Girona

The Jewish Quarter

Placa dels Jurats

The city’s most celebrated icon, the Gothic cathedral on the scenic Placa de la Catedral is quite a sight to behold, sitting on 91 stone steps. Built between the 11th and 18th centuries, it features the world’s widest Gothic nave and was a perfect location to film many scenes in season six of Game of Thrones.

The spectacular Baroque staircase outside the cathedral was used as the exterior for the Great Sept of Baelor in King’s Landing, where Jaime Lannister had a showdown with the High Sparrow to prevent Queen Margaery’’s atonement.

Girona’’s Jewish Quarter in the ancient Forca Vella, an imposing fortress built by the Romans is replete with cobbled streets, winding alleyways and narrow archways serving up as an ideal setting for the fictional city of Braavos. The scenes where Arya Stark becomes blind and is forced to beg on the streets and fights the Waif is filmed on the stone steps of Carrer del Bisbe Josep Cartañà, the small alleyway that loops just behind Girona Cathedral.

Girona’’s festival square Plaça dels Jurats is a popular venue for theatre and concerts during summer and was also the place where Arya watched the outdoor play while spying on the lead actress by order of Jaqen H’’ghar. Moreover, the bridge between the Placa dels Jurats and the Sant Pere de Galligants Abbey is used as the bridge in Braavos where the waif, masked as an old woman, stabbed Arya.

The scenic and colourful ancient town in Girona.

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Monastery of Sant Pere de Galligants

Arab Baths

This is a Benedictine Abbey built in the 12th century and is one of Catalonia’’s most important Romanesque sites which also houses the Archaeological Museum.

The monastery was used as the setting for the Maesters’’ citadel in Braavos, King’’s Landing and Oldtown. One can see the interiors of the monastery clearly in the scene when Sam, Gilly and the baby first arrive.

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Arab Baths in Girona were built like the Medieval Muslim baths dating back to the 12th century. Unlike many bathhouses, they are still intact and offer a fascinating experience to tourists. Situated just behind the cathedral, fans can see the spot where after regaining sight, Arya hid by ducking inside a bathhouse while trying to flee from the Waif.

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The Sant Domenec stairs Out of the bathhouse, the chase continued into the local market in which Ayra runs into the crowd, trips and tumbles down some stairs into a crate of oranges. The Waif meanwhile, is standing at the top of the stairs, looking down on her, ready to attack once more. This scene was shot on the stairs leading up to the Sant Domènec convent, which was founded in the city of Girona in 1253.

Girona Old Town The historic and medieval areas of the old town of Girona are stunning and very well preserved. One can see the labyrinthine cobbled streets, medieval churches and ancient fortresses that are surrounded by fortified walls and towers. The stairs of Sant Marti Sacosta Church is an another filming location in Girona used for the markets in Braavos. IANS

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