Dec '18 - Jan '19 Vol 11 Issue 11

BD 1.500

Dec ‘18 - Jan ‘19 - VOLUME 11, ISSUE 11

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How Asian Business Helped Build Modern Bahrain A National Day Special

Congratulations and best wishes to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa The Prime Minister His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier and the people of the Kingdom of Bahrain on the occasion of the 47th National Day From all at BFC

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Tel: 1722 8888 | www.bfc.com.bh

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Note from the Chairman

Capt. Mahmood Al Mahmood

Another year is on the horizon and what this means is that your ears need to be ready to hear the words “New year, new me” quite often. As the ball drops in Time Square, us Bahrainis will be well into the first day of 2019 holding on to our newly formed resolutions.

But all of them fade, with time we learn to carry over our resolutions to the next year knowing in the back of our minds we’ll never get around to doing them.

It’s human nature to find the short route and most often it means abandoning things that are too hard to do in the first place. But the stakes are higher this year, we live in a time that hangs between parallel lines of technological advancement and social progress.

We’re constantly held up by the idea of amelioration, the newest iphones, the smartest cars, software updates, 5G internet etc. yet we have neglected the same for our planet's health.

Our obsessions have paved way to the destruction of the planet we live in, we have made for ourselves a life in the online scape but at the end of the day our phones do not provide us with the air we breathe.

Climate change is not a concept, it is a phenomenon. One that has already been set in motion, with drastic effects of it being prevalent all across the world, our island nation will no longer remain an exception to its affect. With unprecedented droughts and imminent typhoons as a calculated aftermath, we must take up resolutions to solve and counter the impact.

Every decision we take in our lives this year must be thought out with our kingdoms and our planet’s health in mind. The shift to renewable energy sources, our reliance on plastic commodities, reduction of wasteful habits…

If this year’s new resolution is the one you want to stick let it be “I want to live for another decade in our beautiful kingdom and I will do everything to secure the beauty of Bahrain.”

UAE Exchange wishes Bahrain a Happy National Day

B A HR A I N

ahrain www.uaeexchange.com/bhr

Highlights Dec '18 - Jan '19

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COVER STORY Asia & Bahrain – Building a modern nation For our National Day Issue, we profile 11 companies, founded by Asians, which have helped to transform Bahrain for over 70 years.

We shall continue this series in future issues

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INTERVIEW Prakash Raj on telling the truth

P. Maghanmal & Sons Co w.l.l.

FM Taherbhai (Traders) SPC CUISINE The Bahraini food revival

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Amazing actor and now a writer and activist, Prakash Raj spoke to Bahrain fans (and non-fans!) about the need to tell the truth and challenge authority

Swayta Sha’s gem power Coming from a line of royal jewelers to Hyderabad’s connoisseur Nizam, Bahrain resident Swayta has created a stunning brand of modern jewellery

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FASHION Nimble fingers add magic There is a great revival of traditional Bahraini food, fused with world gourmet trends, powered by young, clever restrateurs. We bring you a backstage look, some hot spots and recipes.

Legendary Indian embroidery is being used by top designers to add glamour and exquisite detail to their outfits for celebs – on the red carpet, for their weddings and the catwalk.

P, SHU GUP D OO LYW BOL S IX U ..PL NE P SCE Y T PAR

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COLUMNS • 54 Shobhaa De • 36 Ayaz Memon

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SALAAM BAHRAIN wishes all readers and supporters a wonderful 2019!

May we all enjoy peace, well-being and prosperity

community fest

Art and culture splash at SPECTRA carnival

The 10th Annual 'Faber Castell Spectra 2018’ art carnival showed the community three things: how much talent there was among youngsters in Bahrain, how it can be harnessed for a good cause (the Indian Community Relief Fund) and how a good idea grows into a giant wave of support Starting in 2009 as a art contest for 700 schoolkids, this year’s colourful event embraced a jaw-dropping 4,200 participants from 30 schools. This, after the preliminary rounds were organised in their respective schools.

The Spectra Art competition was inaugurated by Chief Guest P.K.Chaudhary, Second Secretary, The Embassy of Bahrain to The Kingdom of Bahrain and the Guest of Honor Sanjay Bean, General Manager of Faber Castell. The annual event aims at unearthing artistic talent among the youth and creating a future generation who would be catalysts for social change.

The participants were divided into four age groups - five to eight years, eight to eleven years, eleven to fourteen years and fourteen to eighteen years. There was also an adult category competition for

participants above 18 yrs. All materials for the event were sponsored by Faber Castell. The winning entries and other outstanding creations by the children will be featured in the Wall Calendars and Desk-Top Calendars designed for the year 2019. These calendars will be launched

by Alok Kumar Sinha, Ambassador of India to Bahrain. A large number of each of these calendars will be made available to educational institutions, clubs, associations, and businesses.

Culture focus Besides the ART Carnival, this year ICRF also conducted a “Tribute to Bahrain – 4

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Indian Heritage Carnival” to showcase the rich Indian culture and cuisine to the participants and general public. Indian Ambassador A.K. Sinha was the chief guest for the Indian Heritage Festival and guest of honor was his wife, Mamta Sinha.

A varied program highlighting the rich traditional dances, costumes and jewelry from the 29 States of Incredible India were performed. A specially choreographed 15 minute dance segment was performed

by Indian students to pay “Tribute to Bahrain” and depict the close ties between the Kingdom and India, since the time of the Dilmun Civilization.

The main expense of ICRF is the Family

Welfare Fund which provides financial support to the families of those Indian workers who are earning less than BD 100/- per month and who tragically lost their lives in the Kingdom. After verification of documents, ICRF sends

Rs. 100,000/-, which is approximately BD 540 to the next of kin of the deceased worker. This support is a financial lifeline for the extremely poor and needy families who in many cases have lost their sole breadwinner.

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Since its inception in 2009, the ICRF Family Welfare Fund has supported over 500 impoverished families in India, disbursing approximately BD 300,000 directly into the bank accounts of the legal heirs of the deceased families.

buisness

Investors’ confidence grows as Lulu opens 7th Bahrain hypermarket Expansion is a sign of our steady confidence in the bright future of Bahrain, says Lulu’s Yusuff Ali

Middle East retail giant Lulu Group has further expanded its presence in the Kingdom of Bahrain by opening its latest Hypermarket in the newly opened Atrium Mall in Saar. The new Hypermarket which is also 7th in the country was officially inaugurated by H.E. Shaikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Deputy PM of Bahrain in the presence of Shaikh Khalifa Bin Daij, President of Crown Prince Court, H.E. Zayed Al Zayani, Commerce & Industry Minister, H.E. Jamil Humaidan, Labour Minister, H.E. Kamal bin Ahmed Mohammed, Minister of Transportation & Telecommunications, Ambassadors of India, UK and a number of other dignitaries.

Located in Saar, close to the SaudiBahrain Causeway, the sprawling 100,000 square feet new hypermarket has been designed using the latest retail space concepts and most modern technology for ease of shopping and display. It will serve residents of Budaiya, Hamala,Saar and Janabiya and is also well-positioned to cater to visitors from Saudi Arabia across the border. As always Lulu Hypermarket provides the widest range of quality and value-for-money products all under one roof. The outlet has also introduced inaugural offers and deals for a range of

products at attractive prices.

“The opening of the 156th Lulu Hypermarket in the Kingdom of Bahrain and the 7th in the country is a moment of great pride for us,” said Yusuff Ali M.A., Chairman and Managing Director of Lulu Group after the inauguration. “It is a sign of our steady confidence in the bright future of Bahrain and our commitment to be a part of the progress of the Kingdom”.

“Our total investment in the Kingdom of Bahrain has already crossed BD 125 million with seven hypermarkets and one mall. Apart from this, our state-of-the-art logistics center spread around 400000 square feet, and trading & distribution through the center not only supports our retail expansion but also help in ensuring food security. Our expansion plans are firm and we will open our new project in the Muharaq Central Market by second quarter of next year”, added Yusuff Ali. He further said, “Our growth in Bahrain is powered by the vision of the leadership, the business-friendly economic environment and the ability of our Bahraini employees to absorb and fit into the Lulu service model which puts customers above all. We thank His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister and 6

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HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and First Deputy Premier and the people of this great country for encouraging us in all our expansion strategies and efforts in Bahrain.”

As an influential retail giant, Yusuff Ali reiterated the Lulu Group’s commitment to the government of Bahrain’s training and employment goals for Bahrainis.

“Our strong Bahraini work force forms the nucleus of our operations here in the Kingdom and is a key to our success,” he said.

“We work closely with the Ministry of Labour to offer Bahrainis the requisite training to nurture their talent and are proud to say that Bahrainis have proved successful in managerial and specialized positions not only in the Kingdom but across the Lulu network in other GCC countries as well. There are more than 1,200 Bahrainis who work in the Group and we will continue to support Government’s Bahranization plan by giving employment to more Bahrainis in our upcoming projects.”

Also present on the occasion were Saifee Rupawala, Lulu CEO, Ashraf Ali MA, Executive Director, Juzer Rupawala, Lulu’s Director for Bahrain and Egypt and other senior officials.

salaam society

A BIC National Day

Bahrain International Circuit and This Is Bahrain organized a major national day celebration which recognises its role as a global ambassador for the country.

The BIC National Day Festival held with the support of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister showcased a variety of entertainment. It consisted of 7

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all sorts of kids’ rides and activities, a traditional souq, food and beverage stalls and live musical performances by massive regional artists including Mohamed Abdo, Rabeh Saqer and Waleed Alshami.

The event was graced by Jameel Humaidan, Labour & Social Development Minister, Betsy B Mathieson of This is Bahrain and other dignitaries.

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art & culture

Cutting-edge conversations about art, and tech to dominate ArtBAB 2019

The fourth edition of the Middle East’s youngest and most promising art fair, ArtBAB 2019 (Art Bahrain Across Borders), will take place from March 6 to 10, 2019 at the Bahrain Exhibitions & Convention Centre. Held under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeekha bint Ebrahim Al Khalifa, Wife of the King of Bahrain and a keen supporter of the Kingdom’s cultural heritage, the exhibition will be an exciting amalgam of Bahraini talent and an exploration of new approaches to enjoying art.

It will be pushing boundaries and will offer visitors a truly multi-layered and multi-dimensional experience through exposure to a Virtual Reality Corner that allows exploration of some of the world’s leading private museums and a diverse Speaker’s Programme that will bring together art foundations, cultural districts and museums with fintech, blockchain, AI and VR specialists.

“We are proud of the unique

conversations that we have started about Bahraini art around the world – in 2018 alone, our supporting project Artists Across Borders has taken over xx artists to Paris, Moscow, Singapore and the U.K.,” said Shaikha Maram bint Isa Al Khalifa, Director of the Office of Her Royal Highness Wife of the King of Bahrain, “In the 2019 edition of the Fair, we shall explore not just the heritage and legacies that inspire Bahraini contemporary art but also the new directions of art on the global stage. We shall also have a beautifully curated Artisanal Room featuring special installations and large masterpieces rooted in the traditional skills of Bahraini crafts heritage.”

Kaneka Subberwal, Fairs and Programme Director of ArtBAB 2019, said: “ The art fair’s 2019 edition would be an exciting amalgam of Bahraini art and cutting-edge trends discussed during the conference.

This year, in a first for the region, ArtBAB will take visitors beyond the canvases 8

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of the gifted artists of Bahrain and the gallerists who bring some of the famous contemporary artworks to showcase at the fair and take them not just across borders but across time-frames too.”

Rachel Rekkab, Founder of UNFOLD Art XChange and Owner of Artem Holdings added, “We are honored to be partnering with ArtBAB and to have ArtBAB as our Host Sponsor for our second edition. This will be launched as part of ArtBAB’s talks programme from the 7-9 March 2019 where we will be bringing together over 40 cultural, fintech, blockchain, AI and VR specialists from 20 countries across the globe to Bahrain. We would like to thank Kaneka Subberwal for her generous support and look forward to developing a long-term relationship with ArtBAB.”

First Ever VR Tour Kaneka said, “Our Virtual Corner at ArtBAB 2019 truly takes the art experience beyond borders – the public

will be able to have three different VR experiences using Vive Pro Headsets and literally ‘touch’ celebrated contemporary Chinese art collections, 17th century Dutch and Flemish masterpieces as well as millennial VR artwork.” dslcollection, a VR Private Museum from france will feature world prominent Chinese Contemporary Artists- Cao Fei, Tang Song, Ge Guanzhong, Jia Aili, and Chen Wenbo; The Kremer Collection, a VR Private Museum from Netherlands will feature 17th Century Dutch and Flemmish great masters such as Gerrit Dou, Pieter de Hooch, Frans Hals, Jan Lievens, Rembrandt, Michael Sweerts & Gerrit van Honthorst and Khora Contemporary, a VR Production house, co-founded by Faurschou Foundation, a private museum in Denmark will showcase works of other prominent contemporary artists.

Decoding In its effort to decode the intersection between art, culture and technology, ArtBAB 2019 will host an impressive array of speakers through a series of panel discussions, and debates and interviews.

The Bahrain art fair will also be launching a world premier on Art & Islamic Finance during the conference, as a debate between Deloitte Art & Finance and Deloitte ME Islamic Finance and Knowledge Centre (IFKC). The use of big data and analytics in helping collectors better manage liquidity, risk and volatility will also be explored with valuable insights from Christie’s and ArtTactic alongside live demos from CollectorIQ, MutualArt and Pi-eX. Industry leaders underpinning the conversation about the blockchain art market revolution to improve provenance and unlock digital trade routes will include Bahrain Fintech Bay, BlockchainHub, Artory, Verisart, Arius Technology, ID4ARTS and Dadiani Syndicate.

The conference will also discuss topics around arts philanthropy and

arts patronage to empower cultural development in the Arab World and the growth of cultural and educational districts in building a creative economy, moderated by Arab Fund for Arts and Culture (AFAC) and Global Cultural District Network (GCDN).This will feature speakers from Dublin City Gallery, The Hugh Lane, West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, Kuwait National Cultural District, National Museum of Singapore, Salama Bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation, A.M.Qattan Foundation, The Kamel Lazaar Foundation and many others.

Jason Bailey, Founder of Artnome, the world's largest analytical database will chair one of the art world's biggest debates on AI and Artistic Creation, exploring the role of AI and machine learning in replacing humans. Robbie Barrat, a 19-year old who developed the code for the first AI Generated Portrait of Edmond de Belamy by the Paris collective, Obvious that was auctioned at Christie's will take center stage with Mario Klingemann, a pioneer in the use of computer learning in the arts and a Google Arts and Culture resident, and Nature Morte Gallery. KlarisLaw will explore copyright issues on AI-Generated Art. VRFocus, a virtual reality specialist website will close the show with an exclusive interview with VIVE Arts and moderate a panel discussion on VR as a Game Changer for the Arts with dslcollection, The Kremer Collection, Khora Contemporary, Vastari and The National Gallery London.

Bahraini platform “We are excited about the return of our showcase of Bahraini artists BAAB which has attracted over 110 artists this year,” said Kaneka, “Our Selectors’ Panel consisting of (add the names here) shall be finalizing the artworks that we shall display in the central space at the venue, putting the focus firmly on our Bahraini artists.”

Another major impactful move from 9

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ArtBAB 2019 will be the redefining of Bahrain’s rich crafts heritage through a contemporary design input. Visitors can view large modern installations of Bahraini crafts seen from a fresh perspective and explore chic, contemporary modernized Bahraini crafts that will take to the world a new portrait of Bahrain as a country which is open to contemporary thought and where the timeless old traditions adapt to new thought without losing their essence.

“We have taken the talent and the historical memory of craftsmanship that sustains Bahrain’s crafts, passed it through the prism of contemporary sensibility and created a chic, art-based version of Bahraini craft pieces that will have global appeal. We have applied the same skills and rules but to create very different things.” Kaneka said, “We believe that our ‘Artisans Across Borders’ initiative will open new creative channels and is an important step in nurturing a sustainable economy for the creative energy of the Kingdom, making the arts and crafts relevant in the new millennium.”

Strategic Partner of the event is Tamkeen, Bahrain’s change management agency which supports the building of human resources and the Kingdom’s industrial and knowledge growth management.

“ArtBAB represents the fostering of excellence in the visual arts through exhibitions and educational programmes that serve as catalysts for the future of Bahraini and Middle Eastern Art and Tamkeen is proud to be a Strategic Partner in such a forward-looking and progressive narrative,” said (add Tamkeen spokesperson’s name – if this is to go to Tamkeen for approval, we shall scrap it as there is no time) ArtBAB aims to reinforce Bahrain’s position in the Gulf as a regional arts hub, inspiring entrepreneurship, art education and local skills development.

The 2019 fair will take place from Wednesday 6th March to Sunday 10th March, 2019.

salaam society

ICRF - LIFE Short Film Competition The Indian Community Relief Fund (ICRF) is well known on the island for its community outreach initiatives. This year it held its annual ICRF - LIFE Short film competition which was a grand success, in terms of turnout and the quality of the films shortlisted. More than 30 people had participated in the competition and 14 entries were shortlisted for the finale.

The films had to be of 3-minute duration and could be made in any Indian language with English subtitles. The jury consisted of an eminent panel of film makers. Vahid Mehrinfar, Anagha Anand and Sanjay Kapoor. The judges were of the opinion that all the shortlisted movies carried the message of hope powerfully and were all well made. The Winner of the competition was the movie made by Ramgopal Menon and team called 'Mindscape'. The first runner up was ‘Komorebi’ made by Fahad Asab and team. The second runner up position was bagged by two movies namely ‘I wish I was Alive’ made by husband and wife team Neetu and Sameer Tiwari and 'Ningalude Swantham Jeevan' created

by Sachin Thomas and team. The jury also awarded a special mention trophy to two films named ‘Kaahe Ghabaraye’ made by Deepu Ramachandran and team and ‘Lakeerein ..taqdeero wali’ made by Ramanpreet Praveen and team. The entry that won the hearts of the audience and jury undoubtedly was the animation film made by the students of New Millennium School under the guidance of their teacher Aruna Rao. Simple in concept but powerful in its message the effort was admired and appreciated by all.

The occasion was graced by the event sponsor Ms. Mona Yousuf Almoayyed as the chief guest and Mr. Chaudhury, the first secretary of the Indian embassy as the guest of honor. Ms. Mona Almoayyed also inaugurated the ICRF - LIFE helpline number 38415171 to call in case of emotional distress. More than 300 people from various walks of life from the Indian community attended the event.

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Al Hilal marks 47th N-Day

Al Hilal Hospital celebrated the 47th National Day of the Kingdom of Bahrain, held under the patronage of the Member of Parliament, Hamad Al Kooheji, with loads of colour, traditional dance and music.

Ramee Grand X'mas tree lighting

Ramee Grand Hotel & Spa kicks-off the festive season with a Christmas tree lighting ceremony in coordination with the British School of Bahrain and UK Ambassador Simon Martin and his wife Sophie. The Hotel Manager Kumar Ashwani imparted the seasons greetings and spoke in length about the support of his partners.

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cover story

How Asian entrepreneurs built a new Bahrain As the Kingdom of Bahrain celebrates its 47th National Day this month, we conversed with a selection of prestigious companies on the island, whose founders voyaged here generations ago and etched their name into the country’s economic history.

This is Part I of our tracing of the business history of Bahrain and the

By ABEER PARKER role of Asian entrepreneurs.

Prior to the discovery of oil in the early 1930s, Bahrain which was under British rule at the time, served as a major port and transit point for traders who brought goods from across the Indian subcontinent, some of whom were part of the lucrative pearling industry. Indian merchants travelled on passports issued by the British embassy, one didn’t need to go through an agent or apply for a visa, traders would come by sea and dock at the port in Manama, which is now all reclaimed land.

Setting up shop was straightforward and didn’t require commercial registration.

The locals, as are today, were courteous, welcoming and made people want to stay in Bahrain. History confirms Bahrain was a trading hub since the Dilmun civilization; pearls, followed by oil, attracted even more traders and entrepreneurs to seek bread here. By the 1960s, Bahrain’s economy and population was growing significantly.

In the pages ahead, we will revisit and celebrate the past, about 75 years to a century – or more - ago, and see the journeys of some of these prestigious companies and businesses established back then; names and legacies of whom are being carried forward by their successors today.

Most of the oldest companies still functioning in Bahrain started life in the commercial hub – the Manama Suq – as traders in commodities and financiers to the pearl fleets. The canny Bhatia community from Thatta in present-day Pakistan and other traders, mainly from Karachi were the first wave of pioneers to form a link between modern Bahrain and the sub-continent. Along with them came the industrious Bohra community from Gujarat. The hard-working Malayalee community from Malabar came much later – the second wave after the oil boom.

In the early days, they came as much12

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needed professionals: teachers, nurses, doctors and administrative staff.

The trend seems to have been for the First Wave Entrepreneurs to come here as young men in search of jobs or adventure and quickly expand into their own businesses. There were plenty of opportunities in Bahrain at the end of the 19th century. As the nation stepped into the 20th century, it was seeing thriving pearl business and the merchants who came to select the finest pearls to trade in India’s jewellery-crazy palaces, saw that they could build a fortune for themselves here. The first option was invariably commodities – rice, lentils, sugar, tea and spices. This was the stepping stone for future expansion into businesses as varied as industrial supplies, oil and gas field instruments.

Some of the beginnings are fascinating.

Many Bohra families made their small start-up fortunes by supplying embroidery zari, mirrors and even exquisitely worked bridal dresses for Bahraini trousseaux and later ploughed this into commodities and, as their business presence grew, into today’s big trading warehouses and suppliers. There was a need for cosmetics and perfumed oils, herbs and unguents which was tapped by others and a fragrant perfume empire was built.

The Partition and the division of the sub-continent into India and Pakistan also led to a shift in the business community in Bahrain. As families from both countries fled to the other side, there was high drama and anxiety – after all, whole families were in terribly dangerous condition and there were no smart phones or satellites to track their progress. One had to choose one or

the other country without the benefit of Skype calls and wise counsel from family elders and the die was cast for life – and for generations to come.

Oldest community

According to Bob Thaker, Chairman (President) of Thattai (Bhatia) Hindu Merchants Community (THMC), Bahrain and Vice-President of Commercial Market Committee, Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, several businesses can trace back their history in Bahrain to nearly 200 years and were pioneer traders.

Businessmen who trace their roots to Thatta in Sind (present-day Pakistan ) who settled in Bahrain & Dubai call themselves Thattai Bhatias. They are the oldest expat business community on the island, alongside the Bohra business community.

“THMC was created in the early 1940s to strengthen the community and provide a platform for businessmen to address challenges facing them. The organization owns property in the heart of Manama, which contains the Krishna Temple, multipurpose halls, library and offices.

We officially registered with the Ministry of Labour & Social Development as Thattai Hindu Merchants Community in August this year,” Bob explains.

Four members of THMC are also a part of the BCCI committees and are a bridge between THMC, BCCI and the government. Bob Thaker is vice

chairman- Commercial Markets Committee (CMC) while Mukesh Gandhi is a member of CMC, Hiren Bhatia is a member of the Real Estate Committee and Purab Bhatia is a member of the Industrial committee.

“THMC aspires to build on the strong legacy of the Bhatia business community and to become Bahrain’s leading entrepreneurial organization”, he adds.

Bob explains that stories and records have been handed down from generation to generation. The organization is now in the process of appointing an historian who will trace and record this history.

The millennial generation is encouraged to attend all the meetings. Learning events are conducted for members, they recently conducted a VAT workshop. Bob reveals that the experience sharing between generations is a huge part of the learning process and provides a perfect blend of traditional ideas and contemporary management practices. “All societies evolve, and we are no exception,” Bob continues, “We encourage the younger generation to flourish and they can do so

Batelco For Bahrain

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under the family business or branch out independently but still retain links to the family.”

Inspiring

The Pakistani community too has many stalwart corporate organisations and two of the oldest are featured in this first part of our ongoing series on the Asian business community.

In the build-up to this exciting issue, we met many inspiring people across generations and were struck by the sense of commitment, continuity and love for Bahrain that these families embodied.

Bahrain then and now is distinguished by its harmony, its welcoming of all people to contribute to its progress and acknowledge this contribution. We have no doubt that alongside the excellent business-friendly vision of the leaders of the Kingdom, it is this easy camaraderie of all nationalities that will win the day and the future of the Kingdom we all call home. *Abeer Parker has compiled the entire Cover Story and all the interviews featured in this issue.

Batelco was the proud official sponsor of The National Day Championship which took place under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, First Deputy President of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, President of Bahrain Athletic Association and Honorary President of Bahrain Disabled Sports Federation. Following the successful event, Shaikh Mohamed bin Duaij Al Khalifa, President of the Bahrain Sports Federation for Disabilities, presented an appreciation award to Shaikh Khalifa Al Khalifa, who accepted the award on behalf of Batelco. The National Day Championship attracted over 500 attendees including participants with disabilities, the general public and children. The programmes held by the Bahrain Sports Federation for Disabilities benefit around 1000 handicapped athletes and a large number of families in Bahrain.

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cover story Syed Junaid Alam w.l.l.

The fragrance of adventure A fascinating story about how Bahrain’s famous legacy perfumiers came into being nearly 120 years ago.

The founder of this famed perfumier came to Bahrain in 1910. Those were the days when men got into the rough and tumble of life early – and even by those standards, thirteen was young and that was founder Syed Junaid Alam’s age when he came to Bahrain work for a company called Mudaifa that was looking for a trustworthy, honest person to work as a transporter of their goods and pearls.

“The earliest record we have of my greatgrandfather being in Bahrain dates to 1910,” said Managing Director Ali Jaweed, “He was in Bombay and recommended to Mudaifa for his honesty and keen mind.

He could read and write and was obviously an entrepreneur who build a new enterprise on the back of his network. Our link with Bahrain, our future home, began in 1910

- that’s why we write ‘Since 1910’ under the name.”

Syed Junaid traded in oil for oil lamps, essential oils for fragrance, hair oils like coconut and mustard from India and even cosmetic oils and creams.

Ali continues, “In those days, Bahrain was a trading hub for all of Asia and a strategic gateway to Europe and Africa.

My great-grandfather’s work involved a lot of travelling which helped his network grow and eventually he began buying and trading in oils from India. He would sell these at his shop or other places.”

“Interestingly, his inspiration for perfumes came from his mother in India.

As a hobby, she would buy agarwood aqualiria or oud and mix it with a combination of essential oils such as amber, 14

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saffron and rose and use it in her home or gift it to her friends and family. Syed Junaid’s family assumes this may be where he developed a liking to perfumes.”

Ali has heard from his grandmother that in those times, Bahrain used to be smaller, greener and simpler. There was no language barrier since many Bahrainis knew Hindi/ Urdu and had academic ties with India.

Syed Junaid was one of the first brands for perfumes produced in Bahrain and the whole family was involved in the production. When the shop closed during souk shifts, Mohammad Akhtar and his sons Fuad and Jaweed Akhtar would be in the basement decanting perfume into bottles. The most crucial milestone was when they tied up with their biggest supplier in the 1940s, a Swiss company called

From a small store in Manama to several prestigious outlets, from retro designs to delicate contemporary containers, Junaid has traversed its 100+ years with grace and success

Givaudan which manufactures flavours and fragrances and is one of the world’s largest in its industry. Junaid Perfumes still works with them.

Till the 80s, there was only one retail store. In 1995, the Chairman Fuad Akhtar and CEO Jaweed Akhtar had the vision of opening 100 retail shops over the next 10 years, and the company achieved this goal by 2005. The company is now headed

by Chairman Fuad Akhtar, Ali’s uncle and CEO Jaweed Akhtar, Ali’s father. The perfumiers produce 20 to 25 new fragrances per year and it is a family affair; all the directors, who are also cousins, chip in

with their area of expertise when a new design or fragrance is brought to the table.

As a family they innovate where they can, but never at the cost of their honesty.

They are very strict in distinguishing between pure and synthetic oils and are against mislabelling a product as something else. They are also a Shariah-compliant organization and their business practices abide by those rules.

Junaid Perfumes employ only Bahrainis in their sales team and women form the backbone of the company – and not just as customers. Their production team in the factory is an all-woman team, including 15

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the junior manager. They have many women employed in their HR, legal, PR and sales departments. “We’re also contributing to our country Bahrain’s economy through our worldwide exports to US, Russia, Australia and India, in addition to the GCC,” Ali says.

He believes that although Bahrain’s market is challenging right now, change does bring about good. “Changes in regulations and rising challenges are better for the company and the country,” he adds, “We are a business-friendly country and we should put high hopes in this and the Kingdom’s visionary leadership.”

cover story Kavalani & Sons w.l.l.

Building for Bahrain’s progress A respected trading house that began trading with Bahrain in 1850, survived the Partition and made the Kingdom its home

In November this year, Bahrain was abuzz with its very own Big Fat Indian wedding – the glittering union of Komal Kavalani and Harsh Pancholia. Held in the magical Sofitel Hotel under twinkling stars, fairy lights and the dazzle of a room full of diamond-clad men and women, the bride’s parents Mukesh and Harsha Kavalani welcomed the Crown Prince of Bahrain and many ministers and dignitaries on this occasion.

The wedding represented the deep ties that bound the Kavalani family to the Kingdom – a journey that began in 1850, when Kavalmal Kavalani, an astute teenager of 18 boarded a trading dhow to reach Bahrain and start a business dealing in the famed Bahraini pearls and dates. His descendants, Vasumal Kavalmal, Purshotamdas Vasumal and

Narsingdas Purshotamdas diversified the line of business by initially dealing in textiles, pearls and in import and export of tea. In 1955, Tolaram Narsingdas and Chandrasen Narsingdas (the great-great grandsons of Kavalmal Kavalani) established Kavalani & Sons.

“When Vasumal, my great-great grandfather came to Bahrain to buy pearls and dates for trade between Bahrain and India, the Kingdom was rudimentary in development,” reminisces Mukesh Kavalani, the managing director, “He lived in a one-bedroom apartment, that was 12x8 ft, which still exists to this day in Bahrain. There was no electricity in those days, and they were required to fetch water from a nearby spring. They dearly missed their families as well as the comfort of home-cooked food.”

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In fact, there is an oft-repeated joke in the community that the Bhatia men of that generation were very traditional and did not eat food cooked by people outside their community. Thus they learnt cooking and became excellent cooks themselves. Which is why Bhatia ladies are fantastic culinary divas – they had to match the menfolk!

After the discovery of oil in Bahrain, the ‘50s witnessed the start of economic and infrastructural development. During this period, the company changed tracks from food trading to the sale of automobile spares imported from USA and Europe. In fact, the family owned one of the first motor cars in the Kingdom!

In the early ‘60s, the company changed its focus to industrial consumables, hardware and building materials,” Mukesh

explains. They were licensed to carry out general trading focused on industrial, construction and marine products.

Times were difficult during the partition of India-Pakistan in 1947, it affected the family immensely because they had to leave all their belongings behind in Karachi. “Our Bahrain office was locked and inactive. However, the rent was still being paid because my father and grandfather had hope that they would return soon. We lost most of our assets and had to start from scratch again, living very economically,” Mukesh shares.

“Today, we are grateful to call Bahrain home, due to the great respect and support from the Al Khalifa family and the Government of Bahrain. Most importantly, this wouldn’t be possible without the effort, hard work and resilience of our forefathers.”

Mukesh says the company has achieved much more than what it was aspired to be. “We built upon the wisdom and legacy our forefathers left behind. Our identity

has evolved into a well-known brand name and technological advances have helped create awareness within the digital space today.”

The company took up new areas and expertise with evolving customer needs and market demands within the economy of Bahrain. Some new divisions include but are not limited to electrical products, waterproofing & plumbing products, interior products, HVAC and industrial and construction machineries. In 2004, they started the Oil & Gas division. Two years later they even branched out to Dubai and registered as Kavsons International General Trading.

Devkishan, Mukesh and Prashant Kavalani are heading operations in Bahrain. “As times changed and women too gained university education, the multitude of the families’ daughters and daughters-in-law have been involved in core decision making processes & business development aspects of the company. They continue to have the 17

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flexibility to contribute to the daily as well as long term operations of the company. Additionally, our team comprises of women in leading positions in HR and Quality Control,” Mukesh affirms.

The company contributes to the national economy through its participation in exhibitions, such as the Gulf Construction Expo and various seminars which contribute to Bahrain’s construction & industrial development. Most evidently, the opening of their new head office, showroom, offices, warehousing and logistics facilities in 2013, reflected their confidence in the economic growth of Bahrain. The 130,000 sq. ft. space is built in Salman Industrial city within Bahrain Investment Wharf.

Mukesh believes people should invest in Bahrain since it offers high quality of life, a business-friendly environment, a supportive and forward-thinking government alongside a plethora of talent and dedication within the population.

cover story Nasif & Khansaheb Abdulhusein & Bros w.l.l.

Building Bahrain’s industrial future From rice, sugar and spices to films and now industrial supplies, this company has helped build Bahrain in all aspects since 1895

The founders of Nasif & Khansaheb are believed to be the first group from the Bohra community to have arrived in Bahrain more than 100 years ago and they have played a significant role in the Kingdom’s infrastructure. Director Salim Bahrainwala tells us that his grandfather Ali Mohammed along with his three brothers Abdulhusain, Mohsinbhai and Abedinbhai departed on a ship from a jetty in Surat for Basra, Iraq in 1895 to sell goods. He doesn’t know the reason why they decided to come to Bahrain instead, he assumes they must have heard that this was a prosperous destination.

They began trade in rice, sugar and spices; Bahrain was using Indian currency at the time. Two brothers used to stay in Bahrain while two would be in India. The company diversified in the 30s and 40s when they ventured into supplying raw

material for embroidery/zari work. They were briefly involved in film distribution of Bollywood movies as well and were dealing with Hamra, Zubara and Awal Cinema until nationalization in the ‘50s.

The original office of the firm was in Manama in a shop that stood at the heart of the commercial district - where Aradous Hotel stands now in Bab Al Bahrain.

Gradually the company began narrowing down their range of products and shifted completely to dealing in hardware, linoleum carpets and eventually industrial supplies. In 1977 they became a BahrainIndia joint venture firm. Their showroom & warehouse is currently located in Sitra.

They also have a sister company in Dubai, M. Husain Bros, established in 1967.

Nasif and Khansaheb’s specialization is supplying materials to marine, construction and oil industries and they 18

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are currently the sole distributors in Bahrain of various products from high quality leading brands around the world.

They provide high demand items such as Lifting Tackles, Steel wire ropes, Fiber ropes and a complete range of Industrial Fasteners as well as Industrial Safety and protection gear, hand & power tools and industrial chemicals. Their affiliation with companies in UAE is also an added advantage. “Hardware is in our blood and helped us generate revenue,” Salim comments.

Salim is optimistic about Bahrain in 2030 and hopes to see the infrastructure improve in terms of roads and highways, the restoration of rundown buildings on Shaikh Abdullah Road, investment and growth in Hidd Industrial Area and more focus on recreational outlets for children such as better gardens.

The company was one of the leading suppliers for the King Fahd Causeway and they were on call 24/7. Other large-scale projects they have contributed significantly in is the Alba Expansion – phase 4, 5 & 6, Gulf Petrochemical Industries Co., BAPCO and Banagas. And most recently they have expanded to the oilfield supply shipping industry.

UAE Exchange marks National Day UAE Exchange Bahrain celebrated Bahrain National Day across all the branches as well as at the Country Head Office in Manama along with their Bahraini colleagues and customers. The event at the Head Office took place in the presence of Senior Officials of the Company. As part of the celebrations, the Management thanked our Bahraini Colleagues and the Bahraini community for the support extended over the years. As the Kingdom of Bahrain celebrates another year of its independence, UAE Exchange joins in the fervour and wishes its citizens a prosperous year ahead. It also reiterates its commitment to offer quick, convenient and safe financial solutions to the residents of the country.

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cover story Kewalram & Sons Co. w.l.l.

A deep-sea treasure & a new land From financing pearl divers to growing into a multi-faceted modern trading company, Chairman Bhagwandas (Baboo) Kewalram shares his grandfather’s legacy.

In 1888, Damodardas Kewalram, hailing from Thatta Sindh near Karachi in present day Pakistan, Then a strapping 20 year-old, Damodardas came with a few friends by sea, with the plan to explore Bahrain. At that time, Bahrain was the pearling hub and the magnificent orbs of luminosity were sold to jewellers and Maharajahs. Despite a lack of electricity and sweet water on tap, Bahrain was more sophisticated than other Gulf countries because of the pearl trade.

Damodardas and his friends initially stayed together, sleeping on open terraces, managing life in a new setting, determined to pursue their individual interests.

The founder of Kewalram & Sons, Damodardas soon got involved in the pearl industry and financed pearl divers who used to kit out their vessels for pearling expeditions with borrowed money, repaying the lenders like Damodardas by giving them first pick of the beautiful and costly pearls, who then

sold them for a profit. His nephew, (Late) Haridas Kewalram, joined him a few years later and they established the first shop at Bab al Bahrain in 1918, where they introduced foodstuffs and sundry items.

A second shop specialized in textiles and is still functioning on Al Mutanabbi Avenue.

Diversifying

Being one of the first GCC countries to have a seaport, the company had the advantage of exporting textiles to neighbouring Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE. Branching to a different trade meant the Kewalrams didn’t face significant problems when the pearling industry wound down in the 1930s.

Baboobhai, as he is affectionately known, explained the Kewalrams hail from a community of traders and entrepreneurs (the Bhatias) and they value what those roots and culture consist of, making their professional spirit trump 20

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over any emotional impact that may otherwise challenge a family business.

Now in their fourth and fifth generation of the family run business, Baboobhai is hopeful his grandsons will continue the hard work and commitment that his sons, Kishore, Jai, Vinod and Anoop Kewalram demonstrated in the last few decades. He also acknowledged the women who are always playing a crucial part in the family and are support systems through thick and thin, although not directly involved in the business.

“Our family values hold us together as a source of success, commitment and longevity. These values assure cohesion and help resolve conflicts, strengthening our business further,” he mentions, “Passing a legacy to the next generation is a big step and demands responsibility.”

By the early ‘50s the company had ventured into the electronics business, as agents of popular Japanese brands.

Around this time, current Chairman

Bhagwandas (Baboo) Kewalram and his brother (Late) Sunder Kewalram, joined their father Haridas to lend a hand with the family business. A decade later they had opened their first shop in Dubai.

Baboobhai recalls how the area till Bab al Bahrain was once covered by sea, crowded with pearl divers and fishermen and Government Customs all nearby.

Currently, Kewalram & Sons serves the textiles, electronics, watches & clocks, jewellery and integrated home, office and building security business with a portfolio of internationally acclaimed brands. They are the official distributors of Casio, Titan watches, Rhythm clocks and watches in Bahrain.

Gold, electro mechanicals, security

systems & solutions, education and real estate are avenues the company has branched to in the last two decades. They are partners in Quality Education School, which was established in 2003 and is a British curriculum institute catering to 800 students, 95% of whom are Bahraini.

Building a school was Sunder Kewalram’s dream which the family fulfilled after his death.

“Our contributions towards the country’s economic growth and the government’s economic vision have also been a vital part of our business. We explore different markets and bring locals as well as expatriates in our workforce.

As employers, we ensure nationalization while endorsing the multi-cultural lifestyle 21

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here,” Baboobhai explains. 32% of Kewalram & Sons’ workforce is Bahraini and 25% of their frontline workforce are women.

“It’s easy to conduct business activities here,” he continues, “Bahrain’s quasigovernment programmes, Tamkeen, EDB and LMRA give scope and remit.

Entrepreneurs and investors should contact them and be informed of the support available.”

“Bahrain has been multicultural for generations, the locals are warm and friendly which is an attractive aspect for investors,” Baboobhai affirms. “My family has been here ever since my grandfather moved to Bahrain and we have not regretted anything ever since.”

cover story Asgharali Group

Supporting 'Made in Bahrain', embracing change Managing Director Saad Asgharali tells us more about his grandfather’s vision and the array of businesses the company has under its umbrella.

Asghar Ali, the perfumer and founder, left his home in Ambala, Punjab and reached Bahrain via Bombay after a 45 days voyage in the year 1919 and started his own business in 1924 – the company is within touching distance of its centenary year now.

“He had to help his father and family pay off some debts,” Saad shares, “For the first five years, he worked as part of the maintenance team at American Mission Hospital.” He registered a business in 1924, selling general items like facial creams, torches and scissors; products that can be seen in the artist’s impression of the Mutanabbi shop.

Perfumes were a small part of it.

Over time, he made his mark in the perfumery market and Asgharali Perfumes was started in 1969 with his son’s active

participation. Today, the rich, flowing powder blue Asgharali logo adorns over 100 retail shops and the company prides itself as a contributor to Bahrain’s economy as a manufacturer of precious perfumes.

Asgharali’s vision was not limited to perfumes, he also wanted to make a difference in people’s lives. In 1950, he was one of the founders of Pakistan Urdu School and their vision was to provide affordable education to the Muslims of South Asia.

The company takes inspiration for its designs from Bahraini heritage and would incorporate Bab Al Bahrain or some other landmark. They launch 40 to 45 new fragrances per year. Fifty per cent of their staff is female, especially given the Saudi market where all retail staff are women.

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They have 40% Bahraini employees. Saad explained that they opened a new factory and moved to Hidd Industrial City five years ago because its closer to Mina Salman port.

In 1993, the group launched Style Textile, a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility for garments. It has 22,000 employees and grown to be one of the world’s leading suppliers for brands such as Nike, Levi’s, Adidas, Reebok and many more. The group has also diversified into real estate with Asgharali Properties which develops commercial and residential properties in Bahrain and GCC. Meanwhile, Prime Chemicals in Sheikhupura, Punjab is a producer of sulphuric acid, and downstream products of aluminium sulphate and sulphur rolls.

The group also got involved in the aluminium industry in 1989 when ALBA was established. Asgharali recognized the benefit of down streaming and was commissioned to produce aluminium utensils and became successful manufacturers through Gulf Aluminum which has helped add a higher value to the country’s aluminium exports.

The success of the Asgharali group is due to the high regard given to professionalism. Saad comments that to be successful, family businesses should have a constitution in place, procedures that all members follow. “They should

run like any other organization,” he says, “Even I get deducted if I clock in late.”

Another key aspect is the family’s commitment to giving back to the community. Saad’s father Saleem Asgharali is well-known for his philanthropy and is actively involved in mentoring bright young students in the Pakistani community for higher education and valuable international workplace experience. In 2012, Saleem Asgharali was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award in the first Arab-Asian Awards ceremony held under the patronage of the Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh Khalid 23

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bin Abdulla Al Khalifa.

Saad too has burnished the laurels of the Asgharali family, being recognised as a promising business leader of the Pakistani community and a mover and shaker in the Bahraini business community. He is hopeful Bahrain’s economic reforms are taking it in the right direction and that people learn what help the government has to offer. “For example, investors are granted a longterm lease and exempt from Bahrainization for the first five years if they open in Bahrain International Investment Park,” he adds.

cover story V.M. & Bros. Co. w.l.l. (VMB)

Snatching success from hardship One of Bahrain’s top FMCG companies is well-known also for the community profile of its Chairman

The journey of V.M. & Bros Company began about 150 years ago when its founders travelled between Karachi and Bahrain, establishing the foundation of a strong trading company. Valabdas, Janimal, and then Laxmidas and Thawredas, followed by Thawredas’ son Muljimal in 1945, all led the company towards success in that order, bringing commodities like rice, sugar, oil etc to the desert Kingdom. The company was formally established in 1907.

“As pioneering families, the hardships that we underwent are the stuff of folklore,” exclaims Sushil Muljimal, Thawredas’ son and CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors, “The hot and humid weather of Bahrain made it difficult to sleep and the men (most of the families stayed back in Thatta, now in Pakistan)

would wet the floor of open terraces with water before sleeping on them in raised cots, hoping it could give them some relief from the heat. Sweet water was not easily accessible – often we could only get water that was sold from leather water carriers and we could not consume that as our religion did not permit it. Dates and a few other foods were the only items they could eat since we were vegetarians. The roads were undeveloped. But on the bright side, this helped us to reach where we are today because of our import of essential commodities such as dal and rice. Bahrain became an important port for bringing in foods from India and redistributing it to the rest of the Middle East.”

Cashews, almonds, sugar, rice, milk powder, coconut powder, lentils / pulses, iodized salt, vegetable oil, raisins and 24

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coffee beans are commodities that VMB supplies in the local market. It is also well known for importing & distributing exclusive FMCG brands from over 40 countries. Some prominent brands are Priya pickles and chutneys, Cadbury, Guylian, Haribo, Post (cereals), Ricola and Royal Dansk (butter cookies).

“It will be right to say that we achieved what we wanted, but this does not stop us. We want to keep growing by following a cycle of focusing on a goal, achieving it and then going to the next one, always pushing further,” Sushil explains. “VMB is proud to be amongst the top FMCG companies in Bahrain. We started as a small commodity trading company and have transformed into a Medium Sized Business carrying some of the world’s most prominent brands represented

The role played by Chairman Sushil Muljimal in taking Bahrain's message of peace and inter-faith harmony to the world has been much-appreciated by Bahrain's leaders. exclusively and distributed by us”, he continues. In addition to confectionary and snacks, VMB has recently ventured into dealing in frozen and chilled products.

As taught by their forefathers, VMB has underscored its business ties with the two H factors – humility and honesty.

“Most of our customers have been with us for over 80+ years, which include some of the kingdom’s oldest families who have always been with us through good and tough times”.

Brothers who are all directors, Harendra and Mukesh oversee the foods division with Sushil, while Manoj takes care of dealings in electrical supplies. Sushil’s son Punit Ashar is the General Manager while Hemant is Business Head. “There aren’t any women in leading positions at the company, however we have been fortunate

enough to receive valuable advice and suggestions from the women in our family with regards to acquiring new projects or in bettering our company’s structure and logistics,” Sushil explains.

In addition to their business acumen, the family is also well-known for the active role played by Sushil Muljimal in managing the Shri Krishna Temple in the Manama Suq, which is the oldest Hindu temple in the region. He also travels far and wide with the NGO ‘This Is Bahrain” Society to spread Bahrain’s message of peace, tolerance and harmony.

There are over 180 employees in the company, of which over 30% are Bahrainis. “In addition, we are constantly investing and ploughing back our profits into the country’s economy by means of purchasing infrastructure, building our 25

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own warehouses, upgrading our technology thus helping increase the level of income and the level of activity in the Kingdom. At the same time, we strive to provide the best products and services to our valuable customers and suppliers,” he adds.

Sushil shares that Bahrain is one of the best places to conduct business since the government has relaxed many rules, attracting foreign investment and thus be a part of this country. Bahrain also has competitive electricity tariffs in addition to low expenses as compared to some other countries which makes it easier to run a business. “I strongly advice people invest in Bahrain. We have already been seeing many foreign companies establish trading and manufacturing units in Bahrain.”

cover story Chaturbhuj Mulchand & Sons

A golden route to success The legacy of this company begins with the pearl trade and grew to deal in gold bullion, real estate, exquisite retail jewellery and even debt consultancy.

The Chairman of C. Mulchand & Sons is the regal and elegant Lalchand Chaturbhujdas, a third-generation businessman in Bahrain. Lalchand’s grand-father, Mulchand came to Bahrain from Thattai, Sind in the 1900s to deal in pearls. His son, Chaturbhujdas established the company in 1910. “We used to buy Bahraini pearls from divers in the Hidd and Muharraq areas and sell them in India. My father used to spend two to three months at sea travelling between the two countries,” Lalchand shares.

When the market for natural pearls collapsed during the World War I and after the invention of Mikimoto Japanese cultured pearls, Chaturbhuj had to diversify his business and recover his loss. He focused on brokerage of real estate and foodstuffs, dealing mainly with

the Al Arrayedh, Saleh Al Saleh and Dhamanmal Issardas families who were the cream of Bahraini merchant society.

He began to recover his loss and in fact reinstated the pearling business in the 1940s dealing exclusively with the Mansoor Al Arrayedh, Bin Hindi and Bu Hijji family.

In 1948, current chairman Lalchand ventured into gold bullion trade. He was the only one at the time to deal in Mexican, Turkish gold coins and sovereigns. He also introduced and supplied 24 carat 5 tola bars to jewellers in Bahrain which he imported from Eastern Bank - present day Standard Chartered Bank. Two years later he introduced 10 tola bars and became the authorized seller of Swiss bank gold bars. Lalchand continued bullion trading till 1970 when Swiss banks opened office in Bahrain and catered 26

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directly to the market.

At this point Lalchand and his father opened their first outlet for retail jewellery.

“We were the only retail jewellers located on Bab Al Bahrain road, most of the retail jewellery trade was on Shaikh Abdullah road back then,” Lalchand states.

Competition in retail jewellery was low and they succeeded further because they had the resources to manufacture Bahraini gold and pearl jewellery. They had wholesale and retail clients from Saudi Arabia, UAE and Kuwait, and this advantage increased revenue.

Today, the chairman’s sons, Tulsidas and Jayant are directors of the company while his grandsons are managing partners in charge of various departments. “We currently don’t have women in leading positions, but we plan on including them in new ventures,” Lalchand explains.

The company launched Gumaash Creations in 2013 as a new brand of handcrafted jewellery. They are also in the debt consultancy and general trading business under the name Express Debt Management and Express Trading.

“We have contributed towards the country’s economic growth by promoting Bahraini pearl jewellery all over the Gulf region and participating in exhibitions,” he adds. “The kingdom offers vast fields of growth and consistency in investments and the government has been supportive for SMEs and large-scale industries”.

Lalchand believes the process, the ease and cost of doing business in Bahrain is better than other countries and he hopes to see quality growth in the coming years.

“Bahrain was one of the first GCC countries to allow foreign investments and many investors like our families are proud of the contribution we could make to the growth of modern Bahrain.

However, he says the country’s best quality is its rich culture and heritage and the love and acceptance of people who treat expats like family. “We always felt like this is home,” he ended simply.

Zain Bahrain Launches eSIM for iPhones Ever faced a situation where you’ve misplaced a SIM or had to handle two phones to handle 4 different numbers?

If so, Zain Bahrain has you covered.

Zain Bahrain has launched the new electronic SIM (eSIM) to all Zain Bahrain customers.

The new eSIM service will allow Zain Bahrain customers to have multiple numbers using the same handset through the phone's "Settings" function only, without inserting or replacing a physical SIM card. The eSIM will also enable Zain customers to swap between one phone number for business use and another for personal calls and will also enable customers to select an international roaming network while travelling out of the Kingdom. The new eSIM service is currently compatible with Apple's latest iPhones, the iPhone XS, XS Max and iPhone XR running the 12.1 IOS and above. The eSIM will also be compatible with different handsets in the near future.

“The new eSIM launch comes in line

with Zain Bahrain efforts to become the leading telecom operator in the Kingdom, bringing the most advanced technologies and services to Zain customers. The eSIM technology brings Zain customers a number of advantages, it enables customers to switch numbers on the go and could lower the risk of device theft”, commented Mohammed Al Alawi, Acting Director, consumer marketing.

Mohammed Al Alawi, added, “The wireless world is changing quickly.

From devices to applications, network infrastructure to how connectivity is managed. The eSIM technology is a key factor in the growth of Internet of things (IoT). IoT is the future, and the e-SIM is the entity which would drive for the success of IoT”.

The new eSIM is available for post-paid and pre-paid customers with the latest Apple iPhones - the iPhone XS, XS Max and XR. Zain customers can now visit any of Zain Bahrain branches to activate the new service.

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cover story M. M. Joofri & Sons Co w.l.l.

Salt of the business community Abdul Gaffar M. explains how his father’s entrepreneurship led to the opening one of Bahrain’s first self-serve supermarkets, earning Tijjar Avenue the title “Joofri Galli”.

In a business scene crowded with pioneering Bhatia, Northerners from Karachi and Lahore of United India and later, savvy Malayalees, the late Mohtisham Mohammed Joofri stood out as he was from the ancient seaport of Mangalore near Karnataka. The family of this enterprising founder of the famous M M Joofri & Sons Co. w.l.l. had a thriving textile business in India but young Mohtisam’s travel zeal and entrepreneurial fire was stoked by his encounters with the Arab traders who frequented his hometown. They advised him to try his fortunes in Bahrain, then a pearling hub and a comparatively cosmopolitan oasis of progress.

And so, M.M. Joofri arrived in Bahrain from Bhatkal, Karnataka, in 1925 to assist his uncle in a small shop in the Manama

suq. Mohtisham later started a small business of trading salt and charcoal out of gunny-bags from under a makeshift tent. “It took him about five years of continuous struggle to transform his business into a small vegetable and grocery store outside the mosque in the heart of Manama,” shares Abdul Gaffar Mohtisham, his son and current chairman of M M Joofri & Sons Co. W.L.L. The company, in its present form, was established in 1930.

“He struggled and didn’t go back to his family in India for 10 years because he needed to set up something for his future generation,” Abdul Gaffar shares, “Some days all he ate was khubz with chai.” When World War II took place, a lot of people began leaving Bahrain for good including his relatives, but Mohtisham decided to 28

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continue the business. “In 1950, he was joined by his eldest son, my older brother (late) Abdul Kadir Shahjahan Mohtisham and with his support they built a strong business together.”

M. M. Joofri reunited with his other sons, Abdul Rahman, Abdul Gaffar and Ismail Mohtisham in 1966. Business grew tremendously; they started to import more goods from India and Pakistan, dedicated to serving the growing expat population.

Simultaneously they launched a self-serve supermarket named M. M. Joofri & Sons.

“This shop attracted and served so many people from in and around the country that the street on which it exists earned it the title ‘Joofri Gali’, meaning ‘Joofri Lane’,” Abdul Gaffar proudly claims. The oldest brother, Abdul Kadir ventured to Dubai and established Joofri Group’s sister

company, Jan Bros. It recently crossed a 50-year milestone and is a leading wholesale distributor of FMCG products in Dubai.

In 1985 the company developed their own brand, an idea implemented by the late Abdul Kadir. Joofri’s currently has 15 brands and more than 700 products under their name. They have also ventured in UAE and India’s real estate market.

Unlike Jan Bros in Dubai, over time, Joofri’s popularity in

Bahrain became concentrated only amongst the Indian subcontinent clientele and the family aims to become wellknown again around the whole country through new marketing schemes.

Presently the group’s business is spread across the GCC in Kuwait, Oman and Qatar as well. Mohtisham Joofri’s dream to secure a prosperous future and lifestyle for his children and next of kin has so far come true. “The third generation is running the business and has taken it to a whole new level,” Abdul Gaffar says, “The business in Bahrain is headed by my sons Mohamed Yahya and Ahmed Zia Mohtisham.” The female family members are actively involved in community welfare initiatives in India, so far none hold an executive position in the group.

“We have seen Bahrain grow over many decades and we as a company grew with it. Bahrainis have always respected the expat community and it’s because of their help we are what we are today. I’m hopeful Bahrain’s recent oil and gas discovery will help it grow at a much faster rate than ever before in coming years.”

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cover story P. Maghanmal & Sons Co w.l.l.

Passing the baton, breaking tradition In a male-only world, Gita Bhatia gets a head-start from her father-in-law

Parshotamdas Maghanmal Chowdry came to Bahrain in 1927 from Thatta, Sind to deal in pearls. There is no record when, but possibly due to political tensions he returned home to his family for a few years. It was then his son, Tikamdas P. Maghanmal who left his job at the American Military Airbase in Karachi and came to Bahrain in 1946 to work and help his father support the family. “He worked with a construction company called T-Tomina & Sons, lived in a building near the Hindu temple where he paid 12 rupees rent for his room,� his daughter-in-law and managing director Gita Bhatia tells us.

For the next two years while he worked with the construction company, he also set up a business in the evenings to sell foodstuffs like rice and pulses. He asked his father Parshotamdas to join him again in Bahrain to help with the increasing work load. Tikamdas attained his license 30

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as a merchant and opened a shop behind the post office in Manama in 1948 and left his day job.

Gradually the company acquired agency for a variety of products, mainly of Brooke Bond India Ltd, Quaker Oats UK, Three Cycles brand agarbathi or incense sticks, Medimix soap, cosmetics, American salt, canned foods and oil from Malaysia as well as spices and rice.

The late Tikamdas was a man of ethics and always worked on his own finance,

he would never take loans and he never went in debt. He was so much so a man of his word that when he had to move from Karachi after the partition, he hadn’t paid some of the suppliers he was dealing with. So, he particularly went back to pay off his debts. He’d say he wants a good night’s sleep without debts to worry about, his daughter-in-law recalls.

Gita, born and married in Bahrain, joined P. Maghanmal & Sons after her husband, Rajkumar T. Bhatia’s sudden demise. “My father-in-law believed in women and he taught me everything about the business,” she comments. She was also a working mother to her only child and son, Prashant Bhatia, who is now the director – an unusual accomplishment in those days.

P. Maghanmal & Sons are wholesalers and distributors in the local market, catering to hotels, restaurants, Bahrain Airport Services, government institutions, cold stores and supermarkets. Gita hopes to see economic diversification with investors creating small-scale industries instead of depending wholly on imports. The company has recently acquired a warehouse in Sitra and she looks forward to her son, Prashant’s move towards diversification.

ISB Riffa Campus pays tribute to the Kingdom With a human emblem formation for the third year in succession, around 5000 students and staff joined in to form the human heart flag of Bahrain reflecting their everlasting love for the land. ISB Chairman Prince S. Natarajan hailed the rulers of the land and saluted the Island of Pearls.

As a mark of respect the Bahrain National flags were unfurled by Prince S. Natarajan, Hon. Secretary Saji Antony and Hon. Member Academics and Procurement Mohammad Khursheed Alam assisted

by Principal Pamela Xavier. Traditional dances to foot tapping arabic music shed light on the Kingdom’s diverse culture.

Sharing of Bahraini delicacies, the red and white décor accentuated the ambience at School.

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cover story Chunilal Purshottam & Co.

Brewing up a cuppa triumph Chairman Hemant Patel shares the extraordinary success of four brothers from Gujarat who established the first tea company in the Gulf.

Chunilal, Manubhai, Rambhai and Hemant’s father, Vithalbhai Patel owned a small tea business in Calcutta, under British rule. Although the company established in Bahrain in 1948, chairman Hemant Patel, says his father and uncles arrived here between 1940 to 1942 at the behest of an influential Bahraini family.

“We were the first in the region, not just in Bahrain, to set up a tea business,” Hemant says. The brothers originated from the village of Uttarsanda, in Gujarat’s Kheda district. Their father was a farmer.

They were first to create a local tea brand under the name “Abusefin” (2 Swords) and sold the blend of Assam and Darjeeling loose leaf black tea in bulk; 48 packets of 454g per order. The concept came as a risk because customers were used to holding tea or any other product

in their hand to smell its freshness and quality. So, the company actually lost money in the first two years of business.

Their tea eventually gained popularity and became a favourite in majlises in Kuwait, UAE and Bahrain. Hemant claims many local Arabs still drink “Abusefin” tea despite the proliferation in branded teas and trends such as green and white tea. He explained that tea powder or loose tea is the dust accumulated after tea leaves are dried and processed.

Quality comes from ‘leaf tea’ which “Abusefin” is made up of. Chunilal Purushottam & Co., named after Hemant’s eldest uncle, never compromised on the quality of their product. In 1949 they expanded business to Kuwait and to Dubai in 1950 - in fact, Hemant was born in Kuwait.

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“One quality product led to another,” he tells us and akin to their success with tea, their luck with cardamom was just as great. They grew to be one of the largest distributors for the warming spice and sold 750 tonnes in 1970. Masoor dal or red lentils and rice were more products that did well, followed by bananas for which they had monopoly. “My father had two chartered vessels, one would be at sea while the other was in India to be stocked with bananas. These were perishable goods that had to be quickly unloaded in Kuwait, Bahrain and Dubai.

I remember my father going to the port at night to offload the shipment,” he says.

They also became and still are the exclusive distributors of Amul Dairy products.

The company was also one of the founder-members for The Indian School

in Kuwait, Bahrain and Dubai. It was established for the children of expatriates living in the Gulf. Even Hemant studied at The Indian School, Bahrain. He deeply admires his father who, oddly enough retired at 40, at the height of his success and dedicated his time to social work in the villages back home in India. Vithalbhai had a massive heart attack four years later and suddenly passed away, Hemant’s eyes well up as he shares his father’s legacy, “I’m fortunate to be his son”.

In 1983, the third generation was also joining the business, so the family decided it was time to diversify themselves. They drew chits to determine which location each brother and his children should take over. Hemant had setup a construction and architecture company in Dubai which he willingly passed when he drew the ‘Bahrain’ chit because he felt closer to his roots here. He reinstated his venture in property and launched Patel Construction in Bahrain, a full service general contracting company.

His son Chirag joined him in 2008, while his daughter Payal in Dubai pursues a business in coffee (not tea). Wife Urvashi is the centre of smiling calm in this dynamic family. Chunilal Purushottam is currently recognized as one of the leading distributors, importers/exporters and producers of international food products tea, rice, Amul dairy products, spices and pulses in the region. Hemant plans to shift its present production facilities from various countries into a central hub in Bahrain. “It’s the toughest time to expand business, but our goals are long term,” he explains, “It’s better to invest now. We have the assets, education and culture to become the Singapore and Hong Kong for the GCC region.”

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With daughter Payal recognised as a leading businesswoman after winning the Arab Asian awards in 2012 and son Chirag and his wife Dr. Charlaine spearheading new business channel growth, the Patels have underscored their commitment to Bahrain and the region once again.

cover story FM Taherbhai (Traders) SPC

A quiet, honest legacy In those simpler days, one ancestor’s devout wish to be closer to Makkah led to this family settling in Bahrain instead of in Africa.

Renowned for his ethics, Taherbhai Mulla Abdulrasul was a religiously inspired man and firmly believed “his bread is abroad”. Current managing director, Zoher Ebrahim Taherbhai says his grandfather nearly went to Africa except that a friend’s persuasion led to a lastminute change.

“In 1917, a British man asked my grandfather, a merchant by profession, to come coal-mine hunting in Africa,” Zoher says, My grandfather Taherbhai was at Bombay Port with one foot already inside the dhow leaving for Africa when he heard a friend calling him from another boat. His friend told Taherbhai, a very devout man, to join him and the others to Bahrain; it’s closer to Makkah, he said persuasively.”

After coming to Bahrain, Taherbhai dealt in textiles imported from India. He returned to India after the first World

War. But because he had a religious belief and was told “tumhari roti dariyaa paar hai” (your bread is abroad/overseas) he sent back Ebrahim, his oldest son and Zoher’s father to Bahrain in 1934. Zoher has kept his grandfather’s British-Indian passport from 1917.

The business was registered then; the “F” and “M” in FMT stand for Ebrahim’s brothers Fakhruddin and Mohammad who were working together, while “T” is for their father Taherbhai. In addition to selling textiles, FMT began producing ice-cream in a manufacturing unit at home, they also had a machine that made thread.

Zoher’s father, Ebrahim loved motorbikes and would sell ice-cream while riding around the neighbourhood on his HarleyDavidson.

When the textiles and ice-cream business collapsed in the early 1960s, the family turned their focus to catering to the 34

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growing student population through the wholesale of toys, stationery as well as party supplies and they became quite successful. Later, they opened a store called “Taher” which sold threads, laces, zippers, buttons, etc. items also known as haberdashery.

“It was mostly a smooth sailing business,” Zoher explains he didn’t hear of any specific obstacles that affected his father’s or grandfather’s work. One of the company’s greatest achievement and pride is that his father, Ebrahim Taherbhai was one of the founding members of the Bahrain General Merchants Association in 1939, present day Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Zoher and his siblings studied in Bombay and lived with their mother. He moved and set up shop in Dubai after completing his education but joined his father soon after in the early 1970s.

One of the company’s greatest achievement and pride is that Ebrahim Taherbhai was one of the founding members of the Bahrain General Merchants Association in 1939, present day Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

This was also the time they opened for retail, a move that steered the business towards success. FMT became wellknown for stationery and party items and the toys, which was phased out eventually.

“Our shop was doing well because the population was growing which means there were more schools and offices opening. Goods that came from China were not allowed into Saudi Arabia directly, they had to go through Bahrain and that market was big for us,” Zoher explains. He mentions that because the economy was prosperous, local spending and buying power had also increased.

Speaking of current times, Zoher explains that while a lot of expat families are leaving the country, there are still students on waiting lists at schools. This illustrates that Bahrain’s population is still increasing and, in most cases, he believes a breadwinner would want to be with his/ 35

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her children and will try not to send them to their home country. In turn, business is still good for him. He suggests people should invest in Bahrain’s real estate market and hopes for the country’s bright future. “Invest in real estate now because the population is increasing which means the market should grow over 10 years.”

However, he admits that with changing taste and the advent of hypermarkets and speciality stores, the days of small stores such as FMT are over. His son and daughter both live outside Bahrain and pursue their own careers, a move he absolutely supports. Zoher oversees the shop on Tijjar Avenue along with his wife and business partner Zahra and although he doesn’t know what the future holds for FMT, he is still happy with what they have achieved so far.

fashion

THREAD TALK 39

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With the wedding season in full swing and many BFCIWs (Big Fat Celeb Indian Weddings) attracting global eyeballs, the stage has been perfect for showcasing the legendary Indian embroidery and embellishment skills.

One of India’s most enduring artistic traditions is its myriad forms of embroidery. Every state and region boasts of its own style, but needlework is not merely a means of ornamentation. The fabrics are also threaded with stories of the community, with motifs emerging from its natural surroundings, economic state and sociopolitical milieu.

As handmade items are reclaimed as new embodiments of luxury, many of these old, and sometimes forgotten, embroidery styles are being revived and popularized.

These techniques are popular not only among designers in India but also with international labels. Belgian designer 40

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fashion

Dries van Noten has worked with embroiderers in Kolkata for decades, and Mumbai is a trade hub for a number of luxury brands seeking Indian embroidery.

Labels like Gucci, Valentino, Alberta Ferretti, Maison Margiela and Christian Dior work with the Mumbai-based embroidery firm Chanakya, while Roberto Cavalli, Salvatore Ferragamo, Versace and Michael Kors have collaborated with another firm, Adity Designs, also in Mumbai.

Undoubtedly Sabyasachi has been King of this year’s season but top Indian designers like Anita Dongre whose designs were used by Priyanka Chopra’s sisterin-law and Game of Thrones star Sophie Turner.

The V&A Museum in London has some perfect examples of exquisite Indian embroidery on everyday wear as well as festive clothes of the 18th -19th century that are reproduced here alongside the more modern celebrity and designer wear.

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fashion

If you are looking to acquire a heritage piece but want a contemporary way to wear it, look for young designers who are revamping priceless Indian textile work into new clothes: Ashdeen Z. Lilaowala or Mumbai-based Zenobia S. Davar for a contemporary take on the Japanese and China-influenced Parsi gara embroidery on jackets, kurtis and dupattas; Rohit Bal for the celebrated Kashmiri needlework called Kashida embroidery or the aari, wherein floral-inspired motifs are embroidered in fine chain stitches using a hooked needle; Malini Ramani and Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla for a contemporary spin on traditional mirrorwork embellishment originating in Kutch; the Punjabi Phulkari which is at once vibrant and delicate and was for long a mandatory trousseau item for the community’s women, the craft even found mention in Waris Shah’s 18th century poem Heer Ranjha where phulkari was part of Heer’s trousseau - the embroidery is also used on accessories, like juttis

by Fizzy Goblet, and stoles, bags and small items by the Chandigarh-based brand 1469.

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Then there is the Kantha work of Bengal and Odisha.

The patterns, crafted using a simple running stitch, are themed on daily life, floral and animal motifs, and geometric shapes. Kantha has been given a modern makeover by designers such as Sunita Shanker and label 11.11 by CellDSGN have used modern interpretations of the embroidery technique.

Zardozi is a wedding favourite and you can spot it in the collections of Ritu Kumar, Suneet Varma,Tarun Tahiliani, Shyamal & Bhumika, and Sabyasachi Mukherjee, among others.

These are just some of the trending embroidery styles today – but look longer and farther away and you will unearth even more treasures.

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accolade

A lineage of love and beauty Swayta Sha has powered through life, armed with ambition, fine creativity, diamonds and gold.

Coming from a business family of jewellers who served the Nizams of Hyderabad, Swayta grew up surrounded by exposure to the fine art of jewellery making for connoisseurs. Her great grandfather was a jeweller to the Nizam of Hyderabad , back in 1890 and his jewellery sold across the globe. The royal rulers owned the largest priceless jewellery collection in India and fostered the lineage of jewellers. Swayta’s father has been in the business for almost 90 years; his works have been showcased and sold internationally – especially in the United States. And it was her father who inspired and imbibed in her the creative urge to work as a jeweller like her illustrious ancestors.

But Swayta’s first professional stop was banking and it was when working as a banker that she met and fell in love with fellow banker Gautam Toolsidass whom she married. Fifteen years ago, right after their marriage they relocated to Bahrain and a whole new road began paving itself for Swayta. It was here in

Bahrain that Swayta truly listened to her artistic call and from that very day Swayta magnified her strengths and conviction towards what is today called the Swayta Sha brand. Today the brand has been embraced by high-end fashion stores such as SAKS Fifth Avenue that is spread out all across the globe.

Contemporary woman Swayta’s passion for beauty and creativity truly reflects in her aura.

She brings a modern aesthetic to 44

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By AMRITHA FOUSTINE

her jewellery, which is designed as contemporary pieces for today’s women.

“The jewellery you wear plays a huge role in reflecting your personality; it is a part of your definition of yourself.”

She believes that every woman should be able to look at herself in the mirror and be appreciative of what she sees and who she has become. When Swayta designs her pieces, she sees a woman who has transparency of thought, clarity and structure and the aesthetics of her pieces depict strength of character and

we speak your

womanhood.

Starting her own brand with this ideal in mind has been an exhilarating experience for Swayta. There were numerous challenges she had to face, there are some she still faces but she chooses to focus on the joys and triumphs of her chosen path instead of the difficulties.

To Swayta, all challenges begin within oneself and how one perceives their brand but she derives her strength to overcome these challenges from her elaborate support system and focuses on the positive reception she has received from Bahrain – she expresses her sense of elation whenever a customer compliments the quality of her pieces, it is something she doesn’t compromise on and it’s always on the top of her priorities.

If Swayta could describe her brand in three words it would be a combination of innovation, creativity and high-quality.

Beauty & power To ensure that her jewellery had the quality her family had always showcased in their pieces, Swayta took up diamond grading studies in the Gem Institute of America in New York for two years.

“Diamonds in the natural form are rough but filled with potential; it is with human effort and creativity that you obtain something as beautiful as the diamonds you see in stores”. All her pieces feature diamonds of the highest cut, colour, clarity and carat grade.

If you were to ask Swayta to pick only two metals or stones to work with her

entire life she would choose diamonds and gold but to Swayta that answer is a difficult one. “It’s like asking a chef to pick two of his favourite ingredients – every ingredient holds a special place in the heart and every ingredient serves a different yet equally beautiful purpose” If Swayta could have her way she would work with every stone she gets her hands on.

This question also led to the discussion of gemstones and their perceived mystic qualities – to Swayta the previous answer applies here as well. While she acknowledges the astrological beliefs that surround precious and semi-precious stones, to her each stone is beautiful and powerful in its own right and it only amplifies the energy one exudes rather than altering or influencing it.

Growing up, jewellery and gemstones were always part of her daily affairs and it was only rational to see these items as Mother Nature’s grand gifts rather than as otherworldly possessions.

Apart from her talents and skills, Swayta prides herself in having an amazing support system that has always been encouraging from the very start.

Her family has always been her number one supporters. Both her parents and her doting husband have always pushed her to continue her family heritage and it’s not just her family that backs her up but also her friends who believe in her innovative creative direction.

To young entrepreneurs out there, she has nothing but words of encouragement.

She wants them to know that if you keep believing and taking baby steps towards that dream everyday, nothing will stop you from achieving your goals.

The recipe for success is a mixture of belief, conviction and strength and even when you falter, you need to remind yourself of why you started and what accomplishing your goal means to you and your support system.

With more heights to accomplish Swayta Sha is as hopeful and convicted as can be. You can follow her journey on Instagram @swayta_sha 45

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Dec '18 - Jan '19 - VOLUME 11, ISSUE 10

the editorial team P.O. Box 50650, Arad, Kingdom of Bahrain Licensed by the Ministry of Information Publication Licence no : GASB 740

Chairman and Managing Editor Mahmood Al Mahmood Managing Director P.K. Ravi Editor Meera Ravi Contributors • Maharaja Features Pvt. Ltd. • Amritha Foustine

Designed by mindstormme.com Photography • Jomon • Sajid Butt Marketing P.R.M. Marketing Consultancy w.l.l

Advertising Sales Contact: +973 3668 4011 advts.sb@gmail.com Published by Al Ayam Publishing Promoted by Ajyal Consultations w.l.l Advertising / Editorial / Circulation Enquiries +973 3668 4011 +973 1772 0797 e-mail: salaam.bahrain@gmail.com advts.sb@gmail.com

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All Rights Reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher.

The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily the views of the publisher and Editor.

While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication, the publisher & editor cannot accept legal responsibility for any error, content or omissions.

holiday finance

How fine print can leave you really sick Budget policies leave holidaymakers short on cover in an emergency GCC residents are being urged to check the fine print on their travel insurance before flying abroad during the New Year period, with some policies potentially leaving them short on cover. Purchasing travel insurance online is very straightforward, but Paul Brierley of Nexus Insurance Brokers always urges every traveller with non-standard requirements to consult a broker.

Brierley says gaps in provision are especially problematic when travel insurance is offered as an ‘extra’, such as when booking a holiday or as part of a credit card contract.

“These are good insurance policies from reputable companies, but they are often very simple and take a onesize-fits-all approach,” said Brierley, Business Development Director at the Dubai-based brokerage. “A policy that you purchase by checking a box as part of a travel booking will rarely be tailored to your individual needs. One important point of difference is medical evacuation – when illness or injury requires specialised transport home,” he said. “One of the online policies Nexus – offered as an add-on when booking travel online from Dubai – specified evacuation to the ‘country of issuance’, so only to the GCC. Many expats prefer to be evacuated to their home country, and a broker will find you a policy that gives you that choice."

Nexus also identified issues for travellers buying flights at online ‘discount airfare’. Many of these discount fares combine separate, unrelated airlines for outbound and return journeys, so the passenger is effectively buying two one-way tickets.

“If you buy travel insurance as an add-on with the outbound airline, it may only cover a one-way journey rather than the return trip,” Brierley explained. “Insurers often place a time limit on a one-way policy, with some only offering a maximum of seven days’ cover. If the total holiday is longer than a week, you won’t be covered for the whole trip.”

Domestic flights within your destination country can also be subject to complicated rules, he added, and specific activities may be excluded, such as riding a motorcycle or scooter, or sports with a higher risk of injury, such as skiing.

“Check the fine-print and check the exclusions before clicking ‘buy now’, and if there is any doubt or confusion, consult a broker,” he said, “Make sure your travel insurance is right for you, so you have the peace of mind to enjoy your break.”

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Here are some of some of the common pitfalls when booking a one size fits all travel insurance:

SALAAM BAHRAIN

• The most common claims are for lost or damaged luggage.

Furthermore, the GCC’s low crime rate can contribute towards a false sense of security when abroad.

• “Many expats are on attractive salaries and accrue designer goods valued far in excess of standard ‘lost and stolen goods’ coverage. Of course, it’s safer to leave the Rolex at home, but do ensure your valuable possessions are protected.”

• Annual policies are often more cost-effective than single trip offerings, particularly for those who travel three times per year or more. While travel agents’ and airlines’ add-on policies are often attractively priced, the cost can soon mount up if you fly frequently.

• Unpredictable events such as freak weather, war, and terrorism are often dubbed ‘force majeure’ or ‘acts of God’ in policies; these typically invalidate coverage should they cause travellers to curtail their trips, or worse, be injured. Yet with climate change on the rise, alongside geopolitical tensions, precautions may be prudent.

• Personal liability is another consideration. Countries vary widely in their approaches to this, and the costs involved can be huge.

• In almost all circumstances, medical coverage should be the number one concern. Travellers should ensure that the medical coverage is adequate. Healthcare in some countries, notably the United States, may be significantly more expensive than in the GCC. Age and medical history will almost certainly be taken into account, and you must ensure that your policy covers pre-existing and chronic medical conditions. Brierley says, “Do bear in mind that travel insurance is only intended to cover emergency expenses, such as accidents or unexpected illness. In other words, you won’t be able to use it to refill your regular prescriptions, nor for a dental check-up.”

• Consider additional coverage for sports, many of which are subject to exclusions. While this may seem obvious for an Alpine snowboarding break, that bungee jump or spontaneous spin on the ice rink, they are often incredibly risky. Many insurers offer ‘bolt-ons’ covering fun yet dangerous activities.

• With so many factors to consider, choosing the right policy is a complicated business. Suitably qualified professional brokers can find policies that cover all their clients’ requests – as well as identifying risks they may not have considered.

DEC '18 - JAN '19

motoring

Euro Motors Jaguar Land Rover host sales bonanza In celebration of Bahrain’s National Day, Euro Motors Jaguar Land Rover successfully held the biggest sales event ever before VAT in the Kingdom. Held at the Bahrain International Circuit, the evening featured an exclusive Jaguar Land Rover Experience drive event as well.

During the sales event an incredible collection of the latest Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles along with a wide range of approved pre-owned models were showcased. The vehicles displayed were presented at reduced prices coupled with attractive offers. Providing additional financial benefits to customers, Euro Motors Jaguar Land Rover partnered with Standard Chartered Bank for the event.

Through the partnership, customers who purchased vehicles on the night were provided with exclusive special finance rates. Amongst the attendees were guests from Standard Chartered Bank along with a number of media personnel and Jaguar Land Rover enthusiasts.

With VAT being introduced at the turn of the year, customers took advantage of the last opportunity to benefit from incredible offers on the product range. Guests were given the chance to experience firsthand the capability and performance of a Jaguar and Land Rover through the highly popular Jaguar Experience and Land Rover Experience drives at the circuit. Furthermore, the event included an exciting line up of various fun-filled activities which were thoroughly enjoyed by the many guests who visited throughout the evening.

The Jaguar Experience team consists of dedicated instructors providing unrivalled certified Jaguar experiences on the BIC Grand Prix track. The Centre has been designed to ensure that guests are given a dynamic, hands-on and, prominently, memorable experience. To complement the drive experience, the Centre has a dedicated lounge acting as the central hub

of operations showcasing a diverse range of stunning branded goods that were for sale, giving guests the perfect opportunity to purchase enduring souvenirs of their visit.

Located in the heart of the Sakhir desert within the grounds of Bahrain International Circuit (BIC), ‘The Home of Motorsport in The Middle East’, Land Rover Experience Bahrain covers 3.5 kilometres of varying terrains such as sand, rock, hill and water landscapes. There are 32 natural and man-made obstacles allowing guests to traverse terrain including slide slopes, humps, rocks, gravel roads and watercourses, all the while assessing the driving environment, maximising the 47

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capability and technology of the vehicle and most importantly developing driving skills in the world’s most capable luxury vehicles.

Stephen Lay, the General Manager of Euro Motors Jaguar Land Rover, said, “We are glad that all our guests enjoyed the various activities that were organized as well as the extremely popular and successful experiential drives, the Jaguar Experience and Land Rover Experience, which were available throughout the evening. We were extremely pleased to offer the vehicles at VAT-free reduced prices coupled with irresistible deals along with an on the spot vehicle tradein appraisal as well.”

in conversation

A feast of stories The BKS-DC book fair was fizzing with great talk and ideas - especially activist- actor Prakash Raj. The chief guest.

By MEERA RAVI At a time when the world is racking its collective brain to figure out how to revive the enjoyable art of reading among the iPad and computer games generation, along comes a brave and successful attempt to showcase the wonder of books for all ages. The Bahrain Keraleeya Samajam in collaboration with DC Books hosted its 5th edition of The International Book Fest and Cultural Carnival that spanned10 days.

“The aim of this book fest is to give a platform for all the Bahraini intellectuals to have fruitful discussions as well as propagate reading habits among our communities” said P.V Radhakrishna Pillai, President of the Bahrain Kerala Samajam, “Over the years, the festival has seen an exponential growth. To meet the ever growing demand of books among Bahraini readers, especially the expatriate community, DC Books has brought in a wide range of English and Malayalam literature to select from. From novels to short stories to poetry to selfhelp and management the books include titles published by well-known publishing houses like Penguin, Harper Collins, Hachette, Scholastic, Oxford University Press, DC Books, Olive, Current Books, Sankeerthanam, Mathrubhumi and Malayala Manorama among others. A special section had been arranged for children’s books, which included a wide range of children’s classics, folklores, adventures, comics etc.

Sources say that the 2017 edition created a record by moving upto BD 30,000 worth of books off the racks and into the loving hands of book-lovers. This year, the festival has morphed into a Cultural

Carnival and the grounds of the BKS are full of members’ sculptures, artworks and there are plans for cultural interaction through campfire story-telling etc.

“We decided to expand the scope of the festival since it falls right in the heart of the National Day weekend,” said DC Books CEO Ravi, “Every year we seen an increase in the crowd, a diverse mix of thinkers and we wanted to give them something more this time - not just within the Keralite community but the Indian diaspora as a whole.”

STIRRING START At the inauguration of the festival, renowned actor, director and activist Prakash Raj released the Malayalam translation of his book titled ‘Namme Vizhungunna Maunam’ (The Silence that Swallows Us) and held a very insightful and awe-inspiring interactive session, marked in equal measure with profound truths about the nature of liberty, freedom, courage and the power of honesty versus deception. Laced with humour and an easy affection, the session held the audience spellbound till well past 10 p.m., such was the speaker’s 48

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power to communicate.

His commanding personality and his pithy answers showed depth and compassion. Here is a sampler of Prakash Raj’s words: ABOUT THE NEED TO FIGHT FOR DEMOCRACY “People ask me aren’t you afraid to speak the truth? In my opinion, people should be afraid to tell lies!”

WHAT MOVED HIM TO BECOME AN ACTIVIST “I was in a happy space. I was praised for my acting, my theatre work and yes, I did discuss politics with friends. I’ve seen life from a very high altitude, not from my riches but from the wealth of knowledge I was surrounded with.

Gauri Lankesh, whose father the famous journalist Shri Lankesh was my intellectual mentor, was a dear and close friend. But I never felt the need to publicly voice my views until she was killed for her outspoken opposition of authoritarian forces. Then, I felt her questioning me,

asking me if she would’ve remained alive if I had fought alongside with her. Then my conscience pushed me to start openly questioning what I felt was wrong with the system, openly support dissenters and fight against efforts to quash voices of disagreement in our democracy. I started the #justasking hashtag movement and we have been posing serious questions to the government and to the establishment ever since.

The transition from being an actor to an activist was fairly easy because of my conviction but I feel guilty for having started late.”

ON WHY HE HOLDS NO GRUDGE AGAINST NON-ACTIVISTS “See, I am very lucky. By the time I came to activism, I had won fame and wealth to cushion me against backlash. Who am I to insist that every influential person use his or her position to become an activist?

That itself is an authoritarian demand!

Activism arises organically out of an individual’s belief and should never be forced on anyone. Why famous personalities, even ordinary people tell me that they believe in my stance but cannot voice it openly because of restrictions – these could be economic or social. I tell them, “Hold on to your beliefs, listen to your inner voice always and when it is time to vote – then you can vote according to your beliefs.”

Let us all be responsible for OUR voices and not look at why others are not speaking out.”

THE INTERSECTION BETWEEN ART AND ACTIVISM “Artists do have a heightened responsibility to be politically aware and sensitive to any danger to freedom. That’s because we are exposed to deeper thought processes and see the world from a different perspective which shows us any flaw in the intellectual and democratic process sooner than for others. If I see that and do not warn the public through my art, then what use is my art? How would I serve the world with my art if I only use it to earn money and fame?”

ON BECOMING A WRITER “For most of my life, I have been surrounded by excellent writing – scripts for movies and drama and thought-provoking essays on art and world affairs. But the urge to harness writing for a cause never struck until I became politically active after Gauri’s death. My friends urged me to put my perspective down on paper and so I wrote first in Kannada. The book was translated by DC Books into Malayalam also and I am glad to see it spreading its wings.

Writing came more easily to me than I thought – but the approach to the art of writing is more introspective than acting or directing which involves working with people to polish the art form. Since it is a process that puts you and your beliefs out there, you have to take care to frame your thoughts expertly and take responsibility.

In theatre or movie-making, you can pass the buck to the director or the script. In writing the idea and the words are all yours.”

ON THE NEED FOR QUESTIONS

“Humans are born curious. As children we are constantly exploring the world with our questions. But as we grow into adults our curiosity is stifled by society. The nature of our questions change – they explore the realm of ideas also and this becomes dangerous for those in power. But we should always keep the intellectual space alive, create the enabling environment for the empowering of questioners.”

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salaam society

Kalaalaya warms us with music

What started as a casual gathering of friends jamming for fun has today become a popular entertainment band. Kalaalaya, the brainchild of Satyan Laxman and wife Srividya, is going from strength to strength as was witnessed in the action-packed ‘Winter Vibes’ programme. Besides the lovely music and dance programme and the presence of glamorous chief guest Priyadarshini, a TV star from India, we need to applaud the skillful social media campaign that Satyan Laxman turned out in the run up to the show.

Keep singing and loving the music, Team Kalaalaya!

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finance

LIC Towards A Secure Future Can’t wait to retire? Thinking about all the hours you have to put in till you get to retire and vacay in the hill-stations of India with your spouse? How about supplying yourself with a second income to guarantee a safe and fast retirement?

LIC International is launching a new annuity plan called the ‘Immediate Future Secure Pension Plan’ that is one of its kind in the Kingdom of Bahrain. A Non-linked, Single Premium, Immediate Annuity pension plan where guaranteed pension starts immediately. With a single payment made once and at the start of the plan you get to enjoy a second guaranteed income that will provide for your future. That’s not all, while you secure your future how about making sure your spouse has a secure one as well?

The plan also offers you the option to provide pension for your spouse at an early entry age of 40 up to the entry age of 75 years. All you have to do is pay once and get guaranteed regular income for life or choose an option to get Sunil Kumar Thakur, CEO & MD of LIC International guaranteed regular income for five, 10, The policy at a glance: 15 or 20 years. Enjoy a lifelong monthly • One-time payment is to be made only at the inception date. income starting form an early entry age • Enjoy a second guaranteed income that will provide for your future. You may also of 40 years. Other various beneficiary • opt for an option to provide pension for your spouse too at an early entry age of annuity options one can choose from are • 40 up to the entry age of 75 years. an option to receive annuity as long as you and your partner are alive, the option The Annuitant has the following annuity options to choose from at the inception of return of purchase price on death is of the contract: also available and a benefit of higher ◆ Pay once and get guaranteed regular income for life or opt for an option to annuity rates for a large purchase price. get guaranteed regular income for 5, 10, 15 or 20 years.

‘The provision for future and old age ◆ Enjoy a lifelog monthly income starting form an early entry age of 40 years might seem difficult for some, but if the ◆ Option to receive annuity as long as you and your partner are alive right decisions are taken beforehand ◆ Option of Return of Purchase Price on death is also available there is no need to worry because ◆ Benefit of higher annuity rates for large Purchase Price you’re securing yourself with enough guaranteed income that will come in handy’ said Sunil Kumar Thakur, the monthly income that can be used to cover Now who wouldn’t want that? The newly designated CEO & MD of LIC their employees’ salaries. When someone purchase price begins with a minimum International. thinks pension they immediately imagine amount of USD 15,000.

This plan in not only limited to old age but the specialty of this plan individuals looking to secure their postis that an individual at an early age of To enquire for more details, call LIC retirement, this plan can be purchased 40 years also can choose this plan and on 17 210 610 or drop an email to bah. by business owners to secure guaranteed receive a guaranteed second income. lic@licinternational.com 51

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salaam society

Lulu presents Sri Lankan cultural, food extravaganza

Lulu Hypermarket hosted a colourful Sri Lankan cultural and culinary extravaganza over the course of four days with traditional cultural performances, traditional culinary shows and a cookery competition on the final day. The festival was inaugurated by Chief Guest Mr. Abdulla Juma, former Minister of Electricity & Water And Chairman of Bin Juma Holding Company in the presence of Dr. A. Saj U. Mendes, the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Bahrain in the presence of other VIP guest and dignitaries.

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x’mas cheer

Mega Mart stocks up on Santa’s goodies

Santa Claus seems to have packed his speed boat with the choicest goodies for Mega Mart, Macro Mart and Babasons, the trio of favourite shopping destinations that have a vibrant network across Bahrain.

We popped into the Amwaj branch for starters and were greeted by cheery staff wearing red festive caps and eager to show us the goodies in stock.

And what an impressive line up! From X’Mas trees to Stollen and Pannettone cakes all the way from Europe to lovely decorations, delicious plum cake baked by the in-store bakery and much more, we saw happy shoppers getting ready for the season.

Want to add a touch of the Bahraini food scene to your Christmas table, you 53

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can book sambousa, spring rolls and sausage rolls with any Mega Mart or Macro Mart stores in Bahrain in advance and pick them for your party. There are also delightful fashion accessories and garments at the bigger stores to add colour to your celebrations.

Don’t wait for Santa – just help yourself to the Christmas bounty at Mega Mart!

youngistan

A clean and creative National Day

Al Noor International School celebrated the National Day with programmes ranging from various national dances, songs and lively displays, aimed at the development of the students’ talents, while simultaneously providing them with an opportunity to demonstrate their love, admiration and patriotism towards Bahrain.

The students of various sections showcased the importance of recycling through an exhibition “Clean Environment with Creative Hands”. The children had unlimited fun on inflatable toys, other entertainment included like fun activities, face painting, henna designing, traditional Bahraini dance and 57

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music. Mass parade along with the school band was performed by the students. Also, a special assembly on the culture and heritage were showcased.

More than 6000 students from all the Sections participated for the National day celebrations, held at the school campus.

cuisine

Feeding the senses the Khaleeji way Bahraini food is history served on a platter. The confluence of cultures and the Kingdom’s trading past speaks through the exotic ingredients used. And there is a revival of Bahraini cuisine today.

All green and local at the Budaiya Farmer's Market

From November to early April, Bahrain enjoys a Saturday date with its farmers.

The popular Farmers’ Market in the Budaiya Botanical Garden is fairly bursting with local produce – all types of greens, multi-hued cauliflower, peppers and cabbage and the freshest of tomato, carrot, peas, beans, winter veggies like turnips and radish – you name it and its there at the market in picturesque and flavoursome heaps. But besides these vegetables, plants and flowers from Bahrain’s thriving farms, the big draw for visitors are the open-air stalls selling Bahraini food. Assembly-line omelette stalls using fresh eggs, warm and sweet breakfast balaleet washed down with piping hot karak chai makes for a super picnic and families spread out their mats and enjoy the crisp weather.

Roaya Saleh, an expert revivalist of gourmet traditional Bahraini food, is part of the visiting throng The farmers with their colourful produce, plants, cheeses, chutneys and pickles, fresh milk and eggs remind her of her roots - each week Roaya

returns from the market brimming with inspiration and ideas that translate into food which is prepared with love and which tug at the childhood memories of abundant tables and family gatherings.

Of the many successful Bahraini restaurants, the Saar kitchens of Villa Mama has proven to be a great draw for their authentic taste. Roaya believes that every country has a distinct food culture.

“To many, most GCC countries are rather similar but the culture of each country in the region differs from the other in many ways. We draw our food culture by the open multi-religious and diverse ethnic societies that have taken made their home in Bahrain centuries ago,” she says. “I am just a passionate Bahraini looking to spread positivity through accepting local cuisine using local highest grades of ingredients to the local and international communities.”

Instagram kitchens There is a distinctive Bahraini cuisine that is slowly taking centre-stage today.

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By AMRITHA FOUSTINE

The days when Lebanese hummus, mutabel and Turkish shawarma passed off for Bahraini/Arabic food in restaurants is gone. Today, many younger generation chefs and restaurateurs like Roaya Saleh, Hala Obeid of Hala’s Café and Narise Qamber of the celebrated Jena Bakery/ Saffron resta-urant are seeking to RECREATE the culinary experience of their childhood or their parents' time but with a twist.

The revival of authentic Bahraini cuisine has been greatly helped by Instagram e-kitchens run by skilled home caterers and a growing interest among expatriates to ‘live’ the Bahraini food experience. It is a movement that has brought alive a culinary tradition that is an amalgamation of everything beautiful that has crossed paths on this island. From the spices of Zanzibar and the Far East, to subtle Persian influences, from hearty Indian curries and roti to the kofteh and meaty grills of Iraq, Bahraini cuisine engulfs you with its transcendental twists.

“My affair with food started as a child when I used to help out at my uncle’s farm in Iran where I got to learn a lot about fresh ingredients and local seasonal harvests,” Roaya said, “The Iranian influences in my authentic Bahraini cuisine are most prominent but they are not the only influences I am inspired by. I am influenced by everything around me, especially my five senses, by different cuisines that Roaya Saleh

I taste, the different colours and cultures I get to see, the different spices I smell, the different objects I touch and even the different sounds I hear. Yet, everything is rooted in my Bahraini heritage.”

For academician Narise Qamber, the owner of the wildly popular heritage restaurant Saffron by Jena, the pull of the kitchen began with waking up at her grandmother's house on the weekends, riveted by the aromatics that hung in the air. “My grandmothers were so inspiring, their homes were their institutions, they were the CEOs of their households and their number one responsibility was food.

Contrary to popular belief, it was not my mother that instilled in me the love of food - in fact she never allowed me inside her kitchen, but my grandmothers lay Narise Qamber down my stepping stones, they taught Indian food writer Raul Dias remarked on me recipes and stories” the similarity when he observed that the Narise’s mother is Dr. Dalal Al Sherouqi, Bahraini breakfast egg dish ‘bayd’ was a who is regarded as a mentor to Bahraini “dead ringer for the Parsi scrambled eggs chefs. She has written four Bahraini cook dish we know as akuri.” He continues to books and has a Ph.D in Heritage of describe Luba as “essentially a tangy Bahraini Cuisine from Preston University beans’ stew with red beans and tomato and did a formal cookery course from sauce, not at all dissimilar to a spice-bereft London’s renowned restaurant Le-Cordon rajma back home.” And the Bahraini Bleu. ‘aloo’, he says is “a cumin-redolent Despite being surrounded by food, sautéed potato dish, I am told, is an outNarise was quite the academician and and-out knock-off of our ubiquitous zeera went on to pursue a political science aloo.” degree from London and it was at the Every Bahraini restaurateur brings a university, while sitting in an English class special focus to his/her (and its mostly she found her true calling. “We were ‘her’) cuisine. being told this story, I remember it “Traditional Bahraini food goes back distinctly, it was about a woman whose to a time where resources weren’t tool for communication was her food, abundant, meat was a luxury and was she transcribed her love and feelings of reserved for ceremonies and fish like Safi, sadness within the food she made and it Naaoud and Hamour were the staples in resonated with me” each home, most seafood were dried out to preserve them and there was a Going traditional dependency on dates,” Narise said, Undeniably, there is a strong Triple I “Qahwa with dates was considered an influence on Bahraini cuisine – Iran and early and complete breakfast but Bahraini Iraq which are nearby and were trading desserts glorified dates - it was the ideal hubs and cultural giants and then India, food because of its long shelf life and whose ties with Bahrain date back 5,000 versatility.” But they are not the only years and also more recently, as an influences you can pick up, she finds every administrative hub during the latecuisine fascinating and thus she dances nineteenth and upto the mid-20th century intricately between the lines of traditional when the British straddled both countries.

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and modern. Her mother being a traditionalist is pretty rigorous with her recipes but is absolutely supportive of Narise exploring and dabbling with conceptual recipes that fuse art and modern innovations.

“Deliciousness is the goal, a dish is only correct when it is delicious. Living in the UK gave me a platform to experiment and finesse my cooking - the ingredients you find there are varied and of superior quality, I love the Pullman sandwiches you find there and so I incorporated elements from that recipe in one of the Bahraini sandwiches we do at Saffron, we also took the sticky date pudding and made it into a cake for Jena, our bakery.

I worked in Milan for a year as a cafe director, and taught the Italian chefs some of the Bahraini recipes while I picked up some of their work ethics, techniques and that any problem can be fixed with a shot of espresso. I’ve also been inspired by my teachers who taught me Persian cuisine, Miss Ilham and Miss Janet who taught Jamie Oliver - I’ll never forget any of their lessons.”

Narise’s food evolution can be mapped in a climbing trajectory. “Saffron is one of the most beautiful chapters in my life, but I never predicted the success it has had, I just approached it with love. I wanted the customer to be transported to a time filled with nostalgia and sentimentality.” You can even see it in the interiors of Saffron, the old Bahraini benches next to the seaside stone walls.

“Cooking, truly is a metaphor for life and the best example I could give you is slow cooking, giving a dish time to simmer and absorb and become more flavorsome gives you profound results and it’s been the same for me with my restaurants, I’ve been patient and dedicated to my journey and have given it everything and the results are for all to see.”

Of the many successful Bahraini restaurants, the Saar kitchens of Villa Mama has proven to be a great draw for their authentic taste. Roaya Saleh believes that every country has a distinct food culture.

cuisine BAHRAINI BREAKFAST SPECIAL

Balaleet (Sweet vermicelli and eggs) This Indian-influenced sweet pasta is fried and topped with a saffron omelette, making it crunchy, sweet, tender, and savory all at once. In this illustration, the vermicelli is wrapped in a fluffy omelette – a visual twist that enhances the taste.

Ingredients • 225 gms whole wheat capellini pasta • 1/4 cup sugar • 1/2 tsp saffron • 7 tbsp. unsalted butter • 2 cups canola oil • 1/2 tsp ground cardamom • 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon • 1/2 tsp curry powder • 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste • 1/2 tsp ground turmeric • 2 bay leaves • 1/2 tsp rose water • 6 eggs, lightly beaten • Kosher salt, to taste

PREPARATION 1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add vermicelli; cook until half-cooked, about 4 minutes. Drain and transfer to a bowl; add sugar and toss until dissolved. Set aside.

2. Meanwhile, stir together 1/4 tsp. saffron and 2 tbsp. warm water in a small bowl; let sit for 10 minutes.

3. Heat 3 tbsp. butter and the oil in a 12” skillet over medium-high heat; add cardamom, cinnamon, curry powder, pepper, turmeric, and bay leaves, and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute.

4. Add vermicelli and toss to coat evenly with spiced butter; spread out into an even layer, drizzle evenly with saffron-water mixture and rose water, and cook, without stirring, until toasted, about 15 minutes. Flip and continue cooking until toasted on opposite side, about 15 minutes more. Transfer to a cutting board and tent with foil to keep warm.

5. Return skillet to heat and add remaining butter; add remaining saffron and eggs, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring gently to form an omelette, until just cooked through, about 5 minutes.

6. You can either use the omelette as a wrap for the vermicelli or cut it into wedges and serve over toasted vermicelli; serve immediately with Karak chai 60

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When asked about a favorite dish, she was quick to say that there wasn’t one because she believes all dishes are beautiful and delicious if made with the right amount of love. But she’d love everyone to try the Chenab Rubyan at Villamamas, she claims it to be the “most authentic Bahraini dish served at Villamamas Bahrain and London.” She says “The core recipe Chenab Rubyan

Chicken Machboos

is driven by our ancestors and mothers where who were always looking for a way to upcycle ancient recipes to new dishes and that’s exactly what Chenab is! A twisted leftover.”

Fusion fantastic With increasing exposure to international gourmet trends, fusion flavours are quickly catching Bahraini diners’ fancy. At the Muharraq restaurant, Raazji, Founder and Head-chef David Mathias says, “Raazji started with the advent of tourism. ““We draw a wide range of influences from Indian, French, Italian and other cuisines. In today's world with the access to the best of all the world’s food, it is very appealing to incorporate dishes and cooking techniques from other cuisines that helps add layers of flavour to Bahraini and Middle-eastern delicacies we serve at the restaurant.”

He added, “We saw the positive reactions and experiences from a lot of tourists as well as locals who had never tried authentic Bahraini cuisine before, this inspired us to start our own restaurant. It's a very satisfying line of work when things go well.”

Raazji keeps up with the world’s ever demanding standards, they’ve always strived to serve food that is consistent of high quality. Comfort food presented well and with the right accompaniments. While the traditional Bahraini dishes at Raazji are a knock-out, the fusion dishes at Raazji are what separates it from the rest of the herd. The cream of the crop is a sandwich called

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RAAZJI'S

The Shawarma Schnitzel A knock-out fusion dish that will have you wondering why nobody tried this before.

Mixed Grill

the Shawarma Schnitzel. It’s made with a combination of German techniques such as the tenderising chicken breast by pounding it flat with a heavy object, but it is then doused with flavours of the Middle East.

Most dishes at Raazji are fused with the Indian cuisine, only because the cooking techniques are very similar - the flavours and spices, however, are completely different.

Alternatively, they have a few dishes on the menu that have fused intricately with European cuisine, the tahini sesame crusted salmon and kale salad are a fine example.

It packs a punch above its weight in terms of flavour and texture.

If you have a passion for fusion, nothing can stop you. David’s five rules when trying to fuse dishes are 1. Less is more 2. Every bit of fusion should be subtle and well defined.

3. The star should always be the freshness and taste of the ingredients themselves 4. Do not mix and match cuisines, instead, take the best technique or ingredient and build your dish around it.

5. Lastly don’t try too hard with fusion, if something isn’t broke, don’t try and fix it.

Shelf-life But its not just in restaurants and Insta-kitchens that you can explore Bahraini food. Look around the aisles of most hypermarkets and supermarkets – you will find an amazing array of Bahraini pickled vegetables, chutneys and preserves.

These are made under strictly supervised hygienic conditions by the Productive Families’ Unit of the Directorate of Social Development and mine the knowledge and skill of Bahraini housewives who have a flair for cooking. Or do your next round of weekly shopping at the Central Market where you will find some of the freshest and tastiest fish caught in Bahraini waters.

A popular Bahraini dessert is halwa and unlike many Asian countries where halwa is prepared with semolina or flour, what makes this halwa recipe from Bahrain special is the use of cornstarch and rapeseed oil. This halwa recipe was not invented in Bahrain, as its name suggests, but 61

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Ingredients • 2 chicken breast, flattened • 1 tbsp mustard sauce • 1 whole egg • 4 tbsp zattar • 3 tbsp brown breadcrumbs • 2 tbsp olive oil • 2 tbsp butter • salt to taste • freshly cut parsley • 1 freshly made whole wheat flatbread

Accompanied sandwich condiments are: • 1 chopped tomato • 1 chopped onion • Fresh lettuce salad • Fresh hummus

PREPARATION 1. Line a baking sheet with waxed paper. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Place breadcrumbs on a plate.

2. Beat egg and mustard to blend in a shallow baking dish.

Place 4 tbsp of zaatar in another shallow baking dish.

3. Work with 1 chicken breast at a time, dip into egg mixture, carefully coat with zaatar, pressing breadcrumbs and zaatar gently to adhere to chicken. Transfer chicken to prepared baking sheet.

4. Heat 1 Tbsp. oil and 1 Tbsp. butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat (pan should be large enough to hold 2 breasts). Add 2 chicken breasts to skillet and cook until golden brown on both sides, 8-10 minutes.

5. Apply hummus on flatbread, then top it with the tomato, onion and the golden brown chicken. Fold the flatbread and pan fry it till golden brown on the outside. Brush with butter if desired.

6. Transfer the chicken shawarma schnitzel to plate and garnish with parsley.

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cuisine rather on the island of Zanzibar, located in Tanzania.

In Bahrain, it became popular about 150 years ago.

Most halwa stores in Bahrain bear the name of the Showaiter family, a dynasty that has been synonymous with halwa in Bahrain for over a century. Bahraini even came to call their national treasure “halwat Showaiter”.

There are at least eight Showaiter sweet shops in Manama and Muharraq alone. It was this family who changed the halwa recipe by introducing cornstarch and rapeseed oil, and then they continued to establish a dynasty of halwa which earned them a great recognition beyond the Gulf. More than 25 cousins of the Showaiter family established chain stores in Bahrain.

Some have developed their creations in neighbouring countries while others have established a web presence to serve international clients.

Check out the many Showaiter sweet shops around the island for a taste of authentic Bahraini halwa, that was reformulated by this popular shop in the early 20th century and spun into an industry. In some shops, you will even get them stuffed into tiny sweet samosa.

You can pop into one of the ubiquitous Karak chai shops and sip a cup of the drink that has been trending for nearly five years now – and that is a long time in the fickle world of food trends. Or check out the selection of cafes that we have put together for our readers to sample.

Indeed, if you are a lazy gourmet, you just need to order online! Accounts such as @swalty_candy, @ bahrain.foods and @umrashid.sweet are some of the prominent Insta food accounts that serve you with homemade Bahraini sumptuousness. @swalty_candy alone has a following of 4k followers. “My mother-inlaw and her family has been around Bahrain for almost 40 years and had garnered recipes from here and there, both my sister-in-law and I have backgrounds in business when we started planning Swalty Candy, it almost seemed too good to be true,” said Amrita Bhatia of Swalty Candy.

Setting up the Instagram page was the first step, which slowly grew into hosting stalls to get more word of mouth and now the Bhatia women get up to 10-12 big orders a week. Their most popular dishes are Muhammara, which is a sweet rice dish topped with fish but the Swalty Muhammara is different, The Bhatia family saw the similarities in their Muhammara and the Sindhi Tari. Fusing the dishes has created a Muhammara in its own league. Another popular dish is a date cake made in the traditional way.

So there you have it – the foodies, the restaurants, the street food options and even how to go online and get your Bahraini food fix.

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Villamamas

Sticky Date Pudding

Naseef

Chebab Rubyan Villamamas

Saffron by Jena Bakery

A diorama about bread-making at the Bahrain National Museum

10 Must Visit Places to Eat Local Bahraini Food are :

• Saffron by Jena Bakery • Russos • Raazji • Villamamas • Naseef • Saraya • Al Wsha • Hala Cafe • Emmawash Traditional Restaurant •Dar Zowayed

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salaam society

Sindhi festivities

Engr. Manzoor A Sethar from the Sindhi Sangat in Bahrain celebrated Sindhi Cultural Day with TOPE & AJRAK at Swiss International Palace Hotel, Manama. Afzaal Mahmood, The Pakistani Ambassador to Bahrain graced the occasion. The event displayed special performances by famous Sindhi folk Singer Ahmad Mughal and his team. More than 200 members of the Sandhi family's took part in this beautiful event.

Pakistan Club goes red for N-Day

Eng. Rehan Ahmad (Chairman Pakistan Club) and board members celebrated 47th National Day at the Pakistan Club premises. The chief guestwas Afzaal Mahmood, Ambassador of Pakistan to Bahrain Prominent business community members join this beautiful celebration.

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yeh mera india

Kolkata university offers law course based on Harry Potter Potterheads take note! A law university in Kolkatais offering a new course on Harry Potter which will encourage students to explore legal aspects of J K Rowling's fictional world and its many real life lessons.

The course titled "An interface between Fantasy Fiction Literature and Law: Special focus on Rowling's Potterverse" will be offered as an elective to 4th and 5th year students of the B.A LL.B (Hons) programme at the National University of Juridical Sciences (NUJS) in Kolkata.

The course, designed for the winter semester by Assistant Professor Shouvik Kumar Guha, attempts to serve as a breather from the orthodox law school curriculum.

"This course is meant to be more of an experiment. It will take both me and the students out of our comfort zones," Guha told in a phone interview.

"In law schools, people get a very specific set of subjects. The curriculum revolves around the hard letter of the law, case laws etc. Given the fact that this course lasts about five years, students also get bored," he said.

Students will learn to apply legal principles in a completely new scenario, and understand how things will work through insights into a wizarding world constantly under government surveillance.

Given the many societal, legal and political changes, including the slew of landmark Supreme Court judgements, law students need to learn to adapt and respond to events unfolding around them, Guha said.

"I could have designed the course based on our real political situation but it is not necessary that all my students will share my political leanings," he said.

Guha decided instead to turn to a fictional universe, which would not create political controversies but help students learn to apply their legal knowledge to a

completely alien set of scenarios.

According to a statement by NUJS, the Harry Potter series vividly exposes the limitations of laws and institutions.

In Potterverse for example, The Ministry of Magic uses its representatives to torture children for daring to tell the truth, and imprisons or even executes its citizens without the benefit of due process of law.

Its infamous prison Azkaban is designed to drive inmates to despair and suicidal tendencies without any hope of reformation In numerous instances, the wealthy control and influence government policy..

Freedom of the press in Potterverse is curtailed, and the major newspaper 'The Daily Prophet' is used to spread propaganda.

The series thus provides a unique platform for students to reflect and compare the legal situations with their own government. The course aims to cover legal traditions and institutions, crimes and punishments, economy, 64

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politics, contracts in the Potterverse.

Guha says his assignments to the students would be very creative in nature, and hopes that some of the works can eventually be published.

"I was introduced to Potterverse in my tenth standard. Since then I have read the books multiple times. I am familiar with each and every line of all the seven books. So it will come to me naturally," said Guha, quipping that he probably knows Harry Potter literature better than Company Law. Classes for the course are due to start this December.

This is not the first time in India that a professor has turned to the magical world of Harry Potter to pique student interest.

Rashmi Raman, a former student of NUJS, first started a Potterverse-centric elective law course at the Jindal Global Law School in Sonipat in 2012.

The course was one of the most popular among students in the law school, Raman told .

"I have not offered it for the last two

gaming story

Video gaming like never before Cinema chain opens big screen to famous YouTuber for first-ofits kind experience

semesters because it always exceeds the class limit, and I end up having to teach a class of 40-45, when I could teach another elective and get away with 1520 students," she said.

Raman said she plans to bring back the course again in the spring semester.

Rowling's series of seven books - which were made into eight films - about the boy wizard Harry Potter and his friends Ron and Hermoine has already found its way into classrooms abroad.

The Kansas State University in the US, for instance, offers a class called "Harry Potter's Library," where students have the opportunity to examine political themes that reoccur in the series.

Frostburg University, also in the US, offers "Science of Harry Potter" which teaches students about the scientific concepts behind the magical events in the series.

For example, students explore the physics that makes Quidditch possible and the possible genetics associated with magical creatures.

The Internet has taken over and social media influencers are setting the tune.

Just in 2018 YouTube moguls like Lilly Singh earned brand deals from Calvin Klein and Olay and have went on to become a goodwill ambassador to the UN, Liza Koshy went on to host the infamous Met Gala while being an ambassador for Beats by Dre, James Charles & Jeffree Starr earned brand deals from Morphe and Anastasia Beverly Hills, YouTubers are clearly changing the world and especially the marketing game with their influence.

Following the influencer trail is Novo Cinemas, the brainchild behind innovative F&B creations and eclectic independent screenings. In a bid to increase Event Cinema opportunities from streaming live sporting action to hosting independent workshops, Novo invited famous Bahrani YouTuber ‘Spooki’, known for reviewing video games and with over 2 million subscribers, to the ultimate big screen experience. Taking place within their 7-star 65

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screen at Seef Mall Spooki had the entire 44 seat cinema to himself where he battled it out in the most talked about game of the year, Fortnite. Boasting Dolby Atmos sound, which provides moving audio with sound that flows around and above to create a powerful experience, the cinema came to life with vivid gaming action reflected on the 6-metre screen.

“Our constant approach to changing the way traditional cinema is perceived has meant that Novo is an ever-changing brand and in line with our customer demographics at all times.” Said CEO Debbie Stanford-Kristiansen.

“Having one of the most famous YouTubers in the Middle East to exclusively take part in their very own gaming experience bolsters our commitment to becoming the leaders in innovation. We are continuing to pave the way as market leaders when it comes to introducing new technology and bespoke experiences such as this.”

youngistan

NGPS builds community for N-Day

The spirit of community pride and participation was very much in evidence at the New Generation Private school (NGPS) this National Day, when students, faculty and management gathered to pay homage to Bahrain's 47th National Day and to the great life of the late Shaikha Noora bint Salman Al Khalifa. There were poetry recitations and a sharing of the great heritage of Bahrain through dance, costumes, songs and traditional games.

Poorna sets stage for Vijay Ho Poorna Corp and the Tamil community are putting together a grand cultural show for the entire Indian diaspora. Called the Vijay Ho 2019 – Ponmalai Pozhthu 2.0, the entertainment extravaganza will take place on January 11 at the Indian Clubs premises in Manama. The organisers have planned cultural performances by local artists and those specially flown in from India. Celeb TV personalities Priyanka, Lokesh, Sakthi Amman, TSK and Azhar are just a few of the notable names that will be present for the event.

With last year’s event being a huge

Flashback: Poorna’s Vijay Ho 2018 was a major success

success featuring hilarious comedy acts and extravagant musical performances by varied artists, this year’s event is expected to raise the bar higher. Around 2000 people are expected to take part and enjoy the show.

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youngistan

N-Day celebrations at NMS

The 47th National Day was celebrated at New Millennium School – DPS with great enthusiasm and fervour with a series of special assemblies. Students dressed up in traditional Bahraini costumes filled the air with feelings of celebration and

excitement. They participated with zeal in a traditional Bahraini dance showcasing the glorious customs and culture of Bahrain. Quran recitals & Posters of Bahrain portrayed and reflected the message of National Day.

Dr. Ravi Pillai, Chairman & Mrs. Geetha Pillai, Managing Director and Principal Mr. Arun Kuumar Sharma congratulated and extended best wishes to the royal family and the People of Bahrain on the occasion.

Colourful NMS Annual Day

The New Millennium School, DPS Bahrain celebrated its 14th Annual Day, with a splendid display of student talent and faculty commitment. The chief guest was Dr. Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Chief Exective, Bahrain National Gas Company and the Guest of Honour was Ahmed Al Haiki, Director of Inspection and Occupation Safety, Ministry of Labour and Social Development. Among the other distinguished guests present were

Directors and Principals of various school in the island. School Chairman Dr. Ravi Pillai, and Managing Director Geetha Pillai presided over the function.

An active role was played by the School Head Boy Jas Gajaria and Head Girl Zeba Mariam. School Principal Arun Kuumar Sharma, presented the School’s Annual Report of the academic session 2017 - 18.

The Chief Guest gave away trophies to the academically meritorious pupils of

NEC turns silver!

Two decades of innovation, growth and steadfast business philosophies lead to a special milestone for NEC. 90 valued partners came together to celebrate the 25th anniversary of NEC. The event started with the speech of the CEO Mr. Fuad Nonoo who shared his experience and thanked the privileged clients for their continued support. More than 30 companies were honored at the event.

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the school. Mementos were given to the employees who have completed ten years with the school and also to those who have secured 100% attendance during the past session.

A cultural programme based on the theme ‘TAGORE- AN ELOQUENT MEMOIR’ was presented, which took the audience on an evocative theatrical journey of the Nobel Laureate and thinker's life.

happenings

Johnny Lever for Republic Week For decades the Indian community has associated laughter with the name Johnny Lever. Bahrain lovers of the rib-tickling comic will have the last laugh in January when Johnny Lever and a group of handpicked comedians perform in the Kingdom.

Johnny Lever, one of India’s first award winning stand up comedians, found his calling in a Hindustan Lever company function where he mimicked some senior officers. It changed his name first and then his life.

From doing stand up to going on tour with the great Amitabh Bachchan and then onto acting in more than 100 films in Bollywood. Johnny Lever has been an unstoppable comedic force. Obviously the priceless comic timing runs in the family because he will be accompanied in Bahrain by his daughter, Jamie Lever who is also a prominent comedienne who has performed at the Comedy Store and various other events including Television programs such as Comedy Circus Ke Mahabali and a Bollywood movie Kis-Kis Ko Pyar Karoon.

The father-daughter act will be joined by Indian stand-up comedian and actor, Rehman Khan who’s also widely known through his television performances.

Promising an evening filled with laughter for everyone, organisers Artplan have planned out a fun event for the Indian Republic Week with activities such as a kids carnival complete with Face Painting, Henna, Distribution of Tri Colour Balloons and balloons in the coloursof both India and Bahrain.

To book tickets, please call on +973 3944 2633

salaam society

An ode to the saree

Saree Speak, a global online movement exploring the beauty of the Indian Saree, its drapes and weaves had a moment in the Bahraini sun when seven members met at the craft-enriched Capital Mall and welcomed Bahrain National Day..

The ladies - Pragya, Thanuja, Anjali, Anu, Ramya, Meera and Nisha - were just a fraction of the many Saree Speak members on the island and received a warm welcome from Capital Mall which put their picture up on their Instagram 70

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page as "Ambassadors of the Saree".

P.S. If you have not been to Capital Mall, do visit this cosy centre of all things Bahraini and artistic. Located right around the bend from Seef Mall, the mall is run as a platform for Bahraini craftspeople..

In association with

Tamil Community Presents

V i j a y

h o

2 0 1 9

PRIYANKA LOKESH AZHAR

TSK

Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain

January 11, 2019 at 6 pm

SAKTHI AMMAN

celeb chakkar

Kapil’s generous foodie move Kapil Sharma’s wedding in Jalandhar grabbed a lot of attention and had a crazy turnout. Not only that, we have learnt that the popular stand-up comedian donated all the excess food from his wedding to an NGO, Feeding India, which distributes it to the lesser-privileged people in Jalandhar, Amritsar and the nearby cities.

A source says that when the NGO got to know about Kapil’s wedding, the officials approached him as they knew it would be a big fat Punjabi wedding and there will not only be a lavish spread of food, but also in excess quantity. “When they told Kapil about their cause, he said yes without thinking twice. He told them to take the food from all his functions including the reception in Amritsar and distribute it,” says the source.

Ankit Kawatra, the founder of NGO, confirms, “Kapil is setting an example for others to follow by donating excess food from his big day. This will surely create a much-needed awareness for the cause and will motivate others. I am pleased to see that the person who makes the country laugh, took this opportunity to make others in need smile, too.”

Nickyanka racist tweet taken down Days after American publication The Cut took down a controversial article that called actress Priyanka Chopra a “global scam artist” in the context of her marriage to musician Nick Jonas, author Mariah Smith has apologised to the couple and her readers on Twitter.

“I want to sincerely apologise to Priyanka Chopra, Nick Jonas, and to the readers I offended and hurt with my words,” Smith tweered. “I do not condone racism, xenophobia, or sexism. I take full responsibility for what I wrote, and I was wrong. I am truly sorry.”

Headlined “Is Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas’s Love for Real?”, the December 4 article in its original form alleged that the American musician, who rose to fame as a member of the now-defunct boy band Jonas Brothers in the early 2000s, had a “fraudulent relationship against his will” with Chopra. It also criticised the couple for monetising their wedding through various brand endorsements, placing the blame of that on the actress.

The article faced severe backlash online for its racist and sexist tone, as well as its America-centric perspective, because it accused Chopra of trying to rise in the ranks in Hollywood by marrying an American celebrity, ignoring the fact that she has been a major star in India since 2003.

After the ensuing controversy, The Cut first published a watereddownversion of Smith’s article and later took it down altogether, saying that “upon further editorial review”, the publication realised that it did not meet their editorial standards.

When asked about the article at an event in New Delhi, Chopra reportedly said, “It’s not even in my stratosphere. I’m in a happy place at this moment. These kinds of random things can’t disturb it.”

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Tamannaah goes ‘bold’ for Next Enti Actress Tamannaah Bhatia says she has had a busy 2018 with back-to-back shoots for over half a dozen projects including the Telugu remake of Queen, Devi 2 and Chiranjeevi’s Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy.

“This year I spent more time shooting. I’ve never shot for so many films in a year. I’m a workaholic and even though I feel exhausted, when I look back at the work I’ve done this year, I’m still high on enthusiasm, thanks to the overall experience,” she says, adding that she feels she is enjoying the best phase in her career.

Tamannaah has teamed up with Fanaa and Hum Tum fame director Kunal Kohli for the first time in her latest Telugu outing, Next Enti, which also stars Sundeep Kishan and Navdeep.

Describing it as a bold film with a very urban vibe, she says, “Telugu cinema has changed a lot in the last two years. We are coming up with newer subjects that have been accepted well and the box-office numbers are proof.

Next Enti is a very urban film that boldly talks about how we perceive relationships in today’s world. It talks about how women are classified into tags based on their personalities."

Explaining why she feels it’s a bold film, she says: “Never have we talked more openly about love and sex on celluloid in Telugu cinema. I can’t do serious films.

I want my movies to entertain, empower audience and Next Enti falls in that space.”

Even Sivagami couldn’t save Baahubali

Baahubali Prabhas got a huge shock from the revenue officials, when they seized his property along with others in Serlingampally following Supreme Court orders which termed his sprawling 2,200 square yards guest house as an illegal structure since it was built on land belonging to the Government. You know what they say – when the government is out to get you, even Sivagami cannot save Baahubali!

Reportedly, there was a dispute between the government and private parties over 84.3 acres of land. Both of them had approached the Supreme Court for a favorable judgment regarding the land dispute. Three months ago, the Supreme Court declared that the entire area belongs to the government.

Government officials have been demolishing the illegal buildings before and after the recently-held assembly election.

Prabhas invested his money in a Guest House in 2200 sq yards of plot, so that he can spend his leisure time with friends, family members and relatives.

The actor has moved the court for a just settlement. There are whispers about why why only Prabhas is singled out and why no one from the film industry came in support of him and are instead treating him as a criminal.

celeb chakkar

Neha’s break-up meltdown

Masala done really well

Bubbly Neha Kakkar has been riding the popularity charts not just for her well-honed music but also for her heart-on-her-sleeve emotional appeal. Always smiling and read to swing to music, she is a favourite judge in the much-watched Indian Idol talent show.

It was on this show, sometime ago that Yaariyan actor Himansh Kohli proclaimed his love for her and Neha was over the moon, even announcing that she would seriously consider marriage with him. Sadly, the couple broke up shortly after and the star singer has shown a very human aspect of her glass cage life by breaking down in front of the camera.

Recently, the singer took to Instagram and opened up about the rough phase she's going through post break-up. She shared a series of heart-wrenching notes stating that she gave away everything and got nothing in return.

The first post was uncharacteristically bitter and read: "Mujhe gave (sic) pata tha iss duniye mein itne burey loh bhi hote hain.

Khair.. sab kuch gawaa ke hosh mein ab aaye, toh kya kiya...", (I did not know there were such bad people in the world..Anyway, I have come to my senses after losing everything) The second post addressed her on-screen meltdown, saying: “I know I’m a celeb..I’m not supposed to write all this.. but I’m human being too.. and aaj kuch zyaada hi toot gayi, isliye couldn’t control my feelings. Pata hai hum celebrities ke do chehre hote hain...Ek personal, ek professional. Personal life jitni bhi kharaab chal rahi ho, professional life mein you’ll always see us SMILING. (We celebrities have two sides to us - - one personal and one professional. No matter how bad our personal life is, you will always see us smiling.)

Apparently after their break up the two stars un-followed each other on social media and the Bollywood singer deleted most of her posts with Himansh on Instagram, the photo video sharing app.

Actor Ranveer Singh’s Simmba will hit theatres soon and we could not be more excited about it. But his newlywed wife is more excited to see his new look.

In a recent interview, Ranveer talked about Deepika Padukone’s reaction to the film. Ranveer said that marrying Deepika was the highlight of his life this year and that she saw bits from the movie and loved his look in the film. “On my birthday, my family and Deepika visited me on the sets in Hyderabad and Rohit sir was kind enough to show them some portions, which she loved. Usually, she is extremely critical of my work, but she liked what she saw of Simmba.

She said, ‘This is masala done really well,” he said.

“In real life, she wasn’t sure whether this moustache with its twirled edges would work for me, but she knew it worked wonderfully for the character of Simmba. She thought I looked fit and hot. And I was happy to hear that,” he added.

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Anushka’s special Zero moment Her latest movie Zero is extra-special for Anushka Sharma because it feels as if her Bollywood career has gifted her with a special milestone. Anushka began her Bollywood with Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi opposite Shah Rukh in 2008. Now in 2018, she is closing her 10th year in Bollywood as a superstar heroine acting opposite SRK again. “Life seems to have come full circle,” she exclaims, “Working with Shah Rukh in Zero was special as he never fails to amaze. Shah Rukh is somebody I have always admired, be it his drive, his passion or his ability to take every day as his first day. To have that kind of drive is not easy — to come on the set everyday, be willing to break your bones, hurt yourself and do anything for the sake of a film.”

Chatting to media about her avatar as cricketing legend Virat Kohli’s wife and inspirer (by his own admission), she adds, “When you are two individuals who are really busy and accomplishing a lot in your respective lives, your marriage is as normal as normal can be. That’s how it is for everybody.”

On the issue of marriage hampering a female actor’s career prospects, Anushka says such concepts have become redundant. “Today, women have children, they go out to do their jobs and come home. Work is part of life and so is marriage and you have to enjoy both. You can’t live in fear, I don’t and I have always done what I wanted to do.”

Quote of the Month We know when we are crossing the line. We try to look at what happened on the issue without getting personal. We are happy cowardly comics. I am happy to be a coward and this doesn’t bother me.

Now there’s a market for satire and our country is becoming funnier and funnier

-- Cyrus Broacha

Irrepressible comic Cyrus Broacha and fellow-showman Kunal Vijaykar admit that they never thought that their popular satirical news show The News That Wasn’t (TNTW) would last even a few months when they first started it in 2006. Instead, it has gone from strength to strength, becoming a daily show that presents a spoofy take on the day’s headlines – what the duo call a video version of Amul hoardings, which they’ve contributed to during their stint with daCunha Communications — the agency that services the butter brand.

That their TV show is a lighter take on news, warrants caution given the growing level of intolerance that has restricted comics across the country from taking on sensitive subjects. But Broacha says they have mastered the art of being funny without being personal. Of course, that is no guarantee that some over-sensitive fanatic will not slap a lawsuit against them. For now, the duo are happy being ‘cowardly comics.’

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editor's view

meera ravi

In the eventful 11-going-on-12 years history of Salaam Bahrain, we have interspersed our people-centric cover stories with themed explorations of the community – Asians shaping the healthcare sector, the best-known Malayalees, the desires of Youngistan - our youth - many facets of the diaspora’s thriving and clamorous life in Bahrain. But this issue, which pays homage to the pioneers who settled in Bahrain long ago – in some cases, over 150 years ago – was a joy like none other. Lovingly crafted by our contributing writer Abeer Parker, it encapsulates the grit, vision, determination and above all, a love for Bahrain in these early businessmen and their families of today, like no other cover story did.

These are stories to inspire and learn from. Today, we escape our comfortable cocoons and seek out adventure in paid-for situations that has us climbing mountains, going white-water rafting or desert trekking and challenging ourselves with manufactured hardships. For these men who sought a new life in Bahrain, the hardships were very real – and it was essentially an all-male domain. The Bhatia men had strict cultural and religious restrictions that meant that they had to learn to source and cook their vegetarian meals themselves, even staples like sweet water and dals were in short supply or needed to be fetched from far away. There was no air-conditioning and even electricity was fitful, so the climate was a real challenge. Above all, the communications technology was rudimentary and to use this to build a business between India, Pakistan and Bahrain was a test indeed. Later, when India was partitioned, can we even imagine the emotional trials of choosing one’s allegiance to a country without the inputs of family and elders and later, following the drumbeats of destruction of all that one knew and held dear from a faraway place?

The Asian presence in Bahrain is one that is poorly chronicled. This is a community that, in a place like USA, would probably have its own museum to chart its history. Like the stories of the Wild West, here too are tales of adventure and derring-do. But, in a reflection of Bahrain’s gentle and harmonious soul, most of the narrative is about mental agility, seeking new avenues for progress and a way to craft a new life in a country at the cusp of modernity.

There were no lawlessness and gun-fights and a real understanding and friendship even then among communities.

Perhaps the only thing that should change is the involvement of women in these businesses – even today, women seem to be back-burner advisors and are certainly hugely under-represented in the boardroom.

I once heard an old-timer expat who was leaving Bahrain after nearly 50 years to settle in Dubai with his son, say he would be back, because “The water of Bahrain honours and beckons those who drink it with love.”

Never have more loving and real words been uttered. We all feel that way and Bahrain really does call us back even after we have left, tugging at our heart-strings so that we return to celebrate our links with this beautiful island Kingdom all over again.

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